This dress is not the only thing in my life that went through a drastic change...
This week has been scary and exciting. I had my first week working as a seamstress. To be completely honest, I spent a majority of the time geeking out over the awesomeness of industrial sewing machines. I already feel like I am learning so much. I think it will really increase the quality of the things I make, which is outstanding. Plus, I am getting paid which is always good.
It's crazy to think that a year ago, my parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and now I am completely in love with the craft, and looking to make a career doing it.
Also, this happened...
I have been on a complete 90's kick lately. Something heart-wrenching and nostalgic about a good 90's rock ballad. My personal favorite...
Song I can't stop listening to: The Freshman // The Verve Pipe
If you are not a doctor who fan, I apologize...because then the title of this post just seems creepy.
Sometimes when I am utterly sick of my surroundings, I try to channel a little doctor who in my outfit, and pretend that I can time travel at any time.
(That picture is the sun setting in this gorgeous place I live)
If time travel were an option for you, where do you think you would go? I think I would love to live in the time of Jane Austen. that's definitely where I belong. Girls didn't wear pants. Cross-stitching made them accomplished. The dresses are breathtaking. However, I would have to be in a wealthy family, because being in poverty at that time was particularly awful.
Oh well. Until my tardis arrives, I will have to continue living in this land wear animal print is acceptable and women have to have real jobs to be considered successful.
People have been regularly touring our house to rent for next year. I personally think it's insane how early people begin to look for houses, but it is what it is. Awkward things are bound to happen when other people are coming into your home to picture themselves living there.
Awkward thing #1: A girl looking in my room and saying, "OMG your headboard is like...wood." She then continued to look at the pictures I had up, and was wondering if she could find anyone she knew. Meanwhile, I was in my pajamas.
Awkward thing #2: Being locked out of my own room, and attempting to pick the lock as I hear a tour group coming up the stairs. They find me kneeling outside of my door with a knife and a screwdriver.
Awkward thing #3: Me forgetting to throw away the remnants after cleaning out my brush this morning, so a group of five guys were welcomed to my room by an abnormally large clump of human hair sitting on the table in the doorway. Sorry bout it.
I am counting the days until someone signs a lease on this dump. I say dump in a loving way...in case you one of the many who has been round these parts.
Featuring photos of Sir Alex, because they make me happy.
Well it's the time of year where I have to start thinking about pants. Let me tell you, this is not a good thing for me. Pants are just so much...harder. So in light of the upcoming fall season, I hacked up this boring red dress and made a cutesy little peplum top.
Fall is actually my favorite season, but at the very moment I am hating it. And let me explain why. Because as I am writing this, all of the bros and brosephines who live around me are moving back for the school year. Life without them has been...quiet. Since they have gotten back:
a. Firecrackers. Stupid.
b. Chants of U.S.A!, U.S.A!, U.S.A!
(You have to lower your voice about five octaves before chanting, of course)
c. Substantially more police sirens. Youths.
d. 90's music constantly echoing through the neighborhood.
e. Weaving my bike in and out of crushed beer cans.
f. Drunk girls asking me if this is where the party is. No. This is my house.
Why is it that I feel like I am 22 going on 90? For real. I don't mean to be a total buzzkill, it's just that I really appreciate chant-less sleeping. I can't wait to be a real grown up. And live around other grown ups. Who have bedtimes. And jobs.
I have stayed away from circle skirts because they are really time consuming and involve a lot of fabric. However, if you use something that is already round, and hemmed on the end...something like a tablecloth? Yes! Brilliant! I am so proud of myself! I found this tribal table cloth at an antique shop for $4 and I couldn't pass up the pattern, even though we don't have an actual table for me to put it on. What can I say, we're in college. We eat in our beds. But I had to use it for something!
There is a little math required for a circle skirt. The circumference of the circle will be the measurement of your waist, or where you want to waist to hit. Mark down that measurement as "c". You will have to fold the fabric in half, then in half again to form a triangle. You will now figure out the radius using the following equation: r = c / (2 x 3.14159). (Yes, that's pi! Hey there high school math!) You will need to allow a little extra for the seam.
From here, measure that distance from the point of the triangle, and create a curved line. Cut this line, and this will be the opening for your waist. Cut down a straight line down the back to create a seam.
The waist band was going to look better if it started at the pattern, so I removed pie-shaped segments from the skirt to make it smaller, and sewed along that curve. Once you've sewn your waist line, sew in an invisible zipper on the back seam. Finish off the seam, and you have a circle skirt. This whole process took me around 45 minutes and I was very satisfied!
Warning: This skirt will cause excessive twirling, and may have side effects. These side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, and nausea.
You think I'm joking, but the afternoon I spent twirling in this skirt almost lead to me vomiting on the side of the path you see below while yelling, "Can't stop twirling. Skirt so full. Must twirl."
Song I can't stop listening to today: Hey Ho/The Lumineers
This song is best listened to while making pancakes. Good day!
I usually enjoy things that most other people are hideous. Which is why, whenever I hear people laughing at thrift stores, I turn to see what they found. Chances are, I'll love it. That is exactly what happened with this sea shell romper. I shortened up the bottoms, switched up the neckline, and now it's wonderful! I apologize for the horrendous before picture.
A lot of things are changing. New blog layout (ah hem!) that I slaved over. One day I'll get the hang of these things. What do you think? The roomies say it seems more adult, which leaves me with mixed feelings. I am giving ombre hair a try, courtesy of a lovely up-and-coming hair genius named Paul.
I used to live right next to a building that was perfect for picture taking. But since I moved, I have had a hard time finding a home for my blog pictures. So, I have decided to take blog pictures in some of my favorite places in La Crosse, and that way you guys can understand why I love it here, and why I am getting nervous about saying goodbye to this place.
I'm just trying to soak up some of the last bits of Wisconsin summer, before I inevitably freeze to death.
And my official pick for song of the summer is: Photosynthesis by Frank Turner.
While this song is not new by any means, it's just so...relevant.
So usually when I go thrifting, I stumble into the store, half asleep, hair uncombed, chai tea latte in hand, hoping to god I see no one I know because I may/may not still be wearing an outfit from the night before. Is that shameful? Too bad, I have no shame. I usually graze the racks waiting for something to amaze me. Often times, I walk out with nothing. When I first started, I got something almost every time because I was far too easily impressed with finds. Now, I expect much more out of my little adventures. Today, I scored. And I'm talking big time. I would through a sports analogy your way if I could think of any sports analogies that were suitable. Who am I kidding, if I could think of any sports analogies period.
So here's the play by play. I walk in, looking pretty disheveled. I spot from across the room a tan tartan pattern associated with Burberry. Now I'm not exactly into brand name anything, since a majority of my clothing has an old woman's name scribbled over where the brand would be, but this was exciting to me. I ran over. Like actually ran. Halfway through I realized I was running and became a little embarrassed, but kept running anyway. I got to it, and could not wait to try it on. I looked up on my phone how to tell it was authentic, and it was! My first thought, I am so going to sell this on eBay. Then I tried it on and thought, and I am so never going to sell this ever.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this shirt retails for over $300. I paid a mere $2.99. If I never thrift again, I will die knowing, I one day witnessed a true thrifting miracle. Good day.
Song I can't stop listening to: (seriously, like errryday) Capitol City/Wilco
I always hesitate to explain how I do things because most of the time it's so simple like this, but I have gotten some requests for more demonstrations so here you are! Often times skirts can be transformed into something fun and fashionable in literally no time at all. People act like you must have some sort of sorcery powers to have come up with such magic, but it's really as easy as pie. I have come across so many skirts that I would have passed over before I began sewing, just because I didn't like the length. This floral skirt I found thrifting for $2 is a prime example. Here's how I haphazardly transformed this skirt in under 15 minutes. It's simple but effective.
1. Try the skirt on. Examine possible lengths. A mirror is really your best friend at this point.
2. Fold the skirt up to the desired length.
3. Pin the front of the skirt so you can remember this length when you are no longer in the skirt
4. Measure the length all around to make sure it's even, and finish pinning the skirt.
5. Sew the skirt by machine, or by hand. I almost always choose machine unless the fabric absolutely requires it because it's monumentally faster, and I have the attention span of a tiny bug. Just zip that puppy through.
Wahla! Combined with a shirt I thrifted for $3, this outfit cost me $5 total! That sounds like cause for celebration.
And I shall celebrate with one of my favorite happy tunes: Plage by Crystal Fighters
Warning: Unless you have consumed some sort of hallucinogen, don't look directly at this music video. Also steer clear if you are prone to seizures like myself. :)
You know the commercial for Pretzel M&M's where the pretzel jumps into the M&M creating something that's far superior and magical? Well that is sort of what I attempted today. I saw this shirt when I was shopping that was a lace tank top with a denim collar, and denim down the middle by the buttons. Needless to say, I fell in love. However, we were shopping for some shorts for my boyfriend, and I had purposefully left my purse at home so I would not spend any money. Plus it was $30. So I decided to make my own. I found a lace-esque shirt, as well as a denim shirt and fused them together to make the super shirt I had been hoping for. I included a little DIY for y'all, so you can have one of your own.
Time: 1-2 hours (but I'm a putz)
Cost: $2 for the two shirts ($1.20 and $0.70 can you believe it?!)
Difficulty: Jedi Initiate
Materials: Scissors, Shirts, Sewing Machine, White Thread, Pins
So here are the two shirts that I used for this project. It really doesn't matter which you choose, just make sure you like the colors together, the materials will work well in your machine, and that they are the same size. If they are different sizes, the collars will not be the same size and you may run in to a pickle. Before you start, remove the buttons from the lace shirt, do any ironing that may be necessary, and prepare your work space.
Step One: Remove the collar/button area from the denim shirt
Step Two: Remove the top part of the collar from the lace shirt, and my top part I mean cut off the part that folds over. You will be left with about a half inch of fabric.
Step Three: Replace the white collar with the denim collar, place the remaining white part on the inside of the denim. These should line up just about perfectly. Insert pins around the collar and down the middle by the buttons or snaps.
Step Four: Sew together the pieces that you have just pinned, starting with the collar to make room for adjustments.
Now if you are going for a seventies vibe, then you can stop here. If not, look forward.
Step Five: Remove the sleeves from the shirt, and pin the armholes at your desired width. Mine ended up being around two inches
Step Six: Finish off the armholes by sewing the edge you just cut inward. I had to add darts at the bust to make the sleeves sit correctly, but I think that just depends on the lace shirt you start out with.
Have you guys heard the Avett Brothers new song? It's called Live and Die, and they released it from their upcoming album The Carpenter. You know I'm a sucker for the Avett Brothers, and knowing I have to wait until September 11th for the new cd makes me about pee my pants.
Anyway, it's the song I can't stop listening to today: Live and Die/The Avett Brothers
So for those of you who don't remember or who managed to make it through unscathed, being able to french braid is like currency in middle school. All of the girls who could french braid got invited to all of the best sleepovers because everyone wanted them to do their hair. Coming in a close second were the girls whose moms knew how to french braid, who somehow had time to do their hair every morning before school. Then there was me...who came to school every day looking like Julie of the Wolves.
This wasn't for a lack of trying. I knew that the perfect french braided hair was the key to popularity, success, and most likely love. So I toiled in my room for hours attempting to practice on all my doll's I pretended I didn't still own. And to no avail. I couldn't figure it out, nor could my mother or my sister. I was convinced that it took a real live Rumpelstiltskin to be able to french braid.
Which is why I am proud to announce to you, 10 years late, I have been blessed with the magic fingers!! I have finally figured out the enigma that is the french braid. Due to this, I have walked around campus all week with my hair styled like a 12-year-old. You know why? Because for the first time in my life...I can.
Look at me now ladies, I bet you all want to be my friend.
I scored this shirt for 99 cents at a thrift store and it still had it's original Daytons tag on it. It has to be at least 40 years old. I adore it. And the 1950's travel case is my new favorite thing, and I think it's going to be my new sewing basket...which I desperately need. Just ask my boyfriends needle trodden feet.
Today is the big day! The day of the mega million lottery. $640 million dollars. I'm pretty sure that with our economy in the state it is in, the winner will meet an unnatural end. Either that or live in a constant state of depression due to the persistent nagging by family and friends, asking for money.
That being said, I didn't buy a ticket. I have the worst luck in the entire world and I have never won a thing in my life. Therefore, I decided that for me it would be a waste of a dollar. So I took that dollar, and bought this dress instead.
It's not $640 million dollars, but it's still quite the deal.
Peace, my little darlings.
Song I can't stop listening to today: This Will Be Our Year/The Zombies
Why, you may ask, is this the best friday ever? I have the day off! No class, and no work. For absolutely no reason! For the first friday in...hmm, months probably. So what is a girl like me going to do with a Friday all to herself? This is precisely what I was wondering about 10 minutes ago. Until I turned on the television to see that our cable provider has given us a free weekend of premium movie channels.
Shirt: Handmade by me Skirt: Clearance at Gap ($4) Boots: Thrifted ($3)
I couldn't pass up this lighthouse fabric. And these boots were spectacular, I got them for a steal at $2.99. I had to fix the zipper on them, but now they are my loves. Even caused a group of guys to yell, "Hey Hipster Lady" at me while I was downtown. At least they got the lady part right. :)
Anyway, so the rest of my magical free-movie no obligation friday consists of:
1. A bottle of Francis Ford Coppola's Sante Pinot Noir
2. Midnight in Paris (My pick)
3. Burlesque (David's pick)
4. African Cats (Alex's pick)
4. Dinner with my lovely roommates (present and future)
Is it normal to wear this lingerie that is clearly designed for a grandmother in public? Probably not.
Am I going to do it anyway?
Definitely.
I found this...nightgown(?) at a thrift store for $2.99. It seems like a cross between lingerie and 80's workout attire. It even has those creepy boob pockets in the front. And yet...I bought it. My boyfriend literally laughed at me when I tried it on for the before picture.
Alex-"Oh wow...umm shiny teal. This is going to be an interesting one."
Me-"You don't think I can pull it off?"
Alex-"....silence...."
So I flipped it around, hacked it into a moderate fishtail skirt, and threw an even more obnoxious gold belt on it.
Add RayBans. Add Headband. Place arms on hips and grimace. Yields one force to be reckoned with.
Okay...so maybe it's not my favorite transformation that I've done, but hey it cost me three dollars.
Song I can't stop listening to today: I Will Remain/Matthew & The Atlas
Well I was walking to class today dressed like this (yes this is really how I dress in real life), when I saw a group of three girls walking in their black sweatpants and black Northface jackets (our school uniform which I am constantly violating). They apparently knew the girl walking ahead of me (black sweatpants, brown Northface) because they started hollering at her, "Macy, really? Black and Brown? Where's your black jacket?" The girl looked honestly humiliated, "Oh, I think I left it somewhere during the superbowl. I could not find it anywhere this morning." But the leader of the pack was taking no excuses. "You need to figure that out Macy, because this is not working for you." Owwwza! The girl looked at her feet, completely petrified. We're talking Basilisk petrified people. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed. It was like a real life, poorly costumed Mean Girls. I literally laughed out loud...which caused all four zombies to look in my direction, look at my dress, and scoff. It was then that I remembered it was real life, not a movie I was watching. And boy, had I upset the pack.
Sorry to offend my little sweatpants darlings. I have no filter, and I couldn't help but laugh. But I kind of wish this "Macy" would have punched y'all in the face.
Song I can't stop listening to after that experience: Girl With One Eye/Florence + the Machine
Take heed ladies, be a little kinder.
Ohh, and my hair is a little darker then I meant for it to become. But it's okay because I feel sort of like when Ursula is a person in the Little Mermaid...so if you can sing watch out, imma steal all your voices and your men.
Remember those awful shirts that snapped in the crotch? I think they were popular in the early 90's? Sort of like a onesie, but for girls/adults? Notorious for making you pee your pants as you are dancing around the bathroom trying to get it unsnapped. Maybe you never experienced this fashion fad, but I know my beloved sister knows what I am talking about.
Well, despite my bitter childhood memories, I found this onesie-type at a thrift store and I simply had to have it. It is a sweetheart velvet with a mesh type cutout at the top. (Only furthering my velvet obsession) The skirt was on super-duper clearance at Gap, which I scored for $4 which made my life! While wearing, I felt myself thinking back on my childhood. Back when I thought all my friends were the coolest, and my biggest concern was getting my shirt unsnapped when I had to pee.
My life has been somewhat drama-infested lately, much to my dismay. And this song always puts a smile on my face when I am stressed to the max.
Hence, the song I can't stop listening to today: 99 Problems/Hugo
School has begun for me, and so I have said goodbye to my winter break of bliss and hello to an 18 credit nightmare. I have barely had time to breathe, much less blog, these past two weeks. But the absolutely worst thing...is that now I am forced to wake up at a reasonable time! Gasp! 11 o'clock mornings, where did you go? My mornings now go something like this...
Stage 1: (8:45 a.m.) Denial- "No, it couldn't be that time already."
Stage 2: (8:50 a.m.) Anger- "Stupid Alarm! Stop bothering me! I AM NEVER GETTING OUT OF BED EVER!"
Stage 3: (8:55 a.m.) Bargaining- "Well maybe I didn't have to get up this early, just ten more minutes."
Stage 4: (9:00 a.m.) Depression- "Today is going to be so awful, what's the point of getting up anyway?"
Stage 5: (9:05 a.m.) Acceptance- "Oh shit, I really have to go."
Sound familiar to anyone?
Song I can't stop listening to today: January Hymn/The Decemberists.
In an attempt to organize my life, I have been trying to straighten up my room today. I made my way to the shoe corner (the corner of my room where I throw my shoes) and noticed there seem to be a lot more there than I remember. I always tell people that I am not a shoe person. Why would you waste money on shoes when you could spend it on clothes? I usually estimate that I only have around three or four pairs of shoes, and that astonishes some.
I was wrong. I am apparently a liar. I apologize.
That is 24 pairs of shoes...and that doesn't even include tennis shoes or my plethora of flip flops (occupational hazard of formerly working at Old Navy.) I am disgusted with myself.
This includes a dreadful pair of shoes I modified today. I got them at a rummage sale a while ago mainly as a joke. I apologize if I offend, but I hate animal print. It makes me vomit. Maybe because I was bit by a zebra as a child? Or maybe because it's simply awful. When I found them today, I knew I couldn't take it a moment longer, and covered the god-awful animal print with a lovely paisley using a fabric strength spray adhesive.
Now I love them! Isn't it wonderful how that worked out?
Song I can't stop listening today as the snow is melting: The Ice is Getting Thinner/Death Cab for Cutie
Title: Marykate and Ashley Reference?? Anyone? Anyone?
This morning was one of those awful mornings where I'm comically half asleep as I get ready. I tried to make my way to the bathroom and there are chairs everywhere due to people making seating for themselves the night before. I managed to trip over every single one of them. I started to put on my makeup, and I when to put on lip gloss and accidentally put on concealer instead. By the time I noticed, by bottom lip had disappeared. I figured I was already an idiot so I did the top lip just to see what it would look like. Scariest. Thing. Ever. I had no lips!
This is a dress I got for three dollars. I have been looking for a decent navy polka dot dress for a while. And by a while, I mean since Rachel kept wearing them on Glee. Oh no! My secret's out. I'm a total glee fan. And I absolutely love Rachel and Quinn's wardrobe. But this dress didn't start out Rachel worthy. I altered the neckline, gave it some shape, shortened it, and removed the god awful sash.
Add a fun velvet blazer, and you are all set. Uh oh, other omission, I have a velvet obsession. But look at the darling silver buttons. That little number was $1.40 at a thrift store.
Song I can't stop listening to today: Unguided by the New Pornographers.
This floor length green floral dress was kind of a nightmare. I apologize for the before picture being less than stellar, I blame my amateur roommate. Any way, this dress costs me 50 cents. Seriously. 50 cents. The woman at the register looked at me like I was crazy for buying it. I had to remove the sleeves to shorten the shoulders, move the waist up to my natural waist line, and hem it to a less awkward length. The belt really put it over the top for me. I wore it to work and got tons of compliments. Yay!
I am beyond excited. Why, you ask? Because I live in Wisconsin and it finally snowed!
I can go sledding, cross country skiing, make an upside down snowman, all the things I have been dreaming about since Christmas. Today was the day I had planned to take pictures of the projects I have completed for the Christmas Miracle, but I want to play in the snow instead!!
This jacket is actually one of the Miracle finds. I really like the retro feel of it. And it only cost me 1 of my 37 dollars! And the adorable reindeer hat I thieved from my boyfriend.
This dress is not the only thing in my life that went through a drastic change...
This week has been scary and exciting. I had my first week working as a seamstress. To be completely honest, I spent a majority of the time geeking out over the awesomeness of industrial sewing machines. I already feel like I am learning so much. I think it will really increase the quality of the things I make, which is outstanding. Plus, I am getting paid which is always good.
It's crazy to think that a year ago, my parents gave me a sewing machine for Christmas, and now I am completely in love with the craft, and looking to make a career doing it.
