eShakti Dress Review

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I cannot even begin to express how incredibly excited I was to recieve an invitation to review a garment for eShakti. For those of you who aren't familiar with the company, eShakti is an online women's clothing source that specializes in you. When you purchase garments, you can choose to put in your body measurements and even change the sleeve or skirt length! They carry all concievable sizes of beautiful, vintage-inspired clothing and it's absolutely amazing!

I'll admit, choosing one out of a few hundred swoon-worthy dresses, skirts and blouses was no easy task. But I finally settled on this gorgous navy blue "Fifties-Style Poplin" and I do not regret it! Even if you aren't a seamstress, it's plain to see how well this garment is made. I haven't had the pleasure of wearing poplin before but I absolutely love it! It's a crisp, smooth fabric that rustles when you move. It has such a fine quality and I feel so elegant and classy in it. It is definitely a garment worthy of my new Pearl Necklace Award!

The Pearl Necklace Award is given only to upstanding garments of elegance and class. Only a garment worthy of a pearl necklace recieves this exceptional award and eShakti's "Fifties-Style Poplin Dress" has most definitely earned it! *applause*

Another thing I love about this dress is the waistband. Lovely rows of tucks create a ribbing effect that is so flattering. The bodice has three darts on each side to increase the comfort and fit. As you can see, I did need to wear an under-shirt for modesty but this is less common in eShakti dresses. Many, and I may venture to say, the majority of their garments are very modest. 

Go circle skirt!

And there's an invisible zipper in the side! Easy on, easy off.

It has POCKETS!!! I'm in love!

My sister had a BLAST taking these photos. It's so cute to see her take a picture with her "baby" (a Canon T3i), then flip the screen and giggle (or evil-laugh) over her success. I tell her she can say it out loud then she smirks, never taking her eyes from the screen, and grins, "Oh yeah, I'm awesome!" I am not one to contradict her. If she can make me look decent on camera, she can do anything! Please pop by her photography website  http://marleyrosenphotography.blogspot.com/

I would definitely encourage you to check out eShakti's amazing selection of gorgeous clothing and experience their great service. You won't regret it.

http://eshakti.com/

Have a beautiful day, lovely readers!

Trim Healthy Waffles-Original Recipe

"Are you a fan of delicious flavor?"

~Shawn Spencer

Our family has just discovered the most amazing healthy living book EVER!!! 

Trim Healthy Mama (THM for short) has been such a blessing to our family! Pearl and Serene (2 Christian sisters from Australia) explain how to eat the way God created our bodies to and to have an overall healthy lifestyle. I'll be doing a book review shortly :) 

These are my Trim Healthy Mama Waffles! After a failed attempt to find one online or in the book, I decided to find and alter a Paleo recipe and give it a whirl. I found one HERE and changed almost everything in it to create the most delicious, decadent waffles you've ever tasted!!! For our family of 10, I do 2 double batches of this batter to feed us all but most likely, you won't need as much so I trimmed it down.

Please, feel free to pin this image. Clicking the image opens this page so everyone can make waffles!

The key to fluffy deliciousness is to whip the egg whites till they're stiff and don't slip around in the bowl...almost like meringues...exactly like meringues...they're meringues (just kidding)

These waffles fall into the "S" category because they utelize whole eggs, almond flour and butter. So slather on the buttah, Mama! You may use all almond flour but the combo of almond and flax makes it super fluffy and smooth!!! The kids can put syrup or honey on theirs but for you, Mama, butter and Polaner's All-Fruit Jelly are both acceptable and encouraged. You could even make a blueberry sauce with blueberries, stevia and a dash of salt and vanilla (yum!)

I hope you'll try the recipe and comment on your success and advice! I make these waffles at least once and sometimes twice a week, we love them so much! I hope you enjoy :)

Trim Healthy Waffles {S}

By McKenna Rosen

Makes Approx. 12 Waffles

Ingredients

6 Egg Yolks

6 Egg Whites

1/4 C. Unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 C. Almond Flour

1/2 C. Flax Flour

1/2 t. Salt

1/4 C. Melted Butter

2 t. Vanilla

2 T. Truvia

1 T. Cinnamon

1 t. Nutmeg

Bacon Grease or Coconut Oil (for greasing the iron)

Optional: 1 C. Blueberries

Instructions
1. Preheat Waffle Iron
2. Whisk Egg Yolks and Milk
3. Add Almond+Flax Flour and Salt. Whisk.
4. Add Melted Butter. Whisk.
5. Add Vanilla, Stevia, Cinnamon and Nutmeg (Optional Blueberries). Whisk.
6. Whisk Egg Whites until they form stiff peaks. (This is best done in a KitchenAid or with a hand-held mixer)

7. Fold Egg Whites into batter in 3 parts.

This is what the batter looks like after the egg whites have been added.

8. Scoop 1/3 c. Batter into preheated, greased iron.
9. Cook until golden-brown and scrumptious! Enjoy!

Help spread the word about my Waffles and, who knows? Maybe Pearl and Serene will start making it for their families!

HSF '14 Challenge #7-Tops and Toes

Good day, lovely readers! I'm afraid I'm 2 days late with posting my hat but I did finish it before midnight on the 15th! And I also completed Challenge #6 but haven't had time to photograph it. Oops!

 Frankly, when I heard about the challenge, I freaked out a tiny bit inside. As well as I do as a designer and a seamstress, I am terrible at trimming!!! Ribbons, braid, buttons, I experience a mental block and sometimes a rash appears on the back of my neck (not kidding!) This whole challenge basically centers around being able to trim hats or stockings, so after a brief moment with a paper bag and some rash cream for my neck, I decided to make a simple 19th Century nightcap. Easy. Breathe, McKenna!

Blessedly, I have a gorgeous and talented Mother who is quite the expert with trims and such and assured me that I did not need to heavily trim my simple little nightcap :) As you can see, I hand-stitched a bit of tatted lace onto the brim and it makes it simple and elegant, I think. No need for anything fancy or complicated. But now I am determined to study the art of trim and ribbons and overcome my unfounded fears!

As you see, I also decided to make a Fichu (the historical equivalent of a cami for modesty) and a new Bodiced Petticoat (yay!) I made the Petticoat to go with a Regency round-gown made of a lightweight, see-through cotton I recently finished (pictures coming soon). I had my talented photographer sister take a few pictures for me and set it up as if I had gotten up in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate our matches or it would have been truly picturesque (despite the lighswitches and outlets :P)

I love the layers! Chemise, Stays, Fichu and Petticoat plus Pashmina shawl equals happiness anc comfort!

Closeup of the Fichu

I do need to do a "rip'n'stitch" in order to fix the gathers on the bodice of my petticoat but since it's not normally seen, it doesn't matter!

The Challenge: #7-Tops and Toes

Fabric: 1/4 yard White Cotton

Pattern: Tam from Simplicity 3623 (Out of Print)

Year: 1700-1910 (Versatility! Yay!)

Notions: 1/2 Yard Tatted Lace, Thread

How historically accurate is it?: 90% 1/2 Machine-stitched

Hours to complete: 1

First worn: For Photoshoot yesterday

Total cost: $0 It's stash-tastic!

A Very Quick Update

My goodness, how time does get away! One week you're on a roll with blog posts in advance and feeling like the internet's ultimate blogger and the next two, you barely touch the 'ole laptop at all (which is mainly because your brother has commandeered it to edit a short film). Anyway, just to let you know, I did complete HSF Challenge #6 {Fairytale} but haven't had time to post pics. And I've decided to put aside the historical sewing for a short time (don't worry, I'll still make the challenges, they just won't be very elaborate). I am putting that aside for the more noble pursuit of clothing my younger sisters :) It'll be nice to take a break from the difficult projects and focus on quick 'n' easy little dresses and bows and skirts and capris. As soon as I have a few more items made, I'll do a Spring style post about my sisters. And don't worry, another outfit post is coming and I haven't forgotten Book of the Week!

Have a lovely day, readers!