Communal Sewing Project, The Beginning

Hey, you! Remember Ramona's idea for a communal sewing project? Well, I haven't forgotten about it, and I hope you haven't either.

Today, I chose the sweater vest I'll be altering. I'm embarrassed to admit, this is just one of many in my collection...and one of many I don't ever really wear. They always seem like a good idea, but every time I slip one on, it fits not-quite-right or the waist band hits in the wrong spot. This project should be just what I need to finally make use of these silly little numbers.

What do you suppose I should do to it?

Surfin' the Positivity Wave

Friday night was a treat! Large portions of good times and major positivity! Jake, Carissa, and I three-way dated to Iowa City to see Koo Koo Kanga Roo perform the all-ages show at Gabe's.

These two fellas are so much fun, just oozing with a zest for life and every person and thing in it. Koo Koo Kanga Roo promotes bein' nice, havin' fun, being silly, and feeling great. We participated in a ninja vs pirate dance-off, played with an old-school parachute elementary P.E. style, and did a lot of call and response. If you know me, you know I love group activities and TOGETHERNESS, WHOA. Minneapolis needs to watch out, because I may kidnap them and keep them for all positivity, all the time.

Carissa, myself, Jake, and Bryan (of the 'Roo) posing for the band's webcam. They bring their computer to all of their shows and encourage all of their new friends to take photos. Bryan gifted us each mustaches on a stick--handmade by them.

The headband I'm wearing was hand-braided by Leslie Hall using spandex scraps. You can get your own here.

Free friendship bracelet making station as part of their merch station. "MAKE ONE! And give it to someone you have NEVER met before! THOSE ARE THE RULES!"

Gabe's has two pinball machines I've never seen before. Wheel of Fortune and Big Buck Hunter. The Wheel of Fortune is a beautiful rave of a machine, but the Big Buck table was terrifying, frankly.

 

Friday's work outfit

Top: Reconstructed by myself, an old stained tee embellished with that funky stuff from a thrifted top, $3.00-ish

Skirt: Thrifted, $1.75

Earrings: Rusty La Rue (by pretty lady Emily, can be found at White Rabbit), $7.50

Shoes: Grungy work Keds, gifted by boo

Approximate Total: $15.25

Little Black Dress, $2.50 Reconstruction

 Lately there seems to be a resurgence of dresses with the mesh "illusion style" necklines and backs. Have you noticed this? Maybe you haven't. Here are a couple of celebrities to make it seem like I know what I'm talking about:

That girl from Glee wearing David Lerner. Source.

Another pretty celebrity wearing the same dress. Source.

A couple places to get your own, for a pretty penny:

Long sleeve David Lerner

Tank dress, David Lerner

Variation on a similar concept at Nordstrom.com

ABS Dress, $174,

I don't have any pretty pennies, so instead I used this frumpy $2.50 Kathie Lee Collection dress:

And turned it into this (click for larger views):

If anyone ever wanted to invite me to a cocktail party, I'm ready now (I'm free Friday, nudge nudge).

Loyal Service for 24 Hours

Hanging out with my coat. Recognize this jumper from yesterday's thrift haul?

Shirt: Vintage cat blouse, a Christmas gift

Jumper: Thrifted, $5.38

Scarf: Covered in horses running free tied into a bow, also a Christmas gift

Shoes: Target via Salvation Army, $4.00

Approximate Total: $9.38

I wore this jumper to work, where I spent the entire day wrangling the kind of customers that "want a coffee drink that doesn't taste like coffee." For whatever reason, these people always choose to come en masse. Weary from the 5 hours of coffee education, I slumped into my couch when I got home and promptly broke one of the buttons off the back. I guess the jumper was worn out too. Thanks for the 24 hours of loyal service, now off to the "fix pile" you go...

Cats n Bows, My M.O.

Not trying to be artsy or deep here, I am just this bad at staging photos.

Lace Dress: Vintage, $2.00

Slip: Thrifted, $2.00

Socks: Target, $2.00

Oxford Shoes: Target, by way of Salvation Army, $3.50

Necklace: Made by Carissa, with extra touches by Jake and myself

Approximate Total: $9.50

Necklace made by Luxe Debris. Key, snake, feather, and bird charms. I added the bird charm after the key fell off and I put it in a "safe place" not to be found for months. Typical. I'm reminded of loved ones when I fasten it around my neck, and wear it when I want to feel professional (yes) without losing my spirit.

 For whatever reason, I chose today to be the day I wore something dreamy and romantic. Mostly, I took advantage of being scheduled the non-barista/less messy shift and wore light colors. I was called a fairy princess and asked if I had a magic wand. I'd call that a win!

Ridiculous photo of my co-worker Erin and I, the dual sides of your conscience.

 After my shift, I made a bee-line for one of the area's Goodwills and bought too many dresses. Six dresses, a giant box covered in cartoon cats, and a bow for my wall. $23.00. This is definitely a splurge for me, but some days you find dresses too good to say "no" to, despite being $5.38 each.

 Dresses to alter, my attempts at "before" shots:

Left: Black velvet with sweetheart neckline and sheer neck and sleeves. Needs to be shortened and fitted. Center: Black velvet short dress, will be fitted and embellished. This only cost 88cents. Right: Sleeveless ruffled party dress, has major fit issues and a very awkward skirt length to be fixed.

To wear as-is, assured to be much cuter on an actual person than the mannequin:

 

The dress on the left will be reserved for times I need to look nice and somewhat reserved. I'm not sure who would be inviting me to such an event, as most people know better, but it's nice to be prepared. The jumper on the right (actually labeled "JUMPER" on the tag) is perfect for the days I choose to dress like a small child from the 1940's. Those days come often.

Dress #6, a candidate for heavy-rotation.

This very sturdy box is large enough to fit me inside with the lid closed, and is covered entirely in these cat illustrations. Big enough for my fabric collection, and cute enough to be decorative. Function and form in a happy, committed relationship. The bow wall-hanging will make some lucky wall in my apartment feel oh-so-fancy.

Wassup, B?

Wishful dressing works! The past two days have been over 40 degrees here, and the forecast is due to slowly creep up to 60 by Thursday. Iowa can be brutal, but waiting will inevitably bring you the occasional unseasonal weather. Here I am acting foolish and not wearing a coat in the 35-degree weather:

Enjoying the fact that there is ground space not wet, icy, or snow-covered.

Outfit seemingly inspired by Carissa.

Dress: My favorite and most-complimented dress. So comfortable. Vintage, $5.00

Cardigan: Handed down by my mom after an accidental shrink in the dryer, free

Belt: Thrifted, $.25

Earring: Upcycled from old jewelry, seen here, free

Socks: Target, $1.75

Shoes: Thrifted work (read:filthy) Keds, bought by my boo, free

Sunglasses: Douche-y, but it was legitimately bright. Vintage, purchased at Thrift Mart (my favorite day of the year!), $.25

Approximate Total: $7.25

Rather than gather at one of our usual drinking establishments, we (the crew) collectively decided to leave the success/raucousness of Friday's PROM! be and enjoy a quiet Saturday and Sunday. I spent my Saturday afternoon working with housemate Brandon, who was miserably stuffed up. I offered him some natural tips for relief. Witness:

Ingredients: a quarter tablespoon of "wasabi" paste and a whole lotta gumption.

Results: Major discomfort, but about 30 minutes of intense and immediate relief.

 Saturday evening, Jake and I had our Lincoln's-Birthday-Not-Valentine's-Day Date. If you ever want to take me out on the best! date! ever!*, I recommend you follow suit: Super burgers and cheeseballs at the Starlite Room, an hour of pinball at the local dive bowling alley, at least an hour in the store in quest for the perfect snacks, and way too much candy while watching way too much Party Down in our jammies. Swoon.

A handsome fellow posing in front of the Local Bowler's Hall of Fame. I'm a little concerned about Mr. Bottom Left.

 Can I just brag for a moment and say I earned 22 million points in JUST ONE TURN, and replay was 31 million on the Sopranos pinball game? Sure, I blew it and basically scratched my final two turns...but still! I grew up with a machine in my home and was raised by my dad to be a pinball wizard, touring the area for the best machines. It's one of many fun things my dad and I would do on "father/daughter days," my favorite days.

Do you know of any pinball machines open for public play in the Cedar Rapids area? Hit me up! They're tough to find these days. I'd love to make a database/locator!

*Just kidding, I am kinda-sorta-totally life partners with that guy up there. But I will gladly accept those activities under the (metaphorical) blanket of friendship!

Prom Outfit Rundown

Photos courtesy of Liz, found here.

My prom dress was a reconstructed version of a dress Carissa gifted me for the occasion. I'm terrible about doing "befores" to pair with the "afters," but the dress originally looked like a sky blue version of this:

Source

 To alter the dress, I cut off the long skirt, fitted the bodice, removed the sleeves, made a scoop-neck, and added a giant bow and bustle from extra fabric. I used elastic and more fabric for the hair bow, and one of the sleeve's cuffs for the corsage band. Of the entire ensemble, the only thing I spent money on specifically for the occasion was the $1.00 bundle of fake grapes for my wrist. All other pieces were already in my home!

Dress and bow: Reconstructed vintage, FREE

Tights: Betsey Johnson, $3.00 

Shoes: Not pictured. Thrifted floral and bow-ed wedges, $12.00 BIG SPENDER

(pictured above were my packed "comfy pair")

Bracelet: Rhinestone costume necklace, worn to my actual senior prom!

Corsage: Bundle of plastic grapes, $1.00

Approximate Total:  $16.00

Jake's Outfit

Shirt: Thrifted, $2.00

Bow-tie: Thrifted, $.50

Boutonniere: Clearance craft aisle, $1.00

Belt: One-hundred-thousand years old, thrifted rhinestone buckle, $.50

Pants: Thrifted, $3.00

Shoes: Thrifted Italian snakeskin "pimpin shoes," $5.00

Approximate Total: $12.00