Nordstrom's Find

In my quest for the perfect dress pattern, I have been popping in and out of stores trying on things at lunch. I have tried on so many different things that my head spins.

But then, I stopped into The Rack, and the least likely candidate just harmonized some how. It is a solid brown cotton shirt dress from Calvin Klein that was on sale for $54. It didn't make me want to run back in the dressing room and hide!

OK, the color is more flattering than this picture shows, but I would never have imagined that this would look so good on me!

It has a 2" hem which I may let out, what do you guys think?

I also really need to put some kind on lining in the skirt since I refuse to make a slip.

But if that looks good on me, this BWOF from January 2008 might too:

What color? Dark denim with good topstitching? Dark red?

There is hope for this dress as well:

Marfy 1659 basted...

As promised...

I did get it together, but it still needs work. This really is the best picture out of about 20.

I added 2" to the length of the bodice, and I think that if I raise the waist line 1" it will look better.

Yeah, I know that the collar is crooked, but the top fabric looks great! I am not sold on the bottom fabric, it may look a bit poofy. I will see if it relaxes a bit before I consider ditching it.

As for the look on me...

Well, we walked again this evening, and we got out our new 12lb medicine ball which is my new best friend. I also broke out my old pilates ball to sit on while doing crunches and twists while holding my new best friend. Hey, if I can lose 2" off of my hips in less than a month why can't I take 2" off of my waist!?