I ♥ Thursday {no. 20}

I'm in love with Dior's 2012 Spring collections {Both Haute Couture & Ready Wear}. It looks like the Dior house decided to take a cue from the 1950s this season.

I'm really loving Elizabeth Olsen's style. I wouldn't mind if some of the clothes she wears just appeared in my closet. *grin*

Kelly Green + Navy Blue = ♥

What are y'all loving this week?

Sewing Bee - Color me Confident {Book Review}

For today's Sewing Bee link-up post I'm going to do a book review. 

Color Me Confident by: Veronique Henderson and Pat Henshaw - I know this isn't a sewing book, but it does help you pick out what styles & colors look best on you. Which is helpful when sewing your own clothes.

My version {2006} isn't the new updated version. So the clothes & celebrity styles they use are a little outdated, but it does serve its purpose: to help show you what colors look best on you, what clothing looks best on you, and to help show you what your design style is. 

What I loved about this book is how it is written in a checklist & pictures format. It makes it so easy to find your colors, what clothes look best on you, and what your design style is. Like I found out that my coloring is Deep & Cool. I'm a triangle. My design style is Creative, Romantic, and Classic. Now, some of this information I already knew. But having a list of dos and don'ts with pictures I found most helpful for me personally.

I ♥ Thursday {no. 18}

I'm really being inspired by chiffon, lace, and more girly-girl styles lately. I can really see my spring/summer wardrobe being inspired by these looks.

1. Decades of Style #5004 2. Decades of Style #5003 3. from this etsy shop 4. Beignet - Colette Patterns 5. Madeleine - Victory Patterns 

This is a mood board of my current, and hopefully, upcoming sewing projects for the coming weeks/months.

I've been getting frustrated with our local big name fabric/craft store lately. They never have the zippers I need. Be that color, or size. So for the past couple weeks I've been seriously looking for other resources to buy my zippers. Enter Zipit an Etsy shop that sells zippers in 36 different colors and in different sizes. Jennie, the shop owner, also ships really fast. Like I ordered some zippers last Friday, they arrived on Monday. Or, Gabrielle ordered zippers on Tuesday, they are supposed to arrive today. I'm going to be buying all of my zippers from Zipit from now on. {For shipping reference, she is located in WI & we are in IN.} 

When I told Jennie I was going to be blogging about her shop today, she graciously offered to give y'all a coupon code for her shop. For 15% off your order use the following code: BRAMBLEWOOD. 

What has been inspiring you this week?

Inspiration - Fashion/Baking/Crafts

{all pictures were found on pinterest.}

I love all of the outfits in these pictures. I'm really looking forward to copying some of these styles in the coming months. You know what? I find that every year my style changes. What about you? Do you find your style changing? Or, have you already developed your style?

{all pictures from pinterest.}

Why is it when your sick all you want to do is make things? These are just a few things that are tempting me right now: mint brownies, ruffle cake, pretzel bites, doughnut muffins. Just the norm you know. 

 {all pictures from pinterest.}

I've also been really in the mood to sew and craft. It's nuts. I really can't wait to get better now, that way I can do crafts, sew, bake, and style outfits to my heart's content. *smile*

What's been inspiring you lately?

2011 Fall Trends

There are several fall trends I'm looking forward to doing this year. Now normally I don't follow the trends too much. But this year, many of the trends are what I love to wear! What are the odds of that? *laughs* So with out further ado, some of the trends for this fall.

Fall Fashion Trends: Polka Dots by bramblewoodfashion featuring eva franco dress

Polka Dots: I'm always wearing polka dots as they are one of my favorite prints. With them being a trend this fall it will make it that much easier to find things that are polka doted. *smiles*

Fall Fashion Trends: Mustard by bramblewoodfashion featuring a skinny belt

Mustard yellow: I was in love with this color last year, but I never bought anything that was mustard {except for fabric for my pencil skirt I made last summer}. That is all going to change this year for me. I would love to have shoes, belt, purse, hat, and scarf all in this wonderful color. *sighs*

Fall Fashion Trends: Plaid by bramblewoodfashion featuring a green plaid dress

Large Over-sized Plaids (Granny Style): What an exciting trend! Plaid. I already own a largish sized plaid coat (made it back in 2009, you can see the post here), and several plaid skirts. Oh, I almost forgot, a plaid scarf too.

Fall Fashion Trends: Maxi Skirt + Chunky Sweater by bramblewoodfashion featuring knit tops

Chunky Sweaters Over Maxi Dresses/Skirts: I already did this trend once {pictures here} and loved it. I just don't own many maxi dresses, or skirts for that matter. I find that they can get in the way when sewing (I'm always getting up and down from the floor). But I still love this look. It is also an easy way to bring your summer wardrobe into your fall wardrobe.

Fall Fashion Trends: 1970s by bramblewoodfashion featuring a plunge neck dress

1970s: The 70s are coming back and I don't know what to think. I'm on the fence about this one. While it is nice that fuller pant legs are coming back. Oh, also floppy hats - love them! But overall I'm still not sure. :p What do you girls think?

Fall Fashion Trends: Western by bramblewoodfashion featuring old gringo boots

American Western (Southwest): Is in everywhere at stores. You can buy western themed scarfs, purses, jewelry, and what not everywhere. This will make shopping for my sister, Hanne-col much easier for me this Christmas. As she loves the western style. *smiles*

What trends are looking forward to this fall?

Hey, I just thought of a really cool idea. Wouldn't it be awesome if online stores let you searched by color, or trend? I love having clothes organized by color. In fact, my closet is organized by color within the sub-categories {tops, skirts, sweaters, vests).

I ♥ Thursday {no. 14}

I adore these mustard oxford heels from Forever 21. I was going to buy them this weekend. The sad news. They are all out of size 7s. Oh, well, I hope they get back in stock within the next few weeks so I can buy them. *smiles*

Mustard colored tights? Seamed tights? Both from Forever 21 for $5.80 = l.o.v.e

I've been loving Jessica Quirk's outfits. If you don't read her blog, go check her out now!

I'm looking forward to seeing Courageous tomorrow night. Who else is going to see this?

I can't wait to watch The Winning Team {1952} with Ronald Reagan & Doris Day. What can better then a baseball movie with two of my favorite actors & actresses?

What are you loving this week?

p.s. Don't forget to enter the fingerless gloves giveaway that is going on right now!

I ♥ Thursday {no. 10}

Oh. Dear. It has been way too long since I have done this series - well, any of my blog series for that matter. Well, here are some things I've been loving this week.

Source: fanpix.net via Ashley on Pinterest

Selena Gomez's spread for ELLE magazine. Loving the purple. 

Source: blog.caseybrowndesigns.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Vintage Playsuits. Next summer I want to have a playsuit. Decades of Style has a lovely pattern - which I almost bought while at Costume College.

I Love Melvin (Original Film Soundtrack). I just discovered the movie Sunday evening. Found out that the movie would be on TCM Friday morning. And I've listen to the song, Where Did You Learn to Dance? over 300 times already. I only bought the soundtrack Monday night. It is Thursday. 

I've also been loving the High Society soundtrack. Umm, I must be on a 50s kick music wise right now. But I'm on a 40s kick for movies. Interesting.

Hearts & Bows Pink Sugar roll on perfume that Hilda, the owner, sent me along with some lip balms & a lip tint. I'm in love with all of her products! That I'm hoping to do a review sometime soon. :)


What have YOU been loving this week?

Ruche - 2010 Fall Collection

 Silhouette Flower Purse in Walnut

Well, Ruche's fall lookbook is out! And they have some lovely pieces for the Fall weather. Right now they are giving away the Silhouette Flower Purse in Walnut and a $50 Gift Card to ShopRuche.com! So be sure to head over to their blog and enter. =)

Open publication - Free publishing - More shopruche

Want to know my favorite outfit? It is the "Freudian Frills" outfit that makes my heart skip a beat. =)

What is your favorite outfit?


~Ashley

Louis Vuitton 2011 Fall/Winter Collection

(This is an edited picture. For I made the picture more modest.)

Now, I normally don't follow all the fashion designers and their upcoming collections. Except for a few like Ralph Lauren. But when I saw a picture of Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter collection on tumblr, I just fell head-over-heels-in-love with their 1950s inspired collection. And now I am doing my first designer post. Though I warn you, you are just going to get just a bunch of pictures. =)

Not only is Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter collection vintage inspired, but it features some pieces that are modest! How exciting! Even though many of us can't buy a thing from the collection, we can drool. =)

 1. Black wool pin-stripe top and circle skirt. 2. Stretch wool pinstripe top. Wrap print faille back knot skirt.

3. Wool pinstrip fitted blazer, wool pinstripe top, thick wool pinstripe circle skirt. 4. Print wool chiffon layer dress.

 5. Wool coating double-breasted coat, thick wool top, check wool plaid skirt. 6. Feather filled organza corset dress.

7. Sequined cashmere embroidered knit top, bonded leather skirt. 8. Stretch Cashmere long sleeve knit top, check wool plaid skirt.

There are many more outfits on their site. =) So, which ones are your favorite? Mine would have to be, 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8. =)

I also created a set on polyvore of my interpretation of their collection.  =)

Louis Vuitton 2010 Fall Collection Inspired by Bramblewood Fashion featuring French Connection skirts

~Ashley 

pictures from: ELLE.com and tumblr.com

Ring Watches a wonderful invention!

First let me "start at the very beginning." ;-) Several weeks ago, my sisters and I were talking to a good friend at church. As it was before Sunday school we were wondering, after talking for awhile, what the time was. Alas, none of us was were wearing a watch, not even me with my watch necklace (which I love to pieces).  So we said, 'that there should be watches on rings! But not chunky, they should be pretty and unique.' (not our exact words, but close enough.) =)

Fast forward to this morning. I was looking at my blog reading list when, lo, and behold, what's this? A ring watch! Someone was wearing a ring watch! I eagerly went on a frantic (alright, maybe not frantic.) Google search, to see where I could acquire one for myself. The best place I have found so far. One word, Amazon.

Amazon has some amazing ring watches! Let me share with you all my favorites.

1. $16.99 2. $24.00 3. $18.00 4. $18.00

What do you think of the ring watches? Which one is your favorite? Do you own one yourself?

~Ashley