Polka Dot Skirt DIY

Still thinking of the J. Crew Elinor dress (fitting room review here), I was delighted to see this blue / white polka dot fabric on sale.  I thought about making my own version of the dress but decided to opt for a skirt instead to pair with various tops.

I'm currently obsessed with green / blue combinations and wanted to give it a try with the resulting skirt.  I fell in love with this blouse when I saw it on Jean here, but went to the store too late to buy it.  One day, I found what must have been a return and snapped it up.  I love the vibrant green!

H&M Double Placket Blouse 

DIY Polka Dot Skirt

DIY 5-Strand Pearls

Banana Republic Pearls / Chain Bracelet

Michael Kors Tortoiseshell Watch

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

I'll need to post a better picture of the skirt in the future because you can't really see the box pleats.  I'd also like to play around with different pairings like the gingham / dot combo in this Pinterest image (repinned from Aubrey).

When it comes to dots, do you like pairing them with solids or prints?

$5 DIY Bed Sheet Dress

While hunting for a paisley bed sheet (wasn't having luck finding it as a fabric), I found this multi-colored stripe sheet (flat twin sheet for $5) and decided to try it out in preparation for the day when / if I come across a paisley sheet.

There are several advantages to sewing with a bed sheet:

• large, continuous piece of fabric (roughly 70x100")
• machine-washable
• soft relative to the stiff cotton blends found in the fabric store 
• good value (only $2/yard in this case)

DIY Bed Sheet Dress

Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis 

Gap Belt

Talbots Chunky Heel City Sandals

Can you believe the summer-like weather we're having in March?!

Close-up view of the colors and stripes

 How would you feel about wearing a bed sheet?  :)

The Nautical Bracelet Project and GIVEAWAY

UPDATE:  The giveaway winner is #94 Amanda B!  Congrats and please contact me within 2 days to claim your prize :)

I've always been a fan of all things nautical and just recently started collecting bracelets.  Why not marry those 2 things together?  Inspired by several Pinterest photos, I've been playing around with these colorful, striped wrapped leather bracelets.

Green and Navy + Brass

Also Cream and Navy + Gold.  Worn with Timex + J. Crew and trench coat.

Want to win a custom-made bracelet to share in my obsession?  Winner will be able to choose their own color combination (Thread colors are red, navy, green, and cream.  Button colors are brass, gold, and silver).

Giveaway Details:

• Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents.
• Winner will be drawn on April 14th and will have 2 days to claim their win.  If unclaimed, another winner will be drawn.
• Don't worry about having to log in with Facebook on Rafflecopter, just put in your email address.

Alteration: The Red Pants Experiment

Argh, I had this post all ready to go for Sunday evening and then, inexplicably, all the content was deleted when I hit "publish."

Let me reconstruct this darn thing and try again...

Armed with a coupon for $10 pants (from this post), it was unlikely I would be walking out of the store empty-handed.  I found these red pants and loved the color but the fit left something to be desired.  Size 4 fit my tummy well but then the legs were a bit baggy.  The unfortunate effect of baggy pants plus tapered legs was a pear-shaped nightmare.  I decided to take them home for some DIY slimming to "fix" the silhouette.  Aside from hemming, I've never really worked with pants so I was a little nervous about it.  Thankfully, simply slimming it along the inseam gave it the straighter, more-slender shape I wanted.

New York & Company 7th Avenue Sateen Slim Crop, Yelling Red, $10, orig. $43 (buy here)

I wasn't quite sure what to wear with them so I first tried my trusty stripes.

Top 1: Old Navy Tee (old)

Necklace 1: H&M Turquoise Necklace (old)

Top 2: Ann Taylor Starlight Stripe Sweater, XS (buy here)

Necklace 2: J. Crew Resin & Chain (old)

Belt:  Lands' End Canvas Rope Belt (old)

Shoes:  Gucci d'Orsay Pump, Camel (old)

Watch:  Timex face + J. Crew strap (original post here)

Then thought maybe an analogous color combination?  I wanted to try orange with it but the only oranges I had were too close to this shade of red and ultimately made me look like one giant fireball.  I decided to try peach instead. 

And added a deep purple inspired by this J. Crew image I pinned.

Shirt & Cardigan: LOFT (old)

Closer view of accessories

Horsebit Bracelet (purchased here but no longer see online)

Target Chain / Rhinestone Bracelet, $17 - reminds me a little of the J. Crew pave link bracelet

Amrita Singh Cannes Ring (buy here)

How would you wear red pants?