Refashion Inspiration | Katy Perry & The Puckered Rosette Dress

Image via Nasty Gal

Last month for Valentine's Day, Logan took me to Winston-Salem to go shopping at H&M. He knows how much I love that store, and he pretty much gave me free reign of it. It was delightful! I picked out a strapless black mini dress similar to the one above. H&M does not have the one I purchased on their website. I was so excited and have been waiting for it to warm up so I could pull this beautiful dress on. So imagine my angered surprise earlier this week when I found my brand new, tags-still-in-tact dress in the dogs crate. 

Yes, he had pulled it into his crate and chewed it up.

I was infuriated, yelling, sad, crying. I had tossed my old LBD out because it was, well, old. I was so excited to have a new one. One that fit my little body perfectly. Not a single loose piece of fabric anywhere. There wasn't a need to alter anything. It was the perfect LBD for me. I threw the dress across the room and swore the dog into non-existence. 

What I love about Logan is that when I throw a tantrum like that, he never tells me things like, "You're overreacting," or "it's just a dress." I am well aware that it's just a dress. But it is rare to find a gorgeous dress (or pants for that matter) that fit me so well and will still be flattering to my very straight figure. He kindly put Splash in his crate and went into the kitchen and made me something to eat. He even washed the dishes while he was in there. Later he said simply, "I know you, you'll find a way to fix it."

Then on Monday I went to the ER to get my shoulder looked at, and I flipped through their stack of outdated magazines, intentionally surpassing all the gossip. I always go straight for the lifestyle and home magazines. I decided to snag an issue of Marie Claire back from January. Inside was an interview with Katy Perry, and I was stunned by this puckered rosette top and bottom she wore. Is that not insanely sensational?!

As the article broke down the "how to achieve her look" I feasted my eyes on this dress featured from Saks Fifth Avenue. Now, the article says "Price Available Upon Request," which immediately tells me I couldn't afford it in my wildest dreams. But ... I can make my own! In fact, I now have a ruined dress that needs a little revamping! Oh, wait, I also have a Sizzix Big Shot that can cut fabric flowers out for me. This is looking more and more amazing by the second!
I guess the moral of this story is, it's hard to see the silver lining in the face of devastation, even if it is over just a dress. But it's encouraging when there are those that have faith in you and your talents. Logan was stoked when I leaned over and showed him the article and the refashion that had inspired me right then.
I ordered a die on Amazon the other day and am waiting for it to arrive. Once I do, this LBD is about to turn into a LBMPD -- Little Black Metallic Puckered Dress!
Happy Creative Inspiration, Steph

Your Favorite Pins

Remember when I said my kids were dropping like flies? Yeah ... apparently that applies for the whole family, myself included. So please forgive me if I am slow to get posts up. It seems I have injured my shoulder, as in can't-drive, can't-put-on-my-own-coat-on or tie-my-own-shoes kind of injured. Right now, as I type this, I am lowering my wrists and leaning to the right, in a sad little attempt to keep some of the weight and strain on my right shoulder to a minimum. Let's just be thankful you can't see me, okay?! I have posts and projects lined up, plus an upcoming giveaway, just be patient as I work on getting them done. I have to move a little slow and limit my activity in this position. I'm thinking I will be back in the doc's office before long. Eek!
For now, I thought I would share your most loved pins. If you're not following me on Pinterest, come on over and do so. Also, catch me on Twitter where I can one-handedly update regularly thanks to our good friend, iPhone.

Our very own list of FREE Photoshop Actions

My Wow-worthy Southern Style Bacon Mustard Greens

Our 1st Thessalonians Printable -- I am so glad this is loved!

Our crash course on getting the mildew out of your towels -- Glad I'm not alone, so thank you!
I am so grateful for all this love you show me. Pin on!
XO, Steph

Life Lately: Dropping Like Flies

That pretty much sums up my kids this week. I have been to urgent care twice and to our primary's' once. Later today, we're off to the specialist. I guess when it rains it pours. Last Friday my son mentioned he wasn't feeling too hot. By Sunday I was exhausted from sleepless nights and constant crying. Off to urgent care we went. Turns out he had dime size ulcers in his mouth that had become infected. That infection spread into his ears, causing quite a bit of pain in my little guy. Thank goodness for drug stores that are open on Sunday's, because illnesses operate 7 days a week, you know.
Fast forward to Wednesday: Liam finally made it back to school. Here I thought to myself, Great, I get things done and get possibly get to the mechanic. Ho, ho, ho! This is when someone noticed my daughter grabbing herself. After a brief conversation with her, I was on the phone with my primary doctor. (We'll keep that visit private.) Off to the drug store!
On to Thursday: I noticed my oldest daughter's ear was yucky and full of gunk. Oh dear! It was obvious she had an allergic reaction to the earrings she was wearing and there was an infection. I took them out, soaked her ear lobe in peroxide (mostly to loosen the gunk so I could remove the stud), and wiped it down with a dab of antibiotic ointment. Huh, I thought, that's strange. Where is the earring back? I looked, pondered, then realized one small piece of information. When I put her earrings in, I specifically put the metal backing on, then put on a plastic back so the earring wouldn't dig into the back of her ear at bedtime. I looked. Here's the plastic backing, but where is the metal back? Eyes wide, I touched her lobe, noticing how swollen it was. I could certainly feel a knot in it, but was it just infection? Off to urgent care we went! Sure enough, the doc took an xray and came back, saying, "It's in there." That earrings' back lodged itself into her ear lobe! Oh my word! 
So today we're off to the specialist to see about getting that earring back cut out of there. I have yet to see the mechanic. Thanks for indulging in my week with me. Tomorrow I will finally get a day off. So stay tuned as I prepare to share the awesomeness that will be tomorrow with you. For now, have a great Friday and safe weekend.
Toodles! Steph