Roarin' 20's

My son's public elementary school's Mandarin Immersion Program has an annual fundraising gala. The theme this year was the Roaring 20's. Such a fun and accessible idea for everyone. We had a "Bootlegger's Pull", special themed drinks and lots of sparkly hair ornaments.

Mostly I want to show you my outfit for the evening. While I was excited about the gala as a fundraiser, I have to admit to being more excited about having an event to dress up in clothes from one of my favorite time periods.

Way back in college, I made this dress for opening night of a production of Cabaret. It still fit albeit a little tighter around the hips (I blame my son Ian for that). I had to make a small alteration on the lower fringe which I covered up with a floral applique. You can see it on the lower left side.

I borrowed a long strand of pearls and long black gloves. I had my own vintage and costume jewelry for the earrings, necklace and bracelets.

I had new pumps from last year that I never wore. I added black ribbon bows at the ankle for a more period look. Someone described them as "naughty".

Amazingly, while randomly out shopping for nothing, I found this cut velvet cocoon jacket on the sale rack at Anthropologie. Couldn't be more perfect.

I purchased this peacock feather fascinator for my hair from etsy shop, Axentz. I put it on a glittery elastic headband and added a rhinestone clip earring on the other side.

With advice from a hairdresser friend and Pintrist, I was able to cobble together some semblance of a flapper-esque hair-do.

And wallah....a roaring 20's version of myself...

Me with some of my beautiful friends.

It was a grand evening!

Knitting Needle Storage

Recently, my knitting needle storage went from this...

To this...

Each size has it's own bag. I sorted all the various straights, circulars and double points by size. The bags are contained on two giant separating rings. The two bundles do take up a little more space. BUT, I can actually see what I have now and easily search for what I need. I discovered that I had more of each size than I thought I had. Many never used. Not all of them very useful based on the type of projects I like to make. Then again now that I can find the right needles I might use them more.

I have to thank my friend Wendy for the idea.