Thursday Remake

This velvet blazer has been in my collection for years!  It was one of the first vintage pieces I bought in my 20s because I was obsessed with the color and perhaps the old Sears tag that hung on the back.  It was my vintage velvet blazer phase and it replaced an amazing brown one that I left on a plane once.  I don't think it ever fit well, but at the time I really wanted it and needed a replacement blazer to add to my collection.  As I'm trying to sort through and edit my closet that has gotten quite massive now, this piece was on the chopping block. New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

We had many, "will she, won't she" moments going in and out of the donation pile.  I'm still obsessed with the color but the fit was just off.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

Blazers are totally meant to be tailored and because the fit was off I was just planning on tossing, but then decided to give it a second chance...

I figured it would be worth a shot to try and tighten it up before giving it away, so I put it on, measured the amount I wanted to take in from the sleeves and the body and then stitched everything in place.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

I got the sleeves tweaked and then adjusted the body a few inches.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

Post stitch, my jacket really fit me perfectly!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

I paired my more fitted jacket with a vintage blouse and a pair of bootleg American Eagle jeans that I thrifted!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

I totally feel like the more boho version of Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU.  I'm totally ready to take down some criminals!

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

I just love that a quick tweak completely changed this piece into something I'd wear all the time.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

I already know what I'm pairing with this next time!  I did love the pop of gold from my vintage clip-on hoop earrings and gold Steve Madden heels.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

Nothing like a little photo shoot in the sun to take in the rays and the 70 degree weather.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

From Goodwill pile to brand new layering piece!!

Wednesday Giveaway

Everything's coming up roses today, friends!! Not sure how the week is going for everyone, but I thought that giving awesome something rosy and cheerful would be just the thing to brighten this Wednesday.  I've been having crap nights of sleep the past few days, so this is something that I could definitely benefit from.  (Mercury is in retrograde, right?)

Today's goodies are all rose-themed - an AMAZING Pop Beauty Rose Belle Blush Palette (with 8 shades) and Petal Jam lip gloss, along with some Rose toothpaste by Breath Palette.  (I'm very interested in how this is, so the winner will have to share their thoughts!)  I love rosewater ice cream, so this could be very cool.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Giveaway

To enter, leave a comment below of something you love to do/wear/enjoy when you're feeling a bit out of sorts.  I've been drinking lots of tea today and I think it's been helping out.

Also, it's finally time to announce the rest of the lucky winners from the past few giveaways - ElizS won the Oscar pack, Erin won the owl necklace, and Kate. B. won the spa gloves/socks.

Thanks for entering guys!  Winner for the rosy pack will be named next Wednesday (3/6).

Tuesday Remake

This jacket was pretty awesome.  The quilting, the fab ribbon detail on the front... New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

...but the size was off.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

Off by a lot, unfortunately.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

However, I knew just what to do to make it totally wearable!

It's cut time!!

I used the blue stripes along the sides as my template.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

With the sleeves and side of the jacket cut...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

...I turned the new vest (woo, vest!!) inside out and pinned all along the edges...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

...prepping the arm holes, and making sure the pockets weren't accidentally pinned down.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

I stitched my edges down, trimmed off the excess...

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

...and was left with this fab piece!!

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

I paired my new vest over a vintage polka-dotted blouse, my Forever 21 skinny/stretchy/borderline pajama jeans, and my Steve Madden purse.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

The trim was what totally sold me on this piece and the back makes me drool just a little.

I feel like you could never imagine what this vest started off looking like if not for seeing the before shot, right?

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

I wore my black brogues that I snagged from the omnipresent Delia's catalog, which has somehow followed me to each and every apartment that I've been in since college, along with a stack of vintage bracelets to complete the look.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

Jeans, Forever 21 // Blouse, vintage // Purse, Steve Madden // Assorted Bracelets, Vintage // Brogues, Delia's

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

And just because I was wearing a vest and kept touching my shoulders, I couldn't get Jay-Z out of my head.

New Dress A Day - DIY - Upcycle - Goodwill Jacket

If that song is now stuck in your head thanks to me, I either:

A, apologize, or

B, accept your thanks.

Either way, sorry or you're welcome!