Sunday, November 25, 2012

A Quick Alteration and Dressing on a Budget (W.I.W.S.)

Yesterday I may or may not have gone completely berzerk and made my husband fear for my his safety.  I don't know. Just about life and how...okay fine, I'll admit to you my selfish rant.

I started freaking out because I decided it was "unfair" that when he gets days off, he doesn't have to "go" to work but I LIVE AT WORK so there is no time that I'm not here, unless I'm elsewhere taking care of things for work which is where I live and how unfair is that except no I would not like a job outside the house either.   Blah, blah, blah, being unreasonable, and so on and so forth.

We worked it out.  You can start breathing again.

You're hearing all this because I want you to know that after 12.7 years of marriage, yes, this kind of stuff still happens.  And ALSO, as a result of said discussion, I ended up leaving the house to get not-something-for-work, which turned out to be some "new" ropas from Goodwill, which included a purple button down top that was cute but boring at the same time.  So I tweeted the following..

And got lost of good tips! (clicky the link up there to read them yourself).

The tips resulted in me making myself a new necklace and then, of my own accord, altering some jeans 45 minutes before Mass started.  Wanna see how it all turned out?


Jeans, altered real quick like, inspired by Ana who did he same thing a while ago but I can't find her post now (before/after pic at the bottom right there): Gap via Goodwill


Edited to add: I found Ana's original post from last year!  She was the first to snazzify the old pantaloons.  Check it.

Jacket: wool blend off brand, also Goodwill
Purple Button down: Apt 9 (Kohl's) via Goodwill

Necklace: thrown together by yours truly at approx 9:27 p.m. last night.
Ballet flats: Anne Klein via Ebay
Costume jewelry ear hoops: costume jeweler of choice.  I think I got these off the Avon website (true story)

And now, for the before/after pic of ye olde jeans (2005 be gone!), which was truly the highlight of my morning:


Linking up with the lovely ladies at Fine Linen & Purple.  You should too!

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30 comments :

  1. What does it say about me that I love the 2005 jeans?
    Maybe just that my hips and barrel belly are so large skinny jeans only work on me if they're tucked into boots. Yes. That.

    We love your beautiful face! (Lydia and I)

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    Replies
    1. You are so sweet! I used to feel the same way, but then...I mean...I look at the pics and is it my imagination or do I look skinnier in the skinny jeans? I didn't alter the thighs or hips at all. The trick is, I think, to use jeans that fit at the top already and then just shrink down the lower part of the leg. Because when you BUY skinny jeans, they're too tight on the butt. Or so I feel. What do you think? Does that even make sense?

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    2. Totally Bonnie! I am a big ol' flare/boot cut girl. The skinny (skinnier) jeans would draw attention to the not-so-skinny parts for me, but Dwija is rocking it! I think I agree with you too, Dwija. The altering vs. buying that way does make a difference!

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  2. Wow. I seriously JUST got back from a trip to Goodwill that happened as a result of the exact same "I live at work!" meltdown.

    I'm impressed by your quick sewing skills. Sewing is an hours-long event to me--that's why I never do it. The jeans look great.

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  3. Lookin' good!

    Goodwill is where I go to get away from "work" too! There's been at least one loooong day, probably more, when Pat has gotten home from his work and I've said, "I gotta get out of here," and immediately out the door I went to Goodwill!

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  4. We have the SAME conversation over here. After 18 years of marriage. Sigh. I think we just have to keep reminding them. Because really, from their desk at work, when they leave the house and we are still in our pjs, life at home must look pretty good. They don't realize all the children, hanging on you and constantly needing something, can wear on a person 24/7. So they need a reminder. Because really, I would like to "stop" working sometimes and sit in my chair and watch a movie or read a book while someone else does my job. But that never happens. And I need to take a look at my Goodwill sometime. I never think of it.

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  5. Ok, you are so me hero right now for like 45 different reasons. Just to name a few:

    1) you look amazing and you have 5 kids and you just one less than a year ago
    2) the alteration 45 minutes before Mass?!?! Amazing
    3) That you freak out about that same thing after so many years, because it makes me feel like less of a crazy person
    4) you are just awesome.

    I love that outfit!!

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  6. I couldn't agree more with Ana..seriously. And you look amazing!

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  7. Hey- you're like the MacGyver of cute Mass clothing! Double points for you! Plus, I can't sew at all so I think it's like having a super power!

    And it's funny how the stupid arguments in marriage are always with us...I'm sure it's normal....I hope!

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  8. Yet another reason I need to make friends with a sewing machine. Oh, and I'm totally unreasonable about that whole no-days-off-work thing, even though I really really really don't want to go somewhere else to work. Glad I'm not the only one!

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  9. How did you get the jeans to look right? I have a pair that needs that done to them, but I'm afraid I will make them twisty or something.

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    Replies
    1. Maybe I should post my little how-to? I thought people might be getting tired of the bargain basement girly posts, but perhaps this will be fun? Oh! I could do it on Friday as part of my quick takes!

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  10. serious? grab the GOODS @ the thrift and then pull off an alteration maneuver before Mass??? going to vomit now...you win the cape, the crown, the whole kit and caboodle (whatever a caboodle is)..
    stunning. truly.

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  11. Okay, I'm officially unfashionable because I have jeans just like the before shot.

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    Replies
    1. I was wearing them just like that for months before I started noticing
      that the young folk weren't actually wearing them like that anymore.
      Honest! And then I saw someone fix hers and I was like "Zoinks! I
      could be like them young folk???". It's a slow process...

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  12. Love it! I don't think I'll ever get into Goodwill shopping, but y'all who DSO it always impress me with your style!

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  13. Um, I am so impressed with those jean alterations! :)

    And, great job making your shirt NOT "boring"! :)

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    Replies
    1. I can't believe it turned out so great! Hubby was scared. If I messed them up, how would I ever make it to Mass, what with all the sobbing that would have occurred?

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  14. Everything about this post is awesome! I have a stack of thrift finds that I have been meaning to re-fashion. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  15. And here I am searching ebay for wide leg jeans. :)

    You do look amazing in the skinny jeans!

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    Replies
    1. I think there's a difference between "wide leg" and "huge boot cut", yes? Yes, I'm sure there is :)

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    2. Oh good. Because I already bought a pair. ;)

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  16. Love the outfit! I am super impressed with the alteration. I did the same thing to a pair of jeans and it didn't come out as well.

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  17. Ooh, good job on the jeans! I'm impressed!

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  18. Your sewing skills are super impressive, and that jacket is amazing! I love your beaded necklace; I like making jewelry, too, but it's been a while =)

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  19. Yes, tutorial please! I have a pair of jeans that I love, love, love, but they are too long and boot cut, which means they bunch up around my ankles and generally look messy.

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  20. Looks amazing! I love the pop of color & am coveting that jacket. I can't remember the last time I found anything thrifting. And thanks for sharing your rant story- it's so comforting to know others go through the same thing!

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  21. We had that very same argument on Saturday. He didn't understand why leaving the house without the kids isn't the same as the couple of hours between their bedtime and mine when I don't usually have to deal with them either. It's all about LEAVING WORK for a change. I don't really miss my old job but I really do miss the sick leave.
    I also wish that I looked that good in jeans.

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  22. Please take me shopping at Goodwill with you. Please. I'm begging. I have such good intentions but end up coming home with 500 Christmas balls which I intend to make wreaths with yet sit in my den collecting dust. I need pants. What size, you ask? I have no idea. I mean, I KNOW what the tags in my current trousers say....but what size actually covers my big mama gut and lack o' butt? Eh, who knows...

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