Tuesday, October 29, 2013

What I Wore | Lace Jacket + Typography Tee

What I'm Wearing
Typography Tee -- Old Navy ($1.97)
White Tank -- Forever 21 ($1.80)
Lace Moto Jacket -- c/o SheInside
Skinny Jeans -- Lands' End Canvas via Thrift Store ($12)
Leopard Print Flats -- Target ($15)
Nail Polish -- Essie in Very Cranberry

Today has been a crazy busy day. I had a doctor's appointment this morning, ran some errands with my mom, cooked dinner for my family, and this evening I'll be doing a baby-sitting job. Well...I guess you could say, this is the start of our busy fall/winter season because from now until December when we leave for our Christmas vacation, I have something going on every weekend (& during some week's too). 

This past weekend I found some amazing deals at Old Navy. I found the tee shirt I'm wearing today for $1.97 & a pair of shorts for the same price. I also picked up two long sleeved shirts for the colder weather, since I have a shocking lack of winter tops -- for the summer months I have a ton of clothes, winter not so much.

Also, I know I said that I was hoping to start the closet/bedroom organizing series this week. But I have a video that I have to put together for my Dad's banquet this week, so all of my other projects are on the back burner right now, as I need to get this done by Friday morning. *fingers crossed* So, please don't keep asking me when the series will be coming. I have a busy life & sometimes things come up (baby-sitting jobs, work things, health issues, etc...) that I don't know about beforehand. The series will come when I have time to devote all of my energy to it. Thank you for understanding.

~Ashley

Sunday, October 27, 2013

#AvonleaFW | Layered Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cake Recipe
2 Cups Sugar
1-3/4 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup Cocoa
1-1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1-1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
2 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 tsp Vanilla extract
1 Cup Boiling Water

Directions:
1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round baking pans with olive oil spray & dust some flour into the cake pans.
2) Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3) Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with the frosting of your choice.

For my cake I frosted the middle layer with chocolate & the outer part with vanilla frosting [this time I used canned frosting, since we had some on hand]. To decorate I added some mini reese's cups around the edge of the cake.

#AvonleaFW || Linky for Sunday (How Avonlea Has Effected Your Life)

How Avonlea Has Effected Your Life


Remember that you can still enter any of the other linky's this whole week [as I'll be keeping them open]! My post/video will be coming, Lord Willing, sometime this week. Me & Gaby's schedule's have been/are crazy right now, as we get ready for our dad's banquet this coming weekend.

#AvonleaFW || Felicity King Inspired Outfit for Modern Day

What I'm Wearing
Mustard Cardigan -- Forever 21 ($8)
Lace Blouse -- Forever 21 ($6)
Tweed Skirt -- J.Crew via Thrift Store ($12)
Tall Boots -- JustFab ($34)
Pearl Drop Earrings -- Kohl's (gift)
Lip Gloss -- NYC Liquid Lipshine in Midtown Mulberry 
Nail Polish -- Essie in Very Cranberry

Today's outfit was inspired by what Felicity King [from RtA] might wear after she had graduated from the one room school house in Avonlea. With the mix of the tweed skirt, lace blouse, and boyfriend style cardigan the outfit is a great updated version of what they wore in the Edwardian age.

If you have never seen the Road to Avonlea series you really must. It is charming, wonderful, and you will fall-in-love with the characters in the series. If your library doesn't own the DVDs & you have a Netflix DVD account they have them, because of Netflix I've been able to share season 7 with my two youngest sisters, Hanne-col & Abby. It has been lots of fun showing the last season with them [we've been watching the episodes as fast as possible so we can get the next disc]!

~Ashley

[Ashley isn't home this afternoon so the linky will be up later today. -Gaby] 

Saturday, October 26, 2013

#AvonleaFW || Diana Barry for Modern Day

What I'm Wearing
Red Wool Coat -- Kenneth Cole via Hautelook ($30)
Cardigan -- Target ($8)
Refashioned 80's Blouse -- Secondhand (free)
Skinny Jeans -- Lands' End Canvas via Thrift Store ($12)
Layered Necklace -- Bass Shoe Outlet ($4)
Tall Boots -- JustFab ($34)
Nail Polish -- Essie in Very Cranberry

My outfit for today was inspired by what Diana Berry might wear if the story was set in modern day, instead of the Edwardian or Victorian age. She would be the girl who had designer handbags, would always look stylish & put together, and would wear colours that looked simply regal. 

I wasn't able to get all the post's I wanted up today, so I'll have some them post tomorrow & I'll also share more on Monday (you can do the same too). Today I worked on switching my out my summer clothes for my winter ones (still not finished), and going shopping with my mom & Gaby to Old Navy where I found some awesome deals (shorts & tee shirts for $1.97 each)! I'll have to film an October shopping haul video sometime this coming week. 

~Ashley

#AvonleaFW || Linky's for Saturday (Crafts/Cooking/& Reviews)

Avonlea Workroom & Kitchen


Avonlea Book & Film Reviews

Friday, October 25, 2013

#AvonleaFW | Modern Day Izzy

After all this time I am making an appearance. Yes, that is right, I am Ashley's not so very diligent blogger younger sister Gabrielle. You may call me Gaby. Life keeps me busy so I can't blog as much as I would like to in my dreams. When Ashley told me Sullivan Entertainment contacted her about doing an Avonlea Fashion Weekend, I was ecstatic.  I have loved all things Anne and Avonlea since I was about 6. My sisters and I reenacted scenes from the Anne films all through our growing up. I played Anne. I had her lines memorized. Eventually, Ashley and I rented the Anne of Green Gables audio books and listened late into the night of Anne and her adventures. A few years ago we discovered the Road to Avonlea television series. Again I was in love. 
My inspiration for today's outfit comes from Road to Avonlea. In particular Izzy Pettibone in season 7. I think Izzy grew into a very beautiful young woman and she has lovely sense of style. Nothing too girlish and frilly, but certainly not too tomboy. Just the right mix. 
|| clothing items ||
cream lace blouse | Nine & Co. by Nine West [borrowed from Ashley]
Robbins egg blue boyfriend cardigan | Forever 21 [$7]
denim pencil skirt | Ann Taylor LOFT [$20]
black tights | Target [$5]
black heels | Payless [$5]
gold ring | Forever 21 [gift from Ashley]
earrings | Charming Charlie
pink & gold necklace | c/o Max & Chloe [borrowed from Ashley]
I hope y'all enjoyed my post. xoxo - Gaby

#AvonleaFW ❘❘ A Study of My Favorite AOGG Costumes


When I first watched Anne of Green Gables (1985) back in 1999, when I was nine years old,  I instantly fell head-over-heels in love with the costumes. It was the Anne movies that made me want to learn to sew an AOGG dress -- someday. We (my sisters and I) would watch the movies over, and over again. We would rent the movies so often from the library, that the librarians would ask us if we wanted to rent the Anne movies when they would come back in, before putting them back on the shelves. Can you guess what our answer would be? Of course, we would always say, "Yes!" 

But now, I have a confession to make. With Anne giving me the love of period costumes, I have never recreated any outfits from the movies. I have copied dresses from: "North & South" (2004), "Sense & Sensibility" (1995), "The Young Victoria" (2009), and "Pride & Prejudice" (1995). But never from my beloved AOGG -- mostly because I think I want them to be perfect. You know, I have been planning the costumes since I was nine, and now I am twenty-three.

I thought, why not share some of my notes and research on two of my favorite costumes! I'm sure someone will find it useful, and so will I when ever I find the perfect fabric for my projects.

First off, my all-time favorite costume of Anne's! The cow chasing dress.


The dress is made of a blue and white vertically striped material. The collar is a rounded sailor style with white braid trim along the edge and a navy blue tie (which appears to be of a sheer material). The back of the collar has the stripes forming a "v." The neckline is filled with a horizontal striped sheer tucker that shows evidence of having a piece of boning on either side of the neck. The bodice is plain, gathered at the center front, and buttons down the back. It is separated from the skirt by a waistband. The sleeves are ¾ length with fullness at the cap and cuff. The cuff is 1.5" wide and of white dotted material. The skirt is five gores (three in front and two in back) with the center front gore having the stripes cut horizontally, while remaining gores are all cut with the stripes running vertically. There is some fullness at the center back. A 6" ruffle at the hem completes the dress. (Taken from In Timely Fashion which is now down.)

Patterns I though would be perfect for recreating this dress, with minor changes of course. 

B4826 (View A)  You would have to switch the opening to the front. Change the shape of the collar in the back. Change the fullness of the sleeve, length of sleeve, and cuff.   
B4698 (View D)  Take away the ruffle. And smooth out the shape of the collar around the neck. Of course, you would have to adjust the collar so if fits underneath the blouse. 
Sense & Sensibility Patterns: 1909 "Beatrix" Skirt pattern - Just adjust the length. Add ruffle to the bottom of skirt. And have the skirt slightly gather around the waist.

With all of my research, and seeing a gown from around the same era in London in the autumn of 2009 (sadly I can not share pictures for copyright reasons). I strongly believe that, the lace collar has either hooks & eyes or snaps, along the back of the neck and all around to the front and back. Making the collar removable. Also, I believe that back of the dress buttons up until her sailor middy collar, meaning you would have to slip the dress over your head. But the buttons in the back (plus the collar is removable) would give you plenty of room for you to slip right through.   

Next up, her Vest Outfit (seen in the beginning of the movie).


This is a three-piece outfit consisting of a shirtwaist, vest, and skirt. The blouse is white with light grey dots. It has a stand-up collar, which forms a "v" at the upper edge and opens down the center front. A bar pin securing the collar and a taupe ribbon forming a bow give the collar a more special air. The sleeves are gathered at the cap and cuff, with the cuff being around 2.5" wide. It is hard to see how the bodice is treated, but it most likely has some fullness. The shirtwaist closes down the front with buttons.

The vest is of a grey and taupe plaid and is fitted with darts. It is pointed at the front waist and straight across the back. The vest is secured down the front with six taupe buttons. The skirt is made of a plain brown cloth (likely a medium weight wool or heavy cotton). It is six gores with fullness at the center back and has three large tucks at the hem. It is hemmed at a comfortable walking (or cycling, for that matter!) length.

Let me talk for a moment about this outfit and its wearability for a modern girl. This style of ensemble (shirtwaist, vest, and skirt) was popular at the turn of the last century for the very reason that it was easy to care for (because it was three pieces, one didn't need to launder the whole thing at once), very versatile in that you could change pieces of the outfit to create a new look, and practical. I would not think it amiss to wear something akin to this outfit today. Practical, sturdy fabrics make for a lovely, feminine design that stands up to repeated wear and tear and is tough enough to withstand the dirt and grime we encounter day-to-day. (In Timely Fashion)
- Use Sense & Sensibility Patterns: 1909 "Beatrix" Skirt pattern for the skirt. You would just have to add tucks.

- For the blouse, I would recommend using Sense & Sensibility Patterns: 1909 "Beatrix" Shirtwaist pattern for the base of your blouse. As it has many options to choose from in the pattern. 

- To make the vest I would recommend using a basic bodice pattern and adjust accordingly to make your vest.

I hope some of you will find this helpful.

~Ashley

#AvonleaFW ❘❘ Linky's for Friday (Fashion & Costumes)


Modern Avonlea Fashion


Historical Avonlea Fashion

#AvonleaFW ❘❘ Modern Day Meets Avonlea (Day 1)

What I'm Wearing
Orange Jumper -- JCPenny ($10)
Collared Tank Blouse -- H&M (Free)
Gingham Skirt -- Made By Me (?)
Boots -- JustFab ($34)
Pearl Drop Earrings -- Brittany Chavers via Etsy ($10)

This is my first Modern Day Meets Avonlea outfit for the weekend, and I really like the mix of colors and textures found within this outfit. Let me tell y'all how this outfit came about, and how it is Avonlea inspired, which will give you some ideas on how to create your own outfits for this weekend.

In both the AOGG films & the RtA series they wear either sweater like cardigans, or chunky jumpers -- which is why I picked this orange jumper. I knew I needed some type of lace/eyelet, since almost every female character in AOGG & RtA features this in their outfit. Enter my collared tank blouse with an eyelet collar that I picked up from H&M last month for FREE. Yes, I said free. They were having a buy one clearance item, get one item free -- it was awesome. Since the gingham check pattern was popular for girl dresses, I decided to pull out my green gingham check skirt -- which has that old fashioned flair. Then I put on some pearl drop earrings & some boots (I wish I own some laced boots though).

The linky's will be posted later this morning at around 10:00AM and will be left open until November 2nd. I can't wait to see y'all's posts!!

~Ashley

#AvonleaFW ❘❘ Road to Avonlea Themed Giveaway


Today is the start of the Avonlea Fashion Weekend. I'll be referencing the entire weekend in my blog titles, on Facebook, Twitter, and on YouTube as #AvonleaFW -- just so the title is shorter. *smile*

This weekend Shop at Sullivan is partnering with Bramblewood Fashion to bring y'all a wonderful Road to Avonlea themed giveaway.
You could win:
- “Road To Avonlea” – Season One Widescreen Digitally Remastered Edition
- “Road to Avonlea” – The Original Series Soundtrack
- Avonlea Room Spray and Satchet

To win this prize package all you have to do is leave a comment down below with your favorite Anne of Green Gables and/or Road to Avonlea quote. After leaving a comment below, find more entires to win in the Rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The giveaway is open from October 25th - November 1st and anyone in North America can enter. The giveaway closes on November 1st at 11:59PM{EST}.

~Ashley

Thursday, October 24, 2013

#AvonleaFW ❘❘ Avonlea Fashion Weekend 2013




Blog Post with all the details about the event: http://www.bramblewoodfashion.com/2013/10/avonlea-fashion-weekend-starts-tomorrow.html
Anne of Green Gables Apron: http://www.bramblewoodfashion.com/2010/06/aogg-inspired-embroidered-apron.html

::Treasury Books Mentioned in Video::
Anne of Green Gables Treasury by: Carolyn Strom Collins & Christina Wyss Eriksson
Anne of Green Gables Christmas Treasury by: Carolyn Strom Collins & Christina Wyss Eriksson

~Ashley

Avonlea Fashion Weekend Starts Tomorrow!!!


The Avonlea Fashion Weekend starts tomorrow morning!!! Yay! To remember the details about the event, be sure the review these two posts:

Avonlea Fashion Weekend ❘❘ Blog Event

To prepare for the event, me and two of my youngest sisters have been working our way through series 7 of Road to Avonlea. I'm full of outfit inspiration & I can't wait to share them all with you! Now, here is the schedule for the weekend.

Friday -- 
  • Modern Avonlea Fashion Link-up -- Share outfit posts/polyvore set inspired by either AOGG or RtA.
  • Historical Avonlea Fashion Link-up -- Share your costumes that you have made inspired by either AOGG or RtA. You can also share your thoughts on the costumes & how you would recreate them, if you prefer.
Saturday --
  • Avonlea Workroom & Kitchen Link-up -- Share any craft, sewing, or cooking that you have done inspired by either the AOGG or RtA stories. Perhaps an apron that is AOGG inspired? Host an Avonlea themed tea party & share pictures on your blog.
Sunday --
  • How Avonlea Has Effected Your Life Link-up -- Write a post about how Avonlea has effected your life. Or if you like, you can film a video explaining your love of Avonlea & how you got into the stories. 
~Ashley

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

What I Wore | Tunic + Skinny Jeans + Boots

What I'm Wearing
Tunic -- c/o OASAP
Skinny Jeans -- Lands' End Canvas via Thrift Store ($12)
Tall Boots -- JustFab ($34)
Trench Coat -- Kohls ($9)
Fedora/Floppy Hat -- Forever 21 ($8)
Lip Color -- Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie

Today has been a day of replying to some emails, planning for the Avonlea Fashion Weekend, listening to records, drinking hot chocolate, having a candle burn in the background, and this evening I'll be doing a babysitting job.  

In my last post I received several questions wondering where my closet/bedroom organizing series was, since about 22 days I ago I mention that in October I was doing one this month. Well...right after I announced the series, I had some health problems come up & I didn't have the strength to take pictures & film videos for the series. This past week I've been recovering & gaining back my strength, but after the Avonlea event this weekend I will be doing the series next week -- Lord Willing. I promise.

~Ashley 

Friday, October 18, 2013

What I Wore | Autumn Days are Here

What I'm Wearing
Floral Blouse -- H&M ($4)
Mustard Cardigan -- Forever 21 ($8)
Skinny Jeans -- Lands' End Canvas via Thrift Store ($12)
Tall Boots -- JustFab ($34)
Key Necklace -- Forever 21 ($3)
Dangle Earrings -- Charming Charlie ($3)

We had perfect autumn weather today in Indiana, where it wasn't too cold or hot -- just perfect weather. Which was excellent, since I met up with a friend this afternoon to help her find some professional outfits for a job interview. Than afterwards I picked up another friend and we went to the grocery store to pick up some goodies for a sleepover tonight at our house. We will be having cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa, marshmallows, and who knows what else. The only confirmed movie that we will be watching tonight is, War Horse (2011) with Tom Hiddleston & Benedict Cumberbatch -- an excellent film if you haven't seen it yet. 


What do y'all have planned for the weekend, or this evening?

~Ashley

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