Little No-Brainer Outfit

Ran to Joann's today before I head to work to buy the interfacing I needed. Got two different weights, a heavier for the waistband of the skirt (because it's so sculptural, I just figured heavier would be better) and a lighter one for the tie bands.

Here's what I wore: nothing super-exciting, but then again, I got dressed in about five minutes. Oh, and notice I took my scarf with me; if I can squeeze in little bits of sewing time, I can surely also squeeze in knitting during car rides, right?

Sorry for the in-the-mirror photo, but yeah.

(Shirt; H&M, Shorts: F21. Shoes: Tom's, Bag: Vintage Dooney and Bourke, Necklace: a gift)

...I only posted it because I look scary and wierd in this pic, because my sis took it in like two seconds before I ran to the car (why was I in such a hurry? No idea.)

And, last but not least, my Tom's. You know, I find it odd that I never see any bloggers wearing these, because in real life, don't we all have a pair? They're so comfy and awesome, I don't see why not. This is random, but I don't know, it just amazes me that in all the subversive, hippie-type blogs I read, no one's wearing these things.

Little Sewing Update

So, it's becoming easier for me to squeeze in little bits of sewing between waking up and going to work, and getting home and going to bed- because I've realized if I don't sew in the small amount of free time I have, nothing will get done. It's hard for me not to procrastinate, but I also know that when I'm working on a project, I feel alot happier and more content and, well, in my element than I am anywhere else.

Especially work, which today, wasn't too great. You guys, I work for tips. It's a fact. And some days, no one tips me, even when I carry out their ten-pound tray of food, and they make me fix all of their drinks because the amount of ice doesn't meet their exact specifications. Even when it wasn't my fault in the first place. People aren't normally rude to me; it's not that. If anything, I encounter alot of nice people. It's just, my job only pays me $3 an hour. They EXPECT that I make tips. Some days I make alot; but on days like today, I didn't even get minimum wage. No matter how hard I try, there are some days when it doesn't pay off, and that's frustrating.

So... sorry about that. I'm off my soap box. Here's what I did when I got home from work:

This is a s'more. Don't ask how I ate it, because it was messy. But it was goooood. Some days (okay, most days), my eating habits are horrifying. But, you know that saying, "nothing tastes better than skinny feels"? I don't believe it. So that's how I justify impromptu smore-making binges...

Anyway. About sewing. This morning, I completed the muslin to what will henceforth be know as "The Epic Skirt".  And the good news is that the muslin fit great. I even ran around in it, painted my nails in it, laid on the couch in it. It really has no fitting problems; I'm good to go. When I got home from work, I found out that I have no interfacing, so I can't start on the actual skirt until I pick some up. Meanwhile, I re-threaded my serger (which feels like a full-time job) to the correct thread color, pre-washed the cotton I'm using, and prepped the pattern pieces. If I have time tomorrow, (and this is a BIG if), I'll start cutting the pieces out. My absolute least favorite part; I really only love the construction, not the cutting.

As a refresher, here's the fabric I'm using:

And here's  the pattern. So yeah; it should look crazy but ultimately wearable. With something plain on top, like a v-neck, and black tights and a cardigan for winter; I just think it's gonna look great. Excited for progress!

Smacking Alligators

Tonight was really great. Work sucked because NO ONE was tipping, so I doubt I even made minimum wage- but afterwards I hung out with one of my best friends, Aimee. She's having some guy troubles right now and really needed to get away from it.

We went to Shades of Brown, which is this really amazing, quiet hipster-type coffee shop. It's expensive but the coffee's so much better quality than, say, your average Starbucks- plus, the mugs are pretty. It's filled with all of this antique furniture and hippies, and I just kind of want to take all of it home with me.

Then we went and played arcade games, which is a great stress reliever, trust me.

Pretty colorful prizes; this was the cheap stuff. What I really wanted was a life-sized stuffed panther... too bad that takes about 2,000 tickets. We only had 26 at our disposal, from our success at smacking alligators.

We used it to buy army men.

Today's outfit- was I overdressed? Yes. But when I get off work, all I want to do is feel nice again, instead of sweaty and covered in various soft drinks. The best way is to put on pretty clothes and do my hair.

(Dress: bought in Venice, Cardigan: Charlotte Russe, Belt: thifted, Shoes: Target, Necklace: F21, Bag: Vintage)

Love Letter to Marc

I don't look at alot of fashion shows; I used to cruise style.com alot more religiously, but I feel like I can get alot more inspiration from fashion bloggers and magazines than straight from the runway. However, Marc by Marc Jacobs has always been an exception. He never fails to inspire me, and make me want to spend ridiculous amounts on his clothes (Can I rationalize it, now that I have a job?!? Questions, questions...)
And I'm looking at these pictures and being reminded of exactly why I love him so much...

I love how he mixes prints, and this (along with alot of other looks) makes me want a crazy patterned sweater for winter. Right now I can't even think about wearing layers, but when the temperature starts to drop, I'll definately be going thrifting.

This look really stood out to me because the design looks alot like the skirt pattern I'm making. The fabric I'm making it out of is very different, but no less crazy; maybe I'll wear it with a button down like this?

I know, I know, I'm not  boy. But I would wear this in a heartbeat, on one of those days which sometimes happen when I'm not feeling girly at all. Or, maybe I could just get a new boyfriend and coerce him into dressing like this? Hmm. I think if I could just get hold of that cardigan, I'd be pretty happy.

This one's from his Fall/Winter show; see why I need a big thrifted sweater? This seems like such an easy and accesible winter outfit for me. You know, on those lazy days when concocting something super interesting seems out of the question, just throw on a big sweater and go...

Oh Marc, you never fail to impress me with your awesome prints and basic amazingness.

Love, Christine

Humidity and an Epic Pattern

It's so humid today that when I stepped out of the house into the outdoors, my glasses and camera lense fogged up. So, please forgive the wierd quality of these photos.

(Shirt; F21, Tank, Shorts, Shoes; Target, Purse; Vintage, Sunglasses; Urban Outfitters)

Detail shot of the purse; another super pretty, old beaded purse I love. This one seems more fragile to me, because I broke the strap to another one just like without even being rough. So I don't use it alot, but it's gorgeous. Also, literally half of all the things I'm wearing here are from Target. I love Target clothes to a (probably) odd extent. But hey, whatever.

Yesterday I was sick, so I stayed home from work and basically laid on my couch and watched Desperate Houswives and knitted. I rarely ever watch tv, normally just movies, but I watched about 7 hours of it yesterday. Today, I'm feeling mostly better; I'm starting to cut out the pieces to my skirt  muslin, and later I'm gonna go hang out with some friends. No work for two whole days; I feel rich!

Anyway, I was browsing Etsy this morning with my coffee and came upon the best pattern ever:

Doesn't this pattern just scream, "Make me in a vintage floral, Christine, like the kind your great Grandma just gave you, and I will become an awesome Katy Perry-esque top you will love and treasure and wear out on crazy adventures?" I thought so too. Can't wait till it gets here! I'm gonna make it in view 3 (the blue polka dotted one). So excited, but must finish the epic skirt first. I want to wear the skirt so badly, but yet have no motivation to make it. Is that odd?

Outfit Post

Oh man, getting to wear real clothes after my gross Sonic uniform feels great. I dressed up just to go to Joanne's and buy some zippers; I'm starting on a muslin for a skirt which is going to be EPIC when I'm finished.

(Shirt: Vintage, Bag: Vintage Dooney and Bourke, Belt: made by me, Skirt: made by me, Shoes: thrifted) 

I love this shirt. It says "Hold on to Me: Someday I may be Valuable" and it's a tourist tee from the Virgin Islands. Well, shirt, you will be glad to know that 30 years after you were made, you are worth $15 at Cheap Thrills Vintage. It's so soft and nice.

Back from Camp, New Project

Just got home from summer camp yesterday, and I'm TIRED. Of course I have to work today, though, which kinda sucks but at least I'm making alot of money from my ultra-tiring job. Anyways, camp was awesome, but no real pics to show from it- I brought my camera, but I ended up being too occupied with having fun to remember to take pics. It's a shame, because the camp is beautiful. Sitting on a huge lake, surrounded by thick woods, we're talking picturesque stuff. It rained alot while we were there, but luckily it was always sunny during our four hours of free time a day, when we swam in the lake, played on the Blob (huge lake inflatables), went tubing, climbed on ropes courses, and explored a cave. So... yeah. What did I accomplish when I wasn't being outdoorsy? I started a new scarf.

This pic is with flash- it's not this bright, and in real life it's not shiny. This yarn is super non-fancy, it's like acrylic and some other synthetic, because my, umm, teenage budget didn't allow for wool? Okay, that's a lie, I had just spent my money on other things. Anyway. I almost feel guilty working on a knitted project for myself, because I have a literal waiting list of people who want one. It's crazy. But I really wanted to make this, so that's okay.. .right?

This photo's kinda blurry, but more true to the color.

Detail shot!

The scarf will be in stripes in these colors. They won't be small stripes; I will keep knitting in each color until I run out of that yarn, then switch to a new color. Big, fat, chunky blocks of color. That's the plan. Oh, and also, if you want this scarf pattern, it can be found here.