This Darn Eyelet Dress

So I attempted to make this dress, right?

It doesn't bode well when the first thing I do is cut the biggest pattern piece (the skirt) the wrong way and eff up half of the five yards of fabric. As a result, the fabric was not wide enough to cut the bodice, so the bodice ended up as two different pieces. Thankfully, the scalloped edge made my mistake look intentional.

I modified the bottom of the pattern in an attempt to simplify it and make the whole process go faster. Instead of a skirt with a zipper and buttons, I went with elastic just in the back. The back straps were supposed to have buttons, too, but I skipped those in the hopes that the dress would go on easily without them, which it does. Frankly, I've never done buttonholes before, and I didn't think I had the time to learn.

When I made it to the last step, sewing the skirt to the bodice, almost home free, I messed up again and sewed the left side on too low. So now I have to fix that if I really intend on wearing this thing. In the end, I kind of think I hate it, though. I think the neckline should be more open, the skirt should be shorter and narrower, and my back should be less fat. Also, I thought the hanging scallops at the bust would look cool, but it just looks unflattering and dated, so maybe sewing that down will help, too.

Maybe I'll take it apart and try to fix some of those things when I have more time. I just don't see it happening in the next two days.

Top 5 Celebrity Crushes

This is the first time I've done this linkup, but the topic looked too fun to pass up.

Source: google.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

1. Paul Bettany - I fell in love with him when I saw Wimbledon; and after that, I wanted to watch all his movies. Even the terrible ones. In fact, I have a couple saved on Netflix that I have to get to someday. He's one of the only actors that I will watch in anything, but my favorite role of his is probably Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. Random, but I love that he and Jennifer Connelly have an Australian Shepherd for a pet, too.

Source: tumblr.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

2. Isaac Hanson - 'Nough said. I can't have a list of crushes without a Hanson. Though I almost put Zac here, but I gotta be faithful to Isaac.

Source: notetosarah.tumblr.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

3. Ryan Gosling - He's everywhere now, which kind of loses the appeal for me, but he's still nice to look at.

Source: justjared.buzznet.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

4. Tom Felton - He's looking a little rough these days at times with his questionable hair styles, but I always had a crush on him in his Harry Potter days. I'm still annoyed I got sorted into Hufflepuff in Pottermore. I was not a fan of him in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, though. I can't handle animal cruelty, even when it's obviously fake.

Source: afi.com via Olivia on Pinterest

Source: shechive.files.wordpress.com via Tanya on Pinterest

5. Tie between Tom and Colin Hanks - Love me some Hanks.

Not that you asked, but here are my Top 5 Girl Crushes, too:

Source: justjared.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

1. Blake Lively

Source: vintage-paris.blogspot.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

2. Audrey Tautou

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Chen on Pinterest

3. Kate Middleton

Source: bit.ly via Bethany on Pinterest

4. Jennifer Lawrence

Source: style.mtv.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

5. Tie between Emma Stone and Mandy Moore

Haircut, Strawberry Fest, and the Zoo

My original plan for this weekend was to cut fabric Friday, sew a couple dresses Saturday after my haircut, and then hang out with the fam on Sunday for my mom's birthday. Wellll, I didn't get any cutting or sewing done. Which is fine because I just bought fabric today to line the eyelet dresses I'm planning on making. At this point, I'm going to try to get mine and Bridget's dresses done before we go to Maine still. Because really, what else am I going to do with five yards of red eyelet fabric? It basically has to be a Fourth of July dress.

Anyway, so Saturday I went and got my haircut and had some girl talk with my bff/hair stylist; and then later, Bridget and I met another one of my bffs at Strawberry Fest.

Inspiration Monday picture:

My interpretation:

Dress and Sandals: Target; Necklace and Jacket: Kohl's; Bag: Boston Store; Bracelets: Mexicali Blues and Charming Charlie; Sunglasses: Express

Dirty lens...but yay for having front bangs again.

Strawberry Fest was suuuuuuuuuuuuper busy and frustrating this year. Once I met up with my friend E, I wasn't as frustrated because I wasn't try to get somewhere quickly, but navigating a stroller through that many people was not fun. I must've rammed into people's ankles half a dozen times...accidentally of course. At least it wasn't too hot, though.

The first thing we did was grab a bite to eat. Bridget and I shared cheese curds and lemonade, both of which were really good. I was excited to see they had deep fried Oreos there, but I was pretty crushed when I realized the batch I got was under cooked. Pretty gross actually. I guess I'll have to hold out for the perfect State Fair ones.

Bridget eating cheese curds and dancing at Strawberry Fest

E and I then got our shop on and picked up a piano scarf for her to wear to the Summerfest Hanson concert, a new monkey for Bridget, a scarf for my mom for her birthday, and some sweets in the form of a chocolate-covered strawberry for E and a Heath caramel apple for me. I ended up having the caramel apple for dinner, and that did not disappoint!

Sunday morning, Hubs and I tried to decide between taking the dog for a walk on the lake or going to church since we only had time for one or the other before we had to leave for Madison. Although church should've won out, we ended up walking the dog because she really, really needed it, and she was going to be cooped up in her cage the rest of the day.

After letting Bridget take a short nap, we loaded her in the car and headed to the zoo in Madison for some family time.

The kids and grandkid: Sis-in-law, brother, me, hubs, and Bridge

Bridget enjoyed it this year a lot more than last year. Her favorite part seemed to be the monkeys, not surprisingly, but she was also giggling and pointing a lot at the buffalo. Since I'm not a zoo fan, especially on super hot days like yesterday, I was over it pretty fast, but it was fun watching Bridget have fun.

When we finished up at the zoo, we went to Ella's Deli for dinner and dessert. Their menu is massive, especially their dessert one, which is comprised mostly of different types of ice cream sundaes. This place is definitely an experience. The inside is filled with animatronic characters that move along the ceilings and walls and everywhere, and there's also a carousel outside.

Bridget checking out the flying bee kid on the ceiling, whom she kept offering food to, haha

On the carousel outside Ella's Deli

Only a few days left until VACATION!! Is it Friday yet??

Inspiration Monday

Boston Store Shopping Haul

Well, I made it nearly a month. That's not too bad for someone who normally shops weekly, and only one of the items I bought for myself I count as an impulse.

I wanted shorts for Maine and a cross-body bag for Orlando, and Bridget could always use more clothes and PJs. My plan was to look for shorts at Old Navy; but when a coworker handed me a Spend $100, Save $50 Boston Store coupon on Friday, I knew I'd be getting myself into a bit of trouble there instead.

Hello Kitty PJs, Carters PJs and two tees, Ralph Lauren polo, DKNY skirt,
OshKosh B'gosh skirt; Nanette Girl dress & leggings
Originally $167 total; I paid $59

Michael Michael Kors shoes
Originally $81; I paid $30

Calvin Klein shorts
Originally $50; I paid $19

Nine West shorts
Originally $69; I paid $25

Tyler Rodan bag
Originally $69; I paid $22

I'm actually pretty happy with my purchases, and I don't feel any buyer's remorse about any of them. Well, except for the shoes...they're not as comfortable as I originally thought when I tried them on in the store, and I really don't need another pair of ballet flats. I used the cross-body bag yesterday, and the only probably was that the leather strap isn't the best idea for hot, sweaty weather, but oh well. Maybe I'll bring a smaller bag to Florida, too, in case this one gets annoying after Day 1.

Oh I should also mention, I bought Bridget a few new stuffed animals, too. At Strawberry Fest yesterday in Cedarburg, I bought her another monkey (she sleeps with two stuffed monkeys every night...now three). And Friday, a different coworker was showing me the Uglydolls she bought for her son off of Hautelook, and I couldn't resist getting Bridget a couple of these trendy dolls, too. They were only $7 and $5, so why not.

After this little spending spree, I'm hoping my shopping bug is satisfied for awhile. The only other thing I had my eye on are these red Stuart Weitzman shoes at E-Collectique, the nearby consignment boutique. I've been casually looking for red shoes for awhile, and at $42.50 for the in-store price, these might be it. I just don't know if I'll actually get to the store before they sell them. Plus, they're having a clearance sale right now, so that'll be a lot of temptation I don't need. Well, we'll see if I make it over there before we leave for Maine Friday or not.

You Look Like a Boy

Another amusing conversation with hubs took place this morning.

So I put this on, and hubs gave me a look.

Me: Do I look weird?
Him: Yeah.
Me: I do?? What's weird about it?
Him: You look like a boy.
Me: I was going for a menswear look. I thought guys like that. I did research. (my research)
Him: Well there ya go. I guess you're good then.
(I then put the bow tie necklace on and asked how I looked now.)
Him: Now you look like you're going to a Christmas party.
(??????????)

I still wasn't sure I hated the outfit, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I looked like a mail carrier or something, so I tried putting a vest on over it.

That didn't solve the problem of looking like a boy, so I gave up and wore purple.

When I picked Bridget up from hubs' work, where she was waiting, hubs proceeded to poll a couple of his buddies about my bow tie. One of the guys said it looked like a cat toy, and the other one said it looked like a goldfish. I'm amused by how baffling some fashion choices are to men.

Consigned

Shoes I bought at a consignment sale

1. How often do you go through your closet to purge the things you no longer wear?I try to do it at least twice a year when I switch my closet from summer stuff to winter stuff and back.

2. What do you do with the things you are through with? Most of the time, I'll drop a bag in those clothes donation stand things you see outsides stores sometimes. That's the easiest way. Occasionally, I'll give stuff to friends if I think they'll get more use out of something than I did.

3. Have you ever sold on consignment or through online boutiques? What has your experience been like? I've sold stuff at a consignment store once. I guess it was fine. I'm sure if I had nicer stuff, I would get more money back, but I got about $25 in store credit. At that store, the percentage you get back is less if you want cash. That's how they get ya.

4. More and more people are concerned about the fast rotation of fashion and how that is filling our landfills. What are you doing to decrease your clothing trash pile? See 2 and 3. Also only buy stuff that I'm actually going to wear. I'm still working on that.

5. What's been your favorite/best score from a thrift store or consignment shop? I don't have the patience for thrifting, and quite a few times I've made the mistake of buying stuff (all pictured above) at a local consignment shop just because of the labels – like a Christian Dior blouse or a DVF button-up shirt, neither of which I wear that often. I also jumped on $18 Marc Jacobs rain boots but didn't realize until later how beat up they actually were. Totally still wear them, though. So I have a lot of learning to do. I guess I was pretty excited about the 7 for All Mankind jeans I got for $44. Also, I liked being able to split the cost with a couple friends and give our friend Jimmy Choo sandals for her birthday. The box said they retailed for like $600, and the three of us bought them for $150.

Need More Mint and Less Indecision

Tank Top: H&M; Cardigan, Shoes, Necklace, and Watch: NY&Co; Skirt: Webster for Target; Bracelet: Kate Spade; Sunglasses: Target 

I was so indecisive this morning, which is really nothing new for me, but whatever. First, I couldn't decide whether to tuck or untuck my shirt; then I couldn't decide how many and which bracelets to wear; then I tried on three other pairs of shoes before I settled on these. I also considered wearing a white skirt instead of this navy one, but the white one looked a tad casual for work. The only easy part was the top because I have very limited coral and mint options (for Bloggers Do It Better) in my closet.

Actually, mint, or sea green, used to be my favorite color in second grade. The only reason I remember that is because I still have my Bible from grade school (I went to a Lutheran school 1st–8th grade), in which I highlighted using a sea green marker and wrote "favorite color" next to it. Random. I still think it's a pretty color; I should really buy more of it.

Happy first day of summer!

Nothing to See Here

Dress: Kohl's; Necklace: swap; Sunglasses: Target; Shoes: Payless; Bag: Michael Michael Kors via TJ Maxx

I was trying to be subtle in case someone walked by. Just checking my phone in an alley, folks...while a camera is balanced precariously on the railing. Nothing to see here.

I was tempted to wear a yellow bracelet and yellow shoes, too, but I held back, even though I'm not sure there's such a thing as too much yellow.

What You Do to Me

Friday was super nutty, even for me. My work day ended at 4:15ish, and I went to pick up Bridget, then hubs, then dropped him off at the dealership to pick up his car, then Bridget and I went to Target, then I went home to get ready. Pretty sure that was a run-on sentence, and that’s what it felt like.

Here's what I wore to work since it was a jeans day:

Top: Fred; Jeans: NY&Co; Sandals: Target; Sunglasses: Express

Once at home, I kind of took my time getting ready and wandered around the house putting groceries away and loading my car, which made me late to meet the girls at the Summer Sounds festival in Cedarburg.

Skirt: MICHAEL Michael Kors; Tank Top: Old Navy; Necklace: garage sale; Sandals: Target

I showed up while the opening act was on his last couple songs, but I enjoyed his music, the little I heard. We grabbed some food and beverages and then settled in to watch Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. I don’t have their new music, so I only recognized a handful of songs, but it was still fun. They put on a good show, and Stephen Kellogg is a funny guy. There was a group of little kids dancing right in front of the stage, and he kept trying to talk to them. It was cute.

After the show, we booked it out of there and headed to two of the girls’ apartment to drop off one of the girls at her car and drop my car off so that I could jump in with them. The drive there was SO FRUSTRATING. I suffer from road rage, and not only was there traffic coming out of downtown for some reason, but I also got stuck behind every single slow person on the road. On top of that, I was racing a Fed Ex truck at one point trying to get around the slow people.

Polish Fest! I just realized why there was so much traffic seemingly inexplicably coming out of Milwaukee at 10:00 at night. I completely forgot that festival season is upon us. Odd since I was coming from a festival myself.

Anyway, after recombobulating at the apartment, we were on the road again - this time to Madison. The HeyMakers show was supposed to start at 11:30, and it looked like we were going to make it right at that time.

Madison can be a confusing city, so we weren’t surprised that we had to drive past the venue and circle back once before we actually found where it was. The venue was a pizza place/bar, and the bands played downstairs in another small bar area. Another band was playing when we walked in - it turns out they had switched the order, and the Heymakers were going second instead. We waved to the guys, found seats at the bar in the back, and got some drinks.

I don’t know what time they went on because my phone was dead, and I purposely didn’t wear a watch because I didn’t want to know how late it was getting. So I really have no concept of what times things happened the rest of the night. Anyway, the guys put on a good show although there was almost no one there to see it. Unfortunately, they only had a crowd of about 10, two of which were family members of Jimmy. But we enjoyed ourselves even when Jimmy called us out and told us to move closer to the stage and we stayed planted on our barstools.

After the show, Jimmy invited us to go out to eat at this place called Willalby’s, which is where we ate last time we were at a Madison show. We agreed even though we were very underwhelmed last time. I can say the omelets are good, but there were little bugs flying around everywhere, and the bathroom in the basement mildly creeped me out. Also, we’ve now learned twice - don’t get the waffles.

While we ate, I told the guys how they should play at this Milwaukee bar called Fire on Water. I don’t know how I’m going to make it happen, but I’m going to try to set something up for them. We’ll see if I have a future in PR. (Yeah right.) I know of two guys I used to work with who are in bands that have played there, but I'm not really in contact with either of them, other than on Facebook.  If any of you have tips on booking bands, I wouldn't mind the advice.

We also had a little matchmaking scheme going, but nothing really came out of that (yet?).

We left after that and got back to the apartment around 4 AM. Yeah, they really need more Milwaukee shows. I’m too old for this stuff.