Oh So Cherrylicious!

My first outfit post of the year makes me think of this song.

But only because Bootylicious and Cherrylicious sound the same.... we could make up some lyrics that would work though!  How about:

I don't think you ready for this much Cherry

I don't think you ready for this much Cherry

I don't think you're ready for this

My outfits so Cherrylicious and so fab!

Thats enough singing for one day - time for some photos!
 

You see what I mean about Cherrylicious now right!  There are cherries on my outfit, in my hair (not that you can see them in this shot), on my shoes...

These are shoes by Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Shoes.

And before you all go looking for a pair to buy, they don't make them anymore.  They have become a bit of a collectors item and now sell for more second hand than they ever did new.  I got lucky thought and found a pair in my size that had only been worn once.  It was meant to be!!

... and on my bag...

How darling is this little vintage bag with plastic cherries on top!  Also one of those meant to be purchases.  I wasn't looking for it but it found me!

And here is the back of the outfit

Now, despite what it might look like, this isn't a dress.  Its actually a fully boned strapless top made from this pattern:

And a circle skirt made from a circle skirt pattern!  I thought this would make the outfit better and more wearable wardrobe wise.  I can wear the top with jeans or capris or a different skirt, and I can wear the skirt with other tops!  But today I chose to go to work (and to the uniform shop to buy new school uniform for my stepson) looking like this!  The only difference is I'm not carrying the bag... its adorable and all but WAY too small to carry everything around in.

And for those of you that are dog people, here is a pic of me and the ever adorable Stella!

And before you get grossed out, no I'm not actually kissing her.  I make kissy face and noises at her and she reaches out with her nose towards me.  Somehow I trained her not to lick me or touch me....  I think its more the noise she is fascinated by....

Anyway!  I have been making this outfit for a few weeks now in amongst cleaning and holidaying etc.  Its not the kind of outfit that everyone will want to wear but I love it!  Very over the top and very me.  The only thing its missing is some matchy-matchy Lucy Luxxe jewellery...I'll have to work on that!

What do you all think?  I'm crazy aren't I!

Beccie

xxx

Christmas Outfit No. 1 - The Poinsettia Dress

I made this first dress out of some lovely stripy poinsettia patterned vintage fabric I purchased.  I found it on Etsy and there was 7m of it, so I have plenty left over.

Its a very VERY light cotton and its a bit on the sheer side, but it definitely makes a lovely light summer dress.  And we all know what happens when I get a striped fabric...

I go a little mad running stripes every which way and have lots of fun matching seam lines!  And even though I was trying to sew four dresses in one weekend I wasn't going to let this opportunity escape me!

I made the dress using the bodice from my tropical print dress pattern that I drafted, just without the shirred back panels, cause honestly I just didn't have time.  I also adjusted it a little so the fit was a bit better around the bust

So it fits like a glove now!  Instead of the gathered skirt that I used on the tropical print dress, I used the full circle skirt pattern that made Renee's cherry skirt.  I really love the way that the stripes on the skirt are horizontal on the front and back, where the bodice is in a chevron pattern, and vertical on the sides where the bodice is horizontal.  It just all worked out so well!!

I also boned the bodice (6 bones in all - two in front, two in the sides, and two in the back) so it would support itself.  I just HATE hitching things up all day.  And instead of hemming the skirt, I finished it with matching green bias tape - 5 metres of it to be exact!

To follow with the poinsettia theme, I stole two off my tree and, with a little bit of help from my hot glue gun, I turned them into matchy-matchy hair clips!  Oh - and the earrings!!!  They are a vintage find and are actually painted shells.  There is also a matching sweater clip, but its too warm to be wearing a sweater here today :)

Anyway, I hope you love my first Christmas Dress!  This one is very conservative compared to the others.  As I said to someone this morning, we will be accelerating into crazy territory by the end of the week!

Beccie
xxx

So many CHERRIES!!!!

Recently a friend of mine, Renee (who is the talented lady behind Lucy Luxxe), posted a photo on Facebook of a vintage chapeau that she had purchased on Etsy.  A beautiful confection with pink and cream flowers, and leaves, and cherries!

Isn't it gorgeous!

I happened to comment that I have the perfect fabric in my stash to accompany the chapeau, and before I knew it I was making a circle skirt for her!

See - perfect!!!

Now, believe it or not, but I don't own a circle skirt pattern...  Never fear - Etsy to the rescue!!!

And happily its the correct size for me - about time!

So this is a full circle cut into four quarters, with a simple waistband.  The back of the envelope said I'd need 3 5/8 yards of fabric, and I had 3 metres... I thought it'd be pretty close, but I'd get away with it.  And I did, but not by much!

This is how much I almost didn't make it by!  Close call!!

The skirt was a really really easy sew - something you could totally make up and wear in an afternoon... apart from the fact that you need to let it hang for at least 24 hours before you hem it.  You see, because of the huge size of the pieces, some of it is cut on the bias, and the fabric stretches when gravity gets a hold of it.  If I was to hem it immediately and then hang  it in my wardrobe for a week, the hem would be all over the place!  You have to let the fabric stretch out where it wants to first.

After she knew she was going to have a totally awesome matchy-matchy outfit, Renee did exactly what I would do if I was her, and made a matchy-matchy Lucy Luxxe necklace!

Well I do do that, I just get her to make it for me!

So finally, here is Renee in her wonderfully matchy-matchy outfit, looking gorgeous!

The perfect matchy-matchy outfit!

I must say that there is only one problem with a full circle skirt...

The wind tends to get a hold of them REALLY EASILY! 

Renee has a menagerie on her property.  Meet her pony, Wizzy

Wizzy thinks he's a dog, and doesn't mind wearing hats 

I just love it when things come together and you can do something for a friend!  If you haven't already you should all go and check out Renee's Lucy Luxxe Facebook page and have a look at all the gorgeous things she makes.

Beccie

xxx