Friday, 27 December 2013

Sparkle and Shine!


Well well, looks like I have been slacking in the blog department!!  I know it's not a great excuse but I was sew very busy these past few months from making bridesmaid dresses to Christmas gifts!  One of my New Years resolutions is to try my best to write regularly on my blog.  Also, I'm going to focus even more on fashion and what I'm up to…it will be a sort of diary I guess!  I might throw in a few other topics as well…things I love!  I hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday!  I know I have so far.  My amazing husband surprised me with a trip to Italy to see a MotoGP race…I could not believe it!  My family was whole for the first time on Christmas morning in years and it was amazing.  I felt like a kid again as we all took turns opening gifts in our pj's while our significant others took photos and joined us in our family celebration.

I recently did an interview for a local newspaper about Holiday style.  I do posts once or twice a month for the Fashion Council and figured I might as well do what I love most (besides design and sew) and that is talk about fashion and trends.  This is a post I just recently wrote for New Years Eve style!!!


                                                                        Sparkle and Shine

It's time to sparkle and shine!   With the new year approaching, end this one on a fashion high note!

Although it's not for everyone (some of you fashionistas may be working, busy or just not into it), for some, this night has been planned out from the perfect dress to who they will smooch at midnight.  Others may have been so consumed with holiday festivities it has slipped their mind and now they are frantically trying to figure out what to wear.   Even going out for a lovely meal merits a little extra effort on this night of glitz and glam.   

For you fashionistas, one trend for 2014 is metallics.  Start the year off with your fashion foot forward!  Sequins and anything shiny is always in for New Years.  Not a fan of a lot of sparkle? Go for a bold colour. Stand out!  It is a night when most fashion rules do not apply.  Do however keep it tasteful.  One thing to remember (besides looking fabulous) is to shop for your shape.   There are so many styles out there suitable for any shape from sheath dresses to full skirts to peplums (yes, they're still here) and one shoulder styles.  Not a fan of dresses?  Go for a nice pair of black pants and sequin or embellished top.  You can go all out glam or cool retro chic, punk princess or classic feminine.  Go full on sparkle with sequins or keep it simple with a little black dress spiced up with knock out heels and blingy accessories.  When it comes to jewels, go for the big chandelier earrings and bold cuffs or stackable bangles and a stunning cocktail ring.  These are things you can wear again. How often do you get to dress up like a Hollywood glam star and be all the fabulous you can be?  Shine bright like Times Square!


Be a style star this New Years Eve and sparkle from head to toe (even your nails!).    In the words of Rachel Zoe: "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak".  So go out, have fun and show them who you are!


Sparkle and Shine!

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Emmy's



I am really starting to suck at this blogging thing.  When I started I blogged nearly every day....then maybe 3 times a week....then 1....now it's like every 2-3 weeks!!  I have to get back on track.  Anyways, the Emmy's were last week and I completely forgot to blog about my most favourite thing ever to make or see....the gowns!!!!!  I will admit, it was a challenging night considering the series finale of my oh so favourite show, "Dexter", was on.  It was a so-so finale.  I expected something a little more climactic but it was also satisfying in some ways.  It will be missed!!!  I also couldn't seem to find the Red Carpet pre show anywhere to watch...but that's ok because I simply watched the Emmy's before Dexter started as well as after and went online to see what I missed!!!  So, here are some of my favourite looks  :)


This woman is mucho caliente!!!  I love Sofia Vergara.  She's funny beautiful and oh so fashionable wearing Vera Wang.

I was surprised that this was a Marchesa worn by Alison Hannigan.  However, not so sutprised considering I loved it and Marchesa is a favourite of mine.  Look at that delicious purple!!!!!  Hot this season!

I am a huge fan of classic black and white and asymetry.  There was something just so pleasing to the eye when I saw this....the lines are beautiful, simple and elegant.
Anna Gunn in Ramona Keveza .


This blush colour is so romantic.  It compliments her skin tone and dark hair.
Cobie Smulders in JMendel .


Like I said, a fan of classic black and white.  Beautiful.
Elizabeth Moss in AndrewGn.

This dress actually looked so much better when she was on stage.... I remember saying "I love it!" when  I saw her step out.
Emilia Clark in Donna Karen Atelier.


Zac Posen was a popular designer  for the Emmy's!! I've said it before and I"ll say it again...he knows how to dress a woman.  I only hope to be as good as him some day.
Julie Bowen in Zac Posen.

This deep wine is mouth watering....Vera Wang was a great choice for Kaley Cuoco. 



I really loved Zooey Deschanel's JMendel dress...lovely icy blue.  So sophisticated and lady like.  Great silhouette too!

All photos Via www.Instyle.com 

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Feeling the blues!

How has everyones week been?  It seems to have gone by quickly!   My friend wore her dress last weekend.  I only saw a couple pictures but when she tried it on she looked so pretty!!  My favourite  (and most nervous) part of making something custom for someone is seeing their face when they try it on for the first time, completed, knowing it was made for them and only them.  I dedicated nearly a day to her dress, I calculated just under 24 hours of work.  I wanted it to be perfect.  She deserved it.  The colour like I said was gorgeous and worked so perfectly with her skin tone and eye colour.  I hope she can wear it again!!!!  Now, I am getting ready to make two more bridesmaid dresses and I can't wait.  I just cleaned out my sewing room to start a new "mess".
My last post covered purples, so let's keep on with the colours!   There is usually one color that seems to dominate every year.  This year, blues are everywhere...more specifically, cobalt.  I was at the mall this weekend and it's everywhere!!  Not to mention all the ads in magazines in recent month featuring the electric color.   And of course, the catwalks!   Yes, emerald is the colour of the year but we don't always understand what that means.  It means that it's in all year and will be seen on the runways and in every change of season....cobalt however, is reserved for fall and winter just as mint was for spring and summer.  I actually just bought a cute little cobalt top this weekend!  The nice thing about cobalt or any shade of darker blue is that it has a great impact but it's not too intense.  It looks great paired with jewel tones as well as black or white.   So versatile!  I also think it looks good on nearly anyone!!!   So, go treat yourself to some shade of blue!
Valentino
LOVE 
3.1 Philip Lim
Navy is also very nice for winter.  Looks great with a wine colour or camel!  I should mention, the whole black and navy being a no no is sorta ok now...but I still think it depends on how it's worn! This works!
Anna Sui
Blue on blue is great!!!  Good transition from summer to fall/winter.

Chanel
OK, I would like to have this jacket...oh right I can't afford it!!   New Project??!

Chloe
Kinda diggin' this cape style jacket!  Has a retro feel to it with a modern twist!

Balenciaga
Blue and Black!

Christian Dior
So sweet!! 

Jason Wu
This dress is delicious!

Gucci
Oh Gucci....so sexy and sultry, I love it.  It reminds me of a mermaid!

Lanvin
A little lingerie inspired attire...yes please!

Azzaro
This colour is so electric!  Who wouldn't turn their head if this outfit walked into a room!?

Alberta Ferretti, limited edition.
Just elegant!

Catherine Malandrino
Does this not look great paired with a jewel tone?!  Mmmmhmm.

Diane Von Furstenberg
Beautiful!

All photos via www.vogue.co.uk




Friday, 30 August 2013

Purples on Parade!

Happy Friday!  Since Monday is a holiday, we got half a day!  Yay!  It was a much needed one....I totally napped in the afternoon and caught up on my sleep!!  Oh but I wasn't just plain lazy...I also went to  the gym and the school to cut some bones.  I  mentioned in my last post that I'm making a lovely little purple number for mi amiga for a wedding and that this colour is one to look for!  The bride did well choosing this shade for her wedding; it's on the runways this fall/winter.  Purple is one of my favourite colours....all shades!!!  I especially love it paired with a delicious raspberry or a bold cobalt blue!  Even a nice emerald shade would be fun.  Putting bold colours together makes any outfit exciting.  It's especially fun on a rainy dull day to spice it up!

Stella McCartney
I do like a sweet grape colour

Versace
Dark and mysterious 

Zac Posen
I absolutely love this mans designs.  I hope my dresses will someday be just as great!  This dress is GORGEOUS!

Zac Posen
Again with the purples...he sure can dress a woman!

Victoria Beckham
Love the pop of colour.    Business dress doesn't have to be dull.  Something like this would make me want to go to work everyday just to pick out my outfit!

Vera Wang
She does like her dark colours.  Look at those lips!! This dress is adorable and sexy at the same time.
                         So, what are you waiting for?!  Go get a little something in a purple shade.
          
                                                               Have a great weekend :)

                                                     All photos via www.vogue.co.uk

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Dresses and Indy

  Helloooo!! This past weekend my main goal was to finish up the two dresses I've been working on for the show today!  Eeeeee!!   Another thing I'm working on is a fabulous bridesmaid dress for my beauty of a friend!!  It's a gorgeous purple colour with a lining that is just as delicious!   Anyone who knows me knows I usually always use fun fabric as a lining.  I believe garments should look great on the outside and the inside!   PS purple is a colour to look for this fall/winter!   Another thing I did was watch the Moto GP race!!  They've been on a nearly month long break and we were so excited for the race!   It was a pretty good race.  The best part was not even the three that made the podium...it was the three after them;  Rossi, Crutchlow and Bautista!  It later came down to just Rossi and Crutchlow and wow was it ever nice to watch some real race battles!   In the end Valentino came in fourth.  Funny thing is the turnout was almost just as I predicted!!!  Before the race I said to John, I think it's going to be Marquez, Lorenzo and Pedrosa and Rossi will get fourth....I said he would be very close....it was actually  Marquez, Pedrosa, Lorenzo then Rossi....sooooo I was almost right!! ( I based it on the practices and the fact that Rossi is not the biggest fan of this track...and it's considered a Honda track but hey ya never know! ) I told him, you just watch, Rossi is going to surge up the line!   He sure did!!  It was fantastic.  Like I said in my last post, Moto GP sort of inspired the two pieces for the show.   Don't expect leather and studs or anything like that.  It's a twist on feminine dresses...ok maybe some pyramid studs.  Why MotoGP as inspiration??  Well, inspiration can come from anything.  While I was trying to figure out what to make I had been watching a race.  When I went to fabricville I saw a checkered fabric that I had walked by numerous times and was drawn to it....I thought, yesss a race theme!!!  Also, when watching the races they have "Paddock Girl" that hold umbrellas over the racers as they wait to start.  I'm always checking out their outfits.  Some of them are questionable, some are not to my liking  while others a great.  I ususally like the Yamaha girls...they are tasteful and sweet!  These dresses I designed are something I would imagine on a paddock girl!  The style at least...I know they usually wear the colours of the bike company they represent.   The show went great!  I was very happy with how the dresses turned out.  I even had time to make some cute little change purses for my business cards.  The reception was great!  I always go into shows with a little bit of self doubt.    So, the reaction I got was more than I could imagine...people loved my designs.  They kept asking where my store was....it's in my house lol.  But it definitely made me realize how much I would love to have a store!   I even made the jewelry...from What On Earth of course but still 100% made by me.  Now, if only I could make shoes!!! Then we would have been dressed head to toe in my creations!  So, now that I have finished that project, I am on to my next ones, bridesmaid dresses.  Let's see if today got me any more business!!!!
The change purses I made to hold my business cards.  I got a little silver disc engraved at work, with my logo on it.  I did the engraving :)

Close up of the waist of one of my dresses.  I couldn't find any pyramid studs in the city.  My husband had an old studded belt that he never wore....mission accomplished.

Little bow with a stud on the second dress!

Photo via www.motogp.com
Paddock girls from this past race at Indianapolis Speedway.  They are my favourite outfits.  Love the  look and the silhouette.  

Photo via www.motogp.com
  I'm a sucker for a corseted dress!
Photo via www.valentinorossi.com
Best part of the whole race;  a battle between racers where one is in front then the other...just back and forth.  Loved it.  
My dresses!!!  I was happy with how they turned out :) There will hopefully be more photos to come.  There was a pro photographer there.   I also had a pretty heavy zipper in the back of both for the whole edgy/moto effect!