Aiguo East Road from J-Doll

The J-Doll dressed in a wedding dress.

VIA The Bride Doll

Kiss Nail Dress

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've posted - I've been keeping busy! Today I want to talk about my experience with the Kiss Nail Dress kit that I received in my Love VoxBox from Influenster! I received this product complimentary, for testing and review purposes, and I'm absolutely thrilled to share with you!

Kiss Nail Dress kits equal "ultimate fashion for tips and toes!" I adored the sparkly, animal-print pattern I received, called Bodysuit. Applying these nail stickers could NOT be easier:

1. Peel the sticker off the backing
2. Line up the sticker on your nail
3. Smooth down, watching for bumps or air bubbles
4. Fold over the excess
5. File!

I had so much fun applying these nails one night when my friends were hanging out in my apartment. They laughed at my exclamations of "Wow!" and "This is so easy!" Sure, the pattern was not something I would normally gravitate to, but I ended up loving it!

According to Kiss: With 28 strips in each package, you can cut up your extras to create designs that can be used on top of polished or artificial nails. Nail Dress doesn’t dry out the way other polish strips can, so you can save them to use on your next DIY mani. A nail design booklet is included in each package, just in case you need a little inspiration.

I kept my nails dressed for over a week - that means multiple showers, hand-washings, etc. They stayed perfect the whole time! I'm looking forward to trying other Kiss Nail Dress styles (with 18 different patterns, the possibilities are endless!). They can be purchased in major chain drugstores and mass retailers like WalMart, CVS, and Walgreens, and they cost around $6.99.

Thanks to Influenster and Kiss for sending this wonderful product my way! I was lucky enough to be able to attend NYFW for the first time this year (eek), and my experience was definitely incredible. From the street style photographers everywhere outside Lincoln Center ready to shoot you when you walk out, to the crazy amazing designs inside the shows, I had a blast. For those of you who didn't get the opportunity to attend, here's a recap of some of my favorite shows.

VIA Kiss Nail Dress from Influenster

Nicole Richie | Marie Claire

Ever since a Free People opened in NYC, I've become the overbearing girlfriend and/or crazy ex-girlfriend of the shopping world. Luckily, I'm pretty sure that if I keep spending money every time I go in, I won't have to worry about a restraining order. But, honestly, can you even blame me with accessories like these? I think not.

Cuffed

So, it looks like I'm going to be held hostage at my job for the rest of the week. Now, if only figurative handcuffs looked like this, being chained to my desk would probably suck a little less.

Walking in White

There is really no reason for this other than me just thinking that she looks very pretty all dressed in white. Then again, she is Bambi Girl. It's kinda hard not to look pretty when you have that going for ya. On the bright side, at least I'll never have to buy tissue paper again. Just thinking of all the pennies I'll save in future gift wrapping costs is probably enough to convince myself that I walked away with quite the bargain.

The damage really isn't as bad as it looks though. If you happened to check out the book, you'll know that there is a lot of emphasis on finding 'your esstentials' and the key pieces you want to build your wardrobe around. For me, that translated into finding the right accessories and basics to fill the gaps in my style. (aka me seriously stocking up on layering tees, belts, and light-weight scarves.)

Richie Getting Lucky

Nicole Richie has not come a long way since her days living the simple life. Nicole Richie has become a completely different person. In fact, I wouldn't rule out a brain transplant or brief alien abduction in between all those dramatic confrontations with Paris.

I may not fully understand how or when she went from being famous for no reason to a super-styled, career mom, but as long as she keeps the kimono dresses and costume jewelry coming, I won't question the process.

VIA I'm Kinda Stalking Free People

Oh, hello there. Nice to see you. Notice anything different? Anything intermediate? Yes, that's right. I have successfully completed an intermediate pattern. We're talking darts, facing, curvy sleeves, and bits that match up.

And, while I'm (obviously) pretty chuffed with myself I can't take all the credit. Colette patterns are just so damn good. I mean they come in book format. They have a glossary. I know I've praised Colette pattern's organised awesomeness before, but it's worth another shout out.

What I changed?
I used a single layer of fabric for the sleeves and hemmed them instead of using two-layers as the pattern suggests. I think the curve would have been nicer with two-layers, but I was feeling rebellious. I also used a regular zipper instead of an invisible zipper because apparently I live in the deserted wastelands and dark blue invisible zippers over 5cm are rare, exotic gems.

What I like?
Despite my rebellion, I adore the way the sleeves turned out. They're incredibly feminine in how they mimic the bust line. The secret pockets hidden beneath a pleat. We're talking hidden, deep, comfortable pockets that don't change the shape or bulk up the dress. Genius. Someone get Sarai a nobel prize, stat.

I'm also really happy with the fit of the dress, especially the bodice. As usual, the pattern had to go through some epic changes to fit me properly. I originally cut a 4 in the top and 6 in the bottom (holla for the badonkadonks!), lengthened the bodice 3.5cm (1.4"), took in the waist, adjusted the skirt to match, blah blah blah...

What I'll do next time?Match the waist band pieces. Ssssh. Just don't look at them.

So, my verdict is love, love, love and I can't wait to make it again. But, I know you might be wondering... what does my macaron have to do with a field track? Well I was at Uni wearing my dress, so I thought I'd take some photos while out there. And, the reason I was at Uni?

So I'm a graduate with intermediate sewing skillz. Could I be any happier? No. Probably not. Unless I had a chocolate milkshake. Then my life would be complete.

Macarons On My Table

Saying a sewing project is on my table is a bit of a lie. It's really on my floor, with a sleeve on the table, a skirt front over a chair, and a back yoke who-knows-where. But it will come together, with the it being my new, nearly completed Colette Macaron dress. You've probably seen it out in the google-sphere on other talented ladies (or men?). I'm using the same japanese cotton from my Welcome Spring dress... and my present bag.

But please, hear my case. I have a totally legitimate reason. You see I bought the fabric online, and my cautious nature thought "I'll get a touch extra, just in case". I then discovered the Simplicity pattern was a big fat lying liar pants and I needed way less than suggested. So I gotta-lotta fabric. Two dresses and a bag's worth, actually. The Macaron pattern is labelled 'intermediate', but to be honest I haven't found too many issues... yet. It just requires patience.

I have also checked a technique. Look at this facing, it's so facey! I can't believe it took me so long to do facing. I literally stared at it for about an hour. You know what else this facing is? Serged. Seriously I am now considering my life in two parts: Before and after owning a serger. With the latter obviously being far greater and magical.

It makes everything so clean. So neat. So finished. I'm going a little serger crazy. This is going to be the neatest goddamn garment in the land I tell you. Oh, I also have a new addition to my treasured sewing family. Yesterday was my birthday and, what can I say, my boy knows how to buy a good present. I haven't used it yet, but I feel pretty pro just having it in my possession.

Colette Violet

Yeah, things are getting Colette-crazy around here, and next up is the beautiful Violet blouse. I've had this pattern for a while but never mustered the courage to attack those intimidating button holes, or that menacing peter pan collar. I'm sure I'll find, just like every other time I check a technique, it will be fine and I have nothing to fear from a little Peter Pan action.

I'll probably use one of the three fabrics below as they're already in my stash. I'm petrified of creating one of those prevalent space-devouring stash-monsters. That all looks rather pink, doesn't it? The first two I bought at a vintage fair, and the third is a liberty of London fabric I got for my birthday. Spoilt much? Yes. I've never sewn with liberty fabric, but it's been a dream of mine. I'm not embarrassed to admit I've spent hours just holding onto this little strip of fabric, rubbing it against my cheek.

VIA Intermediate Pattern For Colette Macaron Dress

I don't consider myself to have poor time management, in fact I'm organised. Really organised. Like chill out Reana Louise and put the filing system down organised. However, I find I have no time this year. Yes I work, yes I study full time, yes I have a social life (admittedly a bit small and pathetic), but I do that every year. So who's the culprit? What's to blame? Sewing.

I've been dreaming about sewing?

I'm obsessed - did you know that Well of course you didn't because I'm telling you now, but I do! All the time I think about it. Whenever I leave the house I'm dissecting other people's outfits thinking how was it made? How does it sit like that? Will that warp? How hard would it be to get those stripes to line up? I'm mad, totally sewing mad I tell you!

And it's not like I'm overly fecund, I've only produced a handful of garments. So much of my time is spent scouring the inspiration, blogs, and communities in the big time-sucking device that is the internet. And then there's this blog - which is so much fun being able to express ideas and ask questions to people who love sewing as much as I do (I already bore my friends with art, I can't push this on them too).

But it's not as bad as I might be making out, it's so rewarding creating something and then wearing it. But what about you guys? Are you as obsessed as me, or do you take sewing in your stride? Is there anything else that you're obsessed with?

My swishable floral dress is completed and I'm really happy with the result!

Especially the way it fits... I'm not going to bore you with all of the details, just a quick run through with links to techniques. If you have any questions, please ask me!

I practically snatched it from the poor postman. You see, I live in a house of girls and a fair bit of online-shopping happens around here. Much time is spent out the front with tea-in-hand eyeing his arrival down like vultures - so hopefully he's used to it. Talking of online shopping my roommate just bought this dress from modcloth, how pretty is it? As you know I'm buying zero clothes this year so I have to live vicariously through them. Thank god they have such great taste!

But back onto my original point... New bikini pattern means I'm now ready to buy some fabric! The only problem is I think there's a secret kingdom of gorgeous and appropriately priced stretchy bikini fabric that is hiding from me. I've done a bit of hunting at the local fabric shops but their lycra is more 5th-grade-gymnast-team than hot-woman-strutting-about-Europe. Where is all of the good swimmer fabric?

So far 'Beach Animation' from Tessuti is winning, the only problem is that I think the pattern might be a little too big? One butt cheek might look like a giant flower, and the other a dark navy space? Is it Ok to have a lop-sided butt? I definitely don't want the flower in the middle.

I've scrummaged through etsy too and couldn't find anything that felt 'right'. And then I need lining! Picking fabric for me is one of the fun tasks (unlike hemming, or ironing- snore) but I feel this is something I need a little help with.

So come one... give me your secrets! Have you found some swimwear fabric that you're dying to use and would be willing to share the source? Do you know where the secret kingdom of luscious lycra is hiding?

VIA Sewing is Taking Over My Life

I sometimes wonder what I would be like without my history of obesity and self-esteem issues. Would I have grown up sporty, confident, the life of the party? Or would I still be an introvert, thoughtful and quiet, as I am today?

A few months ago I started a new job, and the team I joined is full of very outgoing and social folks - quite different to what I'm used to, with my background in publishing. (I'm used to being surrounded by lovely bookish types, who were usually very much like myself!) In this new job, I seem to be constantly feeling like a social misfit. The negative self talk is running rife, and it seems to peak on Fridays, when my colleagues spend half the afternoon talking about their plans to booze and dance the night away. All the while I am secretly looking forward to my night of a yummy home-cooked dinner, blog reading and snuggling up on the couch to watch Better Homes & Gardens!

In my late teens I drank and danced many a weekend away, but these days I much prefer going out for brunch or to a delicious dinner with friends, having fun but also getting home at a fairly decent hour. I'm also quite shy, although I hide it well (I think - most of the time, anyway), so the thought of socialising with people I barely know really does strike fear into my heart.

But at the same time, a part of me is curious and a bit envious about my colleagues' plans. I always think, maybe I should make the effort to put myself out there and make new friends rather than heading home to my comfortable little life? But usually, my terror at the thought quickly puts an end to any fantasies of the sort.

I keep finding myself wondering if this is really me - if I'm just growing up and past the partying stage - or is it my weight and my lack of confidence talking? If this is really me, I should feel happy about staying true to myself and try to work on quietening those evil thoughts that tell me I'm not good enough. But to deny myself adventures and fun nights out purely because I am lacking in confidence and embarrassed about my weight is another story. The thought of that makes me very sad indeed.

So, what to do? I guess only time will tell - perhaps as I continue on this healthy journey I will feel more like meeting new people and putting myself out on a limb. In the meantime, I will keep trying my best to ignore the shouty, negative thoughts in my head every time I'm very obviously the only girl in the office going home to my couch, my lovely man and my cuddly kitty cats.

Do you suffer from social anxiety? Have you reached the stage where you prefer nights at home to big nights out on the town? Help me feel like less of a social pariah - please!

VIA I love my bed!

My Evening Dresses of Dream

In my collection of evening dresses, there is one dress...

VIA Evening Dress for Barbie