My Fashionable Mental Escape

As much as I love to blog, sometimes life just catches up and leaves no time for it, such has been the case this summer so far.  At work, a co-worker quit and another is on maternity leave.  At home, I'm planning my wedding and spending a crazy amount of money at the dentist both of which have cut into my clothing budget in a big way.  Not to mention catching a virus and having no voice (I won't even bring up the cold sore...STRESS!)  So what's a girl to do?  Alterations apparently.  At least that's what I seem to be doing in what little spare time I have.

Earlier this year I pulled out all of things out of my closet that I haven't worn or have worn only once due to the fact that they need altering.  Now that I've gotten through some of them it's like an entirely new wardrobe! (Recognize some?  A few have already made their way to a post.)   Anyway, I think these projects are my way of escaping or perhaps it's because I can see progress quickly...or maybe I just want something new to wear.

The crop top in front, (just a shirt I was getting rid of,)  is an experiment, I'm not sure I want to take it back to the 80's.  And so far the experiment is a failure...I haven't had the nerve to wear it yet.  Maybe tomorrow? 

And no, the BF is not thrilled about the fact that the ironing board has been set up in the living room since the beginning of June, but hey, I wanted to elope.
(Wait, that makes me look like a poop...I'm not anti-wedding, I had just never thought about it!) 
Anyway, he's got a while before it's coming down, there's more waiting to be altered...

J.

Another Alteration In My Closet

It looks innocent enough on the hanger...

But this skirt really wasn't me. Yet, like many things, it had been hanging in my closet for far too long. (Years.) I liked the look of the fabric and it had good lines, but it was the length that was just not good for me!

So, 7 cut off inches later I have this...

Much better! Casual with a tee and boots like above or oxfords and a striped blouse with pearls to go preppy....it's a basic yet versatile skirt in terms of when and where I can wear it. And I love that!

Which brings me to my next topic. In case you haven't noticed, I have a serious case of alterations. When I get bored with something, if I leave it hanging around long enough, eventually it falls victim to my sewing machine, (or a can of paint or electric drill...) and I've decided to chronicle these DIY adventures in my second blog Alterations and Modifications.
I just put up my first post in conjunction with this skirt. Come and indulge me in my addiction of half finished projects. Maybe I'll actually get them done. Thanks.
J.

And don't forget to enter my Debbie Carroll Warrior Ring Giveaway Here!

Prep Factor in My Closet -New Buttons

I purchased this velvet blazer 2-3 years ago from Old Navy. Which means I didn't spend a lot on it because velvet in Texas is really hot and I wasn't sure how often I'd wear it so I didn't want to make a huge investment.

As it turns out, I love the cropped style, and it fits me quite well. I didn't wear it much last year but velvet seems to be making a come back for fall and I since I no longer have a dirty job (like last winter,) I think I'll get more use out of it. Except....

I hate the buttons! Some of the little gems have fallen out and I sort of think they make the jacket look cheap anyway.

So on to Joanne's. They had so many great buttons that I had a hard time making up my mind! I was torn between going in an 80's direction (think big, gold and Dynasty,) or upping the prep factor...

Prep factor won! And so did I! For under $10 and 30 minutes, I have a new velvet jacket that I can't wait to wear!

I'm thinking skinny jeans, something in a stripe for the top, boots and fingerless gloves...I can't wait to wear it!

Blurry button close up.

Now, if only it didn't happen to be 100+ outside...
J.

In My Closet - Crazy Leopard Print

I was recently claiming that I don't have much leopard print in my closet, but truth be told, I don't really have much "natural" leopard print. Actually, make that none at all. That's ok because I love the pieces I do have. Take the colors in this Alberto Makali dress for example...

I'm drawn to the combo of turquoise, navy and lavender of it. Wild, but since the fabric is a wrinkled cotton, it comes across much softer. It's the length of the dress that didn't work so well for me...

Not so good, right? When I tried it on, my first thought was "Little House on the Prairie" gone crazy! But I love the top half, it's perfect for hot nights out in Texas and it's form fitting enough through the waist to give me a bit of curve, and I'll take any help I can get in that direction!
Yup, out with my beloved sewing machine.

I know it seems like I alter everything and that's all I post but I promise that's really not the case with my closet. I am on the short side (and currently on the broke side,) and I just really like to update what I have, to make it more unique and more me. Very little of what I own is in it's original purchased state.

Anyway, back to the dress. I thought this would be a simple hemming of the dress and it's under skirt but I was so wrong! I wanted to keep the navy lace at the bottom of the dress so I had to very carefully remove it first. Then, because of the wrinkles, it was difficult to cut a straight, even edge! Being a delicate cotton, to do an actual hem would weigh it down in a weird way so I had to do a very tight, compact stitch at the bottom to keep the fabric from unraveling. This was a first for me and a little nerve wracking! Reattaching the lace was quite time consuming, once again due to the wrinkle of the fabric. So something I thought would take an hour or so MAX, took me an entire afternoon! But the outcome is exactly as I envisioned it...

Much more fun, much more me. I'm planning on using a little safari style jacket over it for a day look. And I have a large chunk left that I intend to make into a scarf.

Maybe it's my love of DIY, or maybe I'm just not an off the rack kind of girl, (it would be so much easier if I was,) but I also love knowing I have a one of a kind.
J.

Please Welcome to My Closet - The Shorts

I'm happy to introduce to you, in their second life, the shorts!

Thank you J4 for the photos.

Not only did I shorten them, but also sewed shut all the pockets, front and back, and cut them out. The results leave much smoother lines.

The partnership with the lace top made it much more lunch with the girls than a run to the grocery store and was a nice surprise. (I really haven't worn the top as much as I would have thought.) I think they would also look good with a chambray shirt...I'll probably thrift around for one.

The location turned out to be another fun surprise! Being from a family who camped a lot as a child, I've always felt that forests were a little magical. I can't wait to go back without heels on for an actual hike!

Another alteration in My Closet-Olive Capris

Yes, these are capris, and yes, I know that they are not the most flattering.

There are some redeeming qualities, the olive color, they lay nice and flat at the stomach and I like the thick band that go up either side. (Maybe hard to see?) So I think they'll work out fine as shorts.

Problem is, I'm really unsure about the length I should hem them up to.

A knee length walking short is still suitable for most situations but does it look as dumpy as the original capri?

Mid thigh is maybe my least favorite. To me it some how makes my legs look shorter...is that possible?

And last but not least, shorter than the last picture and cuffed. Maybe too casual? Do I look like I'm going to camp?

Help!!!
J.

Found In My Closet - More Alterations

I was sort of intrigued with the wide legs of these pants until I saw myself in the mirror...

NOT a good length on a person my height!

But I'm crazy for the menswear fabric and it love how unexpected it looks with my sequin tunic, which I have yet to wear, but it is getting cooler, perfect weather for it. So I think I'm going to take in the leg...

I have them pinned here. What do you think? (My alteration pile is growing again...) Is it worth it?

J.