Project Tuesday

I decided several months ago that I wanted to recreate some of the things that I find on Pinterest and love but either can't afford, or are old seasons so can't find to buy anywhere.  I even bought fabric to start on some of the projects (back in April).  I finally got started on one of them.

I have been in love with the Boston Proper shirt since I first saw it on Pinterest:

Unfortunately, it must be an old season shirt because I couldn't find it anywhere on their site.  But I've been mildly obsessed with this shirt.  So, I decided I would make my own.

Finding a similar fabric was the hardest part of this project.  I love the cut out patterns and embroidery on this one.  I looked everywhere and even looked at curtains and table clothes (channeling Gone With The Wind), but still couldn't find anything that I loved.  I did eventually find an eyelet that I thought would work.

So, I pulled out my sewing and pattern making supplies and went to town making a pattern:

My favorite tool in the world!  My iron.  j/k BTW.  I've had this iron for two years and have only used it once for a craft project.  I hate ironing clothes, but an iron is essential when sewing.  It's so important to press seams as you go.

Drafting my pattern.  I forgot how much I really do enjoy pattern making.  I wanted to just make patterns all night long.

Fabric all cut out and ready to sew.  At this point in time though, I didn't have any white thread so things got put on hold until I went and bought some.

Then last night I got it all sewn together.  Unfortunately, I don't love the end result, so I have it on my dress form and am working on figuring out how to change it so I like it better.  I added a ribbon at the bust and I do like that but overall I'm not in love with the shirt.  I think I'm going to cut out some of the circles (that you can't really see in the pictures) in the eyelet pattern and see if that helps any.  But I think the big problem is the fabric choice.  The eyelet doesn't drape and is more stiff than the Boston Proper shirt.  I'll keep playing with it though and see what I can do to make it better.

I Love Me Some Trashy Diva

Trashy Diva is a brand that I discovered a few years ago and I love them!  They are retro inspired designs and their dresses are so fun and you don't have to be a Rockabilly to wear them.

The brand started in the 90s and at that time they were selling vintage finds (thus the "Trashy" in their name).  As time went on though, the brand broke away from that and began producing original designs.  One of the things that I love about Trashy Diva is that their dresses are all made of quality fabrics, ie. silks, rayons, etc.  and they are pretty reasonably priced for being boutique type clothing.  Most dresses costing in the low hundreds, or on sale for as low as about $40.

Their site offers clothing, undergarments, handbags, shoes, jewelry, etc.  But it is definitely the dresses that I look for when I visit.

Check out their dresses and you'll see why:

Trashy Diva Orlando Mini Dress.  Cotton Voile.  $159

Also available in a more dressy/sexy version.  Rayon/Acetate.  $163

I love their Courtney Coat Dress.  I've tried one on before and should've bought it then but didn't.  Very fun and flattering.  Cotton blend Satin.  $181

If you love Mad Men, you will love this dress.  I know that I do!  I love the peacock feather details.  Katherine Dress.  Heavy Weight Rayon.  $172

This Streetcar Dress is so cute in plaid and with the neck bow.  Light-Weight Cotton.  $165

***This dress is making me slightly crazy because it very strongly reminds me of a female fashion designer from the 1950s whose designs were inspired off of menswear.  She used mens shirting fabrics for dresses and rompers.  For the life of me I can't remember her name.  I've been "Googling" for half an hour and am not any closer to figuring out her name.  She was fantastic so I wish I could share more about her but I can't remember enough right now to share.  Anyone have a clue about who I'm thinking of?  I'll have to do some research and share about her at a later date.***

This is the last one I'll share today.  I think this dress is sexy and classic all at the same time.  Honey Dress.  Lightweight Cotton Stretch Poplin.  $108

Anyway, if you love vintage, or at least vintage inspired, you should check out Trashy Diva (www.TrashyDiva.com).  Their clothes are a modern take on 1940-60s fashion and the result is timeless, affordable, clothing.  I am a fan!

A Ted Baker Kind of Day

I've been slacking at posting the last week.  It's been record heat and that has sucked the motivation out of me.  I have lots of blogs in the works, in my head at least, but haven't gotten them all ironed out to perfection yet.  So, while sitting here, drained of energy and motivation, Ted Baker popped into my head and seemed like something worth talking about today.

When I go to Las Vegas, I love to go check out the Ted Baker shops.  The designs are very feminine, classic, and are the essence of English fashion.  I love pretty much everything I've seen of Ted Baker.  My only complaint with the clothes are that they are not of necessarily the nicest fabrics....  That doesn't mean they are cheap fabrics by any means, but if I am going to pay hundreds of dollars for a dress, I hope it is silk, rayon, wool, something along those lines, but Baker seems to use a lot of polyesters.  Polyester, when you break it down and think about it, really isn't that bad.  Care is generally easier.  The quality of polyester has improved significantly over the years and can be made to feel like silk or other natural fibers, but for some reason, I have a mental block about it and have a really hard time justifying paying the cost when the fabric is polyester.  Is that weird?  Anyone else have that?  And not all of his clothes are polyester.  It just seems that what I pick out when I am at his stores is.

One day I think I will break down and actually buy some Ted Baker clothes though because I think the designs are so fresh and fun.

What are some of his designs that I'm currently loving?

This floral embroidered dress.  Currently on sale for $367, down from $525.  I think this is a very sweet dress.  It would be great for weddings you might have to go to, dates, summer parties, etc.  Silk.  See embroidery pattern below:

As a general rule, I hate jumpsuits.  I don't think they are flattering.  I think maybe 2% of the population can pull them off, and that percentage is not usually the percentage that you see wearing them.  That being said, I think this is a cute jumpsuit, or playsuit as they are refering to this.  I think I like it because it doesn't look like a jumpsuit.  It looks like shorts and a top.  This is the Jordann dancing leaves print playsuit on sale for $173, down from $248.  Polyester.

This Tallar swoop neck dress.  Retro, classic, flirty.  On sale for $332, down from $475.  Silk :)

Liano Dancing Leaves dress.  $192 down from $275.  Polyester.  I think this is very cute, youthful, and looks like so much fun to wear.

So my picks for today didn't back up my polyester rant from above.  I totally failed there, well halfway anyway.  Oh well.  You should check out Ted Baker at www.TedBaker-London.com.

They have a sale going on now:

I also started a Facebook page where I post daily sales that I know about.  And some days, I post what I am wearing.  Picture quality is typical Myspace pictures usually, but it lets you see what my style is and what I wear.