2.23.2012

New project

I've loved arts & crafts for as long as I can remember.  Throughout high school me and a few other girls would get together and make cute things, like monogrammed coffee mugs to take to school, headbands & assorted canvases for our bedrooms.  I would make all my girlfriends gifts for birthdays, Christmas, graduation, etc., but I was limited to what I could make because I only knew how to draw, paint and hot glue.  My best friend Parker knew how to sew, so she made purses and all sorts of stuff!  I was jealous, once again, so I attempted it with her guidance.  I was terrible and I never tried it again.

Until now! :)

I'm in the process of teaching myself how to sew, and I'm quickly remembering how NOT so easy it is, but I'm definitely going to keep at it because it's such a convenient skill to have!

And because
a) I've always wanted to make custom clothes 
b) I need a few slipcovers & throw pillows
and
 c) blogs like Runway DIY and a pair and a spare can recreate high fashion pieces for WAY less with their sewing knowledge.

There's nothing like seeing something you REALLY want {a pillow, a duvet cover, a pair of shorts, a dress}, then seeing the ridiculous price tag and thinking "Ugh, I could make that!"

SO, I'm vowing to never have to say that again.  I am determined to know how to sew and be good at it!

Yesterday I found this book at Hobby Lobby


And I'm already obsessed!!

I've also been googling beginner sewing tips!  For instance, it's absolutely necessary to have scrap fabric to practice on.  You don't want to hit the ground running on some extravagant piece of clothing, then end up having not so straight stitches all over the place.  I also found ways to save money on practice fabric!

You can:

1) use fabric from an old piece of clothing or something you planned on giving away
2) go to goodwill and find things like sheets, clothes or window treatments for next to nothing..
OR
3) go to a local fabric shop and ask if they have last season swatches that you could have.

Luckily, I already had a pile of things to give away and pulled out a dress that was made of a light cotton blend = easy to work with.


I used my seam ripper to take the dress apart & not only do I have scrap fabric, I now have a zipper to use on something else down the road!!  Old or "ruined" pieces of clothing are perfect for gathering supplies for other projects.  If you have a stain or tear on something and know you'll never wear it again, take it apart and save the buttons/zippers/whatever the piece is embellished with for something you make later!  The same goes for anything you find at a thrift store!

Needless to say, I'll be rummaging through a lot of thrift stores over the next few weeks for things to practice with.  When I get a little bit of confidence I'm going to use a fabric I've been hoarding on a pattern I bought for a cute pair of shorts!  Hopefully I'll have something to show y'all soon!!

I'm off to do a little practice!

xxoo, M


2.21.2012

Minty Fresh

Spring couldn't get here fast enough.. 
especially after seeing this season's fab colors on the runway & in the magazines.

The color I'm swooning over the most?

Mint Green.

***

Accessorize it.











Wear it.












Pair it with a bold color.










Or live in it.








The possibilities are endless.


***


What colors are you lusting over this spring?


xx, M

2.20.2012

A little intro

Hi everyone!

First and foremost, let me introduce myself.
I'm Morgan from It's A Girl Thing.  I recently graduated college and wanted a change, so this little slice of heaven is my new escape.  It's where I plan to spill my thoughts about all things fashion, interior design & DIY related.

***

I was planning on telling y'all a little bit more about myself when I came across a fun tag on one of my favorite blogs, Style Me Swanky, and I figured what better way to do that than to participate!  So here it goes..

Rules:
*you must post the rules
*post 11 fun facts about yourself
*answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you & then create 11 questions to ask others
*ask your readers to participate or tag 11 readers & link them in your post
*let them know they've been tagged!

11 Fun Facts


1.  I've been to 4 of the 7 continents.
{Haven't been to South America, Asia or Antarctica}

2.  My mom works for Donald Trump.
{Kinda... she works for the Miss Universe Organization.  She is a state pageant director for South Carolina, North Carolina, Louisiana & Alabama.}

3.  I'm obsessed with Rachel Zoe & her style.



{I die.}

4.  My dream job is to either be a successful fashion designer or a wedding planner.
{Seriously, if all my Saturdays wouldn't be booked from weddings, I would SO be on that.  I have an obsession.  Check out my pinterest account and see for yourselves.}

5.  I've never water-skied.
{I'm all for having fun, and I LOVE being on the water, but I prefer to be in a tube or in the boat.}

6.  My cousin was just on the 2nd season of the Next Great Baker!
{Heather G -- she was the cute & pregnant blonde from Tennessee... not the stripper Heather...}

7.  I'm a new mommy!


{to this little fur baby named Lilly!}

8.  I despise motorcycles.
{My uncle was killed in a motorcycle accident my freshman year of college leaving behind my aunt (my mom's little sister) who battles lupus daily.  He was a USAir pilot and was working on building a plane of his own.  He called my aunt to tell her what route he was taking since he was on the bike, and while coming home from the hanger--going 10mph under the speed limit with his helmet on--an old woman was blinded by the sunset and pulled out anyway.  A freak accident, but no one can argue with me that motorcycles are safe.  They're not.}

9.  I have a celebrity crush on Kate Beckinsale.
{After I saw Serendipity for the first time I was smitten.  Shortly after seeing the movie I went to NYC for my 15th birthday, and what did I do?  Went straight to Serendipity and got a frozen hot chocolate.  And now I go every time I'm there.  She's simply stunning.}

10.  I've met Mario Lopez.
{You know Slater from Saved By The Bell?  Yea, him.  He dated, married & divorced Ali Landry, who was my mom's Miss Louisiana USA titleholder & won Miss USA.  But don't let his good looks fool you ladies, we do NOT like this man.  They are divorced because he cheated on ALI FLIPPIN' LANDRY, the most gorgeous person ever, on their honeymoon.  You heard me right.  TOOL.}

11.  I have a wonderful boyfriend, Henry, who I've been seeing for almost 2 years.


{Isn't he handsome?!}

11 Questions

1. If you could raid any celebrity's closet, who would it be and why?

Rachel Zoe {duh!!} because her style is to-die-for.  And it's so versatile!  She's funky and glamourous at the same time.  I love.

2. If you were a shoe, what would you look like?

These babies right here...


Classy & girly with a touch of sparkle.

3. What is your biggest pet peeve?

When people chew with their mouth open and/or smack their food or gum.  Irks. My. Nerves.

4. Favorite song of all-time?

Ants Marching - Dave Matthews Band.
Seriously will put me in a good mood whenever.. It just makes you wanna dance!

5. Are you a dog person or a cat person? And why?

Most definitely a dog person.  My family has never had any animals because my mom is a neat freak and doesn't want her "rugs messed on", but we all agree that cats would have never been an option.  Their hair gets EVERYWHERE, they don't get super excited to see you when you come home & they're just creepy.

6. You're queen for a day. How do you spend your royal 24 hours?

In Paris shopping all the luxurious boutiques and eating all the ahhhmazing food.  No doubt about it.

7. What's the most delicious thing you've ever eaten?

Shrimp & grits... if you've never tried them, I'm sorry.

8. What scares you the most?

Tornados.  Biggest fear EVER!

9. Which celebrity do you wish would drift off into obscurity?

Lindsay Lohan... hands down.  That girl has GOT to get a grip.

10. You're 16 years old again. What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell myself to spend more time with my family and to never take that time for granted.  Family is ultimately the one thing we can truly count on to be there and love us unconditionally.

11. What's your Starbucks order?

Grande Skinny Caramel Macchiato.  It's as simple as that, ladies.

And there you have it!  I'm going to go with Megan's idea... it's your turn to answer the same 11 questions!! I want my readers (all zero of you.. haha) to participate!  If you decide to, please let me know so I'm able to get to know y'all a little better, too!!

xx, M