happy monday, everyone!  lately i’ve been feeling a bit stir-crazy (maybe after months of winter, and anxiously awaiting spring?) and have been playing more and more with color as an outlet. 

as a sunday (and monday) routine, my friend julie and i have been taking ballet lessons, which has led me to researching new dance outfits, which has led me to the world of crazy tights on ebay.  i’ve been collecting the weirdest, brightest collection of tights, leotards and dancewear that you can imagine.  the best pair of dance tights i found (a two-toned purple and black jester tights) were on ebay, titled ‘party tights mardi gras clown dance’.  how can you deny a pair of tights with that name? 

in any case, all of this has started to carry over into my real-world outfits, and when hansel from basel had a sale a few weeks ago, i bought this pair of over-the-knee socks, in the brightest blue with red knees.  i love the little color on the knees.  if an impromptu paula abdul ‘cold hearted snake’ dance routine breaks out on the street, i’m so ready.

i’ve actually had these boots for a long time, but could never figure out what to wear them with.  when these tights appeared and were an exact color match, i figured it was destiny and they must be worn together. 

also, one thing i can’t believe i haven’t mentioned yet is this lipgloss/lipstick palette.  since i’ve been wearing bright orange and reds, i always want a similar lipshade, but bright orange can be a teensy bit crazy on your lips.  i got this smashbox ‘lip service 2’ palette in a goodie bag from an event a while back, and it’s perfect for mixing and matching the reds/corals/pinks into the perfect shade……and they’re sheer enough to where they don’t make you look crazy.  i’m a tad scared what i’m going to do when it runs out, and hopefully i can find it in a store somewhere.

and finally, my latest finished project. i LOVE this thing.  the pattern, the yarn, the detailing, the size, the drape…everything.  the pattern is guernsey from brooklyn tweed, and the yarn is cascade 220 wool in charcoal.  i’ve been working on this for about a week or so, and just finished and blocked it this weekend.  the  pattern is so easy, but looks SO nice.  i’d definitely recommend this pattern to any knitting beginners who want to make a scarf.  (the stitches are no harder than any garter stitch scarf, it teaches you how to read and follow a pattern, and the result is SOOO much better).

alright, have a great week, everyone!

vintage shirt and skirt, hansel from basel tights, cobalt boots (can’t remember!), scarf knit by me from guernsey pattern by brooklyn tweed, essie ‘clambake’ nails, lipgloss a concoction of colors from smashbox lipservice 2 palette

i was finally able to take some photos this past weekend of my FINISHED mustard/honey/golden cowl.  the pattern is from madeline tosh, and was a pretty quick and fun knit.  i used knit picks capra yarn, which is a cashmere blend and it is SO soft and squishy.  especially in this honeycomb pattern with lots of slipped stitches. 

moving along, my new pair of favorite jeans, designed by my friend Jacqueline at Madewell.  i picked these out during fashion week when madewell hosted the CUTEST breakfast for us in their shop.  we had a gift card easter egg hunt around their store, munched on deliciously weird bagels (like peanut butter & jelly), had our fortunes told, and manicures.  AND we all put on a pants fashion show for ourselves and walked out with a new pair of jeans (thanks, madewell!)  i ended up going with the ‘vintage rocker’ because of the flare cut and the amazingly soft fabric. 

alright, have a happy friday everyone.  this weekend, i’m going to be joining in several bachelorette activities, including TRAPEZE lessons tomorrow!  i’m terrified.  but will let you know how it goes, next week. 

vintage rocker jeans c/o madewell, vintage coat, purse & shoes, uniqlo chambray shirt & cardigan, h&m men’s belt, KISS sunglasses

after diligently preparing for today’s post and taking lots of pictures, this morning i frantically turned my apartment upside down looking my card reader, which is no where to be found.  so, unless i learn to telepathically beam them to you, they will have to wait til next week.  instead, today i decided to show you a few of the projects that have been keeping me busy lately.

the booties above were a project that i started back in december and kinda lost focus on.  which is why i only have one of them. still, it is a really cute bootie.

and the dress below is something i started on last week.  it’s from the built by wendy dress book, and i spent the entire first day just making the pattern.  who knew the ‘slash and spread’ would take so long to do?  the dress is about halfway done, so hopefully you’ll be seeing a finished product around here soon!

all in all, i really love the built by wendy books, only because i don’t think there is anything out there like this that will help you with pattern construction (short of taking a class).  however, the garment construction instructions skip over a lot of important steps (maybe to make sewing seem easier than it is?), so you really have to already know what you’re doing on construction.  i mainly just use the books to help me create the patterns.  i refer to my reader’s guide to sewing for everything in the construction department, which is the BEST reference book for sewing.

this cowl was something i was so proud of myself for starting, and finishing VERY quickly.  like in 2 days.  i still haven’t photographed the final finished piece yet, so i’m scared to wear it until i do….so i just wear it around my room alot and stroke it like it’s a cat.

this scarf is one that i don’t want to say i settled on making, but basically…it all started when i found the photo below from vanessa jackman’s blog and decided i needed it.  after consulting with many knitters and trying to knit up a swatch all day at work yesterday, i wasn’t happy with the result at all, found a pattern for the scarf above and started it instead. 

and finally, my last project is for my apartment.  i’ve been working on these dreaded floor cushions for years!  years!  not consistently, but i’m so sick of looking at them.  i finally finished knitting and seaming one (yay!) and just have to order the foam to go inside. 

so, that’s mainly what i’ve been working on lately!  what projects have you been up to?

hi everyone!  when trying to learn a few new crochet tricks, i came across this neat little stitch (the bullion or roll stitch) and i put it together in a super-easy pattern.  turns out, the little coiled medallion looks pretty neat as a pendant on a necklace. 

the pattern for this little guy is below…so you can make your own!  if you’re not the crocheting type, you can always check out the ones for sale in the shop, or enter the giveaway! 

to enter the giveaway, just say hello in the comments below.  for an additional entry reblog/tweet this post and leave a link to it in the comments as well.  all entries must be received by 8/12 midnight EST, and the winner will be announced on Friday, 8/13!

bullion stitch instructions
the actual bullion stitch is done by wrapping your hook 5-10 times (start small for practice) somewhat loosely, but very evenly. insert into your foundation stitch, wrap once, pull through foundation st. wrap once and pull through all of your loops. wrap once and pull through last loop.

PATTERN

• size C needle
• small thread

you can use any size hook and yarn/thread that you like. the smaller the daintier!

Round 1 - create loop (to knit in round) and dc into loop 10 times
Round 2 - ch 3 st, then into each dc, do 2 bullion 10-loop stitches

tie off end and weave in ends. attach to a chain and you’re done!

have a great weekend!

good morning, everyone!  so, today we have lots of exciting things going on.  first, you may have noticed that i have a slight obsession with a certain glitter ring, that makes an appearance pretty much every week here. i’ve had it for years and wear it constantly.  now i’m so excited that PoPko is giving one away to one of our readers! 

the ring is super sparkly and Crystal handmakes a little glitter party into each and every one. i love that they come in a million different colors, and they are such a great deal ($8! what?) i think i need to buy a backup for my antique silver one, JUST IN CASE.

to enter….hop over to popko’s shop, and leave a comment below telling us your favorite item.  for additional entries, reblog, repost or twitter a link to this giveaway (and leave a link to your post in our comments too).  all entries must be in by midnight, thursday june 10th EST…and the winner will be announced on friday, june 11th.  the giveaway is open to international friends as well!

now, on to the actual outfit.  as you all know, i love etsy, and am an constantly wheelin’ and dealin’ there.  but, my latest favorite thing to do is trade.  i make some jewelery, and sell a few pieces to support my hobby, but better than selling is bartering.  it’s so nice to get presents in the mail, and know that someone else is opening up a package somewhere else in the world, anticipating a gift for them that YOU MADE.  and, in the event of an economic breakdown, and the bartering system prevails, i’m going to be SO prepared. 

in any case….this dress here was one item from a wonderful trade on etsy.  and it didn’t cost one penny!  (only a little crocheting.)  it’s a lovely 70s dress with a full skirt, and batwingish sleeves. 

to avoid looking to frumpy in a long skirt, i wanted to wear super tall heels.  i love the look of tall shoes, but am always a little scared, just because i feel like unless they are comfortable…i’ll never wear them.  i was so excited to find this pair of michael kors, and with their generous platform and such soft leather, i could literally skip out of the store in them. 

and for my favorite part of the outfit…the mitts that i just finished knitting!  i had my eye on this pattern from french kit for a while, and finally decided to knit them up.  they went much faster than i thought, given the tiny tiny yarn and needles.  i love the shape, with the lines up the back and how dainty they turned out.  i feel like such a lady when i wear them.

and finally, the purple lab lookbook that joelle and i participated in, is now up!  it was a fun day of hanging out with some of our blogger friends, like christine and karen, and trying out some pretty wild makeup looks. 

have a great weekend everyone!  and don’t forget to enter the giveway!

max and chloe vintage dress, michael kors heels, vintage evan picone jacket, self-made mitts and necklace, vintage belt and eel purse, fred flare sunglasses