Real Life: Live & Unscripted

Spring Time Floral! New Look 6223

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm WAY over winter. WAY OVER IT. Good thing the first day of spring is TEN days away lol. WOOHOO. I know we are going to have another cold snap though lol.

I'm shopping for fabric so much lately I can't really remember when I got this, but I HAD to have it!

Doesn't this fabric just scream spring!? The wind will never let me be great when I take photos lol.

I am going to have to start taking detailed pictures on my dress form because you really can't see the details in this dress. I absolutely LOVE the pleats.

I kept my accessories fairly simple. A purple stud purse that I can't recall where I purchased, my shoes are Charles by Charles David and what I love most about these is they are soooo super comfy. I ended up doing a LOT of walking yesterday after church that I wasn't prepared for. I wasn't driving my truck (and I keep a pair of flats in there) and I ended up all over a hospital (more on that later) but these gave me NO grief. I now want them in every single color they have available. No. Really.

My necklace is one from Adrienne's Essentials accessories. I'm slowly falling in love with purple.

Keep your eyes open. Adrienne's Essentials is about to go through some great changes. I'm super excited about it!

Those are enough pretty pictures lol. If you sew, here is a review:

New Look 6223

Pattern Description: Misses' dress with side pockets & back zipper can be made sleeveless, with cap sleeves or with slightly ruched short sleeves. Bodice has darts or asymmetrical draping.

Pattern Sizing: 8-18 I made the size 14


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? These directions were really, really easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved this style dress.


Fabric Used: Cotton Sateen


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made the cap sleeve longer. I did not add the pockets.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recommend this pattern. I might make another view.

Conclusion: Great pattern, very well drafted and a great addition to any wardrobe.

 

That's all for today!
Toodles

 

I'm so over winter...feeling like spring in my green skirt. Vogue 8882

I don't know about you guys but I'm so over winter. Down here in the south, we normally have very mild winters but here lately we've had so much snow and ice.

I'm OVER IT.

With the temps being in the 70's today I knew it was time to pull out this gorgeous green skirt I made a while back:
The color is so absolutely gorgeous. I'm so in love with green right now. I went fabric shopping a few weeks back and I promise, almost everything I purchased had green or blue in it lol

I had a couple Marilyn Monroe moments while taking pictures and I loved it lol.

My hand is still bandaged, but hopefully it can come off next week. If you look closely I still have my arm candy on lol. I don't wear bracelets on my left arm for some reason. Feels weird lol

I felt like spring lol. I even pulled out my favorite yellow bag.

My shoes I love. I've had them for a while and forgot I had them. I found them Saturday and was happy all over again.

They are BCBG Maxazria Leela Zipper Sandals

I kept my accessories fairly simple. I pulled out my current favorite statement necklace and stud earrings. I have a few statement necklaces available in the accessories section of Adrienne's Essentials.

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

 Vogue 8882

Pattern Description: MISSES' SKIRT: Flared skirt (cut on crosswise grain) has waistband, pleats and back zipper. A,B and D: interfaced hemline. D: attached tie ends. E: shaped hemline, wrong side shows. C, E and F: narrow hem.

Pattern Sizing: 14-22 I made the 14


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy. I didn't use them but I glanced over them just for the sake of the review.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I still love the high-low hem and this was just perfect.


Fabric Used: Challis from http://www.lowpricefabric.com/ I picked it up while I was in LA


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: None

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I will make this one again. Probably view D.

Conclusion: 
Great pattern, very easy and it went together without any problems.

 

That's all for me today!
Toodles!

 

Wrap dresses are my favorite, Kwik Sew 3408

There is something so flattering and girly about a wrap dress. I could honestly live in them, although I try not to.

They are easy to wear and flattering on almost every body type.

I made this dress wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back in September/October 2013 and forgot I had it. I was looking for a tshirt and ran across it in my drawer lol. Not sure why I never wore it but I sure was happy to see it and was even happier to wear it to church yesterday lol

I love all things black and white. I knew I wanted to wear my favorite red bag but wanted a little something different for the shoes. These are Carlos Santana and VERY, VERY OLD but they are still among my favorites.

I decided to go with a chunky red necklace, red button type earrings and a simple blingy bracelet. A girl must simply sparkle everyday :)

My hair-cut is really growing out very quickly.

There you have it. If you don't believe how much I actually love wrap dresses, you see the other ones I've fallen in love with here:

Adrienne's Essentials Classic Wrap Dress

Adrienne's Essentials Sweater Wrap Dress

I won't review this one becuase this is the THIRD time I've made this dress. Just want y'all to know that I LOVE this pattern lol.

More later!
Toodles!

My Jazzy Sweatshirt...New Look 6230

Things have been crazy busy around these parts, but I'm loving it!

I saw some sweatshirt fabric in hancock a couple of months ago and quickly grabbed it up. I've wanted some for a good while, but I could never seem to find any. I was SHOCKED to actually see that hancock had several colors.

I thought I was going to make this cute little shift dress that I saw on Net-A Porter but decided against it...for now lol.

I picked up this gorgeous sequin fabric while I was in LA last year and knew this would make the perfect sweatshirt!

I am clearly loving my hat these days lol.

My sweatshirt fabric has ZERO stretch so I made it a little bit bigger. Gives me that slouchy feel.

I also made the neckline a little bit wider so that it would give me a slightly off the shoulder look. Instead of hemming the bottom I added a 2.5 inch band.

I decided to wear it with my favorite jeans and some silver flats. I wore this to lunch with Tony the other day and he loved it. So did I. Nothing like being cute, casual and comfy!

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

New Look 6230

Pattern Description: Knit baseball shirt has feminine fit, can be made with banded round or V-neck & 3/4 or long sleeves.

Pattern Sizing: 4-16 I cut the 16 and added a little more shaping.


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

Yes, pretty much.
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even look at them. I made this pattern before. You can see it HERE

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I loved the style of this shirt.


Fabric Used: Sweatshirt fabric from hancock and sequin knit from Michael Levine


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I made the neckline wider, left the band off at the neckline, added shaping, and added a 2.5 inch band at the bottom.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I highly recommend this pattern. Its a wardrobe staple if you like this style shirt. I probably will make it again if I want another shirt like this.

Conclusion: Great pattern, quick sew and super cute. Grab one for your stash today.

The Happy Jacket...Vogue 1263

One thing I love about sewing, other than seeing something you like and making it, is when other people who sew make a pattern that you have never ever seen before lol

When Mimi G made this Vogue jacket, I was floored because I had N E V E R seen it lol. I'm always ALL over new pattern releases and for the MOST part, I look at all of them,even if I don't like them or buy them I ALWAYS see them. Or so I thought.

I went and picked up this pattern and some fabric with the quickness lol

EVERYTIME I look at my jacket it makes me happy.

Before we continue, someone tell me why I don't have ANY silver/grey flats!? I did NOT want to wear pumps but the flats I had didn't look right. I do NOT walk in heels everyday. Normally I'm just in and out of the car so yes, most of the time I do wear them. If I'm going to be doing a LOT of walking? Like the mall or grocery shopping or ANYTHING like that? Ya girl is in FLATS lol.

I'll probably say this EVERYTIME I make something this color so just get ready lol.

The patone color of the year is radiant orchid. I love ANY shade of this color lol.

There honestly isn't too much I can say about this jacket. I adore it. I will probably wear it to death. Its my sweatshirt jacket. Literally lol.

I used sweatshirt fabric that I actually found at Hancock. I was SHOCKED to even see it in there, especially in this color. I grabbed some real quick. Can't tell you the last time I purchased fabric from there lol.

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

Vogue 1263

Pattern Description: Very loose-fitting jacket has side front pockets and flat felled seams.

Pattern Sizing: XS-M I made the Medium


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? See what had happened was...I've gotten to where I really don't read instructions. I will glance over them for the review but unless it's something super hard I dont' follow them. Soooo that backfired this time lol. MAKE SURE YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE INSTRUCTIONS SO YOU DON"T SEW UP THE DART WHERE THE POCKET SHOULD GO. I don't have pockets on my jacket and I was too lazy to go back and take it apart lol.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the style of this pattern.


Fabric Used: Sweatshirt fabric


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Sewed up the pockets by mistake lol.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I won't make this one again, but I do recommend it if you like this style jacket.

Conclusion: Great jacket went together without any problems other than the mistake I made.

 

And a couple more pictures...just because lol

Kayla totally photobombed me. It was so funny after the picture was taken I was moving to go look at it and just so happened to look back and saw she was behind me lol. She said real G's move in silence lol. So silly.

This is my new profile picture eerrryywhere because I love it so much lol

 

If you like my necklace check out Adrienne's Essentials Accessories!

 

Toodles!

The Perfect Twirl Dress... Vogue 8765

Do you ever purchase fabric and hold on to it FOREVER, just waiting on the perfect pattern?

I allowed this fabric to speak to me. It told me to grab the best twirly dress pattern I could find, because it would surely be perfect lol

I can't express how much I love this dress. It's amazing how I find myself falling in love with sewing even more. I thought I would have a hard time finding balance between family, church, fun, traveling, Adrienne's Essentials, Stitched9 and just ME time but it's so easy. I think I'll do a video on this later this week lol. 

Back to the dress lol.

I love the retro vibe of this dress. I'm finding myself loving vintage items more and more. You will see so much more vintage inspired dresses on me soon.

I'm still incorporating bits of the Patone Color of the year in my wardrobe. I'm TRYING not to allow this color to totally take over but uhh, just wait until you see the next couple things lol

I decided on pink or a shade of radiant orchid accessories. I love these earrings and necklace. I wore my favorite tennis bracelet and I took a classic black handbag.

My shoes I adore. They are Anne Michelle Rapture from DSW 

Only $40 bucks! They are super comfy. These will get a LOT of wear.

Let me leave you with a couple twirly pictures lol

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lol.

Man can y'all see that? My face. That's peace. Man. My heart. Whew. Ok. Yeah I need to do that video lol

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

Vogue 8765

Pattern Description: Lined dress has close-fitting bodice and back zipper. A: semi-fitted skirt and back hemline slit. B: narrow hem. Custom fit for A,B,C,D cup sizes.

Pattern Sizing: 8-16


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? These instructions are great until you get to the neckline and sleeves.  I only read over them for the review. IMO it was confusing. I don't do mine the way they suggest so maybe that's why it was confusing. I have my own method lol.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved the modern/vintage look of this dress.


Fabric Used: Stretch cotton sateen


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened the dress about 8 inches. This dress has an extension piece. Once I added it on I shortened it 8 inches. I didn't like the original length of this dress. It hit me in a weird place.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I WILL make this again. I have a dress on my pinterest board that I want to make and this pattern is an exact dupe lol.  I HIGHLY recommend this if you can find it. It's OOP.

Conclusion: Great pattern, love that is has cup sizes. Goes together great and I had a BALL wearing it!

 

And I'll leave you with my favorite!

 

 

Crop Top The Adrienne's Essentials Way...Butterick 5922

I was informed that you guys may not know about my business blog. ALL things business go on over there. Projects, what's in the works, what's for sale, new items and the like lol. You can follow along here Adrienne's Essentials Blog

I'll be adding new spa products soon. You can see those Adrienne's Essentials Spa Products by clicking that link.

I also sell womens accessories Adrienne's Essentials Womens Accessories

And boys clip on bow ties Adrienne's Essentials Boys Clip on Bow Ties

I don't talk about that much here but now you guys know. Everyone thank Singlema lol LOVE YOU!!!

Now on to today's post lol

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Crop tops are sooooooooo hot for the fall/winter and will still be hot for this spring.

I have seen some really, really gorgeous ones but I refuse to show my tummy lol. It's not a look for me.

I've had this one pinned to my inspiration board on my wall for a few weeks and decided why not lol

I have no idea what designer pieces she is wearing. I normally try to write it down but clearly I forgot lol

I absolutely love this printed sweater knit that I picked up while I was in New York from Metro Textiles. I can't remember if it was the first trip or the second. I actually think it was the second trip lol. I purchased a TON of it becasue I loved the weight.

What I noticed when trying on crop tops in the store, when layering them, I had to make sure the porportions were right or it would totally chop me up. The model in the inspiration picture looks tall. Her crop sweater is longer than mine AND her button down is longer as well. When I tried this on with a longer white button down it looked a HOT MESS lol. I decided my good ole trusty regular button down would look best lol.

I wore this to meet with a client and instead of wearing black pants, I decided on this vibrant green-ish color. They are soooooooooooo pretty in person. This picture really doesn't do them ANY justice at all. I love the length and the fit is perfect. I purchased these a while back. LOVE EM!

I kept my accessories pretty neutral. I pulled out my favorite purse that Tony got sick of seeing lol, my favorite nude pumps and my current favorite statement necklace.

I MAY still have one available or one similar in my online shop http://adriennesessentials.com/products-page/accessories/ scroll down for the accessories. Im waiting on a back order of handbags/clutches to come in also.

And my favorite lol

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

 Butterick 5922

Pattern Description: Close-fitting, pullover top has back neck slit, narrow hem and hook & eye closing.

Pattern Sizing: 6-14


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?

YES!
Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn't even use the instructions or look at them. If you have made a basic top, you can make this with your eyes closed. I took me longer to cut it than to actually sew it up.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I just needed a basic shirt pattern and this one fit the bill and I had it in my stash lol.


Fabric Used: Sweater Knit from Metro Textiles.


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I shortened it about an inch and a half above the waist line. I didn't add the back neck slit, or the hook and eye. Since my fabric was stretchy I used FOE (fold over elastic) on the neckline, and sewed it under.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? This is a great basic shirt pattern to have. I highly recommend it and if I need another basic shirt pattern I will sew it again and again.

Conclusion: Great pattern!

Little Red Corvette...Well, just a little red dress. Vogue 8939

I've been seriously wanting a red dress for the past month or so. I think this obsession started right after Thanksgiving. I had to put it all on hold while we were doing so much stuff concering Kayla but as SOON as I was able to sit down and sew it was on.

I already knew what I wanted to make, until I saw this dress on pinterest:

Source

It's so simple, yet so beautiful. I was in love.

Mine is a little different from my inspiration dress. I wanted the neck of my dress more fitted, a tad bit longer and 3/4 sleeves. I don't know what it is, but I don't really care for long sleeves on certain knit dresses.

I just want y'all to know that I ONLY took my coat off so y'all could see my dress. I love you guys THAT much lol

My dress isn't tight, it hits all my lil curves though ;)

I kept my accessories simple. Shoes, belt and purse are all old.

My super cute phone case however is an accessory  that is new, well I got it after Thanksgiving but before Christmas lol. If you like it you can pick one up from http://www.shopjunkboxx.com/ I LOVE that they had a stylish lady on a cell phone case that is the same color I am. That is SO hard to find.

Expect to see a black version of this dress real soon. I made both of them the same night. LOVE it!

For those of you who sew, here is a review:

Vogue 8939

 

Pattern Description: Close-fitting, pullover top or dress has collar and stitched hems.

Pattern Sizing: 12-20


Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it?
Yes, exactly.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Very easy.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I loved how simple this pattern was. It gave me exactly what I was looking for. A simple turtleneck dress.


Fabric Used: Ponte knit


Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added 4 inches to the length and shortened the sleeves.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I've made it in black already. Not sure if I want another color. I highly recommend this pattern. Its a great basic to have.

Conclusion:Great pattern, very easy and great for beginners. I orginally purchased this pattern just for the dress, but I feel the skirt pattern would be great as well.