Sew What?

I got a sewing machine for Christmas, and I have been so busy dreaming about all the wonderful things I am going to create, I haven't actually gotten around to making any of them. But I will! I must! I will!

In all my plotting, I have become quite taken with this little gem of a site, Burda Style. There are tons of hip, easy patterns for everything from dresses to quilt tops to handbags to fleece ski masks, and a bunch of them are even free!

I am especially loving the Jenny Dress, which is actually four patterns in one! Three skirt variations and a dress!! There are not enough exclamation points in the world!!!













I am not quite confident enough to tackle it yet, but I think one of you should try it and let us know how it goes.

And tell us, what other patterns and projects are catching your eye these days?

The End of the Year As We Know It

The end of the year is fast approaching, my friends.

(Pause: am I the only one who is completely shocked by this? 2009, we hardly knew ye.)

In addition to my total and complete shock, this also means all sorts of "Best Of 2009" lists. And this year, we get an extra bonus with a litany of "Best of the Decade" lists as well.

(Wait, seriously? The end of the decade? What the what?!?)

I have been enjoying all kinds of merry list-making (hotties! movies! celebrity scandals!) but Entertainment Weekly's list of 20 Knockout Dresses of the '00s might be top of my list of favorite lists. (See what I did there?)

There were some well-known pieces, like Halle Berry's strategically appliqued Oscar dress...

... and Keira Knightley's diaphonous green gown from Atonement...

... but there were some lesser-known surprises as well. (Michelle Obama's colorful Democratic National Convention shift anyone?)

Check out the list for yourself and then come back and make one of your own.

Tell us, what were your Top Dresses of the Year? (Or the past 10 years, if you're feeling ambitious.)

Are You Having A Cute Day?

It was a little slow at work today (can I get a Hallelujah Chorus on that one?!?) so I spent some quality time with my friend, the Internet, and stumbled across this little gem: Have A Cute Day.

I love the premise of this site. Two (cute) sisters putting up pictures of the (cute) things they wear every day, and sprinkling in some advice and giveaways and how-tos on top. I have always thought it might be kind of fun to photograph what I wear every day, just to see how my own taste and style emerges. And I love seeing how other people put their favorite pieces together.

Most of all, I love the attitude of these sisters that fashion is for every day. High powered business meetings days, grocery store days, playing with your kids all day days. We can look cute on all of them!

Here are some of my favorites from the ladies of Have A Cute Day.










How about you, dear readers?
What are your go-to cute items?

Wedding Bell(a)

Because the Internet is a place where we do not judge each other, I feel totally comfortable and not at all embarassed telling you that I watched "Twilight" three times last weekend.

And then maybe I got on Stephenie Meyer's Web site and read a bunch of stuff there.

And then maybe I kept scouring the World Wide Web for any other "Twilight"-related tidbits.

Which might have led me to a feature from In Style Magazine, wherein well-known designers took a stab at designing Bella's wedding dress, based on a reference in the third novel, "Eclipse." No one has caught a glimpse of the real thing yet (real being a relative term, natch), but if I was Bella (oh, were that I were Bella!) I think I would be happy to walk down the aisle toward my dreamy vampire love in any one of these creations.

Check out the link (come on, you know you want to) and then tell us: Which dress do you think is best for the soon-to-be Mrs. Cullen?

And if it was you stepping into marital bliss, which dress would you pick for yourself?

Color Coded

How is everyone liking the Manhattan Line? (Imagine that I shouted that out, like the lead singer of the opening band shouting out, "How's everybody doing tonight?" It makes it more exciting.)

I, for one, am l-o-v-i-n-g it. The Manhattan Line, that is. I wore the Madison Ave houndstooth dress to work last week and my boss said I was looking "vogue." It was a good day.

Well, you better believe there is more where that came from (that being the Manhattan Line, of course) and we want your help putting the fabu in the next batch of fabulous dresses.

Below you'll find some new sketches from the Manhattan Line mama, Rebekah McKinney. Keep scrolling down and you'll see some color swatches as well. We want to know (pretty please with a cherry on top) which color (or colors) you like best for which design.

Ready?

Here we go.


{Fabulous Dress Number One}


{Fabulous Dress Number Two}



{Boiled Gray}


{Boiled Pink}


{Black and Gray Pinstripe}


{Brown, Pink and Black}


{Grey, Blue and Pink}


{Pink Plaid, One}


{Pink Plaid, Two}


It all looks pretty good, eh? Now just pop into the comments section and let us know what dress/color combo really gets you going. (In a family-friendly sort of way.) If you're lucky (in a family-friendly sort of way) your dream dress could be hitting the (virtual) shelf soon!

Frustration Station

Our very own Ms. Athelia is posting over at Dare to Dream today, daring to share some (fortunate) life frustrations that led her to a little venture called Shabby Apple.

Have you heard of it?

It's a great reminder that sometimes even bad things turn out to be good.

And now we want to turn your frustrations into something good, too! Just hop into the comments section and tell us about your biggest fashion frustration. Is it trying to find the perfect pair of jeans? Struggling to look professional and not lose your style soul? Contemplating accessories for hours? Let it all out, ladies!

(And if you've managed to solve your frustration somehow, we'd certainly love to hear about that, too.)

Simply leaving a comment instantly qualifies you to win a 90 Words Per Minute secretary dress, plus some accessories and style advice catered specifically to you.

Nothing frustrating about that!

Color Me Mine

Since you all did such a wonderful job choosing our bridesmaid dress designs, I have another favor to ask of you. Just a small one. Are you ready? Set?

Here we go.

All I need you to do this time is let us know what colors you would like to see those stunning bridesmaid dresses made in. Are you thinking of a sweet, flowered neckline in a buttery yellow? A bold plum for a striking keyhole neckline? A skirt flowing in soft lavendar? We want to hear all about it!

It's a little hard to see, but each swatch has a number, starting with the left-hand column and going down each column in order (so the swatches at the top of each column are 1, 6 and 11. Catch my drift?). Hop into the comments section and let us know what two or three colors tickle your fancy. And, if you want to match the colors to the specific bridesmaid dress designs, you can certainly do that, too.

Isn't this the best kind of coloring?

Can't wait to see what you come up with!