summer snapshots

Summertime here is too beautiful to miss.. it's such a challenge to find balance between work and play!
I try to get out for a day a week, and a few extra hours here and there. This gorgeous weather is so fleeting, and being able to enjoy
 it while it lasts is what gets me through the brutal winter!
 I've been bringing my camera everywhere (and when I forget it, snapping views with my phone).
Here are a few of my favorite pics from the past two weeks.. Just some snapshots. I hope you're enjoying your summer! 

New Sewing Project

Ever come across a piece of clothing you just can't get out of your head, something you just have to have? This happens to me all the time. 

Usually I learn to live with it, and just accept that I'll feel pangs of jealousy every time I come across it in the pages of Vogue, or on some 

blessed fashion blogger.. (I'm looking at you, Celine Nano!)

Anyway, there's this jacket, which I first came across 5 years ago. Seriously! I actually have a folder on my desktop containing all the 

photos of this piece I could find. At this point, I doubt I'd ever be able to find one for sale. So I've decided to make a similar jacket for myself. 

And just like a New Year's resolution, by making it public, I'm now more likely to follow through.. Right?
(This sounds a lot funner than 'exercise more' or 'get up earlier')

Worn by the gorgeous Marie-Ange Casta (little sister of Laeticia)
(photos are linked back to their source)

Denim & Studs

90s Floral Dress

I wanted to share this fabulous 90s floral midi-dress with you all! I just added it to my vintage Etsy site.. Super cool! I'd wear this with a distressed denim vest, a black leather bucket bag/backpack, and wine or plum lipstick. I love this look for fall.. I fully embrace 90s style. (Dress is here.)

 In fact, grunge may be my default setting. Thankfully you can't see what I wear on a daily basis; when I'm working at home, and going on outdoor adventures. I would argue that it's so grunge, it's not recognizably stylish anymore. This is what it's like being on the cutting edge of fashion. Pioneers are often lonely. It's an uphill battle, bringing back such favorites as old-man athletic wear, my sister's 4th grade hand-me-downs, and my all-time favorite, the oversized cat sweatshirt. I exaggerate slightly. Emphasis on slightly. Another year of working at home, and I'll probably have a couple tops with puff paint graphics. 

Silk & Lace

16 August Totes

'August Totes!' by jsjimenez06

Tote Bag Collection

Market tote bag - Cotton - ... WillowAndSparr... $26	Simple Striped Orange Tote B... homesewnhomego... $10	My funny grey donkey bag - F... auleecreations $65	nuno felted white tote bag w... bycolortherapy $65
Money bag. Bank Note Tote Ba... LaVieBoeretroo... $20	Pearly White Leather Tote Ba... CWinnDesigns $90	Owl canvas tote bag- organic... VictoriaEmilyF... $10	Yellow, Black And White Ruff... angelabrice $26
Polka Dot Tote Bag HSquaredDesign... $20	Army Cotton bag - with evil ... DutchTreat2013 $15	Natural cotton tote bag / ca... Scarves2012 $10	Leather Tote Bag - Grey hand... larimeloom $70
Cotton and Leather Tote Bag/... betenoireprint... $110	Handmade Tote Bag - Cream An... CherishHandmad... $17.5	Monogram Initial - Wedding W... ilulily $10	Canvas Tote Bag Diaper Bag W... liliavaninibou... $68

Sponsored by send bulk email from excel. 

Giveaway winner!

The skull tank giveaway is officially closed, and Patti is the lucky winner! Congratulations, Patti! 

Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved all the comments, and was so surprised by the level of interest.

I will be doing more giveaways in the future, so check back in!

Char 

Last day of the giveaway!

Final day of the giveaway for this fantastic tank! Enter here!

I've had a great time running this giveaway- my first! I had never imagined I would get such an overwhelming, positive response from people.. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's comments on how they would style it! It's amazing how many unique ways you all have come up with! I have about a million of these tanks (every time I mess one up, I throw it in my drawer!) and I need some inspiration on how to mix it up. Really. I get into fashion ruts. Some pieces of clothing are just too comfortable. 

Anyway, I will be doing more giveaways, hopefully at least one per month. Most of these items will be designed and made by me.. I do everything by hand, using small batches of materials. So even if I make more than one of an item, I never make more than a handful. 

xx Char

Turtleneck & Chain