I simply can't get enough of the denim-on-denim trend.  This time it's chambray and white denim.  There is something so crisp and fresh about the combination of blue and white denim.

For my top, I went with an off-the-shoulder style, of course!  That's my thing right now and the obsession is not waning anytime soon.

My inspiration:

TIBI Cotton Twill Off-the-Shoulder Tunic, Moda Operandi, $295

HotPatterns HP 1196 Metropolitan Urban Gypsy Blouse is the most perfect pattern doppelgänger that I've seen for the most popular TIBI tunic.  I happened up on it last week from a HotPatterns newsletter.  I immediately purchased it, downloaded it, printed it out, and started taping it together.  Who has time for snail mail!

I cut the size 12 and it was perfect without a single modification.  I used a chambray from my stash. What I love most about this pattern unlike other similar styled patterns, is that this one has the exact same fitted front neckband with the elastic starting at the sides and continuing through the back.  And it also has the nice shirt-tail hem, which is perfect for wearing untucked.  There is an option for a shelf bra.  I didn't use that because I've never had a problem wearing strapless bras.  But if you need the extra support, that option exist.  And another excellent detail:  It has bust darts!  That makes a huge difference on the way it hangs over the bust.

Since both sides show on the sleeve ties, I took extra care in creating a narrow hem that I wouldn't mind being seen in a contrasting white thread.

This top is a winner for me and I'm so glad I found it.

Meg from Colette Patterns reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try their new pattern that was soon to be released and I was like, "Sure!"  I've never sewn a Colette Pattern before, but I've always admired their tutorials and I've collected quite a few on my Pinterest.  So when I received the new Selene, I was ready to get started!

I really like the packaging.  And included in the instructions are links to their helpful tutorials for certain techniques.

My wardrobe was missing a casual white skirt.  So I picked a great machine-washable white stretch denim from Joann Fabrics.  And since this skirt is lined, I needed a stretch lining to match the fabric's give.  

Based on the Colette Patterns' sizing chart, I cut the size 12.  Looking at the pattern pieces, I knew I'd have to lengthen.  I added 3 inches to the length so that the hem would fall right above the knee.  And since I fall slightly between sizes, I had to take in the waist a bit.  And as a general personal preference, I like for my pencil skirts to be tapered at the hem.  My ideal sizing is that the hem on my skirts should be 4" smaller than the widest point of the hip. 

Here is how the lining looks.

And this skirt has a lapped zipper.  Even though I can install an invisible zipper with one eye closed, I've only done a lapped zipper only a few times in my sewing career, so it's not something that comes natural to me.  It's not that different from putting in a zipper fly, but I did use the Colette Lined Lapped Zipper Tutorial.  And to keep the lining from creeping up, you're instructed to secure it to the skirt with a thread chain.  If you've never done one, here's the Thread Chain Tutorial.

All in all, I'm quite pleased with both new wardrobe additions.  And I'll be using both patterns again!

I'm really making up for last year's unfulfilled gingham obsession.  This time, it's a skirt.  A quick and easy wrap skirt.

I used McCall's 5430, view C in the same black and white gingham as used in this top.

My inspiration comes from Michael Kors Collection Spring 2015

This is **supposedly** a 1-hour skirt.  I beg to differ.  This skirt is basically no different than any other skirt.  It has a significant number of pattern pieces, a waist band, closures and it still needs to be hemmed.  It's not a long or daunting project, but it does takes a couple of hours. 

I cut the size 14.  It fits perfectly through the hip, but it was a little big through the waist.  And I added a couple inches to the length.  I cut the pockets on the bias and used D-rings for the closure at the waist.

So, I was peacefully going about my life... just doing regular internet stuff.  You know how those ads follow you around from one webpage to the next?  Well, I had been looking at something on Farfetch.com, and along with that item they showed me this marvelous cropped trench!

Ralph Lauren Cropped Trench Coat, $2441.31 - Farfetch.com

Cute, right?  I was literally giving no damns about a cropped trench jacket.  And out of the blue, I saw this one too:

Michael Kors Collection, $1215 - Stylebop.com

Now, what is the likelihood that I would see TWO similar items that I wasn't even thinking about in the same day?  Internet web searching algorithms obviously.  But for the sake of fun, I'm going to call it sewing kismet!

So, I had to make one.  And why not, it's spring and I am currently wardrobe filling.  And I'm sort of having a "spring jacket moment" currently.  I had a gap in my wardrobe and didn't have any lightweight jackets.  I've never been a cardigan type of girl.  I use to simple rely on my denim jacket or my leather bomber, but I wanted different options.  I knew that I had a cropped trench jacket pattern in my collection.  And my search lead me to out-of-print McCall's 6246 from 2010.  But it was going to need slight adjustments to achieve something like I wanted.

I'd had this tan outerwear fabric in my stash for some years.  It's some kind of waxed cotton that is supposedly waterproof.  I remembered that's why I bought it from Hancock Fabrics years ago.  I only had 2 yards,  I think that was all that was left on the bolt, so I had to be very selective as to how I was going to use it.  I cut the size 14 of view A.  I first changed out the sleeves.  I'm not a fan of one-piece sleeves in jackets.  And I didn't want a jacket with puffy shoulders either.  So I replaced it with traditional tailored two-piece sleeves.  

I added epaulets.  That's one of the details that I feel, make a trench a "trench". 

I also added a buttonhole and button to the front yoke.  

And I also added an extra large hook and eye like ready-to-wear trench coats have.

My fabric is so lightweight weight that I had to add extra interfacing.  I interface the entire front and both the under and upper collar pieces.

I used the back yoke piece to create a back stay for the jacket.

My lining is a cute beige and white polka dot I found at Joanns.

The main thing about making a trench coat is finding enough of the same buttons.  I lucked up and found all of mine in a single shopping trip.  They're 7/8" tortoise buttons and I used 9 in the making of this jacket.  The only detail that I wished I had included were sleeve tabs.  But I literally used every possible of inch of my 2 yards of fabric.  I plan to make a full-length trench for fall and I'm going to use every possible trench detail in it.

I've posted before about my newest infatuation of wearing dresses over pants.  This time, I'm wearing one over skinny jeans.  This dress works out perfectly because in my opinion, the fabric is too thin and the dress is too short on my 5'9" frame, so it's more of a tunic.  But a cute tunic.

I love the details a lot.  The asymmetrical off-the-shoulder detail and all of the buttons down the side are just so cute to me.

The dress came with a self-belt, but I decided to warm the look up with tan accessories.

Wearing: Dress c/o Shein.com; white Kendall Skinnies; shoes: Reese Cognac Burnish Sandal c/o Alegria Shoes.com.

Let's take a sec and talk about shoes.  As much as a love a good high heel, my knees just aren't able to walk in them as much as I use to.  And all occasions and venues aren't "high heel appropriate".  There is nothing like seeing that woman, you know the one, hobbling through the mall in platforms or stilettos -- looking like a newborn baby deer.  Speaking of, here's a great article on Glamour Editor-in-Chief's Heel Detox.  I saw her on Good Morning America yesterday, so I thought this was interesting enough to share.

So, I've been showing more post with me in flats -- because I do wear them!  But contrary to belief, sometimes flats aren't that comfortable either, especially for someone like me with flat feet.  That's what I love about these sandals I'm wearing here.  They have a little bit of a heel, which is giving me just enough arch support.  And they have memory foam.  Winning!  So they were perfect for a Sunday afternoon in the park with Isabella!

I love a great black, white and red color combination.  Since last year, I've been planning to make something... anything in black and white gingham.

I've fully embraced the off-the-shoulder trend for this season.  So I'm going to be rocking it until the wheels fall off -- meaning until I'm absolutely sick of seeing myself in it.  

This interpretation is (OOP) Simplicity 3835 from 2007.  I cut the size 12 and sewed it straight from the envelope.  I made mine in a black and white cotton/spandex blend gingham shirting from Joann's.  This fabric stood out to me in a unique way because it was 58" wide and also had a bit of give.  I can't find it on the website, but if you run across shirting this wide, instead of the normal 44", I suggest your grab it!

Not only did it have the perfect subtle off-the-shoulder detail, but the sleeve ties are winners. 

I once again reached for Simplicity 8058.  I loved my navy blue version so much that I knew these had to be a repeat.  This time I reached for red.  I used the same type of ponte from Joann's.  The only change I made this time was to omit the buttons and the front tab.  I thought that was a cute detail the first time, but not needed again.  I love the high-waisted style and the topstitching.  I added a cute zipper pull because these pants were meant to have a tucked in top.  I love the fit.  I prefer a fitted flare than a wide leg pair of pants.  Fitted flares are much more flattering on me.  Wide leg pants fall from the hip and just make me look wide all the way down, from hip to heel.  With a fitted flare I need my legs to actually show and the width to begin below the knee.  And yes, I'll be making these again.

A "cute top and jeans" is the epitome of casual dressing.  I can't imagine how many times when I've asked someone what they're wearing to a casually-set venue, that's how they replied.  It's basically the weekend uniform.

This lace paneled top with bell sleeves c/o Shein.com screams spring!

I'm completely crazy for anything with sleeve drama right now.  And this is the perfect weather for this top.  I don't have to worry about cramming or crumpling my sleeves while trying to push them into a coat or jacket.

And for an evening out, why not add some drama and a play on texture.

This ruffle dip hem blouse is definitely serving its share of drama.  And very effectively at that!  I really thought that I was over high-low garments.  But this amazing top drew me back in.

To balance out the volume of the top, I went with a slim silhouette on the botton with my amazing guipure lace skirt, which is Vogue 8916.  Anytime I see lace like this, it always reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana.

And to accessorize, I wore a statement necklace and I mixed metals all the way through this look.  Lots of silver and gold.  And for that "pop of color", I went with magenta pumps.  I have to use color. It is indeed spring!