Serious Summer

Inflation is high, fuel and grocery prices are high, temperatures are high, and Mr. Bleu is out of work.  We knew the out-of-work part of this summer was coming, and we've done our best to plan for it, but with everything else being so high, we're struggling a little to make ends meet. 

You may not see how high temperatures factor in to all this, but with the summer being so hot and dry, our garden (which was one of the ways we planned coping both with the rise in food prices and the drop in income) is suffering and apart from a few tomatoes, it hasn't done anything to supplement our food supply over the past couple of months.

We're hopeful that the single income will only last a month, but things have been harder, which means no spare income for pretty dresses for the foreseeable future.  You may think this would drive me crazy, but actually I've quite enjoyed the break. 

I'm still in the process of cleaning out my extensive wardrobe which remained untrimmed for nearly a decade, and with the recent suspension of anything incoming, it's given me a chance to wear lots of things that sat on the shelf for far too long.

It's somewhat bittersweet really.  I haven't worn this strawberry dress in five years and that is a terrible shame because it is so cute and comfortable in this oppressive heat, but also because The Other Sparrows, the company which made this pretty little strawberry dress has closed its doors and gone away.

That's the way of things I suppose.  Hard times hit and sometimes we survive and sometimes we don't.  I'm not terribly worried about our month of single income and doing without a few things but it is a good reminder to appreciate the good times and prepare for the bad times.

Shopping Info:  Dress from The Other Sparrows, Flats from Harriseve