McCalls Jumper Pattern Review

Today I am reviewing another out of print pattern.  It seems that jumpers and rompers have made their way back in style now! 

Pattern: McCalls 8584 (Out of Print)

Description: Slim fitting dress or jumpsuit - I made view D pictured above

Fabric Used: Light weight cotton I think...

Sizing: The pattern I bought was for sizes 4,6 and 8. I think I cut a size 4 on top and then a size 6 on the bottom.

Instructions: Easy to follow

Changes: I made no changes at all

Level of Difficulty: Basic sewing skills should be fine for this one...

Timing: This can totally be completed in a couple of hours or less

Again, I love jumpers or rompers.  I love the fact that they are back in style even more! Another thing about this pattern that I love is the empire waist.  Empire waist and high waist is very flattering on me and many other women as well.

Until next time....

e

Vintage Out Of Print Simplicity 7705 Pattern Review

Dear DIY Stylists,
OK, first let me start off by apologizing for not having a full length photo of this dress.  Yes, I know it is a sin to post this without proper photography and I don't even have the dress anymore to re-take the photo.  I made this dress a long time ago but I think I want to re-make this one out of a different type of fabric.  I really wanted to post this one because I want everyone to know that you can look great for very little money and sometimes little time!

I bought this pattern at...you guessed it...A THRIFT STORE!!! It was 10 cents! The thrift store is my favorite place to go to shop for vintage sewing patterns.  You take a risk in that the pattern may not have all the pieces included but I can risk a dime! I also saved on the fabric which I purchased at Walmart for about $4!

Pattern: Simplicity 7705 (Out of Print/Vintage)

Description: Wrap dress in 2 lengths - I made this one in the knew length version

Fabric Used: Light weight print - I honestly can't remember what type of fiber...sorry but this is best for light weight cottons, wool and knits.  I think I will try this in a light weight knit next time.

Sizing: The pattern I bought was a size 10; however, this is a wrap dress so you can wrap to fit if you are smaller than the size you find!

Instructions: Easy to follow

Changes: I made no changes at all

Level of Difficulty: Basic sewing skills should be fine for this one...

Timing: This can totally be completed in a couple of hours or less

I received lots of compliments when I first made it.  I love wrap dresses! Thank goodness for DVF for coming up with such a beautiful creation.  I often wore this dress to work with some pumps and I even wore this dress in a family portrait!

I am still amazed that I made this dress for $4.10 a hour of time or so!

Ta Ta for now my lovelies!  I will be back with another DIY style creation...
Much luv
e

THE SUNSHINE AND SHINE ON AWARD...I've been nominated and so I pay it forward

Hello My Lovelies!


I am totally honored that fellow blogger Missy May of Missy May's World nominated me for the Sunshine and Shine On Awards. Many thanks, Missy!  Glad to have you in my corner!Hopefully this sort of thing will encourage other bloggers to uplift each other and appreciate our fellow bloggers.  We are all unique and offer a different perspectives on blogging!First some administrative work....

Rules for the Shine Award:

• Use the logo below in the post
• Link to whoever nominated you.
• Write ten pieces of information about yourself.
• Nominate ten fellow bloggers "who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogsphere."

Rules for the Shine On Award:

• Display the award logo on your blog
• Show appreciation by acknowledging the blogger who nominated you and link back to them in your post.
• Share 7 random facts about yourself.
• Nominate 15 bloggers you admire and happily pass on this award, making sure to link their blog into your post.
• Contact your chosen bloggers and let them know. 

SUNSHINE AWARD: 10 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I'm an Aquarius and I most certainly behave as such!
2. I am also a writer. Check out my other blog: Lyric, Literature and Prose.
3. As a kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer. Nothing changed there!
4. I have only been horseback riding once and I am fine with that.
5. I LUV rice...any way you cook it, I will eat it.
6. I studied Spanish and International Business in college.
7. I speak Spanish.
8. I am also an artist.  Check out my 3rd blog: SMH Studios.
9. I luv to travel.
10. I think the word weirdo is a compliment.

SHINE ON AWARD: 7 RANDOM FACTS ABOUT ME

1. I laugh...ALL THE TIME
2. I come across as shy or quiet in person but really I am deep in my own head. In my mind I am trying to save the world.
3. I speak a little German at times...LOL I listen to German soul music (favorite artists: Xavier Naidoo and Joy Denalane)
4. I lived in Toronto, Canada.
5. I lived in Cordoba, Argentina.
6. I am currently obsessed with Portland even though I never been there! I think I would "belong" there.
7. I love science fiction.

The Bloggers I would love to nominate for inspiring me are:

1. Makeup Guru Beauty by Lee
2. The first blog I followed that inspires me to be good to my body RawFitMama
3. My all day inspiration Mimi G Style
4. Fellow naturalista Natural Belle
5. Another naturalista that I check out, Alex of The Good Hair Blog
6. A southern vegan whose recipes are to die for, Bianca of Vegan Crunk
7. A fellow hooker (as in crochet hook!)  Wool Crochet
8. I just love the style featured on Style Pantry
9. A fellow blogger that is inspiring and encouraging, Kendra at FashionOnTheTrend
10. This blogger shares recipes for tasty treats here MissPlacedLadyBug
11. Another HOOKer like me CrochetCrazy
12. Another Fashionista blog I check out, AFashionCrowd
13. And yet more fashion via DinaBella
14. I don't have a pooch but this is a cute blog! PoshPoochDesigns
15. And yet more crochet greatness at MoonHouse

There you have it my people...may you be just as inspired as I am by these awesome bloggers!

Wishing you all the love and sunshine in the world,
Erica

What to do with Your Hair When You Lead an Active Life

For the last 2 months or so, I have really kicked up my workout routine.  I promise to post about my workout routines in a future blog, but for now we can say that I pretty much work out 6 days a week and for the most part twice a day.

Before I increased my activities, I pretty much wore my usual wash and go.  I love changing my hair style all time but let's face it...the wash and go is so easy to maintain. I get up, shake my hair out and go! Who would not love that?!

Not only do I workout twice a day now but I also increased the intensity of my workouts.  This means that my wash and go no longer last a week! Yikes!  Guess I better decrease my workout....Just kidding! Seriously, this problem is very frustrating and has caused me to go out and buy a lot of new products, none of which works!

So, I been really thinking about protective styling.  To be honest, I would prefer to take breaks in between with protective styling but...this is the only way to keep my hair in check and to avoid styling my hair multiple times during the week.  Below are some of the styles I recommend:

2 Strand Twists on wet hair

After wearing the 2 strand twists, I would take the twists out and wear my hair like this!

I used to braid my hair like this all summer...

Individual Box Braids styled into a high bun

My new favorite...Loc Extensions!

These are some of the protective styling I will be focusing on...besides, these styles are easy to maintain and some can last at least a month or so.  I actually had the individual braids in for about 3 months but I would never leave them in that long again.  I have very curly hair that gets tangled and it's just not good for me to leave them in that long.

I am not slowing down any time soon with my workouts...my hair may be jacked at times but at least my body looks great!  I have lost about 14 lbssince I kicked things up a notch but about I am about 20 lbs lighter overall!  If any of you have any suggestions for maintaining natural hair while working out, please let me know!

Toodles my naturalistas!

Purple Camo Baby Booties

Hi again my fashion lovelies,

As promised, I am posting some kiddie fashion today! Don't worry, there will be more baby couture soon but I couldn't help myself with these baby booties.  I am known for creating baby booties for infants to wear straight from the hospital.  I am currently working on some adult booties to wear around the house so when I saw the slipper bottoms in infant sizes...I knew I had to get a pair and create some baby booties with soles for my niece, Sophia.  

I made these using Bernat Camo yarn. This is a purple camo.  I am notorious for dressing myself and my nephews and niece in camo or animal print (only for Sophia).  The adult pair that I am making are most likely going to be sewn.  Let me know what you think about these baby booties! Should I start making them to sell?

Until next time my fashionistas....