In Memoriam

Whew!
After almost 2 weeks of new motherboards and processors, I'm Back!

And to make things short and sweet, because it is a Holiday after all,

Here's a reminder to shop your local DAV thrift stores.

Disabled American Veterans stores use the proceeds to support our Veterans, and you know you can find the Fabulous Finds there!
It's a fantastic way to put actions behind your feelings!

Happy Memorial Day!

Friday's Find

My heart just isn't in it today. In Anything. I'm Pooped before it all starts! So, something really fantastic to get my engines running.

This stunning Blue Taffeta late 50's gown is so tiny I can't even wear it. Once, years ago I tried it on, and Cat had to pull me out of it. But for a clothes-hound like me, it is worth it just to have this dress. I put it on to a size 00 for a play a couple years ago, and it fit her okay, though tight in the shoulders.

I have been wracking my brain about where I got it and how much it cost, but to be honest I have no idea. I'm fairly certain it was in Kansas, and I'm sure it was less than $10, because I would never spend more than that on something that's just for pretty. And It is pretty. It's beautifully made, to begin with. The color is too stunning to try to capture on camera. And you should see that Taffeta shine with a full crinoline holding out the circle skirt. It's one of those they-sure-don't-make-em-like-they-used-to's. So, It's in my costume closet. And occasionally, I bring it out just to look at it. 

Ahhh. I feel better already.

The Thrifty Garde Robe

Today, I'd like to direct your attention to a lovely little blog I'm obsessed with.

The Thrifty Garde Robe is a forum for people to show off what they've been making and repurposing. My Only beef with this site is "why didn't I think of that!"
And I should have thought of it, because this is something I do all the time. Right now I'm wearing my favorite sweatshirt which I made out of a thrift store find. What I don't have is a camera.
So, while I ponder how to start taking photos of my own Thrifty and creative things, check out the wonderful Gals over there with their wonderful, recycled, creative endeavors. The button is right here.

Now, I'm off to either do some recreating of my own on that vintage dress, or else decide to wear the purple one and spend the day relaxing.

A major week has begun.
The Other Elisabeth, along with several other lovely ladies I know are(Is?) graduating on Saturday. From College. Geez, I'm getting old. And On Sunday I have a wedding. And ONE WEEK FROM TODAY Elisabeth Is getting hitched. And then We'll be related. Sort of.
She'll be my adopted-second-cousin-in-law-in-law. We're excited.
But, Getting hitched comes with lots of things to do! Even For me. Even though, sadly, she went ahead and bought a dress on line, so I do not get to make her wedding dress, I still have plenty on my mind.

Saturday, I went thrifting and got two amazing dresses.
One is black vintage 60's, and the other is Sparkly Purple and very new. I was all set to wear the vintage, even though it is too big and needs altering, because I have an awesome hat to wear with it. But the purple one is so cute! And requires so much less work!

I was reading this week about the moments that define our lives and I think for me, all those moments are shaped by what I was wearing. Graduation dresses. Play costumes. Date clothes. Bridesmaid dresses. Wedding dress. The fantastic outfits I come up with to wear to plays I've directed.

All the really big moments are fixed in my mind by what I was wearing. On my first date with Adam, I wore a yellow button-up blouse and vintage jeans with yellow stitching that I rolled up. He wore an Orange t-shirt tucked into his jeans, which I really admired. I didn't know any other guys that tucked their shirts in. I commented on it, and he laughed and said that his dad always told him if he wanted to meet the right kind of girl he better tuck in his shirt. We still joke about that, because it was so true! That tucked-in shirt set him apart. I still have the jeans I wore, but they're in a costume box for now. I don't think I could ever let go of them. That night was special.

So I've realised that part of the dress dilemma for me is, that this is a big day. I'm going to remember it for a long time. And there will be pictures. Do I want to continue the tradition of fabulous vintage hats and dresses I've worn to other friends' weddings, or do I step out in a dress just because I look pretty in it and it's her favorite color? This choice will echo in my mind for decades.

Either way I think I need new shoes.

Friday's Find

It's Friday!
Thank the Lord.

And, I have the day off tomorrow! So, I will be going thrifting for a dress for me to wear to the Other Elisabeth's wedding. I'm thinking something black and vintage to go with an awesome hat I want to wear. I also have another wedding the day before, so if I happen to find 2 dresses...

Today, Skirts! These are all from the light brown section of my closet. And they are all from my local Goodwill, once again. And they all cost 3-4 dollars.

This simple Khaki skirt is shown from the back. It's Plain. It's Basic. It can go anywhere.

I love this springy flowery, ruffled one. It goes with orange and yellow and brown and cream and khaki... It's like a skirt of many colors. Colors I wear a lot. I wear it in the winter with orange and brown sweaters. I wear it in the summer with tank tops. It even matches my hat.

And finally, this pretty Prairie skirt. I got it this winter, and I've been waiting to wear it. It's got layers of that soft, crinkly cotton that is my favorite. If the blasted wind will die down to oh, 20mph or so, I may even wear it when I go out shopping tomorrow.