Merry Christmas!!!!!

Or Christmas Eve, anyway. :)

I love this dress!!! So excited about how it turned out! Very vintage-y. Inspired by this.

What I'm Wearing:
green taffeta dress: made by me!
big black ring: Forever 21, posting soon!
black wedges: TJMaxx

I'm dreaming of a...

WHITE CHRISTMAS!

My favorite Christmas movie ever. My family's favorite Christmas movie ever.

And this is my favorite scene:


My sisters and I watch it about three times a year, and not always at Christmas time! We've watched it in August!

Although there's not a real "lesson" (as seen in, say, "It's a Wonderful Life") and, sadly, the true reason for the season is not displayed, it's one of those feel-good movies. And some lovely 50's gowns. *grin*

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Celine :)

What I'm wearing: a bit of Christmas bling :o

 (note: just a bit of silliness w/ my sister--I had no idea she was taking pictures every move I made, but this one ended up being our best pic!)

I absolutely LOVE this brooch thingy I made!!!!

Originally, I was going to re-fashion a plain shirt and put a lace applique on, inspired by this blouse from Macy's (no longer available):

as posted here.

But then I thought of how tricky it might be to wash, etc., and realized I could just sew a lace bow on what used to be the back of an old brooch (I save things like that), and, voila! It can go on any shirt now... and never has to be washed! yay!

For a little bling, I added some silver-y seed beads the last two tiers of scallops.

What I'm wearing: Traveler

This outfit makes me think of traveling. Don't ask why. Must be the crossover bag, and the seemingly Native American inspired boots (though I'm sure they're nowhere near close to what they actually wore.)

What I'm wearing:
 sweater dress: (yes, a sweaterdress!It works better as a long shirt, to cover the tight leggings. No wonder it was on clearance at Old Navy!)
leggings: hand-me-down
boots: I've mentioned these somewhere, I'm sure. I can't remember anymore
crossover bag: posted here -- only $13 for a LEATHER handbag!!! Most amazing purchase in history! (I said that to my dad, and then I thought of the Louisiana Purchase and said that it was the second best buy in history. He said he was going to say the same thing! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess. :)

I also wore my emerald ring with this ensemble. (In fact, we took both pics during the same shoot!)

Celine

What I'm wearing: a tube scarf thingy

I've knitted four of these for almost all of the females in my life for Christmas. I couldn't resist making one for myself too, with left over yarn.

Inspired by this Cable Knit Funnel scarf from Bloomingdale's for $50. The yarn for mine was about $3, and took about 3 days to make. Hence, $47 in savings, as I love knitting anyway so the labor doesn't count.

How I made them:
I used about a skein of yarn (or less...depends on the yarn and the size of the skein.) per scarf. The scarves are all 20in long, and 10in wide (about 30 stitches on size 13 needles). Keep a measuring tape handy...

So, you cast on, and knit a row. Then you purl a row. Then knit. Then purl--and on, until you have about 2 or 3in of scarf. One side is flat, and the other has those "ridges". After that, knit a row of the same stitch you just did, so that the "ridges" are on the opposite side of the scarf. Repeat the process, on the same side, until you have 2 or 3 in. and so on. Cast off when you've reached approx. 20in of length. Sew the seam with yarn and a large darning needle so that it's a tube, and you're done! (Comment if you have any questions).

I forgot how much fun knitting was! Can't wait to see everyone wearing theirs! (good thing I made them in different colors... LOL!)

Celine

Yesterday was my one-year "blogiversary" !!!

YES! Iradessa has been on the internet for EXACTLY one year and a day.... doesn't feel that long ago. (Though I did turn this into a fashion blog and create another one to have my subjects separate.)

Anyway: what I'm wearing. There's a story behind this one: this past September, my mom and I were looking at this stand of cashmere scarves from the UK, one for $15. The vendor offered one for $10. We loved them all, but only had $15 on hand (of course, credit cards and checks aren't accepted for obvious reasons.) But the guy just said to give him the other five dollar bill and pick out two! So they ended up being $7.50 each. I've seen them go for $30!

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!!!

plaid dress: made by me
belt: had it for years
boots: from TJMaxx three years ago

I wore this to Thanksgiving dinner.  :) I am grateful to God for sooooo many things--the list is ENDLESS. He sent His Son to die for me, and repeatedly forgiving me when I willfully misbehave. He surrounded me with wonderful family and friends, who have supported me and encouraged me and impacted my life more than even I will ever know.

I would like to thank the following people for supporting my blogging endeavors. (Seriously, this list is just about my blogging endeavors! This is the tip of the iceberg!!!!)

1. my Dad, for reading my blog, giving me advice for the layout, graphics, etc. 
2. my Mom, for giving me her opinion on my outfits, and my sewing endeavors. She's saved me from many a calamity.
3. my not-so-little-anymore sis, for doing photo shoots on a moments notice, and helping me feel comfortable in front of the camera.
4. my "real-life" friends for reading this blog and giving their input. :)
5. YOU, of COURSE! Readers make blogging worthwhile and FUN.

Happy belated Thanksgiving.

Celine

what I'm wearing: an Emerald!

I recently got this ring from a little boutique store. It's an emerald, set in silver... the emerald is uncut, and rather cloudy, but I love it... very Medieval looking, and more unique than a too perfect, lab-made one, you know?

My hands are getting the winter chapped look, though. *sigh* 

The fur trapper hat

 Nobis Faux Fur Trapper hat; Bloomingdales, $85

      For some reason, I really like the sort of  "rustic" look of the trapper hat. I live in a pretty temperate climate (we RARELY get snow that sticks :( ) so I'd probably only wear this warm hat once. However, if you live up north, then I have a feeling practicality and fashion would intersect.

 

Brown Fur hat with ears; Claire's, $24

Faux fur trapper; Gap, $29.50

Anyways, I was shopping the other day, and trapper hats were nearly in every store! Quite the trend, I guess.

Celine

p.s. That Claire's hat is really something... I confess, I would never be brave enough to wear a fur hat with EARS, no matter how cute and chic it was. Would you? 

A GREEN Taffeta Holiday Formal...

Ah, the Holidays. (By "holidays" I mean Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years... not "letsjustsayholidayssothatnoonethinkswe'rerefrencing CHRISTmas!" It really annoys me that "the Holidays" have replaced Christmas; on the other hand, it's nice to lump Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years all into one, two syllable word, so I can understand the use of the word for that purpose. It's all about efficiency, baby. J)

Anyways, there's one particular dress on my mind. And my inspiration just might shock you a bit. (Maybe).

I LOVE this dress (I guess it's Bella's Birthday dress?) from New Moon (which I haven't actually seen, but I stumbled upon a costume study at The Art of Clothes. I'm not a "Fan-pire" or a "Twi-hard", by any means, nor can I either recommend or negatively review about movies I haven't seen. I am NOT talking about Twilight. Please keep that in mind!)

Hot Topic had an exact replica for $99 last year... they marked the price down (after the buzz about New Moon was over) eventually to $23 (WOW!)... and sold out right away.

I'm thinking of sewing it for myself... I have to say, I'm almost surprised at how modest it is. Most junior's dresses have hems that hit at mid thigh; almost all are strapless. I just LOVE the color, and the roses! Gorgeous!

Don't know how or if I'll be able to put the roses on my version. We'll see.

Celine

p.s. WHY does she wear Converse with this beautiful dress?!!!!! Converse are casual. I don't get it.

Vintage-inspired wedding dress

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Weddings/brides-magazine-operation-dream-dress-winner-meet-designers/story?id=12059112Brides magazine held a wedding dress design contest, and the winner was announced live this morning on Good Morning America. One talented designer received $10,000.

My favorite wasn't the winner. :( However, I'm still very inspired by it!

The designer of this dress is Lynsey Bullock from Dothan, AL. The fabrics are a lovely gold silk shantung, with a dyed dotted tulle overlay. (I decided I LOVE dotted tulle after seeing this dress).  Her inspirations were Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.

This was my other favorite, inspired by the weather on an island  near the designer's hometown, where her grandparents met, believe it or not!

Anyways, the rest of the article is here. I should note that I don't consider these dresses particularly modest, but some elements are still very inspiring. (Yet another benefit of knowing how to sew dresses yourself!)

Celine

Lace

Haven't been a fan of Macy's Juniors clothes lately, but I really like this blouse.

I'm thinking of re-fashioning a clearance tee from Old Navy like this... what'd say?

It kind of reminds me of Ashley Nicole's take on an Anthropologie blouse (which I searched and searched for and couldn't find the link to for some reason.... but I think you might remember it.)

Celine

what I'm wearing: Olive Juice

LOL- that title seriously makes me think of the juice from the inside of an olive can being spilled on someone's clothes.

In reality, this was inspired by Olive Juice, the clothing company.

What I'm wearing:

undershirt: from Mom's closet
Brown sweater: from Gap Generation, 50% off!
headband: Claire's
Stockings: Walmart, $2
Boots: I've had them for three years... I think they were from TJMaxx

What I'm wearing--GORGEOUSNESS!

I got two of these from Claire's a few weeks ago--one silver, the other gold-ish (shown). They're surprisingly comfortable, I must say!

Reminds me a lot of the crowns in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:

Olive Juice

Pretty random, eh? Well, not really; it's the name of a clothing company that I have decided I just LOVE!

Even though they're rather pricey. And they basically only make kids clothes.

I know. Kids clothing.

But I like their style! Very inspiring, and while it's rather "Juvenile", there are elements that could be put into our wardrobes easily.

I love the textures and rich colors of their clothes. Very "English school-girl"...

This is very Parisian. I like :)

This is very colorful. I like the mix of patterns.

CUTE! I love the stockings peeking out, and the sweet pink cardi. (It's rather SHORT, though!)

Anyways, all of the shown pictures were found on their website, olivejuicekids.com . Be sure to check it out, if only for inspiration. :)

Celine

P.S. They have STOCKINGS! (you know I LOVE those! *grin*)

My new handbag--only $13!

My new, crossover LEATHER handbag was only $13!!!!

Origianally, it was $128, but we were in DSW shoes and they always sell things for much less. Then it was 70% off (which is another $50) which made it less than $20, but my mom is on their mailing list, and for her birthday so we got an extra % off, which made it only $13 for a real leather handbag!

Very Robin Hood-ish. I think that's why I was drawn to it. *grin*

what I'm wearing-- Peacock feathers!

Yes! I finally got some peacock feather earrings! Yay!

I have to say, they're pretty fun :)

*****
Anyways, I hope to be participating in Bramblewood Fashion's event next week..... but I'm still trying to finish my projects for the Historical Inspiration Costume Festival, which I might add, ENDS this Sat. YIPES!

Well, have a nice day :)

Celine

p.s. Thank you to Amelia for the awesome picture!

I LOVE arm warmers!

Lauren by Ralph Lauren Ruched arm warmers

My latest obsession! Arm warmers are very practical layering peices, and they're also adorable! Great Christmas gifts, too. :)

The ones above are from Bloomingdale's for $38... and every thing else listed is closer to $10.

Long Cable knit armwarmers; Target, $10.99

 

Long Cable Knit Gauntlet arm warmers--blue; Target, $10.99

The wider-cut shirt: it has RETURNED!

Ya, I'm pretty happy about this one. For the past year or two, my shirt size has been usually a M or L. I'm actually more of a Small, but everything was cut so that it would be skin tight! Ugg.

But this Fall, tops are returning to a more "late 90's-2000's" cut: a bit flowy-er, so to speak... sort of skimming the body rather than clinging to it. It's more flattering, and definitely more modest!

 

There's also shirts that are cut A-line (like this one on Selena Gomez), and I really like that style too. The problem is, they're very unflattering on moi. :(

(A note on this pic: I was at a festival a month ago, and I saw THREE people wearing this exact shirt! I guess it's a fave. View Selena's collection here.)

Of course, while tops seem to be cut more modest lately, remember we're returning to the late 90's-early 2000's. The belly shirt is also, supposedly, coming back "in". ("NOOOOoooo!!!!!") Granted, all you have to do is wear a long tank top underneath .... but I personally HATE this trend. Ick!

So anyways.... have a nice day :)

Celine

(all images in this post are from the Macy's Juniors tops selection online, excepting the Selena Gomez pic)


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p.s. Check out these events!