Monday Morning Inspiration/Not Your Grandmother's Tailored Jackets

Sometimes I feel as though my life is an I Love Lucy sitcom ;) 

So, here's what happened... 

I was home alone for the night, and feeling a little lonely, and it occurred to me that I could lock the door between my dressing room and my bedroom. The only entrance into my bedroom is through the dressing room. The lock that is on the door is a skeleton lock, after all the house was built in 1924. I had thought, "What a great idea! I will lock the door and sleep peacefully through the night." Not!!! I locked the door, and the lock jammed! I could not get the door open. I tried and tried, but no luck. I was trapped!!! I didn't sleep the rest of the night as I thinking about how I could get myself out. Finally, I remembered the attic window. Originally, this was the only way into the attic. Since we have had the house, we added a pull down staircase. 

I waited until the next morning, and devised a plan. At first I thought I could just climb up on my headboard as it is rather high, and attached to the wall. But, it was just a little too far for me to hoist myself up into the window. So, I decided to move my bed and then pull the armoire over. I then put a chair on top of the armoire. The problem then was to get myself up on the armoire. I then took another chair and put it on the bed. But, before I climbed up, I realized that the armoire wasn't as secure as it should be, so I moved my bedside table in back of the armoire to keep it from tilting over once I climbed up. Success!!! I was able to climb up and through the window. 

At this point, I'm thinking that the hard part was over. Well, no. Letting the staircase down was another problem that needed to be solved. I couldn't just let the stairs crash to the floor. I had some yarn in the attic, so I pulled off a long length and devised a pulley of sorts that allowed me to let the stairs down gently. Once the stairs were down, and I was on the other side, what a relief. There's more to the story, but enough for now. I took a picture to show my husband. He could not believe it. In the end, he was just grateful that I didn't fall and kill myself. Hey, we do what we need to do :)

I thought you might enjoy the picture of my stacked up furniture :) 

Last Saturday was the first meeting for the Haute Couture Club of Chicago after our summer hiatus. We had such a great meeting. Gregg Fishman of Fishman's Fabrics in Chicago was our guest speaker. He always brings a number of fabulous fabrics for us to purchase if we would like. I bought 2 pieces, a fabulous silk, and a lovely piece of autumn yellow wool. Years ago, I had a jacket made out of a piece of wool in this color and I literally wore it out. I wore it with everything, skirts, jeans, dresses. It was like the perfect piece. So, I was quite happy when I saw this piece in his pile of goodies. Now I am thinking of how I want to make this jacket. Since I'm looking for myself, I thought I would share some of what I found.

I really love this jacket. It's structured and yet soft, and I really like the elongated lapel. 

This jacket is so stunning. I love the pop of color. And I also like the asymmetrical aspect of the collar.

This is a fabulous idea for a plaid. It's structured, it's soft, it has a play on the plaid, and I love the fringed edging. 

This is a great design. The collar is a true lapel collar, but it radiates out of the princess line seam. I rather like the odd little pocket on the seam, too! 

Another play on structured and soft. The lapel that kinda becomes a ruffle, and then the tie belt. Such fun!

This is a basic tailored jacket with a little extra ease that is then pulled in with the side belts. Really pretty.

Rather than having buttons, a side belt. 

The next 2 jackets are all out WOW!!! 

Talk about catch your eye! The braided...I'm not sure what to call them...I think are fabulous!  

This jacket is so, so lovely. Such an amazing design. 

I am so very happy that structure jackets are coming back into vogue. I absolutely love being able to throw a jacket on with whatever I am wearing.

Have a fabulous week, and remember, there's usually a solution to just about any problem. ;)
 Rhonda