And he just finished writing the sequel. It's called "Urban Fervor"

Right, so you have had my thoughts on Scott and Bailey, so time to get back to my regularly scheduled programming! The last few weeks seem to have sped by in a bit of a blur as I’ve been busy at work, and have had busy weekends as well. I can’t believe how quickly this year is speeding by, and how soon our holiday to Paris is – just over two weeks away now! As I did last year when we went to Florida, I’m sort of trying not to think about it too much so I don’t build myself up into a frenzy of excitement that makes everyday life unbearable, but it’s not working just as well. To the extent that I bought yet more Michael Miller Eiffel Tower fabric over the weekend. Because, come on, I only have eleventy Eiffel Tower dresses. I clearly need that figure to reach eleventy one. Obvs. I’m an idiot, but at least I’m an idiot with pretty clothes, right?!

And although I’m looking out the window at yet another overcast sky, at least the weather is starting to improve enough that these pretty clothes are getting a proper airing. Today I was able to wear my spring coat and everything. I had cold hands, like, but nothing a cup of coffee couldn’t solve when I got into the office!

I woke up to sunshine on Good Friday, although it was still bloody freezing and the sun had gone in by the time I was ready to go out. BUT STILL.

Friday 29th March 2013 - Stephanie Cambie dress and Poetic Licence The Right Stripe shoes

It has been ages since I’ve been able to wear this dress! It still has a glue stain on the skirt, though, which is a shame. As you can see, I’m going to wear it anyway and I don’t think anyone would be able to notice the glue stain unless I pointed it out? I think this ensemble is a lot of look what with the gingham and the stripes and the cherries on the shoes, but I like it. I’m just glad to find things to wear with these shoes because they’re both comfortable and fairly ridiculous. When I was in London on Saturday I saw the new season designs of these, which were a strange combination of raffia and glitter – in true Irregular Choice style, and they were beautiful. Maybe I can get them on sale.

I was a bit chilly on Good Friday but I find gingham to be a great mood lifter. I haven’t overcome my gingham fixation from last summer and there are definitely more gingham dresses on my horizon for this summer – another red gingham dress of some sort, and I never did get around to making a lilac one! I will, though. In fact the more I think about it, the more enticing a lovely lilac gingham dress becomes. Purrrrrr…

I woke up to sunshine again on Sunday and it was the first day for ages when I could forget about tights and wear open toed shoes! I know having so many open toed shoes in this climate is probably a bit foolish, but whatever. I had given myself a wee pedicure on Friday evening as a way to cheer myself up when I was feeling ill, so I was pretty pleased to be able to dig out some summery shoes. It was cool in the shade, but it did make me happy.

Sunday 7th April 2013 - Hounds of Love dress and Irregular Choice Mermaid shoes

I think this dress looks awesome with a petticoat underneath it, although looking at these photos has made me decide that I definitely need to buy a red one at some point. That’s all there is to say really about this outfit except that my red Irregular Choice shoes are among my favourites because they go with everything, and I was so happy to be able to show the cute little foxes on this dress some sunshine!

One of the nice things about stepping my sewing up a gear this year has been that it’s made me much more keen to wear my handmade clothes on a regular basis. My sewing might seem a bit repetitive – like, oh wow, ANOTHER printed dress with a full skirt SNORE – but I really know what my style is now, and what makes me tick, and I’m achieving this in my handmade wardrobe. It feels good, and it keeps me going back to my sewing table, and that’s good too. I’ve had a bit of a break – last weekend was the first weekend all year where I haven’t had my sewing machine out – but I feel like it was needed. I have fabric cut out for my next project, that Eiffel Tower fabric on its way to me, and I’ve booked Friday off to indulge myself. It’s a good feeling.

So, with all that in mind, I have decided to sign up for Me Made May 2013

I hesitantly signed up last year, fearing that my handmade wardrobe wouldn't get me through the month. I pledged to wear at least two handmade garments a week and to sew at least two more, and I far surpassed that and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, so I'm keen to do it again! I honestly credit taking part in Me Made May 2012 with getting me excited again about sewing a fabulous wardrobe. Here's my pledge for this year...

I, Roisin of But It Can't Be From Dolly Clackett, She Gave Me an Easter Egg!, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear one handmade dress each day for the duration of May 2013, with no repeats. In addition, I pledge to sew at least two more garments during the course of the month.

I'm super excited about it, partly because the first few days of the challenge are when I'm going to be in Paris, so I think I'm going to get the month off to a chic start. I'll have to try to make the photos in the rather less glamorous locations of Coventry and Leamington Spa more interesting, somehow!

You can read more about the challenge at So, Zo, and read the other Me Made May-ers' pledges there, too.

Now, it's nearly time for me to head out to the chippy for a little Tuesday treat. Catch you all later!