Sewing Blankets: the Explanation

My friend (and blog follower) Lindsay read my post about sewing baby blankets and was curious to hear more about the volunteer work.

I thought my answer may be helpful to some of you other ladies, too:

This volunteer work is through The Junior League. I never thought I would be a Junior Leaguer (heard too many bad stereotypes) but then I realized that the Atlanta Junior League is full of professional, diverse and motivated women (not the group I thought it would be). So I decided to give it a shot.

Everyone has different reasons for joining the Junior League, whether it be to make friends, have a reason to volunteer, do a little bit of networking (it sure grows your network to be in such a big club!), dress up for fun events, etc. I wanted to do a little of all of the above but mostly wanted to be held accountable to volunteer. (I think everyone who sets out to volunteer has great intentions -- but they may not actually volunteer as much as they thought they would -- with Junior League, you have to maintain a certain number of volunteer hours per year to be in the club). The other thing I like is that you have about 40 volunteer organizations to choose from versus being pigeonholed into one kind of opportunity. Last year, I volunteered at the Genesis Shelter (a homeless shelter for women and children, and fathers when available), helping by watching the children while their parents took courses in fiscal responsibility, parenting, etc. I chose sewing baby blankets this year so I could volunteer when it was convenient. It's been neat, but next year, I think I'll look into something that includes interacting with people.

Other opportunities include volunteering at the Chastain Horse Park (doing therapy with kids via letting them ride horses), helping with special events at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, serving on an event committee (e.g., the March "Tour of Kitchens"), volunteering at the Atlanta Center for the Blind, etc. All of this ties back to the Junior League of Atlanta's mission: "The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable."

(For more info, visit www.jlatlanta.org)

Remember the wrap dress?

She's back... return of the traveling wrap dress.

While you may not remember the Alamo, you may remember the traveling wrap dress comment contest I started back in May.

Well, after going from me to PLT and from PLT to Mb, and from Mb onto a D.C. chica named M, many of us thought the traveling wrap dress would travel no more.

Today, when I least expected it, the dress made it's triumphant return. Check it out here. And more importantly, leave a comment so you have a chance at winning the dress - and keeping the tradition going.

p.s. the instructional video is the best part!

Friendly Reminder: Now’s the Time to Find Clearance-Priced Coats

I love outerwear. I admit I have a semi-ridiculous number of jackets and coats — but I love them all! It’s fun to have a variety of colors, fabrics, cuts and weights. Some days call for my heavy-duty, knee-length wool coat from Victoria’s Secret. Others may require a simple lightweight khaki trench. And when an outfit calls for a pop of something different, I pull out my thrift-store, grey leather coat. Needing some of color? I grab my green, satin swing coat, complete with a funky, gold zipper.

If you’re 2005 winter coat is finally reaching its expiration — or if your wardrobe generally needs more variety — now is the PERFECT time to go outerwear hunting.

Around late January and early February, retailers start significantly marking down heavy coats, jackets and other outerwear to make room for spring and summer styles and cuts. So next time you’re in the neighborhood of Old Navy, Ross, TJ Maxx, Target or other, swing by and see what kind of deal you can score.

Coat pictured here: my new Nine West Fuchsia lightweight trench. I found it at Ross in Raleigh, North Carolina, last weekend for $25 (retailed pre-Ross for $200). Ignore the face – my makeup hadn’t yet found its way to my face this morning.

Reader Question: Vintage Jewelry

This week, Becca e-mailed me a question. I had so much fun answering it!

Hey, I stumbled upon your blog through other people's blogs. I just wanted to say I really love reading your blogs and your findings. I was just wondering, which thrift stores do you hit to find vintage jewelry. I live in the atlanta area also. Any information would be great. Thank you so much.

Sincerely, Becca

And my response:

Hi Becca!

I'm so flattered you enjoy my blog and reached out to me! While they don't have hoards of jewelry, I have found many affordable and unique vintage jewelry pieces at Kudzu Antique Market (http://kudzuantiques.com/) in Decatur. Not to mention they have great sales (sign up for their e-mail newsletters).

Another great place to look is My Sister's Closet: http://www.mysistersclosetonline.com/.

I haven't been there, but I've heard great things about Back by Popular Demand in Lilburn: http://bbpdconsignment.com/.

And don't be scared to check out the new and vintage styles at Hurs Jewelry Mart. They have SOOO much stuff! http://www.hursmart.com/store/default.asp

But the best advice I can give is to swing by the jewerly counter whenever you're in the vicinity of a Goodwill, Salvation Army or other consignment shop. Most of the best -- and most affordable -- items are found by chance. My fave Goodwills are the ones on LaVista (by Northlake Mall in Tucker) and on Buford Highway near the intersection of Clairmont Road -- it's where all the Buckhead people donate. :)

Katy
http://www.lifefulfilledatlanta.blogspot.com/

p.s. I wouldn't have known about Back by Popular Demand if it weren't for the lovely Danielle from Fell4Fashion. Thanks, Danielle!

Spotted at the Tucker Goodwill: Rock-N-Republic Denim Skirts

Spotted today at the Northlake Goodwill (LaVista Road in Tucker http://rockandrepublic.com/)... about 12 Rock-N-Republic denim skirts WITH TAGS! The skirts, which looked to range from size 25 to 30, were marked $25.

Run fast!

One Project Stalled (Must Be a Sign)

Two blankets into my volunteer work (sewing baby blankets for Grady Hospital babies), my sewing machine broke. If this isn't annoying enough, I JUST got it serviced (I'm talking days ago) and I have to sew the hems on 33 blankets before February 8! I am brainstorming creative ways to get to the repair shop... which is only open from 9 to 5:30 and is located on the opposite side of town from my office. Ugh.

Anyway, since I was feeling crafty tonight, I'll pick up a little project I'd been putting off — putting new buttons on the Maggy London shirt dress I bought back in November at Last Chance (a local thrift store). 

Maggy London has been in the biz of making feminine and unique dresses for a few decades. A quick google search tells me the brand is still carried at the likes of Nordstrom — and there's a decent presence of ML dresses on resale sites like Etsy. Check out this Maggy London vintage secretary dress for sale on Etsy: 

S/M dress seen here for $22.

Oooh. And I love this funky/fem silk 80s one, too (also on Etsy). 

Size 12 Maggy London dress seen here for $48.

I think being able to wear my new-to-me Maggy London dress tomorrow is enough to make me forget about this sewing machine debacle for just a bit. 

Coupon to That Pottery Place (Decatur)

Today, I received this 25% off e-mail coupon for That Pottery Place -- so I thought I should share!

That Pottery Place makes for a fun evening with the girlfriends (bring your own wine and some sandwiches, perhaps) or a fun Saturday outing with the kiddos. It's been too long since I've been buy to paint something fun... so maybe you'll see me there!