OOTD: Wool Crepe in Small Check

Got a few errands to run today, and the weather is lovely, bright and sunny. I put on one of my newest Signature  Dress, socks and lace-up flats.

Wool Crepe Signature Dress handmade by me, Handbag a gift purchased in China, Charm Pendant Necklace purchased from Nordstrom, Medium Hoop Earrings, Nordstrom,Pinstriped Brogues purchased at Nordstrom Rack, Anklets from Nordstrom Rack.

Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.                                                            Deuteronomy 29:9

"5 Things My Natural Hair Does, Naturally"

My hair has been in its natural kinky state for over 30 years, but its only recently that it has truly been natural.  For just over a year, I’ve maintained my natural hair environment by using the “water only method for cleaning and maintenance. This hair care regimen, has also lead to not using any commercial hair products, such as shampoos, conditioners or gels.  My hair is now what I consider really natural, and here are five things my natural hair does naturally.

The first thing my hair now does naturally is it sheds water very quickly, and dries faster after “water washing” now that it is no longer striped of its natural coating of sebum, because I don’t use shampoo or conditioner.

The second thing that naturally happens with my hair is based on its  full sebum coverage, which keeps my hair strands moisturized and protected from dirt and grime, so now my hair is naturally stronger and has a nice natural sheen.

The third thing my natural hair does naturally, is it consistently maintains hair strands definition in concentric coils, that are following a known natural pattern that is indicative of my ethnic heritage, and its really easy to manage.

The fourth natural thing my natural hair now does is grow, now that I’m not smothering it with all kinds of supposedly beneficial products, or using blow dryers or perming products, my hair seems to be growing quite nicely.

The fifth thing my natural hair does naturally is complement  me, and makes me feel good. My hair is no longer an issue, its now an impressive asset, that I love flaunting daily.

Its truly a great time in history, where the natural expression and identity of ethnic variances can be boldly projected. I don’t have to hide, or alter my hair to suit the idea of “good hair” set by anyone else. My natural hair is naturally GOOD.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.                  1Timothy 6:6

Soap is the Last Thing on My Mind

Since January 2015, I've been using Baking Soda and water for personal hygiene.  It all started with my use of baking soda and water as an alternative hair shampoo.  The great results on my hair made the transition to body wash a simple one.  The reason I chose this absolutely common household staple, was I wanted to see if the results of using it on my skin would mimic the improved scalp and hair environment, I was experiencing.

Before beginning the use of baking soda as a body wash my skin was always dry, with "ashy" elbows and "flaky" heels. Now what I have is smooth and shiny skin, from head to toes. There is nolonger a feeling of soap residue on my skin, and my body dries off much quicker. Body odor is eliminated, as the baking soda acts a natural odor neutralizer, so my daily antiperspirant is enough to keep me fresh all day. Now its only been 10 months since I started this really simple and basic personal hygiene program, and I would love to hear from others who have tried using baking soda as a body wash. Let me know how your body has reacted to less man-made chemicals in your body wash.  Enjoy!



The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.  

                 Psalm 119:130

"It Is What It Is!"

Just finished this dress on this pass week, and it offers great possibilities for personality presentation. I don't care what fashion experts say, but wearing a more relaxed style of dressing requires very deft styling and image coordination. This is a casual styling, that I have worn to church on my teaching day. The pattern is my own adaption of the basic T shape body covering. Check out my youtube video of basic components of the one-piece pattern, "New Twist on Old Style Dress". My measurements put me in a ready to wear size 10, and I classify this dress as a small.

ELEMENTS: Faux Ivory Carved necklace (a gift from sister-in-law), black wingtip brogues by ABOUND (Nordstrom Rack), flower print anklets (Nordstrom Rack), Anna Beck silver ring.

"Be the type of person you want to meet"

"Thanks for the Memories"

About 4 years ago my best friend Christine Dougherty, watercolor artist, sent me a large box of old clothing. This box is a treasure trove of great usuable items, silk shirts; silk suits; a tapersty jacket; a few over-sized linen shirts and much more. The thing about this box is it travelled with me for 4 years before I could get an opportunity to be creative with the contents. In the last three months, the box of goodies has been, my main source for new wardrobe items----I've been cutting and building virgin yardage from suits, tops and skirts. Below is two dresses I've made using brushed silk suits in lovely jewel tones. The first is a deep purple silk pieced from jacket and pant, with some salvage yardage as the center panel. Dress number two is a lovely teal color, also made from a pantsuit, with the additional yardage created by reconstructing a short sleeve top to be the dress yoke.

Everything has been cut apart and ready for reassembly into usable yardage.

Its not finish for me, until I add my label.

"Happiness consists not in having much, but in being content with little."

                        -Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington 

"EASTER"

Easter Sunday dinner was set apart by this lovely reminder of God's love-----first flowers of the new year, fresh from the yard. Praise the Lord, for his goodness, mercy and grace. Hubby and first-born prepared a lovely meal of fresh vegetables, baked beans;  potatoe salad;  homemade roles;  bar-b-que ribs and chicken, finished with a delicious punch. Just lovely.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.                   I Timothy 6:6

Patches

Drapery samples Skirt

Red lining add some flair

This is a lovely pencil slim skirt I made from drapery sample squares. I guess I could call this upcycling, because this is the second generation use of the squares. If anyone remembers the days when you could ask for outdated sample books from paint/wallpaper stores to use as you wished, is how I ended up with my samples. My girls sewing class used the majority of squares for first project potholders, which all turned out lovely. Nothing gets wasted, so I have this unique patchwork skirt that is almost seasonless in its wearing potential.

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:” 

II Chron. 32:7

"My new Brown Knit Skirt from a Man's Sweater"

I've been wanting a nice long chocolate brown knit skirt for some time, and I just could not find one. Great brown skirts are hard to come by, so when I saw this extra large men's sweater in the finest knit and just the right deep shade of chocolate brown, I also saw a skirt.  There was not much waste, and I got a finished skirt for under $5 and a few hours of enjoyable sewing. Below are just a few of the outfits I've been able to create with my new skirt.

Sweater has been cleaned and is ready for cutting

Initial cuts made for skirt body, sleeves will become the yoke for added length

"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple."   Pro. 30:22

Keeping it Simple and Real, for Real

Simplify, it’s not easy to do.

How many journals can a person have? How many ways do we need today to express our most inner thoughts, the desires of our heart, communicate to the world and our inner self what we want to say. Of course I am speaking of myself---I love to write, to feel the flow of movement and impression as any sort of writing utensil meets imprinting surfaces. When I was younger, my favorite recording surface was “the brown paper bag”, its sublime texture would resonate in gentle scratching rhythms as my pencil moved across the surface. In those days numerous brown bags became scrolls of childhood dreams and created adventures. I documented my Michelangelo styled inventions and designs, in permanence of lead on paper, some neatly chronicled, other’s as random and impromptu doodles. Boy was that ever fun!  But things get lost, and one was my need to record, to document my creativity on paper, it was replaced with “to do” list and notes of urgency for children’s doctor visits, grocery list and dinner menus. It got replaced with being married, becoming a mother, a student, and just trying to make ends meet. Well the children are grown, the husband is older, and I also, and now I blog.

 

I will be honest; this is my second blog---lost the first one because I didn’t blog frequently enough. Over the years I’ve learned to mentally write, no paper used, no resources wasted. I design in my head, whole wardrobes, dolls, and holiday decorations from start to finish, every minute detail. Simple, or so I thought it was, until I’ve noticed of late that I have a hard time being creative “au natural”. Everything’s in my head, where is the joy of sharing and/or reworking an idea---I seem to go from incubation to full birth. Because all the ideas sit in my mind, there is no bragging, or brainstorming with others---it’s like creating in a vacuum, and that’s no fun. So each day I’ve been trying to scribble again on PAPER, and believe me its just random drawing, (Matisse’ started his collages in this manner, when he was sick---just random cut-up bits of colored paper, and we know where that lead too). Slow and easy wins the race they say, and I just want to reconnect with my primitive creative side once again. When did being simple become so complicated?

 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  

1 Peter 5:10 KJV

 

Denise Reed of  “CASEY”…the Original Loc/Braid Hair Snood and “TOPAZ” a new style shower cap, check out the site at www.denisereed.com

And now there are prints, check out the site at:

“CASEY Prints: www.brownbuttons.etsy.com.