First of May in February

I take it all back. This is the hard part. This is the really put-myself-out-there-and-hold-my-breath part. But it is also a learning experience and a crazy ride and an opportunity to put on fabulous makeup.

So, there's that.

For the record, I don't do winter. I lived in New York a few years, and shivered my way through the cold weather and the "Layers, honey! Layers!" to move back to my native Austin and I'll be damned if I'll suffer through winter.

And yet, this January was pretty harsh for us. If you are reading this north of the Mason-Dixon line, you will scoff at my definition of "harsh," but a little bit of ice and a little bit of wind and we Austinites will absolutely crumble in the face of it. Schools shut down. Government offices shut down. All the coconut water and organic flax bread goes flying off the shelves. We try to figure out how to build a fire in our fireplaces. Then we try to figure out how to open the flue on the fireplace because we are smoking ourselves out of our homes. We make Mexican hot chocolate with cinnamon.

… Okay, that part isn't bad. Mexican hot chocolate might possibly be the nectar of the gods, but the point of my general brain meanderings: Austin can't do winter. And baby, I can't wait for spring.

So a tiny dress in pretty pastels? Don't mind if I do!

First of May Dress

And here I am. Behold my glory. Or, preferably, behold the dress. Because I love it.

Heart Necklace by Unique Art Pendants on Etsy

This is Simplicity 1755 by Leanne Marshall and I love the design. I've made two so far, but if I were to make it again (which I probably will… once again, looooove this dress) I'd probably raise the armscye to keep it from gapping like above.

It also has pockets! I always feel like a responsible human being when I sew pockets, even if a rarely use them for more than a tube of lip balm.

I did have a few issues with construction. The gaping around the bust like I mentioned and also a few shortcuts on the interior construction that I'm trying to wean myself from (as mentioned in my mission statement). I need to improve the hem, because if it isn't properly pressed, the serged edge peeks out under my hem. (How embarrassing!) And I think I would give it a little more length in a new go around. (I love a mini, but it's not every-day-practical.)

This doesn't really show the dress,
but I think this picture is adorable.

So, there's my first go around. I have a couple of things I've learned: more construction and process notes, pictures of the internal dress, taking waaaaaay more pictures so I have more to choose from (there might have been a moment in this process where I hated every single picture and then decided what the hell, I'll hate myself too), and also make sure my photographer—in this shoot, my dear friend Andy—knows to shoot the whole outfit, including shoes.

Next week I'm going to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. (Woo!) So I'll come back with a lot of drunken… er… I mean "candid" shots of costumes and other wildness.

Cheers,
Alison.

The Grand Debacle: Wardrobe Planning Part 1

I set the lofty goal in my introductory post to build my wardrobe up. So, I've been scouring the blog world for thoughts, ideas, theories, and instructions.

A few that I've really glommed onto are:

Jenny from Bobbins & Whimsy, who is all about creating plans which I just adore, but then she actually puts those plans into action and (maybe it tells you a little about where I set the bar for myself but) I'm super impressed!

Audrey from Putting Me Together. It's right there in the name. She is self-teaching and teaching others through her blog how to look at clothing in new ways to create multiple looks with the same pieces. Very cool.

Sarai's Wardrobe Architect project on Coletterie. There's a lot here about honing your personal style and different aspects of fashion theory.

I love all of this so much and I can't wait to get started. (Currently I have a less-than-completely reasonable project on my table that I don't want to simply shift aside to start a new project.) Until then, I can certainly start planning!

Obligatory Introductions

Hello.

I figured that a first blog post⎯besides just being a terrifying precipice for me⎯should be two basic things: an introduction and a mission statement. I like to think that makes things less scary. I’m a woman on a mission. I have a path. I know what I’m doing.

I totally know what I’m doing, guys, trust me.

Now you’re complacent in the rest of the madness. Congratulations. We’re on this path together, you and I, and I want to hope that it will be filled with joy and pretty clothing and useful information, but let’s face it, you’re probably in for an emotional roller coaster in which seams always manage to get bunched in the machine and darts are always crooked.

But at least we’re together. That’s what’s important.