full of grace

necklace: Delfina Delettrez; earrings: Scully and Scully; cuff: Reed Krakoff; watch: Salvatore Ferragamo; top: Full Tilt; skirt: Tibi; belt: BCBG Max Azria; bag: Chanel Vintage; heels: Saint Laurent Tribute

DIY: Cutout Bodycon Jersey Dress

As mentioned here, I’ve been working on a dress for a while now.  It took me a while to finish it mainly because I had to hand-stitch the entire thing, lining and all. So, the task got boring and I had to stop working every once in a while to regain my enthusiasm on the project. But I’ve been looking forward to finishing it every darn day since I started it a month ago!

Anyway, for this project, I initially decided to use three different stretch fabrics. But I ended up using strips of ribbon in place of the third as I couldn’t find the perfect fabric in the gold tone that I wanted. I wanted the dress to be seamless except where the different fabrics come together. But with the change of material, I had to make a few adjustments such as making a new pattern, adding zipper and sequins, and an extended time table. Anyway, to make the ribbons more pliable for the purpose I intended it, I used a fusible web as a base for them. I carefully lined each ribbon on the fusible web and ironed them on. But, alas, the ribbons didn’t stick on the fusible web as well as I had hoped. So, I had to “strategically” sew sequins on the ribbons to secure them on the web.

I was just slightly successful on this attempt as some ribbons still split apart here and there and expose the fusible web under, which tend to stretch just a wee bit on some parts. This task set me back a few days and I was on the brink of giving up on the project. But I knew I’m going to be haunted and bothered by an unfinished project, one which I have been obsessing over for months. Besides, I can’t seem to move on to other projects until I finished this one. So, persevere I did.

Aaand, I had to line the dress to conceal the frankensteinish seams where the different fabrics and fused rbbons were sewed together. Seriously, I’m tempted to call this dress “The Frankenstein” or “M’ Shelley.” Instead, I shall dub this dress D’Luster. Yes, for the glittery fabrics it’s made of and other things. Sorry, I won’t go into detail about my fabric and color choices. It’s my dirty little secret. And finally! I got to sigh in relief when I did finish the darn dress.

When I showed it to Ella, she asked me, frowning, “And where do you hope to wear that???” When I showed it to The Mister, he had the same reaction and asked me the same thing. To be honest, I haven’t given much  thought on where to wear the dress. When I conceived this project, it was more for the challenge of making a dress from scratch, in the colors and design that I wanted.

I know, the above photo is far from satisfactory since you basically can’t make out what the dress looks like.  I intend to take better photos of the dress, worn. I’ll be featuring it in a future post titled “D’Luster.” Why not? 🙂 Sooo, until then…

Thanks for dropping by!

-Jette-

wild child

Love this photo of Lily Donaldson by Inez & Vinoodh, circa 2009.

Style Idol: Miroslava Duma

Trends I’m Loving

lace…

     I’m not complaining. I’m a big fan, absolutely. It’s elegant and sophisticated and sexy when done right. It’s just that I’ve been wondering, will the lace trend ever be over?

sheer…

     

slips…

        

cut out panel…

   

laser cut outs…

     

leather….

         

And, yes, interestingly, the styles always overlap… 🙂

How about you? What trends do you love? What styles would you consider timeless?

Thanks for dropping by!

~Jette~

DIY: Beanie

…knit cap, bobcap, stocking cap, watch cap, tuque, or whatchamacallit.

MasterD & MissL

The Mister and MasterD

MissL and myself

my luvs

As mentioned here,  made beanies for all four of us.  And yeah, we’re big fans o the minions.

Thanks for dropping by. Have a great week!

~Jette~

2013 Teen Choice Awards

carpet arrivals:

 photos: stylebistro

the award nominees and winners:

Acuvue Inspire Award
WINNER: Nick Jonas

Ultimate Choice Award
Ashton Kutcher (16 lifetime Teen Choice Awards)

Choice Movie: Drama
WINNER: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
»Argo
»Les Misérables
»The Great Gatsby
»The Impossible

Choice Movie Actor: Drama
WINNER: Logan Lerman, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
»Ben Affleck, Argo
»Bradley Cooper, The Words
»Leonardo DiCaprio, The Great Gatsby
»Hugh Jackman, Les Misérables

Choice Movie: Comedy
WINNER: Pitch Perfect
»Identity Thief
»Peeples
»The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
»Warm Bodies

Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
WINNER: Skylar Astin, Pitch Perfect
»Jason Bateman, Identity Thief
»Steve Carell, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
»Nicholas Hoult, Warm Bodies
»Craig Robinson, Peeples

Choice Movie Actress: Comedy
WINNER: Rebel Wilson, Pitch Perfect
»Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect
»Melissa McCarthy, Identity Thief
»Kerry Washington, Peeples
»Olivia Wilde, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Choice TV Show: Drama
WINNER: Pretty Little Liars
»Gossip Girl
»Nashville
»Revenge
»Switched At Birth

Choice TV Actor: Drama
WINNER: Ian Harding, Pretty Little Liars
»Penn Badgley, Gossip Girl
»Joshua Bowman, Revenge
»Lucas Grabeel, Switched At Birth
»Nick Wechsler, Revenge

Choice TV Actress: Drama
WINNER: Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars
»Blake Lively, Gossip Girl
»Vanessa Marano, Switched At Birth
»Hayden Panettiere, Nashville
»Emily VanCamp, Revenge

Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-fi
WINNER: Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries
»Jensen Ackles, Supernatural
»Stephen Amell, Arrow
»Jared Padalecki, Supernatural
»Paul Wesley, The Vampire Diaries

Choice TV Actress: Fantasy/Sci-fi
WINNER: Nina Dobrev, The Vampire Diaries
»Katie Cassidy, Arrow
»Ginnifer Goodwin, Once Upon a Time
»Kat Graham, The Vampire Diaries
»Kristin Kreuk, Beauty and The Beast

Choice TV Show: Comedy
WINNER: Glee
»The Big Bang Theory
»Modern Family
»New Girl
»Suburgatory

Choice TV Actor: Comedy
WINNER: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
»Chris Colfer, Glee
»Jake Johnson, New Girl
»Ashton Kutcher, Two And a Half Men
»Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Choice TV Actress: Comedy
WINNER: Lea Michele, Glee
»Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory
»Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
»Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project
»Bridgit Mendler, Good Luck Charlie

Choice Female Artist
WINNER: Demi Lovato
»Selena Gomez
»Pink
»Rihanna
»Taylor Swift

Choice Music Group
WINNER: One Direction
»Big Time Rush
»fun.
»Maroon 5
»The Wanted

Choice R&B Artist
WINNER: Bruno Mars
»Beyoncé
»Alicia Keys
»Miguel
»Trey Songz

Choice Rock Group
WINNER: Paramore
»AWOLNATION
»Imagine Dragons
»Mumford & Sons
»The Lumineers

Choice Female Hottie
WINNER: Selena Gomez
»Miley Cyrus
»Megan Fox
»Mila Kunis
»Demi Lovato

Choice Female Athlete
WINNER: Gabby Douglas
»Missy Franklin
»Alex Morgan
»Danica Patrick
»Lindsey Vonn
»Serena Williams

Choice Movie Villain
WINNER: Adam DeVine, Pitch Perfect
»Javier Bardem, Skyfall
»Tom Hardy, The Dark Knight Rises
»Ben Kingsley, Iron Man 3
»Melissa McCarthy, Identity Thief

Choice TV Villain
WINNER: Janel Parrish, Pretty Little Liars
»Carly Chaikin, Suburgatory
»Joseph Morgan, The Vampire Diaries
»Lana Parrilla, Once Upon a Time
»Becca Tobin, Glee

Choice TV Personality – Female
WINNER: Demi Lovato, The X Factor
»Erin Andrews, Fox Sports
»Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance
»Carrie Ann Inaba, Dancing with the Stars
»Heidi Klum, America’s Got Talent

Choice TV Male Scene Stealer
WINNER: Chord Overstreet, Glee
»Max Greenfield, New Girl
»Steven R. McQueen, The Vampire Diaries
»Tahj Mowry, Baby Daddy
»Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family

Choice TV Female Scene Stealer
WINNER: Miley Cyrus, Two And a Half Men
»Candice Accola, The Vampire Diaries
»Heather Morris, Glee
»Eden Sher, The Middle
»Ariel Winter, Modern Family

Choice TV Breakout Star
WINNER: Blake Jenner, Glee
»Stephen Amell, Arrow
»Melissa Benoist, Glee
»AnnaSophia Robb, The Carrie Diaries
»Derek Theler, Baby Daddy

Choice Single: Female Artist
WINNER: “Heart Attack” Demi Lovato
»”Come & Get It” Selena Gomez
»”Cups” (Pitch Perfect’s “When I’m Gone”) Anna Kendrick
»”I Knew You Were Trouble” Taylor Swift
»”We Can’t Stop” Miley Cyrus

Choice Single: Group
WINNER: “Live While We’re Young” One Direction
»”Get Lucky” Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams
»”I Love It” Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX
»”Love Somebody” Maroon 5
»”Thrift Shop” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz

Choice Love Song
WINNER: “Little Things” One Direction
»”Just Give Me A Reason” P!nk featuring Nate Ruess
»”Mirrors” Justin Timberlake
»”Treasure” Bruno Mars
»”The Way” Ariana Grande featuring Mac Miller

Choice Break-up Song
WINNER: “Come and Get It” Selena Gomez
»”DONE.” The Band Perry
»”Stay” Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko
»”We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” Taylor Swift
»”When I Was Your Man” Bruno Mars

Choice Music Breakout Artist
WINNER: Ed Sheeran
»Candice Glover
»Ariana Grande
»Psy
»Emeli Sandé

Choice Music Breakout Group
WINNER: Emblem3
»Icona Pop
»Imagine Dragons
»The Lumineers
»Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Candie’s Choice Style Icon
WINNER: Miley Cyrus
»Ariana Grande
»Demi Lovato
»Lea Michele
»Emma Watson

Choice Summer Movie Star: Female
WINNER: Sandra Bullock, The Heat
»Amy Adams, Man of Steel
»Melissa McCarthy, The Heat
»Michelle Rodriguez, Fast & Furious 6
»Zoe Saldana, Star Trek Into Darkness

Choice Movie: Chemistry
WINNER: Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, The Heat
»Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man 3
»Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer, The Lone Ranger
»Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and Paul Walker, Fast & Furious 6
»Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum, White House Down

Choice Summer TV Show
WINNER: Pretty Little Liars
»Teen Wolf
»So You Think You Can Dance
»The Fosters
»Under The Dome

Choice Summer TV Star: Male
WINNER: Keegan Allen, Pretty Little Liars
»Jake T. Austin, The Fosters
»Jean Luc Bilodeau, Baby Daddy
»Avan Jogia, Twisted
»Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf

Choice Summer TV Star: Female
WINNER: Lucy Hale, Pretty Little Liars
»Maddie Hasson, Twisted
»Chelsea Kane, Baby Daddy
»Katie Leclerc, Switched at Birth
»Maia Mitchell, The Fosters

Choice Summer Song
WINNER: “We Can’t Stop” Miley Cyrus
»”Blurred Lines” Robin Thicke (feat. Pharrell Williams & T.I.)
»”Cruise (REMIX)” Florida Georgia Line (feat. Nelly)
»”Get Lucky” Daft Punk (feat. Pharrell Williams)
»”Treasure” Bruno Mars

Choice Summer Music Star: Female
WINNER: Selena Gomez
»Miley Cyrus
»Ariana Grande
»P!nk
»Rihanna

Choice Summer Music Star: Male
WINNER: Bruno Mars
»Jay-Z
»Pitbull
»Robin Thicke
»Justin Timberlake

Choice Summer Tour
WINNER: One Direction, Take Me Home Tour
»Beyoncé, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour
»Bruno Mars, The Moonshine Jungle Tour
»Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake, Legends of the Summer Tour
»Taylor Swift, Red Tour 2013

and then you kissed me

…just because.

DIY: Ribbon Dress

Almost two years ago, around December of 2011, I made a dress for Ella for a Christmas party.  This was before I got around to starting this blog. Anyway, the theme for the party was candyland. At that time, I had a slight aversion to candy-colored anything, meaning brightly colored things. But that has changed, of course. These days, I’m kind of drawn to bold colors, Going back, as I was looking for inspiration, I thought about cotton candies, gummy bears, m&ms, and skittles. Finally, I settled with…

But Skittles has a variety of color combinations, which proved a bit of problem for me. Should I go with the tropical colors, the original, wild berry, etc? Yeah, that’s me… I always manage to make things complicated. So, the quest went on. Then, I remembered The Mister’s Pink Floyd Converse high tops. The one with the prism design- the album cover for “The Dark Side of the Moon,” designed by George Hardie. I thought I’d work around the rainbow colors in that design.

Now, I didn’t want Ella to wear a Katy Perry costume. And it’s not because I don’t like Katy Perry- on the contrary. It’s more like it isn’t Ella to wear super girly outfits. So, tube tops and skater skirts were out of the question. And since I had very little time to work on the dress, I decided it had to be really simple to make. So, I thought of using colored ribbons. I searched the net for “ribbon dress,” though I never thought that I’d actually find one. But it turns out, Kylie Minogue did wear such a dress! Lookie here…

Of course, i can’t let Ella show off her undies at the party. It’s beyond scandalous! So, I had a dress made to serve as lining and I covered it with ribbons in red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, and purple.  Tadaaah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, this foray into using ribbons to make a dress ultimately lead me to another slightly similar project a year or so on. I have yet to finish the dress. But here’s a peek of what I’ve been working on.

I’m almost finished with the dress. Just need to add lining. That’s all for now. Thanks for visiting.

~Jette~

“I believe in possibilities, in free will, and in man’s ability to survive.”