I Made It! -- Black Skirt with Yellow Detail

The Bed Head Foxy Curls giveaway is open until Saturday, July 30 at midnight... have you entered yet? 

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Two weekends ago I taught my cousin and a friend how to make a skirt from the pattern above. I chose an "easy-to-sew" pattern because I was helping people sew that were beginners. I also knew this would be a project we could start a finish in a day... and to be honest, I have project a.d.d. If I can't finish it pretty quickly, I lose interest!



I was so busy going back and forth between the two gals that I didn't have a chance to work on a skirt for myself.  So last Friday night I taught my boyfriend's daughter how to sew and I worked on a skirt for myself at the same time.  When I picked out my fabric I chose a fabric with a subtle yellow detail so I could expand the amount of things I have to wear with my favorite yellow shoes. Surprised?

Here are a few of the steps along the way...

 

Look closely and you can see the start of a pocket on the side panel.



Pinning the front panel to the side panel.



A better picture of the pocket after the side panel was attached to the front panel.

 

Doing a top stitch along the side seam and a close-up of the fabric.



I'm really happy with the finished product.  I think I may add a button in the middle of each of the pockets to hold them closed.  It would also help the skirt to look a little less bulky on the sides.  I like this pattern for the most part and will use it again.  It is easy enough for me to alter and was great as a quick project. 

While I've been sewing since I was in 5th grade, I don't usually prefer sewing clothes.  Most of my projects are blankets, bags, whimsical purses and other little projects.  I can't tell you how many clothing projects I've started and walked away from more than half way through. I either get overly ambitious with my pattern choices or I find that the size I picked is WAY too small a good ways into the project

My biggest advice to any beginning seamstresses (or even forgetful people like myself) is to go by your measurements and NOT your size.  Case in point - when I took my measurements, I fit in to a size 22 on the pattern and typically when I go shopping I buy anywhere from a size 12-16.

Something about a poofy skirt makes me want to spin like a little girl and jump around... and I took pictures to prove it! 

By the way, hair today is compliments of the Bed Head Deep Waver... I'm a fan! It heats up in 30 seconds, provided nice waves, and was really easy to use.  Thank you Bed Head for sending the Deep Waver!

Outfit Details
Skirt Pattern: Simplicity 2224
Skirt: I Made It!
White T-Shirt: Old Navy
Black Elastic Belt: New York & Company
Yellow Flower Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Yellow Beaded Necklace: Macy's 

Everybody Everwear: Yellow

I'm still stuck in vacation mode but I couldn't let another Everybody Everywhere pass me by... especially since this one features the color YELLOW!  Don't worry, I'll give you vacay details but I still have to organize the pictures and my thoughts.

This color is so stinking cheery!  How can anyone be unhappy wearing such a bright color.  You are all familiar with my recent obsession with this color because I keep bringing it up (here and here).  While looking up the what the color represents I was surprised to find so many negative connotations to the color: yellowbellied, don't eat yellow snow, yellow fever, a yellow flag indicates quarantine and it also serves as a color of caution.  I'm not scared or even cautious of this color... I LOVE IT!

My birthday is one of the exciting things that happened while I was away.  My boyfriend and his kids gave me a sundress for the trip to Mexico as well as the fun yellow lovelies below.  The yellow beads on the yellow necklace are faceted just a little so when the light hits them it gives off a nice sparkle.  And I can't tell you how excited I am about the yellow purse.  It is the perfect size for travel.  I can comfortably wear it across my body, it is roomy enough to fit my passport, a water bottle and my camera, but it isn't so big that it's overwhelming. 


Yay for birthday presents!



Turns out that I also have an special place in my heart for many songs that feature the word yellow:

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John

"Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell

"Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles

While I like the color combo, I can NOT stand the song:

"Black and Yellow" by rapper Wiz Khalifa

Outfit Details
Yellow and White Striped Shirt: Steinmart
White Skirt with Floral Embroidery: Sunny Leigh via Macy's
Satin Yellow Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Yellow Beaded Necklace: Macy's
Yellow Purse: Style&Co via Macy's
Hammered Silver Bracelet: Beach Vendor in Cabo San Lucas

It's All About the Shoes

I'd like to welcome Spring to Northern California.  It may not have hit 80 degrees in Auburn today but it did hit 80 in Roseville where I spent most of my day. So without further ado, I bring you... an outfit post!  But first I'd like to show you to my new little rays of sunshine.

Last weekend I went in to Off Broadway Shoes in Citrus Heights to check out the selection.  I was specifically looking to replace a pair of black wedges that I got rid of at the end of last summer.  The pair that I really liked was not available in my size.  I looked through the clearance section and these shoes immediately jumped out at me. I tried them on and loved them but I was trying to stay focused on what I'd come for.  It was hard to leave them behind, especially because they were 1/2 off of $49.50.

The next morning I pulled up Kimberly's Fab Finds Under $50 and guess what I found - Summer Must Have: Yellow Shoes.  A whole post dedicated to the awesomeness of bright yellow shoes!  That was enough of a sign for me.  Did you know that you can get a $5 coupon for signing up to receive special offers from Off Broadway Shoes? I signed up, printed my coupon and went back for these super lovely, yellow, Steve Madden wedges.  I got out the door for a little over $20!!!

This outfit was pretty uneventful but I've mentioned in the past, I like keep it simple the first time I wear an exciting new thing. Just a little black and white with a sunny splash of yellow!

Outfit Details
Black Cropped Pants: Larry Levine via Ross 
White T-shirt: Gap
Lovely Yellow Wedges: Steve Madden via Off Broadway Shoes
Necklace: Cookie Lee

Tongue-tied Tuesday

I'm tired and I think that headache from yesterday fried a few brain cells so I'm a little tongue tied.  This is what I put on today, nothing special except for the fact that these pant fit much better now that I've lost close to 7lbs... Whooopee!

Hopefully I have more words for you tomorrow... goodnight y'all!

Outfit Details

Sheer White Top: Style & Co via Macy's

Brown Cropped Pants: TJ Maxx

Brown Heels: M.P.S via Off Broadway Shoes

Snakey Belt: Off a top bought at Kohl's

Flower Necklace: Cookie Lee

I like your pants!

My morning coffee buddy and I are both fans of the wide-leg trouser.  One day while I was wearing a pair, she gave me a nice compliment by telling me “I like your pants.”  But the voice she used was low toned and sort of growly… maybe a little like the Marlboro Man might sound.  It is now and an inside joke between us and when we see wide-leg trousers we are known to say “I like your pants” in the voice.