How to Revive Your Old Shirts and Dresses

Almost 15 years ago, I bought my first sewing machine. Well, it was not exactly a professional sewing machine. It was a sewing genie I saw on TV.  It was small, relatively easy to use, and very portable.  

photo from amazon

I bought the sewing genie mainly because I was inspired by my friend, and then officemate, Kai. She came up with the nicest-looking tops and sews them all by herself! The inner fashionista in me was awakened and I decided to join the bandwagon.  I bought my own mini sewing machine and visited Carolina's with Kai during our lunch breaks. I learned a few simple patterns by asking Kai countless questions.  And before I knew it, I was creating my own tube and halter tops from home. That was in back in 2002.

 

Kai is now based in Singapore but she's still as crafty as ever. The other day I saw her post a DIY Off-shoulder top that seem easy to follow. I loved it and could not wait to take out my sewing genie again after 15 years.  I asked Kai's permission to share her step-by-step guide on the blog for my own reference and for you too!

 

Materials:

• Get an old polo shirt or shirt dress
• Garter, preferably a centimeter wide
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Pins
• Sewing Machine (or in my case, Sewing Genie!)

 Step 1: Draw a horizontal straight line about an inch from the collar

 Step 2: Take the line up an angle at the sleeves

 Step 3: Cut! (That's my friend Kai in action)

 Step 4: Take your garter and measure around your upper torso. Then cut that garter.

 Step 5: Overlap the ends and sew. Make sure that it's not too loose or too tight.

Step 6: Pin the four equidistant points onto your shirt. Kai suggests pinning the front and back first followed by the sides or shoulders. 

 

 Step 7: Prepare your threads. It would be best if they coordinate with your shirt's color. 

 Step 8: Sew the garter onto the shirt with a zigzag stitch

 Stretch the garter as you sew so that it covers the edge of the shirt well

 The zigzag does not have to be  neat as this will get covered.

 Step 9: Fold it inside and sew the front to hide the zigzag

And Voilà! You now have a trendy off-shoulder top. That's my friend Kai wearing her own creation.

 

Kai now runs a home-based business, Crafts by Kai, from Singapore and produces various personalized products from stamps to wooden boards. Her latest creation are these engraved wooden kitchen products that are both beautiful and functional. They would look awesome in any kitchen and are perfect gifts for family and friends.

The boards are priced at P450 each and P600 for the Christmas sets. Crafts by Kai ships worldwide! Pricing will be finalized upon order due to varying shipping costs.  You may order the boards and inquire via email at kai_sorianostacruz@yahoo.com .

 

I wish I can be as crafty as Kai! Her output is always so seamless, it's almost hard to believe they were handmade by her. Do reach out to her for orders and ask about other personalized items that she can do for you. It's never too early to start scouting for Christmas gifts!



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100% Thumbsuck-free

Remember last May when I was telling you about how we got our 4-year old daughter, Dawn, to finally be 99% thumbuck-free (read here)?  And how our progress deteriorated two months later (read here)? Well, I am happy to report that we are now 100% thumbsuck-free!

 

I know a number of you also struggle with the same habits. I mean, not you personally (I hope) but your children. So let me share with you how we were able to overcome the elusive 1%.

 

I'd say our journey to be 100% thumbsuck-free involved a lot of prayers and some parenting trial and errors. The past months were pretty much a roller coaster ride for Dawn as far as her sleeping habits are concerned. There were nights when we'd be thumbsuck-free and then suddenly the next night we're back to the old habit. Through those nights, Dawn and I never stopped praying. Every night she'd pray that she will not thumbsuck anymore and I know she has tried her best to avoid it. While I know that God can miraculously help her stop to thumbsuck in a blink of an eye, I also know that sometimes God uses people and other means to help us achieve our goal. The key is to constantly trust in Him during the waiting period.

 

A month or so ago, a friend of mine shared how her daughter stopped to thumsuck after using Manicare's Bite No More solution. This treatment was actually formulated to stop nail biting but it worked for their daughter's thumbsucking habit. After only two weeks of continued use, their daughter was able to kick the bad habit. So my friend gave me the solution to try on Dawn.

source

We decided to give it a try during our recent trip to Baguio. I woke up extra early the morning of our trip and applied the treatment on Dawn's fingernails while she was sleeping.  I also placed some on my fingernail and tasted it hours later just so I know the effect on her. It tasted so bitter and left an awful taste in my mouth! I was a little concerned on how she would react but thought it was worth a shot anyway.

 

Dawn slept through most of the ride to Baguio in her car seat. When we woke up her during one of our stop overs, she told me she needed to go to the ladies room because she wanted to vomit. She never really vomited so I thought it was probably just her cough giving her the gag reflex.

 

That night, Dawn woke me in the middle of the night in tears. She said she feels sad because her cough is making her 'not enjoy' to thumbsuck (her words). She said 'Remember when I said I wanted to vomit in the car? It was because my mouth and throat felt ouchy after I thumbsuck' .  I believe she was referring to the lingering bitter taste but could not describe it. Anyhow, long story short, she said she will never thumbsuck again. And that was how we were able to overcome the final 1% and be 100% thumbsuck-free.

It's been over a week now and she has not even attempted to thumbsuck. The bitter memory (pun intended) of the day she wanted to vomit was just too awful to be repeated. I have not told her about the 'magic potion' and will probably not do so until a very long time. I may eventually tell her or she may find out once she starts reading this blog. Either way, I am sure she will be thankful that her thumbsucking ordeal is finally over.

To those of you with kids who are still struggling with this  habit, do check out Manicare's Bite No More. I don't think it's available in the Philippines yet but you should be able to purchase it from the pharmacies in Singapore like Guardian or online for about SGD11.50 per bottle.

Try it!  Don't forget to cover this strategy with much prayers and let me know how it goes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore

My job requires that i travel on a regular basis either to visit clients or attend conferences. Unlike most people, I am not that fond of business trips mainly because it would mean days away from my family.

Last December, i found myself in Singapore for an 2-day business trip. I usually stay at the Mandarin Meritus Hotel along Orchard during my previous trips. But this time the company booked me in a different hotel. I tried to request for my accomodation to be moved back to the Mandarin but was told that the Goodwood Park Hotel is the company's first choice in the area. It turned out to be a refreshing change.

You cannot help but be impressed by the grandeur when you see it for the first time.

Goodwood Park Hotel

I later found out that the Goodwood Park Hotel started as an elite club for German expatriates living in Singapore during the 1900s. It was later sold to a Jewish family who converted it to a hotel.

Despite the rich heritage and old world feel of the hotel, the rooms are pretty modern. I was quite relieved since I don't really enjoy staying in rooms that are full of antique furniture and vintage interior. The latter just spells 'horror story' for me. 

We got a good corporate rate of US247++ which is very reasonable considering the hotel class and amenities provided. I checked the hotel's website and the rooms are normally priced from US$300 and up.  They have regular promotional deals with partner travel sites that you may also check out.

Deluxe Room

There was not enough time for swimming but I got to see a quick peak of the pool from the lobby and it definitely looked enticing especially in the hot Singapore weather.



Outdoor Pool

Breakfast is served in the Coffee Lounge near the main lobby. The breakfast buffet covers a wide range of selection - from Japanese, American to Chinese. I would have wanted to stay longer and try each and every cuisine but I had to rush to a meeting so i only got to try some of their creations. Their Eggs Benedicts and Smoked Salmon were the most memorable ones for me.

 



Goodwood Park Hotel is conveniently situated along Scotts Road which is just a good 5 to 10 minute walk to where all the shops and restaurants are in Orchard.

Definitely worth checking out when you have plans of visiting Singapore with your family.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221.
Tel: +65 6737 7411

*photos on this blog were taken from the hotel's website http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com 

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