all dressed up and...

Our family vacation in the woods was intended to be sandwiched between two (yes, two!) adult date nights. Both required clothes other than those I wear to the beach (what? huh? a bathing suit over my wrap around vintage skirt won't work for your black tie wedding? Hmph). It's a challenge I rose to with the help of (a visit to my girlfriend's closet and...) once again - Amy's Bend-the-Rules clutch. Is it possible to have a clutch for all seasons and all outfits? Perhaps that isn't necessary, but I appear to be headed that way anyway.

First up - the afternoon wedding clutch. I snuck into (can you 'sneak' on yourself? Hmn.) my to-be-saved-for-future-recovering-efforts stash of the yummy Joel Dewberry, and lined it with brown and cream polka dots, because polka dots are where it's at (says I, who knows nothing about where 'it's' really at). The clutch worked great - the wedding was lovely, reception fun, and much dancing ensued. (And the babes had a great time with Grammie and Grampie, staying up hours past bedtime, which what you're supposed to do when Mama and Papa aren't around.) Good times, on Date A.

And then, clutch #2 for Date B, with one of my favorite vintage fabric finds ever (I know, I say that a lot). Sadly, though, this clutch did not see it's proper due. Date B - our first overnight getaway sans kids in a ridiculously long time (in other words: six and a half years!), - was canceled. What are the chances that our usually-very-healthy family would all be so sick on the morning before our much anticipated (by us and our babes) solo overnight? Hmnn...I suspect a conspiracy.

This shot has nothing to do with anything, really, except I was actually holding the clutch and attempting a shot of it. My new camera is a little heavy for my classic arms-outstretched-self-portrait - as charming as those may be (ahem) - so this is what I get most of the time now - a total miss. But that wallpaper? That's what I want to show you. Isn't it fab? It's in my mother-in-law's house and I love it so (she is so going to laugh at me when she sees this photo here, Hi Judy!). I kind of want to wrap myself up in it. No, really if you could wrap up in wallpaper, I'd pick this one. Clearly, I need to get out more. I'm trying, but as you now know - date night is jinxed. It's a very good thing I love cozying up with those little ones so much. I really do.

Comments

[Meredith]

Love the clutches! Sorry the overnight was canceled...but at least you have a clutch ready for next time!

[heather]

beautiful photos, wallpaper, and lady... i love that you sneak into your own stash. who would tell on you? and who would they tell?
so glad the family is well again, nothing like being sick away from home-yuck.

[Hay]

Both clutches are beautiful, wonderful fabric choices, though I gotta say clutch 2 is my favourite. Wht a shame you didn't get to use it, I hope you are all feeling fine now.
That wallpaper is FAB!

[shari]

love the clutches and the fabric. beautiful. hope you get your 2nd date night soon. xox

[Fiona@Dragonfly-Crafts]

Lovely clutches. They would have so many uses. Note to self: Try these out of the book too.

[cloth.paper.string]

love that vintage fabric! hope date #2, take 2 happens soon. be well, sarah

[Emily]

I love the clutches... the second one is my fave! I am sorry to hear about the canceled date, I hope you get to take another one soon. Be well!

[Eren]

Date night gets cancelled here too, why does that seem to happen 50 percent of the time?!?! But you look lovely in your photos and love that bird fabric!

[leesa]

something always seems to go wrong when my husband and i try and plan date night as well. i'm both comforted and sad that this seems to be the case w/lots of mamas and dads! :)

hoping you get to reschedule soon! and the clutches are gorgeous. so much.

[colleen]

i love both clutches so much. what i love most is that you chose to wear the contrasting orange (directly opposite blue on color wheel -- see? i know!) with the blue polkas. i would have probably chosen the blue and white one and would have wondered why it didn't "pop." color choices are amazing and you scored an A+++. love those shoes with the other clutch -- i hope you get to fill them soon!

[Jen]

Seems as though you have a pretty dress on too! Love the clutches.

[heather wilson]

oh i will have to make a clutch today. yes, I think that is the perfect dreary day activity. (during naptime, naturally)

I was so excited to be browsing at borders and find THE LAST copy of Amy's book...

[Stefani]

Okay, the clutches are adorable (and the dress! and the shoes!), and the wallpaper is superfly, but YOU, love, are freaking ADORABLE. You crack me up. Now go and snug those babies, with your no date havin' self :-)

[Beth]

Oh, how beautiful! You know, for having had three kids you're rocking that polka dotted dress, lady!

The wallpaper reminds me of an old set of crisp sheets a grandmother would have had on her spare room bed. I love it.

[Melissa]

Love the vintage black and white clutch...I want one! Hope date night goes well the next time without a hitch.

[erin]

your clutches are both lovely - sorry you missed your overnight date!

[Mefuza]

Love both your cluth! And shoes! Good luck with planning another date night - hopefully soon.

[Emily]

I saw that exact print last weekend as a quilt-backing-width fabric at a fabric Marden's in Ellsworth! Which means that it might also be at our closest local fabric Marden's in Lewiston. (You can see that I've decided that Marden's which carry fabric need a special designation. Nothing is more tragic than going to Marden's expecting miles of inexpensive fabric and finding no fabric section, so I find that it's best to specify.)

[simply stork]

I never thought of making a clutch...(well du)...I always go purseless...
simply stork

[Catherine]

hello
So many lovely prints, they all go wonderfully together!

[Amy T.]

You are truly a good mama. We might as well embrace the changes children bring into our lives instead of resenting them for it. All the same, I hope you get your night away with your hubby soon.

[Mary Beth]

Great post. We have similar date night woes. It's just so hard to get out when you have little ones. Your fabric choices for the clutches are inspirational and I *love* those shoes.

[emily]

the clutches are fabulous! i really need to get that book!!

[Mrs. B.]

Those clutches are fabulous! I want one...almost as much as I want an occasion to need one! Date night...please?

[Lori]

great clutches Amanda!

Sorry your little ones arent feeling well...hope they recover soon and you can replan your getaway with your hubby.

your hair looks pretty in the wallpaper shot anyway. :o)

My mother in laws name is Judy also.

[mel boniface]

love the bags, love the shoes, love the wallpaper, LOVE everything!

cute stuff! I think for your third book you should write a how-to-sew book.

[robin]

Awwww... so sorry the Soulebabes are not feelin' well:( Yay for your good attitude about the little ones sniffles cancelling your date, though!! I hope you get that date in yet. And if you're gonna keep lookin' THAT hot, get ready for babe #4!!!! ;) <3

[robin]

And... the clutches are devine!!!!! <3

[Laura]

You look so pretty in these pictures! Cute little clutches, too. Hope you get a redo for your overnight, but enjoy snuggling with your little ones until you do.

[Veronica TM]

love both clutches and the wallpaper! sorry you {family} weren't feeling good and had to cancel your date.
{those shoes are beautiful and so very high heeled!}

[Helen]

the clutches are beautiful and so is your attitude to missing out on your first overnighter in how many years? From someone who's not even had a date 'hour' in 16months I am very impressed with your philosophical response to your babes unlucky sabotage. Hope they're all feeling better after some cuddling. I'm crossing my fingers for another outing for that gorgeous dress really soon!

[mk]

Love your outfits. Sorry Date no. 2 didn't work out. Hopefully, you can reschedule. You deserve it.

[Minik Patikler]

I really like your blog, everything you made is just so great and the black& white clutch is awesome.

Sorry for your date B & *family* health hope get better soon .

[Linda]

I am so sure that my grandmother had that wallpaper as a lining in her kitchen cupboards. Gorgeous! And good job with the clutches!

[Kristy]

Oh, the gorgeous fabric & gorgeous mama! And date night! We haven't had one of those yet, but are hoping for a date bike ride & supper out this weekend. Nothing wrong with folks taking a wee break.
Love those birds.

[Sarah]

You totally read my mind in that second picture. I saw the first and thought "gorgeous, must see the shoes".
::scroll down::
There are the shoes!

[corrie]

love the clutches and that wallpaper! looks like my MIL's house which was all brown and orange!!!! brown velvet furniture to match

[erin]

If my (future) married life works out half as beautiful as yours I'll be one happy woman. Still love your every post. Love the bags, love the dress x

[Adriana]

Loooooooove the clutches. Especially the second one. That is one of the nicest fabrics.

[Julie]

Love your dress and the two clutches that you made! Sorry to hear Date B didn't work out.... I can definitely relate and love your outlook!

[Kirsty]

I came across this link today, and I thought of you- it is an artisan fabric printing company in Britain:
http://www.st-judes.co.uk/
They have a print slightly along the lines of your vintage black and white fabric here:
http://www.st-judes.co.uk/dandelion.htm

I've not commented here before, but I've been reading since about the time your Lady A was born. I find your posts so inspiring- I'm glad that it is still possible to carve out the lifestyle you portray here, without a stock broker for a spouse!

[Christina]

LOVE the fabric of the second clutch! I have never seen that fabric before...It looks great with that classy little button and the shoes!! I hope it gets to see one of those dates you were talking about soon ;)
Hope everyone is feeling better quickly.
~Christina

[anna]

The glimpse of this dress on you looks gorgeous!

[Claire]

such gorgeous clutches - the bird fabric is my new favourite. I had just found it then saw your post right after!

[Sonya]

That dress! I purchased a sliver of very similar fabric and always marveled how pretty it was. I worked it into a doll quilt I made for the Doll Quilt Swap II. You can see it here:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/863082418_0d13f95912_b.jpg
It's a small (fabric) world.