Very Vintage

I've added some more sweaters recently to Etsy and these are two of my favorites. They both feature vintage trims (the cream colored trim came all the way from Belgium). Cardigans are the perfect topper for spring and summer, so take a look and see if you find one you like.

Just For The Frill of It

I have been oh so absent. I've been MIA. Somebody put out an APB because I just went missing for three weeks.

Things have been a little "busy" here and I've been very preoccupied -- but more to come on that at a later date.

In the meantime, here are some sweet spring aprons that I just listed on Etsy. All made from vintage sheets. Hope they put a little spring in your day -- we are basking in the low 80's here in Colorado. But spring is such a tease here and we probably have a couple more snow storms to go before we can really pull out the swimwear.

Enjoy!

Prints Charming

I neglected to mention in my last post how much I loved Maggie Gyllenhaal's look on Oscar night. She looked like a goddess and I think the print is fantastic. Enough Oscar fashion. Until next year... or until my People magazine arrives this Friday.

Dresses!

Oh my how I love the Oscars. I didn't see nearly as many movies this year as I wanted to, and with the Academy adding five more Best Picture Noms, how's a girl supposed to squeeze all that in? But who cares about the flicks -- it's all about the fashion. I personally love this dress Zoe Saldana wore. Then again, traditional just doesn't cut it for me.

I did see "An Education" with Carey Mulligan, and in addition to being a fabulous young actress, her fashion sense is sublime. All award season she has pulled out some amazing and different frocks and this Prada number is no exception. Not sure if I'm digging the heavier shoe tho...

Demi looked gorgeous -- if we could all look like this in our 40's -- I don't care how she got it (surgery, naturally...) she looks amazing.

I'm so glad Sandra Bullock won, because she gives the best acceptance speeches. And her whole look was amazing -- the dress, her sleek hair, bright lips. She looked like a winner.


And finally, SJP -- gotta love her fashion sense. Never safe, never boring. This Chanel dress is so alluring, so different, and perfectly styled with a wristful of bangles and classic hair. Carrie Bradshaw never disappoints.

Did you have a favorite dress?

Spring Fling!

I've been so absent from blogging lately. Some of it has been for "not so fun" reasons.... and some of it is because I have the Spring Fling next weekend! It's an amazing show in Denver and a great way to kick off Spring. I have been putting in some late nights trying to finish up my work, and I have a busy weekend ahead. If you happen to be in the Denver area the weekend of March 13/14, stop by the Phipps Tennis Pavillion (Saturday 12-5, Sunday 11-4) for amazing artisans, items and food. Back to blogging soon!

Still a little bit of winter left...

As much as we are all wishing for spring, there is some winter left (very evident on the East Coast). So for those of you who tend to shy away from color, or just gotta have their basic black, here's a couple of classic cardi's that will help you wrap up the winter season, and will become favorites in your closet. More spring styles to come in my Etsy shop -- big shop today...

Another Tablecloth Trick

My latest upcycling project has been hand towels made from tablecloths. Once a permanent fixture in kitchens and dining rooms, it seems that tablecloths have gone by the wayside, along with the popularity of daily ironing.

So to keep these classics still in circulation, I have cut them down to hand towel size, embellished them with various trims (mostly ruffles made from recycled sheets) and made them into something we use everyday (ironing optional).

Bedspread Blankets

Good 'ol chenille bedspreads. Did you have one growing up? Remember if you fell asleep on top of it you'd wake up with the funny marks on your face?

This popcorn chenille spread was rescued from a thrift store and given new life several times over. Combined with some recycled sheets and a duvet cover, I was able to create several little baby blankets. Second chance charm at its sweetest.

Good Bye Alexander

I was so saddened to read that Alexander McQueen passed away today. The rumor is he took his own life, just a week after his mother died. He was such an amazing creative talent in the fashion world, and while a lot of his designs may be thought of as over-the-top and perhaps "unwearable," they were still incredible works of art to admire. Rest in peace...

Feelin' Scrappy

I'm not one for clutter, or keeping things around "just in case"... However, I do make an exception with fabric. I have a hard time getting rid of fabric, even scraps. As a result, I have come up with a few ways to use my "scraps." My latest project is this fabric "pomander".

I cannot take credit for the idea (is there really ever an original idea anymore?!?! Seems like someone has done it already in some shape or form). The sad part is I can't remember where I saw the idea, but I know it was in blogville.

Basically the only supplies you need are:

Lightweight Fabric (these were curtain panels I got at Goodwill for $2)

4" Chinese Lantern

Scissors
Hot Glue

This is a great "watching TV" project. Just cut a bunch (and I mean a bunch) of 2" circles out of any lightweight fabric. Fold a circle in half and secure with glue in the middle. Then fold the circle again into a pie shape, add glue to point and secure to lantern. Repeat over and over and over again until the orb is covered. Like I said, a great project while watching your favorite show (which currently for me is either "Southland" on TNT, "The Good Wife", or "Lost" -- which starts tonight -- and of course -- "Project Runway"). Just don't burn your fingers.

I add a piece of card stock to the center, scented with essential oil, to make it into a decorative pomander, and of course a ribbon to hang it from your favorite spot.

Persimmon Punch

Just a little pop of color to alert you to the new sweaters I've added to my Etsy shop. The flowers on this beauty are from a sweet vintage fabric, and the colors couldn't have matched any better. It was fashion fate...

The Magic of White Paint

It was time to put down the needle and thread and pick up a paint brush. I had a few items that were in dire need of a makeover, and a little white paint is my mini "furniture facelift" magic potion-- makes everything look a little crisper.

Found this table at the thrift store and snatched it up in a second. The hard part about painting in January is finding a place to paint. Our basement is "finished", it's too cold and wet outside, so... go to where it is a little less wet and and little less cold -- the garage. Can definitely see the signs of winter in our garage.

Anyhoo, here is the finished product. Nothing too spectacular, but definitely more my style. And definitely more deserving of a warm and dry place.

Sweet As A Candy

Federica from "Sweet as a Candy" blog is featuring me in her anniversary giveaway! I love this girl's blog -- it is exactly as it sounds -- sweet and charming. Her photos and layouts are always beautiful and I love her style. She features fashion, home decor and just wonderful tidbits about all things beautiful. But the best part is I get to live her wonderful Italian lifestyle vicariously through her blog. Take a peek at her blog -- you will be enchanted.

http://sweet-as-a-candy.blogspot.com/

And thank you Federica for making me look so good :) If you leave a comment on her post about the giveaway, you could win your choice of one of my caroline joy sweaters in my Etsy shop. Ciao!

P.S. I already sold one of the featured sweaters (the white one at the top) to one of Federica's lovely readers in Bologna, Italy! So I will be shopping and embellishing up a storm to make sure the shop is stocked with a wonderful variety of sweaters...

Happy January!

Wow -- already January 18th, and I think this is my second post of the new year. I guess "Up the number of posts on my blog" was not one of my resolutions. But I hope I am turning over a new leaf as of today, and will not be as absent as I have been of late.

January is one of those months that gets a bad rap -- the whole "coming down" off the holiday season, the weather is nothing to cheer about, and it is sometimes a bleak reminder of all that you need to do and "should do" in the upcoming year.

So in the spirit of positive thinking, I've decided to post some of my favorite things about January:

1. Official time for fresh starts and "do overs"

2. My beautiful twins celebrated their 5th birthday today -- Happy Birthday Bridget and Teddy!

3. My amazing mom also celebrates her birthday this month -- just another good reason for a "girl get-together"

4. Project Runway just started up again -- back in NYC, no less. Yea!

5. THE GOLDEN GLOBES! The kickoff of the Hollywood awards season. And while the lovely January Jones (pictured above) did not win for Best Actress in a TV Drama, her show did. Cheers to "Mad Men"!

Bring on the Oscars -- and Spring!

A Fresh Start

I have been MIA for the last couple of weeks. Post holiday blues. So to cure the blues, I made some new sweaters in some springy hues (yellows, greens, raspberry -- even blue). I just added about 10 sweaters to my Etsy shop, and they're really making me anxious for spring. I'm ready for a fresh start...