Its a Mans World

I have been digging in the dirt for the last two days. While prepping for the foundation footings to be poured I looked around today, while hammering spikes into the ground, it occurred to me that I am definitely in a mans world.  As a designer I mostly work with contractors all of whom have been men. I usually get the eye rolling facial expressions and comments like "oh YOUR the designer" making me feel a bit like an outcast. It usually takes me awhile but eventually they except me and realize I'm not just some floozy decorator. Slowly they forget that I'm a women outcast in there manly world.  I am just a person like them, wanting to learn to grow. 

This project has been a little different as I have taken on a larger role as owner/builder, the big "general contractor" of sorts.  I still got the uneasy little look at first (them sizing me up), but I don't care anymore, I'm running the job, I'm making the decisions. So today I put on my carhartt overalls and started hammering away, building my foundation footings from my drawings, solving problems.  Thankfully I hired a wonderful foundation contractor who enjoyed the help, and taught me a thing or two as well.  I feel that I am just where I need to be in my life, I couldn't be happier in this mans world!

Documenting the foundation with carhartt's seemed a little blah, so typical, so my husband and I decided when everyone left to do a little photo shoot.  This wool jacket and shirt are vintage from Austria bought and handed down to me from my grandmother.  I don't know how many times she wore them (actually there is a beautiful wool skirt as well I will have to show you that sometime) but it is in pristine condition.  Every time I look at this outfit I think of my grandmother, her strength, her love and belief in me.