Anyway, I am a Dragon and the wild ride of the year of the Dragon seems to be continuing on through 2012 into 2013 (till February 10th). 

What I wore: 

After struggling with the  job search for about well over a year, I got an hourly temp position as a field archaeologist--over the phone. My first meeting with my two bosses was tricky, what do you wear to an interview for a job you already have when you have to exude brains and brawn for a casual dress job? 

Jalie Jeans, boots, and some layers over a Lydia T-shirt seemed to work.

Next, I ended up researching and writing a report from my home office while there were project delays. What to wear to archives and while writing?

Ginger variations with more versions of my kimono sleeve knit top.

When the weather got hot and the bugs were at their peak population, I spent a couple months working mostly outside. I wore one of two pairs of fatigues, one of two long sleeve cotton shirts and a high-vis orange t-shirt all summer long and have to say it was a great relief not to ever have to worry what to wear. I just put on whatever was washed the day before, my work boots and then duct-taped my pants to my boots to keep out the critters. Fragrance? DEET. Hell yes, I felt hot in every way. BTW, I have grown my hair out so I can pull it back.

Somehow I ended up subcontracting as an independant for another company while still working full-time. I wore my pajamas as I worked late.

Still, I had no job security. My temp job continued, but the local office closed and my supervisor ended up being someone I have never met in a distant city. My responsibilities grew, but my pay stayed the same and I had to do more of my job long distance. So I started applying for jobs. Job interview hell ensued. The worst was a 5 hour interview with seven people. Half way through I realized my top was on backwards. 

While I was in France I forgot about work and thought a lot about clothes.

Came back and, with a friend I made on the job, wrote a proposal for a project--which we won! And then another small project came our way. I got so overwhelmed I went to Target and bought new clothes there for the first time in several years. 

I withdrew my application from another job (after three interviews) when the small project became more complicated and I still had my temp job and the first project. Somehow I ended up in meetings with roomfulls of men, in fields with herds of guys, in trucks with guys, on site with guys. Seriously, I  have only interacted with one in-the-flesh woman in a work setting for a couple months.

A lot of what I do is regulatory, and a lot of people who do it end up being very insulated from the labor aspect by writing reports on fieldwork others do. But after a couple emotionally difficult years I realize that being outside a lot, and being physically exhausted at the end of the day makes me happy even if it means having dirt under my nails. Of course, this means that my wardrobe has to flexible enough to go from mud to meetings. Any thoughts about how to dress this look up? I'm stumped.

Because I am seriously confused about what to wear (judging from those around me it's something between a hunting jacket with ripped jeans and a suit) I just wear my dark blue Lydia skirt and a blue blouse I got at Monoprix in France with boots if I will be in an office setting other than my home office. Otherwise it is work pants, work boots, work gloves, a cashmere sweater (thrifted) and hand knits! No way I can give up cashmere. And I am not ready to sew my work pants. . . yet. 

I think my temp job will expire very soon and I still don't have a "real job" yet I have more than enough work and maybe the start of a re-started career.

I still wear clothes I have made almost everyday! I have several unblogged Lydia tops, that hat (above) I made out of felted sweaters, handknit sweaters, cowls and socks as well as all those underwear. The knitwear always wins out doesn't it? I don't want to give up my handmade wardrobe, but I do need a more professional wardrobe that I can dress up or down.

The big question is: What should I make and what should I buy? (And don't forget, next year is the Year of the Black Water Snake. )

the blogger resurfaced at a typical tourist site,

 ate cous-cous, then drank beer, 

He might kill me, but here he is on his last day of high school last spring.

See that messy porch?

Before heading to college, my son painted that trim for us and asked me to mend a bunch of his favorite pants. At first I thought that this was an odd request. Some of these pants were worn, tattered and paint stained, so I hesitated a bit before fixing them. Then I realiszed that he wanted to have some old favorites to wear while heading off into the unfamiliar.

Sometimes I feel the same way.

I haven't made a thing lately besides dinner, but I did grow an eggplant that bears a striking resemblance to Donald Trump.

Style? None. Today I had to give a presentation in cargo pants, steel toe boots and a high visibility shirt. Guess what? Instead of being my usual tongue-tied self, I felt bad ass and nailed those questions.

It makes me realize how much clothes can empower. I'm not sure what this means I should be making for my wardrobe, but It's probably not pretty dresses.

Anybody else have work clothes that help you make it through the day? And by work I do mean anything!