So, Tuesday, September 22nd was my 50th birthday. It took me a week to process it and all that has happened. Since my 49th birthday, so much in my life has changed... for the better. After several YEARS of deep contemplation, I decided to end my marriage during Summer of 2019. December 6, 2019, I packed up and moved to Auburn, AL to be near Mikaela. I needed rest, relaxation and a reset. After 3 months, the pandemic hit and it was the best thing to happen to me. The entire world slowed down to a pace that met my own. I enjoyed the stillness. Since March, I've done a lot of soul searching and reflecting regarding who I am and who I want to be in this new stage of life. Knowing that I made the best possible decision for myself, I'm not bitter, jaded, sad or angry. I'm excited! I'm excited about new beginnings and fresh starts. I'm even dating, during the pandemic! Navigating this has been super tricky and interesting. It takes getting to know someone, their habits and whether or not they are strongly "Covid Conscious". With everything that is going on in the world, this has been the year that I needed and hopefully, it will end on a high note. I'm looking forward to 2021.

I haven't been inspired to make a birthday dress in a longtime. I'd had this pattern, Vogue 1692 since it came out. It had always been my intention to take the pattern and just make it into a casual racerback style maxi dress. But why? Why not create what it was intended to be? Something glamorous.

This is a really simple pattern that sews quickly, but it required a lot of alterations for me. Here is my FBA and the one inch length at the waist.