Saturday, August 13, 2022

Sponsored Post- Moms Meet- The Vets

Posted by Heather at Saturday, August 13, 2022 0 comments

This review is for all the pet parents out there!

Frappuccino, a 7lb toy poodle, has been a part of our family since Valentine's 2021. He has even managed to win me over- a strict, no-pets, allergy-prone and self-proclaimed neat freak- with his lovable and playful personality. This is no small feat!

He loves to play fetch, run around in the backyard and he has generally fun disposition. EXCEPT, he hates riding in the car... with a passion...!! He barks and whines and is generally nervous while riding in the car and it makes for some very, very, very long and stressful car rides for all involved. So, when the opportunity to review The Vetsa mobile vet care service that brings pet care home, through Moms Meet presented itself, I jumped at the opportunity!

Waiting patiently for The Vets!

First, a little information about The Vets;
• The Vets’ at-home pet care model saves a lot of time, reduces unnecessary stress for both the pet and pet parent, and allows the veterinarians and veterinary technicians to spend more quality time with clients. No more pet carriers, waiting rooms, or car-sick pets. 
• Because happy, healthy pets come from happy, healthy vets, the mobile company hires the best veterinarians with years of experience and knowledge, and empowers them to bring unparalleled care straight to all their pets. Their veterinarians have over 10 years of experience on average. 
• From initial booking to post appointment follow-up, The Vets’ booking agents, pet specialists, and city managers provide each client with a personalized medical experience. 
• The Vets advise, guide, and support pet parents every step of the way whether in an emergency or in day-to-day care. They have a strong focus on client education, where they clearly explain what they do, how they do it, and why any given treatment is the best path forward for each pet. 
• The Vets is revolutionizing a digital transformation within the veterinary industry by using technology to predict, pre-empt, and treat medical conditions.

Being spoiled with treats while Dr. Wolf and DVM Ty do their exam.

Our visit with Dr. Wolf and DVM Ty was pleasant, easy-going and low-key. Dr. Wolf got right down on the ground with Frappuccino to do the exam and she immediately won him over with treats and belly rubs! She did a general wellness exam- reviewing the basics, talking over some general wellness and preventative measures- and she was able to talk easily with both myself AND pup! She even talked about and coached us on some tips, tricks and possible Rx to help ease Frappuccino's car anxiety. 

A fully equipped van!

Some personal observations about the actual The Vets visit;
-The Vets pull up in a well-marked, fully wrapped vehicle- there is no mistaking their purpose, company or intent. Both doctor and DVM were friendly and personable upon initial introduction to myself and pet.
-While Dr. Wolf and DVM Ty were running a touch behind for our appointment, they did appropriately reach out to notify us and their delay was no more than 10 mins.
The Vets come INTO your house to do the actual exam. This surprised me as I had initially thought they would do the exam in the actual van- much like a mobile dog groomer does.
-The Vets can do pretty much anything your pet may need in the comfort of your home- ultrasounds, blood work, vaccines, microchipping, etc. The only thing they cannot do onsite is X-rays.

The one big negative to the otherwise positive experience with The Vets was scheduling. When The Vets initially contacted me to schedule the appointment, their availability was extremely limited time-wise and date-wise. Not at all convenient! There was a lot of back and forth before we finally found an appointment with minimal rearranging of schedules. Then, leading up to the appointment, I was contacted no less than five times via phone/text on top of several emails to confirm the appointment AND fill out the initial form (multiple times). While I appreciate the reminder, this felt excessive and tiresome.

Overall, the in-house visit was very pleasant and MUCH easier than driving to a traditional vet visit. Frappuccino responded well to Dr. Wolf and DVM Ty and we enjoyed skipping the long (and loud) car ride to the vet!


**Disclaimer-I received a complimentary wellness exam visit from the sponsor, Moms Meet and The Vets. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Moms Meet and/or The Vets.**

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Patterns for Pirates- Fabric for Pirates- March 2022

Posted by Heather at Wednesday, March 23, 2022 0 comments


Since it's March, I signed up for a(nother) one-time Fabric for Pirates monthly box- why not? I was feeling lucky. ;) You may remember my first Fabric for Pirates monthly box, back in January (what can I say- they had me at "fabric"...).

In case you're wondering what Fabric for Pirates is all about, it's a monthly (or, a one-time purchase!) subscription to a box full of sewing goodies mailed directly to you! The box includes two yards of mystery fabric, a special sewing swag (this month was a handy needle threader), and a discount code to purchase a(nother) Pattern for Pirates pattern. Sew, sew FUN! ;)

This month's two yard cut of fabric included a beautiful green and white tie-dye thermal knit. Since NC weather in March can sometimes be mercurial (freezing one day, sweating the next), I decided to sew up the Patterns for PiratesFree Tulip Tee (plain front, 3/4 sleeves, banded hem). I've got a confession to make- this was my first time sewing up this FREE pattern.... what took me so long?!! This easy pattern was so quick to sew up- I literally cut and sewed it up in the time it took me to simultaneously watch a show! (and, did I mention that this pattern is FREE?!)

Now, the question is, "How long until my next Fabric for Pirates monthly box....?" ;)


Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Sponsored Post- The Fabric Fairy- Pebble Waves Collection as Love Notions Patterns Forte Top

Posted by Heather at Tuesday, March 01, 2022 0 comments


Love Notions Forte Top (view C) in The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex

It's no secret that I love to sew swim (sometimes referred to as nylon spandex) fabric! Plus, with Missy being a competitive swimmer, I've had lots and lots of experience sewing up lots and lots of practice suits for her. One of my absolute favorite places to buy high-quality, fun prints (and great customer service!) swim fabric is The Fabric Fairy! This week, they are releasing a brand new collection of custom printed fabric called Jaguar Pebble Waves and I'm so excited to share my make!

First, let's go over the specifics of the new Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex fabric: 
-Ethically sourced 
-78% Nylon 22%Spandex
-230GSM (Grams per Square Meter- aka, the weight of the fabric)
-58"/59" bolt width
-Moisture-wicking
-Interlock finish/superior weight and opaque stretch (aka squat proof! ;)
-4-way stretch (75%/35%)
-50+SPF (I LOVE fabric that has SPF- so helpful for warding off harmful UV rays!)
-Comes in two colors- Purple/Pink (shown) and Blue/Teal


Love Notions Forte Top (view C) in The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex

Did you know that nylon spandex (and, specifically this The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex) is also great for other garment sewing? Here are just a *few* reasons why I love to use nylon spandex for my WHOLE wardrobe:
-Requires very little (if any) ironing/pressing! ANYTHING that doesn't require me to pull out the iron is a WIN in my book! ;)
-The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex has a cool hand and great drape- that means that not only is it flattering to wear (because of the drape), but it also feels GREAT to wear (and not too hot, either!)!
-Nylon spandex is made to take a beating (think sun, sand and chlorine) and this The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex washed up beautifully while still retaining its vibrant color and texture.
-The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex is not see-through- I can confidently wear this in an office setting OR on the beach (when sewn up as a bathing suit) and not have to worry about it being too see-through.
-Because of the 4-way stretch and characteristics of nylon spandex, The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex has great stretch and recovery. This means that it can be stretched, and pulled and still spring back to shape without sagging and drooping- necessary fabric characteristics inside AND outside of the pool! ;)
-The Fabric Fairy Jaguar Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex is so, sew easy to sew up and handle. My machines cut through it perfectly, without bunching, snagging or catching.


Love Notions Forte Top (view C) in The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex

Now, let's quickly discuss pattern details! I sewed up the Love Notions Forte Top (view C), mid-sleeve with gathers, size Small. I always love the professional drafting and spot-on sizing of Love Notions patterns. I love variety that this one pattern provides- depending on the view that you sew up, you can have a whole wardrobe of different looking tops. My Love Notions Forte Top (view C) can be dressed down with jeans and Converse (shown), or dressed up with a pencil skirt and heals- The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex is good like that! ;)

Now, maybe I should sew something SWIM with the remaining The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex fabric....!?!

Love Notions Forte Top (view C) in The Fabric Fairy Pebble Waves Nylon Spandex


***Disclosure: "I did receive free fabrics from The Fabric Fairy The opinions expressed here are my own."***

****This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale.****

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Patterns for Pirates- Fabric for Pirates- January 2022

Posted by Heather at Sunday, January 23, 2022 0 comments


I'm kicking off the New Year with a little something special just for ME!! I signed up for a one-time Fabric for Pirates monthly box. In case you're wondering what Fabric for Pirates is all about, it's a monthly (or, a one-time purchase!) subscription to a box full of sewing goodies mailed directly to you! The box includes two yards of mystery fabric, a special sewing swag (this month was the ever-handy Bodkin for threading elastic), and a discount code to purchase a(nother) Pattern for Pirates pattern. Sew, sew FUN! ;)

In this month's Fabric for Pirates, I was completely spoiled with this luxe cashmere sweater knit in a warm winter white- BEAUTIFUL and CLASSIC! This warm, stretchy sweater knit has a solid hand, a beautiful drape and is opaque.

Since we've received not one but TWO actual snowfalls in the past week, here in the Carolinas, I just *knew* Sweater Weather would be the perfect pattern to sew up! I sewed up a size Medium, low side slit, regular sleeves, turtleneck Sweater Weather. I did take off some length in the sleeves and body length to account for my 5'-0" height. 

Pattern for Pirates Sweater Weather Fabric for Pirates- It's like wearing a warm hug!



Monday, November 1, 2021

Sponsored Post- Smart Casual Work Wear with The Fabric Fairy

Posted by Heather at Monday, November 01, 2021 0 comments

I recently started a new job with a Fortune 50 company doing what I love and know best! Now, I am working in a totally different town, company, team and environment than the one that I had previously been employed with for the past decade. The dress code is MUUUUCHHH more relaxed than my previous employer and I'm enjoying the more easy-going attire. 

For the longest time, I've wanted to do a capsule wardrobe (where you mix and match a set number of clothing pieces to come up with multiple outfits). So, with the start of a new job, I decided that this was my chance to do just that! While I shopped retail and/or my current closet for most of these items *gasp*, I just couldn't find a white and navy striped shirt that I loved/fit well to fill out my capsule wardrobe. SOoooo, I decided to sew my own!

Full disclosure- I HATE sewing stripes- too much stripe matching and all that! ;) However, I was willing to bite the bullet with a large enough stripe, IF I could achieve my intended goal of a nautical shirt to round out my wardrobe. I found a great navy and white 1" stripe nylon spandex fabric from The Fabric Fairy to use for my dream shirt. This fabric is typically used for swimsuits but it makes a GREAT base for a top! It's cool to wear and has great stretch, drape and durability. It's thin enough to wear in layers and the color if bright and vibrant!

In my humble opinion, a simple dolman sleeve shirt would be simplest to match stripes. So, I turned to a trusty favorite PDF sewing pattern, the Made for Mermaids Paige Piko (a freebie!). I sewed up a size Purple, half sleeve, top length Paige Piko with low neckline.

Following, are a couple of ways I styled/would wear my latest make!

Boots, cardi and scarf- perfect for Fall!

A splash of color and some leopard flats- oui, Paris!

A black blazer, statement necklace and some nude pumps make this top ready for the office.

Ready for the weekend in jeans and some ballet flats!

I am so happy with the end results of my inspirational navy and white striped top! It's so easy to wear and mix and match with clothes that I already have in my closet. I cannot wait to wear my new top!

And, can we just all pause for a moment and admire that beautiful stripe matching along the side...?!! 
;-P

***Disclosure: "I did receive free fabrics from The Fabric Fairy The opinions expressed here are my own."***

****This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale.****

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Spring/Summer Collection Wrap up

Posted by Heather at Saturday, August 21, 2021 0 comments

...And that's a wrap...!! 

Hopefully, by now, you've had a chance to see throughout the blogosphere and web, all of the wonderful makes from the newest collection of Jalie Sewing Patterns! So many wonderful patterns, so many talented seamstresses and so many great interpretations, representation and fabric selections!

Today, we wrap up the end of the newest collection of Jalie Sewing Patterns by talking about the last three patterns that I sewed up.

First up, Laurent Crew Tee and Hoodie (4131). This relaxed fit, unisex crew pattern includes optional kangaroo pocket, optional hood and several hem/sleeve lengths/finishes. I sew up a size "T" in double brushed poly from one of my favorite online fabric retailers, the Purpleseamstress Fabrics (CRAZY FAST shipping, too!). Speaking of crazy fast, this pattern is crazy fast to sew up because it's a great simple wardrobe staple!

Jalie Sewing Patterns-Laurent Crew Tee and Hoodie (4131)

Jalie Sewing Patterns-Laurent Crew Tee and Hoodie (4131)

Next, I paired the Beatrice Tank Top (4135) with the Sylvie Cozy Lounge Pants and Shorts (4129) for a comfy summer set for Missy to wear during our hottest summer temps. Both were sewn in size "R" and both were sewn up using fabric from my stash. The inner waistband of the Sylie is a precious swim scrap from The Fabric Fairy

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Beatrice Tank Top (4135)

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Beatrice Tank Top (4135) and Sylvie Cozy Lounge Pants and Shorts (4129)

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Sylvie Cozy Lounge Pants and Shorts (4129)

Jalie Sewing Patterns are always a personal favorite! I love that the patterns can grow with my growing gal (because each pattern includes multiple sizes). I can always trust that the drafting, sizing and fit are spot-on. Each pattern piece includes (VERY!) helpful notches that ensure for seamless matching and construction. The newest collection includes all of this and more! Which pattern is your favorite? Which one do you want to sew up first? Let me know in the comments- I'd love to hear from you! :)

  ***Disclosure: "I did receive free patterns from Jalie Sewing Patterns. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

Friday, August 13, 2021

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Featuring Audrey

Posted by Heather at Friday, August 13, 2021 0 comments

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128)

Continuing with the release of Jalie Sewing Patterns' newest collection of PDF sewing patterns-  today is the release of the Audrey Workout Top (4128)! This pattern features a cropped racerback tank with integrated bra and optional pocket for removable bra cups. Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128) includes sizes "F" (20 1/2" bust) all the way through to size "GG" (51 1/8" bust). I love that all Jalie Sewing Patterns include a whole size range with the purchase of a single pattern- perfect for growing children and sewing for multiple models.

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128)

Based on the pattern recommendation of selecting the size by full bust, I sewed up a size "S" for Missy. I did not sew up the optional pocket for removable bra cups. I sewed up the Audrey Workout Top (4128) using Lululemon Dark Charcoal Athletic Knit from KnitFabric.com for the back and a cut up too-small T-shirt from Missy's wardrobe for the main. This pattern uses the "burrito method" of enclosing seams- something I typically dislike, but really appreciated in this pattern because it made for such a clean interior. The construction of the lining/shelf bra came together and fit so well! I love when the inside of a garment is just as pretty and clean as the outside! 

Some things to note: a) The shoulder seams of the lining and main do NOT match up and this is done on purpose to reduce bulk. I say this because I got a little confused when I cut and sewed.) b) I used a very thin athletic knit for the lining. This was perfect for not creating visible lines underneath the main fabric. However, if you are wanting a little more support, you may want to use a mesh or netting.

And, if you give a Sewing Mama a top pattern, such as the Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128), she's going to want to whip up some coordinating bottoms! Here, I paired the Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128) with one of our favorite Jalie Sewing Patterns, the Clara High Waisted Leggings (3887) in crop length- perfectly functional and appropriate for my active girl. ;)

Jalie Sewing Patterns- Audrey Workout Top (4128) paired with the Jalie Sewing Patterns-Clara High Waisted Leggings (3887)

 ***Disclosure: "I did receive free patterns from Jalie Sewing Patterns. The opinions expressed here are my own."***

 

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