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Long Sleeve to Sleeveless Recon - or How to Size Up a Top
- 10/27/2008
This is what I started with:
It's a Kenneth Cole long sleeved tee with lace up detail that I found at the thrift. I had to buzz off a zillion little pills to even think about selling it on ebay but then I decided that the material was really just too worn to try to sell to anyone. Thus it entered the experimental stack. Dun, dun, dun.
It really was just a tiny size, probably XS - there was no tag to tell for sure. So, I thought I could probably just use the sleeves to make the torso bigger. I cut them each off, leaving a cool jagged edge on the arm hole, cut up the sleeve on each side of the seam - so each one was a flat piece of material. Then I cut up the shirt side seams the same way, removing the original seam. I opted not to use a seam ripper since the top had such dense stitching & I wanted to save time & end up with smooth edges to match up.
Once I had separated the side seams, I pinned the sleeve fabric in place, treating it as if it was just more fabric for expansion. I matched up the hems on the sleeves with the hem of the waist. After that, I just had to cut off the excess fabric under the arms, pin in place & make my sleeve hole hem.
 I think it turned out really well & now is fully wearable for me.
 This is the outfit I wore it with today. I think it gave nice shape to the slightly too big button-down plus added a little edgy detail with the lacing at the neckline. I did notice that it has continued to pill so may not be featured again. Maybe that's why it was at the thrift? Such it life...
I hope I explained the process well enough to help you do it yourself. If not, drop me a message in the comments & I will try to help you from there!Labels: Crafting and Creating
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Black Patent Leather Toes
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 Check out my new favorite toe nail color! I did black for Halloween but I think I'm really digging it for the rest of the winter too.
It's super shiny & way sophisticated plus they will match any outfit!
I've always dug dark nails but I tend to skip them on my fingernails since I can hardly sit still long enough to let the polish dry & I'm terribly prone to chipping.
But this is perfect cuz my toenail polish really will stay perfect for a long time. OK, enough of this. I just think my toes look oh so cute!
What are you're favorite toenail colors?Labels: Shopping and Fashion
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T-shirt to Necklace - DIY
- 10/26/2008
I've slowly started to dig into my pile of clothes to re-make.
Here's a warm-up. I cut a cool neckline out of a thrift store t-shirt, then wrapped ribbon around the neckline to "finish" it & make it an interesting necklace.
Here's the before pic. There were stains on the front or else I probably would have just worn it as is:
Here it is being worn as a dick-lace. A dickie crossed with a necklace - funny, yes?
And here it worn over the top just as a necklace:
I think it adds an interesting flare - almost a cross between a scarf & a necklace or a halter top or a bib. I haven't been brave enough to wear it in public yet though LOL.
Labels: Crafting and Creating
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Update
- 10/23/2008
Hey all! Things have been happening so fast around here I haven't had time to update, even though I have a couple posts on the burner.
Coming soon will be a fabric necklace I made from an thrift store shirt and a shirt re-con. I actually made a Kenneth Cole top several sizes bigger.
There won't be as many outfit posts since I am now working in the mornings with children - I've been tending to wear very practical, comfortable & washable things. It has been very interesting so far, more on that later.
One more thing - there's a great freebie here - http://www.nutritionaltree.com/samples/sample-giveaway-alternate.aspx - on a 1 oz Sample Tube of Revitacil Wrinkle and Eye Cream ($19.95 value). So check it out!Labels: Life
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Clothing Cleaning and Upkeep Tricks
- 10/19/2008
I just started a new lens over at Squidoo called Clothing Cleaning and Upkeep Tricks. I'm hoping to keep adding to this one. I think preserving our clothing is really important right now, especially since I think we're all trying to spend less. So, please, click on the link above & check it out!Labels: Shopping and Fashion
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Spread the Handbag Love!
- 10/12/2008
 One more thing - I just created yet another Squidoo lens, this one on Handbag Care. Please go check it out! You might learn a thing or two!Labels: Shopping and Fashion
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Purse Explosion
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I just got 4 new purses up on the ebay. There are more to come. Six of the current crop are new with tags! Yeah, I hit the motherload the other day. But I've also paired down my personal purse brigade (again) and will be putting up a few x-favorites. (I have to, when I had my splurge I bought at least one that I am totally keeping! And really, how many bright orange purses does one girl need?)
Anyway, here is a very visual post of all the ones that are up or will be going up. Oh, and I also threw a close up of the magic belt in there.
Labels: MissAmy's Shop
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The Magic Bicycle Belt
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So, I found this fabulous Cynthia Rowley belt - black & white striped with a gold-toned bicycle buckle. I had toyed with the idea of buying it for a long time, every time I saw it in the store. I finally gave in & I can't believe how cool it really is. I am convinced Carrie Bradshaw would wear this belt.
Now keep in mind that I picked out my outfits for the week ahead of time, like I always do. Also note - I did not have the belt in mind when picking the outfits. I photographed them for MyStyleDiary just like normal, but then I added the belt to each one & photographed again. It complimented each & every outfit - I really can't believe it. Seriously, this is a magic belt! I am enthralled with this belt!
Check out the photos below and if you want, compare them to the original outfits at MyStyleDiary:
Labels: MissAmy's Shop, Shopping and Fashion
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How Not to Look Old - Post Number 4
- 10/06/2008
The experiment is alive & well, in case you were worried.
So, the next chapter covers glasses. Ms. Krupp believes that wire frames are most aging, plastic are better but going without is best. She is definitely correct!
Behold - me in wire frames. These actually were my glasses several years ago & pre-lasik. I look so much older and more mousy.
 My current plastic frames are so much cuter! Actually, I wore these back when I wore the other ones but post-lasik I decided to put the new perscription in these ones. I always thought they were a little dark for me but since reading that chapter I'm thinking they are quite chic & statement making. Oh yeah, and smart. They definitely make me look smart! ha, ha!
But, I think this is the best look for me, youthful of not. I think it's nice to see the eyes when possible. I spent a lot of my life with coke-bottle glasses so I am still thrilled to be able to go without. (I only actually need my glasses when it starts to get dark.) It was total science fiction to be able to see clearly again! 
Ms. Krupp covers loads more on each topic I have covered/will cover. I am merely presenting the main idea of each chapter. By no means let this stop you from buying and/or reading her book. There are lots of tidbits that are helpful to any of us - young or old! I personally can't wait for the chapter on fashion. I always wonder if I dress my age or not and it should be fun to try to dress too young or too old for photo op. Labels: Beauty and Makeup
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Party Pics
- 10/04/2008
 So, here are a couple pics from the party prep. I think I mentioned in the last post that my BF from high school flew in & surprised me. She & my husband had been in cahoots for weeks apparently. The best photos from the actual party are on her camera so they may make an appearance in a later post.
She captured the water balloon fight on film. My husband had set up two large slingshots at each end of our yard & it was a total hit (no pun intended? - you decide).
In the midst of prepping the night before my hubby showed up with my bestie & we hung out. The next day we prepped some more. I frosted & sprinkled all the cupcakes as well as assembling the most adorable hamburger cookies (see photo above). Everyone looooved them!
 We also ran to the store to get ingredients for even more goodies. Miss H made some very tasty mushrooms puffs as well as a delectable cold veggie pizza (see right). They were all demolished by night's end. We also grilled hamburgers & hot dogs - typical cookout fair. We didn't even end up pulling out the 2-ton bags of tater tots I bought. There was simply too much food LOL.
So now we'll be eating leftover hot dogs & tots for weeks!
Other than the food - everyone that showed up seemed to have a lot of fun which is always my goal as a hostess. I even saw at least one number being exchanged - success! There were three babies present as well as two dogs besides our own. It made for a nice mix of stuff happening & conversation was easy. Another big time goal for this hostess.
So, all in all, I had a great time. I think my Miss H had a lot of fun as well. I will dub this party a success!
Labels: Life
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Has Anyone Missed Me?
- 10/03/2008
 I'm back! It's been over a week I think since I've posted. Things have been busy around here. I've planned a party, had the party, was surprised by my best friend (she flew in for the party), had some adventures with her while she was here and have taken DAYS off to hibernate & get back in my rut. I do so love my rut! Plus I've had some nagging aches/pains that have made it difficult to care about anything other than comfort. That & not getting my laundry done this week led to generally not caring what I put on. Until today... So, here is my first recent outfit (today's) that had any thought put into it at all. It was inspired by a post over at the frugal-fashionista blog. Love that blog! Anyway, I know it's not the epitome of sartorial elegance but I'm proud that I actually tried a little.
So, the post was of Jessica Alba in a similar jeans, tank, cardi & scarf combo. Her outfit was rainbow colored while I went for "washed out" and nailed it. Also, her cardigan fit her perfectly while mine is nearly shapeless. All the better to hide the weight I've gained over the last joyous week. Don't get me started on that...
Coming soon - posts about the event of the season (my party, duh!), my latest binge purchases & some off-beat fun stuff I did with my BF while she was here.
Labels: Shopping and Fashion
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