With fall completely here, now is the time where I get super excited about crafting and making fun things now until the end of the year.  When I started this blog, I really wanted to share tons of sewing and DIY projects.  Somewhere along the way, my content stopped including as much DIY content as I would have loved, so here is where I encourage myself to change that!  I have a fun mini series of DIY's coming every week in October but I figured I'd kickstart this holiday season with a decoration piece everyone needs this fall - a pumpkin garland!  Alright, let's do this.

You'll Need:

Orange Yarn

Twine

Green Pipe Cleaners

Scissors

How To:

1) Start by wrapping yarn around your four fingers about 80-90 times.  The more yarn you wrap, the larger your pumpkins will be. 

2) Slide the wrapped yarn piece off of your fingers and tie the top of your pumpkin with a piece of yarn.  Repeat this step and tie the bottom of your pumpkin. 

3) Cut a piece of pipe cleaner and insert it under a loose piece of yarn or under one of the ties you made.  Next, you'll want to simply twist the wire up. 

4) Take your twine and begin sliding your pumpkins through the top of the yarn, right under the green pipe cleaners. 

5) Trim the loose ends (or tuck them into the pumpkins) and enjoy!

Fall Skirt Obsession

 Shop This Look

Skirt: SheIn (Shop here) // Sandals: Urban Outfitters (shop similar here + here) // Chiffon Top: HM (shop similar here + here) 

Well, us Southern CA folk are just longing for a shift in this weather, but it seems like we're stuck with some more sun a little while longer.  I actually love the sun, so I'm not complaining too much just so as long as I can still squeeze in fall colors and some of my favorite fall closet items.  I've been on a skirt spree lately and I'm not ashamed to say that since I re-adopted my love for skirts, the section of my closet reserved for skirts has multiplied! This fall, I don't see myself downsizing on the skirts and that obsession only kicked up even more when I received this fun denim flare skirt from Shein.  From the fit, to the fabric, to the pockets and to the buttons...I simply loved it so much.  I'm not sure what it is about flare skirts, but they have this instant connection with me that completely bring out all the girl in me haha.  Up to this point, I've just either shopped flare skirts wherever I could find them, but I seriously feel a crazy shopping splurge brewing up with Shein soon.  Their items are super cute and if you check out their skirt collection, please be aware that you might drop to the floor with me.  If you like the one I'm wearing, which I don't blame you, you can click here to take you directly to the skirt or click the link above in the outfit details as well!  I can tell you guys now, this is only the first of many skirts you'll see this fall here on Brocade Closet, so bare with me!  Anyway, I'll chat with you guys soon!

Xo

Melissa Victoria

I'm Not A Regular Aunt, I'm a Cool Aunt

Oh my lanta you guys.  I'm going to be an aunt to an actual human - no furry babies a real person this time.  My sister and brother-in-law are having their first baby!  The last few weeks have been full of changes here at home and I don't know why, but I feel like I'm pregnant with them, too!?  I've never been shy to express my fear of holding babies (babies in general), so I think the nerves that have casted over me are just based out of my complete inexperience with children.  I've been around children, but I've hardly ever been the one to run to them and wait in line to hold them - there are a few exceptions.  Needless to say, things are going to change BIG TIME around here and for the first time, I'll have a tiny little creature looking to me as their aunt.  A few things I'm looking forward to are learning how to change diapers, learning how to hold a baby, learning how to bathe a little human, etc.  Although this isn't my child, I still feel like I'll be taking a huge part in it's every day life and honestly, I'm super scared but I'm super excited.  I never want my nieces or nephews to look at me and say, "Oh hell no, mom. I don't want to go to her house." or feel like they can't talk to me about things they wouldn't regularly talk to their parents about.  Children need a lot of guidance these days and I think that's what I'm most excited about.  Still, this baby is just a tiny two inch thing inside my sister's stomach so I have a looooong way to go before he or she even understands what 2+2 is.  Nonetheless, it'll be an exciting process of me getting to know the kid, growing up together and of course convincing my niece or nephew that the Packers are the team to root for.  Cheers to a new life!

Xo,

Melissa Victoria

P.S.

Also now accepting Babies for Dummies classes, books and tips. 

Closet Staples: Striped Pencil Skirt + Basic Tee

Shop The Look

Skirt: Shop West Lane (shop here) // Green Tee: Target (Shop all colors here) // Shoes: Old (Shop similar here + here)

There's a running joke in my office where on Friday's, all the girls wear their best green and stripes.  It's 100% true and I'm really not sure if it's just because the combination throws off a 'fashionably lazy day' vibe or something, but I'm into it!  It could just be that stripes and something green may actually sit in everyones closet, therefore making it easy to combine which rests to be true in my opinion.  When I received this striped skirt, I knew right away that a simple green top was going to complete it.  I tossed over a jean jacket, some nude heels and off I went to conquer my day.  I would definitely say this is a more casual dressy outfit, but the best part is it was composed with everyday basics.  I'm not sure how many times I've mentioned my love for closet staples, but I will forever vouch for something striped, a plethora of basic tee's and at least one pencil skirt!  Anyway, this skirt is linked above and is actually on sale for $12 - hurry it's so cute & such a steal.  It is a little thin so you might have to wear a slip under, but I'm not complaining, I usually wear a slip or shorts under anything white.  Also, I love getting t-shirts at Target, so the link above will actually take you directly to their t-shirt's page where you can shop their entire collection of colors.  Anyway, I might be busy this week with OCFW but I have a ton of content to post here & on social!  If I don't make it back this Thursday, catch me on my Insta!  

Xo,

Melissa Victoria