Sewing a Victorian costume in Beetlejuice colors of course.

I get super excited when visiting places on my bucket list. Like--suuuuuuper excited.

I start talking in gangsta mode (I have no idea why)--and it got a little out of hand as we were driving into Whitby. My husband looked at me over his sunglasses and said "Tupac called, he wants his rhymes back".

I LOL'd.

again

and again

and again

because he's SO right!!!! I'm ridiculous! But I can't stop myself.

It's so strange.

Do you have anything that makes you act super silly? I need to know so I feel better about myself. Please email me stat. Really. 

hungryhippie (at) live.com 

Simplicity sewing pattern 2172 

 Hat Vogue pattern 8868

I sewed this entire outfit the other week, so of course I booked a holiday to Whitby to shoot the photos (as you do). I wanted to shoot it at dusk, in the mist, but you know, with children plans rarely go as -- planned. 

That's ok.

I used cotton  for the entire ensemble, with fabric from my local sewing shop in Ely, England. You can visit the Ely Cycle Center Shop here, they have loads of fabrics and haberdashery in stock! The corset has boning in it I bought from Joanns a few years back, and I used buttons residing in my stash. For the hat I sewed and glued pieces, and incorporated Russian netting for the veil. 

That's nine yards of pleating yo!

The corset could be better, to be honest--but it was my first go at one, so I'll be content. The coat is my favorite piece, by far. It's lined with the stripe material the corset is made with. The skirt is fun to wear, but heavy to wear, soI'm over it. All in all this was a fun challenge for me, and I'm glad I finally got over the fear and just went ahead with it. 

It's amazing what can happen when you go for it. 

;)

I am so pleased we finally got up to Whitby!

 Why did I wait so long? I love all of Great Britain, but the North and the far South (Cornwall) are my greatest loves. Most of my friends back home don't understand me when I say it, but I truly truly love this land. It's absolutely magical.  

As a girl from the Midwest, (America) this is like no place other. If I could stay forever I probably would.

Whitby is the town where Bram Stoker was inspired to write Dracula. Amazing, right?  An immediate best seller, Dracula has never been out of print since the day it was published May 26, 1897.

Whitby happens to be the Goth capital of Great Britain for this very reason. They just hosted the Gothic Weekend event recently, and are hosting another in Oct/Nov. It brings thousands to town.

I can just imagine how it must feel during winter, with the sea, the wind, and the darkness all around. Even in June, we saw mist coming into the shore every night. I love that!

The tombstones look straight out of a horror film to me, I was enamored. 

Nearly 10pm. It's the North.  ;)

English Heritage sites often have events at their properties, so when I saw this man come out in full Benedictine Monk costume I squealed with delight. (Yes, I actually did.) Immediately I strode purposefully over to him and asked for a picture. He answered in full Olde English dialect which of course delighted me even more. 

My eldest insists on giving everyone she meets a proper American hug (tackle).

By this point I'm waaaayyyyyyyy over having my photo taken. LOL  Which is the same point that my poor husband starts feeling inspired and gets into it. ;)  

 The monk and his sidekick Abbess gave a full performance, including asking for vounteers to don the Nun hood. My girls were game, and felt very important in doing so. 

Where do you wish to go? What place would make your heart jump or (in my case) rap like Tupac? 

Think about it, then do it! There will never be a better time than right N O W.

XOXO