Outfit post :: DIY & vintage.

I have a bit of a hoarding problem. I have numerous shirts from high school that I simply wont get rid of. This Riffs shirts is one of my favorites because of the loose fit, and simply just because it rules. I'd like to consider this shirt a favorite of mine and little DIY project I did when I was sixteen/seventeen. I created a stencil for the letters by cutting out of the shapes from a thin plastic paper, and used fabric paint to fill it in on a cheap cotton shirt. I bought all of my supplies from a Michaels Craft store. 

My vintage high waisted bell-bottoms were purchased at this little vintage shop here in Chicago called Shangri-La Vintage. They were only $23, which is awesome, but I'm assuming that because there's no tags with the brand, just the care instructions. They are ridiculously comfortable and airy, but that might be because they're a tad bit too big. Ha. Either way, they're one of my favorite jeans.

I added my favorite and only belt, and threw on my cheesy big headphones, and called it a day!

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Here are some stencils to look at for inspiration :

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Mrs on Pinterest

found here and here.

I also thought these DIY stencil lettered pillows were cool too!

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo,
Alexz

Friday :: I'm In Love With...

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"You take what you take, you take all you can, to feel how I feel

well I'm who I want to be, we're not thinking

this is not thinking, this up on high with some not quite natural energy"

1)  Thunder Up from The Sounds. It's 80's, expressive and emotional, fiery post punk and I love it. Kinetic was one of my favorite songs. (I'm been obsessed with Spotify because I've been able to stumble across albums like this.)

2) Fashion Photographer Oliviero Toscani's photographs for The Passion. (The expression of the model's face in the middle row, going down, is my favorite.)

3. Francoise Hardy, another woman on my list of "Women with style that I envy"

4. Novella Royale has one of my favorite curated tumblr, and this wild patterned one piece was on there. (They just combined their blog to their tumblr and I'm always finding inspiration there!)

5. Laura's Healing Art photographs for this post on The Bohemian Collective. 

Recently :: Through Instagram

Well. I'm not going to lie. It's been awesome around here recently. Mostly because I've been having a lot of fun, and not a lot of work. I did take extra time off this past weekend because it was Memorial Day weekend, and since it was officially the kick start to the summer, naturally I spent time at the beach and a lot of porch grilling with beer. Since I finished the Jade and Blossom bags, I've been scattering tasks such as re-organizing, cleaning, packing/shipping orders, making to-lists to get re-motivated, and clothing alterations for friends. I've been also working on a custom order bag for Naimah from D.Mae Clothing that is inspired by the Spanish Studded Bow Satchel. We're making it larger and adding a few twists to it but now I'm patiently waiting for the studs we decided on. 

Besides for friends-fun, I've been enjoying being outside with my dog, Ty, a lot. More and more, I've been loving our "our" time. I'm realizing this is because it's our first summer together, just us. Ty's been accompanying me for a long walks, sitting outside coffee shop outdoor patios, carrying very large sticks home, and even... running. Why, yes. Yes, I bought new running shoes. The last time I bought running shoes was probably early high school and that was because of gym class. I eventually only sported my one pair of black converse that I drew all over, boys skateboarding shoes, or a pair of thrifted Keds. Either way, these activities have helped me chill out while I stay understanding to what life throws at me, and get through some honest situations that has been laid out on a few tables. We ran north on the Lake Shore Trail the other day, but not for long. I'm still trying to get used to running in general, and teaching Ty to run straight and not into me.

Naturally as one feels from too much fun, I feel like I am definitely taking a slow time getting back into work mode, and it's taking longer now because I'm getting through my week's schedule at the salon. I'm already planning on the following to write on my new chalkboard wall! : I have Friday off from the salon and I plan on waking up early and getting Naimah's bag complete or at least 75% complete, then treating myself to hang out lunch with a friend, working more, and then figuring out plans with Rachael. Saturday afternoon, after I open the salon, will be generally sewing but I might take myself out on an adventure somewhere I haven't been.

How was your weekend? I hope enough of you are also slowing becoming normal and back to routine after a fun filled weekend... Hooray for fun!

Alexz

My grandparents house.

I went to my grandparents house on Mother's day after my family and I ate our Mexican brunch. I can't really remember the last time I was there but I think it was within the past year, or past year and a half. They live in Chicago also, but they are in a neighborhood on the south side that is kind of a hike to get to.

I spent a lot of my youth here. My grandma would watch me when my parents were busy. I would spend my days exploring corners of the basement, their sewing studio (I dont think I've ever shared this on this blog before, but I've got sewing in my blood!) hiding in the closet of their bedroom, and sticking my head in the laundry shoot after dropping something down it. Being the only child, I would say that I was preeeeetty good at keeping myself, and only myself, busy and very easily entertained.

I have some pictures of their sewing machine, table, and little work space that I want to share with you later in the week. When I went to explore on Mother's day, it looked like time has been standing still since the last time I went down there. It's funny because when I saw the sewing machine, I thought how little details looked oddly similar to little details in my studio.

Until I show you more the next time, I hope you enjoy your week!
xoxo, Alexz

DIY - Not so cheerleader anymore.

- Before -
Once, I had this adorable dress. This dress had sleeves and a very, stand-out, collar. I mean, it wasn't ugly before, but now that it's Chicago summer, I felt the need to be make it more Chicago summer-friendly! If it's even possible for polyester to get Chicago summer friendly... I do admit I could get pretty warm it in, but it's perfect for the cooler night like we had on Saturday evening.

All you need is a little DIY to make something old into something new!

- After -

Now it's more practical for the summer season! I love it. I bought this dress thrifting in Milwaukee a few months ago. I'm pretty sure it was only $3.00! I've wore it with the sleeves in the winter, but maybe only twice. I wasn't attached to the sleeves or the collar. Sure it was a cute uniform but I felt too restricted. Instead of feeling restricted, now I feel sort of very cheerleader-ish. Ha. Either way, I love how it turned out. I have so many dresses I need to alter and make suitable for my style now. But that's second priority next to bag designing and creating, and altering friend's clothing. 

To begin altering this dress, I envisioned how I wanted it to look like after I was finished with it. This dress is simple because I am just taking pieces off and finishing edges. Then I...

• I seam ripped the sleeves and the collar off. 
• When I took off the collar, it unthreaded the seam that the zipper was sewn onto the dress with. I re-pinned the zipper back to it's place and refinished the stitching for the zipper in orange thread. 
• I finished the raw edges, where the sleeves were missing, with two rows of orange stitches over a double folded seam. 

I like the small details of pops of color and double stitching gives it a professional look. A really simple altering made this dress into something new. This would even be easy with hand-sewing, if that's all you've got! You don't have to be an expert to do this, you just need patience and the willingness to get it right. I'm going back and forth on if I should be adding some buttons down the center of the chest. But then I could also add one of my vintage trims to the bottom of the skirt. What do you think? Should I add anything else?

xoxo, Alexz