Remake: Light Denim Skirt

I saw this skirt at Goodwill and had to grab it!

It doesn't fit me at all, but I was obsessed with the light denim shade and the buttons down the center!

I've been seeing a bunch of similar types of light blue denim skirts like this Steven Alan one...

...and this one by Lauren by Ralph Lauren...

...however they were all way more than the $3.95 price tag on this guy.

This piece just needs a bit of taking in to make it the light blue denim skirt of my dreams!!

I just have to make sure it doesn't fall down when I put my arms up! I can't always guarantee that I'll be wearing leggings underneath all the time :)

My first step was trying on the piece and tacking the waist with a pin to decipher how much to take in. I wanted to make it fitted enough where it was sitting at my waist without being too tight.

I placed my first pin at the waist and then continued to pin down the back of the dress until I hit the bottom. There was a natural center back seam there already, so I just followed it to the hem.

Working on the back of the dress also allowed me to keep the pockets (yes, pockets!!!) in place.

Once everything was pinned, I sewed a new seam down the back of the dress.

One major tweak gave me a new summer skirt that will work with anything!!

I paired my skirt with an easy Hanes grey tank, a strawberry printed LeSportsac purse, a pair of killer wedges that I scored at a sample sale years ago that I always forget about, and a repurposed vintage Honey Rose & K necklace.

It's also the perfect bathing suit cover up (for my fair skin) because I can keep it on to shade my legs while I'm under an umbrella or on a beach towel.

But those pockets were my favorite part. I put them to work, as they were the best place to keep the lens cap to my camera. I'm always putting the cap down in random places, which isn't the smartest move especially when I'm outside on the streets, so these pockets came in handy!

I'm obsessed with the bone shaped beads on the necklace that I couldn't help but get into character. I just saw the newest X Men, so not only was long-haired James McAvoy still on the mind, but Wolverine was too! These were my version of Wolverine's 70s claws.

And then I pretended that the bone beads were fangs. I mean, I can't leave the teeth out.

I can't wait to restyle this skirt with a totally different look next wear! Keep your eyes peeled for a part two next week!

DIY: Joan's Pen Necklace from Mad Men

I totally heart Mad Men and have been a fan since the get go. I think the period element of it was what really got me caught up in it the most. The 60s costumes are just killer.

Mad Men is one of those shows that makes me want to work in advertising, albeit an advertising world in the 60s where shift dresses and scotch at all times of the day is welcomed. I’d also appreciate working with dudes who look like Jon Hamm because that’s a reason right there to get up and head into the office early. Each time I see Megan Draper on screen, I want to get into acting classes just so I can hang with her and rifle through her closet of vintage deliciousness.

But, I think I’m most obsessed with Joan Holloway and her look. Is it weird that I dyed my hair red and brought a picture of Christina Hendricks with me to show my stylist exactly what I wanted? And pinky swear, I’m not single white female-ing her :) There’s been one piece of Joan’s wardrobe that she always wears that I’m obsessed with. She has the coolest gold pen necklace and it’s something that makes for a fab DIY.

Here’s a rundown of the supplies you’ll need for the necklace...

1. Jump ring (Something large enough that will fit around the clip of the pen. I went with Darice's jump rings in 10mm that fit perfectly under the clip.)

2. Gold chain (Grab a chain from your jewelry box or find chain at your local craft store like this by Blue Moon Beads.)

3. Click pen – (anything from the office supply closet will work!)

4. Metallic spray paint (I used Krylon metallic gold spray paint)

Because of the spray painting element, I took my pen outside to paint. An easy trick is to grab some thread or twine and hang the pen from a tree or clothing line so it dangles. I used a nail that was in a tree to hang my pen and then put newspaper around the trunk to avoid turning it gold while I sprayed.

When the piece got completely coated in paint, I let it dry and then painted one more coat.

I added my jump ring to the clip of the pen (feel free to glue it in place to secure) and then attached my chain.

How's that for a new accessory that matches the one Christina Hendricks wears on the show? And, the best part is that it still works!

Now I'm ready to make that Avon account mine!

Now, all I need is some shaping undergarments, ahem bra, and a slight touch up on the hair dye front to really match Joan!

Jo's NDAD Creation

Happy Memorial Day weekend, friends!! This piece that Jo created is a total hit. It shows that sometimes when things don't turn out or fit the way you'd like them to, you can always make it work taking a different route. Check her piece out!

I love to refashion clothes and came across this top at a second-hand store. It was probably less than 8 UAH (which is $1 USD) and I honestly thought that it would be okay as a top.

Once at home and realizing that it was hideous I started to play around with it and...

...moved it down around my waist where I discovered that it fit perfectly and would make a great dress.

I used remnants of a men's dress shirt that I had previously used for another refashion to sew a bodice and then stitched the front buttons of the skirt closed and sewed the skirt to the bodice.  

I also used the original straps on the new dress. I love how it turned out - the fit is perfect and I love knowing that I can make really great clothes out of things that were previously really ugly!

I LOVE this so much, Jo!! I think it's perfect for the summer and you totally went for it, turning things that were not something you'd wear into something so gorgeous! It totally feels like J Crew - you nailed it! Can't wait to see your next piece!!