It's So Easy ... Sometimes

Wonderful, drenching rain means tea, crusty old movies, hot scones and sewing.
Thankfully we've had plenty of it all here so I'm feeling rather smug and happy.
And bloated.

This is one of the three-skirt bargains I picked up from the Red Cross op-shop last week where I bought three skirts for $10.
The waistband on this one was too small so I unpicked it, added some fabric to the waistband, re-did the gathering to fit my waist, then sewed it back on.
The next day I got a blood-bomb and my waist shrunk a couple of inches. 
WTF is that about?
So I unpicked the sodding thing, re-made the waistband, re-gathered the skirt and sewed the fucker back together.
This skirt is lucky I love it, despite it reminding me of the 80s when I didn't have a pre-menstrual waistline like saggy elastic.

These two don't have to worry about such news-dominating issues.

1970s Coffey movie t-shirt - Creative Markets
1950s tapestry handbag - gift from my beautiful sister, Merilyn

Fishnet t-shirt - online sale

Skirt - Red Cross

Shoes - vintage market

Jewellery - Camberwell Market and op shops

Tights - both from Sock Dreams

Getting as much wear out of this wee dear until my waistline explodes again.

Some skirts are kinder than others and there's really nothing more comfortable than a Franken-Skirt.

It's a t-shirt in a skirt and if you need to rustle one up in a flash, here's how:

Grab a guy's t-shirt (bloke's t-shirts are WAY cooler than chick's ones).

Cut the sleeves off.

Slice the top off.

Sew up what's left of the armholes.

Grab some stretch fabric and cut a rectangle that will fit around your waist and stretch over your hips.

Sew the ends together to make a circle.

Fold the circle in two, wrong sides together.

Zig-zag the waistband to the top of the t-shirt, stretching the band to fit the skirt.

Put the skirt on.

Do a dance.

Here's some music.

Sequin top, Marvel t-shirt - op shops

Gold lion necklace - gift from lovely Miss Ada

Boots - second hand from local boot maker

Leggings - Black Milk

You're welcome.

Love Desiree xox

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday.

Hide the Lube!

I didn't think of it until The Stylist and I arrived at the meeting point for our date with Will and Kate yesterday afternoon.

I should have made the Duchess a rose headband fit for a future queen!
I'm sure she would have popped it on immediately and finished her pit stop Brisbane visit in real proper style like.
My wee lassie and I were the only ones in our family up for a long, hot wait to grab a glimpse of the royal heads.
It seems there's nothing like a celeb-royal visit to release our local loonies and precious bogans (white trash) onto the streets for wonderful slinging matches over barricade space and anything closely resembling a legalised scrum.
It's an experience neither of us will forget.

 Killing time on the train.

We traveled to Southbank and found an excellent shady spot with a view of the Wheel of Brisbane, suitable for a very long wait.

 I found a good spot for The Stylist and she waited patiently, slathered with 50+ sunblock - Mama's orders.

 We got a good, close look at Kate and she even shook The Stylist's hand, which naturally, will not be washed for a couple of weeks.
Kate is very beautiful in real life.
As for her old man Will, he was too far away, but I expect it was for the best as the natives were revolting.

After all the fuss died down, we had a swim at the artificial beach, I finally had my first cuppa and bite to eat and we enjoyed a stroll through the night markets.

Headband - DIY

Earrings, tooth necklace, yellow African necklace, 1950s handbag, gold skirt - op shops
Frida necklace - gift from dear Tamera

Klimt swimsuit - Black Milk

Neon creepers - Dolls Kill sale

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last post, luckily Kate read it and told me she and Will would be delighted to pop over for a BBQ and bring themselves a couple of cardboard casks of plonk.

I'd better get tidying up pronto, my bedside table is a disgrace!

Love D xo 

The Purple-Rinse Set

I gave you a sneak peak of my purple-rinse in the last post shortly after The Stylist cut and coloured my hair.
Yes, I let my 11-year-old daughter do my hair.
I think she does a lovely job and it's a great confidence booster for her to be given carte blanche with my mop.
I hope it's a fun way for her to learn some small aspects of responsibility - especially with the rather serious task of ladies' hairstyling.
I've given up on hairdressers.
In the past 15 years, my favourites have either become so successful they can charge prices I refuse to pay, or they've gone completely insane.
Must be the chemicals.
I'm not precious, so I've been cutting my own hair for the past four years and I couldn't be happier.
I'd rather spend the money I've saved on a yummy treat for the kids or something nice for  The Phoenix.

Notice I didn't mention buying something for me?
No, I'm not being a martyr, I'm just trying to get my wardrobe under control, which means this year's long, hard look at my collection has become an extended project.
I'm focussing on finding new ways to wear things I've owned for a long time, being realistic about what I feel good in, cherishing the things I love, trying out things I haven't worn for a long time to see if I still like them and most of all, finding new ways to wear old shite.
If I can't wear it anymore, it goes.

Did I mention I broke the car?  Long story, not going there, so it's the bus for now to run daily chores.
Today #3 Son, The Stylist and I caught the bus to town and public transport means comfortable clothes are a priority for me.
But I'm not about to surrender my personality for comfort.
I never know what my beady eyes will spy at the op shops and I want to be prepared to lug a chair home on the bus if I simply must have it.
Today it was a Frida Kahlo lamp and a hand-painted cushion in addition to sundry op shop bargains.

No driver would dare refuse Frida entry.

Dashiki tunic, earrings, 1950s handbag - op shops

Sequin belt - gift from lovely Claire

Leggings - Black Milk

Shoes - Dolls Kill sale

Day of the Dead necklace - craft market

Sunnies - Etsy

Peace man.
D x

Rumble in the Jungle

With the promise of a blindingly hot day, did I strip down to cut-offs and a tank top?
No, I figured I could stay cool in silk and decided on my interpretation of a modest lady in Zaire, circa 1974.
You know, do some market shopping before the Ali versus Foreman match, then on to bump and grind to James Brown at the Zaire Music Festival - "this man will make your liver quiver".

 Number Three Son took the first three shots before school this morning.

Then off for a bit of op-shopping where I found this gorgeous saint bracelet.
The saints have disappeared from my black bracelet, probably because they frown upon my disgraceful get-ups.
I wonder how long Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II will hang around this time.

 I also picked up the green velvet bangle for a buck.
Oh yes, that most certainly IS silver nail polish - I bought the last bottle ($3.50) coz all the local bitches snapped them up super-quick.

 Yes there's a lot going on here with my African and Indian jewellery mash-up.
Among several compliments from strangers who wanted to touch everything, a very elderly woman in bright colours turned to me and said "I think it's wonderful to just dress for yourself".
Dear of her.

 The silk dress, scarf, bag, brolly and jewellery were all thrifted, while the VW Melissa wings were on sale at Amazon.
Now I'm ready - we're gonna have a funky good time!

 Something tells me modesty is getting short-shrift.

Yep, it's all gone to pot now.

There's just way too much music rattling around my brain for my skirts to stay still.
The saints are just gonna have to wait.

Yep, fling ya skirts up girlies and let the sun shine in.
Do if for Ali!  Do it for James!
Do it for me!

A big thank for Sacramento of Mis Papelicos for choosing me as her November feature bloggett.

She's recovering from knee surgery so pop over and wish her well:)

Desiree xo