Top: custom-made by Loni at Love to Love You
Cardigan: Glassons
Rockstar Ankle Zip Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Seychelles via DSW
I like Pinterest. It gives me inspiration for everything from recipes and craft ideas to hairstyles and outfits.
The only frustrating thing about it is when you fall in love with something you’ve spotted, only to discover that it’s three years old, and never came in your size in the first place.
A while ago someone I follow pinned an image of a woman wearing a rainbow polkadot blouse. It linked back to Tumblr, which linked back to a blog, which linked back to a 404 page. Eventually I managed to track down the source and it turned out to be a J Crew shirt from several seasons past.
It wasn’t available anymore, and even if it had been I knew from experience that J Crew’s largest size wasn’t cut to encompass The Rack of Doom.
So I did what I usually do, and turned to my google-fu to try and find something similar. I wasn’t having a lot of luck, when I stumbled across this gorgeous fabric from Japanese textile company “Nani Iro”.
It’s a wonderful print of free form polkadots in bright colours, and the fabric’s a gauzy but opaque cotton fabric. It was too close to being perfect to ignore, but my sewing skills don’t extend to the blouse-sewing level, so I thought I’d get in contact with the lovely Loni at Love To Love You, and see whether she’d be prepared to make me one of her button-up collared shirts in the Nani Iro.
I’ve worked with Loni before – she made the cute ruffle front skirt that was one of my very first purchases on Etsy. I was impressed with her craftsmanship, and the quality of her sewing.
She was happy to make me my custom request, and kept me in the loop throughout the whole process.
I couldn’t have been more delighted when the top arrived. It fit perfectly and looked exactly how I’d hoped.
I’m already enjoying getting a lot of wear out of it. It looks adorable layered under cardigans and scoop neck sweaters, and I can’t wait to find a bright yellow pencil skirt to team it with in summer.
It also matches with the nail varnish I picked up at Sportsgirl a few weeks ago. One coat, and you’ve got wonderfully festive fingernails, perfect for a party.
Confetti glitter Nail varnish: Sportsgirl
Absolutely fantastic!! Especially in combination. 🙂
Thanks so much, Anna 🙂
Super cute! I love these jeans and have been meaning to buy a pair since you confessed your love for old navy jeans a few months ago. Just checked them out on their website though & quite a few reviewers said that they had issues with the dye staining everything. Have you had this issue? I’m hoping not because I really want to put an order in! 🙂 Thanks Lilli!
The trick with jeans that stain stuff is to put salt in the wash 🙂
Oooh – I didn’t know that. Thanks CG!
Fantastic, thanks so much for the tip CG!
I was about to ask the same question. That is such a great tip. Thanks Lilli!
While we’re on the subject of jeans, I was told by a stylist to wash brand new jeans in cold water and dry in a dryer before wearing and this helps them to keep their shape. Nowadays lots of jeans have elastine in them and I’ve found that after a few wears they become quite stretched and baggy. Now I do this and it’s worked every time.
Thanks for the tip Kim – will def give that a try!
Hi Lolzy – that always drives me insane. Fortunately I’ve only had that issue with the pair with the zippered ankles – all of the others have been absolutely fine 🙂
Great, thanks so much Lilli. So looking forward to ordering some blue jeans in my size that don’t make me look like a soccer mum 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the top and it looks perfect with everything else in this outfit. Gorgeous!
Thank you!
Deadsetbabes.com also do a confetti nail varnish, in a couple of different colour combinations too. There’s a great pink and red one with adorable little confetti love hearts. I got mine for about $12 a bottle, although that was through a third party retailer. I really do recommend.
Great link, Jessie! Thank you!
So pretty!!
Thank you!
Sometimes, custom made is the only way to go to satisfy that craving. Alternatively, make it yourself. I’m pretty sure your sewing skills are well up to some simple shape tops, and would only get better. I’ve barely been going to a weekly sewing class for six months, but my sewing has improved to an unrecognisable state. And the gossip is good too. In fact, you could make that yellow pencil skirt….
Thanks Helen!
I decided I needed to learn how to do an FBA before I started sewing things for my top half again. I keep making bodices that are too big in the body and shoulders, but too small for the Rack of Doom 🙁
Long time reader, first time caller. 🙂
Love the blouse, I wish I could find blouses like that with a similar collar.
OT: seeing that old post made me realize I don’t see you smile these days in your photos. I understand if you don’t feel like it, but you are really cute when you do.
Hi Allison,
Yeah – I’m afraid I’ve been going through some rough times in my personal life lately. At the moment I’m just taking each day as it comes, but hopefully I’ll find that smile again soon.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! So perfect!! And those nails?!? I NEED that polish! Off to google a similar kind here in the US!
Thanks Molly! Try this one: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-fast-dry-nail-color/ID=prod6057418-product
Oh boy!! Both me & my 6 YO will LOVE that! Thank you!
I have been wanting to buy a pair of those jeans for myself, but the reviews are all over the place, size-wise. There is no ON store where I live so i would have to buy online – what do you think about their sizing? if you don’t mind me asking, what size did you buy? we have very similar measurements
I’ve bought four pairs – The Rockstar fit every time – and the 16 has always been perfect. I think ON’s sizes are all over the place, but when you find a style and a size that fits right it’s consistent within that one cut.
Hope this helps!
Thanks so much for sharing that. I may try ON again. In the past so often their jeans gap bigtime at the back waist – not good. I wear the same size & when I saw your outfit I was impressed with how well they fit without being too tight.
Great look & inspiration & I hope life turns around for you to find your smile again soon.
Cute top and nails! 🙂
Kisses
Tabea
Auf Wolke3
Thank you!
What a darling blouse and a great nail polish! LIke one of your other readers I think you should try expanding on your sewing. There’s a new wave out there of designer/ sewers that design for beginners. Check this one out https://www.colettepatterns.com/. I have no association, I am just an avid seamstress.
If you click on ‘coletterie’ further down the page it’s her blog that is full of help and tips.
I came back to say check out this Aussie girl’s pattern shop and blog, She’s got your blouse!
http://megannielsen.com/collections/sewing-patterns
I actually love Colette patterns, Valerie! I’ve made the Macaron dress a couple of times. I always struggle a little with sleeves and bodices (I need to learn how to do a FBA). Megan Nielsen’s great though! Thanks for the link 🙂
For help on all things beginner including how to do an FBA check out http://www.patternreview.com
(Once again no association and all that)
Gorgeous blouse & fab outfit: slightly retro yet modern too. Love it, Lilli! x
BTW talking of sewing I’ve been getting in to a bit of sewing & knitting in recent times as I can never find clothes that fit me perfectly without getting them tailored. Anyway, I’ve been following a fair few sewing blogs as a result. Have you ever looked at Rosin’s dresses at http://dollyclackett.blogspot.com.au? They are gorgeous & right up your alley. Also By hand London make some fab indie patterns. Their Anna dress is divine & even though I’m a total novice I managed to produce a great dress, they also have great tutorials on their blog including how to do a FBA for those with a rack of doom 😉 byhandlondon.com
Love love love the whole outfit, how gorgeously your mane of hair is growing, the yellow, the nails! Love.
I’m dying at how cute this is. We wants it, preciousssss! 😉
Mustard is definitely your colour Lilli. It looks fantastic on you.
Love it! would be copying you if only I had the capability to choose a fabric with confidence!
You look lovely…Wish i had the confidence to rock the skinny jeans look.The top is very cute n as always yellow looks amazing on you.
I have a confetti-type nail polish (varnish?) that you are most welcome to, if I can find it in my stash. I know I’ll never use it. Surprisingly, it has a clear, BLACK base not just a clear base.
Oh – and give Suki plenty of love and cuddles from me. <3
Thanks for the post, Lilli, I’ve always felt really insecure about skinny Jeans but these pictures of you made me have a got at them anyways. And I love them!
This obviously coincided with a very lucky find at GAP which does all sorts of stretchy trousers and their size 32 seems to have been made for me (when all other stores seem to draw a line at 30, or even worse, 28…)
Love the sprinkles! I saw this on boden and thought of you:
http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Tops-T-shirts/Short-Sleeved-Tops/WA503/Womens-Linen-Millie-Top?NavGroupID=18
I’m so glad you posted this! I saw this very fabric in a fabric shop in Japan, and while I didn’t end up buying any, it looked AWESOME. Thanks so much for showing the result! You look great!
I love everything about this outfit, especially the mustard yellow (which suits you perfectly, by the way) and the custom-made blouse.
I’ve never followed you, but now that I’ve seen this post, I guess that I’ll have to: you look awesome! You’ve just bought yourself another Italian follower 😉