It’s kind of a thing these days. The journey from chaos and excess towards simplicity and significance. It’s a shifting from quantity to quality. Many are opting for tiny homes over mansions, capsule wardrobes and minimalism over packed storage units. And, in my opinion, the best shift of all, moving away from technology overload and back to community. It’s putting down the cell phones and enjoying the dinner with those right next to you. It’s skipping a movie and lacing up hiking boots instead to go explore with friends and family. It’s the choice to live fully present in the moment mixed with a bit of a throwback to earlier, simpler times. These are a few of the thoughts that ran through my head when our college son called last week and suggested we change our lunch date to a hike into the woods in early spring to see a favorite waterfall. And that’s precisely what we did.
Into the Woods in early Spring
I guess you could say the woods have long been a favorite place Read More
I’ve been so excited to share a Glamour Farms post with you I can hardly stand it, y’all! Not only did I love this dress from the moment I saw it, but I have a special Christmas tour to share with you too. So without further ado, I give you Fashion Friday | Scarlett Dream Dress edition, and a coupon code to use just in time for Christmas too!
Fashion Friday | Scarlett Dream Dress
For the past several months I’ve been working with Glamour Farms on a Fashion Friday post. They usually send a package with a fun new dress or top and I style it several ways and write a post about it. This month I was able to change up that process just a little bit when I realized it wasn’t much of a detour to actually stop by the boutique on my way home from a family Thanksgiving. What fun that was!
So instead of opening a package from the mailbox, I pulled this month’s dress out of a fun Christmas gift bag right there in the middle of the Glamour Farms boutique. I was already excited to be there and meet more of the Glamour Farms staff, and then add to that the anticipation of what I would find under the red tissue in the shopping bag.
The excitement was just too much this month, y’all!
Oh, the suspense of it all! I think I squealed a little bit like a kid on Christmas morning. In my defense, I was surrounded by all things Christmas as the store was completely Read More
Can y’all believe that November strolls right into our calendar next week? Well, that was fast! We’re planning a fall leaf tour sometime this week, just to make sure we’ve soaked up all the goodness that is October before she departs. With November’s arrival, thoughts gear up for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all it’s excitement. And right along with that, it seems the perfect time for whipping up some quick gifts. Last month I share a DIY tassel necklace which happens to be quite the popular accessory this year. And today, I want to share a few 10-minute DIY earrings and bracelets that are perfect for holiday parties or gift giving.
10-Minute DIY Earrings and Bracelets
Materials needed
Not only are these pieces all pretty quick to make, they also Read More
I hope your part of the world has enjoyed a proper hello to fall, even if it is in the form of a bag of leaves purchased from the local craft store. Here in the Bluegrass, we’ve had a few days that peaked in the high 60’s and more evenings each week that would qualify as brisk. Fashionwise it’s a bit of a limbo season. Hence the need for some great foundational pieces that transition from one day to the next, or one time of the day to the next, as the case may be. Well, you’re in luck because it’s Fashion Friday with Glamour Farmsand today I’m sharing 5 ways to style an A-line tunic dress for fall! Our featured items are the Carson Tunic Dress in taupe and the Rachel plaid scarf in navy.
The Carson Tunic is so versatile you’ll want one in several colors!
You know how some new fashion comes on the scene and you think, “I’ll never wear that! Like, never gonna happen, my friend?” Yeah, you know. I think that all the time, and every once in awhile I’m actually right.
Take the whole tassel jewelry thing. It’s just a fad and not your style, right? Or, it wasn’t your style until some suede ones start popping up here and there. Then it’s all, “Hello, texture and leather and we’re going to be the best of friends!” So here we are jumping on the bandwagon. And what could be better than a tutorial to make your own jewelry tassel that you can easily switch from one chain to the next? It makes accessorizing easy, and it’s a great gift idea too! Christmas is coming, as you well know. So, for today I have an interchangeable tassel necklace tutorial to share with you.
DIY Suede Tassel necklace with a clasp to easily transfer from one chain to another.
I hope y’all have been enjoying the Mission Organization Closet Makeover series. It has been fun to hear from those of you joining us and see the variety of ways to organize and make our closets work for us. Designing and beautifying this space has been such fun for me, and it makes me more intentional in what I add to my closet – whether it’s organizing helps, decor or clothing. And hooray for curating your closet because it’s Glamour FarmsFashion Friday! Last month the Isabella Tunic/Dress was our featured item and this month it’s the Long Grove Dot Top.
The long grove dot top in ivory and mustard
** This post contains some affiliate links. Basically, that means if you click on the links I’ve provided and decide to make a purchase, then I’ll make a little commission. It does not cost you anything extra, it just makes it easier for you to find products. THANK YOU for following along on this grand adventure at SoMuchMoore with Glamour Farms!**
And be sure to grab your coupon code and details for $10 off you Glamour Farms order for So Much Moore readers at the end of this post!
Did you know that if you go to Glamour Farms site and search 3/4 length sleeve tops, there are almost 100 items that come up? Seriously, try it here. Can I just say, they’re a staple for these let’s-start-as-fall-but-hit-mid-summer-then-drop-back-down-to-fall-temps-days?
Dressed up the little with a black jacket and a tassel necklace.
This top is made with a cotton/rayon blend knit with just enough spandex to make it super cozy. And I love that the neckline is just wide and low enough to be comfortable and flattering without constantly falling off your shoulder. I don’t know about you but I’ve always loved the mustard color because it reminds me of fall leaves. The problem is it’s not a great color on me, so this pop of polka-dot mustard print peeking out under the top layer is perfect.
Football and all things Fall
The first thing I thought when I saw this top was how fun it would be for a football tailgate party. We live right smack in the middle of the Big Blue Nation (aka. Kentucky), I’m officially a UK Mom and we’re all about the basketball, but I’ll still always love football. Naturally, I had to add a gold scarf to cheer on my alma mater the Mizzou Tigers, or I may switch it out for garnet when the Noles are playing in honor of my hubby and his family.
Go Tigers! Though it looks like a “Time Out” call … it’s suppossed to be a “T” for Tigers …
The Long Grove Dot Top also comes in an ivory & blue dot print, just in case your team is not blessed with the black and gold color scheme. And if that doesn’t work for you, Glamour Farms has a lot of comfy and unique tops to show your team spirit in a sea of the same ol’ team color wear options. As a sports mom I always wanted to wear the “right” colors, but you do get tired of wearing the same few shirts every weekend!
How fun are fall colored skinny jeans and a cargo jacket!
If the weather does happen to get a little cooler then there are several jacket options to add to the Long Grove Dot Top. Like this American Eagle military style jacket, similar to the Sage Creek Cargo Jacket, and a pair or colored skinny jeans, these are from Kohl’s but are similar to the Ava Hyper Stretch Skinny Jeans. The boots are on loan from one of my girls, thank you Em, but are similar to the Matisse Espana Suede Bootie.
Though new clothes may make you feel adventurous, I suggest staying out of spider webs … they can be a little creepy.
You can dress it up a little more with a different jacket, like this black one from my closet. I paired it with my favorite comfy American Eagle skinny jeans, similar to the Elizabeth Skinny Jean The necklace is a fun little piece that my daughter, Katy and I made the other night. You can look for a tutorial on that in the coming weeks.
A fun photographer/daughter and the right outfit can put just about anyone at ease in front of a camera.
Just like last month, Glamour Farms has graciously offered a $10 off coupon code for So Much Moore readers. All the details are below, so be sure to use the code when you place your order. And we would love to see what items you purchase and how you choose to style them. You can add pictures in the comments or tag me and Glamour Farms on instagram.
Just plug this code in when you place your order for $10 off
You know that one awesome friend you share all sorts of interests with, like favorite restaurants, movies and chocolate bars? And then you meet another friend and your first thought is, “Oh these two need to meet, they would just love one another!” You know what I mean, right? Well, I have a friend I’ve been so very excited to introduce to you. Technically, it’s a whole family of new friends who run a clothing boutique in central Illinois, called Glamour Farms. They sell fun affordable clothing for women ranging in sizes from juniors to 3XL. And today we kick off a new series called Fashion Friday with Glamour Farms, Isabella being our highlighted piece this month.
I met this family two weeks ago at the Haven Conference in Atlanta. Haven is a DIY and home design conference but, home bloggers like to design more than just great interiors. So, Glamour Farms was there with racks and racks of awesome clothes and their high-energy staff to assist each of us!
Disclosure
** This post contains some affiliate links. Basically, that means if you click on the links I’ve provided and decide to make a purchase, then I’ll make a little commission. It does not cost you anything extra, it just makes it easier for you to find products. THANK YOU for following along on this grand adventure at SoMuchMoore with Glamour Farms!**
Just one of the many ways to style the Isabella Tunic/Dress with the capri leggings in ink
The Fabric Perks
I pretty much fell in love with the print on the mint colored Isabella tunic/dress the first time I walked through the Glamour Farms booth at Haven. It’s just so cheery, fun and feminine! The great thing is the Isabella is typically available in a variety of prints and colors.
Then I just had to touch the fabric because I’m a seamstress and that’s what we do. I can’t tell you how often I have to tell myself not to grab the sleeve of someone’s blouse or dress because it’s just one of those fabric-loving instincts that apparently creeps people out. Who knew?! As it turns out, the Glamour Farms gals encourage such things!
You can also opt for a slightly more casual sandal for a different summer look, or even wear the tunic without the leggings.
So let me just say, this fabric is a polyester/spandex blend, which is basically code for super comfortable and forgiving for us Mamas entering our “wisdom years”. It’s as comfortable as jammies, but not as thick as other stretchy fabrics that are too warm to wear through the summer. That makes it the best of both worlds!
I brought it home from my conference weekend, pulled it out of my suitcase two days later and it didn’t have the slightest wrinkle in it anywhere. Not only does it resist wrinkles, it folds up small enough to tuck in a carry-on bag for your next trip unless of course, you decide to wear it instead.
If you’re not really into leggings, then try a pair of white jeans for a fun summer outfit, but I still recommend you try the leggings, they’re awesome!
The Construction Perks
I’m a bit of a fabric snob, just trying to own my issues here, so the next thing I tend to look at is the construction of a garment. The seams are solid with a well-aligned print. And it’s not like those cheap shirts that will twist on you after a few runs through the washer and dryer. Score!
The Basics Perks – Leggings and Shapers
The basic crop leggings in ink are a great option to transition through the seasons too. They are considered shapewear, but they’re comfortable enough to wear all day without feeling like you just really want to rush home to peel them off. The crop length looks great with summer flats or wedges and can transition to booties or riding boots for fall and winter. I’m pretty sure these should be collected in every color!
When the weather starts cooling off in the coming weeks, I’ll simply add my favorite riding boots and denim jacket.
The other part of the basics collection that you can’t even see is the “Ahh-mazing” long tank shaper in sandstone. It is also shapewear that can be srcunched up without adding bulk, as I did in these pictures, or worn long to come down to almost mid-thigh. One of the cool features about the tank shapers, whether you choose the long or short version, is that one side has a scoop neck and the other has a V-neck cut, so you can choose which one you want to go with for each outfit.
The white jeans are from my own collection, but they are similar to the Ava Hyper Stretch Skinny Jeans. Fun thing about their stretch jeans, I was able to wear 2 sizes smaller than my usual range of sizes. That’s enough to make you want to buy a pair in every color right then and there.
A dress that is comfy AND can be styled for so many seasons and occasions AND makes you feel pretty is what we call a trifecta here in Kentucky!
The Customer Perks
One more thing, that really has nothing, and possibly everything to do with Glamour Farms. I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those who believes in the importance of standing behind your product and not only that but treating “customers” with the same grace you extend to friends. I’ve found wonderful products before but have walked away because the service was so terrible. If I’m going to go so far as to associate my name with someone or something it has to be someone or something that I believe in. And y’all, I do!
So, go check them out and see what you think. Just to sweeten the gift of your time browsing around their site, they’ve included a $10 off coupon on all regular-priced products for SoMuchMoore readers. That makes their already reasonable prices even better. And while you’re there, take a minute to read through their about page and you’ll really start to understand why I think you’ll soon count them as friends too!
Use coupon code SOMUCHMOORE631 to get $10 off, details above
Just in case you wondered, here are a few of the comments I’ve received over the course of the 5 or 6 hours I’ve worn my new Isabella Tunic/Dress …
… “I love your dress!” from a random 20-something girl at the movie theater
… “You look gorgeous!” from my hubby as we headed out for date night
… no less than 10 “I love your dress” type compliments from a variety of people at church, and not just the ones who always have something sweet to say
… “Hey Mom, can I wear that one dress you got to school tomorrow?” from my almost 17-year-old high school junior
Makes you wonder what compliments you’ll get when your Glamour Farms order arrives, right?
As always, don’t forget to include pictures in the comments of how you choose to style any new treasures you ordered.
I heard on the radio yesterday that gym memberships and exercise routines spike after the Olympics. Once you start exercising, then your clothes don’t fit right, then you have to take them in, but you already spent too much money on the gym membership to take them to a tailor or buy new clothes … Okay, maybe that’s not your story, but work with me here. Why not try taking them in yourself? What do you really have to lose? It’s not like you were going to wear them anyway. You’re in luck because today I’m sharing the basic steps to take in a garment.
The basics.
If you’re too scared to learn on a favorite garment, then pick up something similar at a thrift shop and practice on them. It might actually cost you a whole $4, and that’s a pretty cheap lesson!
So there’s a bit of good news and a bit of not-your-favorite news in this process. The not-so-favorite news is that this will require trying on the garment, repeatedly and then a few more times after that, too. It’s kind of like editing a paper or project in that way, once you muster the energy to take the next step, the reward of it being the best you have to give is huge!
The basic steps to taking in a garment
The example I’ll be using in the picture is a pair of Gap linen trousers that I picked up at a thrift shop, I will be using the word pants to make this less complicated, but fill in whatever garment you are working on. I would use the word trousers, but that sounds a bit stuffy.
The before and after side view, you’ll just have to excuse the kinesio tape.
The easiest garment to start on if you’re not so sure about this would be a skirt or dress, but again if it’s something you’ll never wear until it’s fixed or if it’s a thrift shop score, then just muster up your courage and go for it!
Another before and after picture, from the front.
pinning and trying on
If you have pants that fit you well, then use them as a guide. Make sure they are made of similar fabrics in terms of their stretch and drape. Turn the pants you want to alter inside out and lay them on a table, with the ones that fit correctly over them, to get a general idea of where and how much you need to take in on the pants you’re altering.
Try your pants on inside out. Yes, it looks ridiculous, but you’ll get more accurate measurements.
STEP 1 | Know that you may pin one leg tighter the other, that’s okay – it allows you decide which one you like better, or if you want to go with a measurement somewhere in between the two.
STEP 2 | Undo the stitching in the hem so you can stitch all the way down the pant leg. You may want to leave the hem at its current length, which is fine, but you still need to take it out now to allow your pants to hang smoothly in the end.
Pin the same distance from each original seam on both pant legs.
STEP 3 | Line up the original seam lines with one another and pin through both layers, then pin the same distance from the original seam all the way down the leg.
AND NOW FOR THE STITCHING
The basting lines stitched between each pin.
STEP 4 | At this point, try them on again. If you’re pleased with the pinned lines then baste (the longest stitch your machine makes) along the line you’ve created. If you’re not pleased, repin areas as needed.
STEP 5 | Try the pants on. Repin as needed and baste.
STEP 6 | Baste stitch the other side, creating the same seam allowance. Try them on … you saw that coming didn’t you?
Trimming away extra bulk to try pants on again to check the fit.
STEP 7 | Trim away excess bulk, this is not a final trim so it can be more than 1/2″
Permanent stitching line over the basting stitch line.
STEP 8 | Stitch over the basting lines with a permanent stitch. Try them on again.
STEP 9 | Press and trim seams to between 1/4″ and 1/2″
Seams Great is a wonderful solution to provide a smooth edge that won’t ravel easily.
STEP 10 | Finish raw edges of the seam. I opted for Seams Great for the linen trousers because it gives a low-profile finished edge that is completely enclosed.
Slightly tug on the Seams Great, causing it to curl inward around the seam to be enclosed.
STEP 11 | Replace hem or embellishing, whipstitching as needed.
Want some more alteration ideas?
Check out this J Crew sleeveless chambray top, excuse the fuzzy pictures, we’ll chalk them up to a photography learning curve.
