Baby, Could You Blow My Heart Up?

Hello, hello! I am wearing only purple & black today. I got some fun looks when I was out & about, perhaps it was the heels? People usually choose the (more sensible) option of boots around here, but I am not sensible. I am very much into the ridiculous.



I bought this dress at Kohl's a while ago, but haven't worn it much lately. It takes more confidence for me to wear something with a straight skirt--I can manipulate my silhouette much more efficiently in a poofy skirt, or at least in something that flares out. But I'm running low on wardrobe choices (and definitely need to do laundry), and it was warmer out today, so I figured I'd give it a go.

I'm not sure how I feel about the tights + dress color pairing, but other than that, I like this outfit. &, yes, I'm obsessed with these shoes, how did you guess?





I'm wearing:

- necklace - DazeOfTheWeek
- jacket - ragstock
- dress - kohl's
- tights - kohl's
- oxfords - forever21





You know how I said I'd be making some improvements around here? Yes, well, one of those things is to have Theme Days! I'm planning on Inspiration Wednesday (favorite lookbook/chictopia outfits; pretty pictures; inspiring clothing from TB & Craftster; Polyvore sets; & fabulous quotes) and Friday Favorites (blog & shop features; fabulous tutorials; the newest thing I'm gushing about). I'm really excited about sticking to a regular posting schedule, and sharing a bunch of my favorite people & things with you guys. I'll also be making some layout changes (and adding a banner!), so keep your eyes peeled for that!

I'd stick around & say more, but it's going to be a late night: plays to read & papers to write!

Outfit + Awards!

This is kind of an ineffective outfit photo, but it's all I've got:



I'm agreeing with what Jessica said last time about this skirt being too busy with these tights, but I needed a way to darken the tights to make them work with my shirt better. Anyway, I'm wearing:

- Sweatshirt - traded with a friend, have had it forever
- "Liberty" tee - threadless, resized
- Skirt - Vintage
- Tights - Target
& you can't see, but I'm also wearing my oxfords from Forever21.

On to business: I was generously given these two awards from DorkVader & Anna, respectively. One came with a questionnaire thing.



Here are The Rules: Answer the following questions with single word answers. Then pass it along to 5 other bloggers, being sure to let them know!

Your Cell Phone? Addictive
Your Hair? Uncooperative
Your Mother? Amazing
Your Father? Brilliant
Your Favorite Food? Pizza (Two more words for ya: Breadoven & handmade. Yes.)
Your Dream Last Night? Absent (As in, I have no idea.)
Your Favorite Drink? Water
Your Dream/Goal? Fashion!
What Room Are You In? Dorm.
Your Hobby? Sewing. (Obviously. But maybe I shouldn't classify that as just a hobby?)
Your Fear? Blindness. (I have nightmares about going blind.)
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Independent. (Also: Married, successful, and doing what I love.)
Where Were You Last Night? Brother's.
Something That You Aren't? Witty.
Muffins? Please!
Wish List Item? DSLR. (Magic photography skills would be ace, too.)
Where Did You Grow Up? I have to use three words for this: BEST PLACE EVER.
Last Thing You Did? Homework
What Are You Wearing? Clothes
Your TV? Non-existant.
Your Pets? Nada.
Friends? Fabulous.
Your Life? Adventure.
Your Mood? Sleepy
Missing Someone? Absolutely.
Vehicle? Hah!
Something You Aren't Wearing? socks
Your Favorite Store? Modcloth.
Your Favorite Color? Bluuue.
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? (this) afternoon
Last Time You Cried? idk.
Your Best Friend? Magical.
Facebook? Unfortunately.
Favorite Place To Eat? Home. (That is, not food service.)

Now, the lovely folks I'd like to pass this onto are:

Dare To Design
Lady Jane Writer
This Ain't Rocket Science, It's Food
Gothictany
Un Chic Petit

Now I'm off to finish reading Hamlet. Have a good evening! <3

Linkage

In no particular order, here are some of my very favorite people:

Delightfully Tacky

Max California

Vivifromage

Dare To Design

This Time Tomorrow

Gothictany

The Cherry Blossom Girl

North Country Girl

Whitney Sews

The Clothes Horse

Trishna

LadyJaneWriter

Today I Made...

Selective Potential

Homerun Ballerina

Keiko Lynn

Calivintage

ModLife

WishWishWish

Heart Charlie

This Second's Obsession

Charade

Honey Bliss Clothing

This is an incomplete list & I'll be adding to it as I discover/am alerted to new, fabulous blogs & people. Want to exchange links? Drop me a line: addie@addie-marie.com

Victorian Floral Skirt

My dear friend Tany sent me some beautiful fabric & buttons for my birthday, and I finally garnered the courage to cut into it to make this skirt! It's a beautiful fabric with a rose print & the loveliest sheen. I'm so excited with how it turned out! this skirt is definitely one of my favorite things to wear.







Haha, the above picture was before I realized the scarf was just too much. But, shoes! Perfect with this skirt.

I actually wore it on New Years Eve, & would post full outfit pictures from that night if I'd actually gotten them, but that never happened. I do have this cute picture I took on the lake, right around midnight. We were braving the cold & ridiculously gleeful. Hannah (center), Solveig (back) & I were dancing around and squealing about the fact that it was 2010, OUR GRADUATION YEAR. Haha, amazing.



I also have photos of the awesome dessert that night & my meringue mushrooms, but I'll be doing a post full of baked goods in a little bit.

Be sure to visit Tany's shop, 'k? She's incredibly fabulous.

"Midnight Showing" Reconstruction

More Threadless love! This is an incredibly awesome shirt printed with glow-in-the-dark ink so it has a secret design on top of the run-down movie theater. I reconstructed it into a style much like the "My Crony" shirt that I did a while back, but I gave this one puffed sleeves. I made it this afternoon, and my friend Hannah photographed it this afternoon. (She's brilliant & I'm planning to bribe her with clothing to take photos for me this summer.)









The above is what the design looks like in the dark. Amazing, isn't it? I've never been to a drive in movie, but they seem so classic and terribly romantic. I'm so ridiculously excited about these pictures. They're exactly what I wanted. Hannah just totally got it! The shirt is listed HERE, if you're interested.

Okay, I'm off to sew again. I'll post about NYE (& what I was wearing) soon. How's 2010 going for you so far?

"Wolken" Reconstruction

My pile of Threadless shirts never exactly shrinks. It seems like every time I start working away at the ones I have, Threadless holds a sale, and the deals are too good to pass up. Like right now. This is a shirt I purchased back in March. Actually, I got two--one for me, one to sell. I haven't reconstructed mine yet (because that's just how those things go), but here's what I did with the other one:







It's the most adorable design, and I couldn't possibly resist that little fox. I paired it with natural colored bamboo, giving it a v-neck, side pocket, 3/4 length sleeves, and a contrast back.

(By the way, the lake looks very, very different now, a short month after these photos were taken!)

xo!

"Rockstar" One-Shoulder Top

So, I cleaned my sewing room [insert gasps here] & ended up using the last of a couple of my older fabrics from my collection to make this top. I'm really on a one-shoulder kick right now. I also really, really love puffy sleeves. The puffier, the better, right? I'm pretty sure that's a rule.









I just listed it in my shop!

What else have I been making? Shhh, Christmas presents! You'll see the soon enough, and all I'll say is that I'm really, really pleased with how they're turning out. Here's a hint: I've been knitting. And felting. And cooking.

How about you guys? Are you doing handmade Christmas gifts this year? Buying on Etsy? I know most people are cutting back, & going handmade--or at least, supporting independent artists--is a terrific way of doing that. If you're lost for ideas, Threadbanger, TB Forums, and Craftster are some of my favorite places to go! There are oodles of tutorials to help you out.

Icicles!

It's pretty darn cold here in Minnesota. Whenever the temperature gets to zero or below in late November & early December, the lake starts steaming up a storm, covering the entire shoreline in a heavy, beautiful frost. You can be certain it'll freeze within a few weeks! When I saw how pretty the steam & frost looked this afternoon, I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for some photos. So I grabbed this new skirt & my mom (I couldn't be bothered to set up the tripod in this weather... it was far too cold to take the time!), & we got some pretty awesome shots in the snow!









It's just your basic, high-waisted skirt, but the fabric is to die for! It's a beautiful cotton with a bit of a sheen... very fine. I actually found it in the upholstery section of the store, but it wasn't very heavy and I knew it would make a beautiful garment. I'm floored by the way the lake & snow compliment the skirt so well!


Oh, and my muff. I love my muff! I feel like I should put on a long coat and a victorian hat to go skating with it! It's made from beautiful, white rabbit fur, and my hands have never been warmer. I found it in an antique store for a ridiculously inexpensive price--it was fate!

By the way, the skirt is listed in my shop HERE. Guen from Boardwinos put one of my pieces in a treasury on Etsy, alongside a bunch of talented artists, & it's beautifully put together. It's getting popular, and if you comment & click & click & CLICK on the items, we might make it to the front page! Check it out! Thanks, cuties.

Important Announcement

On Saturday, Dec. 12, I'll be changing this blog address from "mateywear.blogspot.com" to "mateycouture.blogspot.com". I'll change all my links on my shop, livejournal, and other places that link here, so if you're not around to make note of the change, you'll be able to find me through those other places. If you follow me here on Blogger, there won't be any change--just click my link on your dashboard as usual and it'll be the same place.

I think it's appropriate that I make the change. It was about two years ago that I decided on "Matey" for the first part of my shop name, and I made this blog before I opened my shop. That is why they're different. In all honesty, I'm not totally pleased with the name anymore; it's more of who I was at 16 than who I am now. I don't have any plans to change it completely in the near future, but someday I'd like to ditch the pirate theme completely, and choose something more encompassing of my personality and style now--something classic and timeless that I would be happy to keep using for years to come.

Anyway, that's all plans for later on; nothing to worry about now. Just be sure to change you links from mateywear to mateycouture by/after Saturday. Thanks, cuties!

Poe!

I meant to post this way sooner, but I had the sale, and then I went out of town. So now that I'm home, here it is!

This was a reconstruction from a Threadless "Poetic Irony" tee. I'm obsessed with one-shoulder tops right now! I was super inspired by a top Taylor Swift wore in her Stripped version of "Untouchable". Basically, a super puffy-sleeve, and a slick fitted style.





I loooove the print--it's morbid and beautiful and you can see a better photo here. This shirt sold at the sale, but the other new items need to be re-photographed (when it's not 2AM, which was when I took them before) before I can post them. I promise to do it in the next few days!

Expect some shirts of this style to be listed in the shop... some from threadless shirts, some from just pretty fabric.

Also, I just got accepted to college for spring semester (!), and this probably means I'll be closing the shop during this time. I'll keep you updated on everything, though!

Outifts, darling!

Remember when I did this? Once? Back in May? Yes, well, I'm posting outfits again because [gasp] I don't have anything else to post. It's been too long since I've sewn anything! But I was looking at my calendar this morning and realized that the Christmas sale I'm going to participate in is just over two weeks away. Shocking, how fast time goes! I haven't gotten anyone covered for presents, even! Thanksgiving is a week from today. Advent starts... what day, December 6th? There's a chorus singing, "Not ready! Not yet! Slow down!" in my head. Bah.

On to the outfits! These are just a few from the last four months.


This was in September. All I remember is that it was freezing. I'm wearing:

- Handknit merino wool cap - from Mom
- T-shirt scarf - handmade
- Wool peacoat - Delia*s
- Shirt & stockings - Target
- Altered wool skirt - vintage
- Booties - Lulu's



I like this. But these shoes are killer to wear if I'm walking anywhere.

- Necklace - dazeoftheweek.etsy.com
- "Liberty" tee - threadless.com - resized
- Black jacket - I think it came from Ragstock? Anyway, my friend surprised me with it, & I've had it for about 4 years & it's one of my favorite pieces.
- Belt - reconstructed from pleather pants & a broken belt.
- Bubble skirt - handmade
- Stockings - Target
- Vintage French peeptoes - wonderwardrobe.etsy.com


Summer! So long, long ago...

- Owl necklace - adriannemae.etsy.com
- Most Amazing Shirt Ever (my absolute favorite thing) - handmade
- Belt - thrifted
- Lime pleated skirt - thrifted
- Porch Swing Peeptoes - Modcloth

And here's basically the same outfit, but transformed for the cold weather:


Things different in this outfit:
- Jacket - Ragstock
- Black belt - from a friend
- Chain necklace
- Red tights - We Love Colors
- Fishnets - Ragstock
- NEW BOOTS - Forever21

Aren't the bee-yoo-tee-ful? The outer is a really weird material, but it looks like suede and it's not like I have to feel it, so it's not a big deal. They've got a really low (1 1/2") wedge heel, so perfect for walking, and... you probably know how I feel about straps and buttons on boots. Super fantastic. These just became the Porch Swing Peeptoes of my fall/winter wardrobe, haha. (Did you notice how often I wore those?)

I'm a huge fan of daily outfit photos because you can look back on them, analyze what you wore, easily reuse outfits, know what not to do, and see how your style progressed. What I can tell you now is that I definitely need to switch it up and wear something besides high-waisted skirts!

So, guys, do you take outfit photos? Do you plan on starting? Let me know if you do, and we can keep track of each other! Also, how are you doing on Christmas organizing & planning? Overwhelmed as I am, or neatly ahead of the game?

Vines Entwining and Blossoming

I suppose this shirt is definitely better suited to spring than fall, but it's so beautiful that I can't wait the many months for warm to list & post it! I am currently absolutely infatuated with bamboo/lycra knit (heavenly fabric, I promise!), and used my beautiful olive colored bamboo for this one-shoulder top. It has a comfortable fit & cut, and of course, bamboo is like silk on the skin. Criss-crossing vines and purple lace blossoms are painstakingly hand sewn from the side pocket up across the neckline to the pleated shoulder. I think it's a terribly romantic shirt, a work of art, and wearable any time of the year!











(It's for sale! Here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com)

In other news, I just finished watching Marie Antoinette for the second time. (I originally saw it when it first came out, so, several years ago!) If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it; if not for the story, see it for the colors, the costumes, the aesthetics, the lighting, & the cakes. It's truly candy for the eyes! My plan for our New Year's Feast is to cover the dessert table (as I'm in charge of dessert!) in decadent cakes & goodies just like the ones in the movie. Maybe I'll even tease my hair up to high heavens and put a ship in it. Hey, it could happen! Why wasn't my 18th birthday nearly as spectacular as the one in the movie? Ah, maybe being a queen helps. Anyway, check out the movie and drool over it as much as you like.

Also, I might have opportunity to film a tutorial or two--definitely a long-promised one for the ruffle-bust shirt reconstruction, perhaps one more. I'll keep you updated, my darlings!

Hey, Sailor!

I spent my afternoon making this skirt. I was terribly meticulous with it--I told my mom later, "I sewed like you do," because I ironed everything after every seam, did facings, and even learned to do a blind hem. I love learning things which make my life easier! And I really, really love how it looks. I haven't pleated a skirt since this pink monstrosity, and if you've been reading a while, you probably know that my skirt of choice is a circle, or a circle turned into a bubble. But I like how this turned out!











The fabric has such a pretty sheen to it. And it matches my shoes perfectly!

(It's for sale! Here: www.mateycouture.etsy.com)

Tattered Bamboo Shirt

Handmade with ingredients found in the depths of antique stores, burned down, abandoned houses, and handed-down notions.

Luxurious bamboo knit.

Meant for secret trips through forests & walks to creeks at midnight.

(DazeoftheWeek and AdrianneMae are both connected to this shirt in otherworldly ways. Well, not otherworldly. But check 'em out.)