all dressed up...

...with a gala to go to! the company i work for has a fundraiser gala in early june with dinner, dancing and a silent auction (for which i'm making a quilt using fabrics from last summer's shows). the big question is, what am i going to wear? this is my one occasion a year when i get to dress up (and i mean big-time-black-tie-dress-up) so i've been looking for gown inspiration. i've decided i'm going to make this dress by carolina herrera worn by christina hendricks:


last year i wore a red gown so i'm thinking i'll make this one in navy blue. now i just need the time to fabric shop, pattern the dress, make a mockup, fit it, cut and build the dress and track down the shoes my sister has promised to let me wear.

from the computer to the sewing machine

these are just a few of the things i'm hoping to make this spring.

the first dress is the picka shift dress from marimekko, a finnish textile and clothing company established in 1951. i have loved their fabrics for years but didn't realize that they sold clothing until i browsed their website. there's a marimekko concept store on the upper east side in nyc and though i'm sure i won't be able to purchase anything, i'd love to touch all the lovely fabrics. i'm going to try to find a striped cotton sateen to make my copy.

the other three items are from anthropologie--another store with beautiful fabrics. i love the racerback detail on the dress. i think i'll be making a lot of things with racerbacks this spring.


(follow-up to the shoe post: none of the shoes i ordered from zappos fit. i tried the clarks erda sandals in a 7 wide but they were still too big. i'm considering getting them in a 6.5. i did, however, FINALLY buy the boots i've always wanted:


i wore my new blondo boots last weekend to nyc. i was hesitant to be breaking in new boots when i knew i would be doing a lot of walking, but they were great! it rained all weekend and my feet were dry as could be. the zipper dug into my ankle a little but i think it just takes getting used to. too bad it's now 70 degrees and sunny!)