What I've been up to

So,  I don't have much time here, but I just thought I'd update the blog on what I've been up to while I have not been posting :)

First off, I graduated on Monday!!!!! I'm so very excited to see what happens next in my life. I already have a job lined up so I can work and save money for college, and it's a fun job, working with a friend raising and selling butterflies!!!!

I've also been getting ready for my (senior!!) prom. I don't have any pictures of my dress yet, but I can tell you this: I got it at a vintage store ♥ So now I've been stalking youtube and pinterest in search of the perfect hairstyle and makeup looks! If you have any suggestions, send them my way, and they will be much appreciated :)

Allison and I have also been working on a short film, which we showed at our homeschool achievement night. Personally, I think this is our best yet, but I'll let you be the judge of that..






Until next time.......
~Erin

A good giggle

When was the last time you had a good giggle? I don't know who most of you are, but in my opinion, you can never laugh too much. So get ready to laugh your socks off, because this stuff is just too good to keep a straight face!!

Seeing polka-dots!

Could you ever believe that there is such a thing as a modest skirt in such a place as forever21? A week ago, I would have answered no, but then I found{and purchased} this beauty! I have never been so pleased to be proven wrong ♥ Doesn't it look so cute and vintage?


Yours, Erin ♪

It's only the deal of the century....

The Elder-Beerman in my area is currently having a major sale. Everything is dirt cheap on sale, because they need to make room for......I hesitate to say it.....FALL. There. I said it. And now I feel filthy, and in need of a shower. Excuse me.

O.K. I'm back, clean, and ready to tell my story. So, like I said, everything was WAY on sale, and as I was looking around aimlessly, I spotted this really cute leather jacket, and, making a beeline straight for it, I fell in love. But my love was hindered when I noticed the price tag. $100. There was no way. But then....BUT THEN!!! I saw the best sign I have ever read. The sign read "All jackets $15." And I was like WHA?!?!? And, after my ecstatic screaming ceased, I found my size, and ran through the entire store, in search of my mother. And the rest is history......




So, I know I can't wear it for at least two months, but I don't care! It was too darn cheap, and cute to pass up!

Swing it!

Every spring, during the entire month of June, we celebrate our community, starting with a parade, and ending with fireworks on the 4th of July. Each year, our library hosts a band to play in the park next door, and this year, the style was Big Band!!

Tony Awards highlights....

Well, at least in my opinion!

The Battle of the hosts:




Sister Act{Love this movie!!} :



The Cast of Anything Goes singing "Anything Goes" :



Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe in "how to succeed in Business without really trying" :



All in all, a pretty entertaining evening of televised Broadway!

It's the fabric of our lives

Cotton. You gotta love the stuff! It's magic! Seriously! cotton will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's the fabric of our lives.

Inspirational Monday....April 25, 2011

Well, Hello! How ya been? Long time, no see, and all that. What up, home dawg? Ha, ha!

Hey, sorry for the over-long absence. Don't worry, I have already punished myself. Grounded for three days and no desserts. LOL I do apologize. The last two Mondays have been just ridicules, but those days are over now, and I can get back to my inspirational Mondays!!! Yayayayayay!

For the past couple weeks, I have been painfully obsessed with vintage-style summer dresses. I will quite literally sit here in front of my best friend, Mr. Computer{say hi to the kids, computer: "Hi, kids!"}internet-shopping and pining for those lovely dresses! **SIGH** {Author goes slightly limp as she stares off into the distance........."Erin, ERIN!!!!"} AH! What?! Oh, did I zone out? Sorry. Hee, hee, enough with my pathetic obsessions. Let's look at some pictures, shall we? Good.

Beautiful, right? Oh, I better stop now before I start drooling!


See ya!

~Erin

what I wore....March 27, 2011

This is the post that was supposed to be created Sunday, but, sadly, it was not to be. So, I'm doing it today instead.

I gave you a sneak peek Saturday of a purchase I made Friday, and then I wore it Sunday. I shall now show you what I bought!!!

Ta-da!!!Dress-goodwill
cardigan-Elder beerman
belt-Kohls
Shoes-Payless

Isn't the pattern darling? And I simply LOVE the buttons going up the front!!!

As for Inspirational Monday, I unfortunately neglected it yesterday. Ah, well. I guess we'll just have to skip a week, and then resume it again next Monday. All is well.

A sneak peek of tomorrow's outfit!

I tried, I really did, to wait until tomorrow to tell you about a wonderful find I spotted at goodwill yesterday, but I just couldn't hold it in. I am satisfying myself in giving you only a tiny peek, and then you can read more about it in tomorrow's outfit post!

Cassablanca

So last Friday I went to see that movie,Cassablanca, at the Valentine theatre. If you missed that post, simply click here to read all about it!

Unfortunately, I took no pictures, and I'm sorry, I didn't bring my camera, but I can say that my parents and I are going again tomorrow night to see Harvey,{which, for those of you who don't know, is about a man who is friends with an invisible bunny that only he can see, and everyone thinks he's crazy. It stars Jimmy Stewart, one of my all-time favorite actors!} and I will take some pictures then.

I did, however, manage to photograph my outfit for that night{afterwords, of course, because I didn't bring the camera to the movie}

As you can tell, I was inspired slightly by the movie to go vintage:White lace Cami-Maurices
Black cardigan-Kohls
Red wool skirt-Goodwill{in the vintage section!}
Thin black belt-Kohls
White knee highs-Um, Walmart, I think
Black ballet flats-Garage sale{But they are from American eagle}

An outing

Tomorrow night, my mom and I are going to a local old school theatre, called the Valentine, to see Casablanca. I'm really excited about going! The Valentine has been having classic movie nights for the past month, and, excepting Gone with the wind and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, I haven't missed one!


I have seen every move the Valentine is showing before, but being in a vintage theatre, sitting in a box seat reminiscent of "The Phantom of the opera", eating popcorn and candy bars that cost a total of $2, just seems to make everything better.

I'll take my camera with me, and get some pictures, if you would like to see them!

~Erin

dream sewing list

I have been thinking a lot lately of possible future sewing projects{Especially after successfully completing my Emma dress, I am all encouraged and inspired}

After scouring the pattern sites, I have compiled a list of things I would like to make this year. Obviously, due mostly to lack of skill and experience, this is an unrealistic list, but, hey, a girl can dream, can't she?!

Butterick patterns has a new line of retro patterns that I am completely in love with. These are my favorites:



I am ashamed to say that I am woefully behind on my apron collection. In fact, I don't have any. I'm in the process of making one, but I have been hand-sewing it in front of the tv{I like to do that sometimes, when I'm not drawing} and it's been a work in progress for going on two months now. I also really like it when one can buy multiple patterns in one. I'm really cheap, and so this concept appeals to my penny-pinching side. Plus, I think you can cover nearly every era in this one package.

Isn't this dress beautiful? When I make this one, I plan to make it the exact shade of blue as in the pattern picture. I'm not usually fond of the fabric choices of the pattern pictures. They look Halloween store products, which, let's face it, they're junk. But this one is different. Not only does it look professional, but it looks good on the model.

There's something about medieval dresses that just really inspires me. I see one and my mind instantly goes to fair maidens with long flowing hair adorned with wildflowers, strolling through a wood to meet her chivalrous prince charming on horseback{a white horse, of course!} I wait impatiently for the day when I can put this dress one, and reenact the scene I have just described, possibly while singing "Love story" by Taylor Swift, at the top of my voice!

All the above patterns have been for costumes, mostly because I only have a desire to sew things I cannot easily find in the store, and, as I have had a great deal of luck in clothing shopping, I have no real need to sew my own wardrobe. Now, well-made costumes are hard to come by, and costumes that are pretty and fit my body and taste perfectly are nearly impossible, so I have a much larger costume list than every day wardrobe list. however, I have always been overly fond of those apron-style skirts, which, oddly enough, are hard to find at a length that doesn't make one blush. I plan to make a couple, probably following a similar pattern to this, but lengthen the hemline to the knee. Sound like a good plan?


Do you have a dream sewing list? What is it? Is your list so drastically different from mine, or are they eerily similar? I'd love to know your thoughts and opinions, if you would be so kind as to comment below!

~Erin

Inspiration Monday....January 31 2011

GUESS WHAT! It's Inspiration Monday!!!! Aren't you excited?! Yeah, I didn't think so......

Let's get started! My inspiration for this week is:

What is it about Vintage luggage that is so photogenic?! I mean it's just luggage, but I just love to look at it :)

This picture makes me think of Romeo and Juliet. Crazy, right?! It's a piano with a flower on it! But it's just so pretty and romantic, and I think that piano music is the prettiest thing one can put on paper. It's just so elegant, no?

Paris and the color red just seem to go together.

Looking at this picture makes me feel like Charlie walking in to Willy Wonka's factory for the first time! LOL

Red hair. Something I've always wanted. Those out there with red hair, you lucky bunch, treasure what you've got, because there are VERY few girls with all manor of other hair colors who would LOVE to have what you probably hate. I am one of those girls.

Taylor Swift. I love her hair, I love her cute little dresses, and I love her songs. They tell such great stories, and I love songs that tell stories. I also think she's SUPER pretty

Doesn't this just make you want to go out, purchase a vintage-looking suit case, put on your favorite dress and have a photo shoot on some random flight of stairs?

I know I said this last Monday, but I LOVE built-in bookshelves. Someday, when I'm rich and living in some sprawling mansion in Sunny California, my house shall be riddled with shelves such as these{complete with those sweet rolling ladders! I've always wanted to ride on one!}

Well, I suppose that's all the inspiration I can fit into one post, so, what say you, can we pick this up next week? Cool, I'll see you then!

Two songs that make me cry.......

Here are the music videos for two songs that make me cry{and I've seen them about a hundred times} They are both really good songs, so, even if you don't like songs that make you cry, I suggest listening to them anyway.

The first is "Just a dream" By Carrie Underwood





The second is "Mine" by Taylor Swift




Before you make any assumptions, I am NOT a fan of country music, these both just happen to be sung by country music singers. I am, however, a big fan of Taylor Swift's music, but, then again, she's not super country. Neither is Carrie Underwood. Maybe that's why I like thsee songs go much.

Also, I find it very entertaining that both singers are wearing SUPER cute dresses{even if the first video is so tear-jerkingly symbolic}

~Erin

Inspiration monay

Last week, I did a post on pictures that I found inspiring, and I loved doing it. The search for the perfect pictures was a great part of what made them inspirational. I had so much fun browsing for great shots that I think I'd like to make a habit of it. I think I'm going to start an inspiration Monday!!

Here's how it works. Every Monday, I'll post pictures I have discovered during the week, and say something about each one{why it inspires me, what I like best about the picture, etc.}

You can get in on the action too, if you want! Each Monday, after reading my inspiration post, you can create a post of your own, and then send me the link. We could make an event out of it!


Typing this post on inspirational photos has me inspired to do one right now! I know it's not Monday, but I think I'll just have to do one anyway, you know, to get the ball rolling, and what not.

I am reminded of the design I used when renovating my bedroom when I look at the picture. I had the same color scheme, perywinkle ad white. But I think I might be able to pull something else from this photo and use it in my room.{I love interior design photos!}

If my house had a room that looked like this, I would be a happy person. I am certain to fall instantly and madly in love with a house that has built-in book shelves. And the color scheme of cream and rose pink is so romantic!

Don't ask me why, but I am always attracted to pictures that are dark, or at least very dull colors, with a pop of some bright vibrant color, such as red or yellow. I also really like her dress :){This really reminds me of Alice in Wonderland}

I think vintage and/or antique clutter is the best kind of clutter there is! throw in a drop-dead gorgeous dress, and you have inspiration!

I love the toned down colors and sort of washed out look of this one. I also enjoy looking at the sketchy quality of the buildings in the background. This makes me think of some sort of interior design wall decoration one might see in a chic bedroom, possibly with a travel theme, complete with vintage suitcases piled everywhere{Not to mention antique clutter! Gotta love that clutter!}

And for my inspiration......pictures!!!

Whenever I want to make something, draw something, sew something, even write something, I always look at photos for inspiration. Believe it or not, I'll even google search pics when I'm making a movie! I want every detail to be perfect, and I like looking at the pictures :)

I found these great shots of three beautiful girls that really inspire me to make a dress, have a photo shoot, or make an Alice in wonderland inspired movie{Honestly, I don't know where that last one comes from, but just whenever I look at these, I want to go find the mad hatter!}

Emma Watson

I think I love this one the best. Just the outfits, the lighting, and the way everything looks like a painting.

Amy AdamsOh, gorgeous! Sometimes, when I get bored, I'll go to google images, find these two pictures, and just stare at them.


Zooey DeschanelOne of the things I love best about Zooey is that she manages to wear the vintage look in a modern way, while maintaining the vintage feel. I also really love that bike.
I picked this picture in particular, because it is my personal opinion that natural light makes everything better. And her face makes me laugh{in a good way}

O.K. Now I'm inspired to do great things!!! Are you?

Girls, break out the circle skirts!!!!

I have an idea brewing in my head for a birthday party, and I wanted to run it by you guys, and hopefully get some good suggestions.

Get ready for it.






Are you ready? O.K. I'll tell you, but you didn't have to yell at me! gosh!



Girls, break out your circle skirts, cuz I'm havin' a sock hop!!! With swing music, games, milkshakes, the whole shabang! And maybe even a vintage movie, if we can possibly squeeze it in :) Doesn't that sound like fun? Oh, my word!!!! It was actually my mom's idea, and I just ran with it. My guests would come in the appropriate garb, and we would dance, laugh {open presents} play games, eat food, and watch a movie, and maybe some other things as well. And this is where I need your help. You see, one can only dance so much and play so many games. And what if we don't want to watch a movie?! I want to make sure I have a vast arsenal of activities, just in case, you know? I also want your opinion on the whole idea! I'm calling out to you! I need your help!!!!!!

Blog party

I found this survey on Bramblewood fashion's blog:




1. Ring! Ring! You receive a phone call from a national sweepstakes organization saying that you have won a life-time supply of your favorite beverage!! What would that drink be?


A strawberry Italian soda or a homemade chocolate milkshake with whipped cream

2. If you could live in a Jane Austen novel, which book would you pick? What character would you be?

Totally Emma from Jane Austen's "Emma". Her life is perfect, and she has sweet clothes :)

3. What is your theme song, that favorite song that absolutely matches you?

Oh, this is a toughie.

4. You are trapped on a deserted island. Your only supplies are the clothes you have on, and a box with five things in it. What are those five things?

1. Bible

2. Water

3. A gun

4. A raft

5. A book entitled "How to survive on a deserted island: Identify edible plants and wood that will be strong enough to make a boat or home"

5. Chocolate or Caramel?

Please. CHOCOLATE! I'm not stupid!

6. Vacation! If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would take a tour of Europe via the Orient Express :)

7. If forced to do one of the two, which would you do: sky diving or scuba diving? Why?

Scuba diving. Definitely. It's WAY safer in my opinion, and I am a wonderful swimmer, if I do say so myself.

8. Favorite TV show, and why?

Totally Laverne and Shirley or the Cosby Show. Laverne and Shirley is set in the 1950's, and is SUPER funny, and they wear cute clothes. The Cosby show is also really funny, and I like that the parents don't let their kids do things willy-nilly. They actually pay attention to their kids. Something that is sadly lacking in television today.

9. Are you a coffee and donuts sorta lady, or a tea and scones type of gal?

Well, even though I am not a fan of either coffee nor tea, I would definitely have to say tea and scones. Yum, English scones with clotted cream!

10.The time machine has finally been created, and you are the first to be able to use it! What era would you travel too?

I'd say sometime in 1940's or 50's America. Back far enough to consider it "History", but modern enough for plumbing. There are just a couple of things I can't love without, and a bathroom is one of them.

11. What is the last movie you watched?

Annie. The 1980's version. I was really bored. And now I remember why I never liked it. Miss Hanigen was always drunk, and Rooster, played by the ever terrifying Tim Currey, tried to actually kill Annie. Horrid.

12. Ding-dong!!! Your favorite actor/singer/celebrity is at your front door!Who would it be?

OHH! Let's see here. Can it be a dead person? It would be Jimmy Stewart

13. What was your absolute favorite toy as a child?

Oh, probably my dress-up clothes, my barbies or my Polly pockets.

14. What kinds of blogs do you like reading best?

I enjoy reading sewing, fashion, DIY, craft-y types of blogs, as well as blogs of everyday lives, provided they are well written and include a lot of pictures. I can't stand a mile-long post without some sort of visualization.

I think that's it! Gee, that was fun! You guys should try it!!!

~Erin