Asymmetrical Beige on Beige

The story of this dress is one of relentless pursuit.  When I initially saw it, it was full price.  I couldn't rationalize it.  I checked back periodically as it was marked down again and again until finally it was marked down to just $13.  Then I grabbed it.

 

How glorious is this dress?  I love the one-shoulder ruffle with leopard on the obverse.  Since we determined yesterday that leopard is the new beige, this outfit is beige on beige.  I looked in the mirror after I pinned the first side of my hair and realized that I could keep the asymmetry going.  Then I added one stud earring and one dangley one.  Yay for a theme.

 

Dress, Ross Dress for Less; sweater, Victoria's Secret; tights, Target; boots, Shoe Carnival; earrings, various.

 

I had no choice but to add a sweater because, well, it's February.

Image Credit: eShakti.com

Edited to add: If you're looking for a similar dress check out the Madeline dress from eShakti.com.  It doesn't have to lovely leopardness, but it keeps the rocking ruffle.

Coupon Code! Need I Say More?

You know I love sales, bargains, and all things discounted, and I have one to share with you.  From now until March 10, you can use discount code DREMFJENNE to get 20% off when you shop at eShakti.

I did a review for eShakti last year, and I have really enjoyed the trench coat I received.  You can read parts one and two of the review here and here.  I'm planning on ordering something using this discount code.  Right now the two items below are at the top of my list.  You can also use the code on items in the Winter section, which are already 30% off.  Discounts on top of discounts = score!

Image Credit: eShakti.com
Sea Biscuit Dress

Image Credit: eShakti.com
High-Stepping Crepe Skirt

If you're interested in eShakti and haven't ordered before, I HIGHLY recommend checking out their spring line now and ordering by February 28.  Right now customization is FREE (usually a $7.50 value), plus you can use the DREMFJENNE coupon code.

Legalese: Enter the code in the 'Promotional Code' box. No Minimum Order Value. The discount code is not case sensitive. The code can be used any number of times until the validity period. This code can be clubbed with any other gift coupon or gift card in the same order. This discount code is not applicable on our Overstock category. Not applicable on previous purchases.

Disclosure:  I received this coupon code because of my eShakti review, so I consider this post sponsored.  

The New Beige

I have two tan or beige dresses in my closet.  This is the first.  How do I remix beige?  I added leopard print.  Animal print is a neutral.  Let's call it the new beige.

 

Dress, thrifted; leggings, I don't remember; boots, Delia's; earrings, handmade by me.

 

These earrings are made from paper, so they probably won't last too long.  They are fun for now.  The sweater is tricky.  It's a very short dress or a rather long tunic.  Last time I paired it with tights and OTK boots, this time I paired it with leggings and leopard print boots.  Both times I had trouble with the sweater bunching up as I moved around.

 

Another Almost

I've had two days in a row of outfits that didn't work the way I imagined.  It's ok.  It's only an outfit.  I'll try again tomorrow.

 

Sweater, Walmart; dress, Ross Dress for Less; skirt, handmade by me; tights, Target; boots, Rack Room Shoes; earrings, Claire's; bracelets, handmade and gifted (Thank you, Chenille!).

 

I had this dress in mind when I made the skirt.  I thought the pairing of brown patterns with graphical, white designs would be a slam dunk.  I was wrong.  The browns don't play very nicely together.  I tried adding lighter-colored boots to balance the different browns.  That didn't work.  Eventually I scrapped the skirt for the day.

 

Cutting It Close

I'm on a continuing mission to become a pan-crafter.  I think this is my first time really articulating the mission, but all evidence points in that direction.  I crochet, bead, embroider,sew and knit, and I'd like to improve my skills in all those areas.  I've been pleased with my most recent foray into knitting because I took it slow and set myself up for success.  I'm attempting to do the same with sewing.

I brought almost an entire suitcase full of fabric back from India.  The prints were so beautiful, and the prices were unbelievable.  I stocked up.  Unfortunately I stocked up without a plan.  Now I have lots of fabric, and I need to find patterns that fit what I have.  Luckily Hancock Fabrics recently had a pattern sale with many $1 patterns.

The first fabric I decided to tackle was a polka dotted knit.  It was a remainder, so it had cost under $2.  I had 1 1/4 yards by 45 inches of it.  That was a bit of a problem.  Finally I found this pretty skirt from McCall's pattern M6654.  It was marked "easy."  Sounds good.

 

I had just enough fabric to make version "G," and it was a perfect no-stress project.  I love custom clothing, so having exactly the design and fabric I want makes me happy.

 



For my next project I'd like to make the cape from Simplicity Project Runway Pattern 1775.  I'm super.  I think I need a cape.

I have two choices for fabric for this pattern.  Both are fuzzy leopard prints.  If I'm going to be a super hero, I think leopard woman is most appropriate.

These fabrics didn't come from India.  They came from Hancock Fabrics.  Each was under $2 per yard. You can get good deals on fabric if you keep your eyes peeled.

 

Which leopard would look better in cape form?

The Replacement That Didn't

I originally purchased this dress as a replacement for the one I wore on Valentine's Day, but I haven't been able to get rid of the dress I wore on my first date with Stephen   So I guess it's not really a replacement, just an addition.

Dress, Ralph Lauren Outlet; crocheted top, thrifted; tights, Target; shoes, necklace and earrings, handmade by me.

 

The neck line of the shirt doesn't quite work with the neck of the dress, but it's only one outfit.  I'll try again tomorrow!

I added sweater tights and sparkly leopard flats.  

Now With More Shirt

I frequently add more dress to this shirt dress, but today I added more shirt.

Dress, thrifted; shirt, thrifted; belt, thrifted; tights, Target; boots, Rack Room Shoes; earrings and bracelet, handmade by me; necklace, Fire Mountain Gems.

 

I like red in theory, but in practice I don't wear a whole lot of it.  I like the confidence that red tends to project.  I have two more brown dresses and two tan ones before I move on to red, so I'll have an opportunity to experiment some more.

Extra shirt is nice, but I think I like extra dress better.

Happy National Margarita Day!

Mostly Mossy

The greens and browns in this outfit combine to make me look like a mossy forest floor.  In a good way, hopefully.

 

Jacket, thrifted; dress, Walmart; sweater, Younkers; belt, thrifted; tights, Target; boots, Rack Room Shoes; earrings, I don't remember; necklace, Claire's.

 

This pleated dress is one of the many under-utilized items in my closet.  Good thing I'm doing this challenge.  I think the belt is the key to making the outfit look cohesive.

For once my jacket coordinates with the outfit, so I took photos with and without it.  I could have happily posted every photo I took today because my hair is looking so darn shiny.

Happy Thursday!

The Case of the Curious Collar

I feel like Sherlock Holmes in this outfit, and that's fitting because I've been trying to solve the mystery of this lace collar since before Christmas.  I purchased the delicate crocheted lace piece at a church bazaar, but I haven't been able to pair it successfully.

Jacket, Maurice's; dress, Victoria's Secret; tights, Target; boots, Target; earrings, SilverJewelryClub.com; lace collar, church bazaar.

 

I have such a hard time pinning my hair up without looking like a puritan.  Today was no exception.  Even though I feel like Sherlock Holmes, I probably look more like I just stepped off the Mayflower.