Dawn Brocco's Life & Design Blog

Got the cloche finished last night and washed all the samples made so far. Am trying to get the housework done before hubby gets back from his surgery, then I can work on designs and patterns and tend to him.

Tried on some stretch cords I bought a couple years ago, that have been feeling snug for awhile and they fit much better now. I lost a lb or so recently, not a huge amount, I know. I'd really like to lose 4 or 5 lbs more, but at least I can wear these pants and get some use out of them. I don't have a large wardrobe, by any stretch of the imagination, so to have 2 pairs of pants be unwearable makes a large dent in my clothing options. Cords *would* ordinarily be unwearable by the end of June, but it's cool enough in the house that they are quite comfortable to wear.

I'd love to find affordable wool slacks that aren't lined. Seems that whenever I do see wool slacks, they're always lined. Not only does that feel cold against the skin, but woven linings *do not* stretch or move with the body. Just simple, flat front, side zip, slightly wide-leg, or at least straight leg, wool slacks - doesn't sound like a lot to ask!

But then our shopping options here are limited to say the least - Penny's, Sears, Filene's, and the Gap, H&M and the other usual small shops in the mall. I usually can find shoes in Filene's to fit my flat feet comfortably enough at a decent price, and they have a better selection of underthings than the other stores, but I went through the entire mall twice, recently, and found only one shop that had pants that fit my shape.

Tops are easy - can get them anywhere. But jeans, slacks and skirts are pure torture to find! And I haven't seen a dress in ages that I like. I don't like this asymmetrical hem bit! The only other mall that has many more shops is about an hour away. Too far for our limited free time, as shopping, well, not shopping, but *trying on* everything takes forever! Especially when some places only let you take 5 or 6 things in at a time. Geez - I'd like to fill up a rack and get everything tried on, without having to redress all the time and go get more things to try. And some of the dressing rooms are so small, you can overheat in 2 minutes. Now, *that* takes the fun out of shopping very quickly!