Maroon Missoni Madness!

Three reasons for loving thrifting in metro Atlanta - my three knit toy Missoni tops, which all happen to contain the color maroon, which is all the rage for Autumn/Winter 2011 and even Spring/Summer 2012 according to Paris Fashion Week, in particular Yves Saint Laurent and Hermes!

The maroon hip length faux leather trench coat by Mossimo for Target with my maroon zig zag toy Missoni top and a floral maroon skirt.

The toy Missoni maroon zig zag top with a maroon velvet jacket and a maroon floral skirt.

this coral red roses necklace...

The toy Missoni chartreuse knit top with maroon embroidered jacket and faux suede maroon pencil skirt.

A closeup of the toy Missoni chartreuse and maroon knit top...
The toy Missoni pink knit top featured earlier in my blog (has metallic thread in it!) with a maroon velvet jacket and maroon pencil skirt.
Enjoy your maroon tops and other clothing items this fall and winter and remember that Parisian haute couture is taking maroon into spring and summer 2012!

these pink oxford shoes with the candy pink metallic top...

otherwise to be teamed with these classic looking low heel burgundy oxfords...

and these Doc Martens cherry boots would add the right amount of edge...

or dressed up with these burgundy slingbacks...

 this burgundy crossbody shoulder bag...

and these retro cool cranberry red sunglasses...

So with maroon being a traditional color for autumn and winter, that means that maroon will be in ALL NEXT YEAR!!!

The nautical striped skirt inspired by Kelly Osbourne!

the skirt dressed up a bit when paired with a tailored and fitted denim jacket by Drapers & Damons...

then definitely these Midnight Magic glitterpuss shoes...

the outfit above looks so French that I want to wear this fleur de lis brooch!

 also a cobalt glitter knit top...

and this dark denim shirt...

My red and navy striped skirt, paired with a casual tracksuit jacket by JouJou which has two red stripes on the sleeves that go with the red stripes in the skirt!

and then these Superga grey hightops / high top sneakers...

 a red moto jacket would look cute too...

and this oversized red polo shirt...

 this star spangled top...

with the criss-cross back would look great...

 as would this cobalt blue moto jacket...

a cobalt blue tee...

and this cobalt blue dolman cardigan...

this indigo blue beret...

And these oversized cobalt frame sunglasses...

even this marled American flag tank top would look cute with the striped skirt!

I like the keyhole back!

and I would team the skirt with this navy blue crochet flat...

perhaps this French blue loafer...

something like this French blue satchel...

and here's Kelly Osbourne in her nautical navy and white striped skirt which inspired me to make my own...

The red and navy striped skirt was created from a nautical themed dress that was ill-fitted on the top half because it had a strange neckline. Just took a sharp pair of scissors and cut it a couple of inches above the waistline and added some elastic and voila! a very Parisian-looking nautical stripes skirt!

Red tartan / plaid skirt has tons of possibilities!

This red plaid or tartan skirt was made by cutting off the bottom part of a black velvet topped Christmas evening dress, which was a bit dated and less versatile than if turned into a skirt, that can be paired with an endless number of tops, jackets, sweaters and cardigans to achieve dressy or casual looks...

My red plaid skirt with a grey embroidered cardigan that surprisingly suits it to a T with a handmade red scarf!

My red plaid skirt with a red button down shirt and the black velvet with leopard jacket, paired with a Chanel type quilted bag.
My red plaid skirt with a blue denim shirt and the charcoal grey tracksuit jacket with matching red stripes on sleeves.

this red roses choker necklace...

and these Superga grey hightops / high top sneakers...

and for some reason, I want to wear these red roses sock with the tartan skirt!

Extremely simple to convert the dress into a skirt - all you really need is a length of elastic, some thread, a trusty sewing needle and a little bit of patience!

Spotted Brown and White Flannel Skirt

I recently handmade, literally with tiny little hand stitches, this brown and white spotted flannel skirt, along with a matching muffler scarf...

the ensemble will be perfect with a brown sleeveless knit top...

and of course with a brown sweatshirt...

this millefiore flower top...

with a brown medalion print top...

                                with a Tibetan style striped jumper / sweater knitted earlier...

I recently saw a charming brown and white polka dot dress with pintucking at the bodice at a thrift store which I could've bought for $5 but got talked out of it with a harsh statement from a family member: "yuck, put that back! Looks like something the dog threw up!"

Long story short, I didn't get it. Being shamed into putting the brown and white spotted dress back, which in hindsight, would've made a GREAT flared skirt with an elasticized waist. All I had to do was remove the zipper, cut the dress at the waist and create a waistband with hand stitching - no sewing machine needed at all - and stick in a length of elastic!

Three weeks later I go back to that thriftstore and I find the brown polka dot dress shoved, out of place, among the racks! Here it is...

Bronze Miistas, E bag and pumpkin spice watch

Or this chocolate brown silicone watch...