Scuba Pencil Skirt

Well! It's Wednesday night and I'm in the middle of a grueling battle with the sleeve on my next sewing project, so as a distraction (and a reminder of what it feels like to successfully complete a sewing project!) I thought I'd update the blog with the last thing I made... 

and here it is...(drum roll) ta-dah!

I'd never worked with Scuba fabric before and was really surprised how easy it is to cut and sew. I thought it would be a nightmare but this was actually the quickest project I've ever sewn! I love the kaleidoscope print too and it makes a fresh change from all the florals I usually wear! I picked up the fabric at Mood Fabrics this summer while holidaying in New York... along way to go to get some more so I'm glad this pencil skirt didn't go wrong!

2015 so far...

What can I say? There are no words to explain how poor I am at maintaining a blog! In my defense I have been fairly busy this year, sewing, pattern drafting, fabric shopping in New York etc... oh and making my first ever baby sewing project! So it's been a busy 2015 even if I haven't got around to broadcasting it on the internet!

Tibi inspired midi skirt

So what have I been up to sewing project-wise? Well first up there's the Tibi inspired pleated midi skirt I'd been meaning to make for absolutely YEARS! To be honest this took a huge chunk of 2015 on account of me being far too precious about every aspect of this project. The fabric is a beautiful, vibrant African print by Vlisco and I was terrified of doing something wrong and wasting it.  Also I wanted it tohave a professional finish (you know so I could indulge my dream of being an actual fashion designer/seamstress!), so I spent weeks labouring intensively on this project. Ironing, measuring, realigning pleats, overlocking, checking the stitch quality blah blah blah... I think I spent about a week on the invisible zip alone! But I'm happy to say I think the results are worth it. And it was even ready in time for my trip to the States in the summer...
(photo courtesy of Sally Oliphant!) xxx

Gathered Skirt with pockets and belt loops

Happy 2015 everyone!
2014... hmmm well it didn't really happen as far as the blog is concerned! As much as I loved parading my favourite clothes our trademark bad weather meant I lived in jeans and jumpers which pretty much took all the fun out of it (boo!), pair that with a serious lack of shopping funds last year and the result is... an empty blog! Anyway, anyone who knows me knows I LOVE sewing, but they'll also know I am massively lazy when it comes to actually doing it! If I made New Years resolutions mine would definitely be to sew more. I generally don't make them cause I can not keep them, but this year that's all going to change... thanks to the fab new sewing machine Santa left under my Christmas tree!!!

old world glamour

 

 

Tulle Midi Skirt: Alexandra Grecco, Top: H&M (old), Sandals: New Look

I'M BACK!!!
Bit of a lazy post though as you've probably seen these photos already on my FB, but if there was ever any item of clothing I possessed that is worth blogging about its THIS Alexandra Grecco Tulle Skirt. I wore it to my friend's wedding over the bank holiday weekend but I almost felt like I was the one getting married wearing this! I felt very glamorous! Here I am having a total Fairytale Princess/ Marilyn Munroe moment...See you again soon! xx

Sew&Tell...

Floral print Pencil Skirt: By Me, Top: Mango (old), Boots: Hush Puppies

 So what have I been up to since my last post?...umm...holidaying in Seville, enrolling in diving classes, oh yeah and making this beautiful pencil skirt...! It's been a year since I took my pattern cutting class and the other day I realised that I still hadn't made anything...so I dusted off my sewing machine, rethreaded my serger and made this little beauty! (Please excuse the creases, they come with the day job!). Those of you still rubbing your eyes in disbelief that I even know how to use a needle and thread, here are the photos of the work in progress... xx

floral notes

 

Skirt: Zara (old), Top: Primark (old), Bracelet: Les Nereides, Earrings: Les Nereides,
Sunglasses: Mango (old), Hair: Ombre Virgin Brazillian Wavy
 

I have this really bad habit I can't shake, it's called optimism. Whether there are rain clouds in the sky or a howling wind bending the trees double, when I look out the window first thing, I'm always hopeful of some sunshine and dress accordingly. Which is why I'm so massively underdressed today. Just cause there was no sun in the sky this morning didn't mean it couldn't brighten up later, so on went my favourite floral print mini skirt from Zara, and just because it matched, this ultra thin yellow vest top.... The temperature is 22 degrees today... and optimism does not keep you warm...! You may call this foolishness but I like to think of it as an unshaking faith in the British Summertime xx

Sweeping Lengths

Top: Yuki concession at Topshop, Maxi Skirt: H&M, Sunglasses: Mango (old), Cuff: Forever 21

Hi everyone, hope you all enjoyed your weekends. I spent mine at The Electric Daisy Carnival which was amazing! Photos might follow shortly... but today in a last ditch attempt to make the most of the rapidly receeding sunshine I'm showcasing my mint pleated maxi skirt I got from H&M a couple of weeks ago. The tee I got from the Yuki concession in the Topshop sale. I saw the colourful paradise print and just had to own it! The gold cuff I picked up from Forever 21 while looking for a floral headband (this also might make an appearance if I post my EDC photos!)

I'm off to the beach tomorrow so watch this space... even though this heatwave is coming to an end I'm not ready to give up on summer yet!! xx

park life

Slip dress worn as top: Topshop (old), Maxi Skirt: Mango, Sunglasses: Mango (old)
bag: Coach, Earrings handmade from Greece

Another sunny lunchtime spent in the park soaking up the sun. This time wearing my favourite earrings and...the first maxi skirt I've ever owned! Yes they've been around forever but cause I'm tall I can never find any that are long enough, usually they barely reach my ankles. That is until I discovered this floor length peach coloured beauty in the sale at Mango last week. I need a little practise walking in it though as I'm not used to full length skirts. Take this morning for example, I trod on the hem and tripped over at the train station in front of a platform of commuters! ... eek! Not something I want to repeat anytime soon! xx

heatwave happy

 

Top: H&M (also tempted by this), Skirt: Zara (old), Heels: Zara (old), Belt: Accessorize  

I meant to make a 'quick dash' to the Mango on Regent Street yesterday, only the route I chose took me straight through Oxford Street and it's gauntlet of shops. But, I did power-walk... only straight in to H&M followed by Topshop! This amazing peplum top from H&M was one of the gorgeous finds that ambushed me that day. I really love the textured fabric and the petal style peplum hem. And hey, even if I did stray from my mission I did make it to Mango eventually just with a few extra shopping bags! I'm not sure why this feels like an achievement but I'm not going to question it... Hope you're all enjoying the mini heat wave! xx

Summer Stripes

Skirt: French Connection (old), Top: Zara (old), Flip flops: Havaianas (old) Similar here,

Belt: Accessorize (old)

 

Literally blinded by the sunshine as you can clearly see in this post! This is one of my favourite summer outfits as I love colour blocking. But the real reason I dragged Vanessa out the office to take photos for my blog was to photograph my beloved Havaianas! If I had my way I'd wear them all year round even in winter if I could. They're ultra comfy and if it does rain (which it usually does), your feet dry super quick! Bonus! Much better than moping around in damp ballet pumps at any rate... xx

to the birds...

Skirt: H&M (old), Top: Risky (old) Similar here, Cardigan: New Look (old), Shoes: Zara,
Bag (as seen here), Hair: Ombre Virgin Brazillian Wavy
 

Happy Friday everyone!  I 'm so happy that the weekend is finally here. I've got so many exciting plans I don't know how I'm going to fit everything in... or indeed what to wear! Today though, the promise of a few sunny moments was all the excuse I needed to wriggle into my beloved Parrot print pencil skirt from H&M. I've teamed it with a lace peplum top what do you think?.....
 Have a fabulous weekend! xx

salute to the Sun

Top: Selected Femme (old), Skirt: M&S (old), Shoes: Zara, Bag: Leather Lane Market, Hair: Ombre Virgin Brazillian Wavy
 

I picked this skirt up in the sale at M&S last summer, but I hardly dare wear it cause it's so fragile. Last time I wore it the lace got attached to someone's backpack on the train... I freaked out to the point where another passenger had to intervene and delicately unhook me... a bit embarrassing... have so far managed to avoid making a scene today...xx