Feeling Lucky

Have you ever had one of those days that started out kinda crummy then turned into AWESOMENESS! I had one of those just the other day. I won't get into the crummy part cause who really wants to hear that.... 

So I was out and about with daughter no 2...getting some things together to send her off to school. We planned to get some blog photos after we finished but ran out of time, she had to run off to work. Bummer. Right? We all know how hard it is to get photos and I got all dolled up for these ones....ugh.

My luck turned when I ran into this amazing woman....

 I'm always happy to see her, we chat about fabric and blog stuff...so already my day was on an up swing. 

Just stop now and go check her out! Then come back...of course!

Source

So gorgeous right!??

Mo is amazingly talented and stylish! I love everything she wears and she wears her style with such confidence and flair. The girl can rock a tutu like no one I know. Want to know her creds... 

Style Expert | Fashion Writer | Content Curator , Stylelist Canada | Style Panel & Plus Size Contributor, FASHION Magazine

She is also the creator of Clutch Couture and sells her amazing skirts at The Tutu Experience on Etsy. If you want to know some great places to eat when you are here in Halifax then definitely check out Mo's blog...and Instagram +misslionhunter   We are so lucky to have her living right here in our beautiful city!

Ok so on with my story... I ran into her and she told me I looked great and that I must be shooting for the blog today. I said yes, that was the plan but that my daughter didn't have time. So what does Mo do? SHE OFFERS TO TAKE MY PICS! Isn't she the sweetest! Just watch me jump all over that! 

Thank you Mo for taking these pics for me! I'm sorry for being such a derp... when I looked at the pics I was a bit glazed over and stood there like a stature, hardly moving at all! You picked such a great location and the composition was spot on but your model was... Queen Derp! I'll do better next time...promise!

Now on to my top... I made this McCalls 7133 top in a tropical print and was surprised at how much I liked it. So I knew that another one was going to be immediately moved up in the sewing queue. I have this gorgeous navy blue lace in my stash and with its lovely scalloped edge, I knew it would make a pretty crop top. Once again, I removed the center back seam and moved the zipper to the side seam, inserting it upside down like my last one. I used the scalloped edge for the hemline and I love how it looks in contrast with my ivory lace skirt.

I love that scalloped edge so much!!

I felt so ladylike in my outfit and we all know how much I love a navy and white outfit. I can see this top with my white pants as or a pair of culottes...got to get to making those... or navy and white striped skirt..... hmmm... why haven't I made one of those already?

It never really ends does it?  There is always something else to sew....

Confidently Cropped

Hey everyone! I'm kinda excited about this post...this little top has pulled me waaaaay out of my comfort zone! I started to make McCall's 7133 top on a whim, knowing that I would also make a VERY high waisted skirt to wear with it to hide the fact that it is a crop top. I just thought that I certainly couldn't pull off a crop top at my age.

So I did just that, made the top and skirt. As you can see in the pictures below....meh.....

Yeah...not really loving it. Too much of this pattern, maybe? In hindsight, I think that a high waisted pencil skirt would have been better. I just find the whole ensemble overwhelming.

Anywaaaays....moving on...

  I thought, why not (for kicks) just try the top with my high waisted nautical jeans. Bam! I was surprised at how much I liked it and what surprised me even more was the confidence I had while wearing it! Who knew!? Another surprise was that my typically conservative hubby preferred the trousers over the skirt. He thought the skirt was too matchy matchy. 

well paaardoooon me....call the fashion police

(ok....he was absolutely right!)

So on to the pattern.... and my review.

Pattern: McCalls 7133

Fabric used: A tropical print cotton sateen.

Instructions: The instructions were great. This is rated as easy and I found that to be true. It isn't lined which was nice for a summer top and much easier to sew.

Changes I made: I removed the center back seam. I keep making this change to my makes lately...I REALLY don't like unnecessary CB seams. I used an invisible zipper in the side seam instead of the back. I can easily pull the top on and off and it just made much more sense to move the zip.

Repeat worthy: Yes! I am already planning a navy blue one!

The skirt is McCalls 6706. Any of you following me for a while, know that I have made this skirt many times before and can head over to my gallery to find one and a review for it.

After I tried the jeans, I thought I would try my wide legged, high waisted, off white pants. I think this outfit would be perfect for our next trip south. It has a tropical vibe to it and I can totally see myself wearing it to dinner in a resort setting.

So...may I ask... pants or matchy matchy skirt? What if I remade the skirt into a high waisted pencil skirt? Would that be better than the full skirt?
 I like the jeans and hubby likes the white pants. What do you think? I'm also open to more styling ideas if you have any! I'm thinking...my lace Copy Cat skirt or maybe I'll really go all out and pair it with culottes like the pattern! Now we are really stepping outside the comfort zone!

What kind of garments would be outside of your comfort zone?