PUCKERING UP

PUCKERING UP

Good Morning, everyone! I hope you all had a good weekend! We went out with friends on Friday night, stayed home Saturday night (watched Knives Out), and went out last night to celebrate our youngest son’s birthday. I am always amazed at how much we always have going on. Honestly, I thought I was going to be bored at this stage of my life, but I never get the chance to get there. I apologize for being such a “blogging loser” last week. Not that you would have noticed, but I only posted one blog last week. I don’t know what my problem was, but it sure did (or didn’t) happen. Anyway, I am back and wanted to show a trend that I think is such fun going on at the moment. The pucker (or smocked) is in, and I am all about puckering up!

You Won’t Believe The Price of This Black Smocked Dress

Okay, smocking has been around for ages, but I see a lot of the puckered fabric in my daily perusing online and in stores. Smocking is an embroidery technique to gather the fabric so that it can stretch. That’s why it’s so darn comfortable! I saw this black smocked dress on H&M’s website, loved it, and ordered it. It’s $70, so I thought I would see what it looked like. Ladies, this dress is so beautiful in person. I promise that it does not look like a $70 dress.

And I could wear this anywhere, depending on what shoe I choose. I took it to Florida a few weeks back to pair with flat sandals. I think worn with pumps, it is appropriate for work, dinner, church, or meetings. And I can see it with a  boot and a sneaker too. H&M has a black and grey smocked skirt that I love as well!

Smocking Gives Fabric Some Personality

Smocking is being used a lot on blouse cuffs, bodices, and necklines. I always think smocking used at the waist or hips helps hold in the stomach a bit. And if it is used on the bodice, you can go without a bra (maybe not if it’s white). I am a big fan of Ulla Johnson who has been using smocking in her pieces for a while. I like that it gives a fabric some personality. Pucker Up!

Have you all ever seen anyone as white in your life as me? I looked at the photos and thought I had on white hose! I don’t really get in the sun anymore and get so tired of putting on self-tanners, but because it is almost Spring, it’s time for me to start the self-tanning process! Also, these photos were taken about two weeks ago, and you can see what my neck is looking like. Remember, I just did a neck lift. My face was not touched. I still have lines and wrinkles, but the skin is lifted. And it looks so much better than before. I probably should have done a facelift, but I am not that brave! I am okay with what is going on right now with my face. And I am not going to say never, but I probably will stop here.

I hope you all have the best Monday! xx

Photos: Danielle Sabol

Dress // Pumps (less expensive) // Bag // Pinkie Ring

SOME OF MY FAVORITE SMOCKED PIECES