I'm really not a floral print kinda girl. This is just something I really don't have an eye for... that is when it comes to fabric. Now I can look at a RTW garment and know instantly whether or not I'm in love with the print. But fabric?  Not so much.  I would have to see it made.  So when I find a piece of floral fabric that I love -- I grab it!  I haven't had much success this season.  So I thought I'd "shop my closet".

What I've loved most about this dress is the built-in foundation.  You might think boning should be reserved strictly for special dresses and eveningwear.  But au contraire, it's perfect for a strapless sundress.  And if you're making strapless sundresses and omitting the boning, you're missing out on a greater fit.

Wearing:  Vogue 1174; pumps: Tahari Slingback Espadrille pumps (TJ Maxx); clutch: The Limited.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!  We did!  On Saturday while checking out the patterns that were on sale, Mikaela saw this romper/jumpsuit pattern and asked me to make it for her.

View A was perfect for her!  She picked the same fabric that I used for my dress.  I cut the size XS - size 4, and it fit her straight out of the envelope.  

We decided to add an exposed zipper as a fun little detail.

Here's the close-up.  

I started to omit the sash, but after it was finished it looked like it needed something at the waist.  So I went ahead and made it too.

This is such a cute and easy summer piece.  I may make her another one because she really loves this!

silly girl!

Wearing: romper: McCall's 6362; shoes: Toms Glitter Slip-ons; jewelry: Forever 21 and Tiffany & Co.

Even though Pinterest inspires me on a daily basis, I haven't done an "Inspired by Pinterest" post in a while.  I know there are people out there that still don't get Pinterest.  But I really don't get why they don't get it! LOL  There is something on there for everyone and their personal taste.  I don't get any kickbacks for saying this.  I'm just an obsessed fan of the site!

Pinterest via Pretty Tall Style

Here is another version of Vogue 8772.  This time in yellow.  I was going through a citrus thing at the time I made my fabric purchases.  

I wish I could have found yellow gingham in the same scale as the green shirt.  But oh well, I can live with this mini-gingham print.

Wearing:  shirt: Vogue 8772; shorts: Old Navy; fedora: Target; sunnies: Karen Walker; sandals: Sam Edelman; purse: TJ Maxx; bangles: Amrita Singh.

Here is my second version of Vogue 8815.

I've been seeing white peplum tops all over the place.  And I'm so glad that Vogue came out with this pattern so that I could indulge for the second time!  

On this top, I used a stretch cotton pique from Hancock and an invisible zipper.  I made my own binding for the neckline and armholes broadcloth that I already had.  I had to lengthen at the waistline by an inch.  It's fascinating how different fabrics react to the same size pattern.  

I'm loving my coral colored polish this week!

Yes, I bought these Old Navy shorts in every color!  Love them!  They're perfect for summer!

Wearing:  top: Vogue 8815; shorts: Old Navy; pumps: Sam Edelman; purse: Stylecraft Miami (vintage); necklace: BCBG Max Azria.

Lately, I've been obsessing big time over gingham!  I've dedicated a board on Pinterest entirely to it.

One of the easiest inspired garments to create is a shirt. Since this is a printed shirt, I decided to use a button front shirt pattern -- Vogue 8772,  that was tailored and didn't have any pockets.  Pockets, gingham and my boobs?  That equals a lot going on!  So I passed on shirt pockets.  

The shirt was pretty straight forward -- that is if you've previously made a shirt before.  If you haven't, this is a good one to learn on.  It has all of the components of a button front shirt and would be a great one to practice on.  

I love that this shirt has horizontal and vertical darts in the front and vertical darts in the back.  This mean you should get a really good fit without a lot of nipping and tucking.   I did however have to add an inch to the waist for that tiny bit of additional length.

And I bought my gingham fabric during one of the sales that Hancock had a few weeks ago. 

Here's Isabella in her matching gingham shorts!

Wearing:  shirt: Vogue 8772; shorts: Old Navy; earrings: Marc Marc Jacobs; purse: Street Style from Lotus Boutique:  ; sandals: Ciao Bella (old) ; sunnies:  Karen Walker; belt: The Limited.

Mikaela needed a dress for this past Saturday and I'd been loving Simplicity 1873 - Cynthia Rowley, view C.  I thought the shorter skirt view would be perfect for a leggy teenager.  And the fit and flare style is so trendy right now. 

Mikaela, being the little fashionista that she is wanted her dress in the color mint.  So I found this really pretty mint green swiss dot fabric at Hancock.  The pattern only suggested that you line the bodice.  But since I used cotton lawn, I added a full lining.  And I used a mint green broadcloth.

I'm a fan of orange as a contrasting color with mint, so I bought her these great Steve Madden wedges.  And an orange necklace from me and also my vintage frame clutch purse.

As I'm sure, most of you have figured out that I LOVE color!  I am fearless when it comes to brights.  But it wasn't always that way.  I have a natural inclination towards black.  I use to say that black was my favorite color and it was obvious from my closet.  I can't even tell you how many black garments and shoes that I use to own.  And it would not be unusual to see me dressed in head to toe black.  So when I bit the proverbial bullet and cliff dived into a technicolor wardrobe, it was like being reborn.  I felt "free"!  I feel so a live!  I get so many compliments on what I'm wearing.

Out of all of the brights, I think yellow is one of my favorites.  I know a lot of people find yellow to be a difficult color to pull off.  Not me!  I love it and if I must say so myself, it looks great on me and compliments my skintone very well. 

I have no problem with pulling in ALL directions from the color wheel!  I love mixing warm and cool colors. And this is why I love turquoise and yellow!  I added a red belt and even though you can't see them, I have on red sandals.  And I used a white bag as a neutralizer.

I had this M. Missoni maxi dress pinned for a while, in two color variations and I knew I'd be recreating this look.  

Today was a looonnnggg day!  So if I'm looking greasy a little shinier than usual, that's why.  These photos were taken at the end of the day as I was making my way back home.

It felt good to sit down, even if it were just for a few minutes and enjoy the breeze!

It was such a gorgeous day that I decided to play with some color.  One thing about reading style blogs and being on Pinterest, is that I see a lot of things that I probably wouldn't have ever thought to do.  Orange and green?  Sure if you attend Florida A&M University and it also works if you're a carrot or a pumpkin!  But for color blocking?  Who would've thought?  I actually love them together!

Wearing:  cardigan from Windsor; top: Vogue 1282; jeans: NYDJ; sandals: Zara; clutch: Street Style from Lotus Boutique; necklace: BCBG Max Azria; sunnies: Karen Walker.