Tag Archives: clothing

{Holiday Series} Love: Animal Print

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Once again, I’d love to feel comfortable in thigh-high boots, but as I’ve discussed before, my legs feel a bit chunky. I think I might try to put this aside this coming winter and brave the thigh-high boot with the tunic and tights-look. I like some of the animal-print fashions that are popular this year, especially this tunic. I think I like the simplicity of it. I also have a love for asymmetric zips on jackets and jumpers – so cute and a little different without being too far out there – thanks to my conservative side. The pop of yellow in the nail polish and bag, reminds us that the sunshine will be back after the winter months have hit.

– Getting ready for winter -

1. French Connection Sling Thing Jacket in blue wash/black (129.95 down to 149.95)

2. Portmans Animal Back Zip Tunic in black/gold (79.95)

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Sunshine

4. French Connection On Edge Scarf in black (19.95 down from 69.95)

5. Sussan Jenna Bag in Mustard (59.95)

6. Forever New 1200 Opaque tights in Black (14.99)

7. Diana Ferrari Willis boots in Black (229.95)

How are you preparing for the winter?

Alison

{Holiday Series} Sew: Leila & Ben Sweet Dress

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As I have mentioned before, I am always being inspired by beautiful friends. I very rarely have an original idea! I have recently been inspired, once again, by my gorgeous friend Jo. I took Evie around to Jo’s lovely new house for a play date with her daughter (and a Mummy-gossip session of course) and when Jo showed me a beautiful dress she’d recently made, I went straight home and made one for Evie. Luckily Jo swiftly emailed me the pattern link and I was able to stitch away immediately.

It’s a very basic style and pattern that I was able to whip up in an hour. I think it’s all about the fabric choice to ensure that this dress is eye-catching and much more than just a simple pattern.

– Sweet Dress -

I hope to layer it up over the Autumn and Winter with tights and long sleeve tops (in this case cream, black, blue or red/maroon).

I am also planning on making some more with some of the cute fabrics I have sitting around.

Thanks Jo!

Who inspires you?

Alison

{Holiday Series} Sew: Simplicity 3803 Maxi Dress

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I actually started making this dress in the summer of 2010, believe it or not. Then I fell pregnant and it sat in my sewing ‘storage’ until this summer, when I finished it off. It was a simple pattern, with a flattering v-shaped neckline. As it is an a-line style, I think it’s quite flattering as it covers all the lower bits that sometimes are best kept hidden (aka thighs, hips and tummy).

– much-loved, ripped pattern -

I wore it out to dinner with two of my gorgeous girlfriends (Shan and Brooke) and it wasn’t until later in the evening that they commented on it, and were very surprised to hear that I had made it myself. Later that same evening as we were walking back to the car, a stranger commented on how beautiful it was…needless to say, I was chuffed!

– What a beautiful sunny day! -

The bodice and the skirt are lined – I just used the same fabric to line it as it was quite reasonably priced fabric to start with. I purchased the fabric from Spotlight (great stuff, bad service!)

– What shoes to pair it with? -

There’s a couple of things I would change if I ever made another one. Firstly, I would get a longer zip (not sure why it’s so short – maybe I picked up the wrong one) and I think I gathered it too roughly around the sides, therefore adding bulk to my hips (none of us need that!!)

– The back -

What things have you made that people have commented on? OR you’re welcome to just leave a random comment – I’d LOVE that!

Alison

Love: Dress as a Skirt

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As I’ve told you before, I love op shops. When I’m in the mood (and I have my trusty dad to look after Evie so I can concentrate) I love nothing more than flicking through the old patterns and clothes and books in op shops. I recently found a dress in a local op shop that I immediately knew would never work on me as a dress – I simply don’t have the upper body for a strapless, ruched dress. But I also immediately loved the fabric.

– The dress it is supposed to be -

So…I got it home, washed it, and tried it on as a skirt…and guess what???

– Could be worn like this on a warmer Spring day -

– Can be worn like this on a cooler day -

I actually wore it work a couple of weeks ago, with tights and boots and lots of layers on top and I was given many compliments – lovely! It is also great for a growing belly – whether you become preggers (?) or eat too much that day!

What do you think of turning a dress into a skirt? is it acceptable fashionable behaviour?

Alison

Love: Suzannegrae Pants

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I’m putting my fashion-self out there in saying that I recently made a purchase at Suzannegrae. I know it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, and many of the items in-store are not my cup of tea. However, I have recently purchased two pairs of pants that I really love. When I was younger, it was one of those shops that Mum shopped at and, “I would NEVER buy anything there!” (“OMG, ROFL, WTF?” -FYI, this is current teenage language). But as my age moves further away from the 30 mark, I find myself attracted to some of their designs.

The first ones are black pants that I have been wearing to work. They are called a slim-leg jegging, and are described as having a two-way stretch. There’s no need for ironing (bonus) and they suck everything in at the top (love). They are flattering, go with almost anything and I feel good in them.

- Suzannegrae Slim leg Jegging in black -$39.95 -

I also had my eye on some green soft denim jeans that they stock. I was convinced they would look terrible on me, but when I tried them on, I was surprised that they looked quite good – well I think they do!?!?! They certainly have the tendency to be unflattering, but paired with the right top, they are really cute.

- Suzannegrae green jean $49.95 -

Do you NOW shop somewhere that, when younger, you NEVER thought you’d be in? OMG?!?!

Alison

Love: My New Scarf

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So I have a few blogs I follow (of course) and one I especially love is called Buy Now Blog Later. Laura, the author, has a style that I really like and she wears a lot of classic items, that can be purchased from the designer brands or from the more affordable fashion retailers. A few weeks ago Laura posted about a gorgeous scarf she’d purchased from and Ebay shop called Daisy Elle. (She had initially seen this scarf on someone else’s blog, and so the story goes on…) It was very affordable and so I snapped one up. A week later it was in my mail box and a week after that the temperature in Melbourne dropped and I was able to wear it out and about.

I wore it with a simple black cardigan, jeans and with my hair down. It is so warm and as I wear a lot of pinks, it fits right into my wardrobe.

- So warm -

- A self-portrait -

If you missed my earlier post about ways to tie a scarf, please click here.

Where do you get your scarves from? Please tell…

Alison

Sew: A Dress For Evie

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I have written about Craftiness is Not Optional before and the fact that Jess (the blog’s author) has inspired me with her super-easy, detailed sewing tutorials – mostly for her gorgeous daughters. A little while ago, I fell in love with one of her dress patterns – The Vintage Heirloom Dress, and set out one Saturday night (exciting life huh?) to make it. It turned out to be really easy and looked gorgeous on Evie. My main problem was that my larger-sized daughter wasn’t going to fit into it for much longer. I will endeavour to make her another one in the near future in a larger size.

- On the rack -

- It's a tight fit -

- Modelling the dress -

What do you think? Have you made clothing for someone else?

Alison

Sew: Vintage Patterns

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I completely love second-hand vintage patterns. There’s something about the fact that they’ve been pre-loved and perhaps been the starting point of someone’s much-loved hand-made item of clothing. They’re usually already cut-out (a job I really dislike) and the styles of past eras are so much more beautiful than many modern designs. I also love the cover illustrations. Sometimes one will have a missing piece, but that’s the risk you take when buying them second-hand.

- A bit of the 80s -

- Some 90s? -

- 60s? or 70s? -

- 70s? -

- One for the bubbas -

Can you tell I’m totally guessing the era that they were made? I really don’t know and there aren’t any markings on them anywhere to confirm my estimations – just my (limited) knowledge of fashion-history.

The Savers stickers are carelessly placed, but I can’t really complain when I am buying them for anywhere between 20 cents and $1. I am unofficially collecting vintage patterns now – not sure I’ll ever get to making most of them, but I still love them.

Do you collect anything? Or is it a waste of time?

Alison