Constructing: Once Upon a Midnight

Before this fabric became the dress it is today, it was a maternity dress I'd built for a special occasion.

Then, as it happens, I quite suddenly found myself no longer pregnant or in need of maternity clothes.

Since no self-respecting girl would ever let such amazing Dupoini Silk go to waste, I reworked the fabric into my Once Upon a Midnight Dress using no patterns and having no plans...just an insane amount of fiddling that went from a pile on the floor to a thing of beauty.

Of course, it has pockets.

Of course, it has a belted waist.

Of course, it has ruching and tulle.

But, my favorite part of the dress is the sleeves,

which I shaped using 26 pin pleats.

From my point-of-view, sleeves are the extra frosting to a beautiful dress--the chance to take a dress from merely pretty to extravagant.

I constructed Once Upon a Midnight several months ago, but it never fails to give that sometimes elusive "ah-ha" feeling a girl can get just by putting on the perfect dress.

(Kristina J. Once Upon a Midnight Dress, Target Skinny Belt, HUE tights, Steve Madden Pumps)

Birthday Giveaway!!

So, I officially turn 30 this Saturday, 9/11 Day,

and just to celebrate and let you know how much I appreciate

the fact that you've even arrived at this page in the middle of a HUGE blogosphere, I've been shopping for YOU!!!

There will be two prizes.

The first is the adorable

All Seasons Coin Purse from Anthropologie.

The second prize is a package of six handmade "Thank You" cards from jessicaspaperie at Etsy. I'm super excited about these because I'm a HUGE fan of handmade products and also, these cards are actually made by my cousin, who is a genius paper crafter, and just opened her Etsy store two weeks ago. The really crazy twist is she's expecting her first baby this Saturday--MY birthday! Cool, huh?

If you'd like to participate, just leave a comment on this post and make sure to include your full name. The deadline will be at midnight this Friday the 11th.

Since I'm all about family over here,

I've decided to put each participant's name in a bowl and let my daughter draw out two names (it's really important that I have your full name in case of duplicate first names).

The first name drawn will receive the coin purse and the second will receive the cards.

The winners can then e-mail me their addresses and their prizes will be on the way!

This is just a small way for me to say thanks for all the support you've shown as I post the projects that result from the craziness bouncing around in my brain.

Making it Work: Field Scout Skirt

I completely passed over this skirt for the longest time,

then one day it hit me...

maybe, just maybe, a girl needs an underwhelming (but completely versatile) piece that allows her more vibrant pieces to shine.

As I started pairing it with different things I realized it changed color depending on what you put next to it--looking deep slate blue, camo green or even gray.

Suddenly, what I thought was a no-go, don't need skirt became the sheer definition of a wardrobe necessity.

#1 Running Errands

This chambray shirt is vintage 1980's--I can't believe we've already come full circle to this silhouette since I was a kid, but I just saw a shirt like this in Walmart last week for $10!

Just proves everything comes back around some time or other.

(Anthropologie Field Scout Skirt, Tellicherry Belt, 1980's Vintage Chambray Shirt, Steve Madden Leopard Wedges)

This J.Crew twisted tortoise headband is one of the most versatile accessories I've ever bought. It's the same color as my hair and I love that I can put it on to hold back the frizzy insanity without my hairstyle being interrupted by a jolt of color.

#2 Work

Completely understated, working neutrals in all the same shades, which I've been making an effort to do more. I feel like I'm usually just color, color, color...so this is different for me.

(J.Crew floral tee and patent belt, Anthropologie Roaming Frills Cardi, UO ruffle flats)

#3 Trip to the park

I can't believe this is the first time you're seeing my insulated Starbucks cup on this blog, because I'm literally NEVER without it.

(J.Crew Licorice tee, Kimono Twisted Placket Blouse, Twisted Tortoise Headband, All-Star Converse Sneakers, H&M sunglasses, caffeine buzz courtesy of Starbucks)

#4 Street Festival

I think this looks the way I felt that day--relaxed and neutral.

(J.Crew tee, Ruffle Cardigan, Wood Wedges and Twisted Tortoise Headband -- see what I mean? You can hardly tell the headband's there, but it's totally keeping the frizz at bay.)

So, off for a holiday weekend!! I hope you all have a FAB Labor Day!!!

What They Wore: August

Some of you have Facebooked and asked how I keep my kids

pulled together on a teeny-tiny income, so I thought I'd use

this post to share a few of my super-saving secrets (most of which I also use for my own clothes).

I'd liked to have shown more pictures of my boys, but they spent almost everyday this summer playing in the water wearing their board shorts and swim tees from babyGap shown in the picture above.

(Baby Biscotti dress)

The absolute top way I save money on kids clothes is:

#1 Shop off season.

I have so many friends who just feel they cannot do this, because they want their kids to wear all the cute stuff in the stores RIGHT now, and I'm thinking, "OK, I want my kids to wear that too, and they will--next summer." In fact, right now, I already have my kids clothes for next summer sitting in their respective tubs in the shed bought for mere dollars. The clothes they're wearing now, I bought last year, so I'm not under any pressure to buy anything until it's really cheap. The same with fall clothes, sitting in the same tubs. The moment it gets nippy, I'm already prepared with clothes bought last winter.

Perfect example below: Makenzie's Madras dress from babyGap's Holiday Lodge line was hanging on the rack after Christmas the year before for $5!! This dress was originally over $40!

(Gymboree Garden Party)

#2 Store Cards

I signed up for store cards at Gap, Gymboree, and Old Navy for one reason. I can use the card (which I only do when I already have the money in the bank) which earns me points towards $20 rewards cards and extra 40% off promos. This really gets you places. For example, I recently walked into babyGap and bought a $54 dollar outfit, $35 dollar dress and $17 sweater, adding up to $116 total. I used the 40% off promo and both my rewards cards and walked out spending only $8! You can't beat that!

(Osh Kosh Knit Dress)

#3 Cashback sites

I think it is absolutely CRAZY to shop online and not go through a cashback site. I know, I know; it sounds too good to be true, but it's absolutely what it sounds like. These sites give you a percentage back on what you buy at thousands of online stores, including EBAY! My favorites are:

Ebates

Mr. Rebates

Shop at Home

You basically go in and sign up, then go to the site and select the store you plan on shopping from and it redirects you, giving you a percentage back on what you buy. Plus, if you recommend friends, you will also get a percentage of what THEY buy.

I usually get a $30 check each month from one of the sites.

Maybe you're thinking, Only $30? I don't know about you, but I can do an insane amount with an extra $30 a month. I could buy Kenzie three more dresses. Get myself seven of my favorite specialty drinks from Starbucks. Order a discounted pair of shoes from Endless (and get a percentage of it back). Buy my husband two new shirts from Hollister. Obtain two new headbands from Anthropologie. You see? Insane. Just for two extra clicks on my computer.

(babyGap and Children's Place)

#4 Ebay

I buy all of Kenzie's boutique dresses on Ebay. Dresses from lines like Baby Nay, Biscotti, Baby Lulu, and Zara Couture can cost $89 to $139 in a boutique store. If you search these brands on Ebay, you'll find the same dresses for $12-$24 dollars. The bids always go higher right before Christmas and Easter, but generally, you can get them pretty cheap. And I always turn around and sell them on Ebay for a profit when she outgrows them. My friend and I have joked that it would be so interesting to follow the life of a Biscotti dress through all it's owners if there were just way to tag one. =)

(Old Navy Dress)

#5 Outlets

I know some people are purists and cannot fathom buying anything at an outlet. I, however, am not. My kids only wear their clothes 18 months max, so I figure their clothes are not really a life-time investment. Plus, outlets are a great way to get something you missed out on the year before, especially for babyGap and Gymboree. The outlets are always carrying last year's lines.

(Banana Republic Paisley Dress and Children's Place on Reagan)

#6 Planning

I've found that I save GOBS of money buying complete outfits, rather than one piece at a time. It seems like more to spend $30 all at once rather than $7 for just a piece, but more times than not, I would buy something that was "so cute", and it would languish in the closet because they didn't have anything to actually match it. I do this for myself, too. I always buy towards an outfit or something already hanging in my closet, rather than just picking up this or that because it strikes me as pretty at the time. I have a less unloved items and more money in the long run because of #6.

(Old Navy Dress and Shoes)

Wow!! Long post!! I hope some of this information saves you some money in the future. Plus, if you have any handy tips for making your money go the extra mile, I'd loved to hear about them.

Reconstructing: Gap Maternity Dress

I not the sort of girl to discriminate against a dress

just because it has "maternity" in its label.

In fact, I own three Gap Maternity dresses which I neither bought nor wore while actually pregnant.

I loved the print of this fabric and since it was

only eight dollars, I couldn't really pass it up, could I?

I took in the skirt with pin pleats in a sunburst pattern down the front since I didn't want to loose the pockets on the sides, (of course); added the cream chiffon underlay just because I thought it looked pretty there, then dressed up and took myself to the only building in town that kinda resembles a castle.

Gotta say, I'm completely happy with the end result.

(GAP Dress, Anthropologie Roaming Frills Cardi, Coded Cutout Belt, Seed Pearl Headband, Shoes, years and years...and years old)

Wearing: Circle the Globe

So, everyone has already said everything that can be said

about this skirt.

Just lovely...when I open an Etsy store, you can count on skirts like this in every color and fabric possible.

This silhouette is without a doubt a signature of my wardrobe, and I find myself reaching for skirts like this constantly, ESPECIALLY in crazy hot weather like we've been having recently (Fall, oh, fall, where are you?).

And isn't this wall just great?

My children and I were strolling downtown when we

spotted this great sign-age in the shade of the storefront and just had to stop and enjoy a while.

(Anthropologie Circle the Globe skirt, Looping Lanes belt, J.CREW watercolor tee, Steve Madden Gladiator sandals)

Lengthening: H&M Dress

I'm always amazed when trying on dresses at the length

or maybe I should say the lack thereof.

I mean, honestly, who wears dresses that hang a mere four inches below one's bah-dunk-a-dunk? Not me.

However, on a recent trip to H&M, the detailing on the bodice of this dress caught my eye, and I found myself pondering what I could do to make it work, especially since the ruffles on the top begged to be replicated in a fun, flirty and feminine way. Besides, visions of outfit possibilities for every season suddenly danced in my head.

I had recently purchased a bolt of dance-wear knit mesh and it turned out to be the perfect fabric for this project.

Just for reference, if you like the dress it's still available in stores, but the version you buy will be a good 13 inches shorter.

(H&M cream dress, Charlotte Russe straw fedora, COACH bag, Target Presta wedges)