[glad game] I'm the girl/ who loves you/ inside and out/

backwards and forwards with my heart hangin' out/ I love/ no other way . . . .

* It is so nice feeling like I'm getting my life back under control.

* B.'s wedding is a coral colored memory.

* My sister has done her registry like a good pony.

* I know what I'm making for her wedding.

* I know what I'm wearing to said wedding (Joan dress ahoy!).

* I now have a schedule of freelance work with how many articles I need by what date to pay for whatever "unusual" things I have impending (dr appts, wedding stuff, days off, etc)

* I found a recipe for brioche for my bread machine for Sat. brunch for jowness

* I went to a really good farmer's market today with bosslady and made a list of good stuff they have (including a local cheese farm) and bought a pretty bouquet.

* Boo! Plans with F. didn't work out but she's sick as a dog and I still have bridesmaid burnout so it worked out anyway. But! We rescheduled and that gives me this weekend to write, clean my house, etc.

* I made an inventory list of things we need to open Trevia and my store.

* jowness took out my fabric bins for me to play in.

* Fiest did a cover of my fave beegee song!

* New MadMen! So good!

* Ordered candle making supplies

* Going out to dinner with James tonight :D

* It is so *awesome* doing major stuff for cons but not being in charge of it all.

* I have almost 200 readers for my kitchen witch blog, which is pretty bad ass since I've only been doing it for four months.

[xposted from steamfashion]The Oldest Profession: Steampunk and t

Rise up Maids and Cooks, Nurses and School-Mistresses, Prostitutes and Grocer-Wives! There shall be a Revolution of Flower-Sellers in our Lifetimes! - CMV

Working class steampunk has become a subject near and dear to my heart. I was of course inspired by Catherynne M. Valente's short piece, "Jane's Army" featured in Steampunk Tales Volume 1.

Because of the fantastical nature of steampunk, most people (myself included) gravitate to the more glamourous theoretical steam occupations. And why not? It's fantasy! We can be whoever we want! But as I get older and have more financial obligations than I once did when starting (oh house buying!), budget became more of a concern. Sure, I still have a couple of corsets. It's awesome that people are always quick to post about awesome sales so that we can snap up things at a good price, especially in this economy. I love that we're a diy culture, always modding everything from nerf guns to vests bought at Target.

But I'm not an amazing seamstress. Sure, enough to make a few basics (not including corsets), but nothing great. And with that in mind, frankly in my experience it's a lot more expensive to try to put together, say, a cortesean outfit a la Inara (Firefly) than an actual working girl who's trying to dodge Steampunk's answer to Jack the Ripper. I started thinking, what would a working girl wear in a Steampunk setting? What would a cook wear? What would make a "normal" occupation steamy?

It's been really interesting to contemplate that. I'm working on putting together a "working girl" outfit for Arisia (because, let's face it, horrifying your mother never really gets old) and I've been contemplating what that would look like. I'm a crafting pack rat so I figured trying to find stuff to make this outfit using as much stuff as I already have would help keep my (modest) budget in mind as well as giving things a little more of a rustic look.

I would imagine her bustle would be somewhat busted. And then I started thinking, omg, even though I know my concept and I'll likely yammer about it in panels, is anyone else going to get it? Are random congoers going to think, the ripped lace is clearly a deliberate choice or are they going to think I wonder if she knows her bustle lace is torn?

I'm trying to prevent b. So I'm here to plead for help! I have some ideas for this outfit which include:

* A Chatelaine (though I'm not quite sure what would be included on a working girl's chatelaine, ideas?)
* Gaiters with faux switchblade and mismatched buttons that would have come from a variety of clients (sailors, minor nobility, etc.)
* A tool belt that would have items to help her survive on the streets (I'm thinking sewing kit, small poison vial, business cards, (more practically for me as a modern congoer)not sure what else?)
* A somewhat distressed bustle
* Bloomers
* Fingerless gloves
* Basic black underbust corset
* Not sure what to do for a top? I'm v. top heavy!
* White faux fur capelet
* V. plain knitting needles in my hair (doubles as a weapon!)

Any other ideas? I'd love to hear them!