Into the BIG SILENCE!

We're here in the airport, waiting for our 1AM flight; I've been doing a little research about the status of the Internet in Iran, and discovered that Gmail, Facebook and Google, among others, have been blocked for TWO YEARS. And just last month, the Iranian government put in place some software that makes using VPN's impossible...so, it very much looks like I won't be posting till May 6th, when we come back. Yikes!

See you later!

A post from Istanbul

See it at my travel blog, WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE http://wf4t.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-istanbul-interlude.html

What's in the Suitcase? Iran 4/13

I'm half-packed and checking off my to-do list; we leave home tomorrow at mid-day. Here's what's wound up in my suitcase:

The Eileen Fisher pants are lightweight and roll up easily in the suitcase; the gray jeans I blogged about here (M6405), and the red jeans are NYDJ in a ponte knit.

The long white shirt is a Travelsmith rayon/poly blend which I've had for at least 8 years; it's long enough and opaque enough that I will be able to wear it as a "Manteau" when it's hot.

My silver vest, which I blogged about here, is going; after my vest fiasco last week, I added additional interior pockets to this and will enjoy wearing it.

The silk tee and lightweight black turtleneck are old-standbys RTW.

I decided to take 5 "manteaux"; these seemed to be the most practical and versatile of the 8 I had to choose from.

Shoes...always hard for me to whittle down are these:

Clockwise, my red Trippens, black patent Dansko sandals, ECCO walking sandals, red Arche flats and black/silver Arche flats. All VERY comfortable and easy to walk in.

I added velcro strips to two more scarves, to add to the one I made here...

These are both scarves I bought in India some time ago and will give me a few

options for my ever-present head gear!

I have no idea if I will have internet access in Iran; the company we're going with  says not to count on either cell phone or internet access. What an adventure!

If I'm able to post on my travel blog, I will post here with a link.

Bye bye...."see" you in May!

THE CHALLENGE!

Back in October, I posted  a picture of the suggested travelwear for women going to Iran.

I mentioned at the time that I was taking it as a challenge to come up with a travel wardrobe which allowed me to maintain "my look" while still respecting the culture and its rules. I also wanted, as always, to wear clothing that I will wear at home; no "travel-only" clothes for me!

Here are the candidates that have made the first cut...all of them have appeared in my blog at one time or another.

Japanese Cotton, lots of pockets, inside and out...details here

Ikat-printed denim, lined with polka-dots and lots of pockets...details here

Cotton/silk blend printed ikat print; lightweight, details here...

The first specific "Manteau", a rayon brocade I blogged about here...

The second "Manteau", made of a tone-on-tone printed ponte, details here...

"Manteau" #3, using a hand-dyed shibori cotton, blogged here...

"Manteau" #4, complete with scarf, in a cotton-stretch print, details here...

And the 4th "Manteau", in red stretch denim with cotton ikat trim, here...


So, 8 candidates...I'm not sure how many will be chosen; that is what I will be
deciding in the next few days, putting together outfits, choosing accessories, etc.  That's the fun part!

Stay tuned for "What's in the Suitcase" in a few days!

One more...and it's RED!

Much to my disappointment, the gray checked manteau I showed in my last post didn't make the lineup:

so, of course, I had to make another...

It's V7854, OOP. I made View A, and used a zipper instead of hooks and eyes.
The denim, I think, came from Hancocks, and the black and white striped ikat came from B&J Fabrics. It's pretty basic, and probably looks better open, over a tank or tee, but it'll do for Iran.

I'm in the process of deciding on my final travel wardrobe, so this will be a brief post. I DID make a vest with pockets; however, my choice of fabrics was not wise and it ended up in the wadder pile...

YUCK!!!!!!

Another candidate...and new glasses!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I changed my mind, and made another candidate for inclusion in my travel wardrobe. This is B5786, View D.

The fabric is a lovely Italian cotton check from Fabric Mart, purchased several years ago. I lengthened the top by 2 1/2 inches to cover my bum, in case I do take it to Iran. I also cut separate front facings on the bias, and did bias sleeve

plackets and pockets.

It's quite comfortable to wear, and goes with my favorite Eileen Fisher slim pants in Ash. These are fabulous to travel with and I'm taking them in black, as well.  The only reason the shirt may not make the cut is if it wrinkles too much. It is 100% cotton, so I'm wearing it often to see how it does.

I have some new sun readers from EyeBobs, designed by one of my favorite
fashion divas, Iris Apfel (blogged about here).

Aren't they cute?

And I got these several weeks ago, designed by Melissa Eyewear;

Still no eye makeup, although my allergies are MUCH better.  I DO love me
some flashy glasses!

We leave two weeks from tomorrow...I'm off to the studio to make a travel vest (with POCKETS!).

This and That...

Here is Katherine Tilton's new top for Butterick, 5891:

and with the collar closed

I used a batik from B&J Fabrics and a striped quilting fabric for the trim. I had a few problems with this pattern, and I still didn't get the "peplums" to look like they do on the pattern envelope. I added a facing to the collar so I could wear it open. It's got potential, but the jury is still out.

Several people asked some questions about the "scarf lifter" I mentioned in my last post which I made to avoid having "flat scarf head" when wearing my hijab

I took a couple of raglan shoulder pads and covered them with black knit

zig-zagged around the stack o' pads and sewed a strip of Velcro to the top;

added a corresponding strip of Velcro to the appropriate spot on the scarf

and Voila...

I can sew Velcro strips to other scarves, too, so I can have a change of hijab!

                                          ******************

I didn't make this, but I think it's a cute look...it's from Banana Republic:

It's a sleeveless peplum, so I'll only wear it under a jacket...

**********************

While browsing Lafayette 148 the other night, I was struck by how much difference   

styling makes, whether for merchandising, or when putting together your own outfit.

Look at the difference between the pictures...the lightweight linen top is the same, but oh, the difference the styling makes. It's interesting to me that Lafayette 148 has both pictures on their site, maybe the "styled" outfit is too much for some?

And again:

Look at these two...I never would have looked at the plain one, but immediately was drawn to #2...I find this fascinating!

Till later...