#Diy #Peplum Top With A Detachable Belt

DIY PEPLUM TOP WITH DETACHABLE BELT

Peplum seems to be everywhere right now, so while I'm saving for a designer leather peplum belt, I thought I would have a little fun with this style diy - turning my old much loved TopShop tea dress into a swish peplum top with detachable peplum belt, two for the price of one so to speak! Florals with a dark background are a huge trend this A/W 2012 so thanks TopShop! I think the finished result looks pretty sweet with my trusty denim pencil skirt and when I want to mash up my patterns a bit more I can wear the belt with a fitted printed T-shirt. What do you think?

   Diy Peplum Top With A Detachable Belt

  You will need

 A belt with holes running almost end to end medium width

 Or a pair of punch pliers and a regular belt

 A floral dress or skirt (depending if you want to create a top with matching belt or just the peplum belt)    with a flounce hem/loose frill.

Sharp Scissors

Needle and thread

Sewing pins

What To Do

1. Taking your scissors cut the skirt off the dress about mid way down or if you are using just a skirt the same applies, I found this easiest to do by hanging my dress on a hanger on the back of my door first.

2. You should end up with two sections like these.

3. Hem the edge of the dress top, then turn the skirt inside out, you should find a double seam that will allow you to cut through the frill, if you cut carefully in between the two seams the fabric won't fray.

4. Now if you don't have a belt with end to end holes you will need a pair of punch pliers to punch some more holes that reach almost to the end of your belt, I bought mine from Amazon, alternatively  use a small screw driver.

5. Now open out the skirt hem right out, so it runs straight across, double fold the fabric, then place your belt so it is lying just above the seam of the flounce. Next fold the fabric again so the folded edge just meets the edge of the flounce seam. The seam should stand proud of the flounce not flat, pin the fabric in position if it helps, then anchor the folded fabric in place with a stitch along the length of the deep frill, sewing into the raised seam. This reduces the stitches visible on the outside of the finished belt.

6.You may find that the belt is a little short for your frill, rather like opening a pair of pleated curtains play around with the fabric till your happy with how your frill hangs from the belt, then pop on your top, tuck the hem into a fitted something of your choice, a pencil skirt works well and fasten up your peplum belt over the top so it flares just over your hip. Then swivel the belt around so the belt is fastened at the back of you and make sure you tuck in the end of the belt to the fabric sleeve. Voila! Mission complete, you can feel rather proud and reward yourself with a cup of tea and a slice of cake if there is any left in your cake tin!

Pants Of Power

Queen Of Spain high waisted pants by Lucile Lingerie

Queen Of Spain Gown by Lucile Lingerie

Pants Of Power 

I have been having difficulty writing this post today as it is slightly out of my comfort zone and not something I normally share on here, ok I'm waffling, its about my knicker drawer.I was talking to a friend the other day when I suddenly realised that their are three types of women, type a) Spend money on shoes and bags, type b) on clothes and types c)spend money on beautiful underwear. I'm somewhere between type a and b, so I got to analysing my knicker drawer, yes I KNOW!Looking at my limp bleached out faux satin knickers, frayed faux lace and bras that had lost their snap, I realised that my days of beautiful French knickers where long gone.

 So when and how did It happen that I traded beautiful underwear for a new dress? Well as much of a cliché as it sounds I guess its about the obvious things like being in a long term relationship where I feel comfortable, perhaps too comfortable if that's possible, but mainly its about being so busy and giving all day to everyone around me that only what is an immediate priority or need gets addressed,that includes this seasons pencil skirt and the instant gratification that comes from wearing it.

Which Type Are You?

Hearing my girl friend talk about how she feels about wearing beautiful underwear it stuck me that although she may have traded buying some killer heels for a new bra that few people will see lets face it (unless she decided to do a Madonna of course!) she was confident from the inside out, she felt good about going to the gym, because she had the right bra for the job, she felt confident at her last meeting not because she was wearing the most expensive shoes in the room, but because she had prioritised herself and here is the important part it was for nobody's benefit but herself, it was her way of purely indulging herself and as cheesy as it sounds cherishing her body.What was plain to see was this type C had a poise and inner confidence that I admired and whether she was going food shopping or cleaning her flat it was always done in scarlet silk or French lace.Each piece of her underwear was stored in it own special drawer and layered between pretty tissue paper, that she kept after it was wrapped in store for her.

Self Sabotage 

I have had opportunities to be bought pretty underwear which I nearly always sabotage as I become super fussy which is a turn off when your trying to be romantic and buy someone a gift, lets face it. So does this mean I'm going to ban slobbing out knickers from my knicker drawer? Your darn right it does!

A Sign From The Lingerie Fairy

 I think this must be a sign, the other day I discovered the most beautiful lingerie I think I have ever seen via a pr at Lucile it took my breath away, established in 1890 each piece is lovingly made to order here in the UK, can you imagine having lingerie made for you! When I saw these high waisted scarlet beauties, I thought with these pants on I could take on the world! At the moment I have been consumed with what dress to wear for the Cosmopolitan blog awards 2012, when I saw Luciles scarlet halter neck Queen of Spain gown, I thought why wear a dress this is perfect on its own! I could feel myself morphing into Dita Von Teese just thinking about wearing it.Which type are you? Do you think lingerie helps you to feel confident from the inside out? 

I'm Crushing On #Disney Bound

I have a serious crush on Disney Bound at the moment, the girl who was inspired by Disney to create her own Disney led aesthetic and her subsequent outfit posts based on the characters. I love her latest offering, who can resist grey docks, elephant earrings and a bright yellow belt! Me thinks London Fashion Week was a little inspired too!

#Marks & Spencer #Very Vintage Dress Challenge

Hi Gals, Marks & Spencer recently challenged me to style up a vintage dress from my wardrobe that makes me feel effortlessly stylish as well as choose an M&S dress that is a classic piece and won't date. Their favourite look will win a vintage themed weekend in London. I don't need much tempting to step into a vintage frock but I must admit a chance to enjoy a vintage themed weekend in London sounds fun! 

Loving all shades of blue as I do, bright tones, prints and fuss free styling that can be dressed up or down, this original 70s dress with a cutsie geometric print in aqua ticks all the boxes. I have worn it over the summer with marshmallow pink pumps and yellow ankle socks but decided to dress it up a little for this special occasion with my pale gold Crest Of A Wave vintage handbag, a pretty pleated vintage floral scarf and my newly dyed khaki suede peep toe shoes.I spotted this dress in my favourite local vintage shop in Lancaster - The Vintage Shop.

If I had to choose the ultimate M&S dress that would stand the test of time? It would be this nifty number from M&S the Colour Block Lucy Dress. A great shirt dress is about as classic as it gets and this beauty could be styled up so many ways to look sporty, chic or casual, from leggings and high tops to geometric tights and a string of long beads to a favourite pair of suede fringed cowboy boots or just some neat block heel pumps. Do you own a shirt dress or a favourite hard working classic that you can't live without? Do tell! 

My Passport To Style | DIY Turkish Style Slippers

Hi Gals, get granny chic and make these Turkish style slippers from crochet squares with http://www.purlbee.com/granny-square-slippers/ I feel a knitted kaftan coming on and the need for some apple tea and perfumed incense!

My Passport To Styles | Christmas Tree Makover

A Christmas Tree With A Difference | That Can Be Used All Year Round!

I love the idea of transforming useful pretty home ware over the festive season. If you're getting a bit bored with the idea of a traditional Christmas tree and are a bit of a fashionista, you might like my favourite Christmas makeover over yet, transforming my vintage wire mannequin from my bedroom, by weaving some Christmas magic into it, using last year's Christmas decorations and some florist wires to attach them.

Enjoy The Satisfaction Of Customizing Your Manni Tree

 Last year I went for a fun multi coloured theme, using pink, purple and gold tinsel woven through and scattered with brightly wrapped sweets. You could use a mix of emerald green decorations and fabric trimmings to create a stuning textured look, weave sparkly green ribbon and tinsel through the wires of your mannequin, fix emerald pompom ribbon using a little wire around the petticoat edge of your wired mannequin for a chic feel, then continue up the bodice and perhaps finish off the top with a dramatic pop of red, like this fuchsia hair clip or why not reuse one of your old fascinators like a miniature scarlet top hat or an old pair of your daughters/nieces glittery tap shoes that you can fix to the top of the mannequin using garden wire again. A gold dove would also look really opulent, against these emerald city trimmings.

Function And Form

The beauty of this unusual tree is there's no mud to worry about, the feet are pretty enough to remain bare until the pitter pat of newly wrapped presents arrives and better still once Christmas is over simply remove the decorations and use your mannequin to display your favourite jewellery or keep tomorrows outfit crease free and ready to slip on. You then have a whole new year to dream up a new look for your mannequin tree!

Back To Front Style DIY

Today's fashion post is on Back To Front Style!

This must be the easiest diy fashion post I have ever shared with you, but sometimes the easy one are the best. I recently picked up this gorgeous silk blouse at my local charity shop, I loved the print and the bright mish mash of colours, the sleeves are pretty on trend too, but I just felt the neckline was'n't quite right for me.My fashion mantra is great style is in the details and the drape, so I figured a speedy fashion fix was in order.

 I turned my blouse round so the back became the front and cut out the label from the neck, (the zipper is fairly deep and perfect to convert this look to lady like sports chic) it was looking good with my favourite dark denim pencil skirt but being of Dita Von Teese proportions, cough, ok, basically short waisted, which can leave my hips looking a bit on the full side.

 I decided to extend my back to front styling to my pencil skirt as I thought the placement of the single pocket below my hips and to the side would help draw the eye away from my hips and help with balancing out my shape. I added in one of my other favourite style tricks I used a salmon pink strap from one of my patent handbags to cinch my blouse in and add a little edge. Here is the look minus shoes as modelled by my favourite mannequin! I love the juicy colours.  

The Tale Of DIY Christmas Fashion Makeovers Using The Humble Zipper !

 I got very excited when I stumbled across unique blog outsapop.com which was showcasing these fabulous zipper cuffs!! Heres why, I love the way the humble gold zipper stacked in this way creates such a high glamour feel, I could wear a stack of these with a flapper girl dress for this party season, to complete the opulent off the wall glamour of the roaring 20's.

However I thought to myself why not buy a whole set and use them as contempory napkin rings for your Christmas table, then I thought, hang on after using to add contempory zing to red, white or purple napkins (this adorable napkin set is from dawnmcvey.typepad.com) Why not wear them over the ankles of a black harem style trouser suit, to add a little quirk of style to your New Years Eve party look? Wear these versatile zipper cuffs,  with plain linen or silk stiletos to trick the eye into thinking your wearing designer style shoes with a sophisticated fastening!

 What do you think gals, are these ideas a little too eccentric for a Christmas Style fest?? Or do you have some better uses for them? I would love to know x 

                             

#Marks & Spencers Vintage Dress Challenge

Hi Gals, Marks & Spencer recently challenged me to style up a vintage dress from my wardrobe that makes me feel effortlessly stylish as well as choose an M&S dress that is a classic piece and won't date. Their favourite look will win a vintage themed weekend in London. I don't need much tempting to step into a vintage frock but I must admit a chance to enjoy a vintage themed weekend in London sounds fun! Loving all shades of blue as I do, bright tones, prints and fuss free styling that can be dressed up or down, this original 70s dress with a cutsie geometric print in aqua ticks all the boxes. I have worn it over the summer with marshmallow pink pumps and yellow ankle socks but decided to dress it up a little for this special occasion with my pale gold Crest Of A Wave vintage handbag, a pretty pleated vintage floral scarf and my newly dyed khaki suede peep toe shoes.I spotted this dress in my favourite local vintage shop in Lancaster - The Vintage Shop.

If I had to choose the ultimate M&S dress that would stand the test of time? It would be this nifty number from M&S the Colour Block Lucy Dress. A great shirt dress is about as classic as it gets and this beauty could be styled up so many ways to look sporty, chic or casual, from leggings and high tops to geometric tights and a string of long beads to a favourite pair of suede fringed cowboy boots or just some neat block heel pumps. Do you own a shirt dress or a favourite hard working classic that you cant live without? Do tell! 

Please Stick Around

image credit- Vintage Dancer

Just in case you pop over to My Passport To Style today, I have been experiencing some technical issues recently which has meant that some of my images are not currently visible, really frustrating! :( sorry for any inconvenience, please stick around, while I attempt to sort things out. Hope you had a lovely weekend, look out for more new posts shortly to include - my modelling a vintage look, some fun easy diy fashion posts and my musings on the world of fashion and style. Sigh, sometimes I wish life was a little less complicated! x 

XOX From Chloe Sevigny

I had to share this cover of the talented Chloe Sevigny with you, I love her daring attitude both on and off screen, she does'n't appear to be very trend lend choosing to allow her instinct to guide her when it comes to her own personal sense of style, which is refreshing and sometimes she gets it so right! I love her Twiggy- esque  hair, make-up and pose.The ox blood red pencil skirt and oversized boxy sweater with giant piping is a very strong sexy look that works well for Sevigny.I particularly like the amazing lacquer technique Peter Som used on the sweater to create a soft sheen that perfectly reflects the ox blood leather used in the pencil skirt she wears for the cover of xox magazine. Do you follow Chloe Sevignys style?

  

*image credit xox magazine 

KAREN MILLEN LAUNCH #DESTINATIONDENIM

left to right, me, vipxo and Laura 

Last Saturday I was invited to preview Karen Millens surprise addition to her super sleek flock of clothing, a new jeans line (the event held at the Selfridges shop in the Trafford centre was hosted by beauty and fashion blogger vipxo) I say surprise, as I have always associated Karen Millen's label with her beautifully cut coats, jackets and dresses, in other words great tailoring, not casual wear.

rail of Karen Millen denim including metallic, floral,pastels,brights and python print

 It was nice to chill out and enjoy a glass of champagne and discuss all thing jeans with the other fashion bloggers who had come along to the event, whilst watching the staff model the new Karen Millen denim collection to perfection. Being of a slightly fuller leg, I am increasingly realising that as much as I like block colour jeans until I shift a few access pounds in that area,skinny print jeans are my new best friend. Pattern is great for breaking up big block of anything, trust me!

 I have a crush on python print at the moment, so I was happy to see plenty of python print in colours such as wine and mustard that will work well with any navy, black and red pieces in your wardrobe this autumn/winter 2012. I liked the weight of the denim too which was nice and light with not too much stretch, which, if you have read my profile you will know is baaad in my humble opinion, as you end up with baggy knee and bum area.

 Some of the jeans had a lovely wax finish which is become increasingly popular as it gives the illusion of leather and they also stock a pair with a metallic gold finish, prices start at £75.00. The sizes run up to a size sixteen, the larger sizes tend to fly out the door first, but obviously you can always order online. We all agreed that the floral jeans that looked like pretty coloured lights at night that had fused together were our favourite print in the range. Laura from Laura's Little Secrets picked up the last scarf in the floral print lucky her! Hanging out with the fun and friendly Karen Millen team at Selfridge's whilst munching on their delicious mint choc cake pops and getting the secret intel on vipxo not a bad way to spend a Saturday evening.  

  

Nice bum!some of the mannequins got a bit frisky!

Paris Part 4

This my fourth and final post of my adventures in delightful Paris, the last day was a bit of a strange mix, although in my opinion great fun! We started off with a Tim Burton exhibition that we discovered was on. I'm a fan of his eerie but sweet style, we got to see the original Edward Scissor hands costume which was incredible a real labour of love! Sadly I was limited  as the amount of pictures I could take (read barely any!) we did see many 3d  to scale models Tim Burton had created for his films and tons of his sketches from his earlier days. I was blown away to discover that he worked for Disney for quite sometime, but they found him  too much of a risk for their current audience at the time, so its pretty cool that he won them over with his production of Alice in Wonderland. I'm looking forward to seeing DARK SHADOWS staring Anne Hathaway and Johnny Dep, what it must feel like to be the only male lead that Burton will work with on his films, pretty good I imagine!!

skull vase raised pattern, flower with eyeball in the centre, loved the back drop, the style reminds  of a vintage St Georges flag

howling beast one of many Tim Burton sketches

Lift doors feature characters from the film Black Shadows

Many eyed Tim Burton  figure in the lobby 

Exit to the Louvre

cake break, white and milk chocolate cake, with a dark chocolate ganache and sprinkle of pistachio   

ladies toilets at Paris airport

ladies toilets at Paris airport