The Winning Dresses Are...

Rehearsal Dinner Dress #2

AND



Wedding Dress #3

Thank you all for your help and advice!  Now it's time to figure out accessories...my FAVORITE part!! Did someone suggest I should buy new accessories...I think they did!  Stop by tomorrow for a sneak peak at what I've found so far :)

Sullivan

Casey and I got back today from Sullivan and we got some SUN!  We had great weather yesterday and today...perfect for spending your days outside.  We arrived Saturday around noon and went on a couple four wheeler drives, visit other people at their campsites, cooked out for dinner, did some drinking games and had a great time!  Today we got up and went to the lake to catch some sun.  It was PACKED!  Everyone had the same idea that we did.  We found a spot of the beach and laid out for a couple hours before coming back home.  I am so tired from being outside these past two days, but before I settled in I want to share with you some photos from our time there.

4 Wheelers

The Camper

PS. Check out these lights.  Casey's mom made them.  She painted vegetable and soup cans red, blue and white.  Then she cut holes in the sides to let light shine through from the christmas lights she attached the cans to.  SUPER CUTE!


Camper and Grounds



Casey and I enjoying the nice weather

I hope you all are having a fabulous Memorial Day Weekend!!

Productive Morning

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone. I am currently blogging from my iPhone ( which isn't easy but I'm doing it just for you all) on our way down to Sullivan, MO. Casey's mom has has a camper down there and it's a great escape from the city life. This morning Casey had a work meeting so while he was gone I ran around like a crazy person. Let me share with you all my accomplishments in the hours time he was gone:

Woke up and took Toby on a nice little potty walk.

Realized we didn't have any tick prevention medicine for him so I had to run out to get some.

Toby and I got in the car and first went to get gas.

Then I headed to Petsmart to get medicine and grabbed two new bones for Toby and Caseys moms dog Scooter. Toby is enjoying that bone a lot!

 

Bread Company was right next store so I went in and grabbed some bagels and coffee for breakfast.

Then I headed back home to pack and get organized. I noticed that the dishwasher was locked like it had been running so I unloaded the dishes.

Last night I mentioned to Casey that I would make brownies for the trip but I was too tired last night so I made those this morning.

By that time Casey got home and we started loading up the car ... It's PACKED!!

I was a busy bee but I feel very productive! Wakes me up in the morning that's for sure.

We are on the road and looking forward to a fun relaxing weekend. I am trying to figure out the whole picture thing but I can't get them to load :(. Those will be to come!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Dress Dilema...I NEED HELP

As most of you who are followers of my blog already know, I am going to California in a few weeks to attend my cousins wedding.  On Friday, we will be going to the rehearsal dinner and Saturday is the wedding.  I am having some minor major dress decision issues.  The rehearsal dinner is more casual than the wedding, but since we will be in California by the beach, I want to wear a fun, colorful dress.  The issue...almost EVERYTHING I own has black in it or is black...ugh I need some CoLoR!!  Don't get me wrong, black is nice because you can dress it up or down and mix and match with fun accessories...I just get tired of wearing the "expected". 

Last night I did a little fashion show for Casey, which he loved by the way...not really.  I tried on two rehearsal dinner dresses and two wedding dresses.  I think I am set on a dress for the wedding, but my rehearsal dinner options are still iffy to me.

HELP ME PLEASE!!! I want you all to be completely honest about which dress you like the most, if you don't like any of them, and give any and all suggestions!  I pretty much LOVE shopping so I am very open to getting new dresses if it comes down to that...or at least new accessories. These pictures don't have all the accessories with them, just the dresses (one step at a time people).

Are you all ready for the Evanne Fashion Show of 2011...here we go!

Rehearsal Dinner Dresses:

This dress ISN'T black...yay!  This brown and teal maxi dress is flowy, has one shoulder (different) and allows me to eat a delicious dinner without my food belly showing :).  I paired my own belt with the dress, which I think it needed.  I would wear brown sandals that have a braided detail to go with the long bohemian look of the dress.  What do you think of Dress #1?

Dress #2 is black...ah man. However, I really like how it is a blank canvas that I can dress up in any way I want.  I would most likely add a fun colored accessories and wear these cute new teal sandals my sissy got for me for my birthday.  It is VERY comfortable!  This was Casey's vote for Rehearsal Dinner night.  What are your thoughts on this dress? 

Wedding Ceremony/Reception Dresses:

Dress #3 is my vote for this category and the one that I feel I am sure I will bring to wear.  It is a two color block dress with a black sash to break up the colors.  I have yet to wear this dress, which is part of the reason why I want to.  The other reason is that I LOVE the neckline detail.  It isn't your normal straight across tube top dress.  Any votes on this one?

The final dress is one that I have worn to a wedding reception before.  I do really like it, but once again, it is mainly black.  It is pretty simply as far as the style and shape of the dress goes.  I like the pattern on the fabric, and I really like the pockets (the only dress of the 4 with pockets).  What do you think of Dress #4?



sorry for the poor quality of the picture...the settings were a little off





The Fashion Show has now ended (I know it's sad).  After it came to a close last night Casey became a little concerned and asked "Am I supposed to have multiple outfits for these nights too?"  ha...no babe guys are much simpler...khakis with button down for rehearsal, suit for wedding...done and done. gosh guys have it easy!

Time to VOTE! Be honest PLEASE and let me know what you think.  I appreciate all the advice I can get...I am kind of bad at decision making.

I will let you know what the consensus was tomorrow!

Have a fabulous Friday and hope you all enjoy your 3 day weekend!!

Quick Cardigan "Fix"

I have a pink cardigan that I bought from Target a few years back.  I bought two, one pink and one multi colored, and I find myself never wearing them.  They aren't overly big, fit just right (or at least I feel comfortable with the way they fit).  I was trying to discover why these cardigans just sat in my closet.  I attempted to wear one this week and tried it on with a skirt and then I realized why I hadn't been wearing them...they are TOO long.  It hit me at an awkward length, and since I am shorter, some things that are too big make me look even shorter than I really am.  In order to bring these cardigans back into my active wardrobe, they needed a change.  I decided to take out some length and fix one up a bit as a "tester".  I figured I don't wear them now so if I end up messing up, then nothing was really lost except the money I spent on them (which I got them on sale of course). 

Here goes nothing...

Here is the sweater before hand.  Since Casey was working, I don't have someone to take pictures of clothes on me, so sorry if it's hard to tell really how long the sweater is.

P.S. Can you tell how I haven't worn this by how wrinkly it is...not pretty!

Next I tried it on and measured to where I would like the length to be.  The length I took off ended up being two inches above the ribbed part.

Cut along the pinned line.  I should have noticed that I was cutting near a button and adjusted a little to give some room.  Be aware of all buttons and attachments when altering clothing.

top half

bottom half

I wanted to keep the ribbing at the bottom of the cardigan seeing as it ties it with the ribbing on the sleeves. I removed the extra fabric above the ribbing.

Pin the two pieces together and sew.  To pin them together, flip the top part of the cardigan over with the front facing the ground.  Take your ribbed section (unbuttoned), flip it over, and line up the bottom with the bottom of the sweater (fabric should NOT be hanging over).  Match up the buttons and holes on either side of the sweater. 

Now I have a brand new sweater that will finally be apart of my wardrobe!

I got 2 for the price of 1 out of this project.  I didn't let the scrap of fabric that I took out of the sweater go to waste...I turned it into a necklace.

I saw a super cute idea on LOVE STITCHED by the fabulous Brittany on how she braided knit fabric to make a necklace.  I decided that it was a cute idea for a casual necklace and put my own twist onto it. 

I took my remaining fabric and cut it into 3 long strips. 

remaining fabric

3 strips

I tied a loop at one end in order to form a "clasping" mechanism for the necklace.

I put the loop around one of my toes (1 good thing about having freakishly long toes...good for necklace making) and pulled the knit tight as I braided.  This is an old trick from friendship bracelet making back in the day.  With those, I used string and would take them onto a notebook and braid/twist, etc. away.  Those were the good ole days...

As I went along, I would measure the braid around my neck until it got to the length I was happy with.  At this point, I realized I had some fabric left over, but not enough to make another braided strand the same length as this one.  I cut off the remaining fabric and tied a knot in the finished braid (big enough that it would hold in the loop).  I braided the remaining fabric as well and came out with a decent length strand, but not as long as the previous one.  I decided to put a knot (no loops) on both ends and tied this strand part way down onto my existing longer strand.  The picture shows it better than my description...take a look.

As you can see, I fastened the smaller braid on either side of the bigger one, forming a double stranded necklace.  I am pleased with my 2 for 1 outcome!

Happy Thursday!!

Toby's Container Take 2

Last week I shared with you all how I updated a coffee can into a treat container for my dog.  I used chalkboard spray paint and wrote TOBY'S TREATS with a paw print in chalk.  Well, as most would think, if you are constantly picking up and using the container, the chalk will smudge and your design will not stay pretty for long. 

I came up with another alternative idea for writing on the container.  Instead of using chalk, I referred to my handy dandy Modge Podge.  I cut out letters and a paw print from light blue paper and stuck them on the container.

The letters were pretty big and took up about 3/4ths the container, but it looks real cute and now I don't have to worry about smudging the chalk all over. 

I found some cute dog stickers I had gotten for a scrap book I made about Casey and I's first year together and put them on the lid.  I made little paw tracks leading up to a nice dog bone, which is how it goes at our house...he knows his treat container so he walks up to wear its at and just waits for a treat.

Here are some pictures of the re-vamp:

left side of the container

center-right side of the container

view from the front after the modge podge dried

paw track lid

I am pleased with the outcome...I love re-using items that people normally throw away and put them to good use!  I feel so resourceful!

Baby Gavin

Congratulations are in order for our good friends Jeremy, Jamie, and big sister Kendall.  They had their baby boy, Gavin Carter Scott, yesterday at 7:11pm.  Both baby and mom are doing great! Casey was off work today so he was able to go visit. 


ADORABLE

Mango Salsa

A couple weeks ago Casey and I went to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner.  Neither of us have ever been there, so we wanted to test it out.  I had salmon with this fabulous tropical tasting salsa on top. Casey got one of the big seafood pots and got to wear the cute bib...so fun!

Anyways, fish is a main food group on the Atkins Diet and since we are still sticking with it...even though I am starting to stray from time to time...we try to eat a lot of fish.  To spice things up a bit from the normal seasoning, I decided to make my own Mango Salsa.

Ingredients:

1 Sliced Mango

1 Tablespoon of diced Jalapeno

1 Tablespoon of Lime Juice

1/2 Cup of Sliced Cucumber (peeled)

1/3 Cup Diced Red Onion

Salt and Pepper

Start with your mango.  I purchased a container of an already sliced mango.  I cut the slices into bit size pieces.

Next, I cut about a 1/4 of a cucumber, peeled the skin off, and diced it.

Cut

Peel

Dice

Take a 1/3 of a red onion and cut into thin rings.  Chop the rings into smaller bit size pieces.

Cut open the Jalapeno and remove all the seeds...unless you enjoy the really hot spicy taste.  Cut the pepper into thin strips and dice.  Casey helped me with this part and he jumped the gun so I didn't get a very good "process" picture...thanks babe!

Put all of these ingredients into a mid-sized bowl.  Mix in the tablespoon of lime juice, salt and pepper.

We ended up wrapping this up in some aluminum foil and sticking it on the grill to cook for awhile.  It turned out really well!

Add to the top of your salmon/fish and enjoy!

DELICIOSA!

Summer Essentials Pouch

My creative juices were flowing this weekend and they were flowing towards SUMMER.  I am ready for warm weather, the pool, my freckles popping out, bbq's, and my upcoming trip to Cali!  With all of this quickly approaching, especially my trip (about 2 weeks away...YAY!), I wanted to make some essential items that I thought would come in handy. 

I bought some really fun fabric from JoAnn's this weekend, one of which being a coral and cream swirl print canvas (scored it on sale).  The other fabric will just have to be kept secret until my next summer project is revealed...muhahahahaha!

In a women's purse or any bag, there are TONS of loose items always rolling around.  Constantly I am digging and pushing things to the side to try to find the 1 thing I am looking for (usually my keys).  I thought that a Summer Essentials Pouch/Purse Pouch would be a great item to make and would certainly come in handy for me. 

For the summer, I can put sunscreen, lip balm, sun glasses, all the small items that might get pushed around in a big bag.  Right now, I am currently using it to hold my camera and USB cord.  When it comes time to fly on the plane, this will be great to put make up or small items in since you pretty much have to take EVERYTHING out of your bags these days.

Materials Needed:

Main Fabric

Lining Fabric

Rotary Cutter

Ruler

Pins

Zipper

Ziploc Bag



The ziploc bag is optional, but I used it as a sizing guide for my bag.  If all my essentials could fit in this ziploc bag, then that is the size I needed for my Summer Pouch.  The bag measured 6" tall.  The width was 7", to which I added 1/2" seam allowance (1/4" for either side).

Measure and draw out the correct size of fabric needed.  Cut the width at 7 1/2".  When cutting the length, double the measurement of the bag -12" plus a 1/2" seam allowance.  This eliminates cutting of two fabric pieces for the main fabric and the lining; instead, you will have 2 pieces total, 1 for the outside and 1 for the lining (MUCH simpler)!



Length



Width

Use a rotary cutter to get nice straight lines.  If your like me, cutting straight lines is a task in itself, so the rotary cutter helps tremendously.

Cut the lining fabric the exact same size.  Now you should have 2 pieces of fabric with the following measurements:  12 1/2" X 7 1/2"

Time to start assembling the bag.  Lay down your lining fabric (if the face matters, lay it face down).  Lay the zipper on top with the start on the right hand side, face up.  Lay the main fabric face down. 

Trick for pinning: Pin the zipper to the lining fabric first, and pin UNDER the zipper.  This is NOT where you will be sewing.  You will sew above the zipper; however, pinning below eliminates having to stop to remove pins as you move along.  You can sew straight through and remove the pins once you are finished...fantastic!!

Pin Lining First

Pin Main Fabric

Sew away!  Once you are finished, unpin and fold the fabrics back so the zipper is displayed.

Take the main fabric and fold it over itself and up to the top of the zipper.  Pin underneath zipper.

Flip over and do the same with the lining.  Pin under the zipper and sew away.

Once the sewing is complete, flip the bag right side out.

Unzip the bag 3/4's of the way open and turn inside out.

Unzip

Flip inside out

Pin the sides together and sew a 1/4" seam allowance on each side.

TIP: If you have shearing scissors, it would be a good idea to cut along the edges to prevent further fraying.  I didn't do this step.

Turn the bag right side out and TA-DA!  Summer Essential Bag is now complete!

I love the coral pink color and the pop the bright blue zipper gives to the bag. Gets me in the mood for some summer fun in the sun!  Can't wait to load this sucker up with pool essentials!