My Good Vintage

When you travel for 36 ish hours through Europe you stop at a fair few service stations  Although I didn't take any photos on the way to Poland I think I will on the way back.  On our journey we stopped in England France Belgium Germany and Poland and in one Mama and Ashling and I ( and an Irish couple) got lost. It was dark, we were tired and the building looked the same from either end... Each side of the motorway... 

Today I found an american quarter in my purse. They look like 10p pieces so I must have been given it by mistake. I stopped and smiled. Rubbed the dirt off it so I could see the detail on the back. It's from South Carolina. It came all that way to end up randomly in my purse. Until now unnoticed. No one else I showed really cared. They didn't see any value in a coin that couldn't be spent locally.  It's times like this that I wonder if I will ever find a friend who is similar enough to me to appreciate the small things like the quarter. 

I'm searching for female inspiration. When I stop and think about it I can only name one or two female film directors whose work I could talk about.  I can't think of a female journalist or broadcaster that I particularly admire.  I can't hear a strong female commentator in my week of chosen media that isn't a singer.  I recently started listening to podcasts and the newest is Bret Easton Elis. So far all nine guests have been male.  Could the lead in Breaking Bad have been a woman? Will the next season of True Detective give us a head strong female partnership. 

Sewing machine still needs fixing so I'm resorting to glueing for this project  Alex who works for me is leaving tomorrow so I've made him a real version of a flag he designed during a staff training session 

Could just be for a week... I'm not sure how long I will last without it  It's been my obsession for the last few months Spending the day with my sister and nephew has helped with my cravings to check in every hour or so and see what everyone is up to.  He's just 16months and already loves phones too  I'm almost sure I'll go back but I'd like to hold out for a month 30-40 days to break the habit and then go back and not get so caught up with it again.  There is still what's app and Instagram and twitter and snapchat and iMessage  I'm still here  I'm just not reading everything that everyone else is doing hour by hour of the day.  I'm not comparing my life to theirs my self to them I'm not competing for attention or recognition 

This is the universe telling me that I don't have time to finish the dress for Monday night 

Today I cut out the pieces for a new dress.  Yes I'm working on the floor because although I have a kitchen table there's more room and more light in the living room.  I'm hoping to wear this dress on Monday night at a work party. So I best get sewing!  This is the pattern  Vogue easy options V8280 bought years ago (I must confess) when the Roland Maurant dresses were so popular. I'm using the straight edge bodice with the simple front flange/straps and a straight pencil skirt bottom that will end above the knee.  The fabric was bought at a vintage fashion fair in Cheltenham, again years ago. It does look slightly like a tablecloth but I'm channeling Scarlett O Hara in Gone With the Wind and knocking up something original. I've looked for something that will stand out and be unique. The dress code is "dress to impress" and yes I could get cold feet and wear something shop bought. But if I hold fast with this outfit I'll have a great conversation st...