2.04.2014

seen through the eyes of iris....

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

I didn't expect my very first (possibly my very last?) project sewn entry to be so, for me at least, devoid of color. In fact, I had a mini freak out over it. Ruggy, I stammered in a weak tone, I think my first entry is too bland.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

Glancing over my shoulder at the photos, my man snorted supportively:  you look like a peacock.

I was appeased for about a minute. Then I started stressing again. What the what? There is no stress in stitching!! THERE IS NO TENSION IN SEWING!! (well yeah there is but--) WHO IS THIS WOMAN?!  AND WHERE IS HER COCKTAIL!?!!

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

I HAZ CRAZYEYES BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF GIN.

Well, Project Sewn has begun, HOLY COW, and truly it is a shame that we are out of gin. This is a bit more worrisome than I anticipated. You're talking to an actress who, by nature of calling, deals with rejection more then half the time, it's just part of the deal, so a little more competition? Should be no problemo. 

The problemo with that theory is twofold: 1) sewing is my escape from competition. 2) everyone in project sewn is awesome and I want us all to win.

Then there's also 3) deviloona always wants to beat the hell out of everyone in everything.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

I'm pretty sure deviloona took these photos, it's the only way to explain the highly present bratty smirk going on.  

HEY WHADDAYA SAY WE TALK ABOUT THE OUTFIT. Challenge the first! "Fashion icon." Of which I have very few. Oh, every christmas I make six maxi skirts inspired by Diane Keaton in The Family Stone, I've admired Sarah Jessica Parker's topsy turvy style, I've bought yards of lace clearly marked For Prince Only. But this challenge knocked me for a loop. I'd landed on Lenny Kravitz, starting well in advance, heeding the advice of our Project Sewn mistresses to prepare early...

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

And then six days ago, I abandoned him completely during a magnificent bout of insomnia. In two seconds flat, at the fascinating hour of 4AM, I went from hot male rocker to fabulous nonagenarian. I saw Iris Apfel and knew she was the one.

Wasn't it wonderful of her to come visit me??? She's a gem. We hollered about her years as interior designer, textile designer, jewelry and muppet bag designer, DESIGNER OF GENERAL AWESOMENESS. For real, she's everything I was remembering Lenny to be (when did he start wearing gray exclusively?). I'd pinned her a year ago, and several nights ago, I filled up another inspirational iris board.

Yes yes, back to the sewing. Hold onto yer glasses y'all, I GOTS CONSTRUCTION SHOTS.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

The dress!  princess seamed sheath with a vent (hooray for walking!  mobility is excellent). It's Simplicity 2337--in an effort to keep life happy with this eleventh hour switch, I went for my coveted blue envelopes. I started to adjust for the drapey sheath option, but the pleated drape piece is missing the l/s line and waist mark, and in hour two of tracing, my sanity was all NOT ON MY WATCH. I'll take a good princess seam over Bellvue any day.

This fabric makes me want to cry. A chocolate brown and deep black velvety soft wool shot through with gold metallic sunlight, from Mood. My "basting zipper" looked so ridiculous next to it, what else could I do but accept the union.


It's been so long since I fully lined a dress, I forgot the whole side seam trick and handstitched at the shoulder seams! Hey y'all. A fully lined dress is nice. Why didn't you tell me??

Iris readily admits her closet is a mix of high and low fashion, so I saw no problem using this shocking marigold polyester satin for what lies beneath.


Also satin: 8 yards of bias tape, handsewn alllllllll the way round this here coat. Le coat! She is the Victoria Blazer from the elegant dames at By Hand London. If I ever meet them, I'm going to kiss them full on the mouth. PUCKER UP LADIES.

The inside of this "quilted" fabric was too soft to cover up, so I employed (I think?) a hong kong finish? Bound seam finish? Oh wait, I know what you call it! A FINISH THAT TAKES EIGHTY SIX HOURS!!! I machine stitched bias tape to the edge of each seam, then machine stitched the remaining bias tape fold on itself to keep it nice and flat whilst I handstitched it to the coat. FOR. EVER.

It's kind of my favorite finish now.

oonaballoona iris apfel project sewn fashion icon

Also in the TOOK FOREVER category: print placement.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

And finally, the fur legwarmers. Oh furry friends. How I love you. I had a fling with a cousin of yours once, years ago in high school, when I begged my parents, and possibly my Nan, to buy me a ridiculously costly pair of furry white beaded trimmed up eskimo-ish native american-esque winter boots. I wore them once. As over the top as my style was...the shy girl in me was afraid to wear them out. I say to you again, WHO IS THIS WOMAN. (The underage woman did not drink then, her cocktail was waiting in the future.)

Oona 2014 will stomp around in these jammies, no hesitation, probably in search of gin. The faux fur comes directly from the Hancock's in Ruggy's hometown, courtesy of Mama Ruggy, and out of the whole outfit these took just as long as anything. BELIEVE THAT. Two kinds of trim, separating zips, lined in silk...I was a woman possessed.

oona by marcy harriell oonaballoona iris apfel

Well, I know this has been long winded, I raise my glass to you if you've made it this far... it's been exceedingly hard to keep my enormous trap shut about this whole thing, and as such, I've apparently got a lot to say. This challenge has been an enormous amount of fun, and I've been utterly inspired by the wonder that is Iris Apfel, as so many have.

Do you like it? Wouldja like to throw your vote in for me, or any of the FABULOUS ladies I'm playing with? (deviloona YOU BE QUIET NOW GET BACK IN YOUR PEN.)  Head over to Project Sewn, view our dapper duds and choose your favorite!

163 comments:

  1. I have no words. You look amazing! Spot on! I love everything about this. You knocked it out of the park. Way to go. Now take a breather.

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    1. BREATHER WHAT IS THIS BREATHER. i'm still only a quarter of the way through challenge #2!! :)

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  2. looked at them all and then voted for you. seriously? that's fabulous (I could NOT pull off that outfit but YOU certainly can and do!)

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  3. Your le coat is absolutely beautiful.

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  4. This is incredible! And you totally pull it off! *Bows head in admiration* Also - that's how I look when I run out of gin...
    Amy

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  5. Wait.... a contrast red exposed zip, furry legwarmers and a Victoria COAT whose pattern matching is giving me a headache just thinking about it?!!! You had me at brown and black velvet with gold threads.

    Does your coat have a collar, or can I just not see it because your pattern matching is SO AWESOME it's making it disappear?!!!!!!

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    1. teehee!!! it does have sort of a collar-- basically instead of the extra lapel pieces, you use a stiffer fabric...eh, i have no words for it. i'll snap a pic and explain it better!

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  6. This is glorious. GLORIOUS.

    It also confirms my belief that I need to own the Victoria like, yesterday.

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  7. ummm...this is all sorts of amazing! I really like how the zipper adds a shocking pop of color to the dress. Now you have me convinced I can use the bright red zipper I already have in my stash on my next dark dress instead of making a stop at the store to buy an invisible zip. I can't believe you even made the legwarmers! Well done....

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    1. oh, who needs a matching zip?! that said, the only time i've regretted a contrast zip was a red zip on black dress. i looked like a flamenco dancer. which is not necessarily a bad thing...just not the look i was going for...

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  8. I can't even deal with how amazing this is. Love every last stitch of this whole ensemble. LOVE IT. TO DEATH. I was expecting great things from you people but wasn't prepared for this!

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  9. Oona, you know I'm partial to everything you do but HONESTLY you've completely blown your competitors out of the water on this first project! Of course you got my vote, you're currently tied in second place but you really need to be the first on that one! KEEP VOTING EVERYONE!!! Oh and I love your nemesis Deviloona!

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    1. oh david you make me smile! it is stiff competition, my fellow ladies really brought it. there's a lot i want to steal on that voting page!

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  10. You look stunning and I was screaming along with you and Iris! Awesome, I voted for you of course, how can I note?!!! Well done!!

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  11. I think this is definitely a Crowning Moment of Awesome!

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  12. That coat is awesome!!!

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  13. Well, freakin' brilliant choice for your fashion icon Oona! I first 'met' Iris via Ari Seth Cohen's blog. Being on the west side of fifty myself, and seeing Iris and her NYC friends kick style up to the nth degree, was a wake-up call.

    And now YOU!!! Where to begin? You totally knocked it out of the park girl! Okay, the star would be the coat! Um, yep...speechless...gorgeous fabric choice, expert finishing, and the pattern layout takes it to perfection. Oscar for supporting cast member? The dress...subtle, elegant...and now every sewer is going to be rooting for contrasting zippers. The sleeper?....Those insanely gorgeous legwarmers...I mean who knew we all wanted legwarmers? Awesome!

    Yep, my vote has been cast... best of luck!

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    1. um, could i just have this be my introduction speech for when i win my lifetime achievement oscar? pretty please?

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  14. Oh Oona! What a delight! I can see lots love, sweat and swearing, and lots of glasses of alcohol behind these outfits. But, boy, it was worth it!

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  15. Um. I love this. Sooooo much.

    That is all.

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  16. It's pretty rockin lady! Sheesh! That jacket is wonderful! Hearing you talk about the fabric for the dress makes me drool. Your look is completely fun and exciting. LOVE!

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  17. Miss Marce, it is whatever you want it to be! Silk, satin, poly, Bradley Cooper... wait, how did he get mixed into this equation? :)

    Too bland? You thought this was too bland? Gosh woman, I can't wait to see what you do with pink if this is "beige." I think you rocked it, and I'm glad you ditched Lenny Kravits and your high school boyfriend for Ruggy and Miss Arpel. What a woman... what a woman!

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    1. oh i'll take bradley cooper in that mix. did you see him in "american hustle"? that dance scene? UM BRADLEY WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE MOVES.

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  18. You nailed it! It's all amazing, but the coat, wow!

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  19. Iris Apfel - amazing choice and you are rocking that look!

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  20. Iris Apfel - amazing choice and you are rocking that look!

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  21. Everything is gorgeous, but that fantastic coat takes the cake!!

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  22. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Your style is perfection. That coat is TO DIE FOR. Fur legwarmers?! Can we be besties??? Also, that divine dress fabric - it is a thing of brilliance with that lining. You go, girlfriend. You go.

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  23. Amazing outfit! I've voted for you :)

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  24. Not sure which I like more, your outfit or your writing. You have me in stitches! And that outfit looks like it suits you to a T. Fantastic job!
    Ramona

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  25. Lord this is awesome. Iris Apfel is your spirit guide!!!

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  26. incredddddible :) love love love it well done you!

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  27. as amazing as the entire outfit is, it is the legwarmers that do it for me - they bring it up to an entirely new level of gin-fueled art. oh, wait, except you were out of gin - which just means you are that crazy genius in real life! :-)

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  28. Holy kaleidoscope of love and joy and all that is good - I loved this so much. You picked the perfect icon my dear. And my platonic love for you aside, I totally voted for you. Such creativity! And that maxi coat MUST BE MINE!

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    1. eek! heather lou, i love you. and your sophie's choice comment over at PS killed me.

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  29. Excellent look. I love Iris Apfel. I especially love your jacket and think that type of bias finish is so gorgeous.

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  30. That jacket is AMAZING! i love the whole look and when you are done you can post the jacket to me :). You definitely got my vote.

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  31. This outfit is a tour de force. Also, my mind is blown. That coat is ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT (and so is the lady wearing it ; ) )
    Speaking of gin, can I recommend the Gin Original cocktail? 50/50 gin and vermouth, orange bitters, olive.
    Cheers!

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    1. YOU CAN. white vermouth? the olive is so intriguing...

      (and double thank you)

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  32. What a knockout first entry! Keep it up OONA, I wanted to see you at the end. Freaking amazing beautiful outfit.

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  33. So fabulous! I adore Iris Apfel and you've nailed her style perfectly, but with such a you twist. Also, everything about this outfit is fantastic, but I would steal that coat in a heartbeat. GORGEOUS.

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    1. come on out to ny....wear your polka dot anna dress and we'll get to fightin'...

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  34. Seriously awesome and seriously Apfel. You look like a Gin Fizz! You've outdone yourself. You've outdone Cher! You need to go to Studio 54 immediately, have some gin, get on the bar and perform the entire score of "Hair." And for an encore, give them the old "Hong Kong Finish."

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    1. um, i LOVE to look like a gin fizz. that is a fabulous description! i'll order one at studio 54.

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  35. This outfit is pure pure genius! I am really digging deviloona, you go get em.

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  36. This outfit is AMAHZZZIINNGG! Good luck!

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  37. AHH Amazing! The jacket looks worth it by the way :)

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    1. oh thank you, i must admit it WAS worth it. i'm so glad i went nuts over it!

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  38. Lady, you do need gin, rum, cognac, and something else if you think this is your last Project Sewn entry. Everything about this outfit is the shiz. The SHIZ I tell you!

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    1. hahahahahaha that's awesome. okay i'm off to load up the bar cart.

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  39. Replies
    1. thank you amanda!! i thought of you on all that finish work!

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  40. Bravo! Deviloona sounds like my kinda gal! You are a sight for sore eyes and mine are particularly sore at the moment as a result of being both sleep and alcohol deprived.

    You are my style icon you ridiculously well dressed woman!

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    1. oh julia, you & deviloona would have a GRAND old time. you might be sleep deprived by the end of it, but certainly not alcohol deprived.

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  41. I love love love your leg warmers. The whole outfit is absolutely fantastic but I think the furry warmers put it over the top for me. Maybe I just have a thing for fur lately?! Me and your high school self need to get together. Bravo on all of it! And where did you get the fabric for your jacket? I need to shop there....like now.

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    1. seriously LET'S HEAR IT FOR FUR. i love your fur skirt!! and the coat fabric was bought aaaages ago (well, last spring) at mood. sadly i'm pretty sure it's all gone :(

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  42. You have my vote! I love your outfit top to bottom!

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  43. Wow! I mean really! WOW! love the whole ensemble.

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  44. Oh my goodness, those legwarmers! You are so cool. That long blazer is especially fantastic, including your amazing seam finish. Well done you.

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    1. hello hot mama, and thankyou! you would rock a pair of these leggies. under that maxi skirt!

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  45. Nothing like some imagination & fun to secure my vote! This is.... spectacular!, no other word for it :D

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  46. Consider my tiny mind blown *boom* AMAZING!

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    1. HA. blowin it up! i am positive your mind is of a quite generous size.

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  47. this coat is worth killing for! well, the whole outfit is, but that cat, oh my! you nailed it, sis (and i kind of secretly hoped that you might go for iris as your fashion icon!!!)

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    1. seriously?! nevermind--of course you did sis, i don't know why i'm surprised you read my mind!

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  48. That coat is to die for...for real. Must know what that fabulous fabric is. Oh the shame of being a sewing lover and not living in NYC or LA. I miss your gorgeous fabric selections!!! Seriously, great job. I am in awe. And your post was incredibly fun to read! Must come back now :)

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    1. ah, the coat fabric, she was bought at mood NY last spring, and sadly i'm sure there's none left. i hope you do come back, there's more pretty fabric to come!

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  49. YES--just YES!!!

    And, your pattern placement is killer. I can't wait to see what else you're cooking up in project sewn land!

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  50. Love the jacket. Front patter was enough for me but it's still lovely.

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  51. Wow. Just wow. This is absolutely amazing!

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  52. This is amazing! And so is Iris! Is it really bad that I want to know what you were going to make when you were using Lenny (*sigh*) as your fashion icon?

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    1. ahhhhhhhh....that lenny..........he's just been so color-free lately!

      i will definitely share my lenny idea soon. after all, it's already made :)

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  53. that coat! wow, i'm blown away by the pattern placement. you definitely picked the right style icon!

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  54. You have really captured Iris with this outfit! Even short on Gin you always bring it! How do you find these prints? I just love how they bring simple silhouettes to life, cheers!

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  55. I love the coat!! Amazing. The dress is pretty amazing too. As always very cool and very much you :)

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    1. thankya very much! i never think of myself as cool...i like that descriptor:)

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  56. This is fabulous, the leg warmers especially. I get very nervous when I see you on that roof!

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    1. oooo peter i love those legwarmers. and don't worry, the roof is not nearly as dangerous as it looks :)

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  57. Fantastic outfit! I'm dying for a pair of those fabulous legwarmers. Totally rando thought - I keep reading your title as "eye of the tigris" instead of the "eyes of iris." :-)

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    1. um, EPIC POST TITLE FAIL, that would have been BRILLIANT!

      i'm seriously thinking of throwing these leggies (well, not these, but some) in an etsy shop-- three people wanted to buy them yesterday on the street!

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  58. Much as I love the outfit, reading about your process is even better :) Always inspiring - love it!! :)

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    1. thank you awesome lady--i DO go on, don't i:) glad to hear it, as i thought i may have been over babbling!

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  59. "TOO. BLAND." -_-

    AREYOUKIDDINGME?? You're so freaking incredible!

    I'm so in awe of all of y'all. (omg that's fun to say out loud)

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  60. I love your quirky style and quirkier posts! Le coat makes me swoon too! Noriecreates.wordpress.com

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  61. Love, love, LOVE your outfit, SO creative! Ya got my vote! And, I feel you about the competition. I'm an amateur actress and totally competitive. Even in sewing.

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  62. Just voted. You have nailed your icon. very elaborate outfit.

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    1. thankya!!! it ended up being way more elaborate than expected, and i never did finish the purse intended for it!

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  63. I love your outfit!!! Wow,Wow!!! Give me those leg warmers I could sure use them in Houston today!!! Seriously, your outfit is right on, very chic in a edgy kind of way! If I ever get to meet you one day it would be a pleasure. You are one of my favorite bloggers!!!

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    1. thank you! i have some legwarmer advice up today. i can't believe the temps you texans are getting! i was in dallas this past summer, so ya never know.....

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  64. You ROCK! so hard, it's fabulous!

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  65. You ROCK! so hard, it's fabulous!

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  66. THE COAT!!! I can't stop looking at it!!

    I'm about to get mushy for a second.... I SO admire your bold style! More than the style, I admire the person you are! That you're so comfortable with you, that you adorn yourself with flair and wear the hell out of everything with so much confidence!! NO, Oona-ness! I need me some of that!

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    1. i'll get mushy right back atcha: i remember your headless/frowning pictures and you are just a SUNBEAM OF HAPPINESS in your colorful creations now!! you have nettie-ness!!

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  67. That coat is rocking my world SO HARD!!!!! Oona, you are just the be-all-and-end-all. In short, you are MY style icon (if I was even 1/8th as cool as you, that is!)

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    1. um, you do know that i consider YOU to be the epitome of cool, right? i mean for real.

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  68. You are amazing! This entire outfit is incredible! Until I read through, I thought you'd purchased those legwarmers at some unattainable-to-me high end shop!

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  69. Love how you put those coloured zips in there!

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  70. Wow, I have just met you via Project Sewn and have been oonaballona'd! Just fabulous! Love your style, mixture of prints, textures and color. And if you think this is bland (no WAY) I can't wait to see next projects. Best of luck to you and all of the designers!

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  71. Every bit of your ensemble is amazing! I could look at that coat for days. And the exposed zipper is brilliant!

    If you are out of gin, you seriously need to order some Leopold Brothers gin RIGHT NOW. It's so damn good, in our house taste test I spit out top shelf gin afterwards like a gag reflex.

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  72. WHHHHAT IS GOING ON?!? There is too much awesomeness in this post to make a coherent comment, so I will just quote my hubs, who has been peeking over my shoulder:

    "Is that Edna Mode?... Oh, Iris Apfel... DID Oonaballoona MEET HER FOR REAL? Oh that's photoshop."
    "That oonaballona - she can wear anything."
    "Boots with the fur! Where are the apple bottom jeans?"

    :)

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  73. That's so awesome! You deserve an extra big bottle of gin for all that amazingness!!

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  74. Love love LOVE this outfit. Everything about it. LOVE!

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  75. You know you killed it right?

    My friend want to know how you got to take a picture with Iris. ;)

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  76. Gorgeous. You blow me away. I had to read through THREE times because I wanted to savor, and was just so amazed and awed, the colors and prints, the textures and finishes. It's really stunning, and they all work together. I could not handle the stress of sewing for competition but under pressure you do the most amazing things. Bravo!

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  77. YOU SHOULD MODEL! LOVE THE SHOTS TAKEN ON THE STEPS.

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!