Test Shot

One of my jobs at photoshoots is to be a stand in so my hubby can check the light.

This was on a surprisingly warm day so I went for a summery nautical feel.

One thing I like to do when being the test shot model is make funny faces.

Although sometimes I just do normal type poses. I had my hair in pin curls and a scarf for a later event.

Are you ready for spring yet? Or are you still enjoying winter?

Let's Be Glamorous!

Let's get glamorous with this great 50s hairstyle! I used an easy curling iron method for bit of everyday glamor.

A Gala

My life does not have many opportunities for glamor but this weekend I went to a charity gala for Alzheimer's research.

And what does one wear to a gala except an evening gown and vintage velvet jacket!

The velvet jacket was given to me by my mother-in-law. I'm not sure how old it is but it's very pretty. The lining needs to be replaced but it's still wearable.

I made this dress back in 2012 to wear to the Costume College Gala.

The Gala was so much fun! Good wine and good food and everyone all gussied up!

Ironically enough, the gala was across the street from the art institute where I originally photographed this outfit.

Everyone loved my dress! I felt oh so fabulous in it!

Have you ever been to a gala?

I like to skate

I'm not a big sports fan but I do love to ice skate. There's a cute little ice rink at a park near my home and my hubby took me there recently.

It was pretty chilly so I had to bundle up.

I took ice skating lessons as a child. I can't do anything fancy but I can skate around without falling down.

I opted for a 40s look even though you can't see most of it under my coat.

My "fancy" trick.

 The whole day was a lot of fun. My hubby doesn't skate since he has bad ankles so he spent the day photographing me skating.

He makes me look good.

 But sometimes I'm just too goofy.

What is your favorite winter outdoor activity?

Photographs: Will Thorpe willthorpe.com

HSF #3: Pink

This Historical Sew Fortnightly challenge was to make something pink. I like pink and I had a few yards of dusty rose pink rayon in my stash. I paired it with a great early 40s pattern for a sharp look.

(I am susceptible to the colors on the pattern cover......)

This challenge coincided nicely with Valentine's Day so I had something pink to wear out on Feb. 14.

The Challenge: Pink (ie make something pink!!)
Fabric: dusty rose rayon ($4/yd)
Pattern: Simplicity 3583
Year: 1940s war era
Notions: zipper ($2), vintage buttons ($3)
How historically accurate is it? Very. I used period construction techniques, period appropriate fabric and a period pattern. Not sure how old the buttons are but they are plastic and metal which is period appropriate
Hours to complete: 8ish- this was the dress that didn't want to get made....
First worn: Feb. 14th 2014
Total cost: $15

My hubby bought me some pretty blue diamond earrings as an early Vday present so I wanted to incorporate blue into the outfit. Enter pretty blue vintage buttons. And they matched my blue knitted bolero so well.

 I also accessorized with a great vintage fur hat that was a gift from my high school drama teacher.

 This dress fought me all the way. First, this fabric was the end of the roll and it had a few sticky bits from leftover tape. So there was a bit on the bodice back but I was just going to put it on the inside. Then when I ironed it and the goo seeped over to the right side. So I had to cut a new back piece.

Then I messed up grading the skirt and the waist ended up 6 inches too big. I hardly had to add any width at the hip and that should have been a tip off that something was wrong. So out with the seam ripper and scissors.

Lastly, I also cut out the cute little belt loops from version 2. But I top stitched them from the wrong side..... then I made the button hole from the wrong side. This was about 4pm on Friday so I just left them off. I may go back and add them in later but who knows.

Pardon the wrinkles. This was after a long (snowy) drive out to our church for dinner and a movie date night and then dinner and a movie.

But I really love how the final dress turned out so I'm glad I pushed through the problems.

Back to Basics

Sometimes, it's great to just have a bunch of basics that you can throw together into an outfit. And by sometimes, I mean all the time.

And that's just what happened with this outfit. Basic green skirt, basic white shirt, basic blue sweater and basic(ish) tan hat.

The blouse is Advance 5900 that I made last September.

The hat is a recent find from a local vintage store called Feathers. I just love all of the beading that is still in mint condition! I'm sure I'll get loads of wear out of it! (Those of you who have already started following my brand new instagram will have seen it already.)

The pullover is a new knitting FO. I actually finished it right along side my Knit for Victory project but haven't gotten a chance to wear it until now. It's the Sport's Sweater from A Stitch In Time Vol. 2 although I can't imagine actually doing sports in this sweater (or really any sweater....). It was quite fun to knit but I got side tracked when it came to picking up all of the stitches for the ribbing at the neckline. Two things I do not enjoy knitting....

The skirt is McCall 7032 which is a basic gored skirt with a pleat in the front. I was inspired by Rochelle of Lucky Lucille's lovely basic green skirt and I just *had* to have my own. (and I may or may not have had the exact same fabric she used in my stash.....) I need to go back in and re-enforce the pleat a bit more but I can see this getting loads of wear!

My green check conure Kiwi posed with me for a few shots. I blew him kisses.

And he gave me kisses back! Love my baby!

What are your favorite basics to wear?

Skin Care Basics

Today we are talking skin care!



What are your favorite skin care products?