Recent Inspirations

This past week I have been in the worst "Shopping Mode". I went out with my friend, Erika, last weekend and unapologetically spent way too much money on clothing and accessories. In my defense I did find some amazing deals. We went to Gabriel Brothers, which is a store that carries designer clothing at cheaper prices. It is similar to a T.J. Maxx in many ways, but you really have to weed through their racks to find great items. Then we also went to Forever 21 and Target. I probably spent around $150, but got around 20 or so new items... including: 2 cardigans, 2 tanks, 5 bracelets, 1 pair of earrings, 3 tops, a leather jacket, 1 necklace, 1 pair of jeans, 2 camis, and a new picture frame. I then went out with my mom and bought 2 yards of new fabric, some cute upholstery fabric to make a pillow, and a remnant to make floral broaches. It was a very successful weekend in terms of shopping, but not so successful in terms of saving. When will I ever learn? Needless to say, it was fun and frivolous and definitely worth it! Here are a few more things I'm loving right now:

I am absolutely in love with practically everything in Ruche's current lookbook! You can view it at shopruche.com. Here are a few of the looks and pieces I love right now!

Bow and Stripes Cadette Sweater $36.99

Undying Devotion Floral Top $30.99

Weaving Around Town Purse $54.99

My Everyday Adventure Bag $38.99

I found these cute pears through Google... they could be used as pin cushions or just as decorations. Either way, they are so cute!

I have already made 4 of these adorable birds! I made one to use as a pin cushion since I had nowhere to put my pins.

I want to make some into a mobile like this one:

I love how they used sticks to hang them! What a great idea!

The pattern for these birds can be found HERE! at Spool Sewing's blog!

This would be an extremely easy project:

Here is a free pattern explaining how to make these Frayed Rosettes by Jennifer Paganelli! Just click HERE!

I think given the right fabric, they would look beautiful on necklaces!

I just watched The Back Up Plan and loved these two outfits that Jennifer Lopez wore:

Obviously I would want one that is not found in the maternity section! I bet I could make this! Or maybe I am just feeling too ambitious!

I love her dress! The rosettes are so cute along the shoulder. I would love one in a red-orange/ coral color, though.

Sewing Adventure: Take One

[My sewing machine :)]

Last Wednesday night I started my first sewing project in order to release a little pent up creative energy. With the help of my seamstress mother I began the search for just the right pattern to start with. I finally settled for this vintage Simplicity tank top pattern that has been lost in my mom's pattern box for some years. We actually began our night of sewing by making an unscheduled trip to JoAnn Fabrics to buy some fabric and a pattern after an unsatisfactory look at our current possessions. After finding some beautiful cream lace spandex-style fabric and a shirt pattern, we headed back to get started. On the way back, while contemplating the design of my project, I decided to go with the old pattern we found at my parent's instead of the one I had just purchased. The first night I was able to get it cut out and the second night I began sewing it together! By day three I was ready to add the straps and take it in a bit in order to best fit me. I also added the lace roses and pearls the third day. I was completely finished by day 4 (last Friday) when I added the final pearls. I wore it out that night and loved it! I can't wait to start some new projects! Here are some pictures of my project!

I completed pattern #1

I found this stretchy spandex-style lace in the clearance section of JoAnn Fabrics for $7 a yard.

I loved the edge of the fabric and wanted to keep it on the shirt

All cut out! (Day 1)

I added a basting stitch to the top to gather it and finished sewing it (Day 2)

Day #3 I added the straps and other details. I wanted some lace flowers on the top left as well as some pearls.

Ta-Da!

The finished product! I'm the proud owner of my first creation!

I'm A Lonely Bird

I love being married. It's like a constant sleep over with your best friend. Travis and I have a blast together and life is great. However, there are certain things that being married has changed- like my friends situation, for instance. I feel like lately I have hardly any friends. I guess it is marriage and the fact that I am no longer in college in Tennessee. All of the friends that I made at school are hundreds of miles away either still at school or living back in their home towns all across the country. I do have a few friends from home but they seem to be either leaving for school or in "single mode", which I have nothing in common with. One of my best friends from high school who I got along great with just moved to Nashville with her sister. It has hit me harder than I expected. I do have one semi-close friend here still, but she is always going out to clubs and drinking. Now, I have nothing against either of those things, but I feel as though we can't really relate anymore because we have hardly any common interests. I have no desire to get trashed and go out to clubs and flirt with random guys. I also do not want to end up as the D.D. and chauffeur drunk girls around all of the time. What to do? What to do?

Travis has been going to school locally for the past couple of years so all of his friends are here. I don't want to make him feel obligated to hang out with me all of the time just because my friends aren't dependable. I guess it's good that I don't mind going out by myself. In fact, tonight I did just that. After dinner Travis informed me that he was going over to his friend Clay's to play pool, which he does a couple of times a week. I decided I was not going to sit alone at home with no cable and no internet and be sad. I would take myself out. I have actually had a pretty fun night. I stopped at Gabriel brothers and found a fabulous wooden frame for $3.00, a red-ish orange multi strand necklace for $2.00, and a lace blazer-style shirt for $8.00... pretty productive... although I need to calm the shopping down. On a side note I am expecting my Forever 21 package tomorrow! So very excited :)

Tomorrow my mom is coming over and we are embarking on our first sewing adventure together. She is going to get my new machine up and running and teach me a few tricks of the trade. I can't wait! My first item might have to be my lace open front vest that I can't seem to find one to buy anywhere. I might as well make myself one then!

Since I am on the topic of wants I have been in the process of making my birthday/ Christmas wish list early! Call me crazy, but with my family you have to tell them early or you'll get a bunch of random things that you really don't need. My current list looks as follows:

The Sims 3 for PS3. I feel kind of like a loser for wanting this at my age, but I used to play it all of the time when I was younger. Since we recently bought a PS3 Travis plays it all of the time, but I never have anything to play on it, so I thought this might be a fun option.

Purple Keds, of course! :)
The "old" Parent Trap! Such a classic! I saw it at Target recently for only $10 in double feature package with the Parent Trap II.. which I've never heard of the sequel... probably not very good, as most sequels aren't.
I found this lace top, which could be worn as a vest like I've been wanting at Walmart.com for only $7.00 on clearance!
I've been hearing a lot about this book and it looks interesting!

This is one of my favorite movies.. Doris Day & James Garner... such a cute movie!

I need a new flat iron desperately! If I can't get a CHI, I guess I'll settle for this one. My sister swears by hers.
I've been wanting the Father of the Bride I and II forever! Walmart.com has it for $9.88 for BOTH! Can't beat that!

I'm pretty sure that is all I've been wanting! Hopefully I get some of these things for my birthday or Christmas! Even though my birthday isn't until November 4th :) Kind of a long ways away still!

Okay, I've been at Tim Horton's all of this time borrowing some free wifi and I think it's about time to head home and see if my husband's "pool tournament" has ended. My cappuccino is cold, I'm out of danish, it is ungodly cold in here... to the point where my fingers can hardly type, and I am a bit annoyed hearing some pubescent mini Barbie whine about a text war she is having with her current boy obsession... boy am I so happy to be out of high school, or middle school, whichever she might currently be in- or at least acting as such. Okay, obviously I'm a little on edge tonight as well! I'm off to home where my bedroom air conditioner is currently broken and I will be wishing to be this cold in about 20 minutes. Hopefully tomorrow is a beautiful day as this one has been!