Thrift Flip: Robโ€™s Red Jumpsuit

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A few months ago, Rob and I were thrifting and he found this red jumpsuit. When he asked me if Iโ€™d be willing to alter it, I was a bit hesitant since there was quite a bit of work to be done.

Iโ€™m a nice wife and obviously said yes but OOOOF. This jumpsuit was a ton of work.

I had to… take in the legs, remove the waist band to take in the bodice, re-work the pockets and create a new pocket back, reattach the waistband, remove all of the reflective bands, take off the front pocket, take in the back seam, remove and replace back pockets, create a new arm hole, take in the sleeves, hem the sleeves, and finally, hem the pant legs. I think thatโ€™s it ๐Ÿ˜…

I have to say, it didnโ€™t turn out half bad! My boy loves it and I told him he has to wear it once a week until he dies ๐Ÿ˜‚

Good thing heโ€™s cute and I love him โค๏ธ

Would you take on this sort of project?!

Perfect Plaid

Sewing

I promise this is my last post about Simplicity Pattern 5582 for a little while at least ๐Ÿ˜‰

My Grandma gave me this black and white plaid fabric and I just love it so much! I will probably hoard this top forever since it reminds me of my Grandma every time I wear it. She’s a seamstress as well and it’s fun that we share a love for sewing!

I self drafted the bodice and used Simplicity Pattern 5582 for the sleeves (OF COURSE lol)! Instead of a sleeve band, I went for a 1/4″ elastic instead. I love the little puff it creates!

Vintage Scarf Headband Tutorial

Sewing, thrifting

I have a sliiiiiight obsession with headbands. They’re just the perfect finishing touch to an outfit. I also love vintage scarves and for years I’ve been tying them around my head as a headband. The only problem is that it can be a little bulky. Then one day I was just like, “I only ever wear these scarves as a headband, why don’t I just make them into headbands permanently?!” So I did! Follow along below and I’ll teach you the steps!

The great thing about this craft project is that I had all supplies on hand! So I didn’t spend a dime on making these.

Supplies:

This step is completely optional! I thought theses headbands might need some padding so I cut a strip of batting and added to the inside of the headband. Honestly, I could have done without this step! So skip it if you don’t feel like it’s necessary.

Cut a strip of scarf or fabric that is about 3″ wide and long enough to cover your headband. Once it’s cut, use your hot glue gun and attach the fabric to the headband. Since we’re going to be covering the top of the headband with more fabric, glue your fabric to the top side of your headband. The bottom of your headband should look smooth.

With the remainder of your fabric, fold it into a hot dog shape. You may need to fold it in a couple times to get your desired width (I definitely could have cut away some of this fabric. It’s up to you how thick you want your headband to be!).

Once you have your desired thickness, tie your fabric into a knot but leave the knot a little loose. Make sure your knot it centered and pull the headband through the loose knot.

Once you’ve found the middle of your headband, pull the ends of the knot to tighten it. Once tighten, glue each side of the headband down.

Trim off excess fabric but leave an inch or two at the bottom. You will then fold your sides in to create a taper.

I like to fold the back side piece in first and then glue it place. Repeat with the front piece and place it on top of your back side piece. Glue in place. Trim any excess fabric and finish your headband with some sort of trim. I had some bias tape on hand so I used that (I’ve also just used excess fabric as well!). Glue your trim around the end and fold in your edge to prevent fraying. Once your trim is on, you’ll have an opening at the bottom. Place glue inside the opening and press your trim together to close.

YAY! YOU ARE DONE! Plop that baby on your head!

I made a couple and plan on making more! Which one is your favorite?! PLEASE tag me if you end up making one! I would love to see it ๐Ÿ™‚

I’m definitely an Amy.

Sewing

While I was making this top, I watched the 2019 version of “Little Women” A LOT. I absolutely love it and have come to terms with the fact that I’m definitely an Amy. I’m creative, the youngest in my family, spunky, slightly selfish (lol), and determined. As much as I want to be any other March sister, Amy just fits.

I used Simplicity Pattern 5582 with some alterations. This is a dress pattern, so I only used the bodice pattern but added about 2 inches to the length. Skipped the collar as well and just went for a simply v-neck to match my inspiration photo. I should have made the neckline a little lower and I put the first button hole too high… but lessons for next time!

I couldn’t decide on a buttons, so I went to Instagram for help! The flat shiny buttons won by a landslide. The ball like buttons on the right are so fun! But I just didn’t know how well they would function. Both buttons are from my Great-Grandma’s stash. I have a huge cookie jar full of all of her buttons. Women in my family have been sewing for generations and it makes me so happy to be apart of that legacy.

The sad thing is that I washed this top recently and it SHRUNK LIKE CRAZY ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

I loved this top so much so I’ll just have to make it again! But maybe in a different fabric.

Quarantine Watch List

LIfestyle

I’ve been quarantined since March. If you know me, you know I love movies/tv shows! I’ve made my way through quite a bit of flicks so I thought I would share in case you’re looking for something to watch!

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Let’s start with complete garbage. After I watched Love is Blind (HIGHLY RECOMMEND), I felt a void in my life and I was trying to find another trash show to watch. This one is definitely a complete waste of time but alas I watched the entire series in one day. Basically the show is this: Throw attractive people on a beach and tell them they can’t be physical (no kissing, no sex. etc) and watch the fire burn.

It’s seriously so dumb. But also super entertaining. This one is a little raunchy so you’ve been warned.

ANNE WITH AN E (Seasons 1-3)

Now for some wholesome content! I was hesitant to watch this because I heard so many horrible reviews but it was SO SWEET! The story line is heartfelt and pure and you find yourself rooting for Anne and being annoyed with her all at the same time.

Also, the cinematography is STUNNING! I read an article that they’re not creating any more seasons and I’m so sad. Goodbye Anne!

QUEER EYE SEASON 5

I feel like this show needs no explanation. It’s feel good. Every episode makes me cry. I just want JVN as my best friend and Bobby to design my entire house.

If you haven’t watched this show, DO IT BABY. There are 5 seasons on Netflix and then also a season where they go to Japan! It’s soooo good.

THE POLITICIAN (Seasons 1-2)

My obsession with Ben Platt is through the roof.

This show is witty, charming, dark, funny, playful, and weird. I watched the first season in one day and then paced myself with the second season.

If you watch it, let me know how you feel! I personally loved it.

POSE (Seasons 1-2)

My friend introduced me to this show and I can’t recommend it enough if you want to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, the start of “vogueing”, and the devastating truth of HIV/AIDS in the 80’s. It’s raw and beautiful but also heartbreaking. I didn’t understand the struggle of being a trans woman until this show. My eyes and heart are truly more open because of this show. They also cast real Trans Women to play the characters which is a huge win in my book! Representation matters. There is some nudity so if you are sensitive to that, I would not watch.

SWEET MAGNOLIAS

If you’re looking for a Hallmarky tv show where the actors aren’t very good but you get sucked in and want to know what happens… this is the show for you lol

I watched Reba growing up and the actress that plays Cheyenne is the main character of this show. It’s light hearted and cute but not like the best show you’re ever going to watch.

HOLLYWOOD

This show was really fun! I’m a sucker for costumes and they DELIEVER!!! I found myself just drooling over the fashion in 1947. Deifnintely appealing to my old soul.

Basically this show follows the life of up and coming actors and how they get their start in showbiz. This one is NOT for young eyes fyi!

MISS AMERICANA

I love Taylor Swift and I’m not even ashamed a little. I love documentatires because I feel like the curtain gets pulled back and we get to see people as they really are.

If you’re a Swifty, I’m sure you’ve seen it. But watch if you haven’t!

NEVER HAVE I EVER

I will watch anything that Mindy Kaling creates. This show is straight up cheeky and cute. It’s definitely a teen drama but had me giggling one second and crying the next. The show centers around the main character who is in high school and then her mom and cousin. It reminds me a lot of the movie ‘Easy A’. So if you liked that movie, I think you’ll love this show! Rob watched this one with and even thought it was good!

BEN PLATT LIVE FROM RADIO CITY

I told ya that I loved Ben Platt! This was so fun to watch. Ben is adorable and sweet and so freaking charming. He gives a lot of story and context to his songs and I loved learning more about the songs I love. Highly recommend if you’re a Ben Platt fan!

DEAD TO ME (Seasons 1-2)

OOF. This one is kind of heavy. A LOT going on in this one but if you like murder mysteries, complicated characters, emotional story lines, and dark humor, this one is for you! Rob and I watched Season 1 & 2 over a couple days and it sucks you right in.

Linda Cardellini is in it and her character is so frustrating and cute and dumb and sweet and you just want her to be happy. I loved her in Freaks and Geeks (another show to binge if you haven’t seen it!) so it’s fun seeing her in this. James Marsden is also in this and HUBBA HUBBA BABY. If you only watch it for him, I truly understand and support you.

TIGER KING

Allllright. If you haven’t seen this, are you living under a rock? This documentary is straight up bonkers. Insane. Unbelievable. I had a group chat with a couple co-workers and we just sent Tiger King memes back and forth to each other for at least a month straight. It’s extremely entertaining but also really dark at the same time. There is some animal abuse (which is so hard to watch!) so do beware. But for the most part you’ll just be shacking your head and questioning your sanity for watching this show.

UNORTHODOX

This mini series is SO GOOD! It’s based on the true story of a young woman who flees her Jewish community in New York and runs away to Berlin. It’s vulnerable and raw and beautifully written. I love learning about different cultures and religions and this show had be googling and researching so much afterwards. I think we all can relate to this show in some way. It’s all about finding your own path and doing what you feel is right in your heart.

We also watched the ‘Making of Unorthodox” and that was just as interesting!

DISCLOSURE

Stealing this description straight from Wikipedia, “The film follows an in-depth look at Hollywood’s depiction of transgender people and the impact of their stories on transgender lives and American culture.”

As someone who wants to be seen as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, it’s important to me to learn more and be educated about their lives and struggles. This documentary is POWERFUL. If you watch anything on this list, make it this one!

THE DEATH AND LIFE OF MARSHA P. JOHNSON

Marsha P. Johnson was a trans woman who was found flating in the Hudson River in 1992. It was originally ruled a suicide but many believed she was murdered. This doc follows the story line to try and uncover the truth. Super interesting and honestly so sad.

Okay wow. There ya go! This only covers the tv/docs that I watched. I might need to make a separate one for movies ๐Ÿ™‚

Puff Sleeve Dreams

Sewing, thrifting

Swooooon! The top that started my obsession with puff sleeves. This top took a little trial and error to get it right. The top is self drafted and took three times to get juuuuust right. The sleeves are Simplicity 5582 and you will see these sleeves at least 100 more times. I’m obsessed with this pattern and love a puff sleeve so much!

The fabric is thrifted and I paid no more than $5 for it. My favorite way to source fabric is thrifting it! So much cheaper than going to Joann’s or finding something online. The dainty floral is so gorgeous and makes every outfit feel more put together.

Get ready for two more posts where I use these sewing patterns! Obsession doesn’t even cover my love for this sleeve sewing pattern.

Summer Set

Sewing

This is one of those times where I should have ironed a little better before taking pictures (insert face palm). Ooh well!

I’m not a summer girl. I’m a 60 degrees year round kind of gal. Shorts are not my favorite and you’ll never catch me in a pair of flip flops EVER. If I could live somewhere that was fall year round, I would in a heartbeat!

Luckily in the PNW, summers are pretty mild. We’ll have 2-3 months of heat and then it’s back to my preferred gloomy weather.

With that being said, I have been on the look out for some summer clothes. But I could not find anything that I liked. I ordered a couple shorts from target and they were all too big so I returned them and ordered the next size down and those didn’t work out either. Shopping can be such a headache sometimes.

I decided to make a couple outfits for this summer after failing to find anything off the hanger. I thrifted this purple polka dot fabric a few years ago and it felt perfect for a summer set! I think I paid around $6 for all of the fabric and there was at least 7 yards.

I used McCall’s 6801 for the shorts pattern with a lot of alterations. This pattern does not have side seams and I wanted to add pockets so I ended up adding seam allowance to the sides and cutting the pattern in half so it had a front and back piece. I used a 2″ elastic waistband and shortened short length as well by an inch or two.

The top is just a self drafted bodice. The sleeves are Simplicity 5582 and I LOVE this pattern. It makes the perfect puff’d sleeve. I’ve used this pattern about 5 times now and I won’t stop! That’s how great it is.

This little set is basically wearing pajamas out and I’m totally okay with that ๐Ÿ˜‰

Living Room Refresh

Home Decor

We’ve had our sweet doggy Juniper for about a year and a half now. And while we freaking LOVE her, she ruined out previous couch. It was a loose weave fabric and when June was a little pup she would jump up on the couch and her little claws would pull fabric every time.

I tried to live with it for as long as possible but it got to the point where the couch was just disgusting and it HAD TO GO! Byeeeee!

I had been eyeing the Karlstad couch from IKEA for awhile. Our friends have it and it’s so comfy and I love that you can remove the covers and wash them! The only problem was that the cover only came in one color (a very light blue) and it just did not flow with my design aesthetics.

I did find an Etsy shop that made custom covers for IKEA couches but I couldn’t justify spending the $400 on a new Karlstadt couch and then another $300 on a couch cover.

But then the Facebook Marketplace heavens opened and I found a used Karlstad! I messaged the seller to fast and Rob and I ran to grab it the next day for $150.

I ordered the cover from PetbitatStudio on Etsy. Before ordering the cover, I did order some samples first. The samples litterally got here from Hong Kong in one day! Insane shipping. Once I nailed down what cover I wanted, once I ordered it took about month to get to our door.

100000% worth it. I love the new cover and the total cost for a new to us couch was about $450. Not too shabby at all!

Whooops! Need to fix the rug hehe
These fresh peonies are giving me life!
Couch cover is definitively approved by June ๐Ÿ™‚

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