Monday Morning Inspiration/Casual Inspiration for at Home Wear

Over the weekend, I talked to a friend. It was great to reconnect. During the course of the conversation, she commented on my recipe posts, and asked if I will be getting back to them. I also received another note from someone who has followed the blog for quite sometime. She told me how much she enjoys the blog, and how much she has missed my "regular" posts. An apology is in order. I've been cooking, a LOT!!! And too, I still look for inspiration. It's just that I haven't been sharing. 

This past week, I thought of 2 of my favorite designers, and wondered if there would be a spring collection. Since the collections are typically done a year in advance, I hoped that there would be, and thankfully, there is a spring collection for both Carolina Herrera and Maria Pinto(a Chicago based designer).

As I looked through their collections, what inspired me the most were pieces that would translate into everyday wear. Things that I will enjoy whether I'm out and about...or not.

This palazzo pant from Carolina Herrera reminded me so much of the Winslow Culottes from Helen's Closet. 
   

This tiered evening skirt is not something most of us would wear at home, but it reminded me of the Phoebe Maxi from Pattern Union.     

This fabulous little dress screams spring, and works beautifully with flats or sandals. Love the appliqued flowers along the bottom. 

For something rather fresh, this mix of plaids is quite fun!

How could one not be happy with the mix of polka dots???

Maria Pinto has incorporated mesh into her collection, and I LOVE it!!! A mesh dress over a pair of tights and a tank, such fun!

Here she used the mesh on the back of a jacket. Would look super cute with a fun print tank underneath.

I'm really loving knee length shorts. The picture on the right shows how easy the outfit can be to wear in a more casual manner. 

This asymmetrical skirt is so flirty. The lantern sleeve turns what would be a rather boring t-shirt into something much more interesting. You can find my tutorial on the lantern sleeve HERE.

Nothing could be more simple to throw on than a lightweight denim dress with a center front zipper. The pockets make it all the better for keeping your cell phone handy. 

I hope that a few of the pieces have inspired you. I can't wait to get into the studio and pump out a few new pieces! 

If you know of patterns that closely resemble some of the pieces I've shared, let me know in the comments, and I will share them on the blog.

Wishing you a lovely week :)

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration

Happy new week everyone!! After my computer fiascos of last week, I am staking my claim that this will be a wonderful week. Gotta have faith!! So far, so good :)

While going through some old pictures that I had torn out of magazines for inspiration, I came across something that I decided to research and while doing so, I came across a site that had trends for the upcoming spring season. I thought they were rather fun, so I thought I would share them with you this morning.

Fashion Trends For Spring 2014

Baseball jackets are everywhere. Notice that two different sites agreed on the Marc Jacobs jacket. If you want to be on trend this season, quickly get a baseball jacket made up.  

Of course floral prints are always big, no news here.

Gingham. A little on the vintage side, but I think it's always so fresh and pretty.

Just this morning, Couture Allure posted this lovely vintage gingham dress on her blog. Love the use of the smaller gingham print as trim. Pretty neckline too. 

Culottes!!!! I love culottes!!

 Pleated Skirts, notice that they are small little pleats. Gives a fun little swish factor!

 Fringe! Talk about swish!!!

Two different sites agreed on the fringe trend.

Paint splatter

 Mules are back, yea!!

I'm not so sure about this selection of shoes.

Funky Hats

If you think that you might like to give the paint splatter thing a try, I found this on Pinterest.

I thought that it might be fun to do, that is if you can bear the thought of painting a freshly labored over new garment!! Here's a link to the tutorial, http://daretodoityourself.blogspot.it/2012/05/diy-dress-pollock-impulse.html
For a little theatrical fun, check out this video clip from the 1999 Alexander McQueen runway show.

Not something I would want to do, but I thought it was interesting nonetheless.
This season it looks like we have permission to pull out our vintage ginghams, mules and culottes. We can then release our inner child by throwing paint around all while wearing a baseball jacket and cap with a matching fringed skirt ;)
Hope you have a super fun week! I'm hoping to :)
Rhonda