Spring, Spring, Spring

I just love when it starts to warm up at the beginning of spring! I'm sure there will be a few more chilly periods before spring really takes hold but I took advantage of the nice weather to show off my legs!

I just love this circle skirt! It's one of the first things I ever made. The fabric has started to fade a bit but it's still wearable.

These shots were taken at an outdoor mall. It's one of my husband and my favorite palaces to hang in the summer. When it's hot out, the fountain behind me is on.

 

I had planned on waiting to cut my bangs till later in the summer but they got the chop last weekend and I've been loving them.

And my hair is finally long enough to pincurl without too much difficulty. Woot!

Purple peep toe wedges! I took style notes from the 40s and matched my accessories to each other instead of sticking with just the colors in my outfit.

And it wouldn't be a trip to the mall without some shopping! Mostly we just went out to enjoy the weather but I love window shopping too!

Spring Fever

On Thursday, I got double surprises as my hubby surprised me with ballet tickets and my Christmas American Duchess 23skidoo shoes (also from the hubby) arrived! :D

Shoes!

Even though these shoes are 20s/30s styles, I paired them with a 50s circle skirt and hat. The weather ended up being unseasonably warm and that springy feeling came out in my wardrobe choices.

 

After posting about brooches this week, I felt inspired to wear one of mine! It was my great-grandmother's but since I received it after she passed I'm not sure how old it is.

These shoes were sooo fun to wear. The entire time, I felt like bursting into a crazy dance number.

I had plans to make a 30s dress especially to go with these shoes but I've been so busy with school that it hasn't happened yet! It's going to be more of a summer weight dress anyways, so it's ok.

Snapshots!

 Finally got some of my hats hanging in my bedroom!

New shoes!

I was in desperate need of some black t-strap shoes.

And more shoes! These read so 40s to me!

On a side note, can feet shrink? I've been a size 9 as long as I can remember, but for the past 6 months or so I've been good with 8.5 a lot but for both of these I had to go down to an 8!

Merry Christmas to Me

I've been down visiting my folks for a few days so I'm a bit behind on the gift sharing post but here it is. I already spilled the beans about going to see Wicked and the hubby also got me tickets to see Tenderly (a Rosemary Clooney musical) and Jersey Boys.

My dad picked out this lovely book of Jane Austen's novels for me. I adore Jane Austen and pretty books!

This one wasn't technically a Christmas gift but I won it from Liz of Zilredloh in a giveaway and it arrived right before Christmas so it felt like a present.

And I've already started knitting up this 1930s sweater in some lovely mustard wool. I think mustard is my new favorite color.

Shoes! I love wedges. They've got all the comfort and practicality of flats but all the benefits of heels.

My mother-in-law gifted me with this Fossil wallet and key fob to go with my Fossil purse. And look, more mustard! My mother-in-law has excellent taste. :)

I've been looking for some good rain shoes for a while to wear to school when it rains. These red and navy loafers from shoebuy.com were just the ticket. And they have a super comfy insert.

The other big gift (after Wicked) was this lovely Brother sewing machine from my dad. (Model number: PC-420PRW in case anyone is wondering.) It's a lot more high tech than my old Kenmore. It also came with gobs of feet! I think I've got it mostly figured out, but we'll see. I know a lot of people name their sewing machines and I think this one deserves a name. Any ideas?

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas. I also was lucky enough to receive quite a bit of shopping money and gift cards so I'm off to decide just what other goodies are in my future. Decisions, decisions.

Shoes!

My new shoes came in today! Thank you UPS! :)

They are a pair of darling leather saddle shoes by Bass. I chose the hemp/cocoa color combo which is a nice tan and chocolate brown. Much less sock hop than the options with bright white! My second choice was a lovely vintage yellow and white but the more practical color combo won out.

And they have the most darling plaid inside! Eeep! And I got them for $16 shipped! Sale (on shoebuy.com) + groupon + groupon bucks + discount for opening a shoebuy.com account + free shipping= awesomeness! Normally $69!

They feel true to size to me and are a bit stiff but the reviews said that they'd loosen up nicely! I'm terribly excited. I've wanted saddle shoes for a while. They'll be great for school!

And speaking of shoes, the lovely American Duchess is giving away a pair of shoes she's designed called the Devonshires.

Here's what she has to say about them:

"The Devonshires are a leather 18th century shoe based on museum examples from the 1760s through 1780s. They're made of top-grade dyable leather, with a beautiful, smooth Italian leather sole for dancing, and are hard-wearing, water- and mud-proof, for even the toughest of outdoor re-enactments.

Pre-Order the Devonshires through August 10, and get the special $100 price. We're only making 200 of these shoes, so don't miss the chance to own one of only a couple hundred pair on the planet! Visit www.american-duchess.com to order."

So hop on over and pre-order yourself a pair!

And speaking of historical costuming, I finished my corset!

Yay! They are a bit of a bear to get on by myself and they are a but large in the upper back (should've done an FBA I think...) but other than that, I'm really happy with them. My busk came in too, but it's a bit long so I'm going to have one of my power tool literate friends shorten it for me.

And here's my dress pieces! (well some of them, there's still more to cut!) I decided to go with the lovely red side that you see. I'm just going to change up my sleeve material (which is only 2 yds) so crisis averted.

So I bought some shoes....

....but not the $300 pair! I got a $50 gift card to Macy's for Christmas, but with the Wardrobe Refashion, clothes were out. Shoes were a go though! I found these adorable ones on sale, too. And I still have some money left on my card!

Plaid is Rad

I love shopping and sewing! And I've been doing both lately! I picked up a cute pattern for a dress and the cover had one made out of plaid material. I instantly fell in love with the design made by the plaid on the piece and set out to make my own. I finished it yesterday and wore it out for Thanksgiving today!

Dress: Handmade by me
Sweater: New York and Company
Cami: Banana Republic
Shoes: White House Black Market
Tights: ??? probably Walmart

My hubby also took me out shopping last night as an early Christmas present! I got some super good deals.

I got this red sweater for $20 and a white one in the same style. You can't see, but it has super cute rhinestone buttons! And it's super soft and warm. I actually got hot wearing it and that never happens to me!

I also got these *fabulous* oxford style booties for $30 at White House Black Market! AHHHH! Originally $108!!! I've been thinking about getting a pair of oxford style heals so these were just perfect. They make me super tall and I can actually walk in them as long as I'm on a firm surface (ie not in the grass).

Here is my dress sans sweater. Isn't the way the plaid lies just divine? It's far from perfect but I was very happy with it.

I felt quite stylish today. Did you dress up for the holiday? Or do you prefer comfy, more practical clothes for turkey day?