The  preparation for the Mayhem Sydney 1950s event @livsydmus on the evening of Saturday 14 February 2015, for me, started late in 2014.

I thought it would be a nice idea to make the whole 1950s event as traditional as I could. So in December 2014 I placed an order on the internet for an original 1950s Simplicity dress pattern. That included making my own dress, which many of the women in the 1950s would also have done, for a special evening out. Today's inflation sees what cost 35 cents back in the 1950s, today costs around $35...

Opening my pattern pack, I was very pleased to see that, as the pattern was a single size, I wasn't required to cut the pattern out. Yippee! A bit of a time saver. After choosing a lovely deep blue silk du point fabric, I then spent the free evening time I had, over the following 3 weeks, working on my dress, making a couple of slight changes as I went along.

To have the full 1950s effect, I had made an afternoon booking for  myself & some friends, who were coming along to the event, at a local hairdresser’s to have our hair styled. We were only allocated one hairdresser at the start - between the 4 of us – (thanks Hayley!) but luckily a head hairdresser lent a hand and we  were out of there by 4pm. After turning a few heads with our quaffed locks, we headed back to the house  to do our makeup & get dressed. It is really no wonder women nowadays go for a quick wash & blow dry! 

We waved to passers-by, who were curious to see 4 women dressed to the nines in 1950s attire, while we waited outside the house for our taxi. Getting into the taxi was a bit of a drama – there were three of us dressed in our voluminously skirted dresses, while the fourth had her own difficulties, wearing a wiggle dress that makes manoeuvring from a standing to seated position, very difficult indeed. We squished ourselves into the taxi when it arrived, with much ruffling of petticoats. We made our entrance at the Justice & Police Museum, sneakily having missed the sudden rain shower, by ducking into the Intercontinental for a quick drink. (We didn’t want to ruin those hairdos!) 

With a Cabaret show about to start and the best dressed competition at each cabaret seating, the evening had begun. A gambling den, swing dancing in the court room, black & white portrait photography, food catered by Nighthawk Diner, drinks at the bar & exhibits to explore, ensured everyone had a cracking time at the Police & Justice Museum Sydney.

Sydney Open takes place in November every second year. Presented by Sydney Living Museums (SLM) since 1997, Sydney Open unlocks the doors to the city of Sydney, from the CBD to Darlinghurst. This biennial event is your key to exploring more than 50 buildings and spaces, many of which are usually off limits to the public.
Some of the places I visited included the Darlinghurst Fire Station, the National Art School in Darlinghurst, the Great Synagogue, 50 Martin Place, Royal Automobile Club of Australia and Grosvenor Place.  

Every year, the end of May is a perfect time to visit Sydney, when VIVID Sydney occurs - a festival of light & music. 23 May to 6 June 2014.

In a report aired on the news today http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-28/parramatta-most-liveable-suburb-in-nsw/5289734?section=nsw Parramatta has been named the most liveable suburb in New South Wales. Now with the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Costume Exhibition, on at Old Government House Parramatta, Parramatta is an even more desirable location to visit as well!

Today I visited the exhibition and heard Marion Boyce, the  costume designer, talk about the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, as aired on the ABC.

I am asking family, friends, friends of friends, and visitors to my website, to nominate someone who makes a difference in their life through the service and the relationship they provide via their small business. If you would like to be part of this project, and it only requires a small contribution, then - 

• ask your nominee if they would be interested in taking part
• write a short paragraph on how your nominated person  makes a difference to your life (or if you prefer I can interview you nominee)
• please let me know when would suit for an initial introduction of me to your nominee to get things rolling

–  and please get in contact if you are interested! I am flexible on where & when to meet up at a time that suits.

For further details please contact me at
designsfrommysuitcase@gmail.com 

Christmas was spent in  Shropshire, where we indulged ourselves with the extensive array of cuisine available in Ludlow.

Our family Christmas 2013 was spent in the UK, with time allocated for the children to visit the ice skating rinks of London and take part in one of the Christmas walks along the Illuminated Trail of Kew Gardens.

Naval ships from various countries are in Sydney to join in the Centenary celebrations of the Australian Royal Navy. Last night saw naval vessels take part in the spectacular firework display in Sydney Harbour.

My only day in Mendoza was one of relaxation & contemplation. My last day in South America! I emailed The Vine Tasting Room, to book myself in for a 3pm wine tasting. I received a confirmation email later that morning while having my morning coffee & very nice croissants at a cafe across from Plaza Espagna. 

The city is a safe & pleasant location to wander around, with wide leafy avenues. The afternoon was spent at The Vines where I tasted five wines from the Mendoza wine region. A very well informed young lady took me through the various wines, their characteristics and some information on the general oenology of the area of Mendoza.

I then headed down to the city's huge park, the largest city park in South America I was told. I was really quite flabbergasted by the range of architectural styles that I  came across on my way there. Some examples of the various styles can be seen in the photos below. Quite often new - bizarrely designed - houses are built onto lovely old 19th century houses. It was an eclectic range of architecture seen on the streets of Mendoza.

Patagonia was the splurge part of my holiday, staying at Eolo Patagonia's Spirit. It is out of town, on the way to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, and it is a worthwhile option with really pleasant staff, amenities and food, and lovely views of the surrounding area. The horses though are even lovelier! If you like horses. (See photo of photogenic Electra below.)

My first afternoon was spent riding Electra, being lead by a guide, learning about the flora and fauna of the area, (saw some flamingoes) and tasting mate as well as learning about the ritual behind it. it was difficult for me to adjust to riding gaucho style, as I am familiar with the dressage style, but my guide had picked Electra who coped well with my riding technique, or lack thereof!

The second (1st full day) was spent visiting Perito Moreno Glacier. With an early start (photo from my bedroom window as the sun started it's ascent), we were the first group to commence the ascent. Not just visiting, the tour included a  hike along a section of the glacier, a break for lunch, and then a visit to the glacier viewing deck where spectators sit and watch the icebergs calving. Before our departure from hiking the glacier, we were offered whisky on glacier ice - taken straight from the glacier, or glacial water on ice, which I went for. Lovely! 

An absolutely spectacular area of Patagonia to visit.