45 Min. Colorblocked T-Shirt Dress DIY Tutorial

After seeing this Petit Bateau t-shirt dress in the pages of In Style, I became inspired to do a variation of my colorblocked maxi dress.  And this one went by much quicker, only 45 minutes from beginning to end!  The great thing about this is that you don't have to do any hemming / making sleeves / finishing the collar because you're using all pre-existing materials that come with these components finished!

Petit Bateau Short-Sleeved Tee Dress (currently sold out, but see link here)	My DIY version - Aqua, Pink Coral, and Black

See tutorial after the jump:

Sewing a Polka Dot Dress a la Michael Kors

Yay - Blogger is back!  I never knew I was so Blogger dependent until I realized I couldn't comment or post anything!

Today's sewing project marks my first foray into Designer patterns via Vogue.   Specifically, this one is from Michael Kors, pattern V1179.  I cut out a Size 6 which is supposed to equate to a 30.5" bust, 23" waist, and 32.5" hip.  Very obviously, I am no longer this size but based upon the description that this is a "very loose-fitting, pullover dress" added to the fact that the fabric is a knit, I figured it would be OK and it was!  :)

I'm rather curious how this will look post pregnancy and am wondering if this would look nice with a belt.  I might have to play dress-up with my dress form later on!

In other news, found out that I have gestational diabetes again so am on a restricted diet.  The good thing is that my belly will continue to get big but the rest of me won't :P

Dress:  DIY Polka Dots

Bag:  "Charlotte" worn as shoulder bag rather than cross-body (I love the versatility of her chain strap!)

Shoes:  indigo by Clarks, Finch (buy here - SUPER COMFY)

Preggy Chronicles Vol. 2: The "Push" Present

Another one bites the dust...

Let me first start off by saying that hubby is a very considerate and thoughtful man, but he is not one to ever bear gifts.  He firmly believes that money should be spent on experiences like vacations / eating at fancy restaurants / encouraging me to take extended maternity leaves (a year per child).  He hemmed and hawed like crazy when I told him I wanted a bracelet for V-day.

BUT, he couldn't say no this time...  After all, I am delivering a total of 2 children for him in this lifetime (the first being a boy - he told me half-jokingly that I was "a good Chinese wife") sans Epidural (although this is my idea).  So when he brought up a "push" present, I didn't hesitate to request a handbag.

• Do I NEED this handbag?  No, but who really "needs" one :)
• Have I wanted this for years and years?  YES.  (I'm also blaming you bloggers for a push in this direction - you know who you are.  I hope you know I'm kidding ladies!  :D)
• Am I planning to keep this for a lifetime and give it to my daughter or daughter-in-law?  YES.  
• And do they keep raising their darn prices all the time?  YES - so now is the time to buy!

See, ultimately I can rationalize this LOL.

I really wanted a flap of some sort in Black Caviar leather with cross-body carrying capability.  To my knowledge, current models worn cross-body are WOCs and Jumbos.  A WOC is a tad too small (8 x 5 x 1") while a Jumbo is too big (12 x 8 x 3") so I did some research on vintage styles.  Lo and behold I found a series 3 Messenger (9.75 x 8 x 3.5") and absolutely fell in love.  Though an older style, the caviar leather has held up very well throughout the years (no scuffing / stains / scratches / discolorations) which makes me think it will continue to do so for me and perhaps future generations.  I don't typically name my bags but this one is so special to me!  Her name is Charlotte and I can't wait to to do an OOTD with her :)

What would you request as a "push" present?