The surprising costs of endometriosis

Guest post from my dear friend (who also has endo) Sarah MacLeod. We met through the Canberra Endometriosis Network last year just before I left for the UK and bonded over having the same gynecologist.

I want to talk about something that’s not very widely discussed – the financial impact of living with endometriosis. Endometriosis is finally making it into the news! Usually the aspect of infertility is discussed and pain is mentioned, but the financial burden is not. There are a couple of research papers, however I want to give this the personal touch.

The one thing that people like to talk about as little as ‘Women’s Problems” is money. In the 5 years that my endo was under control I spent $60,000 on medical bills, that’s not including any over the counter medication. These were my healthy years. I was lucky to be healthy enough to work to allow me to afford this. However because of my endo I never managed to save for the future.

What the future brought was unhealthy years. I am one of the lucky ones again in that I have both a partner and parents who could support me, and this amazing thing called a credit card. For approximately 18 months I could not work for more than 3 hours a week. I had the sudden onset of chronic pelvic and nerve pain caused by endometriosis and complications with a Mirena. In this time I had botox injections every 6 months to help relieve my nerve and muscular pain. This is not covered by medicare and also not available where I live, in Canberra. This meant that each lot cost $1000 plus travel costs, which were usually about $800. On top of that my weekly chemist bills were $100 and I was having a weekly remedial massage at $70 a week just to relieve my pain enough to work those 3 hours a week. On top of this there were regular GP visits and unfortunately I could not find a bulk billing GP who knew how to manage my pain so this was an extra cost. I am so grateful that through all these things I have been able to return to work full time (although it is still an ongoing battle). Although things are looking up, we are still chipping away at the credit card debt that allowed me to become healthy enough to work. Those bills regularly make me feel like crying.

I would like you to now imagine that I was not one of the lucky ones, that I did not have a partner and family to support me emotionally, physically and financially. I have a friend who is in this situation, only her problems are worse than mine so she is unable to work at all and hasn’t been able to for a couple of years.

What prompted me to write this tonight is this -   I made a gofundme page for my friend to try and raise funds for her to have treatments she could not afford. The page raised $760, which I was incredibly happy with. However today I saw a gofundme page set up to help people with a wedding deposit that had made $2500 in 4 days. I do not begrudge these people that money in the slightest, but I can’t help but feel put out that people are so willing to donate money to that, and not to help someone have a better quality of life. People like the idea of a happy ending, they like to know that their money is going to help someone. Us girls with endo can’t give them that, we do not have a guaranteed happy ending. One thing that is guaranteed is that without help, nothing will change, and people will keep suffering. I also can’t help but think that perhaps if people knew the impact this disease has on all aspects of our lives then this would make a difference. I am hoping sharing my story might educate at least one person on one more impact that this disease has on us, who then might be able to tell one more person until no aspect of this disease is in the dark.

The impacts of living with endometriosis

Photo courtesy of Donna Ciccia, Endometriosis Australia

Tonight, as you read this, I will be co-MCing a sold-out (tickets were free but limited) endometriosis information night organised by the Women's Centre for Health Matters at the Legislative Assembly in Canberra. At this event, co-founder Katie Williams will be delivering this speech on behalf of the Canberra Endometriosis Network. I'm pretty sure I'm going to cry.

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C.S Lewis said, ‘Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another ‘what you too? I thought no one but me…’ 

This sums up how Libby and I felt after meeting at an endometriosis information night in May 2012. She newly diagnosed, me at 25, a veteran of 7 years. We had both been living with the impacts of endometriosis since our first period. Before we met we each felt isolated. Together, we knew we were stronger and could not only face this disease, but also change the landscape for others with the same diagnosis. And so, that quote became the motto of what we wanted to achieve.

We created the Canberra Endometriosis Network not long after; initially there were just 3 of us, catching up in my lounge room. We have now proudly grown to over 120 women and have monthly meet ups at the Women’s Centre for Health Matters. We are thankful for the ongoing support of Angela, Marcia and the WCHM, especially for organising and bringing us all together here tonight. To Melissa and the Canberra Endometriosis Centre, we thank you for bringing Libby and I together in the first instance and for your ongoing support and referrals to our Network.
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The Canberra Endometriosis Network supports and welcomes women at all stages of their journey with endometriosis from those in their teens and at the beginning of their journey, through to those still living with the effects of the disease post-hysterectomy. Tonight you will hear a range of experts talk about the symptoms and consequences of endometriosis from a medical point of view. But endometriosis impacts not only a woman’s physical well being; it impacts almost all aspects of her life.

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The widely accepted prevalence of endometriosis is one in ten, but medical professionals acknowledge this number could in fact be much higher. This is a staggering statistic, considering most people in the general population haven’t even heard of the disease and yet with similar or lower prevalence rates we all know about diseases and conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and multiple sclerosis. [Note by Libby for the blog - all these diseases are recognised by spell-check, endometriosis isn't!!]

Endometriosis is rarely recognised, at a minimum, as a chronic health condition, we need to change that. As a society we need to stop seeing endometriosis as a ‘woman’s problem’ but rather a problem that affects all of us. We need to stop seeing it as a condition that affects her menstruation, but rather a condition that requires consideration of the whole person and a multi-disciplinary approach. We need to break down the taboo that remains because talking about endometriosis involves talking about painful sex and painful menstruation. For these reasons there remains a strongly misplaced stigma around suffering with the disease.

In part due to the lack of awareness and ongoing stigma, one of the most significant impacts of living with endometriosis is the feeling of isolation that often starts with the onset of symptoms. And it is just not awareness amongst family, friends, teachers, employers and colleagues we crave, it is awareness amongst the medical community.

The average time it takes for a woman to get an accurate diagnosis of endometriosis is 7 years. Bringing with it a range of often-contradictory emotions. From relief to grief, from empowerment to helplessness, from knowledge to confusion, finally knowing the cause of your pain has a name and yet also knowing there is no cure.

During the interim period to diagnosis, women and girls often feel or are made to feel like they are attention seeking. In some cases this continues well after diagnosis, when treatments are ineffective, do not suit a woman’s lifestyle or needs, or worse when some symptoms are not identified and treated as being linked to, or caused by, endometriosis. When this happens women start to doubt themselves and their sanity.

As you will hear tonight, part of what makes this disease hard to live with, hard to manage and hard to treat, is that symptoms do not directly correlate to the extent of the disease and endometriosis and its treatment affects individual women in individual ways. What works for one, will often not work for another. The Network recognises this and encourages women to search for and find what works for them. This can range from surgery and medication to diet, exercise and physiotherapy. There is no one size fits all approach to endometriosis.

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Symptoms of endometriosis include heavy bleeding and bleeding between periods, extreme and chronic fatigue and infertility. Perhaps the most puzzling symptom is diarrhoea and constipation, and as the endo sisters in the room will know well, the medical miracle that is experiencing both those symptoms in the same toilet visit.

But the most common and debilitating symptom is pain. The pain associated with endometriosis can range from constant, daily aches through to acute sharp, stabbing pains, very few of these are ‘period pains’, often women with endometriosis experience pain throughout the month. In many women constant pain over many years can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, which Marita will talk about later tonight.

And it can come on in an instant. We may look fine one day, one hour, one minute, and be completely struck down with debilitating pain the next.

It is the invisible and unpredictable nature of the pain associated with endometriosis that impacts many women the most. It makes planning everyday activities, having a social life, making commitments to friends, work and hobbies at times feel impossible.

It is pain that often impacts so many facets of a woman’s life and the choices she makes. For me, in my late teenage years, that meant making the decision to forgo university as I could not commit to study when I couldn’t predict what my body would do. For others, that may mean that they need to take longer to complete study, or career paths that require long hours or are physically demanding are no longer an option. Sometimes passion and drive can overcome these hurdles, but often endometriosis leaves women in a very different position to that which they imagined they would be, leaving them with grief for what might have been. Many women with endometriosis end up re-evaluating how they measure their self-worth.

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Endometriosis has a significant impact on our intimate relationships. Many of us long for the day when we can have spontaneous sexual experiences with our partners without worrying about the associated pain and often bleeding that comes with it. It is also important to note that simply the act of arousal can flare symptoms such as pain.

Many women who suffer from endometriosis also experience various levels of vaginismus (sometimes making penetration impossible). In these situations it is important to acknowledge the impacts and frustrations of sexual dysfunction on both partners. Many people express themselves physically as well as emotionally so when the physical is not possible, communication can be interrupted. It is important for partners to understand that it is not a lack of attraction or desire that leads to women with endometriosis not wanting to engage in sexual activity.

Between the pain, painkillers, side effects of medication (many of which result in diminished libido), medical procedures, unpredictable bleeding, unpredictable bowel and bladder habits, sore breasts and mood swings, a woman with endometriosis may not exactly feel ‘sexy’. But it does not mean saying goodbye to intimacy in your relationship. Taking the time to simply kiss, cuddle and enjoy physical closeness can be very powerful.

It is also important to acknowledge the impact of endometriosis on fertility and the threat of infertility. Infertility is physically and emotionally draining and can also really affect a woman’s self-perception of femininity and worth. Endometriosis is a leading cause of female infertility, and yet in 2014, the primary treatment is still hormonal castration.

Once those who wish to, accomplish the hurdle of motherhood, endometriosis and its symptoms such as pain and fatigue can impact the type of mother a woman wants or desires to be.

Some women are unable to work. Some find themselves facing thousands of dollars’ worth of surgical or fertility bills. The financial impact of having endometriosis can be an overwhelming burden and trigger for stress which in turn is a trigger for pain.Compounded with all the ‘unknowns’ of the disease, you can see how a woman may feel a lack of control.

For family and friends, the disease is hard to fathom and conceptualise because most of the time, we just don’t look sick. How can you see pain? How can you see fatigue? I guarantee that most women with endometriosis wished, at some stage, that they looked the part. But beyond the often-unimpressive signs such as scars, we carry on the outside, tonight you will hear; our insides tell a very different story.

Our symptoms are not imagined, created for convenience or to excuse behaviour. They are real. Women need to be taken seriously, have their concerns addressed and have their symptoms treated appropriately.

Endometriosis is a poorly understood, often inadequately managed and life-long condition with no cure. But is not all doom and gloom. Endometriosis has brought me some positive experiences and taught me some important lessons. It has taught me that my journey is individual. That I need to be my biggest advocate and the change I wish to see with this disease. That asking for help or taking time out are not signs of weakness, but absolutely necessary. It has taught me that I need to educate others who are ignorant of this disease. It has taught me to be more empathetic for the journey of others. And perhaps most importantly it has taught me resilience, to fall down seven times and to get up eight.

More recently it has taught me of the need for support for family, friends and partners of women with this disease, something we are still working on and why it is so important and heart-warming there are so many of you here tonight .

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The Canberra Endometriosis Network is a shoulder to cry on, a sister to commiserate with and a platform to help see the bigger picture. We are 120 women with one goal, to help each other in the daily journey of living with the impacts of endometriosis.

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No part of this speech can be used or reproduced without permission. Permission can be obtained by emailing canberraendometriosisnetwork@gmail.com. Feel free to share and pin this post though, as the more people who read Katie's words, the better! Thank you to Change Focus Media for volunteering their time to film the speeches on the night. Because of their gracious help, a youtube link to the speech will be put here as soon as it is available.

Thankful Thursday

Julia Roberts' smile = how big I wish I could smile right now.

First off - I just wanted to say again that this year has been amazing. Sure, it's had it's down times, and I'm actually having more endometriosis pain than last year, but for every down, there has been just as big an up. To be honest, last year was hell. For the first time in my life, I thought it was never going to get any better. I'm so glad that I've come out the other end.

Feeling settled in Canberra

After 2 years and 3 months I finally am feeling more settled in Canberra. It's been a little bit of a roller coaster ride, but I finally feel like I've got a good circle of friends and I don't feel like I'm floundering anymore.

Gorgeous weather

It's warm. In April. SERIOUSLY. WHO STOLE YOUR CLIMATE CANBERRA?
*Caveat: after 2 years and 3 months in Canberra, a day with a high of 21 and a low of 5 is now warm to me.

Also, autumn leaves. My favourite season in Canberra, and one of the reasons I am loving it so much right now.

Stimulating work

Work has been really busy for the last few weeks - a bunch of projects that I'm working on are now all coming together and the hard slog beforehand is coming to fruition. There is still quite a lot to do, but it's nice to see the beginnings of solid outputs! I can say that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world with my job at the moment - I've been working late nights but I don't even feel like I'm working. My colleagues rock my socks as well.

Talented friends

As seen in this post, my friend Hash took me out for a photoshoot on Saturday. It was fun and silly and a definite confidence boost. How could it not be with the talent he has?

New hobbies

This week I have tried out Women's Self Defence Hapkido classes and I started up Ceroc dancing again after two years. I forgot how much I loved dancing, and I'm looking forward to doing it a lot more. It's also really good to know some self defence moves so that I feel safer when I'm walking around at night.

Fash'n'Treasure

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This weekend I had a stall at Fash'n'Treasure with two friends. Fash'n'Treasure is a regular fashion market that happens every month or so at Exhibition Park in Canberra (also fondly known as EPIC). It used to be held at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston, but was moved up to EPIC in the last year because it just got too popular.

We travelled convoy-style with our cars full of second-hand goodies waiting to go to new homes. We made cute tags (of course I didn't take any photos of them) and I also used some fruit-themed notes that were bombonieres from a friend's wedding a couple of years ago (you know who you are, and they are so handy!) as tags.

A couple of quick tips and notes about having a market stall:

1) Be organised: This means that you should not stay up til 1 am the night before because you put off pricing items for too long, leaving no time to see if your rack fits into the car without needing to be dismantled (spoiler: it doesn't) making you late to the convoy at 8:30 the next morning.

2) Price a little higher than you want to sell, and give people a "discount" on the spot. A couple of people were undecided about a few items and the ones I gave a slight discount to snapped it up straight away while the others that I did not offer a discount walked away. I ended up regretting not offering a slight discount to the others because those items ended up not selling.

My pricing system was this: the price of the item indicated how much I wanted to sell it. That meant that some pieces that other people would sell for much more money were super cheap (ie I really wanted to get rid of them) and some items I had priced a little higher people might think were overpriced (things that I might have wanted to take home with me but knew that I shouldn't).

3) What sells will surprise you. There were a few items on our stall that were consistently picked up but never sold. For me, this was a blue polka dot dress of mine. Almost everyone who came in to the stall picked up the dress and showed it to their friends but no one tried it on. I also had a bright yellow vintage Cue skirt that I adore but that does not fit me. I was really surprised that no one wanted that since when I found it in an op shop I snapped it up straight away! Just shows that people have different tastes.

4) Have fun! While I did make a fairly good profit, it still didn't pay as much per hour as my day job does. It didn't matter to me though as money making wasn't necessarily my main objective. It was just fun sharing my passion for good clothes with other people and giving my pre-loved clothes away to new homes where they will be loved anew.

I had so much fun on the day, fulfilling a little dream of mine to have a vintage shop. After trying it out, I don't know if I could hack it day to day (seriously, how do you price things??? Also, I am the worst haggler ever, on both sides of the equation.) I wouldn't rule out having another stall in the future though - it was fun playing shopkeeper.

Look out for a post on my finds at Fash'n'Treasure later this week (I restrained myself and only bought a couple of items).

ActewAGL Women & Girls' Fun Run/Walk

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Coming up on Sunday the 3rd of March is the Women and Girls’ Fun Run/Walk. This is a 5k event where you can run or walk (hence the name) and any money raised supports the Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation and the YMCA of Canberra Runners Club.

I have registered a team on behalf of the Canberra Endometriosis Network (CENTS). We are entering this event to spread awareness of endometriosis, and if we are really lucky and get the largest team of runners, then no matter what results we get, we will get $500 to go towards endometriosis research. Even if we don’t succeed in having the largest team, I’m sure a few women will learn about a disease they never knew existed and maybe some women will finally have a name for the pain and fatigue they have been feeling.

So if you live in the Canberra area and wish to sign up please go to the registration page, select “Join Existing Team” under Registration Type, and select “Canberra Endometriosis Network” as your team. If you join as an individual you will not count when they count up everyone’s names to pick the winning team.

Feel free to invite your friends/family/neighbours/co-workers to join the team, the more the merrier. Anyone can join, you do not need to have endometriosis to join the team. It's all about awareness and getting the word out. Unfortunately this event is limited only to women, so no brothers/boyfriends/husbands/fathers/sons/male friends allowed. Sorry!

Details:

When: Sunday March 3rd, 9am
Where: Stage 88 – Commonwealth Park

Entry Fee:

Before 8th February: $25
After 8th February: $30

For more details and to register please go to:

http://www.wgfunrun.com.au/entry.php

If you or someone you know has endometriosis and they are interested in joining the Canberra Endometriosis Network, the facebook page is here or they can contact the group at the email canberraendometriosisnetwork@gmail.com. (Or just give them my email – vintagelib@gmail.com – and I’m happy to talk to them.)

Rent

I went to see a local production of the musical Rent on Wednesday. I seriously enjoyed it - sure the actors were out of tune sometimes but it made me laugh and cry and not want it to end so I think they did their job!

It brought up a conversation with the two people I went with - they're probably about 10 years older than me, so they were a little more aware/alive when the AIDS epidemic was happening in the 80s and early 90s. My parents have always told me about friends of theirs who died from AIDS but I wasn't really aware of how severe the situation was until I visited San Francisco earlier this year and visited Castro with one of my dad's friends. I didn't realise how the community was decimated by this illness that no one knew how to treat. (We still don't have a complete cure, just drugs to suppress it if you have the money to pay for them.)

I think it's interesting how this big event seems to have disappeared from the Western public's consciousness so quickly. Sure, we've all seen the bowling ball grim reaper ads, but I'm sure we think that it would never happen to anyone we know, that that only happens in Africa now, and I think people my age find it hard to imagine what it was like to be living when the epidemic was going on.

I'm planning on checking out this documentary about the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, have a look at the trailer if you're interested in hearing about it.

Watch 'We Were Here' Revisits San Francisco's 80's AIDS Epidemic on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Day 22: What I'm thankful for

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and the NHBPM prompt is themed accordingly - write about what you're thankful for! It's so easy to get caught up in all the things you don't have when you're health is less than stellar, so I'm glad they chucked this prompt in. (Hey, it's so easy to get caught up in the negativity even when everything is perfectly fine!)

So, today I was thinking about how much better my life is at the moment than it was this time last year. Last year I had no confirmed explanation for my pain and fatigue, I felt very isolated in the house I was in (although my housemate was actually quite good, just not social) and I hadn't yet gotten the job that I have at the moment, which I so desperately wanted.

One thing that has made a huge difference is my awesome housemates and our adorable house. I really feel like I've hit the jackpot with these guys. It feels like home. It's nice to come home to people who really care about you and a house that reflects your personality and I think I take that for granted just a little bit. So thanks for making my life better, guys!

Samples of some of the things I love about my house: roses from the garden, our huge tea collection (what's in the photo is by no means the extent of it), cute pillows, fairy lights and comfy couches

I also have such lovely, supportive, friends and family here in Canberra and all over the world. I like that even though I have been in Canberra for almost two years (!) many of my friendships from Adelaide are still flourishing. It's nice to have people who care and put in that extra effort to see you when you're only back for a little while, who send little notes of encouragement or who make the effort to come visit, so I hope you all know how much I appreciate it. It was also so good to see my US family a few weeks ago. I miss them terribly but I am glad that I got to spend the time over there.

While we're talking about things I'm thankful for - I thought I'd mention a few things that make me feel more at home here. Tonight I got a haircut and it just reminded me that I really do have it good. I have a great hairdresser who I trust implicitly with my hair. I've never had that before in my life, so its nice to actually get excited for hair appointments and not have to worry while I'm sitting in that chair. She always makes it look amazing and I walk out feeling like a movie star. Having favourite cafes and restaurants and even a regular dry cleaner that I know won't wreck my clothes makes this feel all the more like home.

I'm also thankful to have found a great GP and a good support network of endo girls here in Canberra. My GP always fills me with hope when I leave her appointment and I no longer dread the visits. I had dinner with one of the endo girls on Tuesday and it was refreshing to be able to talk about my experience with endo and know that the person I'm talking to knows exactly what I'm talking about. We went to a yummy Ethiopian restaurant in Pearce, and again it reminded me of how lucky I am to live in a country that is so multicultural, where I can go out and eat this yummy food.

One thing that I know I take for granted too much, but I am also very thankful for today, is my job. I never in a thousand years would've dreamed that I would be able to do the stuff that I'm doing right now at my age. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have to do some pretty cool stuff and also the fact that I am be able to get the medical help I need without stressing about money. (Flexible hours are also a total lifesaver).

I could probably go on forever, but I'll stop there. So, happy Thanksgiving.

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This month I will be taking part in National Health Blog Post Month. Check back every day to see the new topic and learn more about endometriosis. Today's topic is thanksgiving.

Movie Roundup

I've seen a lot of good films lately due to the Canberra International Film Festival (CIFF) being on. I'm generally fairly hard to please when it comes to movies so I was quite surprised when two of the movies I've seen in the last few weeks have made me want to go out and buy the DVD. So if you're looking to see a good movie check these two out:

Poster courtesy of IMDB

I saw this movie last night as part of my CIFF membership. It details the final year of a coach's run of coaching at Mannassas Highschool in Memphis, Tennessee and the stories of some of the kids on the team. It will make you bawl while you are grinning your face off. It's out on DVD, so hightail it to your DVD store and check it out.

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Poster courtesy of IMDB

This movie is still in theatres in Canberra so hopefully it is where you are too, because you should go and see it! It is based on the true story of a quadraplegic man in France (yes, it has subtitles), the man he hires to care for him and the hijinks they get up to together. I loved every second of this movie. Stellar acting by both of the leads. For those who have known me for a long time, take note of the fact that it almost beats 500 Days of Summer in how much I love it. That is a big statement for me...

Picnic by the river

On the very first day of warmth in Canberra, a friend and I decided to have a picnic by the Queanbeyan River to make use of the gorgeous sunshine.

Dress: vintage

Shoes: Betts

Headband: etsy

Yeehaw! Cowgirl style.

At the Old Timey Music Revue my housemate pointed out an awesome cowgirl shirt that one of the artists on stage was wearing, and decided that she thought that I could pull that off and should therefore run out and buy one. I, as a lover of country music and all things tongue-in-cheek, agreed that this was a good idea and went off on an Etsy search. This search proved to be far from fruitful.

Thankfully, on my trip to the US, my dad independently decided that I should own such a shirt and bought one for me. That one was unfortunately two sizes too big but we went back and got me one that fit, and I love it! I decided that, in the spirit of this blog, it was acceptable attire for work. The results are below:

before leaving for work | blue nails now that i don't bite them anymore | glass figure + garden and grass couch installations at the art gallery opening i attended in my cowgirl get up | wrinkled clothes after sitting in them all day at work

Shirt: Wrangler

Skirt: Vintage Cue

Shoes: Acoustic Stomach

Sunny days

Lately it's been a little bit warmer in Canberra. We've finally gotten to the stage where tights are not a requirement and summer dresses can be pulled out of the depths of the cupboard. I even changed my quilt from my Canberra winter weight quilt to my Adelaide winter weight quilt tonight! (I think it might still be awhile before we have 10+ degree nights in Canberra.)

To celebrate the warmer weather, I broke out one of my recent purchases from my travels - my embroidered denim shirt (and my $10 shoes!) Later that day it got a little chillier so I substituted the sandals for my new white connies... no pictures though.

Dress: Lemisee creations (Bondi Markets)

Shirt: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Banged up knee brought to you by Dramamine, raccoons and San Francisco.

Lantern/tree at the grand opening of Mint Garden Bar on Friday. Come visit me and I will take you there!

Old Timey Music Revue

So I've been a bit slack with staying true to my favourite vintage style for the past few weeks, but I've been much better this week (partly because I've had time!). Even though I didn't get to record most of my outfits from this week, I can tell you that I made a lot more effort and it showed - I was more confident and happy in myself.*

Friday night was an "Old Timey Music Revue" held at the Polish Club in Turner. My housemate and I got dressed to the nines in vintage gear in order to score discount entry to the event. (On a side note, I love having a housemate that loves getting dressed up in vintage just as much as I do). What followed once we got there was some great country, blues and jazz music and lots of fun swing dancing. I'm thinking I'm going to have to start taking classes! It was so good to have a night out with good music (but not so loud that you can't chat), good company, good dancing and a not-too-late bedtime. Am I sounding old yet? Looks like I'll have to pay another visit to the Polish Club in the near future for some pierogi!

Dress: Vintage (Cue), some vintage store in Adelaide... probably Red Ruby Vintage

Belt: Vintage, Mint Vintage (pretty sure it doesn't exist anymore)

Cardigan: Vintage, Fash & Treasure

Coat: Vintage, Fash & Treasure

Purse: Vintage, some op shop

(Apart from the cardigan and coat I've had most of that outfit for years, so I'm pretty sketchy on the details of where I bought pieces)

PS How gorgeous is my housemate's dress?

*Note: I know that different things give confidence and happiness to different people - for you it might be being able to sew a gorgeous quilt or refurbish some furniture into a lovely new piece. For me, nothing brightens my day more than dressing up in a pretty frock, being creative with my clothes and adding some colour to our sometimes drab world. This blog is all about trying to make every day better by doing things that I know make me a more positive, happy person.

Lakeside picnic

Muscles with mussels.

A beautiful day down by the lake to celebrate a good friend's birthday (Tasmanian food themed to mark the birthday boy's home state).

Cardie: Dotti

Scarf: Vintage

Skirt: Vintage

Shoes: Acoustic Stomach

Thai Food Festival

This skirt is one of my absolute favourite vintage buys. I'm so glad I bought it and had the guts to wear it that first time, because I just feel like a super star in it (so comfy but so stylish!). It's 100% wool, perfect for chilly Canberra winter spring days where you want to rug up but not look like a puff ball. I'm really glad I hung on to the earrings - my granny gave me a bag of her and her friend's old earrings when I was a teenager, and even though I didn't like them then, I hung on to them, and now wear them all the time.

Cardie: Dangerfield 

Skirt: Vintage, Material Pleasures

Coat: My sister's (stole it off her)

Earrings: Vintage (My granny's)

Scarf: souvenir from trip to India

Apples and Penguins

Another outing with my bestie (you can tell by the quality of the photos). More fun with curls, vintage and bright lippy. You can't see the cherries on the cardie, but they definitely up the cuteness.

Cardie: vintage, $15, Fash & Treasure (http://www.fashntreasure.com.au/)

Blouse: vintage, $10, vintage store on Magill Rd that I'm pretty sure doesn't exist anymore.

Skirt: vintage, $10, Librarian Chic (http://www.librarianchic.com.au/findthestoryinyourwardrobe/Home.html)