What happened?!

The other day I was scouring through an old chest in search of finding something that was lost. Upon said scouring I came across a book.

Not just any book, mind you.

A book that was written and illustrated by a 12 year old ME.

It's called Stephanie's Secret, and it is 28 pages long.

Though the title and the subject matter are as generic as they come, I couldn't help but be proud of the little me. Who at that age, after all, sits down and types out a book? In my opinion, some of the lines in it even resembled those of a legitimate published novel! Truly, they did.

After moments of marvel depicted toward the homemade text, I finally put the book aside and dove more into the chest wondering what else I could resurrect from its depths. 

and TADA! My sketchbook:

 

As a child I drew anything and everything. Anytime I felt inspired, out came the pencil! I miss that! These specific finds left me pondering; what happened to cause a halt in my drawings? I guess my only conclusion that I can derive is that I started to direct my creativity toward a different (digital) outlet. In high school I became so obsessed with taking photos that I completely abandoned my sketchbooks. What a tragedy that subconscious decision was. Aside from doodles and flowers, I can't remember the last time that I drew a legitimate picture.

So,

as bloggers as my witness, I am determined to pick up this habit once again. These particular sketches were drawn when I was 12 and 13 years old, and I think that they are pretty decent. If I had kept going and improving with the art who knows where I would be here and now at the ripe old age of 21!

Dailina Designs.

Remember selling lemonade on the corner of your street for a mere fifty cents per glass? How about passing out fliers to the neighbors that offered lawn services of all different sorts? Kids come up with all kinds of creative ideas to earn extra cash at their age, and my sister and her best friend are presently taking part in such a task.

My sister, Daiana, and her friend, Cathalina, have thought of the cutest summer business idea- bedazzled flip flops!

Check them out! 

 

They have even created personalized business cards.

The girls have different colored shoes and yarn of all varieties.

I have already ordered a pair for myself- they are the perfect poolside shoes. 

Please contact one of them if you're interested in helping them out with their summer project and purchasing a pair, specifically those of you whom are local! I know they would realllllly appreciate it!

dailina_designs@hotmail.com
615-557-7542 Daina
615-715-3867 Cathalina

Graduation Dress!

I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, nor do I pretend to be.

I am, however, the queen of alterations.

My best friend actually gives me quite a hard time about it when we go shopping. There is the common logic that if you don't love it, then don't buy it. But I just can't help myself! If I see something that has potential, I need to buy it- then alter it, and thus, make it my own.

Like my graduation dress, for example. I bought the dress forever ago, and I've worn it once only to discover that the fit wasn't quite as flattering as it had looked in the store (story of my life, right?).

In the beginning, it was a run-of-the-mill strapless, floral dress with a singed waste and a matching, removable tie that belted at the singe.

Its pattern alone is actually what tempted me into buying it.

This morning I decided that I was determined to wear it to my graduation ceremony tomorrow, despite its flaws.

So what did I do?

I altered it, of course!

The process was simple, and the transformation is subtle. However, I think that it gives it a lot of flair (more than it had in the first place, that is).

First, I replaced the waste tie with a trendy belt. Then, i sewed the tie onto the top of the dress and transformed it into a halter strap, which created an entirely different look (and fit)!
I think that it might rank very close as one of the most ragtag sewing jobs ever, but hey, it works!

Now, just add some accessories here and there along with a pair of brown strappy sandals, and it's good to go!

What do you think?!