DIY: Maternity to Fishtail Dress Refashion

I originally made this sack dress to accommodate my pregnant belly last summer.  Airy and lightweight,  it kept the super-heated me relatively cool.  Fast forward to hot and humid today (95 degrees in May - gah!).  Now is the perfect time to re-wear this frock with a quick refashioning of the hem from maxi to fishtail.

To do this, I simply folded the dress in half (front center on one side and back center on other), cut out the "S" shape, and then hand-sewed the hem.

DIY Maternity Dress to Fishtail Dress

Speaking of maternity, I got to meet the lovely and glowing Sydney from PetiteLittleGirl (now transitioning to Sydney's Fashion Diary) last week.  I've never had the pleasure of meeting another blogger before so this was absolutely delightful.  My toddler son, in particular, had fun and kept talking afterwards about the "pretty girl at lunch" for the rest of the day.  What a little flirt!  :) 

Would you re-wear your maternity garb?

On a personal note, Hubby and I celebrate 6 years of marriage today!  Adding our years of dating, that means we've been together for 11 years now  <3 <3  If we had known 6 years ago that we'd be relaxing on the couch with our 2 children in a toy-strewn house, I think our happy day would have been even happier :)

J. Crew Natasha Inspired DIY Top

Polka dots, gingham, anchors, stripes...they've been in constant replay in my mind.  Today's DIY was inspired by J. Crew's Natasha top.  I loved the dots and ruffles combination so decided to give it a shot.

I typically don't line my tops (too much of a pain) but a cami underneath the chiffon just wouldn't have the same effect.  I think the extra effort paid off in this case.

Inspiration:  J. Crew Natasha Top in Polka Dot, $80 (buy here)

DIY:  Polka Dot Top w/ Ruffled Placket & Collar, $10 in materials

DIY Polka Dot Top

Macy's Black Skirt (old)

The Limited Leopard Belt (old)

Target Mossimo Pearce Pumps

J. Crew Crystal Stripe Link Bracelet

Kate Spade Take a Bow Ring (avail in Kate Spade Outlet for $28)

H&M Black and White Bangles

Hermes Clic H

What kinds of prints have you been in love with lately?

Kate Spade Ellis Sweater Inspired DIY Tutorial

I first fell in love with this sweater on New Girl last week.  When I saw Emma from Glee wear it last night, I knew I had to try my hand at DIYing a version.  I usually can't DIY something quite so quickly but this one is a fast and easy project using supplies I already had on hand.

See tutorial after the jump.

Matchy-Matchy: Mommy and Me DIYs

Happy Mother's Day!!  Hope all you mothers out there have a wonderful day!  The morning of Mother's Day 2009, I received the best present ever - our baby boy was born (3 weeks early) so that I could officially be a Mommy.  This Mother's Day, I get to celebrate with 2 children and I feel so very blessed :)

My kiddos <3

E in a Mommy-made navy gingham dress to match my Crewcuts gingham shirt

Both of us in our skirts.  I LOVE her little Popeye forearms :)

Matching polka dot skirts

Pleating

Baby dress and Mommy skirt

 Rick-rack to add a little something to her dress

Matching striped belts

Many more to come!

And I'll leave you with my favorite Baby moments:

• When she cups my face with both little hands and stares deep into my eyes, I feel like she's saying, "I love you, Mommy"  (I'll note here that hubby rolled his eyes when I told him this)
• Kissing those chubby cheeks and seeing her smile as I do so
• Her laugh out loud occasions
• Seeing her get a kick out of blowing raspberries and getting spit everywhere
• When she follows her big brother around with pure love in her eyes and a giant grin on her face
• When big brother pats her on the arm and says, "It's ok, mui mui (little sis in Cantonese)" to comfort her during cranky moments
• Or when he insists on holding his baby sister because he loves her

How are you celebrating Mother's Day?

Nautical Peplum Top DIY

When I saw this lighthouse fabric, I was instantly drawn to the nautical vibe of it.  I briefly thought of making this into a skirt but I decided it would be more fun as a peplum top.  I'm also in midst of making a little dress for Baby E in the same fabric :)

Trying to figure out what looks best with it.  Are the red pants too much?

DIY Nautical Peplum Top

DIY Blue Pencil Skirt

New York & Co Slim Crop Pants (slimmed legs for better fit)

Gap Always Skinny Jeans

Melie Bianco Ariana Bag

Gucci d'Orsay Pumps, Camel

Frye Joy Vintage Slide

Amrita Singh Sag Harbor Necklace, Lapis (buy here)

LOFT Rhinestone Bracelet

DIY Pearl Bracelet

Hermes Clic H

Timex + J. Crew Strap

DIY Leatherette Bracelet  (refashioned from belt)

On the dress form for a better photo of the silhouette

Used bodice from Simplicity 2444 and peplum (slightly modified) from vintage McCall's 2948

Do you think peplums look better with skirts or pants?