Purse Part 2

I decided to make a purse similar to the one I showed you guys the other day (click HERE for that blog) as a Christmas present for my sister. It's the same pattern, with a few minor differences. First of all, it's a tad bigger, because I switched from a 5/8" seam allowance to 1/4" and didn't alter the pattern size. Second, I used a fusible fleece for all of the outside fabric so it's much more cushion-y and protective. Third, the strap is a bit shorter because I actually remembered to measure it, unlike the one I made for myself.
Fourth, I switched to using magnetic closures instead of hand-sew snaps. SO MUCH EASIER. I don't know why on earth I ever bothered with hand-sewing...
And obviously, the fabric is different. This one is a nice light canvas with a black and white toile de jouy print (there's a nice phrase for your foreign-language vocabulary).

My sister suggested I do tutorials on my sewing projects, which I think is a pretty decent idea. So unpack those old sewing machines and brush up on your stitching skills, because in probably about 3 weeks or so I'll be starting to sew again (my whole family is home right now, which means zero time for craftiness) and I'll try to work on some tutorials.

You Saw It Here First:

Someday when I am ridiculously famous in living in my own private palace in Paris, you all can tell people you got to see my very first design. Aren't you so excited?
OK, so I know this is a very basic design. It's about as basic as designs come, in fact. But I sat down, measured everything out, made the shape the way I wanted to, picked out the fabric, and made the darn thing exactly the way I wanted it. The result is a pretty decent little bag, one that you'll never find a duplicate of anywhere else.

It's fully lined with 3 interior pockets and a snap closure that I had to hand-sew on (that's going to get old real quick). The button on the front is for decorative purposes.
Sorry I haven't posted in several days. I've been pretty busy lately with Christmas just around the corner. And on Thursday I did my first ever engagement photo shoot. I've been editing the pictures like a mad woman and am so excited how they are turning out. I'll be sure to share some of my favorites with you all!

My Forever21 Order Came Today...

Why do I love thee so, oh vintage inspired purse?
Is it you emerald green leatherette-ness that holds me under you curse?

Or is it the sneaky way you open up
with the top of you popping apart?

Or is it your luscious lining?
Oh, what a work of art!

Perhaps it is because of your detachable shoulder strap,
So I can wear you long the way I like.

Or take it off when I want to,

and hold you at knee's height.

Or just simply in the crook of my elbow,
Where a girl's best friend should be.
Oh yes my darling bag,
you are the one for me.

But I think I like you best
Because your price I did not detest.
For weeks now I have longer for you,
But not for 30 buckaroos.

So when I looked online the other day
And saw your price had been halved, so to say,
I jumped with joy and yipped with glee,
Because for 50% off, you can live with me.

The End.

And yes, I am completely aware of how dumb that sounded. Love makes you do stupid things I guess.

New Shop: Ruche

*Simultaneous groans from my mom and my bank account*

I was poking around online last night and came across a new online shop for me to spend all of my money at. Ruche is a self described "modern boutique with a vintage touch". Their clothing style to very similar to ModCloth but less expensive. I even ran across a few items that ModCloth sells, and they were about $10 cheaper at Ruche (don't shoot me, ModCloth, I still love you!). Ruche does not have as big of a selection, however. I also was extremely underwhelmed by their skirt/shorts offerings, and I couldn't even scrape together six that I liked enough to feature here.

The real reason I fell in love with Ruche isn't because of their tops or dresses. It's the shoes. So many glorious shoes! I tried to narrow my favorites down to only 6 but I just couldn't do it. So you get 12 instead. Lucky you.

Dresses:

1) Floral Mirage Wrap Dress, $65.99

2) Date with the Wizard Emerald Green Dress, $52.99
3) Some Kind of Wonderful Floral Dress, $36.99
4) Dewy Lanes Navy Dress, $36.99
5) Flowers for Algernon Dress, $37.99
6) Sandy Mandy Dress, $37.99

Tops:

1) Chasing Waterfalls Top, $40.99
2) Forever and Always Floral Trapeze Tank, $34.99
3) Take Me to the Emerald City Top, $29.99
4) A Day in Chantilly Chiffon Top, $45.99
5) Shooting the Breeze Ruffle Tier Top, $31.99
6) Lace is for Lovers Top, $34.99

Shoes:

1) Restricted “Scrabble” Oxfords in Green, $38.99
2) “Rae” Jazz Oxford Shoes in Tan, $32.99
3) Fern Weave Flats in Coral, $26.99
4) Pink Studio “Izzy” T-strap Sandals, $59.99
5) Pink Studio “Junnet” Peep Toe Wedges, $65.99
6) Crystal Colorful Sandals, $35.99
7) Pink Studio “Jules” Peep Toe Pumps, $80.99
8) Pink Studio “Thora” Peep Toes in Olive, $57.99
9) Chelsea Crew “Master” Oxford Heels, $58.99
10) Out and About Lace-Up Boots, $39.99
11) Buckled Up Booties, $42.99
12) Nicole “Open Up” Heeled Oxford in Velvet Brown, $74.99

Bags:

1) Buckle Me Up Crossbody Bag in Rustic Blue, $38.99
2) Mini Button Ruffle Purse in Raven Black, $22.99
3) Glitz and Glam Purse in Ruby Red, $41.99

Shoulder the Bag

Though I'm fairly certain not many of you noticed, I haven't posted any new blogs in a few weeks. I spent two weeks in France with my best friend for our senior trip and then the past week since I've been home I'm just been bumming around, not particularly motivated to do much of anything.

But I am back to work now, working on some new jewelry designs and putting together ideas for new blogs. Today's blog is about shoulder bags, simply because I like them and I think you should like them too.

In all honesty, though, shoulder bags are really quite handy. While there are some ridiculously cute handbags out there in the world, they just aren't as practical as shoulder bags are. Shoulder bags are hands-free, leaving both of your hands to do other, more important tasks, such as texting and waving at cute guys (neither of which I do on a regular basis, in case you are wondering...)

Also, shoulder bags are generally smaller than regular purses, forcing you to cut down on the amount of stuff you take out of the house with you. Nothing builds more character than having to decide if you really really need hand lotion and a back-up pair of sunglasses with you at all times. Try it sometime! You'll be amazed at how much stuff you carry with you normally that you end up leaving home when you are using your shoulder bag.

Some of my favorites:

Forever 21 has a wide variety of cute shoulder bags at the best prices you'll find anywhere. All of the shoulder bags I currently own except for one are from Forever 21 and I'm extremely pleased with all of them.

1) Classy Leatherette Should Bag, $26.80
2) Vintage Leatherette Bag in Green, $29.80
3) Leatherette Ruffle Purse, $22.80 (I saw this one in person once and it's really awesome!)
4) Quilted Shoulder Bag, $19.80
5) Claudette Shoulder Bag in Red, $25.80
6) Quilted Shoulder Bag in Lavender $22.80

---

ModCloth's shoulder bags are more expensive, but their style is arguably worth it. I don't own any of their bags, but I look forward to getting one someday to see if they really are as awesome as they look.

1) Regal Tender Bag, $65.99
2) Never a Dull Moment Bag, $24.99
3) Marigold Marvel Bag, $27.99
4) On the Same Beige Bag, $63.99
5) The Grace of Grey Bag, $399.99 (Nope, not a typo. But isn't is so gorgeous?)

---

Urban Outfitters' bags are a little simpler but still have a nice vintage-but-modern look to them. Next time I order from them I'm considering treating myself to one.

1) Swedish Hasbeens Small Saddle Bag in Red, $265.00
2) Ecote Studded Suede Bag in Tan, $29.99
3) BDG Square Leather Cross-Body Bag in Blue, $68.00
4) Deux Lux Mid Grommet Cross-Body Pouch Purse in Berry, $48.00
5) Cooperative Saddle Bag in Navy/White, $38.00

---

Anthropologie is the store I am going to shop at when I am rich. So while it will be a long time before I can ever afford to buy one of these bags, I still enjoy looking and planning ahead.

1) Wandering Wisteria Bag, $288.00

2) Stone-and-Fronds Bag, $188
3) Malleable Bag, $148
4) Unbloomed Rose Bag, $305

And that concludes this blog.