Happy New Year!!

It's the first day of 2013 and I couldn't be happier for the new year ahead!!  I'm hoping all of you enjoyed ringing in 2013 with your family, friends, loved ones, pups, kitties, and kiddos, and even though I wasn't physically there with you counting down, I was there in spirit.  I'm really just so lucky to have all of you part of my life and I can't wait for everything that's to come! I had more fun than I should have putting together my little NYE ensemble using this FAH-bulous piece I snagged.

I was obsessed with the extra apron-y piece that covered the top of the dress, not to mention the red and black layers.  It felt super flamenco, except I wasn't wearing ballroom shoes.

I'm going to coif this into something that screams marvelous instead of meh :)

I started off by removing that top layer!

A clipped seam here, a snipped piece there...

The layer has been taken down!!!  Maybe I should just wear it like this??

Yeah, that's not going to happen :)

I got rid of the shoulder pads...

...and might make myself another batch of change purses with these guys!!

Now that the top layer was gone, I trimmed a few inches down the center to begin a V neck.

I cut off the sleeves...

...adjusted the shoulder seams (I brought them down two inches to turn this dress into more of a top) and pinned the neckline/sleeves/shoulders in place...

...before I cracked open my sewing machine.

I tossed on a pair of skinny jeans underneath my new ruffle-y top with my black Kenneth Cole ankle boots and had an outfit ready to say hello to 2013 in!!

I wore my go-to, black Cynthia Vincent cashmere cape on top to stay toasty...

...while watching all the fun NYE coverage!  I was not in NY this year, however seeing Anderson Cooper's Times Square iPhone shot brought me right back to midtown.

Nothing like some fireworks to close out a most exciting 2012.

I'm super excited to meet you, 2013.

Sourced From NC Week: 12/31

Today's piece begins the week of outfits procured from NC, while I've been in town!  I've gotten a bit of vintage shopping done (hello, Goodwill) and I've found some winners.  Like this one today...

It's got a cute floral print, but the length is less than dreamy.  This piece was just whatever in my book.  The photo is totally capturing said "it's whatever" look...

I was ready to make one maje adjustment to get this piece rocking and rolling!!

I got to cutting!  I trimmed off about five inches from the bottom of the piece.

This dress had a lining underneath, so once I was all cut, I pinned the lining hem...

...and then pinned the actual fabric...

...and stitched everything in place!!

I think the pinning took the most amount of time!!

To bring out the red in the pattern, I paired the new top with my red boots and was ready for the day!

I feel like I should be on a farm!!  (PS, that's always been a dream, to hang on a farm for a bit and tend to the animals/produce!!)

I really love this top - the buttons, the 3/4 length of the sleeves, and now the new shorter length!  I didn't leave the house like this...I did wear a cardi on top, but for picture purposes, I went sans sweater.  I did keep the knit gloves nearby, though.

I'm already thinking of the other ways to style this when I get back to my full closet!  A fun colored vest on top.  A plaid wool skirt.  This might be re-worn and shot again when I get back to LA because the wheels are a-turnin!

Also...today will be the last day to complete your forms to get a copy of my sewing playlist (from the book!) and be entered to win crafty goodies for any books purchased between 11/22 and 12/31 (tonight) at 11:59pm!!  If you gave these as holiday gifts, get a lit

Head over here - www.newdressaday.com/book - and fill out all your info!  A winner will be announced on 1/2 and playlists will go out 1/5!

Brenda Dee's NDAD Creation

I've been having my share of chilly weather while I've been away from Southern California, so checking out Brenda Dee's piece made me warm and happy.  Emphasis on the WARM!

I perform with a Hawaiian ukulele group, and I love to wear vintage, especially with petticoats!  However, those dresses are very pricey, so I love to do it myself.  I found this vintage XL Hilo Hattie Hawaiian muumuu...

...for $8 at the Goodwill.

I've totally found Hilo Hattie pieces in my thrifting travels and love when the tags start looking familiar!  I wonder how Brenda Dee will transform this into ukulele-performing-perfection?

I was able to turn it into a vintage style reproduction in a few hours!

It's so comfortable, I even wore it on the train to Transylvania!

What an adorable dress, Brenda Dee!  The petticoat underneath is perfection.  You'll have to send photos of you wearing it during one of your performances - would LOVE to see.  Thanks so much for sharing and keep us posted on your ukulele-ing!