Lovely Tutorial: Destroyed Cuffed Denim Shorts & Lace Pockets

I've been lahvinggggg the lace pocket trend as of late. Like I've mentioned in my 'yours truly' I'm seriously 'lace crazed' without a doubt-- no questions asked. For this look it adds a certain flair to a pair of destroyed cuffed denim shorts. Sooo fun!

I didn't have a pair of shorts I wanted to work with therefore I took an old pair of jeans I didn't wear anymore and turned them into destroyed cuffed denim shorts. Believe me, it is super easy and error free no matter how you cut them! I'll start out by showing you the process of making the denim shorts.

These are the supplies you'll need: pair of scissors-- preferably a dull one if you have one on hand because it'll give the shorts the destroyed look, razor, pins, needle and thread. You don't even need a sewing machine for this! Awesome, eh?!

Find a pair of old jeans you don't wear anymore. I've had these for years and they were just stuffed away in my closet. Side note, the jeans look a lot darker than it actually is because I cut these last night and didn't have natural lighting when I took the photos. The jeans are actually a blue color.

Be sure to have a surface you can cut on-- I used a cardboard poster board from the Dollar Tree. Take your razor and start cutting low enough to where you can cuff the shorts. We don't want to end up with super short shorts, ladies. ;) I prefer using a razor because it'll give the shorts the destroyed look with the frays and fringes. After cutting the front and back take your scissors and cut the two sides of the seam the razor didn't cut through and cuff them. If you just want the cut off look don't cuff them. Simple as that.

The destroyed process is pretty simple as well and optional of course. Take your razor and slice horizontally-- you'll have to go over the same area and slice a couple times before you can make a cut but this will enhance the destroyed effect. Then start slicing vertically on the same destroyed area. After you're done pull at the raw edges on the cuts and the cuff to complete the destroyed look.

The results:

Now... you can stop there if you love the way the destroyed cuffed shorts look on you. I decided to sew lace on the back pockets to give it a cute alternative flair.

Find a lace pattern you really like and cut it into the shape of the back pockets. I left about a centimeter on the edges so I can fold it under to give it a clean and non-fraying edge. Take your pins and pin the lace down like so. It doesn't have to look perfect because when you sew you can hold the lace down and fix it as you go.

Take your needle and thread and start sewing. You don't have to be a professional sewer to do this because you can't see the thread on the lace-- so I didn't worry too much about sewing in a straight line either. I did the best I could to keep it straight though. Sew all around the pocket.

And taa-daaa the results:

I wore a fuschia silk pleated tank top and a cognac belt with these shorts. I love the casual chic feel of this outfit. So phenomenal! :)

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Lovely Tutorial: Lace Flutter Sleeve Top

Lace has got to be my most favorite fabric (and one of the best in my opinion) to sew with. You can't mess up since the fabric folds so easily and resists scrunching up from my experience although it looks as though it's a hard type of fabric to sew, it's really not. So, for this design I used the fabric from the remainder of the lace maxi dress I previously made-- err curtain to be exact. I LOVE loose fitting tops as you can tell, I've made several in my last couple of posts. There's something about lace that even the simplest of tops turn out elegant and pretty. I decided to make a lace flutter sleeve top to enhance the flow of the loose fit to add to the existing elegance. This was one of the easiest tops I've made thus far and it's definitely one of my favorites.

All you need to do is cut out the pattern for the neckline after folding the fabric in half like so:

Cut a piece for the front and for the back. Open up the fabric and start hemming up the edges by folding it in twice. After the front and back piece are hemmed around all of the edges sew the two pieces together at the shoulder. This will be the result-- it looks like a big rectangle with a hole in the middle.

For the sleeves I sewed together the front and back only about 3 inches up from the bottom of the shirt.

Anddd then you're done! This is what the top looks like flat on the ground, but when you wear it it looks like flutter sleeves because of the loose square fit.

I put this baby on with a white tube top underneath, a pair of mint pants of course since I can't ever get enough of colored pants, and gold chandelier earrings.

Easy peasy, right? I imagine myself frolicking through a field of grass in this top. It's so dreamy and whimsical. Haha. :)

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Lovely Tutorial: Pillow Case to Retro Off the Shoulder Top

I love the retro vibe from this king size pillow case I found so I decided to make a casual top out of it. Simple as that. :)

The pillow case itself.

Take the pillow case and cut it in half (in the previous photo it's folded in half) and then fold the half into another half. Afterwards, cut out the arms and neckline making sure you get both layers. For the sleeves cut two squares containing two layers of fabric and sew one piece to the front and one to back of the arm area (I should have taken a photo but I will next time I make sleeves). Then, sew the opening of the top and bottom of the sleeves together. Start hemming up the sleeves, bottom of the top, and neckline by folding in the edges not once but twice to cover and stop the fray. Once that's done you're good to go!

The wonderful thing about this retro top is the fact it's reversible. One side is plain and the other side is a little bit dressier because of the button down look.

I threw on destroyed white shorts and a cognac braided belt to complete this casual retro off the shoulder top. A very fun everyday look that is comfortable and super cute. I have a crazy pet peeve of having my bra straps show, but in this case I don't mind since it's an off the shoulder top and it's suppose to look effortless. It looks like a tank top strap anyway. I tucked in my bra strap in a couple photos to show you another way you can wear the top. Either way looks fantastic.

Today was a lazy day for me which explains my messy top bun. You'll have to excuse me for that. :)

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Pretty Things: I've Turned Into A Crazy Purse Lady...

Oh wait, that's just called being a GIRL. Haha! I usually carry around a gigantic handbag, but lately I've been really drawn to smaller purses for its convenience, simplicity and cuteness. I'm totally into super adorable purses like these that I recently thrifted all for about $2 to $4 each. Hellz yeah.

Ridiculously adorable envelope clutches:

So simple and so elegant. Great for an evening out.

Love the texture and color. Very casual and cute.

AND ridiculously adorable crossbody bags-- my current crazy obsession:

The cream, cognac and gold color combo is exceptional. This lovely bag can definitely go with any outfit.

I looove the chain detail for the straps on this bag along with the diamond pattern stitch. So pretty!

This bag looks like a clutch, but it's actually not because the straps are missing. Since I have other bags with removable straps I can easily snap them onto the rings of this bag. The shape and texture is magnificent.

Again, these are simply too cute.

In conclusion, a girl can NEVER have too many purses! At this rate I might have a different purse for every outfit I wear. Baha! Good day to you all. :)

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Ivory Lace Slit Maxi Dress

I have been searching for the perfect white maxi dress for a long time and to this day I have no such luck. Either it is too long or just not the style I was looking for. So, of course I just made one myself with this cute lace curtain I found. Yes, a curtain.

If you just so happen to redecorate your windows instead of throwing out old curtains simply re-use them! The hoarder in me truly appreciates my usefulness for useless things.

A simple front slit spaghetti strap ivory lace maxi dress. I added a navy and white striped bow to add some shape and color to the dress. I wish I would have done a tutorial on this, but I got so caught up in the moment I only took photos when I was done. Whoops. I will for sure make another front slit maxi dress in the future because I am obsessed with maxi dresses. So don't you worry. :)

Strappy sandals, chandelier earrings, and a chunky necklace will go perfectly with this outfit. Very boho chic. :)

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Lovely Tutorial: Window Valance To Boxy Scallop Lace Tank

Yes, it is true. Home decor turned fashion! I turned an elegant lace window valance into a gorgeous boxy lace scallop tank.

I found this valance while I was shopping for $2 so of course I could not resist. You knowww. The lace is absolutely stunning might I add.

I cut the valance in half; one for the front of the tank, the other for the back. Then I half folded each fabric so it would be symmetrical and eyeballed and cut the pattern of the tank underneath the armpit and the neckline. What would be easier and what I usually do but was too lazy to do since I already envisioned something in my head, is find a tank that fits the way you would like it to and cut around it. With a little cutting and sewing...

This lovely boxy lace tank only took me about a total of 2 hours to make. It would have taken less time but my original heart shaped neckline did not turn out so I revised it into a round neckline. Still so simple and pretty. :)

I paired this cute lace tank with my coral skinnys! And of course being silly makes the outfit that much better. Der.

The infamous duckface!

Bluesteel... with my puppy behind my legs!

Okay that is enough for now. Ha. A chunky necklace would look fantastic with this outfit as well but unfortunately I do not have one. Perhaps I shall make one soon... hrmmm. :)

I am super excoiitted to wear this out! :)

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