3 Things I'm Obsessed With - June

After a great week in Texas visiting family, friends, and attending a wedding I'm back to blogging in the Pacific NW.

Here are 3 things I'm obsessed with this month:

1. Running Costumes.  

I love the idea of take a well known costume and transforming it into an outfit you can run a race while wearing.  This blogger has been at it for sometime:

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And what about these super socks?  Cheap on Amazon too!

2. Transforming a boring card table into something spectacular. 
Loving this color combination of deep coral and navy!

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 Here's a link to the fabric used on that chair.

 3. Sling bags.
They are great to use a markets bags or lugging all your summer essentials (sunblock, sunglasses, bottled water, etc)
Here's a great tutorial to make your own:

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What are you obsessed with this month?

3 Things I'm Obsessed With - May

A little late this month, but here are 3 things I'm obsessed with this month.

1 - Somehow recently I've become addicted to owls.  I found this crazy adorable one at Payless Shoe Store.

 2 - The 1920's Fashion (we can blame The Great Gatsby for this one)

This cloche:

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These dress patterns:

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 This flapper dress:

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3 - Grecian updos.  I just love the look of wrapping your hair in thin strips of trim.

January Jones:

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Blake Lively:

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What are you in love with this month?  Leave me a comment below.

Wine Tasting on the Weekend

This past weekend I finally gave in and went wine tasting with my friend Stacey.  The weather was kinda warm for the Pacific NW.

I thought shorts and an open back blouse would be perfect, and it was.  The top combines 3 super hot trends this season: open back, with the ability to still wear a regular bra, high/low (see my high/low modern 80's post), and a bunting print.

Top: Frencesca's ( no longer for sale online, but check out their stores)

Shorts: Mossimo Target in soft aqua

Shoes: Camel Brown Wedges

How I styled it: just a simple pony, sunglasses, and simple make-up.  Put your hair up so people can see your open back.

I have linked-up with The Pleated Poppy, Glamamom, The Life of the Party, and Style Elixir.

What I Wore Wednesday - May 8

This past week has been beautiful in the NW. 

The kids and I went out towards one of the mountain passes and enjoyed the sun while riding trains.

This week I have linked in with The Pleated Poppy and The Life of the Party. 

Here's what I wore:

Top: Crepe mint blouse with peter pan collar: Forever 21 (it also has tiny white cats printed on it) - Sorry sold out, but here's one very similar

Bottom: Jeans from Express

Bag: Taylor & Landon

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway - May 6 - 10

Hey everyone, I've teamed up with Sew, Mama, Sew! and their annual giveaway.

I will be giving away a set of 4 fabric coasters.  The set will be made from Amy Butler's Trumpet Flowers on one side and Riley Blake's Lavender small chevrons on the opposite.

All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell me what drink is your favorite.  

The pictures below are of the set for sale on Etsy, but your set will look very similar.

This giveaway ends May 10 at 5 p.m. PST.  I will pick the winner on May 11 using Random.org and contact the winner on May 12.  Free shipping to United States only.

And the winner is Bethany.  If you love these, but didn't win, they can still be yours.  Just follow this link and get them before they're gone.

Sew, Mama, Sew! is hosting giveaways in several different categories.  What a great way to win something and browse other talented sewers.

Mother's Day Free Shipping

This week only I'm offering free shipping!

Just enter the coupon code "MOM2013" at check out.

Downstairs Window Treatments

Sorry y'all...been a few weeks since my last post.  Lots and lots going on here.  Today I wanted to show you my kitchenette, living and dining room window treatments and briefly discuss how I made them.

Bay windows.  They look nice, but are so very difficult to dress.  My little windows are tiny, like 8".  I extended the rod about 2" past the window opening (so 12" total length).  Since the smallest you can find goes to 14-18" depending on brand, I had to have my husband hack saw the rod to length.  He said it was pretty easy to do, just mark the rod and cut.

The only difficult thing about making valances is you have to be extra careful all the lengths are hemmed exactly the same.  If you are off by 1/4" it will be visible.



Bad picture, but shows my other problem area...a sliding glass door.  I decided to make simple drapes using the full width of home decor fabrics (approx. 54").  Then hem the side, top, and bottom.  I like to put at least a 4" hem at top and a 3" hem at bottom to give a professional look.  I personally like to have the bottom of the drapes just brush the floor. Since the drapes need to be moved back and forth a lot, I used metal curtain ring. 

 Now for the easy windows.

The huge length across the entire living room.  I made them exactly like the sliding glass door drapes.  I placed one on each side and 2 in the center.  That way we could completely close the drapes if wanted.  All are unlined since I have blinds and the fabric is plenty heavy enough to hang nicely.

Lastly are the formal dining room drapes.  Once again I made these exactly like the living room and sliding glass door drapes, except for the following: I added a stitch 1" down from the top to give the drape a 3" pocket and fully lined with white cotton fabric.  Since I added tiebacks I didn't need metal rings.

Fabrics used:

                  Premier Prints Henna in River Rock                 Premier Prints Madison in River Rock

I hope this has inspired you to create beautiful window treatments in your home.