Royal Wedding Fever

Alright. I have a confession to make. I have royal wedding fever (please don't judge). Normally I'm the kind of girl that gags and cringes at weddings, but when it comes to the royal wedding I'm embracing it and can't get enough info. I think it is a great news distraction from all of the stressful, complicated wackiness going on in the world today (like the tornados in the South, the economy, gas prices, birthers, etc).

This week, in honor of the wedding, I put my Barbie clothes crocheting asside and created this Will + Kate sampler using the pattern from the bugsandfishes blog. I was pressed for time to work on this, so it took me 3 days to complete but it was not difficult to make. In addition to the sampler, my mom also made chocolate chip scones for the big day.

Now, I won't be waking up at the crack of 3am to watch the coverage, but you can bet I'll be DVR-ing it. Do you have royal wedding fever? Will you be waking up at the crack of 1,2,3, or 4am? Let me know in the comments below.

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What's Making Me Laugh: Stephen Colbert Cures Ugly Armpits

This week, Already Pretty shared a link to Stephen Colbert's segment, The Word, in which he discusses Dove's ad for a new deodorant that will "improve the look of ladies armpits." I don't know about you, but I could care less about the looks of my armpits- and Stephen Colbert's commentary about the commercial is hilarious. Check it out and have a happy Easter weekend!

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Pardon The Mess

What I Wore: 4/15/2011

Hat, striped tank (d.i.y.-ed), men's v-neck shirt, denim jeggings and Dolce Vita boots- Target

I D.I.Y.-ed this tank top last summer after seeing Alisa Burke's Altered Striped Tank Tutorial online. Instead of painting my own flowers and free hand sewing them onto my tank like Alisa, I took the simpler approach and ironed some fusible webbing onto some floral print fabric, cut out my flowers, and ironed them onto my shirt. It was quick, easy and only took me part of an afternoon.

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What I Wore: 04/11/2011

Blazer: Target
Gray t-shirt and Mustard Corduroys: Old Navy
Shoes: Naturalizers

Today's Fab Finds Under $50 Calender called for a bold bottom and a blazer and these mustard cords are as bold as I get. I could have saved this outfit for Wednesday's Mustard and Navy combo day, but I just couldn't wait.

I also wanted to tell you all that I started using John Frieda's Frizz-Ease 3-Day Straight Styling spray and let me tell you, this stuff is worth the $9. I really have seen a difference! I just spray it in before I blow-dry my hair in the morning and my naturally wavy hair is straighter without the use of my hot iron straightener and I have less fly away hairs. Check it out if you haven't already.

Note: I am not affiliated and in no way compensated by the John Frieda company. I just like sharing great products with my friend.

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What's Making Me Laugh: Hung

I know that I usually post these "What's Making Me Laugh" posts on Saturday, but it's my blog and I do what I want and I want to post on a Monday.

Anyway, one of my new favorite shows is HBO's Hung about a Middle School teacher/coach by day, male prostitute by night and it is absolutely hilarious! And do you want to know something even more hilarious!? Last week I bought myself my very own Lanvin knock-off (mine's a Lavish) from TJ Maxx just because it made me giggle and reminded me of this episode. Don't believe me? See below.

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Recent Purchases 04/08/2011

A.k.a. The dream of the 90's is alive in my closet.
This week I took advantage of a few of Target's sales. Here's what I added to my closet.

1)

Women's Merona Heritage Shirt- Target $15

I've been on the hunt for the perfect chambray shirt for spring and I think I may have finally found it.

2)

Women's Dolce Vita For Target Ankle Buckle Boots- $12.24

3)

Women's Dolce Vita for Target Lace Up Boot- $17.48

When I saw these two shoes, it was love at first site! I've been seeing a lot of combat boots and buckle shoes lately (paired with cute floral baby doll dresses and jeans) conjuring up memories of "Rayanne" from My So Called Life and Jane from Daria and making me want to grab a pair for myself and bring out my inner bad ass!

Made any good purchases lately? Let me know in the comments below.

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Two Red Barbie Dresses

1950's Style Dress with Stole





This dress took a LOT of work. I used this free pattern by Donna Collinsworth and the requested white and red thread and a size 8 hook (instead of 7). I decided that this pattern was best tackled in shifts to salvage my hands, as some of the bottom rows of the white skirt took an hour per row alone. After completing my stole pieces, I opted to use my Liquid Stitch sewing glue to attach the white scalloped piece to the red rather than sew them together (which would take more work).

Bell Dress


For the Bell Dress I used worsted weight Red Heart yarn in red, Lion Brand Fun Fur in white, an H hook, and this free pattern. Since the yarn was so much thicker than that #10 crochet cotton, this dress crocheted up much easier and faster. I even had time to add a purse.

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Ken's Comforter Set

Recently, I told you that I'd been crocheting up a whole bunch of Barbie things for a former co-worker and her grand kids. Last time I showed you Barbie's comforter set, so naturally I made one for Ken, too. I used some light blue Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn and the same pattern as before (seen here).


And here "Sarah-Barbie" testing it out. I think she's waiting for Ken to get out of the shower or something.

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I'm an Inspiration!

Have you seen today's April Outfit Inspiration Calender post on Fab Finds Under $50? It's me and my striped shirt and bright purple tights! And if you live in my neck of the woods, you're going to need some bright tights to cheer you up after yesterday's early summer with 90 degree temps and sunshine made way to overnight clouds and storms (that kept me awake) and 50 degree temps today. I was hoping we could just skip spring and jump right into summer, but mother nature chose differently. Boo to that!

Here are two more outfits that I wore last week that are worth mentioning.

What I Wore 3/31/2011

Black long sleeve shirt: Old Navy
Cardigan: Forever 21
Black maxi skirt: Urban Outfitters (gift)

What I Wore: 4/1/2011

Brown long sleeve shirt: Land end
Leopard print shirt: Old Navy
Camel colored pants: Ny & Co.
Bird: Joann's Fabrics

Update: In Friday's post I'd mentioned that I'd scored big with my pants purchase from Ny & Co. Well, on Friday I tried out my new 7th Avenue pants and the first thing I noticed was that I had a giant string hanging from my pant leg. No biggie. I ripped it off and was on my way. Then I noticed that part of the top stitching in my pant leg wasn't stitched. And my the end of the day, my pants had developed a terrible case of "old swimsuit fuzzy butt" (translation: it was pilling in my bum area). Needless to say, this did not make me happy, especially for the price I paid. Hopefully my other pants are better made.

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New Spring/ Summer 2011 Patterns Are Here

Dear Cynthia Rowley,
Please stop making so many Simplicity patterns.
I simply don't have enough time and money
to purchase each pattern and sew each dress
before then next season of patterns comes out.Thanks!

~Sarah O.

Well, if you haven't noticed yet, the new spring/summer season of sewing patterns are up for the peeking online. Here are a few of my favorites.

Simplicity 2178
Simplicity 2181

B5599

v1236
v1235
v1239

v1241

v8728

What do you think? Did I leave any out? Let me know in the comments below.

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What's Making Me Laugh: Pee Wee's Playhouse

This week I finally got to see the Pee Wee on Broadway HBO special and I. Friggin. Loved it. I laughed like a little school girl, sang along to the "King of Cartoons" song, and made sure that every time I heard the secret word that I "screamed real loud." It totally brought back all kinds of Pee Wee's Playhouse memories and made me want to check out the DVDs. 

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What I Wore: 3/28/2011 + Recent Purchases

gray shirt and boots: Target aubergine shirt: Lands end canvas skirt: JC Penny

After looking at this photo, I started thinking that I should have either tucked the aubergine shirt into my skirt or moved the belt that came with my skirt on top of my shirt. Oh well! That's what happens when you dress yourself in the dark (literally, the light in the bathroom burnt out and we're waiting for maintenance to come fix it).

Here are a few of my recent purchases:

7th Avenue Flair pants- New York and Company (click here)

The Hudson pant in grey- New York and Company (click here)

The Hudson Pant in biscotti- New York and Co. (click here)

Let me tell you all, I HATE shopping for pants (and swimsuits, and exercise clothes or anything fussy/ form fitting), so I took a gamble by ordering these New York and Co. pants online and I scored! The material is stretchy but not TOO stretchy and feels very lux. Yay!

Tucker for Target shirt- no longer available. Purchased on Ebay.

Remember how I said that Tucker for Target wasn't for me (if not, read here)? Well, that's because I hadn't met this shirt sold out at my store before I could get my grubby little mitts on it. I love the print and can NOT get enough bow blouses.

Striped Sweater Cardigan- Forever 21

Silk Blend shirt in peach- Forever 21

Basic Woven Skirt in cocoa- Forever 21

Finally, I picked up a striped cardigan (because I can never have too many cardi's) and a peach shirt for spring. I'd also ordered the basic woven skirt in cocoa, but they weren't kidding when the ad said it was lightweight; the skirt was practically sheer and definitely not work friendly. So it's back off to the Forever 21 store.
How was your week? Score any fabulous finds? Let me know in the comments below.

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