Search Results

Hi Darlings, When I was at Michael Levine last week I saw this floral fabric and was smitten! I had them cut me a few yards immediately so I could sew something up. I even took home a little extra just so I could have it on hand for something else. It is rare for a print to make me so happy but when it does I buy it in every color way it comes in. I have made this pattern V8825 before in a lovely purple ITY knit and since I have been meaning to make it again in a floral print I got right to work! Below is my pattern review, pics and of course fabric links. Pattern: HERE / Fabric: HERE and HERE / Shoes: HERE / Bag (old) similar HERE, HERE or HERE Pattern Description: Pullover tunic or dress has front extending into back collar, fitted, front pleated bodice, raised waist, tie ends, two-piece sleeves with barrel cuffs, and stitched hem. Fitted, straight-legged pants (below waist) have elastic waist. Fabric Used:  Blended Printed Knit HERE and HERE Pattern Sizing: I cut a size 8 but had to remove a lot of ease, at least 3.5″ all the way around (both top and bottom) Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope when you were done? Yes Were the instructions easy to follow? I love this pattern, I have made it before and will probably make it again. It sews up quickly and is fabulous. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I don’t dislike anything. I love the style, fit and look of the dress. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made?: I added 1″ to the hem so I could do a double 1″ hem therefore adding weight to the hem so it hangs nicely. Would you sew it again? I might lol #Floral #bright #michaellevine #v8825 #DIY #Dress

Hi Darlings, I just wanted to pop on in and share the new items for August!!! The ever so popular Double Peplum Mini is back and in NEW COLORS! we have added PINK, OFF WHITE, YELLOW and BLACK. We have also finally put up the Flirty Flounce Mini Dress. These are also available in great colors like KELLY GREEN, BLACK, CORAL DEEP and BLUE LAKE. As usual we sell out pretty quickly so hurry, head over to STITCHED9! Also please make sure to read the descriptions carefully and please send all your questions to info@stitched9.com as I do not handle orders. Thank you!! ORDER HERE

Hi Darlings, I am blown away by the amazing talent of these three designers! Their ability to create and translate what is in their minds into wearable art is truly inspiring. As a designer, seamstress and fashion blogger I am always looking for inspiration and these amazing designers are just that. Each designer will be creating their own custom art for the Chevy Cruze, which are being placed in key places throughout the city. Once you check out the videos below you will know exactly what I mean! I am eager to see their 2015 Chevrolet Cruze wraps all done up! Check out the designer’s vignettes below… Kimberly Goldson CLICK HERE Ron Bass CLICK HERE Melody Ehsani CLICK HERE #fashion #streetstyle #awards #chevy #essence #newyork

Hi Darlings, What a crazy week this has been already. Did I mention that I am leaving town again in a week? it seems like I am going in and out town more and more often. Being all the way on the West Coast is not working out lol! Seems like I am constantly flying to the East Coast for something. Thank goodness that my family adjusts so well to the travel and constant changes in our schedules. Today I have some errands to run including picking up new backpacks for the kids and a quick stop at Forever 21 with the teenager. My denim look is my always a go to look when I have little energy for dressing up, and today is one of those days. A pair of jeans, a button up and some heels is like my lazy uniform, lol. The jeans and shirt are from the GAP and the shoes are Steve Madden (links below) I am off to get some things in order and hopefully make it back home in time to squeeze a workout in. Steve Madden Heels HERE / Gap Jeans HERE / Gap Shirt (similar) HERE/ MK purse and Watch #denim #michaelkors #Jeans #casual #boyfriend #gap #buttonup #stripes

Hi Darlings, I swear it has been weeks since I have photographed myself. I apologize! Not only have I missed taking my OOTD pics but I have not had time to sew anything for myself! I am taking a few days this week and next just to make myself some fab transitional pieces. I also wanted to mention that my Simplicity patterns have begun arriving at stores!!!!! and over the next two weeks they should be available at Joann, Hancock and anywhere else Simplicity patterns are sold. In the next few days they will also be available online and I will make sure to post it. So today’s  look is my version of casual. I love this skirt so much! I got it at Foreign Exchange . The denim shirt is one of my favorites because it works with everything and you can never go wrong with nude pumps. Lastly, my BLAZER TUTORIAL is on sale from $25 to $18! until Monday 8/18 CLICK HERE 5 part course to take the mystery out of blazer construction and fitting. Foreign Exchange Skirt HERE on sale! / Denim Shirt (old) similar HERE / Steve Madden Heels HERE / Aldo Clutch / MK Watch / H&M Necklace (old) BLAZER TUTORIAL is on sale from $25 to $18! until Monday 8/18 CLICK HERE 5 part course to take the mystery out of blazer construction and fitting. #denim #forever21 #stevemadden #skirt #neon

Hi Darlings, I hope you all are having a great week so far! I am still on cloud nine from the excitement and amazing success of this years conference. I work so hard for months organizing this event that at the end of it I am exhausted, but thrilled. I have always loved to motivate and inspire women, and although I do this on the blog and via my social media outlets I desire to do more. One of my personal and professional goals has always been to write a book and so few months ago I was approached about doing just that.  I decided that I had spent too much time talking about writing a book and no time actually doing it. This year I plan to focus on accomplishing that goal and turn my dream of being an author into reality! I cant wait to walk into a bookstore and see my books on the shelves. I also have an ongoing personal goal that I keep with me all the time, and that is to be the best person that I can be and to learn and grow from my mistakes. So often we beat ourselves up about the things that have happened in our past that we fail to see the good things in our current situation. I try always to remember that I can’t change the past, but every day that I wake up I have a chance to right my wrongs and be the best mom, wife, friend, daughter that I can be. Part of my morning routine to wake up refreshed and ready for the day is to jump in the shower. I love standing under the warm water reflecting on what I have to accomplish that day. Part of that morning ritual is making sure that I have the products I love on hand including my Skintimate© Signature Scents! have you smelled them?  Not only are they made with revitalizing moisturizers, vitamins and olive butter but they smell so good and leave my legs so unbelievably soft and healthy. Waking up to the luscious scents always puts me in a good mood and helps me start my day energized and inspired to tackle my day. There are several amazing signature scents like Raspberry Rain, Strawberry Tangerine Twist, Mandarin Burst, Flirty Mango and my personal favorite, Tropical Splash. Now let me share how you can WIN a years supply of Skintimate® Shave Gel and $5,000 to turn your dream into reality!! Here is what you need to do: Upload a photo or short video that best represent your aspirations, dreams and goals to skintimate.tumblr.com Choose one of three categories for submission: School/Career, Personal passion and good deeds; each category will have one-photo and one-video winner! Contest will run from August 6 to Sept. 9, 2014 and six winners will be announced the week of September 22nd. For more information and contest rules, please visit skintimate.tumblr.com link to the official rules: http://skintimateinspirationnation.com/official-rules#make-it-happen This post is sponsored by Skintimate, who provided their products to me for free. I only recommend products I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I hope you are all inspired! #contest #skintimate

Each week I hear conversations at the gym about body building and toning. Moreover I talk to female clients who are interested in losing body fat and interested in building muscle but do not want to lift weights. Somehow they have the perception that they will “bulk up”. That “talk” reeks of a lack of knowledge and fears and is using ‘bulking up” as an excuse. Women associate bulking up with body building and toning with a slender, lean physique. Honestly the terminology is mostly represented this way: body building is almost always synonymous to muscle development, while toning is associated with getting a slender physique. Toning is talked about more with women’s fitness while body building is discussed relative to men. Oh yes there are “body building” women (drug induced – ok my opinion) but you see more of that in muscle building books aimed at a male core audience. Please don’t get me wrong as I am not expressing any feeling either way I am simply trying to provide (our mainly female) audience with information. At this point I must explain I am not leaving out our male readers, I just find that men will lift weights without being concerned with labels. Men will lift as heavy as they can as often as they can without any stigma of any kind. In fact I heard one guy in the gym say “go heavy or go home cuz this is not place to tone”, and I laughed. I laughed because he pissed off more than a few women in the weight room that day, BUT HE WAS RIGHT!   He did not make me mad because “heavy” is relative. Yes relative to the person lifting. My 160 pound bench press is heavy and has “toned” me but clearly would be like him bench pressing a sandwich. So I laughed and kept it moving. Toning is an ambiguous word with no clear definition in fitness. Everyone uses it and no one knows for sure what it really means. It is a bastardization of the word “tonus” which means the tension in a muscle at rest. Many women interpret that to mean lighter weights and many many repetitions (this could be another post on its own). Using lighter weights you will only succeed in having muscle endurance. A muscle that has endurance, can go on and on and on and on, like the Ever Ready battery rabbit. You will not achieve strength and you will not reap any benefit from having more lean muscle mass, because you will not achieve any with light weights and 20 plus repetitions. BOTTOMLINE: both words (body building and toning) reflect actions that focus on strength and resistance training, as well as putting emphasis on adequate rest and food intake. Strength training doesn’t have to be scary. When you lift in a safe, sensible way, lifting weights can act as the boost you need to jump-start your body fat loss and body composition goals. Strength training also helps to make daily activities much easier to accomplish when you have more muscle to work with. This type of ”functional fitness” is more than just trying to get a six pack; it’s about helping your body work more efficiently as a complete unit now and in the years to come. So, women, embrace the weights and watch your body change before your eyes. Let go of labels and let the following “excuse busters” lead you to a well muscled body. I’ll gain weight and get bulky and have boy muscles. EXCUSE BUSTER: Boy muscles…really?? Not likely. It is almost impossible for women to build the same kind of muscle mass as men because of hormonal differences. Men have higher testosterone levels than women do, which is the major reason why men have so much more muscle mass. We just don’t have enough testosterone in our bodies to build bulky muscles. In fact, instead of adding bulk to your look, combining resistance training and cardio workouts will help women look longer and leaner as they get stronger. Strength training is also a key part of body fat loss and weight maintenance. You may gain weight but it will not be fat and it will not be at a very fast rate. It takes time to build quality muscle so don’t think that you will be packing on muscle weight immediately. In fact we gain muscle weight so slowly with consistent fat loss you likely will not notice until you start to see muscles pop in various places. So don’t let that frighten you. And even if you do pack on a little muscle weight and you may be a little heavier, you will be a much smaller tighter package. Ten pounds of muscle takes up much less space than 10 pounds of fat. Muscle mass will also burn an extra 10 calories per day – how awesome is that, a lean, mean and revved up machine. And a challenging strength training regime will have you burning calories even when you’re not exercising. I am trying to lose weight so I need more cardio. EXCUSE BUSTER: When it comes to weight loss, a calorie burned is a calorie burned. And the whole idea behind losing weight is cutting calories through both diet and exercise but not just cardio exercise either. Many strength workouts like bootcamps (yeah my favorite), kettlebell training and circuit or interval training can count as cardio and help you burn even more calories than easy or moderate intensity cardio routines. Also strength training adds muscle to your body, which boosts your metabolism, as muscle burns more calories per ounce than fat. It can also help to reshape and tighten your body. Resistance training, strength training, and weight lifting all the same things are the only activities that will RESHAPE YOUR BODY. Yes I said it. If you have an apple shape, cardio weight loss will only make you a smaller apple – not the look you are going for. But with strength training you can actually reshape your body, tightening your waist building shoulders, leaning out your upper body to balance your lower body to take you from apple to hour glass. WooHoo. Strength training is a snoozer……..boring. EXCUSE BUSTER: If you like activities that are a little more fast-paced and engaging or get bored very easily, then strength training really is for you—the sky is the limit. From group classes that pair lifting weights to fun music, to suspension training with the TRX, workout DVDs, free weights, circuit training , kettlebells and even using your own body weight. You can do it in the gym, at home, outside or just about anywhere. Partner training with your significant other works tool. The options are endless and definitely not boring. You Tube is definitely and option once you know what you are doing. Mix it up and have fun. I am clueless and am intimidated by the weight room and scared I may get hurt. EXCUSE BUSTER: Many women fear looking foolish in front of others (especially the men in the weight room) because they don’t know how to lift weights properly. If you don’t know how to use the weight machines, or you don’t know how to do a certain exercise correctly, schedule some sessions with a personal trainer or talk with your facility to see if they have (no cost) personnel dedicated to showing patrons how to use equipment. They can show you what you need and possibly create a healthy strength-training plan that matches your goals. This personnel should demonstrate how to correctly do each exercise so you don’t get injured. Just make sure the person that you enlist to help you has the appropriate credentials to help and has experience in helping others. Just because someone has muscles does not mean they know how to help you get muscles. So be careful with whom you choose to help you. Hiring a certified trainer is also another way to help make you feel more comfortable in the weight room when you first get started. It really may feel like other people are watching you but nobody is paying attention to you they are focused on their own workouts. Focus just like they do and get it done. Before you know it you will feel comfortable and you will forget all the other people around you. Once you know what you should be doing get a partner, someone with the same goals as you to meet up with you at your place of workout. This also allows you to focus on your workout with your partner and not anyone around you. Having a partner just makes the unknown easier to navigate. I don’t have time for cardio, lifting and stretching … oh my. EXCUSE BUSTER: The best thing about strength training is that it can double as cardio if you do it the correct way. There are three basic ways to do this. One way is that you can add some cardio moves, such as mountain climbers or jumping jacks or marching in place or burpees, between different strength exercises to get your heart rate up and keep it elevated through your entire workout. Or, another way, is that you can do a circuit training or interval training type format where you have no rest between exercises and perform moves that work major muscle groups (such as lunges, squats and push-ups which target multiple muscles). This too keeps your heart rate elevated, giving you a high calorie burn and working your cardiovascular system. Another option is doing strength moves that work the lower body with the upper body (for example a lunge with a bicep curl), to really get your heart pumping – we call these compound or combination moves. A strength training video by XHIT Workout/Kelsey Lee: Welcome to the Gun Show Upper Body Resistance Workout No excuses – we need muscle building workouts no matter what you call them: strength training, weight lifting, resistance training, body building or toning – step up and just do it, it will do your body good. Remember consistency is key. Life is going to happen, live it, love it, embrace it and make a daily workout part of your plan. Until we meet again… yours in fitness Cynthia #Fitness #myths #workouts #bodybuilding #toning

Hi Darlings, as you all know I have a small tribe and with back to school creeping up on me I needed to get busy. I love being able to go to one place and shop for everyone so when it’s time to outfit the entire family I go to www.shoecarnival.com They always have the brands we love to wear, and the deals are a serious bonus when you have kids! They are having their Buy One Get Half Off  sale so head over and check it out! They carry athletic shoes, boots, sandals, wedges, heels and accessories so finding something for the entire family is super easy. You can locate the nearest Shoe Carnival to you HERE, or you can shop online. We had a wonderful time making this video and of course, I included a cute DIY project that is fast and easy and something the entire family can do together! Bubby loved his Adidas and I loved the colors! Bubby takes after mom and loves the Classic K Swiss Of course I picked the brightest pair of sneakers. These K Swiss are hot! Can you tell Imani is just like me? she loves these colorful  New Balance My princess also picked out these adorable DC Rebound sneakers, They are adorable! I must be rubbing off of my family. The hubby picked bright blue Adidas! I hope you have some fun doing some of DIY ideas I shared in the video! #shoecarnival #kswiss #shopping #DC #backtoschool #adidas

Hi Darlings, I can’t wait for my very first “MEET AND GREET and PATTERN SIGNING” in NYC!! this Sept. (info below) But first let me share a little more about my collaboration with Simplicity. Last year Adrienne accompanied me to NYC, and I had the great honor of meeting the folks over at Simplicity and got a tour of just what goes on during the production of a pattern. I shared a little bit of that trip via my Instagram but what I did not share was that I was also there to discuss our partnership (I am very very sneaky) lol! It took several months but once the ball started rolling for Fall 2014 things just fell right into place. What I loved most about working with Simplicity was how amazing the team is and how in tune they were to my personal vision for my designs. I wanted to make sure that my style was reflected in the designs; that the instructions had my voice, and that alongside the pattern you got a free video tutorial!! I am a visual learner, so my main goal was to not only provide an actual paper pattern but to also provide a guided video for those who need a little extra help understanding the written instructions. I hope you guys will enjoy these as much as I enjoyed designing them, and I cant wait to see all the pics of finished garments!! Now for the MEET AND GREET and PATTERN SIGNING!!!!…..I will be in NYC on September 6th for the first official Pattern Signing and Meet & Greet Event!! If you are in NY or surrounding areas, please make your way to Brooklyn. I will be answering questions, signing patterns and giving away hugs!! Details are below and please make sure to Rsvp to admin@mimigstyle.com **PATTERNS RELEASE THE WEEK OF AUGUST 8** #meetandgreet #mimi #patternsigning #Simplicity

Hi Darlings, it’s time for my Mimi G for Michael Levine Collaboration project! Make sure to head over to the Michael Levine blog HERE to watch the sew-along video,  check out fabric links and view more pics of this adorable jumpsuit. Until tomorrow my dolls! #Simplicity #tutorial #michaellevine #1355 #jumpsuit #free

Hi Darlings, I have had such little time to sew for myself, and that is so not cool! lol so I took some time out last week to make myself a dress. As soon as McCall patterns came out I grabbed this little number, McCall 6988. It is so cute, and I had some left over pink scuba fabric that was just enough to make this dress.  I made just a few  changes to the construction which I reference below int he pattern review. This was a quick sew-up too which is great when you have little time to get something made without compromising construction or details of course. Pattern: Pattern M6988 Fabric Used:  Scuba Fabric Neon Pink HERE Use Coupon Code: “MIMI10” fro 10% off your purchase. Pattern Sizing: I cut the 6 and removed about 3″ total at the princess seams because it was too big. Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope when you were done? Yep Were the instructions easy to follow? This is a fast and easy dress to make, it comes together nicely and with the modification I made to the construction of the facings it made it easier and I was able to avoid any hand sewing, lol. What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I love a flounce! the dress is super cute and has great potential for the other views including some color blocking. I also love that I can make it out of a woven and maybe even a boucle for fall. Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: The pattern calls for you to sew the facing and bodice up to a certain point before reaching the shoulder so you can then sew down the front facing to the seam line and hand stitch the closing by hand. That works great btw, but I hate hand sewing and the facing being sewn to the front seam line wouldn’t be that significant to me because I was top stitching the neckline and armyce to the facing so it was not going to peek out after that. Instead I sewed the shoulders on both the bodice and then the facing, then laid them RST (right sides together) and sewed around the arm and neckline and then pulled the dress through the facing. Would you sew it again? Yes! I will be making a fall version for myself soon. Would you recommend it to others? Most certainly! My facings are lined with Tender Touch by Sulky. This stuff is amazing and worked great to give my facings support without changing the weight of my fabric. It is lightweight and served as my interfacing. I used an invisible zipper for my dress. That is a good looking zipper inside and out! I made sure to use a topstitching needle and Sulky decorative thread for my top stitching and I just serged my seam allowances and hem. Steve Madden Heels (option) HERE / Clucth Aldo HERE / Necklace Charming Charlie #clutch #aldo #Pink #mccall #patternreview #stevemadden #Dress #founce #6899 #neon

Hi Darlings, Mark your calendars and come join me on August 1st for Latino Fashion Week® |LFW™| the only Fashion Week and tour in the United States created to support the talent of local, national and international Latino designers; and the premier resource institution for those in the Latino Fashion Industry. “By Latinos, For Everyone.” Beyond Exceptional raise awareness and funds to benefit Unlikely Heroes, a non-profit organization whose mission is to rescue, restore and rehabilitate child victims of sex slavery through the implementation of restoration homes, rescue and prevention programs. Highlights of the evening include: Celebrity Co-Host, Unlikely Heroes Supporter, Francia Raisa Red Carpet (Red Carpet ticket required) VIP Reception (Red Carpet or VIP Ticket required) TICKETS: Receive a special promotional discount from regular priced Red Carpet and VIP tickets (20% off ticket price). Follow the Event Brite link to purchase your tickets: https://lfwla2014.eventbrite.com/?discount=MIMIGPASS. You will receive a receipt confirmation from EventBrite that can be presented at the check-in table upon arrival.  Please note this code is only available online, and will not be honored for tickets sold at the door. Fashion Show featuring fabulous designers including Emillio O., Kelvin Giovannie, Lazaro Perez, TintaMar, Timoteo, Ximena Valero, each of whom will present his or her most stunning styles and dynamic designs WHEN: Friday August 1st WHERE: Boulevard3 | 6523 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA TIME: Red Carpet: 6:00 PM | Reception: 6:30 PM | Fashion Runway: 8:00 PM #latinofashionweek #LFW #losangeles #runwayshow