Remake: Stripes and Dots Housecoat

You guys got a little teaser of today's remake, yesterday.  Oh just wait...there are more pics. This housecoat had a lot going on.

The mix of patterns, the ric rac, the bow-like pockets.

I loved the color and saw this as a total challenge, so...

...I had to take it home.  Those stripes, dots, and ric rac were counting on me.

As large and in charge as those pockets were, I just had to say "so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu. Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you."  I grabbed my seam ripper and got working.

One came off...

...and so did the other!  Pocket party time!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, what a huge difference, right?  Such an amazing update to make it a little less juvenile feeling.

The length adjusting came next.  I only shortened it by the width between two of the buttons, which was about four-ish inches.

The hem got pinned next in preparation to sew!

And it's now ric rac time.  It was going to come sooner or later...

I removed the pieces on front...

...and then hit the sleeves.  I now have a decently substantial pile of ric rac!!

I targeted the neck next.  To break up the stripes a smidge, I opened up the neckline...

...and then worked on the back of the piece before I began to sew.

Now that everything was pinned, it was sew time.  The hem was tweaked, the neck was tweaked, and the garment also got brought in a few inches.

The final look??  With some boots, a wide white belt, and my sunnies, this former housecoat was ready for a sunny Los Angeles day!

I must say that I didn't even really notice the awesomeness of the sleeves because of the ric rac!  The polka dot section did a little overlapping on the stripes section, kind of like a petal!

Now it's very cold in many parts right now, so this is something that can be paired with tights, sweaters, coats...whatever makes the most sense in your climate!  It's getting chillier here in LA (high 60s, which is only "chilly" for us because we just had a 90 degree day last week, but I know I sounds crazy) so I paired this with a denim jacket as an extra layer for when it gets dark.

The piece is so fab now!  It went from a super busy housecoat to a cute new dress.

See what getting rid of a little ric rac can do??  This piece was elevated in no time with a few easy adjustments.  And if need be, I happen to get into a housecoat-y kinda mood, guess who can un-belt this piece and chill on their couch watching football or episodes of Nashville?  Yep, me!!  Hip, hip, hooray!!!

Remake: Striped Quilted Panel Dress

This divine dress I snagged at Goodwill is getting some airplay!!

I had to get this dress when I saw the amazing stripe business.  I love stripes and saw the potential immediately!  However that panel on the front was SO incredibly detailed.  Someone spent a LOT of time working on it.

I'm very certain that this will be able to jump the "not-so-much-in-public" look to chic status in no time!

I began by removing that front panel.  It's going away, however I will most definitely find a good home for it!

I went around the entire front panel with my seam ripper...

...until the piece was completely removed!!

Next I worked on the length.  You can see a little black mark right to the left of the scissors (that was hidden by the panel) which I used as the spot where I wanted the dress to hit.  I cut...

I pinned...

I pressed...

...and then went onto the neckline.  I wanted to open it up, so I created an easy V shape.

I stitched the neckline as well as the hem...

...and had a dress ready to dance in!!  Those stripes are the new focal point!!

And just think...there was a huge panel on the front of this dress just a little while ago.

For some fun options, I grabbed two different purses to try out.

First I took a thin, tasselled black purse from my collection to try out for a black and white look and then grabbed my Alexander McQueen-esque DIY purse that I made on the Ricki Lake Show for a poppy, red option.  (The clip from the show is all the way at the bottom of the post if you want to watch!)

They both worked perfectly with the heels - a pair of almost brand new Pour La Victoire's that I scored at Crossroads!

I love that this piece is so basic.

You can really have fun with the styling, bringing lots of color into it with bright jackets or sweaters or even give it more sparkle with a sequined cardigan.

I can't wait to play around with this dress even more. This might be the one that gets a week's worth of looks created around it!  Stay tuned!

Ricki Lake clip for your viewing pleasure...

Outfit Tweak: Orange Polka Dot Sweater

So today's remake wasn't originally a "remake" because it was in really great condition...so I thought.  I went down to San Diego for the Chargers/Broncos game yesterday and toted this piece along with me to wear.  I was in the company of Broncos fans, so I thought I'd cheer along with them in shades of orange.  I borrowed a Denver Broncos t-shirt to don and thought this piece would complement it nicely.  Who doesn't love a little orange polka-dot business?

I was so excited to have a little cover up (for cooler temps and sun blockage issues) until I saw these.

HOLES!!  There were a few on the back and one big one on the shoulder.  I got this piece a few months ago and washed it right away, however I must have just missed these little suckers.  Luckily for me, I always come prepared with some needles and thread in the purse.  (I know, it's nuts, however if you ever run into me and are having a wardrobe malfunction, guess who's gonna get you out of it??  Needles, thread, safety pins, double stick tape...you need it, I got it!)  So, I got stitching...

...and if it means stitching in the car while cruising to the arena, it means stitching in the car while cruising to the arena!

I made some easy hand stitches to close up the holes on the back and shoulder of the piece.  In minutes, the sweater looked brand vintage-y new!

Since I wasn't completely privy to the new purse (cannot be larger than 6.5" x 4.5" and if it is it's got to be clear) rules, I had to check my old Dooney & Bourke bag and get one of these guys to hold my belongings while inside the stadium.  Ziploc DIY purse?  It just might be the newest/hottest thing to come from the NFL's new rules.

It turned out to be such a warm and comfy afternoon in San Diego!!  Nice seatmates, great view - perfect game day elements!

Plus it's always the best day when I get to catch up with gal extraordinaire JW, who not only shot the photos in my book, but who also rocks the sports anchor/reporter gig like a boss for the Fox affiliate in San Diego.

The sweater is back to almost new!  It's going to be fun to pair with dresses next time.

After a day with good football, good friends, and good nachos/chicken nuggets (yep, we went there...), it was time to bid adieu and head back to Los Angeles.  But not without one final shot...

OK, well second to final shot.  This picture that JW took from the press box was the best one of the day...

So cool to see this spelled out in the crowd!  Happy Veteran's Day!