Inspiration

Spring/Summer "trends" I like

I've been loving the lace dresses I've been seeing in the editorials and in the online shops. This backless style is very sexy, but not over the top!

Cropped blazers.... I wasn't sold at first. But with a baggy pant, they look super cute! I need to try one on to make sure it suits my figure.

You know I love printed pants, having made a couple of pairs last year.
This year they are looking great in all shapes from wide leg to slim. I definitely want to make a silk or cotton pair for the upcoming summer. Those polyester pairs I've done have my knees sweating!

I've always loved angled and rounded hemlines so all of the asymmetrical hems I've been seeing are right up my alley.
look 1, look 2, look 3

What's on your radar?

Inspiration

Rachel Zoe blouse

Why do we try

 I'm a copy cat inspired again, this time by:

FROM THE REZ TO THE CITY!!

Source: fromthereztothecity.blogspot.com via Nikia on Pinterest

I really LURVE (stole that word from Adrienne :) Kiah's blog overall and I get "style" and "life" inspiration from her regularly. Plus, we almost have the same first name, what's not to love? Check out her site!

So, I'm blogging my look from today (first day of spring!) because I reviewed New Look 6802 eons ago and I don't think I've ever posted it so here goes. (Old pics on flickr)

Dress: New Look 6802 (the long sleeve is tapered)
Fabric: Joann's Fashion knits

I made this dress almost two years ago and I still love it!

PS: Confession: I have made a lot of things over the years and not blogged/reviewed them so you have and will be seeing some things not recently made.

PPS: My sister says I can show what I've done so far on the wedding dress!! Yahooo!!! I finished the skirt so I will get that up very soon.

And:

...this song is making my life complete right now...

peace.

Another one bites the dust...

Dear Pinterest

Instead of sewing (for me) I have been pinning/repinning like a mad woman.

But I kinda love it!

Source: shopbop.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Source: houseofturquoise.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Source: afri-love.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Source: fashion-isha.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Source: hwtm.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Get a fashion/sewing fix

(22 minutes)



(11 minutes)

...And have you check the Simplicity site lately? Leanne Marshall of Project Runway fame has some quickie sewing videos up! (click here)



 

via Simplicity.com

Inspiration

Source: shopbop.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Yahoo! Can't wait to make more of these babies (with the front hem taken up some...)



Butterick 5643
via

Inspiration

Came across this Sunday afternoon.....

Source: shop.msafropolitan.com via Nikia on Pinterest

Sunday night got busy...

(...after Jr decided to give me a 30 minute break from his fever)

I already had the squares cut out and leftover from a quilt I made years ago (did I ever blog that? I can't find a post, anyway....)  I serged two rows of twenty squares together, then serged around the edges.

I was gonna hem it but I like the "deconstructed" look of it. I also thought about adding a backing of fleece or jersey, but decided to keep it light, I have enough winter scarves.

Inspiration

Source: garypeppervintage.blogspot.com via Nikia on Pinterest

I am NOT a fan of nightwear as day wear, but this is really cute - and not so obvious!

via



via

Inspiration

Rachel Roy.

YES!! YES!!!!  How can you NOT be inspired? lol

Source: refinery29.com via Nikia on Pinterest

So I saw this pic yesterday and I was like, hey, I JUST finished a pretty floral blouse on holiday break. I need to wear it NOW, not wait 'til spring. (with this crazy weather, who cares anymore?)

So I did...

You're not seeing double, this is me not Rachel, lol!!!

Oh, and now you see why my office pictures suck. The tan walls + dark furniture and carpet + florescent lights + the bright window suck for pictures. I love the window though, the blinds are drawn here and it's still bright.

Blouse is Butterick 5037, now out of print. The pants I got from Kohl's a while ago.

Here it is untucked. I was gonna wear it untucked with slim pants or a skirt, but I like it tucked in!



The sleeve tab is supposed to be buttonable, but I just sewed the button on permanent, too lazy the sleeves don't look good pulled out anyway.

Um today's weather...

No Klepto

Inspiration: COLOR!!!!

Source: ericabunker.com via Nikia on Pinterest

What I wore:

Pants: New Look 6035
Sweater: Thrifted, Shirt: Liz Claiborne

I know I should be lashed for these pics but I want to keep up with blogging, during my blah face, not enough hours of daylight time. This actually was a good day, wearing bright colors does help the mood, but it was the end of a long day, I just pulled my hair out of a tight bun, and I was tired...OK, yea, yea, yea.

So about the pants. I actually made these during my winter break (last week of 2011). The fabric is a burgundy-red stretch gabardine from the free stash.

I have been wanting some red pants ever since Candice made hers. I was torn between making them wide or slim leg, but my yardage-on-hand took care of that decision. These are some decent pants! Easy to put together & very comfy with the zipper on the side. The size range is limited from 4-16, but that seems to be the usual with New Look.

I chose size 16 for the waist/hip measurement, I added 2 inches to the inseam length, and added an inch to back rise, which is normal for me with New Look & Simplicity patterns.

I thought the fit would be slimmer, so I'm going to take the leg in some for my next pair.

I have a caramel cut & a royal blue cut on the cutting table now!

Oh and, No Klepto

My new Vogues + Inspiration

Thanks to a heads up from Erica B. I snagged these on sale at BMV.



1285 is a Tracy Reese design. I found a similar dress in her Pre-Fall 2011, but it's printed and longer. It looks great, but I definitely want this in a solid. (not white). Did some Googling and found this:

via
Go to the site for closeups of the dress.

8797 is a shirtdress with the "mullet" hem. I've seen these from several retailers, but my absolute favorite rendition is by NiniStyle. (she's from Dallas too!!)

Source: ninistyle.net via Nikia on Pinterest

Inspiration

via neimanmarcus.com

1. Erdem - Cecile Lace Dress, Navy/Stone - $2,850.00

2. Valentino - Cap-Sleeve Lace Dress - $5,980.00

3. Nanette Lepore - Last Kiss Lace Dress - $378.00

I've always loved lace but it doesn't really fit into my lifestyle so I tend to stay away.

Until this little thing caught my eye...

Source: fashionista.com via Nikia on Pinterest

The bit of lace peeking out is very feminine, playful, and sexy without overdoing it. I think I should make a little lace trimmed petticoat to wear under full skirts and dresses.

For $59.99 at Target, I'm sure this is a nice dress. It's Jason Wu!!! (and I'm sure I'll find it on clearance in a month or two in my area.)

Still, I'd rather make it. (Because ummm, I need some length in the skirt, a non-white color, and good upper body fit...)

New Look 6020
and
New Look 6457

Dear Spring,

Hurry up.

Love, Nikia

Inspiration



Source: stylepantry.com via Nikia on Pinterest

McCall's 6436

PS: We have been doing kitchen upgrades since the new year started, so my brain cells can't process any sewing until it's over... I can't wait!

Inspiration

Inspiration

Inspiration

DIY Drawstring Gift Bag



How super cute is this little bag by super cute DIY Raven???

This is going on my sister's Bridal Shower to do list for party favors, and all future girly gifts from me.

PS: I got my holiday outfit together. I made New Look 6300. I have a luncheon and a dinner on Weds so I'll get to wear it then.

Later peeps.

Inspiration

If you only knew how many pictures I have of Mrs Obama in my inspiration folder...

Inspiration

At the last Vogue Patterns sale at Joann's, I picked up V8781. Not sure why, I was just really attracted to the line drawing and thought it had some potential.

This pattern has some great individual basics for work! I really loved the jacket, which looks to be a LOT less complicated to sew than a set in sleeve blazer. Plus the princess seams will help minimize a waistline. I'd skip the shoulderpads unless you need them for fit.

After some internet window shopping I found a couple of great Raglan sleeve jackets.

Zippers on the arm seam!! Awesome.org
This has a raglan and a set in shoulder combo, but can easily be straight raglan.

Color blocking!!! This tuxedo really opened my eyes for the possibilites with this patterns. I have some ideas up my sleeve so I am adding this one to the queue for sure. (*this one appears to have the combo shoulder too)

Inspiration

Zippered & Pleated Gore Skirt!

Right away I was attracted to the elements:
Black (staple)
Expensive looking fabric (wool)
A-line shape (flattering)
Leather binding and exposed zipper (edge)

My inital thought was New Look 6079, it has the gores and the pleats and the a-line shape without being too flared out like the original Fendi skirt.

The Vogue pattern is also a good match with all of the seams available to play with.

But upon further looking, a Butterick pattern stood out. How awesome would that pencil skirt be with the zippers on the seams? Or the leather binding?

Yes & YES!

I think would do BOTH, the exposed zipper on the back seam and the binding on the front seams/pleats.

Is it bad that I'm considering Spaghettios for lunch for the next 2 years until I save up for the Chameleon Satchel?