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Tuesday 14 August 2012

Sometimes simple is best on a trip to fake Paris

No shagariffic boots or bright colours here, but I feel just as visible in this black and white outfit as I do in my most brilliant plumage. This is exactly what I needed to wear on my stroll to my favourite cafe in fake Paris, or maybe fake Italy - does it really matter where? It's all in my head anyway. I'm putting this in Patty's wonderful Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style (even though it's already Tuesday). I've also put this up at Everybody, Everywear, which coincidentally has a monochromatic theme right now.


I'm looking rather dazed here, like a cat that has suddenly gone rang-y for no apparent reason. In fact, I'm feeling rather rang-y myself. 

TOO MUCH NOISE IN THE CITY!!! 
CAN YOU HEAR ME ABOVE THE DIN?? 
YES? 
THEN LET ME TURN UP MY FREAKING CAR STEREO OR 
RIP THE MUFFLER OFF MY HARLEY!!! 
Sorry, just venting here...effing, yeah! (heavy metal side effect)

The black things hanging down the front the outfit are the ties of the skirt. I carry a straw bag with this demure outfit and wear my other camera slung across my torso for style scouting. They're not in this photo because I needed to unburden myself as soon as I got home, which is when I snapped this. 

The Outfit
  • wide-brimmed black hat, retail
  • wraparound circle skirt, retail many years ago 
  • flats, Geox, retail many years ago
  • light cotton boat neck, three-quarter-sleeve top, thrifted, Value Village


This is the cartoon I drew of me in this outfit on my way to fake Paris (or Italy) with two of my favourite feline friends.

I'm including another outfit cartoon below. O and I had seen a marmalade cat hunting a dragonfly one night which I mentioned the next day when I saw Lisa at Dreamz n Wishz wearing fabulous firefly earrings, plus she had gone out for dinner at Firefly restaurant. She suggested that the cat might make a good cartoon. 


I was wearing Steven Madden slim trousers with ankle zips, and a shirt-dress, which Joni at Walking Colors had reminded me of, pointed black shoes, and my beret.

It has been hot here. By that I mean mid-20s tops. Compared to some places I should not be complaining, but I have been wilting terribly. No amount of watering is able to revive me. I have TREMENDOUS respect for all those bloggers weathering greater heat who manage to look so cool and fabulous, even in light jackets! I sleep sometimes with an icepack wrapped in a towel at my feet or under my neck, which helps. I hope it's not hot this week because I want to wear tights, but the odds are against me...

Other Housekeeping...

I drew this cartoon based on an incident that Curtise at The Secondhand Years had with Ms. Grabby Hands at a thrift sale. In the real story, Ms. Grabby TOOK Curtise's treasure. I could write a not-so-sweet heavy metal song about that too!


I sketched the cartoon below a while ago; it made me think of Robin at her blog a little sewing.


Okay, that's all. Whew. 
I hope you have a tremendous week! I've only been managing to post once a week lately, but I still make the rounds even if I'm not commenting as much as usual. You guys are all ROCK STARS!!!

50 comments:

  1. Melanie, you are just brilliant!
    First - what a perfectly elegant way to dress for fake Paris/Rome, you look so so pretty, strolling along hand-in-paw with your feline friends. That bit is real, isn't it?
    All your cartoons are wonderful, full of charm and humour and wit, but of course I am very taken with the happy ending to my sorry tale of jumble sale woe! I was thinking a blues song could tell the story, but if you want to rock it up, that's fine by me!
    Love the marmalade cats and your lusty grappling with the sewing machine.
    Hope you can keep cool, if not calm or collected. I am a wilting lettuce in hot temperatures too. xxxxx

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    Replies
    1. Ah, sadly, no giant feline friends in my 3D world - we only cavort in 2D. I could have drawn a cartoon where you whip out your handy chainsaw, but it was hard to incorporate without ruining the line of your outfit.

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  2. ahhh, so well-rounded a person you are, Ms. Melanie. Always a pleasure to see you self styling from A to Z and back again.

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  3. You remind me of Audrey Hepburn. You are so freakin' awesome.

    I think I may be a dumb American and confused by temps in the mid 20s which made me immediately wonder if you live in Alaska. Then I was all, like, "Celsius, Dummy" (which I had to look up to spell, celsius, not dummy). It's been in the mid to high 80s F here in the Deep South of the USA, which is rather cool for our dog day summers. I've broken out actual sleeves.

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    1. I must remember always to put Fahrenheit in my posts too. No wonder you thought Alaska!

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  4. What a great hat!

    It rained on the Plains today and was cool. So cool, I forgot to get dress. It happens...

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  5. It's supposed to go up to 30 this week - we delicate west coast flowers will wilt, I'm sure.

    Love your charming outfit! You DO look like Audrey Hepburn in that.

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  6. Melanie - your cartoon absolutely blows me away!!
    you are SO talented!!

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  7. Your black and white outfit is charming. I love black and white and as always, I really love your cartoons, especially "Cat Tails and Dragonflies". Stay cool.

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  8. I've been thinking about you, wondering if you got lost in a labyrinth of raging music and fabulous thigh high boots. But here you are, demure and lovely, doing an about face in your inimitable way. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who wilts. My problem is, I live in one of the wiltier parts of the world.

    I love the hat with this beautiful, charming outfit. Simple, artistic, and feminine without being saccharine or frou frou. Well done!

    Your drawings are equally charming. I love this side of you as well!!

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  9. Hey! I have a hat just like that! Tres chic! Oh to be inside your wonderful crazy head. Love your drawings soooooo much.
    Connie*

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  10. In spite of the heat (I love the idea of ice in bed ;)), you are indeed looking Parisian in Vancouver, which the one time I visited seemed so very cosmopolitan to me!

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  11. You look so sweet and demure in your fake Paris outfit but I can detect a wicked sparkle in your eyes! Loving the Curtise and kitty cartoons, you are such a clever cartoonist and a witty one at that! xxx

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  12. Ohhhhhh, this is a beatiful outfit! The print and style of the skirt is exceptional. You take me right along with you on your imaginary journeys and I thank you for that.
    The Cat Tails and Dragonfly cartoon is wonderful. It makes me smile and feel happy. I'm so glad you shared that moment through art.

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  13. Wonderfully chic, I love it! Your cartoons are fab and made me smile this morning.xxx

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  14. You can never go wrong with classic black and white. Very lovely chic outfit and I can't believe how good your drawings are!

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  15. I love the idea of strolling off to cafes in fake Paris or fake Italy. I'm going to head out for a croissant in fake Montmartre right now...
    And your cartoons - brilliant. A heavy metal version of Ms Grabby's misdemeanor would be excellent.
    And, AND, AND - wow - just read your post below too and marveled over your exraordinary boots and catsuit combination.

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  16. Cat like, yes, that is how I think of you. Cats be crazy, right? Your cartoons are fabulous - all that talent and vintage style and form as well? I am so jealous that I may retreat to fake Fortress of Solitude (ie couch cushion fort in living room) and pout.

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  17. That's such a beautiful skirt, and great with the hat and the 3/4 sleeved top - just like Audrey as someone mentioned! Will you be riding a scooter in your next post? The cartoons are fantastic - I'm reading them over and over. Thank you for taking the time and sharing!

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  18. I really like this outfit and the hat just brings it together in a great way!
    Your cartoons are so sweet, the cat one is adorable and Mrs Grabby Hands just made me laugh! Unbelievable!

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  19. Melanie, this whole post is tremendous. I so admire your outfit and drawings, and your facial expression - and description of it - completely cracked me up! I make that same face, which fortunately happens less often these days in my blessedly quiet rural existence.

    Your hat is particularly superb!

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  20. What a treat these cartoons are, Melanie. Love them! And you looked marvelously chic in fake Paris, despite the heat. Perhaps fake Antarctica should be your next stop?

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  21. Your cartoons are superb! I feel lucky to be a part of a group of women who are so talented and share their talents with the rest of us. Your outfit is so perfect and very Parisian chic. You look cool and collected.
    One of the first things I noticed in your photo was how beautiful your eyes are.

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  22. Melanie. Your drawings are every bit as wonderful as those of Henriette Willebeek le Mair!
    Connie*

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  23. You can never go wrong with black & white - that is such a lovely skirt! Your cartoons always make me smile - they are a perfect mix of sweet and sassy. They are a wonderful melding of your personality, and your artistic skill.

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  24. You are utterly fantastic! I love that outfit - demure but with a hint of naughty. I can really see you in 1920s long flowing clothes, you were made for them. I really love your cartoons, there's so much expression there

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  25. I can't decide whether your outfit or your cartoons are most fantastic! The pictures are so cute and the outfit is soooo stylish in its best sense. Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Wow! Cartoons! A hat! A great blog post as always. I was beginning to wonder if you were OK, as I'd missed seeing what you're up to. I used to reallly crave heat, but as I get older, I consider myself fortunate to live in a temperate climate. I never would have guessed that would happen!

    Cheers from England,
    Rosemary from www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com

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  27. Thanks to Robin for directing me to another place that makes me smile and laugh because we can't possibly have too many of those :D

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  28. LOVE that skirt! the whole outfit is fabulous. i also love the fake Paris idea... gotta do that.

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  29. I love the pattern on this skirt. This outfit is definitely perfect for fake Paris! Or even real Paris if you ever get a chance. :)

    -Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com

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  30. heavy metal side effects, crack up! You look lovely in this outfit; I want that skirt and who doesn't love a pair of Geox with all that ventilation? Your drawings and insight are amazingly brilliant. Thank you for sharing with us, I love to see your talent Melanie! xo

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  31. So much going on here, every bit of it fun!
    And you're definitely Paris-ready. . .

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  32. Oh I think you are in Paris for sure in that gorgeous 50's looking outfit. I love the days when your mind can play with where you are and leave the reality you are in behind.
    What perfect furry friends you have for playtime.
    Your little drawings are so much fun. Miss Curtise looks lovely in hers.
    Love v

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  33. Melanie! You've inspired me! I'm going on a fake trip too. I like the idea of Paris or Italy too. Since it's fake, do I need to know the language? If so, I'll fake that too!
    Love your cartoons. Looks like you made the best of the Ms. Grabby incident.

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  34. You look so perfect in this hat with your black and white skirt with pattern. I'm going to try the 'fake Paris' thing as I've been trying to get to the 'real Paris' since 1977. So I will pretend for now.

    Your drawings and cartoons are a delight. And hope it cools off for you soon. We finally have a break in the weather here, so thankfully back to layers.

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  35. THIS. HAT. Perfect. I wore all monochromatic outfits in Paris. It is easier to accessorize. Feel free to make any cartoons you like about me, I think they are darling.

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  36. You look chic no matter what you wear! It all comes from the inside! :)

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  37. I like the way you interpret your style through your clothes.

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  38. I want to go to fake Paris too! No long flights, no big ticket costs, and of course the food will be much better on fake-flight airlines. When we get there we'll stay in the hotel of our dreams, which of course is not really there, but we can imagine we're wearing our stylish Parisian-best and sipping espresso's in the parlor. ;)

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  39. Hi Melanie! I saw your picture and write-up at Not Dead Yet Style, but then when I arrived here I realized I had seen your blog before and meant to follow the first time! Your drawings are amazing! I love them! But garden creatures are my favorite things to photograph, so I am really drawn to your sweet drawing of the cat chasing the dragonflies! Aww, and I love the one of your black outfit! You look great!

    xoxo
    Lynn

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  40. Tomorrow, I go to Rome. I promise you and I will send pictures from the table I choose to sit at and drink coffee in a tiny street cafe. I will be drawing cartoons in my head as I'm crap at real drawing. Bless you for illustrating darling Curtise's harrowing experience - it's fabulous!!! Your marmalade cat looks like it would be quite at home chasing flutterbys on your beautiful skirt:)). Thank you so much for being such a gorgeous and supportive friend Melaine:))) xoxoxo

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  41. Bonjour Melanie, ici c'est du grand art, le vrai, poétique et souriant.

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  42. Hi Mélanie!
    Could not remember if i left a comment or not but i xpcheck your blog all the timea, i love it so much
    Love the b&w out fit so chic so Audrey H!
    You got the knack baby!

    Arianexxxx

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  43. Hi Melanie,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and your comment. I'm afraid that I've been remiss about commenting on yours as well.
    The strolling in fake Paris (or fake Italy) ensemble is so 1920s elegant! (I think it's fake Paris as the feline friend on the left is wearing a beret and high heels -- which are believe are only worn by Parisian cats). Your illustrations are utterly charming!
    I hope the weather cools down. Today was slightly cool here on the East Coast (U.S.) and I took the opportunity to wear tights. I hope you'll be able to do likewise.

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  44. Qué bien visitarte y leer y ver tantas cosas para pensar y reir, un look muy estiloso , eres una modelo con arte además, por cierto los gatitos son un sol, tengo dos, besos ana.

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  45. I love your Paris inspired outfit! Very chic and I can totally see you at a sidewalk cafe in that. I love your artwork, too. Thanks for stopping by my blog and introducing yourself. :)

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  46. This is an amazing post, I love the drawings you're super talented & I also adore your skirt!

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  47. jajajajajajajajajajajajaja your cartoons are soooo funny...

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  48. Ah your illustrations are so cute!!

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