Apologies.......Changes

Hi All,

It's been well over 2 months since my last blog post!!! so I apologise for that. I even missed my own blogging birthday!!!

So much has happened in my personal life that I felt I had to take a break from alot of things to focus and get my head together.

At the moment I am no longer working full time. My boss decided she couldn't handle trying to run two businesses simultaneously and decided, unfortunately to cease the fashion business that I was working with her on.

My first priority on learning this was going to happen was to put my portfolio together and if you have ever had to do this, you know it takes a while to get it to the stage where you are really happy with it. Although I got it done, I didn't want to apply for another job straightaway, but instead I have decided to use the holiday time to rest, plan and organise some things while I have the time to do so. I have included a few pages from my portfolio to share with you.

I am thinking of re introducing Womenswear back into my Etsy shop, but I am looking at the best way to do it. I didn't relist the items when the listings expired, as I felt the items were a little Summer in style and fabric and due to making the bridesmaid dresses, was unable to make any new styles to add in. Womenswear has always been the thing that I like to make best and I guess I find it really easy because it is the thing I also do in my full time job.
I also have been getting alot of comments from friends and random strangers lately on the vintage dresses I have been wearing out to various functions, so another idea is to perhaps introduce a vintage element into my Etsy shop also or even as another side line - I 'm not entirely sure. See, this is what happens when you come out of working fulltime, you suddenly see things differently and you seem to have lots of ideas springing into your head!

Will keep you posted on everything.

Have a great evening. X

Back On Track

After a long absence, I am back! As I mentioned before, I had a mega wedding i was making the dresses for and was so busy. That is all over and done and although I am in the middle of doing another wedding for the end of September, it's only 5 dresses and 4 cravats and handkerchiefs, so I am less stressed about it.

Here are some images of the dress in progress. I am waiting to get some official photographs from the bride which will show all of the bridesmaid dresses also.

The bride decided she wanted to wear Gold instead of white, ivory or cream. The bridesmaid dresses were in dark chocolate satin with a gold and cream sash. I also made a netted hooped underskirt with a train to give the dress a little body.

The fabric for the bride's dress was douppion and the bridesmaid dresses were in crepe back satin.


Have a great morning. X

Apologies......

So sorry that I have been out of action in posting for so long! My mega wedding took place on Saturday and despite the fact that I still have one more wedding to do for September, I am feeling really relieved to have acomplished it. 8 bridesmaid dresses, plus the brides dress! Pictures will be posted soon.

In the meantime, have a great Monday! X

Race For Life

Hey...It's been a long time since I last blogged!!!!

I'm still in the process of making my 9 bridemaid dresses and the brides dress - pictures of work in progress to follow soon. This is basically what has been taking up my time. I have finished sewing the brides dress and have started on the hand embellishment. The bridesmaids dresses have all been fitted (apart from 3 coming from the US in the next few weeks) and I need to do the alterations for them and then line them. I have taken Friday and Monday off as part of my annual leave so I can complete them entirely.

I am taking part in the Race For Life 5k Walk, Jog, Run which is taking part on 31st July. I know so many people who, in one way or another, has been affected by cancer and having always made donations to others doing this and to the charity direct, I felt this year, I wanted to take part in the run and raise money myself.

I have started jogging in the mornings before I go to work in preparation. I am so looking forward to doing it and raising money for such a worthwile cause!

Have a great day!!! Xx

Sale Shopping

With all my current attention on making the 9 bridesmaid and the bride's dress for the wedding in August, I thought I truly deserved a break from all the pattern making and sewing!!!

A little trip to Net a porter revealed they, like many other Internet shopping sites and high street companies have just started their sale, so here are a few items I am currently considering to purchase before they are sold out! (All pictures from Net a Porter.com).

On another note, I have had to fit in making my niece a dress for her prom (I promised I would) which I intend to sew today during my lunch break at work. It has to be finished for the 1st July!

The sun has finally decided to make an appearance in London! So it's been great to be able to finally wear some of the Summer clothing that has been shelved for most of the year along with new purchases from
The Outnet and a few other high street brands!

Have a lovely day! X

First Treasury Post!!!

I am very happy today as I have just been notified that I have been included in a treasury by Etsy seller Cooljane - http://www.cooljane.etsy.com/.
The item is in the third row from the top, the end picture of my blythe baseball print dress.

Thanks so much Cooljane, it is highly appreciated!

Have a lovely day! X

Apologies......

I have to apologise for the severe lack of blogging and updates.

This is due to a few reasons: firstly, my home PC has been completely out of action and unfortunately it houses all my pictures for my blogs and I have been unable to retrieve them.
Secondly I am in the process of making a wedding dress alongside 9 bridesmaid dresses for a wedding the beginning of August and for reasons beyond my control, have just been able to measure all the bridesmaids and thirdly, I am super, super busy at work, as we are expanding the business.
With all this going on it has been very difficult to fit anything else in!

In the meantime, whilst waiting for my PC to be fixed,  I have been retaking photo's of things I wanted to share, so I have plenty to blog about.

Just to share a quickie with you.....with the sun deciding to come out in London today, here are some ridiculously nice summer tops I have my eye on getting. Photo's from Net A Porter.com.

Have a lovely evening. X

Blythe Handmade Clothes - a set on Flickr

At last, I have finally added some of the Blythe clothes I made!!! They are now on Etsy, so spread the word!!!


Blythe Handmade Clothes - a set on Flickr


Have a lovely evening. X

Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Review

During the Easter weekend, my husband and I went to see the Tenessee Williams play Cat On A Hot Tin Roof  showing at the Novello Theatre in London.
I was really looking forward to it, as it was the first time an all black cast had been selected for all the roles and included in that cast was my friends' daughter (although, unfortunately, the day we booked, she wasn't scheduled in).

The play is about the Pollit family. The main focus is on the turbulent relationship of the husband Brick (played by British actor Adrian Lester) and Maggie (The Cat, played by the brilliant Saana Lathan) and their interaction with the other members of the family over the course of a weekend.

Big Daddy (played by the wonderful James Earl Jones) is a millionaire and celebrating his 65th birthday.
He doesn't know - but his family does - that he is dying of cancer and his two daughter in laws are clamouring for their husbands share of the family legacy.

Brick - Big Daddy's favourite, is a former sports star and  has turned to drink to escape from the 'mendacity' he sees surrounding him and also mourning the death of his best friend Skipper. Maggie is craving for his attention and is also frustrated at his lack of enthusiasm to claim his rightful share of Big Daddy's inheritance.

After watching this play, both my hubby and I felt as though we had been on an emotional obstacle course.  The play captured the complexity of each of the characters and their failure to build and maintain relationships. It was really powerful in depicting moral crisis.

Acting commendations have to go to James Earl Jones and Saana Lathan. Both portrayed the characters brilliantly and in my opinion carried the play at times. Their stage presence was awesome - I couldn't keep my eyes off them!

The acting was brilliant - from start to finish it was very gripping viewing. There were a few humourous lines threaded throughout the production which bought a little dark humour in the mix.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and my only critisism would be that I felt it was a tad long, but I would definately reccomend it to anyone.

Have a lovely day! X

New Flats

I'm always on the lookout for flat shoes that I can wear for my journey to work on the tube. I have a number of high heeled shoes and boots that I keep at the office for when I have meetings etc that I change into when I get to work.

I have never been able to wear trainers (sneakers) for my commute, as far as I am concerned trainers should remain the preferred choice of footwear for working out and nothing else!

Last week on my way home, I stopped in Zara to have a look at their new collection and came across the perfect pair for my needs. I was looking for a ballet pump style flat but with an ankle strap.

They are in light beige suede, although the pictures look like light grey, with multiple straps and have an antique gold embellishment and a zip in the back to fasten. Lovely!! I tried them on and they looked and felt great.
I actually wore them on Friday night to a party and I have them on at the moment, wearing them with black harem pants, a cream embellished tunic and a military jacket. What is also great about these is that they can be worn with dresses and skirts - truly versatile!!!

Here are some others I found on Net a Porter  that I am also considering. The grey at the top is Chloe, the printed pair Charlotte Olympian and the grey strappy wooden heel, Alexander Wang.

Pictures from Net a Porter

Have a lovely day! X

Work In Progress

I think I have mentioned before that I tend to work on several things at once. At the moment I am desperately trying to make, photograph and upload more items for my Etsy shop. I have lots of ideas swimming around my head, but I don't seem to have enough time in the evening to get them all completed.

Having sold the only Tasha banded dress I made for my Etsy shop, I am now making an emerald green one. I didn't have any more of the same black fabric, so I decided as it was now getting warmer, it would be a better idea to make it in a colour. I could have bought some more standard black jersey and remake it, but part of my policy at the moment is to use the mountain of fabric I have collected over the years instead of buying anymore new ones.

I'm glad I am making this in a colour now as you can see alot more of the detail and style in this colour than in the original black version. To complete this dress, it needs the sleeves to be attached and the hems to be done.

It is a really versatile dress. It can be worn as a top or mini dress with leggings or jeans or as a regular short dress with tights in Winter or bare legs in Summer. I have worn my all throughout Winter with a long sleeve sweater or a cardigan and opaque tights and shall certainly continue to wear it in Summer.

Apart from making Etsy things, I have been commissioned for another brides dress. I will be holding an initial consultation this evening and will keep you posted on my progress.

Have a lovely evening. X

Easter Spa Break

All photos by K West


I hope you all had a lovely Easter break! My husband and I decided to go away for a mini spa break at a hotel in London called the K West Spa Hotel. We checked in on Friday and stayed until Monday.

The Friday evening, we went to see a play: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Written by Tenessee Williams, Directed by Debbie Allen - review to follow soon.

Whilst the hotel is lovely, the actual location - Shepherds Bush, is not great. The surrounding area is quite residential and is surrounded by high street shops. There is however, one of the greatest shopping malls ever built in London Westfield, just located 5 mins away - shopping heaven as it is filled with fashion shops (designer and High Street), homeware shops, restaurants. and a cinema!

We have stayed at this hotel a few times before and what we really like about it is the Spa. It had recently undergone a refurbishment, so we wanted to see what it was like and it didn't disappoint. Considering it was a bank holiday weekend, the Spa was pretty quiet. At one point we had the whole spa to ourselves!

Part of their refurbishment was the installation of a snow room (read more about it on their wesbsite). This snow room has replaced the plunge pool which use to be located in the centre of the Spa. The hydo pool sits in this area now. Naturally, I had to try it! It was bliss and I actually prefer it to a plunge pool. In this snow room, you are able to stand in the snow for longer than you would stay in a plunge pool, it was a really great experience!

Have a lovely rest of day. X

Second Etsy Sale

I've had a seriously busy weekend. Friday afternoon and evening I was doing some running around with my mother in law, Saturday was my brother in law's engagement party in Birmingham (Congrats again, Sanil and Rittu) and Sunday I was supposed to be singing at church in the evening but was unable to make it because I wasn't feeling too well.

In the midst of all of this, I made my second Etsy sale. (woo hoo)!! I know to some making 2 sales is nothing compared to alot of others on Etsy, but it never ceases to amaze me that despite all the other talented sellers on Etsy, someone saw one of my items and thought it worthy enough to buy.
It is for my Tasha Banded Dress in black. Which can be seen here.

I have some more Etsy items that I made a while ago, that I will hopefully be listing in the next few weeks.

On another note, I have been commissioned for 2 more weddings., in August and Spetember. For the one in August, I will be making the brides dress and her bridesmaids dresses and for the other in September, I will be making just the bridesmaids and the groomsmen cravats. I will keep you posted on the progress of these.

My kitchen and bathroom have been completed finally. I need to now move everything back in their place and will post pictures shortly. The thing is, now we have done those two rooms, we are now looking at re painting the lounge and the bedroom! Isn't it  funny how that always seems to happen?
Have a lovely day. X

Work Tshirts

Photo Credit: Net A Porter.com

Grey top left: Alice and Olivia, White with bows: Red Valentino, White Bib: Haute Hippie, Grey bows: Red Valentino.




My office at work is always hot - it is south facing, at the side of the building and has two very large windows - I love my office as it always has amazing light! Because of this, I am always on the look out for tshirts that I can wear to work. I don't really go for plain tshirts, but like them to have some kind of detail, embellishment or something that takes it beyond just being a plain tshirt.

I came across these at Net A Porter.com. I love Net A Porter. Here in London, you can get same day delivery from them - now that is great service! I usually find myself looking at their new lines religiously every Wednesday as this is when they have their new lines and it never ceases to amaze me just how quickly some items are sold out.

Have a great day! X

Kitchen Before Pictures

Here are some before pictures of my kitchen. The walls are stripped of all the tiles which use to be plain white and the cupboards have been removed which were a pale blue wood. The work surfaces was a bluey grey marble.

This room is nearly completed. It should be finished by the end of this week.
For the last week and a half , I have found it difficult to cook (and I cook on average around 5 days a week - I love cooking!) as all the crockery, cutlery, pots and cooking utensils have all been put away in boxes housed in the lounge and I have forgotten where things have been put! We have had more takeways because of this.
After pictures to follow soon.
Have a lovely Sunday! X

The Bathroom Before Pictures

As you can see, these are the before pictures of the bathroom.

The workmen had taken off the tiles from the walls, taken up the floor tiles and replaced the bathroom suite. Believe it or no, this is the new suite!

I will post after pictures once I have moved the furniture and accessories back.

Have a lovely evening! X

Just A Quickie

I have been unable to blog as often as I have wanted this week - lot's happening!!

Firstly I am busy at work as the opening of our Lifestyle Shop occurs in two months time and secondly, we are having some major building work done at home.

By major, I mean complete rewiring, new bathroom, new kitchen, new radiators, new windows and doors!! Phew!!
As you can imagine, there is so much mess and clutter- the bathroom things are living in the bedroom at the moment and the kitchen things in the lounge! It has however inspired me to start looking for some long overdue new homeware accessories such as towels, storage items, candles etc.

Hopefully, the majority of the work will be completed next week.
I will post the before pic's when I get in from work today.

Having lunch of chilli and pumpkin soup and bread while typing this at work!

Have a great day. X

Sketchbook Pages

Ever since I started at Fashion College, I have always kept a sketchbook. I have to make sure I have it in my bag everyday as like many other creative people, I can get inspired at any time!

Travelling on the tube daily to and from work, I am often inspired by people I see; the way they style themselves, the colours they are wearing or even some small detail.

I thought I would share some pages from my current sketchbook with you. As you can see, lately I have been inspired by embellishment on dresses, tunics and kaftan's, ruffles and pleat combinations.

On a side note, I bought a crystal bowl today which I will use to put my everyday jewellery in. It was an absolute bargain £1 ($1.50), bought from my local charity shop - and yes, it is real crystal!

Have a lovely evening. X

Vintage Knitting book

Knitted Scarecrow on the front cover
I love these penguins. I especially like the attention to detail in items like the skis, hats, scarves and the backpack. There are knit instructions for these items too.

These are fun individual items that can be knitted and given as gifts, depending on what sort of things your friends and family are into, these can easily be adapted to say a chef's outfit for a friend who likes cooking. Again great attention to detail - loving the little painter and the cowboy!

A great Topsy turvy doll!

Cute miniature animals. Loving the bees and the ladybird!

I am having some major refurbishment done to my home at the moment which I will blog about at a later date. My dad is overseeing all the work but had an appointment today and as someone needed to be at home all day from 8am, I decided to work from home.

After 6 hours of drilling, banging and sawing, they completed what they needed to do for today.

I decided I needed some fresh air after being couped up for so long and ended up taking a trip to my local charity shop.

I was on the look out for some vintage jewellery boxes as amid packing everything away, it has occurred to me that I need better storage for my jewellery and just though getting vintage ones would be great.

Unfortunately, I didn't find any jewellery boxes but in the book section, came across a really great vintage book called Knitted Toys by Jean Greenhowe.

I remember as a girl my mum giving me a knitted doll as a present and I loved it - I still have it but it is kept at my mum's house and all my nieces have had the pleasure of playing with her. She is well over 20 years old now!!!!

Anyway, this book has some really lovely knitted dolls and toys as well as Christmas decorations. The instructions are pretty straightforward even for a beginner.

I love the little animals especially. I will be hopefully making some of these as presents.

Have a lovely evening. X

Accessory shopping

From Warehouse £12. I absolutely love this! The picture doesn't show too clear but the brown is actually a fine cord threaded through the chain. I love the antique gold colour mixed with the brown.

From H & M £2.99 each set - I didn't realise until I got home that I picked up 2 sets! I don't mind as I usually wear lots of different bangles or bracelets together. The colours with the silver is so stunning!

H & M £1.99 - I love the simplicity of this piece. A great everyday piece to "pretty up" a plain outfit.

H & M £1.99. I'm not too matchy when it come to accessorizing an outfit but I do sometimes like to throw in an unexpected colour element and these studs are perfect for doing that.

H & M £2.99. I love the copper colour of these and the fact that the graduated edges are all flattened! I will wear these alot!

I just thought I'd share some of my recent accessory buys. I noticed recently that I hadn't bought any accessories that were not going to be part of an outfit, so I decided to go and see what was out there.

Unlike clothes shopping, I tend to buy accessories that I like then and there as I know from experience when I haven't done that and then later decide to go back for it, the item is not available anymore.

Much like clothes, I buy jewellery and accessories from all over the place - from thrift shops to designer.

Have a lovely Saturday!

X

Thrift shopping

I am the type of dresser who wears anything from designer clothes, high street buys to thrift shop finds.

I think true style isn't following any fashion trends but looking at those trends and making it truly your own by mixing it with a few unexpected pieces that signify your own personal style.

With this in mind, I had been told about a shop here in London called The Brick Lane Thrift Store, and had been meaning to visit to for ages. I happen to be working from home today and don't live a million miles away, so when I came to a natural break in my work, I decided to go and get some fresh air and take a trip there.

It was worth the visit. They have a really good stock of clothes and with alot of the pieces going for £10 ($15), you are certainly guaranteed not to break the bank.

Most of the dresses I wanted unfortunately were too big and I didn't love them enough to want to buy them and then alter them myself.

As I was about to leave, I spotted a huge display of scarves and after a little rummage came across this absolutely adorable silk printed scarf with doves on it. I couldn't resist as it was only £5 ($7). I intend to wear it over dresses, tshirts, knitwear and even as a headscarf in the summer!

Have a lovely evening. X

R.I.P Lee Alexander McQueen

I am still in shock.

I found out yesterday afternoon that Lee Alexander McQueen had committed suicide.

The fashion industry has certainly lost one of it's shining stars and regardless of whether you loved or hated his work, no one can argue that he was an enormously creative and talented designer, who wasn't afraid to push boundaries.

RIP Lee.

First Etsy Sale!!!!!

Just a quick entry to let you all know that I made my very first etsy sale on Sunday!!! (running around jumping and clapping)!! Yay to me!!!



It was for the cowl neck metallic knit scarf I wrote about a few months ago. You can see it here.

For the last few weeks I have been making some more things to put in my Etsy shop including the Blythe clothes I mentioned before. Hopefully I will post the pic's of them over the weekend or early next week.

Here's to many more Etsy sales!!!


Have a lovely evening
X

She's Arrived!!!!

How she came packaged

Out of the box

Cute accessories

The postman delivered a very special package today......yes, my Blythe doll has arrived!!!!

I was soooo excited, I actually woke up early in anticipation, sad but true!

She is absolutely lovely , which is quite fitting as her name is Lounging Lovely. At the moment I am thinking about what her name should be, but I have decided when I have made some clothes for her, I will see what name fits best.

I have taken some quick snaps of her and the additional things which she came with.

My hubby was not impressed by her, something I think I'll have to work on as I am thinking about my next Blythe doll already!!!!

I'm off to some fabrics shops to buy some additional fabrics and trims for my Blythe clothes.

Have a lovely Saturday. X

Entering "Blythe World"

I always have scraps of fabric left over from the various sewing projects I undertake.

Whilst having a conversation with one of my student placements in regards to this, she suggested that I could make doll's clothes if any of the fabrics were suitable - namely clothes for Blythe dolls. I have made doll clothes in the past, but it was a very, very long time ago.

Now, if you have never heard of Blythe, check out http://www.thisisblythe.com/, It explains everything about how Blythe started to present day.

Anyway, I personally have always wanted a Blythe doll or two.... or three and so took up the challenge.

I firstly had a rummage into my fabric archives and to no surprise found so many pieces of fabric that would be ideal for doll clothes. Pictured are some of the fabric and trimmings I found.

I haven't started making anything yet, I have been making patterns and getting my head around sewing in a slightly different way as well as handling smaller notions etc, but I must admit I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge. I will post pictures once I start making things.

On the Blythe doll front, I am waiting for my first doll to be delivered this weekend and again, will post pic's when she arrives - I cannot wait!!!!

Have a lovely evening. X

Knitted Cowl

The current weather in London has inspired me to take up my knitting needles and knit myself some new things.

I bought 2 balls of Como by Debbie Bliss, which is a superchunky weight, in a lovely pale blue/light grey colour a long while ago, but I was undecided in what I wanted to knit, so it was just left in a bag in my sewing room until now.

It is 90% merino wool and 10% cashmere and I have started knitted a very simple neckwarmer/cowl to keep me warm during this cold spell.

Have a lovely evening. X

Wedding Outfit 2

Here are the pictures for my second wedding commission.

The wedding is on Saturday and we are due to have more snow, so I know the wedding photo's will be really pretty.

I made an outfit for the Mother Of The Bride and I also made the Groom's waistcoat and cravats and ties for the page boys and escorts.

The mother Of The Bride outfit was designed by myself and the Mother. It is made in a really vivid lime green silk douppion. The jacket is shaped like a riding jacket with it longer on the back and shorter on the front. We decided to put the beading on the back at the vent although the obvious place to put it would have been on the lapels, I wanted to do something less obvious. The sleeves are a bell shape.

The dress has an empire line with a sash. the embellishment is on the ends of the sash and around the sleeves. The bottom half of the sleeves is made in chiffon. The shape of the dress is very fitted with the skirt section being almost like a hobble skirt - it looks really great on.

I was also asked to decorate the feathered hair band she will be wearing to incorporate the lime colourway as she wasn't keen on wear plain black with the outfit. (This is the last picture).

I used regular lime seed beads and Swarovski crystals squares for the embellishment which is featured around the dress sleeves, on the sash ends and on the back of the jacket.

The Groom's waistcoat is made in the same silk douppion but in violet with a lining of silver, covered marigold buttons and silver back buckle.

Let me know what you think.

Have a great evening. X

Snow Pictures

We had some snow before Christmas and last night there was more snow.

Unfortunately, because we do not have snow on a regular basis here, it is utter chaos in terms of getting around in London via public transport or driving.

Fortunately for me, I had a Doctor's and a hospital appointment which meant that I worked from home yesterday and today and so missed out all the problems. Many of my friends and family have left work early today just so they can get home at a decent time.

Here are some pictures I took last night when the snow first started falling and this morning. They were taken from an upstairs bedroom.

Have a great evening. X

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year to you all!!!!! I wish you all good health, happiness, love, joy and peace and all God's eternal blessings!!!

A new year is always full of new experiences, challenges and opportunities!!!

I was ill just before and during Christmas so I was unable to do any blogging. I had flu, and for the first time in many , many years I was confined to my bed for several days straight.

I am feeling much better now and I return to work tomorrow.

I don't normally make any new year's resolutions as such, instead I have a long list of things I'd like to do.
Included in my list this year is to make the time to visit more museums and exhibitions, learn to play the guitar and concentrate on growing my Etsy business.

Have a great rest of weekend

X