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Hi Darlings, I am preparing for my trip back to Los Angeles next week so I am leaving you today with a good ol’ TBT (throw back Thursday) post. This is one of my favorite dresses. I have made this one twice and plan to make it again in red. The pattern review is below in case you missed it the first time around in December of 2013. Steve Madden Heels (old) / H&M Necklace (old) Pattern Description: Misses Dress V8825 Fabric Used: ITY Knit HERE (other options) HERE (Use my code MIMI10 for 10% OFF your fabric purchase) Pattern Sizing: I Cut the 8 (31B, 24W, 33.5H) and had to shave it down a lot. I took out almost 3″ off the skirt portion and 2″ off the top. I also added 2.5″ in length. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? This is a Vogue “Easy” so yes I found it to be rather straight forward. There are no confusing steps that I noticed. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love the wrap front, the sleeves and the tie belt which is attached to the dress. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I added length and had to shave it down some to fit. Would you sew it again? YEP, I have so many dress patterns to sew 😉 but this is a winner for sure. Would you recommend it to others? YES! #review #knits #pattern #vogue8825 #ity #DIY #Dress

Hi Darlings, I wanted to share my latest indulgence! When my day seems to be going crazy and I find myself running around like a crazy person I remind myself to bring it in and relax. I take a minute to breath and spend a few minutes of quiet time with myself to recharge. When Skinny Cow sent me their new Creamy Iced Coffees I was hooked. I am already a caffeine  junkie so I will admit they had me at “coffee” lol! I must say that they are exactly what they say…..CREAMY & YUMMY. They have three awesome flavors, Vanilla Latte, Mocha Latte and my fav Creamy Cappuccino. I love that mid day when I am in serious need of a little delicious pick me up I can grab a Skinny Cow Ice Coffee. You can find them at your local retail store. *Sponsored by Skinny Cow* #coffee #drinks #skinnycow

Hi Darlings! I hope you guys are having a wonderful week so far. I’ve been having a great time getting things in order for the conference announcement.  There is so much being added to the conference this year so we are so excited! I am planning on opening registration the first week in Feb. so make sure to check back because last year tickets were gone in less than 24hrs!! I will make sure to give you a heads up at least 24hrs before I open registration. My OOTD: Today’s look is a recent #DIY. I have had such little time to sew for myself that I truly enjoyed making this jumpsuit from McCall pattern #7099 because it was so quick and easy. The fabric is a really soft ponte knit I already had in my stash but you can find similar pontes HERE Pattern Description: Misses Jumpsuit McCall 7099 Fabric Used: Off White Ponte Knit (similar) HERE and HERE Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 Did it look like the drawing on the pattern once you were done sewing with it? Yep it did 😉 Were the instructions easy to follow? This is actually a pretty straight forward and I loved it because I didn’t have to think about it at all.  The instructions are clear and the few pieces it takes to put this baby together made the process (when on a tight schedule) super awesome. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? Ummm I am a sucker for a jumpsuit so….it was a no brainer. I love the sleeves! Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I only omitted the button holes per the pattern instructions. Would you sew it again? Oh yeah! This will be made again several times and several different fabrics. Would you recommend it to others? Yes! #review #sewing #patterns #7099 #mccall #DIY #jumpsuit

Hi Darlings! One of things I enjoy most is watching my kids learn new things, get excited about projects, and express themselves. When the opportunity to work with Kiwi Crate came about the kids were thrilled. Since I am a “maker” of things and a crafty minded person I get a special kind of joy when my little ones show interest. Kiwi Crate is exceptional in that they provide an award-winning, monthly subscription service that provides all the materials to inspire creative, educational fun for kids! Each crate includes 2-3 super cool hands-on projects in art, science, games, imaginative play, and so much more. It also comes with Kiwi Crate’s Explore, a magazine filled with bonus activities, kid friendly recipes, a few extra surprises. ALL the materials they need to complete the projects are included in the crates. My daughter received her Doodle Crate (ages 9-16) and had a blast making her own custom stamps and cards for her cousins. Each month they have a new theme like gardening, dinosaurs, space and the activities are developmentally appropriate and enriching. I love that I get to give my babies something fun to do while they learn a new technique or craft. We gather in the kitchen on Saturday’s and while I cook or prep dinner the kids open up their crates and start creating. It’s so exciting to watch them engage and every month they look forward to the Kiwi Crate delivery.  Speaking of delivery, did I mention shipping is free on all subscriptions! The plans start at $16.95 and have an awesome sibling add-on so they don’t have to share! The really neat thing is the different activity crates available for every age: Koala Crate (age 3-4), Kiwi Crate (age 4-8), Thinker Crate (age 9-14), and Doodle Crate (age 9-16) Here are some of the most popular past crates. My son really enjoyed building and decorating the stackable snowman with a snowball catapult from his Kiwi Crate. He sure got a kick out of knocking the snowman over with his snowball. As usual I would never forget about you guys! Now you can get 30% off your first month subscription with code MIMI30 (applies to any type of crate)  Head over to Kiwi Crate now and get your kids, nieces, nephews or grandchildren a monthly subscription to FUN and CREATIVITY! Note: Promotional code excludes sibling add-ons. “Sponsored by Kiwi Crate” #Educational #DoodleCrate #KiwiCrate #Creative #crafts #Fun

Hi Darlings, Ever since I got the iPhone 6 plus I have been looking to buy cases. I normally have a Mophie pack on my phone because I am ALWAYS on it, and my battery dies by mid day. Since I have yet to get my new mophie for my iPhone6 Plus I thought I would make myself a pretty, sparkly case to hold me over. It was super easy to do and I got the idea while at Target looking at other cases (all of which were boring) and I saw this clear case, and thought “I can bling that out” so that is what I did. Here’s what you need: Clear Case, Scrapbooking Adhesive Back Jewels (I used the clear and colorful ones from Michael’s), Glue, Tweezers, Mod Podge Clear Dimensional Sealer, brush (optional) Put some glue on a piece of cardboard or plastic, get your tweezers for the small pieces and spread out your gems. Because the gems are for scrapbooking they have an adhesive back which makes it easier to place them how you want before glueing them down for good. Once you have a pattern you like, remove one, dip the bottom in glue and place back on the clear case. The glue will not set immediately so just keep adding and shift them a bit as you place them to fill in holes with smaller gems. Once you have glued them all down, let DRY and sit for several hours (I waited until the next day) Once it is dry you want to seal it even further so I placed a napkin and piece of saran wrap on the counter top and then using the Mod Podge I filled in the holes and covered all the gems generously. NOTE: It did spill over onto the sides so I used my brush to brush the excess from the sides until it started to set. I removed the napkin (which picked up all the drips) and I let it sit and dry on the plastic wrap for about 4 hours. Then I covered it once more and let it dry again. Once the Mod Podge dries it leaves an awesome high gloss. I left it sitting overnight before I snapped it onto my phone. Have fun! #gems #DIY #case #iphone #crafts

Hi Darlings, as promised HERE is the SEW ALONG VID for my FLOOR LENGTH DUSTER. The video, fabric suggestions, links, discount code and pattern info are on the Michael Levine Blog so head on over now to make that fab duster. If you have not already been following Michael Levine Fabric make sure you do so on their Blog, their Facebook or Instagram as I often get special discounts for you guys and first dibs on sales so you don’t want to miss any of it. I am wishing you all an amazing weekend and happy sewing! xoxo #duster #sewalong #tutorial #cardigan #Video

Hi Darlings, I am filming today so I don’t have a lot of time to write but wanted to give you a peek at one of my spring patterns for Simplicity (releasing in February) This dress is so fab and fun and can be made from so many different fabrics! I cant wait to be able to show more pics. For now here is a look at the shorter version (also has a maxi option) The patterns will be out in February sometime so I will make sure to post when they are in stores. Oh! and YES they will also have the step by step video tutorials 😉 I must thank you ALL so much for the support you guys show me, it really is truly inspiring and I am so appreciative of it all. COMING SOON!!!

Hi Darlings! So yesterday I woke up early, went downstairs to my office, started working and hit a wall. I just could not continue. I went upstairs crawled on the couch and took a 3hr nap, lol! My body was not having anymore of my shenanigans. I didn’t realize I was so tired but today I am feeling refreshed! I met my deadline so thank you so much for the well wishes. Oh! I just got word that I will be in Memphis TN in March, any of you from Memphis? My #OOTD: Today’s look is my go to “Feel Good and Cozy” look. The sweater is actually an old dress from H&M (options below) but I like it as a big sweater instead. I wore it with my fav olive green skinny jeans and these fab chunky heels from Steve Madden. It’s been really nice here lately, no snow…no winds…just a nice chill.  I hope you guys enjoy the rest of your day and I’ll see you tomorrow xoxo H&M Sweater Dress (options) HERE, HERE, HERE /F21 Skinnies (old) / Steve Madden Heels HERE #chunky #stevemadden #sweater

Hi Darlings! Happy Monday and Happy Martin Luther King Day. I hope if you have the day off from work you are enjoying your time and giving yourself a little me time. I spent a lovely weekend behind the camera working on the videos to my NEW Simplicity Spring Patterns! They will be out in February and as soon as I have an exact date I promise to share asap!!! Now…..This months Michael Levine Sew-Along will be my Floor Length Duster! The video will be up later this week, BUT they are having a sale TODAY and I don’t want you to miss out so I have listed my fabric choice for this project below. You will need at least 3.5 yards (to estimate yardage….measure from your shoulder to the floor and add 10″ then multiply that by 2 and divide into 36) I always like to add a half yard of fabric just in case. I will be using THIS pattern. HERE is my pick and HERE are more options. Make sure to use todays code: DREAM20 at checkout. My #OOTD: The sweater I am wearing today is probably one my favorite things! I got it a few years back at H&M and recently came a cross a way to turn my regular sweaters into a gold masterpiece, LOL so I will be sharing that this week too. It was fin to do and quick. My heels are CL and are amazingly comfortable! the jeans are from the Gap and you guys all know my purple baby from Coach. I am off to do some editing dolls but I will check in tomorrow, send some prayers up for me, I have a HUGE deadline and need extra strength, lol. #sweater #DrakJeans #LeopardKate #Gold #coach #ChristianLouboutin

Hi Darlings and happy Friday! I can’t believe it’s already Friday…. it feels like the week just started, lol but that tends to happen when I am traveling. Today’s look is pretty casual and comfy in my jeans, puffer vest and sweater. I got this vest at T.J. Maxx a few weeks back and the sweater is from J. Crew which I picked up during the Christmas clearance sale #score. The Steve Madden suede boots are AMAZING and so easy on the feet. The rubber soles makes them really great to walk in all day. So tell me…what do you guys have planned for the weekend? I am in front of the camera all weekend so I won’t be seeing much daylight 😉 Have a blessed and safe weekend and I will see you Monday. TJ Maxx Vest (option) HERE / Steve Madden Boots (option) HERE or HERE / Burberry Bag (similar) HERE / Gap Jeans / J.Crew Sweater (option) HERE / J.Crew Necklace / MK Watch

Hi Darlings! Well I am finally back home….at least for a week or two before I need to leave again. I was playing around with THIS Stretch Velvet Fabric I found at Michael Levine and decided that I would make a dress from my Simplicity pattern #1283 Crop Top pattern. (make sure you use my coupon code “MIMI10” for 10% off your fabric purchases when you check out at  Michael Levine’s online store www.lowpricefabric.com) I just used my hip curve ruler and really just added length to the dress using negative ease so it would snug all the way down to the hem. I wanted a midi length for this so I stopped mid calf and made sure to wear really tall heels. I am only 5’4″ so when wearing a midi length skirt or dress you should add height with your heels. I didn’t bother to style this much because it just seemed to be complete and simply chic by itself. I omitted the zipper because the velvet fabric has a significant amount of stretch and I could pull it on. This made the process much faster of course 😉 and I left a back slit so I could actually walk, lol!!! DIY Dress (using Simplicity #1283 / Stretch Velvet Fabric HERE (use code MIMI10 and save 10%) / Steve Madden Nude Pumps #1283 #Dress #Simplicity #turtleneck

Hi Darlings, what can I say I love these pants. I have only worn them once or twice, and def only once on the blog. I got them a long time ago at H&M. The sweater is also from H&M but a semi recent purchase I picked up during my christmas shopping last month. So…I just got word that Feb is going to be a heavy travel month for me so I better get ready. I am back in LA for an event I cant mention just yet, then I’m heading off to Magic in Vegas, possibly back to LA and then I am attending the Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA. next month, which I am really looking forward to. If you are in the area you MUST attend the show, it’s epic and I will be there with Simplicity 😉 Okay… I am gonna go run some errands so I leave you with my paint brush pants. xoxo H&M Sweater (option) HERE  / H&M Pants (old) / Steve Madden Booties (options) HERE, HERE / J. Crew Sunnies #paintbrush #babypink #pants #stevemadden #offshoulder