Next week

We'll be traveling to Baltimore so I can be hospitalized (admitted) to begin plasmapheresis early next week.   Not sure how long they will keep me for observation, how many treatments I'll get there or when I'll be back.   I will be able to continue the treatments on an outpatient basis locally.    Then I go back the end of August.

In the meantime, stay cool, do what you love, keep being inspired by all things beautiful, be good to yourself and love one another.

More Fall Planning -- Add a Fendi ruffle

I only subscribe to three fashion magazines -  Allure, Harpers Bazaar and Burda Style.    I like Allure because when they do fashion the styles are closer to what I would really wear, and not the crazy over the top styles and artsy photo shoots like W and Vogue.   The August Allure arrived in today's mail.  In their article, How to be Stylish (and businesslike)  they featured the Fendi dress in the second photo with this interesting ruffle on the front as an accessory instead of jewelry.

Fendi Ruffle detail - NY Magazine Fashion

To get a better look at it I went to the Fall 2011 Fendi RTW Collection on the NY Magazine site and saw that Karl L put those ruffles on blouses and dresses -  9 outfits in the collection.    So I wanted a better look, Googled and found that the Honestly..... WTF site already picked up on this ruffle/frill last March when Erica posted a DIY for the Fendi Frill there.     That site is a super inspiration site that I just found,  so thanks to Erica for the fabulous step by step how-to because it was love at first site for me as well.   I'm going to make one or several, especially to be able to add onto a dress like this one.   Note that this ruffle will look and behave differently in different fabrics.   The fabric of the one above is obviously a tightly woven wool and the DIY example was made in a wool felt.   The one on the dress in the Allure Magazine photo (page 118) is quite drapey/floppy as is the one on the silky blouse worn under the vest.

photo from NY Magazine Fashion

I'm thinking the ruffle would be a stylish and warm scarf insert worn under a winter coat or jacket, or on a blouse worn under a plain vest like the Burda Style vest I blogged about yesterday.   Here's the Fendi fur vest with the ruffled blouse but seriously this vest would make me look like a caveman.

photo from NY Magazine Fashion

August Burda Style - Always a Favorite Issue

This year's is no exception.   Since my issue should arrive next week, I googled and found a preview on Katherine's blog in London, UK  where she linked to the Burda Russian language site with all the styles and patterns.   Why can't I find it easily anymore?  


Well I'm loving so many of the simple, elegant and easy to sew styles that I don't know where to begin.   The dresses with the interesting necklines are very stylish and wearable with details you can easily add  to your favorite dress silhouette.   For example,  I added a soft bias collar like that of pattern #123 to one of my Loes Hinse Princess Tank Dresses a couple of years ago.  


So here are my favorites.    First, there is this easy raglan sleeve shrug/jacket for knits that I'm definitely going to make.

Pattern 117C

Pattern 117D

I love to layer and the right vest kicks up your style tremendously, whether over pants, a skirt or a simple dress.    Vests are sleeveless jackets and I love how 3/4 length and longer jackets lengthen and slim.   So that's why this vest is my favorite.    It has simple lines and will be a great addition to anyone's fall wardrobe.

Vest pattern 133

I'm a sucker for swing jackets and adding pleats at the back of patterns, so the swing trench jacket (#124A) caught my eye.  Unfortunately the model photo doesn't show off the garment very well.  I like the simplicity of this classic cape that they updated with these big patch pockets.

Cape pattern #113

You know how I love cap sleeve dresses and cowl necklines, so how about this really simple dress that combines the two!

Dress pattern #116