Head to toe: WHBM   Watch: esq one by Movado

Seems like everywhere I go these days I am subjected to seeing women’s underwear. No, I don’t have some sort of seedy lifestyle. I am instead talking about the fashion crime that is see-through leggings. Just today I was walking behind a woman and her toddler. She was completely oblivious to the fact that her light blue mini briefs were giving me a big hello. To make matter worse, her friend that was walking behind her didn’t have the audacity to mention the lack of coverage. Now I understand that leggings are a common fashion choice. They can be comfortable and at times flattering. The problem arises when a woman puts on a pair of leggings and doesn’t acknowledge the fact that they are see-through. Yes they’re black, yes they looked opaque enough on the hanger. However, certain materials lose their opacity once they are stretched. My tip for you legging lovers? Look in the mirror. Do a complete 360 degrees. If at any point you can see your knickers under those leggings then ditch them. I for one will be very thankful!

Check out the wide variety of unique and affordable clothing Studio Fantasy Boutique has to offer.

Best of all you can purchase it online or you can visit their shop at the heart of Quezon City, Philippines.

Just click on the image to start shopping!!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Carouselink

unique pieces…. i find these leggings amazing… and on the site there are a lot of different items: so romantic!!!

I fell in love with this airballoons design *__*

The idea for these pjs was simple – flashback skinny tees (altered to short sleeves) for the top and short leggings for the bottoms.

Pyjama t-shirts

The tops were quite simple – I’ve made enough of these to know my way around a flashback tee; serger or no serger!  I made size 4 for my 3.5 year old, size 5 for my 5.5 year old and size 7/8 for my (very skinny) 8.5 year old.  These sizes worked fine.

It was only when it came to hemming the t-shirts that I encountered problems.  You see, I usually make these tees from upcycled men’s t-shirts and I always incorporate the existing hem into the new shirt.  I considered adding another band of ribbing around the bottom of the shirt but thought this might not be so comfortable to sleep in so this time I had to do proper hemming.  I folded the raw edge to the wrong side just once and then sewed with a double needle.  I did my best not to pull or stretch the fabric but it still isn’t ideal.  The bottom has a kind of rippling effect.  I think next time I won’t bother hemming at all – just let it roll up on itself (this is one method Rae recommends in her pattern).  How do you guys usually hem t-shirts??

See that stretch-out, ripply hem?!

Pyjama leggings

The leggings gave me much more of a challenge.  Guess what?!  This is my first time making leggings!  Everyone says how easy and satisfying they are to make so I jumped right in there with drafting out my own pattern and getting to work.  My idea was to draft one pattern and then just tweak it for each kid.

With the first (pink) pair, after sewing up the front and back seams and then folding them together to do the inseam and crotch, the lengths didn’t match up – like, they really didn’t match up.  I just about got away with it for the first pair but then had to start again.  This time I did my proper research and figured out the problem - my points for the crotch and bottom were not on the same plane so when I folded them together the lengths were different (pretty obvious, I know).  See this illustration below – those two points are exactly opposite each other! (I look this image from onelittleminute where she gives a way to add a cool tuxedo stripe to leggings!).

image from http://www.onelittleminuteblog.com/2013/04/simple-handmade-tuxedo-stripe-leggings/

After a pattern re-draft I was back on track and the rest was pretty smooth sailing.

Overall, this was a successful ‘sewing with knits’ project but it was more time-consuming than I imagined (well, actually, everything is more time-consuming than I imagine so I should never be surprised!).  The kids are happy with them – they can move, they can sleep, they can…wrestle…. (what did I expect when I told the to jump on the bed and have some fun!?)…

It always seems to end up in wrestling in this house!  Eventually they calmed down…

And even did a puzzle… So, there you have it!  Easy (even if not particularly quick) summer pjs.  I challenge a kid NOT to enjoy sleeping (and wrestling) in these!

And thanks to my three sardines for letting me take like a gazillion pictures of them.

Thanks for reading,

Laura x

]]> http://nylovesmetoo.com/2013/05/17/georgetown-trip-shopping-exploring-with-my-boyfriend/ Fri, 17 May 2013 06:32:11 +0000 kubocs http://nylovesmetoo.com/2013/05/17/georgetown-trip-shopping-exploring-with-my-boyfriend/ The past two weeks have been eventful. Not only did I finish the hardest and most stressful semester of my life, but I entered into a relationship with a guy I’m really excited to share new adventures, emotions and experiences with. We started dating in May 1, 2013 and I’m beyond excited to make the most of this new chapter of my life. I believe this summer has a great deal of surprises in store for me — already it has begun with a great start!

Unfortunately my boyfriend is leaving for a good portion of the summer to spend 5 weeks with his family in Kuwait. We have been interested in each other for a few months and although he is going back for a while, our foundations as a couple are strong and I believe we can stay together no matter how far we’re separated! To surprise me before he left, he planned a really sweet trip to Georgetown to sight-see, shop, and explore. The trip turned out to be predominantly dominated by shopping and eating out (I should of assumed that haha), but overall I’m not complaining. I loved it either way!

So that’s how I wanted to introduce the trip but for the most part I know you’re probably not that interested in hearing about my relationship. Instead of sharing the details of my emotional life, I put together a blog about all of the entertaining aspects of my trip — outfits, sights, shopping, and food!!

During my first day in Georgetown (I’ve never been before), we explored the shops and I was able to wear one of my newest outfits. I somewhat had an epiphany in DC and the color lime green became one of my favorites this season. I noticed I wasn’t the only one wearing lime green that day, either. Maybe something was in the air but for some reason I saw it EVERYWHERE that day. I feel like lime green is becoming the new mint green. As a trendspotter (for MTV), I feel like I have the right to say that. I guess we’ll see what happens within the next few months!

In love with the color lime!

About my outfit:
Armani Exchange lime green sleeveless collared blouse
Armani Exchange denim leggings
BCBG flats
Michael Kors watch
Jade & other stones bracelet

I don’t know what it is but for some reason I can’t find myself interested in clothes from stores like Abercrombie or Hollister but for similar prices (or a little bit more) I like Armani Exchange. I have always found myself shopping at Armani ever since I first started getting into fashion when I was in high school. For some reason I consider it “my store” when I have a bit of money to blow while still on a budget. I don’t like everything they sell, and I’m especially not the type to rock a logo, but I always find something that suits me in there. I’m super excited I was able to stop by the store during this trip.

Then while in DC we rode the metro to Georgetown from Rosslyn. I have been on the metro in DC before and it was pretty cool even though I ended up comparing it to the subway in New York (as always). Although nothing compares to anything in New York (in my opinion), I’ll admit the DC metro is “nicer” because it is cleaner and safer than New York’s.

The highlight of my shopping ventures would probably have to be meeting handbag designer Danielle Nicole at CUSP by Neiman Marcus. It was a bit crazy meeting her because the day before one of the bloggers I met in New York City last summer for the national Her Campus conference, Colleen Kochesfahani, posted a photo of her and Danielle Nicole (the day before) at a boutique in Baltimore on Instagram. Strange how small the world can be sometimes!

I ended up chatting with Danielle and buying one of her cross body handbags (which came with another one for free) and taking a few photos of her and her collection.

I also stopped by Alex and Ani and treated myself to a new charm bracelet (Path of Life) and was surprised by Athbi with an Aries charm bracelet (our zodiac sign). So sweet!!

Our shopping adventures continued into the night until we ended our adventures sharing desserts at spot I have heard about from celebrities and always wanted to visit, Serendipity3! I had their famous iced hot chocolate. Yum!!

The next day I put together my outfit and headed out for the rest of the day in Georgetown!

About my outfit:
Zara striped pink & white tee-shirt
American Apparel skirt
Alex and Ani bangles
BCBG flats

During our second day in Georgetown, our first stop was lunch then Georgetown Cupcakes! I never tried them before, but working in a predominantly female industry (a women’s magazine) has definitely left me wondering what all the fuss is about. Of course this was definitely apart of the “date” aspect of our trip, and my boyfriend basically promised me I’d fall in love their cupcakes. I did!! They’re absolutely adorable and delicious!

It seems like everyone wanted Georgetown Cupcakes!

After cupcakes we were on a quest to get gifts for family and check out the other shops DC had to offer. We went to Dupont Circle but didn’t find much there besides a few sights we both enjoyed. If only the fountain at the park was on! Oh well! Our walk around the circle was still nice either way. When we took a break and stopped at a cafe at Books a Million we just sat and talked and watched a few men play chess with each other. It was interesting enough!

We ended up back in Georgetown by sundown and I finally figured out what to get my mom for Mother’s Day. I got her a Michael Kors wrist-let and my boyfriend got his grandmother one too. I figured my mom would love it and I’m pretty sure she did!

At last, we finished our adventures in Georgetown and DC and headed home for Richmond. It was quite epic and I most definitely fell in love with my adventures in DC. My boyfriend and I made it a quest to visit again soon. Until then, I’ll cherish my new memories with my boyfriend knowing there’s more to come after he comes back from his trip to Kuwait.

Love these green leggings! Cute with tennis shoes OR boots
Weds may 8

actually so comfy! If it was 70 degrees all the time I’d wear this a lot more. It’s a colette hazel!
Thursday the 9th
Thursdays mean Girls on the Run so I have to wear something active! I wore my ice cream t- shirt and a new grey pair of leggings I whipped together. Then I went to GOTR and then got stuck in traffic but went out to dinner with a good friend and totally spaced on the pictures. Also, I wore the ice cream shirt yesterday to the chiropractor and totally ripped a hole in the armpit! Nooooooo! My favorite!!! Time for repairs!
Friday 10, Saturday 11, Sunday 12, and Monday 13 …
I had to work all of these nights. I totally intended to make some undergarments but lazily did not so all I can say is I did hem all of my work scrubs. And I’ve been wearing the pyjama shorts very faithfully!
Tuesday the 14th
Cheater! I slept in most of the day and then got up and we went grocery shopping but I just wore some running capris and my track jacket! Nothing me made at all!
Wednesday the 15th
Went to the chiro in the morning and ruined my ice cream t, then back to work at night (more hemmed pants…) cheater!
Thursday the 16th

girls on the run again! Our 5k is this weekend! So I just realized I cut my ankles out of this pic! Anyway, these are the leggings I just made. I used my butt-tight sweatpants pattern and they were just a touch loose (since sweatpants are low stretch and these are super elastic!) I took in the sides and have about 5 extra inches of length. I left the length and even widened it a touch so they are kind of like 80′s style slouchy socks at the bottom! I think it’s really cute and gives my legs a good shape but my friend says she’d prefer them tight and ankle length. We’ll see… I can always cut them. I’m loving them for now!

I made it halfway…barely…
Gotta win the mega millions tonight so I can spend more time sewing! I need more warm weather clothes! And I need more t-shirts, hoodies, and leggings! That’s seriously my uniform!

Leggings- Zella (THE BEST EVER)

Boots- Bakers

Denim shirt- H&M

Cardigan- American Apparel (Kylie’s)

Rose gold watch- Nine West

shine by [ZD] @ The Garage Fashion Fair 

15. – 29. May 2013

Special Offers!

ASOS top, Forever 21 leggings and necklace, UNIF loafers, Karen Walker sunnies

Playing around with vertical stripes via a pair of leggings for $9.95 from Forever 21. Yes, $9.95! After I saw it on my friend I went online and it was sold out. BUT! My diligent self keep checking and they did come back in stock yet to be sold out again currently…so good luck!

Follow toopoorforcouture on FB here or Instagram @toopoorforcouture

One day, while wearing my zipper-in-the-back leggings, I needed to use the ladies’ room at the hair salon. I was easily able to pull everything down, but was unable to pull it back up. It so happens that zippers devour lace. There I stood with pants & panties, now an inseparable unit, down by my knees. I had to call for my stylist’s help. She pulled and tugged to no avail, and finally took scissors and sort of disentangled the two items of clothing. I went home with a sweater tied around my waist. The hook and eye at the top of the zipper was missing the eye, so was also absolutely useless. Since I had recently gained a bit of weight, the zipper rushed down at my slightest move. Only “the power of positive thinking” and mincing Geisha steps got me to my car without further humiliating incident.

Not long thereafter, skin-tight leggings, requiring no belt & little imagination–underwear issues or not–seemed ideal airport wear. I couldn’t hide a credit card, not even a dollar bill, under those leggings. Wasn’t I surprised when I was selected for a TSA pat down! “Miss”–or was it the offensive ma’am?–”I am now going to firmly press your buttocks and thighs with my hands.” Huh? That was an extremely uncomfortable experience, and I am not disconcerted by human touch in the form of innocent, incidental contact in crowded spaces. The TSA officer’s unwanted touch brought back a confusing childhood groping experience, also by a complete stranger. In preparation for Zen airplane mode, and so as not to overreact, I tuned out what was happening to me. Guess I will go with my favorite muu-muu next time. My goal is never to end up in a private room with a TSA agent!

My daughter, who has short hair, a very athletic body type, and gender neutral look, had a unique experience on her latest trip: she was first patted down by a “dude,” who determined that there was some gender confusion on his part, and surrendered her to a female TSA agent for a second pat down. This agent was a bit more reserved than the one who patted her down the time before. That TSA agent asked whether she wanted to stay in New York and go to a party that night.

Ah, professionalism. Signs announce that one-third of Transportation Security Administration agents have served in the U.S. military. So has the Ft. Hood Army officer allegedly running a prostitution ring. This man was a member of the “Ft. Hood Sexual Assault Response Team.” The Air Force officer charged just last week with an alleged parking lot groping held a similar position, also created to prevent sexual assault. I now think I have been misreading a TSA warning as an endorsement.

This week’s look is all about showing off your Gallifreyan side, in true bold, geeky style.

Get This Look:

• Top
  • While I almost always wear tunic and tank style tops with my leggings, this blouse is refreshing change when you want a classic dressy casual look. It’s an ideal top choice to add to the 10th Doctor vibe when worn with the tie since he wore a white collared shirt.

• Vest
  • I’ve had this vest in my closet for years and almost never wear it. I was inspired to pair it with the Police Box leggings as it was the closest thing in my closet that gave off a 11th Doctor coat vibe, and in the end I just liked how it looked with the outfit with or without the tie on.

• Leggings
  • I’m pretty sure every female Doctor Who fan’s heart (both of them!) skipped a beat when Black Milk released a print tantalizing called “Police Box“. Offered as both a dress and a pair of leggings, I’m sure many of you, like me, bought both! This print is great because, while bold and vivid in color and design, it’s also a bit on the subtle side in terms of screaming “GEEK”. You’d need to be at least a little familiar with the series to know what you’re looking at. As with most of my looks, if the leggings are loud, I keep the rest of the ensemble simple to avoid overloading the look.

• Shoes
  • I’ve worn these shoes before, with my Captain America and Ewok looks. Brown is a great color to have in your shoe collection, especially for geek-themed clothing. I never thought I would get this much use out of a pair of brown sandals! You can find great shoes at places like DSW and Target, just keep an eye on their discounted and clearance selections to really come away with a great deal on some fabulous footwear.

• Accessories
  • Indy Magnoli produces a vast array of movie replica clothing. A well-known piece from them is their replica of the tie the 10th Doctor wore in episodes like “The Girl in the Fireplace”. It’s a beautiful design, recognizable by many a fan. While obviously a truly “male” accessory, I love ties because they are a fun and unique accessory to incorporate into a female wardrobe. Pairing this tie with the Police Box leggings is a very simple, yet sharp and automatically recognized way to show your love of Doctor Who.
  • The fantastic line of Doctor Who jewelry that was released by Harlequin Goldsmiths came out after I put this look together and did these photos. I think a great final touch to this look would be to add a pair of their Dalek earrings!

As always, feel free to give us feedback on our Looks, or share your outfits or styling tips with us on Facebook and Twitter.

(Photos by Greg De Stefano)

(Dalek earring photo obtained from/is the property of Harlequin Goldsmiths)

Ultra-soft gray (forgiving) top and (not-so-forgiving) leggings. Ah, to float through the weekend in the Big City like you’re still in bed. (You can still brush your teeth, though. Seriously.)

In Loving Memory of Clifton’s Cafeteria, 1931-2011

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They say that stripes are hard to wear, but not every stripe is. Vertical stripes are known to trick the eye, and women often appear slimmer wearing vertical stripes. Black and white vertical stripes on pants are becoming very popular right now, and it’s a look I currently love.

I know what you’re probably thinking. You’re saying to yourself, “But vertical stripes look like prison suits!” When they’re paired with edgy boots or heels, you most definitely will not look you hopped out of a jail cell. It’s when you wear a matching striped top that it becomes an issue. Striped pants look fun with graphic muscle tees. They also look fantastic with a splash of red lipstick. You don’t always have to wear pastels for spring. Keep the edginess going all year long. It’s a trend I’m going to sport.

Written By: Allison Ripa

Photo Sources:

http://www.collegefashion.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/striped-pants-trend.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRHR_1mVo9w/T-pdQqPqZ5I/AAAAAAAABvo/0hWlijn_9I0/s1600/crop+top+5.jpg

http://lp.hm.com/

http://www.forever21.com/images/model_front/30354346-02.jpg

http://www3.images.coolspotters.com/photos/1018567/tripp-nyc-high-rise-antique-stripe-jean-profile.jpg

http://mediaext.djnetworks.net/media/113/918/files/11391833.jpg

What you are wearing: Button down thrift store shirt, hand-me-down sweater, $2 sunglasses, Toms, Necklace via Brooklyn Charm

Style icon: My mom (circa 1987)

Staple item in your closet: Black leather jacket

Favorite place to shop: Goodwill

That one time on vacation, when we got up way too early the morning after arrival to work out. Highly jet lagged. Funny how that one morning seemed to be IT for workout on that trip…

Discount Code:  PDW-MEGANSMUSTS. 10% profits go to The Lunchbox Fund. 30% OFF until June 15th, 2013.