Post-Market Pictures (Teaser)

I know I promised a whole bunch of pictures from the Medieval Market, and I promise I do have a whole bunch. I just haven't sorted them out yet. So until I get a chance to do so and set up a post for them, here are a few to keep you company:

 Being an equestrian event as well as a market, there was a horse and rider fancy dress. I'm not sure who won, but this horse; a Fresian, stole my vote. It's such a beautiful breed, and Bismarck is the epitome of what makes Fresians so stunningly beautiful.

 Myself, Dragonfly and Magpie. My dress was altered by Dragonfly, and though this picture was taken in the morning before the final alterations could be made (namely the fact that unlike most Elizabethan ladies, I was baring an unseemly amount of shoulder as the sleeves kept falling off); when we got to Gecko, tailoring magic was worked and it sat properly. Dragonfly also made Magpie's dress. Since Magpie resides in Durban and was fortunately in Potch for some practical exams, we were able to fetch her for the weekend and she could spend some time with Dragonfly and attend the market. Her dress was made without being fitted until the day before the market, so needless to say it was a huge relief for all three of us that it fit and looked amazing. I thought I wanted a dress like it, until I had to figure out how to place the eyelets in the bodice of another outfit and I realised how much work was involved in getting those stupid little holes punched in place. Have I mentioned that I hate eyelets? I never, ever, want a dress that requires that much effort to make HOLES in. Ever.
Needless to say, I think Dragonfly did an amazing job, and am so grateful to her for putting in the work that made the Market so enjoyable for us.

While at the market, a couple walked past our stall with their Daschund princesses in their arms. This was the youngest princess and I kidnapped her for a few minutes to get a photo with her while her mommy watched anxiously to make sure her crown stayed on. I think the excitement of the day got to her though, because as soon as I had her in my arms, she dozed off, using my hand as a pillow.

Another animal who attended the market with his mom, was a bearded dragon. Unfortunately I didn't think to get a picture with him, but he was equally at home in the medieval atmosphere.

By the by; if ever you decide to attend a similar event, and your costume calls for a corset and bumroll (I have no clue if that's the correct term or not, but it literally is a roll of padded material that is tied just over the bum, and worn under the skirts in order to puff them up a bit); take my advice. Take a few sheets with you, and a few friends, and then use the friends to hold up the sheets and create a changing room so that you can dress at the venue. Our original plan had been to dress there, but for some reason we changed our minds; which is a good thing since when we got there we found out that the only toilet facilities were Port-a-Potties. What wasn't a good thing, was the fact that in sitting down to drive, my bumroll decided to get overly friendly with my corset, and my corset, in trying to get away, tried to amputate my arms from beneath my armpits. I imagine that I was more of a danger on the roads that day, than many a drunk driver has ever been. However, we got there safely, and I learnt a valuable lesson in why cars were not invented until women had stopped wearing corsets and bumrolls.

More pictures will follow soon.

Let's Play Dress Up

Friday is casual day here and in support of people with disabilities, our company has purchased the stickers and is hosting a dress up day. We've been encouraged to dress as pirates, captains, sailors, etc etc. I have no clue what a sailor wears, but apparently bandannas are involved, because our department each got one and we're to wear it as a sailor would. This should be interesting.

The event I'm most excited about though, is happening on Sunday. The Neigh-Bours Magical Medieval Market. Golden Gecko has booked to run a stall on the day, and Dragonfly, being her totally awesome self, has made me a proper Elizabethan corset which will be worn under an absolutely amazing dress. Which she is also altering so it fits me without looking slightly ridiculous.

To say I'm excited is an understatement. I have never been to a Faire like this, having always been busy or unable to get there when there was one. I have been charging my camera batteries for the last few days, making sure they have enough juice to take tons of photos, and making sure all my memory cards have plenty of space. Expect a picture overload sometime next week. :)

We had our first Spring thunderstorm last night which left the world feeling fresh and clean again after all the dust kicked up by a dry winter. Since I've been hoping for cooler weather on Sunday (the fashion of medieval times was clearly designed for English weather and not South African), I'm begging Mother Nature to let the cool air stick around long enough that it's cool on Sunday but not rainy. Fingers crossed she hears my plea.

By the by, women have a tendency to say that bras were designed by men, since they really aren't all that comfortable, especially for those of us who tend to need support more than, well, cleavage. After having fitted my corset; which is impossible to get into by yourself due to the fact that the boning makes it pretty much inflexible; I have concluded that women designed them. Because: 1 - It is impossible to get into by yourself. Which means that you HAVE to have one or more other women around you to help you which in turn requires parties and sleepovers. 2 - Once on, it is nearly impossible to lace up properly by yourself. Which requires one or more other women to help, which leads to laughing and giggling as you try to breathe out enough air to lace it up, while still leaving enough in your lungs so you don't pass out. 3 - It hugs your figure, hides all the lumps and bumps and does a much better job than those ridiculous elasticated outfits that take hours to squeeze into and then nothing happens anyway because, hello! Elastic STRETCHES. And 4 - Once it's on and you've figured out how to breathe without ripping a seam, it's actually really comfortable. It supports without those nasty underwires digging in everywhere, you can pretty much twist and turn in any way you want and there's no fear of it slipping or a strap getting twisted or bursting out of it. And bonus! It corrects the terrible couch potato postures modern people have developed since the only place you can bend from, is the waist.

Now, if I could just figure out a way to get into it on my own, and lace it up in under five minutes, I would totally replace my bras with corsets. No, really.

Happy Rest Day

Today is three years since you left this world. It’s not a bad memory, that night is still a bit of a blur in my mind. We used to talk about your death and I used to tell you that you couldn’t leave because I wouldn’t be able to cope without you. You’d be serious for a while and ask me to promise not to hold you here, because it wouldn’t be fair on either of us.

Well; three years ago today, I sat next to your body on the bed and I told you that even though I was seriously, seriously, angry with you for leaving so unexpectedly, I would keep my promise and let you go. I said goodbye through salty tears and sent you away with all my love.

And then I learnt to cope with only memories of you to keep me company.

You were not perfect and you never pretended to be. You taught me that love is not about ignoring the imperfections in others, but loving them more because of them. You were at all times; my best friend, my sister, my mother. You gave me the freedom to be myself, but I always knew that I had you as a safety net. You frustrated me beyond measure, shoved me gently out of the nest and taught me to fly, and I will always love you and miss your physical presence.

I am eternally grateful that right until your passing you remained yourself; quiet, dignified, beautiful and always loving. Even though I miss you, it doesn’t hurt and I am not sad. You got what you wished for so much. Rest.

I love you, Mom.