Linen and Lace

 This outfit was a combination of an old linen vest I've had for years and a tiered skirt that I picked up in a resale shop. The reason this works is that the fabrics are worn, soft, and in complementary colors. Scraps from my lace bin finished it off. This is a bit short for me to wear "as is" so I will probably wear with linen pants.

Linen and Lace

And yes, that's a little antique crocheted handbag added for my cell phone.

Tiered skirt, before.

I keep my eyes open for these types of skirts because the layers can be cut up and are already gathered. This one I used inside out because I liked the raw edges with a bit of fraying to them to give the feeling of age.

Side View

April is almost here and I will enjoy wearing this for Spring.

Can't wait for those flea markets and auctions to start!

What a Difference a Dye Makes!

Before                                 After

   

 I purchased this white coat ages ago, probably more than a decade, and it's hung sadly in my closet ever since. Even though I liked the shape and fit, whenever I tried to put it on it didn't feel right. I finally came to the conclusion that it was the white color which felt more like a lab coat than anything. As much as I admire people who wear lab coats, I am not one of them.

So I decided to try my hand at dye, which turned out to be totally fun and easy. First I ordered my Rit Dye from Amazon Prime (LOVE Amazon Prime). It cost $4.06 and was on my doorstep the next day. For this project I chose Denim Blue, but there are many colors to choose from.

This came in powdered form

Although the dye can be used in a washing machine I decided to keep life simple by using my recycling bin with very hot water and stirring it up with a wooden spoon. So easy.

And it turned out marvelously! After the success of this project I am definitely going to start using dye in more of my projects going forward.

       

DIY Natural planters from Tree Stumps

Just back from NYC, one of my favorite places. Saw the Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway with Josh Groban . . .  SO GOOD! Also went to Sleep No More, a show I had seen about five years ago and still find very interesting (and exhausting). 

After several days of fine dining, shopping, and walking all over the city I am happy to be home. My home away from home happened to be the new and awesome 1 Hotel Central Park, which I would highly recommend. The hotel is eco-friendly and decorated in natural elements including 24,000 plants. The lobby was gorgeous and made me want to redecorate my house, or at least add more plants.

I especially liked the way they used old stumps and blocks of wood as planters, which is so do-able!

Block of wood hollowed out for planter.

Natural planter from wood stump

So many options, each planter unique!

I am so totally going to do this.