Sweater Weather

Posted on January 27, 2016October 25, 2016 by Melissa Harrison

$Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

I fell in love within the first few seconds I saw this fabric. How could I not? It’s a cats-in-sweaters print by my favourite fabric designer, Andrea Lauren, that effortlessly blends the line between quirky and gorgeous. Some of the cats are even wearing winged eyeliner, just like me!

$Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

The fabric comes in a few colours and print scales but there was a problem. My favourite colour was only available in one scale, and it was much bigger than what I usually look for. I debated for a long time whether I should push myself out of my comfort zone – something I try to do on the regular – or email the designer and ask if she could do a custom scale. I ordered a swatch and put it in the hands of all my friends to get their opinion. Eventually, through a combination of their thoughts and mine, I figured the larger print would, at the very least, photograph better for my Etsy listing and give more variety to my catalogue. So I did it, I took the plunge, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!

$Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$ $Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$ $Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Cardigan H&M
Skirt Sophster-Toaster
with ModCloth Petticoat
Tights ModCloth
Shoes ModCloth
Necklace gift
Earrings Claire’s
Tori’s Sweater PetSmart

$Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$ $Sweater Weather \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Of course, the print did become available in a smaller scale a few days after I stopped doubting myself and placed the order, but I’m so glad I took the chance and left my comfort zone. I definitely won’t be shying away from big prints anymore.

All photos by me.

January Obsessions

Posted on January 25, 2016October 25, 2016 by Melissa Harrison

January’s almost over. I’m wearing the same boots, same hat and mittens, and one of two winter coats outside everyday. Winter can get pretty boring and repetitive. That’s why I like to fill the apartment with colour and always have a little something special peeking out from under my coat. Here are all the winter brights and pastels I can’t get enough of this month:

1. Pretty Pastel Stripe Skirt

$January Obsessions \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

ModCloth’s Aspiration Creation Skirt

2. Pink Toaster

$January Obsessions \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Smeg 2 Slice Toaster via Amazon

3. Rainbow Confetti Tee

$January Obsessions \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Two String Jane’s Colourful Confetti Tee

4. Pink Polka Dot Table Cloth

$January Obsessions \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

IKEA’s Vinter 2015 Tablecloth in Light Pink

5. Colourful Pom Pom Branch DIY

$January Obsessions \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Pom Pom Branch DIY from Wayaiulandia Blog

Lazy Day Dress Up

Posted on January 7, 2016January 7, 2016 by Melissa Harrison

$Lazy Day Dress Up \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

I have a love/hate relationship with jersey knit fabric. I love how dresses made with a stretchy jersey knit can look fitted and fancy while still feeling comfy and casual but I hate how the weight and stretch of the fabric can cause it to drape and hang oddly. I love how the simple, no zipper, no lining, serged hem construction of jersey dresses keeps the price lower but I hate how tedious it can be to repair serged sleeve hems on a standard sewing machine when the stitching inevitably rips or unravels. I love how packable jersey dresses are since they don’t wrinkle easily but I hate how long jersey takes to dry if you get caught in the rain or caught up in a water gun fight. But most of all, I love how easily jersey dresses transition from lazy days to lively nights (and there’s nothing bad to say about that).

$Lazy Day Dress Up \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

I wore this outfit a few Fridays ago, before the Christmas season started, on a day I had plans to meet friends for a potluck taco night after a day of working from home. I needed something that was comfortable to work in at the end of a long week but still charming enough for an evening at a friend’s house. So it was wool knee socks, my favourite sweater and a jersey knit dress to the rescue – plus several large cups of tea.

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I’m not one for dressing down, but I’m also not one for being trapped in a horribly uncomfortable outfit all day. Any outfit that has me longing for my pajamas isn’t one I will soon wear again. Jersey dresses like this one are perfect for those days when the only way I can convince myself to part with my flannel sheets and fluffy down duvet is by promising myself that I won’t have to put pants on once I do. I can throw this dress on and go out, safely maintaining my reputation for always being overdressed, always looking like I’m on my way to something special, without anyone knowing the truth about how cozy and casual I actually am that day.

$Lazy Day Dress Up \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$ $Lazy Day Dress Up \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Dress ModCloth
Sweater Bluenotes
Socks McGregor
Shoes Keds
Earrings Designs by Amber

I’m going to call this day to night outfit – that doesn’t sacrifice style for comfort – a success because I received a compliment on my sweater every time I moved to a new room after first arriving at my friend’s house. This is despite having worn this sweater several times with them before. Two friends even asked if it was new, even though I had worn it to breakfast almost every morning when we’d spent a week together at the cottage over the summer. I had lots of fun, only got a little hangry when the tacos were delayed, and felt great in my jersey dress all night.

All photos by me.

Dear Ones Dress

Posted on December 15, 2015December 15, 2015 by Melissa Harrison

$Dear Ones Dress \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

I love mid century style. If I had to choose a favourite chunk of time for fashion, I would quickly consider my embarrassingly strong fondness for that weird bit between 1979-1981, but, ultimately choose the late 1950s to early 1960s. My style and design choices have been heavily influenced by my love for mid century style for as long as I can remember, but every now and then my love of history can leave mingled impressions from far less contemporary time periods. You can see this happening in my new Dear Ones Dress.

$Dear Ones Dress \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

I’ve had a lingering fascination with flannel petticoats and underclothes since the first time I watched Gangs of New York. When the movie came out in the early 2000’s, women’s fashion was not focused on functionality, practicality or warmth. Pockets were fake or non-existent, sweat shirts were cropped, straps were spaghetti, skirts were mini, winter boots were unlined and stiletto heeled, and knit sweaters were hard to come by. Seeing that mid-19th-century fashion allowed women, even those living in poverty, to be covered in think layers of warm, beautiful and functional fabrics inspired me in a way that is still leaving ripples to this day.

$Dear Ones Dress \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$ $Dear Ones Dress \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

When I sat down to plan my first winter line earlier this year, I knew I wanted to mix mid-20th-century lines with mid-19th century details. I gave the dress winter minded, mid century inspired details like 3/4 length sleeves, a low, tea length hemline, and a high bateau neckline. I lined bodice in soft brushed cotton to mimic the flannel underthings worn by women in a time before central heat. Then I gave the dress an open back to reveal the gorgeous lining and add some elegance. I wanted to bring practical-for-winter Victorian features to a mid century silhouette. I wanted to create a winter dress that was actually warm.

$Dear Ones Dress \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog$

Dress Sophster-Toaster
Petticoat ModCloth (similar)
Stockings ModCloth
Shoes ModCloth
Earrings Designs by Amber
Necklace Gift

All photos by me.