Authentically You...Role Models...Nigella Lawson...

  We've been discussing Role Models this year.   My personal role model is Dita Von Teese, not for her Burlesque talents, but for her inimitable style.   We've also discussed Babe Paley and Adele.   Last week, my friend Suzannah, asked me if I could do a post on Nigella Lawson. She feels that her body type most resembles Nigella's, and wanted some tips on being Nigella-ish.   I was excited to hear this as Nigella is a well known Apple shaped celebrity, so she's a wonderful role model for we Apple shaped ladies.    As we did with Adele, note at the top of my post, and here below, the transformation that Nigella has gone through since she achieved celebrity status.   She's always been a very attractive woman, but as is the case for us all, she didn't really hit her stride until she had some professional guidance.   I keep saying that the first step in looking your best is to know your body shape.     Above, you can see that earlier in her life, Nigella was focused on being 'fashionable' rather than 'stylishly dressed for body shape'. The pink ensemble in the first picture, although pretty, wasn't really doing that much for her in terms of flattering her shape, and her hair was sort of long and nondescript. A youthful look and pretty at the time, for sure.     In the second pic, she's starting to find her inner glamour puss, and steps out a year or two later in some slenderising black with interesting neck detail. Nice.     Then we see her in this fabulous red wiggle dress. Hair tumbling around her face in a profusion of soft curls, the sweetheart neckline drawing attention to her beautiful complexion and pretty features.     Then back to basic black but with an eye to achieving a figure flattering look for a cold day.
 You see, looking great for your shape, isn't just about wearing figure flattering clothes.   It's about being aware of how a simple hairstyle and touch of makeup draws attention to the features we want to accentuate, whilst playing down the ones we'd prefer ignored.   Above, we see Nigella at her first book signing, looking au naturel and very pretty for it.   But here below, with a whisper of makeup, sparkly earrings, a more open neckline, and a flirtation with hot rollers on her locks, she's an absolute stunner.   Honestly, any of us can do this.
So now Nigellas discovered hot rollers and a neckline that draws attention to her lovely face and hair (and other assets!), and she sets about using that knowledge to her advantage as often as possible.   Here she is on the cover of one of her books.   Open neckline which draws the eye to her face.   Cardigan in a flattering colour creates a slenderising column centre front and covers wobbly upper arms.   Tumbling locks, and a touch of feature enhancing makeup and she's the Nigella we all know and love.  
Again, below, the open neckline, a cute cropped cardi to create that all important slimming column-of-colour centre front, and soft curls.     Now just to show how it can all still go dreadfully wrong, see here below, where Nigella has chosen a dress, that according to all the experts, should be an absolute winner for the Apple shaped woman.   But this is a great example of how simple details make a difference.   Nigella looks lovely here, BUT, the shiny fabric, and awkward cut on the neckline, do not do her justice. The shiny satin draws attention to her bustline and not much else. And not in a good way. In fact the dress looks so snug across the bust that it looks like it's the wrong size for her. And the black, just drains her in this dress.   Imagine for a moment, that the neckline on this satin wrap dress was slightly more open, and that the fabric is velvet, not satin, navy blue not black. The effect would be entirely different and far lovelier, yes?
But when Nigella gets it right, she's a star.   I love her in this pretty retro styled dress, with tiny belt...

...continuing that theme with another retro inspired fit and flare style....

....and then returning to the Wiggle dress, which I think is a win for her no matter what the colour...   ...basic black..    ...rip snorting red... ...or magical shape changing midnight blue...
  ...they're all stunning.   Two short years ago, I did not dream I could style a wiggle dress to suit me, but here I am now...  

 

I'm no Nigella, but I'm trying folks.   Here are some tips to be more Nigella-ish...   1. Use the magic figure enhancement of shapewear. That stuff has come a long way, and a well fitted (strapless if necessary) bra, and hip and tummy huggers, will give you a more sculpted silhouette.   2. Keep your fit and flare and wiggle dresses just above or just below the knee, especially for we ladies under 165cm (5'3"). You need to show the bottom of your legs to add the illusion of height to your frame.   3. Use open necklines to draw the eye upwards to your lovely face and hair. Sweetheart, open V, square, boat, scooped...they're all great and make the most of your other 'assets'.   4. Use the illusion of sparkle or pearl earrings to keep the attention around your facial features.   5. Use the faithful cardigan or little fitted jackets to create a centre column-of-colour to trick the eye into 'seeing you slim'.   6. Likewise a slightly longer hairstyle, softened with tumbling curls, can be flattering if you can manage and maintain it. Otherwise, use long dangling earrings to slim and frame your face. Having longer hair also gives you the versatility to scoop that hair up and away and enhance your lovely neck and shoulders.   7. Nude shoes with a heel, or nude wedges are your best friend. They add height and give you a long and lean look.   8. If your upper arms, like mine, are no longer sleek and toned, then cardigans, bolero jackets, wisps of chiffon as wraps or features on an evening gown like the gorgeous blue one seen above on Nigella, can all disguise this fault. Wearing chain type bracelets can also draw attention to your dainty wrists and away from upper arms.   9. Be aware that simply changing a neckline, or the length of a chain store dress, can take it from meh to WOW! If you're not much of a seamstress, then a good dressmaker can help.   10. Note also that fabric choice can make or break a look. Satins are not necessarily friendly to Apple shapes. Velvets, crepe, cottons, linen, and especially more structured fabrics like satin brocades can be wonderfully flattering, skimming our curves and maintaining the shape of an outfit. I tell you this from experience!   Here's a satin brocade dress I purchased recently...  

 

... I am the same weight I was a year ago, but when I wear this dress, everyone thinks I've lost ten kilos (22lbs)!   You see the structure of the brocade...it's very stiffness... helps the dress hold it's shape, rather than moulding to my lumps and bumps. And unlike plain shiny satin, the embroidery on the brocade, disguises a multitude of figure faults. It's brilliant I tell you.   I'm short at 163cms (5'3").   I weigh 84kgs (185lbs).   I am an Australian size 16-18.   I'm wearing wiggle dresses and fit and flare dresses like there's no tomorrow.   You can too.   Do it. Life is short.   ...Mimi...  

Dressing the Petite Plus Apple #10...12 steps to styling the Fit and Flare dress...

I've been seeing these little frocks (love the word frocks) on other women for a few years now.

 

But try as I might, I could not make them work for me. If I'd had a more savvy shop assistant in the local Shop for Fat Ladies, I probably could have been frocking up a storm long before now. What I really needed, was someone more savvy than I, to show me how to style the dang thing.

 

Because you see, I'd try one on, instantly recoil at showing off my fat arms and round tummy, and scurry out of there suitably chastened for wanting to look feminine and womanly. Any wonder I've hiding behind jeans, capri pants and smocks for nearly 20 years.

 

It was only when I spotted this lemon print dress online recently, and at a bargain price, that I decided I'd brave this whole Frock idea again. I could fiddle with it at my leisure, in the privacy of my own home, and try and figure out why these dresses looked amazing on everyone but me.

 

Well the dress arrived in due course, I tried it on, and had exactly the same reaction. Not for me. Not on your Nellie. Just not right. BUT, something about that lemony dress, kept calling me back. I set it aside for a while, knowing that the solution would come to me.

 

This weekend just gone, I enlisted my 17 year old daughters help. She of the long, lithe limb and fashion nous denied to 50+ women (apparently).

 

I tried it on, she viewed it and pronounced it gorgeous. See, she didn't see my flabby upper arms or my protruding belly. She just saw Mum in a fairly glamorous kinda frock. She loved it.

 

Closer inspection revealed that a few minor adjustments would assist with the fit, so armed with a dress on inside out, and Daughter with a pincushion, we adjusted the Princess line seams, front and back of the bodice, to give a more streamlined fit.

 

We also removed the little bar of fabric creating the keyhole neckline, thus creating a more Sweetheart neckline. Far more flattering for my Apple Shape. A straight neckline, just makes me look short. A V neckline adds to an illusion of length. Thankfully the neckline was beautifully finished on the inside, so no further action was necessary, other than to carefully handstitch the new 'lapels' into place.

 

That done, we then proceeded to view many, many full figured ladies in Fit and Flare frocks, on various Rockabilly websites, and on Pinterest. These searches revealed that a Cardigan, Shrug, Bolero or jacket are accessories du jour for hiding flabby arms, and creating a prettier silhouette. We dug out my dark denim, semi-fitted, Chanel-esque jacket, another recent acquisition. It seems to do the job admirably.

 

 

High heels were also a must, creating height, and a certain glam feel, that one cannot achieve with Ballerina Flats in this sort of dress. Above, I tried patent nude sandals.

 

Here I gave my black peeptoe slingbacks a whirl...

...but ultimately, it was the Nude pointed toe, block heels, that got the thumbs up. Pointed toes, low cut, high heels, add length to the leg, you see. Holy heck...even I can see that my legs look longer here. I haven't seen my legs look like that in twenty years!   Now the Daughter insisted I retain the slim little yellow patent leather belt, even though belts truly are my nemesis, and not traditionally flattering on Apple shapes. She said that it completes the ensemble, making it look dressy. I agree with her there, but I'm torn on whether that's a good idea on me. I'll have to ponder that one. Maybe when I've shed a few more pounds I won't feel so self conscious about my waistline!   Here are a few more principles we used to style this outfit:  

1. Dark colour recedes - Dark jacket slims my silhouette

2.Hip length jacket adds length to the frame

3. Apple shapes should show off dainty wrists and legs

4. Bright colours are youthful

5. A-line skirts give balance - this is more a semi-circle skirt, but the fabric sits beautifully without adding too much additional volume. I like how it makes my legs look more slender.

6. Above the knee is good for Apples to show off legs

7. Nude shoes add length to the leg

8. Low cut shoes add length to the leg

9. Pointed toe shoes add length to the leg

10. Heels add height giving a long a lean silhouette

11. Slightly 'undone/messy' hair gives a youthful look

12. When wearing a print, keep everything else simple

I'm calling this a raging success. I love this look, and it has inspired me to continue with my quest to lose several more pounds, which will give me the waistline I need to wear this style more beautifully.

 

Who knew that a few seamline adjustments, and styling a dress the right way could make such a difference? Will you try styling a previously unsuccessful look for you, to make it work?

 

 

...Mimi...

 

Dressing the Petite Plus Sized Apple Shape #8...The Dress...

 

Here is the tale of the perfect dress for the Apple shape. If you have a figure like my gorgeous daughter, pictured here ready for her Senior Formal, this is not for you...lol! Isn't she fabulous?

 

It has been years since I wore a dress that was anything but what might be kindly called 'floaty'.

 

I actually prefer the lean look bestowed upon my small, curvy, squishy frame, that wearing slender pants and a shirt gives.

 

Thanks to my French Chic Academy course however, I am learning to reassess my obsession with pants, and re-evaluating my aversion to dresses and skirts. After all, those French ladies know how to rock a flirty skirt and heels!

 

I've been digesting information on how to use stripes and diagonals, to guide the eye away from your least favourite features, and towards those that make the most of your shape, much as an arrow would.

 

The dress in these photographs, purchased to wear to my daughters Senior Formal Parent Meet & Greet, is just about perfect for me, and will be for you too.

 

 Here is why:

 

1.  The black section in the centre, disguises a round tummy

 

2. The three quarter sleeves cover less-than-toned upper arms. I have a real 'thing' about my upper arms. Silliness really. I had a real 'thing' about my upper arms when they were stick thin too!

 

3. The stripes on the sleeve cuffs, attract the eye to slender wrists, and away from the aforementioned upper arms.

 

4. The asymmetrical neckline, draws attention to the face, hair, neck and chest, without being unnecessarily revealing.

 

 

5. The bands of thin black and white diagonal stripes, form a solid V shape or arrow, pointing first to the neckline, then to the waist, then away from the mid-section to the hemline, where another asymmetrical feature, takes the eye to the knees and ankles. Neckline-Waistline-Hemline is a great visual trick for we Apple shapes.

 

6. The paler coloured sections advance, drawing the eye, and the darker colour recedes, making the eye ignore those areas.

 

7. The point of the asymmetrical hemline is black underneath the diagonal band, so attracts the eye, and literally points to the feet to show off ankles and pretty shoes. I don't know about you, but I have another obsession....pretty shoes! So this is a great strategy for me!

 

8. This dress has no excess voluminous fabric, the usual trick for clothing manufactured for we more curvy types. More fabric, just makes us look more curvy. And not in a good way. That's a lesson that's taken me years to learn! This fabric is a thick stretch with a bit of substance, so that it skims the curves, making you look taller and leaner. It doesn't buckle or crinkle, or go out of shape when worn either.

 

9. The length of this dress is perfect for a Petite Apple Shape. The shorter part of the hemline is just on the knee, with the asymmetrical point, taking it to just below.

 

10. The addition of low cut silver pumps with a peeptoe, adds further length to the leg. The nude sandals shown in the top photograph achieve the same effect, but not quite as prettily. On the website from which I purchased the dress, it was styled with similar pumps (court shoes) but in black. I prefer the sleek look that metallic or nude shoes give to the foot. Either way, adding a 'low cut' shoe in a metallic or nude shade, gives the illusion of longer legs and height. If choosing a nude, tan or skin toned shoe, straps across the foot are okay. If choosing a colour, stick with a low cut pump so as not to cut your leg length off, making you look shorter.

 

 

11. A matching bag, means that accessories merge and compliment one another, rather than being an additional feature in themselves, allowing the dress to take centre stage. I chose both shoes and bag in a silver faux snakeskin.

 

 

12. The overall effect of this dress, with it's arrow type asymmetrical details, is to make the wearer look taller and more slender (at least till I stand next to my statuesque daughter!), and it achieves this goal admirably.

 

I bought my dress at Birdsnest here. Note that the model pictured, is certainly taller and more slender than I am by far, but I just knew, thanks to Marie-Anne Lecouer and her Academy, that this dress would work for me. These days I am far more adept, at unseeing the model, and looking more closely at the dress to make those decisions.

 

For my lucky U.S. friends, you could try Dia & Co who offer the most incredible styling service based upon your personal questionnaire. I cannot wait for them to start shipping to Australia!

 

My shoes were purchased at Styletread here.

 

My bag was a lucky find on eBay, with a co-operative local seller who speedily posted it in time for it's arrival for the event, but you can find a similar one here.  That one would not have arrived in time for me, but you might be looking further ahead than I was!

 

I have to say that this is not a style of dress I ever would have chosen left to my own devices. I would have gravitated towards the floaty look dished up to we Apple shaped folk since time immemorial. I would have shopped at the last minute, got frustrated and tearful, and ended up feeling that I had presented myself in a less than favourable light, through sheer lack of choices.

 

But given a bit of education thanks to the French Chic Academy, a bit more choice thanks to the world wide web, and the luxury of time on my side (except for the little clutch bag!), I was able to research an appropriate style for my shape, source it and get it posted, in plenty of time for my event.

 

What about you my fellow Petite Plus Apple friend. Would this dress work for you too?

 

....Mimi....

 

 

A New You...Dressing the Petite Plus Sized Apple #7...The Four C's...

 

I started this year determined to find a more Chic presentation for myself.

 

Mid life weight gain, and lack of knowledge had seen me decline into Mummy mode as far as dress sense goes, and whilst that was still not awful, it wasn't the way I saw myself in the long term.

 

Knowledge is Power

 

I bit the bullet, and signed up for The French Chic Academy, and an investment of about $180 a month for a few months (payments now completed), saw a fundamental change in the way I thought, spent and dressed.

 

As with anything Knowledge is Power, and as I have been saying all year, if you do nothing else, research your body shape, and go from there. I've gone from thinking I was an Hourglass, to realising I am an Apple, and thus being in a position to make small but significant changes to my wardrobe, that meant a whole new, flattering look.

 

I need to add that I am not a Stylist, just an ordinary person trying to decipher the secrets of looking well presented each and every day. I don't pretend I know all the answers, and in fact I only know a few for my shape...The Apple. And even then, what suits me, may not necessarily suit you. I suggest hitting Pinterest for ideas, having first determined your body shape. Knowing your body shape and proportions, believe me, is the crucial starting point. From there, you can only go up!

 

Have you ever admired an outfit on someone, tried to emulate it, and wondered why it didn't look good on you? Body shape is the likely answer. You may be a Pear shape, trying to emulate an outfit worn by an Apple or a Column. It sounds airy fairy, but this truly is the key. I promise!

 

Find Your Best Self

 

 

Searching for the Best Me, also meant embracing my inner Curliness, and refraining from straightening my hair. As I discovered years ago, too, there is an ideal, flattering length for my hair, and I think that's this look below. Just brushing the shoulders when dry, a little longer when wet or straightened for a special occasion.

 

Note too, that when the above photo was taken, I was still wearing my faux pearls.

 

Here below, are the beautiful, lustrous, glowing baroque pearls I treated myself to, with the money I'd saved by not spending up on unsuitable clothing. True story.

 

Same me. Still curly, still wearing black, still wearing pearls, but below is a kind of upgraded me, I think. What do you think?

 

Over the last eight months since signing up with Marie-Anne Lecouer, I've changed my daytime look from this...

 

...to this...

 

 

...and armed with Marie-Annes advice and a new found confidence, I leapt to this...

 

 

...and this...

 

...and people started asking me whether I'd lost 10 kilos....

 

...no, I haven't...but I look like I have.

 

Look 10 kilos lighter

 

You really can look ten kilos (22lbs) lighter, armed with the right information on how to dress for your shape, too. It's all about your shape and your proportions. I cannot emphasise this enough.

 

See my post early this year, The First Step, on how to determine your body shape, and click on the links provided.

 

 It's the middle of Winter here, and even in the Sub-Tropics we get the wind whistling around the eaves and a couple of months of genuinely chilly weather.

 

So my most recent thoughts, included making a decision on which of these trench coats to keep and wear, and which to discard.

 

Marie-Anne Lecouers' advice was to shorten the pink one, above. This one is actually my favourite. It is vintage, has a lovely gentle and flattering bell shape, had clean lines with no epaulettes or belt, and has elegant pintucking detail on the cuffs, collar, pockets, and on the half faux belt at the back. This lovely pink trench was a gift from an online friend. Thankyou S. I love it and wear it often.

 

 

She also thought that the standard stone coloured trench above, and the shorter black one below, were well worth keeping as classics. I had purchased this one from J.Crew a couple of years ago, but had never had the confidence to wear it. My suburb is not really one where you see folk swanning around in lovely trench coats. No more! I've worn it a dozen times or more, and felt very elegant. Why dress down to suit others, I ask you?

 

 

This black one is actually the one I've worn most often. I purchased it at Selfridges in London in 2015, and it's shorter length and neutral colour, means it has a more casual feel to it, and as I wear a lot of black, it's had it's fair share of airings. Marie-Anne advised keeping it, as again, it will never go out of style.

 Having gained no additional closet space with that advice....lol...I decided instead, to discard other items which I had held on to due to sentimental value. One an oversized denim jacket, not flattering, but kind of jacket du jour here in the Sub Tropics, and secondly, a fairly ordinary black blazer. I need to add that I have 2 other denim jackets and two more black blazers, so along with three trench coats, it was a bit of overkill for someone who only endures 10 weeks of Winter a year!

 

The Four C's

 

Remember that one of the secrets of the French woman, is to Cultivate a Carefully Curated Collection of clothing. The Four C's. Just like with diamonds.

 

Cultivate - try to improve or develop

Carefully - in a way that deliberately avoids error, cautiously

Curated - select, organise and look after the items in a collection

Collection - a group of accumulated items of a particular kind

 

Our Mantra

 

Improve, develop, organise, and look after, a select group of accumulated items in our wardrobe that flatter our shape, whilst deliberately avoiding error.

 

Print that out and carry it with you.  Or take a screen shot if you prefer. If you are shopping for a new item for your wardrobe, look at this to remind you of what you're trying to achieve. If the item you're considering does not fit these parameters, put it back. Seriously. And yes. I just made that up. I didn't steal it from anywhere. So if you use it, please acknowledge me :)

 

What are your thoughts? Which trench coat would you keep? Which do you think is most flattering? Do you have a favourite jacket or coat? Have you taken a critical eye to how it looks on you lately? Could you be due for a coat upgrade?

 

How are you going with getting to know the best way to dress your shape? Have you had any revelations about yourself and your presentation this year?

 

I'd love to hear!

 

...Mimi...

 

 

A New You...Dressing the Petite Plus Sized Apple Shape #6....Long and Lean...

I'm half way through my New Year, New You Challenge. That's the one where I decided to educate myself more adequately on what suits someone who is 57 and fat....hahaha!

 

I'm what is known in figure-analysis circles as an Apple. I thought for the longest time I was an Hourglass. Ha! Fool me!

 

This misconception led to all kinds of fashion failures. I mean really, we're not even talking 'fashion'. We're just talking 'not looking like a dogs breakfast'.

 

Anyways, I finally got my act together on this Apple shape bizo, and started re-assessing clothing I had, and making some (very) well chosen purchases.

 

First on the Wish List was to look more like Caroline Herrera, the Venezualan born designer, seen above left. Yes. Well, I don't have her figure, but armed with the right information, I set about finding something similar in her look, that would suit me.

 

The skirt on the right, was my solution. It was neutral, had a print that was not floral, and had this lovely piping that tricked the eye into looking at the vertical, thus making me look taller and leaner. BUT...it was too long, and left at that length, could still make me look frumpy.

 

I was also, at this stage, still acclimatising to the idea that short, fat people like me (sorry, Petite Plus Size Apples), should, nay... NEED... to create the illusion of height. See, Caroline does this admirably with her schnazzy heels, and her foofy hair.

 

So the first item on the list was a pair of nude heels, and a pair of black peeptoe heels. Done. These needed low top of foot cleavage to give the illusion of length of leg, and a wearable height as far as heels go. Hobbling is not a good look, short and fat, or not. 

 

I shortened the skirt. That was not a task for the faint hearted. This is a semi-circular, gored skirt, and it was a job I dreaded, but once done, I could immediately see an improvement.

 

I paired it here, with a blush pink cardi and scarf, took this selfie, and realised that this scarf (which I previously loved), was adding bulk to my frame in the same way waterfall cardi's had previously.

 

I exchanged it for this long vintage blush pink glass bead necklace, and look! Doesn't that make me look taller and slimmer already? Who knew, right? Long and lean accessories make YOU look long and lean. Fluffy, fat ones, well, you know...make you look fluffy and fat. Not desirable for most of us.

 

I popped this Citrus Green jacket on that day too. But it's boxy, cropped style, just makes me look boxy and cropped. Sigh. I used to love that jacket, but it's Sayonara Citrus for now. I've kept it exclusively for wear with dark denim jeans and a jaunty scarf. That's a better look.

 Finally I got the DETAILS right, and paired my altered and thrifted $10 skirt, with a $20 button down shirt in black (black minimises faults remember, white accentuates them...great for Caroline, not so much for me). I added my black slingback peeptoe heels ($150 and many hours on the net searching), and my longed for Baroque pearls.

 

I think whilst I'll never be Caroline, I'm happy enough with my interpretation on her look, to know that I REALLY CAN DO THIS!

 

In the picture above right, I look taller, more slender, youthful, but not ridiculous, and more stylish than I did six months ago by far.

 

I think I'll call that a win!

 

My Baroque pearls remain my best investment, like, ever. I wear them several times a week, and they elevate everything I wear to 'special'.

 

Here below, was the inspiration, and under that, the realisation.

 

I never dreamed I'd own something so lovely, but discipline and 'thinking like a French woman', have seen me change my approach to dressing, forever.

 

 

 

Now when I shop, I shop with a specific item in mind. It must be the right colour, the right shape, the right fit (or be able to be altered for fit...we Apples are hard to fit sometimes), the right length, and so on. If I do NOT find that item, exactly as I've listed, I don't buy anything. Another valuable lesson. The right 'thing' seems to find it's way to me eventually.

 

The little details make all the difference to whether your look works or not. Who could have imagined that shortening a skirt, wearing (non-crippling) heels, and investing in a fitted button down shirt and a strand of pearls, could make such a difference.

 

Remember...

 

1. Think long and lean, like my glass bead necklace.

 

2. Vertical stripes (like the piping on my skirt) or features are your friend.

 

3. Adding height by wearing heels and an up do, like Caroline Hererra or my peeptoe heels,  is another great strategy.

 

4. Be choosy when you shop and always shop with a list...just like for groceries. I measured where I wanted my pearls to finish on my torso, and sent the lady who was making them, 10 photos of what I didn't want, as well as 3 of what I did. I was very specific.

 

5. Shoes need toe cleavage to add length to your leg. Nude heels are great, as are peeptoe heels.

 

6. Knee length hemlines are perfect for Apples. They add length to your leg and make you appear taller.

 

7. Fitted button down shirts, with a wee bit of stretch are better than boxy t-shirts and jackets. Anything loose or boxy, just makes you look fatter.

 

8. If you wear scarves, be sure they're not adding bulk to your frame. Silk scarves are better than knit.

 

Are you getting there? I hope you're finding this as fun as I am!

 

...Mimi...