Stripes and Polka Dots

The mixing of prints continues this week! Stripes and polka dots. I love 'em both.

This sweet little sweater (from Target) has a bit of blue in it, and so does this skirt. So why not pair them?

This skirt is a home-made bubble skirt. It's easy - here's how:

The skirt (originally from Shimamura) was really too long for me, so I cut it just below the knee, then basted some 1/2" elastic to the inside of the cut edge. Stretch the elastic as you go so when you tie it off at the end, it will pull the fabric in. It still hung too low, so I tacked it to the cut edge of the lining inside, every 4-6 inches. Viola! Le Bubble!

cute keyhole detail

brass balls, indeed

twisted hair -- see the inspiration here

Made by Me Black skirt

O, Marc Jacobs, you inspire me!
After I saw this spread in Vogue, I just had to Make This Look.

I still need to make/find a cream silk top, but I am very happy with my black "silk" pencil skirt. (it's poly shantung actually, which i love.) Marc's is incredibly embellished, but I was more concerned with recreating the shape/lines.

I look forward to creating more looks with this fantastic skirt. I just LOVE it.

Made by Me stripes

Mixing prints is tough work. You have to be fearless! Adventurous! Daring! Just go for it. Stripes and polka dots (esp. black and white) are fairly easy to pair. I really enjoyed wearing this fun outfit.

I made this shirt -- perhaps "adorned it" is a better word. Lace and cut out flower appliques on an old striped t-shirt. REUSE REPURPOSE REINVIGORATE.

Belt, thrifted; Skirt by Kookai, thrifted; red beaded necklace... you guessed it...thrifted. :)

Office Attire

Adding "men's style" accessories is hot right now (hasn't it always been?). I've been doing it for years; you should see my collection of ties! But I was inspired this week to wear these lovely thrifted cufflinks, so that set off the whole outfit... pink french cuff shirt and brown pencil skirt, followed by Ann Taylor vintage-inspired pumps, and my huge leather Chloe bag.
I feel fabulous, like Mary Tyler Moore walking down the streets of Manhattan, ready to conquer the world! (That's what "styling" is all about for me -- build yourself up to the person you want to be AND YOU WILL BE IT!)

Veggie Fritatta with Potato Crust

Eat this tonight!
Found this recipe at For the Love of Cooking, and pretty much made it to spec except left out the ham. Also I used cheddar instead of swiss. The flavor of the caramelized onions and mushrooms was the best.The potato crust was so yummy and filling without just being flour & margarine, like a traditional crust. It was Deeeee-licious.

Made by me Navy Dress

This dark navy blue dress has the cutest white button print with tiny red thread in the button-holes. 2-3 yards were given to me by my dear friend Karen for my B-day about 5 years ago. I FINALLY made a dress out of it. A simple dress with a zipper in the back, a bit of gathering at the top of the sleeves, and a matching tie for the waist (but I like to wear a red, gold, or black patent leather belt with it as well).

And I made a skirt too.
Fabulous!

Forever in Blue..

Money talks
But it don't sing and dance
And it don't walk
And long as I can have you
Here with me, I'd much rather be
Forever in blue jeans...    Oh, that Neil Diamond is a poet.

Went to see a tribute band a few nights ago...Hot August Night... very fun concert in the park.

After the blue polka dot dress, I thought I'd keep with a blue theme for the week and try to put together some blue ensembles. Here's today's...

White dress shirt, Theory; Skirt, Jean Paul Gautier for Target; necklace - LA flea market@Dodger Stadium

Polka dots

OMG, I love polka dot dresses. You've already seen me in a few on this blog and I've only been at it a month!
I just got this blue polka dot dress. Thrifted! Belt - thrifted! Necklace - thrifted!

As soon as I tried this dress on I thought "belt it" and had planned on a bright red or pink one, but I decided on complimenting the round dots with a geometric sandal and went with a nude shoe and belt. I plan to have some more fun styling this dress. See you in the fall, blue polka dot dress.

Shoes, from ModCloth :)

Triple wrap belt, and my new favorite nail color - Essie, Vava Vroom

Black & white

Simple, drop-waist, off-white, sleeveless sweater dress. But how to dress up and "style" this simple shift? Add a bright belt over the cardigan. I love bright belts. And I find belts over a little sweater or jacket very dressy, feminine and flattering.

Polka dot cork wedges, from Shimamura. Pink lace socks from Little Tokyo. Same color scheme, but spicy enough to bring life to this office ensemble. Shy away from the obvious! Don't go for the simple, safe, plain black pump or flat -- be creative! Have fun!

Have a  great weekend!

Delicious Dishes

Two fantastic dishes were cooked up this week (at my house, by me :)
1. Pasta Ponza (recipe from Giada De Laurentiis' book Giada at Home)
Instead of capers, I added chopped zucchini, and instead of Romano I used Mozzarella. It's not quite the same dish, but I wanted to use what I had in the fridge. And it was still delicious!

2. Cottage Pie (aka Shephard's Pie)
Boil 5-6 chopped potatoes for your mashed potato topping.
In a large skillet, melt 4 tbsp. butter; brown a diced onion for 5 minutes or so, add chopped carrots (3-4), then add 1-2 lbs of ground turkey or soy crumble if you want to go veg. Brown the meat. Add 1/2 - 1 cup of chicken stock or veg. stock, and 1 bag of frozen corn and 1 bag of frozen peas. Cover and simmer on low for 10-15 min. Dump the meat and veggies in a large casserole dish, cover with mashed potatoes (I mashed mine with 1/2 cup chicken stock and 1-2 tbsp of butter). Sprinkle the top with shredded cheddar if you like. I like.

Happy dining!

Hot Pink Halter

It has been years since I wore a halter top, but since I made this one myself...I just had to wear it.
Sewing rocks. Hardcore.

Suit jacket and wide-leg black pants (Express); purple suede wedges (Kenneth Cole for Macy's).

Notes on this bike: This is my free bike I found in the trash. I keep it at work for zipping around as needed - it gets used daily. For a junk bike, it is so great. The wheels roll... one brake works- that's ok, right? The pedals/cranks squeak so loud you can hear me coming a block away. Yeah. I know I'm cool.

LBD Week finale

The final style for Little Black Dress week.

A simple vintage stretch black knit shift (from The Garment District). Burgundy pinup pumps (bought online from Newport News, 2000). Gold beaded necklace from Goodwill, leather and brass bracelet from Mexico, and cocktail ring from Target.

LBD Week

A few months ago, I cleaned out my closet and got organized. I found tons of wonderful things that I haven't worn in a long time, so I decided to give myself a weekly theme; I'd have to be creative and wear some of these great pieces that don't see a lot of action. I've done purple week, brown week, gray week, pink week...skirt week, scarf week, suit week, polka dot week, vintage week... You get the idea.
This week is Little Black Dress week.

MONDAY: black cotton dress, with polka dot bottom, ribbon belt, from Shimamura in Japan

TUESDAY: Black shirt dress from Macy's; patent leather bow belt from Shimamura; shoes from ModCloth; socks from Little Tokyo Mall

WEDNESDAY: Dress from ModCloth; shoes from Seychelles, thrifted

THURSDAY: vintage polka dot dress from BBC Vintage; Belt, thrifted; Shoes, Remix

What's the LDB look for FRIDAY? Tune in next week to find out...
It's a fashion CLIFFHANGER!!!