Transition Look from Fashion under $100

She hit the nail on the head with this look from Fashion Under $100  for transitioning into spring. Even though the look is for a reader who wants to wear jeans to her bridal shower, this is a great look for early spring! Skinny jeans can come off looking to casual/rocker but the tunic style top with the bow detail pumps it up to lady like feminine. Adding the flats doesn't call to much attention to the jeans, so this lets the girlie top and accessories do all the talking.

Simplicity 2456 view B with the addition of the tie would be just about exactly the same as the Blouse from Ruche and unlike the Ruche top this pattern comes in plus sizes!!!

Now off to find a pair of black flats in a size 9.

One More Reason to Love Sewing....

I was surfing the Boden site for inspirations last night and found the lovely 'Tea Dress'.

A cute summer dress in lovely floral prints with lovely velvet ribbon trim and gathers. A few things I noticed - they don't have sizes larger than 18 and this dress would look very pretty on plus gals! The price tag is way more than most would want to spend at a whopping $128.00. This Boden dress has a close twin .......

Rebecca Taylor's Vogue 1152 pattern

Isn't Rebecca so lovely in her own creation of the V1152 dress in a deep sapphire blue. Just beautiful with her fair skin and blond hair.

This Rebecca Taylor dress retails for $320.00 - Now that is like my monthly car payment!! It is pretty and I would looooove to own it - but alas I am not infinitely rich. Which brings me back to the reason why I love sewing. The only difference I can see is the hemline, that's all  - and at the sale price of $3.99  on my last JoAnn's visit - Well thats much closer to fitting in my budget!

The line drawing is actually prettier than the photo of Vogue 1152. There is a side zipper and the pattern calls for crepe de chine, charmeuse and matte jersey fabrics, but i am wondering if it was made in a knit with a good amount of stretch the side zipper might not be needed. Doing a FBA should also be simple due to the princess seam. Designer clothes made for you with price tags that fit into your budget, you just can't beat that!!!

Fashion Color Trends Spring '09

If you love color as much as I do or are interested in how color forecasting affects fashion, then you might have visited Fashion Trendsetter . It's agreat site with loads of information on color and fashion.

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I always head strait to the color trends page and check out the latest in color forecasting. Pantone is one I love! The Pantone's color report for spring 2009 has been out for a while (since Sept 08), but some of us really don't get into the swing of spring until it's peeking around the corner.

Pantone Fashion Color Report 2009

With Pantone's color report there are 24 designers and thier inspirations for spring 2009, 'Must Haves' and outlook on products for spring. It's 29 pages of colorful motivation for me, I usually download the PFD and print it in color (you can down load it here Color Report ). Then I drool over it while using the information to crank up my sewing mojo.

If your ready for color forcasting for Fall '09 it's also at Pantone.com.

Happy St. Patty's Day!!

St Patty's Day 2009 - by la bella colori on Polyvore.com

We could all use a little green in our wardrobe!!

More Fashion Fun Online

purple lady by la bella colori

This look would be great for the office or dinner out with my sweetie.

For fun check out Polyvore where you can create sets of items and its free. Just explore and see all the ideas in fashion that have been saved. It is going to be a great help in learning how to make my wardrobe work. I don't really own any of these items BUT I have some that are similar. So - this might help me stretch beyond my boring and sad outfits from the past.

Why I picked these items

• I adore purple - all the shades & tones. This cardigan's deep veep neckline draws the eye up and is very flattering.
• Pencil skirts are everyone's friend, we all need one in our closet! I even love them and I am a borderline plus gal. Just make sure it fits, has NO pleats, the hem hits you in the right spot. Wear a top that has a little volume and a little flirt to it (example the slight puffy sleeves on the cardy above).
• I also love the color gray and tanks are so versatile in your wardrobe, you can dress them up or down.
• Diamond stud earrings are # 27 in the book 'The One Hundred' by Nina Garcia - and I could not agree more. Every woman should have a pair!!
• Bags - are like chocolate!! I can't stop wanting them all and this baby is ultra feminine and practical at the same time.
• The bow detail on the shoes adds to the lady like feel
• Vintage jewelry is all the rage. The older the better, and what a statement they make.

Ciao Bella!!