Sewing is the New Scrolling

I've been searching for a hobby for quite some time - something that didn't involve a screen. I came very close to buying a loom, but that felt too trendy. I landed on sewing! My in-laws bought me a machine for the holidays and I immediately signed up for lessons. I'm six weeks in and I've already made a skirt, a zipper pouch (click here for the tutorial I used) and today, I finished this dress! As someone who constantly app hops from Facebook to Snapchat to Instagram and back with a few email refreshers in between, I needed to step away from the phone, and sewing has been lovely. 

My next project is a tank top and pants - something kind of Ace and Jig-ish for the spring. I'm hoping that I'm advanced enough to make a pattern from the Merchant & Mills Workbook, so we'll see. I'll tell ya, this hobby is not cheap, but it is pretty satisfying to complete a project and say "I made this." It's also made me reconsider where I buy my clothes and what to buy. I have a feeling I'll be shopping less and making more. The big question now is - do I purchase an embroidery machine?!

If you want to follow along on my sewing journey (because I know that's what you're all dying to do), I'll be posting more projects on my Instagram. And if you live in Pittsburgh, come to sewing class with me! 

Until next time, ciao!

Fallen for Modcloth

As it always does somehow, Halloween snuck up on us and we're headed into NOVEMBER! I feel like October has been a blur, but one thing I do know, it's F'in cold outside...for now. It will be 70 degrees on Saturday. So, how are we supposed to deal? Transition coats. 

Modcloth is a brand that I've known about forever, but it was never really on my radar until I moved to Pittsburgh, which happens to be where the brand got its start as a CMU startup. They've since moved their headquarters to SF, but I was fortunate to connect with the brand at a recent pop-up. Let me tell you - they have the perfect selection of transition coats among other things like the shoes I'm wearing in these photos that totally remind me of the Gucci Princetowns minus the fur and super cute sweaters!

This red moto-style corduroy jacket is essential for the Fall. It's photographing red, but it's more of a rust and gives off a total 70s vibe. It's a perfect statement piece. And this adorable rain coat is reversible! I'm not usually a floral person, but this caught my eye and again, has this vintage charm - which I guess all Modcloth pieces have and why I should have been shopping here for years. Lesson learned.

Keep scrolling for a few other coats I have my eye on!

Jeans and Ciao top (sold-out) from Madewell.

Standing Room Only

I never know what to say when writing style posts and to be honest, this look is all Topshop from mid-shoulder to mid-calf. If you read my last post about traveling, this is the number one outfit NOT to wear to the airport. First of all, the jeans are high-waisted and sitting is a pain. This is also my first time in a bodysuit since third grade and I can't even imagine what it would be like in an airplane bathroom in this thing. So, basically...if you want a cute look to stand around in at a hightop while you drink your last rosé of the season or you want to do a quick drive-by to check out the scene at the San Gennaro Feast, this ensemble has your name written all over it.

The shoes though! They were a steal at DSW and I can't even find them online anymore. I specifically bought them so that I didn't look like a teenage boy from the 90s rocking some extra long Southpole jean shorts, if you know what I mean. Who knows, maybe I'm still giving off that vibe, but I hope not.

Happy FriYAY!

How to Style a Vintage Skirt: Part III

You guys! I really outdid myself on the vintage skirt front this week. My hope is that there's a tiny little piece of you that is considering a thrift shop excursion this weekend and a vintage skirt in your future. I will wait patiently for the Instagram photos. 

If you read the blog this week, you know that I've been throwing out thrifting tips like it's my job, but sometimes the best vintage clothes belong to your family! Take this skirt for example - it used to belong to my mother before I stole it a few a years ago. She was an elementary school teacher and had THE BEST wardrobe. I especially love this skirt because of the buttons. It feels so Angela Chase. So, my last tip is to raid your mom, grandma, aunt, great-aunt's closet. I even have clothes that belonged to my dad! 

For look #3, I paired this skirt with a denim, pinstriped top from the Gap (if you click on the link, notice the half tuck), and tied the bottom for an 80s vibe. I busted out my Ray-Ban Clubmasters to take the look even further down memory lane and then just threw on the same shoes and put my Annie Bukhman handbag over my shoulder. What else is new?

So that's a wrap for Vintage Skirt Week! Hope it was everything you wished for and more. Until next time, ciao!