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May 14, 2012

Make something Monday:
spring / summer scarf

Forever21 scarf

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Posted in Accessories, Scarves

Inspired by the Forever21 scarf I bought (as seen in my May Birchbox unboxing video and below), I decided to make a few more.

Forever21 scarf

I will note that it is actually cheaper to just buy a scarf from Forever21 because you will need 2 yards for the length scarf I made. You however get a larger choice in fabrics by learning to make your own.

Here are the two scarves I made:

   

 

Try and ignore the purple shirt under the sarong. I didn’t want to change to demonstrate some possible tying options. 🙂

Supplies needed:

  • Sewing machine. I’ll try and do a few no sew projects in the future but this you probably need a sewing machine for.
  • 2 yards fabric. Something that’s thin and drapey. Chiffon, silk, even a light polyester. This is where going into the store and feeling fabrics is actually a good idea. This will be against your skin so if you don’t like how it feels, don’t buy it because you’ll be less likely to wear it if you don’t like how it feels. You’ll be using the full length for the scarf but you will only need a 16-17 inch strip for the size scarf I made. Both of the fabrics I chose were $4.95/yard. You can use the remainder for a sarong like I did above or to make scarves for your friends.
  • Thread to match. Around $3 each. Don’t forget an empty bobbin if you don’t have one at home.
  • Rolled hem sewing machine foot. Between $9 and $30 depending on your machine. Again, I already had this at home. I can’t imagine doing this project with a regular foot however you might be able to do a single tiny fold with zig zag stitch depending on your fabric but it’s not going to give you quite the same clean finish.
A couple of quick photos mid-process:
 

Videos I referenced:

Sewing a rolled hem:

via YouTube by ClaireOKC
via YouTube by ClaireOKC

I found this video useful to correct some of the mistakes I was making on my first attempt at sewing a rolled hem on light fabric. I’ve actually done a rolled hem on cotton before and the machine foot did a lot of the work but with the lighter fabrics you have to pay attention to the details more.

Scarf tying (European Loop is my favorite, then fake knot and braid):

via YouTube by wendyslookbook

Sarong / pareo tying:

Pareo and Sarong Tying for Womenhttp://pareo.com 20 Ways How Women can Wear a Pareo or Sarong from pareo.com.

via YouTube

May 12, 2012

Some Forever21 necklaces May 2012

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Posted in Jewelry

I went to forever21 thinking I wanted the following necklace: Twisted Beaded Necklace $8.80
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_necklace&ProductID=1000046792&VariantID= 

 

I’m sure it will look great on some people but it just wasn’t cutting it for me … or maybe it was just that shirt’s neckline.

So I tried on another: Tribal Beaded Necklace $9.80
http://www.forever21.com/Product/Product.aspx?BR=f21&Category=acc_necklace_bead&ProductID=1000044397&VariantID=

Better but I have no idea what earrings I would wear with this. Ideally I could find something in a gold but my current gold earrings are on the shiny side and not so tribal antique.

There are now some others that are new that I want to go in and try on.
I think Forever21 may be my new obsession.

May 11, 2012

Birchbox May 2012 “Gossip Girl” box unboxing

birchbox card front May 2012

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Posted in Beauty & Skin, Subscription boxes

What’s inside:

  • Dior – Diorshow Extase mascara
  • Dior – Miss Dior Eau de Parfum
  • Miracle Skin Transformer Body SPF 20 in Glow
  • Shu Uemura – Cleansing Oil Shampoo
  • XOXO notecard


 Sign up for Birchbox! (referral link): http://www.birchbox.com/?raf=3l3e7

The scarf I mentioned in the video was the forever21 “Tiger Striped Scarf” which is only available in black and white now.

May 6, 2012

Derby attire

Derby Hat - Forever21 Basketweave Floppy Hat

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Posted in Clothing, Hats, OOTD

Full Derby Outfit 2012 with hat

If you’re from KY you know that the Kentucky Derby is a big deal here. My planning this year failed miserably because Tim was actually at Churchill Downs serving up the Woodford Reserve $1000 Mint Juleps. And somehow most of the people I know were either at the event working, out of town, or just wanted to quietly watch the race at home (and I think some were partying with a group of parrotheads.)

But I decided I was going to dress up anyway, posted on facebook to see if anyone had any last minute invites and crossed my fingers that a party would either appear or someone would at least go have a Mint Julep at a bar with me to watch the Derby itself.

Nope, no such luck but I was determined to head out anyway. I did luck out that there was actually an available seat at Harry’s bar over in Palomar.

And I chickened out on the hat mostly because I didn’t want to either block someone’s view, hit someone with it or take it off and have to find a place to store it.

  • Hat:Forever21 Basketweave Floppy Hat for only $5.50! I had come across this the night before and thought it was perfect.
  • Dress: strapless from White House / Black Market bought a couple of years ago.
  • Cardi: Target Mossimo bought a couple of years ago. Because I didn’t want to wear a strapless bra with the strapless dress I threw this on so you couldn’t tell. Usually I don’t tie it but it worked better with this dress tied.
  • Shoes: Simply Vera heels from Kohl’s mentioned here previously.

And in case you were wondering, I did drive through betting at Keeneland on Friday. I really wanted Hansen to win. Actually the horse with the best name was Daddy Long Legs but usually those that I’m drawn to like that tend to come in dead last. I had bet Hansen, Bodemeister, and Take Charge Indy for the trifecta and I had also bet a couple of others as well. The only winning ticket I had was Bodeimeister to Place (which means come in first or second) so I will get $6.20 back of the $18 I bet 🙂