DIY Dyed Tee

After my last post, Tiffany Hendra of Sanctuary of Style asked if I would do a tutorial on dying clothing.  Absolutely, Tiff!!  I pretty much just follow the directions on the dye box.  A note before we get started, you may want to wear gloves as the dye might get on your hands.  Here are the things you'll need:

Your box of dye.  I like the "Wine" color.  It's the color of my tank in my previous post.  For a more intense color use another box of dye.  For my tank top I used 2, for this tee I'll just use one.  :)

The item you want to dye.  This is a plain white tee that I picked up from Goodwill.

Since this tee is cotton, I'm following the directions and adding a cup of salt.

And of course you'll need your washer.

Next thing to do is prep your dye by adding hot water to the dry dye powder (when you use liquid dye you can skip this step).

Add the cup of salt to your washer. 

Now it's time to set your dials.

Smallest amount of water possible for what you're dying.

Hottest water your fabric will allow.

Longest wash time available.

While the washer is filling add the dye.

I use the running water to rinse out the measuring cup (and clean it later with bleach).

Now soak your tee (or whatever) in the hot water.  Be sure to get it completely wet with no dry spots.

Then put it in the washer as stretched out as possible.

Now set your alarm because you'll need to reset the cycle BEFORE the rinse cycle starts!!

Tic-toc, tic-toc.  DON'T miss resetting the cycle!  If you do, your item will be splotchy (and not in a cute tie dye kind of way), and you'll have to start all over.  Tic-toc, tic-toc. 

RESET

Let it run through, then put your tee in the dryer! (Or hang it if you prefer.)

While it's drying, go ahead and clean your washer.  Put it on the highest water level and hottest water.  Add detergent and bleach.  Easy!

Tic-toc, tic-toc.  The hardest part is waiting for the dryer to be done.  Tic-toc, tic-toc.

DING DING DING!!! Done!

"Mandy, did you paint your wall?"  Yes, I did.  Note to self: don't start so many big projects at one time.  Hope this is helpful!

Photo Shoot : More Cute Baby

Today it's a photo shoot starring L!!  And featuring Premier Designs' "Opening Night" pearl necklace. And special guest, Linda!

The sun was in her eyes, poor thing.

Socializing with the neighbors. 

Happy Tuesday!!

Pretty Flowers

Matchy-matchy day!!  I don't care.  Boo to the nay sayers today.  I LOVE this matchy outfit.  And I LOVE the color!!!  Girls, this tank used to be white.  I dyed it all by myself!!  I KNOW!!  Seriously this whole outfit made me happy today.  :)

Oops, a little light-spotty in this picture.  Try again:

Oops, a little too back-lit.  Oh well, you get the idea.  That's what I get for forgetting my camera (again).  :)

Pretty new tree necklace and spoon ring.  Thank you Premier Designs!

Pretty flower shoes that I got at Goodwill for less than $7 that my daughter pulled apart about 2 months ago that I finally glued back together today.  It only took me 2 hours to figure out how to fold it back and keep the hot glue from sticking to everything.  By the way, these are wedges.  Wedges are awesome for mom's on the go.  Easy to walk in while looking fabulously put together.

Pretty new earrings. :)  This is a good day.  G'night loves!

De Javu

Hello loves!!  Does this outfit seem familiar?  That's 'cause you just saw it on Sunday.  Today was a casual day at home, but I really wanted to remix the shirt.  

Being brave and going barefaced today

Belted the top (think I'd use my brown belt next time) and new shorts!  Aren't they cute!  They're ruched (i.e. forgiving) and SUPER lightweight and thin.  Comfort of a sweat short, adorableness of a skirt.  What could be better?

Same jewelry as Sunday, but I wanted to get a close up of my necklace.  Ain't it purdy?  8 strands and super silky.

Top is from Target, belt from amazon, shorts from Walmart, and jewelry is Premier Designs.

On a Roll!

What?  A new post already!  I know, I'm so proud of me haha!!  And today I have a cohost!  My baby girl, L.  :)  Ain't she just the cutest?

Todays outfit is new new new!  The top and skirt I got from Target yesterday, and this is the first time I've worn the shoes.  The top is actually tunic length (long enough to cover the bum) and has fabulous stud detailing in gold, silver, and hematite on the shoulders.  FYI, studs are in this summer and fall.  Thank you sale rack at Target, for helping me be on trend AND on budget. <3

I'm really looking forward to experimenting with other ways to wear this top!  It's also easy to pull down for nursing.  Next up: Shoe shot!

L was wearing fabulous shoes today too!!  So we had to get a picture of them.

Close up of the bling.

Fabulous fringe earrings and wrap bracelet by Premier Designs.

Top and skirt are from Target.  Belt is from Kohls but no longer available.  They do have other silver belts though.  Shoes are from Maurices (only available in black now, sorry), and jewelry is Premier.

Easy Nursing : Keeping Cool

Good thing most of you are probably mommies too, so you know how crazy life is with kids.  And being sanguine, things slip my mind easily!  Three days of "Oh yeah, I should do that"?  Sigh, tell me you understand.

Anywho, here is the outfit of the day.  I'm at home all day today, but have had a few people over.  That's why I'm not wearing shoes, but look relatively cute anyway hahaha!

This jean skirt is SUPER stretchy which is perfect for all the chasing, bending, crawling, carrying, stretching, and every other "-ing" mommies have to do.

The top is a nursing top.  The neckline stretches down for easy nursing access.  The wrap is actually a scarf.  All I did was tie the corners together.

Like my little pony tail? Haha, it's too hot to have it down today.  The scarf is also a fabulous nursing tool.  Just hide baby's head under it.  You're outfit doesn't change, and you don't have to fiddle with a blanket over the shoulder or digging out the "Udder Cover."

The pearls are Premier Designs, of course.  90 inches of endless pearls?  Yes please!!  Gives room to triple it AND opera knot it.  LOVE!!

Top is a Motherhood Maternity brand nursing top that I got on ebay.  Find a similar one here.  Skirt is from walmart.com.  Scarf is from Maurices.  They no longer carry it, but check out their AWESOME selection!

One Hot Summer Day

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend here in the States.  It's been a LONG time (week and half!) since we've had a fashion post. The thing is, here in eastern PA, it's hot.  Like really hot.  And really humid.  Seriously, 90F and 90% humidity?  I've spent my days in my air conditioned living room in a cami and sweat shorts.  There have been a few days when I went out and looked cute, but like I've said I haven't mastered the whole self-portrait thing yet.  All that to say, here it is!  Our next fashion post!

It was a little breezy haha!

This dress was NOT easy to nurse in, but I knew I would be able to nurse privately so I chose to wear it today because it's just so breezy and comfortable.

These shoes totally deserve a shout out!  Aren't they adorable?  And super comfortable too once I broke them in. (See a quick and easy way to painlessly break in your shoes on my Pinterest board "Things to Try? DONE".)  Even though it was hot I wore closed toed shoes because my pedi is chipping off and I didn't have time to take the polish off this morning before rushing out the door.  Closed toed shoes - way sexier than chipping polish.

You all are going to see me wearing these earrings a LOT.  As the jewelry lady, I should probably be more experimental with my bling, but these earrings are PERFECTION for me.  They're big enough to be seen under my hair, light enough (for me) to be worn for hours, compliment my face shape, and the scroll work is SO my style.  Why mess with a good thing, right?  And no, my babies do not pull on them.  From the time my kids first start grasping things I tell them that they may touch mommy's jewelry, but "don't pull it, and don't eat it."  And they learned!  Children (even young ones) are way smarter than we give them credit. :)

Dress is from Old Navy.  Shoes are from Charlotte Russe.  Jewelry is Premier Designs.  Brown woven belt I've had forever, but they are sold practically everywhere.  Let me know if you need a link.