Crocheted Skirt and Shawl

My crocheted outfit is just about complete! I finished crocheting the skirt this morning. The only things left to do are to sew in an elastic band, find (or have mom sew) some sort of fancy, shimmery tank, find a pair of shoes, and make my necklace and earrings (from the same beads I used on the shawl). I decided earlier in the summer to make my own outfit for a very fancy/formal wedding Pete and I have been invited to this October in Newport, RI. We still have to buy Pete a suit and, as you probably already guessed, it's going to cost between $150 and $300. He needs a suit jacket, matching pair of pants, tie, and shoes. Hopefully he can wear one of his dress shirts from work. I wanted to make my outfit for two reasons: 1. Just to say I did it and 2. To save money (which I did!).

Specifics

Shawl:

• The shawl is made from 6 skeins of Paton's Brilliant (Gold Glow), 1.75 oz.
  
• The pattern is a simple shell which was found on-line at: Anastacia Knits
  
• Once finished with the shell pattern, I added my own edging and attached 3 small beads to each edge "tip"
  
• The shawl measures 66" across the top (horizontal) and 33" from top to bottom (vertical)
  
• An "L" crochet hook was used

Skirt:

• The skirt is made from 4 skeins of Caron Simply Soft (Black 9727), 7 oz. and 2 skeins of Bernat Satin (Sable), 3.5 oz.
  
• The pattern comes from "Crochet! Magazine" July 2008. The pattern is the skirt portion of the "Sophisticated Shells Skirt & Wrap" pattern
• The skirt measures 33" from waist to bottom (skirt will be approximately 1"shorter once top band is folded over and the elastic is sewn in). The waist measures 17.5" (folded flat) and the bottom of the skirt measures 35.5" (folded flat).
• An "I" crochet hook was used
  

Out and About

While reading the Hartford Courant this morning, I noticed two full page ads for Macy's.  Normally, I just flip the page without a second look but today my eyes stopped for a second.  Pete is in desperate need of new dress shirts and ties for work as well as a suit for that fancy wedding we're going to this October.  The ad claimed that the whole store is on sale today (yeah, right).  I did notice however that dress shirts and ties are discounted to a whopping total of $12.79.  You can't beat that!  Even Kohl's on sale doesn't come close.  So, needless to say, we're heading over there shortly.  Of course we'll be stopping by the Apple Store (Pete wouldn't have it any other way!).  While at Macy's, I'm going to keep an eye out for a fancy tank that will match my shawl and the skirt I am making.  Perhaps too we can go over to Windsor to the L.L. Bean store.  I saw a very cute and comfy looking pair of shoes in the catalog.  I'm leery about buying shoes from a catalog or on-line; I've got to try them on first.  We'll see if we make it over there......