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.
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
Great song. And what you have been hearing from me in the past month. I am so very sorry, but I think when you see what I am about to show you, I will be on the road to forgiveness. So, I moved into a new apartment with five lovely roommates that I adore oh so much. More on them later. But, unlike last year, we are not allowed to paint. My room is an awkward off white, with hideous maroon carpet. Yet, I was determined to make my room gorgeous. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the big reveal...
And the best part, is the amount of money, or lack there of that I spent on this piece of paradise. Everything in this room was either made or thrifted. A shout out to my spectacular boyfriend (and cohabitant), as well as his father, who understood my scatterbrained sketches and helped build the combined desk, dress rack, headboard, etc. Although they thought I was crazy during most of the planning process, who can argue with these results?? I never ever want to leave my room, but that is a good thing for you because that means lots of sewing, and I have some awesome clothing transformations coming up for you this week. Maybe a few DIY's are in order for some of my bedroom treasures? Let me know what you want to make, and I'll tell you how!
Thanks for being patient with me. I really appreciate all of you.
Meet Julia. Julia is my boyfriend's sister, a very good friend of mine, and just one of my favorite people in general. We go on many adventures. Most recently, she asked me to transform a dress for her upcoming winter formal.
I have known Julia since she was 12, and it's crazy to see her all grown up. Here I go getting all sentimental. But doesn't she look beautiful? We shortened the dress (a little more than her father cared for) and made it more form fitting. I was quite pleased with the results. The back of the dress is still cut out and beautiful as in the original, but it wasn't the right setting for me to ask to take a picture from the back.
Top 3 reasons why I adore her and you should too:
1. She is the most caring person. I watched her perform surgery trying to save her dying rat. It was the most disgusting, foul smelling thing I have ever witnessed, but Julia took it like a champ to save her darling pet.
2. She shares my dark and mildly inappropriate sense of humor. And plots for world domination.
3. She is an extraordinary friend. I honestly think she would punch anyone in the face if they crossed one of her friends.
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.
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!
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.
