Monday, August 20, 2012

Are You There Autumn? It's me, MaryAnne.


Forgive the title. I think it's funny. This is a post that gives a nod to Autumn. I am kind of over Summer for the most part. I'm ready for the leaves to change and the air to cool off and I'm ready for sweater weather! Or, at the very least, weather I can wear pants in. I went on a little thrift store adventure this past weekend and found three dresses and this top. I can't wait to show you the Audrey Hepburn dress I found. I have to alter the neck line first.


This top was brand new, never worn. The second-hand store I went to originally wanted $13 for it, a price that the actual store it came from would probably give it as a sales price. I got lucky though because the color of that particular tag was 50% off. It reminds me of an old lady's moo-moo. But I don't know. There's something about it I like. Maybe it's the colors, the pink and green. There are white and yellow tropical birds on it too, but you can't see them very well in the photos. And maybe also, it's that it looks good on me and it's different from things I'm used to seeing. It stands out in a subtle way and I like that.


This top is kind of too long to wear with shorts. It can be worn with leggings though and as you see here, I paired it with my skinny jeans. What's also cool about this look is that I was able to wear a pair of shoes I found under my bed and sort of forgot about for maybe about a year! They are way cute, grey-blue flats. You can see them best in the last photo.


I also had a new belt I was able to wear and it works very well with this look. It's navy blue. Belts are certainly a great wonder and for a long time I didn't enjoy wearing them or felt I had any need for belts, but now I have found my need for them and am wanting to expand my belt collection a great deal. I like wearing belts with quite a few of my outfits now and I have a couple more than I used to. You won't be seeing me in just that brown one anymore. ;)


These photos were taken by my husband, Brian, on a foothills walk in the Boise North End, in Idaho. This trail was chalk full of awesome photo ops. I was almost salivating from all the possibilities.

Thanks for reading!

- MaryAnne

Monday, August 13, 2012

DIY Group - Meeting #2

The second meeting of the DIY Group was hosted by the lovely Sara, in her back yard. It was a very peaceful sort of day, quiet and simple, and not too hot. The shade from the big trees certainly helped. Sara made some nifty food for the meeting. She made lunch - Quinoa w/ kalamata olives, tomatoes, zucchini, and feta cheese; iced green tea; and super yummy, red velvet cupcakes w/ cream cheese frosting! Yay!




There was no designated theme for this meeting. Everyone just worked on whatever project they've been meaning to work on. On our first meeting there were three girls, then on the second meeting there were four. Welcome to the group Jenette...


Jenette made a bag out of an old silk top. It came out really neat and very vintage looking. She had been meaning to make something out that fabric for a few years. It's a great example of why I wanted to create this group in the first place, to motivate people and give them a reason to finally do that project that's been in the back on their minds and the back of a drawer for a while, because in regular every day life you just don't have time to bother with something as 'trivial' as a little DIY project. So putting together a group, where you can both socialize and be productive, gives a person the opportunity to do something they've only thought of doing and finding the time to actually do it.

working on the bag.
Sara's doggie hung out with us...


Liz being Silly...


Sara and her cupcakes... [they matched her dress. it's a nice color on her.]


Sara wasn't fully sure what she wanted to make. She finished the feather from the last meeting and she began working on an other embroidered piece. She thought about maybe putting the pieces together to make an elaborate headband. I personally think that sounds extremely cool. Here's the finished feather...


Liz, once again, completed [or nearly so] two projects. She made another turban headband and shortened a really cute skirt, adding a neat sewing design at the hem. I should have gotten a shot of the stitch design, but I didn't think to.


Pretty!


That's one cute skirt! Very retro. When she finishes the stitching and makes a complete outfit with it, I'll be sure to take pictures!

making friends with doggie.
Below: This is what I started out with. It's a complete, fully attached, three-piece pant suit, padded shoulders included! My plan is to make a cute little dress out of it. I spent the majority of the meeting ripping seams and detaching the red jacket. I can't wait to finish this DIY look and show you! I haven't been able to spend any time on it since the meeting, but it really shouldn't take much time to complete, so hopefully I can find some time at home and get it finished, then take pictures!


It was a really fun meeting and the food was sooo yummy! I am so happy this is happening and working out. We're having our next meeting pretty soon, probably next week. And, I'll be setting up a class soon, where someone with experience teaches the rest of us how to make something specific. Before Summer ends I would like to make my very own tank top, so that's what I think we'll do for our first DIY class.

Oh look, it's me...


I had my hair down when I got there, but I put it up when I got hot and then forgot to put it back down again for pictures. Ohhhh, well.


Photo bombing...



Until the next meeting...

Remember, you don't have to be a member to share your DIY projects. We want to see them! If you have anything you've altered or made you can email me photos of the process or just the end result. Email me!

Thanks for reading!

- MaryAnne

Dear Any Loyal Readers...

I've been quite a naughty girl at keeping up with my posts. Believe me, I want to post a lot more than I do and I have posts piling up to be put on here, so I best get to it before Summer ends. I've been heavily distracted and busy with life and such. I've decided the only real way I'll be able to maintain consistent activity with my blogs is if I make a weekly schedule and stick to it. So, at least once a week you'll be seeing a new post on here, but since I have so many backed up posts for Summer I want to make sure I get them out all on here before it's too late so I'll be posting a flurry of posts this month and then starting September I'll make sure to post at least once a week.

I appreciate your loyalty and thanks so much for sticking around and checking out my posts.

- MaryAnne