"Bumblebee" Guest Outfit Post

   Hello folks! It's Paige here again, and I'd like to share another outfit with you! This one is a bit more dressy than what I showed you last Friday, and ended up being what I wore to a Christmas party.  

Fashion Guest Post

Hey Everyone!

I'm Eden from Eden's Evaluations and I'd like to give a huge thank you to McKenna for inviting me to guest post on her blog!

Today, I have a modest outfit to share with you all...

Oh, and just a side note... the only person available to take my pictures was my adorable 8 year old brother... so although he did an excellent job, the pictures turned out... slightly on the blurry side. ;) But that's ok!

 Here is the overall look. I've been experimenting a lot with sweaters this winter, and I *love* them!

... There's a close up of my necklace ... 

 And there you have it!

Outfit Details: 
Sweater ~ FREE!!!! I got it from Twice, and online consignment store.  Click HERE to make your first purchase for free
Blouse ~ $3.00 (?) It came from some sale event.
Belt ~ $3.99 (?)- Goodwill
Necklace ~ $2.99 (?) - Goodwill
Skirt ~ $30.00  Kosher Casual
Boots ~ $6.99 (?) - Goodwill 
Earrings ~ $0.50 - Antique Shop

What do you think? What is your favorite way to wear sweaters? Leave your thoughts in the comment section! Don't forget to check out my blog and YouTube channel at www.edensevaluations.blogspot.com

Thanks again, McKenna, for letting me do this! :)

Outfit Guest Post

   Hello all! I hope you're having a splendid day so far. If we haven't "met" before, my name is Paige. McKenna asked me to post in her absence (I'm excited for her, aren't you?!), so today I'd like to share with you an outfit that I put together yesterday.

A Few of My Favorite Things {Vol. I}

Sorry for the silence. Life tends to happen and usually, that takes precedence over blogging. I'm going to share with you a few of my favorite things. Things I've always loved and things that I've discovered lately. Fun things, blogs, crafts, etc. I hope you enjoy Volume I of "A Few of my Favorite Things".

 

 

My new blunt bangs!

This isn't an incredible picture, but I like it. You'll be seeing lots of my new do in future posts and in the launch of my new fashion blog

 Empress of Autumn

 

 

It's Not About Staying at Home

I absolutely love this recent message by the beautiful Botkin sisters. It's a convicting and uplifting talk that I would encourage every young lady to listen to (I listened while I was cleaning my room). It's free on their website HERE

 

Not a Care in the Whirl Heels

These GORGEOUS shoes are from Modcloth.

Find them HERE . I'm telling you, I am absolutely in love with them (and I'm dropping a not-so-subtle hint that I'm an 8.5).

 

 

Ulyana Sergeenko

This lovely Russian fashion designer is my new role model and style icon. The way she carries herself and dresses and smiles is the epitome of elegance and grace. (Disclosure: If you look her up, be warned; 90% of her designs are gorgeous, and modest but that other 10% is a bit disturbing, actually. "High Fashion", you know.)

 

 

 

Starlooks' Ultra Olive metallic eye pencil

An amazing eyeliner that came in my November Ipsy Glam Bag. It seems foofy, but it's actually a sensible addition to your makeup collection. Paired with neutral eye shadow, it gently opens and brightens the eye and adds a touch of elegance and panache, especially if you're in a hurry. The pencil is to be purchased HERE. I highly recommend it!

 

 

Lawana Blackwell

I cannot stop reading her books! Mrs. Blackwell is a Christian author whose books I stumbled upon in our church library. Her novels have me captive and I've enjoyed all of them (I've read eight this month!). Her Gresham series is especially heart-warming and absolutely worth the read.

 

 

Star Trek: The Original Series

and

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Specifically, I'm kind of crazy about Lieutenant Commander Data. Brent Spiner is a seriously brilliant actor, not only portraying an android, but often completely different characters when Data's circuits are taken over or he's emulating Sherlock Holmes.

At this point, (Season 3) I'm getting pretty annoyed with Commander Riker's behavior, but I still watch the show, mainly because PATRICK STEWART!

 

 

Sweater Weather!!!

This is seriously the best part of Fall/Winter. Here in Kansas, it's frigid, so I'm busting out my sweater collection...except for the awesome/unfortunate fact that I've lost some weight and now all my yummy sweaters are being passed up to my mom (at least it benefits her). So, I'm going sweater hunting at Goodwill today.

 

That's all I've got. What have been some of your favorite things lately? What do you think of my favorites? Agree? Disagree? On the fence? Drop a comment below (because comments are also one of my favorite things!)

 

Simply Stripes

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of blogging for Miss Eden of Eden's Evaluations . I did a "Fashion Friday" post for her and decided to share it here, too (not because I'm out of ideas or...anything...). 

Silly Pose

Now, I like stripes. Correction: I love stripes! This worked out nicely because, I don't know if you can see, the skirt is striped as well. I rummaged around my closet (and my mom's) to find these items, then came across my strappy summer shoes and it tied the shirt and scarf together. Voila! 

The "I'm going to angle the phone and crane my neck really uncomfortably so I can get this shot" picture.

Outfit Specs:
Olive Sweater | Loft (Gift)
Striped Scarf | Gap (Gift)
Striped Skirt | Coldwater Creek (Goodwill/$3.99)
Wedges | Natual Soul by Naturalizer (Gift)

Green and Denim

Here's a quickie post to tide you over for greater posts are forthcoming. Noble pursuits are in the works and they have to do with fashion, healthy living, corsets and The 1920s! Get ready, June, we're gonna have a blast!

These were taken back in Ohio and I've had them sitting around "gathering dust" in my picture files. Fun Fact: Kansas does not have any maple trees!

Sorry there aren't any decent pictures of my shoes. They are brown flat sandals.

Shirt--Old Navy//Gift
Jacket--Gift
Skirt--Made by Me
Necklace-Gift
Owl Earrings--Burlington Coat Factory//$.99
Shoes-Faded Glory//$12.99

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!

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!