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After a brief interlude, I finally hunkered down yesterday and reopened my pattern shop! And kicking off the spring pattern line is this lightweight cotton cardigan, in rose pink of course.(note: if you're asking yourself, "didn't she just make a different rose-colored cardigan last week?"......well, the answer is Yes, I did. Don't judge me for loving the pink, people.)
I developed quite a fondness for cutting my sweaters in half this past winter, and decided that just because I no longer have need for wool doesn't mean I can't keep slicing with my scissors!
Besides, I'm always in need of cardigans. I find them infinitely more practical than long-sleeved tees. How, for instance, am I going to show off my cute tank tops and frilly blouses if they're covered up under a pullover?
Certainly some kind of protection is required, because I do live in Colorado where the spring season means snow in the morning and sun by afternoon. It's hardly the kind of weather I'd feel safe in wearing just a sleeveless top.
Light cotton cardigans are also very practical even during the heat of summer, because the hotter it gets outside, the more unbearably cold it gets inside, thanks to the overzealous use of air conditioning.
I know you know what I'm talking about.
Of course, as with all of my patterns for fashion and home, this one recycles used clothing by upgrading its style and function. Some scissors, a little satin fabric, and my sewing machine and I had a fun new sweater to replace a boring tee.
And in fact, you don't even need a sewing machine for this one! Just an iron and some fabric adhesive (like stitch witchery) would do the trick!
To learn more about my pattern for this SPRING CARDIGAN, click here.
What is your go-to garment for spring weather? Share by posting your comment below!
note: all of these lovely images (in pink!) are from online vintage shop owner, Thrush.
Being gracious is certainly one of the attributes that I immediately thought of when I started devising the content for this series on being a lady. The term, of course, refers to kindness, politeness, and esteem.
When I think of graciousness, I immediately picture the women from Jane Austen’s novels--at least the heroines (because goodness knows there were quite a few malevolent vixens in her novels as well). They were always complimentary, seeking to be of service, ready to be kind. 
This behavior, fortunately, is not extinct. In fact, I’d wager that you are all highly gracious, or at least try to be that way most of the time.
But there is one area of graciousness that I think we as ladies often do rather poorly, and that is the art of graciously receiving from others. I hadn’t thought of this until an acquaintance and friend of mine recently brought it up. Since then, I’ve noticed this fault on numerous occasions.
What do you mean? you ask. Well, I’ll give you a scenario:
girl 1: Oh, I love your outfit today.
girl 2: Ugh...thank you...I just threw it on this morning. I feel so fat today that I hardly even care what I look like.
Sound familiar? If not, consider this scenario:
guy: Babe, you look great today. Did you do something different?
girl: What are you trying to say--that I don’t look good normally?
Is that closer to home? And how about this one:
boss: This project turned out great. You did a wonderful job.
girl: Thanks, but I can’t take the credit. So-and-so did so much of the work....It was really more of a team effort.
Do you see what I mean? We deflect esteem. We dodge favor. We pass off compliments to others. We are often self-deprecating to a fault.
So, if any of those scenarios sounded familiar to you, I’m assigning some homework, which is to practice this:
friend: Hey--you look nice today.
you: Thank you. That’s kind of you to say. 
THEN...resist the urge to: a) make a snarky comment about the size of your thighs, b) complain about how much your outfit cost, c) avert attention from yourself by talking about how fabulous someone else looks, or d) saying “well...I’m no Heidi Klum, but...”
Instead take a deep breath, and graciously receive the esteem, because that is what a lady would do.
Glossary of beautiful vintage clothing/jewelry by Thrush:
1. vintage 1970s goldtone necklace
2. pale pink box blouse
3. pale pink mini dress
4. vintage 1950s pink shimmer holiday party dress
5. bowtie secretary blouse
6. vintage 1960s holiday ruffle dress
warning: this post contains gratuitous images of pink frosting. Viewing these images may cause you to impulsively crave cake. We at Deviantly Domesticated take no responsibility for actions caused by this post and cannot be held liable.
Today's post, my friends, has very little to do with being a lady. Oh yes, I suppose that I could conjure up some profound kind of connection, like the feminine value of serving pretty desserts, or my fondness for all things pink. But really...I don't have the energy.
Although truth be told, I probably should have the energy since this lovely cake you are viewing was, in fact, my breakfast.
Not the whole cake, mind you. If it was the whole cake I would not be writing but would instead be spending some quality time in the restroom. Fortunately I have better restraint than that. 
I felt compelled to bake this little sugary treasure for a variety of reasons. First, it was one of my best friend's birthdays yesterday and I thought it an appropriate way to celebrate.
And, yes, I know that she lives in Los Angeles and I live in Colorado. I hardly see what that has to do with anything...
I've also developed a seasonal hankering for frosted treats, particularly adorned in shades of pink. I blame it on Valentine's Day and all of my magazines that feel it necessary to publish lush photos of such desserts every year around this time.
Obviously by now you've noticed that I decorated the top with polka dots of teensy round sprinkles. It just makes eating it all that much more enjoyable. Nevermind that the sides are lopsided and that it definitely resembles the Mad Hater leaning ever so slightly to the left on top of its cake stand.
In fact, the whole cake reminds me of some trippy psychedelic dish you might find in Wonderland. To be honest, I've never been all that fond of Alice in Wonderland. Too creepy and dark.
I am, however, quite fond of this cake, which tastes neither creepy nor dark in spite of its rabbit-hole resemblances.
To close, if you haven't already left this post to bake yourself a giant pink polka dot cake, then permit to say this one last thing, which is that you should come back tomorrow where I will indulge in more pink, except in a far more responsible manner.
Happy Craving!--steph
After a brief interlude, I finally hunkered down yesterday and reopened my pattern shop! And kicking off the spring pattern line is this lightweight cotton cardigan, in rose pink of course.
I developed quite a fondness for cutting my sweaters in half this past winter, and decided that just because I no longer have need for wool doesn't mean I can't keep slicing with my scissors! 
Certainly some kind of protection is required, because I do live in Colorado where the spring season means snow in the morning and sun by afternoon. It's hardly the kind of weather I'd feel safe in wearing just a sleeveless top.
Light cotton cardigans are also very practical even during the heat of summer, because the hotter it gets outside, the more unbearably cold it gets inside, thanks to the overzealous use of air conditioning.
Of course, as with all of my patterns for fashion and home, this one recycles used clothing by upgrading its style and function. Some scissors, a little satin fabric, and my sewing machine and I had a fun new sweater to replace a boring tee.
And in fact, you don't even need a sewing machine for this one! Just an iron and some fabric adhesive (like stitch witchery) would do the trick!
