Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Proud to be stylish and feminist!!





Dusk is an absolute force of nature, and one of the most positive, fearless and creative women I have had the pleasure to meet in blogland. I am floored she has chosen me to be a recipient of the Stylish Blogger Award!! I am very happy to accept this accolade and pass the torch forward to the following bloggers who all bring it with style in their own special way: Nikki of Little Bits of Nikk Nak, Kara of Porkchop Does Rule, Nicole of Flaming Hag Folkwear, Joanna of Mrs. Bossa Does the Do, Rebecca of Smashingbird, Shy Biker, Dhee-Ghee of Dear Girl, confessions of a wallflower, Annalise and Jennifer of Hummingbird Girls, Dolly the bird of The Knack and How to get it, and Dash of The French Sampler!!
And per the guidelines for award recipients, I would like to share some things about me I have not yet divulged on this blog! As a member of the Feminist Fashion Blogger group, we are blogging in concert today on the topic: finance, feminism and the fashion blogger. This relates well to the introduction of my background as a construction worker. For many years I was very proud of the fact that I worked as hard as any of my (almost all) male peers for equal pay. I am a journey-level electrician, heavy equipment operator, and a gradesetter. I spent eight years working for union companies building soul less subdivision McMansion tract housing neighborhoods that I loathe! I then was self employed for almost three years as a General Contractor, specializing in remodeling homes built prior to 1950. After the economy started to tank in 2007 I got an entry level office worker job for the State of California. I was sick of dealing with deadbeat clients too, I won’t lie. It was a pay cut and a morale bruiser but my paychecks don’t bounce! I would cringe when people asked me what I do for a living when before I was proud to exceed their expectations of what women are capable of. But I’m small boned and I have since been diagnosed with early onset osteoarthritis in my spine, a result of having worked like a dog building everything I could get paid well to for almost 15 years. So now I’m grateful I’m not beating my body up just to prove that I can do what men can do, only better! And I was also fortunate to have purchased my house by myself when I was just 24 years old, having saved up some of the good pay I used to shovel in!! My little bungalow was built in 1920 and is located in an urban area near downtown Sacramento with huge trees and a killer park. So I don’t want for much, and I don’t need to abuse myself to make a decent living anymore! In contrast, fashion blogging has been purely a pleasure. I am new at this, having only seriously started blogging a few months ago, and if I never make any money doing it that would be fine! But as I have been collecting vintage clothing for over 20 years I’d love to be able to sell some of that to other vintage lovers out there too! You can’t put a price on the value of the connections and camaraderie I experience by sharing what I love most: building, restoring and celebrating life through my vintage style filter!  
  
70s Midi Dress, Joseph Magnin, $4 Sacramento Antique fair last week
Contemporary fake fur capelet, $15 Citizen Rosebud a few weeks ago
70s plastic cameo choker, $8 Sacramento Antique fair fair last week
Fake pearl and ab rings, $1 each Sacramento Antique fair fair last week
Bakelite dome ring, $20 ebay a few years ago
70s pull on boots, $4 thrift town, last seen here
         

34 comments:

  1. Ann, really love reading about your work history and how the choices that sometimes we make shape part of our future.
    Very insightful post and of course quite a splendid outfit; the pearl bracelets are amazing!

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  2. ofelia!! This is my wordiest post yet, I'm glad you didn't get bored!! I'm grateful that the path I've taken has ended up here, I'm having a blast thanks to rad peeps like you!! Mwah!!

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  3. You are freskishly AWESOME, Ann. It is so amazing that you were not only self-employed but worked in such a male-dominated field as construction work. The fact that you did it with excellence and with such fearlessness only attests to what an amazing soul you possess. And the style! Well, the proof is in the pudding- you are one of the most stylish people I've ever had the pleasure to know in my life. Congrats on your recent accolade- I imagine there will be PLENTY more where that came from. xo-Bella Q

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  4. I remember that feeling of female inferiority when I worked at a diner... there were "boy" and "girl" closing duties. While the girls were mopping and cleaning the bathrooms, they wanted the boys cleaning the grill because they are supposed to be stronger. WHENEVER I could pick up a shift to close "boys" side, I loved doing a fabulous job without complaint, just because I thought it was wrong how they divided us.

    As awesome as it is to rock in a male dominated field, I am glad that you aren't taking the toll on your body anymore! My boyfriend is working construction and it makes me nervous every day.

    Nikki
    PS: A HUGE thank you for the stylish blogger award! It means a lot, especially coming from someone as fabulous as you!

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  5. Thanks so much for passing the award to Annalise and I! This really made my day :-) Also, very cool to hear that you are part of the Feminist Fashion Blogger group. I have been involved in feminist politics for quite some years now. I majored in Gender Studies at CAL and am pursuing a MA in Sexuality Studies with a focus on gender. Combining an interest in "finance, feminism, and fashion blogger" is right up my ally. I started thrifting and vintage hunting because I didn't want to support corporations as well as a myriad of other political reasons. So glad to hear that there are others who feel the same way. Thanks again for the blogger award :-) And that maxi dress is just wonderful! The print is perfect for the Spring (I love florals!!) xoxo

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  6. Bella!!! I owe the award and the courage to do the blog to you!! Although tackling construction trades was daunting, putting myself out in the blogging universe was terrifying!! Thank you for supporting me and seeing in me what I couldn't see in myself!

    Nikki!! Such bullshit at that diner, and unfortunately it's the rule and not the exception! Construction is also a flawed industry to be sure but there is nothing like making something from nothing but raw materials! I envy your boyfriend for being able to do that still! But now I'm making a blog, and that is filling me with pride too!! And you're very welcome for the award!

    Jennyboo!! I love what you and Annalise are promoting, true individual and inspirational style!! What better way to show people that you don't need to buy sweatshop crap and follow arbitrary trends than to do what you guys do!! And so much consumerist bullshit is aimed right at women, it's a very narrow view of what it means to be attractive and worthwhile!! Thank you for expanding the potential of all women by example!! YOU GUYS ROCK!!

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  7. Nice colors... Oh, and congratulations on your award :)

    http://ladyonaroof.blogspot.com/

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  8. señorita!! Thanks, and it was a great day at the antique fair last Sunday, I found the main components to my outfit there for under $20!!

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  9. Congrats on the award!! I have new admiration for you after posting what you did/do... You're one brave and stylish lady!! What a combination! Kisses :)

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  10. Wow you are my hero, and I hope to be able to see that bungalow of your one day.
    Loving your killer ensemble. That dress is so beautiful, ahhhhhhhhhhhhh (sigh of delight).
    Much love, my dear friend.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  11. Fantastic post, absolutely fascinating,(I read it three times) clearly you are one hell of a woman and I am honoured that you have passed the award onto me.
    XXX

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  12. How gorgeous you are - I LOVE your outfit AND your attitude! What a lovely tale (well, except for the osteoarthritis, which obviously SUCKS).

    I would LOVE to see some pics of your house please!

    Sarah xxx

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  13. Hi and thanks for following my blog. Your feeds are finally coming through to me, yay! Great outfit and lovely to find out more about you.xx.

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  14. Wow, that is so cool that you used to work in construction! Though I expected (even before you wrote so) that it would be hard on anyone's health. A 1920s bungalow sounds fabulous! And that dress looks really cool!

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  15. PS: Coming back after scrolling down to say I LOVE your style altogether! New follower :)

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  16. Fascinating stuff. You have a past to be proud of. I learned so many interesting new facts about you.

    And thanks for the award: very sweet of you.

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  17. I really enjoyed your story! I'm thoroughly impressed with your history in construction, and also with the strength you had in moving on in order to better other parts of your life.

    And I LOVE that cat!! :-D

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  18. Dimi!! Thanks for the beautiful comment! I'm glad I have connected with you through this new chapter in my life!!

    Sacramento!! You are my hero too! I dream of the day you visit the city of your namesake, and it would be an honor to have you at my home and hang out in my garden by the pond! With Bella too, of course!! MWAH!!

    Dash!! Thanks so much for sharing your window of the world with me as I am honored to share mine with you!! I feel like I take a vacation from my desk at work to see your beautiful life!! And I'm glad the award made you happy too!

    Sarah!! I'm so glad you enjoyed my story, it has had ups and downs but I wouldn't change it for anything! Having osteoarthritis has made me stop and ask for help with physical tasks more, which took some getting used to! And I do get sore, but nothing a good soak in the old clawfoot tub and some wine won't fix!! And I will post more pics of the house, but almost every picture in the blog is inside or outside the house (I'm still a bit reluctant to take pics in public!)Thanks!!!

    Kitty!! I'm so happy to share my story with you, I'm glad you like what you see and read here!!

    Poet!! Thanks for the comment and for following! I'm so happy to have started blogging as I am finding great people like you to share and connect with!!

    Shybiker!! You are so stylish and kind, I am honored to know you and give you the award!! Thanks for your praise, I am proud of what I have built in the past and of my new project: building community through this blog!

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  19. VictorianKitty!! Thanks so much! It felt strange revealing so much of myself on this blog but I am proud to share with amazing people such as yourself! And Fang would love you too! He's such a sweet boy, but he does like to give little love chomps! He came with the house when I bought it, and he goes everywhere but the front porch is all his!!

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  20. You are a stud and your clothes are cute too. Thanks!

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  21. undercover caterer!! Thank you! Now I gotta decide whether to hold up a wall or impregnate a horse! They both sound fun! ;)

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  22. Such a lovely post really interesting to read more about you. Wow is all i can say what a job you had im really sorry to hear about your osteoarthritis i can relate to you there. Great outfit the colours look lovely on you. dee x

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  23. Dee!! Thanks for taking the time to read the long post and comment! I'm just taking it easy on myself these days and I'm rarely in pain, but if I overdo it my back will let me know! I hope your pain is also manageable! I really appreciate your kind words in regard to my outfit, I am sporting my all time favorite colors green and pink!

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  24. Awwww thank you my lovely! You are a total inspiration. xxx

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  25. Smashingbird!! Likewise sweetie!! I'd love to swim across the pond and give you a big hug!!

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  26. i love your new photo...thanks so much for this award, im taking it! That makes me even twice stylish, which I am!=) and how different was your job , for such a fashionable woman like you...who would imagine??that makes the 2 of us love vintage clothes !

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  27. dear girl wallflower!! Yea people are surprised I have a construction background, but I see a good outfit the same way as a building project, needing a foundation, solid layers and attention to detail! Glad you are double blessed with the stylish blogger award, you deserve to be!!!

    uhooi!! Thanks for the comment and visit, I will check out your blog!!

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  28. You look fantastic! And it's always soooo fascinating when people agree to take part in the award memes!

    Lovely pix btw :-)

    Ali x

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  29. alison cross!! Thanks, and it was fun to get the award and share more about myself!!

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  30. What a really interesting post, the unequal pay really rilles me, but that you got osteo for it that is so bad. I have rheumatoid arthritis - not from working for such a manual job but as well as ;-) You should have moved to the UK over here electricians and plumbers are on the best wages! Your dress is so beautiful too x P

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  31. Thanks Pearl! I was making equal pay to men as a union worker but I'm not built for grunt work! I was making almost twice what I make now in my early 20s but it was worth it to buy my house when I did, I wouldn't change a thing except to pay more attention to my back pain! Sorry about your RA, we just gotta take it easy on ourselves!

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  32. I am impressed with your story, although we have not yet passed the barrier of equality, I tried it years ago .... when I was a teenager .. I worked at a mechanic shop, while the men arranged car, I had to clean metal parts with gasoline. In the end I got bored. I am delighted to discover your blog and I will keep you up.

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  33. Rosy!! Seriously! We still have a way to go, and I spent a lot of time cleaning parts too! I still don't know what I wanna be when I grow up, but I know I what don't want to do anymore! Thanks for your visit and comment!!

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  34. Cheerzies, dollface!! I'll do a link back soon! I keep getting pulled away from blogging lately by other stuff!!
    As usual, love the frock!...and the sweet kitty cat!!
    Thanks again!

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