W magazine

I'm obsessed with this photo of Kristen Dunst from the new W. I'm ready for bathing suits and blond hair.

Craft goal:

To create this adorable Kate Spade bag from the spring lemon inspired line-

$400? Yeah, right!

Wish me luck. 

A Visual History of Oscar Best Actress Winners’ Gowns Since 1929

relax

today I am daydreaming about 

restocking my wardrobe with flowing caftans 

and running away to Thailand

zac posen

spring 2014

i love the styling

“I am certain that a sewing machine would relieve as much human suffering as a hundred lunatic asylums, and possibly a good deal more.”

I've been trying to spend more time in my studio lately, but it is hard because of how hectic my schedule is. However sometimes when I work from home I can do small things like work through my pile of "to be altered" clothes that have been sitting there since the beginning of time.

A few different kinds of things go into my "too be altered" pile. There are, of course, some things that need actual alterations- a hem here, a strap shortened there, a small tear corrected. Then there are things that I want to take apart and use in other things, like a dress from GoodWill that doesn't fit but is in a fantastic fabric. Finally I have things I just want to improve, for example a simple cotton dress that needs a little something extra.

So here are a few things I have altered lately. These are all super easy alterations- I hope they inspire you!


1. Problem: too high neck, stain on front

I got this dress on discount and loved the green polka dots, but I hardly ever wore it because the neck was so high- that's a lot of polka dots! My inclination was proved correct when I finally wore it and got a terrible stain on the top front. I couldn't get it out so into the alterations pile it went. (I had already cut the front out before I remembered to take a picture so it is just laying there in this shot.)

I simply put on the dress and marked where I would like the front to hit my chest. Then I cut out the portion- and the stain!

At this point you could just finish the edge on your machine and call it a day. But I wanted something extra. 

I was trying to decide whether to do a collar or a lace inset.  The decision was made for me when my lace didn't really match the white-offwhite of the dress. So I took a piece of calico and sewed on a lining and created a little collar.

Ta da! I put on a pocket on the front as well to tie the yellow calico into the green polka dots. 

Now the dress is more casual, more whimsical, and way cuter! 

2. Problem: no straps, hole in the front

I got this great little summer dress at a consignment shop and I love it! But there were two problems- no straps (not ok for a top like mine!) and it had a small hole in the front from what looked like a drawstring or ribbon.

I stitched up the hole by hand and cut some straps wide enough to cover my bra in this great ecru linen with gold specks (just like the dress with its gold threading detail!)

Ta da! Fully functional for only a dollar and 15 minutes!

3. Problem: small holes, boring

My favorite alterations to make are just sprucing up something cute and simple. I managed to fix a small hole in a cute tshirt by ironing on a patch made from a cotton calico from my closet, and I embellished a simple cotton black sundress with an Elvis face that was on a pillow-making pattern:

I hand-stitched some little keys to the umbrella patch to give even more character. And I suppose I could have even made that Elvis head into a giant pocket by not finishing it all the way around. 

Making some progress on my 'to be altered' pile! Now back to work!

PS that title quote is from Margaret Atwood in Alias Grace

My name is Brandy

and I'm addicted to cheap sunglasses.

I have so many, but I just want more and more.

The great thing about cheapies is that you can throw them in your purse or lose them in your care and it doesn't matter much!

A few pairs I need in my life:

$9 at JC Penney

$11 at Target

$20 at Asos

And for a considerably less cheap pair- I would die for these mirrored aviators:

$160 Ray Bans

New York Fall Fashion Week

All the looks organized by color. Cool.

 

see all the cities here

Oh Martha

Martha Stewart's modeling days

 

 

 

 

more here

 

skirt the rules

I want to live a Kate Spade spring. 

3 impossible fashions I want in my everyday life

1. Tiaras

Why is it only acceptable to wear a tiara when you are getting married, going to the prom, or winning a pageant?

Georgia May Jagger models Vivienne Westwood

2. Bustles

Peplums have been in for a while, but why not go that next step to a bustle? 

`1999 collection Dries Van Noten

3. Slips

I adore slips. You can sleep in them, lounge on the couch reading romance novels in them, and even use them for their intended purpose under dresses!

Liz Taylor in Butterfield 8

Six Impossible Things I Love Right Now

1. Hot Toddy

Grown up cough syrup for this terrible flu.

2. New Girl

The funniest show on TV.

3. dreaming about the bungalows at Chez Vavate on Madagascar

I wonder if they are still open?

4. Horse-radish crusted roast beef

On the menu for next week!

5. capes

The best outwear leading into spring

6. sexy movies

Including the sexiest, Y Tu Mama Tambien. 

What are you into now?

I want a bullet bra!

an unlikely pair.

(Coco and Salvador)

(Dali sharing a ciggie with Chanel)

A day with Cortez...

I want to hang out with these guys please...

(Nike's collaboration with photographer '223' in Beijing for Nike Cortez)

getting fruity.

the banana bag and the watermelon bag. love it!