I Love Lucy Too!

I had previously made this pattern in View A but without the frilly collar. I had to drive to Southern California for the weekend to deliver a dress and do a fitting (which will be next week’s post) for my cousin Elizabeth. I knew I was going to be stopping in at my favorite cosmetics store, Besame, while I was in the area. What would be better to wear than a “I Love Lucy” dress.

I love Lucille Ball so much. She was beautiful and a fashion icon. Not only that though, it seems like she was never afraid to stand out and be her silly self. I love authentic people so much!

Besame did release a collection of Lucille Ball make up, and I do love to theme, so the Lucy dress was going to make it’s Southern California debut!

Here’s a picture of Mia wearing the first version of this dress that I had originally made in 2014. I made this version with some vintage Barbie themed fabric. I still have this dress, it might make a future appearance here sometime, you just never know!

Mia got in trouble for wearing this dress to school. It violated the dress code. Can you guess why? Scroll and take a good look at it. Out of guesses? It was because it did not have sleeves or a sleeve caps. I had to take her a sweater so she could cover her shoulders. Ridiculous! 2014 and heaven forbid she shows her shoulders. We’ve come a long way, baby, and yet still have so far to go.

*Side note, my mind is full of commercial jingles and slogans from my childhood. The ad campaigns back in the day did a great job! HA! So yes, “You’ve come a long way, baby” is from the Virginia Slim cigarette ads.

But I cannot lie to you loyal readers. I also made the “I Love Lucy” dress in 2014. Between all of the sewing I did for Sydney’s wedding (see previous posts), Christmas, and the enormous project that will be featured in next weeks post, I had no time to sew something new.

I decided to take the opportunity to feature something that I have made, and show it out and about. This is why I use the tag, “Clothes In The Wild” sometimes. I want to show that myself and others really do wear the things I make out and about.

In my day to day life, I don’t get the opportunity to dress the way I would really like to. To me, clothes have always been an expression of myself. I work at an elementary school, and have been doing a lot of art projects with paint and glitter lately. I also do yard duty during recess, which means I am on my feet for the majority of my work day. Cute shoes don’t work on a playground or a classroom filled with paint and glitter. Neither do cute clothes.

Doing this blog has made me think a lot about clothing, how it’s made, and why people wear what they do. Out of necessity for work, is the obvious answer for most, followed by comfort. But I would challenge all of you to take a minute and think about why you wear what you do. I would love for you to post in the comments any answers to this that you would like to share. Also, is there anyway that you would like to dress but don’t for some reason? And what are those reasons? I’m just curious about clothing and its relationship with individual people. Yes, I weirdly overthink fashion and have a brain full of commercial jingles.

For me, my favorite things to wear are the things that I have made, of course. I know they are going to fit properly, be the right color, and perfect style that I like. Sewing for the win!

Here I am out and about in a Southern California Joann Fabric Store. Overdressed for the occasion. I think not! I feel like getting dressed is something that people just don’t do anymore, and that makes me kind of sad. We as a society have definitely lost a sophistication that we used to have. Go into any store and look around, you’ll see what I mean.

I know, maybe it’s easier for me because I can sew and make anything, in any style or color, that I want. But clever shoppers could find some good things too. This red jacket that I am wearing is vintage. I bought it in my local second hand store for 50 cents! I fixed the hem that had come undone, and changed the old broken buttons that were originally on it.

I got lots of looks being “dressed up” in a fabric store, and who knows what a look means (and also who cares). I also got even more compliments on my dress.

Everyone loves Lucy too!

After fabric shopping and lunch we were off to Burbank, California to my favorite cosmetics store in the world, Besame!

Yes, the door handle is a giant lip stick! I was wearing my Lucy “What A Peach” lipstick that Besame released as part of their Lucy collection, but you can’t see it with my mask on. I know it’s there though, and that’s all that matters. Wear clothes and make up to make youself happy, not others!

*Side note; I had leftover fabric in my stash still since 2014, which I made the matching mask out of. I’m a fabric hoarder with a mind full of 70’s and 80’s garbage. I’m not a psychic! HA HA!

Buying up the store like a lunatic! I did a little Christmas shopping, but mostly bought a bunch of stuff for myself. I mean, I have this blog, and need an assortment of vintage make up choices, right?

I was not alone in my shopping, I had my partner in crime with me, my sister Michelle. She is wearing a jacket that Grandma made. When I found it in Grandma’s closet the liner needed to be mended. I got it all fixed for my sister, and now it has new life. Michelle is also carrying one of Grandma’s old clutches.

Grandma was definitely a trend setter, and maybe a bit of a rebel. I see where we get it! 🙂

*Photo credit to the incredibly helpful and friendly staff at Besame! I told them about my blog, maybe they’re reading this. “Hello Friends!” if you are!

We had a great weekend! You’ll see more of what I was up to next week.

Guess the little sewing life lesson of this post are;

~Stand out and be your true, funny, scene stealing self like Lucy.

~Never be afraid to show your shoulders.

~Wear what makes you happy!

~Be a rebel and a trendsetter like your Grandma!

As for me, onto the next!