What I've figured out at the grand old age of 32

Hello lovers,

How are we all? Where has time gone?  Can you believe it we are over halfway through the year now!  I do believe time goes quicker the longer I spend on this ole' planet.  On the subject of age I hit 32 a couple of weeks ago.  Not a landmark age I know but I can remember it seemed a long way a way at 16 and certainly a lot more mature than I ever thought I could be.

Well the news is 32 is cool and to be honest I feel as silly as I did at 16 but with a better sense of style - no seafood print culottes here!

Here's ten things I've garnered on my journey into the 33rd year of my days:

1. The higher the hair the closer to heaven - I measured my hair today and it's grown 4 inches since I made my decision to make the beehive my style goal.
2. No matter how old you are you can always meet fabulous people who get you - this one is for all the makers I've met online and in person in the last year and who inspire me daily.
3. Time does heal a heartbreak - but the addition of great friends, cake, midnight making, Kraut rock and Dolly Parton will make the whole sorry situation sweeter.
4. Being yourself is the essence of style - in my case that might mean rocking a purple lace playsuit one day and a skirt with sunshines appliqued on the bum another.
5. You're never too old to learn something new -  My latest learning curve being knitting.  It's early days but  it's already got my attention even if I haven't got the tension cracked.
6. It's alright to not have a plan -  My life has taken a bit of scenic route over the last few years but I can say I'm genuinely enjoying the journey and it's helped me work out the destination I'd like to head, which is behind a mic at BBC6 music if anyone there is reading this ;-)  My hero Jarvis Cocker is behind on me this one, "I don't like careerists. I like people who mess up."
7. In helping someone else you're helping yourself - recently I bombed down to Devon to assist my cousin Rowena's daughter with a wedding dress for her school project. She got the dress of her dreams and I got some great experience of fitting someone other than myself, which I can put to good use when I fit my fellow bridesmaids. 
8. Just because someone knows more doesn't always mean they know better - When I was at school I sewed my project to my skirt in sewing class.  My miserable old teacher told me I'd never be a homemaker and put me off stitching for nearly 16 years.  If only she could see me now *smiles down at handmade frock and pokes tongue out*.
9. Never underestimate the importance of sellotape - I've emergency hemmed with it before I went to see Pulp at Royal Albert Hall and stuck rogue bra straps out the way countless times.
10. The bottom line for a drinkable wine is £3.99 - you go any lower and it's only good for mulled wine making or window cleaning.

There you have it dears that's my pontifications for now.  Please feel free to let me know any of your own gems :)

So as not to make this post completely text heavy and despite the fact I'm without camera at the moment I've had a crack at animation.  Below is my latest make the Ripe Ones Are More Juicy dress.  It's made from fabric I took a chance on last time me and the merry band of seamstresses hit Walthamstow.  The pattern is Simplicity 1880 and is the dress that dear Kate Middleton wore to meet a whole heap of soldiers last year.  It's the subject of a sewalong by the fantastic Fashionable Stitch and I highly recommend it.

Her version was a very pretty shade of yellow where is mine a lurid shade of orange that matches Warburton Toastie loaf and Fanta but no matter I love her :)

Miss D has left the building.

I leave you with a pearl from a fellow Gemini who I adore.

“If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere.” 

                                                                                                                     ― Marilyn Monroe

Love Miss D

xxx