Suzannah Hamlin Stanley's Blog, page 86

Reader question: Doing it all

How do you do it all?
Recently, I got the sweetestemail from a blog reader. Not only does Kristin sound like a fun person, she is so kind to look through and appreciate my various blog posts, home tour, and more.


Hi Suzannah!
My name is Kristin, and I adore your blog. I am 26 and live in Austin, Texas, with my husband. I sew a little, crochet some more, but also eat Paleo and enjoy your food

Black-on-black lace shift dress from a BurdaStyle pattern

I made myself an LBD--but it's anything but basic thanks to this fun pattern and some great fabrics from my mom's library.

I've been seeing a lot of drop waist dresses lately, and it's a new look for me but I think it can be more wearable, less dressy, more fun than a natural waist fit-and-flare dress.Kollabora just launched a collection of 100+ new patterns from Burda Style's catalog

A long overdue book recommendation, I know you'll like this one: Overdressed

If you haven't read this book already, you probably want to!


Sometimes I'm a little behind the times, especially about reading. I love reading, but sometimes there are phases where I don't find the time. Luckily, this holiday break reset my habit, and this week I finished a book I started back in January 2013. Ha!

And in fact, since many others before me have a written excellent book reviews,

Real food Shepherd's Pie recipe - two ways!

It's winter! Here's a delicious, warm, seasonal classic you can make from veggies in season this month. It's one of the first dishes I made after I started eating meat again, and I love classic recipes like this (Shepherd's Pie or Cottage Pie) made with some variations for unprocessed, Paleo-friendly real food ingredients.

But I have my sweet friend Linnea to thank for the encouragement to share

An overview and a happy story--big changes! Or, raw vegan to Paleo

I have a happy story to share today. Something I've been wanting to post for a long time, but I get nervous. I'm not sure when it all started--either January 2010 or Christmas 2012, but now, January 2015 when I feel the best I ever have, it's time to let the cat out of the bag and share my successes.

Warning: if this stuff (health, body image, lifestyle) doesn't interest you, feel free to skip

New knock-off: J.Crew leather patch pocket pullover tutorial

This is a fun, dressier DIY clothing makeover/knock-off!




Inspired by theJ.Crew Factory merino pocket tunicand theJ.Crew merino leather pocket sweater(both from more than a year ago, I think), I put together this tutorial for a simple patch pocket detail on a plain sweater. Here are the originals...




J.Crew merino leather pocket sweater (sold out)



J.Crew Factory merino pocket tunic

3 inspiring things

I'm inspired! By something new to this blog.



I'll deviate from my most typical sewing, food, or decorating content today to talk about another thing I'm really passionate about. Another kind of DIY project, I guess--something I've been working on in earnest since April 2014, which I'll continue to pursue in 2015.


It was never a "New Year's resolution," but instead an ongoing goal for my

Thanks for your support!! And, 2014 was a big year.

First of all, THANK YOU.
Last Monday I posted the big news about my book, DIY Wardrobe Makeovers. Writing it and working with my publisher(s) has been a long process, and I haven't been able to share much until now. It is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Massive thanks to all of you who have looked at it and pre-ordered! Pre-orders are SO important because they tell Amazon that the book

Basic coconut milk panna cotta with ginger

Happy New Year's Eve!

As you may have seen on Monday, I had a lot of fun putting together an NYE party shoot with some friends earlier this month. Inspired by the most successful recent New Year's Eves in our lives (spent at home or at friends' places with good food, a few friends, and games or other fun, relaxed activities), we did a games night theme, and each of us contributed to the decor

New Year's Eve! Gorgeous games night

I had so much fun the other weekend putting together a gorgeous New Year's Eve party shoot with my friendsJenniandKelsey, and our new photographer friend Mary Boyden(OMG, check out her work!). With Jenni's party-throwing skills, Kelsey's style and calligraphy, my house and dessert recipe, and some pretty furniture and pieces from Something Borrowed, we put together a lovely shoot for Mary to