Refashion | Pants to Shorts | DIY

Hi again!!

So I have his pair of pants a friend gave me. They fit great at the waist and I lived the pinstripe. The only problem was that they were long. Like, really long. I think theyight have been labeled as "tall". I'm not tall. So the pants sat around longer than thy should have. I was cleaning out my part one day, and I was just about to put them in the giveaway bag, when I had an idea! I thought I would try to make hem iti shorts. What's the worst that could happen right? 

I grabbed a pair of shorts that I already had that I liked the length of, and have the pants a good chop a few inches    below where I wanted them to be. I decides to make these a little longer than the pair I already had. 

Once I was done chopping, I folded the nottom for a nice wide hem. Then I pinned it all together and have it a quick sew at the seams. After trying them on, I will probably go back and see the entire cuff down. Maybe. If I get around to it.  Just because I'm a little picky

Here they are in use! (Please disregard my hotel bathroom selfie!!)

This was such an easy project. I will most likely be going through all of my pants I see I I have any more that are too long to wear comfortably! 

Do you have a refashion that you are working on? If love to see it! You can alo share on the Facebook page! 

Www.facebook.com/lifecoastiestyle 

21 Day Fix | Dinner | Chicken, Black beans, & Rice

            I have this recipe from a Pillsbury recipe book. You know the kind at the checkout, just begging for you to buy it...that one! I think it was the Skillet Meals version. I am all about some good chicken recipes. This one does not disappoint. Lots of flavor and super filling. Also, super easy to adapt to the 21 Day Fix meal plan!

I used one red for the chicken, one yellow for the rice and beans, and a green for the salad! I was so full by the end of this meal!

I did make a few adjustments to the recipe. Here are the ingredients for the original recipe. My adjustments are listed below! :)

2 teaspoons oil
1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups frozen bell pepper/onion stir-fry, coarsely chopped
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (14 oz) can chicken broth
2 Tablespoons water
2 oz. (1/2 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

What I did different:
* I left the chicken whole when I cooked it so that I could properly measure it.
* Brown rice instead of white
* For the chicken broth, I cooked the chicken in 1 1/2 cups of water, seasoned with salt &   pepper. I used this "broth" for the recipe, instead of the can. I added extra water to replace anything that evaporated during cooking.
* I didn't chop the pepper/onion mixture. (Maybe because I'm a little lazy, and it just seemed like something that would take extra time!)
* I did not add the cheese at the end like the recipe states. There was plenty leftover for lunch the next day, and I did decide to add cheese then. I used my blue container and sprinkled that amount onto the rice. Delicious!!

Now for the directions...

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add rice, cumin and chili powder; cook and stir 1 minute.

2. Stir in all remaining ingredients except cheese. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 to 18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove skillet from heat. Uncover; fluff mixture with fork. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted before serving.


Here is the end result! Doesn't it look so good??

This is definitely a must try! Let me know if you do, and if you make any other changes!





                       

Skirt Refashion!

Welcome back!

I have been so busy trying to get ready for our move! Only two more weeks until we say goodbye to Rhode Island! I am trying to be more diligent in posting here. I have a few posts scheduled over the next few weeks!

This week, I want to share something fun I got to do recently. I have been following this blog for about a year now. I love seeing all the new creations each week. It has totally inspired me to want to sew more! I finally decided to take a trip to our local thrift store. I found this skirt that I instantly fell in love with. I don't know what it is about it. The bright colors. The flowers. The fact that I have been loving skirts lately...

Anyways...I was *sure* it would fit. I don't like to try things on. The number on the tag matched my usual size. Good enough. I bought it. Then I got home and tried it on. Too small. :( Just by the tiniest bit, but enough that I couldn't wear it as is. I thought about just re-donating it, but I was so excited about wearing it one day that it went into my "one day this will fit me" pile. Don't judge. I know you have one, too! :)

A few days later, I got my latest ReFashionista email and was instantly inspired to "fix" my skirt. I got to work as soon as nap time commenced!

My first step was to remove the zipper. This was the piece that caused me problems during try on. My handy seem ripper helped me out!

One that was done, I sewed a new hem at the top. I somehow have a ridiculous amount of elastic in my sewing box. I made crib sheets frequently, and I think I buy new elastic every time because I think I'm out. Today, it got used for my skirt! Once I sewed the hem, I folded it over and sewed a "pocket" for the elastic to go through. I even pinned it! (As much as I don't like to try things on, I don't like pinning things when I sew even more!!)

Got that done and moved on to the not so fun part...Pulling the elastic through the pocket. I hook my elastic onto a safety pin to make it easier to pull through. Everything was going great until I hot a seam. There was too much fabric for the safety pin to get through! Grrr. I fought it for much longer than I should have before I finally gave up.  I unstitched that little spot, pulled the elastic through, then stitched it back up.

I now have a skirt that fits! I haven't worn it yet, but when I do, I will be sure to update this post with pictures!!


I have another refashion post lined up for you soon!!