The Best Of Both Worlds!

Hello Dolls! Hope everyone is a having  great start of summer! I just wanted to share with you these new additions to my shoe collection.....If you still don't know my weakness are shoes and when I am in a shoes store for me is like walking into a candy store! I actually got these babies about a month a go, I took a trip to The Fashion District A.K.A Downtown LA and venture into Santee Alley. If you never been and don't like the big crowds go during the week as early as you can most shop open at 9am. anywho I was so overwhelmed, so many shoe shops and shoes I didn't know what to buy... I wanted every pair in display!!! so I finally decided to get  something for spring/summer that would go with mostly anything so I got these nude cork heels that remind me a lot of some heels I saw at Aldo of course the huge difference was the price!... the sneakers I already knew I was going to get because last time I was Downtown I saw them and fell in love with them, but didn't really want to go to a ATM down there.... I am always iffy about withdrawing money from those ATM's..so word of advice when you go to the fashion district take enough cash, all of the shops down there take cash only!! also thanks to Alex at Lola Shoetique who gave me a good deal and was very helpful, I loved that they weren't asking me every 5 seconds if i needed help and weren't following me around like most shops!...lol  Hope everyone had a great weekend!

PS. If you are looking for cute fashionable shoes and accessories but don't want to pay those high prices check out Fancy Steps, Fancy Step right now has some spiked loafers that I am in love with! Also check out Candy's blog  Curves Ahead Makeup from Fancy Step, I love her and her killer shoes!...lol love how she embraces her curves, all women should love their body and not be afraid of fashion no matter what size you are... so experiment with fashion believe me it's so much fun!

If you can't get to the fashion district you can get these sneakers in a variety of colors at GoJane.com click HERE! and they are very inexpensive!

Like I said before Lola Shoetique is on the Santee Alley Down Town LA you cant miss it there is literally a huge sign!

Here is their Facebook Page

Thanks for visiting!

♥Ariana

DIY: Simple Flowy Skirt

Hope everyone is ready for summer! I sure am here in Southern California it already feels like summer which I am loving ♥
So here is a very easy to follow Do-It-Yourself skirt, it very easy I finish it in about 15-20mins, If you are a pro will be super easy and fast to finish but if you are still learning I promise it wont take a whole day or weeks like some projects. Like I said its very easy and you probably wont need more than a yard of fabric, it all depends on how full or long you want the skirt. If you want your skirt to have a fuller look use a light- medium weight woven fabric, if you want a more flowy skirt use a light -medium knit fabric. I used a non stretchy woven fabric for mine but you can use what ever you like or have.You can make the skirt as long or as short as you want and you can even make a Maxi Skirt or make a fish tail/hi low skirt have fun with the hem!
If you would like me to do a separate tutorial on how to  make a fish tail/hi low skirt  leave a post on my Facebook page an like it too!

What you need:

*Your choice of fabric about 1yard depending on how long or full you want your skirt

*Elastic

*Measuring Tape

*Shears (fabric scissors) or regular scissors

* Sewing Pins

*Pencil or Pen or anything to make markings on fabric

*Safety Pin

*Thread and a Sewing Machine or if you don't have a sewing machine Thread and Needle will do.

First you will need to measure around your hips(hip circumference) if your not sure where exactly your hips are just measure 7"-8" below your natural waist. Make sure to measure around the fullest/widest part of your behind, take that measurement and add 1/2" to 1" to that measurement. Example: My hip measurement is 38"+1"=39"  

Once you have your hip measurement determine how long you want you skirt,(*make sure you add more depending on the width of the elastic and hem... for the casing and hem) 

cut 2 rectangle pieces with your width and length measurements

Take your elastic and measure your waist circumference, cut the piece of elastic to your measurement minus 1 inch.

Sew the side seams, sew a 1/2" strait stitch then sew a zig-zag for a clean finish edge....

Here's a closer look at the side seams, the zig-zag stitch is optional you don't have to do it. I just like to because it prevents the fabric from fraying and to give it a cleaner finished look.

Now you will create you casing for the elastic, the width of my elastic was 1".... so I folded over 1"+1/4"...the 1/4" is to fold under for a clean finish

sew the fold and leave about a  2" opening so you can insert you elastic.

Grab your safety pin and pin it through the elastic and close the pin... insert the pin with the elastic through the casing you just created...be careful don't let the other end go all the way through.

                 once you inserted the elastic, remove the safety pin and sew the elastic together.

Sew a square then to reinforce it sew an X inside the square. Then all you need is to close the 2" opening... and hem your skirt and you're DONE!

Finished Product

This can also be an alternative to a circle skirt!

 

Thanks for visiting!

♥Ariana