Wednesday Remake

I've been doing some spring cleaning and came across another piece that I shot for the book but didn't end up using!  I think my face froze in that position for the whole day.  (We shot like 90 before looks too!)

Hello velvety swirls of fabric!!  You are not welcome in my world.  Sorry 'bout that, buddy!

Out came the seam ripper...

...and off went the velvety ribbon!

I was ecstatic to have a clean shirt, with just the shimmery grey beads remaining.

The sleeves were a bit off, so I trimmed them near the shoulder seam leaving about an inch of material.

I pinned this excess material right at the shoulder seam (you can see it super well above) and stitched new arm seams in place.

Just a few tweaks to bring this shirt from before the millennium into 2013!!

I feel like such a little professional in this ensemble!  The top is fitted at the waist, making it an awesome piece to wear with a higher waisted skirt or pant because it lays flat.

I just added some BCBG slingbacks, my yellow weaved clutch, and a vintage white pearlized necklace that brought out the colors in the skirt o'daisies.  (That skirt was thrifted!  It came with a matching short sleeved jacket and I got them both for $6!)

I smell a fun, new shirt to pair with jeans too.  The subtle beadwork on the top of the piece gives it just enough flair to enhance the basic shape.

I'll style it totally different next time it's worn and feature it in a rewind post soon!  Woo for a brand new staple to be (kids) incorporated into my wardrobe!!

Tuesday Giveaway

Happy Tuesday!! I'm prepping for my cousin's baby shower, so this afternoon and early evening ended up being full of errands, trying to get things in check before I cruise.  Since I didn't get to shoot my outfit today, which was a good thing because the Southern California winds were off the chain and I would have been waiting to get hit by blowing debris, I'm offering a giveaway instead!

Up for grabs is this costume rhinestone, rose centered bracelet!!  I'm so obsessed with today's piece that I got one for me as well.  (Whoever wins this...we can be wrist twins!)

Since it's earth month, and this technically works as a tie in because there's a lovely rose in the center of the bracelet (ok, that's a slight stretch) leave a comment below of your favorite grown item to enter the drawing.  Maybe you have a garden that grows the most amazing tomatoes, or a basil plant in the kitchen?  Maybe you just like grapefruits and orchids!  This time of year, I am obsessed with the most heavenly scented orange blossoms outside my building.  I take little walk breaks just to smell them.  I think I just need to find an awesome orange blossom candle to recreate this when they're not in bloom :)

Can't wait to hear your faves - a winner will randomly get picked next week!!

Monday Remake

There was one final piece I snagged in Charlotte over the Christmas break that I just hadn't got to finishing yet.

Yep, there we go!!

Nothing like thick, collared polyester, right??

I started with those pockets first!  I took my seam ripper and began to remove.

I got both of them off without a hitch...

...and the shirt was finally starting to take shape!  (Sidenote...you can't see it here, but there isn't a button below the third one that you see there.  We've got a missing button, friends!)

I cut the top of the shirt off next, from right under the sleeves, leaving a shrug left with the material.  I removed the button from the trimmed portion of the shirt...

...and then restitched and replaced it in the missing button's spot.

Buttons: intact!

I turned the piece upside down and started to pin and shape a bit of a sweetheart neck.  I envisioned a fab strap/sleeve-less piece!

Post-pin, I started to sew all the edges in place and took the new top in about five inches as well to make it totally fitted.

After all the sewing, I took a vintage navy belt to cinch the top at the waist, threw on my vintage Candie's, and a skinny pair of jeans to complete the look!

Because of the summery feel of the top, I also paired it with a bright yellow wicker clutch that I got at a sample sale for $4 as well as a clear pair of sunnies from Urban Outfitters.

I fell in love with this entire look!

The weather wasn't too crazy hot, so the top was actually super comfortable to wear without making me sweat!!

It even transitioned well into the evening too!  Paired with a tan cardigan, it totally went from summer to fall in no time.

Happy Monday, friends!!