I like frocks (or why I haven't posted in a while)

I was in an earthquake in Bali in October this year.

Of course it happened when it was my day on holiday to relax by myself whilst Mr Silly Gilly took the young one off on a day of adventure at a Safari Park. I don't do zoos or animal sanctuarys. When I do visit them, I just want to let all the animals out of their enclosures, hug them and tell them to run for their lives. But that's another post.

So there I was, having just finished watching a movie, trying to decide whether to have a massage or go for a swim. Big decision time. I was standing in the doorway of our room when the ground surged like a gentle wave. Up, then down. Nothing else but gee willakers, I knew that it had been an earthquake. I was mildly impressed that I had lived through an earthquake. Wait till I told my friends back home! Then 30 seconds later, all hell broke loose and the ground, buildings, trees, everything shook like a kid shaking a snow globe. It was the most frightening moment of my life, and like a mature adult I ran screaming into the most clear area I could find.

For the rest of the day I had the fortune of experiencing numerous aftershocks. I was terrified and didn't go back inside for hours. Mr Silly Gilly and the young one came back late in the day, safe and sound, luckily having experienced a much less drastic version of the quake. That night I could barely sleep and was constantly ready to bolt for my life.

But the quake did something. It shook me up. (Had to include that pun there.)

It made me absolutely terrified for my life. Then a few days later it made me focus on my life. It was a life changing moment. Albeit a moment of terror.

For so many, many years now I've always gabbled on about how I wished I'd lived when women got to wear big skirts, gloves, fancy dresses and hats every day. And the quake made me realise that I could focus on the 50's right now. I didn't have to dream or wish or wallow in the fact that I had been born in the 70's.

So that's where I've been. Building up my conviction to start living, wearing, working on 1950's vintage every day. Well, nearly every day. My wardrobe is somewhat limited right now but I'm working on correcting that.

So I'm back blogging, having been inspired by two fantastic writers, dooce and edenland, that I've always admired. I love their honesty and their wit. Oh and the earthquake.It's given me the proverbial kick up the derriere that I needed.

Back soon!

Busy bee is me

Bit quiet on the Silly Gilly blog front.... it's been too long!

The Silly Gilly family headed off last month to our now yearly jaunt to Bali. It was a lovely 10 days of swimming, eating, drinking, sleeping and shopping. Bliss! We stayed at the same hotel we always visit when in Bali, the Melasti Beach Resort. Highly recommended. It's so nice to arrive and have the staff recognise you. We also spent a few days at the Hard Rock Hotel. Boyo boy this is a nice place and great for the kids with beach parties in the middle of the pool every day at 4pm. The shot below is poolside. It was hard staying here but someone had to do it!

Back home I've been getting the studio organised for next year. My daughter is off to school next year and I am beginning to feel various levels of excitement varying from mild amusement through to jumping up and down 'oh my golly gosh, think of the hours of sewing time I will have'.

It might be spring or it might be me clearing the decks for some serious work in 2011, but the studio has had quite the beginnings of a cleansing session. I'm even selling some sewing machines! Yes, that would be plural. Machines. I have too many ie, more than five, so am making some room and clearing the space. A new built in robe/cupboard is also in the works to replace my white melamine rickety ones I have at the moment. Much excitement there too! Custom built cupboards!! It doesn't take much to get me happy.

Many exciting preparations have also been afoot for my new secret squirrel project that I will be unveiling later this week.

And the sewing has begun in readiness for Prospect Food Fashion and Wine Affair which is coming up next month. Mark your calendar - Sunday November 21st - if you are in South Australia and and would like to come and see some Silly Gilly wares in real life and off the screen!

So pics of new products to come soon. Pics of the new cupboard coming soon too! And the big unveiling of my new project to come later this week, once I complete the finishing touches. How exciting!!!

Silly Gilly went to Bali!

The Silly Gilly family went on a well-earned holiday to Bali and we have just returned.

There were so many wonderful things to see.....

Beautiful scenery

Beautiful people

Interesting sights (man on a motorbike)

Beautiful animals

Beautiful sunsets

I took lots of photos but not as many as I thought I would. Too busy rubbernecking and really immersing myself into the gentle and relaxed Balinese culture. It was my first visit to Bali, but the fourth for the rest of the family, and I'm definitely going back again.

And of course we visited Denpasar and the hideously delicious fabric shops. Just think Spotlight but ten times the scale with even more beautiful fabric. I was in bliss. I think I'll post about that this weekend with photos of the stash I brought home.