Am I Too Old For This? No Way!

 I brought back some old friends: Boots, tights and mini skirts.  I will be 56 this year, so I have shied away from mini skirts. I decided to bring them back for two reasons, no three: One, I wear them just above the knee so they are still right for my age, two, I wear them with tights so I have gained some modesty right there and they hide my veins, and three, I want to. Ha!:
What have have you brought back into your wardrobe this year?  Blessings, Kathi
                          Proverbs 31:25
"Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; and she smiles at the future..."

It's Fun to Be A Girl

 It is so much fun to be a girl! I love dressing nicely with frilly, sparkly and fun things.

 I just love my Kathy Van Zeeland purse, which my dear sister Sharon, told me to get for $4 dollars at a thrift store.

 I love my jacket on sale at Penney's before Christmas.

 I adore these pink ballet shoes with the jewels, $17 dollars Forever 21 before Christmas. I used to wear only black shoes, which meant one black flat, one black heel, one black boot, and have one pair of tennis shoes for recreation. I'm realizing it is fun and stylish to get out of my comfort zone and try new colors.

Sharon, also talked me into buying these corduroy green pants, for $4 dollars at a thrift store. They fit perfectly. I love trying new things and using good sense on a budget. Thanks Sharon. I love shopping with you. I do think that when I shop at thrift stores and garage sales I am being careful with money, plus I get to have more fun being a girl!
Blessings, Kathi
"She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night." Proverbs 31:17-18

I Made Another Top From A Sun Dress

 Once again I found a clearance item and altered it so that I could wear it to school . When I found it I liked the colors, but not the fit. It was too long for me and made me look out of proportion.

 It's a pretty dress, but for school I really needed straps and I would have to wear something under or over it for keeping with our school dress code.

 I did the same with this dress as I did with the others. I cut off about 3 inches from the bottom and made shoulder straps from that fabric.

 I can now wear the dress as a top with one of my thrift store sweaters over it.

Remember if you like the color but not the fit, get out your scissors and sewing machine and change it. You can do it. Have a lovely day.
Blessings, Kathi "All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them." Acts 9:39

From Boring to Better

 I found this dress at Ross for $8 dollars and thought it might look better as a top (I've been doing this a lot lately). I guess with my age and after having four babies, my legs are not what they used to be.

I prefer not to wear dresses, especially since most nylons or pantyhose are outdated. So here I go again.

Now I have a cute top to wear when I substitute at school.  Flats for long days.

Heels for short days. I like the red accents to give it a pop of color. Remember, if you don't like something, change it and make it better. Make it yours.
Blessings, Kathi "When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." Proverbs 31:21

Leopard Print Top Made-Over

As promised, today I'm showing the alterations I've made from a long, mid shin length, straight dress. I shortened it to make a top to wear with jeans. I forgot to take the before photo; so sorry.

Again I've paired it with a thrift store sweater, which cost $3 dollars.

Here again with my black $4 dollar thrift sweater. I just realized I also have gray and white $3 dollar sweaters, which match perfectly; brand names Ann Taylor, Old Navy and The Black and White Store. I love thrifting.

A concern I had when cutting and hemming was that this thin knit fabric rolls at the hem after washing.

It needed weight and stability so It stitched seam binding all the way along the hem, careful not to stretch and ironed smoothly.

I'm happy with the results. The hem seems to lie perfectly flat. I wanted 3 and half in slits on the side seams, so I stitched thin ribbon along those edges and pressed to keep those from rolling as well.

Slits on side seams, near hem.  This top needed shape. It was straight up and down, so I added this black ribbon. I stitched it in place on the back center

Center stitched ribbon back view of top.

I added thread side carriers to keep the ribbon in place seen near my finger.

I always thought I had to wear heals so that I would not look short and squatty. I have learned it is the length of the top, more so than the shoes, which keeps me more proportioned. I'm having fun altering my clothes for a better fit. You can too!! I can also wear flats!!  Enjoy your weekend Dear Friends!

Blessings, Kathi
"I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." --Civilla D. Martin

For Pennies You Can Make Something Stylish and Fun

 I found this purse at a thrift store for .25 cents. At first I had doubts about getting it. It's green and I never spend money on a green purse because it's not a practical color. I always buy the standard brown, black or cream. I noticed it matched the top I was wearing.  I reasoned that it was only a quarter. Then I envisioned it with a few touches of animal print fabric.

 As you can see I did purchase this purse. I hot glued leopard print fabric here and there as little touches.

 I love the way it turned out. For .25 cents, I think it's amazingly cute. What do you think?

I love the way it looks with my outfit. I'm learning to see how something could look or how I could improve it. I encourage you to do the same. For just pennies you can have something stylish and fun.
Blessings, Kathi
"And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife." Genesis 3:21 I have linked up with Inspriation Friday At the Picket Fence. Please visit to see all of the great ideas.

What I Really Want Is Houndstooth

The classics are always in. We find it with cars. Who wouldn't want this adorable little bug?

We see it with Elizabeth Montgomery's hair style because it's a classic cut. In light of this fact, all I want is a houndstooth jacket to keep me warm this winter. So far all I've found are black, red and gray coats, oh and one lime green. Of course I have not shopped all of the stores yet.

The houndstooth pattern is very much a classic and always fashionable.  I don't want to pay $100 plus dollars for it though.

I won't be buying a love bug this year, but I did find this houndstooth blazer for $5 dollars at a thrift store. I was delighted because it is a well known brand, in good shape and a wool blend.  I love it! The best time to shop for sweaters and jackets  at Goodwill is when it is 90 degrees outside. I had the whole aisle to myself and everything was between $2 and $5 dollars.

While I was wrting this post it occurred to me that I might be weird for liking houndstooth, so I did a search and this is what I found Mizhattan .  Look at those Marie Claire Spain shoes. She  mentioned on her blog that Salvatore Ferragamo's 2011 fall collection includes houndstooth. I'm thrilled.

Blessings, Kathi

"I, (the Lord), have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out upon you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet." Deuteronomy 29:5

If The Shoe Fits...

I'm drooling over the shoes and purse.
                                                          
 This gal's got style and she shops on a budget. Cute figure too. How does she do it?

This is my fashionable sister Sharon. She buys cute things at garage sales, thrifting and she watches for sales at Ross and other stores. I love the way she can throw an outfit together with just pennies. I love you Rose Of Sharon Garden.
Blessings, Kathi

"..and she was admired by everyone who saw her." Esther 2:15b

The Goal Is Not to Look Taller...

 I'm only 5'2". Nothing will make me look taller, and that is truly not the goal. When I buy a summer top like this one in my size, eight out of ten times it is too long, which emphasizes my shortness and makes me appear squaty. It essentially does nothing for me.

I cut 2 to 4 inches off the hem, and voila'! Now I'm better proportioned. This satisfies me. This is the goal. If you are short like me try this and don't be afraid to buy something because it is too long. Alter it and make it your own. I have more posts coming on this with before and after shots of some clothes I've altered. Have a great weekend ladies. "And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul." Acts 16:14

My Thrift Outfit

I bought the vest for $12.50, the turtle neck for $4.00, Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for $15.00 and velvet shoes for $2.00 at thrift stores. I love to budget and still stay fashionable.