eShakti Review Part Deux!

I reviewed an eShakti dress in a previous post, and I am back to showcase another gem from their extensive line of "Real Fashion for Real People"!  

After hours of pouring over gorgeous garments and careful consideration, 

I went with the Shawl Collar Large Check Dress 

in Sky Blue/Olive/Navy/Cream:

From the site: "A shawl collar frames the V-neckline of this cotton check dress, nipped in at the waist with piped trim and flared out to a full circle skirt."

• Slips on over head; partial side zip closure.
• Short self-button front.
• Dolman cap sleeves with partial elastic cuffs.
• Princess seamed to shape.
• Side seam pockets.
• Below knee length.
• Lined in cotton voile.
• Cotton, woven check, no stretch, midweight.
• Machine wash.

Upon ordering, I chose the custom option to select a "Deep V" neckline in lieu of the dress's more modest V-neck.  I also elected to submit my measurements for a custom-sized garment, just as I had done with the dress in my previous review.    I would have loved the option to lengthen the sleeves on this dress to a true short sleeve - or even a 3/4 - but, alas, t'was not an option for this frock!

As per usual, eShakti's shipping was quick and convenient.  The garment was expertly folded and packed so flat it belied the dress's fabulous, voluminous skirt!  After a once-over with some light starch and the iron, I stored my dress in a garment bag and headed off to my hometown with my family to visit with friends and celebrate my 6th wedding anniversary.

I was struck by the ease with which I slipped into the dress and admired the weight of the fabric that is also fully lined.  The color combination in the plaid is very striking and evokes the mid-60s Mad Men era.  I chose to play up the dress's vintage appeal with Texas-big, roller set hair and shimmery green eyeshadow with winged liner.  Paired with white jute-soled sandals, a gold bangle, and pearl studs with a matching pearl necklace, I was ready to celebrate with my husband at the place where we met and fell in love, the Cadieux Cafe.  

This amazing dress received compliment after compliment!  It is my new favorite summer frock, perfect for anything from a picnic in the park to a night out at a rock show.  

I am even considering getting this one in Rust/Brown/Cream/Gray:

eShakti has knocked it out of the park again with this dress design; retro enough to pass for true vintage, but modern in its sturdy construction, availability, and size range from 0 to 36W.  

Finding hip, feminine, quality clothing to fit *any* body has never been so easy! 

 And the custom options give you the power to be the designer- 

which is simply unheard of at eShakti's competitive prices.

If you are a new shopper with eShakti, you are entitled to save $25 with your first order when you register with them.  So start browsing for your next favorite wardrobe item, gurl!

Disclosure statement- I was provided with a sample garment from eShakti in order to 

complete this review.

eShakti Review

Recently, I was contacted by a representative from eShakti who wondered if I would be interested in 

reviewing one of the items from their extensive online clothing store.  I began looking through pages and pages of delightful, modern designs and fell in love with their dresses!  I have long been a devotee of the fit and flare dress: flattering on nearly every figure (and on me at any weight).  When I saw that the side bar of the eShakti site had a "Fit and Flare" category, along with Sheath, Cocktail, and Little Black Dress, I was elated.  I adore easy navigating when shopping online.

As soon as I saw Her Fifties Colorblock Dress in french blue/cream, I knew I had met my soulmate! 

                                                       

As a rule, I am hesitant to shop online for clothing unless I own several items of clothing from a company.  Like most women, I have persnickety peculiarities in how my body fits or *doesn't* fit into clothing.  For my general hourglass shape with hips larger than bust, I find that I need to put in some real dressing room time in order to select a garment perfect for my body and shape.  

When ordering with eShakti, you are offered the choice of 'off-the-rack' sizing from 0 - 36W (XS-6X), or you are able to enter your own custom measurements for an addition nominal cost.  I elected to go the custom route, as I haven't had a custom made dress since my Prom gown...thanks Mom!  I submitted my specs and placed my order on December 16.   

Much to my surprise, my custom dress arrived promptly on December 26, well before the 7 business days for shipping + 7-9 business days for transit time as specified in eShakti's fine print.  I was wowed by the super-flat shipping box and neat presentation.  I immediately tried the dress on to find that the straps were too long and did not conceal my bra straps effectively.  Going without support is not a luxury that I am currently able to afford ;) , so I quickly tacked the straps, taking them up about 2" on each side to achieve a better fit.  

Aside from the strap length, I felt that the dress fit well.  I might have sized down in the waist had I realized that the back of the dress was so elasticized.  I suppose I would need to have it properly tailored were I to lose more weight down in the future.  I thought that the fabric was vibrant and beautiful, lined properly in the places that a good dress should be.  I did notice a few minute flaws in the stitching, but nothing that was flagrant.  The pockets, a feature on many of the eShakti dresses, were a nice touch.  

On a recent trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, I brought the dress to wear out on the town.  The dress packed well, not taking up too much space despite its voluminous skirt.  After a quick ironing, I slipped it on, pairing it with a french blue main/pedi, white leather jute-soled sandals and a cream woven shrug.  The crisp cotton poplin fabric was well-suited to the tropical climate.   My husband and daughter both complimented the color and fit.  Here I am striking my best 'red carpet pose':

After returning to the icy tundra that is the Midwest, I laundered the dress according to the tag specifications and was delighted to find that it washed up so well.  I despise Dry Clean Only duds!

This beauty will have to hang out in the closet for a few months, but I am excited to bring it out again in the spring!

In all, I am most satisfied with my eShakti experience and I have ordered another dress from them in the meantime.  Disclosure statement- I was provided with a dress sample from eShakti in exchange for this review.  

Peeps!

Inspired by this cool Peep Bunting, here are the stuffed Peep Bunnies!

UpCraft- First Foray into Smocking

One of Cecilia's Christmas dresses featured a lovely smocked panel, replete with Santa Claus, a festive reindeer, and wrapped presents.  After wearing it ONCE, I thought I would re-use the dress by removing the existing stitches and re-smocking a different design in the panel.  

Daddy's Pediatrics Program hosts an annual Alumni Duck Dinner every spring, and I thought a mallard duck motif would be perfect for my first attempt at smocking.  I checked out a few books from the Memphis Public Library on Smocking and Heirloom Sewing, and designed the plate from a combination of a few motifs I saw online.  Here is the result (about 5 days' work):

I also crocheted a little amigurumi friend: Mallard von Duckenstein.

Take Me to the Mardi Gras

This is a Mardi Gras card I made for my folks.  My father plays trumpet and has a long tradition of being part of Dixieland ensembles around this time of year.   One day, I'd love to get them down to NOLA, even if it wasn't for the Grand Fête.

Materials: A2 card blank, scrapbook papers, Fiskars corner punch, feather, and glitter.

Wonderland Valentines

This year, Baby Cecilia's Valentine theme was "Alice in Wonderland." (FYI, Sir John Tenniel's illustrations are part of the public domain, which is awesome.)  We'll likely do a different theme each year, and when her pincer grasp evolves enough to manipulate drawing and painting materials, she'll have more of a "hand" in their making! ;)

...Be Mine!

...Be My Valentine

...Will you be my Valentine?

...I want to be your Valentine!

Materials: Aleene's tacky glue, asst. glitter, Dollar Tree doilies, scrapbooking papers, Offray 1/8" ribbon, stickers, foam glue dots, and asst. button and beads.  

Ghosts of Projects Past - Royal Flush Valentine

I made this for my husband, Ben, in 2005.  He loves magic, particularly card tricks, so I came up with this hidden mechanism to spread the cards and reveal the message:

The base card (10) was glued to the A2 blank.  I used a small gauge punch to make holes in the lower left corners, joining the playing cards to the base card with a small brad.  I then punched a small hole in the middle right edge of each card, and knotted craft ribbon at equally spaced intervals.  That part took some trial and error, but the effect was fantastic.

In retrospect, I really could have dressed the card up a little more, but it was for a man, and they generally seem to be less than thrilled to find little specks of glitter on their person for weeks.

The greeting inside:  "It's in the cards."

Materials:  Playing cards (there are sooooo many cool decks out there- link to one of many on Amazon below), blank A2 card, construction paper, Aleene's tacky glue, brad, 1/8" ribbon, 

Fiskars hole punch, and, of course, you know, love and sentiment and what-not.

Ghosts of Projects Past - Sacred Heart Painting

Hail, most loving Heart, Inflame me! Consume me in the Burning Fire of Thy Holy Love, 2008

Mixed media on canvas

I loved everything about this piece.  Particularly the Sufjan Stevens-inspired title.  It was created for a charity auction, and despite my husband's aggressive bidding, we were unable to return it to the loving home from which it came.  I have always wanted to recreate it, along with a Sweetest Heart of Mary companion piece.  

Materials: craft-store oval canvas, glitter, sequins, acrylic paint, Mod Podge, Aleene's tacky glue, clip art, and wrapping paper, that I now see has become some kind of collector's item.

 

Gaga For Valentine's Day!

For your consideration:  the Lady Gaga Valentines.

Dollar Tree doilies, Martha Stewart glitter, asst. scrapbook papers, Michael's ribbon, and Aleene's tacky glue.  Fonts courtesy of DaFont.

Inspiration and Motivation

My mother was one crafty gal.  You name it, and she could do it: sewing, ceramics, make-up (special effects and beauty), and painting, to name a few.  Elaborate, prize-winning Halloween costumes were lovingly (and sometimes begrudgingly) created every fall, complete with full-face makeup; never masks.

In 1995, she swore to never again sew velvet after completing this masterpiece:

Yet only two years later, her sewing machine was abuzz with yards of red velvet as she created my prom dress from a picture in this book of historical costumes, WITHOUT A PATTERN 

I'm indebted to her for my sense of design and style, my love of all things "matchy-matchy", and my appreciation of the homemade and handcrafted.  I dedicate this blog to her.