outfit: pastel plaid birthday lunch

Today was my sisters 20th birthday, so we both took the day off work and went down to Carlton to have lunch on Lygon Street.

Highlight of my day:

EGGPLANT CHIPS OMNOMNOMNOM!! I am completely obsessed with them after trying them some time last year at a tapas bar in Fitzroy, and they haven't quite taken over the world yet so it can be hard to find them sometimes.. What luck that the restaurant we chose (after much deliberating) had these on their menu!

Sunglasses - Cotton On, cardigan - Miss Shop, sweater clips & dress - made myself, belt - thrifted, bag - eBay, shoes - Windsor Smith

This is the dress that I mentioned I had made - I love it so much!! It's the perfect spring/summer dress with its pastel plaid print, skinny straps and flouncy skirt.

I think it's the best work I've ever done to be honest, so I am extremely proud of it - the whole thing is lined which I have never done before as I've been too lazy but it just makes such a difference to the feel and look of the finished garment - it actually seems like I bought it from a shop!

I also DIY-ed these sweater clips using earrings and a small piece of chain. So simple and I can still use the earrings for their intended purpose.

I was having a pretty good hair day too - this was my first ever successful pin-curl set which I managed to brush out into something that could almost pass as a pageboy. Very happy!

The dress on it's own:

And the back. Sorry about the wrinkles, I'd been sitting all day at this point:

Should have pulled up my belt too, oops. 

The pattern I based the dress off was this one from the 80's or 90's by New Look.

I shortened the top and made my own gathered skirt, as well as having to take it in a bit (although not enough it seems) and also incorporated the lining, which wasn't part of the original pattern.

After today I am going to find it very hard to go back to work tomorrow. Luckily I have a great weekend coming up to look forward to.

Hope everyone had a lovely day!