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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

How to Wear DIY: Summery colorblock

Today on How to Wear DIY... celebrating the sunny days we had this weekend, I think it's finally really summer. That tends to happen after the 4th of July here--like magic!  I'm so excited I get to wear my summery dresses now--like this one!

This weekend we met some friends for the Portland Farmers' Market in the Park Blocks in downtown.

I wore the colorblock linen dress I made last spring, using that sort of complicated Simplicity pattern and a bias partial circle skirt. It was just perfect for the sunny weather! Dresses are SO great in the summer. I think I might have forgotten that for a while. ;)

I also wore my new Forever 21 straw fedora that I like so much, but I took the pink band off and put this black grosgrain one on. More versatile, I think.

I've actually taken the dress in a little since I made it, and it fits like a glove now. A little more snug than I've been used to all winter and spring, but it sure does hold that strapless bra in place. ;)

I wasn't too sure about the funky geometric necklace with it, but I wanted something different and fun. The necklace also totally says winter to me, but hopefully I gave it new life.
Hat and necklace: Forever 21. Bag and sandals: Old Navy. Watch: AE. Dress: DIY!

Hope you had a sunny and lovely weekend!

P.S. This post is perfect for this month's Everybody, Everywear challenge: colorblock! Listed here...

Color Blocking | Everybody, Everywear

37 comments

  1. The necklace looks great with your dress!
    Love this dress, see this is why I need to learn to sew. That's it, I am borrowing my friends sewing machine and starting as soon as possible!
    Xx
    Callie

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    Replies
    1. You will never regret learning to sew. It is so empowering to know that you can whip up something for much less that you might pay at a store.

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    2. Thanks! Yep, knowing how to sew even a little is a powerful thing!

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  2. Nice and simple, perfect for summer!

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  3. Anonymous7/09/2012

    I saw your link on "crafty country momma."

    I just LOVE this dress. What a fun blog you have here. I shall be back!

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  4. The necklace and dress go so well together! Very summery!

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  5. The hat and necklace totally make the outfit! Good call...I'm gonna go fedora hunting now :)

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  6. You look fabulous and so confident. That dress is beautiful. I want to commend you for embracing your beautiful pale skin and not feeling like you have to be all tanned. I feel so self conscious when I wear sleeveless tops or strappy dresses with my pale skin. I break out the self tanner, but I really hate that mess. I would love to have the same confidence you do and just embrace my pale skin. Do you think you might write a blog post on this topic? I really love your blog and read it all the time. I just never comment enough like I should.

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    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks, I have definitely excepted my extreme paleness! But it took a while. I still feel inadequate sometimes, just for a moment. Thanks for reading, and I do remember you from your comments! Sure, I can try to put together a post or weave the topic into another post sometime this summer!

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  7. Your color-blocked dress looks great! Even more amazing that you made it :) And I have yet to wear a fedora, but I am seriously thinking about it!

    Seize the Styles

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! They're new for me too but I love having an extra accessory to make things more interesting!

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  8. So cute and summery! My sister made a dress from the same pattern you used recently, I'm jealous of it. I agree with Sara, the necklace looks perfect with the outfit.

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  9. Love the dress. Great colour.Best choice for summer!!

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  10. I love all of the looks! They are so cute.

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  11. Such a beautiful dress and you wore it perfectly! I love this! There's no other word to describe this dress and you than : beautiful.

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  12. I really like your combination of textures in this outfit. I made this simplicity dress last summer for my daughter. Whoa! That pattern is uber complicated. She chose a nice busy batik, it hid little mistakes really well. You are brave to make this up in a solid color. Very cute!

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    1. Thanks! It is a complicated pattern, would look great in a busy print, very Anthropologie-esque!

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  13. I love this dress, but I'd love to see you in a bodice that is a bit more "deep". not only on the center, but that the whole cut is lower. I think it would suit you much much better!!!

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    1. Haha, well said, and I totally agree. If I ever make this pattern again I may leave off the top band altogether. It's not my usual cut!

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  14. Beautiful dress! I love the mint and yellow together. ;)

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  15. With what little I know about dressmaking, I am seriously impressed by your dress. So cool! Props to you! I'm a new follower!

    peace&love, Jill
    Favor the Brave

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jill, and glad you found me! It takes practice but anyone can do it. =) See you around!

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  16. Awww someone from my hometown. Love the look. I am always drawn to necklaces. Great color combo.

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  17. You MADE this dress?? It is gorgeous! I've sewed curtains and pillows and three oufits for my oldest son (with my mother in law holding my hand), and clothes are so hard!! This is amazing and gorgeous and fits you perfectly. Love the hat and necklace with it. Just found you via EBEW.
    Best, Whitley Adkins Hamlin at the Queen City Style

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    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks! You're halfway there if you've been doing all that sewing! Making clothes isn't always hard, just takes practice! =)

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  18. That dress is fabulous - you have some AMAZING talents. I love your color choices and it's a slightly less common take on color blocking (pastels vs brights)

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    1. Thank you! I think I just put the colors together because I like both of them--sort of worked out as a cool colorblock look!

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  19. beautiful job on the dress! that bodice does look tricky.
    and the colors you chose are just so perfect!
    Chic on the Cheap

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  20. Such a beautifu dress and you wore it perfectly! I love this!

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  21. Oh my I love the colors of that dress and even better I love that you made it. It is so fresh!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I prefer to make my cute, fun clothes when I can!

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  22. Anonymous7/11/2012

    Wow, I love your self-made dress! I especially love the yellow bodice. So pretty and summery!

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  23. Perfect hat ribbon DIY. Lovely farmers market outfit!

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  24. Oh, what a cutie! I love this entire outfit! I wish I could make my own clothes! -Jessica

    THEJESSICALBLOG.COM

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