Our Engagement Photos

We finally got around to doing our engagement photos last weekend (read: Superbowl Sunday). We've been engaged for about 9 months now so I guess it was about time to get around to these. We're "frugal" and we didn't want to spend too much on these. I want all the extra cash we can manage to go to the honeymoon and the reception or as I like to call it the "after party." We opted out of getting a professional photographer and instead dragged toted my best friend all over Roswell with us.  Cost $0.

These are just a sampling of the rough photos. There's plenty of photoshopping to be done, but I must admit that I am very happy with these proofs. I wore a vintage inspired dress from Pinup Girl Clothing that I had received for Christmas. Cost $0 (thanks Mom).  Mr. Fiance wore one of his favorite suits that we bought during a 60% sale at Dillards a few years back. I can't remember how much we paid, but he's worn this enough times to work that I can hardly justify it as a cost.

We did all of our photos outdoors at public parks and in public spaces. So that also cost us $0.

Hair was done with my awesome set of hot-rollers (under $25 I might add). I was once a sponge roller girl myself, but Mr. Fiance doesn't let me wear them around him. Apparently they're a bit unattractive and I can't say I disagree with him.

My make-up came from a smashbox make-up kit which was also a Christmas gift (Thanks Mr. Fiance's Mom).

In total these photos cost us about $2.00 and about half a day of walking around. We ended up snagging some books at a thrift shop we happened to pass in case you're wondering where that money went.

I'll be sure to post the final photos once I've finished the photo editing. I just love my engagement photos and I'm so happy we decided to do them on our own. So what do you think, Readers? Did they come out okay?

The Rubys!

Tada! I'm so happy to get to present these! What is it they say? The victory you work the hardest for tastes the sweetest? And I worked for these photos lemmi tell you. Someday I might tell you about the 3 hour downloading ordeal, but not today. Love my shorts, and sooooo perfect for the beach. Actually Fiance's office is having a fun summer boating trip in August... can you guess what I will be wearing? Loving the fit around the waist and the hips.

 I'm digging these rubies un-folded. I like the longer shorts feel. Yes, big floppy hat is mandatory.

Think they look anything like my 1947 Vinspiration?

They definitely have a good flair out to the sides.

And if I'm not feeling super retro-esque I can wear them the way they're supposed to be worn. Here's the traditional Ruby fold, but as you can see I did not iron these into a crease. Also cute, but not really loving them as much as I do when they are long.

First summer essentials done and posted. Sew-a-long completed. Phew.

Pool Side: 1980s Chic

I've been talking a lot about the 1930s lately so I thought it was time for break. We're fast-forwarding 50 years. Today we're totally going 80s, Dude.

Here in Atlanta we love the 1980s. Why wouldn't you? Modonna, Olivia Newton-John, Bowey, Come on!. We Atlantans love our 80s proms and some of us even host some snazzy 1980s pool parties. Of course going to all these events gets pretty pricey if you're shopping at vintage stores. A vintage bikini can sell for upwards of $50 and I don't know about you, but I get freaked out at the idea of wearing someone's used swimsuit. It's like buying used underwear.

Here at $25V we strive for that vintage look while keeping our wallets (and significant others) happy.  So where to turn? Why, to your local department stores of course! And if that doesn't work do a quick shopping trip around the internet. There is a lot of 1980s style in swim wear right now. Don't you just love cyclic fashion?

I've pulled together some fun 1980s swimsuit looks that we'll give you that vintage look while still looking chic. All $25.00 and under for a 80s pool party near you. Hopefully the party will be in a pool and not a giant mud-hole Encino Man Style.

Dude, I just totally found some rad pottery. Woah. 

The Deep-V

Art Deco Monokini From Forever 21 - $19.80


The Bandeau

Stripe 2 pc. Bikini Swimsuit  from Target - $24.48


The Crazy 80s Print

Dolphin Winner Suit from Swim 2000 - $25.00

The Fringe Bikini

Fringe Top from Venus - $13.00, Rio Bottom from Venus - $6.00


The Baywatch

Lifegaurd Flyback from Swim and Tri - $25.00


The Border Print

Red and Black Floral One Piece from Amiclubwear - 19.00


And now, I leave you with this not quite 80s inspiration. Wig Wam Bam.



PS. Camera cable came in the mail this morning. Now I can finish this Ruby business and get back to my sewing business. Expect those photos within the next few days!

Memorial Day sale items

So... this weekend turned out to be not so good for my creative side. To give everyone a heads up I may be lack-luster on posting this week as well. My Beau and I will be attending a wake sometime later this week, so the urge to sew really isn't there for me right now.

I did pick up the Ruby's last night and did some basting to check the fit. I'm going to have to take in my seams a bit when I'm ready for the final sew. Looks like the waist is just a little big for me, I can probably attribute this to taking my measurements during that time of the month. T.M.I. warning: I bloat like you wouldn't believe. Every month around the last week I gain about 5 pounds in water weight... bleh. I'm also worried about the fabric stretching out and giving me saggy butt after a few wears, so I figured it can't hurt to take the waist in. 

Forgot to take pictures of the endeavor, but there wasn't much to see. I need to get my pockets done. I'm thinking of using one of Husqvarna 118's fancy stitches for the top stitching around the pockets. She came home Friday so now I have one fully functioning machine at my disposal. Finally. I'm very glad to have my automatic button hole attachment back. I hate hand sewing buttonholes, unless I have a good movie to watch with it. Preferably something with Patrick Swayze. To note, Road House and Red Dawn are great movies to sew and/or knit by. 

I did manage to stop by JoAnn's Memorial Day Sale like I said I would. Didn't buy too much in the way of fabric, since JoAnns stuff can be a little blah sometimes. They were having a great sale on fashion knits though so I HAD to pick up some great striped earth-tone Jersey knit for a steal. $3.95 per yard! It has alternating brown and green stripes, but is overall very neutral colored and would be great with some brightly colored bias taping around the edges. I picked up two and a half yarns and I'm hoping to make something like this out of it.  

Something like this I would make knee length of course. I'm a shorty and anything below the knee tends to look horrid on me.

And with the leftovers I'd love to make some sleeves like these on something!

I also picked up a great floral print in cotton from the kids apparel section. Pretty similar to this one, but not quite identical.

I plan to use it to make with one of my 1940s blouse patterns. I'm thinking I'll make it from my vintage 1941-1942 Advance 2963.

Picked her up for $0.99 on ebay. Best deal I ever made. I ended up deciding that I loved the fabric so much that I ended up buying 3 and a half yards. I was thinking I'd make a dress or skirt out of it as well. Don't blame me, I got the fabric for, get this... $3.00 per yard. Awesome.