Wednesday, July 31, 2013

DIY | How To Sew a Bandage Bodycon Skirt


DIY projects have become a little hobby of mine. Today I completed the following project in about an hour and I was quite proud of the way it came out. As you scroll down, you will see the steps I took to make it all happen. I hope you enjoy!


For this project, you will need an over sized t-shirt, a ruler, chalk, measuring tape, thread, scissors, and a sewing machine.

Step 1. Start with folding the t-shirt in half. Smooth all the wrinkles out on a flat surface.

Step 2. Measure your waist and hips. Use the formula to determine the measurements necessary to complete the pattern. Using a ruler, mark the measurements on the shirt in a few spots and connect the dots.

Step 3. Cut out pattern.


Step 4. Draw a straight line across the cut out skirt pattern. The distance between each line is approximately 3 inches. Number each line to avoid confusion.



Step 5. Begin sewing pieces together.


 Step 6. Sew the front and back part of the skirt together.
(Note: Make sure all the bandage flaps are sewn down in the same direction)


Step 7. Use scissors to clean up any uneven edges and WHALAH! You're done.

I love this skirt. It hugs the body well and I can't wait to make other colors. I think the next one will be a color blocked bodycon.....We'll see!

Have fun with your style and stay beautiful!









Sunday, July 28, 2013

My Weekend | Golfing and Thrifting


In a still photo, you may think I was the next Stacy Lewis or Inbee Park. Okay....maybe not. This weekend I was able to complete my first golf lesson and it went well. So well, I can't wait to get back over to the driving range and practice my swing. I guess you could say I am channeling my Dad's love for the sport. My husband and I are always saying he should have his own little business coaching people on the sport. He could name it "Pops". Now who wouldn't sign up for that? Lol




Since this is a blog page about style, I can't go without writing about my simple ensemble. Instead of racing out the door to purchase a new outfit to wear to my first golf lesson, I took a look in my closet to decide on something appropriate to wear.




The focus of my entire look was wrapped around the shoes I have on my feet. Yes! I love them. They were a great find at Wal-Mart and I couldn't leave the store without buying them. The rest of my outfit was pretty simple. The skirt and belt was purchased at the thrift store and the sheer blouse was purchased at F21.


 
The great part about the entire lesson is learning a sport that my husband and I can enjoy together.  


On my way home, I pass right by the Goodwill and I needed some Thrift Store Therapy. Twenty dollars later, I came out with these lovely items. I have great DIY projects in mind and I can't wait to get started. I will definitely share them in future blogs. What DIY projects do you have brewing? Regardless of what they are, have fun with your style and stay beautiful!


Friday, July 26, 2013

The Insect Museum

Being able to go on non-stop field trips is the best part about summer break. Yesterday, my kids and I had a fun time at the insect museum looking at all the different types of spiders, bugs, scorpions, bees....oh my!
 
I thought it would creep me out but I actually had fun exploring with the guys. They were excellent tour guides showing me around the place.
 
Since we were going to see bugs and stuff, jeans was the most appropriate things to wear....just in case....YOU KNOW! LOL. Anyways, I kept the look really simple with a basic stripe tank and a sheer blouse opened to give a little bit of layering. The look was finished off with a pair of faux pearls, a gold beaded bracelet, and a pair of canvas shoes. The purse is a bag I have had for a lonnnnggg time.
  


I can't believe the summer break for my kids are coming to a close. It seems like the time is flying by and they are growing so fast. I guess it's a bittersweet emotion. I'm happy they are returning to school
to learn fun and exciting things, but sad they will spend a large chunk of their day away.
 
 

 
 The museum allowed us to touch some of the bugs. Pretty cool....right?
 
 
 

 This was a beautiful fountain right outside the museum. This picture maybe used for a future DIY.


What a captive audience? At the end of the tour, the museum has flavored honey you can buy
and it was absolutely delicious.


Checking out museums and historic monuments is a great way to explore with your kids. What are you doing this summer?......I hope having fun!! Remember to enjoy life and stay beautiful.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

DIY | From Drab to Fab


Whenever I go to my favorite store to shop (Thrift store), I always have a basic list of items I want to find with cool prints and colors (i.e. Men's Dress Shirt, T-Shirt, Skirt, Dresses, and/or accessories). On a recent trip, I found this "Granny" dress that needed some updating. The lace was beautiful but the style was dated. In my blog today, I show you the simple steps I took to turn this dress from drab to fab. These steps can be applied to a skirt, a oversized men's dress shirt, or a piece of fabric you have on hand. Most of all, have fun with your style and stay beautiful!


Step 1: Draw a straight line, using fabric chalk, across the dress from armpit to armpit and cut.

Step 2: Remove the buttons and button holes.

Step 3: Line up the open ends and sew together.

Step 4: Measured 10 inches, angled from the top of the fabric to the outer edge of the fabric. Draw a line line with chalk and cut.

Step 5: Hem and pin down the armhole openings on both sides
Step 6: Sew  (Remember to always save your scraps for other projects)


Step 7: Fold and pin the top edge of the fabric and allow room for your ribbon. Complete this step on the front and back.  Use pins to hold the fabric down and sew.

Step 8: Use a large safety pin to feed the ribbon through the openings on the front and back of the dress.
Complete!!






Wednesday, July 24, 2013

My Race For Fitness






I finished my first 10 mile run. Yeah!!

On my weight-loss/fitness journey, I have found that setting attainable goals have gotten me slowly to my own finish line. Recently the race bug has been on me and I have completed two in the last two months. These races have definitely forced me to adjust the way I workout and prepare for the next running event.





At first, let me tell you, I was VERY hesitant about putting myself out there and signing up for a race. I focused on other people who could potentially race against me. In my mind, I thought their fitness level was higher than mine and I wouldn't stand a chance. My husband convinced me otherwise. He said, "Keshia, you can do it, you've been running alot!". LOL. He is my #1 Fan! I love you babe!




Honey! Let me tell you. I am so glad I got over that, thanks to my loving Husband. When you show up to a race, you have so many people waiting to run. All of these people are at different fitness levels. Most of all, you have some people who actually walk the route. They tend to stick to the 2 mile and 5K runs for the sake of time. Never the less, they are there reaching their own fitness finish line.



I didn't finish first when they tallied the times but I finished first with my own goals. This has been extremely self-rewarding and I am just getting started.



 Get out there! Set yourself a goal, stick to it, and you won't be disappointed.




If you want to check out upcoming events in your town, click here. Beauty starts from within. Get out there and catch you a fitness bug. Most of all, Stay beautiful!!