Fifth Annual Literary Heroine Blog Party

Are you enthralled with the charming stories of heroines of yesteryear? Do you thrill at the sight of a lovely, century-old book? Have you ever read a favorite novel up in the airy retreat of a graceful tree? Do you often catch yourself thinking of the inhabitants of Orchard House or Pemberley as not only very real, but intimate friends? If so you should join Kellie Falconer's is 5th Annual Literary Heroine Blog Party! There is a questionnaire, link-up, and a giveaway! I had the privilege of participating last year and I won one of the prizes too! You should go be apart of it!!

Samantha

Shades of Teal and Green

Well I can't believe it is already Saturday! And of course I haven't posted my outfit for this week:) Between rainy cold weather, a banquet, a concert, and everyday life it took me til now to post it. Haha!!!

I love maxi skirts so much! Unfortunately not all of them fit right though. I got this one among several others that were over 50% off at Dressbarn! Great deal right?!?!

I love this black sleeveless top with the ruffle roses! Its perfect under cardigans. The necklace is also one of my favorites too! 

Lol the lipstick I am wearing is really a berry color. It turned out a few shades lighter in the pictures than it really is:|

Maxi skirt: Dressbarn

Black ruffle sleeveless top: Ross

Gray cardigan: Ross

Necklace: Charming Charlie

Black flats: Payless

Have a blessed week!!
Samantha

New Year's Eve Pastels

Hello lovelies!! I am excited to share my second outfit post this month. I had been waiting for the sun to shine so I could take these pictures. I know it is already past New Year's Eve but I still wanted to share this outfit because I just love the colors. Mint green, pinky coral, silver, and tan were the color trends for New Year's Eve. The sweater is lightweight and so pretty with the silver metallic running through it. I just love the scarf with it's chevron pattern and ooohhhhh...... the colors!!!

I love this cute mint green bow! Goes great underneath a high bun. I used a bun maker to get the bun "perfect".

Sweater: Dressbarn

Skirt: Cato

Scarf: Dressbarn

Flats: Kohl's

Bracelet: Charming Charlie's

Bow: Claire's

So what do you think of these colors? Did you wear anything special for New Years?

Samantha

Comfy Sweater Dress Outfit

Sweater Dress: Dressbarn

Leggings: Kohls

Scarf: Cato

Ring: Charming Charlie

Flats: Payless

I hope your year has gone off to a great start!

Today I am sharing with you one of my first outfits(that being modern not historical). I just love this comfy sweater dress I found. I love sweater dresses and was looking for one that fit right since most are cut to narrow for me. It has a higher waistline and a lovely flared skirt. The rust orange crocheted scarf with metallic adds a nice touch to the outfit. 

So my plan is to post an outfit a week!!!

Is there anything in particular you would like to see me blog? 

Samantha

1860's Victorian Ball Gown

Hello Lovelies!!

This is a much belated post but now then never.

So back in June of 2014 my family and I took a road trip up to Montana to visit my Grandpa and Grandma. I had been wanting to sew a victorian ball gown for so time. Since Montana has so many historical sites I thought this would be the perfect chance.

I made the ball gown from a dark pink satin and black lace. The correct time period for the gown is 1860's. Bodice is fully lined and boned. Bodice has short puffy sleeves and slightly off the shoulder neckline has black lace. I sewed black braid around the bottom edge and neckline edge of the bodice. The full gathered skirt has a wide ruffle at the bottom, another layer of satin, and an overlay of lace. The lace swags up and bows adorn it. Believe me this is one heavy skirt.

I am wearing a corset and hoop skirt. I had fun pearing the black shawl, fan, lace gloves, and cameo with the gown.

The picture above I found and modeled the gown after. For the bodice I used Truly Victorian's pattern TV422. For the skirt I used TV240 but made a few slight changes. I made this in a matter of one week! I thought I wasn't going to be able to finish it but I did minus the hand sewing. On the way to Montana I tacked the bows on and hand sewed the hook and eyes down the bodice back 

Unfortunately the camera was on the wrong settings when we took the pictures so most of the pictures turned out bad and couldn't be edited:( The picture were taken in front of Rank's Mercantile in Virginia City, Montana. Virginia City is one beautiful little historical town.

I hope to do a separate post about our trip with scenery pictures!

Yours Truly,

Samantha

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas| 1950's Christmas Dress

Happy Holidays!!!!

I trust everyone had a great Christmas with family. I know I did!!!

I am so excited to share this 1950's Christmas outfit I sewed.

White Christmas-Bing Crosby
And yes I am dreaming of a white Christmas because here in Texas it rarely snows:)

I used Vogue 8789 view B which is actually a 1957 dress. A few changes I made were lowering the front neckline an inch and doubling the width of the cummerbund. Dress is made from satin and the cummerbund from sparkle organza.

I love fur coats and wraps. I had fun making this cream fur wrap, but it was a little challenging. 

Here is the crinoline that I made and wore under my dress. Because 1950's skirts just don't look the same without one:)

Be sure to go to Edelweiss Pattern Blog and check out all the other lovely Christmas outfits!

☆Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too Ya'll☆

Thanks to my oldest brother for taking my pictures and my younger sister for doing my hair!

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!!!!

For you Jane Austen fans out there, today is her 239th birthday anniversary. 

 Born on the 16 of December in 1775 at Steventon Rectory near Alton Hampshire, Jane entered this world during a record snow storm. She was the seventh child and second daughter born to Reverend George Austen and his wife Cassandra nee Leigh. Austen was primarily educated at home and spent most of her childhood with her seven siblings. She and her siblings were encouraged to read from their father’s library and spent much of their time putting on plays and acts for their parents. At age 14, Austen had already written a number of stories, and in her early twenties she had written the novels that she would later revise and publish as "Sense and Sensibiilty," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Northanger Abbey." Austen was closest to her father and her only sister, Cassandra. As a young woman, Austen lived with her family and spent much of her time writing, reading, socializing with the neighbors, and dancing. After her father’s unexpected death in 1801, Austen’s family found themselves in a tight financial situation. She, her mother, and her sister moved from place to place until they finally were able to settle at her brother’s cottage in Chawton. It was in her thirties that Austen began to anonymously publish her work. Her first three novels received a great deal of positive attention, but it was only after her death in 1817 that her brother made it publicly known that she was the author. Today, Austen is considered one of the great English writers, known for the wit and lively commentary that are embodied in her fiction.

Jane's home in Chawton

Jane's home in Steventon where she was born.

Beautiful collection of Jane Austen's books.

Jane Austen's six heroines. Elizabeth Bennet, Anne Elliott, Emma Woodhouse, Catherine Morland, Fanny Price, and Elinor Dashwood.

These stamps were from the Jane Austen festival last year which was the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice. My great Aunt's sister gave them to me after she went to the festival.

Some Jane Austen thing I was given. Stamps, perfume, pin, cards, dance card, and paper holder.




Here are some beautiful Jane Austen themed cakes.

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In honor of Jane Austen's birthday I am offering 10% off your total purchase in my Etsy shop. Use the coupon code JANEAUSTENDAY10. This is good now thru Saturday the 20th.