Outfitted: Camouflage and plaid make me happy

I might be the only one on this boat but I love this combo of camouflage jacket and plaid scarf. I've been trying to find outfits that are casual cool and yet interesting...a little bit of my personality peaking through. I'm at a place in my life where I want to be a little more thoughtful about what I wear. I thought I would blog about the ones I felt make the cut..cool outfit you are hired!

I did feel pretty cool as I pranced around the library that day. 

BTW, I made the scarf! I'm so happy about it and I've worn it a lot already. Its warm and the colors are right up my alley. Plus, its made out of a old skirt. Thats right. It predates my dating Hubby years. It was a Forever 21 skirt I wore in high school, which is a decade old. Its so old its new again.=)

As I'm typing this I'm realizing that 3 out of the 4 pieces I'm wearing is Forever 21! How can this be, I rarely shop at Forever 21! The pants are wide legged, super long, and gifted. They are brushed linen and soooo comfy. Boots found here.

I'm trying to decided on whether I should write a tutorial for the scarf , write a pattern for my etsy shop  or try to submit it to a magazine. Help me decide! Commit below.

Playing with bugs

Bug brooches that is. When it comes to brooches, I have a thing for bugs. Not just any kind of bugs though, mostly beetles. Something that would most likely be considered as tiny, yucky, pesky and well, buggy in real life is now brilliantly gold encrusted, rhinestone adorned and has a new life as a brooch. Me likey.

Miss Priss Ladybug on her very own fern leaf.

I crocheted this fern leaf a while back. I wanted to experiment with making a leaf that had some detail. I like how well these two go together. A pretty ladybug on a leaf is what you would find in real life. I've been playing around with concepts of what I can make it into. Like:

Now it can become a pretty headband. It gives just a touch of whimsy, which is perfect for the hair.

Its was the most windy day of the season in these pictures.  It was literally raining dried pine needles. And yet I remain calm and collected ( pat me on the back someone). 

Or sew it to your shirt collar for a pretty faux necklace.

I really like the concept of using crochet to accessorize ready to wear clothes. A little extra detail here and there doesn't hurt. Plus it means I can use crochet in a fashionable way.

How would you wear this little leafy accessory?

Danielle

Redesigning a Ugly Shirt Part 1

  In a past post  I showed a picture of this 80's shirt I said I was going to re-make into something fabulous for me to wear. In honesty, I actually don't know if it is from the 80's or 90's...maybe you can tell...all I do know that it caught my eye in the resale shop.

Ugly shirt $3.99

 I started the process of sketching out my design ideas to see which one would look best. And I have to admit, I started to get scared. The longer my eyes lingered over the shirt's bright, bold pattern and lack of detail in shape I really started to wonder if I bit off more than I could chew. Never the less I have forged on with the remake.

  I looked for inspiration on the net, hoping that something would catch my eye.

like this!

 There were some details I fancied, but in trying to gain added inspiration, there were some things I had to consider:

• Respect the limitations. There are things I can and can't do while working with a already made shirt.  
• Moderation is key with busy prints. I don't want to overwhelm anyone with crazy floral while they are forced to look at me walking by them. Nor do I wan't to overwhelm myself while looking at me. I must take away to gain.

Here are my design sketches. Please do not be intimidated by my awesome drawing skills.

Actually I should say don't let my novice drawing skills distract you from the designs. No your eyes are not tricking you,  its just that I can't seem to draw the shape of the shirt the same three times in a row.

I wanted to do a wide open sided tank. I like the idea of the sleeves becoming pockets, but that means I actually have to lengthen the shirt so the pockets don't hang out at the bottom of the shirt. My answer to that is is crocheting a border. At first I decided to crochet it in dark navy, but as I was drawing I had the thought that maybe dark grey would look better.  

Which one do you like best?

I would love to hear your thoughts about this. What do you like and what don't you like. At this point I'm obeying the rule of measuring twice, cutting once. Even though I'm not measuring, I am planning this out  as much as possible because I would like to wear it for more than one year.

Danielle

Dear Anthropologie.

Warning: slightly cheeky letter to my favorite shop. 

You know I've been fond of you for a very long time. Your pretty little outfits and irresistible chic style. I've had countless moments of swooning over your detailed fabric and have drooled for your cardigans. Oh sweet cardigans. Oh the envy. And yet my devotion to you is not what I hoped it to be.

Lace and Ruffles

I've never actually considered myself a fashionable person until now. Now granted, I've always loved fashion. Growing up I had a little hiding place where I taped pictures of models in clothes I liked and various of other things up on the walls. The place was were the foundations of the stairs met the garage. It was a cubby like nook, which btw was also very dark, because it was like the garage, so I had to always have a flashlight. But still, it was my secret fashion club house in which I was the only member. Looking back, I'm sure my younger sister would have joined the membership if I had thought to send a invite her way.