Pretty bow

From Left: Philip Lim Spring 2010 RTW from Style.com, Nightingale black dress from itsokmydear, & Sunshine's red dress from Nadinoo.

Influenced by above lovely sweater/dresses, here is my attempt to incorporate bows in my closet...

I did not make sweaters themselves. They were ugly old turtle neck sweaters I found second hand. I cut off the turtle neck, and used that fabric to create bows. I made boat neck cut for gray sweater and back V line for purple sweater and finished them with black bias strips.
I like these much better than turtle neck sweaters, I do not like turtle neck very much... it makes my neck itchy and face look so big and moon-like!

floral + black + red

Wearing Vivat Veritas dress, wet seal leggings, vintage belt and gem pumps from Japan.

I did not go crazy on Black Friday, but I did make one purchase at edor. I love her tiny jewelries, and in fact, I've made one purchase at edor before and totally loved it. So I got another necklace for a Christmas gift.

Here is little diy I did the other day. I had this top in navy blue with a lots of floral, and it's cute but I thought I could add some more to make it little more stylish. So I cropped the top short, and added skirt part with black jersey to make a dress. With the left over fabric from the top, I made some covered buttons, and added three of them in the front.

Happy thanksgiving!

Happy be-lated thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is my most favorite American holiday... I think. I love cooking big dinner, and get together with family and friends and share what each one is thankful for. I think I am thankful for having be able to transition to life back in Japan from the States so smoothly. I anticipated much worse. I thought I would dislike living here. I'm glad it's proven to be wrong! It's so nice to kind of stop and think about all the things that you are blessed with...
We did not have dinner on Thursday night, but we are having a party tomorrow! Mom and I went to Costco to get turkey, and it is de-frosting right now, to be ready to be cooked.. We decided to do it on Saturday so our friends can come (We don't have Thursday off, obviously, it's American holiday).

Anyway, I wanted to post another oatmeal project I created the other day. I made it simple and versatile. Since I had some fabric left over, I made a matching scarf as well. I uploaded this to my shop:)

xo!

Style inspiration: church & state

All images are from church & state.

"If church & state were a day of the week, it would be Sunday. if it were a baked good, it would be a homemade pie if it were a liquor, it would be bourbon and if church & state were a friend, it would be the best one" - quote from church & state

It looks so refreshing to see dresses in color other than black and gray in the winter. I had this thing in mind that I am not allowed to wear pastel color in gloomy weather, but after looking at their fall 2009 collection, I'm convinced that's wrong.

Party dress I

Although I have not invited to any holiday parties (yet, hopefully!), I already started planning for party dresses. Perhaps because it's all about Christmas over here already. Malls and stores put up Christmas decoration right after Halloween, since we do not have Thanksgiving in Japan. Also my little sister had asked me to design her a party dress for her to wear. So this dress I made was just part 1! More party dresses are coming to the shop:)

This dress is a modification of my Kirstin Dunst inspired dress. I made a change in the back, to make a big bow and open back. This came out more clubby than I was expecting... but might be good for new year's eve?

I had a really nice weekend in Nagoya. Met friends over there and their kids. We took a bus to Nagoya , but it was terrible, we got stuck in the traffic and took us almost 7 hours to get there! Thankfully, our friend drove us to Tokyo on Monday, and it took much less. I can't wait for Thanksgiving, we are having a party on Saturday instead of Thursday, which is not a holiday in Japan. I'm going to shopping at Costco this week to get turkey, cranberry sauce etc...

Off to Nagoya

I'm traveling to nagoya for the weekend. My husband is preaching at church in Nagoya, called All Nations Fellowship. I packed clothes and books in my favorite red suit case...

Bye!

Bow leggings

Bow leggings! I drafted the pattern myself, and make it high waisted to cover tummy. This is easy and simple project, and can be made within half an hour. Burdastyle also has a leggings pattern called Carol, for mere $2.

Peachy

I finally had a chance to wear this my new favorite dress yesterday since it was warm and sunny. I auctioned off this dress at Market Publique. Thank God, there was only one other person who was bidding on the dress, and I won! It is a vintage 70's dress in pale pink, and I think it's hand made. The skirt part is pleated and I just love how girly it is.

Well, I ended up wearing my zara sweater on since the wind was cold.

And I figured these pale pink earrings go so well with this dress. I got these for $8 at a consignment store on 21st and Samson st in Philly. I forgot the name of the store..but I used to pop in there time to time after work to find some antique goodies.

Also, thank you Marita Bliss for giving me a beautiful blogger award! Make sure to check out her blog for beautiful photography:) I'm supposed to write 7 interesting things about me:

1. I have things for guys with buzz cut. I like Wentworth Miller, and Channing Tatum only for that reason... When my husband and I met, he had a regular White boy hair cut, but after a year of dating, I begged him to shave his head.

2. I was a Journalism major in college - 4 years later, I'm doing something totally unrelated to living.

3. I've never been to Europe.

4. I'm seriously considering joining a boxing gym now.

5. I don't have any tattoos, and in fact, I dislike tattoos on women.

6. People always think I'm Korean, but I'm 100% Japanese in blood, but half American in heart and personality.

7. I grew up in church. Both of my parents are Christians. When I was a kid, I swore that I won't marry a pastor or missionary because I did not want to be poor. But here I am, married to a pastor/missionary.... happily!

Sorry, I don't have much interesting to say:( happy thursday:)

peter pan!

Personally, This black peter pan collar doll dress is my best creation this winter! I love how it turned out. Although, my sister called me "nun"... It's okay! I like it.
I drafted the pattern based on the room wear-ish dress I made a couple of days ago. I made the collar bigger and rounder, added two black buttons. For the skirt part, I added two pockets (I love pockets!), pleated the front panel, then finished with belt loops on the side and a sash.

I definitely got inspired by liebemarlene's photo stream on flickr. She always has the cutest vintage dresses, with round collar. Check out her flickr page - She is so lovely.

Wearing: VivatVeritas dress, heart tights, gem pumps I got in Japan.

This tights might look like polka dot, but they are actually hearts. I got these three years ago, to pair with LBD for my own wedding party that my best friends threw. I love the tights, but they scratch my skin so bad, I had to take them off shortly after this photo shoot:(

No more rain

Wearing: cardigan bought at flee market (for $1), white tank, Calvin Kline hight waist skirt, payless booties and scarf from Malaysia.

I recently purchase a new serger. The machine is 4 thread and 2 needles, and works great! I purchased it online, at an auction site (not everything is auctioned, they have buy it now option), called Rakuten, which is like an equivalent of Ebay in the US. The name of the shop in Rakuten was "Mishin Okoku", which literally means, sewing machine nation. If you reside in Japan, I totally recommend this seller. The delivery was so quick, it came next morning. This is what I love about Japan as opposed to Philly... don't get me wrong, there were a lot of things that I like about living in the States, and I was so sad when I had to move back here. But over here, things work according to rules and orders. I can't even count how many times my mail got missed in Philly, or perhaps stolen. Anyway, it works great!

A very generous friend of mine gave me this Calvin Kline skirt, and I love it! I would have worn it everyday if I still went to work... The skirt actually is consisted of three different panels in front and back. The scarf is also given to me from a pastor friend back in Philly. It was a gift he got from Malaysia and I always get a compliment whenever I wear this;)
aw I hope it will be sunny tomorrow! It was pouring rain all day today.

Dream world

All images are from the girl who tamed the tiger.

I came across with the girl who tamed the tiger's photostream on flickr recently, and it was like stepping into a little dream world. Her photography is so unique, dreamy and girly... Just thought I should share!

Room wear?

Immediately after I was done with work on Thursday, I stopped at Nippori fabric row. My heart jumped when I sew this bow fabric - I just love girly things, like bows! I made this mini dress this weekend, and well, I intended it to be a mini dress, but I think it came out more as a room wear or PJ? Perhaps because of the pattern? I listed this on etsy, and decided to leave it up to whoever wants this on how she would wear it. I think this would make a cute room wear, paired with a pair of leggings or something.

As to the pattern of the dress, I drafted it from scratch. I added small collar, and two black buttons in front.

Black + lace

I was extremely busy this week because of my work and could not squeeze in any time to make a blog post or update the shop till now. The past four days, my work hours were 5am-12am, and I'm so glad that it's over! I came home today at 4pm and passed out... now I feel much better:)

Wearing: vivat veritas black and lace tank dress, wet seal leggins, h&m earrings and pumps bought in Japan

I made this dress last week. I was inspired by Nasty Gal black mesh dress and this black T with mesh detail, worn by Liz from Late Afternoon. She looks amazing in them! So I imitated her.

To make the bustier look, I used the same pattern I created for the black and white t-dress. Then I finished neckline and armhole with the same lace fabric, used as a bias strip. This lace fabric has a bit of stretch, so I did not need to use zipper or buttons.

Well, I don't look as sexy as the girl from Late Afternoon, but oh well:) I wanted to incorporate the black lace to my creations this season.

Oatmeal hoodie scarf

I think scarf is one of my favorite items in the winter season. At the same time, I like clothes with hoodie a lot, and although Japanese people never wear a hoodie, I actually wear them.. I might be weird, but it keeps me warm when I'm riding a bike for instance. So I combined them both! I made this hoodie scarf with a knit fabric I also used for the bubble sleeve cardi the other day. For the edge of the hoodie, I use a white floral cotton fabric as a bias strip to finish off. I really like how it came out, and want to make more in different colors!

Bi-weekly trip to library

Wearing: f21 dress, wet seal leggings, pumps bought in Japan, vivatveritas cardigan, and H&M earrings.

I love every other Friday, when I make a trip to library during lunch time. Especially someday like today, which was so sunny and dry and just super nice to be out. I took out three Japanese novels for next week, when I will be traveling a lot on subway, train and bullet train.

Some stuff that I'm hearting lately...
* I'm late, Alice in wonderland necklace
* Brown and white polka dot dress
* Vintage navy blue sailor's dress
* Reading N.E.E.T. magazine whenever I have free time

Lovely sewing rooms

"Shelves, Magnetic Rack, Ribbon Rack, Tools - North East Corner" from Crafty Intentions,

"sewing machine" from anadelmann, "sewing area" and "stash corner" from amber in norfolk, "sewing corner" from uhoh over

Right now I am using my father's study as sewing room - my fabric, thread, sewing machines and buttons are all over the place, on top of his documents, books, old picture and what not. Someday, I would like to have a cute sewing room, organized! Above are some inspiration for my future sewing room - hopefully!

Black lace gilet

Just a quick update - my real job (not sewing) is getting real busy since my boss is coming to Japan next week. Anyway, I made this black gilet the other day. I bought this fabric at a fabric shop in Shibuya, right close to 109. I think I like that place next to Tomato. They have pretty good selection for fashion fabrics and they are open till 9pm.
I wanted to make some kine of laying piece which can be used all year around - so here it is, black lace gilet to pair with dress or shirt! Check out my flickr page for more pics;)

Tokyo designer's week

From the end of last week to yesterday, Nov. 3rd, we had Tokyo designer's week exhibition here in Japan. Since my sister was helping out one of the designers' booth, I went to check out the exhibition with her.

Here are outfit photos of my sister and I yesterday.. it was freezing cold!

My sister wearing: thrifted coat for $20, boots she bought last year and the rest is unknown.

I'm wearing: thrifted Zara sweater, handmade skirt and scarf (also available here), thrifted boots and furla bag. oh and the hat, my mom bought it before I left for Philly 5 years ago, since she knew that it would be cold over there. Andy thinks I look ridiculous in that hat, but I like it! It keeps me warm, and that's all that matters when it's freezing outside..

These are my favorites from the designer's week. I wish I had an endless space/closet to store beautiful garments! The drawers below are shaped as a little black dress.. isn't this adorable?

The guy behind the drawers in the pic is the desiner for these.

I don't know how they are connected together! I would be afraid that I would knock it over!