Getting in the spirit!

The snow and extra cold weather seems to be taking it's time getting to Philly this year so I'm having a little trouble getting excited for the holidays coming up. Maybe these gorgeous pictures will inspire a spark of Christmas cheer! 

http://timefliestoday.tumblr.com/

AMG Amy Marie Goetz

Working on my senior collection and researching job possibilities for after I graduate has led me to become even more interested in emerging designers and their individuality. I recently learned of designer Amy Marie Goetz and her fell in love with her womenswear line! The AMG line specializes in high-end  women's dresses and ready to wear clothes that are made entirely in the USA! Her designs are so effortless and chic but still say high-end and fabulous. Amy has definitely executed classic, timeless styles with a modern and sophisticated sillohette.

This season AMG introduced a print in a bold color-way called "Kiss of the Orchid" which is absolutely stunning!!

Gorgeous, right!?

Amy has a real talent for designing shapes that flatter the figure and bring sex appeal in a sophisticated way.

Besides that incredible print, my favorite AMG designs are her evening gowns. They have such class to them and are truly timeless pieces. The drapery and fluidity of each gown is unique and simply gorgeous. Each design emphasizes the natural beauty of a woman through drapery, color and movement. All aspects of design create a sophistication that every woman desires in her wardrobe especially when it comes to evening wear. I can't imagine any woman that wouldn't feel confident in any of these dresses!

Lillian Dress                                            Giselle Dress

Camille Gown

While talking to Amy about her line I realized how small of a world it actually is! Amy got her second fashion design degree from the University of Cincinnati's Design Architecture Art & Planning Program where she met designer Althea Harper who I sew for occasionally. Earlier this year I helped Althea by making her 13 bridesmaid dresses and one was worn by Amy! I am being inspired by a designer that wore a dress that I made!! It is crazy how small the fashion world can actually be!

Check out the entire AMG line and learn more about Amy Marie Goetz's inspiring talent as an emerging designer!

http://www.amymariegoetz.com/

Don't forget to 'like' AMG on FACEBOOK

And 'follow' on TWITTER

Senior Collection!

The past few years have flown by and the time has finally come for me to make my senior collection which will be shown on the runway on June 2, 2012! I don't want to give away too much of what I am making for my 5 looks but here are some hints :)

"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra."

Basically, I'll be making tailored sportswear with traditional silhouettes that flatter every body but there will be many twists with my choice of color and details.

I can't wait! xo

Maggie's Homecoming Dress

My 16 year old sister, Maggie, decided to ask for her homecoming dress about 2 weeks before the actual dance. Lucky for her, I love her AND I happened to have plenty of extra fabric laying around. I made her dress in about 2 hours the night before the dance and she said it was the comfiest dress she had ever worn. She looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself :)

Fall 2011 Make-Up Essentials

Even though I don't always have a ton of time to make my make-up perfect I am obsessed with trying new make-up and experimenting! These are a few of my newly discovered favorites! I am determined to buy them all and play around with them! I'll let you know how it goes :) xo

Clinique Almost Lipstick: Black Honey

Vincent Longo PEARL X EYESHADOW: Code 6 Pink

Estee Lauder, Stay in Place Gel Eyeliner: Stay Midnight

(I've already tried this eyeliner... LOVE IT! I want to buy every color!)

Essie Nail Color: Very Structured

CND Colour: Rose Bisque

Free People August Catalog

Recently, I have found myself crazy for Free People designs! Their August catalog just came out and if you haven't seen it, get on that! To go along with their catalog this month, photographer, Guy Aroch, filmed a video featuring models Marloes Horst and Darla Baker in Venice wearing items from Free People's August look book. The video is simply breathtaking! It completely captures the aestetic and atmosphere of Free People and is a brilliant idea to go with the catalog! (Not to mention is makes me miss Venice even more!) Enjoy! xo

Free People - August in Venice from FreePeople on Vimeo.

Raindrops on Roses

With these crazy heat waves coming through this summer I have found myself praying extra hard for rain and actually finding it quite beautiful and peaceful! I am currently doing research for a women's line of dresses and I think I am going to use the fluidity and peacefulness of rain as my inspiration! Aren't these pictures gorgeous!?

Screaming Brights

Today I was walking to class is my bright yellow sundress from Victoria Secret when I realized that two years ago I would have never worn a bright yellow dress in public. Not only that but where in the world would one buy a bright yellow dress unless they were shopping for an infant?! I am obsessed with how bright and bold clothing has become over the past year and I hope it sticks around for a while!

The very first thing you see when you visit H&M's website is an ad for their color blocking feature! LOVE IT!

And check out this adorable dress from Urban!

Urban also has these super cute jeans in so many colors! The yellow is my favorite but they have pinks and reds too!

Don't be afraid to let your wardrobe scream out summer :)

ALSO check out Style.com's trend report on Hyper Color

xoxo

Photo Manipulation

As I said before I have been researching all kinds of inspiration for various collections. Check out this website I came across with photo manipulation! They are amazing! ...and a little bit creepy but I still love them! 

Website

These are some of my favorites :)

Get Inspired

I have been doing a lot of research for a few different collections and I'm falling in love with all of the pictures I find! Children's wear is next, lets see what I can come up with! xo

Live a little, Love a lot

If you are like me, you never really get a break from the crazy life you live. I know I am not the only one who goes to school year round or works crazy hours. Many people have been telling me lately that I need to relax and take care of myself more and it has finally sunken in that they are right! Everyone deserves to take a little bit of time to enjoy the things about life that they love. No matter how crazy your schedule is or how much you have to get done this week, take some time for yourself!

source

source

source

It's okay to relax every once and a while :)

Emma Watson in Vogue July 2011

I am obsessed with the article, "Emma's New Day", of Emma Watson in Vogue's July 2011 magazine! She looks absolutely gorgeous! 

View the rest of the photos and read the entire article at:

http://www.vogue.com/magazine/article/emma-watsons-new-day/

And if you receive the magazines check out the Spell Bound spread! Gorgeous, right!? :)

Photo Credit

Sweet Summertime

I haven't always been a city girl, in fact, I'm from a small farm in Maryland! Even though I love living in Philly and pursuing my fashion career in a big city, I will always love going home to the quiet and beautiful country. There are some things you just can't find in the city! Happy Summer! :)

Sarah's Senior Prom!

Prom day has come and gone for my little sister, Sarah, and boy did she look GORGEOUS! ;)

Because Sarah is such a beautiful and unique person, I insisted on making her dress to match her perfectly! She trusted me completely with the design and fabric and we are both very happy with the outcome! I also took some time to make her boyfriend a matching vest to wear with his suit! (I promise he was totally up for the idea of wearing pink!) They looked amazing and had a blast at their senior prom!!

Urban Decor

I recently signed the lease for my new apartment so of course I am getting excited to move and decorate! A friend told me about these letters sold at Urban Outfitters and when I checked them out I fell in love with the apartment decor section! The Urban store near school doesn't have the largest section for home decor but online there is a ton! These are some of my favorites to either buy or get inspiration from! :)

Bollywood door knob tie back: $16

Giant magnetic chalkboard heart: $36

Photo hanger clips: $10

Acid etch letters: $10

Cluster brooch tie back: $14.99

First Client!

I recently had my very first client come to me for alterations! A mutual friend from SA VA told Jen about me and my sewing skills and she didn't hesitate to call me! To get ready for the summer and vacation, Jen needed padding pockets put into her bikini tops and I told her I would be happy to help! It was a little bit tricker than I initially thought only because I wanted to make sure it looked like they belonged in there in the first place! I couldn't take apart the bikinis completely but I think they turned out pretty well! :)

These are only two of the bathing suit tops I altered and put hooks on the back so she wouldn't have to deal with tying them anymore!

Jen also had a lot of pants/shorts with slash pockets that she didn't find flattering on her hips. She asked me to sew them shut for her so she could wear her favorite bottoms and feel comfortable!

I really enjoyed sewing for somebody else! I hope she is happy with her newly altered clothes!

It's In Our Blood :)

For many years it has been a tradition in my family for my sisters and I to make our Easter Sunday dresses! Because of school and working I haven't been able to make my dress for the past two years but this year all four of my little sisters made gorgeous dresses! They all looked amazing and did such a fantastic job on their dresses, I just have to show them off :) Unfortunately, I didn't get great pictures of the dresses but you can get the gist of it by the cute ones I do have!

This is Sarah, my 17 year old sister, in her dress she made using a Vogue pattern. She has never really loved sewing but you would never guess that looking at her dress. Ever since we were little she has always picked the craziest fabric and that still stands true today! :) PS. she did wear heels but everyone knows you can't do an Easter egg hunt wearing heels!

Top 5 Favorite Spring Things!

I am in love with the fashion for spring 2011, I just can't stop shopping!! I have picked out my five favorite parts of what is "in" this spring to share with you, in no special order! Let me know what you think :)

Number One: Loose Clothing!

I LOVE how it is finally sexy to wear loose fitting clothing and not look like you are going to the gym! As you may know, I am a pretty small person so finding fitted clothes that look nice is sometimes difficult for me! I love how crop tops, loose tunics and wide legged pants are back! And we can't forget the boyfriend jean, gotta love it!

Urban Outfitters sparkle & fade textured extreme hem tee: $38

Loft chambray sailor trouser pant: $69.50

Loft ginger wash relaxed boyfriend jeans: $79.50

Loft metallic satin stripe tee: $49.50

As you can tell already I am in love with Ann Taylor Loft clothing... you would be too if you spent at least 15 hours a week staring at their clothing :)

Hot Spring Trend: Scarves!

Scarves have always been a must-have for the cold, winter months but this year they are not only for the cold! Almost every clothing store is selling lighter and brighter colored scarves for the spring/ summer and I love it! Forget those fancy necklaces you bought last year, it is time for a new accessory! They really are the perfect accessory to jazz up any outfit whether its for school, work or play! They are so easy to make I think I'm going to start making them just with scrap fabric I have around my apartment! 

My best friend, Ashlie who is the blogger of Peace, Love, Happiness & Fashion has gotten into print design and is now designing prints for scarves and selling them! They are so lightweight that they will be perfect for the spring and summer!

She also has discovered a new favorite way to wear her scarves!

Check out the prints she has designed!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/xAshJane

This blogger of Academichic has also found a great way to wear a scarf for the warmer weather! I love the yellow too!

Spring Shopping at LOFT

With Spring right around the corner it is obviously time for some new clothes! (I love that the change of every season gives me a reason to shop!) And because I work at LOFT and see all of the new spring clothes filling our racks and shelves I can't help myself but to buy more than just a few things :) I am loving my spring wardrobe so far and I can't wait until it is actually warm enough to wear all of the pieces! Until then though, I will continue layering them under more weather appropriate things. 

I want to share with you the spring essentials I have bought so far and wish you a very happy spring shopping :)

My newest additions to my closet are the items I bought today! The scallop stitch sweater is a perfect transition peice from winter to spring! I love the cream color, it is definitely in this spring! I also bought a pair black, everyday twill shorts. They will be great to dress up for work or down for play all summer long!