USA Trip: Part I

I'm in the USA! 

James and I are spending October in the US, thus far we've already done Chicago, New York City, and parts of Virginia and Maryland (where we are now). It's been incredible and crazy coming back to the states. Everything is so big and close together and cheap!

The dress I'm wearing, I made specifically for this this trip. I used a captain america fabric from spoonflower made by Solanah. It was my first time using spoonflower and I love it! I'm already planning to design some fabric of my own.  

After Maryland we go on to Tucson, AZ, where I grew up, and then to Disneyland for Halloween! These photos are all from Chicago where we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo (LOVED it!) and the Conservatory, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and just wandered around the city.

Coolart

I'm getting super excited about going to the US! 

Just 11 days! 

This week was my last week doing my second job (I was a nanny to my cousin). Which means, I've got all the free time in the world to put into travel prep! I still work at the op shop on weekends but I've only got two more shifts before we leave! 

As a bit of a treat that I'm not super exhausted and don't have to work all this week, I went with James to Coolart Wetlands and Homestead on the Peninsula. Not that this place looks much like your traditional Australian homestead. It looks more like Ripponlea.

 It's a lovely place to go to with beautiful gardens and the beach about a 10 minute walk from the house. James is sporting a hat I knitted from the Tiny Owl Knits book, Woodland Knits. 

Jeans: De Jour

Top: Big W

Cardigan: handmade by me

1940's Boots: Etsy

Doctor Who Scarf: ClearIT

Sunnies: Forever 21

Pattern for James's Hat

Kitty Make Up Bag

James and I are a little over 2 weeks away from heading off on a month long adventure around the USA! I'm getting super pumped! 

However, I've realised that since I've started wearing make up more often and applying it with proper brushes and such, the little make up bag I had before wasn't going to cut it for this trip. I wanted all of my cosmetics together in a nice little bag I could easily grab. 

So, I decided to make one! 

I looked at my stash and chose pink and stripes because that's a lot of my choices right now...

I searched Pinterest for some DIY's and found this one. I highly recommend it! It was super easy to follow and put together. 

I did a bit more finishing off than in the instructions, such as pressing seams and stitching down the little holes left around the zipper ends. Oh and the cat ears!

Since this was so easy, I think I might make a matching toiletries bag and maybe even put a face on the bag...

Impulse Buys and Hand Knits

After seeing Solanah's pictures on instagram (and then her beautiful post Modern Rococo), I made a late night impulse buy. I couldn't get that dress out of my head. It was stripy, super full, and looked fabulous. So, after reading her blog post that night I went straight to google and found the peach version of the dress on ebay. I instantly bought it. I half looked at the size in a rush of excitement and went "yup, close enough!" and purchased it. I then panicked over weather I had made a huge mistake and frequented the post on Vixen Vintage to convince myself it would all be fine.

When it arrived, I tore it out of the package and it was one of the most amazing dresses I put on. I completely forgot how cold it was (it was the middle of winter here) and just fell in love. After resisting wearing it (because it is very clearly a summer dress) I caved this past Sunday. I was in a fairy princess mood and this peach stripy dress was perfect to get that feel without feeling over-the-top (I did the over-the-top on Friday).

Also, I made another cardigan! I haven't shared it here mostly because I kept forgetting to take photos. Which is funny because I wear this thing ALL the time. It is so warm and the perfect length. Not to mention mustard goes with so much of my wardrobe. 

Marc Jacobs Dress: Ebay 

1940's Boots: Etsy

White top: Cotton On

Mustard Cardigan: Made by Me  from this pattern

Ripponlea Estate and a New Camera

Last Sunday, I went with my parents to my favourite Victoria National Trust house, Ripponlea Estate. For those who have seen some Aussie TV, including the fabulous Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries, you may recognise the house. It's right next door to the ABC studios and thus is a fabulous historic location for them to shoot!

Currently, it has an exhibition going on called Love, Desire, & Riches, which looks at wedding attire and accessories over about a 200 year period in both history and the media.  It includes dresses worn by Gwennith Paltrow (in Emma), Helena Bonham-Carter (in The Twelfth Night), and dresses from Australian designers as well as international ones such as Versace.

While the exhibition was wonderfully laid out and very interesting, I have to be honest my attention was on my brad new camera (a Canon EOS 600D with the 2 kit lenses)! I had purchased it that morning and going to Ripponlea was a bit of a treat to be able to take it for a spin. I also like going to the exhibitions at Ripponlea, regardless of what they are, because it gives you the chance to wander through the house at your own pace. Normally, you have to pay for tours to go through the house but I always find that a bit constricting; although, you do get more information that way.

It's a fabulous place to visit and though not photographed much in this post (my camera ran out of battery half way through), the grounds are beautiful and extensive as well. It's one of those beautifully preserved historic bubbles in the middle of a city.

Outfit details:

Wool Faux Fur Trimmed Dress: Op Shop 

Angora Blend Stockings: Princess Highway

Boots: Witner

Hat: Lot of Vintage Hats from Ebay