Almost....

Dear Friends!

I miss you so much...I have been so busy I've barely had time to sleep and haven't done too much of that! My husbands production of Hairspray opens this weekend and I am furiously sewing away like a crazy lady trying to get the costumes finished. Almost there! Next week I'll be back. And I'll share some of my favorite costumes from Hairspray with you.

Love,

Sandra, who has been anything but fashionable for the last few weeks. 

Pretty on the cheap? Yes, please!

Last night I was thrilled to be a part of a wonderful ensemble performing the music of Andrew Lloyd Weber! 


My gown for the evening was a wonderful, flattering dress that I found at Savers. For $12!

Yes, it's a formal/bridesmaids gown from David's Bridal that retails for $135. Really nice, with boning and built in bra in a great spring color.  


Mine is more periwinkle, but I thought it worked great! Nice and romantic as I was singing two songs from Phantom of the Opera. And the ruching at the waist is so flattering! 


I apologize in advance for the pictures, the lighting was dramatic so it was hard to get a good screenshot of me in the show.

Backstage!

Backstage with my friend Francesca, in her $20 Ross Dress.

And onstage, introducing my Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat medly!

I felt pretty and glamourous and got lots of compliments. For $12. :)

I did find out last night, much to my amusement, that I have developed a reputation for making numerous costume changes in a show. I only made one costume change this show...and even made someone lose a bet! 

Spring is on it's way!

Spring is definitely my favorite time of year. You'd think I'd like fall, when the 110 degree heat finally leaves, but it always takes to long to get here so it annoys me! I love spring...that feeling of re-birth, the smell of plants in bloom, the bright colors!

Here are few of my inspirations for a spring wardrobe! Tonight I am singing in an awesome concert so tomorrow I'll post some of my performance wear photos!

Source: polyvore.com via Sandra on Pinterest

I just can't get enough black and white (or cream in this case) - so graphic, so bold yes so feminine.

Source: polyvore.com via Sandra on Pinterest

Royal and Magenta are definitely 2 colors I want to incorporate more into my wardrobe. Great colors for me as well. 

And I still need to find an amazing lace dress! I LOVE this one...(and Emma Stone! She's just adorable!)

Inspired!

I really love Pinterest. It's a great outlet to see what's out there...and then pin them so I can remember what I like! I often look at my Pinterest boards when I'm shopping, especially at thrift stores. It helps me keep my eye out for colors, fabrics or silhouette's that caught my eye.

I also have a board that is for inspirations for things I already have! I started it because of this image.

I have some great sequined tops as you saw yesterday and I was like -yes! This is a way I can wear one in every day life. It's fun and sassy!

First I went to Polyvore and played around...

And then I grabbed one of my gold tank tops and paired it with a thin white t-shirt...it worked well to play down the dressiness of a sequined top.  

The top was $9 at Savers, the T-shirt around $5 at Walmart


Then I paired it with my trusty denim shirt....which I bought well over a year ago but only wore once. It's been threatening to get put in the donation bag, but I just kept hanging on to it because I KNEW i would wear it again.

Denim Shirt - on Clearance at Walmart (part of the Miley Cyrus collection...I know, but cute is cute!) $5


I wore it with my skinny jeans and knee high brown boots. And it was CUTE! I will definitely wear it again...maybe even take a photo. :)

SPARKLE!

Who doesn't love a little sparkle? I love all the sequins trends!

Here are 3 great tops I picked up at great values!

This silver top was $8 at Suzy's Deals! I had it for over a year before I figured out how to wear it! It's long and roomy, so it's perfect paired with some jeggings, boots or booties and a long sweater! Here it is in action!

And yes, that was onstage, but I have worn it out! It's not too flashy...actually, just right if you want to be noticed. :)

 This one is great! I love the design. Forever 21, also $8 at Suzy's Deals! It's not the most flattering look on me, shapeless works well for those who are not so well endowed, but I'll figure it out one of these days. 

This one is really fun also - $4 at Savers. It's fun with Jeans and a denim jacket. 


It is nice to wear something over the sequin tops, though...they can really do a number on your arms if they are bare!


So here's a challenge! Try to incorporate some sparkle into your looks! I'll have a great idea tomorrow inspired by Pinterest!

Maxi Evolution

While I am LDS (Mormon) and adhere to a personal standard of modest dress, I also just generally like to keep my arms covered! And, I LOVE maxi dresses. Which are almost always spaghetti straps. 

Last summer, I fell in LOVE with this dress! Bright, fun...quirky!

It was $13! But I really don't like always just wearing a little shrug over things...so, I took matters into my own hands! I bought 2 dresses - so a total of $26 for you math majors out there, and built in a top!

TAH DAH!!

Now, I do recognize that I am blessed to have some fierce sewing skills, but to be honest, I rarely take the time to actually do something for myself. 


Here's the only photo I have of the dress in action...goofing around with my friend Kellie backstage at a show! I still wear a tank under it because it cuts so low...oh well! We can't have everything, can we?

I do love wearing it. Maxi dresses are WONDERFUL for hot Las Vegas summers.