Frilly Feelings

Clothes-wise, that is. I wore this outfit on the weekend of the Mr.'s birthday. I like to get a little more 'dressed up' on the weekends as a rule, just to add some variation to things - no real reason.  Plus, that is when the spouse is off work, so we could end up eating out at some fancy restaurant or strolling the streets of an upscale area........or, hiking a few miles on muddy trails, scrambling down bluffs to rocky beaches, cruising the stalls at a local craft festival......Living in the Bay Area affords an unlimited assortment of activities within just an hour or two's drive.  Beach, snow, internationally renowned cities, museums, ghost towns, gold rush towns, amusement parks, skiing, hiking, desert, marsh,'pick your own' farms, ferries.......with widely varying activities possible on the same day.  It presents me with some real challenges in deciding what to wear.

Well, what's the problem, you ask. Just dress for whatever activities you have planned for that day. Ah, there's that naughty word - 'planned'.  Some of us like to be spontaneous. Some free spirits feel that a person taking two or three minutes to grab a pair of walking shoes and a sweater (because you've told them you'd like to go to that oh so specific location: 'out') robs the day of that special feeling of freedom. Don't be so middle-aged and stodgy.  Just go with the flow, be adventurous and end up where the day takes you! Why be such a stick in the mud! 

(Why, indeed.  let's see....traffic, weather, whether the place you're going to is actually open or not, i don't see YOU walking seven miles in 3" heels, a map of your location may actually assist you in reaching said location, etc.)  Well.  Let it just be acknowledged that there are charms and arguments in both approaches.  And while opposites might be irritating, they definitely do attract.

So. Why not indulge a person on their birthday, instead of being a spoilsport. Take this look, throw on a jacket and hat, change shoes, and i'm up for a movie, museum, dinner out, hiking, or strolling around town. But as it turned out, we had a nice relaxing around the house day - which left us energized to fly further afield on the morrow.

These are really nice over the knee socks - warm, great pattern, stay up nice with great pleated ribbon detailing.  Technically it wasn't really cool enough to wear them yet, but i was just too impatient! I added the striped bows myself.  We got them at Dark Garden, a custom corsetry shop in San Francisco. We visited the shop last spring. It's in a fun neighborhood, the staff is very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful, and the floor is full of amazing corsets, petticoats, pantaloons, scarves, vests, garter belts, stockings, and jewelry.  I asked to use the restroom and as a result got a long look at their workshop in back.  !!! Envy !!!  Stop on by if you're in the area, and be sure to make a special trip if you're into corsets. Allow an hour or two if you want to try a corset on - it's a process. (That's part of the fun!)

Blouse: Target
Skirt: gift
Petticoat, Scarf (as belt): own design
Socks: Dark Garden
Shoes: Clark's Passion