Fashion Accesories

Hello All You Fashionistas,
I am wondering if any of you have purchased Diane Pemberton's new e-book about fashion acessories and what is your opinion of it. Does it have information that is beyond the obvious?
By that I mean does it have more helpful information than, "do not wear boots with a sheer summery dress," or "flip flops with a business suit." http://www.accessorymagic.com/subscribers.htm
Thanks for you input,
Joan

Wow! What a surprise. Chloe has won the Project Runway for the year. I was so afraid that the arrogant guy with the pony-tail would win. I just saw the news posted by Rueters on Yahoo. Has anybody seen any TV coverage? This may be old news for all I know, I am so out of touch sometimes.
Joan

Closeup of jacket - this was a scrumptious reversible wool/lycra blend from Charles Chang Lima - I used the grey pinstripe for the main fabric, and brought the hems to the front instead of the back to reveal the tan backside of the fabric. I couched grey yarns there for a smooth design transition...

Then, to carry through this accent of the reverse tan side of the fabric, I placed a seam at the fold of the front tuck on the pant and reversed the inside of that tuck - that is why the tuck looks light tan.... look closer at the pant photo...


from Londa's design room

closeup of jacket back - I lengthened the center back 6"! When I make this garment again - I'll lengthen it even more. There are ramifications of this at the side seam hemline - which I go into in great detail in my Londa's 2 Cents Worth on this pattern - available for purchase at my website: www.londas-sewing.com
- or availble FREE with purchase of that pattern from me.
from Londa's design room

Pant - I ran short of fabric - hence the diagonal below the knee detail...
from Londa's design room

Full Plaza Jacket and Pant outfit... The blue T-shirt underneath might look weird in the pictures, but it honestly picks up the light grey pinstripe of this fabric, and the grey yarn that I couched along the reversed hemlines on the Jacket quite nicely. PLUS - I have resolved to add some color to my wardrobe - :)
from Londa's design room

Londa's Plaza Pant and Jacket

Yea...just finally finished my Plaza Ensemble - using The Sewing Workshop's Plaza Jacket and Pant I also have written my Londa's 2 Cents Worth - which, if I might say so myself - is quite valuable. I've added much to this pattern with some creative ideas and changes - including some yardage saving ideas...
I'll go over to Hello.com to get the pictures posted...

If you have any questions - just use the Comments on this post to ask...
Londa

Went shopping at the mall...what I saw

Went 'flitting' through the mall Friday night... a.. I was amazed at the number and colors of what I call 'shells' available - and many in quite nice quality knits and fabrications. Most of them were sleeveless. I just don't ever remember seeing so many of this wardrobe basic in RTW before... b.. Though what I've read says softer colors (better for us aging baby-boomers) - that is NOT what I saw. The main color that jumped out at me was a fairly bright coral. The 'pink' of this year? Could be death to very cool-undertoned complexions imho... c.. Picked up some chenille sweaters for myself at $7! I work in my basement much of the year where it is quite cool, and these are just right for me. loved those bargains! February and August are the months to both buy the new at introductory sales, and spend time shopping the sales racks... d.. Had to giggle to myself at all the simple tie belts thrown onto jeans and elevated pricing....think I'll attack my stash and make some up to sell at the fine arts fairs I do with my creative wearables... e.. Anyone else? Been shopping? Impressions... ??Londa

what's 'new' in fashion

Hmmm - couldn't sleep, so did some cyber-snooping. Clicked around at Nordstroms , Norma Kamali, then Vogue Patterns. What I see is lots of empire lines, ruffles, flounces, and - in general - the styles of my youth. Perhaps it is time to dig back into the old patterns... At least they 'hit' me as pretty!
It appears that the 'waist' of jeans is creeping up again - and that the hems can be most anywhere!
For some exciting silhouette shopping - check out the Marfy patterns (Italian) at the Vogue Pattern site. No seam or hem allowances, and no instructions, or even pictures of the garment with the pattern. I haven't made any yet - but it might be fun. I had their Bridal catalog at my shop several years ago and it was a feast for the eyes. Anyone stitched a Marfy? Reports?
Don't miss their descriptions over on the right hand side - truly entertaining.

Sew....what are YOU thinking of adding this year? I have some great new fabrics in at my www.londas-sewing.com website. Especially nice for basics is the top grade microfiber/Spandex interlock knit - in a rich ice blue, and also just got it in black. This fabric would do any of the Kamali ruched, multi-style garments. It is yummy, yummy, yummy for a basic with some 'oomph' yet not too heavy at all.

I just cut out the Sewing Workshop Plaza Pants and have a few 'twists' I've added. I plan to get those stitched up this week, and my Londa's 2 Cents Worth on that pattern written. I love the jacket - but did lengthen the back 6" at the center, slanting to the sides. You could see it at: http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/plazafront.jpg and http://www.londas-sewing.com/images/plazaback.jpg

Off topic but One Year Bible Recommendation

Though off topic, I want to share this Blog for any fellow Christians, or any one seeking answers to life's hard questions. I am finding it a wonderful way to start each day.
http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2006/01/january_1st_rea.html

Five Worst Fashion Looks of 2005

I absolutely LOVE receiving the Clothing Chronicles newsletter (free) every 2 weeks from Diana Pemberton-Sikes. She has given permission to quote her newsletters - so here is a capsule of what she considers the worst fashion looks of 2005.

"1. PJ's as Daywear.
2. Flip-flops with Everything - boy do I agree with that as a 'worst look'!!!!
3. The "Skin" Belt (defined as cropped top/low rise waistband) on anyone but a slim, young thing.
4. Sweats + Designer Bag - Diana says: Poorly-chosen apparel can downgrade expensive accessories".
5. Paris Hilton Look-Alikes"
her newsletter explaines each of these as only she can - GREAT!

"Casual trend gone too far is her summary. Sloppy clothing has lead to slppy behavior and a complet elack of knowledge of basic wardrobe tenets. "

For some great fashion guidance, I highly recommend anything Diana does...
Click on this link to check it out - use some of that Christmas Gift Cash VERY wisely!

Londa

Clean out your Closet - and take the deductions for donations

Take a gander at this!
I'm printing it off and making several copies and vowing to USE it this year as I clean through the clothing in this house of ours!
more details can be found at this link you can cut and paste into your browser. Click here.

Women's clothing
Average price per itemLow and High
Number of itemsx Price = Donation amount
Blouse
$2.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Slacks
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Coat
$10.00
$40.00
___ x ________ = ________
Dress
$4.00
$19.00
___ x ________ = ________
Sweater
$3.75
$15.00
___ x ________ = ________
Pantsuit
$6.50
$25.00
___ x ________ = ________
Handbag
$2.00
$20.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shoes
$2.00
$25.00
___ x ________ = ________
Total of all donated items:
$________
Click here for a .pdf version of the women's clothing worksheet.
Children's clothing
Average price per itemLow and High
Number of itemsx Price = Donation amount
Blouse
$2.00
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shirt
$2.00
$6.00
___ x ________ = ________
Dress
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Slacks
$2.00
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Jeans
$3.50
$12.00
___ x ________ = ________
Coat
$4.50
$20.00
___ x ________ = ________
Sweater
$2.50
$8.00
___ x ________ = ________
Shoes
$2.50
$8.75
___ x ________ = ________
Total of all donated items:
$________

Londa

Your age by Chocolate Math

This only works yet this year - and though not fashion related - it is certainly seems "Female" related! At least in my book...

1.Pick the number of times a week you would like to have chocolate (more than once, but less than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 (I'll wait while you get the calculator!)
5. If you have already had your birthday this year, add 1755...if you haven't, add 1754.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a 3 digit number.
The first digit of this was your original number (how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next 2 numbers are YOUR AGE!
Londa

Project Runway - Bravo TV

Treat yourself to enjoying Project Runway...
I love, love, love this 'reality' TV. What a great escape. The new (2nd) series started Wednesday night - and you should have seen what these designers created from 6 yards of muslin! The following hour, it went on for the first challenge - which was to design something representative of their work using ONLY what they were wearing! What fun!!! Find it at 9 pm CST on Bravo Network (and repeating at various times on Bravo). Do tune in - here is a link to info http://www.tv.com/project-unway/show/26278/summary.html

Comment - with your prediction of the winner! My vote is for the tall guy with the ponytail - sorry, I forget his name - who did the aqua muslin dress that won. My heart wants the self-taught 'older' gal - equal to the "Wendy" of last season - to win though.
So..... what do YOU think?