Inspire My Creativity – Recycled Jean Skirt

I am not one to wear all the latest trends and fashion, I kind of just go with the flow and wear things I like.  However, this spring I am seeing a lot of jeans skirts in stores and this is one trend I am happy to follow.  But instead of buying one of those jeans skirts in the store, I used it as an inspiration for this month’s Inspire My Creativity Project.

That being said, it’s time again for our Inspire My Creativity blog hop.  If you haven’t visited us before, you can check out one of our previous hops where we made “Flower” crafts and I made Flower Crowns.   Each 2nd Wednesday of the month, we post our latest and greatest creations.  Each month has a predetermined theme and this month’s theme is “Something to Wear”.

This past Christmas I was thrilled to get a sewing machine as a gift from my family.  Up until now, my Mom had used it to fix a couple of items when she had visited but I hadn’t personally gotten a chance to use it.  In cleaning out my closet recently, I had several pairs of jeans that I had that were no longer wearable due to holes in them.  Sure, ripped jeans are acceptable these days to wear but the holes in these were not acceptable.

I hadn’t gotten around to throwing them out, and had kind of held on to them in case I need patches for my son’s jeans or any other sort of use.  So I decided to take a pair of the old jeans and see if I could transform them into a new skirt for myself.

First thing I did was cut off the legs to jeans about 2 – 3 inches longer than you want the skirt hem to fall.  Then cut open the inner seams of the jeans.

I then cut a portion of the seam that is just below the zipper up from the bottom about 2 inches.  This portion will help the fabric lie down flat when you sew up the front seam.

I then turned the jeans inside out and sewed up the back seam.  At this point you can choose whether you wan the kick pleat at the front or the back of the skirt.  I chose to put mine in the front.  If you chose the back, only sew down until about 3-4 inches from the hem line.

For the front seam, lay the cut area under the zipper over the other side of fabric until it lies flat.  Be sure that it’s pulled over enough so that when you sew the front seam it closes far enough down.  I incorporated the kick pleat in the front, so I only sewed down until about 3 inches above the hemline.  Once you have the front sewn, you can either cut the hem so that it is straight and leave it a ragged edge or fold it over and sew up for a clean edge.

And in those simple steps, you have yourself a new skirt!

I have to say this project came together a lot easier than I had originally anticipated and so glad I attempted it.  Check out the other hostesses for our link party and see what great ideas they came up with.  I can’t wait to see all of their creative ideas.

Shani  |  Sunshine & Munchkins

Anna  |  Practical and Pretty

Ali  |  Home Crafts by Ali

Cathy  |  A Boy and His Mom

Christine  |  Swordfights & Starry Nights

Meg  |  The Kusi Life

Candice  |  She’s Crafty

Lauren  |  A Life of Love and Joy

Amy  |  Leap of Faith Crafting

Jaclyn  |  The Dotted Nest

Victoria  |  Dazzle While Frazzled

Sydney  |  Tastefully Frugal

Lindsay  |  See Lindsay

Julia  |  The Quiet Grove

Pam  |  P.S. I Love You Crafts

Marie  |  The Inspiration Vault

Looking for more “Something to Wear” ideas or have a post of your own that you would like to share?  Join our Link Party below.

An InLinkz Link-up

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How to Survive the Rest of this Winter

So last week, several little critters decided to forecast 6 more weeks of winter for us.  I don’t know about you, but this winter has seemed worse than what we’ve been subjected to the past few years.  It’s not going to be pleasant but here are a few things that might just make the rest of this winter a little more tolerable.  And best part, is they are all from Amazon, so you don’t even need to leave the house to get them.

1. Blanket Scarves:  If you are like me and regardless of the weather are always cold, there is nothing better than wrapping one of these blankest scarves around you to keep you toasty and warm.

MissShorthair Warm Plaid Blanket Scarf

2. Pom Pom Hat – It’s only been in the past couple of years that I have started understanding the importance of wearing a hat.  These days I barely leave the house without one.  It’s amazing how much warmer I am when I wear one.  This pom pom style which has been quite trendy this winter is super cute on and is great for those morning runs to get the kids to school and you still have bed head.

C.C Thick Cable Knit Faux Fuzzy Fur Pom Fleece Lined Skull Cap Cuff Beanie

3.  Fleece Lined Socks – If my feet are cold, it is game over for me.  I can have the warmest boots on, but still need socks like these fleece lined ones to keep me warm.

EBMORE Women’s Home Super Soft Warm Winter Snowflake Fleece Lined Crew Socks

4.  Slippers:  I don’t like walking around in bare feet or even just sock feet, so I need to wear slippers as well.

 

Sorel Women’s Nakiska Slipper

5.  Snow pants – There are going to be days that the kids are going to want to go skating or sledding and you will have to be outside with them.  I feel like a kid again wearing now pants but I sure keep warm.

Arctix Women’s Classic Snow Pants

6.  Insulated Coffee Mug –  Warm coffee for those endless hours outside with the kids.

Contigo Snap Seal Superior Stainless Steel Tumbler

I am sure there are many other things like tickets to Tahiti that would make this winter a little more bearable but hoping these few things will help you get through the next 6 weeks.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you purchase a product through these links.  

The Versatile Kimono from PinkBlush

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all comments, opinions and photos are strictly mine.

I am not sure why but I am one of those people that is either always hot or always cold.  And when push comes to shove, I tend to run on the cold side.  That is why I am always dressing in layers and adding or taking off as I need.  Even in the summer, especially if air conditioning is involved, I always have at least a light sweater on hand.  That is why this kimono that that I recently received from PinkBlush is the perfect layer to have in my closet.

It’s a light rayon material so it isn’t super heavy, but just enough to help take the chill off in air conditioning but not too heavy to wear over a tank top in the summer outside.  What I love about this piece as it can so easily dressed up or dressed down.

It can be thrown over a tank top and pair of leggings for a super casual but stylish outfit for during the day.  Or over a little black dress for an evening look.  I am looking forward to pairing the kimono with a pair of skinny jeans and love sleeve shirt this fall.Having pieces like this kimono and other pieces that I have gotten previously from PinkBlush that can be easily used for both day and night outfits and even different seasons are the kind of things that I really prefer to have in my closet.  Having pieces that work so many ways, make getting ready each day a lot easier.

And let’s face it Moms, if getting dressed is not one of our stresses in the morning, all the better.

Put on that bathing suit from Rad Swim

Disclosure: Although items in this post were provided to me, all comments, opinions and photos are strictly mine.

A few weeks ago, I posted a short video of me in my bathing suit whilst using a friend’s makeshift slip and slide on Instagram.  It really took a lot of humming and hawing to actually post the video.  I am usually very self conscious about posting any photos of myself, let alone one of me running in a bathing suit.

This year, turning 45, I decided that it was time I stopped worrying about what people thought and just doing things for myself and my own enjoyment.  As I stated in a previous post and in my current mind frame, I decided to post to the video and not really care if it was out there for everyone to see.

Having a great bathing suit, like those made by Rad Swim, can really help with the self confidence.  They make some of the cutest bathing suits that I have seen in a long time.  The line of suits come in 1 piece or tankini styles for women, teens and young girls.  The styles are super flattering so you will want to be spending your entire summer at the beach or poolside in these.

Although Rad Swim is located in the US, shipping to Canada is a breeze.  Here is Canada we often see things that we want, only to find out that won’t ship to Canada or it will take forever to get here.  Luckily they do ship to Canada and it came very quickly without any hassles at the border.  I think from the time I ordered my suit to the day it arrived was less that a week.  So there is ample time to get one for yourself this summer.

The suit that I received was the  Holly and Lexi sequin one piece.  I am always skeptical about bathing suits but I was so happy when I got this one.  The bust area wasn’t too small and didn’t have to worry about anything spilling out.  Being such a light color I was a bit worries about coverage but the fabric is thick and the suit is lined, so no issues at all.  I loved the sequined detailing on the bust.

I don’t know about you, but the weather here lately has been awful.  Rain every day and not the warmest.  I even had troubles finding a day and time that the weather would cooperate to even get photos for this blog post.  So I am hoping that now that we are into July that the weather will finally start cooperating and I can spend my summer outside and enjoying the warmth.   And put on that bathing suit, enjoy life, it’s too short not to.

Summer Loving with PinkBlush

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all comments, opinions and photos are my own.

Finally the warm weather is here and we can start to enjoy wearing cute summer dresses.  Looking to add more to your closet, then PinkBlush is the answer to this dilemma.  With so many cute and easy to wear styles, it was really hard to choose what I wanted,  I wanted them all.  I have shopped PinkBlush before and loved the dress that I got, so I was excited to add more to my collection.

My first choice was this chambray lace up sleeveless dress.  The fabric is super soft and who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?  It’s perfect for a casual summer day but could easily be dressed up for an evening out on a patio or summer party.  I am someone who gets chilly quite easily and this dress can easily get me through a cooler day/evening with a cute little cardigan added to the outfit.

What I love about PinkBlush is that most of their items are so versatile.  The majority of their items are designed for women everyday and as maternity clothes, so a women can feel stylish at any point in her life. They are cut to be flattering and make you feel good in what your are wearing.  I wish I had known about them back when I had my son years ago.

Feel Good About Wearing prAna

When you become a parent, you start to look at things in a different light especially when it could possibly impact your child’s future.  Whether it be their health, or the world we live in, we want to do our part to ensure it doesn’t effect them in a negative manner.  I am glad to know that there are companies out their like prAna that help me do my part to make the world a bit of a better place for my son.

All prAna products are made with either organic cotton or hemp.  Why should this matter to us?  Truth be told, I didn’t know much about how these products made for more planet friendly textiles until I saw the below videos that prAna has produced that explain each of their products in easy to understand detail.  Not sure yourself, I highly suggest you give these videos a watch.

When I first had a look at the prAna line of clothing, I was super impressed at the variety of styles, colors and patterns that they had available.  And when they arrived at my home, I couldn’t get over the quality of the materials and the products themselves.  They were so soft and felt amazing when I put them on.

The first item, that I fell in love with instantly was the Cali Dress.  The fabric which is made from sustainable materials including recycled polyester and almost feels like a stretchy silk.  

The dress is so comfortable and the empire waist makes is super flattering.  I think my favorite feature is the built in shelf bra so that you’re not fussing with other undergarments and are able to show off the t-style back.  I feel like I could where this dress almost anywhere.  It is super comfortable yet you can dress it up for an evening out.

The second item I received were the Annexi pant.   As a Mom, who spends a lot of her days in either leggings or jeans, these pants were an instant hit with me.  Made with a combination of hemp and recycled polyester, they were super soft and comfortable which are a huge plus in my opinion.  The fabric is quite light so these will be great for when the warm weather finally decides to arrive.

They have a jogging pant style to them, but with the type of fabric they are made of, they could be worn for almost any situation, dressy or casual.   Having pieces that are multi-functional in my wardrobe are a huge plus.  And when each piece does a little bit to help the world my son will grow up in, makes them the even more important to me.Would you like to add some planet-friendly and fashionable items to your wardrobe?  Use the code “PMOMBHM” now until April 14, 2017 and you will receive a 15% discount off your entire order.  Shipping is now available to Canada.

Disclosure:  Although these items were provided to me, all comment and opinions are strictly mine.

My Introduction to the Circut Explore Air

Back in September when I attended BlogPodium in Toronto, I was able to attend a workshop sponsored by Cricut to learn about the Cricut Explore Air.  Having heard of Cricut but never had a chance to try one out, I was excited to be able to have a hands-on experience with the machine.  I really didn’t know too much about the machine going in, all I really knew is that it was a crafter’s dream machine. I was even more excited when at the end of the workshop to find out that I had won one of my very own machines to take home with me.

As soon as I got it home, my head swirled with ideas of what I could possibly use this machine.  I knew from the take home we were able to make at BlogPodium, that I would be able to personalize all kinds of cups, mugs and drinking paraphernalia.  These would make great gift ideas for family and friends year round.

I knew right away I would need to check out some of the Cricut tutorials as well as Pinterest boards and Facebook pages dedicated to all things Cricut.  Talk about information overload.  I was shocked and very pleasantly surprised to see all the amazing things that the Cricut could be used for; all sorts of apparel, jewelry, cards of all sorts were just the beginning.

Once I got my Cricut Explore Air home and out of the box, I unexpectedly noticed a few days later that they have such a great little hidden pocket area to hold all the little tools you can use with your projects.  I love this idea so that things are scattered everywhere considering I don’t really have a designated crafting area in my home at this time.

Another big plus in my opinion is they now have their own Cricut software that you can log into online (from either your computer or the iOs version)called Cricut Design Space.  This is where you can design your own project and cut/print it from there.   I know in previous versions of the Cricut, you had cartridges that you had to install and work with.  This new design seems much less cumbersome and I can’t wait to “explore” it more.

I have so many plans for putting this Cricut to good use.  I can’t wait to share them with you.  I just need to figure out where to start.  Any ideas for me? Check back soon for more Cricut related posts.

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Get there on time with JORD Wood Watches

 

Wood Watch
//www.woodwatches.com/widget-article/aboyandhismom/850/250

This post was sponsored by JORD Wood Watches.  All comments and opinions are strictly mine.

As a Mom, I am constantly needing to know what time it is.  Whether I am trying to get to work on time, getting my son to school or extracurricular activity on time, I am forever needing to know that I am not running late.  I hate being late and am forever checking the time.

I went for years always having a watch on my wrist but then for some reason I stopped wearing one.  Having the time readily available on my phone was probably one of the main reasons.  Let’s be honest though, I hate constantly having to reach for it in my purse and would much prefer having a stylish accessory on my wrist this fall like this JORD Wood Watch.

Whether is it s women’s watch or a men’s watch that you are looking for, JORD Wood Watches has something for you.  They have a wide range of different styles and wood finishes from ebony to bamboo to maple if you are looking for a unique watch to add to your wardrobe. My watch is from the Fieldcrest line in the zebrawood and maple finish and is absolutely gorgeous, pictures don’t do it justice.

I have very small wrists and often have problems finding watches that large and overwhelming.  JORD will size your watch for you so it fits perfectly.

You can update your fall wardrobe with one of these fabulous pieces by entering here to win a $75 gift card to use towards any watch of your choice.   Even if you don’t win, all entrants will be emailed a $20 e-gift code just for entering.  Contest ends November 6/16.

I wish I could tell you that wearing a JORD Wood Watch would give you the ability to always arrive on time but regardless you will at least look good whenever you arrive.

Breast Cancer Awareness with Giant Tiger

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.   The statistics for Breast Cancer are shocking.  Breast Cancer accounts for 30% of all diagnosed cancers in Canadian women and this year alone an estimated 25000 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer.   I think what statistic that is most alarming to me is that the lifetime probability of developing Breast Cancer is 1 in 9.  This statistic means that if not me, then one of my close friends will be directly effected and that is pretty scary.

Each year The Cure Foundation uses funds to provide financial support to breast cancer research, purchase state of the art equipment for hospitals and promote breast cancer awareness and education in communities.

I was honored when Giant Tiger asked me to help promote their partnership with The Cure Foundation to support Breast cancer awareness.    Giant  Tiger has been a partner since 2007 and have a Cure branded line of products to support their partnership, breast cancer awareness and research.

The Giant Tiger Cure line of women’s branded clothing is not only stylish, but with each piece being at a price point of between  $10 – $30, it is affordable and everyone is able to support this incredible cause.  What I also love about this line and Giant Tiger clothing in general, is not only does it flatter every body type, it is super comfortable and easy to wear.

The line contains t-shirts, leggings, hoodies, fleece pants, slippers, pajamas, and more in various colors and styles.

So head over to your local Giant Tiger or go online to check out the entire Cure line to support this amazing cause.  You can also learn more about Giant Tiger on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

 

Special thanks to Melissa Nash for photography help.

Getting ready for fall in style with PinkBlush

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all opinions, comments and photos are strictly mine.

Now that summer is over, it is time to put away the flip flops and the shorts and time to bring out the fall clothes.  The one thing about fall that can often make deciding what to wear a bit difficult is that in the morning you could need a coat/sweater and by the afternoon you almost want to go back to summer wear.  It’s all about transition pieces with me, like hat light sweater and light dress that can lead you from cool mornings to warm afternoons in comfort.

That is what I love about PinkBlush.  I have to admit when I first heard about PinkBlush, I thought they were just a trendy online boutique for maternity wear.  But not only do they carry super stylish maternity clothes, they also carry a great line of clothes for women.  A huge plus is that a lot of their line are amazing transition pieces.  They carry you from everyday into maternity and back again.  So that great dress or sweater that you love, can be worn anytime.  I know that a lot of women struggle with feeling stylish during there pregnancy and afterwards, luckily with there is no need to worry with the PinkBlush line.

Their line does not just include dresses, there are tops, pants, sweaters and their dress line ranges from casual to formal.  There are so many beautiful pieces and they are easy to wear.  I love this tunic dress that I found at PinkBlush.  It is so incredibly comfortable and the lightweight fabric makes it a great piece to pair up with a jean jacket or sweater on a beautiful fall day.  Pair it up with a set of tights and a heavier sweater and it will easily work into my winter wardrobe as well.  I am looking forward to ordering more pieces from them.  This dress is so easy to wear, I want to add other easy to wear pieces to my wardrobe.  

Interested in winning a $50 gift card to use to update your wardrobe with something from PinkBlush?  Head over to my Instagram page and enter to win.  Contest open to residents of Canada and the US and must not have won from PinkBlush in the past 3 months.  Contest ends Wednesday, October 12th at 12 noon EST.

Special thanks to Melissa Nash for photography help.