So I guess I love sewing now... (A Fabric Round Up)

If you couldn't tell, I'm really into sewing now. I'm still pretty terrible at it but I absolutely love doing it! After work I run, shower, eat dinner and then move to my craft room for an hour. If I can get a full hour in to work on my sewing, I'm ecstatic (Most of that hour is usually unpicking seams that I sewed wrong- oops!) Because of my new found love I'm constantly trolling for awesome fabric. Here are some of my most recent favorites.
Lately I've been obsessed with African Fabrics. I absolutely love the wax print variety, and love the color of this print. Can you just imagine a maxi dress in this? TO DIE FOR.
Of course CATS! I love this print and I think it would be perfect for a tote bag! Or, maybe a bowtie to be worn by one of my cats.
Yes that is buffalo chicken wing fabric and yes, I love this. I actually have big plans for this print in the future. (and it is not an apron...).
  I'm totally bummed because I wanted to by this print so bad but it's out of stock. I'm tempted to stalk the internet to find this pattern somewhere else. It's SO PERFECT for me. It has SPACE CATS. Are any of you internet sleuths able to take on this challenge? It's a Michael Miller if that helps.

This fox fabric is just lovely. I love the mix of pastels. This would make an adorable bubble skirt!

This is a lot of inspiration. I guess I have to get moving.....

Ahoy! (I made this skirt)

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a nice weekend and got to enjoy this lovely weather. This weekend was pretty much perfect. Nice, but not too hot and there are no bugs out yet. I like spring/summer up until the mosquitoes start popping out and biting me all over. I'm a magnet for them. I can be outside with a bunch of friends and I'll be the only person to get bitten. Means I'm made of sugar, right?

On Saturday I had my last long run before the half marathon next week. We ran 8 miles of the actual course and I'm feeling really good for race day. After running I met up with some of my favorite ladies for a craft-sewing-extravaganza (Lladybird Lauren, Jen, Jenna, Sarah and Aubrey). I'm working on my first ever dress (SQUEE!). I also made my first ever muslin Friday night and I was super giddy. I feel like I'm learning so much- but it's mostly because Lladybird Lauren is an amazing friend and talented teacher. She is my sewing zen master. On Sunday Steve and I headed to Cheekwood botanical garden for a much needed day of quality time. It was possibly the best day ever.

SO HOW ABOUT THIS SKIRT?! It's the Miette skirt from Tilly and the Buttons. I First saw this skirt when Lladybird Lauren showed up for lunch wearing her version. When she told me that I COULD MAKE IT myself I downloaded the pattern and got to planning. This is an excellent beginner skirt because you don't have to fiddle with zippers or buttons. Plus, it is the best type of wrap skirt, one with a back flap, so there is no chance of accidental flashing. I highly recommend this pattern (and Tilly's blog overall) for someone who wants to start sewing garments. I mean, I'm a beginner and I think mine came out pretty fancy.

I opted to go with a nautical theme for this skirt. I had this really pretty blue cotton and one yard of this little red, white, and blue anchor pattern. I decided to make the pockets with the fun loud pattern to give the skirt some pizazz. (Do people even say pizazz anymore?) The whole thing took me about a week (on & off) to finish. I'm pretty sure I could have knocked it out in one afternoon if I had a nice block of time.

Did you know there is a fake seaside dock in Nashville? Apparently up in Metrocenter there is! Steve found it while he was wandering around during my race last weekend. A perfect spot for some maritime pictures. But this place can't even touch any of the beaches back home on Long Island.

 Skirt: Made By Me/Miette pattern

Top: Forever 21

Shoes: Old Brown Boots

Necklace: Bestsey Johnson

Scarf: Grandma's

Springtime Kittens and a little DIY

I am one incredibly happy camper. Why do I have such a happy face? Because spring has come to Nashville! All of the cherry trees in my neighborhood are blooming and everything smells like fresh cut grass. I have been waiting for this for so long! I did a nice long 8 mile training run on Saturday morning with some of my favorite East Nastys and I think it was my best run yet because the weather was so accommodating. That run was a big confidence booster!

This weekend was super special. Myself, Lladybird Lauren and Elle from Jam + Toast took a trip out to the country to celebrate Kaelah's birthday! We had so much fun hanging out at Kaelah's awesome new digs, gabbing and hanging out around a fire pit. We even went to a local bar where we sang karaoke (Total Eclipse of the Heart), danced and played pool. Kaelah's husband Mike was so sweet and cooked us the most amazing breakfast. Those girls are amazing and I'm so happy I got to spend a weekend with them! 

So, this outfit is super special. Why you ask? BECAUSE I MADE THIS SKIRT, Y'ALL. This is my first ever sewing project and I'm crazy happy with how it turned out. I really have the talented Lauren to thank, as she spent an afternoon teaching me how to sew. I also followed along at home with the circle skirt tutorial from Casey's Elegant Musings. This was such a fun skirt to make! I've already finished another, and even started a different type of skirt.

I'm going to brag on this skirt for a bit. I love how big and twirly it is. It's super full and I think the fullness makes my butt look really good (BONUS!). I also love that I put pockets in it; they're the perfect size to hold my cell phone and keys.

Plus, the fabric! I fell in love with this kitty paint by numbers fabric the second I saw it- I knew I had to make something out it. I love this print and I feel like I should make a dress out of it as well. Does anyone know a place where I can get more cute fabric like this? More kittens please!

 CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THE KITTENS!

 Skirt: Made by Me

T-Shirt: Gift from Jen

Belt: Super Old!

Earrings and Ring: Honeybean

Necklace: Vivi Dot

Shoes: Old Red Boots