okay then…
Okay then… I’m gonna get back to some regular crafty posting now I promise. So what’s been happening? Well, after my last post, I have gotten still more used to the idea and I am excited about re-entering the workforce again. I have grieved over the loss of some aspects of my life as it is now (ie. my identity as a stay-at-home mum and my plans for my business) and I have done a lot of thinking about things, yes including these little people.
I spent a lot of time last week at job sites like SEEK, checking their part-time job listings and working on my resume and all of that. I have applied for about six jobs so far. One in particular sounded like a great job with the right (school-friendly) hours and I got a call from the employment agency to go in to see them for a chat and then had to do a bunch of online tests - typing speed/accuracy, Word and Excel proficiency, psychometry tests. Things were looking really positive and I was told that there were only two others being sent for interview with the company and I was a very strong candidate. I went for an interview the next day (Thursday) and waited (nonchalantly) by the phone half the afternoon!
The job was to be filled urgently with the person starting next Tuesday so they would let us know the same afternoon. Unfortunately at the end of the day, I heard back that I had missed out (by THIS much!) and so that was the end of that. Claire at the agency did tell me that I was very employable and they would be sure to place me soon, so I guess it’s back to hanging out at SEEK next week. It was a shame but (using all the cliches here) it was great experience, good practice for an interview, good to get so far, etc and I will just keep trying.
(Slim fit pants from self-drafted pattern, needs some tweaking but not too bad. Everything else in the outfit has been thrifted/op shopped.)
I have to be honest here - I have been surprised to discover that one reason to be excited about going out to work is the chance to dress up a little every day. I have realised that even though I always try to look respectable and make an effort, dressing for home and looking after kids is a whole different thing to dressing for the office. I have been devoting too much daydreaming (sorry, Visualisation) time thinking about wearing outfits like this every day: black tulip skirt, fitted blouse (maybe with a Peter Pan collar or little cap sleeves) topped with a charcoal grey sweater and (especially) Mary Jane heels. I don’t know where this is coming from! I guess maybe I am sick of jeans and a tshirt. You can have too much of a good thing!
The upshot is that I am going to have to do some career-outfit sewing! YAY! First up are some cute little shirts. I have a bunch of patterns and fabrics in my little (haha) collection and I am hoping to start on one tomorrow. Before I begin sewing anything though I had to do some slimming down of Pinny, my dressform. Yes, I have been very quiet here about the weight loss project, but I have been eating well and going to the gym regularly for a few months now. My weight has been steadily dropping and it has made a big difference. I have lost 5 kilos (10 pounds) so far but more importantly, lots of cms have fallen off everywhere!
(stuffing taken out of Pinny)
Nerd alert! Up until now I have been keeping my track of my measurements (bust, waist and tummy) on a scrappy bit of paper - today I decided to go high tech and put them into Excel. Then I went a little crazy and turned it into a GRAPH. I know, a bit dorky but hey, whatever works right? Here are some stats to impress you:
High Bust (blue) now 9cm or 3 1/2″ smaller (this is a measurement taken under the armpits, above the girls)
Full Bust (pink) now 11cm or 4 1/2″ smaller (I’m sure you know what this one is)
Waist (orange) now 7cm or 2 3/4″ smaller (this is the natural waist)
High Hip (green) now 6cm or 2 1/2″ smaller (a charming name for the full tummy)
It is amazing how much of a difference 5 kgs (10 pounds) can make! I am loving the smaller bust size - DD to D. Off-the-rack clothes fit so much better now, and most of the tops I sewed a few months ago already look too big on me. A good problem to have though and an excuse for more sewing! Going to the gym has been great and I walk Elsie for 20 mins almost every evening too. There’s still lots more room to improve - for my BMI to get into the healthy range I still need to lose another 15 or so kgs (35 pounds). Slowly but steadily, I’ll get there.
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tags: dress form, Fashion Sewing, fitting, sewing, weight loss, work
I am so impressed by your weight loss ..and the tracking of it! Graphs are fun because you can really see the changes.
It’s great to hear that you are feeling better about returning to the workforce. and all those new clothes- woo hoo!
gwensmom’s last blog post..March sewing