June 2010 Current Projects

I've always like sewing, but since I've arrived at college I haven't had a sewing machine of my own to work with. However, I always remembered how much I really enjoyed sewing. So I got one of my own. Here is my work space:


Pardon my mess. (you can see my night stand in the back!)

But as you can see I'm currently working on something. What is that you ask? Well it's a sundress for me to wear to football games with K! Duh! I'll show you my completed work when it's all done. As of now, I rarely have time to work on it between work and school. However, I've had a few pitfalls here and there considering that it is also my 'getting-my-feet-re-wetted' project. My next project will be much better. Hopefully.

After I'm done with this dress, I plan on reupholstering my couch. Yuck. That's a whole new mess on its own.

Recent Fashion Trends 2010

So work has been keeping me very busy, which is sad because it's not that important of a job. But it has been enjoyable working for a fast fashion company, I get to be submersed in fashion ALL DAY long. I also get to be on top of the fashion trends.

What's in:

- Soft, girly fashion. This includes preppy pink, cardigans, sweaters, skirts, lace, headbands and pearls. This is very prevalent in spring 2010 fashion. I am predicting that it will definitely carry into the fall. I love this trend because I love pink. Think JCrew if you're having some trouble picturing it. Layers are so important with this trend. Layer using different textures such as lace, pearls, ribbons and beads. Gold toned jewelry works well with this trend. I like to pair my lace tank/shirt over a striped tank (which tones down the stripes). Tuck IN with this trend.

- Ruffles. In! everywhere!

- Florals. Small floral print is very 'in' right now. Not big and gaudy, but very small prints. Think lawn/calico fabric.

- Shirt Dresses. Extra long button downs that are also dresses! I've loved these for years. I'm glad to see that they are still in. It is a versatile flattering style. I love white ones as well as pink ones! These will probably be in for a while.

- Military. My least favorite trend. Deals with mostly military silhouette cuts especially standing/mandarin collars and jackets. Colors prevalent with this trend are military green and brown. I expect that it will also carry into the fall. Hopefully this is more of short lived thing. For me, I have been into this for a while and it's getting old for me.

- Safari. I don't know if this will stay in or catch on. There is a high possibility that it could be an annual spring/summer thing. Involves big pockets, safari cuts on jackets, and khaki twill.

- Wedges. These shoes are back in. They are more comfortable than stilettos. To be extra trendy, combine this style with gladiator, girly or tribal. These were in during spring/summer 2010. It has yet to be seen whether they will be 'in' during the fall. I feel like wedge heels are more of a spring/summer fashion. But my boss wore some fabulous wood heels the other day in a darker color. She looked great!

- Tribal. Shirts, shoes, belts, jewelry. It's everywhere. Think beading and color. Also more of a spring/summer thing unless they can turn bright colors into more fall friendly hues.

- Yellow. SO IN for spring/summer 2010. Fall 2010? I don't know, but I'm guessing not since it is such a bright color.

- Nautical. This has been in for a while now. No surprises: blue stripes, white stripes, gold buttons with military flare. Meh. People who like it will continue to indulge. I've moved on; however, the white/blue pairing is still very in.

- Stripes. In, still in. Think black and white 1 inch and thinner. Will stick around during the fall. These striped shirts are everywhere all over the fall collections.

- Denim. Shirts, pants, jackets. Everywhere. This may stay in during the fall.

- Jeans Hues. I feel that lighter colors such as faded blue, white etc. are more appropriate for summer/spring. For the fall, I don't think we will be letting go of the dark trends anytime soon. They are far too flattering.

- Jean cuts. I expect that skinny will stay in longer. It has reached the kind of market penetration to the point where it's a basic (like leggings). However, boot cut may be making a comeback on the horizon. Wide leg? OUT.

- High waisted pants/shorts. Still 'in' ish for summer 2010. But I haven't seen anything suggesting that it will be in much longer. I don't find it to be a flattering trend. See Jessica Simpson and highwaisted jeans for an example.

- Textured trends. This means ruffles, petals, bows, wrinkled/crumpled, and un-flat elements of a look are very in.

- Fall 2010 Colors. Here's a tidbit of what I've seen so far in our winter collection. Lots of black, navy, military green and brown/beigey hues . Often paired with skinny brown belts. Also stripes are still in. Pairings with shirts tucked into skirts are going to be SO in. The denim trend may stick around a while longer. Clean, tapered pants are definitely a go. The girly trend will definitely stick around. Florals? Rompers? Still in.

DIY Repainting Old Wooden Furntiture Shabby Chic

So for the past year, I have been using this fugly nightstand in my room. My parents bought it for me at a garage sale and I have been planning on repainting it since the day I saw it. I briefly considered selling it because I was too lazy to give it a face-lift. However, I finally got around to it.



1. Make sure that what you are painting is not an antique or something expensive. Mine was from the late 70's and purchased at a garage sale, I have a picture that proves it!




2. Choose a paint color that matches your décor. Go to the hardware store and purchase the following items
- Large drop cloth
- Water-based paint. You're probably okay with just one quart.
- Paint Primer (basic white will work)
- Paint Brush (I suggest 2 kinds, a roller and cheapy wood brush)
- Sand Paper - Fine Grain
I chose a color called Pink Ballet Slipper because it matches the shabby chic theme of my room.



Optional: If you are changing out the handles/knobs (highly suggested! They can change the whole feel of a piece) make sure you measure first. There are many sizes of handles. I learned this the hard way when I thought I could just 'estimate' how large the spacing was. It turned out that the handles for this particular piece cannot be purchased at a home store. I'll update later to show you guys the better handles.

3. Get in a well ventilated area. Lay out the drop cloth as far as it will go. The plastic drop cloth I used was pretty flimsy. I might suggest a cloth drop cloth if you're planning on making repainting a regular habit. You're going to make a mess. I used my living room because I was at home alone when I did this. Also take the drawer out of your piece to paint separately. It also makes moving it easier!

IMPORTANT: When you bring the piece to the drop cloth, make sure you remove all handles and hardware.



4. Sand down the item. Everywhere. Sanding allows the paint primer to adhere to the wood because it creates little scratches where the paint can 'grab' on to the furniture. Vacuum or wipe off the dust with a dry cloth - not wet.



5. Paint on the primer


6. Wait for the Primer to dry for at least an hour. I got lazy documenting from here on out because I had paint all over my hands. Sorry.

7. Paint on the colored paint. A mostly flat piece will be easy to paint, but a textured piece like mine will be a pain!
Tip: For a flat surface, use the roller. For textures/corners use your cheapy wood brush.

8. Wait for it to fully dry. Then the hardware is ready to be reapplied!

As an alternative, if you would like a glossier finish you could also spray on some basic glossy paint from the craft store. Otherwise, you're probably good to go.

Vóila! You're done! Unless you still want Shabby Chic... but then there is just one more step.

9. Do some light sanding in the areas that will experience the most traffic and wear. I suggest corners and sides. This creates the illusion of wear. Don't over do it, just enough to get through the paint and primer.

Before and After Pictures:

Before:


After:




As you can see the current drawer handles are such an eyesore! I'm going to try and get a more gold toned drawer handle, perhaps even with porcelain accents.


Drawers are lined with tissue paper.

So that's just about it for my completed projects so far. This took about 1 day to complete and was pretty darn cost efficient too.

blogs are very 'in' right now

This is something I've been meaning to do for a while now. I feel like I've been pretty busy this summer between work and school. But I DO have other things going on in the background. Welcome to Shear Restoration; my blog celebrating my latest projects and musings. I will be posting DIY's, projects, summer updates and other things that I think are pretty much awesome.