Antiques Galor Decor!

For my birthday this past weekend, my husband took me to Austin to do some antiquing. Did we hit the jackpot! We ventured 40 miles north to a darling town called Saledo. If you have never been there you must go! It is right off of I-35 as you head to or from Austin on the Dallas side. In Saledo we found the motherload of all vintage stained glass windows from Ireland. We had been scoping them out in Houston but they were just way too expensive down here. Glad we waited because we got 5 for quite a deal!






On our way back in to Austin we stopped at Round Rock where I got the most awesome old theater wardrobe trunk. It is too cool in person and it weighs a ton! It is stamped "Myrtle Lansing Theater", so we guess that is who it belonged to and long ago must have carried some actresses costumes. The original hangers and ironing board are still in it as are all the drawers and drawer pulls. I had just the perfect spot for it too, my dining room. What a great conversation piece!






I also picked up an old screen door, which my husband wasn't too sure about, but I turned it into a display of 2 of my original corset designs and 1 vintage corset from the 40's. LOVE how it turned out.



Back in May, we lucked out on vintage wine barrels from a Texas winery and a table for our Grotto. Now all we need is chairs...I feel a trip to Roundtop coming on.




Also in May we picked up these antique all wood windows, that must have come out of a church. We put one in the breakfast area and one down the hall.





While in Austin we picked up a couple small items and this old iron fence piece that looks fabulous over the guest bed!



I have the antique bug bad! Do you think "after-bite" will cure my itch?

Dolce and Gabbana for $10!!!

Yep, you read it right! I recreated a $375 D&G tee for $10. All it took was some cute crochet lace, grosgrain ribbon, a tee a la Marshall's, and a little elbow grease. I have been saving this project for awhile now, since I tore the idea out of Elle magazine back in the Fall. The black tee i embellished with leopard lace trim from Hobby Lobby; nothing fancy, just a rose made of the trim and rows of ruffles. The mint blue tee is just a simple, continuous row of cascading lace with a lace flower near the neckline. I'd say summer is off to a very productive start over here!

The inspiration:

Anthropologie and JCrew inspired craftiness

Now that the kids are home ALOT, I am getting to spend time in my craft room sewing while they play in their playroom. It is the perfect setup, as I can hear when mommy needs to intervene or I can enjoy their chatter while I create. So far this week I have created two shirts; one for me and one for a friend to take on a fabulous vacation. And can I tell you how much I LOVE my ruffler foot that I finally picked up? It is the best invention ever!!!


Shirt for Candace, "supplies" from Old Navy and thrift store




Shirt for me, "supplies" from Walmart and fabric store

Last minute teacher gifts

I hate to admit it, but I have been a MAJOR procrastinator lately. I think I have so many projects in my brain that it just shuts down and says "maybe tomorrow." With today being the last day of school, I HAD to get the gifts done yesterday. This idea isn't new or original (many other bloggers and crafters make these), but it was well worth the effort....even the husband liked them! I made these two wood photo blocks. Cute. Cheap. Cheery. Me likey! Is Home Depot my new source of craftiness, let's hope not :) ??!!!

Sizzlin' Summer Trends, the good, the bad, and the WAY ugly!

Hello Fashionistas!!! Let's start with the "good" first and work our way to the bad and WAY ugly part, shall we?

The "Good"

Maxi Dresses - hot, hot, hot right now ladies! Can't go wrong with them at all. Just don't pair them with any type of heeled shoe; flats only!

Metallics - channel your inner Cleopatra and mix shades of gold, silver, bronze, and cooper! If the idea of these colors in fabrics on your body frighten then stick with accessories in these tones. Lots of great jewelry and sandals are available in all price ranges. Let me give my "shout out" to Target and Forever 21 for us frugal fashionistas!

Nude - the color ladies, not the birthday suit! This is a hot color trend, seen most recently on the Red Carpets of the Golden Globes and Oscars. You can bring it into your closet via shades of peach, brown, khaki, taupe, and even pale gold. Nude blouse or tank with khaki bottoms accented with leopard accessories=hot!

Ditzy Florals - those tiny, almost, Little House On the Prairie florals. This is a super girly look that needs to be toughened up with denim and motorcycle or cowboy boots to avoid looking to Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Tribal Prints - the current obsession of the runways. Find these prints on everything! Super haute on maxi dresses and skirts.

Rompers - aka jumpsuits. Avoid looking like the 80's by accessorizing with big, bold necklaces and woven leather belts. Wear with sandals to avoid the ever pressing "call-girl-wannabe" look.

Pale Grey - it's the new "black" for summer. This color is feminine and subtle with a touch of seriousness. Wear it with pastels or even white for a really striking look.

Ruffles - you girls know how I LOVE my ruffles! This trend is still smoking hot from Fall 2009. Ruffles are every girls best friend! Use them to play up a small chest, conceal a fuller tummy, or draw attention from an hourglass figure.

Denim - the fabric that keeps on giving. Denim is no longer just for Fall ladies. Softer, lighter versions were covering the runways this spring in the form of rompers, dresses, jackets, and blouses. Invest in a denim button down shirt to wear with shorts or even girly skirts. The boyfriend capri jean is still trendy and has evolved into the boyfriend cuffed short. To jazz up the shorts, so you won't feel like you should be marooned on Gilligan's Island with Ginger, wear them with a blazer and cute heels.

Shoes - wedges/espadrilles
flats/ sandals

Fedora Hats - not just for the fellas anymore! Super cute with ditzy floral dresses or denim shorts.

The "Bad"

Suspenders - really?! Do I need to clarify this? This is a no-no ladies! Leave these to the circus clowns.

Midriff Shirts - Oy! I know they are now to be worn over a tank, but please ladies, don't go here! It is NO BUENO and only leaves people wondering when your next "Fame" audition is.

The "Way Ugly"

Acid Wash - every fashion mavens trend return nightmare! This is a no-no unless you are still under 18. If you wore it once in your life already, remember, once is enough don't attempt it again. Yes, it was bad when I was 10 and I have the pics to prove it, and it is STILL bad today!! If you like the return of this 80's phenomenon, approach it mildly by investing a distressed denim, not an all out bleached denim.

Happy Summer Ladies! And remember as Mark Twain said: "Clothing makes the man. A naked individual rarely influences people."

Sew nice to be back!

Hello all! I am back and crafting again, now that the house is hopefully rid of illness. Today I threw together a black tank top with chiffon ruffles and a ribbon embellishment. Here is how it goes:

Supplies: one black knit tank top, 1/4 yd chiffon, 3-4 different size circle templates, ribbon (optional)



Cut circles of chiffon in different sizes. Fold chiffon circles in half, pin, and then on top of the one you just folded pin another circle folded into fourths.



Sew with a straight stitch by machine or hand, starting from bottom of the neckline working your way to the shoulder.



Add ribbon and voila!

Hautemama Hiatus

Hey Fashionistas - The Hautemama household has been hit hard with illness, thus I have not been able to blog of the latest fashion trends. I promise it will come once I get the house germ free! Between the pink-eye, ear infections, and lice, I can say I am DONE with playing Dr. Mom! Stay tuned....