Pleats and Richelieu

I finally got to wear this dress last Friday. Soft pink and soft gray. Not the easiest to pair, but I just stuck to other light, soft shades (gray cardigan from target, gray tights, geometric sandals and dress from ModCloth).
Great details! Those oragami pleats! That neckline! It's such a pretty dress, you cannot help but feel pretty wearing it.

I got a fantastic new Pfaff sewing machine for Xmas and have been really enjoying it and making lots of lovely clothes. According to the manual, it's possible to sew this type of cutwork embroidery on it; it's called Richelieu. Hopefully I get to try that out sometime this year. It's so sweet and delicate. It's a nice detail to add to any neckline.

Nautical Stripes

I was just telling my pal Karen how I love dressing "preppy" and to me it's dress-up/costume play. This H&M nautical striped top falls into that category for me.
And I love soft and bright long-sleeve t-shirts. (And this Made-by-me skirt is getting a LOT of action too).

Sorry I haven't posted in a week. I got behind. Art outing of the week: saw the LA Derby Dolls. Very fun.

Gray Sheath & Polka dot sweater

I'm still trying to find interesting pairings for this cute cute cute polka dot sweater. And it's very soft and warm too. It's not the colors that are difficult to coordinate, it's the cut. Because it's a cropped sweater, it doesn't work with everything. I love a challenge. And I felt very chic in this body hugging outfit.
(Dress - made by me.)

Florals week 2

It's only January, but spring is in the air, or at least on my mind.
This just in!
Little button-up shirt dress from ModCloth; short cuffed sleeves under this slate-blue Target cardi. Tiny purple and blue flowers on white with a black braided belt.
Love it. (It's very short.) (too short???) (Not with dark tights.)
Hope you all had a great MLK Holiday.
I spent some enjoyable hours reading Bossypants over the weekend. What did you do?

Casual Friday

This is my Friday business casual. This is as casual as I get during the week.  What did you wear today?
I'm ready for the weekend. Looking forward to rest, relaxation, reading, and some fresh air. Enjoy yourselves, everyone.

 

Also, I saw some awesome art this week at MOCA Grand and MOCA Geffen. Free museum nights. Do it!

What is "edgy"?

I tasked myself (as I always do) with challenging myself... in all ways. Including dressing and styling. Yesterday I posted that I would push style conventions a bit more. And I said "edgy"...but all night I thought about that...what is that?
I suppose like "style," it is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways. At first thought "edgy" is cutting edge, it's cutting, it's punk, it's aggressive, it's in your face like a blade, but it can also just be subversive and comically thumbing your nose at convention. I like both ideas. But edgy does not have to mean black leather and studs. Isn't this what Fashion forward means? Ignoring and bucking trends to do something different?

My advice:  As soon as you say to yourself, "what goes with this dress/top/skirt/shoes/whatever?" And you pick some matching item. Throw that thing in the back of the closet and go the other direction!

Sweater from H&M; Pants from Target; Shoes from ModCloth; Jewelry thrifted.

Flower child

I like florals but don't wear them a lot. I like mixing solids, textures (like silk and wool), and I LOVE polka dots. But I got this dress as a gift and thought it was high time I wore it.
It's sleeveless, so I wore a little gray cardigan (new from Target).  And, of course, I cinched it with a belt and added some big, plastic, flower earrings. Simple, pretty, work-wear. (Too simple perhaps...?)

OK. Tomorrow I vow to dress more edgy. Can I put together something "pretty" and "edgy"? We'll see...

One Nail Off manicure

I saw this one-nail-off manicure on a friend and ripped that s*@# off! I love it. (thanks wh:) -- Unique and eye-catching. One nail in a complementary color. I did a silvery green and bright red. Get creative TODAY! (in any and all ways possible, even manicures count.)

50's Housewife dress: part 2

It's finished!


And I absolutely love it. The pattern is just great and I hope to use it again to make another dress or 2 in different fabrics. Challenges? Honestly, this project wasn't troubling, but it just took a lot of time to get it all done right. (So many pleats and buttonholes!)

Inspiration.

Pattern: Advance 2953 1960 (yes, it's 50+ year old pattern.)

Panzanella and Sweet Potato Pancakes

More Delicious Vegetable Dishes!!

Eat this as soon as you possibly can. I actually made it twice in the last week. It's just too good.

Panzanella is a Florentine salad of bread and tomatoes popular in the summer. It includes chunks of soaked stale bread and tomatoes, sometimes also onions and basil, dressed with olive oil and vinegar. It is popular all over central Italy. I had it at a potluck last spring and searched out the recipe.

It's totally vegan. But you can add some diced fresh Mozz if you want it to be richer and a bit heavier. I like it both ways. FRESH FRESH FRESH is what this salad is.


I also made Sweet Potato Pancakes this weekend.  The best thing EVER to do with leftovers... fry them up. :)

Mash sweet potatoes, add some chopped onion, and egg/egg-substitute, some flour; fry in veggie oil till golden brown.

Tomorrow, my fashion/style/sewing report is back.
See you then,
Happy New Year,
Trista