Christmas Plaid Wide Leg Pants Tutorial with Video

Hi Hi!

I love the idea of a dressy pant or jumpsuit instead of a dress or skirt for the holidays. It can be just as dressed up but with a modern twist!

I came across my inspiration picture for these pants from an adorable girl I follow on Instagram, who was wearing sequins pants. I LOVED them. They were the perfect, fun, over-the-top kind of piece you can wear during the holidays and not feel over-dressed. The fact they were wide leg pants was a unexpected aspect. I set out to find sequins fabric to recreate the look...

Unfortunately, our little town didn't have sequin fabric and since I was too impatient to wait for shipping, I found the next best thing in our Hobby Lobby: PLAID. Shimmery, fancy Christmas Plaid, as I like to call it :)

Even though I know this pant would look amazing in sequin fabric, I am very happy with the way they turned out!

These pants would look cute in lots of fabric choices and would also be perfect for New Years Eve!!
Please let me know if you have any questions and I would love to hear feedback! What do you think? Would you wear these?? Not going to lie- my husband said "It's a look" haha. But I love them anyways.

Watch the easy video tutorial on how to make your own!



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Now, for my favorite part: all the pretty pictures (taken by Tamara Chepelyuk)

Thank you so much for reading and I hope this inspires you to try and recreate a look you see this week!!

Have a joyful, peaceful holiday season! 

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! 

May God bless you all!! 

With Love, 

Viktoria 

Low Back Bow-Tie Top

Happy D E C E M B E R!!!

The happiest month of the year!!

I don't know about you but I love being a little more "dressed-up" during the holidays! Even when I'm just in some jeans, I always reach for a fancier top and a pair of heels. Something that is a little more feminine, something that makes you feel like a girl :)

This is where the idea was rooted. Wanting a comfy top that was still special and dressy.
I started the search in Target looking for a comfy top to refashion and after not finding anything, went searching in my closet. Guess what! Found the most perfect thick cotton top that I had gotten from Target (on clearance) a couple years ago... laying on the bottom of my sweater pile, not being worn. I am sure you can find something too! A solid color would work best (black looks more dressed up) but make sure it's not a knit or silky/ super stretchy fabric (harder to work with!)

I had envisioned this top with a large stiff bow but since I was using what I had on hand, it turned into a more dainty simple tie which I still love! But I give you *creative freedom* to do as you wish! :)

What you need:
-Simple (thicker) cotton or similar top
-Ribbon/sash for the bow
-Sewing machine
-Scissors

Heres the video how-to!!

https://youtu.be/_0g-Knz9pnM

I hope the videos are helpful for you and you attempt to refashion something of your own!!

Please don't hesitate to ask questions!! Let me know if you tried this or it's something you will try!

Beautiful photography by Tamara Chepelyuk 

Happiest Holidays and all the Christmas Joy to you!!

With Love,

Viktoria

DIY Star Advent

Hello Lovelies!

I have had this DIY on my "to post about" for over 2 years (made this advent in 2016!) and just kept getting the timing wrong! Finally, it's BEFORE Decemeber and I am writing this blog post! :) Yay!! 

For those of you not aware of what Advent is, it means "coming" in Latin and it's a period of time (4 weeks) before Christmas where Christians await the coming of the Messiah (in our case, the second coming!)  

We remember the longing of the Jews for a Messiah.. 
We realize our own longing for and need of forgiveness, and a Savior. 
We look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus but we also look forward, anticipating the second coming of Christ, as the fulfillment of all that was promised! 

Advent is not something I grew up with and it's relatively new to our little family as well. I have only done it a few times! It is a beautiful way to draw our hearts and attention back to the real reason for Christmas, every single day in December, building up to the birth of Christ!! I enjoy thinking of new ways to incorporate Advent into our Christmas decor and love to DIY it! 

You may also wish to include a fun activity to do that day!
Things like:
Drive to see the Christmas lights
Watch a Christmas movie
Make a Christmas card to mail for someone

See this list for more ideas!! 

What you will need to make the Advent Stars: 

-Brown Paper or pretty paper? (I bought a LARGE roll of thick brown paper from Home Depot or Lowes- it'll be in the painting section- also great for gift wrapping!!)
-Sewing machine or needle & thread if you're adventurous!
-Star template : I included a good starter size star! Too little and it'll be hard to fit anything in there besides the paper slip!
-Markers (to decorate or write numbers on the stars)
-Hole punch
-Pretty twine
-A metal hoop or circular form (I ordered gold metal hoops from Amazon!)
-Little gifts & special candies (optional)
-Print-outs of Bible verses:  I used something similar to these!

1. First, print off a few star templates from the computer and cut out for tracing onto the brown paper..

2. Trace & cut out paper stars. If you are doing all the days of Advent, you will need 25 X 2 (each star needs two sides- front and back) so total of 50 stars. The beauty of this part is the stars don't have to be perfect. Each one will vary a little.. makes it more unique!

3. Start to sew up and down the angles of the star.. leaving a little gap for filling! Again, they might not 100% line up but that little imperfection makes it more rustic!

4. Fill the star with a verse in each (and a fun activity too!) and a special treat, mini toy, etc!
Some examples could be:
Kinder Eggs
a mini ornament for each child
a cute pencil/ gel pen
stickers
a scavenger hunt to find the hidden gift!

If you chose to just include the slip of paper, consider stuffing it with shredded paper filler to make the star have more shape!

5. Sew the hole closed (this is a little tricky if you really filled the star but it can be done!)

6. Write the number on the star for the day it coordinates with!

7. Hole punch a hole on the top corner. Make sure it's not too close to the edge or it may tear away from the star. Loop the twine in and tie to the metal hoop (or whatever you have prepared - even a rustic stick to tie all the stars to!)

I added a branch of evergreen for some color and texture. It was so simple yet makes a big visual impact!

8. Using thicker twine, tie around the circle and knot in the middle. (pictured below) Make sure it's balanced correctly and will hang evenly. I think eventually the weight wasn't even after cutting off random stars and it slide down vertically (See first photo) but still looks just as cute!

9. Hang on a hook in the ceiling (hope your husband doesn't question said hook) ;)

10. You're done! Cut off the star for each number day for the days of December, and tear open to expose the surprise!

I hope your kids and family will love it as much as ours did! They ran to it first thing every morning and took turns cutting the next number loose! They also liked to try and guess what it could be inside!

I hope you will consider starting this new tradition with your family! You never know what tradition your kiddos will remember the most when they grow up but I hope it this will be one of them! 

Have a joyful and peaceful holiday season!!

With Love, 

Viktoria 

P.S. One really fun filler I did for one of the stars was a large quantity of M&M's. When they tore it open, the M&Ms scattered everywhere.. haha that was funny :)

P.P.S. After the stars came off one by one, I added Christmas Cards to the empty strings with cute mini clothespins! I wish I snapped a photo! It's a neat idea for when the stars start dwindling down.

Taking Advantage of Spring Blooms and Branches: DIY Flower Arrangement

Hello Lovelies!

Whenever I have an abundance of pretty flower pictures on my camera, I feel the strong need to share them. They are just too pretty not to!! (Like these peony pictures from my basket bag re-make!) That's because you can't go wrong with them. They are so photogenic! :) All they need is some good lighting, and they look gorgeous! I especially love to use my Macro lense for close shots of all their special details. Each flower amazes me.

For our church's Easter party, I was asked to do a simple decor for the tables. I love party planning and party decor but since it was a simple after-church potluck, I knew all it really needed was a pretty bouquet on the table. By the way: I am not a florist in anyway. I follow the same amount of florist Instagrammers as you do (I think every girl loves flowers!)

This is a simple DIY that anyone can do! Take advantage of natures free blooms during spring! Ahhh, I love you Springtime!


What you need:
-a low vase / pot  (I found my "farmhouse style" pot at the Dollar Store!!)

-a green foam florist sponge- soaked overnight (I just cut a bigger piece in half to fit my two pots)

-FLOWERS! Example: flowering branches, tulips, hellebores, hygrangeas, lilies; anything seasonal!


Start with the largest, tallest pieces you have. I put my magnolia branches in the back. (Thanks to my sister for sharing these beauties with me from her own tree!!)

Then I layered the next "row" with the flowering cherry branches, trimming them to be a little shorter.

Next I stuck in the tulips. This is where you can add more strong flowers like hydrangea, or lily!

Last, the delicate droopy flowers. Hellebore is so seasonal- I love that about them! They scream SPRING! Poppy or ranunculus would also be gorgeous!

Fill in any empty spaces with other left over flowers from branches, etc.

*TIP* Use a small color palette and it will blend much better! Remember,  greens are always good to add and whites are a neutral!

 Girls and flowers. Is there anything prettier? 

I hope you had a wonderful Easter Holiday! Enjoy this season by playing with flowers. It's so therapeutic!

Thank you for reading!

With Love, 

Viktoria 

Straw Bag Remake

Hello hello!

The basket/ratten/wicker bag trend is everywhere right now! I love it and want one in every shape!

I'm sure that is the reason that when the handles on this thrifted basket/beach bag ripped, it went from being placed into the trash pile to immediately placing it into the refashion pile. I am so pathetic. Even when I throw something away, I take it out of the trash. Haha!

The truth is, the straw handles rubbed uncomfortably into my shoulders when the bag was overfilled - which, as you mama's know, it is ALWAYS overfilled. The idea to make leather straps in place of the straw ones only came into mind when they conveniently ripped.

You do not have to wait for that moment to happen to you! You can carefully cut yours off and remake them- It's so easy! Here's what you will need:

Leather - I bought a decent piece in the "scraps" leather section of our local fabric store
Leather hole puncher -Michaels
Screw Posts (Brackets) - Hobby Lobby

Cut two strips of leather, about 3 inches thick, 30 inches long. Loop through exsisting slots or wider if you prefer. The good news- with a basket weave, you have many hole options. Make sure to leave enough room/lip on top to support your handles.

Using the leather hole maker, punch a few holes until you have the size you need for your brackets. 

Push the bottom piece through and screw on the end. 

Repeat to other 3 areas. :) Make the handles the way you would normally hold a bag, one side with one side. 

Wear to your next beach getaway. Or to a picnic. Or to your Monday grocery store shopping :)

 

 

Even helpful for carrying sticks :)

It's also great for holding peonies from your garden that you cant stop obsessing over. Please forgive me for the flood of images you will see. I. Cant. Stop. 

 (My sweet girl BTS, hand modeling for me)

What were we talking about again? Oh, right, the bag ;)

I love love the way it turned out and the leather is so soft and flexible on my shoulder.. No longer will my husband complain about me over packing it. well, not right away at least. :)

We took these pictures on Mother's Day and the day was refreshing and satisfying. I feel truly so blessed to be a mother and it's nice to soak in those reminders that it is a GIFT to bear that title. To hear the stories about how fast time really does fly. Take a moment and breathe in the present, dear readers! Rejoice in the now, in the place you are at. It won't always be like this. (Totally going country song on you)

My dress is from here! This is a similar one shoulder look. And love this striped dress too! This one is sitting pretty in my cart waiting for a sale :/

Have a wonderful week! Thank you for reading!

With Love,

Viktoria