Twilight Skirt

I've noticed that customer service in retail stores has really improved lately. I think they felt the pressure of my boycott and are happy to welcome me back. A few years ago it seemed like the clerk/customer relationship was based on mutual resentment, or at least apathy. The helpfulness has returned and even a sense of playfulness. Yesterday I was browsing at Sephora and ended up with an impromptu makeover. I dove all the way in, spending almost $100 and walking away with my first set of Bare Minerals makeup. I think I was lonely. The makeup artist was very take-charge. I like to be told what to do, even though I worked a makeup counter once. He asked me who does my eyebrows. I told him, I do. He said, great job. It's nice to be appreciated.

Cabled Hat

Don't get distracted by my face. What you're looking at here is the wool hat that I knit from the fall 2008 issue of Vogue Knitting. These are my first cables. The pattern calls for bulky yarn, but I double stranded with worsted weight. It's very warm, but it barely covers my ears. I wish ear flaps didn't look so stupid, because they really do the job. I also wish people would just give in and start wearing ski/snow pants during the winter. Not just when they're skiing, but for walking to work. It would work better than those long down coats, and could definitely look cool if some effort were made by the designers. Come on, people.

Goodwill Jacket (Simplicity 2858)

I just filled two paper grocery bags full of clothes for the Goodwill - most of them handmade. This jacket is in one of the bags. I did wear it once, and the experience only confirmed my disappointment. I made a few alterations to the pattern. My sleeves are full length (I hate this trend of 3/4 length jacket sleeves) with cuffs, a zipper substitutes the buttons, and there's a pleat in the back to add shape to the waist. It's fully lined. I spent a couple full days working on it.
Before this jacket, I got about halfway through a corduroy Simplicity trench coat. It had a goth/pimp/western vibe, so I abandoned it. I haven't lost my determination or curiosity about jackets, despite my 0 in 6 stats. Seventh one's a charm?