I Plead Guilty

I did it.  I wore my levis.

There is the proof.  I had full intentions of wearing dresses the whole time while in San Fransisco, but upon my inspection of the itinerary, I realized that our jaunt out to Alcatraz doing a night tour, might take some real creativity for me to stay warm and stay in a dress.  After Lottie's unplanned surgery only days before our departure and spending one of those days in a hospital room, my foggy brain couldn't or wasn't willing, to try and figure it out, so I caved and threw in a pair of levis just in case I couldn't come up with a warm enough outfit amongst the dresses and leggings I loaded into my suitcase.

Needless to say, our trip was incredible.  We saw some really awesome things:  Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Winchester Mystery House.  All were fabulous.  I got to see the hard work and dedication of teenagers pay off, as they performed well at the Foothills College Heritage Music Festival, but I think what impressed me most were the kids - good kids, fun kids, a diverse group of kids - who all came together to perform, to represent our little high school, and to form friendships that might not have existed at home.  So fun was had by all!

My only disappointment was those damned jeans.

I must confess, I did enjoy the ease and comfort of wearing them while shivering on a beautiful beach for hours (aren't Cali beaches supposed to be warm?).  I was grateful for them during our night tour of Alcatraz (those cement walls hold no heat, I tell you).  I also ended up wearing them our last night at an amusement park where we partied until midnight.  I was happy that I had packed them, but disappointed that I had ruined my streak of dress wearing.

Another confession:  Although grateful to be wearing jeans, I missed my dresses.  In jeans, I felt like one of the masses - not that I am looking to stand out, necessarily.  It just felt, kind of, well, blah.  This was not the emotion I had planned on having once I allowed myself to pull on my pants again.  I had figured I would be elated, relieved, or like a child getting on his/her favorite carnival ride, thrilled, but my surprise reaction was disappointment.  

Although I didn't make it a whole year solely wearing dresses, I think wearing my levis for a day or two was more helpful in my quest than not.  I realized that I like wearing my dresses (for now) more than I thought and that it's fun to not be one of the masses - at least not all the time.  So, the dress wearing continues, maybe not all the time, wholly, but as much as possible.  I feel like I am still learning some things about myself through this process and that wearing pants again isn't the grand prize at the end.  I feel like more of an individual and creative by continuing, so I will carry on while allowing myself a little leeway here and there without feeling guilty.

I also finally got the chance to wear my red and white polyester dress I made over a month ago.  That made me happy!  Doesn't it go well with my dream car? 

Back for More

Yes, I have ignored blogging for awhile and yes, I am still wearing dresses.  I think some thought this craziness was going to end after a month.  My vision was for a much longer period of time, but we'll see.  I have felt trapped by my dresses and that has resulted in me not wanting to blog and pass along my poor attitude.

I had a good talk with my kids the other night.  I was complaining and entertaining the thought of putting this whole thing behind me.  Odd, most of them chastised me for wanting to give up. The dynamic of preteens advising me to stick to it, was enough shame for me to try to adjust my attitude.  

Em did give me some good advice.  You see, I tend to be more left-brained than right and that results in using formulas instead of creativity.  The way I have approached this dress idea has been, dress or skirt + granny blouse + cardigan = outfit for the day.  At the start, this worked well, but now I am bored.  She talked with me about changing up my formula or even throwing it out all together - not that I would abandon my love of vintage, granny blouses, and the like - but to look at things with new eyes and be willing to mix old and new, patterns, and looks.  It did help.  This is what I pulled out of the closet today -

Not sure that the patterns work too well together.  I think it would be better if my gingham print was slightly smaller or if my sweater covered all but the collar.  I tried buttoning up my cardigan, but it looked lumpy and bulky.  Overall, I liked the mix of colors and fabrics.  Bonus - it gave me an excuse to wear my new, bright pink lipstick. 

Over the last few days, I stumbled across a blog that did inspire me.  It's refashionista.net.  This lady takes thrift store finds, adjusts and alters them to make them more fashionable.  I think she tries to do one a day.  I think I wasted over an hour looking at her blog.  Although she is half my size and age, I was inspired to try out some new things and look at some of my existing finds in a new light.  The truth be told, I play well off the genius of others.

I have taken some "before" pictures that I will post along with the "afters" once I have worked my magic.  Actually, it might take some magic......

I did get one dress done.  I posted pics of this on a Thifted Thursday post, but here's a reminder -

I unpicked the collar and removed it - it was a little much. Trust me, with my double chin, I don't need any more bulk in that area!  Then, I simply topstitched it back together.  I did save those beautiful buttons.  I'll use those on another project.  I also took off about 6" off the length.  I like it much better with the changes - they weren't too difficult, but getting a good picture can be!

I really liked it paired with my thrifted red shoes.

I also sported this outfit over my hiatus.  It's about the only picture I ended up taking during that time.  I found my sweater at Forever 21 and the dress was thrifted. I did like the two together, but I love the two people together. :)  We even match....ah....

Last, but not least, I have been wanting a vintage patent leather purse, like I used to play dress up with. I have seen ones in the antique stores for around $15.  That's a little more than I am willing to pay.  My patience paid off.  I found this number at the local thrift store for a mere $1.  Another formula: me - $1 = happy girl!!

So, I will try and move forward with more creativity and a better attitude.  With the sun shining, snow melting, and a fly buzzing, a new season looks possible and I know that will help - out with the wool, in with the cotton!

Oh, My Jeans....

Now - for my real opinion of the last few days.....I WANT MY JEANS!!!

I even walked past some ugly, red skinny jeans at Walmart and felt drawn to them.  Sad.  I haven't even tried on my jeans because I am afraid I would just cave once I felt the joy of wearing them.  

So, is this just getting mundane?  Boring?  Me, blogging about this whole crazy idea?  Is it worth the sacrifice and the separation anxiety I am experiencing?  I am even getting tired of putting outfits together.  At first, it was like playing Barbies, trying new combinations with different accessories.....without the ginormous boobs, of course....but I am just sick of it all right now.  Do I continue???  For now, I guess so.

I was momentarily happy with the outfit I put together on Wednesday.  I have figured out that dresses are more versatile than I once thought.  I liked my red and gray granny blouse under my red dress.  Obviously, I love cardigans and so, I had to wear one.  It is fun to think about layering with dresses.  I never realized this was an option before.  It was "dress, nylons, slip, and shoes"...that's it.  I have learned a few things in this process - no matter how trivial.

*Here's a peak at my messy kitchen.

In between fixing food for 300 (in one of my house coats.  I was too busy to snap a photo.  I am sure you can live without one.), I was able to finish my red and white dress.  I finished it on Valentine's - how fitting.  David and I agreed to celebrate after this whole orchestra dinner is over, so I am looking forward to wearing it out next week.  I like the way it turned out.  Omitting the zipper worked well and saved a ton of time.  I realize that using a different fabric wouldn't afford me the same luxury.

It's kind of hard to see the detail.  I really like the collar and tie.  It was super easy to do and cute.  I will post pics when I get my night out on the town.

Media Monday - Granny Chic

Granny Chic

In the spirit of Media Monday (which I have recently started on my other blog), I have decided to share this glorious book that arrived the other day in the mail.  It was a long three weeks, awaiting this treasure.  It is full of fun, granny chic ideas and projects.  Here's a sampling of what's inside:

fun projects

and dress patterns

and some home decorating tips.  So many fun adventures await me.....within the pages of this little bundle of inspiration!

Now, on to dresses.  I have been squeezing in some sewing time, but have still yet to finish my red and white frock.  In the mean time, this is what I wore yesterday:

my top - consisting of my granny cardigan and my Devil Makes Three concert T.  Nothing wrong with mixing it up a little, right???

my middle,

and my bottom.  This is what happens when you have a 9 year old take your photos.  Thanks, Steve!

  I did, finally, get my pillowcase skirt all sewn up.  It took all of 20 minutes.  I will be on the lookout for more pillowcase pairs, as more of these would make great work skirts in the summer.  We did finally get a photo of me in one piece:

And then, it just got crazy!

I will stop now.  I know it's getting a little obnoxious.

Hope your day is a great one!!

End of Season

In my desperate attempt to find spring, I just had to buy the dress I found in this fabric.  It was bright and cheerful, not at all dreary and depressing.....like the snow that Mother Nature just sent us.

I felt happy wearing my new thrifted find.  Although I didn't venture out much in it, because the roads were a mess and I like living.  Oh how I wish the snow would just go away already....

Saturday was the end Maren's basketball season.  We all agreed that going to watch her play was worthy of the danger we would face traveling on our county roads.  It was worth it.  She played two awesome games.  Although I am looking forward to some down time from basketball, I can't help but feel a little sad about not sitting on those hard plastic benches, every Saturday, watching my kids sweat their little hearts out.  Don't despair, I am sure me and this lovely gym will find each other again someday....

I guess the bright side of our dismal storm, is that I just found this vintage wool jumper the other day and it gave me the perfect opportunity to wear it.  It has great structure and detail - well worth the $4.00 I paid for it.  With the beige blouse and brown sweater, I felt like adding the red belt would give it, at least, a little pop of color.  I am starting to feel the need to add color anywhere possible.  Oh spring....where are you????

Thrifted Thursday - Accessories

It's Thrifted Thursdsay!!

So for your viewing pleasure, I decided to share some thrifted accessories.

I have wanted some vintage spectacles for awhile now.  I actually checked out a store in Portland last fall that had hundreds, HUNDREDS of vintage frames for sale.  A pair I really liked, cost a mere $220.  I would assume that anyone who follows this blog at all or knows me, could tell you that even as I admired them, I had them placed back in the case for some other granny chic lover to purchase. I actually questioned my decision for days after, telling myself, what better souvenir to remember such a lovely time with friends than something I put on my face everyday?

Last week, I put to rest those doubting thoughts when I ran across this pair for $14...case included. They are a lovely rose color with little flowers etched in the side.  I really couldn't tell how I looked in them, because the lenses made it impossible to see much of anything while on my face.  It was a gamble I was willing to wage.  Now to get the lenses switched out and on my face!

I also picked up this lovely umbrella.  It seems like I never have one when I need one.  For years, I would just use one of the kids' that resembled a monkey or dog.  I think it's time I had a grownup umbrella.  I picked this one up for $3.  I love the traditional handle.  I know it's more cumbersome than a compact, newer version, but this has character!  Plus, I love the vintage fabric.  It does need a little TLC, but I'm willing to invest.  Look out spring showers, here I come!

So look around.  Maybe you have some of these vintage treasures hiding in your closets and drawers.  If so, get them out and use them proudly!!

Okay - so dresses for the past couple of days.  This might not be too pretty.  Just a fair warning.

I actually blogged about this skirt last week, as I found it when I was out thrifting.  I thought I would have to shorten it to get the length I wanted, but I was...wrong.  I found it was a high waisted skirt, so the length was perfect once I got it on.  It paired perfectly with my short waisted sweater.  I was pretty happy with this outfit.

Here's where it might get ugly.....

It's not that I found my outfit to be ugly, but my whole day was a bust.  I went to Logan to run errands and barely made it home before losing some of my vision because of my throbbing migraine.  Good thing my dress was a comfy one, because I just laid there for the rest of the day with this lovely pillow on my head.  In an effort to be authentic.....

And there you have it - me showing you the good, the bad, and the ugly.  My life isn't perfect so my blog shouldn't be either, right?  Just keepin' it real, my friends.  (I am a little creeped out by this picture.  It reminds me of those taken at funerals.)

I forgot to mention that I thrifted this dress because I love the funky retro print.  It isn't vintage, but I liked the easy A line form and stretch of the fabric.

Go PHS - my dress said it all!

With the weekend past and the big game over, I finally took a breath and realized that I hadn't blogged in a few days.  The end of last week was filled with the basketball games of four of our children.  Two of them ended their seasons and one of those two ended her career (can you only call it that if they are getting paid?)  So proud of Hannah and the grace and determination she has shown over the past four years.

So here is the run down of my dresses over the past couple of days.  Friday I was hoping to get in quite a bit of sewing.  I had three projects to work on - one big, two small.  I only accomplished one small task.  What a disappointment.  Here's what I did:

I picked up this lovely vintage dress from a friend.  The only problem, is that I am not quite as blessed in some areas as other women.  This is my sad face about the droopiness in the chest area of this dress.  Other than being too big there, it was a perfect fit and length.

This is my happy face after taking in the side seams.  It's hard to tell a real difference from the pictures, but it was exactly what the dress needed to fit like a glove.  Lesson:  never turn down a cute dress that is close to fitting.  Alterations cans be simple.

The next day was basketball games.  At Hannah's last home game, I made the mistake of wearing a dress in the colors of the opposing team.  She lovingly reminded me that I shouldn't do that again.  So I chose to wear the most Preston outfit I could find.  I think it might be a bit obnoxious.

I thrifted the blue jumper and had the gold blouse.  I knew I needed something over it because of the cold, so I just threw on my trusty black cardigan, tights, and a belt.  I think this might be color blocking gone bad.  Can you tell we took this picture at midnight when we got home?  I look a little haggered.  That's what a day of basketball will do to you.

Sunday was the big game and I had no intention of wearing team colors.  I just wanted to be comfy, so I put on one of my favorite house dresses, a sweater, and leggings.  Truth be told - I put it back on today since all I did yesterday was sit around and that's about all I've done today.

Aside from blogging and straightening the house, I did get my granny squares laid out.  I got them all finished up yesterday while I "watched" the game.  Now I just have to stitch them together.  Gigi will be so thrilled with her new afghan!