Industrial Boho Modest Boutique - My Saturday Sightings...

Went exploring on a Mother/daughter day today. 

There's this boutique in our county with a reputation for cute,

 affordable modest clothing.  Turns out - it is housed in this barn...

(which was the first clue this was gonna be good.)

Two words - 'Oh my!'... 

If there's an industrial boho style - this was it...

It was fabulous - with wonderful fixtures and accents...

Sweet modest dresses...

...accessories...

...lots and lots of jean skirts...

...and just a feast for the eye in every nook and cranny.

Prices for the most part were great.  

Much better than the same thing would be in any other store. 

And still - there was a sale room!

And here's the special part.  

Not only is this shop a doable 45 min. drive for me...

It's doable for you too!  Cause many of the pretties 

are available right here on their website.  

Nope - not a paid advertisement.

Go send them some love and enjoy a truly modest 

and cute boutique! ~Joyce

Cute, Current & Modest Upcycled Clothing...

I love fabrics... always have (it's my mother's fault) :).  

And I have a fascination for upcycled clothing.  Allow me to share

 some sweet inspiration with you today...

This one is my favorite - a skirt and shirt are combined 

to make this lovely long country or prairie dress...

Available here

Love the coloring of this sweater upcycle.  A little short as a dress

 for my taste - but would look cute with jeans underneath.  

No longer available - but check out the shop here for similar styles.

 Can someone say feminine cowgirl?  So, so sweet!  

Available here

And I do believe I own this very same sweater.  

So here's a great upcycle idea when I get tired of it! 

No longer available - but visit shop here for similar items.

Interestingly - I own this Gap skirt as well.  

Aren't the 'improvements' adorable? 

Available here

And here we have a patchwork sweater tunic.  

How cozy for these winter evenings!

Available here

This dress had a neckline and sleeve overhaul.  This is the 'before'...

and this is the 'after'...

Available here

And lastly, at an art show this summer I found this gal 

walking around in a dress of her own design.

Ubber love!

 Do these inspire you to try your own hand at a refashion?  

Let me know if you do!

Or better yet - perhaps you already have.  Send me a picture!

  ~Joyce

From Immodest Maxi Dress to Modest Maxi Skirt...

One of my finds on my recent thrifting trip was a knit fabric maxi dress.  

It was the sleeveless - elastic across the bust kind.  But the colors were wonderful.  In fact, as I walked around the store with it hanging on my shoulder - 

several people commented that those were 'good colors' for me.  

So for $5 - home it came.  I figured I could transform it into a skirt.

Step 1 - cut off the elastic top.

 Step 2 - lay another maxi skirt, that fits, on top for a length estimate... 

 chop some more off the top of the non-elastic skirt portion.

 Step 3 - sew a large running stitch all the way around the top 

of the non elastic skirt portion.  

(tip - I sewed 2 running stitches - one between each side seam.  This made it easier to work with.)  

Pull the back thread of the running stitch to gather the fabric 

till it fits into the elastic portion.  Stitch together - 

with skirt inside out and right sides together.

 Step 4 - The elastic portion was just too deep for my waist - 

so I sewed it in half.  

(folded it down and sewed it onto the seam where the elastic portion meets the bottom part.) 

A new upcycled maxi skirt for me!  In great colors!

  (Sorry - the colors in this photo are very off...

nighttime indoor photography at its finest.)

A Pink and Burlap Budget Friendly Wedding...

We were honored to be invited to a friend's wedding this past weekend.  

It blessed me to see the simple beauty in this wedding....  

all without breaking the bank.  (Here's hoping the bride will not take offense!)  

But it truly was 'simply' - beeeuuutiful! 

Before entering the church gym 'reception hall' - 

we were greeted with this wonderful birch log display 

which gave our seating assignments...

 

Self-serve and tasty appetizers were offered while we waited 

for the reception to begin...

 Loved the table settings...

Yep - we were table #13.  

(Don't worry - I'm not the least bit superstitious.)

 The favors at each place setting were these sweet jars 

of apple butter - 'Jam packed with love'...

A twine and clothespin photo display above the gift table...

Our gift was the basket on the floor on the left.   

I enjoy making the container part of the gift... 

makes for simple and attractive wrapping.

And of course, a few parting shots of the handsome couple.

Signing the marriage certificate...

And posing just for me...

Love, loved her handmade dress...
(The gym was a bit chilly - so the sweater was a nice 'after the ceremony' wrap.)

The Lord bless your marriage my friends!  I know you'll choose to be

faithful to Him and each other... in good times and bad.  Love you!
Linking to Modest Monday

From Country Curtains to Country Skirt...

I'm all about thrifty ways to do and get stuff!  Lately I've been 

frustrated with my tired wardrobe - so I decided I would try 

to actually make something (it's been years!) 

  I had a simple skirt in my closet (the plum piece on the left below) 

I used as a pattern.  But first - I needed some fabric.  

These were my 'on hand' viable options.  I loved that brown daisy 

dotted swiss - but decided against it in case I messed up. 

 The red teeny check fabric is actually vintage curtain panels - 

so I had some ripping to do to get enough fabric.

Isn't it adorable?

Essentially - I just laid the skirt onto the fabric and cut it a 

little larger on each side.  Just 2 side seams folks! 

I did this times 2 - because I added a lining.  

(Out of old solid cream curtains I found for almost nothing!)

I wanted to mimic the drawstring waist of the original skirt.  To form the ties - 

I just eyeballed it and folded the fabric onto itself to cut a straight line...

It worked!...

 My original skirt was long with a plain hem.  

I chose a slightly shorter version and added a ruffle.  

 The great thing about sewing?  You choose your own length - love that!

This would be me - slightly graying hair and all.   

I love how green it is outside right now - we've had lots of 

gentle spring rains.  I'm gonna love this skirt.

And who knows?  I might do me some more sewing!

Linking to Transformation Thursday

Menu & Modest Monday...

Ok - 2 topics today -which to do first?  

Spring may be appearing this week - but it was unseasonably cold here today. 
(Not to mention we're the midst of our only major snowstorm this year as I type! - go figure...)

I headed out for groceries and this happened to be what I was wearing.  

Several people commented on my outfit... (why?)

 Maybe it was the 25 cent scarf I tied on just before I left the house...

 One lady - approached me and said I looked so cute.  (Made my day!!)  

She'd like to wear skirts more and didn't know how to do that 

and be warm in the winter.  It was an 'aha' moment for her when she 

noticed my boots. (I recommend  knee-hi sock or tights & leggings or slip too!) 

 Femininity and modesty is a year round thing for this gal.

Sweater - Thrifted

Skirt - Thrifted

Coat - Thrifted

Mittens - ?

Scarf - Thrifted

Boots - New (somewhere - can't remember) but On Sale!

(Pardon my weird stance and expression - tried using the self-timer and had no idea 

when it was going off or if it was focusing.  In other words - I didn't know what I was doing!)

Now for the Menu part of this post... 

my No Tahini Homemade Hummus...

 This has been my go-to snack for my current no meat, oils, 

eggs or dairy diet.  (I'm starting to wean off a bit for weekends and eating out.)

Hummus - Joyce's Version

1 can Chick Peas, drained except for
2 T. Juice from can
1 T. Lemon Juice
1 - 2 T. Minced Garlic
1 t. Minced or Chopped Onion
1/8 c. Chopped Green Peppers
Sev. Dashes Paprika

Puree chick peas in food processor or blender w/ liquids (blender isn't the easiest - have to do in tiny amounts at a time.)  Add remaining ingredients to taste.  All measurements very approximate - I really just 'dump'.  Have a guilt free feast w/ celery (other veggies work too!)

Linking to Modest Monday

Thrifty Thursday...

Taking a day trip - ending with dinner out with My Love today.  

My comfy & modest travelling outfit (yeah I know - I never do this - today's a first)...

 It's all 'old as the hills' - but then I'm in good company :)

silk beige under sweater - thrifted

cream St. John's Bay sweater - thrifted

black Tommy Hilfiger skirt - thrifted

scarf - thrifted or yard sale

black boots - Payless

Happy Valentine's Day to  you!!
Linking to Modest Monday