A Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Major accomplishment for the day was opening my American Duchess parcel and trying my new shoesies on. (I didn't say it was an impressive accomplishment...) I bought the Nankeens and the black Stratfords last time she had a big sale, and put them on Easy Pay, so I'd basically completely forgotten about them when I got the shipping email. Yay shoes!

I ordered 7s in both, and they emailed and asked if I wanted to size up as the Stratfords ran small (yes, I did, thank you for noticing because clearly I didn't), and it transpires they sent a 7.5 in both styles. The Stratfords fit perfectly; the Nankeens are a smidge on the roomy side (unsurprisingly, as they aren't supposed to run big), but as they were clearanced out months ago and of course there aren't any left, I'd rather keep them as-is. They're quite adorable! And hey, I can wear thick stockings with them in the winter. ;)

But I loooooove the Stratfords! They're so smart! They make me want to do late 16thc - which I probably won't, but I think they're also reminiscent of some 1930s/40s shoes I've seen (well, vice-versa I guess!), which is really why I bought them, to wear with modern clothes. Massively tempted to acquire a red pair, I won't lie.

It's so awkward trying to take pictures of your own feet...

No sewing today! I went shoe shopping, and then I went out for an extended late lunch with a college friend.

I did wear my new gathered skirt and took pictures of it though! It is quite obnoxious. I didn't intend it to be worn with a green shirt (since the waistband's green, obvs), but the weather was a little chilly today and I've packed up most of my winter wardrobe so I didn't have much to choose from.

(Also, pretty sure I need a more serious petticoat. This ones alright but I like FLUFF. And that's one thing I flatly refuse to make! Well worth splurging for a nice one. This isn't actually a nice one. $25 or so?)

In other news, shoes! I hit up Payless today because I have holes in my work sneakers and they've needed replacing for a looong time (and because I'm a cheap bastard and my feet are happy with cheap shoes!). To console myself for having to spend more than I wanted on shoes for stupid Joann's, I consoled myself with spending the same amount on Fun Shoes. To wit:

The suede and patent heels also come in white and black on the website, and depending on how comfortable these are after a few wears, the black and white might need to come live with me too. I love a T-strap shoe...clearly. The Regency sandals were hiding all the way down on the bottom shelf in a corner, but I spotted them and got a little squeaky! Because obviously they're Regency sandals! And $19 Regency sandals, too. (The vamp's just a wee bit too low, as is common in 99% of modern flats, but they don't actually show any toe cleavage, so I'm pretty happy.) They only come in beige, which is nice and serviceable and far too boring for me, so I'll be painting them. Some color I can wear modernly too, because they are in fact very cute and seemingly comfortable little shoes. There are a few occasions in which my 3.5" pumps aren't appropriate...a very, very few occasions. xD

Well, I ended up spending most of the day outside, between walking a package to the post office, and messing about with plant-things. Might as well enjoy spring weather while it's here, right? I planted a coleus that's been in a pot inside for the past year and a half, and has reached a completely ridiculous size to have indoors. I don't care if it dies later (or sooner), I just feel wildly guilty about throwing out a houseplant that isn't totally dead!

Also spent some time dealing with the completely insane rosebush that decided it was going to sprout directly next to the front steps. I have no idea where it came from, and could have sworn it wasn't there last year...except that it must have been, to have gotten to this size. Had a very enjoyable time getting scratched while tying it back (if only my gardening gloves went to the shoulder...), and dug another extremely random rose sprout out of the lawn, so I could replant it in a place it's less likely to get, you know, lawn-mowed. (Where are these things coming from?! The rose fairy?)

I did paint the heel of my 1790s shoes - I was going to paint the heel in contrast and cover the shoe in fabric (and it seemed wiser to do it in that order)...but I may have decided to buy more textile paint and just paint the damn thing. So much easier! It's satin, so it looks fairly legit when painted. I'll have to do a white base first, as it's a very, uh, vigorous print that I need to cover...the black heel was fine with two coats but I don't think a lighter color will be.

Somebody please tell me that I'm not the only one who looks through their online costume blog rather than their actual costume closet when deciding what to wear for an event...

(For Jockey Hollow on Sunday. It's fairly far but the reenactments in North Jersey seem to be better attended than the Philly area ones. Indian King and Brunswick are Saturday.)

Had a very bad case of laziness combined with errands to run, so I have only not-quite-finished the lower sleeves for the Brunswick, and haven't touched the trim yet. Off tomorrow though, so we'll see if I can knuckle down and get it done.

And I finally spent my American Duchess gift certificat that I've had for over a year (I kind of want ALL the shoes, is my problem, and had a hard time deciding which would be most "practical".), and to that end, got the black wool Dunmores in the mail today. Very pleased, as always! I'll reserve final judgement til after I've worn them for a good part of this weekend, but both my Kensies and Renoirs are very comfy so I'd be surprised if these aren't.

Got my Renoir boots in the mail today, yay! They seem to be very comfortable - although I can't tell for certain because I can't button them without a buttonhook (they were sold out of them when I ordered, and I wasn't terribly excited about paying $20 for a buttonhook anyway. To ye olde Ebay!). Too stiff. But they're very comfy in the toes! Will dye them sometime in the next few days...maybe Sunday. Don't think I'm busy then.

And I did all the machine sewing on the bedgown, which is not that impressive since there are only four seams, and hand-finished the two short seams.