Thursday, February 23, 2012

My First Sewing Project

If you remember this post, I took a few sewing lessons from my neighbor Molly about a year ago (and learned the very basics), but I really haven't touched my sewing machine since then. This morning, my friend Allyssa and I sat down on either side of my kitchen table with our sewing machines, and went at it. She re-taught me some things I had forgotten, and I successfully completed my first alteration! I took a baggy v neck t-shirt I had (that I really only ever wore when working out), and took in the sides, shortened the sleeves, and created a new shape for the bottom. The seams are a little messy, but I am so surprised and pleased at how well it came out, considering this is the first time I've ever REALLY sewed anything. 

Here's what the shirt looked like before:


And here's what I did to it:


It's sort of hard to tell, but it's cropped, and the back of the shirt is lower than the front (sort of a mini fishtail look). I don't actually plan to wear the shirt with leggings like those, but that's just what I happened to be wearing when I had the photos taken. I think this top would look best over a tight floral bodycon dress, like this one:


I'm pretty excited about doing more alterations, and eventually making my own garments from scratch. My goal is to work on a project three times a week - I want to get better and better as fast as I can!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Winter Walk, 2012.

This is the mildest winter that I can remember. I mean, for example, it was 45 degrees yesterday. February 10th! In Maine! It was lightly snowing this morning, and it reminded me of the winter walk I went on back in January, the morning after our biggest snowstorm of the season. What's the weather like in your area? I feel like the general consensus is "It's really freaky, but I can't complain." I've been saying that, too, but I feel like a dumb American, just soaking up the unnatural warmth when in the back of my head, I know there's some scary shit about all of this. Still, the warm weather has been nice. I've been running a lot, and I've felt much less depressed than in past winters. Also, it's starting to stay lighter longer! Hot damn!

So here are some pretty winter photos I took (before it gets too warm out that it would feel weird to post them). Maine is really the most beautiful state. Sorry guys, but we win.

xo! mandy








Saturday, February 4, 2012

The New York Times

Sooooo.... THIS happened today.


I was in the fashion and style section of the New York Times. Feels crazy to even write that! Wow.

I am living my dream. I feel so lucky and blessed. Thanks for all the support, friends.

xo,
mandy

PS- The dress I'm wearing WAS for sale in my shop (the photo is from a Grandma June photoshoot!), but I just took the listing down today. I think I should hang on to it a little longer... after all, it fits me perfectly and it'll be a nice souvenir. ♥