The Fixer Upper, Reinvented

 Skirt Suit, Belt, Bracelet: Gabes / Shoes: Ross (Aerosoles) / Lace Top: Charlotte Russe / Tank: Thrifted (Loft) / Necklace: TJ Maxx

My sad little blogger world suddenly revolves around EBEW, which I can't bear to miss despite the fact that my photos are still too large { I finally got my new computer! Just waiting for files to be rescued from the old one and to get Photoshop on here so 30x30/Europe posting can recommence :)}

With my insane schedule I thought there was no way I could participate in this month's DIY feature. I can barely keep up with planning and grading, and I'm not super savvy with a sewing machine. My mamaw got me a basic one for Christmas in college, because I desperately wanted to be the next Coco Chanel. I promptly used it to spruce up my spring break swimsuit with what I thought to be some very sophisticated decoration, then considered myself appropriately versed in all things sewing and gave it up entirely after remembering I was a French major planning to vacation at Cocoa Beach, not a fashion apprentice headed to Saint Barts.

I briefly considered featuring that swimsuit, but how lame would that be for October? Then I remembered  there was another project I tackled before retiring from major DIY.  I'd purchased a cherry skirt suit from Gabes, thinking I got a sweet steal for a perfect grad outfit, only to get it home and find the sleeves were two different lengths, the jacket was too wide, and the hemline was most unflattering.

I managed to modify it well enough before retiring my machine to a lifetime of mending and easier projects, like adding lace inserts to mischievous skirt slits.  My little red suit served its purpose well, then I tucked it in the back of my closet and haven't looked at it since. Till now. When I realized I could bust it out not only for a DIY feature, but to also continue my allegiance for a color blocking feature.  In the most fashionable way possible. Which, of course, is by breaking the rules and following the fab footsteps of Emma Stone, SJP, and Zoe Saldana.

There was a time I was too traumatized to dare reds and pinks in the palest of doses, but I'd say this rich combo proves I'm fully cured. {You can read about my traumatizing experience with reds at the end of this post, if it strikes your fancy.}

And there you have it. I've no tutorial for you. Not even any before shots. There was no process to my madness. I don't think I even had a measuring tape. And I'm certain I didn't do a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying. And because I know I'm going to feel completely outdone seeing everyone else's marvelous masterpieces, I thought about throwing in a photo of that plain white tankini, which the sting of a fresh break-up inspired me to fancify with an extra strap, belt, and ties. Stitched by yours truly.  It's amazing, the creative energy a blow to your self esteem can expose. And I didn't even know about DIY tutorials at that time.

But then I remembered my computer crashed. Quel dommage!

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*Quel dommage = Too bad!

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Joyeaux Anniversaire

 Shoes: J Crew via DownEast / Tank & Cardi: J Crew final sale / Capris: Gap ($12!) / Purse: Deux Luxe / Necklace: Ruche

So, my computer thought it was prime time to crash. With half my unfinished 30x30 and Europe photos and several others documenting our summer fun.  Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The good news is that I've been comforting myself with Strawberry Champagne Almond cupcakes. The recipe's at the bottom of this post, if you're interested in such delectable distractors.

Up top are shots from after the crash. It was my birthday. Yes, I get to have my birthday during my favorite month which heralds in my favorite season. And this year, I got to spend it in Utah with some of my favorite people. We went to pay our last respects to Scott's dear, sweet grandmother, and had such a wonderful time with his family. 

For my birthday there was sleeping in then picnicking with the family {I just love them!} at Sliding Rock, a bona fide water slide in the mountains. It's glacier water, people, so it was cold, but so worth it. Even the Hound enjoyed herself.  I think.

There was also shopping. The Husband surprised me with a gift card to DownEast, my favorite little shop that sells irregular, damaged, or overstocked items from some of my favorite brands. ONE pair of cornflower blue J Crew shoes, in my exact size, was waiting just for me. For $29.99. With a few scuffs on the sole, but otherwise spanking new. There was also a lovely teal coat with an extra button on the tag to replace the one that was missing. They knew it was my birthday, obviously. 

Then there were turkey & brie sandwiches on delightful cranberry walnut bread and a birthday cupcake named after Cinderella, my fav princess, from Flour Girls & Dough Boys. This, of course, led to a picnic up the Timpanogos canyon in my new shoes, because they're so practical for hiking. There I was graced with my first glimpses of beautiful fall color. 

And what blogger birthday would be complete without thrifting? So, of course, there was also a trip to the DI with my sister-in-law where much fun was had and I found 2 fall-colored midi-skirts for $5 each and a $5 silk blouse to go with them. I never find good silk blouses when I thrift. Never. Then I found a brand new pair of Ann-Taylor dark emerald cords. For $6. Icing on the cake, people. The DI obviously knew it was my birthday, too.

I got to end the night playing cards with family and being sang to by the cutest nieces and nephews ever. They kept reminding me that it was my birthday, all smiley and proud. What a perfect day!

We had to go home the next day, and as we passed through the salt flats, moving into the dessert, Ms. Hound expressed her displeasure at being trapped in the back by our new hound hammock / seat protector, I finally remembered to take a photo of the sign for Deeth Starr Valley, the Husband and Hound stretched their legs as we headed up Doherty mountain, and then we were back home. Another year gone, just like that.

P.S. Photoshop and Carbonite are on my to-do list. And I've already ordered a replacement computer. The blog will go on! Just give me time :)

P.P.S. Thank you, thank you, thank you to my dear husband and Utah family for such a marvelous birthday!

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Joyeaux Anniversaire = Happy Birthday

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Color Me Crazy

Coral Capris: Gap ($8!) / Top: B Moss / Shoes: Asos / Belt, Necklace: J Crew final sale / Earrings, Bracelet: Gabes (Monet, Kissaka)

My brain is far too frazzed to create a proper post. {Remember? I'm teaching 4 different courses this year. All of which I've never before taught. Yes, that's 4 preps for 4 new courses. And because class sizes are so lovely and large, I have over 180 students. There are 44 freshmen in just my first period. I must be mental.}

Thus, you get a list:

1. Gap is having an amazing sale right now. Extra 40% off sale items = $8 colored capris.

2.  Refer to the introduction { yes, teaching is always on my brain these days...if my conclusion / final paragraphs summarizes this list, please disregard it...} for one reason I've still yet to finish my Europe and 30x30 posts, which I began in June.

3. A second reason is this:  I found I've already used over half my allotted free space for my blog because my photos are evidently gi-flipping-normous. Half, and I've only been blogging since March. April, really. When I tried to make them smaller with Picnik, they got all weird. Not sure why. I don't know anything about photos, actually.

4. I've ordered Photoshop with my fab-dab-abulous teacher discount! Now I just have to find time to learn to use it...any recommendations for a fab reference guide?

5 Till I do so, I'm a bit afraid to continue posting. Will I have to go back and re-do all the photos in prior posts in smaller sizes? Probably. Do I have time for that? No, certainly not right now. All this is despite the fact that I've got half a 30x30 to finish and an entire summer to blog... I guess for now I'll just learn to cut the photo size, tweak it a bit, and start posting again with that. Once my school schedule slows down, that is. Till then, we'll continue with this glacial snail of a posting pace and it's very possible I'll still be posting summer outfits when it begins to snow.  Thrilling.

6. Since my posts have few and far between, I figured I'd better go all out for this one. So I combined coral, color blocking, and colored pants into one outfit. Three trends with one outfit. Then I threw in an apple tree for good measure. I'm a teacher, yo. And apples are in right now.  Wham. BAM. 

Fin.*

P.S. Do you remember The Odyssey? That wretched, confusing tale we all had to read back in the day? Check out here what brilliant things students are doing with it today. Ah, thank heavens for silver linings :)

P.P.S. I've been consigning at my fav little local shop. And it's super fun. Last week, I got an uber cute little plaid wool blazer from Ralph Lauren, two wool jumpers from Ann Taylor, and a darling Banana Republic dress, all for only $12 after my credit and the current sale were processed. Can't wait to show you!

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*Fin = End { The Frenchies don't add the "The."}

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Cuccaro Club: 30x30 Outfit 13

  Dress: Victoria's Secret; Button-up: Consigned at Periwinkle (Calvin Klein) / Belt: Ruche / Shoes: Privo / Earrings: Thrifted / Necklace: Piperlime (Hive & Honey)

We left Lake Como to sunny rays beaming through dark clouds. I split two apples between a few  horses and a skittish foal along the road while the Husband stopped for the shot below...

...then we headed to Italy's Cinque Terre, five charming, cliff-hugging villages along the Med coast just north of Tuscany.

Driving in Cinque Terre is near impossible, so we planned to take the train from the nearby Levanto. We found a great deal on a room at the Cuccaro Club in Suvaro, about 20 miles from Levanto, so we headed there to drop off our luggage and settle in. The drive from Levanto ended up taking 40 minutes, going straight up the mountains in the middle of nowhere. We were pretty wary by the time we got there, but boy were we rewarded. This place was straight out of a 1940s-50s Hollywood film. A perfect blend of African safari and British elegance, complete with a parrot in the lobby, bright colors, a meandering black bear of a sweet dog, and plenty of vintage and safari décor.

Antiques decorate the many halls and verandas and several lovely dining areas spread throughout various levels.

One dining hall in particular, was even decorated with flowered trellises and carousel horses. Isn't it darling?

This dining hall runs along the glass wall of a heated indoor pool complete with water polo nets and old loudspeakers. A jacuzzi room is connected in the back, and to the right is the entrance to the outdoor terrace and pool:



This resort is a virtual maze of sundry treasures. We discovered exercise rooms, hallways with old couches and sewing tables, and partitioned rooms filled with old gaming machines, books, and artwork.

We scored a lovely little room with a balcony {photo up top} where we quickly changed to our swim/hiking gear before heading to Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre merits it's own post, coming next. But after a long day of hiking and exploring the Italian Riviera, it sure was nice to return to such a darling little room...

...and all those amenities. First, we hit up the jacuzzi, then the heated pool, then the outdoor pool, and finally the jacuzzi again to warm up. We had them all to ourselves. That's the advantage of staying in the middle of nowhere on a weekday. And I'd say they were quite romantically lit just perfectly for us...

On our way back to our room, we passed a few Italians were playing Wii on a large screen in a room with pinball machines, pool tables, and a Foosball table. In the lobby, locals were chatting in the lobby, watching the equivalent of National Geographic as the parrot molted on his perch. Fancy guests dined as the scent of lemon tarts wafted down the halls. Heavenly, I tell you. Just heavenly.

The next morning we were delighted with a divine breakfast spread of homemade tarts and cakes and breads and jams and local cheeses with delicious juices like apricot and strawberry.

Even more spectacular, however, was that it was included in the room price. Typically, breakfast is extra in Europe.

Somehow we got all this for 57 euro. Thank you, Booking.com. We love you. :)

P.S. To top it all off, the staff was the friendliest we've had since the Normandy bed and breakfast. Very eager to please and friendly. Seriously people, if you ever go to this area, stay here.

I'm no longer bothering to call these "interludes"...

Just a bitty post to do a bit of groveling and let you know I'm still here. So very sorry for the hiatus. My class reunion back East was fabulous. It was such fun to see my old friends! There's a little peeksie above of the absolutely brilliant Edelweiss dress I won and wore. I felt oh so classy and elegant in my silk sheath. Like I should've worn little gloves with pearl buttons. Europe didn't leave the Husband with enough vacay to come with me, so we'll do this dress justice with some nicer shots soon. Anyhow, the very day I returned home I began work. Teachers are waaaay busy at the beginning of the school year. Especially charter school teachers. Who are teaching a new subject for the first time. And teaching four different courses (eek!) So I'm afraid my posts will be a bit sporadic for a while. At least till I get settled into my new job. But I will finish posting this Europe trip & 30x30 eventually!