How to Dot it!

I always wonted to make a 'how to'...but I never get around to taking all the pictures needed to capture the entire process. Today is no different. Yep...I'm pretty predictable. Even so, I'll try in this post to show you what I'm going trough while making a product.

Now, as you can imagine, first of all I must talk to the client and find out her wishes. That being done, the next step is to find that perfect fabric! Easy you think? NEVER!!!!
Until today, after so many years of working as a designer, I can still count the fabrics I really really loved. They are all with prints. I adore prints...And because I usually don't find what I want/like, I make the print myself! Using special textile paint, of course!

My client wanted a skirt with BIG black dots on it. Hmm...small dots everywhere. Big ones...zero!
So, here I am making it all from the start!

First of all, you have to make a stencil and draw the shape on the fabric. Keep in mind to have the same distance between them, so it looks professional and not home-made. Nobody wants that!

Now, you have to get some textile paint and a brush that best suits your hand (I, for one, like the hard ones for marking the contour). Mark the contour on all the dots. After a few hours (yep...it will take forever), have a break and then continue!

You might be lucky enough (like me) to have someone to help! But, I'm pretty sure, my little helper was doing more criticizing then working on the skirt...hmmm, look at that face! He hates fashion so so much!

The next thing to do is to fill all the dots, in 2 coatings. This will also take an eternity, that's why it's better to do it at night when nobody will bother you and you won't bother anybody. While doing that, take the time and think about your life, the things you did, the things you wanted to do...on the edge of depression? Relax, go smoke a cigaret, have a glass of wine and then come back to work...

It's always the same with tedious jobs...

Anyways, now the print is finished! After letting it to dry, iron it a few times and now you are ready to make the asymmetric skirt! Maybe you want a little color with it, to make it pop better (like the RED used here) and for it to look fuller, I advice you to also make a separate tull skirt (so the client can wear it with, or without that second skirt).

This is the end result!
I simply loveeeeeeee it and it's dots!!!

In the future, I promise to show you how to make a dress from start to finish, with patterns, pictures and everything!

Comfy Can be Elegant / How to Shop Smart!

Ohhh...it's finally Spring!
Because I'm all about fashion (except the way it affects me...we'll talk about that later), as soon as the sun start warming everything around me, I start thinking about elegant dresses, with perfect shapes and cuts! And when one thinks about that, one sure thinks about the retro designs (or the Japanese patterns...also).
So, I say we enjoy a video from the '40s. IN COLOR!!!

They were simple and elegant and looking perfect. Don't you think? There was a high class when it came to dressing...even for a walk in the park. I wish things would be the same again... I wish that people would start caring more about how they look and understand that the way you present yourself in front of others could be a sign of respect (given to them).

I'm pretty sure you will start saying that not everybody has the money for looking good. People, believe me when I tell you, looking good is not about how much you spend, but how you spend it.

Here are some useful tips on how to look great, on a budget
1. Always be clean and have a clean look!!! I can't stress this enough. No loose hems, no holes in your blouse, no loose seems!!! I think more people should have a home sewing machine, to be able to fix problems like this. They really are not that expensive! BUT, if you don't want to spend on one, just take a needle and a matching sewing thread and start working your fingers on fixing the mess.
It's simply unforgivable to appear in public like that (for man and woman)!
So, it doesn't matter if your clothes aren't the newest. By taking care of them and fixing their problems, you will look great!

2. Be careful what you buy! When it comes to basic pieces I think you could spend more. Because those pieces will be with you for a very very long time (basic pieces are always in...that's why they are called basic). ;)

3. Don't be afraid to check out thrift stores. Other fashion bloggers make a real passion/hobby out of digging for treasures there and they really find them! Don't judge a skirt by the fact that it sits in a pile of fashion wrongs. With a little wash and ironing, it will come back to life!
But! Don't start buying things just because they are cheap! You will end up spending more money (even if you do have more stuff...but you won't wear them!!!). Here too, less is more!

4. Take a look in your mom's or your grandmother's closets. They might still have some great dresses or jackets in there!!!

5. Never-ever buy something that doesn't fit you perfectly!!! If you can't find that perfect fit because you are in between sizes (no worries, most people are), take them to somebody that can fit them for you.
Before doing that, make sure to talk to a seamstress. She can tell you what to buy and what can she adjust, in order for it to be cheap. Being informed it's way easier! For example: you try a pair of pants but they are to big at the waist, fit you perfect on the butt and too long on the leg. This is simple to adjust! Because she only has to fit the waist and cut the length!
Again: when clothes fit you good, you look good!!!

Follow those rules and you will be able to look great, no matter the trends or season.
If you have any questions, I am more then happy to answer them! ;)

Animal Print Obsessions...

Well...when it comes to prints and colors I have a lot of them...but I guess you got used to all this. :D

Yep, the animal print! You didn't expect that! Or did you?
I absolutely love this print. Now, there are a few rules when it comes to wearing such a loud type of print (keep in mind, all animal prints follow the same rules: leopard, zebra, snake skin etc. etc.) They are big, wild and in your face. So, pay attention!

1. find how much of a animal print (or even simply print) person are you. Me, even if I like it a lot, I usually wear it on my accessories. Like shoes, belts, scarfs...but mostly shoes. Yep, more then 10 pairs in animal print and still counting.

2. be sure to get a quality animal print. The more realistic, the better. I'm telling you this because I'm against real fur or skin! No need for pain and suffrage, when it comes to our style, right?

3. at some point you might decided to buy a piece of clothing in full animal print. My advice is to wear it with almost nothing (meaning: nude, neutral, basic pieces. So that IT will stand out as it should)

4. remember: the animal print is almost as eternal as the little black dress. You just have to know 'how it's trendy to wear it': in the details, full, neon etc. The styles are endless...

5. for the courageous ones! The animal print looks fantastic when mixed with other prints. Yep, I'm talking about the print-mix, that (when done correct) looks absolutely fantastic! My favorite!!! So. For this, I recommend the zebra print (being monochrome, it is the easiest one to mic with other prints). So, add a detail in full strong color and a detail in a completely different colors and type (if a print is in lines, the other one will look fantastic if it has rounded shapes). You get it!

For more inspiration, take a look at the examples below. I used 3 dresses made by me form the Missy Messy Roots collection and the Entitles Bully collection.
The rules are the same for when wearing pants, or skirts. I just used dresses as an example, because it is a more simple presentation :). Remember: Like in all fashion, less is more when it comes to animal print. But sometimes...more is simply more and better!
It all depends on how you fell, your personality and your style. Don't ignore them!!!

visual examples made with the help of polyvore

DIY - Pirate Style

For about more then a month now, I started (restarted is a more accurate therm)listening to vinyl records. Yep...I just forgot what I was missing on!
It's just all about that great-fantastic noise when the needle hits the record...Nothing, NOTHING can compare with that!

But, as some of you may know...vinyls are more and more hard to find these days. For example, my friends do have great ones that I can no longer get my hand on (without going bankrupt I guess...). So, as a problem-solving person I found a solution, that's at the same time fun and practical: How to pirate a vinyl record!!!

GOLD!
JACK-POT!!
I'VE HIT THE LOTTERY!!!

So, here I am sharing with you, step by step (in images) and also, here you have the instructions...since I don't see a point in copying them here.

Enjoy and...join the dark side! We have great music! ;)From: SynthGear

How to Wear HIS Shirt!

He is no longer around?
Is he being an ass-hole?
He doesn't bring home flowers, or candy anymore?

well...please step into his closet! No scissors needed! Now pick-up a cool shirt (it helps if it's one of his favorite), but keep in mind it will be nice if it has stripes...andddd->fallow the instruction in the video: Ahhhh!
Feeling better?
You didn't destroy anything and at the same time, you feel good about having a man around the house. :)))))

Stuff, Stuff...STUFF

Sometimes, it's just so good to clean your closet, your boxes...actually, your apartment. Get out the stuff you don't really need, rediscover great stuff you forgot about and just admire the stuff you love.

That's what I did this weekend, at a friends place. The friend with the most amazing closet ever? Miruna! She has stuff in there you could just die for!...I was thinking about running away with something, but I ended up with a great D&G wallet! 10q!!! :***

Because I couldn't help myself not taking a few pictures, I'm showing you 2 of them. They are the ones that are most relevant for this blog and for this time of year! :)Here we have the UGG kit! Let me just say it again, I'm not an UGG fan. But if you are going to wear them, now this is what you need. Miruna does it with style! ;))) (but I don't remember seeing a pair around her home...maybe she used to have one but doesn't anymore. Or maybe she was just hiding them from me!:))) )
Because the Holidays are closer the ever, this little number from Vivienne Westwood is just perfect! Cute and fun, it is THE pair to wear when you're opening gifts under the Christmas tree!

Images: theFword

Tie-on Slippers

Because it's getting colder and colder by the day and you just can't walk around the house barefooted, I have here a little fun project! I promise it's easy as 1-2-3 or Do, Re, Mi!

You'll love the Elle Tie-on Slippers!

Just fallow the instructions here and the pattern. Told you it was easy and it looks great! :) Have fun playing with it! (if you do try to make it, let me know! I want to see pictures!)From: TissuePapers

How To Love Like a Genius

Since we keep bringing up the LOVE non-stop, how about a little fun test? :)) I promise you'll get a few laughs out of it all :)))Answers: 1.A 2.C 3.B 4.E 5.D

From: Mental Floss Magazine

Roy Knows Good Jeans!

In Romania, handmade is very very popular right now. But some people just don't understand what that means and also the level of quality it involves!

Meet Roy! He knows jeans. He knows jeans very well!

First time I saw his work, I was literary amazed! It's simply fantastic to be able to see a creature at work and at the same time understanding his philosophy. The jeans are simple and perfectly cut! Another thing that makes them a winner in my book is the amount of small and exciting details that can be found on them.

Keep in mind: it is all done by hand, by only ONE man! By Roy!

Now, take a look at the images, enjoy the video at the end of the post and then visit the site, so you can learn the story!
I did all that and now I am a fan!Here is the video, by Self Edge:From: Roy

Tuck it Good!

This is something that looks really easy, but most men just can't make it! So boys, here is a 1-2-3 (plus a 4) on how to do it in order to look slick and smooth and...tucked! :) Hope it helps! From: Esquire

People and Words no.2

After the success of the People and Words post, back in August, I decided it was time for another one.

And since I'm not the most law-oriented person, I don't mind copying my friends facebook photos and pasting them on my blog - credits and all (again, images are saved under the name of the owner).

Here goes nothing:

Rock Star Look

Uhhh...I just think Steven Tyler is the perfect example for a Rock Star! I mean, he has the looks, he has the attitude and he sure has the lifestyle of one! Rocklicious!:))

This has nothing to do with the fact that I'm in love with him! Nooo! :)) (what? lier-lier pants on fire?) Never mind that! He is the perfect combination between the fashion world and the music (rock that is) world.
So, for me rock looks like this:From: foto.mv4u

What to Wear...

Uh...decisions, decisions, decisions...
It's just so hard to keep-up with all the daily events, looking sharp and fresh and stylish. But, no matter how hard it is, you must never forget that before being a mother, a daughter, a lawyer, a doctor or a fashion blogger , you are a woman!

So just take the extra time and just be the best you can be! :*

Image: Octavian Coifan

Halloween Anyone?

With Halloween coming soon, I'm already starting to get orders for outfits. That's why I was researching on the subject and came across this. How cool and creative are this masks? I mean, I find them just fantastic, especially because of the optical-illusion effect!

I too am thinking about Halloween. I just love costumes and the fun of wearing them. And why not? Who doesn't want the mystery? Or better yet, the childhood feeling of it all! For me, Halloween is about fun, about candy...non of that girls dressing-up like a sexy-little-furry animal! :) Let's just keep it fun! :))

Oh, what the hack?! Go sexy, go crazy! Just go have fun! :)))From: theCoolHunter

Fold-it Like a Pro

This is a post for all my boy (won't call them man) -friends that just can't make-it without their momma! :)) Now I know they will be able to fold their t-shirts nicely in the closet (just got to figure-out a way to make them want to!).

And in the end, a song (a little special dedication, for a special one that I've been teasing on this subject for a few weeks now). :))

What To DO

From: 9GAG

Man->How to be Stylish

Here it is! All the information you need, all your questions answered! All thanks to James Gallichio and his amazing advice-sketches.

One is on dressing up.
The other on dressing-down:

“That means tracksuit pants and old, dirty shoes, right?”
No, fool.

Now, be sure to visit the www.harrisonfjord.com site and read the text. Very funny and smart. I'm sure it will stick with you for a very long time, maybe even forever!
!please, do enjoy and fallow this!
From:www.harrisonfjord.com