A Fashion School Secret...

I had a small realization the other day, and really wanted to right it down. Since it's fashion related I thought this would be the best spot for my ramblings.

I have struggled most of my life to "fit in" with my wardrobe. Growing up I never felt like I wore the same things that everyone else did. We didn't buy brand names or go on shopping sprees like a lot of my friends. My parents were very practical in every department, and clothing was no exception. We were given the essentials with a few splurges for Christmas and birthday, but even then, we probably needed it, and it was purchased on a budget. We were taught that if we felt we needed more, we could work (either a part time job or chores at home) and purchase what we wanted. I don't want to make it sound like my parents weren't very giving and that I wasn't grateful, because I was and still am! There are many aspects of my families lifestyle that I appreciate now that I'm trying to run a household on a students budget. In fact, I contribute most of my love for sewing and designing to the times my mom and I designed and sewed my school dance dresses.

This mindset provided MANY lessons, but I will only go into one right now. When I went shopping I knew I wasn't going to get a bunch of pieces, so I needed to make them count. Looking back now, my wardrobe consisted of all kinds of colors and patterns. I didn't want to waste my money on a plain t-shirt when i could get a geometric patterned, asymmetrical neck-lined top instead. This also meant I had to come up with creative ways to wear what I had and to make it different each time. I will now admit that, before kids, my favorite pastime was creating new outfits with the clothes in my closet. Sad, I know. I remember a friend once telling me that I could put any combination of pieces together and it would still turn out great. I was honored by the compliment so I gave her theory a try. I put together an extremely colorful outfit and went to school. No comments, no compliments, and no haters. It made me laugh all day to think everyone else thought I thought I looked good :)

Anyway... Enough of the rambling back-story...

I want to tell you all a secret about fashion school... VERY FEW PEOPLE WEAR TRENDY OR NAME BRAND CLOTHING! There, I said it. Does that surprise you? I didn't really notice this until I had been out of school for a few years was and trying to keep up with the ever changing trends. Granted, a big reason was we were all poor students trying to support ourselves.  But it was also because of the many creative  people we associated with. Everyone was trying to be unique, to have their own style, to be their own person. I mean, that makes sense right? How many designers do you know who try really hard to look like someone else? ZERO! It's all about being you. wearing what you like despite what others think, say, or wear. I finally have the self confidence needed to not care about what others think. If it is a t-shirt and diamonds studs day, or if I want to dress up for a simple BBQ, then so be it! (I do need to mention that fit and color make a huge difference in looking your best, but that is a topic for another time!) For now, just be you, wear what you want. Throw a colorful outfit together and see how it makes you feel!

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Fit Your Body to Look Your Best

I was watching Studio 5 the other day and came across a segment that I thought was so important for every woman to know. It was all about the right fit for clothes and accessories. So many have the wrong idea when it comes to what it means to be the right size. Every brand and designer is different and has different patterns from which they make multiple items of clothing. It is up to us to try on as many sizes as we can from many brands or designers to make sure we get the perfect fit. And even after all of that, tailoring is still needed for some to get it just right. But don't get discouraged, clothes are made for the masses, it is up to us to make them unique to us. Take a minute to review these tips, it's easier than you think to look your best! Pin It

Flower Girls

A few months ago I was approached by a close friend who asked if I could make flower girl dresses for her her two little girls. This was a very fancy destination wedding and the girls needed to be up to par with the rest of the bridal party. Aren't they the cutest girls ever! 

4th Of July Tutus

When I was young my mom and my aunt always dressed me, my siblings, and my cousins in matching outfits for our 4th of July family reunion. Some were cuter than others, but we still remember them and what a great time we all had together. This year, My cousin and I decided to carry on the tradition and dress our little girls in matching outfits. It was a lot of fun and really easy to create. The total outfit cost about $3.70 for the onesie and materials. Not to shabby!

It's a little hard to see, but the onesie just has a star cut out of felt that was hand stitched with white thread. We put little triangles of tulle behind it to give it texture and a navy button to tie together the read, white, and blue theme. The headband is just a piece of white elastic with two pieces of tulle tied into bows with a pearl button hotglued in the middle. The tutu is 1.5 yards of tulle cut into strips and tied around a piece of elastic. Super easy and full of impact!

Monthly Picture ribbon

Here is my little girls first month picture! The idea is to see how she changes and grows compared to the crib and the ribbon. This is an idea we got from my cousin Ashley. She uses a pennant with the number of months on it, and sits in their very cool green highchair. I decided to do a birthday ribbon. I used squares of tissue paper and glued it using a pencil like I used to do in elementary school. I thought it gave it a lot of texture and fun color. I can't wait to keep recording these monthly milestones and seeing how she grows and changes.

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Wet/dry bags

As I have mentioned in past posts, I am going to be using cloth diapers. One thing you need is a wet bag to keep them in before you get to washing them. There are a lot of really cute ones online, but I figured I could make one just as cute for a lot less. I was able to use everything from my own stash so I didn't need to buy anything new. My pregnancy brain is really bad right now so I was unable to make up my own instructions and it was much easier to follow someone else. I followed a tutorial from A Lemon Squeezy Home that was very easy to follow and turns out great. I did make mine bigger then the tutorial suggests so it would hold more. I was also able to make it to match the color scheme of the nursery. I am very excited to start using them, mostly because that would mean my little one would be here already!

Spring time, Spring time, All around

I love spring! I always feel more rejuvenated and happy as winter slowly melts away. I love the tulips and daffodils that shoot out of the ground. I love the fact that it can snow in the morning and be melted and sunny by late afternoon. And believe it or not I also love spring cleaning. But, being a girl I especially love all the new spring dresses! I have always loved getting a new Easter dress as a little girl, and when I got older, getting a new dress for Sweethearts, Prom, & Spring fling. My mom always made my dresses, and we had fun designing the patterns and finding the perfect fabric. It totally stressed my mom out, but I contribute most of my love of design and sewing to those experiences. When I was in fashion design school I made my own wedding dress and I felt so proud of what I had accomplished. I always felt proud to wear those dresses and I still have a hard time parting with them because they made me feel so good when I wore them.

Over the years I have helped out other young girls feels the same way as they attend dances, weddings, graduation ceremonies and other important events. They have learned that you don't have to design and make a dress from scratch to get the look you want and to feel great, you just need a good seamstress and friend. Altering or redesigning something is the best and most cost effective way to create your own look. This dress was way too short. I unpicked the hem and it still wasn't long enough. The top of the dress has fabric flowers out of different types of purple fabric. We were able to find a corresponding fabric to add as a trim and make it just a few inches longer.



This girl wanted a fun new dress to wear to a wedding, so I custom made this dress from a commercial pattern. Now she has a dress that fits her perfectly and she looks great!

This dress was for a graduation party. It started out with just tiny straps. were able to find matching fabric to make thicker straps and a cap sleeve. It made a huge difference in the overall look of the dress.

So what if you find a dress but maybe you hate the straps. What if its too short or too long? Maybe you just wanted a certain color to brighten up your wardrobe. For all of these reasons and many more, I am here for you. Let your imagination go wild, or let me help you get started.