Resolution -Week 3 - Brocade Pants

Hi,

When I saw the brocade trend coming on for Fall, I was really intrigued. It seems tough to pull off, and very unforgiving. But I decided to give it a try as a sewing project.

I picked up the fabric at Mood, in September. It is a cotton mix brocade with some oxblood colors. It is probably one of the easiest fabrics I have ever sewn with: it is stable - no stretching, no puckering, no slipping. A little fraying, for sure, but not terrible.

The pattern was the same one I used for the oxblood pants. Please don't stare too close to the midriff... Between my seam allowances going more towards 5/8" than 1/2" and the holiday overindulgences and laziness and the fabric being s stiff, they turned out a little tight.

Well, let's just call it motivation.

Anyway, they are tough to pull off. I was actually struggling to figure out what to pair them with and I actually like J.Crew's idea of a boxy sweater on top. I was actually thinking a nice a chambray shirt, to really tone everything down. I guess it is because Austin has been blessed with really hot weather. Seriously - high 70s!!! So I am really not thinking about boxy sweaters here.

BTW, Austinites, you are welcome! Feel free to indulge in the hot weather in January while the rest of the country shovels snow thanks to me and my new pair of boots!

So, what do you suggest as a pairing for these pants?

Linking up with Casual Friday today on Two Thirty Five Designs.

Love,

Sam

WIWW - Late Edition - Soft and Sweet

Hi,

There are some days when the mental chatter in my head seams like a character from "The Great Debater" - so persuasive...

This morning was particularly bad, as I was trying to get out of be around 5:30 to workout. Seriously, the conversation in my head kept going on even after I had put on my workout clothes. Ms. Chatter (let's call her that and keep PG) insisted on pointing out every little muscle pain, the great workouts from the previous days, the declining number on the scale. Sweet Ms. Chatter could not fail to remind me how comfortable the bed was and how bad I had slept the night before.

me - hanging on to the bed for dear life

It was a true battle of wills, as I tried to remain positive against all of Ms. Chatter's attacks. I could have just gone on the negative and remind Ms. Chatter that I have signed up for a half-marathon that will take place in less than 4 weeks for which I have not trained enough. I could also have pointed out all the imperfections of the my body and the over-indulgences from the long weekend. I think I might have.

But as I battle Ms. Chatter for about 30 minutes, I managed to get dressed, put on running shoes, eat, grab the water bottle, and show up at the gym at 6:10. VICTORY! Well, sorta...

Anyway... After the great victory against Ms. Chatter, I also won against Mr. Ruby - more on him on another post. So I figured I really deserved a nice cup of coffee, some sparkle, and a cute little bow.

Today, I am linking up with the Pleated Poppy - for WIWW. Go check it out!

Love,

Sam

Resolutions - Week 2 - Inverted Pleat Skirt

Hi!

This week I made a skirt with a center front inverted pleat. I used some wool I got from Mood and a pattern from Burda Magazine. It was pretty easy to do and it reminds me of a skirt I used to have. The wool was really fun to work with. Good thing I have more of it left!

I love this look because it is so feminine and fun. I can't wait to make a skirt like this in a more summery fabric for spring. 

Here are a few options for you to choose from:



Today I am linking up with Two Thirty Five Designs for Casual Friday, head over there and check out some more cool blogs and have a great weekend!

Love,

Sam