Friday, December 30, 2011

December Thirty

December was very busy, so here's a quick update. 


We made chutney for the first time! Just tomato, from a good friends recipe (and excellent advice). Yum!



I finished the Christmas dress! On Christmas eve I was up past midnight hemming it. 
Nick's Grandma gave me a gift voucher for the mall so I picked this bright fruit sun dress.
It's got oranges and limes on it!



And another wonderful surprise was the package from Molly, all the way from Chicago! 
I won this cute pattern and a lovely pleated skirt. I love it! Thanks Molly :)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

December Sixteen



We went to visit friends and see the amazing Guitar Wolf in Hamilton, so the next day we stopped by my favourite op shops and picked up some bargains! We'll I'm sure Nick didn't think so, but he let me buy these few pieces anyway.  I'll make the romper pattern for Coco I thinks. I'm sure the tennis gear is going to come in handy one of these days and I think this tray is amazing! Lock'n'Loll!

December Seventeen


On the 17th we held our annual Xmas Party! I had been dreaming of something outdoors, but the forecast was for rain. Rats. Instead we set everything up inside. A big long table, flowers from the garden and some candles. We had a bucket of chicken and a bunch of salads, as wells as delicious deserts. The boys and some girls played cricket in the garden. Nothing better than spending time with friends at Christmas time!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

December Eight

I got some fabric at Spotlight to make a dress for Christmas. It's got cats and dogs on it too! 
I'm planning on drafting it myself. Better get cracking



Sunday, November 27, 2011

November Twenty Seven




Last weekend I made these pillows from some odd offcuts.  I'm so lazy I didn't even measure them out, so they're a little loose in places. I just went the simplest thing I could think of, no zips or buttons. Once I figure out buttonholes, I might do some. I'm still using the machine from hell; I keep expecting it to come right. It does OK mostly until the bobbin runs out, then it throws a fit. 

Monday, November 21, 2011

November Twenty Two

Another cosutme party! This time it's the work Christmas party.
The theme is "What you want to be when you grow up".
I keep scratching my head wondering what it was I wanted to be.
I don't remember anything specific. Maybe Olympic Gymnast, Ballerina, etc... pretty general stuff.
After watching Sister Act I'm pretty sure I wanted to become a Nun.
I might just piggy back on someone elses idea and go as a pink lady.
Maybe Rizzo, the sassy leader of the pack.
Turned up jeans, lots of black, gold jewellery.
Or Frenchie! With vibrant pink hair and pastel clothing.
In my quest for a costume, I came across clothes on film.
It has detailed breakdowns of the best costumes in your favourite movies and other interesting bits.
Maybe what I want to be when I finally grow up is a 
Costume designer?!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

November Fifteen





My friend Mazzy is making teddy bears
OMG they are so cute! She has some to give away too. 

Friday, November 11, 2011

November Eleven

Every year Nick's family organises christmas wish lists. How organised! It suppose it takes the guess work out of present buying/making. Because I can't afford much at the moment, I'll be making most of our gifts this year. Nick says there's nothing on his list, but I got to thinking about what would be on mine.

I love list making so here goes. These are my secret christmas gift wishes:


In the lunchroom today, I flipped open a magazine to find an article on Alexa Johnson. I was tempeted to rip it out and take it home (along with some other delicious looking reciepe) because I LOVE her cookbooks. Zac gave me her first one and got it signed! I was smitten with her from then on. She may have also kickstarted my collection of community cookbooks.

Colette Sewing Handbook
Who doesn't LOVE Colette patterns. This book has been on my to-do list for a while now. It's such a bargin for 5 patterns, all of Sarai's great tips and easy to follow techniques. 

What is Buffalo leather anyway? I kinda thought it was a name for fake leather. But it's not. Poor Buffalo. 
It's weird how cheap these diaries are, yet they appear well made of real buffalo leather. 


I need some new underwear. Why not something AWESOME made my The Loved One for Christmas?
Special mention goes to the Rago corselet! It doesn't come in my size, but I can dream right?!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

November Six

      asos                                                           d&g

I'm always thinking out of season. Currently I'm diggin little lace up booties for the winter
and velvet. Lots of velvet. This polka dot skirt is teasing me! How cute is it? HEAPS. It would be great for work too. If I can't find some similar fabric, I wouldn't mind a plain velvet pencil skirt to kick around in. I like the shorter length too. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

October Thirty First


Wooh! Halloween costume finished. And worn. 
I ran out of time to make something really nice, so I just improvised. I traced the outline from an old dress that I like the shape of, but made it way bigger. It turned out REALLY big. Oh well, I will recut it later. 
I made the bow in less than 5 minutes! Two rectangles, interfaced and sewn. THANKS MAZ!


Boo!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

October Thirty


This month's hair inspiration
It seems every time I grow my hair out, it's never quite long enough for what want. 
I'm totally diggin' Emma Watson's short fringe in My Week with Marilyn.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

October Twenty Seven



One American Apparel-esque gingham skirt. Check! It's significantly longer than theirs, falling to the perfect below the knee/slimmest part of the leg. It's quite a thick cotton, so it hold he shape well. And it has pockets! There's a little bit of leftover fabric, so I'm going to make up some cushions for the couch. 



AND popping into the local Sallies last weekend I found these 1930s cookbooks. They had another 2 but I picked these two because they were in the best condition (maybe I should have gone with the busted up ones now that I think about it). One had these extra recipes and notes in it. Whoo!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

October Nineteen

Invited to a Halloween Party
+
No Costume
=
SO MANY POSSIBILITES
I was thinking of going as Minnie Mouse!
Best excuse to dress up all cute
I'd totally wear a red and white Minnie inspired polka dot dress regularly right?

And Nick will be dressed as Mickey if I get my way.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

October Sixteen


Today I am SO tired. Entirely my own fault for staying up late watching Nicki Minaj and X Factor videos on youtube. However I managed to drag myself out for lunch with my parents. Afterwards, we stopped in at the Hospice shop in Takapuna where I snapped up this cute little game and a frilly lacy pink nightie. 
Perfect for a pyjama party?!


Saturday, October 15, 2011

October Fifteen



Yum!
I made chocolate, chocolate and peanut butter and lemon cupcakes for a "Love your body" cupcake party for Eden. I figured out what size a cupcake actually is, only after I'd made the muffin sized chocolate ones. Whoops. At least now I'm less afraid of cupcakes.


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

October Twelve


I love the look of these gingham skirts from American Apparel
But really, they're way too short for me and more than I can afford.


I don't want to break my 'buy nothing new in October' vow just yet, so I've bought some secondhand fabric and zipz from Trademe. I've drawn up the pattern already from Gertie's tutorial, and I'm ready to roll!
Or rather cut and stitch. Hehe. 

Friday, October 7, 2011

October Seven




All done! 
It's all rather wrinkled after a day of wearing. hehe.
I managed to cut the waist on the skirt a little too big so there's some extra bulk on the hips. 
It was easy to put together with Casey's excellent instructions!
I went for a hand-picked slashed zip in the centre back and put pockets in the sides. 
The seams are pinked and I did the hem by hand.

 I'll planning on making another soon in pink or blue or polka dots!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

September Eighteen

Today we went to Spotlight to pick out some fabric for our circle skirts. I'm rather excited.
 I hope I made the right decision with my fabric, I have a feeling it's going to be too heavy though. 
It's just the cheap drill and the colour is jade.


 I was thinking of Gertie's emerald green skirt.
If it works out alright, I wouldn't mind making another in a hot pink!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

September Fourteen

I won! I actually won! What?
You won what?
A free pair of glasses from Bonlook.
Thank you Liebemarlene!!!

What perfect timing! I booked an appointment at the optomertrists yesterday.
My current glasses are so pooped that they fall off my face when I look down.
Like today, when they fell into my lunch.
These are my favourites so far.
I think they have virtual try on too!
And green shipping!
AMAZING

Monday, September 12, 2011

September Twelve



ASOS addiction? Yes.
I'm in love this fluorescent lace skirt.
When I find this lace, I'm so going to sew it.

Friday, September 9, 2011

September Nine



I got my dancing shoes on! 
Tonight is the opening for the RWC
... yeah rugby. 
I'm looking foward to the fireworks.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

September Eight



American Roadtrip Must do:
Stay in a Tipi Motel.

The real thing would be better I think.