Spring-minded: Brocade Skirt DIY

The weather is a bit wishy-washy lately.  Last week was in the fifties and the shrubs were starting to bud.  This week there's snow on the ground.  Well, in the spirit of 50 degree weather, I made this simple A-line brocade skirt in a lovely light gold with fuchsia paisley accents.  To make it girly, but hopefully not way over the top, I paired it with a peach blossom top, fuchsia flats, and a "tough" olive green military-style cropped jacket.

Isn't the print lovely?

Top: LOFT (old)

Jacket:  LOFT (old)

Skirt:  DIY Brocade 

Belt:  J. Crew, Coral

Shoes:  Gucci

Next on the DIY list: hi-lo skirt, handkerchief skirt, wrap skirt, fit & flare dress, and peplum dress (or top).  I've been feeling inspired and have been pinning away like a mad woman :)  If you're curious, you can find my pins here.

What are you looking forward to wearing this spring?

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

5 Minute Lace Collar DIY Tutorial

After seeing Kourtney Kardashian wear a lace bib underneath her collar, I was inspired to try to re-create the look with some lace trim I had on hand.  I think it adds a cute, vintage-y look to a plain button-down shirt.

(Sorry the photos are so low res - I couldn't find a larger Kourtney one)

L: Kourtney Kardashian wearing Ani dress with lace bib

R: My version with lace trim and cameo

For this particular piece of lace trim, I think it looks better scrunched together than spread out but I will be on the lookout for other lace options the next time I go to a fabric store.

Easy Steps:

1.  Cut lace trim to the length that will extend around your collar

2.  Thread ribbon through lace (enough to tie in a bow around your neck)

3.  Add a decorative pendant to the ribbon OR pin a brooch to it

That's it!  Now just tie around your neck underneath your collar.  Wear spread out or scrunched as you prefer!  :)

Gettin' Tweedy: DIY Chanel-Inspired Jacket

Ah, the classic Chanel jacket.  I've admired them from afar for a long time but it wasn't until I saw Jean wear her Uniqueen version (as well as Wendy and Tiffany) that I felt inspired to try to sew one.

Jacket:  DIY Chanel-Inspired

Shirt:  LOFT, Peach (old)

Jeans:  Gap Always Skinny (old)

Shoes:  Ann Taylor Suede Pumps, Granite

Bag:  Balenciaga Twiggy, Anthracite

It was a good thing I was very inspired because the construction of this jacket drove me absolutely batty.  The shell came together easily (kind of - the pattern sleeve opening did not match the sleeve width) and I thought I'd have this post ready last Sunday.  Then came the trim.  I had been debating whether I wanted to do regular contrast trim or a fringed trim.  I decided to do contrasting fringe trim and this complicated things since I couldn't make this from a bias strip.  Instead, I used the selvage so it lays a little funny at the collar.  This is far from a perfect jacket but it's good enough (and finished) for now.  I'll have to do some more seam ripping this weekend :)