Black probably isn’t a summer color, but this dress does make a nice summer dress (just don’t sit in the sun for too long). I picked it up from Everlane a month or so ago, and it has the comfort of a t-shirt, but feels a little bit more put together. Ben didn’t like it (he said it looks like a big t-shirt), but the girls said, “Oh mommy, I like that one.” So four votes over one… girls win. And I like it, so that’s all that matters. Plus, it’s has pockets, so it’s definitely a keeper!

Ben does like the bamboo bag I picked up at the thrift store, and I was so excited when I found it. I thought it looked familiar, then my friend reminded me it was just like the ark bag made by Cult Gaia, but vintage (and IMO, vintage always wins).

Lately though, my trip to the thrift stores has been a bust. When we went to the desert for a D-Day, I came home with a vintage plant basket and bag, but other than that, there hasn’t been much at the ones near me. I’m hoping to make some time to visit a couple more this week, but with how things have been going lately, I don’t expect to come across much, but you never know.

on me: dress, everlane. bamboo bag, vintage (new one here). nude clogs, lotta from stockholm.

vintage straw macrame bag

vintage sisal macrame bag

vintage macrame market bag

vintage macrame with wooden dowels

macrame market bag

My favorite types of bags are vintage carpet/tapestry bags and basket type bags. I’d put these macrame bags in the basket bag category and I love each and every one of the bags above. I’m not a designer bag type of gal (though that last one is made by a talented artist, so it is made with love, and a definite splurge), but I’d much rather have something vintage. Every time I go thrifting, I always check the bag section hoping to come across some vintage macrame bag. One time I did find one, but figured I didn’t “need” it (it was $8 and I thought a little pricey for the thrift store), so I passed on it. I regret not scooping that one up. Oh well, I’ll be patient and hope I come across another cool one someday. If you’re looking for a macrame bag (and aren’t a thrifter), I’d say pick up one of the ones above so they stop tempting me in my Etsy favorites.

I love this dress and I finally got around to making my own version of it with some grey linen fabric. It has a V-neck in the front and then a deeper V in the back. I’m thinking about making the sleeves shorter, but I’m not sure. I also want to take some length off my hair, but I’m not sure about that either. One thing I am sure of is that I love sewing my own clothes. 🙂  Also, if I get tired of this style, I can make the dress into a top and use the rest of the fabric to sew something for the girls. I’m all about re-purposing things I’ve sewn in the past and turning them into something else.

on me: dress, home sewn (similar here, just sew shorter sleeves). round basket, french baskets (tassel DIY here). shoes, gap (similar here).

I made this for True’s 10th birthday dress (see her wearing it here). It’s almost exactly like my ruffled sleeve denim dress, but just much smaller and more a straight fit than loose. Her dress is made with linen fabric. The rest of the sisters were ooh-ing and aah-ing saying it was so pretty and they want that style too. I did a thicker hem in the bottom, so that I can unfold it and make it longer as she stretches. She had “birthday dress” on her birthday wish list and I like that my girls still like wearing clothes I sew for them.

on true: red clogs, c/o hanna andersson

After I shared my curly waves video, I realized I rarely left my natural curls/waves. So pretty much after I shared that video, I decided to go on a 30 day leave my natural curly hair challenge. I’m a week and a half into it, and it still takes getting used to. After I shower, I add some curling cream to it (to help get rid of frizz), then I scrunch and blow dry it a little. It’s a little less maintenance because I don’t have to wear curlers at night. On the days when my hair can’t decide if it wants to be curly or just looks more flat, I stick it in a bun.

Any one have any good product recommendations to spruce up curls, but not make it feel dry and crunchy?

The first project I tackled during spring break was making this ruffled sleeve dress. I saw this coat first and thought it would be cute as a dress instead, and a week later, I saw this dress (wish it had more structure than slouch) and it solidified my resolve to sew this dress. Give me two hours at my sewing machine, on a Saturday afternoon, and I come out of my craft cave with a new dress. In fact, True came out of my craft cave with something she sewed for herself too.

If I were stranded on an island and could only pick one craft tool … I would definitely pick my sewing machine. Again, I apologize for having no pattern to share. It’s relaxing for me to sew and not have to worry about photographing the process and measuring things out. When I sew dresses, it’s kind of my “me” time. The dress is basically 4 pieces with two long rectangles (one for each ruffled sleeve), and I gather each rectangle to create the ruffled sleeves.

Like I say, if you can sew a straight line, you can sew anything! Don’t be intimidated to experiment and make yourself a dress.

on me: dress, handmade (similar here). fringe sandals, banana republic (it’s much cuter on person than online). oval basket, french baskets.