Jess Smith, Author at Jessica Smith Creates • Page 10 of 27

July 20, 2015

Evolution of Me

The past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about my style, and how its evolved over the past few years.

There’s some things that haven’t changed.

I still don’t wear much makeup. Much is even an overstatement. Really, if I’m wearing makeup, its because I was playing with makeup and couldn’t get it all off, so I had to compensate. Or I was dressing up for something. If you see me wearing contacts, that’s even more rare, but often overlaps with these same reasons. I am better at makeup, but that’s because I’ve been practicing for cosplaying reasons.

I still love jeans. I need to get better at either picking better fitting ones, or just suck it up and make them. I’ve got the Ginger Jeans pattern, and the denim, so its a matter of time. Maybe I’ll be motivated when it isn’t summer.

But it is summer, and even though its my second summer in the South, I still can’t handle it. Granted, last summer I spent it hiding in my house making stuff. It was a productive summer, but it was nice when I left the house before 7pm, or more often than twice a week.

I’ve mentioned it before, but this summer I’m kinda working in an office, and unfortunately, shorts are not exactly appropriate attire. My boss wears them, but he’s the only one I’ve seen in the whole office building in them.

Skirts and jeans are my go to choices this summer, which I bet are not surprising, as its kinda (casual) office attire. But it was a revelation for me. Why, I’ll never know.

But two years ago, when I was really starting to get going with this blog, I would never have dreamed of wearing a maxi skirt, or a short skirt really, or dresses half the week. I knew I started this blog for costuming, but by now its been a few costume pieces, and lots of other clothing and stuff. And I’m okay with that.

I definitely never thought I’d be making myself t-shirts. I do think that culottes are pretty resourceful. Who doesn’t like “skirts” that don’t have Marilyn moments? And last year’s bodysuits? Rarely worn, but for all the shirts I’ve been making from the same pattern, totally worth it.

I have two distinctly different looks during the school year. Either really put together on tutoring/presentation days. The days where I’m really making an effort to look my age. Instead of teenager-college aged. Because that’s the other set of days. Jeans and t-shirt days. Or snuggly sweaters, when the weather is appropriate.

And my wardrobe is evolving to reflect this.

I haven’t bought clothes (excluding undergarments) from a (non-thrift) store in over a year now, and I’m extremely proud of that. Until I remember that I have some shorts and jeans to replace.

I’m learning, and loving it. My knowledge of sewing comes from quilting, so I still have a problem remembering seam allowances bigger than quarter inch. My knowledge of clothing, though, comes from costuming, so the inside of my makes may not be pretty, but if my shape fluctuates, I know I can fix it. I will say that I miss costuming weekly, if not daily, which has led to binge watches of musicals on Youtube.

Let me tell you, Legally Blonde the Musical is perfection.

My average backup is 5 projects that don’t make it to the blog ‘on time.’ It’s even better when I get them posted in the same season.

So what is my current 5 project backup? You should expect to see these soon:

1. A tote bag to rectify my two laptops situation.

2. A second maxi skirt. This one is closer to satisfying my wearable blanket ideal.

3. Wide legged trousers for a new cosplay/Halloween plan

4. Two black t-shirts again made from the Nettie pattern

5. A knit Dandelion dress. Also a subtle Merida based dress

And a bonus:

6. My first pair of Tania culottes, which I still haven’t managed to show you.

These are all made, but its the photographing and writing stages that I haven’t quite gotten to.

Okay, reflection time is over. I’ve got a shirt to fit, and some (paying) work to get to.

But I hope you enjoyed the ramblings!

July 1, 2015August 19, 2018

Miter by the Sea

To end the old backlog, I’ve come to show you my awesome shell.

In March, about a week before Spring Break, I was on Facebook well past my bedtime, and I saw that Cake Patterns was looking for testers for some of their new tops. I jumped at the chance, especially because I knew I’d have some built in sewing time. I jumped on board with their Miter Shell.

Of course, then the envelope with the pattern arrived and I sat there staring at it.

Firstly, I was facing the fact that my perfect week off had to include a Chemical Oceanography take home midterm, as well as a math program in Matlab that I had been already putting off for a week.

So of course, after putting off all of these things until the end of the week, I spent the Friday before school started back up not doing homework, but instead working on this new pattern.

I made the Espresso leggings a few years ago, and it was lovely. I’m not a leggings person… at least not unless their a pajama replacement. Or a replacement for tights in winter. But I still wear these leggings, and as soon as the inspiration strikes, I’ll take the pattern out again.

This means I was already familiar with the type of pattern, with the sizing and the connecting the dots loveliness.

I connected the appropriate dots, pulled out my roll of IKEA drawing paper that I use for patterns, and I traced and cut to my heart’s delight.

First I made it up in this orange mystery athletic wear knit that I had just received in a mystery fabric bundle thing. To be honest, the stuff had very little recovery, I used a stitch that was waaaaaay to small, and I found the back “laces” too large, so along with the lack of recovery, they were sagging (and they felt even more saggy). Also, with the square neckline, and my arguably large bra cup size, and therefore high “cut” of a bra, there was an inch of bra showing at the corners.

At that point, I kinda hated my creation. In a Frankenstein sort of way. Let’s start with the fact that it was bright neon orange. I’m not a bright orange kind of person. So I had very little interest in making this draft work, especially fiddling with it all day. (Also my day probably started at 11am. So all day may be misleading).

I went back to my homework until Sunday.

After spending all that time musing, in between chem and math, I realized that the only thing that I really needed to do to fix this was raise the neckline. I did that a little bit in the drafting, but mostly by taking up the shoulder seams. After that I shortened the neckline and arm binding to match, and cut the fabric. (I cut this one, the top of my Nettie dress, and my Nettie top all at once, so I knew for a fact that I didn’t have enough for the back weave, since I was eeking out everything I could just to get all three). I still needed something for the back weave, so I pulled out my collection of vintage notions, and found these lovely seam binding laces in the perfect colors. Of course, I didn’t have enough of either color, but I did have enough for a cool looking pattern!

This is such a comfy shirt. In reality, the weave rarely sees the light of day, mostly due to my cardigan obsession no matter what the outside temperature, but I think its such a nice touch. In the future, I might take in the back a smidge, to reduce the draping a bit. It’s nice when I’m not standing straight, which if I truly face it is most of the time, but it looks so loose in pictures. And the shoulders are quite wide on my uber narrow ones, so I might skinny those up too. Who knows, though. I might forget!

I’ve been waiting to share this with you for over three months, but I can now share that all of the Tidepool Collection, including this one, the Miter Shell, is up for sale on SewingCake.com. I’m definitely getting the Endeavor Trousers soon.

**I’d like to reiterate that all of these opinions are based on the testing copy, and I am unable to make remarks on the final product. But I’m sure its fabulous!

June 20, 2015August 19, 2018

Dinglehopper

Today I made this lovely cardigan and it makes an awesome topper to a Little Mermaid Disneybound/subtle cosplay.

If you want to read about the details on the cardigan, you can read them here, on the Monthly Stitch post.

But if you want to see my impromptu Ariel cosplay, here are my dinglehopper friendly pictures!

So this is my first Syrah skirt, a nice bright green, my Bronte top (or a RTW one), and my new Jenna cardigan!

P.S. This is probably just something weird, but these are honestly the only two pictures where I didn’t look at the camera, which definitely ruined the “illusion.”

June 12, 2015August 19, 2018

The Whole Package

So it’s now June.

That means it’s hot in the South. At least, anywhere that isn’t mountainous.

I was walking home from a ballroom lesson at 9:00PM, and I was still too hot, wearing jeans and a thin blouse, because it was still 85*F.

Any thought of taking up running this summer is quickly fleeing.

But that means that when the separates challenge at The Monthly Stitch came up, I knew that there would be no hope of Ginger Jeans, or even Ginger shorts (too tight for the weather). It had to be something skirt-like. Flowy and preferably breathable. And some sort of top.

It’s been windy, though. And windy plus skirts does not always make for a good combo.

Since I lost my pattern for culottes, which was arguable fatally flawed… (Butt length after creasing from sitting is not the best idea), I bought the Tania culottes pattern from Megan Nielsen.

And I love them.

I haven’t shown you my first pair yet, but rest assured its arriving soon.

This pair, though, exists because I went into Joann’s to get fabric for curtains… And came out with this loveliness.

Let’s forget for a moment that I’ve never really patternmatched. Because pattern placement to avoid flowers on boobs is not quite the same idea. And that I don’t really use patterns with very linear placements. Because it’s been engrained that I would need to be extra careful with those.

But I bought it anyway. Does it help that it was on sale for 50% off? I think in total the fabric cost me 15 bucks for 3 yards…

It might be a deep navy, but I’m considering it black. With the creamy offwhite, it was a warm black tone to it… Or so I’m telling myself. And it’s sheer enough that I wanted to line the culottes. Of course, I decided this after I got home from the store.

So this is my pair of self lined Tania culottes!

I measured a large for these, which surprised me a little, but my tummy did grow a bit from end of semester bad eating habits, so I trudged through it. Like many others, I cut the extra large length to go with the large other measurements. I did have to shorten the crotch curve, which I did uber-scientifically on my last pair (which was already finished) by sewing a larger seam allowance. Since that worked, I just transferred that to the pattern. I also followed the recommendation to raise the seam even more for the lining, which did bring about much confusion with the then four large skirt like pieces, but I think it worked out. Also I don’t have invisible zips handy, so I just put in a regular one. And a pocket. I added a pocket. Because it was very important.

Once I had put it all together, before letting it hang for a few days, I tried it on and immediately hated the wide waistband. It just looked so… wrong. Thinking back on it, I remember a pattern that suggests against stripes for the waistband since it was curved. And I’m guessing this was why. But also I’m a fairly short waisted person, but most of my belly fat exists in that lower region below the bellybutton, and with the high waistband, I was going to have to do some excessive fitting to get it to sit close to my body (stay tuned for that in my first version). So I decided to hack off half of it, and pulled out my bias binding collection and used some lovely green to deal with the seam. You can see a peek of it above. Also, look at that pattern almost matching. The lines are at least correct!

Then I let it sit for more days than I care to admit. You see, this week I’ve been having trouble getting to bed before 2AM. But instead of going with that flow, I’ve been still trying to sleep starting at 1, which cuts out a significant amount of available sewing time. As is the waking up late, BECAUSE I WENT TO BED AT 2!

I used my rolled hem foot. I think this marks the third time? And this is probably the first time with the right kind of fabric. It was not easy, and the hem is not even. The lining might even have been peeking out a smidgeon. Shush, don’t tell! But it’s pretty darn good for the first time on miles and miles of fabric.

And then the top. I love the Dandelion top/dress, and I figured it was time to make it again. Especially because I’m planning a “super secret” version. But first this one.

My fabric choices were easy. I had just made a Tania pair out of this linen, and it was a perfect amount to use for this shirt. And this lace, I love this lace. I used it on my last Dandelion, to accent the side panels, and the amount used for the yoke here didn’t take away any more yardage. Just into the scrappage from the previous one! I still have quite a few yards, and I’m not sure what to do with it.

I cut a medium, like I had done for my first one. The first one is nice and comfy, but it is a little loose above the bust, which I should’ve realized would become a problem in a sleeveless version. So there were quite a few alterations, including taking in the back, taking up the shoulders, taking in the side seams, changing the back yoke shape, eliminating the zipper, and taking in a wedge of the lace.

It’s still not perfect. I might need to readjust the bias tape, and I should take the shoulders up even more when I do that. But I’m kinda in love with it. It should also get softer after a wash, which’ll be nice. It’s not scratchy, but its also not soft. But soon. Soon it’ll be soft!

I like these two options together. We’ll see how much wear they get together. But they will certainly be mix and matchable! In fact this is the first intentional post on the beginning of a little capsule wardrobe. I’ll talk more about it later, I promise!

June 10, 2015

MMM15 Wrap Up

It’s nearly half a month later, but I’ve finally gotten to the wrap up.

It was a good May.

I moved (again). I took a vacation to visit my brother’s graduation. I started work on my Master’s research… I made plans for lots of makes and didn’t follow through.

What I did work a lot on was the dress for my Susan costume, since I really want that done before July, so I can get working on the TARDIS.

Here’s a pic of almost everything I wore this month (skipping over a few days for fit parameters and me made cardi only):

And my tallies. First up number of me made garments:

Shirts – 9

Bodysuit – 1

Cardigans – 3

Dresses – 3

Skirts – 2

Culottes – 1

And number of wears per type of me made garment:

Shirts – 13

Bodysuit – 1

Cardigans – 6+ (cause I’m sure I wore one on some days that I didn’t photograph)

Dresses – 5

Skirts – 4

Culottes – 1

So obviously I rewore garments. In fact, I quite often repeated outfits, cause that’s something I like. Really, I have no interest in changing that.

The one thing that I really noticed was that I need to actually work on doing all the alterations that I put into the alterations pile. Both sleeveless Archers, my blue skirt, and some others that I can’t remember are all stuffed into that pile awaiting the day that I get bored enough to fix them. But I definitely shouldn’t have waited, because it definitely limited my options… To the point that I took out a sleeveless Archer for the last day, since all it really needs is to fix the bias tape before I next wash it, since the fabric frayed beyond that.

I do need to be a better packer for trips… Not all of my trip wardrobe worked together, and since it was much cooler than I expected I couldn’t wear any of the shorts or skirts except the maxi, which made it more difficult.

And I want to rework the other skirt that I wore. It was made a year before I started the blog out of quilting cotton, and is really comfy. Shorter than I thought though… But comfy and cool in hot weather. It needs some kind of lining, though, and pockets. Definitely pockets.

What I learned through MMM?

Always have pockets!

(Actually I learned that before, but it’s worth repeating).

June 8, 2015August 19, 2018

Overdue T-shirts

It’s high time I show you these t-shirts. It’s been two months. And I love three out of four to death. So these are definitely long overdue.

Now I’m thinking about the fine on my library card…

First up is a plain Nettie t-shirt.

Remember the brown one I made last year?

It’s almost the same pattern but with a bit more room around the midsection. It really means I spend less time picking it out of my lovely belly rolls when I sit down.

Come on, I know I’m not alone in that.

But this time… it’s turquoise.

Or aqua. Some people like to tell me that my sense of color is wrong. I’m going with turquoise.

P.S. Whoever owns the eBay shop that I bought this fabric from: I need more of this. Lots more in every color. It feels like butter. Or nothing. Whichever is your ideal texture. I’m going with butter. I don’t even know what its made of. But its that awesome!

Okay, second:

The Nettie top for a dress. Using the ultimate fabric from above

Basically I took my Nettie top pattern, chopped it an inch from the “waist” measurement, added wide elastic, and then this skirt bottom.

Actually this was an ultimate refashion of me mades. The waistband elastic came from a skirt that I made before I understood that a rectangle elastic skirt looks painfully awful on me if the “lining” and the outer fabric are both puffy and not at all drapey. And the skirt came from a Big 4 dress that just didn’t look right. Mostly because the top looked a bit, how should I put it… mumsy. Now I’m 23. That’s a perfectly okay time for a person to be a mum, but I feel like many don’t want to look like theirs. Cause that’s what this dress did for me. It made it look like I had saggy breasts and no waist. So I unpicked the skirt, and used it here!

Isn’t that better?

Super comfy and has become my long car ride dress. Because it’s awesome.

Third one:

Plantain

So a few years ago I made leggings out of this odd fabric from Walmart. And I had a lot left. And I couldn’t figure out what to do with it. So I made a Plantain. Not my favorite, but it is summer now. And that shirt is hot. Perhaps when it gets a bit cooler? My last one fell apart, so I couldn’t compare, but the last one was arguably destined to fall apart. My serger needs some more tinkering.

It’s still kinda a meh look for me. I think that my opinion on Plantains is that the sleeve is awesome, and it’s a great pattern to hack, but on me I much prefer a Nettie to a straight up Plantain.

And lastly:

A grey Bronte.

I got this spongy grey wonderfulness a few months ago, and I knew it was destined to be a Bronte. In all fairness, it should have been a sweater. That’s the kind of sponge I’m talking about. But I looked past that and made it up to be my most favoritest top ever. Or at least this month.

Note: favorite fabric is the turquoise, and this is the favorite shirt. Just to be clear.

I think I might have added some extra room to the bust, since it was creating deep lines in the first one, and I winged out the below-bust to give me some belly room, like with the Nettie.

It’s super comfy, and great when the air-conditioning makes you want to wear winter clothes in the middle of summer. Because if you do, then you die when you go back outside, so… I like this option better.

Well, there’s my t-shirts! I’ll do my MMM15 round up soon.

But first I should find that library card…

June 3, 2015August 19, 2018

Re-Made Vintage Craft Tote (with a miniature tutorial)

This tote used to sit next to my grandmother’s armchair and it was always filled with embroidery supplies.

She had been working on this candlewick project for years and years, almost as far back as I can remember, and right before I went to college she realized that she had enough squares to make up the desired quilt.

But since she and my grandfather moved into that house, when I was around 6th grade age, she let me help with that embroidery project. In the early days I wasn’t much help, but I did improve over time, and it was always a nice outlet when family talk got too weird, or emotional, or silent.

Now, she is living happily in an assisted living facility, and that tote was something she left behind. Don’t worry, she’s happily sewing, but she won’t remember it if you ask her!

The cover that was on the piece not only smelled old and musty, but was in various states of disrepair. I bet it had ripped a few times over, and it was patched in quite a few places.

With no further ado, I give you my magical new craft tote!

Isn’t it purdy? And surprisingly difficult to photograph, but perhaps that’s because I only have half a window available of sunlight right now.

And the quilting cotton I used should match one of my lap quilts, which is quite pink, as well as my general aqua/turquoise decor.

If you have one you’d like to recover, it’s not a difficult job! I spent a couple of hours taking apart mine, which most of that was spent trying to unpick the fixes and getting distracted by CSI. And sewing it took less than 4 hours, and that’s with unpicking a major part of the bag.

If you want to build one, the frame to mine looks a lot like this hamper from ikat bag. And you might want to follow instructions for her bag too! They look fantastic, and its washable. You can also get them for about $25 from etsy, and probably ebay if you search wooden frame folding tote,

Mine has a lining, though, and its essentially sewn into the frame. So if you want to follow along with my badly illustrated tutorial, read on!

You’ll need maybe a half yard of outer fabric, and a bit less than that for the lining.

Also, be forewarned that I’m using algebraic phrases. Forgive me, I’m a math person.

So these are the pieces you’ll need, based on your frame dimensions. First the outside pieces:

And then the lining piece:

I cut the lining piece on the fold indicated by the dotted line. So the lining piece gets sewn up along the B side, and I also sewed the fold, for continuity. Also sew up the bottom, along the A side. Press everything, cause the lining fabric is probably being difficult. Then fold out the corners of that cut out square area, so the bottom lies flat and sew across.

Now the outside. Sew piece 1 to piece 3 along the red lines, where piece 3 is the sides and bottom of the “bag.” Stop at least an inch to an inch and a half before each edge. Don’t forget to backstitch! Then sew piece 2 to piece 3 the same way.

So this is the tricky part. You now need to put the bag into the frame. Do you notice that piece 2 now has that extra section hanging off the edge? That will be folded over. Before we continue, you should take the time to finish all raw edges except the top, and where piece 1 and 2 will meet. So mostly that’s the long area of piece 2, and the sides of piece 3 beyond its attachment.

Now, with the frame closed, note where 1 and 2 will meet. You’re going to need to sew this from the inside, which may mean you have to stop in the middle and wiggle the fabric around. It’s okay! So carefully pin the insides together and sew that seam up!. You’ve got a bag trapped on the frame.

Just fold the top flaps leftover from your side stitching over the top of your frame, and sew in the lining. And voila! You’re done!

That may not have been clear, but now its on the interwebs, so that’s okay!

June 1, 2015

Week 4 (Extended) – MMM15

Guess what guys… I brought pictures!

Yes, I know. Pictures are great in the last week, but what about the first couple?

Well, one day I took a few hours and basically recreated all the outfits.

So there.

Day 22 – Purple Bronte top and cream sleeveless cardigan

This day, oh this day. I willingly went into the office (without cause or reason) and it was boring. So I needed something comfy, yet slightly entertaining. This combo certainly came to the rescue, as I could play with the cardigan all the time that I was supposed to be learning statistics mumbo jumbo.

Day 23 – Simple Staples black dress and unblogged cardigan

To recover from my unexpected trip to the office I stayed on the couch pretty much all day, so a pajama-level of comfy dress came in handy. Then when my now ex-roommate locked herself out of the old apartment, I came to the rescue, adding on the cardigan to cover up (really the armpit smell). TMI? It also was a good enough reason to get those groceries I’d been putting off.

Day 24 – Belle Mock 2 top

Another day lying around the house required another comfy outfit. Also I’m pretty sure that by the time I finished wearing all the outfits I had worn throughout the month to take pictures, I was almost unwilling to believe that non-me made clothes existed. And then I found the shorts, and had to take that back.

Day 25 -Plantain – unblogged

At this point, I moved my new couch, so that position on the wall was occupied… But I wore a cool weather Plantain, since I’d be inside and wouldn’t need to worry about the heat outside. It was on this day that I realized my air conditioning was broken.

Day 26 – Unblogged skirt

I wanted out. The heat had risen again, I had no respite in my apartment, so I left for the office again. With more intention this time to actually do something. Like learn statistics. Do you sense a theme? I grabbed this skirt that I made out of quilting cotton three years ago (pre-blog), and a tank top. I didn’t remember how short it was,perhaps because I made it to hit at around my natural waist. If it was a bit lower, it would be an appropriate length. Boy have I learned so much since this point, but I kinda want to rework this so it’ll be worn. And add pockets.

Day 27 – Nettie top

This top has gotten so much wear in the last two months, but its so comfy. Really really comfy. I think I sat around on the couch “learning statistics,” which did not require dressing up. I bet it did look weird with the shorts and with heels that night at my ballroom lesson though. Cause it was definitely too hot for jeans once I left the house.

Day 28 – Bronte

Shopping requires comfort…

Day 29 – Other Bronte

This was my first day at my new “office,” and I forgot whether it was a lax dress code. My supervisor there wears jeans and nice shirts, so I think I’ll follow through that way, but I wasn’t sure at this point. So I went with the comfortable and safe Bronte.

Day 30 – Technically nothing, but I was swarmed by my Susan dress all day? Trim is difficult people!

Day 31 – Sleeveless Archer

My alterations pile is looming, and I really should have gotten to some of it this month, but I forgot/ procrastinated. I did pull this out, though. Should fix it any day now. The fabric frayed out of some of the bias tape, which should be a quick fix, but procrastination is my nature…

So that’s May!

And what did I wear the first day of June? A RTW dress, cause the me mades I picked out would have been much too hot. Maybe when it next rains…

May 27, 2015August 23, 2022

Completely Different

And now for something completely different…

As a short person, I always assumed that I wouldn’t like maxi skirts, no matter what people say about how they can make you seem taller…

Those people wear heels.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against swimming in fabric. Why do you think I love circle skirts?

I also love the feeling of fabric against my legs when I’m ballroom dancing, and jeans are just not cutting it. Frankly, this won’t work for that either, but still.

But I think I’m in love. (I did just say that about my couch to everyone, but it definitely applies to this skirt).

And I fell hard.

If you’ve been following my pictureless MMM15 posts, my Syrah skirt has made quite an impression, and not just because of a trip with limited outfits. (P.S. I got the pattern as part of a Perfect Pattern Parcel! Love those things) (ETA The Syrah skirt seems to no longer be available online, sorry!)

It’s just so darn comfy! Perhaps the comfiest I’ve been barring pajamas. And maybe even then… but that could mean that I need to make some pajamas.

I cut it out, and I’m pretty sure I took off maybe an inch of lengthdue to me being short. I went for the ruched waistband, which is great, but I bet I would’ve preferred the straight one.

Also pockets. I now require them in anything less than a ballroom only dress/skirt. So I pulled out the Hudson pockets and used them. I should draft them a little differently for the curved waist, but like ’em!

The fabric is some kind of mystery fabric that is at least 75% of definitely polyester. But it dries in a split second!

I followed the instructions and bought swimsuit fabric for the “slip,” and because I’m short I probably have enough for at least 4 more, since I didn’t quite add in all the length to that one either.

There was a bit of an issue easing in all the fabric, especially when I added the pockets, but I don’t mind a slight wrinkle or two!

Because the fabric is a knit, I made the executive decision not to hem it. Instead it got caught on my sandals for a week. I fixed it by cutting down the sandals instead.

So, definitely a super comfy make, that was concurrent with some Tania culottes… Also green. Do you sense a theme? Because I definitely do. And I’m pretty certain that my next make will be too.

May 22, 2015

Week 3 – MMM15

Here’s another roundup! Next week I should be able to get some pictures of my unblogged makes to share with you!

Day 15 – Unblogged shell, again

My mom and I went on a fabric shopping binge, and I needed something comfy! This jersey shell is definitely that. It is another repeat, but what else is new? Jeans and a drapey cardigan, my favorite kind, completed the outfit.

Day 16 – Unblogged Syrah, again

Great for long car trips! I wore it with a favorite purple RTW top, and felt like the Little Mermaid all day.

Day 17 – Rainforest Purse

I feel almost like this was cheating, since I use it most every day, but I was running out of clean me-mades at this point of my trip. So I’m gonna count it!

Day 18 – Knockoff Shrug

The weather app on my phone lied to me. So I desperately needed this shrug to stay warm, since it was certainly not 82 degrees. Shorts were not enough…

Day 19 – Knockoff Shrug, again again

Always helpful among overly air conditioned places, even with jeans and a RTW top.

Day 20 – Unblogged shell, again again

I was on (and off) the road for about 12 hours. This shell provided lovely comfort.

Day 21 – Syrah again.

Paired with a cream shirt, This was the epitome of comfort for a rainy day.