Tomorrow it all begins!!!

Last day of freedom, friends!!

Tomorrow we're off and the first star challenge is introduced - yay!!
Excited yet? I can't wait!

Sleep tight and wake up all ready to change the world tomorrow!

/Alexandra

Organic on the inside

This may be a tad too personal, but I'm gonna write about it anyway. Consider yourselves warned :-)

Since being pregnant and then nursing a baby for many months I haven't had my period for over 1,5 years. That was NICE! Those days are now over, however, and since I have never been a real friend of either pads (give me fungus) nor tampons (always leak for some reason) I had too look into what else is out there.

First I tried some cloth pads. They are seriously comfy and no itchy business going on. But - they don't stay in place whatsoever. Which is bad. I'll see if I can attach some non-slip something to the back to improve them, but in the mean time I've googled for the world!

...and found the menstrual cup! People (women) are raving about them!! Seriously, I have never heard/read a single bad word about them! This must be it. "Have your period, without the mess. You won't even know you have it..." is what I keep hearing. Gotta try it.

I ordered 2 "OrganiCups" and now they are prepped and ready to work their magic. I have to say I'm a little intimidated but I'll be a brave girl and give it a go! If it works out, this should be all I need for the next 10 years to tackle my period. You're welcome, environment!

/Alexandra

A little note on appearance

Today my baby and I took my new wool Noro hat for a walk. I pushed a pram along and one thing hit me. The second I put my hands on the pram handle i suddenly turn from potential hooligan to harmless, friendly, mother. Everyone I meet says 'hello' - EVERYONE. Compare this to when I walk without the pram (and the baby), even wearing the same outfit - NO ONE says anything.

So if you think for one second that people in general are not judging you from your appearance, well I'm not so sure...

Would you trust this person?!?! Devil or saint?
Tough call. Need to see where the hands are.

I saw another thing on our walk that made me a little sad. A small row boat stuck in the ice. Why didn't someone bother to take it out of the lake before winter? It's not like it's a trans-Atlantic ship they'd need to handle. I would love owning a little boat and this one clearly has no one that loves it. Poor little boat. Respect the boat.

/Alexandra

Wardrobe Architect: worksheet #1 - making style more personal

I'll try to keep up with Colette's Wardrobe Architect workshop, best effort,  in how to create a personal style and wardrobe. The first task is to go through your history, philosophy, culture etc to see what has really shaped your style to begin with.

I'll start with describing my history by answering the following:

How has your personal history informed the way you dress? When did your tastes crystalize? Have they changed over the years, and why?

My younger days, up to the 20-somethings, was all about sports. I was a speed skater girl and my wardrobe outside the ice oval was all about being comfy. I really didn't care all that much. I guess strong colour has always been my thing. And wild prints.

When I started university l slowly started to feel I should probably have a style of my own. I've been off and on between individualistic bohemian clothes to smart stylish casual. I guess I still belong somewhere in the middle of those :-)

Another aspect is that I've always "suffered" from looking young. Maybe a time will come when I find this a true asset, but so far it has been a real downside. I need to look my age to feel comfortable at work (and not get patted on the head...) and in my business outfits I try to do just that - look my age. I'm getting better at it, for sure, but I would like to find a balance where I can wear the same clothes everywhere. I don't like to change clothes two times a day if I can help it. 

This dude, Thomas Gustafson, is what got me into speed skating 

by winning 2 olympic gold medals in 1988

/Alexandra
#WardrobeArchitect

Sew for a change: Point Chart update!!

We're getting closer to the challenge kickoff. Only 10 days left now!!! I'm itching to get started!

We are thrilled that so many have shown interest in doing this with us, that's really awesome!
However, we have gotten LOTS of questions on the points for different things and we had to realise the chart both was lacking info in various places and wasn't balanced properly. We feel that sewing/knitting your own should save points compared to buying RTW, and the previous chart only met that demand in some places.

We have now done a massive rework and are proud to present the brand new Point Chart!

You can download it from the Sew for a change page. There you'll find all the info you need.

We really hope it feels more complete this time! Now, there will always be certain items that will make you wonder, but use your better judgement. For example; where would you place a bikini? I would say that is equal to a bra + knickers in category C (synthetics) = 6 p. What about a new aerobics outfit? That would be the same as a short sleeved top + tights in category C = 13p. You get the idea.

How are you preparing for the challenge? Going nuts shopping to have a huge stash before the end of the month? No, you wouldn't! (?)
I myself have printed the point chart and the scorecard and taped it to the inside of my closet door to easily keep track of things. And, no I haven't shopped anything I wouldn't have bought anyway. Good girl (patting myself on the back).

/Alexandra