Kitty Phone Sleeve DIY

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world is a phone sleeve?" That's fine; I'm fairly sure I just made up the term moments ago. I upgraded to a smartphone a few months back and have been so happy with the iPhone 5c I now call mine. I was so happy Apple finally made a more affordable option with their phones. I feel much more comfortable carrying a plastic device around; at the same time I don't feel shorted on style or efficiency. It is still a great device. But I like that it is a little cheaper; I feel more comfortable not having a case on it all the time. In fact, if I'm being honest, I don't ever put a case on this phone. There are times when I would like it to have a little extra padding and protection, though, like when I toss it in my purse with other items.

That's where the phone sleeve idea came from— I wanted an extra little compartment to slide my phone into before putting it in my purse, that would keep it a little more safe. I made it from some fabric scraps I had lying around. It's even got a plushy fuzzy inside, to protect the screen and give it a nice polish every time I slide the phone in and out. And I made it resemble a kitty... because I could.

See how I created this simple kitty inspired phone sleeve below.



KITTY PHONE SLEEVE DIY:

Supplies needed: fabric scraps (I used an old sweater and a very plushy fabric), embroidery thread, sewing machine, two small round buttons, one small heart shaped button, wire, velcro, fabric scissors, E6000 glue

1. Measure your phone/device and cut a pice of fabric that is twice as long the device plus 2 1/2 inches for the front flap, and leave space for a seam on the sides. My phone is roughly 5 inches by 3 inches, so I cut a piece of fabric ~12 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.
2. Lay the side of the fabric that you want to show on the front face down on the table. Cut out a piece of plush fabric the length of your phone and as wide as the piece you already cut out (5 inches by 3 1/2 inches). Pin this piece to the long piece you laid face down. Sew the plush fabric onto the longer piece.
3. Fold the long piece up and sew along the sides, creating a pocket. There should be 2 1/2 inches of overhang. Leave this for the flap. Trim the excess fabric and turn the pocket into itself, turning it right side out. The plush fabric should be on the inside of the pocket now. 
4. Fold, pin, and sew the overhang you left for the flap into a pointed shape. 
5. To create the ears, cut small rectangles (~1 inch by 2 inches) and fold into triangles. Cut off excess ends.
6. Sew on coordinating fabric, if desired, for the insides of the ears. Glue the ears onto the back of the sleeve using E6000 glue.
7. With embroidery thread, stitch on buttons for eyes and a heart button for a nose. For whiskers, if desired, cut three pieces of wire into equal length. Thread these wires through the back of the flap, through the embroidery thread used to stitch on the nose button. Glue in place with E6000 glue.
8. Cover and secure the whiskers further by cutting a piece of fabric to fit on the back of the flap and over the exposed stitches and wires and glue. Finish by gluing a velcro closure onto the sleeve, to secure the flap and keep it closed. 

All done! A kitty phone sleeve to add an extra layer of protection and an extra little bit of cute.

xx Emorie

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Loungewear: A Cozy Night In

I recently started linking up with Nicole from Gypsy in Jasper for her What to Wear feature and it was lots of fun! There are so many lovely ladies linking up there every few weeks, be sure to check it out. I had every intention of sitting this linkup out (I've been so sick and so un-photogenic) but when I realized the tutorial I was going to be posting today just wasn't ready, I was pretty excited to see that the linkup prompt was 'Cozy Night In.' This prompt couldn't have come at a better time, although I should probably title my post Cozy Week In if we're keeping things honest around here. I was hit with the flu, and hit hard, so it is easy to assume that loungewear has been my second skin lately.

Regardless of how many days and nights I have spent in lately, this is an outfit I love and that I love wearing. Maybe it's the pattern in the leggings, but it's one of those comfy outfits that makes me feel a little more put together than I really am. It looks nice without trying. Like, I would totally just pull on a pair of boots and a coat and go run some errands in this. If I must. But it is definitely more suited for curling up next to Pippin with a good book and a mug of tea.

Outfit Details
Sweater: Kohl's (similar)
Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Leggings: gift
Socks: Old Navy (similar)

Do you see that smile up there? I am feeling 100% better today. Yes, I'm still having the occasional coughing fit, but I'm no longer viewing life from underneath a stack of blankets. Or behind thick heavy googles. The blankets were real, the googles were not. Anyone else feel hazy and strange and unfamiliar when sick? Like you're viewing/experiencing everything from behind a thick veil? Being sick is weird, frustrating, and no fun. I am so happy to be feeling well rested and ready to get back to normal.

Expect a fun/simple DIY tomorrow and a recipe and lots of other things next week!
xx Emorie

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Feel Better Inspiration

stay true / airy room / messy bun / yellow skirt / pretty nails / dance / passion 

The past week or so has been pretty hazy from my perspective. I am still sick, and while I am powering through a family size bag of Ricola honey lemon throat drops, I am finally on the mend it seems. I've been having trouble lately finding the energy or inspiration to get much done, so I do apologize that things have been rather quiet and empty on this blog. It is always so frustrating when you have plans and goals but are held back by things out of your control; in this case my physical state and health.

In the meantime, Will has been taking good care of me and I have been taking plenty of care of myself too — in the form of long sleeps, hot showers, tea and yummy soups, lots of reading and netflix, and even a fresh coat of paint on my fingernails. I'm not letting this flu take anymore from me!

I'm pulling inspiration from everywhere I can and looking forward to getting things back to normal around here. I haven't forgotten about you!

Here's to healthy, fresh, airy days ahead.
xx Emorie

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Sweater Dress and Moonlight

Story time; ready, go! I've been absent here all week and maybe your curious as to why. Well, I'll tell you why regardless. I've been terribly sick. I don't remember the last time I was this sick. It wasn't anything too serious: sore throat, way too much mucus, migraine, body aches, bit of a cough. But Tuesday I had the worst fever of my life (at least that I can remember). Fevers like that are zero fun and actually a bit scary. Will had me bundled up in bed beneath the majority of blankets we own, with pillows piled around me and a pup snuggled close. It is a good thing he takes such good care of me because I could not even form coherent thoughts. And talking hurt too much. I'm pretty sure the past two/three days was just me under lumpy blankets making unrecognizable moans and grunts and snorts and coughs. And so much soup and so much tea. The good news is I'm feeling a lot better today so I can finally share these pictures (taken several days ago) with you.

The weather lately has been exceptionally warm for this time of year and it is so so lovely. We're talking the mid 40s people! That's light jacket/sweater weather! Crazy. I think it is perfect and basically want to spend all my time outside. The pups agree. We decided to take them for a walk at sunset but by the time we got to the park it was already fairly dark. The pups didn't mind much, and I didn't either because the moon was out and bright and shining beautifully over the frozen pond.

Outfit Details
Coat: Old Navy, last year (similar)
Scarf: gift from Will, from Fred Meyer
Sweater Dress: gift from Will last year, from Kohl's
Polka Dot Tights: gift
Flats: 1318 Fashion

I hope you are all well and healthy. I had a lot planned this week, but I'm still going to be taking it easy for a few more days until I feel 100% again. Expect some craftiness soon!
xx Emorie

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A Freeing Feeling

Saturday morning included a little (slightly) spontaneous drive. I woke up before the sun and let Pippin out into the cold to do his business but I couldn't help standing there with the door wide open waiting for him. Beautiful thick rain clouds were rolling in and the breeze was crisp and had a slight bite to it (in the best way). My pup stood there with his face to the sky filling his lungs with the clean cold unfamiliar scent and I did the same. But to me, it smelled like the north and it felt like home. Once we were fully awake and showered, I bundled up with my wet hair and we headed out. We grabbed some almond milk hazelnut lattes (yum) from the Lucky Perk near our house, turned on some Bon Iver and drove with no destination in mind while it drizzled. I may have even rolled down my window at some point. It was short and sweet and freeing.

xx Emorie

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Little Changes

Please excuse any mess you may encounter here over the next few hours. I am uploading a new template today! A few new features and a fresh pretty new design is coming shortly!

If you're here and everything looks in order, please let me know what you think!
xx Emorie

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Beanie, Dots, Dinosaurs

Beanie, Dots, Dinosaurs. Is there a better combination? This outfit could also be called A Whole Bunch of Things I Received For Christmas, but I thought the first a tiny bit catchier. I'm lucky; quite a few of the people who love me have exceptional taste. That, or they know just what I like. The beanie was a gift from my brother, the sweater and scarf from my mother, and the tights from my sister. I love them all, and it was a coincidence that I wore it all together and didn't notice until making this post.

Today was perfect, weather-wise, if you ask me. We got a fresh heaping dump of snow over night, the clouds stayed out for the majority of the day (so the snow didn't melt), it was warmer than it has been (a high of 36 degrees, woohoo!), and now that the sun is setting a thin fog is forming. I wore this outfit out for a long list of errands today. Will and I came back home and treated Pippin to a quick walk (because the sun was already setting) around the neighborhood and he shot these for me. That pup of mine sure loves running around in the powdery snow. Do you see that happy face!?

Outfit Details
Coat: Oldnavy, last year (similar) see it here, here, and here too.
Beanie: gift, bought here on amazon
Scarf: gift, not sure where from
Sweater: Forever 21 (similar / similar / similar <--- I want this one!)
Dress: Very old. Tag says Love Tease. See it here too.
Tights: Target
Boots: Target (similar)

I've got a pup curled up next to me (and the space heater) that sure looks like he could use some snuggles.
Stay warm, lovelies.
xx Emorie

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