backdrop

The wedding that broke my blogging silence

2011-08-08T19:14:00.000-07:00

I can't even handle this.

These photos are

to.

die.

for.

Liz has been a dear friend of mine since 3rd grade, and it absolutely breaks my heart that I couldn't see this in person--blast you, LA! But this girl has always been a total knockout, and seeing her as a stunning bride absolutely took my breath away. Not to mention her handsome man, gorgeous bridesmaids, incredible decor details, and the love gushing from their eyeballs. But enough yabber--look for yourself!

And good gravy, if you are getting married in Oregon, book Erich McVey as your photographer already!

A few faves (as if I could choose...)

{ incredible photography by Erich McVey;
Liz's hair and makeup by Helena Albanese }

Can this wedding be topped? Doubtful.

View the rest here.

Do it. You can't miss this.

I am serious.

I'm cranking these babies out...

2011-07-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

The latest:

I am loving that with each apron, I can see how I am improving and progressing.

This one was a lot of fun! The fabric is from Mood Designer Fabrics (I made it work!), and the legit vintage buttons and sash were {awesome} finds at the last Rose Bowl Flea Market.

I seriously considered keeping this, but it was my first for-realsie-paid-apron-order, so I wasn't allowed. Thanks mom! :]

So I have officially decided to start an Etsy shop. Soon.

But first, I am really excited about checking out the

Renegade Craft Fair on July 16.

Are you going?

I am planning on being thoroughly inspired there--regarding styles, business names, marketing strategies, pricing, etc. etc. So my plan is to launch my online shop something by August 1. We will see how that plan goes!

Until then, I have 4 apron orders from friends
and family to keep up with. Woot!

another apron!

2011-06-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is my latest work! I am really proud of it.

I am definitely learning as I go, since I am a self-taught seamstress, here. This took me awhile to figure out, but I have been wanting to challenge myself with harder designs each time!

I also made some simple tags, since this is a gift :]

I have another one in the works right now that I am excited for, too! I bought some really great fabric from Mood, and vintage buttons and trim from the Rose Bowl Flea Market--it is going to be amazing!

one for the record books

2011-04-16T12:12:00.000-07:00

The Urban Outfitters Sample Sale was incredible. BEYOND incredible.

Best $50 I've ever spent.

Lessons learned:

-Get there EARLY! I was about 10th in line and I got there at 10:40am--sale started at noon. Worth it.

-Sorry dudes, but if you are shopping for strictly menswear, this sale is NOT worth the $50. Not even close.

-Don't get excited about finding housewares, their samples were lame-o.

-If Black Friday sales or store like Ross stress you out to the point of paralysis--this sale is NOT for you. This is all about digging through TOTALLY unorganized tables and racks, and fighting ferocious crowds.

-Remember, this is a sample sale. Things are sample sizes--there are smalls and mediums, but nothing bigger.

-Quick judgment skills are key--pick it up, decide what you think of it, and stuff.

-Go for the shoes first (Paige took the cake on this one. See below.)

-Check for holes. A lot samples are destroyed to avoid being worn or sold. Some slashings are obvious (like the whole back is cut out), and others are subtle (a one inch square cut out along the bottom). If you are sewing machine savvy, some of it is salvageable. But inspect before you stuff.

-Wear sunscreen (learned the hard way)

Total loot:

6 tanks

1 purse

3 belts

1 wallet

1 leather jacket

1 pair of jeans

2 ties for the hubs

2 sweatshirts for the hubs

3 pairs of tights

4 underthings

10 tops

1 dress

1 romper

2 cardigans

1 pair of earrings

1 bracelet

= 40 items

Paige and I decided that I did better regarding being quick and selective--there was literally only one thing that when I got home I said "What was I thinking?"

However, Paige definitely won the award for best bang for her buck--she made out with TWO leather jackets and an AMAZING pair of Frye boots. She also snagged a few more accessories, which upped her total items to 50.

Yeah, I kinda wanna kill her.

I couldn't even count how many times we sang "Ohh, ohh, ohh... Just throw it in the bag!"

Definitely the song of the day.

Trend alert

2011-04-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

Feather hair extensions.

{ via }

These are awesome, all over the place,

and I want some.

Trend alert

2011-04-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

Moustaches.

Crazy, ridiculous, hipster moustaches.

I know this trend isn't 100% new, but hot dang. This thing is spreading like wildfire. I swear everyone and their dog suddenly has a moustache. This is trend no longer reserved for the hipster-elite.

{ via }

Bow ties also tend to be a popular accessory with these 'staches.

come to mama!

2011-04-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to describe how excited I am about this!

Urban Outfitters samples, $50 to fill a bag, 10% to the Red Cross, and as if I needed another reason-- Komodo will be there!

You best believe I will be there an hour early on Friday.

Hopefully I will have some fabulous finds to blog about this weekend :]

shameless plug

2011-04-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Did you see me on Wipeout?

The episode aired March 31, 2011 and is called "John Henson, Zombie Hunter"

They dubbed me "Mrs. Fixity" :]

Here it is, via hulu.com:

Here is a 2 minute clip of me on the qualifier {the first round of the obstacle course game show, for all of you people who are missing out in life, and don't watch Wipeout!}

{these links won't work forever, but here they are for now!}

Feel free to laugh at me, not just with me :] That was kind of the point.

But yes, it really hurt!

Love,

Mrs. Fixity

ge-ge-ge-ge-genius

2011-02-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

Don't ask why I stuttered. Just thought it would make something that is genius sound a little thug, and a little more legit.

{ Lego covered IKEA table via Toki Woki }

I love how this wraps up DIY, budget-friendly, modern art, practicality, conversation starter, and (replacement of a need for) a coffee table book all in one amazing package!

Follow the link to Toki Woki's blog for all the instructions on how he did it--we are talking nitty gritty details, here. Very helpful if you really want to tackle this project!

grab some tissue

2011-01-31T18:04:00.000-08:00

Kelly + Brian's Wedding Highlights - Dayton, Ohio from Joe Simon Films on Vimeo.

I thought it was about time for some fabulous wedding mush.

my latest creation

2011-01-26T19:16:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago my husband asked me to sew an apron as a wedding gift for his childhood friend... he asked the night before the wedding. Oh, husbands!

Well, I haven't sewn in awhile, so I thought it was a good excuse to get back in the saddle.

So hubs and I went to the fabric store that night, and I went to work. Hubs stayed up with me until 3:30am until I completed it.

He was great moral support: "Keep sewing, woman!"

No, really. He said that. But it was funny, not abusive.

As tired as I was, and as frustrated as I got with it... I am thrilled with the end result. I hope the bride likes it as much as I do!

Best sewing project yet! I am making progress!

monday's muse #6

2011-01-24T09:38:00.000-08:00

{ photo taken at Tiffany's at the Beverly Center in LA. Designer unknown. }

I am thoroughly obsessed with this chandelier. It is like an epic explosion of vintage diamond broaches.

In love.

Maybe someday I will have a fabulous house and this will be in the bathroom.

Yeah. The bathroom. Because I will have even cooler stuff in the bigger rooms ;]

What will be in your fabulous house? Dream it up this week!

monday's muse #5

2011-01-17T01:00:00.000-08:00

Getting more creative with hair do's...

{ see tutorial here at Fashionising }

Something that I can say I really haven't seen before, and is legitimately wearable. Although I am suspicious that it may be deceptively difficult despite it's laid back appeal.

I guess I will need to give it a trial run!

Have a beautiful week.

just plain pretty

2011-01-13T00:17:00.000-08:00

{ via blitz }

monday's muse #4

2011-01-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

1950s elegance...

And most of all--red lipstick. I am currently obsessed (and found a fantastic shade and formula... more on that another day!)

{ via A Box of Style }

{ Christian Dior's New Look 1947 via }

{ March 1950 Vogue via }

{ via Van Paris }

I want to look this lovely every day, don't you?

i want this

2011-01-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

This watch is freaking fabulous.

{ via FFFFOUND ! }

However, it's Burberry, which makes it $695. Hmm... yeah right. I am really racking my brain trying to figure out a way to DIY this.

I think I can do it.

Monday's muse #3

2011-01-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Turquoise color schemes at home...

{ photos via ermoumag }

This makes me crave spring. LOVING the graphics mixed with the fresh colors.

I especially love Tiffany blue with cranberry red. I almost went with that combo for our wedding colors. We opted for navy and yellow. I am still definitely drawn to the loveliness of the blue and red, though.

Happy Monday!

Building Bling

2011-01-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

"The silhouette of Chanel No.5’s iconic bottle — made from 1,200 hand-assembled sequins — will decorate the exterior of Paris’ Musée d’Orsay from Jan. 6 to 28. The massive flacon’s image will cover 2,890 square feet of the museum’s exterior, which runs along the Seine river." { via Womens Wear Daily }

{ via Womens Wear Daily }

I can't say that I am a fan of this juxtaposition. What do you think?

delicious

2010-12-31T19:58:00.000-08:00

This has become my one of my husband's favorites, and makes me feel like I'm a good cook :]

Barbecue chicken pizza

{ Get the recipe here }

My huband isn't an onion fan (It's a shame, I know. Some sort of texture thing. Whatev.) so I skip the red onion. Still amazing. I also tend to increase the BBQ sauce to pizza sauce ratio, and increase the amount of cilantro that I throw on top.

We've tried a few different crusts:

- Made from scratch (Tastes good but ends up too thick--we like thin crust)

- Trader Joes ready-to-bake crusts (From the refrigerated section. Yum!)

- Betty Crocker Just-Add-Water crust (In a bag in the baking aisle. Least classy, but by far our favorite!)

Try it!

99 bottles of beer on the wall... 99 bottles of beer...

2010-12-30T16:16:00.000-08:00

I know this video is cheesy, but it had the best pictures all in one place.

Check out this temple in Thailand.

Is that knock-your-socks-off awesome or what?

Monday's Muse #2

2010-12-27T00:57:00.000-08:00

The first time I drove by the Monique Lhuillier store on La Cienega in West Hollywood I caused traffic to slow.

I had to brake. I had to. It so much pretty to take in all at once!

Luckily I get to drive by it every day on my way home from work :] One day I finally pulled over, parked for 45 seconds and took pictures of every window while the valet attendant silently stared.

Whatev. I highly doubt I am the only one who has taken pictures of these beauties.

I hope you enjoy this whimsical wintery wonderland of wedding-ness as much as I do. :]

For the cost-conscious-couture bride...

2010-12-22T15:22:00.000-08:00

Bridal's equivalent to Gilt Groupe... The Aisle New York sells designer wedding gowns at deeply discounted prices during limited-time sales.

{ Elizabeth Fillmore gown available at The Aisle via NY Times }

As NY Times calls it... "As Thrilling as Finding the Groom." Read the full article here.

Monday's Muse #1

2010-12-20T13:07:00.000-08:00

I can't even begin to describe how difficult it was to narrow down favorites...

Photos taken in Portland, OR by r Photography
Models: Helena Albanese (my college roommate and bridesmaid!), Nate and Selena, Nate, and Weston Borne
Helena's Oregon-designed attire... yellow dress by Sarah Seven and red dress by Margaret Kathleen (Maggie has been my friend since the 5th grade and I am so excited to see her getting her designs out there! More on her another day!)

Monday's muse... start your week off right with some style inspiration!

What I ACTUALLY diy'ed...

2010-12-19T01:53:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I work in retail.

(I just decided mid-sentence that that made for a good sentence by itself.)

Okay, but really... Unfortunately, I work in retail management, which means that Christmastime is the BUSIEST time of year. So my dream life of being at home baking and crafting and making a personalized handmade gift for everyone and their dog is not a reality ...(yet? maybe one day?)

This year I discovered Feels-Like-DIY. Feels-Like-DIY still satisfies my crafting urge, still has the element of homemade feel, but doesn't require nearly as much time as making something completely from scratch.

Still impressive to gift-receivers, but not as strenuous on the gift-giver. Perfect!

So on the weeks that I wasn't working 85 hours (oh, you think I am joking?), this is what I did to get my holiday cheer squeezed in.

1. Baked mom's sugar cookie recipe

{ Okay, so these are cookies I made last Christmas...

The cookies I made this year may or may not have been devoured too quickly for a photo shoot.}

2. Assembled feels-like-DIY Christmas cards (I used a fabulous little PDF template to print via Gifted Magazine (see below).) In addition to the required cutting and folding, I added some extra awesome-ness by stamping the address labels with our monogram in gold ink (leftover wedding thank you materials!)

3. Made 8 batches of peppermint bark (whew!)

4. Assembled feels-like-DIY gift boxes for the peppermint bark

5. Waited 45 minutes in line at the post office to mail off these little babies.*

*I ran into my uber-friendly neighbor in line at the post office, so it made the wait time much more enjoyable. I love our new apartment building. I've run into this guy at Starbucks and now at the post office. It feels so small town! And the other day I came home to a little bag of Christmas cookies on our welcome mat with a tag that said: "Happy Holidays! From Apartment #6" How adorable?!

I still have a couple more things to pick up, but I feel very accomplished so far. The first person on my list is proving to be most difficult--my husband! Eek!

Are you done Christmas shopping/creating?

Christmas DIY ideas

2010-12-18T11:47:00.000-08:00

I love decorating and baking for Christmas.

These were all in the running for my list of DIY projects and gift making this year.

Martha Stewart Body Scrub

Peppermint bark

Holiday cookie mailing tubes

Mom's sugar cookie recipe

Pecan clusters

Map coasters

Cinnamon stick candles

What have you made this Holiday Season?

What's still on your to-do list?