Am I even petite?
Do you struggle with your cardigan being a bit too long? I definitely do as I’m short waisted but not necessarily petite. I’m not sure that makes a lot of sense unless you are the same way. I am very short…5’1″ on a good day! But, I often find petite pants are too short in the rise for me. I will often order a Misses size in tops, dresses, and sweaters. I do that because I like the extra length. This can backfire on me if the dress has a defined waistline because then everything hits too low! Being just a bit too long can also be a problem with cardigans. I’ve tried tying them as well as belting them. I’ve also buttoned just a couple of buttons in the middle. But, I never felt like those were good solutions!
So easy…
Then, I saw this hack on Instagram! My goodness, it is so easy! And, there are only three steps! I cannot believe I haven’t seen this before or even come up with it (I’d like to think I’m smart enough to do so). I hope the pictures below give you a good idea of how to do it. I am going to tell you what you’re seeing in each picture because 1) that’s how I learn, and 2) I am not quite brave enough to put together a video and put it on the blog yet!
Step 1
Button a button near the top. I chose the third button (I think) down from the top.
Step 2:
Skip the next button hole, and button the next button in the hole after the skipped button hole. Congratulations! You now have a misbuttoned cardigan! Fear not!
Step 3:
Pick up the next button and button it through the button hole you skipped.
Et voilà…
You have now easily created a bit of interest at your waistline! Do I even dare to say it? You have created a waistline if you happen to be missing one! I like this hack because it involves nothing but the buttons already on your cardigan! There isn’t a lot of bunching up either. You don’t have those fiddly ends when you knot your shirt or cardigan! Because that’s the genius part of this, you could definitely do this with a shirt, too!
House update…
We are now more than two months into the build. The house is completely bricked. Several rooms in the house have been coated with primer. All of the lights are awaiting installation. The furnace was installed Tuesday. Today (Wednesday), the woodwork is being stained. Aargh!!! I am not enjoying this process at all to be quite honest. I am second guessing many of my choices, and a certain someone is making sure I stick to the budget. I really would prefer a lighter flooring, but it’s twice the price. I’ll just cover it with rugs, I guess. The last word we had was a third week of August closing. I am really having a case of seller’s remorse as I look at this house into which we’ve poured so much love. But, life is about evolving so on we go!
The siren’s call…
I love this dress. It is the Siren from Garnet Hill. For many years, they produced this dress in many different prints. I always tried to pick up one or two each season. Unfortunately, they quit carrying this dress a few years ago, and I can’t find anything remotely similar. If you’re interested, you might try Poshmark. This dress is so comfortable except for that plunging neckline! I have always pinned it shut. I guess I need to find an Instagram hack for that!
More about sirens and The Odyssey…
Did you know sirens were originally thought to be birds with women’s heads. I did not know that until I read this! I have already admitted to being weird, but I’ll add to my catalog of weirdness now! I love reading and rereading the old, old classics…like The Odyssey, The Iliad, and The Inferno! So, when I bought this dress, the Siren, I wasn’t exactly sure why it had that name. Now, when I look at these photos (with my more zaftig figure), I can see the reference! In The Odyssey, Ulysses (or Odysseus depending on your view) has been trying to return home for ten years. But, as seems to be the way of men, he and his crew irritate (and that’s putting it mildly) Poseidon, the god of the sea. He and his men spend a further ten years trying to get back to Ithaca. And, that’s all I’m going to say except that they faced many trials, one of which was passing by the Scylla and Charybdis. The Sirens lived on an island nearby; their songs lured many a sailor to his death. Ulysses, always having to be the center of attention (kidding sort of…I think I like Ulysses…but change my mind often) has his men plugs their ears with beeswax. He is then tied to the mast so he may hear the song of the Sirens. If you’ve not read The Odyssey, I highly recommend it! And, if you google it, you can find lots of movies based upon the book. I haven’t seen any of them so no movie recommendations! Although, this is probably so much more than you ever wanted to know!
A little print mixing, too…
Full disclosure…these photos (and many of those in future posts) were taken weeks ago. I had to pack up my clothes (only for them to sit in the bedroom). I planned out several outfits so don’t be surprised to see this dress (not this particular one, though) in the weeks to come! I can’t say which of my Siren dresses was the first. This was probably in the middle. It’s easy on…just pop it over your head and has pockets…major win! I love the vibrant colors in it and decided to work with the navy and white when I went looking for a cardigan. This is an old Charming Cardigan from Talbots. One of the things Talbots does so well is prints, and I usually get one or two printed cardigans a year there. Anyway, back to the print mixing! I was worried, before I put them side by side, the whites would be different. Hallelujah! They were quite perfect together. The navy, which is not a dominant color in the dress, is pulled out by the print on the cardigan. I love it when what I see in my head actually works in photos and real life!
The Lewk!
I’m not sure if I have a pair of shoes that are harder working than these Jambu sandals (here is their first appearance on the blog). I really wish they had something similar because I bought these after totally demolishing another pair. In fact, you can see that original pair in this post where I talk about some of my favorite things. Scroll down to the picture of me and April Cornell (yes, I’m totally name dropping). You will see that pair. I kid you not…those things ended up being in pieces! I wore them constantly. Alert! I just found a similar pair…may have to buy them! Because there was a lot of print going on in this look, and it was a tad on the ladylike side, I pulled out this multistrand pearl necklace and matching earrings from Talbots. These are more than ten years old so no link for them either. (Can I even call myself a blogger if I don’t give links?)
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I recently became a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint shoes. You can use SARAHFLINT-BAMARSHA for $50 off your first pair. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I sat down to write this post and kept finding things to do…I baked cookies, answered emails, cleaned Nigel’s glasses (he smears them so badly), and just messed around in general. I think I’m just a bit antsy as I’m teaching at Friendship tonight. I’m prepared, but I have no idea how long my lesson will last…and there aren’t clocks in our sanctuary (wonder why)! So, can we talk? Have you seen this Instagram hack before? Am I the last one to discover it? Do you have any items from a retailer you see year after year, and then they discontinue them? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible!
Thank you!
A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of my subscribers! I thank those of you who are telling others about my blog, too! It is amazing to me that I just passed my first anniversary (yep, I totally missed it)! My first blog post was July 8, 2021! I didn’t think I’d make it to the end of the year! So, thank you for sticking with me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also co-host Final Friday Print Mixing with Michelle on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties! Boy, that’s a lot of co-hosting!
I should give that trick a try! The ideas they have on Instagram right?
I know, Nancy! This is so easy and you don’t need anything but the buttons already there!
You are becoming a queen at print mixing: this is another delightful outfit and I love the print of that dress! As you know I don’t own cardigans with buttons but this is a neat hack!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I’ve actually mixed prints for years just not as often as I do now. You could try this with a button down, or as Rena suggested a dress! And, I do love these dresses! Look for more on the blog soon!
I’ve been doing that button mix-up trick as well and it really works. You can even do it with a button-down top or dress for added interest.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
I think it has to be one of the most clever hacks around! I love that you don’t need anything extra, and there’s no extra bulk! I have yet to do it with a button down. Oh, I have a couple shirt dresses I will try it on, too!
Thanks, Rena!
First of all I love the print mixing with this outfit. Looks amazing on you too. Thanks for sharing the cardigan hack. I am excited to try. Moving into a new house next month?! wow that is exciting and bitter sweet too. Good luck
Thanks so much, Meagan! I love to mix my prints, but I have to say this is one of my favorites! That cardigan hack is so easy. I don’t know that I’ll ever tie another one! Yes, it is very bittersweet as I’ve grown to love this house. But, change is a good thing, right?
I think you are so brave building a new home! I know I would be so overwhelmed! I am much better living in a home and slowly changing things over time. I know your new home will be absolutely beautiful though. I hope and pray the process continues well. Love your hack. I need to try that when it isn’t so hot!
This is actually our third brand new home. The one we are living in now was built by someone else, but financing fell through. We had already moved into our daughter’s loft! Our build had fallen through due to permits and such. The first house we built was so long ago…I don’t remember being particularly stressed about it. But, this time through…oh, my goodness! This builder is definitely a professional…allowances for this, allowances for that…decide this, decide that! EEEEK!!! And, I’m hoping to make some changes, but we won’t be doing the things I really love about this house. We actually have replaced or redone all of the woodwork in this house to white Craftsman style…I love that! Our new house will have brown (said in a Eeyore kind of voice) wood. It’s going to be what an old friend called a vanilla house at first. All of the walls will be Sherwin Williams Antique White because the front hall has 10 foot ceilings, and I didn’t want to paint those! Within the first year, I hope to have all of the other rooms painted different colors ($300 upcharge for painting…and, I don’t remember if that was per color or per wall)! It’s a good thing I like to paint!
And, isn’t this the simplest hack? I cannot wait to use it this fall!
Well you have certainly given me something to think about with this hack. It’s a good idea and I like that it only involves buttoning too. Your print mixing is great with these two pieces Marsha! And I can see why that dress is called Siren – va va voom!
I am excited about your new house and while I’m sure you are sad to leave the old one, new adventures await!
Have a wonderful weekend!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! This was one of those times the idea in my head actually matched the outcome! Isn’t this the best hack? You can also do it with a button up shirt. Rena suggested using a dress, too!
I am cautiously excited about the house…it still doesn’t really feel real to me since we’re still living in our no-longer-our house! I’m just hoping to make it less vanilla and paint a lot once we’re there! The builder upcharge was $300/color or $300/room…I can’t remember. Since I like to paint, we opted for one color throughout the house.
Love this pretty dress and thanks for sharing that hack! I need to try that. Glad to hear that the house if coming along.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
You’re welcome, Kathrine! The best thing about this hack is you probably already have the buttons (unless it’s a no close cardigan)! You could also use it on a shirt. Rena shared she’s used it on a dress, too! Yes, the house is/was coming along…kinda at a standstill right now.
What a great trick! It makes a lot of sense. I am also short (5’4″) so I do better in regular pants, although they’re often too long on me.
That’s a perfect Jammy Dress! I love dresses like that, especially when they have pockets. I usually wear a camisole (I have a drawer of them in all colours) under that kind of neckline.
Great to see you! Good luck on the new house, sounds exciting!
Oh, thanks for visiting, Sheila! What I love about this hack is that you don’t have to have anything extra! I’m too lazy to hunt down this or that! And, I love your Jammy dresses…hope you don’t mind if I borrowed it! Since I’m not working, I don’t mind airing out the bosoms! When I was teaching, I safety pinned these dresses higher on my chest! It honestly never occurred to me to try a camisole…duh!
Happy blog anniversary, my beautiful friend! I feel like you have been blogging for way longer than just one year. I think we exchanged emails and comments before you started your blog, didn’t we? What a fabulous style hack for your cardigan. It gives it a bit of a ruching look. I am cleaning out my gigantic sweater collection now so I am going to try this hack with some of my cardigans just for the fun of it! And this dress is so pretty on you. I love the colors and the gorgeous floral pattern and of course, the history of sirens…you know you are speaking my language when you combine random bits of history with fashion! Enjoy all the memories of your home in these final days there. I know it’s bittersweet, but like you said…onward to new adventures!
Shelbee
Thanks for everything, Shelbee! Yes, we did email before I started the blog. Debbie “made” me! But, your blog has been a favorite for a long time and knowing you thought I could do it helped tremendously! I think you will bring your own special touches to this hack! It’s just so easy, and you don’t need anything extra in order to do it!
I love history, the classics, and learning…so I put it out there!
Thanks, my stylish friend!
Change can be so hard! But soon you will have a new home that you will pour just as much love into. 🙂
That dress is adorable!!
Thanks, Erin! I do hope everything works out well in the end…it’s just the getting there!
Love your dress, such beautiful colours in it 🙂
Thanks so much!
I love this idea, and I have seen it yet haven’t tried it yet (granted, it’s been a tad hot for cardigans lately, haha). I also just love how you print mix regularly Marsha.
As for the buyer’s remorse, I bet it’ll get better. Once you start decorating, it’ll all look cohesive and finished.
XOOXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks for the reassurance, Jodie. I sure hope so! I don’t deal well with mess and uncertainty!
I hadn’t seen this hack before but love it! It’s just so easy!
I adore this outfit, Marsha! The dress is divine, and the print mix spot on. I’ll be pinning this post for a number of reasons: the dress, the print mix, and the Instagram hack. Awesome post!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! It’s such an easy thing to do and nothing extra needed! I was kind of surprised at how well the print mixing turned out. I have to admit I wouldn’t have put them together except I was desperate!
That dress is beautiful on you! I love the colour and print and I really like that cardigan hack – I am petite myself but find that some pieces just don’t work for me – I’ll have to try this button trick with longer cardigans! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Good news about the house too, although it will be sad to leave a place you already love.
Hope you had a fun weekend 🙂 We went to a birthday party and had a playdate 🙂
Thanks, Mica! Our weekend was a quiet one. Jack, my dog, was sick. And, it rained all day…we desperately need it so I’m ok with that! I can’t seem to ever link up on your site anymore. I do still read it, though!
You look beautiful, Marsha. Love your dress. Have a great week.
Annie,
Annies Food Diary
Thank you so much, Annie! That is so sweet of you to say!