They Like Them! They Really Like Them!

I'm so glad that my family liked the gifts I made for them. Cain's mittens fit him, mom thinks her scarf is beautiful, and dad's scarf made him want to sing (songs from Fiddler On The Roof.?).

Here they are, summarized in photos.

All the gifts, wrapped up.

It's Christmas Morning!

It's early Christmas morning, and I'm so proud that I managed to finish all the gifts in time.

Dad's scarf is a bit worse for wear, as I had begun to run out of white yarn, so I had to use a lot more black, and as I  was close to finishing I realised I didn't know how to properly cast off. So I improvised a crocheted casting off. It looks.... asymmetrical...

Painted Personalized Metallic Mugs

Continuing with the DIY Christmas gifts, I'm giving my parents personalized mugs.  My dad loves coffee and my mom loves hot chocolate. Mugs are perfect.

And here's a tutorial so you can make your own!

Materials:  -a plain mug (I'm using 2)   -2 different paints. One metallic and one non-metallic base colour 

                   -a paper plate      -a paintbrush        -scissors      -tape        -letter stencils      -hairspray

My dog kinda chewed the handle of my scissors 

I'm Knitting

This could be disastrous.

Thankfully, so far so good.

Since I'm broke, for Christmas, I'm making gifts. For my dad, I'm making a scarf. It will by mostly white but with a set of three stripes at each end.

I'm using 4 mm needles, and two different polyester yarns.  I started by casting on 40 stitches.

Tie-Dye T-Shirts Are Now a Dress!

This dress is so super cute! And it's so comfortable to wear! Maybe that's because it's made out of t-shirts.  T-shirts that I tie-dyed myself. I'm very proud of these t-shirts.  I dyed them in a crinkle pattern. That's exactly what it sounds like. I crinkled up the t-shirts and applied the dye in a random pattern. 

But then I realized, when am I going to wear these? The shirts I had were too big for me, and tie-dye t-shirts really aren't my style. 

But maybe a tie-dye dress would be.

Here's how I made it.

The InStyle Review (A.K.A. My Wish List)

I got the January issue of InStyle in the mail today!! Amanda Seyfried is on the cover. She looks a tad too photoshopped, in my opinion.

Her face, on the cover, just looks too... long? I don't know. maybe it's just me.

Despite her computer-aided appearance, I do love the dress and shoes that she's wearing in that photo.

Those SHOES!

R.I.P. , those sweet, little angels...

I heard about the shooting in Connecticut.  And it sickens me. How someone could go into an elementary school and... He cannot have been in his right mind, that's for sure.  

What also sickens me is all the ignorant, selfish people who've been posting in forums and on facebook, about how everyone shouldn't be so upset over this.  I actually read a post where a boy referred to the childrens' murders as them being (and I feel nauseous as I type this) "turned to salsa".









Some people have no hearts.  Some people are just sick.

My prayers and wishes are with all the families and friends, affected by this tragedy.  

Books,Treats, and Carol Burnett

Yesterday was lovely! Absolutely lovely! I got to sleep in, I got to eat a few french fries, and I had a wonderful dinner with my boyfriend, and my aunt and uncle. During said dinner, I was given gifts, I got to pet a cute doggie, and I got to watch a few episodes of The Carol Burnett Show.

Valentino S/S 2013

Ok, I know it isn't even close to being spring yet, but I finally got around to looking at the Valentino Spring/Summer collection for next year, and I am in LOVE!  I loved Valentino to begin with - the feminine shapes and florals and the girly class of it - and this collection has only perpetuated that affection!

First, the opening look for the collection

This is so simple, and so sexy; with the subtle cut-out lines that accent the models waist and long legs.  The collection also included a nude version of this dress, and one in navy that fell all the way to the floor. I don't usually go for spaghetti straps, but I'd wear this in a heartbeat!

Yoko Oh No!

This post is about Yoko Ono.

Now, being a member of the generation that I am, I don't really know all that much about Yoko Ono. I know that she dated John Lennon, apparently she kind of created a wedge between him and the rest of the band, and I know that she one posed for the cover of a magazine, being cuddled by her favourite, and very nude, Beatle.

Don't lie, you're glad I pix-elated it.

Home-made Mistletoe

Ho! Ho! The mistletoe, hung where you can see...

Mistletoe.  How many times have I heard of it in a Christmas song, and yet never used it in decorating my home, and never seen it in real life.  Really, my only reference of what it looks like is Google Images.

But, being the semi-traditionalist that I am, I decided to finally have mistletoe at Christmas. Unfortunately, I have no idea where to get mistletoe. I could look for florists and nurseries that sell it, or buy artificial mistletoe, but it's so much more fun to make it!

Holiday Trends I Love!

One of my favourite parts of the Christmas season is the chance to dress up in clothes I'd never wear any other time of the year.  For such a festive time, I like to dress in festive clothes.  These are some trends that I'd like to try this year.


Sequins -

For me, Christmas style is all about sparkle, and I love how sparkly sequins are! I would love to get a full sequin dress, like the blue on above, and wear it with black, opaque tights and black, platform heels.

Of course, for those who'd rather not clothe themselves in neck-to-knee glitter, there are plenty of gorgeous sequinned accessories, like that this beautiful red clutch.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Tonight we officially began decorating for Christmas! Now our house is all lit up, and sparkly. Especially our Christmas tree.

Isn't it so realistic looking?  (What are you talking about, of COURSE white pine trees occur in nature.)

We used gold, red, pink, and black ornaments to decorate it.

Bleach Splattered Tank Top

This is another "upcycled" piece.  This tank top is made from a pair of old, black sweatpants that I'd splashed bleach on.  I'd only bought the pants to wear to work, and with the bleach marks I couldn't use them for that any more. So they sat around in a bin until I figured out what do to with them.

I finally figured out what to do with them.

It's a DIY Christmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,  Heeere in Emma Kate's house! 

I promise, I will be singing Christmas carols all month.  Especially while I work on all the Christmas crafts I have planned.

So much craft supplies!!

Today shall be marked as Crafting Day 1. My first project?  Yarn and pom pom mini Christmas trees!

It's A Panda Dress!

I just love -love, love, love, love, love, LOVE - recyclying and "upcycling" old clothes.  I think it's the best way to keep my wardrobe up to date while being kind to the earth and my wallet.

I still get hand-me-downs from cousins and friends, and a lot of the time I'll receive clothes that are nice but don't quite fit.  Or, equally as common, I'll get pieces that are almost in style but just need to have features either added or removed.  This is the case with a white blouse I got from my friend, about a year ago.

Fall Coloured Mini Skirt

I don't remember what pattern I used to make this skirt.  *Calls over shoulder* Cain! What pattern did I use to make this skirt?

 He doesn't know. He wasn't there.

Patent Polka Dot Pumps!!

So, this story starts with me, finding a metallic Sharpie marker.  I felt the need to make something with it. Something. Anything! Preferably having to do with my wardrobe.

Rosie and Retro

So, a couple of summers ago, I learned to crochet. After making a baby blanket for a friend, I was looking for something more interesting to make.  I was looking through a crochet pattern book that my grandma gave  me.  This book is from the 1960's and there were a lot of cute, mod patterns.

A pattern I especially liked was one called "Chic Little Bolero", which is odd because it doesn't look at all like the modern definition of a "bolero".

What a Wonderful Waistcoat

Sorry. I kind of have a thing for alliteration.

But it is a wonderful waistcoat!

Another project from a couple years ago: I had finished everything else I was working on, and I was bored. 

White Eyelet Sundress

Another project from my 11th grade fashion class: an eyelet lace day dress. 

Inevitable

Am I the only one who finds this hilarious??  Like what is it that is “Inevitable”?

Is the idea “Mid-life crisis is inevitable”  Or “This is what inevitably happens to people who spend too much  time with Angelina Jolie (referring to the sad, scared, confused look on his face.”  Or “If you wear Chanel No 5, You will inevitably have sex with and/or become Brad Pitt”?  That last one sounds especially horrid, considering his recent mid-life crises that does not seem to be ending any time soon.

Upcycled T-Shirt Dress

The Insomniac Skirt

So, this is a skirt I made about a year ago, at 2:00 in the morning, after having too much coffee after dinner.

I just used scrap fabric, cut into strips ( each set longer than the next) and gathered slightly, with an elastic waistband.