Is Sewing A lost Art?

                                                 Is Sewing A Lost Art?

I was sitting and looking in the corner of my room at my trusted old Singer sewing machine that was given to me on my 16th birthday.  I was so happy to get this machine and I swore that I was going to make all the latest fashions but what I didn't know is that it takes great skill to become a seamstress.

I made some clothes but I was never good enough to create my whole entire wardrobe.  I consider sewing a great skill to have because if you learn how to do it, you will never forget how.

You must have a lot of patience because sometimes you can put a few seams together and if the fit is not right, you have to rip the seams apart and start all over.

There are not many school's teaching sewing anymore and I think that this is just horrible.

Sewing has become a lost art because a lot of stores are selling clothing with lower prices and the very last time I went into a fabric store, they were selling the fabrics and notions for higher prices. This made me feel that it wasn't even worth the time to sit for a few hours or a couple of days to put a dress together.

With a lot of people buying their clothes at the thrift store and the prices are so low, you just don't see a reason to sew but many times I have purchased clothing that I thought fit me correctly and when I got home, it didn't.

To get these items altered, would cost a pretty penny. This is a good reason to dust off my trusted sewing machine and learn the skill of tailoring.

I am getting the desire again to try sewing and really stick with it this time.  You would not believe, the sewing machine that I got at sixteen years old, still works perfectly.

I would love to see Grandmothers, Mothers and Aunts take out the sewing machine and teach younger girls and boys the skill of sewing and the pleasure you feel when you create your first outfit.

Sewing doesn't have to be a lost art, we must ask our schools to bring back Home Economics and also Machine Shop, this way our children will be well rounded and they may learn to love sewing.


What learning how to sew can do for you:

• Teach you how to make beautiful, quality clothing.
• Make clothing that is unique.
• Chase depression away.
• Instill self pride.
• Give you skills that you can use for a career.
• Alter clothing for you or others.
• Create clothing that fit your size or shape perfectly.

Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on this subject and I would also like to know the first thing you created when you first started sewing.

HOW TO STAND IN YOUR TRUTH INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIT IN.

I have always been a person who dance to my own beat.  I am a little bit of bohemian but not to the extreme.  It is hard sometimes to find a perfect medium in Social Media because we are living in the age of  "Do what everyone else is doing".   I have a problem with this because it isn't in my nature to go with the flow.  I like expressing myself in my own unique way.

In Social Media, we all do things that are similar but some of us are determined to show the world our uniqueness of what we bring and offer to the world. 

There are other people like me, but, I would like to see more.   Sometimes we are cast to the side because we may not be  (What's In) at the moment.  How to stand in your truth and not be a carbon copy of someone else?   My answer to this question is, just be yourself and what is for you will be for you and if it doesn't work, then it may be time to do something else.

God made us all unique and it is time to make it off your own merit and not off the backs of others. 

Are you recognized more when you copy? Yes, you are, but, is it worth it in the long run. No!

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF SENSITIVE SKIN

I was born with Eczema and I can remember my Mom and Dad staying up late at night trying to find a remedy that would relieve me of my itching, irritated and broken skin.  At that time the Doctor did not give a diagnosis because I was so young and it was all over my feet.

Through the years, Eczema traveled throughout my body and I had so many breakouts and had to get numerous injections to help calm my skin.

I suffered greatly and I was diagnosed with Eczema and Psoriasis.  I no longer have irritation on my feet but I break out from time to time on my hands.

Trying different things was the norm in my life until I went to a Dermatologist  about ten years ago and she told me that I was bathing too much.  She said," stop bathing and your skin will clear up".  I told her that I don't believe in just washing my body at the sink so she then told me to just use clear water and no soap.  I honestly thought that this sounded trifling but I decided to try it.

I bathed myself or showered with soap in the morning but at night I started to bathe without soap and my skin really started to clear.  I do not have as many breakouts that I used to have.  Breaking out on my arms used to be the norm but I do not have any breakouts on my arms at all and my skin is very clear now.

It is best not to use a lot of new skin care products on your skin because you may experience a breakout.  Use products that do not break you out and stick with them.

Fall Is Almost Here.

I am so excited about the fall coming.  I am looking forward to the cool nights and the good smells such as; cinnamon, baked cookies, and cedar.  This is a good time to run to the stores to see what will be in fashion and to also go through your clothing from last year to see what you can salvage.

September is a good time to go to some of these outside fairs without sweating in the hot sun and to get the house in order to get ready for cooler weather.  I want to incorporate some pretty teals, grays, and bright reds into my wardrobe.

Cooking and baking is something that I love and will be doing with family during this month and I will be hitting those cookbooks to see the new dishes that I will be creating.   I would love to hear what you will be looking forward to for the fall and you can leave your comments below.

                                                        SashaMoniqueTalks
                                         

Buy Your Shampoo From The Dollar Store To Save Money.

I grew up in a big family and with girls in the family, you will always find yourself running out of personal products, especially shampoo.  We didn't have dollar stores at that time but since we do now, we can save so much money on shampoo.

I am starting to see more name brand shampoo's at my local dollar store and that is so great.  If you have a big family, you can go to the dollar store and buy five bottles of shampoo and you will have enough for everyone without running out.

Below, I am showing you all the brands that I have purchased and I love.  Some of these items can be found at your local Dollar Tree or Family Dollar stores.

GOOD CITIES TO LIVE IN AND ENJOY YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

1. New York City.  I live in the Tri State area, so I have a lot of opportunities to enjoy the sights and the sounds of the city.   This City is so full of life and it is very easy to meet new friends.  You can walk the street and sometimes you will bump into very famous people who are out and about. 

There is an energy in New York that I just cannot fully explain but anyone who have been there know exactly what I mean.  It is absolutely captivating!

There is always something to do 24 hours a day and the Restaurants are great.

Good Restaurants to go to in New York are:

* Javelina
* Bowery Meat Company
* 15 East
* Frankie & Johnnie's Steakhouse


2. Miami:  I have heard so much about Miami and the nice, hot, sunny days.  There are so many beautiful people there and so much beautiful music, beaches and a terrific nightlife.  I have never been to Miami but I will go one day.  Miami has world famous clubs.  There are a lot of Roof  Top Bars.  The culture is bursting with so much energy and once you stay there, you may never want to return home.

Good Hotels to stay in are:

*Four Seasons Hotel Miami
*Viceroy Hotel
*InterContinental Miami
*Epic Hotel


3. Philadelphia Pennsylvania: 
I have only been to Pennsylvania about 3 times in my life and it was really a great experience and I would love to go back.

Philadelphia have a nightlife that is great for everyone.  If you like listening to live music and mingling with a lot of good people, then, this place is for you.  I am a jazz lover and I heard that Philadelphia has the best talent in the world.  A lot of Restaurants stay open until 1am, so that is definitely a plus.
There are some Restaurants that I have been told, will serve you up some good food.

*10 Arts Bistro & Lounge
*1225  Raw Sushi and Sake Lounge
*Forcella
*Ela


4. Chicago:  I have never been to Chicago but I have talked to people who have lived there and they told me that it is a place that you can meet a lot of like minded people and it is so much to do in this wonderful City.    If you are a person who like Cruises, you can go on the Chicago Dinner Cruise and cruise around this beautiful City.  There is an abundance of Dance, Jazz and Comedy Clubs in Chicago.

Here I list some of the best Restaurants in Chicago.

* Bavettes
* Les Nomades
* RoSal's
* Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

THIS IS THE MONTH THAT I STARTED THIS BLOG.

                                                  SASHAMONIQUETALKS


Hello Ladies and Gentlemen.  This is the month that I started this Blog.  I was not sure what I was going to talk about and I wasn't really sure of the steps that it takes to start a Blog.   I have many varied interest and I know that my passion regarding saving money and of course shopping would be a great way to share my skills and my talents.

I love fashion, so this was a good opportunity  to show you all the steps that I use, to shop and save money.  This Blog has afforded  me the pleasure of talking to people from all over the world and   also learn from other seasoned Bloggers.

This Blog is a great form of self expression for me and I am enjoying the journey.  My Blog started off about  saving money but it is turning into even more subjects that I am interested in. 

Thank you all for supporting this Blog and I just want you to know that there is so much more in store.  I will be touching on other subjects that I would like to share with you all and I am a believer that we can all learn from each other.

The direction that this Blog is taking is so exciting because this is something that I wanted to do so long and the fact that I have completed one year gives me a lot of promise for the future. So, please stay tuned!

Etsy Is The Place To Find One Of a Kind Items.

 

 

I was watching Youtube video's two weeks ago and I saw a lady talking about jewelry that she purchased from Etsy. She showed a beautiful ring that her fiancé had designed for her and it was soooooo beautiful.  I started going on Etsy and I saw so many beautiful clothing items that were homemade  and they were unusual, but, pretty.

 

There was a nice selection of handbags and other items that I liked so much.  I slid on over to the jewelry section and I looked at their diamond and gold rings and I was in awe of such beautiful rings that they carry on their site.

Etsy specializes in vintage items that are at least 20 years old or more and you will never see yourself coming and going in these items. 

 

They also carry crafting supplies to help you with your stellar creations.  A lot of their Diamond Rings carry a nice carat weight for a lot less money because some of them are used. So, if you are in the market for a Diamond and you don't want to break the bank; please head over to Etsy and purchase a nice gift for yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Implement Changes In Your Spending Habits

                                                        SashaMoniqueTalks

In fall 2014 I promised myself that I would start early and prepare myself for summer 2015 by searching the clearance racks in department stores and discount stores such as; Rainbow Shops and some of the other discount stores in my area.

I was surprised about the nice skirts, dresses, shoes, and tops I was able to find and I was purchasing them for $5.00 or less.  When I got home I would put all these items in a big bag in my closet.  It was fun doing this because I got excited seeing that big bag of clothes grow.  I didn't want to shop for any clothing for the summer or if I would buy anything it would be very little.

I had no idea that I would be able to do this because as I have said a lot of time " I have a shopping addiction".  Even though I spend very little for my purchases, I still love to shop.

The end of the spring I took out my summer clothes and that big bag of summer things that I purchased throughout the winter and I had a lot of nice clothes.

Putting myself on a clothes spending diet really started to work out for me because I learned how to use what I had along with my winter shopping and I was creating even more great clothing combinations.

I went shopping with my sister a few times and I did buy about four things total. and these items could be used for the fall and winter so I saw it as a good opportunity to get ready for the next season.

Usually, I would hit the thrift stores all summer but I didn't this year and I found that I wasn't bogged down by clothes.  I never realized that this would turn into a social experiment for myself but it did.  I felt so happy and I had a lot of things to wear but I wasn't wasting money.  I saved money and I was also able to buy some luxury items.

In September I will start to shop again for the spring and summer and buy just a few winter things.  I have really learned a great lesson and that is; I really didn't need as much stuff as I was buying and once you have a wardrobe, you don't have to replace that wardrobe every year if you buy items that will not go out of style.

My experiment taught me to be thankful for what I already have.

GOLDEN YELLOW. YOU CAN SHINE!

 

 

I am so in love with these outfits. I love how it is paired with the olive green. It makes the yellow really pop.  I see how you could possibly use clothing that you already own, to create this look.

 

You can also step out of the box and pair the olive green with another bright color and it will still work.  The art to styling is to see an item and see all the possibilities presented and you can use one or two of other bright colors to put a new spin on this.

HOW TO GET YOUR MIND RIGHT TO PROGRAM YOURSELF TO START SAVING MONEY

SashaMoniqueTalks Words To Live By:
 
If you are not a person who is used to saving money, it is scary to think about the preparation that goes into changing your mindset.

There is an old saying "Money Draws Money".  I find that this is true because you can use money to create new opportunities for yourself and money equals movement.
If you do not save money or already have money, parts of your life will be stagnate.

You cannot negotiate anything without money.  This is reason when our bills come and we pay it in full things start moving such as; paying that phone bill equals being able to communicate more freely.

Paying your rent equals living in a more secure state of being.  If you do not pay rent then you have to live by someone else rules and this has a crippling effect.

I don't advocate worshipping money.  Money is something we need to use as a tool to make our lives better as well as people we love and care about.


Some Of The Steps That Are Needed To Learn How To Save Are:

1. Cook and eat at home.
2. If you want to buy a big ticket item, save money each month for it, and then you will be able to buy this item without a strain
3. Stay out of the Shopping Mall for a month or two.
4. Combine shopping trips in one to save on Gas each month.
5. Make yourself a small budget each month towards clothing and shop for sales only and stick to your budget.
6. Every time you get your paycheck, put $10.00 or $20.00 away to save and don't touch it

Soon you will see that you have an emergency fund and also money to plan an outing ever so often to enjoy yourself with family or friends.



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Family or Friends will try to make you feel guilty and some may call you a cheapskate.  You will have to ignore this and one day they will admire you and want to do the same thing and you will be able to teach  them the steps and they will never look at money the same way.




                                *TEACH A MAN HOW TO FISH*