While spring cleaning a couple of weeks ago I came across a stack of denim that I had pulled from my closet last spring, deeming it ‘out’ of style. These days I tend to wear my denim a touch more tapered (aka. skinny) than when the style was the flare. I knew that I didn’t want to completely rid my old denim, it all still fit, much of the pairs perfectly broken in. And then it occurred to me, the best way to salvage my old threads would be to transform them from pants to cut offs.
Step #1 – Pull out all of your denim that is deemed unworthy of full length wear, but full of promise as cut offs. Styles that are a bit looser in the leg, such as boyfriend jeans work extremely well. Jegging or second-skin denim may not result in incredibly flattering shorts.
Step #2 – All you’ll need is a pair of scissors, a measuring tape and something to mark your cut line with.
Step #3 – Measure out where you want your shorts to end. You can use an existing pair of denim shorts and measure the inseam to recreate the length. I find it’s always better to start longer and cut shorter if needed. If you initially cut them too short it’s much more difficult to add length after the fact. Once you determine where you’d like the inseam to come to, draw a line across the leg in a slight upwards direction.
Step #4 – Cut the leg off the pants using the guideline drawn out. Fold the pants in half and use the freshly cut leg as a guideline to cut off the remaining leg.
Step #5 – If you’re wanting to keep your cut offs longer and wear them with a frayed hem you’re all finished. You can throw them in the dryer to speed up the process of fraying the hem, or you can wait for regular wear and tear to determine your hemline. If you’re nervous about the amount of fray that will take place you can sew a line anywhere from 1-2cm’s above the bottom hem to prevent the fraying from continuing any further than your stitch line.
Step #6 – If you’ve decided to cuff your shorts, give them a good press with the iron to create a firm crease. Roll up once, press, and roll up once more and press again. Never was finding the perfect pair of denim shorts this easy.
Come summer time the sweet treat I crave most is by far a bowl of creamy, cold ice cream. I started making my own a couple of years ago, and it’s hard to go back once you’ve experienced homemade. I tried this recipe for Vanilla Ice Cream with Butterscotch Swirl, and I can’t even explain the deliciousness of the whole combination. Using vanilla bean seeds elevates the vanilla base, while simultaneously cutting the sweetness of the butterscotch for the perfect marriage of understated decadence.
Summer is finally here and though we’ve waited patiently for months for it’s arrival, it always seems to go by in the blink of an eye. So in order to maximize my days of sunshine I’ve made a little list of all the warm weather activities I’d like to squeeze in. Time at the lake, cycling along the river (while making pit stops for a beverage or two), and outdoor concerts and theatre are just a few points on my ambitious list of summer time fun. I thought I would share with you all the items that are bound to help me accomplish these goals, while looking as stylish as can be.
- Donut Pool Float
- Polaroid Instant Digital Camera
- Bike Basket
- Glass Water Bottles
- Beg Bicycle
- Stripe Bike Bell
- Hillside Picnic Basket
- Sunny Life Beach Radio
- Frends Rose Gold Headphones
- Striped Infinity Beach Towel
- Kate Spade Sunglasses
- Oversized Inflatable Ball
Theory Dress (similar here), IRO Leather Jacket, Manolo Blahnik Sandals (different colour here), Chanel Handbag, Tiffany Necklaces, Hermes Watch, Alden Rae Bracelet, David Yurman Bracelet
When I lived on the west coast I developed a deep love affair with a neutral that was neither black nor brown. Navy is such a great option for the spring and summer months when black feels just a touch too heavy, but you want to branch out from those pastels. When I was younger I used to think navy was reserved solely for seniors, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The best part about it, it pairs up with pink like peas and carrots, and that’s when it became hook, line and sinker.
Mink Pink Tank, Vince Pants (similar here), Valentino Flats, Celine Handbag, Pyrrah Necklace, Hermes Watch, Alden Rae Bracelet, David Yurman Bracelet
I’m the type of person that the minute I walk in the door at the end of the day I reach for my ‘comfy’ attire, and make the switch. I put aside the tight jeans and silk tops and automatically reach for the softest sweatshirt in my closet. So you can’t even imagine my delight when I first slipped on these silk pants and discovered that my sweatpants had nothing on these beauties. They’re absolutely perfect for those long summer days, and they can take me from the boardroom to the beach with their versatility.
