Scissor Happy

The lovely white dress that I bought from Dorothy Perkins has arrived. I was a little disappointed at first because it didn't suit me. The sleeves plus the volume of the skirt just looked a bit much for someone as short as me. But the white cotton fabric was so lovely I couldn't bear to send it back. Instead I decided to customise it by chopping it up with a pair of dressmaking shears that I recently unearthed from the back of my wardrobe. The perfect little project to do sitting on the sun lounger in the garden during a rare hour or two I had to myself. I was a little apprehensive about chopping up a brand new dress (as was Mr Style Eyes) in case I ruined it but in the end was really pleased with the result.

Here is how it looked to start with.

First I trimmed off some of the excess material and folded the material inwards to the shoulder seam and pinned in place.
Then I hand stitched along the arm seam on the inside of the dress to create a sort of mini puffed sleeve. I have used the sewing machine but couldn't be bothered to get it down from the cupboard, plus I wanted to sit outside in the sunshine.

The finished dress! Apologies for the slightly grainy pictures. I have accidently changed one of the settings on my camera and I am still working out how to change it back.

I also think this dress will work much better with a bit of a sun tan (I am working on it).

Customised dress - Dorothy Perkins

Suede bag - Dorothy Perkins

Shoes - Karen Millen (many years ago)

Necklace - Etsy

Summer Sale Treats

I have been finding it quite difficult to work over the last few days with all of the emails about sales pinging into my inbox causing a huge distraction. I am not usually a big fan of sales as I seem to get tempted into buying stuff that I don't really need but this year the summer sales seem so early, summer has barely started and I haven't even been on holiday. When I spotted a few items reduced that I have been on the look out for some time reduced, I couldn't resist.

I have quite a few accessories but the one thing I am really lacking in is clutch bags for slightly smarter outfits or nights out. I have had my eye on a black and white straw one in French Connection for a while but when I went over to check if it was in the sale, I spotted this green leather one which I liked even better.

I also spotted this larger size cream clutch in Dorothy Perkins which I really liked.

Last but not least, I have been wanting a white lace dress with an empire line all season, for that romantic sort of look. I don't like synthetic fabrics much but have been struggling to find one that isn't synthetic and that I like but when I spotted this cream broiderie dress at Dorothy Perkins in the sale, it was the perfect alternative.

Also it is coming up to Mr Style Eyes birthday soon and I have noticed a distinct lack of casual shirts in his wardrobe. I spotted this Fahri by Nicole Fahri linen shirt in the My Wardrobe sale and I couldn't resist, it looks so cool and comfy (I hope he doesn't read this or that's his surprise ruined).

Have you spotted anything that you like in the sales?