My friends, we're ending the year on an unexpected success: I made a dress. A for real, wearable dress.

I've had "learning to sew" on my to-do list for years, due to a generous gift from a former coworker, but having no idea how to turn on, let alone thread a sewing machine, is a big hurdle. Especially because I know me - the show and tell of someone showing me how to use the machine was always going to be far superior than reading instructions or watching a video.

So, fast forward and I manage to convince my friend to venture into DC. And after a few false starts and learning to wind a bobbin and such, I decided to do that thing you never do: jump into a project way too advanced for you (god forbid I just like, make a pillow case or something). For years I'd been watching Annika Victoria on YouTube, and the way she explains things is just so damn logical. It makes almost every project seem manageable. So I took my theory from this video on copying a dress, and decided to make a version of an Urban Outfitters dress I bought over the summer. Because while I knew that the skirt layers might be moderately difficult, the bodice shape was simple and easily transferred to paper.

And then, impressing even myself, I was SUCH AN ADULT, and made the pattern, a full mock up, and then pre-washed AND IRONED the final fabric. That I so graciously received from my sorority sister when she was in the Democratic Republic of Congo. And nearing the finish line I also decided last minute to put in a side zipper (slightly shoddily by hand, we won't discuss the work I need to do on my back stitch). I'm too impatient to wait for the season it's intended for, so please excuse the slightly formal styling. My final plan is to wear this with sandals in a super casual way, but hey, at least it admirably performs double duty?

Also, no, before you ask there aren't any pockets in this dress but let's not ask for the moon and stars ok? Double layers of gathered skirt that I cut into to insert a zipper was as much as my heart could take. The original didn't have pockets either LMAO.

I'm not sure what to say about these pictures other than that I acknowledge them as being exceedingly extra, hahaha, but I love them anyway. Sometimes a well fitting pair of pants and heels are enough to dress up pretty much anything.

I had a very different post written here, to go up last week. But when the world pretty much turned upside down on Wednesday I wasn't sure if/when I even wanted to post again, because nothing feels normal - and it shouldn't. 

This year's presidential election wasn't just about different fiscal policies - it was a decision between someone campaigning on hate and someone campaigning on hope, and hate won. What is there even to say about that? Hate won, and people are even more afraid and in danger than they were before Tuesday - including those people who voted for that orange butt boil on humanity, even if they don't realize it yet.

I'm angry. I'm angry now and will be angry for the next 2-4 years as I desperately try to find a way to support the communities that are going to be marginalized even more. I don't feel like I have the tools yet, but I'm going to continue to work on getting them, and not being complacent in the face of discrimination. I don't always have the voice to tell people to fuck off when I get harassed, and haven't yet been in the situation where I'd need to speak up for someone else, but I'm going to find it, come hell or high water. 

Donald Trump is #NotMyPresident and never will be. While things on this blog might at some point get back to regularly scheduled programming, I am not apolitical. I have chosen a side and am #StillWithHer.

So before I did a season welcoming hair chop (no worries, nothing drastic) I took these outfit photos - and I have to admit they turned out better than I expected! I've only ever worn this sweater layered over buttons downs, because for some reason I had it in my head it would be too tight to wear on its own. It's a vaguely retro inspired look in the end, with the pencil skirt and leopard pumps, and I can't wait to wear this to work.

Spring has finally - thankfully - arrived in DC but I figured that before the snow was completely gone I could take a picture of a work outfit I've enjoyed off and on this season. I've slowly been transitioning to the skinny ankle baring work pant, but I found these pants on clearance at Nordstrom Rack and really liked them. They work perfectly with my comfy Nine West heels (with no hemming!) and look incredibly professional with no extra effort on my part.

Now this outfit was a case of happy accidents. I bought the sweater during Ann Taylor's 70% off sale sale, lol, and only when it arrived did I notice how perfectly it matched these burgundy jeans. Love when that happens!