What I Wore | Las Palms

WhatIWore: Greetings from sunny Florida! Today I’m really excited to show you my first self made look for this trip from the mini collection I created last week! Let me tell you a little more about it…

When: March 13, 2016

What:
Shades: ZeroUV
Top and Skirt: Self Made
Sandals: Clark’s

Where: Dinner at a beachside restaurant

The fabric is actually from the upholstery section and it’s definitely heavier than your average apparel weight fabric, but it has a nice hand to it and I like the body it gives to my circle skirt. If you’re search for it, the official name is ‘Las Palms’ by Nate Berkus from JoAnn’s. I skipped a pre-wash and it’s probably the kind of garment I would have dry cleaned vs. throwing in the washing machine. I also had precious little yardage (in fact, I went back twice to get more!) so I didn’t want to deal with shrinkage. The salvage says it’s dirt resistant (it is intended for furniture after all) so I’ll report back to you on that one! 

The top was sewn from Simplicity 1371 by Cynthia Rowley. I made a slight alteration in cutting the center front (on the fold rather than in two pieces) and I didn’t do the ruffley thing they have on the pattern cover. I made a size 14 (sewing patterns sizes run different from ready to wear!) It fit great without any alterations! I lined the top with a cute white on white polka dot I had laying around. 

On bottom I made a simple circle skirt and cut it as long as my fabric would allow. The waist band is an easy straight cut piece of fabric that laps in back to button.  (I used some vintage buttons I had in my stash on both the top and skirt!) 

To accessorize I kept it really simple - some super retro cat eye sunglasses (they remind me of Barbie!) and a neutral pair of sandals. 

I like how these two pieces almost look like a dress but can be worn interchangeably with other shorts and tops too. More than anything I love the print! I’m really looking forward to wearing both all summer long!

Spring 2016 Inspiration | Blue Palms

Inspiration

Over the past month or so I’ve been working towards something really fun that I’ve always wanted to do - creating a mini spring collection for my closet! It’s not for any professional purpose or for sale or anything, just a project for the fun of it! I’ve used a mix of commercial, indie and self made pattern designs and then selected fabrics to compliment my theme and the different silhouettes. I’ll be debuting each look next week and talking about the patterns and fabric in even more detail! Stay tuned! 

The mood I’m going for is like a hazey blue sunset during an early 1950s Florida vacation - a faded snapshot from the beach full of full skirts, play suits and halter tops.

Palette and Fabrics

This collection is all in cool tones - teal palm leaves, bold kelly green, faded chambrays, navy, and an over dyed stripe.

I’m super limited with what fabrics I can buy locally and I really like to feel them in person and see how they move.  These pieces used both quilting cottons and upholstery fabric (!!!) but I love how the end results have a vintage vibe.  To get the colors right, I overdyed my stripes in the washing machine with a package of indigo and navy Rit dyes. I love how it transformed the colors.

Silhouettes

My skirts are all simple circles that I measured and cut without a pattern and then added a simple waistband to bring the focus to a natural waist. The shorts (which I’ve stitched before) also have a high rise.

For the tops (minus my vintage alteration), I started with sketches and then found commercial patterns that had the same feel I was going for (so for clarity, these aren’t my original designs!) I actually really like using store bought patterns because a) they save massive amounts of time and b) because I really like sewing from instructions! I think one of the things I enjoy most about it is the precision of pinning and sewing the pieces together, creating perfect seams and pressing the garment. Sewing nerd alert! 

Accessories

To coordinate with my looks I’m blocking a new sunhat (no photos yet, still a work in progress!) and a pair of hand made espadrille shoes. I dug through my collection of vintage silk scarves to tie around my hat or beach bag and pull each look together. I also bought a couple pair of cheap-o sunglasses (one pictured below) that are a little experimental for my style. Matchy matchy forever. 

What I Wore | Placeholder

WhatIWore: Hello and happy Monday! After a chilly streak last week I didn’t make any effort to bring out my springy clothes and regretted that this morning! It’s forecast to be 70 degrees today! I had this jacket on my basement hanging rack so it was easy to grab and then I’m just wearing an old tee shirt and jeans. To make it feel a little less wintery, I’m baring my ankles with skinny jeans and heels (a lot like what I posted last Monday too!)

Nothing too special, but I think it’s a nice example of how you don’t need to start the season with all brand new clothes and can still look and feel fresh. 

When: March 7, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Jacket: Target, 2014
Tee: Target
Jeans: Rag + Bone (similar)
Cross Body Bag: gift of Vera Bradley, 2015 (more leather styles here)
Pumps: gift of Rockport from previous partnership (same style, different colors here)

What I Wore | Camel Tones

WhatIWore: Remember a couple days ago when I was all excited about the good weather? Well, it’s sunny today but the temps certainly aren’t springlike. I’m glad I haven’t gotten around to storing my sweaters yet! (I’ve been busy sewing up some spring dresses for my trip to Florida in a couple weeks!) 

I like the combination of camel tones with denim and how they’re just right as a transition from winter to spring. This is the second time we’ve photographed my vintage cape (first here), and honestly, they’re not easy to wear with a toddler on your hip! Luckily I get out of the house on my own a handful of times each week to work, so that’s what I save things like this for. 

When: March 2, 2016

What:
Shades: Karen Walker
Sweater: J.Crew Factory
Cape: Vintage, mikasasucasa on etsy
Jeans: Frame Denim (a couple sizes left, on sale for $92!!)
Boots: LL Bean Signature

Where: Coffee Shop

In terms of more practical pieces, these jeans were a great investment. They’ve got a nice stretch and the silhouette really makes my legs look long and lean! I also wore them last time I styled this cape.