New Years resolution

I accomplished my unpleasant chores yesterday and I am proud of myself. Nice to have the reminder that I have the power to overcome some of the struggles I've got going on now.

In this vein, I've decided on a New Years resolution. I'm going to try to be more at peace. For reasons I don't feel like discussing my life has become something of a mess these days, and I have been less able to cope with travails than I've ever been in my life. I have been grouchier, moodier, and more inclined to discontent. I really don't like this state of affairs. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of the tough stuff in my life I have the ability to change right now, so the best I can do is try not to let it get me as down as it has. So my resolution is, simply put, try to be less of a grouch.

I shall take strength from the fact that I know my life is a mess these days, but I am handling it fairly well. I hope I can use this to improve my ability to remain even-keeled and not let things so easily upset me.  

Costuming ingenuity

I am quite pleased with myself.

Tonight I decided to give a little preliminary thought to my costume for Redemption. I was getting quite discouraged, going through all my clothes and various costume pieces trying to figure out what  had that I could possibly wear as an Old West saloon girl and coming up with nothing. The only possibilty that seemed even vaguely close was this dress I thrifted a while back that is black lace overlaid on pale yellow. It's not really something I'd ever wear normally, and I keep being this close to throwing it away except for its potential to be useful as a costume. Still, even this isn't really right. So I started browsing the Internet looking for a more setting-appropriate saloon girl outfit for cheap.

I found a couple of neat, nice-looking options, but they were still just a little bit more money than I wanted to spend. I considered forking over the money, but then took a closer look and actually took note of the elements that went into the costumes-- bodices, gathered skirts, off-the-shoulder blouses. Huh. So I went back to my closet and tried to see what could simulate the same look. I put on the yellow dress with the lace overlay. Then I undid all the buttons on a gauzy ruffled black blouse and put it on over it. Lastly I pulled my black Victoria's Secret bodice (maybe bustier is a better word) on top of it all, and arranged the blouse so that it fell off my shoulders. Combined with my Victorian necklace, matching earrings, and my hair up, I had assembled a reasonable facsimile of the expensive ensembles I saw on the Internet, all out of stuff in my closet.

It's not a perfect look; there's too much black, but I'm not sure how to include any more color. I still could probably use a crinoline under the skirt, a pair of fishnet stockings, and maybe a lacy garter. And I still haven't decided what shoes I should wear, though I have several possibilities. I could probably go to the game as I am now and look great for the part, though I wouldn't mind buying those couple of other little accessories. I'm just really proud of myself for, instead of blowing money on an outfit I'd never wear again, putting together a solid basic costume without spending a dime on it.