Inspiration Workshop [Week 5: Perfect Bathroom]

It's Thursday so I'm linking up with Gussy Sews' Inspiration Workshop!  This week's prompt was The Perfect Bathroom.

This was more difficult for me than I thought it was going to be.  I guess its not something I've thought a whole lot about.  I have no need for a fantastical bathroom; I think one with enough room for a claw foot tub would suffice:

Source: southernliving.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Now I know that's not a claw-foot tub, but it'll do for picture sake.  I love the white wrap-around curtain, too... yeah, and that bead board!

I also am drawn to the dark wood vanities with shiny classic fixtures... I also like white porcelain knobs on faucets, etc:

Source: google.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Subway tile is so pretty, too, and timeless:

Source: radiancefromruins.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I'd like lots of natural light and probably a pretty shade of blue.... my go-to colors for a bedroom and master bath are always a medium gray/blue with dark wood, white trim and linens... Sooo pretty!

This was our bath at the Marshall House when we stayed in Savannah, GA:

Way smaller than what my Perfect Bathroom would be, but spot on with the white, blue, bead board, subway tile and traditional fixtures (lighting, faucets, etc... though you can't see them in this picture) Yes, I took a picture of the bathroom! And our bedroom, and the hall outside our room, shall I go on? *wink*

What's your Perfect Bathroom looking like?  I'd love to hear, or just say 'Hi' in a comment below... I &hearts: comments!

See you tomorrow for Fabulous Fabric Friday!

XxOo~ Melissa

Summer '11 Collection [Product Show & Tell]

Summer '11 products are now available in my shop but today I'm going to break down SoChick's newest items with a Show & Tell.  I was going to call this post "Featured Product" but I'm not featuring any one item... so "Show & Tell" works to cover more than one, right?  Right. :-)

For starters, The Summer Collection features Amy Butler's newest collection Soul Blossoms, which I featured in my first Fabulous Fabric Friday post.  The colors, to me, are reminiscent of summer days and nights, cool ocean breezes and nature in bloom.

The newest items to the SoChick line-up are the Framed Clutch and Mini-Tote.

The Framed Clutch

A framed clutch used to seem so formal to me, but in fun, bright and perfect-for-summer colors I can completely see how these have made a comeback.  What a perfect way for the "everyday Chick" to be "everyday chic"!

 Not only do they look pretty, they hold lots:

Some come with an 18inch chain, so you may carry it like a handbag... the chain will tuck away neatly should you not want to use it *wink*:

some are chain-free...

both fit inside the mini-tote and larger to be used as a pretty wallet.

How easy to grab this out of your tote, or diaper bag, for a quick errand sans kids!?  *Hint* It's just as easy to toss into said bags when your headed out for a day out.

The framed clutch measures: 8.25"L x 4.5"H x 2.5"D

The Mini-Tote

I designed the Mini-Tote to not only hold the framed clutch, but so much more... in a smaller, lightweight, and casually-fun handbag for summer.  Pairing the Soul Blossom fabric (which coordinates with the clutches should you want a "set") with durable natural canvas, the Mini-Tote will be the summer go-to handbag.

So much can fit in here, the Mini-Tote has you covered... all in a classy little package.  Because, honestly, who wants to be weighed down by a huge bag in the heat of summer? Not I. (Note: I am completely okay with carrying a huge beach bag to and from the sand... just sayin'.)

The Mini-Tote measures: 9in L x 7in H x 4in D

Don't forget the gloss, girls!

The best part of both of these styles? They can pair perfectly with a pretty summer dress on your evening out and they will look fab with your jean skirts/shorts, tanks and flip-flops while you walk the boardwalk, window shop, or just go about your day-to-day business.  "Everyday chic for everyday Chicks".

I hope I shed some light on the thought behind my products... head on over to the Shop to check them out

Enter code BLOG10 at checkout to save 10% on your order... TODAY ONLY.

**This post features:

 Framed Clutch w/ Chain in Sunset Peony

Clutch without Chain in Vines in Ivory

Mini-Tote in Sunset Peony.**

XxOo~ Melissa

My Weekend Wrap-up and other [SoChick News]

Good Monday morning!  I hope you all had a fantabulous weekend. (Fantabulous (adj.)- see Fantastic & Fabulous *wink*)

 We took a day trip to Wilmington, NC (about 2 hrs south) with the girls, to hit up Costco...I wish we had one closer! It is so worth the drive, though, for the savings on groceries! Oh yeah, and I grabbed a few things on sale at Old Navy.... Woot!  I'll show those to you for this week's WIWW post.  Yesterday, Sunday, my husband smoked a whole chicken in his smoker... an all day process... and it was delicious!  The girls and some neighbor kids/friends played on the huge slip-n-slide that we had to have, but so worth it; they had a blast!

My little blogging agenda is filling up as I am inspired everyday by the blogs I read, my girls, my passion for what I do, all of you!  Here's a quickie rundown of what is Coming Soon for SoChick:

~ I've been finishing up some Custom Orders, most recently being a really great 'faux' quilt for a friend of mine... I'm writing up a mini-tutorial that I will share soon!  This is a great Weekend Project!

~ Once my customs are done I'll be adding more accessories to the shop... and Yes the Perfectly Pleated Pouch will return!  I know, I know, you are as excited as I am, right?.... Right?! *wink*  I'll do a Feature post when these return. :-)

Source: sochickhandbags.com via Melissa on Pinterest

~ If you follow me on facebook, you saw my status about the cute little tiered wire tray I picked up on sale ($4, woot!)... well, here it is: 

Don't you love it?! I do!

Between that and this post from Gussy Sews, I've been inspired to share my studio space with you... Look for a SoChick Studio Tour in the next few weeks.

~ I've got a few mini-series posts up my sleeve, too... :-) 

I think I've been doing well with my Blogging Commitment and I have a lot more in store.  I am so completely thankful for all of the new blog followers, twitter followers and facebook fans in the past few weeks... All of you have really inspired me and lifted my spirits;  I am really enjoying 'meeting' everyone.  To Thank You, I have a fun Give-Away planned.... very soon! (Not following? Check out the left side of this page for all the link-up/follow buttons and join in!)

I'll leave you with some pictures of the chip & dip bowl my husband and I painted for Father's Day (can you guess which SEC team we are Fanatical for?!).  Have a great Monday!

XxOo~ Melissa

Fabulous Fabric Friday #3 [Get Nautical]

Its Friday, yay!

Do you have any big plans for the weekend?  Trista, my 8yr old, has a sleep over party and we may take a day trip to Wilmington, NC (about 2 hours south of us). Fun :-)

This week I've been working on some custom orders, but my brain has been all over the place thinking up new fabric combinations for bags and accessories.  With this week welcoming the first day of Summer, and our not living but 20 minutes from the coast, I'm really drawn to the shades of blues, bright reds, sandy neutrals and sailboat whites of nautical decor and fashion.  So, for this week's Fab. Fab. Friday I'm highlighting Nautical Inspired fabrics.

Here is a taste of what I would decorate a bright-white-beach-front living room in... enjoy!


Large, blue throw and floor pillows would be in my beach house:

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: kaboodle.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Today's indoor/outdoor fabrics are  really well made and many are soft and comfy; perfect for beach house pillows... you know, since there's lots of sand and water around, *wink*.  Also, very kid and pet friendly!  I have two large floor pillows in my living room (see Tommy Bahama print below) and they have held up wonderfully, clean easily (my dogs mostly claim them) and are still super soft! They make for awesome totes, too!

Can't go wrong with Seashells and Ships:

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

And just for fun, I adore these Tommy Bahama prints:

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

(p.s. I do have a large floor pillow in my living room using this lagoon print!)

Source: fabric.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Wouldn't this make a cool beach tote, paired with Natural Cotton Webbing straps?!

Ahhh, nice and relaxing... I swear I hear the waves crashing.

Have a great Friday!

XxOo~ Melissa

♥ Don't forget to save 20% in the shop 

thru Saturday, June 25th at 12pm EST ♥

Inspiration Workshop [Week 4: Day of Play!]

Linking again with Gussy Sews for Inspiration Workshop #4! This week's prompt: Spend the day playing.

Woo Hoo!  This was just the excuse I needed for a day with my Husband sans kiddos.  Now don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my girls, and even considered a beach day of play... but I have also learned when to seize the moment and ask my Dad and Stepmom to keep them for a few hours so Hubs and I can spend time together.

Now, it wasn't a full day of play, more like an hour... of kayaking...but, super fun all the same!

We headed over to Beaufort, NC to rent a tandem kayak... then we paddled Taylor's Creek:


My view from the front... Often we can see the wild banker ponies on this island... not this time around, though.


Hubby, Joe, paddling away.


I promise I helped paddle some... really, I did.


 See... there's me with a paddle!


Taking a short break on the Rachel Carson Preserve (island) which is across Taylor Creek from Beaufort's waterfront.

Such a fun Inspiration Workshop... our little Kayaking adventure made for a fun afternoon. :-)

XxOo~ Melissa

Shop SoChick! Save 20% till 6/25/11 12pmEST

My Singer Futura CE-150 [ A Sewing/Embroidery Machine Review ]

I'd like to introduce you to my partner in crime sewing stitches.

Source: joann.com via Melissa on Pinterest

This here's the Singer Futura CE-150.  She's a sewing/embroidery combo machine, and I love her to pieces... so much so that I've not named her... I simply just refer to her as "her" or "my Singer".  I know, way loving, right? Well, she's not complained... much.

Lets start with the nitty gritty's about this stitchin' gal, then I'll tell you why I ♥ her.

Specs: 17 x 11 x 12 inches ; 41 pounds


- All-in-one Sewing and Embroidery Machine, with 24 built-in stitches (plus 2 automatic one-step buttonhole stitches... though I've yet to use this awesome feature)

- Self threading needle and drop-in bobbin -Yay, easy!


- 13 adjustable needle positions, plus drop feed for ease of creative topstitching and free motion stitching (a nice perk for those who quilt... i'm getting there)

-120 pre-programmed embroidery designs and 5 fonts... but reads most home embroidery designs... and I have TONS!

- 2 embroidery hoops

-Included 7 snap-on (easy!) presser feet. (My fav. being the satin stitch and seam guide feet.. woot!)


- Add on packages are available which lend more creativity to the embroidery with AutoPunch (convert images into designs), Photo-Stitch (create designs from a photograph), and CrossStitch (make designs look like they've been cross stitched onto fabric)

I've seen this machine priced for sale anywhere from $450-$600.  I would recommend waiting for a sale OR seeing if you can get any Add-on packages free-with-purchase... just to get the most bang for your buck.

You may be thinking "Whoa, Six hundred bucks!?", but really, that's inexpensive for a quality starter Emrboidery/Sewing machine... AND, if you wait for a sale on Joanns.com, you'll come out on top.

With all of that out of the way, let me tell you more about my Singer Futura CE-150:

 I was lucky enough to receive mine as a gift about 2 Christmas' ago... before then I was using my Grandmother's 1970's Brother to sew my bags :-)

  I use my machine just about every day for general sewing of handbags and accessories... I have done quite a bit of embroidery with it as well, which is apparent in this previous post.  I love how easy it is to use, thread, clean, etc.  It's also fairly easy to switch between sewing and embroidery by sliding off the sewing base and on with the embroidery unit... just remember to drop the feed, adjust tension, and change the presser foot.  Really, once you learn the routine, it's not difficult... I have messed up many a time by trying to move too quickly and have forgotten to lower the feed... Oops!

  I've also made a quilt with my machine and I enjoy doing applique and general embroidery.

'nuff said.

My most favorite feature of my Singer Futura CE-150 would be the different presser foot attachments and the ease of switching them out.  A simple snap-on, snap-off feature is what makes it so easy.  I also love the seam-guide foot.. which I recently learned about (in the past 6 months)! I'll show you a picture and explain more about that in another post.

With all of the positives about this gal, I will admit there are a few quirks that get me... namely that she beeps at me when the thread tension is not just so, and sometimes during embroidery when she has a hard time picking up the bobbin thread.  This could all be very frustrating when I have a deadline, but as I just said they are "quirks"... in other words, I know about them and try to accommodate so as not to stress myself out too much. No use getting myself in a tizzy for something I know may happen. *wink*


As efficient as this little machine is for me, sometime's I am more efficient... or too effeicient, as I have had her bite my finger a time or two... OUCH!  Note to self: Keep fingers away from the machinery. ;-)


When all is said and done, I am really pleased with my Singer Futura CE-150.  She has been to perfect little partner in stitches for my young business and has grown with me from the onset of my handbag sewing/fabric addiction.  I would like to *one day*, upgrade to a metal framed sewing machine (my old Brother is a metal framed work horse) and use my Futura for embroidery most of the time.  I think though, that would be for more efficiency on my part... how sweet it would be to have two machines going in my studio... *woot!*


What kind of sewing or embroidery machine do you have? What do you love/hate most about it?  Share with my by leaving a comment! :-)


Now, here's that little surprise I mentioned yesterday...   New Mini Totes in the shop and...

♥ A Sale! ♥

What a great way to celebrate the first day of Summer, right?!

Head on over to my Shop to enjoy 20% off your purchase!

Code good through tomorrow at 12pm EST.

Always $5 shipping on orders over $40!

Have a great day!

XxOo~ Melissa

Let's Take A Trip {to Savannah, Georgia}

I have a sweet little Sewing Machine review planned for tomorrow, along with another nice little surprise to kick-off the first day of Summer! *woot!*  For today, though, I thought I'd take you on a quick visit to Savannah, GA...  not a bad way to start the week, right?

Every spring in recent years, my husband and I have gone on a little mini-trip for the two of us.  Anywhere from Raleigh, NC for a night to Las Vegas for three nights, it's always a fun time. (P.s. I love Las Vegas, so fun, great buffets!)  This past march we went to Fripp Island, SC with Joe's family, which we usually do late in the summer.  We were fortunate to get away to take an overnight trip to Savannah, which is about an hour from Fripp.

I'm an Army brat, so we moved around quite a bit in my early years, but I grew-up/was raised in Sleepy Hollow, NY, once my Dad retired.  Don't let me being a 'yankee' fool you, though, I have a serious love for most things southern; Savannah quickly stole my heart!

Spanish Moss, yes, please!

 For our overnight trip we stayed at The Marshall House which was featured in Southern Living's April 2011 Issue.

How perfect that I received the magazine in the mail as we were deciding where to take our trip?! It was a sign, I'm sure.

What a beautiful Inn, I love the old architecture; the 16 bay veranda on the front... which has been there since the beginning... stunning!

Nighttime view from our Haunted Tour.

A quick view of our room, which looks amazingly similar to my bedroom at home,
 same color paint, white bedding, dark mahogany furniture. *swoon*

After checking in we took a walk down to East Bay St. which runs above and parallel to the infamous River St.  The old oaks heavy with Spanish moss lend such an ambiance to everything in Savannah... I can only imagine the history those trees have witnessed.

The view overlooking River St and the Savannah River from E Bay St.

We walked to the end of E Bay to have dinner at The Pirates' House Restaurant.  Fun atmosphere and great food... worth the walk, though, it really wasn't too far.  There's so much haunted history in Savannah as well, and to think that we ate dinner where many a Pirate frequented from the mid-1700's on, was really something.

After dinner we walked down to River St., full of shoppes and pubs.  My favorite is always the Savannah Candy Kitchen, where they make homemade candy all day long! Yummy!!! Since it was Easter weekend when we were there, this is where we picked up our girls' Easter basket... lucky girls. *Wink*


This next photo may look familiar as I left a sneak peek of it on my previous post when I made my Commitment to Blogging:

The sun setting on E Bay St.,
along with the iron lined walkways over River St. alleys,
 really make for great photo ops. 

Ahhh, River St., gotta love that cobble stone road!

Walking can be tricky down on River St. between the crowds of people and the old cobble stone walk ways... not to mention the crazy steep stairways up to E Bay St.  Again, just imagine all of the history these original roads, walks, stairs, have seen!

River Street

Watch your step!

After all of the walking around we went on a Haunted Pub Tour... which was interesting, to say the least.  The next day we woke up to have breakfast in the Atrium at The Marshall House, again, so beautiful, so southern!

Then it was time for more walking... and pictures!

I love the handmade iron gates!

Jones St. voted 'Most Picturesque Street in America'
several years in a row, by Southern Living Magazine.

I just adore these homes!

It's not Savannah without a secret garden, and Jasmine lined walls!

I could see my self living in Savannah... *wink*.  The history, old homes, beautiful gardens and parks aka squares... of which Savannah has 24, but two of those have been lost due to being built upon.  The shoppes and restaurants are just amazing as well.  I think Savannah is the epitome of Southern Architecture, Grace and Charm.

Thanks for joining me on this little trip this morning... be sure to come back tomorrow for my Sewing Machine review and a sweet little summertime surprise!



XXOO~ Melissa