June.... so soon!!!

Hi Guys,
Can you believe its June already? I mean where did the time go?
I am pleased to say I have finally got a tripod for my camera after ages and ages of wanting one. This means I can take outfit posts without having to ask Mr Berto! Which he is happy about as I make him take loads.

This is my first attempt... there were others, but I kinda have a love hate relationship with photos of myself, so this will have to do for now.

How amazing are the poppies in our garden?! I can't take credit for them they were planted by the people who lived here before. Also I haven't made my mind up about the ivy yet. I know it needs to go because its taking over, but at the same time I love it.

Anyway this outfit is one of my favorites at the moment, I always feel really comfortable in it. The skirt is a made by me item that I made last year which I love pairing with sandals from Clarks. I mean seriously guys they are comfortable with a capital C!!!! I wore them for our trip to Italy the week before last and I had no issues walking all day in them.

The t shirt is actually a Primark one, I love the elephant print and if you follow me on Instagram you'll know this is a favourite of mine at the moment.

I also purchased this beautiful Love and Leather necklace, which arrived today. Their creations are amazing, every piece is so unique. I would definitely recommend you checking the website out.

Well I hope this is the first of many new blog posts. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a great weekend.

Ciao for now

Love Mrs Berto xx

Black & Gold or Gold & Black

Hi Guys,
Back with another outfit... although as I sit her putting together the up coming posts, I notice the next two outfits don't have much colour in them? Oh well.. I will bear that in mind when planning my outfits.

Now if you follow me on instagram you will have seen the crazy gold and black trousers I made.
They were meant to be flares but they came out a little wider than planned. However I decided that I quite liked them. Also they are super comfy, especially with the elasticated waist!!!! I think they may be come my Sunday trousers.

Thinking about the lack of colour in the outfit, I must say I do like the black & gold combination. The long boyfriend blazer is actually from Primark, which is some where I try not to visit too often.

I actually used a legging pattern and changed it up to extend them and made them in to flares. I have a leopard print pair in the pipeline too. I am really enjoying making clothes, and I am always looking for inspiration to help me to decide what to make next. Only problem now is not enough hours in the day.

I was thinking about doing a DIY if anyone is interested? Let me know if you are in the comments below and I'll see what I can do.

Well I hope you like the outfit, have a lovely week.

Ciao for now

Love Mrs Berto xx

What's on my sewing table

Hi Guys,

I love sewing, I have dabbled over the years but in our new house I have my own sewing nook & I love spending time in there.

Sewing is always a big help when it comes to how often I change my styles. Not only is it fun making your own clothes, you can make exactly what you want to your own measurements & alter items you already have. I also feel a real sense of pride when someone asks where I got something & I can say I made it.

Much like other sewers I decide & make projects in two ways the first is I see something in a shop or online & I draft a pattern from memory or I use sewing patterns. Both are really good, the pattern because you just follow it step by step which is quick & drafting your own patterns which really stretches my skills.

I was chatting to the lovely people at SimplicityNewlook about my changing style & that I was looking for some patterns to help me create individual pieces, so they kindly sent me some to try.

Now I always feel that the pattern envelopes don't do patterns justice, as they can look a bit dated so keep an open mind about the ones I have chosen (Sorry the pictures are a bit small):

I have already made two of the simplicity 1662 skirts. I have yet to blog about them but they will be coming up soon.

What do you have on your sewing table?

Ciao for now
Love Mrs Berto xx

Hello again... its been a while.

Hiya Guys,
How long has it been????

I am sorry I was a MIA, firstly it was because I needed a bit of a break from blogging as I wasn't inspired to write anything & secondly I have had quite a busy few months. In October Mr Berto & I moved into our first home & I also started a new job which I have left now... but it's a long boring story so lets forget about that.

You may also notice that the blog has gone through a complete overhaul, name & all.... with the help of the AMAZING Amy!!! We had talked about a new blog design including some ideas I had which she took and made them a reality!! Don't you think she just did a fantastic job!!! Thanks Amy!! I love ya xx

I am happy to be back with a number of different ideas & I can’t wait to share!!!

One of the main reason I felt like I needed a change on the blog was due to the fact my style has evolved quite a bit & Muffintopvintage didn't feel like me anymore. Don't worry I still love my brogues, cardigans & Cath kidston.

Here is a glimpse of my new style, the skirt is one I made myself. My sewing projects will be just one of the new topics I will cover in more detail. I also hope to start a vlog too, but you know, one thing at a time.

Anyway I feel like I have rambled a bit, so I will be off now.
I hope you like the new look & you visit again soon.

Ciao for now
Love Mrs Berto xx

Vontrapping & a whole lot of fun

Hi People,
How was your weekend?
Mine was lovely :)
I spent Saturday just relaxing and finishing off my dress which I am wearing below.

The fabric for this dress was actually a vintage 1970's curtain that cost me £2.99 from a local charity shop. I have decided to call this Vontraping... if you have no idea what I talking about go watch the Sound of Music and you'll know what I mean :)
I have even purchased another curtain for my next project :)

I was so excited when I finished it I decided to wear it on Sunday to the Frock me event at Chelsea Town hall. I met up with Gemma, Anna, Becky & Sundari  we had a little tea and cake then did some browsing of the vintage stalls.

What do you think of my Top hat?

I loved the fact that we all had our welly boots on & of course we did the obligatory feet shot.

I especially loved this one of us on our wall line up :)

I haven't laughed as much as I did yesterday in quite a while, I actually went home with a headache but it was worth it.

The girls are really lovely & I can't wait to meet up again :)

I hope you weekend was as lovely of mine & our week is even better.

Ciao for now
Love Katrina x

Grey derss doesn't have to mean a grey day!

Hi my lovelies :)
Last week was definitely one of those weeks!
My mum was rush to hospital, my dog injured himself and the rest of my time I was working on my dissertation.

Thankfully mum is on the mend and so is Alfie :) I was quite worried for a while but I hid it well and stayed focused to make sure mum felt taken care of.

So Saturday I decided to take some time out and work on a quick reconstruction using an old top and a dress that needed a little........ well perzaz.


I forgot to take a picture of the top but it was kinda trapeze top... is that right word? Well I used the bottom and attached it to the hem which was really quick then I took off the buttons, and replaced them with buttons I had covered using the fabric from the top.


For such a quick project I think it turned out quite well, don't you?


I wore it to work today with my favorite red Cardigan :)

Dress: Gift from my friend
Cardigan: Primark
Tights: I can't remember??
Boots: Oli.... online catalog I don't think it exists anymore?


Well I will try to post again soon dependent on how much work I get on my dissertation.
Have a great week if I don't see you before them.

Ciao for now
Love Katrina x

Hey Mum, look what I made :)

Hello all,

What have we been up to this weekend?
Me well, I went to a friends BBQ yesterday, it was really fun and the weather cooperated mostly; still a little chilly though.
Last weekend I purchased some lovely owl print fabric from Wallingford. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted a skirt so yesterday I also did some sewing. I used a really simple pattern/tutorial over at Freshly Picked, I love how easily I was able to whip up the skirt.





By the time I get to hemming an item I get impatient so I was particularly please with how the hem turned out when I used a technique I was taught in my dressmaking class. I think it looks very tidy...for a change :)


I decided to use some plan mustard fabric for the pockets, have I told you before I loveeeee the color mustard :)


I have also been reading The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan, I had heard it is a really good play and as I found it in a bookshop near work for £1.

I like to have a book to read on my commute, so I am always searching for ones I haven't read before. At the moment I am trying to read more classics, so I also got Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray and Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace for a £1 each; a bargain I must say.

Today's Outfit
Cardigan: H&M
Blouse: Topshop
Skirt: Made by me :)
Boots: Ebay

On the topic of making things, Cait over at Wayward Daughter is debuting her first collection. So big congratulations to Cait, pop over and have a look the dresses are bautiful.

Well I hope your having a great weekend.

Ciao for now
Katrina x

Made by Yours Truely

HI :)

I am so glad to be finally showing you the dress I made!!!
I have made items in the past but but in the last year I had lost my momentum with it all so I decided to do a dress making course to fire me up again and it sure did.



I wore it out with Mr Rob the other day, he is really getting into his photography at the moment which means he is taking my pictures LOADS sometimes when I don't want him to; but he did take some cool pictures.


In the class we were taught how to draft a pattern based on our own measurements and we made alternations to it to make the style we wanted.


I am a little heaver on the hips so I wanted a bit of a flare, and I am obsessed with pockets so I incorporated them in to the design.



I picked the fabric because it reminded me of a 70's print and also purple is my favorite colour. I love how well purple and mustard go together, I matched it with my favorite boots and belt and I quite like the outfit.

I did wear it once before with turquoise tights but I think the purple look better.

I have started making two other dresses one from the same patteren as this and another using a different purchased pattern.
I just wondered if my readers would prefer a step by set account of the dresses I make or just the finished product.

I am also working on a "How To" of my hairstyle as promised.



I am off to do my 5k race (or rather walk, I hate running) for life this morning. Wish me luck!!!
If you'd like to sponsor me my page is HRHENS, Pictures will follow I am sure :)

Have a great day.
Ciao for now

Katrina x

New Project - New Summer Bag

Hi All,
So what have you been up to this weekend?
I am sure my America readers are having a great long weekend with Independence Day tomorrow.

HAPPY 4th JULY!!!!

So this weekend I have been working on some projects, and I thought I would share my progress, I am covering a bag that Mr Rob's mum gave to me.


The original covering needed some updating so I started by taking off the handles, unpicking the lining, removing the sequins.... yes gold sequins on a green bag (this is why it needed updating) and then finally I was able to take the fabric off.


I have picked the fabric to cover it; I just have to pop along to Cath Kidston to get it sometime in the next week or so :)


Once I have that I'll use the old fabric as a template and I'll do a follow up post showing how I put it all together.


What have you guys been up too?

Have a great week.

Ciao for now.

Katrina x