Tash, Pips and Parjie

Many years ago (that would be roughly 8) I had this gorgeous idea that I’d have two little munchkins, a gloriously tidy house that smelt forever of baked goods, a well-behaved kitten (who didn’t wee when she got excited…) and time. Yes time. (Bruce was already in the pic and continues to be. Huzzah!)

As it turns out, I have two little munchkins. It’s a start.

In this little fantasy of mine, I also had lunch dates with my lady friends. Weekly. We would hang out, laugh, have glass of wine, solve the world’s problems with kindness and partake in food that didn’t involve hidden vegetables (which the dear readers who are also mums would be familiar with). And of course, be frocked up, with limited risk (note the limited) of someone throwing food at you.

Four months in the planning and we made it! It turns out that ideas that emerge from a drunken think-tank on Christmas day whilst sprawled on the floor can come to fruition!

Clyde Park (as demonstrated on the sign…)

I’ve been wanting to visit Clyde Park at Bannockburn for some time, and it made for a perfect luncheon. Rolling hills, stunning food and delish wine, it was indeed splendid. Finally I was lunching with my lady friends, taking in the lady views, drinking lady wine and frolicking in a lady vegetable garden. Ladies, I am indeed committed to lunching. Invites welcome!

The dress itself was a pleasure to sew. Designed for the lady who is smaller up the top and hippy down the bottom, it fits perfectly *. And check out the inside finish. I could get away with wearing this dress inside out. Thank you Tasia from Sewaholic for making such a lunch appropriate dress pattern**.

Curtsey to all the ladies

Pips xxx

the grey whizzer

PS. Oh my goodness, Panda Wine seriously… just… whizzed somewhere she was not meant to whizz. While I was writing this. Un.Freaking.Believable.

* I was once told by a modelling agency that I had a size 10 waist but UNMISTAKABLY size 12 hips, and I was all like, “Hey, thank you so much for letting me know! If it wasn’t for you and a GP who told me when I was 12 that I have child bearing hips (I kid you not! He also advised me when I was 14 that if I wanted to solve my lady issues I should have a baby. Just for the record when I did have babies at age 32 IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM!) I would be walking around thinking I just might be a perfect standardised dress size based on a minute selection of the female population that conform to the glossy mags idea of beauty and who looks really hungry. Lucky you let me know. I would have been delusional for the rest of my life. (end rant)

** I also ended up doing some runway shows for Melbourne Fashion week, some indie magazine spreads and was a poster girl for a couture bridal designer in Melbourne. Take that modelling agency!

Dress Pattern: Cambie by Sewaholic

Fabric: Liberty from fabric.com

Tights: Wolford

Shoes: Camper

Wine: Clyde Park Locale chardonay

matchy matchy!

I’m a little bit at a loss for words this week. Busy with life, the universe and everything… it’s been one challenge after another, but in the end I remain committed to the following, ever relevant  and always sage advice: “don’t panic”!

I haven’t made a shirt since year 10 at high school when I was the proud maker of a floral chambray number that became a short lived staple in my double denim wardrobe of the the early 90s. On reflection, there may have been a triple denim ensemble (comprising skirt, shirt, jacket and poodle hair) that took my school by surprise on casual dress day and leaves me scarred for life just knowing I did it.

love my bricks

Atoning for the triple denim is my floral liberty shirt using the Papercut Pattern, Meissa shirt.The pattern was a gift from Mama and Papa for christmas, and after purchasing several lengths of vintage fabric that were an itsy bitsy too small, I gave up and just cut into my Liberty. My love of Liberty is just as strong as my love of linen.

I love the finish of the collar and the button placement. Two by two buttons is a new favourite . It’s so cute. Next time I will cut the sleeves a little longer (those orangunana arms just keep going) and give a little more shape through the sides. I like my clothes a little more fitted, as waist definition is a better silhouette for me than the free flowing, instantly makes me look pregnant (not that there’s anything wrong with that)  style. And matchy match head band. Awesome!

the deets

I also loved the way the outfit came together, thank you restless night for keeping me awake at 2am and the need to catalogue potential outfits as a way to distract myself from the fact that I’m still awake. Cardi was made by Mama using the pattern Audrey In Unst, skirt is thrifted and the shirt is made by me, fitting in perfectly with my year of ethical fashion.

Next on the list is another dress. Old habits die hard…

Curtsy and good day.

Pips x