Day 218. 147 days and $145 left togo.

Jul 4, 2010 | 94 Comments

Happy Independence Day!!

For those celebrating here in the US, I hope BBQ-ing, touch football games, Nathan’s hot dog eating contest (one of my yearly faves), beaching, pool action and of course, fireworks were on the agenda! I headed down to Huntington Beach to celebrate, but not before getting all geared up in my RED, WHITE, & BLUE.

The before…

Day 218 - Before

It looks a bit Grand Ole Opry and a little like my girl Dolly.

I heart Dolly!

Partially because of these…

Rhinestone Cowboy!

…no, clearly not my boobs, but the entire top of the dress!! It was covered in rhinestones!! It was a bit kitschy, but to celebrate the 4th, I was ready to go all out!

It’s too hot to beach it in a long dress and quite frankly, I dislike the length a LOT, so I’m going to turn it into a mini. I first cut off about ten inches of fabric…

First Cut!

…and then cut a two inch section off to use for a little belt.

This is going around my waist very, very soon!

I stitched down the raw edges of the belt and made a new hem at the bottom of my dress.

New hem for my short dress!

It was getting there! I tried it on and made one more adjustment to the halter straps.

I cinched them on each side which totally gave the dress a more femme vibe. I used some extra fabric and tied little bows in the cinched area, but thought that it looked borderline Shirley Temple (as well as like an old dance costume of mine from 1986) so I went without. Didn’t want to totally go off the deep end.

Halter's complete!

I paired it with my fab straw hat (a total Walgreen’s purchase last summer in Palm Springs for $9) and white aviators and hit the beach!

Day 218 - After

Ooh, and I left out the part where I paired the outfit with a Lava Flow (strawberry margie/pina colada blend) which didn’t take long to finish.

Yep, the glass is empty and I'm still sucking through that straw

Can’t resist a sweet, blended drink when it’s hot out – super yumsters and they make me feel like I’m on a tropical vacation

HB's not a tropical spot, however with a some exposure adjustments, you could fool me!!

We got a little volleyball and baseball action in…

Bump, set, spike!

…which led us to passing out for a bit…

AK Sandwich

…before the fireworks display.

Explosions in the Sky!

PS, I totally thought my dress was Katy Perry-esque after it was complete so when I found her as I was browsing through this week’s People, I couldn’t resist.

California Gurls in Huntington Beach!!

Three day weekend continues!! Have a fabulous Monday friends!!

In all · Dollar Dress Remakes

Leslie V.

Ahhh, Huntington Beach! When I was a kid, I always went to Huntington Beach when I visited my family in OC and now I’ve gotten to take my kids when I’ve visited the past couple of years. It was so great to see pictures of a place that holds so many memories for me.

Another adorable frock! Happy Independence Day!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

How fun! This was actually my first 4th in HB. I’ve done Venice Beach in the past as well as the fireworks display at the Coliseum in downtown. It was amazing – I’m sure your kids love going! Happy holiday weekend Leslie!

Leslie V.

Ahhh, Huntington Beach! When I was a kid, I always went to Huntington Beach when I visited my family in OC and now I’ve gotten to take my kids when I’ve visited the past couple of years. It was so great to see pictures of a place that holds so many memories for me.

Another adorable frock! Happy Independence Day!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

How fun! This was actually my first 4th in HB. I’ve done Venice Beach in the past as well as the fireworks display at the Coliseum in downtown. It was amazing – I’m sure your kids love going! Happy holiday weekend Leslie!

http://sewingpixie.blogspot.com Meghan

Happy Fourth!

Dolly Parton pic= Love. Best Lil Whore House was just the cutest movie with the best sequins. ^_^

Your dress= love as well. I think you look very pin-up in it. ^_^

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

YES!!! Best Lil Whorehouse is brilliant for those amazing costumes, being a rhinestone sucker Rockin’ my inner pin up for sure! Have a fabulous weekend Meghan!

http://sewingpixie.blogspot.com Meghan

Happy Fourth!

Dolly Parton pic= Love. Best Lil Whore House was just the cutest movie with the best sequins. ^_^

Your dress= love as well. I think you look very pin-up in it. ^_^

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

YES!!! Best Lil Whorehouse is brilliant for those amazing costumes, being a rhinestone sucker Rockin’ my inner pin up for sure! Have a fabulous weekend Meghan!

http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/ Adin

It turned out so cute and perfect for the event! Go! Go! Go! Looking great!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Right?! So fun – hope you’re having an awesome weekend Adin!

http://itssewtasticmama.blogspot.com/ Adin

It turned out so cute and perfect for the event! Go! Go! Go! Looking great!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Right?! So fun – hope you’re having an awesome weekend Adin!

http://www.alexandramason.blogspot.com Alexandra Mason

I love it. Hope you are still enjoying your holiday weekend xx

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Thank you Alexandra! Hope the UK is treating you fabulously! xx

Danielle

Very cute, one of my faves! Happy 4th of July!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

I think I may have to wear this again next year Happy 4th to you too D!

http://www.alexandramason.blogspot.com Alexandra Mason

I love it. Hope you are still enjoying your holiday weekend xx

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Thank you Alexandra! Hope the UK is treating you fabulously! xx

Danielle

Very cute, one of my faves! Happy 4th of July!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

I think I may have to wear this again next year Happy 4th to you too D!

http://www.eraumavezmoda.blogspot.com/ Anah

Amazing!
your blog is fabulous!!!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Aww, yay!! Thanks Anah

http://www.eraumavezmoda.blogspot.com/ Anah

Amazing!
your blog is fabulous!!!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Aww, yay!! Thanks Anah

http://www.funnydog.com/ Babette DeDariansmith

Oh Marisa, how I do enjoy a red chekered patturn. It takes me back to my childhood working at the Dennys. I must inform you I will not be able to commint for a week. I will be on a travel holiday at Sandals Jamaica with my couzin. I am so happy for sunlight. i miss you….babs
http://www.funnydog.com/ Babette DeDariansmith

Oh Marisa, how I do enjoy a red chekered patturn. It takes me back to my childhood working at the Dennys. I must inform you I will not be able to commint for a week. I will be on a travel holiday at Sandals Jamaica with my couzin. I am so happy for sunlight. i miss you….babs
http://girlbyjuly.livejournal.com Sarah

I was at HB yesterday too! Coincidence. I am a face painter and so me and a couple friends went to try and make money by taking tips to paint faces… let me tell you, people are stingy with tips on 4th of July.

Anyway, super cute dress! If I’d seen you I would have been like O_O I recognize you!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

No way!! Where were you set up – near all the tents in the little festival? We were on the beach next to Duke’s So sorry everyone was so stingy, not very patriotic if you ask me…hope it was fun though!!

http://www.forthoseabouttoshop.onsugar.com Laura Kim Connell

Look at you, Ms. Red White and Blue! Glad you had fun on your holiday weekend! Me, I’m just Red and White and I also had fun!
http://girlbyjuly.livejournal.com Sarah

I was at HB yesterday too! Coincidence. I am a face painter and so me and a couple friends went to try and make money by taking tips to paint faces… let me tell you, people are stingy with tips on 4th of July.

Anyway, super cute dress! If I’d seen you I would have been like O_O I recognize you!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

No way!! Where were you set up – near all the tents in the little festival? We were on the beach next to Duke’s So sorry everyone was so stingy, not very patriotic if you ask me…hope it was fun though!!

http://www.forthoseabouttoshop.onsugar.com Laura Kim Connell

Look at you, Ms. Red White and Blue! Glad you had fun on your holiday weekend! Me, I’m just Red and White and I also had fun!
http://sodevious.net Nicole Dominguez

I like that you kept the dress top the way it was! The end result is simple, yet very nice If it were me, I would of gone crazy trying to change things!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Ha! Love that too…it’s fun to go crazy every once in a while…

http://sodevious.net Nicole Dominguez

I like that you kept the dress top the way it was! The end result is simple, yet very nice If it were me, I would of gone crazy trying to change things!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Ha! Love that too…it’s fun to go crazy every once in a while…

Carla

hii i’m from brazil and you were at this site talking about ur idea and ur blog and i just loved! really! it’s such a good idea and u’re very criatived =) congratulations and good luck!!

kiss
Carla

hii i’m from brazil and you were at this site talking about ur idea and ur blog and i just loved! really! it’s such a good idea and u’re very criatived =) congratulations and good luck!!

kiss
http://devalentina.wordpress.com Karen Mastria

Hello from Brasil!

your ideia is so amazing, i love it!

Congratulaitons!
http://devalentina.wordpress.com Karen Mastria

Hello from Brasil!

your ideia is so amazing, i love it!

Congratulaitons!
Roberta

Hi,
I am Brazilian, and just saw a story for a site here in Brazil commenting on your site. I was very impressed! Really an incredible creativity. I loved the clothes you become. They were wonderful. I will access this site often. Congratulations!
See the link where you was news:
http://revistacriativa.globo.com/Revista/Criativa/0,,EMI152733-17111,00-UMA+ROUPA+NOVA+POR+DIA+COM+US.html
Roberta

Hi,
I am Brazilian, and just saw a story for a site here in Brazil commenting on your site. I was very impressed! Really an incredible creativity. I loved the clothes you become. They were wonderful. I will access this site often. Congratulations!
See the link where you was news:
http://revistacriativa.globo.com/Revista/Criativa/0,,EMI152733-17111,00-UMA+ROUPA+NOVA+POR+DIA+COM+US.html
Imogen

I love it. Your blog is amazing! Congrats for the dress, it¬¥s very cute!
kiss from Brazil.
Imogen

I love it. Your blog is amazing! Congrats for the dress, it¬¥s very cute!
kiss from Brazil.
Iara

Adorei o seu blog e a sua ideia. Sou brasileira e estou amando o seu blog. Acho que voc√™ n√£o vai compreender o meu coment√°rio. Mas gostaria de deixar registrado a minhga visita. Infelizmente o meu ingl√™s √© persimo, por isso n√£o deixei uma mensagem em ingl√™s para voc√™.
Te achei lindinha, se quiser me escrever, vou amar receber um e-mail seu.
Beijos

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Besos to you too!

Iara

Adorei o seu blog e a sua ideia. Sou brasileira e estou amando o seu blog. Acho que voc√™ n√£o vai compreender o meu coment√°rio. Mas gostaria de deixar registrado a minhga visita. Infelizmente o meu ingl√™s √© persimo, por isso n√£o deixei uma mensagem em ingl√™s para voc√™.
Te achei lindinha, se quiser me escrever, vou amar receber um e-mail seu.
Beijos

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

Besos to you too!

Eliana

Hi!!!! I loved you site!!! You are very creative! Congratulations! A big hug for you. =)
Eliana

Hi!!!! I loved you site!!! You are very creative! Congratulations! A big hug for you. =)
Carolina

Hey, girl, you are in the biggest website in Brazil! http://revistacriativa.globo.com/Revista/Criativa/0,,EMI152733-17111,00-UMA+ROUPA+NOVA+POR+DIA+COM+US.html
I love your creations!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

So cool!!! Thanks Carolina!

Carolina

Hey, girl, you are in the biggest website in Brazil! http://revistacriativa.globo.com/Revista/Criativa/0,,EMI152733-17111,00-UMA+ROUPA+NOVA+POR+DIA+COM+US.html
I love your creations!

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

So cool!!! Thanks Carolina!

http://www.recycleyourday.com Leslie @LaMamaNaturale

So, so, cute and festive! Love it and love the simplicity. Way cool! Looks like you had a great time celebrating at HB. I need to get me some HB action this summer too! Have a wonderful week.

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

I love it down there…it was my first 4th there and absolutely full of people just hanging out. The perfect way to celebrate!

http://www.recycleyourday.com Leslie @LaMamaNaturale

So, so, cute and festive! Love it and love the simplicity. Way cool! Looks like you had a great time celebrating at HB. I need to get me some HB action this summer too! Have a wonderful week.

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

I love it down there…it was my first 4th there and absolutely full of people just hanging out. The perfect way to celebrate!

http://canelalingerie.wordpress.com Canela

I just spent the day enjoying your blog! and yes, you are in a big brazilian site 2day, but amazingly you were in my small and humble blog first!! (with the credits, of course!) Ur creativity, hability and most of all, capacity of manage ur time, amazes me!! Congrats! Im a big fan now!
http://canelalingerie.wordpress.com Canela

I just spent the day enjoying your blog! and yes, you are in a big brazilian site 2day, but amazingly you were in my small and humble blog first!! (with the credits, of course!) Ur creativity, hability and most of all, capacity of manage ur time, amazes me!! Congrats! Im a big fan now!
http://goodmorningidea.blogspot.com Ellie

Hi! I’ve been reading and loving your blog for several weeks now. Just wanted to say “hi” and let you know that you’ve really inspired me and I gave you a shout-out on my own little blog:

http://goodmorningidea.blogspot.com/2010/07/easy-skirt-alteration.html

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

That’s fantastic Ellie!! So fabulous. Your blog is adorable…totally Google Reader following! The skirt looks fab too!!

http://goodmorningidea.blogspot.com Ellie

Hi! I’ve been reading and loving your blog for several weeks now. Just wanted to say “hi” and let you know that you’ve really inspired me and I gave you a shout-out on my own little blog:

http://goodmorningidea.blogspot.com/2010/07/easy-skirt-alteration.html

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

That’s fantastic Ellie!! So fabulous. Your blog is adorable…totally Google Reader following! The skirt looks fab too!!

http://dibblyfresh1.blogspot.com Sadako

So nice! Love!
http://dibblyfresh1.blogspot.com Sadako

So nice! Love!
http://barefootandvintage.wordpress.com paige

amazing! love it!!

(you live in huntington beach??!)

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

So glad you love! Your blog is fantastic – I don’t live in HB, about 45 mins north on that lovely 405. Totally facetious. Are you another Southern Cali gal??

http://barefootandvintage.wordpress.com paige

amazing! love it!!

(you live in huntington beach??!)

http://newdressaday.wordpress.com newdressaday

So glad you love! Your blog is fantastic – I don’t live in HB, about 45 mins north on that lovely 405. Totally facetious. Are you another Southern Cali gal??

http://www.scifiville.com Marie

I think this is my favourite of your make overs so far. Shortening aside, it’s amazing what a little alteration to the halter can do to make it look so on trend. Loving all of your transformations. So inspiring!
http://www.scifiville.com Marie

I think this is my favourite of your make overs so far. Shortening aside, it’s amazing what a little alteration to the halter can do to make it look so on trend. Loving all of your transformations. So inspiring!
teresaf

smart move to go without the bows on the cinching… i think it looks fantastic! (thanks for weekend well-wishing! looks like you had a great 4th, as well!)
teresaf

smart move to go without the bows on the cinching… i think it looks fantastic! (thanks for weekend well-wishing! looks like you had a great 4th, as well!)
Jessiejack

wow Marissa – what a nice feature in the Brazilian paper. even tho I can’t read Portugese – some of it was obvious–at least I can say:”I read her way back when…”
Jessiejack

wow Marissa – what a nice feature in the Brazilian paper. even tho I can’t read Portugese – some of it was obvious–at least I can say:”I read her way back when…”
http://www.holdyourspace.blogspot.com pam mila

Waaaay cute!
http://www.holdyourspace.blogspot.com pam mila

Waaaay cute!
flights to rhodes

ahhhhhh very good, bookmarked keep it up, JusyKassy. http://www.flightsrhodes.org
flights to rhodes

ahhhhhh very good, bookmarked keep it up, JusyKassy. http://www.flightsrhodes.org
http://skirtproject.blogspot.com lydia Regalado

I love this dress! I am such a sucker for rhinestones and GINGHAM! Great job!
http://skirtproject.blogspot.com lydia Regalado

I love this dress! I am such a sucker for rhinestones and GINGHAM! Great job!
http://positivegreenism.wordpress.com positive greenism

Good on you for going recycled-only! It’s so great to see someone who refashions with gusto!
http://positivegreenism.wordpress.com positive greenism

Good on you for going recycled-only! It’s so great to see someone who refashions with gusto!
http://wolfwhistle.org Amy

I LOVE this dress. I would buy it in a flash!
http://wolfwhistle.org Amy

I LOVE this dress. I would buy it in a flash!
Katharina

Ahhh I’ve finally caught up with the day you’re amazing blog was showed in Revista Epoca (the website where I first read about you, too – but since I was in vacay, I actually passed through all the postings – and was extremely impressed!).

Now, I know it’s not my business, but I though I’d translate Iara’s comment (which is in Portuguese, not Spanish, though they are very much alike):
I loved your blog and your idea.I’m brazilian and I’m loving your blog.I don’t think you’ll understand my comment. By I’d like to leave my visit registered. Unfortunately my English is awful, so I didn’t leave you a message.
I thought you were a cutie, if you ever like to write, I’d love to get an e-mail from you. Kisses

PS: I love your blog too! And the second I saw this dress, KP also came to my mind. Loved it!
Katharina

Ahhh I’ve finally caught up with the day you’re amazing blog was showed in Revista Epoca (the website where I first read about you, too – but since I was in vacay, I actually passed through all the postings – and was extremely impressed!).

Now, I know it’s not my business, but I though I’d translate Iara’s comment (which is in Portuguese, not Spanish, though they are very much alike):
I loved your blog and your idea.I’m brazilian and I’m loving your blog.I don’t think you’ll understand my comment. By I’d like to leave my visit registered. Unfortunately my English is awful, so I didn’t leave you a message.
I thought you were a cutie, if you ever like to write, I’d love to get an e-mail from you. Kisses

PS: I love your blog too! And the second I saw this dress, KP also came to my mind. Loved it!
Noemi

Totally luv it!
Noemi

Totally luv it!
Caitlin

Hey,
I actually live in HB! Until about 3 years ago, I never realized how big my city is and even now when I hear people mention it I get so excited! ahah it must be the little kid in me (:
Caitlin
P.S. Love the dress!
Caitlin

Hey,
I actually live in HB! Until about 3 years ago, I never realized how big my city is and even now when I hear people mention it I get so excited! ahah it must be the little kid in me (:
Caitlin
P.S. Love the dress!

Day 218. 147 days and $145 left togo.

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