Sew Is Life

How’s everyone’s week shaping up? It’s a public holiday here in W.A, so my weekend feels extra long which is always fun :) Which means this week will feel extra short!

And OH how could I forget…’Sew is Life’ had its second blogversary (I think that is a word slowly making its way into the acceptable terms in social media). I must have missed it amongst all the on goings of May and now we are in June! *Mini freak-out* Why this year has been a BIG year for the both of us! 

It all started one day when I decided to turn my personal love of blogging into something more inspirational, instead of an online rant diary.

From the beginning, being a stay at home mum spending hours with my darling babies…cooking, cleaning, etc didn’t really make me feel ‘useful’. Even though everyone told me I was doing a great job…I didn’t feel stimulated and challenged. So I decided to share my creative side by writing tutorials about my side projects and my love for all things about beauty, design, fashion and art.

I’m really humbled that I am able to do this blogging gig and have met so many friends along the way that makes this so worthwhile. Plus I love it, because it ignited my passion in starting my own business in organic skincare. I have so much more plans in store for this year for SELF Organics. Follow SELF Organics journey on Facebook & Twitter. 

So to celebrate this exciting second year of blogging. I am running a giveaway with some pretty sweet prizes:

Model Co Gloss & Mascara duo

Daiso false lashes

Vintage ring (to fit any size) 

Country decorating magazines

Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer

Etude House CC Cream in Glow

All you have to do is answer this question in the comments section:

What would be the theme of the next party you host and why?

T&Cs: Sorry this competition is only opened to Australian residents at this time. But I have more giveaways to come for my international fans! This competition is based on how creative and unique your response is. And it will be decided by myself. You must also be a fan of the Sewislife Facebook page or follow ‘Sewislife’ on Twitter. Please indicate which in the comments. By tweeting about the giveaway and sharing on Facebook can score you more points. Giveaway ends on 23rd June and the one winner will be announced on the blog. The winner will have 24 hours to respond, or another winner will be selected.

BEST OF LUCK!

Please click the social media buttons below to share :)

Have a great week!

E x

                               

I just want to say a BIG Thank You to you all for sharing your comments on what Spring essence means to you. Reading each of them made me smile and gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling :) 

I am so excited to host this giveaway because I love being generous and give when I can. It is a nice feeling to make someone else happy and give them a ‘spring in their step’. These prizes were personally picked and bought with my own money for the lucky person.

So without further ado, the winner that was selected at random (via rafflecopter) is:

                                                  Michelle Katherine Tan

Thanks again everyone for participating in this giveaway. Stay tuned, as there is another giveaway coming up shortly!!

E x

Besides sharing my beauty and fashion addiction on this blog, I also admit to having a problem with fabric. Yes, beautiful, uncut, soft and flowing fabric that in sense has been ‘untamed’ or not tampered with. A piece of fabric to me is like a DREAM…waiting to be moulded into a beautiful shape to fit a form such as the human physique. It is waiting to be transformed from something so basic to something very extraordinary! So here I am sharing my newest ‘fabric haul’ :)

My latest fabric buy comes from Tessuti Fabrics in Melbourne. I have bought fabric online before, but it is such a shame I am unable to touch the fabric when buying textiles this way. Tessuti made the experience easy by showing images online on how the fabric drapes and how large the pattern appears.

The main reason for me buying fabric from Tessuti is because they are currently running the annual Tessuti Awards, which is an international competition for sewing/fashion enthusiasts to work towards a brief. This year is all about Spring Racing fashion and the return of ‘Stripes and Spots’. Stripes and spots are my favourite pattern, it is so versatile and striking! 100% of the garment’s outer fabric must be made from Tessuti Fabrics. I was particularly inspired by Marc Jacobs recent Spring 2013 fashion show for New York Fashion week, he described his collection as “Very brutal, very sexy, very straightforward, no romance, no emotion, just real power and force and simplicity,”, undoubtedly resurrecting the Mod-era.

Photo courtesy of Dawn.com

Photo courtesy of Stylebakery.com

Here was what I bought from Tessuti, Ivory Yuki Small and Ivory Yuki Big. Both have a polka dot pattern, just one is bigger than the other.

You won’t believe how much this little package made me light up! :)

Such a sweet message from team Tessuti

My lovelies, how I love to work with you

The unveiling 

Come back to check on my progress and see how I transform this fabric into something wearable! This will be my first attempt at sewing a dress using a pattern…so I’m fretting just a little (OK A LOT!!) and the thought of inserting an invisible zipper gives me nightmares!! Only 4 days left to go to get in my entry…and I’m pulling my hair at the thought of it. I can’t wait to reveal the end result to you guys. Stay tuned ;)

So tell me…are you more of a spots or stripes person?

E x

Snap out of those Winter woes…take some time out to smell the flowers, because yes Spring is just at our Australian door step. Plants are so smart, they naturally react to the changing seasons. I wonder if we humans do the same too. My lemon tree is definitely responding with cute, little pink buds on the branches. Can’t you tell I’m really excited that Spring is less than 15 days? Well my reaction to SPRING is to hold another giveaway for my loyal readers :)

Not too long ago I told the bloggerverse that I started a new Facebook Page for ‘Sewislife’. Hi and thanks to all my new followers for ‘LIKING’ my page, I have been posting a lot of photos and interesting links on a daily basis…but not too much that I am bombarding your feeds. *looks sheepish* I hope I am not! Please spread the word out there so others can join in the Spring ‘Essence’ giveaway too.

Here are some items that have put together for the giveaway, that I feel expresses what the ‘SPRING’ essence means to me. See anything you like?

- Essence Season of Extremes colour3 nail polish in ‘06 My best nude friends and me’

- SELF Organics ‘AM to PM’ soap, handmade using organic coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil and grapefruit essential oil

- Handmade colourful bag

- Rimmel Glam’Eyes Quad Eye Shadow Palette in Urban Flower

For your chance to win this ‘SPRING’ essence prize CLICK on the Rafflecopter entry form below and ENTER!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TERMS & CONDITIONS

The competition is opened worldwide. It commences on Thursday, 30th August and ends at Midnight Sunday, 16th September. Make sure you leave your email address in the comments section so I can contact the winner.

The winner will be announced on the blog on Monday, 17th September 2012.

The winner must respond to their email within 24 hours of the announcement to claim their prize. Otherwise another winner will be selected.

Best of Luck my Lovelies!!! Start spreading the word about THIS giveaway :)

E xx

Wondered what it would be like to be a spy? To play a mysterious, sexy double agent with the intel of the secret service working for your country on a dangerous and life threatening mission. Ok, well maybe you would want to risk your life but you would like to exude that same amount of ‘Cool’ and ‘Cunning’ of a beautiful Lady Spy. 

You can express your inner spy with these amazing red hot heels from Squire Shoes, named ‘Lady Spy’. These 7 inch red patent platforms are surprisingly comfy, they come with a thick heel that supports the feet and posture. The front ball of the foot sits on a platform that reduces pressure in the feet, so you could wear these for hours without feeling the pain of ‘walking on knives’. The sole of the heels are purple, which is my favourite colour too. Imagine heading off on a secret rendezvous with a hot Spy Guy in these babies.

I was ‘in love’ when I received these gorgeous heels from Squire Shoes to play with. At $179, it is the ultimate statement shoe to have for the upcoming Spring season. It is definitely going on my wardrobe wishlist for 2012! 

And head on over to the Squire Shoes Facebook Page, where they are currently running a competition to win a Squire Wardrobe. LIKE their page and answer the question ‘Why do you need a Squire Wardrobe?’. One lucky winner will win the ultimate prize pack which includes a choice of 3 pairs of Squire Shoes at the value of over $600!! So what are you waiting for?? Stop dreaming about these heels already and ENTER!

‘Lady Spy’ comes in 5 others different colours/styles, in patent, solid calf leather and nubuk material. Check out the website to view their entire collection. Squire Shoes offer free shipping on all Australian orders.

So tell me…how would you channel your inner Spy?

E x

*This review was 100% my own opinion. I was not paid or compensated for writing this review. Products were provided by Squire Shoes.