tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48593477260017142742024-03-18T02:48:39.716-07:00Bag and a BeretShameless style over 50Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.comBlogger490125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-29348565652474386282023-05-06T14:56:00.003-07:002023-05-08T08:47:16.711-07:00A model life with feints and wobbles<p>I'm 60, the Big Six O - as in Ohhh!!</p><p>I blurt. I gush. I show my teeth when I laugh. I can be highly sophisticated, with a British accent, for about 15 minutes, which is usually when I forget I'm British. </p><p>In polite society, where acquaintances typically tiptoe towards possible ecstasy via, say, an exclusive boutique or expensive restaurant, I run full bore, why waste time?, like the dog wagging its tail as it hangs precariously over the bow of a Zodiac boat whizzing down False Creek near Granville Island. Surely, if Sarah Polley can Run Towards the Danger*, it's okay to run to Boat Dog, panting, spit flying.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-DitRIKGFiLOTvhS4KqlVuZhvhcjqTHa73mETz80YjJ2hCgIhTMDSlllkg2oX3bnAsULhvDbyGLAjipOoAhnldleQBuSWxsE6RyGCbnHRKiRBy_USntThJUCAV6lV8brwDbbo0hLT2CQzwSQKYCnYeIkwxOL3f6IPZ5H96VguQM8MC0eSWlIvCGZ/s600/mel%20kobayashi%20ruffles%20may%202023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="322" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-DitRIKGFiLOTvhS4KqlVuZhvhcjqTHa73mETz80YjJ2hCgIhTMDSlllkg2oX3bnAsULhvDbyGLAjipOoAhnldleQBuSWxsE6RyGCbnHRKiRBy_USntThJUCAV6lV8brwDbbo0hLT2CQzwSQKYCnYeIkwxOL3f6IPZ5H96VguQM8MC0eSWlIvCGZ/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20ruffles%20may%202023.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can be British for 15 minutes at a time. It's a skill.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My armature is getting more brittle while my body envelope becomes more squishy. The light wafting of my upper arms does not generate a refreshing breeze. If anything, it slows me down by Einstein-ian nanoseconds when I accelerate as a foot passenger at a walk signal, a mode of transportation that sinks lower and lower every year with my dwindling tolerance of heels. </p><p>I remember Earth Shoes where the toe was higher than the heel. Would they fare me any better, I wonder. They rocked, literally, back and forth, front to back, like a soothing rocking chair. Too bad I prefer to hard rock with my roll. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hyJeLRiJS7MvHSihuRP-BzRf_zH4fhOEPllAM1OY5l7OuuGmfnQDEj3X-ptuA229W2h3LAzEn0VKrpWRwzkPa0SfRdBsZ-f5loCPZChdJURPfmJUeyXcY450M6ORn6FmUNSsJDHxDdROc3TeMa8zWGfulQvU4_4wTpzbpIDXJo_iJdTTHvLaWaha/s600/may%20blog%20mel%20kobayashi%20platform%20shoes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hyJeLRiJS7MvHSihuRP-BzRf_zH4fhOEPllAM1OY5l7OuuGmfnQDEj3X-ptuA229W2h3LAzEn0VKrpWRwzkPa0SfRdBsZ-f5loCPZChdJURPfmJUeyXcY450M6ORn6FmUNSsJDHxDdROc3TeMa8zWGfulQvU4_4wTpzbpIDXJo_iJdTTHvLaWaha/s16000/may%20blog%20mel%20kobayashi%20platform%20shoes.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jogging attire</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I've tried to catwalk, having joined a model agency recently, and, after much coaching by a professional, have managed a highly impressive* staccato performance of wobble, halt, feint left, feint right, and spin on stilettos with the heel cap missing. It's a sort of rock and roll. </p><p>When asked to do my own Mel Walk it took a while. I lunged, reverse stepped, windmilled my arms, and showcased my vulgar teeth - perhaps even gums, which, in their timidity, are retreating from the limelight every passing year. My dentist thinks if he were to whip up a gummy mash in a blender and surgically spackle it back on, they would grow more. I am not enticed. Besides, I might prefer to buy a new old car for the price.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0_VXoAKcObtM4H-s76ieHRac0cdVV--QcIPxAwQjJDhXY3B8SdTJERdRAyTP_C9oE3tV4e-ZvnspRjOpsHgzK3bTzf5_fY91E-lWktdRTAFLdO7RupPHyDqT2aVR3vqtf8D8t3NygxJK44zRmXyHbHA8-ER1sUxyjuj3Js0s4fVVDhBZyw0vF0Yw/s640/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20smile.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0_VXoAKcObtM4H-s76ieHRac0cdVV--QcIPxAwQjJDhXY3B8SdTJERdRAyTP_C9oE3tV4e-ZvnspRjOpsHgzK3bTzf5_fY91E-lWktdRTAFLdO7RupPHyDqT2aVR3vqtf8D8t3NygxJK44zRmXyHbHA8-ER1sUxyjuj3Js0s4fVVDhBZyw0vF0Yw/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20smile.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No gummy mash for you!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Unless I want to buy an expensive handbag instead, like the kind I see at Events (capital E with several superscript e's), which I sometimes am invited to and accept if there is a mini buffet. And seriously, who needs a car when you can have a handbag, is my motto. Tra-la-la-la-la. My Boat Dog self is intrigued.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUg2AuArzxSPccCjZ3LBOLbIXXbIAuzNVibhoYggOIL157B8_B35iQu7-yJxT7JBQyy0o-TkTGEXimYuOoBvuPoDnvkfcMdKwFCYHaeGtbMJPcO4pyeYcDHxae3OFo3BGjwLp0G1zWNTaafzU6uivftwVUEw-ENH_2rZRyJL3LSrxRCTx7ZujgKg7/s640/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20high-end%20bag.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUg2AuArzxSPccCjZ3LBOLbIXXbIAuzNVibhoYggOIL157B8_B35iQu7-yJxT7JBQyy0o-TkTGEXimYuOoBvuPoDnvkfcMdKwFCYHaeGtbMJPcO4pyeYcDHxae3OFo3BGjwLp0G1zWNTaafzU6uivftwVUEw-ENH_2rZRyJL3LSrxRCTx7ZujgKg7/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20high-end%20bag.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs a car when you have a great handbag?</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Then I rein myself in, wag my finger in self-admonishment - tut-tut-tut - grab another glass of free champagne, whereupon, as the day begins, I may squeeze in more serious practice of the Mel Walk wobble on my way to ogle another pyramid of luxury goods, being careful to swallow my drools of desire and mini-barfs of incredulity. (If you are an Event organizer, please invite me. I'm hungry. And thirsty.)</p><p>strut-strut-strut, </p><p>ow-oof strut-strut</p><p> Feint, feint, faint!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBgrG71Nhxj_0N2JMBTbGnKFZPHd7U8FYhd-CJ7Gvp1ZYwm3XGhe-rkDbo9mte8_5xJk_TZieIa92TSf5xEXGnNE_L3dxRivhE6it_WMp8o7SbKxAI_Wyd9HZSsTnNIqNZFAND1wkT-TLqYSgHMa1Q7-XuIrTYE8C7cw6QW4mnUB6KCTYwVOdHXm1/s640/mel%20kobayashi%20bag%20and%20a%20beret%20angry%20girl%20shirt%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBgrG71Nhxj_0N2JMBTbGnKFZPHd7U8FYhd-CJ7Gvp1ZYwm3XGhe-rkDbo9mte8_5xJk_TZieIa92TSf5xEXGnNE_L3dxRivhE6it_WMp8o7SbKxAI_Wyd9HZSsTnNIqNZFAND1wkT-TLqYSgHMa1Q7-XuIrTYE8C7cw6QW4mnUB6KCTYwVOdHXm1/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20bag%20and%20a%20beret%20angry%20girl%20shirt%20copy.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My DIY Angry Girl says it like it is.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I do remember to squinch and smize, which is squinting without lowering your upper eyelids, to look mean, I mean alluring, mysterious, like when you see me you think, what the hell is she thinking?!! (i.e. Is her Spanx too tight? or There's a hormone cream for that.) Chin forward and tilted up to stretch out that neck, which belies my age, which is what they contracted me for in the first place, like a virus. Let's get an oldster in here for points!, although we still seem to be losing the game. We oldsters are loaded, absolutely LOADED!! - with cash or other emotions, often fueled by ageism, which makes us lethal contenders either way. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol0zz5a78I5oDTPwZkWPFN9dHThMabSk70v4hjjNcP1jsXQRuhIbOfoU2ByadnCh6tNzmfupVcHF3s7-Pj7l_FWa0qtVRMTSl9VG1HJvkudHzQYJlVGDu3XY6wClCr_jDj5nMS3JUcX13vve1JmSirnaE9HBW_ow0qJNPro4B-hWph5WIRK4Zr9c3/s600/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20with%20sprayer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhol0zz5a78I5oDTPwZkWPFN9dHThMabSk70v4hjjNcP1jsXQRuhIbOfoU2ByadnCh6tNzmfupVcHF3s7-Pj7l_FWa0qtVRMTSl9VG1HJvkudHzQYJlVGDu3XY6wClCr_jDj5nMS3JUcX13vve1JmSirnaE9HBW_ow0qJNPro4B-hWph5WIRK4Zr9c3/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20with%20sprayer.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We oldsters are LOADED.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Of course I avoid smiling in official capacity, yet another reason I don't need the gummy mash. Gummy bears...that's a whole 'nother story. Off with their heads - nyom, nyom, nyom.</p><p>As I've said, I've always wanted to play the role, to be the sophisticate. But jeez, did you ever wonder why glamour rhymes with hammer, clamour, jammer, rammer, yammer? Not to judge, but how did a word that symbolizes the epitome of beauty and sophistication get stuck with such abrasive cousins? No wonder I'm prone, when perched on the pedestal of glamour, to tipping over into the dirty-kneed, hard scrabble branch of that extended family. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlIXTw2x-C1TtHS7wE0cUnwRAF4aKdv_9uCdVl8D_XRaYiWTIsjQQkmjN0yx-yLqVSDjSPEaNn0IvwYUJ5aM5cCBRS6Uin1JdlvZfWiQOX5AChcMf_AIKVVmZqP6nHo0pNZtH0zR5tCderoyyQWetuAgkIwiHmRd574D2EuKUtt-Km6YUhBBoZACj/s600/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20purple%20gown.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlIXTw2x-C1TtHS7wE0cUnwRAF4aKdv_9uCdVl8D_XRaYiWTIsjQQkmjN0yx-yLqVSDjSPEaNn0IvwYUJ5aM5cCBRS6Uin1JdlvZfWiQOX5AChcMf_AIKVVmZqP6nHo0pNZtH0zR5tCderoyyQWetuAgkIwiHmRd574D2EuKUtt-Km6YUhBBoZACj/s16000/mel%20kobayashi%20may%202023%20purple%20gown.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweat?! I pay you to do that for me!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>And so life goes on, my friends. Good to see you, if you've managed to Mel Walk your way over here, preferably barefooted through a meadow without goose or doggy poops all over the place. Although, considering there are facial treatments now that use bird guano (poop), verrry expensive, maybe a little scat wouldn't hurt. Let Miz Bagg know how it goes. Of course, she'll then force me, her haggard assistant, to test the process personally.</p><p>Cheers. </p><p>*impressive: making a strong impression, exciting a sense of awe, wonderment</p><p>*Run Towards the Danger is an outstanding book written by Canadian author, filmmaker, actor Sarah Polley</p><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-38600975753748141612020-11-28T20:26:00.009-08:002020-11-29T19:27:48.585-08:00Scrub that banana and random thoughts<p>Often I get PR emails announcing that music artist X has just dropped a new single. My first thought on reading such a headline is, Oh no, be careful! Don't drop it! Then, why would you make a new single if you're just going to dump it so quickly? That's a bit like, hello-good-bye.</p><p>Sigh.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6DszQQCyVo/X8MZ5ag2T8I/AAAAAAAAMdI/KIQ76T4nJn8ovincYdBK4DjMg47JUQOngCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/mel%2Bkobayashi%2Baliens%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="640" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6DszQQCyVo/X8MZ5ag2T8I/AAAAAAAAMdI/KIQ76T4nJn8ovincYdBK4DjMg47JUQOngCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h238/mel%2Bkobayashi%2Baliens%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo representation of my thought process<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The confusion lasts for only a microsecond so I don't feel too bad. It took me a while to figure out what cray cray meant too. (I once spelled it cra cra.)</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-As5nsG0y_9I/X8MZXKe7pII/AAAAAAAAMdA/ups-unFB_sckmowVMBgQcHIl5ggKnW3EQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/mel%2Bkobayashi%2Bcheese%2Bpuff%2Bsculpture%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-As5nsG0y_9I/X8MZXKe7pII/AAAAAAAAMdA/ups-unFB_sckmowVMBgQcHIl5ggKnW3EQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/mel%2Bkobayashi%2Bcheese%2Bpuff%2Bsculpture%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Expensive diet, priceless cheese puff sculpture<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Of course, what they really mean is they have introduced a new single. Drop means <i>introduce</i>. So it would be accurate to say that I've <i>dropped</i> a few pounds during the pandemic, right? In fact, it sort of softens the blow and rolls. <div><br /></div><div>You might even think, whoa, Mel, how did you possibly drop pounds with all your snacking? Especially with Baroness von Snakzalot inhabiting your other dimension (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_I261ch1Zl/" target="_blank">here</a> & <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_TFvL3BfJv/" target="_blank">here</a>). What's your secret?! I'd just wink and say, Eat more!!, and let you figure it out. But you've figured it out already because I've pre-emptively sabotaged the mystery, if there was any in the first place.<div><br /></div><div>This is a video I made, Dinner Chez Mel, Isolation Style. I'm disappointed that I forgot to include the candelabra, which graces all my fine dining experiences. View it below or go <a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GI55crXaEok?rel=0" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GI55crXaEok?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My gourmet dining experience during lockdown</div><p>I've been thinking lately - it's a habit I've taken up during the pandemic, dwelling on thoughts, dwelling in my dwelling. When this pandemic is over I'm going to do all these really great things. Woo hoo!! All of them, double hard, double downed, double troubled! Because my bad-assery is back-building (especially when I'm dropping weight). I'm gonna fly there and there and invite myself to stay at my friends' homes, your homes. Hallooo!! </p><p>It's not a bucket list because buckets are often so, eeew, stinky and stained and plastic, housing plaster or fish or paint. And you can never rinse out the smell. No, this is my Champagne kegger list. A bit more dignified and with lots of room to fit everything in there with sparkle and a pop.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UA6Hc72cS04/X8MaRLoZ60I/AAAAAAAAMdQ/aDN4EQEgav04EFskXNI8pmjZQkx3pzGgACLcBGAsYHQ/s812/web%2Bnov%2B28%2B2020%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bvacuum%2Bcleaner%2B1b%2Bvignette.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UA6Hc72cS04/X8MaRLoZ60I/AAAAAAAAMdQ/aDN4EQEgav04EFskXNI8pmjZQkx3pzGgACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/web%2Bnov%2B28%2B2020%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bvacuum%2Bcleaner%2B1b%2Bvignette.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacuum therapy - reenactment - this never happened<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I never actually pictured myself as someone having a Champagne kegger list, but the pandemic has brought about lots of significant changes. For example, it used to be that my partner O and I would argue about bananas. He always said I should wash them - the skins. Who does that?, I'd say. It gets rid of salmonella, he'd say. But I don't like washing them because it makes the skins all old looking. </p><p>Now before I go on, let me be clear: I'm not ageist but I like a nice, firm, young-looking banana. Does that make me a bad person? Furthermore, if - and that's a big <i>if</i> - I were going to wash the bananas, it would be to get rid of all those tarantula eggs stuck on there because you know what happens if they make their way into your brain, right? (Although how they get there is cause for hours of horrific contemplation.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oq0ZbLcD-AA/X8Mbk-CVNfI/AAAAAAAAMds/8RB88nQ5sV0rBZV9BlLdht5DSHNvJgG6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1249/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bvodka%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bnov%2B2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="999" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oq0ZbLcD-AA/X8Mbk-CVNfI/AAAAAAAAMds/8RB88nQ5sV0rBZV9BlLdht5DSHNvJgG6ACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bvodka%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bnov%2B2020.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>And now, in these strange days, O has won! Who knew it would take a pandemic to make us see eye-to-eye on bananas. That's bananas! Now we not only scrub the bananas but we scour all our fruit. And bread wrappers, and milk containers, anything that comes into our home. Suddenly spider eggs seem like cute and friendly homesteaders compared to those new invaders. And you don't even really know they're incubating or hatching, do you? DO YOU?! Forget coronavirus - we need a test for spider eggs!</p><p>To distract myself from such questions that vex, I've Netflixed myself into oblivion on more than one occasion, devouring series about time travel and ESP and zombies and murder. It's a bit like a marathon transworld flight. I'm reminded of my existence only when my auto-pilot hand goes into the snack-bag beside me and comes out empty, which sets off alarm bells that only a stretch and a refill will quiet. My mask drops down from the closet ready for an emergency evac, but these days I just order delivery. So pffft.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-zErFwpBhw/X8MbPcnBR-I/AAAAAAAAMdg/oSNTbKdNc6gOcJaHUUseK3cKGpFKRZz0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s813/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Beating%2Bcheese%2Bpuffs%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="650" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M-zErFwpBhw/X8MbPcnBR-I/AAAAAAAAMdg/oSNTbKdNc6gOcJaHUUseK3cKGpFKRZz0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Beating%2Bcheese%2Bpuffs%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>My hair also went much whiter in the front in the span of about a week. I didn't really notice until I noticed, know what I mean? It's those spiders in there playing with my hair-colour glands, I just know it. </p><p>Sigh. Again.</p><p>I hope you are all well. Maybe we'll cross paths in the jetstreams of Netflix. Give us a little wave, will ya's? I'll do the same. And prepare your guest suites. Heh. I'll bring the Champagne. And we'll have a little party. Yeeeeah-ah!!! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzJnif7NBSE/X8MauxsvTpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/9UYXxi44I1cRNzQkruLcRdk34MYpE7ozQCLcBGAsYHQ/s460/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bweird%2Bhead%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzJnif7NBSE/X8MauxsvTpI/AAAAAAAAMdY/9UYXxi44I1cRNzQkruLcRdk34MYpE7ozQCLcBGAsYHQ/w348-h400/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bweird%2Bhead%2Bnov%2B2020%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-6242006409090512392020-07-10T01:06:00.152-07:002020-11-10T20:13:07.948-08:00VOGOFF LOCKDOWN 2020 Magazine<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">I</span><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">t's here. The new VOGOFF.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">LOCKDOWN Edition 2020</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">122 pages FREE!</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="color: red;">SOLD OUT!!</span></b></span></div>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>My friend says: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>"It's like Vogue had a baby with Monty Python"</b></span></div>
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<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bS67QQ-E-c/XzT6yU_eKWI/AAAAAAAAMUc/EDnaIaj3xHImi13ZGFAu6y4s3Py7AxUcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s582/FINAL%2BBlog%2BCover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5bS67QQ-E-c/XzT6yU_eKWI/AAAAAAAAMUc/EDnaIaj3xHImi13ZGFAu6y4s3Py7AxUcwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/FINAL%2BBlog%2BCover.png" /></a></div><div><br /><div>VOGOFF is 122 pages of the whimsy, wit, and weirdness of women of a certain age living under lockdown. Art, photos, articles - so much stuff and nonsense. </div><div><br /></div><div>Launched in 2012, VOGOFF is renowned for its highest standards of baselessness among discerning immature people (40+). </div><div><br /></div><div>LAUGH! - the Mayo Clinic says it's good for you.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">Below is the pdf. <<Sorry, this is no longer available>></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">----------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><br /><div>
Special thanks to Sarah @<a href="http://www.instagram.com/farkingdelightful" target="_blank">farkingdelightful</a> on Instagram for the work she did helping me get this together and to Shelley, <a href="http://www.forestcityfashionista.com/" target="_blank">Forest City Fashionista</a> @<a href="http://instagram.com/fcfashionista" target="_blank">fcfashionista</a>, for her ongoing support of VOGOFF. And thanks to everyone who joined this time. You guys are awesome!<br /><br /></div><div><span style="color: red;"><<SORRY, SOLD OUT!!>></span></div><div><span style="color: red;">Now you can also purchase a PRINT VERSION of this issue from the publisher, Blurb, who will ship it to you direct. It's $27.99 (Cdn) or about $21 US, plus shipping. This is the publisher's fee plus $1 for me to help with the next issue. I chose the best paper and cover so it feels deeeeluxe. Hahaha. </span></div></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-42307353518658784912020-02-29T19:43:00.002-08:002020-03-03T01:40:50.256-08:00Thoughts on air travel as a submarine-setterIn my life as a influencer, heh, and jet-setter (clarify: private-submarine-setter whenever possible), I must often fly to fake locations around the world. Sometimes I have to go to real places too. Oh, bother!<br />
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A while ago I flew, not by self-propulsion, which is another excellent option (see below), but on a plane. I had a suitcase. <span style="color: red;"><b>And I was in class H</b></span>. Yes, you read that right. Remember when there used to be economy and first class, then business class nudged its way in, until this: class H, which presumably stands for Hot Hottie.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was class Q (stands for "This is quackers!") on my return flight.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I thought there was a misprint.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My favoured way to fly.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One of my first self-propulsion flights.</span></div>
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I expected my boarding lineup to be way over in the other terminal I was so far down the list. If I was lucky there might be a <span style="color: magenta;"><b>bicycle or push scooter to transport me down the line</b></span>. But no, I was lumped in with all the uppity classes, C D E F and Gs, and was later forced to sit with people waaay below my class, L M N O P. The indignity! Meanwhile, the As and Bs got their own rarefied air travel experience shuffling in the line next to mine. No mooing <strike>herd</strike> heard.<br />
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I know Canada is a classless society, but we certainly adapt quickly when it comes to air travel. [<i>haughty sniff</i>]<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>What to pack for an overnight trip </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This is part of what I brought with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">It's crucial that everything fits in a carry-on bag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I brought six attendants to aid in this process. </span></div>
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Upon boarding and settling into your seat, you may discover that the person beside you is maybe a class F (Frickin' Frick), two steps above my class H.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">She certainly didn't look class F, more like a J. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, the charade!!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
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In fact, I only found out her higher status because she got <i><b><span style="color: red;">priority snack service</span></b></i>, which meant she could buy her potato chips first (crisps), grrr, but included in the price was the ire of everyone within eyesight and earshot of her crunch and grin. I thought, Heh, good deal! - nothing like being locked in a tubular cage surrounded by people who hate you for five hours.<br />
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But maybe this is the essence of the class structure. The one-percenters get chips (if class F counts); the rest of us watch and listen and get jealous and mad, while they crunch, look smug, exhale their horrible chip breath all over the place, and prepare to dash to the nearest exit. Sigh.<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">WHAT TO WEAR FOR AIR TRAVEL IN CLASS H </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(Class H stands for Class Hot Hottie)</span></b></div>
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Adding injury to insult, the flight attendant dropped that mini can of chips on my wrist and it <span style="color: blue;">really really hurt bad</span>. Did I get free chips? No! But she brought me a clear plastic baggie knotted at the top and filled with <span style="color: red;">ice chips sloshing around in reddish water which looked like meat juice</span>. There were probably shards of bone in there too.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What fresh hell was this!? </span></b></div>
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If I were class E or F (remember I was H), I'm sure I would have received at least a blue Freezie pop. I'm sure in Class A or B they would have forgone the meat runoff and just slapped a raw sirloin steak on my wrist before serving it to me for lunch.<br />
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I suppose this setup has a certain fairness, except for my grievous injury. The woman beside me paid more for the extras, like <span style="color: red;">PRIORITY CHIPS</span>, like you pay for extra space: <i>x</i> dollars for right elbow room, <i>x</i> dollars for earlobe space, hip space, baby toe space, <i>x</i> dollars for middle finger space, but many of us just take advantage of that one without paying, which begs the question:<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Is that breaking the rules?</span></b></div>
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I should get on board with this new reality and propose that airlines charge for oxygen. You get <i>x</i> cubic litres for <i>x</i> dollars. Of course it would be timed so you have to top up when you get close to your destination. It's only good marketing. And extra-fresh air for an extra fee. Miz Bagg always used to charge me for air in the office.<br />
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I can envision all kinds of money-making schemes.<br />
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<li>"Yes, sir, that is indeed your pudding. You didn't order a container or a spoon." </li>
<li>"No bathroom privileges for you! You didn't pay the extra $100." "But this is a 10 hour flight!" Which of course would boost sales for the fresh air option.</li>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Another flying adventure, this time with co-pilot Sandra <a href="http://www.instagram.com/standard.deviations" target="_blank">@standard.deviations</a>.</b></span><br />
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I'm sure the troll on the wing of the plane in that <i>Twilight Zone</i> episode below would never get away with free passage on the wing like that these days. Trolls must board like the rest of us, regardless of their class, where at least we can all keep an eye of them, as if that helps.<br />
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Really, if I could self-propulse everywhere I would, but it gets cold up there. After this experience, I'm truly grateful for my private luxury submarine. If I could only figure out how to portage it across the prairies I wouldn't have to put up with this nonsense. Suggestions?<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>TOWER, WE'RE READY FOR TAKE-OFF</b></span></div>
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I hope you are all fine and dandy. I've been missing this blog world.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-66365993337943204952020-01-12T19:42:00.000-08:002020-01-12T23:42:36.986-08:00Happy 2020. And wearing beige on my way to millionsHappy New Year. 2020. When I was 12, I thought the year 2000 was like la-la Lost-in-Space time, but now in 2020, it turns out my thoughts were not too far off the mark after all. These are definitely non-fiction science-fiction times. Case in point, I'm wearing beige. And a trendy item, a puffer coat. Highly SF because beige is like my kryptonite, not as much as it used to be, but still.<br />
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<span style="color: #999999;">Okay, beige, but it is pearlescent and ultra warm, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">a generous donation from a friend. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">I'm trying to be badass. It's exhausting. Flyaway brows help.</span></div>
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I was interested to read yesterday that scientists recently put 3D glasses on a cuttlefish and studied its behaviour as it watched movies, real story <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/08/us/3d-glasses-cuttlefish-scn-trnd/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The glasses look like wings on each side of its head. Question: Who exactly made the glasses, where did they study how to make them, and did they overcharge? Also, did the cuttlefish get popcorn?<br />
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So I'm now thinking of attaching cuttlefish to each side of my own head and studying my own behaviour, but that would only work in water (with a snorkel because I wouldn't want the cuttlefish to suffocate in the air). But in water I wouldn't be able to eat popcorn. I could eat the cuttlefish, but that would defeat the point of the exercise, which I'm not convinced existed in the first place. So there goes that idea! Why does everything have to be so complicated?<br />
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<span style="color: #666666;">Badassery pose 2. How much longer can I keep this up?!</span></div>
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Maybe I'll just learn how to make 3D glasses for octopus instead. I'll make a fortune!<br />
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I also read that people who snore are now being encouraged to lose weight on their tongue, real story <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/10/health/tongue-fat-sleep-apnea-wellness/index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Yeah, well, I got to work on that right away, much easier to do than attaching cuttlefish to my head. I've been writing! Look for my new books in your favourite bookstores:<br />
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<li>Tongue 'o Steel </li>
<li>Six-pack Tongue in Six Days </li>
<li>Tongue in Cheek 2, 3, 4... </li>
<li>105 Slobber-free Habits to Tone your Tongue </li>
<li>Gimme Some More Tongue! </li>
<li>Tone up with Tongue Wagging</li>
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Yes, I've been busy.<br />
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I have already submitted patent applications for a revolutionary weight pack to wrap around your tongue for 24-hour strength training and a customized tongue weigh scale so you can measure the results. Of course I'll start a Tonguexercise franchise. I just need to make sure that a slender toned tongue doesn't weigh more than a thin flaccid one. These are questions that keep me awake at night.<br />
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Scientists suggest playing the didgeridoo as an effective means of losing tongue fat and as an alternative to CPAP machines. True.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRrnDECAU0I/XhuPQ1DKKTI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/T3D6vk0Bl6oukcxcruB7IM0JnzhXxQC7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bjan%2B2020%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bbeige%2Bcoat%2Bsmiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRrnDECAU0I/XhuPQ1DKKTI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/T3D6vk0Bl6oukcxcruB7IM0JnzhXxQC7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bjan%2B2020%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bbeige%2Bcoat%2Bsmiling.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Whew! Good assery!</span></div>
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Gosh, with 3D octopus glasses and my tongue exercise empire, I'm finally gonna make my millions in 2020! Of course, you'll all want to be my friend now so you too can hop aboard the Mel Money Train, woo-woo. That's okay. There's room for everyone and I'll enjoy the company.<br />
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Yes, keywords being woo-woo.<br />
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It's a wacky world, no doubt about it. I could talk about sustainable shopping and recycling or the fires in Australia or the crises unfolding in the Middle East or Trudeau's new facial hair, but frankly, as Madeline Kahn said so well in the 1974 movie <i>Blazing Saddles</i>, "I'm tired." If we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be very good at taking care of others.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Uai7M4RpoLU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uai7M4RpoLU?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Mel Brooks's satirical film <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blazing_Saddles" target="_blank">Blazing Saddles</a>. </i>I'm not sure how well </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">it holds up with time, </span><span style="color: #666666;">but I LOVE Ms. Kahn</span><br />
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So "Back to the studio!" as Bridget Jones (fictional character from book/movie <i>Bridget Jones's Diary</i>) famously cried after sliding down the fireman's pole. See the brilliant clip <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3vQPmO3i7Y" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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My studio in this case is a music studio because, look!, I wrote a song, kinda. I hope it's a No. 1 hit on those charts if they even exist anymore because I'm so out of it I wouldn't really know. Do they still have Billboard?<br />
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<b>A Smart Kinda Nurse (an original song)</b></div>
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<b>By Crone (my band name) </b></div>
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I get on with life as a nurse,</div>
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I'm a smart kinda person.</div>
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I like golf and badminton.</div>
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I like to contemplate slippers.</div>
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But when I start to daydream,</div>
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My mind turns straight to wine.</div>
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Five six seven eight...</div>
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Sometimes I look at myself and I look into my eyes,</div>
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I notice the way I think about wine with a smile,</div>
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Curved lips I just can't disguise.</div>
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But I think it's slippers making my life worthwhile.</div>
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Why is it so hard for me to decide which I love more?</div>
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Slippers or...</div>
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Wine?</div>
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I like to use words like 'awesome' and 'neato.'</div>
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I like to use words about slippers.</div>
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But when I stop my talking,</div>
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My mind turns straight to wine.</div>
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Five six seven eight...</div>
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Sometimes I look at myself and I look into my eyes,</div>
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I notice the way I think about wine with a smile,</div>
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Curved lips I just can't disguise.</div>
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But I think it's slippers making my life worthwhile.</div>
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Why is it so hard for me to decide which I love more?</div>
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Slippers or...</div>
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Wine?</div>
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I like to hang out with Mary and Rhoda.</div>
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But when left alone,</div>
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My mind turns straight to wine.</div>
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Five six seven eight...</div>
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Sometimes I look at myself and I look into my eyes,</div>
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I notice the way I think about wine with a smile,</div>
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Curved lips I just can't disguise.</div>
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But I think it's slippers making my life worthwhile.</div>
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Why is it so hard for me to decide which I love more?</div>
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Slippers or...</div>
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Wine?</div>
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I hate the dark and carrots.</div>
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But I just think back to wine,</div>
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And I'm happy once again.</div>
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Five six seven eight...</div>
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Song Lyrics Generator <a href="https://www.song-lyrics-generator.org.uk/" target="_blank">HERE</a> actually generated it, but I had to fill in the crucial bits with untrue facts. If any of you want to add music, please do and send it to me. I'll record it badly and my rock star dreams coming true will add to my moguldom.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4UF_sD2BD4/XhuHd0YXhHI/AAAAAAAAL7o/Qex77JnOeeoaSFUV9VuY9BzwQVyO5wRpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bvogoff%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bjan%2B2020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4UF_sD2BD4/XhuHd0YXhHI/AAAAAAAAL7o/Qex77JnOeeoaSFUV9VuY9BzwQVyO5wRpACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bvogoff%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bjan%2B2020.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Blast from the past, VOGOFF e-zine, June 2013 issue <a href="http://vogoff.homestead.com/june2013/juneindex.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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And I'm linking up to Patti, dagblammit, and her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/style-uniforms-are-one-way-to-chic-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> on Not Dead Yet Style when it's time. I look forward to seeing everyone.<br />
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Again, Happy New Year! Health and happiness to you all. Hugs all around. Thanks for dropping by. It's been busy here, in a good way. I hope it has been for you too.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-63417105171247967542019-12-21T13:21:00.004-08:002020-11-10T20:17:52.656-08:00Intrepid explorer (and some style stuff)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm spinning! I'm twirling! Hahaha! Hahahahaaa!!</div>
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[<i>swell of orchestra</i>] </div>
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Now I'm singing, SINGING - </div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>THE HILLS ARE ALIVE</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>WITH THE SOUND OF -</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SaFn3aMzc8A/XZgbir0uWPI/AAAAAAAAL0E/OjbC5JxUkgsJxVFDaF5q7sU0CUgEayffACEwYBhgL/s1600/b3-DSC00398.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret The Soundlessness of Music" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SaFn3aMzc8A/XZgbir0uWPI/AAAAAAAAL0E/OjbC5JxUkgsJxVFDaF5q7sU0CUgEayffACEwYBhgL/s1600/b3-DSC00398.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i>OOF.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i>*#&*!!!</i></span></b></div>
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Hello again. Excuse me while I brush off the shrubbery. The gazelle in the background dropped a few coins in my hat - to make me go away. </div>
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I thought that since I'm back after a bit of a break I should get serious here and share pithy quips on style secrets. And serious photos, like this one:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a84036chWhA/Xf6LIP6uJEI/AAAAAAAAL5k/qSjEe-qwPCw6nbycL62iZ5AJQyEOzHeOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dec%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcrazy%2Blegs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - colourful tights and muppet coat" border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a84036chWhA/Xf6LIP6uJEI/AAAAAAAAL5k/qSjEe-qwPCw6nbycL62iZ5AJQyEOzHeOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/dec%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcrazy%2Blegs.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - colourful tights" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Karl Lagerfeld leather skirt, donation from a generous neighbour</span></div>
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But I kinda blew it. I still think it's only fair, in this age of fake news, to tell you what's going on with me since September. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Four things I have been doing since my last blog post</b></span></div>
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<b>1. Starting a family - better late than never I always say</b></div>
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In the media, I'm often lumped in with women over 50 and called a granny, even though I don't have kids. Well, hey, why not get on board with that? Most people have kids in a hit/miss kind of way, before they're 57. I by-passed all that rigmarole and ordered them from a miracle lab run by Scientist Badinoff.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8WK_A9AZFM/Xfx_7Gh8SHI/AAAAAAAAL4E/pN0rg82X1fYQTPVBNZDhKH8TsFs9rvf9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/my%2Bquints2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h8WK_A9AZFM/Xfx_7Gh8SHI/AAAAAAAAL4E/pN0rg82X1fYQTPVBNZDhKH8TsFs9rvf9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/my%2Bquints2.jpg" /></a></div>
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That's right. Quints! All mine, all me. After this success, I'm going to do it again in about ten years with the aim of becoming the oldest woman on Earth to give birth to octuplets. The record now is by a woman 66, for twins. Laughable. And these kids only take three months to grow in a dish. Whee!! It's so easy I could populate a country. Oooh...</div>
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I wept when my darlings leapt from their incubators for the first time in Louboutins and Doc Martens, singing show tunes from <i>Cabaret</i>. So proud. These babies will be fully adult in another month, at which time I can put them to work and O can check out of the Facility. He did not hand out cigars. </div>
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<b>2. Testing an eco-friendly clothing/species</b></div>
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I am worried about the environment so I devised a way to eliminate heavy winter clothing and even winter itself! Again with Scientist Badinoff (SB), I've been the subject of genetic testing for my human/bear hybrid design, featuring a human head and hands, and bear fur over the rest to stay warm and cozy while sleeping through the entire winter season! </div>
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Hibernating in a cave would eliminate home decorating anxiety and the need for cleaning for several months at least. Plus, I love gorging before sleeping. And I like honey, salmon, and blueberries; those cave diets are so <i>in.</i> (I'm afraid a cave shortage may be a problem if this works out, although some men already have man caves.) </div>
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It appears SB got the fur part right, but only on my legs, and there are a few strips on my chin (wrong appendage!, am considering a lawsuit), but I do tend to hibernate for a while each day in my living room, which, depending on the day, may be cave-like, so perhaps we're on the right track. I have not yet tested the truth of what bears do in the woods. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ws3UBPtJyLE/XfyFngH97xI/AAAAAAAAL4U/MKszRw6IcrYE-eC4MAvds5dmL_tP_LLrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IG%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bin%2Bvint%2Band%2Byork%2Bprogressive%2Blenses%2BAMORE%2Bframes%2Boct%2B2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - Vint and York Amore progressive glasses" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ws3UBPtJyLE/XfyFngH97xI/AAAAAAAAL4U/MKszRw6IcrYE-eC4MAvds5dmL_tP_LLrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IG%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bin%2Bvint%2Band%2Byork%2Bprogressive%2Blenses%2BAMORE%2Bframes%2Boct%2B2019.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - Vint and York Amore progressive glasses" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Glasses from <a href="https://vintandyork.com/" target="_blank">Vint and York</a> in New York, with progressive lenses, my first ever, and they are amazing!! Amore frames, dahling. Outfit similar to the one in the first photo.</span></div>
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<b>3. Followed my calling - became a high priestess</b></div>
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A new career! Soon I will open my first unmonastery, where acolytes can take vows of screamery, not silence, goodness, no. I figured the Arctic would be a splendid location.</div>
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As luck would have it, that's where Jim (Mr. Bond to you) built me a secret lair (although it was a bit eetjit-y to sculpt my face on it if it's secret) as a surprise Christmas gift for saving his ass last year, read about it <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/01/thwarting-crime-in-red-catsuit.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. He couldn't put it under the tree so he sneakily preprogrammed my private luxury submarine to take me there. </div>
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It's a huge space, rather remote, not quite Rushmore, but I'm Canadian and this will do; it will melt soon anyway - I hope the wrinkles melt first. I decided this lair would be perfect for my unmonastery. So I am taking reservations for acolytes for 2020. Morning screaming, afternoon screaming, and lovely sunset screaming, if there is any sun to set. Luxury accommodations if you can manage your way past the entrance. Or buy your franchise license now to be part of my global unmonastery movement.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKDRWN6bN10/Xfx31l1jceI/AAAAAAAAL3w/QphzhyX2guoV5h5aDXJ-eQZpnHQqFWQSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/arctic%2Blair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - unmonastery for screaming" border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKDRWN6bN10/Xfx31l1jceI/AAAAAAAAL3w/QphzhyX2guoV5h5aDXJ-eQZpnHQqFWQSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/arctic%2Blair.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - unmonastery for screaming" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Preparing for my first acolytes. All systems go.</span></div>
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<b>4. Popping wheelies on Mars - space travel!</b></div>
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Speaking of all systems go, I almost forgot... I spent a couple of weeks off planet too.</div>
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<a href="https://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne</a> gave me a metallic silver moto jacket and I thought I should put it to use in space, where it belongs. As the world now knows, my first lunar mission was in January 2017. You can read about it <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2017/01/celebrity-style-blogger-becomes-target.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Well, been there, done that, I chose Mars this time. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65CkRrkmb04/Xf_bbxBd_VI/AAAAAAAAL54/uf_606cNAKsCU5dVZSmab5cI5vERZYM4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bnov%2B27%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bspace%2Bsuit%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - charging her space suit" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65CkRrkmb04/Xf_bbxBd_VI/AAAAAAAAL54/uf_606cNAKsCU5dVZSmab5cI5vERZYM4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bnov%2B27%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bspace%2Bsuit%2B2.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - charging her space suit" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Charging my space suit before takeoff</span></div>
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NASA loaned me a bigger than-life-size spaced-out Barbie camper so I could boot around, do doughnuts (because Mars is like one huge vacant parking lot), and watch Netflix in comfort. They even snuck a snack into my rebreather, perhaps a peeled potato, shown in the left corner. I'm wasn't sure how to access it, but it's the thought that counts. It's now encased in the Smithsonian, known as "Mel Mars Potato."</div>
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The Canadian government has been hush-hush about this mission as well because they funded it, but they liked that the red planet matches the Canadian flag quite nicely, good for selfies. And politics is all about style.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcSXmYNEX_Q/Xf5-ihxX_TI/AAAAAAAAL5Y/0PdriX3ISX4svhKtWXv5piAueXb0RkrCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mars%2Bhelmet%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - on Mars" border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcSXmYNEX_Q/Xf5-ihxX_TI/AAAAAAAAL5Y/0PdriX3ISX4svhKtWXv5piAueXb0RkrCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/mars%2Bhelmet%2B3.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - on Mars" /></a></div>
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<b>That's all.</b></div>
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I guess what I've been doing all this time is rolling with the punches of life, although this was more like shadow boxing. And I'll just say right now - can we drop the whole when-life-gives-you-lemons-you-make-lemonade thing? I prefer:</div>
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<b>When life gives you a secret lair, make an unmonastery. </b></div>
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Wrapping things up, some real music. This scene creeps me out now. The lyrics creep me out too. I loved Gidget movies growing up; now my nostalgia has more patina, less shine. It is what it is. It's a pity that Gidget had to blunt her edges. Maybe she would have become a blogger in later years.<br />
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The Female Trouble sweater is Gidget-pre-blunt-worthy, but I'm glad of all the other associations with this phrase as well (Female Trouble, not blunt). The sweater was a gift from the London-based company <a href="https://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/design/fashion/" target="_blank">HADES</a> quite a while ago, pure virgin wool, made in Scotland. "It's so dreamy, Moon Doggy!" (from a Gidget movie). Coat from students in the <a href="https://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/design/fashion/" target="_blank">VCC fashion program</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t30PK5ygfY4/XZgbjIChpWI/AAAAAAAAL0E/TaXparQ7_c4MhBeXnVkZ3Ir7f3qrracMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgreen%2Bpants%2Band%2Bcolourful%2Bcoat%2Boct%2B4%2B2019%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - Female Trouble - HADES" border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t30PK5ygfY4/XZgbjIChpWI/AAAAAAAAL0E/TaXparQ7_c4MhBeXnVkZ3Ir7f3qrracMgCEwYBhgL/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgreen%2Bpants%2Band%2Bcolourful%2Bcoat%2Boct%2B4%2B2019%2B3.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret - Female Trouble - HADES" /></a></div>
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And I was featured in a literary blog for, guess what? Creative writing. I gob-smacked myself, what a mess. Madam Mayo pointed out things about my writing that I'm not aware of in the process. For that I am grateful - it's nice to know what I'm doing, the forest-for-the-trees thing again. Thanks, C. M. Mayo, for this review! <a href="https://madam-mayo.com/fashion-blogger-melanie-kobayashis-bag-and-a-beret-further-notes-on-reading-as-a-writer" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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And Who What Wear included me in their article, "<a href="https://www.whowhatwear.com/over-50-style-outfits" target="_blank">These Outfits From the 50-Plus Crowd Are My Favorite From the Whole Year</a>." Thank you! Swipe and you'll see <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/" target="_blank">Shelley</a> too. She took that photo of me and then we switched and I took that one of her. And Patti of <a href="https://notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Not Dead Yet Style</a> is also in there, along with a bunch of other friends. If the list were mine to make, we'd ALL be in there. </div>
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Happy holidays. Merry Christmas is what I grew up saying, and like my feelings for Gidget, its edge as a season seems blunted. I hope that we can all find ways to sit back and relax for a while, eat great food, have lots of laughs, and maybe take a tour of Mars in a Barbie camper. What do you think?</div>
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Thanks for dropping by. It's been a long time. I edited this so it <i>might</i> be easier to follow but there my be more changes later too. And I'm linking up with Patti at <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/dressing-young-and-funky-over-60-its-all-good" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a>, Not Dead Yet Style. Hellooo!! </div>
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PS I got the Hamster Habitat (rebreather) photo from JediLofty GNU Free Documentation License, Ver. 1.2</div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-73856219058758313262019-09-21T12:08:00.001-07:002019-09-25T12:09:53.366-07:002 artists in a bar and then one goes to space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByT6DP0d-C4/XYW3HXxpFGI/AAAAAAAALxM/gGxa8CpqLKsIlV9L1W78J_HBkq-3pYWyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bsep%2B7%2B2010%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bshaggy%2Bboots%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByT6DP0d-C4/XYW3HXxpFGI/AAAAAAAALxM/gGxa8CpqLKsIlV9L1W78J_HBkq-3pYWyACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bsep%2B7%2B2010%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bshaggy%2Bboots%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">While I was shooting this, the owner of the distillery behind me commented on how I must like their walls because he'd seen me there before. I laughed, yes, I do!</span></div>
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I was recently interviewed for a show called <i><a href="http://www.twoartistswalkintoabar.com/mel-kobayashi/" target="_blank">Two Artists Walk Into a Bar</a></i> by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/carolmcquaidart" target="_blank">Carol Mcquaid</a>, a Canadian artist/traveler, a self-described nomad. (The link goes to the webcast; you can subscribe to her podcast as well.)<br />
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My first thought when she contacted me was, cool, I'm an artist! Then I thought, but am I really? Then I thought, yeah, yeah, I <i>am</i>! Sometimes it's hard to see yourself for the trees, know what I mean, when you just do what you do.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aF0SKfhNeLk/XYZWMP5gY3I/AAAAAAAALxw/7iKrz7zJcl8enxCeRpleQCEMQtE-5bdxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/actionpainter72dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="211" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aF0SKfhNeLk/XYZWMP5gY3I/AAAAAAAALxw/7iKrz7zJcl8enxCeRpleQCEMQtE-5bdxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/actionpainter72dpi.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Before I lost my studio</span></div>
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So what does an artist look like? Pfft, that's an idiotic question. THIS is what an artist looks like, courtesy of the photo filter Noire. The netting on the hat would have to go though. I'd be wearing black sidezip capris and pointy-toe boots. Adding a filter to your life would, in some respects, be so much easier than actually <i>living</i> as an artist.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ps8NKscvs/XYWP5TYOgVI/AAAAAAAALxA/C3IxcyBHftcvfbLtO55rAdfsz3Xp3ccrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/artist%2Bimage%2Bof%2Bmel%2Bfrom%2Bphone%2Bsep%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ps8NKscvs/XYWP5TYOgVI/AAAAAAAALxA/C3IxcyBHftcvfbLtO55rAdfsz3Xp3ccrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/artist%2Bimage%2Bof%2Bmel%2Bfrom%2Bphone%2Bsep%2B2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mel as quintessential artist person, minus the ciggie and the Dali mustache</span></div>
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(Skip to later if you just want photos, and don't miss my space movie down there)<br />
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An artist looks like <a href="https://uploads5.wikiart.org/images/salvador-dali.jpg!Portrait.jpg" target="_blank">Salvadore Dali</a>, except in my case minus the mustache. Or a sort of Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 movie <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funny_Face" target="_blank">Funny Face</a></i>, her beatnik phase, when she was paired with Fred Astaire. Ugh, I didn't feel the magic but anyway. Often there's a cigarette, but I've used a pencil crayon in a holder instead.<br />
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A younger generation probably envisions something completely different having grown up without cursive writing or even the joys of cassette tape Walkmans. ("A walk what?")<br />
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And the artist is always starving. Let's just debunk that myth right now: junk food is the cheapest food around and it tastes reeeal good. Chips!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M4Xuk_CRzs/XYZXT9A21OI/AAAAAAAALx8/-JBKUGJEGp0uxkpSzC3AN17pamnf-D0UACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="500" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M4Xuk_CRzs/XYZXT9A21OI/AAAAAAAALx8/-JBKUGJEGp0uxkpSzC3AN17pamnf-D0UACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Picture2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The starving artist is a terrible stereotype! Maybe it's time for <a href="https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2017/03/article_0001.html" target="_blank">resale royalty rights</a> in North America, hmm? Like musicians and novelists, and actors/filmmakers get.</span></div>
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But seriously? What little there is left of the stereotype (style-wise at least) is crumbling - if this image was ever something beyond my own imagination in the first place - especially with new media, which is now old, which is exactly how I feel when I think about how quickly everything is changing. Keeping up is key to feeling young I think.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE1NxHsBeAk/XYZZlq7vAPI/AAAAAAAALyI/XIyVhctG54QyiDB19PfmeNjFQiCEnif_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE1NxHsBeAk/XYZZlq7vAPI/AAAAAAAALyI/XIyVhctG54QyiDB19PfmeNjFQiCEnif_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Picture1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So back to the interview - Carol asked me where I envision myself in the future. I quickly replied: in a penthouse, living a life where I never have to vacuum again and have a personal chef to cook for me and a personal driver.<br />
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I reflected on that answer this week (I reflect on everything later and then freak out), and thought, hey, I must be living the high life already and not even know it because:<br />
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<li>My current home is really high up; </li>
<li>I could easily never vacuum again (some might argue it's already true);</li>
<li>O usually cooks for me (he is afraid of starving if I do it, although I make a mean boiled egg);</li>
<li>I have a personal driver but I kindly share space with others on the bus or I go driverless (Skytrain, no driver), or I do enjoy driving myself once in a while (if I'm not in tight leather pants). There's nothing more personal than being the actual person, is there?</li>
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Of course, that's about material wealth. What would I envision for me in the truly meaningful sense, although shelter, heat, and food are pretty meaningful. And a sanitation system.<br />
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As I said to Carol, I would be doing what I'm already doing but on a bigger scale - videos, or how about a real show or series or movies or a magazine or book, made with other creatives?!! I get dizzy thinking about it. "I'd conquer the world!," she yells from the prow of her private submarine. So that's my other answer to that question. Now, I sometimes feel like that prisoner in the movie <i>Shawshank Redemption</i>, digging his underground escape tunnel with a spoon, for freedom via a sewer pipe. Moving right along.<br />
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But again, isn't this kind of like my other penthouse answer? Am I living the dream already? Successful people in interviews often look back on their days before success and say, those were the best days of my life! Okay. I'm trying to get on board with that.<br />
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A famous TV series was once filming in a loft complex where O and I were living and they used our suite for a bit. The Big Star sauntered in during a break and said, "You know, this place reminds me of the good old days when I was a struggling actor in New York." How does one respond to that? - wow, you guys are in rough shape, and, hey, isn't it fun? And it was in fact a really nice loft. Everything is relative.<br />
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I thrive on the creative stuff I do and am grateful to be able to do it. And I have worked/played at it for a long time. I do or could do all those things I listed right now, but I grin considering the bigger picture, a bigger <i>budget</i>. Heh.<br />
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So I'm just putting all this out there as I ponder issues Carol and I discussed during the talk - what it is to be an artist, a model, the imposter syndrome, underwear, and more, for about an hour. It was very laid back and I enjoyed her company. So I invite you to have a listen <a href="http://www.twoartistswalkintoabar.com/mel-kobayashi/" target="_blank">HERE</a> or via podcast, Two Artists Walk into a Bar. And/or catch some of the other artists she has interviewed. I've enjoyed so many of them.<br />
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And now some outfit photos because, you know, style and all. These are just a couple of the things I've worn since my last post.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6abUfjQTsEU/XYW4qPw-zeI/AAAAAAAALxY/vTo1kCY3V5U8XW5d_Gu4AZW74WoWgX3hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bsep%2B7%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bshag%2Bboots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6abUfjQTsEU/XYW4qPw-zeI/AAAAAAAALxY/vTo1kCY3V5U8XW5d_Gu4AZW74WoWgX3hgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bsep%2B7%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bshag%2Bboots.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I farked the jacket. I made it smaller by adding a front diagonal red zipper. You've maybe seen it before.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4tWxCeOVbg/XYW4_L5N04I/AAAAAAAALxk/_C-JiUTpvh09tzWgy--u6qp31yvNhnJ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bsep%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bvelvet%2Bblazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B4tWxCeOVbg/XYW4_L5N04I/AAAAAAAALxk/_C-JiUTpvh09tzWgy--u6qp31yvNhnJ7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/web%2Bsep%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bvelvet%2Bblazer.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Vintage men's velvet blazer made in London and faux suede/velvet Parasuco pants. <a href="https://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne</a> clocked the blazer for me when we were at a Toronto thrift store.</span><br />
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And what else? I feel like I've dumped all the stuff from my purse onto the floor and am pulling bits out excitedly to show you. "Oh, look at this, and there's this, and oh, what about this...?!" - a toothpick with writing on it, a piece of forgotten chocolate, a pink tape measure.<br />
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I made this video t<span style="font-family: inherit;">oo. As you may know, <span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">I recently put together my annual what-I-wore video (see sidebar), found a thread in there and pulled. This came out, especially with the music playing in my head, "Saving the World" by Aaron Kenny. The space photo is by Raphael Nogueira from unsplash.com. O made the space ship; I made it fly. Heh.</span></span><br />
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I have more stuff to show you but I'll mercifully save it for another post. Till next time.</div>
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I hope you are all well, now moving into autumn here, spring for my friends down under. Hellooooo!! I've missed you all. Thanks so much for stopping by, especially if you've made it to the end of this post.<br />
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I'll link up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/feminine-plus-masculine-style-over-50-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike when everyone is ready. And don't forget, for some of us it's almost time for pumpkin scones (even though they're often made from other gourds, still tasty). Hooray!!!<br />
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Edit: I also linked to Anne at <a href="http://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com/2019/09/secondhandseptember-tips-for-reselling.html#disqus_thread" target="_blank">Spy Girl</a>. She has a great post with reselling tips by Suzanne.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-4358816079420356742019-08-31T17:54:00.000-07:002019-09-03T09:15:13.400-07:00Ruffled in a frock coat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been sequestered in my garrett feverishly toiling on a new symphony in H-minor with none but my pet raven Grasp as a silent companion at the window. This work will break all the records. It'll be huge. Great. Really fantastico. </div>
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But now I am stepping out for refreshment with gentle verse and a forest shower. "O," my giddy soul cries to the heavens, "Dispatch thy muses - and a new rollerball pen." Writing with a feather is fecking annoying. And plucking them from seagulls may even be an offense. Grasp doesn't share either.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLtEx3kIOCY/XWntt5ZRrXI/AAAAAAAALuI/9rWMTU7muKYsxOGhbUM5UIKqagYd18riQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B30%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Breading%2Bpoetry%2Bin%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2BDSC09304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, poetry" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uLtEx3kIOCY/XWntt5ZRrXI/AAAAAAAALuI/9rWMTU7muKYsxOGhbUM5UIKqagYd18riQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B30%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Breading%2Bpoetry%2Bin%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2BDSC09304.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, poetry" /></a></div>
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Artliness temporarily satisfied, I clamber onto nearby battlements and gaze seaward, brow furrowed (not really, those are just lines). I scan the horizon, searching, searching for my ship, which should be coming in any decade now.<br />
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It would be so much easier if it were a jet coming in and not a frigging frigate. And an airport at least has a Food Court where I could hang out. But wait, maybe my ship is a luxury yacht or, gulp, a tanker. I must consult the Manual. Does anyone know where it is? Oh dear!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FerI26iCaI/XWntuXw89KI/AAAAAAAALuQ/L1iEpX1_gcwzz3F5dVZrXa3xqgXcz0j2ACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bserious%2B-DSC09366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, time travel" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FerI26iCaI/XWntuXw89KI/AAAAAAAALuQ/L1iEpX1_gcwzz3F5dVZrXa3xqgXcz0j2ACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bserious%2B-DSC09366.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, time travel" /></a></div>
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Still waiting, contemplating more poetry. And owning that wall, I mean battlement (the top of a fortified wall of a castle with holes for shooting from). Bafflements is a good word too to describe a confusing wall or even this blog post.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQzBdM3-NOE/XWntu4Eo3xI/AAAAAAAALuU/31w69TA4h10nXdTCU96e9NPkqPJZO5BcwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bsitting%2Bon%2Bfence-DSC09325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, time travel" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQzBdM3-NOE/XWntu4Eo3xI/AAAAAAAALuU/31w69TA4h10nXdTCU96e9NPkqPJZO5BcwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bsitting%2Bon%2Bfence-DSC09325.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, time travel" /></a></div>
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And what ho? What's this? The royal court has decided to have an official portrait of me painted?<br />
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Me looketh upon the artist with suspicion. "O, Painter, be thou forewarned. If thou dost not capture a flattering likeness, I shall lop off thine head." (Why must I stick my hand in the jacket like that?)<br />
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In fact, I would prefer a non-likeness, so not to worry. And we would go out for martinis and pickles and swap stories on where to get good rollerballs and plumes, if not provided deus ex machina (unexpected godly intervention that saves the day), which is always my preferred method.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltPw3CG3sb8/XWntt2_umUI/AAAAAAAALuE/vzQnNqnI8WAGL3CeRI-A3_VARaZEATEpQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bportrait%2B-DSC09451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ltPw3CG3sb8/XWntt2_umUI/AAAAAAAALuE/vzQnNqnI8WAGL3CeRI-A3_VARaZEATEpQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bportrait%2B-DSC09451.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIEB2govqIw/XWntuTsmKKI/AAAAAAAALuM/nFR5PCTSB1kMlMosgbS_P0s5AzCGj86pgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bsepia%2B-DSC09401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIEB2govqIw/XWntuTsmKKI/AAAAAAAALuM/nFR5PCTSB1kMlMosgbS_P0s5AzCGj86pgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2Bsepia%2B-DSC09401.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" /></a></div>
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I love this aubergine frock coat with ruffles and my Partridge Family pants.<br />
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This outfit is a definite time-slipper. I conceived it for chasing bad guys with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Powers:_International_Man_of_Mystery" target="_blank"><i>Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery</i></a>, a movie which features the phrase, "Groovy, baaaaby," spoken with a toothy grin. But on this light-rain day it morphed from Austin Powers to Jane Austen.<br />
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Details of the blouse. I wore suspenders with the pants too.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGxJqGcRLtc/XWoLamx-l9I/AAAAAAAALvQ/B5oMyvUf-_AsKgY10nuwPGrwIg1kGauIQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bruffles%2Bcloseup%2B-DSC09341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, suspenders" border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGxJqGcRLtc/XWoLamx-l9I/AAAAAAAALvQ/B5oMyvUf-_AsKgY10nuwPGrwIg1kGauIQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bruffles%2Bcloseup%2B-DSC09341.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, plaid pants, ruffled blouse, suspenders" /></a></div>
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I have been possessed by ruffles and blazers (and frock coats) for almost a year now. Finally, I farked this thrifted Asos blouse by adding ruffles around the collar and sleeves, and down the front. There's even netting behind the base layer for body and lift, although that was original to the blouse, I confess.<br />
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Now I shall fark all my blouses! I would happily wear ensembles like this every single day, although I would need a hound and maybe a horse. I already have a sports car (as you can see in the video clip link in the right sidebar) and a toothy grin.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doyQ9jOcxmE/XWntvk8godI/AAAAAAAALuY/Ec3oY7lcxHAK0ifwt976yqJgLD9Pj-1uACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Blaughing%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2B-DSC09370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doyQ9jOcxmE/XWntvk8godI/AAAAAAAALuY/Ec3oY7lcxHAK0ifwt976yqJgLD9Pj-1uACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Blaughing%2Bfrock%2Bcoat%2B-DSC09370.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, frock coat, plaid pants, ruffled blouse" /></a></div>
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I went to another play with Mara, the opening night of Shakespeare's <i>Coriolanus</i> at Bard on the Beach, front row, where we were right in the heat of battle. Clearly, its influence has spilled into this blog post.<br />
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I had never been so close to "violence" before, even feigned. The blood and wounds looked pretty convincing, which made me ponder even more the tragically flawed nature of our species.<br />
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The story is timeless: ruthless power-seekers contend with colleagues, family, foes, and poor people hungry for a good line. Sigh. In this play, all the people really want is corn. Is that so hard? The lead role is gender-switched to female and played brilliantly and breathlessly by Moya O'Connell. The play runs until Sep. 21 on the Howard Family Stage in the Douglas Campbell Theatre. Check <a href="https://bardonthebeach.org/2019/coriolanus/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (Not sponsored)<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYpPGYvpiQU/XWnwfiBpsNI/AAAAAAAALu8/wiIZHodsduES5-NnaaJRhuLQUDnu_t2PQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fr%2Bmara%2Bat%2Bbard%2Baug%2B25%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYpPGYvpiQU/XWnwfiBpsNI/AAAAAAAALu8/wiIZHodsduES5-NnaaJRhuLQUDnu_t2PQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/fr%2Bmara%2Bat%2Bbard%2Baug%2B25%2B2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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I debuted my farked blouse with this outfit that night. Mara debuted a coat that she farked with red paint too. Stunning.<br />
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And, finally, I put together my third annual (plus a few months) compilation video of what I wore 2018/2019. Click the photo or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wdzPdBz7s/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to watch the video on Instagram. You don't have to be a member of IG to watch it though.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1wdzPdBz7s/" target="_blank"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, What I Wore video, 2018-2019" border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="757" height="628" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-swocST_TGAY/XWoIiFx67QI/AAAAAAAALvE/vUYFXLePj1YlYhfR-yGpeymW8g_kY4GjACLcBGAs/s640/WIW%2Bjpg.JPG" title="Mel Kobayashi, What I Wore video, 2018-2019" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's it for this week.<br />
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Oh, except I opened a new page with lots of my sketches <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/p/sketches.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> featuring Ternip Hedd (changed the spelling to avoid conflict). Most of these sketches you've seen on Bag'n'B; a few may be new.<br />
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I'll be linking to Patti at <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/the-story-of-hurricane-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a>, Not Dead Yet Style, and Catherine at #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/09/slouchy-black-orange-dress-nothing-to-do-with-halloween.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a>, Not Dressed as Lamb when the time is right.<br />
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Cheers, everyone. How does your ship come in? Land? Sea? Air? Carrier pigeon? Ether? Curious minds want to know.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-36438434523976746452019-08-27T20:36:00.001-07:002019-08-29T12:34:26.338-07:00The question of smiling, fake serious faces, and authenticity<div style="text-align: left;">
"SMILE!" We all know that yelp before a casual photo. Or "SAY CHEESE!" Time to fake smile. Oh wow, look how much fun I'm having! Hey, my life is awesome!<br />
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I am now a proficient fake smiler and even fake laugher, a result of years of rigorous training. Doing this convincingly in "real" life is a whole other blog post.<br />
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But the opposite of a forced smile is forced seriousness, which is just as fake as the smile but maybe easier to pull off. Without this pose, I wonder if high fashion would even exist. It's simply the relaxed face with a dash of intention or self-awareness.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBSJjv-tu8I/XVIbKUpPdZI/AAAAAAAALow/G26u41GcpaIFiGwqTKsVbUFV30Yt9gHIQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcoral%2Bdres%2B1-DSC08419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBSJjv-tu8I/XVIbKUpPdZI/AAAAAAAALow/G26u41GcpaIFiGwqTKsVbUFV30Yt9gHIQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcoral%2Bdres%2B1-DSC08419.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" /></a></div>
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I suppose when you drop a whack-ton of money on a Chanel suit, it's serious business. My face upon spending such sums would probably look like the <i>Psycho</i> shower scene, if I'm still conscious at all. And then there are those who live in rarefied air who don't even blink. Sigh. I'd like to try on that face some day for realsie, and I'd have my personal assistants pose for me.<br />
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Me (with camera to assistants): Just relax and show how happy you are working for me. <i>Did you not hear me</i>? I said &*#(@6 <i>HAPPY</i>!! </blockquote>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omygFzgJCkU/XVIbJvdTiOI/AAAAAAAALoo/36orz51voUgm3WVMRDfi7Y2sLPJuXoGBgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omygFzgJCkU/XVIbJvdTiOI/AAAAAAAALoo/36orz51voUgm3WVMRDfi7Y2sLPJuXoGBgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B2.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" /></a></div>
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The Zoolander face is the absolute best example of the fake serious face: the sucked in cheeks, exaggerated pout, and squinched eyes. And an inner growl which probably only dogs can hear. (Zoolander is a movie that spoofs high fashion.)<br />
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For me, the fake laugh often leads to a real one and the fake super-serious face does too, but does a fake serious face lead to a real serious face? I hadn't thought about it until just now. I would guess no, although wretched photos do inspire real-life serious faces, if grimaces or frowns qualify.<br />
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Even the effects of gravity on a face, especially jowls, can mimic a serious face, which usually translates into a real-life one too because it is so fecking annoying! Does that make it a high-fashion face? Hardly. But there are sometimes scary faces strutting down runways, not due to physics but the gravity of the situation I suppose.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6uMLPuDQ8Q/XVIbJigXb9I/AAAAAAAALok/17nAO59FfwcD3dmh_YiiKlhQaQYFXhpJACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B4%2BDSC08423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6uMLPuDQ8Q/XVIbJigXb9I/AAAAAAAALok/17nAO59FfwcD3dmh_YiiKlhQaQYFXhpJACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B4%2BDSC08423.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" /></a></div>
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About the outfit - my friend Mara (I've written about her before <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/07/were-not-posing-were-living.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) drew my eye to these pieces on the super summer discount rack at a local consignment store, a dusty rose suedine (ultrasuede) dress by Dutch brand 10 Feet and this sheer nude trench coat/dress thing by Mint Velvet. </div>
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You can see the sunscreen on my nose as I didn't bring my parasol. Friends have often reminded me I must blend it in but I always forget and it's hard to notice indoors before I go out.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6sb6hnJ63g/XVIbJg1QBUI/AAAAAAAALog/5fdHVt9oSKozUNZBfLDJKoidOb5nw8DAACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6sb6hnJ63g/XVIbJg1QBUI/AAAAAAAALog/5fdHVt9oSKozUNZBfLDJKoidOb5nw8DAACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2B3.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" /></a></div>
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I think models fake laughing as they strut down a runway might be just as surreal as models with serious faces. It's all part of a role anyway; otherwise, it would be called people walking nowhere indoors in a straight line.<br />
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All of this begs the question: is there such a thing as authentic? Is that ever enough? How do we know when we look real authentic as opposed to fake authentic? Maybe we need an app for that. Lie detector machines have tried and still fail.<br />
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I enjoy finding the sweet spots in between the poses, the off-guard moments, which, if I am successful, I may try to wrest into a repeatable formula thereby ruining them. And it's too bad that the candids are also often the ones I don't want to share. There's genuine and there's <i>too</i> genuine. I like a bit of curation. Can't I have my cake and eat it too!?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJtyimOM5JU/XVIbKIlparI/AAAAAAAALos/cAFIFeCHoYY3VnykcsoRiXmetcPASpm-wCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2BDSC08440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QJtyimOM5JU/XVIbKIlparI/AAAAAAAALos/cAFIFeCHoYY3VnykcsoRiXmetcPASpm-wCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Baug%2B12%2B2019%2Bcoral%2Bdress%2BDSC08440.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi bag and a beret august 2019 coral dress" /></a></div>
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Maybe everything is an illusion. Maybe the idea of an "authentic look" is not possible anymore with ever increasing photo moments in our daily lives, like we're running on some joke of a cosmic loop of "say cheese." We survey life through the lenses of cameras, our own, others', and surveillance which so far we don't feel the need to pose for (she wrote, looking nervously around the room with a stiff grin on her face).<br />
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I'll link up to Patti at <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/a-cure-for-the-summertime-blues-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine at #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/08/classic-yellow-summer-dress-styled-with-red-and-pink.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a> at Not Dressed as Lamb. I hope I'll see you there.<br />
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Finally, I have recently been in a Canada-wide ad campaign for Shopper's Drug Mart, part of The Beauty Project they're running until September 6, <a href="https://beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca/editorial/the-beauty-project?hid=P8_integrated_editorial_lash-effect-plp_the-beauty-project" target="_blank">HERE</a> and a video <a href="https://player.vimeo.com/video/351254337?hid=P8_integrated_editorial_video_the-beauty-project-hub" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you go into one of their stores (or online), chances are you'll see me in photos and/or a bunch of little videos. Just imagine that I'm encouraging you to try a new look! Filming was a great experience, in Toronto on two occasions this summer.<br />
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So have a look if you can. Let me know what you think. I put two of the photos on my IG, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1eNLX7BxRj/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ZPMWkhjBf/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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That's it, seriously, authentically, maybe. Cheers, everyone!!<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-28186069948531964922019-08-08T11:39:00.001-07:002019-08-08T11:45:46.220-07:00Bare arms, plunging necklines, and tower hair, oh my<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My arms are bare and I'm starting to be okay with that again. I was a bit wobbly (heh) for a while. Pfft. Bring. It. On! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh2wnCnBuE/XUZ4VjTljtI/AAAAAAAALmc/kVcOarod-AkzvhTVJcDOVOTfi9pJ9ScAwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, Vancouver 2019" border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh2wnCnBuE/XUZ4VjTljtI/AAAAAAAALmc/kVcOarod-AkzvhTVJcDOVOTfi9pJ9ScAwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2B1.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, Vancouver 2019" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Grizas sent this dress and matching jacket to me over a year ago, April 2018, and I wrote about it <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2018/04/its-spring.html" target="_blank">here</a> and even made a tiny video. </span><br />
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I've said it before, I'll never be as young as I am right now, and if I already cover my arms, what will be left to show of my entire body in the years ahead? It's not about the body; it's about what's <i>in </i>the body, so go do something amazing. Go on!! - I tell myself.<br />
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And below, another thing I wore this week: my acid orange jumpsuit with a plunging neckline and no coverup top underneath - it's a first. And arms showing. It was just so dang hot and this jumpsuit was so dang cool I had to do it. After about five minutes I forgot about the neckline completely.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zHzxkYW2xM/XUuu-ioZAsI/AAAAAAAALno/mkj9gfaK6ugEv03GWILoig8Faj9yZ3JsgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2Blunging%2Bneckline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, tower hair, vintage orange jumpsuit, Vancouver 2019" border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_zHzxkYW2xM/XUuu-ioZAsI/AAAAAAAALno/mkj9gfaK6ugEv03GWILoig8Faj9yZ3JsgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2Blunging%2Bneckline.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, tower hair, vintage orange jumpsuit, Vancouver 2019" /></a></div>
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It was a good hair day when I wore my dress. Really, when my hair is sticking up all over the place I have yet to figure out what, from someone else's perspective, would constitute a bad tower hair day. "Uh, Mel, your hair is sticking up there." To capture said hair I went down to the Art Gallery for some photos and took the little step stool to sit on.<br />
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Exhibit A: Hair.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGOvp62X66g/XUZ4VoFdRSI/AAAAAAAALmk/PShoOZFHq0opNy-HIpZIj8vdR68l_G5jACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, tower hair, 2019" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGOvp62X66g/XUZ4VoFdRSI/AAAAAAAALmk/PShoOZFHq0opNy-HIpZIj8vdR68l_G5jACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2B3.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, tower hair, 2019" /></a></div>
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My hair is on the cusp of falling over so I have to enjoy every good hair day left before another Big Chop.<br />
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And below, the matching jacket. I feel like I'm sitting for a Sears portrait. Heh. Sears is/was a big North American department store, which always seems on the brink of collapse these days. And bye-bye Barneys - almost. At least they are keeping their New York flagship stores open.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkhfXMPnU-0/XUZ4ViaFh0I/AAAAAAAALmg/QaZfpZzatIQ-u0ZkYMd46YQigIY-YSMMwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, 2019" border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QkhfXMPnU-0/XUZ4ViaFh0I/AAAAAAAALmg/QaZfpZzatIQ-u0ZkYMd46YQigIY-YSMMwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2B2.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, 2019" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_kbqMR3BV4/XUZ4WCgkbdI/AAAAAAAALmo/CUSgn-AnN8UYLAVnNmUSgUkd-7V4K_iiQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi laughing, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, 2019" border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_kbqMR3BV4/XUZ4WCgkbdI/AAAAAAAALmo/CUSgn-AnN8UYLAVnNmUSgUkd-7V4K_iiQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2B5.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi laughing, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress and jacket, 2019" /></a></div>
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I even brought my rockstar shirt from O and a vintage tie. I switched out the heels for my slip-on Converse running shoes.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M98LqBAM37E/XUZ4WP4R7HI/AAAAAAAALms/7qwgT42Iw7U8rL2Td6rkvhLOkcfOH8K6gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2Bwith%2Btie%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress with rockstar top and vintage tie" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M98LqBAM37E/XUZ4WP4R7HI/AAAAAAAALms/7qwgT42Iw7U8rL2Td6rkvhLOkcfOH8K6gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B3%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bgrisas%2Bdress%2Bart%2Bgallery%2Bwith%2Btie%2B4.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi, Bag and a Beret, Grizas dress with rockstar top and vintage tie" /></a></div>
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Somehow the baggy crotch of the jumpsuit balances out the neckline. I also put on the diamond encrusted meteorite pendant as a distraction from the plunging neckline. That was kind of a big fail - it's big, shiny, and positioned right at the lowest point of the plunge - but it made me happy.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufPcYz_a3N8/XUkM3KuNhMI/AAAAAAAALnI/fxUq7DCslowD0QHCD-Y-VID1R2HNw3TWwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2B-DSC08228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2019" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ufPcYz_a3N8/XUkM3KuNhMI/AAAAAAAALnI/fxUq7DCslowD0QHCD-Y-VID1R2HNw3TWwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2B-DSC08228.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2019" /></a></div>
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SWOOOOSH!!! You can see a bit of pylon or traffic cone in the corner. Coordinating perfectly. I can't lace the top lace holes of my shoes unless I wear socks because the sandals bite my ankles, and I didn't think socks would go.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMb0k4UXz4g/XUkM3Is3gwI/AAAAAAAALnM/Eq-a3ApiA40j9I7U7GHAvGeZtGbRy2jOQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2B-DSC08188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMb0k4UXz4g/XUkM3Is3gwI/AAAAAAAALnM/Eq-a3ApiA40j9I7U7GHAvGeZtGbRy2jOQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2B-DSC08188.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" /></a></div>
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And why not a kick to show you that this is not a dress. It's an even cooler jumpsuit!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NED4WERele4/XUkM3Gk4s1I/AAAAAAAALnQ/TtrjRckEAD0AqbBAowVPuZaIkzDjTUv7gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2Bb-DSC08202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NED4WERele4/XUkM3Gk4s1I/AAAAAAAALnQ/TtrjRckEAD0AqbBAowVPuZaIkzDjTUv7gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2Bb-DSC08202.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" /></a></div>
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The parasol was given to me by <a href="http://www.lily-lark.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lily-Lark</a> last year. I often go out with it to protect from the sun. I went to the Art Gallery again. I love the light up there.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJYZx6jVCi0/XUkM3jH4HhI/AAAAAAAALnU/81XD5nbVOJIfrBh6DpoGkzvx3L34NXK4gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%252C%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2B-DSC08268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJYZx6jVCi0/XUkM3jH4HhI/AAAAAAAALnU/81XD5nbVOJIfrBh6DpoGkzvx3L34NXK4gCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug%2B5%252C%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Borange%2Bjumpsuit%2B-DSC08268.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret in vintage orange jumpsuit, 2018" /></a></div>
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And the Pride Parade was last Sunday. I wasn't in the mood to dive into the crowds so I hung out on the periphery in a cafe and sketched in my journal, as I do. That photo below is two photos stuck together. I didn't have my tripod or camera so this is the best I could do with the phone. It still freaks me out taking photos on a phone.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00wxDlXWa20/XUuzSHNwIVI/AAAAAAAALn0/iEK1FWQhfa0JGkvRsR7n4WCyV92w1DWwgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bpride%2Boutfit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret paillette top and palazzo pants in Vancouver" border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-00wxDlXWa20/XUuzSHNwIVI/AAAAAAAALn0/iEK1FWQhfa0JGkvRsR7n4WCyV92w1DWwgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Baug5%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bpride%2Boutfit.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi Bag and a Beret paillette top and palazzo pants in Vancouver" /></a></div>
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That's been my week. How has yours been?</div>
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I'm too late for Patti's Visible Monday, dang! (word of the day), but I'll skedaddle over to Catherine's #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/08/pleated-maxi-with-sneaks-is-failsafe-summer-outfit.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a>, at Not Dressed as Lamb. See you there!! </div>
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Stay cool, my friends. </div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-32088440998433639922019-07-29T14:37:00.001-07:002019-07-31T00:41:51.801-07:00Agent Bagsy to the rescue!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello! Hello! I'm wearing red!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4n20nvIvc/XT9Mu9E-FDI/AAAAAAAALlc/VPwKU7bh-ZIDiloTBHbjkCTQOb2RUv2HACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B3%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4n20nvIvc/XT9Mu9E-FDI/AAAAAAAALlc/VPwKU7bh-ZIDiloTBHbjkCTQOb2RUv2HACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B3%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have been a busy little Canadian beaver this past week, making videos mostly. Here's one of them. If you've seen it already on Instagram, just move along. Or watch it again! Hahaha! The music is The New Order by Aaron Kenny. </div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/unND1NDUJsA?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></div>
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Yes, we need more secret agents over 55, or even over 40. I'm happy to oblige, especially armed with a vintage handbag! There are no shots of me actually <i>thwarting</i> the "bad guys," but that's how Agent Bagsy rolls. I want to team up with Mr. Bean so we could be Bagsy Bean or Bean Bagsy.<br />
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It was a challenge filming this solo, acting all weirdly downtown and in the alley with my tripod, and filming at the coffee shop. Luckily, I found a spot to myself.<br />
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If there was whispering - stay away from her, she's a bit odd, isn't she - at least I didn't hear it. I had to order that expensive juice to lay claim to the location. It was a good investment. I got the footage.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDId17vJoIU/WuqmdDMKuQI/AAAAAAAAKE8/cl9AnY6VVjwGHHjlTH4I2kqINpNtwLnAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/turnipsketch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDId17vJoIU/WuqmdDMKuQI/AAAAAAAAKE8/cl9AnY6VVjwGHHjlTH4I2kqINpNtwLnAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/turnipsketch.png" /></a></div>
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And this is a photo shoot I did this past week as well. It's the outfit I wore to the Nordstrom campaign launch party just shy of a year ago. I had such fun that night, made especially memorable with my friends <a href="http://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne</a>, <a href="http://www.notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Patti</a>, and <a href="http://www.forestcityfashionista.com/" target="_blank">Shelley</a> who came to help celebrate. I wrote about it <a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-to-be-in-ad-campaign.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4n20nvIvc/XT9Mu9E-FDI/AAAAAAAALlc/VPwKU7bh-ZIDiloTBHbjkCTQOb2RUv2HACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B3%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Na4n20nvIvc/XT9Mu9E-FDI/AAAAAAAALlc/VPwKU7bh-ZIDiloTBHbjkCTQOb2RUv2HACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B3%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhnvZzGdHLw/XT9Mu6g5mNI/AAAAAAAALlY/4GC9hY6NGP4gFAYHj3fnKzBXhRI5si5bgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B2%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="577" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IhnvZzGdHLw/XT9Mu6g5mNI/AAAAAAAALlY/4GC9hY6NGP4gFAYHj3fnKzBXhRI5si5bgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B2%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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I swapped out the fashion glasses I got from Nordstrom, which had pale pink lenses, with these sunglasses.<br />
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I was getting a Marilyn Monroe vibe, shots of her with her hair blowing at the beach. Never mind that MM's hair was platinum blonde and my hair is getting white on its own, or that she was voluptuous and could sing, act, dance, and pose to make us weak at the knees. My knees are just getting weak. Heh. But I can still dream - that never gets old. That's what Hollywood is all about, dreaming. Agent Bagsy agrees.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rGIwLOcZww/XT9MvVrU5bI/AAAAAAAALlk/f6iXWX8Co60MU-zDTkfUMbVvTr4ocwDPgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B4%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rGIwLOcZww/XT9MvVrU5bI/AAAAAAAALlk/f6iXWX8Co60MU-zDTkfUMbVvTr4ocwDPgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B4%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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Shelley gave me that cotton robe. It fluttered wonderfully in the breeze. And it was cool-ish outside.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZharTVZS4o/XT9Mv3g-evI/AAAAAAAALlo/hfW_BF64_rkyoccXKHwrmCsR66OV4kqYgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B5%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZharTVZS4o/XT9Mv3g-evI/AAAAAAAALlo/hfW_BF64_rkyoccXKHwrmCsR66OV4kqYgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B5%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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That next shot actually feels '60s. It's the sunglasses.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9V6Cg7PhRo/XT9MvMRkozI/AAAAAAAALlg/gLkQ1rDqY94AsWL4B_cC2bd_MxH3ftkhQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B1%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l9V6Cg7PhRo/XT9MvMRkozI/AAAAAAAALlg/gLkQ1rDqY94AsWL4B_cC2bd_MxH3ftkhQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B1%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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Next, putting myself into real perspective. I'm just a dot in relation to this humongous bridge support. I guess that statement would be more profound if that were a galaxy behind me and not just a bunch of concrete. Of course I am small compared to a bridge support. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYVxwznY1n8/XT9MwTfPvFI/AAAAAAAALls/RznpiD4PcgMtmMQj8bv2XyxfSURHbmQ0wCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B6%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYVxwznY1n8/XT9MwTfPvFI/AAAAAAAALls/RznpiD4PcgMtmMQj8bv2XyxfSURHbmQ0wCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2B6%2B%2Bjul%2B2019%2B-DSC07356.jpg" /></a></div>
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That's better. Although I had to boost my size for you to see me at all.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idMj1kClPPA/XT9jn2F98dI/AAAAAAAALmE/aD_TtryM43syS6KJiv4W-4R5edplQFutgCLcBGAs/s1600/mel%2Bin%2Bgalaxy%2Bjul%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-idMj1kClPPA/XT9jn2F98dI/AAAAAAAALmE/aD_TtryM43syS6KJiv4W-4R5edplQFutgCLcBGAs/s1600/mel%2Bin%2Bgalaxy%2Bjul%2B2019.jpg" /></a></div>
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Galaxy photo by Raphael Nogueira on Unsplash</div>
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That's all from me this week. I'm going to link up to Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/create-your-own-colorway-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/07/white-summer-dress-that-got-all-the-compliments.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a> at Not Dressed as Lamb. Maybe see you there!!</div>
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Thanks for visiting! Dang, I'm out of cheese nippies. I knew I should have got more. But I still have some gherkins and Cheez Whiz light cheese spread and a couple of cartons of fine wine.</div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-88818259684996148122019-07-21T12:45:00.005-07:002019-07-23T11:44:22.947-07:00New parts in Faux FranceI woke up to discover that the part in my hair had changed sides during the night. How did this happen? What mysterious forces are at play?<br />
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Actually, I like my part on this new side - it's like a whole new Mel. Hooray! Not that I disliked the old one, but it's too bad that I can't wake up with a new firm neck. Maybe if I slept with my feet over my head that would work because I've tried every other position with failure. Sigh. I don't know how I managed this hair trick.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b-9zOj87pw/XTPmZOmUezI/AAAAAAAALj8/ApvoS0r_jbgj1FKsnhiE89PcGnQuWpHBQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B1%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b-9zOj87pw/XTPmZOmUezI/AAAAAAAALj8/ApvoS0r_jbgj1FKsnhiE89PcGnQuWpHBQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B1%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019%2B1.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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I am wondering if this sneaky hair shift is due to the movement of the North Pole - yes, it's a thing. Seriously, it's moving, which is totally off-putting. I can't count on the north being north? Canada has always promoted itself as True North, so now we are Off-kilter North? Faux North? Fact are not facts anymore?!! Nothing new there, I guess. Sigh.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8g3KpjzZi8/XTPmZKBqdgI/AAAAAAAALj4/AR0CR_ym4ko8v82vz8_z0pDG28xgMQo5ACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8g3KpjzZi8/XTPmZKBqdgI/AAAAAAAALj4/AR0CR_ym4ko8v82vz8_z0pDG28xgMQo5ACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now, obviously, I have to check my hair whorl to see if it has also switched direction. Given that water swirls down the drain counter-clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Northern, it would be logical that hair whorls everywhere are also shifting madly with the movement of the Poles in a whorly-whirly-gig event.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">My whorl goes clockwise - or is it counterclockwise? Gaaa, I've forgotten! Why don't we have bracelets with this vital information? Now I'll have to go digging through old photos to check, but I can't do that because I'll lose my appetite and it's almost time for nibblies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z_VhMpaFWE/XTPmZIlr7LI/AAAAAAAALj0/sRVVjIhmy2gaA7J-G8kc5cRfHF1XXglDACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B3%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3z_VhMpaFWE/XTPmZIlr7LI/AAAAAAAALj0/sRVVjIhmy2gaA7J-G8kc5cRfHF1XXglDACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B3%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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Or maybe my part reversed because of all those earthquakes on the West Coast and the geographical shifting that happened. Sherry, <a href="http://www.petiteover40.com/" target="_blank">Petite Over 40</a>, of Seattle has said she's inching toward Vancouver. Whoa, free transportation! Again, hooray: reliable and inexpensive transport is vital for a thriving economy, I always say. And it will be great having Sherry as a neighbour for when I need to borrow baking supplies. ??!!<br />
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(Note to self: Check out border real estate to cash in on this phenomenon; not sure how shrinking land mass will work to my benefit yet though.)<br />
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I took these photos in Faux France, where everyone is attractive and happy and stylish and I speak fluent French, yet with a touch of an English accent to make me exotic and alluring - although I'm not sure it works that way. Speaking English with a French accent sounds so awesome to my ear but the other way...?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqp3C6Ra4lY/XTPmaoJRdsI/AAAAAAAALkI/g-ho1-rfeqktX8IvwBCJyhRbzufvW4IKACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqp3C6Ra4lY/XTPmaoJRdsI/AAAAAAAALkI/g-ho1-rfeqktX8IvwBCJyhRbzufvW4IKACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.png" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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I stay at the Hotel George X (double better than the George V), where everything is fun and free. This morning, for example, I had breakfast with Javier Bardem and Colin Firth. Wow! Croissants with butter and blueberry jam, and avocados on the side, and wine of course. And there were loads and loads of flowers on the table, so many I couldn't even be sure if that was Javier and Colin over there; I just took an educated guess. I'm clever like that. Not a genius though, I admit.<br />
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Some people might mistake this location for Vancouver Art Gallery, the steps to nowhere because the doors at the top are permanently sealed. It is also malodorous there. I ask you: Why would I go there when I can skip through the streets of Faux France?<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G-vv_CqLUM/XTPyANvwFkI/AAAAAAAALkg/RPqf9dBH0ycxAxcIEGKd4HnVupc6LomjQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B6%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9G-vv_CqLUM/XTPyANvwFkI/AAAAAAAALkg/RPqf9dBH0ycxAxcIEGKd4HnVupc6LomjQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B6%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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No matter what, the reality is the wind in my hair and this faboo outfit, all old, thrifted, energizing - man shoes, black jeans, an oversized top. The amazing neckpiece is from Anja, <a href="https://curlytraveller.com/" target="_blank">Curly Traveller</a>, from a few years back. I love it!!<br />
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And that, my friends, is my day. I'll be hopping on the Concorde (the good kind that exists and doesn't malfunction) for New York in a few hours. Maybe we can have lunch at the Met? Wear a gown. Toodle-loo. Heh.<br />
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Hope you're all having a stellar time being your fabulous selves.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv86bQMMEUk/XTPmaOUaICI/AAAAAAAALkE/zS2teVvo-dsqL6E7S2m_6py2IlxECAJGQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bv86bQMMEUk/XTPmaOUaICI/AAAAAAAALkE/zS2teVvo-dsqL6E7S2m_6py2IlxECAJGQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bjul%2B20%2B2019.jpg" title="Mel Kobayashi of Bag and a Beret, black jeans, man shoes, Jul 20 2019" /></a></div>
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I'll link up to Patti and Catherine at Not Dead Yet Style and Not Dressed as Lamb for <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/mixed-prints-have-no-age-limit-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/07/6-not-dressed-as-lamb-alter-egos-my-8th-blogiversary.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a>. Yup.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-13803541187622457152019-07-15T13:25:00.002-07:002019-07-16T20:04:28.323-07:00We're not posing - we're LIVING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLZfB86g_qE/XSoZ4BYZWZI/AAAAAAAALik/dKOulcV4PRYo8hunWzZpLBoB4zowBAwygCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B2%2Btext%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bblazer%2Bjun28%2B2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hLZfB86g_qE/XSoZ4BYZWZI/AAAAAAAALik/dKOulcV4PRYo8hunWzZpLBoB4zowBAwygCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B2%2Btext%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bblazer%2Bjun28%2B2019.png" /></a></div>
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Or how about, if a style blogger doesn't take a camera on a meetup with friends, does she still exist? Of course the answer to both would be a resounding YES! Our outfits are just the coating for the goodness within; in fact, sometimes a camera just gets in the frickin' way if it's remembered at all. </div>
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But for those <i>other</i> times, when one has an impish beauty itch, a whack-ton of makeup and a tripod, a remote control, and a conspirator, well, see exhibits AAA below. These are from <a href="http://www.forestcityfashionista.com/" target="_blank">Shelley</a>'s visit to Vancouver in June, which I posted about <a href="http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/06/friends-galore-and-imaginations-gone.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Shelley posted <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/2019/06/living-west-coast-life-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/2019/07/pose.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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This wall in a nearby alley was perfect: mossy, concrete, grey, and black. There also wasn't too much garbage or smell, which is a critical make-or-break location factor, especially with guests. The micro-distillery gin joint on the corner, closed at the time, still provided great mental ambiance. </div>
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Marching with fortitude into position.</div>
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There was nobody around, unless you count the ring of residential highrises. The few people who strolled by probably didn't notice us, and there were a couple of cars, but, pffft, when you're professionals, you don't even bat an eye unless it's on cue if ya knows what's good for ya.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>ME</b>: CUUUUT!!! (I stamp my platform-shod foot) DO IT AGAIN, SHELLEY! How many times do I have to tell you!? The look I'm going for is you're dangling your feet in the pool and there is a giant guppy attached to your toe. Now ACTION!<br /><br /><b>SHELLEY</b>: Is he nibbling or biting?<br /><br /><b>ME</b>: He's a mutant cross between a guppy and a piranha. Doh!<br /><br /><b>SHELLEY</b>: Oh, okay. Is it a salt-water pool or fresh water?<br /><br /><b>ME</b>: Ummm, salt water. Now ACTION!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGhP9twBs1Y/XSoo2UTBz6I/AAAAAAAALi0/dNvWqc5K2EQCMG6a56GQVUI-5VmOGZDkQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Band%2Bshelley%2B3%2Bjune%2B2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OGhP9twBs1Y/XSoo2UTBz6I/AAAAAAAALi0/dNvWqc5K2EQCMG6a56GQVUI-5VmOGZDkQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Band%2Bshelley%2B3%2Bjune%2B2019.png" /></a></div>
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We managed to get a few serious shots (below, not above), mainly at the beginning, before the cling of adulthood had blown off. Shelley wore her floaty silk dress with a watercolour motif and I wore my vintage satin pearl pink palazzo pants with a floaty orange/coral top. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvX4r1Hn_c/XSVPbV3xNPI/AAAAAAAALhA/gLdyCSlc9vcMSWTc28R2IlpcaWDwmNDrgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B1%2Bjun%2B15%2Bmel%2Bfr%2Bshelley%2Borange%2Balley%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2BIMG_20190615_131259.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCvX4r1Hn_c/XSVPbV3xNPI/AAAAAAAALhA/gLdyCSlc9vcMSWTc28R2IlpcaWDwmNDrgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B1%2Bjun%2B15%2Bmel%2Bfr%2Bshelley%2Borange%2Balley%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2BIMG_20190615_131259.png" /></a></div>
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Strenuous posing is hard fun, so of course we demanded ice cream (gelato) afterwards. Coming right up at an independent coffee shop on the other corner. Hey, if the distillery and the cafe joined forces, they could serve gin floats! Or not.</div>
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The sun was shining and we sat outdoors while we planned an air-conditioned afternoon watching zombies (Jarmusch - <i>The Dead Don't Die</i>).</div>
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The breeze couldn't have been better even if we had rented it. Did you notice that I put light blue in my hair? And the metal earrings weighed a ton; every time I hopped or skipped, like above, OW! But it was for ahhhrt.</div>
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I am startled sometimes when going through my photos, especially the more hilarious ones, that most women in their mid-50s, or any age I suppose, do not engage in this sort of thing. Of course, for me it's just who I am. And Shelley too and my other friends when they're in town. Shelley wrote about this in her <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/2019/07/pose.html" target="_blank">post</a>. </div>
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I suppose I never <i>unlearned</i> how to play, although its expression has gone underground at various times in my life. I'm grateful now that I can still tap into this powerful resource as a liberating force and share it at every opportunity. It definitely puts a rose tint on what might otherwise be a bleak outlook.</div>
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I also managed during that week to slip in a night at the theatre, Bard on the Beach, to see <i>The Taming of the Shrew</i>, as a guest of Mara Gottler, pictured below. She is a co-founder of the company, now in its 30th season, and a celebrated designer who designed all the costumes for this show.<br />
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How I laughed! - a <i>rollicking</i> (perfect word here) good time. The production had a western theme and featured a very strong-minded Kate (the shrew) with a few well-placed tweaks. And if Instagram were a thing in the Wild West, Bianca, Kate's twittery sister, would definitely have been a selfie star!<br />
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The show runs until mid-September. Check <a href="https://bardonthebeach.org/2019/the-taming-of-the-shrew/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. (not sponsored)<br />
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I wore my prairie dress for the western theme, and Mara was a chic gunslinger.</div>
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The next photo is called Traces - what stays behind. I walk by that alley now and smile remembering our photo session.</div>
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And finally, an outfit featuring a blazer spied for me at Turnabout Luxury Resale Granville store by <a href="http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sheila</a> when she joined me and Shelley for a day (see previous post <a href="http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/06/friends-galore-and-imaginations-gone.html" target="_blank">here</a> and Sheila's post <a href="http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2019/06/day-trip-vancouver-blogger-meet-up.html" target="_blank">here</a>). Navy, velvety, and with split sleeves. Oh my! Worn with my Marni for H&M drop-crotch purple/gold lurex pants, which I farked with side stripes. Sunglasses from an outing with Suzanne.</div>
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And that's all. I loved the process of doing this photo session with Shelley, and in the end, I'm glad to have these cool photos as visual reminders of our time spent together, the reflections cast in digital form. As with most of my creative pursuits, the process is paramount.<br />
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I hope you have all found avenues of liberation in your lives, even for micro-moments. Who doesn't need little escapes? Which reminds me, I must get to the woods - with my camera. Hahaha!! I'm a style blogger and I need to record the <i>process</i>!<br />
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Thanks for dropping by. xo<br />
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I'm linking up with Patti at <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/small-wardrobe-if-you-love-it-wear-it-out-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> over at Not Dead Yet Style and later with Catherine at #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/07/cooling-fabric-summer-dress-perfect-for-over-40-over-50-women.html" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a> at Not Dressed as Lamb. See you there maybe?<br />
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-83372354881371406032019-06-29T09:32:00.002-07:002019-06-30T20:20:28.143-07:00Friends galore and imaginations gone wildUh-oh, someone got into the maaakeup!<br />
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This is what happens when friends come to town - all hell breaks loose, usually on my face. And on my friends' faces. That's Shelley of <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/" target="_blank">Forest City Fashionista</a> on the right. She visited Vancouver for a while and we got into all kinds of trouble.<br />
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But things really got started for me on a trip to Toronto where I hooked up with <a href="https://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Carillo</a> when my work finished early. Suzanne took this photo in a cool consignment shop called <a href="https://commonsort.com/" target="_blank">Common Sort</a> on Queen Street East. From there, we wandered the neighbourhood and had some laughs and a bite to eat at <a href="http://tabule.com/" target="_blank">Tabule</a>. Unexpected mini adventures are the best kind!<br />
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The day I got back to Vancouver, Shelley arrived in town, and the forecast was for sun, sun, and more sun. Plus, I had a grip on my workload, so ready or not Vancouver....<br />
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On our first day we wandered into <a href="https://shop.nordstrom.com/content/canada-department-stores" target="_blank">Nordstrom</a> where we promptly got lost in the sale racks in the designer section. We are die-hard thrifters but couldn't help ogling the spangles, boucles, plastics, and denims, all at eye-popping discount prices(!). One thing led to another and before you know it, we were arms akimbo throwing stuff on in the change rooms. Big thanks to Mary Jane who enabled us!<br />
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"What do you think, Shelley?" "I dunno, Mel. I think the sleeves could be longer. Which reminds me, wanna go see that zombie movie?" And yes, we did go later, <i>The Dead Don't Die</i>, by fave director Jim Jarmusch, starring Tilda Swinton and Steve Buscemi, among others. (It was didactic. That's all I'll say. And Tilda stole the show, as usual.)<br />
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That's a new thing for me below, poses with hands around my face. It feels so wrong but a photographer told me that it "reads well on camera." Okay, fine, so I'm practising. We had some laughs as I tried out new moves. My favourite so far is the "pulling-off-my-own-head pose," not shown here.<br />
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Doesn't it look like I'm in a moisturizer commercial? Or maybe I'm just remembering that I forgot to buy Ted a new jar of Nescafe instant coffee. And also, who's Ted? And why am I buying him coffee?<br />
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Shelley was afraid to come too close because there was a padlock on my coat. Clearly, I must be a secret agent and that lock is keeping all my feminine secrets safe. Or maybe that's a new super mini handbag. Cool! But if it is, don't you think it would be kind of awkward fiddling around there every time you need cash? Plus, it would only hold bit coins.<br />
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Those "pants" actually have feet on them so they are tiggings (tights/jeggings - I made that up). They are a bit see-through but I got-got-got no time to figure it out, cool as this ensemble may be, and despite it being the most "affordable" set of the lot. I bought the sunglasses at Common Sort.<br />
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Those pink pearlescent cycling shorts on Shelley are dazzling we both agreed. Except they didn't fit. Minor detail? - in a thrift shop, maybe, but sadly not here. At least they look awesome from the front and sides. And for a laugh and great photos, they are a deal.<br />
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I erased the light reflections on my sunglasses in the next photo. I was swooning over this zesty lemon coat, just the thing for a hot June day. In fact, it is! But I didn't buy it. And the dress looks great on Shelley, but we weren't shedding tears over not being able to buy either piece; not wanting them made us feel better. For me, there's something unnatural or off-putting about perfection.<br />
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And no wardrobe is complete without a suit. For months I've had my eye on the jacket Shelley is wearing. There is a skirt thing that goes with it. Basically, the jacket has been chopped zig-zaggedy and you can wear it buttoned or flopping. I like the freshness of the idea, but it's the kind of thing we could fark ourselves if we wanted to, but won't - it's been done already. Shelley's shorts look great with it though.</div>
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The suit I'm wearing is a tad out of my price range. And the pants are way huge on me. But the jacket sleeves are cool, don't you think? Wait until you see the thing I thrifted later on with a few digits lopped off the price. The boots (my own, "Jericho" from Fluevog) added great attitude.</div>
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Next, sing it with me: <span style="font-size: x-small;">🎵</span><br />
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We're gonna take our horse to the downtown road, </div>
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we're gonna shoooop at the old thrift store.</div>
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Alert, another face pose! This aluminum-foilesque blazer is exactly my style. I adore the humongous acrylic buttons. Shelley grabbed it for a try-on on our way out. The way I farked this photo reminds me of a popular Canadian TV ad where a couple heats their home so hot that it melts cheese. In this case, I would be the potato.</div>
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Huge thanks to Nordsrom Vancouver for this excellent dress-up opportunity! You never know what will happen.<br />
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Next we headed for coffee at <a href="https://www.quantumcoffee.io/" target="_blank">Quantum</a>, a cool newish cafe that attracts lots of hipster gig-economy brainiac trendy types, like ourselves, well, kinda, perhaps like the children we never had...? That's a scary thought. It's conveniently located just across the street from <a href="https://wandervancouver.com/pink-alley-vancouver/" target="_blank">Alley Oop</a>, Vancouver's brightly painted alley where IGsters and garbage/delivery trucks vie daily for supremacy, in a friendly way with toots and waves.<br />
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Who's the big banana? Shelley! Her bag has horns. It's pretty shocking how many strangers can't keep their hands off them. No, seriously.<br />
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So that was Day 1.<br />
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Day 2.<br />
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Sheila of blog <a href="https://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sheila Ephemera</a> arrives in town! She took a day off work to fly in from Vancouver Island special to meet Shelley for the first time. They've known each other more than seven years from blogging and it was the perfect day to hang out together. Our friendships took off like we've been neighbours, which kind of we have been. I've met Sheila a bunch of times from her annual wedding anniversary pilgrimages to Vancouver with her husband L.<br />
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I had no idea if the photo below would come out. It was so sunny I couldn't see a thing on my viewfinder.<br />
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We headed straight to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/msc_bwss/" target="_blank">My Sister's Closet</a> for some thrift shopping. No photos there - we were too busy. Then we hopped the <a href="https://theaquabus.com/" target="_blank">Aquabus</a> to go to <a href="https://granvilleisland.com/" target="_blank">Granville Island</a> for lunch before hitting a shoe store, where Sheila got the deal of the century, and a couple of consignment stores called <a href="https://turnabout.com/" target="_blank">Turnabout</a>. </div>
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Happy Shelley on the boat! Who doesn't love a boat ride? I took her photo while she was taking one of me and Sheila.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqwFINudQTg/XRa3HhfKqlI/AAAAAAAALgY/4m95AjusWFA_MaOmYIJch1z4r5JDqhtCACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bjun%2B13%2Bshelley%2Bon%2Baquabus.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqwFINudQTg/XRa3HhfKqlI/AAAAAAAALgY/4m95AjusWFA_MaOmYIJch1z4r5JDqhtCACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bjun%2B13%2Bshelley%2Bon%2Baquabus.png" /></a></div>
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Look at me - the happy puppy! Doesn't Sheila look amazing!! The glasses, the earrings, and that dress, oh, that dress!!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsoKWGD9N7E/XRawgKXVO3I/AAAAAAAALgE/rhwyfQEYEgAyhOwAA7yRes72oUCAohfsgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bjun%2B14%2Bfr%2Bshel%2Bsheila%2Bmel%2Bon%2Baquabus%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2BIMG_20190614_123552.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsoKWGD9N7E/XRawgKXVO3I/AAAAAAAALgE/rhwyfQEYEgAyhOwAA7yRes72oUCAohfsgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bjun%2B14%2Bfr%2Bshel%2Bsheila%2Bmel%2Bon%2Baquabus%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2BIMG_20190614_123552.png" /></a></div>
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This is the part where I fast-forward to the close of our day together over some Italian food before Sheila had to catch her plane home. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APXADscdnEk/XRWQmA8tmII/AAAAAAAALe8/T18R4swEaj0bdRYqdgwWCnFh-iHBWjJvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsheila%2Bmel%2Bshel%2Bjun%2B14%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-APXADscdnEk/XRWQmA8tmII/AAAAAAAALe8/T18R4swEaj0bdRYqdgwWCnFh-iHBWjJvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsheila%2Bmel%2Bshel%2Bjun%2B14%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" /></a></div>
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Sheila did a mega write-up of her day trip <a href="http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2019/06/day-trip-vancouver-blogger-meet-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and Shelley did a post already <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/2019/06/living-west-coast-life-part-1.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. She'll have another one soon as well. And I'm the slow poke. Heh. I'll also need a Part 2 to cram everything in.<br />
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I hope you are all stellar! Meeting my friends in 3D is such a great reminder of how our online selves open all kinds of unexpected and rewarding pathways to explore.<br />
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I'm linking up to Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/how-to-rock-a-high-waist-skirt-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at Not Dead Yet Style. Hooray! And also Catherine when she goes live with #iwillwearwhatilike" at Not Dressed as Lamb.<br />
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Thank you for visiting!! It's been a while since I've been home here, so I appreciate it.<br />
xo<br />
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PS - None of these links is sponsored; they are journal notes of our time together, but we loved all these places.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-51602667803670589232019-05-05T10:56:00.001-07:002019-05-05T12:01:32.450-07:00Bespoke Adventure, Part 3 of 3<span style="color: #999999;">For background on this post and the overall fashion project, please scroll to the bottom or go to the first of these three posts, <a href="http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-1-of-3.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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This is the third of three bespoke outfits that <a href="http://vcc.ca/fashion/" target="_blank">Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program</a> students made for me. This team was comprised of:<br />
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<li>Nataly Kingsley <a href="https://www.instagram.com/natalykingsley/" target="_blank">@natalykingsley</a></li>
<li>Cayce Vanderzalm <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caycescustoms/" target="_blank">@caycescustoms</a></li>
<li>Shadi Arastehmanesh <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shadi.arastehmanesh.arts/" target="_blank">@shadi.arastehmanesh.arts</a></li>
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<b>OUTFIT 3 - Elizabethan Catwalk</b></div>
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This outfit is definitely the most adventurous of the three in terms of the team's choice and manipulation of materials. It also has the most components, so it's hard to know where to start. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Carol Sawyer</td></tr>
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Below is the sketch that the team presented during my first classroom visit. Wow! It consisted of a brightly-patterned form-fitting under-dress with black sleeves, a ruched clear vinyl neck collar with shoulder garlands, and a clear vinyl skirt with a similarly ruched wide waistband. The bell of the skirt featured holes with vinyl garlands draped around the structure. It was a lot to take in. I loved the absolute creativity of this piece and couldn't help but grin in wonder.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch and photo by <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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That said, you see from the opening photo and the sketch that there were a few changes. </div>
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Jason Matlo, who is the class instructor and a prominent designer, and I thought that a black under-dress would better highlight the details of the vinyl work than a bright pattern. It was still very chilly outside so I was also concerned about how I could wear the shoulder garland under a coat. Perhaps an Elizabethan ruff collar would be much more practical. Hahaha. But I also knew that I could wear a ruff collar with many other outfits as well. </div>
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After a very constructive back and forth among the team, Jason, and I, it was decided to go with a fringed shrug made from strips of the colourful fabric. I loved the idea. And the wide ruched vinyl waist was replaced with a simple black waistband to lighten the focus with a slimmer profile; the team came up with a new way of pleating the vinyl to accommodate this change.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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Above are the fabrics the team had suggested for the dress but which would now be used for the fringed shrug. And below, some of the pattern pieces.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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The fringes for the shrug waiting to be sewn onto the black backing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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Isn't that an amazing piece?! The skirt is starting to take shape too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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Below, this is what the outfit looked like at the first fitting of two. I wondered if there were too many competing elements, especially when each component was very strong on its own. As a fix, Jason suggested a black fringed bolero for the final piece instead. Yes! I thought that may be just right. The team got back to work.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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The next photo of the team was taken at the final fitting. The black fringed shrug looked fantastic, and I was thrilled that I would be able to keep the colourful one as well. </div>
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Below, left to right: Shadi, Cayce, and Nataly,</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIFlXzvOD94/XLp0h12Dt1I/AAAAAAAALKQ/bYMEnk-IJww5fHKgGQaOkvhCij5hBoPHACLcBGAs/s1600/web-skirt-mel-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gIFlXzvOD94/XLp0h12Dt1I/AAAAAAAALKQ/bYMEnk-IJww5fHKgGQaOkvhCij5hBoPHACLcBGAs/s1600/web-skirt-mel-2.png" /></a></div>
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Below, detail of the vinyl garland. The Elizabethan ruff collar was of similar construction, designed to be folded over when worn. So good.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Shadi Arastehmanesh</span></td></tr>
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No risk, no reward - that may be an apt saying for this project. Definitely this outfit underwent the most changes of all three, but it was also the most adventurous to start with. I feel privileged that I could go through the process with the team.</div>
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Also, I would like to thank Shadi for sharing her behind-the-scenes photos of the process involved in making this complex outfit. They are wonderful. </div>
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Next are the street photos of the final outfit. </div>
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Below is the under-dress made of lightweight neoprene, which features an oversized rear zipper and a high collar to avoid chafing by the ruff collar. The waistband of the skirt is the same fabric. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxfw45hIi-c/XLynPQVPuYI/AAAAAAAALMk/StccRZWjAtwJsm-tHTdw6pbjgWUs0jn5QCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-dress-with%2Bno%2Bfringe-mel%2Bkobayashi%2BDSC06024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qxfw45hIi-c/XLynPQVPuYI/AAAAAAAALMk/StccRZWjAtwJsm-tHTdw6pbjgWUs0jn5QCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-dress-with%2Bno%2Bfringe-mel%2Bkobayashi%2BDSC06024.png" /></a></div>
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The dress with the black pullover shrug. I look concerned because I was concentrating on listening to the camera shutter.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCt4ZJU7Kd4/XLynPRsV21I/AAAAAAAALMc/xTWf8CPmNgcf3MPN8gBaGu2a5eFlyhmDwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-dress%2Bwith%2Bblack%2Bfringe-mel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbl%2Band%2Bwh%2BDSC06048.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DCt4ZJU7Kd4/XLynPRsV21I/AAAAAAAALMc/xTWf8CPmNgcf3MPN8gBaGu2a5eFlyhmDwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-dress%2Bwith%2Bblack%2Bfringe-mel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbl%2Band%2Bwh%2BDSC06048.png" /></a></div>
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And the complete outfit below. By this time, I was having trouble with the shoot: I was getting cold, and with the nearby traffic, it was difficult to hear the timer beeps, especially for the burst shots. I'm glad this one turned out. It brings to mind '60s Audrey Hepburn in a Dior futuristic film set in Italy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.carolsawyer.net/" target="_blank">Carol Sawyer</a> took the next shot, which is a close-up of the opening photo. As I was packing up to go home, dissatisfied, a friend showed up in the plaza by chance. Carol, whom I didn't know, was with her, and when I asked for a hand with photos, she obliged. Thank you, Carol!<br />
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Here you get a better view of the collar. The top part is designed to lay flat, but I also like it sticking up (yeah, and because my personal assistant didn't show up). I'll do another shoot with it in the future because I love this piece too.<br />
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Below, the stars of the show, left to right: Jason Matlo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/" target="_blank">@jasonmatlo</a>, Cayce Vanderzalm <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caycescustoms/" target="_blank">@caycescustoms</a>, (me), Shadi Arastehamanesh <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shadi.arastehmanesh.arts/" target="_blank">@shadi.arastehmanesh.arts</a>, Nataly Kingsley <a href="https://www.instagram.com/natalykingsley/" target="_blank">@natalykingsley</a>.<br />
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Below is my friend Patti, who writes a blog called <a href="https://notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Not Dead Yet Style</a>. She and a couple of other friends came to Vancouver and arrived on the same day that I picked up the finished outfits from VCC. Patti wore the shimmer top from Outfit 2 with the Elizabethan collar and skirt from this team, another excellent mix/match. We had such a great time! Other photos from that shoot are <a href="http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-giant-vancouver-mind-meld-with.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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This VCC project was the first time I have ever experienced bespoke clothing. The closest I've ever come is making major alterations to an existing pattern or farking/upcycling an existing piece. As a thrifter, I have always taken what I find, so I am used to styling on the fly, finding ways to make too-big or too-small clothing "fit" through attitude or farking. In fact, I had almost forgotten what true fit is! Hahaha. This experience definitely spoiled me. I'm not going to give up thrifting, but, wow, this was an utter indulgence. Thanks, all!<br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>Background</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">In January I received an email with this as the subject: VCC Fashion wants to dress you. Oh!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">It was from Sarah Murray, the Co-Program Coordinator of <a href="http://vcc.ca/fashion/">Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program</a>. In essence, she wanted to know if I would like their students to make me some bespoke clothing in exchange for taking part in the process and posting about it. Umm, let me think... Hahaha!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">As a first step, I spoke with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/">Jason Matlo</a>, the class instructor and a prominent Vancouver-based designer, to form an initial mood board. He divided the class, who were in "cycle 4" of their program, into three teams of three, and based on the mood board, my Instagram, and a budget, each team had to create an original design that resonates with my personality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">These students had only made a tote bag, a T-shirt, and a draped top during their first six weeks of school. I was curious, perhaps slightly worried, about what they would come up with. Well, they blew me away with their creativity, technical skills, adaptability, and hard work. Incredible, as you'll see. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">For my part, I made three classroom visits over a month as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 1: Consultation and measurements. Each team described its design concept and vision through sketches and fabric swatches. Jason and I joined the discussion to fine-tune the design to my taste, if required. This was an exhilarating process.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 2: First fitting of the pieces, in some cases with a toile made of less expensive fabric as a tester.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 3: Final fitting. The finished pieces were ready for pickup in mid-April.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">These three posts detail the bespoke outfits created for me by the students. Be prepared!</span></div>
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Vancouver Community College's Fashion Design and Production diploma gives students an immersive experience in the fashion world. You can read more about <a href="https://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/program-areas/program-highlights/fashion/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=online&utm_campaign=VCCWebRedirect" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Their campus is in the heart of Vancouver, just a couple of blocks from our city's top fabric stores. It was a joy to meet the people involved in the program and get an insider's view of the studio/work space. Student designs are regularly showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week - you can see why. I can't wait to see the graduation pieces for this group.</div>
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-1-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-2-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 2</a></div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-70758987338621948692019-05-05T10:55:00.003-07:002019-05-05T11:49:50.478-07:00Bespoke Adventure, Part 2 of 3<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #999999;">For background on this post and the overall fashion project, please scroll to the bottom or go to the previous post <a href="http://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-1-of-3.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
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This is the second of three bespoke outfits that <a href="http://vcc.ca/fashion/" target="_blank">Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program</a> students made for me under the direction of their instructor and prominent designer, Jason Matlo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/" target="_blank">@jasonmatlo</a>. This team was comprised of:<br />
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<li>Victoria Stephenson <a href="https://www.instagram.com/victoria_stephenson/" target="_blank">@victoria_stephenson</a></li>
<li>Kiera West <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kierawest/" target="_blank">@kierawest</a></li>
<li>Armita Azadmanesh <a href="https://instagram.com/armita.bl/" target="_blank">@armita.bl</a></li>
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<b>OUTFIT 2 - Spacewalker with Flower</b></div>
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Have any of you seen that movie <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_the_Body_Snatchers_(1978_film)" target="_blank">Invasion of the Body Snatchers</a></i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>starring Donald Sutherland, 1978? In it, aliens terminate humans when they sleep and then grow replicants that don't have emotions in giants flower pods. Look at that flower again! Heh. And I like it! Although I am not devoid of emotion.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcUcFUisQak/XLpyZ5VeQcI/AAAAAAAALJQ/iZU-3ej4guEtW4MEtUl0RlyIShpdtiSeQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-2-DSC06002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NcUcFUisQak/XLpyZ5VeQcI/AAAAAAAALJQ/iZU-3ej4guEtW4MEtUl0RlyIShpdtiSeQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-2-DSC06002.png" /></a></div>
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Below is the sketch that the team presented during my first classroom visit of three. They also wowed me with a fabric swatch of that stretchy pearlescent vinyl.</div>
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The things I loved about this outfit:</div>
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<li>huuuumongous flower!</li>
<li>iridescent stretchy vinyl</li>
<li>powerful simplicity</li>
<li>enormous padded shoulders</li>
<li>overall space/retro/rockstar vibe</li>
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This design superbly incorporated the Tildon Swinton and David Bowie sense that were part of my mood board. While I am easily seduced by loud patterns and colours, this piece hooked me with its intense simplicity accented with the outrageous whimsical flower. I kept thinking about this outfit long after after I left the classroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sketch and photo by Armita Azadmanesh</td></tr>
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I love how Armita perfectly captured the iridescence of the fabric in her sketch. </div>
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One thing that concerned me about this initial design was how body con this dress is. The stretchy vinyl was very thin, and I was nervous to have that much cling over that much body, even with the lining they had planned, even with secret underthings! After a bit of back and forth, the team proposed a top and pants instead; problem averted! </div>
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I was still excited about the overall outfit and happy that the signature elements would be included in the new design. Below, Armita at work.</div>
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Victoria Stephenson left and Kiera West. The big flower is made of vinyl and it has two pin closures on the back for security. Those are the blue pants that go with this outfit.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgMDrXJAn3U/XLpzIqNF_6I/AAAAAAAALJ0/emQN6scTU_8QmZhTPpjm6RrAtjER8iGewCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EgMDrXJAn3U/XLpzIqNF_6I/AAAAAAAALJ0/emQN6scTU_8QmZhTPpjm6RrAtjER8iGewCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-6.png" /></a></div>
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Below, the top without the turtle on the neck. Note those gigantic shoulder pads. Seriously huge. I love how the armhole goes in a bit and then flares wide at the top. (That's the dress from Outfit 1 hanging in the background.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Armita Azadmanesh</td></tr>
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Kiera and Jason Matlo pressing the pants for the final fitting.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvYDyENp76A/XLpxyvIFiXI/AAAAAAAALI0/iteUkk8I8RIizCjV8F1SWa6Yjuk-DeOGwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvYDyENp76A/XLpxyvIFiXI/AAAAAAAALI0/iteUkk8I8RIizCjV8F1SWa6Yjuk-DeOGwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-2.png" /></a></div>
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Getting the length just right.</div>
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Standing at the thread wall during the final fitting. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Wo1OmtgFI4/XLpyBfv4ecI/AAAAAAAALI8/jda808BDbjEmJ7hWppueh1icq_s60myJQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Wo1OmtgFI4/XLpyBfv4ecI/AAAAAAAALI8/jda808BDbjEmJ7hWppueh1icq_s60myJQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-3.png" /></a></div>
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Done! I regret that I don't have a photo of the toile of the pants, which was made of the same blue/yellow plaid used for the coat in Outfit 1. Oh well. </div>
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And time for my street shoot. I was already feeling the space/rockstar/Swinton/Bowie vibe, and then Jason casually mentioned Kathryn Hepburn with her wide-shoulder, high-waist pants look. Yes! Absolutely. All my favourite things in one outfit.</div>
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Yeah, the honkin' sunglasses again. They feel spacey. </div>
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I love this red wall. If I had a personal assistant, s/he would have unbunched that top for me. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rq4mnb780c/XM8jX_igysI/AAAAAAAALV0/_GMeqwUoqzo-u7faM55moR5ULisfOjEcgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-8--DSC05881.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--rq4mnb780c/XM8jX_igysI/AAAAAAAALV0/_GMeqwUoqzo-u7faM55moR5ULisfOjEcgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-8--DSC05881.png" /></a></div>
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I had to pin the flower on myself for this shoot and I didn't do as good a job as the students did in the classroom. I think I've got the hang of it now - after I finished this shoot. Pffft. You can just make out the bright turquoise eye shadow I wore under my brows.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dumd_gQVqQ/XLpy2Rsrq6I/AAAAAAAALJg/IibCt_v28DshYeHUe5c4zq3RqB30TLFyQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-5-DSC05993.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Dumd_gQVqQ/XLpy2Rsrq6I/AAAAAAAALJg/IibCt_v28DshYeHUe5c4zq3RqB30TLFyQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-5-DSC05993.png" /></a></div>
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The clean lines of this ensemble were a sharp contrast with the outfits by the other two teams. The range and effectiveness of imagination during this project was stellar. </div>
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And below, the real stars of this show, left to right: Armita Azadmanesh <a href="https://instagram.com/armita.bl/" target="_blank">@armita.bl</a>, Victoria Stephenson <a href="https://www.instagram.com/victoria_stephenson/" target="_blank">@victoria_stephenson</a>, and Kiera West <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kierawest/" target="_blank">@kierawest</a>. It was a such a pleasure to work with these talented designers! And my thanks to them for sending me some photos of this outfit behind the scenes.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo-wmr3k5_Y/XLpzAxE0u-I/AAAAAAAALJs/t_xjovShVrs1yIFWygldAugVX-aXhtf3wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oo-wmr3k5_Y/XLpzAxE0u-I/AAAAAAAALJs/t_xjovShVrs1yIFWygldAugVX-aXhtf3wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-future-top-mel-5.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><b>Background</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">In January I received an email with this as the subject: VCC Fashion wants to dress you. Oh!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">It was from Sarah Murray, the Co-Program Coordinator of <a href="http://vcc.ca/fashion/">Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program</a>. In essence, she wanted to know if I would like their students to make me some bespoke clothing in exchange for taking part in the process and posting about it. Umm, let me think... Hahaha!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">As a first step, I spoke with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/">Jason Matlo</a>, the class instructor and a prominent Vancouver-based designer, to form an initial mood board. He divided the class, who were in "cycle 4" of their program, into three teams of three, and based on the mood board, my Instagram, and a budget, each team had to create an original design that resonates with my personality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">These students had only made a tote bag, a T-shirt, and a draped top during their first six weeks of school. I was curious, perhaps slightly worried, about what they would come up with. Well, they blew me away with their creativity, technical skills, adaptability, and hard work. Incredible, as you'll see. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">For my part, I made three classroom visits over a month as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 1: Consultation and measurements. Each team described its design concept and vision through sketches and fabric swatches. Jason and I joined the discussion to fine-tune the design to my taste, if required. This was an exhilarating process.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 2: First fitting of the pieces, in some cases with a toile made of less expensive fabric as a tester.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Visit 3: Final fitting. The finished pieces were ready for pickup in mid-April.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">These three posts show you the work that the students created. Be prepared!</span></div>
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Vancouver Community College's Fashion Design and Production diploma gives students an immersive experience in the fashion world. You can read more about <a href="https://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/program-areas/program-highlights/fashion/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=online&utm_campaign=VCCWebRedirect" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Their campus is in the heart of Vancouver, just a couple of blocks from our city's top fabric stores. It was a joy to meet the faculty working in the program and get an insider's view of their studio/work space. Student designs are regularly showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week. </div>
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-1-of-3.html" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-1-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-3-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 3</a></div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-8051761112390896272019-05-05T10:40:00.004-07:002019-05-05T10:58:04.154-07:00Bespoke Adventure, Part 1 of 3<b>Background</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
In January I received an email with this as the subject: VCC Fashion wants to dress you. Oh!<br />
<br />
It was from Sarah Murray, the Co-Program Coordinator of <a href="http://vcc.ca/fashion/" target="_blank">Vancouver Community College's (VCC) Fashion Design & Production Diploma program</a>. In essence, she wanted to know if I would like their students to make me some bespoke clothing in exchange for taking part in the process and posting about it. Umm, let me think... Hahaha!<br />
<br />
As a first step, I spoke with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/" target="_blank">Jason Matlo</a>, the class instructor and a prominent Vancouver-based designer, to form an initial mood board. He divided the class, who were in "cycle 4" of their program, into three teams of three, and based on the mood board, my Instagram, and a budget, each team had to create an original design that resonates with my personality.<br />
<br />
These students had only made a tote bag, a T-shirt, and a draped top during their first six weeks of school. I was curious, perhaps slightly nervous, about what they would come up with. Well, they blew me away with their creativity, technical skills, adaptability, and hard work. Incredible, as you'll see.<br />
<br />
For my part, I made three classroom visits over a month as follows:<br />
<br />
<b>Visit 1</b>: Consultation and measurements. Each team described its design concept and vision through sketches and fabric swatches. Jason and I joined the discussion to fine-tune the design to my taste, if required. This was an exhilarating process.<br />
<br />
<b>Visit 2</b>: First fitting of the pieces, in some cases with a toile made of less expensive fabric as a tester.<br />
<br />
<b>Visit 3</b>: Final fitting. The finished pieces were ready for pickup in mid-April.<br />
<br />
These three posts will show you the work that the students created. Be prepared!<br />
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<b> OUTFIT 1 - Trippy Shirtdress and Coat</b></div>
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This team was comprised of:</div>
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<li>Shawn Avantini <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawn_avantini/" target="_blank">@shawn_avantini</a></li>
<li>Carlin Lockhart <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bowsersauce/" target="_blank">@bowsersauce</a></li>
<li>Sekai Fleming <a href="https://www.instagram.com/camboikeith/" target="_blank">@camboikeith</a></li>
</ul>
Oh my, oh my!!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO1dmOpztDE/XLpo_BbQPQI/AAAAAAAALHc/ZEA5ydCJXMgQ2J2Xx02kcXgwNoeYrOyzgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-outdoors-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO1dmOpztDE/XLpo_BbQPQI/AAAAAAAALHc/ZEA5ydCJXMgQ2J2Xx02kcXgwNoeYrOyzgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-outdoors-4.png" /></a><br />
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I didn't show you my feet in that photo because I think I was floating. </div>
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The next photo shows sketches from the first classroom visit. The team also shared some fabric swatches.<br />
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What appealed to me? Heh.<br />
<ul>
<li>faux fur collar; </li>
<li>paisley-ish, psychedelic print;</li>
<li>pockets, pockets, pockets; </li>
<li>plaid, plaid, plaid; AND </li>
<li>patchwork. </li>
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Plus, the coat was reversible. I was thrilled by how well they "got" me and the flexibility of their pieces, which could be worn inside-out and as separates. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haVGEXDhSTQ/XMtANy-p01I/AAAAAAAALS8/uQIhE9nhwUcJtd4u_MYR3lFayOlLpNcWQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B-%2BShawn%2Bsketch%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-haVGEXDhSTQ/XMtANy-p01I/AAAAAAAALS8/uQIhE9nhwUcJtd4u_MYR3lFayOlLpNcWQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2B-%2BShawn%2Bsketch%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">sketch and photo by Shawn Avantini</span></td></tr>
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Before I picked up the finished work for my street shoot, I noticed the big honkin' sunglasses Shawn had sketched on the left figure. I knew then that I'd need to wear mine on my shoot. </div>
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Below, the fabric stash. In addition to plaid, the team also integrated red netting, quilted fabric, and other textured colourful patches. The blue/yellow plaid, bottom left, became the coat's foundational layer. There is a better view to follow.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKoEAGVL_hw/XMtAmhzlMqI/AAAAAAAALTE/TcwmwmAc3GMNBpWxAY5lQWT62GNu_9UpwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-shawn%2B3.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wKoEAGVL_hw/XMtAmhzlMqI/AAAAAAAALTE/TcwmwmAc3GMNBpWxAY5lQWT62GNu_9UpwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-shawn%2B3.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by Shawn Avantini</span><br />
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That yellow fabric on the bottom of the pile is popcorn chenille. It's not only a super-soft and warm lining, but it also vibrates like an electric lemon when the coat is reversed. You can see parts of the dress, bottom left, as well.<br />
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The students told me they were scouring their homes and stores for bits of plaid.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gQ2Xo-IU-I/XLpocsksfvI/AAAAAAAALG4/e3eXbaB4ckkP0cbQ4lNi2SQnJpEi4FD0gCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-sean-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gQ2Xo-IU-I/XLpocsksfvI/AAAAAAAALG4/e3eXbaB4ckkP0cbQ4lNi2SQnJpEi4FD0gCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-sean-2.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by Shawn Avantini</span></td></tr>
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Below, my second classroom visit for the first fitting with the coat's. That's the foundational layer of blue/yellow plaid. There is no yellow popcorn yet - one step at a time. The shirt dress, with the faux fur collar, just needed fine-tuning. The dress hem was also decided.<br />
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In the background, the woman standing is Sarah, who invited me into the program. I had met her briefly before during Vancouver Fashion Week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzxVTNbbcRw/XMs82-FU7nI/AAAAAAAALSw/58BTkyRcvSk7yUHz9LbStVV6wg2V0cy3gCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-shawn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzxVTNbbcRw/XMs82-FU7nI/AAAAAAAALSw/58BTkyRcvSk7yUHz9LbStVV6wg2V0cy3gCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-shawn.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">photo by Shawn Avantini</span></td></tr>
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Below, Sekai hard at work. The program's studio is spacious, bright and humming with activity. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz3epddPck8/XLpocZp1rTI/AAAAAAAALGw/rviVaJoQPkMKVnOIouvn73PGGYiAkZN2wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz3epddPck8/XLpocZp1rTI/AAAAAAAALGw/rviVaJoQPkMKVnOIouvn73PGGYiAkZN2wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-4.png" /></a></div>
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Shawn and Carlin finish off the dress closure for the final fitting. Each button has a different design.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSTPOiubdtM/XLpocsNamQI/AAAAAAAALG0/kFkqL4LI3lI47J7BxVWIyBZF0tsesav8QCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSTPOiubdtM/XLpocsNamQI/AAAAAAAALG0/kFkqL4LI3lI47J7BxVWIyBZF0tsesav8QCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-5.png" /></a></div>
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And done!<br />
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Next are photos from my street shoot of the finished pieces. The coat has substantial heft with all those layers and extra interfacing. Super cozy! I am certain that both of these pieces will get lots and lots of wear as the perfect neutral ensemble (all those patterns cancel each other out).<br />
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During my inspiration walk and this shoot, I received many compliments on this outfit.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1iJT0M9e_s/XLpo-dSXxBI/AAAAAAAALHs/tR1OjVyqmLYJsabp7fRsgFA8cdrB5SzcQCEwYBhgL/s1600/web-coat-dress-outdoors-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1iJT0M9e_s/XLpo-dSXxBI/AAAAAAAALHs/tR1OjVyqmLYJsabp7fRsgFA8cdrB5SzcQCEwYBhgL/s1600/web-coat-dress-outdoors-1.png" /></a></div>
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You can see the different designs on the buttons below. And a better view of the popcorn chenille. Those are the honkin' sunglasses Shawn inspired me to wear.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbbwoLV-AgM/XLpthHm-LSI/AAAAAAAALII/439jIg0Al-YqKTkLP93yhGszRUZmPtN4ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05805.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbbwoLV-AgM/XLpthHm-LSI/AAAAAAAALII/439jIg0Al-YqKTkLP93yhGszRUZmPtN4ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05805.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAf0fGmukpE/XLpvXWP4GRI/AAAAAAAALIU/rQpbv6jXcPs2Kuoc58cNxANh1YGApFs0ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05822.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAf0fGmukpE/XLpvXWP4GRI/AAAAAAAALIU/rQpbv6jXcPs2Kuoc58cNxANh1YGApFs0ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05822.png" /></a></div>
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Below, the stars of the project, the team that made it happen, left to right: Carlin Lockhart <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bowsersauce/" target="_blank">@bowsersauce</a>, Shawn Avantini <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shawn_avantini/" target="_blank">@shawn_avantini</a>, me, and Sekai Fleming <a href="https://www.instagram.com/camboikeith/" target="_blank">@camboikeith</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dAk2Jhw2Tg/XLpqp8qEvPI/AAAAAAAALH0/eU5s4yJg_7EYlB2XyCMFnjypBp4f0lURQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dAk2Jhw2Tg/XLpqp8qEvPI/AAAAAAAALH0/eU5s4yJg_7EYlB2XyCMFnjypBp4f0lURQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-1.png" /></a><br />
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And there I am with Jason Matlo <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jasonmatlo/" target="_blank">@jasonmatlo</a>, the instructor. He was so easy to work with and gifted at letting his students shine. Check out that amazing style too, as could be expected.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAsHUeUS5EU/XLpocIuJD1I/AAAAAAAALGo/qQB3hyB2qbUZPsLL4CAiC2nNGBwr6-fMwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAsHUeUS5EU/XLpocIuJD1I/AAAAAAAALGo/qQB3hyB2qbUZPsLL4CAiC2nNGBwr6-fMwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-coat-dress-mel-2.png" /></a><br />
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That's all for Outfit 1.<br />
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<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-2-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 2</a><br />
<a href="https://bagandaberet.blogspot.com/2019/05/bespoke-adventure-part-3-of-3.html" target="_blank">GO TO OUTFIT 3</a><br />
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Vancouver Community College's Fashion Design and Production diploma gives students an immersive experience in the fashion world. You can read more about <a href="https://www.vcc.ca/programscourses/program-areas/program-highlights/fashion/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=online&utm_campaign=VCCWebRedirect" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Their campus is in the heart of Vancouver, just a couple of blocks from our city's top fabric stores. It was a joy to meet the faculty working in the program and get an insider's view of their studio/work space. Graduate designs are regularly showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week.<br />
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-10358485989525129162019-04-26T11:01:00.004-07:002019-05-03T10:56:04.090-07:00The giant Vancouver mind-meld with friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's no longer a blogger meetup; it's a gathering of friends who happen to blog. That's what happens when you start to know women as well as I have come to know <a href="http://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Carillo</a>, <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Patti</a>, and <a href="http://www.petiteover40.com/" target="_blank">Sherry</a>. <a href="http://www.acolourfulcanvas.com/" target="_blank">Sue</a> was of course also included in our weekend, and although she is not in these photos at her request, she was part of our group, twice joining us for the day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by @vancouverbarbara</td></tr>
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Below, the excitement as my friends started arriving at <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/" target="_blank">Blue Horizon Hotel</a> on Robson Street, who sponsored our stay (see previous post). Sherry and Patti came in the same taxi. How serendipitous that the bus in the background says Vancouver Community College, <a href="https://vcc.ca/fashion/" target="_blank">VCC</a>, because I had to run down there that morning to pick up some awesome outfits that their Fashion Design & Production students had custom-made me during a collaboration. I thought they might be fun for our shoot - and they were!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sherry wears a blue-cord overall dress that she made herself. So good!</td></tr>
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This year we went a bit more "pro" for our photo shoot. My friend Suzy Thomas, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thasooz/" target="_blank">@thasooze</a> (IG), a career makeup artist, came to our room at Blue Horizon and did our faces. What a master! As Suzanne said, it was like a face lift with makeup. Too bad it had to wash off, but like the old samurai saying, we must appreciate the beauty of falling cherry blossoms. Or, did I just make that up?</div>
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Suzy working her magic on the already-magical Sherry.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HeKaVUQmI/XMAAfn5KSWI/AAAAAAAALPE/EqZK9cEUssMyuP10NlhdK5YQy1zMGS5CACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsuzy%2Bwith%2Bsherry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1HeKaVUQmI/XMAAfn5KSWI/AAAAAAAALPE/EqZK9cEUssMyuP10NlhdK5YQy1zMGS5CACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsuzy%2Bwith%2Bsherry.png" /></a></div>
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In hindsight, we all seemed to have signature poses for the weekend. Clockwise from top-left: Suzanne, the kiss face; Mel, constantly trying to perfect my Zoolander face and FAILING - you open your mouth to simulate stupefaction, then suck in your cheeks for a high-fashion model look; Sherry, Godspell meadow sprite; Patti, '20s Broadway doyenne. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CdR8aXAI0a0/XMAHXS_jilI/AAAAAAAALQI/SsKq00HvW0kBJuXbDMT6y4Hlm-8CKH-uwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-group%2Bmeetup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CdR8aXAI0a0/XMAHXS_jilI/AAAAAAAALQI/SsKq00HvW0kBJuXbDMT6y4Hlm-8CKH-uwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-group%2Bmeetup.png" /></a></div>
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Once our makeup was done, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vancouverbarbara/" target="_blank">@vancouverbarbara</a> (IG) joined as a photographer at the hotel, which offered a range of great locations. The newly-renovated pool and fitness area were our primary stages.<br />
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Below we are rehearsing for our new movie <i>Pose Hard</i>, a gripping suspense about middle-aged women on a chocolate-fueled selfie rampage through Vancouver. Madam Goochie, a friend of Sherry, was the costume designer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by @vancouverbarbara</td></tr>
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Patti is wearing an iridescent stretchy vinyl top designed and made by VCC students Armita Azadmanesh <a href="https://www.instagram.com/armita.bl/" target="_blank">@armita.bl</a>,Victoria Stephenson, and Kiera West <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kierawest/" target="_blank">@kierawest</a>. The Elizabethan thick vinyl ruff collar and skirt were made by Nataly Kingsley, Cayce Vanderzalm <a href="https://www.instagram.com/caycescustoms/" target="_blank">@caycescustoms</a>, and Shadi Arastehmanesh <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shadi.arastehmanesh.arts" target="_blank">@shadi.arastehmanesh.arts</a>. I'm preparing a separate post about these pieces.</div>
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More rehearsal. I'm terribly disappointed that Suzanne and Sherry aren't posing harder, <i>harder</i>!! Twirl, ladies! Twirl HARDER!! Feel the burn!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by @vancouverbarbara</td></tr>
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I look pensive because I am riding for a cause. Invisible thought bubble: apple rhubard crisp, apple rhubard crisp, apple rhubard crisp. Yeah, Abode restaurant off the hotel lobby area had great food, especially dessert. I should have been riding that bike for real!</div>
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Suzanne fake-testing the water. The pool area was wonderful! We didn't bring our suits and weren't ready to pose in our scanties, nor was the public ready for that, so this is what you get. So very ultra-high-fashion, right? Doing something totally wrong yet so right.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6AxvA6VCYw/XMAAMluhv2I/AAAAAAAALOw/NhY7Y-b44z0PZ1GeoMaUS3UX7SjpLoJagCLcBGAs/s1600/web-suzanne-pool.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P6AxvA6VCYw/XMAAMluhv2I/AAAAAAAALOw/NhY7Y-b44z0PZ1GeoMaUS3UX7SjpLoJagCLcBGAs/s1600/web-suzanne-pool.png" /></a></div>
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Patti does a Broadway number poolside. Standing ovations from everyone, heaps of bouquets, and sworn allegiances. This is a great shot of the outfit too, but it only came to life because Patti wore it so divinely and with disciplined fortitude. She was definitely hot under the collar. (groan, heh)</div>
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Next, me, pre-shoot, hair in clips for extra sproing. And you can see the makeup job Suzy did. Another failed Zoolander face. I'll call it Melander. </div>
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Lounging by the poolside, as one does.</div>
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In this next photo, Suzanne misbehaved. Some may mistakenly think she is trying to steal my shoes. No! She is trying to steal my thunder by hauling me off the deck so she can hog the spotlight! Typical. Hahaha. And I was right in the middle of my Burt Reynolds tribute medley!</div>
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But I got my revenge on them all! Bwahahaha!!! Heh. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2E2htfTOrw/XMFHdn2cuAI/AAAAAAAALRk/EBapCpbOcbIIoRbFm1Ro06FZCSNIzMHpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/web%2Bhiding%2Bfaces%2Bmeetup%2BDSC05573.png"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i2E2htfTOrw/XMFHdn2cuAI/AAAAAAAALRk/EBapCpbOcbIIoRbFm1Ro06FZCSNIzMHpwCEwYBhgL/s1600/web%2Bhiding%2Bfaces%2Bmeetup%2BDSC05573.png" /></a></div>
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And secrets revealed: Patti and Sherry are royals. Shhhhh. Yes. They really don't want anyone to know, so their secret is safe here. This lobby chair was their substitute throne for the weekend. I love how they can pretend to be commoners while maintaining their blue-blood dignity and hauteur.<br />
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Sherry was highly displeased upon discovering that the shop had just painted her '63 Ferrari GTO in gumdrop green rather than the paisley print she had ordered. Patti, her royal sister (<i>and </i>Broadway doyenne), is tired of dealing with her whims, so bought her a helicopter coated in unpaintable 24K gold.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The Royal Portrait</b></span></i><br />
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My grandmother hand-made me the collar Sherry is wearing over 40 years ago, I think. This is probably only the second time it's been worn, the first time maybe for rollerskating. Definitely it will be worn more now.<br />
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And some random shots from our time together.<br />
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Many thanks to: </div>
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<li style="text-align: left;">@vancouverbarbara for her photography;</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">@thasooze Suzy for her dazzling makeup skills and photo-taking; </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Blue Horizon Hotel for the room they generously sponsored; </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Sam, Manager of My Sister's Closet eco thrift boutique for her hospitality during a thrifting expedition there; </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">VCC for creating such amazing clothing; and </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">my friends for coming all the way to Vancouver. </li>
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I feel like this is an acceptance speech. Hahaha. Yeah, acceptance of how awesome everyone is and the power of positive energy. For more coverage, check out Suzanne's post <a href="http://suzannecarillo.com/gucci-girlfriends-gigglefest/" target="_blank">here</a>, Patti's post <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/friends-make-life-sweet-blue-horizon-tales" target="_blank">here</a>, and Sherry's post <a href="http://www.petiteover40.com/finding-home-on-the-blue-horizon/" target="_blank">here</a>, complete with video</div>
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Have a great week, everyone. If you're one of many starting to wonder why you keep blogging, this weekend is one reason I'm still here. The connections I've made with like-minded cool people on this platform and in real life are irreplaceable. </div>
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I'll link something up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/wear-an-elaine-dress-and-stay-authentic-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Sam, Manager at My Sister's Closet <a href="http://www.instagram.com/msc_bwss/" target="_blank">@msc_bwss</a> (IG)</td></tr>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-24996208553988108712019-04-20T08:52:00.001-07:002019-04-20T08:52:19.659-07:00Best staycation at Blue Horizon Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is a sponsored post, but I tell 'ya, I am absolutely delighted to write it. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.</span></div>
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Question: When best friends come to Vancouver for a visit, is it be better for me to go home every night to sleep or stay with them at the hotel? Duh!</div>
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Thank you, <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/" target="_blank">Blue Horizon Hotel</a>, for an excellent weekend of hospitality lavished on me, <a href="https://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne Carillo</a>, Patti of <a href="https://notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Not Dead Yet Style</a> and Sherry Dryja of <a href="https://www.petiteover40.com/" target="_blank">Petite Over 40</a>. Sue from <a href="http://acolourfulcanvas.com/" target="_blank">A Colourful Canvas </a>also joined in a couple of times.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUfvsJu5Vfk/XLVfKu1DGpI/AAAAAAAALC4/lIRAYu9Q4isndR4pX7avVZ4vpbyvbDSvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05638.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUfvsJu5Vfk/XLVfKu1DGpI/AAAAAAAALC4/lIRAYu9Q4isndR4pX7avVZ4vpbyvbDSvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05638.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">me, Suzanne, Patti, Sherry (photo by Sue)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">F O M O no more!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(FOMO means fear of missing out)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A staycation has never been so much fun. Blue Horizon, a boutique hotel, was the perfect home-away-from-home for our visit. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had the pleasure of experiencing one of its <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/room/private-bedroom-suites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">private bedroom suites</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Below is what the living room looked like when I arrived, pristine, except for my little wheelie cart on the right. There was a Keurig coffeemaker, a kettle with complimentary tea, and a fridge for storing our leftover nibblers and other snacks. Chocolate treats and chips were in constant view for <u>spiritual training purposes</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Located on the southwest corner, our room was flooded with natural light, which is always good for style bloggers armed with cameras and their most fun outfits, but there were blackout curtains as well. Isn't that a groovy armchair on the left? Of course I had photos in it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZyjQsb0Fzg/XLVfJQFxPAI/AAAAAAAALCk/5f1a7YPacrcSoUK5tDAkHQJmc3Aq17OvACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05367.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZyjQsb0Fzg/XLVfJQFxPAI/AAAAAAAALCk/5f1a7YPacrcSoUK5tDAkHQJmc3Aq17OvACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05367.png" /></a></div>
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I call this shot by Suzanne, <i>Upholstery Camouflage</i>. I could have stayed in the room for weeks without anyone noticing I'm there. The groovy vintage jacket and pants were a gift from Suzanne in the summer.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_19MRHqq59I/XLs_b5uCX-I/AAAAAAAALLU/M9NeHe4LXVQe1A5IcgDwQkdx_wR7lzKDACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-photo%2Bby%2Bsuzanne.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_19MRHqq59I/XLs_b5uCX-I/AAAAAAAALLU/M9NeHe4LXVQe1A5IcgDwQkdx_wR7lzKDACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-photo%2Bby%2Bsuzanne.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">photo by Suzanne</span></div>
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Below, a mirror selfie of me grinning in anticipation of my friends' arrivals from planes, trains, and automobiles from Toronto, Florida, and Seattle. </div>
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And, gulp, check out that view, stunning from our balcony on the 29th floor. The green area is Stanley Park and that main drag is Robson Street, one of Vancouver's preeminent shopping areas. The hotel is walking distance from it all, including the Art Gallery, fantastic thrift stores, the Convention Centre, and more.<br />
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Along the water's edge on the left is English Bay, where I sometimes pose with big logs. Heh.<br />
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The only thing better than a view like this...<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXd8js5hBEU/XLVfJTW1SZI/AAAAAAAALCg/DfFxw4bOpKATIaFVHSqfbG5Re1LHxS6RQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05357.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FXd8js5hBEU/XLVfJTW1SZI/AAAAAAAALCg/DfFxw4bOpKATIaFVHSqfbG5Re1LHxS6RQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05357.png" /></a></div>
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...is a view like this with friends, Suzanne and Sherry.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYSwOZNZDhk/XLkuz0WM35I/AAAAAAAALGY/euoDxduJzWc3sBPoOpympe-WA4D3MZo9ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-small-sherry-IMG_5123.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YYSwOZNZDhk/XLkuz0WM35I/AAAAAAAALGY/euoDxduJzWc3sBPoOpympe-WA4D3MZo9ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-small-sherry-IMG_5123.png" /></a></div>
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We enjoyed sunny skies for part of the weekend, but it also rained and even hailed. If we were outdoor athletes, it would have cramped our style, but indoors? Meh, nothing cramps our style except too-tight, sky-high shoes, even then we grin and bear it.</div>
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And there we are united on the sofa. I set up my tripod with the remote for this one.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeBybZkvqAs/XLkiwFLAHsI/AAAAAAAALFY/kgbWAYMdpucSzfBrZMz6n6rRJTl36kUZACLcBGAs/s1600/web-small-DSC05386.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JeBybZkvqAs/XLkiwFLAHsI/AAAAAAAALFY/kgbWAYMdpucSzfBrZMz6n6rRJTl36kUZACLcBGAs/s1600/web-small-DSC05386.png" /></a></div>
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Left to right: me, Sherry, Suzanne, Patti. </div>
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The private bedroom with a king-sized bed was spacious and bright with it's own private bath. The living room area also had a mini wing with a private washroom. Having two facilities in our room ensured peace and harmony throughout our stay. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zD31N3A5Dyw/XLVfJRVIQNI/AAAAAAAALCo/F_MDR7PnBkEHjaE_fkzPj4HlSER62LP1wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05360.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zD31N3A5Dyw/XLVfJRVIQNI/AAAAAAAALCo/F_MDR7PnBkEHjaE_fkzPj4HlSER62LP1wCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05360.png" /></a></div>
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You know you're having fun when the photo above starts to look like the one below, and that's just part of it.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9mMMEz8MVQ/XLVfKM46GzI/AAAAAAAALCw/eZAb9BuM1AgjKpwj4aMawVW1mpmsngd3ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05616.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9mMMEz8MVQ/XLVfKM46GzI/AAAAAAAALCw/eZAb9BuM1AgjKpwj4aMawVW1mpmsngd3ACLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05616.png" /></a></div>
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I brought two large suitcases stuffed with clothes to play with for our photo shoot. As a local I didn't have luggage restrictions and hotel attendants happily provided extra hangers.<br />
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We made full use of Blue Horizon's <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/aquatic-centre/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pool, fitness area</a>, and lobby during our stay. You'll have to wait to see what I mean by that in a follow-up post. Heh.<br />
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Our room was set up well for hanging out but we also spent quite a bit of time in <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/abode-restaurant-coffee-bar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abode</a>, the hotel's restaurant and coffee/cocktail bar. Below is the view from the dining area toward the lobby.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyr8jIRHRCw/XLVfKR1CotI/AAAAAAAALC0/-aJ2LBngjM43jrbMA6UpWxlhu8W4dHtlwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05635.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yyr8jIRHRCw/XLVfKR1CotI/AAAAAAAALC0/-aJ2LBngjM43jrbMA6UpWxlhu8W4dHtlwCLcBGAs/s1600/web-b-DSC05635.png" /></a></div>
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The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. This server is from Australia and we had the pleasure of her camaraderie and care on a couple of occasions.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiuxfvsyC3E/XLko_WhlTLI/AAAAAAAALGA/hm3B4PedYN8Iqo9PrsA4twXIoLlT8CligCLcBGAs/s1600/web-small%2BSherry-IMG_5136.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NiuxfvsyC3E/XLko_WhlTLI/AAAAAAAALGA/hm3B4PedYN8Iqo9PrsA4twXIoLlT8CligCLcBGAs/s1600/web-small%2BSherry-IMG_5136.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">photo by Sue</span></div>
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It's possible that below we were discussing Abode's famous apple rhubarb crisp with ice cream. I (and <i>someone else</i> - Suzanne!) ordered it twice during our stay. She'll probably post about it. Her photo was waaay better than mine.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7fTOjQNzhU/XLkjRxw27_I/AAAAAAAALFk/JtfLIiwBcaY_lkOulDScZihsnPtsVPJbgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-small%2Bb-DSC05630.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A7fTOjQNzhU/XLkjRxw27_I/AAAAAAAALFk/JtfLIiwBcaY_lkOulDScZihsnPtsVPJbgCLcBGAs/s1600/web-small%2Bb-DSC05630.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">photo by Sherry</span></div>
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There's Suzanne with her buddy "Marilyn" in the elevator. The blue patch is a reflection of my phone. Each lift features a fun photo of "Marilyn" in a series of speak/see/hear-no-evil poses. Hahaha! You can read more about her on the hotel website, <a href="https://bluehorizonhotel.com/the-lady-in-our-elevators/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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There is also a large back-lit cibachrome colour photo of her with curlers in her hair and a martini in her hand in the lobby. Can you think of anything more welcoming and appropriate for our group? I found this partial view in one of my photos. Isn't she great?<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctnppj4o9ZU/XLks4UjVYxI/AAAAAAAALGM/6L4PxW6c1Z8_SWeR24bBQ5yiAVH5uJ6vQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-marilyn%2Bin%2Blobby.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="483" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctnppj4o9ZU/XLks4UjVYxI/AAAAAAAALGM/6L4PxW6c1Z8_SWeR24bBQ5yiAVH5uJ6vQCLcBGAs/s1600/web-marilyn%2Bin%2Blobby.png" /></a></div>
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Finally, there I am on the last day, captured by Sherry on the balcony.<br />
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Truly, getting away, even in my own city, staying at a place that took good care of me, and spending time with good friends gave me a fresh perspective on the world of possibilities ahead.<br />
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Thank you again, Blue Horizon Hotel, for your role in making this such a memorable weekend. The only complaint I have is that our time was too short. We'll have to do it again!<br />
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Stay tuned for our photo shoot post!</div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-39344299393626843822019-04-08T09:39:00.003-07:002019-04-09T20:44:12.816-07:00Royal classy fresher knows how to travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Several looks, several realities.</div>
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<b>LOOK 1</b></div>
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I am gaggingly high class, as you know. For a little <i>je ne sais quoi</i>, I casually toss around foreign words like I know what I'm saying. I don't laugh; I nod imperceptibly, careful not to disturb my limbs. In fact, nothing is funny; everything is oh so dull and droll. Eye roll.</div>
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I speak softly, like a firefly - flit flit flit - no stranger to multi-syllabic words either, not I. Sometimes I even use a rich raspy "fry" voice (see what it is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_LmC-ynqGM" target="_blank">here</a>). My face is of course a portrait of serenity and super-mega-awesome enlightenment. No wonder poise is my middle name. And elegance, too. Mel Poise Elegance Kobayashi, MPEK, not to be confused with MPEG for transmitting compressed audio and visuals, although sometimes I am compressed as well.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nxzvi3OTXk/XKq9IGOMkWI/AAAAAAAALAc/zvgj8mrHR202ALCnqP0B1D8QTGdEAoGVwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgranv%2Bosamu%2Bphoto%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Nxzvi3OTXk/XKq9IGOMkWI/AAAAAAAALAc/zvgj8mrHR202ALCnqP0B1D8QTGdEAoGVwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgranv%2Bosamu%2Bphoto%2B2.png" /></a></div>
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Sigh.<br />
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My clothes are draped over pillowy silk hangers in a closet the size of a suburban garage with room for four Ram-tough pickup trucks. My home is Frank Lloyd Wright original-ish and a creek gurgles down the middle of my living room for ambiance and sophisticated meditation. That's classy.<br />
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There's a little gong beside me too, which I've trained my dachshund to hit with her nose to chakratize my namastes, and so I don't have to reach for the mallet myself - so crass. I made her a special metal nose cone so it works right. And I sip stringy green drinks, which usually end up in the creek, which is great because it looks like algae.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBmkZ3WdR-g/XKq9IDSNsVI/AAAAAAAALAY/i9mbRA0nk9IZtiaz-f0cZZkTvW5BybeswCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgranville%2Bblandwh%2Bosamu%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OBmkZ3WdR-g/XKq9IDSNsVI/AAAAAAAALAY/i9mbRA0nk9IZtiaz-f0cZZkTvW5BybeswCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgranville%2Bblandwh%2Bosamu%2B1.png" /></a></div>
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Above, I gaze into a brilliant future of sophistication and expensive sun chairs.<br />
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O took these photos on Granville Island. I'm wearing the grey sweater-dress and maxi boiled wool cardigan jacket from my Talize shopping video. The tights were a gift from <a href="https://zoharatights.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zohara</a>.<br />
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<b>LOOK 2</b><br />
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I'm so excited about my new school! I've got my uniform, my pack, and my pencil crayons, freshly sharpened. My DIY monster truck tuxedo shirt shows just the right mix of I'll-kiss-your-ass-if-you-kiss-mine relationship I hope to cultivate with faculty and my peers. I am confident it will be a good first day - I have brought a gift for the teacher. Nothing says "accept me" more than gifts and wads of cash.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcODNJCSGk4/XKq9IA-5ndI/AAAAAAAALAg/wXlAmejJrE0p9XZWw0d8VMwmK52IDeZQACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bkilt%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcODNJCSGk4/XKq9IA-5ndI/AAAAAAAALAg/wXlAmejJrE0p9XZWw0d8VMwmK52IDeZQACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bkilt%2B1.png" /></a></div>
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Wait, what? What do you mean detention?! Are you out of your mind? Seriously, who wants apples when you can have an appletini?!!<br />
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What? Suspension?! Expulsion?!! Hahaha! Excellent. So meet me in the parking lot for some seriously delinquent chocolate brownies. And I didn't want a wing named after me anyway!! Wings are for birds, pantiliners, and planes, pfft.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh59bk5Piog/XKq9I5pttRI/AAAAAAAALAk/ONlvhig1Kn0UPmvjbSaSQEERoTIUm39hQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bkilt%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gh59bk5Piog/XKq9I5pttRI/AAAAAAAALAk/ONlvhig1Kn0UPmvjbSaSQEERoTIUm39hQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bkilt%2B2.png" /></a></div>
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<b>LOOK 3</b><br />
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Waiting for my magic carpet. It's late. Again.<br />
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I may need to go by foot passenger - I always manage to buy the only tickets. Sadly, this mode of transport is getting slower, more expensive, and more uncomfortable by the year. Although boarding is usually easier now with lower platforms, there may be a foul odour when I disembark.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ77y4JMGe8/XKq9JA8YvWI/AAAAAAAALAo/wS3c5ZberZMVCRUaoBrrxH7pF8x-9l1MwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bmara.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ77y4JMGe8/XKq9JA8YvWI/AAAAAAAALAo/wS3c5ZberZMVCRUaoBrrxH7pF8x-9l1MwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bapr%2B7%2B2019%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bmara.png" /></a></div>
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The on-board entertainment sucks, especially when I'm humming, there is usually no food, unless you count cough drops, and they ask annoying security questions like, are you bringing any dangerous goods on board? Well, I do have a wicked side eye. Does that count?<br />
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Plus, they always check for extra weight - cheeky!! - and want to know if I have anything to declare. You bet I do, but it's not fit for print!<br />
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The robe and scarf are from a good friend. This is their first outing. The earrings were heavy so I wasn't able to do much jumping. I hate when that happens. It's like, jump, ow, jump, ow, jump, ow.<br />
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<b>LOOK 4</b><br />
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Full circle. My royal subjects. If I were queen, this would be my portrait.<br />
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Look who came to town! It's Sheila of blog Sheila Ephemera! And L, too, but to see them in full splendour, you'll have to go to her <a href="http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2019/03/bigass-anniversary-weekend-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">big-ass weekend roundup</a> about their annual trip to Vancouver to celebrate their wedding anniversary, their 22nd this time. Woo hoo! Congratulations! I'm always thrilled to be included in their plans.<br />
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We put in some time at the Telus building, where we were serenaded with rock tunes played on a Fazioli grand piano. Very cool. Then we had brunch at Medina before I had to head out.<br />
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L took both these photos.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HFm4AxL4yoA/XKq9JRGxjOI/AAAAAAAALAw/AD7oSyHaB78jjc87O1qF3VWSTeUl-L3hgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsheila%2Band%2BMel%2B1%2Bapr%2B2019.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HFm4AxL4yoA/XKq9JRGxjOI/AAAAAAAALAw/AD7oSyHaB78jjc87O1qF3VWSTeUl-L3hgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bsheila%2Band%2BMel%2B1%2Bapr%2B2019.png" /></a></div>
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These two are always knockouts. People get googly-eyed over them wherever they go. As for me, I'm wearing a velveteeny '70s suit that <a href="http://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">Suzanne</a> gave me with my fave ruffled blouse and my neon orange men's XXL coat on top. Again, see <a href="http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2019/03/bigass-anniversary-weekend-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">Sheila's blog</a> for more photos.<br />
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That's all for now. There's been lots going on here. I can't wait for my next several posts. You guys are the best!! Thanks so much for dropping by. Appletinis for everyone! And brownies! Send me cash and I'll name a wing after you. Hahaha! I hope you are enjoying your season change.<br />
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So when it's time I'll be linking to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/color-print-and-a-happy-surprise-visible-monday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/04/now-you-too-can-have-the-perfect-summer-dress-or-five.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a>. See you there maybe?<br />
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Cheers.<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-29797011947554753822019-03-21T22:06:00.000-07:002019-03-24T21:07:26.989-07:00My big screen debut, a contest, Female Trouble, and more<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Bing. I'm back!!</div>
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I'd show you holiday photos if I'd actually been on a holiday in the last month, but all the travelling I have done lately has been in my head - and I know that if I showed you photos of <i>that</i>, you would all get motion sickness. </div>
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So here I'll show you what I've been wearing since I last wrote.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbSy-yWQUYw/XJRTdEXlijI/AAAAAAAAK-8/DIMErHVdgQ4-YeVEgISRi_uXt2ovlekPgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B1%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bpurple%2Bonesie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbSy-yWQUYw/XJRTdEXlijI/AAAAAAAAK-8/DIMErHVdgQ4-YeVEgISRi_uXt2ovlekPgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B1%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bpurple%2Bonesie.png" /></a></div>
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Kids loved those sunglasses. So did I. Especially with my space-age helmet hair.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdWC54h6Z2Q/XJRTdFm-E1I/AAAAAAAAK-4/g1PZ2Ua1g2cMONZtGV1EyKEz3uV3sAXmwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcolour%2Bblock.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zdWC54h6Z2Q/XJRTdFm-E1I/AAAAAAAAK-4/g1PZ2Ua1g2cMONZtGV1EyKEz3uV3sAXmwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B2%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bcolour%2Bblock.png" /></a></div>
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The sweater in the next photo was a gift from British brand <a href="https://hades-shop.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>HADES</b></a>, pure virgin lamb's wool, hand-made in Scotland. HADES offers several sayings, but this is my fave of the bunch. The retro font is reminiscent of the zany '60s movie <i>Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows</i> with Rosalind Russell. I didn't even know there was a John Waters movie by this name from 1974. Oh woe. I must see it.<br />
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In this outfit I felt like I was on a movie set. That's my script beside me (not really, it's my Glitter Barbie sketch pad I bought in Greece, which I use as a clipboard when I attend press events).<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ZE4la7AJw/XJRTdOGZXMI/AAAAAAAAK_A/8T0CA6-EYy4EzlY1hqn1K_2AW3RLsHFKwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B3%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfemale%2Btrouble.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4ZE4la7AJw/XJRTdOGZXMI/AAAAAAAAK_A/8T0CA6-EYy4EzlY1hqn1K_2AW3RLsHFKwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B3%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bfemale%2Btrouble.png" /></a></div>
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And more stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnYkpOo2mOE/XJRTdxlhEgI/AAAAAAAAK_E/cqPYChbAWP0D9bWzQOhogkPbebH7udeBQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B4%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bquilted%2Bcoat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnYkpOo2mOE/XJRTdxlhEgI/AAAAAAAAK_E/cqPYChbAWP0D9bWzQOhogkPbebH7udeBQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B4%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bquilted%2Bcoat.png" /></a></div>
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I don't know how that greenie-brown XXL boiler suit made it into my closet. Secret interloper! Maybe it seduced me with its huge baggy sloppiness in a moment of weakness. I'm sure that's it.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWJOGyERhAw/XJRTeA67IvI/AAAAAAAAK_I/c9A1Mshwx2wWnHmpRXoGmavilihZaBeYgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bboile%2Bsuit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWJOGyERhAw/XJRTeA67IvI/AAAAAAAAK_I/c9A1Mshwx2wWnHmpRXoGmavilihZaBeYgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmar%2B21%2B2019%2B5%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bboile%2Bsuit.png" /></a></div>
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Sleuthing aside, I did something very terrifying in my absence. And I failed at it really, really badly in a good way.<br />
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I entered a video in a competition by CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corp) called <b>Next Up</b> for amateur standup comedians, un-agented and previously unpaid. Except I'm not quite stand-up. I'm more La-Z-Boy really. I only did two takes because otherwise I would have chickened out. That's my excuse; I'm sticking to it. I could have hidden this, but there is misery in numbers. Right?<br />
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<b>Rules for viewing:</b><br />
Don't feel guilty or bad if you don't like it. For feck's sake, please don't be happy if you don't like it. And don't laugh either. Well, you can laugh but not in a mean way. If you start to feel mean, go to Suzanne's blog <a href="http://suzannecarillo.com/" target="_blank">here</a>; she's the one who told me about the contest. Hahaha. Now I'm laughing.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6W8sjeOsol0?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></div>
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It is extremely painful to try to be funny alone in one's room, without music or a laugh track. Ask Sherry at <a href="http://www.petiteover40.com/" target="_blank">Petite Over 40</a> because we made a mini Laugh-In show called LOL 40-Up. "Total fecking silence," to quote a line from Steve Buscemi in one of my favourite movies, <i>Fargo</i>. See the scene <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4rQ8Mh1Goo" target="_blank">here</a>, with Russian overdubbing!<br />
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Ten finalists have been selected, excluding moi, but including lots of women. Right on!! Have a look and a laugh. <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/nextup/" target="_blank">Finalists</a>. You can browse all the entries here #<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23CBCNextUp" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CBCNextUp</a>. Clearly my piece is more monologue than stand-up, but I was happy just to get my video out there. I figure that was a 10 on the experiential freak-yourself-out-for growth chart.<br />
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AND, I made a sponsored video for <a href="http://www.talize.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Talize Thrift</b> </a>store which I posted on Instagram. My friend <a href="http://www.instagram.com/elizabeth.zvonar/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Zvonar</a> helped with camera work. Lots of fun. I am not under any obligation to post it here, but click the picture if you want to see it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BuhKUiphVGJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="731" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XAxWYVpaJk/XJR1ZgAQWaI/AAAAAAAAK_s/LT3qi-iKYnwye1q_LBtIitShb3fPZBepgCLcBGAs/s640/Capture%2B3.JPG" width="638" /></a></div>
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AND, finally, the <i>real</i> movie I was in, the documentary <i><b>Keep It In The Streets</b></i>, written and directed by Everett Bumstead, is now playing on <a href="https://youtu.be/kvJyhhlqQ_U" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, 70 min. Everett and Sam, who was also instrumental in the project, are awesome. Experimental art film. I am honoured to have been a part of this. I hope you get a chance to watch. Their heart is in every scene. Click the photo to go to YouTube.<br />
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And that's it from me for now. I'm going to have a fun mini meetup tomorrow! Can't wait.<br />
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I'll link up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/how-to-personalize-boring-basics-visible-monday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike when they come up next.<br />
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Keep cool, my friends.<br />
As always, thank you for visiting!!<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-7664535956624135212019-02-22T02:01:00.002-08:002019-02-27T12:27:13.963-08:00I am not a cone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A big cotton dress worn backwards, a tablecloth, a tutu, a wedding dress, two hoop skirts, and a pink net skirt. The writing, tacked on in felt letters, says, THIS IS NOT A CONE.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy_AOWE8GDc/XG-4FvkOIxI/AAAAAAAAK80/92ah0XiJw0QPsaQlQUnlDRyQuHczhNonwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fy_AOWE8GDc/XG-4FvkOIxI/AAAAAAAAK80/92ah0XiJw0QPsaQlQUnlDRyQuHczhNonwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte%2B2.png" /></a></div>
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The inspiration for this fark fantasy is courtesy of the painter Magritte, the brilliant design duo of Viktor & Rolf, and Shelley of Forest City Fashionista who challenged me to riff on Viktor & Rolf's latest collection, which featured big dresses with memes on the front. Shelley's version is awesome, <a href="https://www.forestcityfashionista.com/2019/02/read-my-dress.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. She also includes more background on the V&R collection.<br />
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Below, feeling couture-ish in my favourite neighbourhood garden. I wanted to experience what it would be like to actually <i>wear</i> something like this as everyday wear. Short answer: I did in fact feel like a giant cone and passersby approached with prudent caution.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xam-5GH7ztk/XG-4G8rl3wI/AAAAAAAAK9I/uNlNigLggyY95AsQ6K0359fa27Y1GuYvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="650" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xam-5GH7ztk/XG-4G8rl3wI/AAAAAAAAK9I/uNlNigLggyY95AsQ6K0359fa27Y1GuYvwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte.png" /></a></div>
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I loved doing this shoot - a couple of hours with my tripod - but the tablecloth kept snagging on my glitter platform shoes and shrubbery. I hate when that happens!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMRJhAihX1I/XG-4FowUH-I/AAAAAAAAK84/wPVPTsITyLcZtzwngYQugqSIjHzhdjMiACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cMRJhAihX1I/XG-4FowUH-I/AAAAAAAAK84/wPVPTsITyLcZtzwngYQugqSIjHzhdjMiACLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B21%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Borange%2Bdress%2Bmagritte%2B3.png" /></a></div>
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The underpinnings above. And I was wearing tights and jeggings and three long-sleeved shirts to keep off the chill on this sunny but cold day. The breastplate of the wedding dress is jewel-encrusted and weighs a ton. It's hidden under there too.<br />
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I did not edit the next photo. The sun created a brilliant patch of light in this alcove. But I'll never scramble up a hill like that in those shoes or that dress again.<br />
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This bumper-car of a dress is now deconstructed, making transportation and life in general much simpler.<br />
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Thanks for this challenge, Shelley. It was a great way to beat the winter doldrums.<br />
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Also, stylista Monica, who writes the blog <a href="http://www.mrsallnut.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Allnut</a>, found me in one of Spain's top magazines <a href="https://smoda.elpais.com/moda/actualidad/instagramers-mayores/" target="_blank">S MODA EL PAÍS</a>. Hahaha! It's also in Brazil I think. I had no idea there was a print version. She scanned the cover and the article photo and emailed them to me. Wow. Huge hugs, Monica!<br />
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And finally, I was included in The Zoe Report, which is a big online thing, <a href="https://www.thezoereport.com/p/11-stylish-women-over-50-you-should-be-following-on-instagram-15928631" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
"11 Stylish Women Over 50 You Should Be Following on Instagram." The writer, Sarah Lindig, asked for permission to use my photo for a piece she was working on. And then, bam, there it was!<br />
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There's lots going on here, and work work work. I'll be holed up for a while at it. I hope you are all surviving the season, whatever it may throw at you - heat or cold. Thank you thank you for visiting.<br />
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I'm linking up to Patti at Not Dead Yet for her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/dress-like-you-mean-it-visible-monday" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and Catherine at #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/02/why-longline-coat-blazer-is-your-wardrobes-best-friend.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iwillwearwhatilike</a> at Not Dressed as Lamb - as I do.<br />
<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-59744069595717721392019-02-14T13:57:00.001-08:002019-02-23T12:05:17.377-08:00The devil made me wear neon yellow plaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sD7VRQqGwE/XGS-IWZnBAI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/XyNhIquvJ-AnG7Xr3n4gvmohKKkyQ9nGwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B23%2B2019%2B%2Bmel%2Bplaid%2Bpants%2Band%2Bpuffer%2Bjacket.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sD7VRQqGwE/XGS-IWZnBAI/AAAAAAAAK6Y/XyNhIquvJ-AnG7Xr3n4gvmohKKkyQ9nGwCLcBGAs/s640/web%2Bfeb%2B23%2B2019%2B%2Bmel%2Bplaid%2Bpants%2Band%2Bpuffer%2Bjacket.png" width="344" /></a></div>
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Everyone hop on the happy bus! I'll serenade you with my expert tambourine playing until we hit Milwaukee - no guarantees after that. Greyhound bus line is defunct in mid- and western Canada now, so I really think we need a Partridge Family bus line to take its place, full of happy people with shag haircuts wearing baggies (wideleg pants) and peace pendants. </div>
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Why this burst of glee? Because I'm feeling guilty. Very guilty. And I've manufactured this outburst to cancel all that out. </div>
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What happened?</div>
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You know I thrive on thrift. Well, I bought retail. RETAIL!!! Gross, pitui. Puh, puh, puh - I scrape my tongue with paper towels. But I couldn't help myself. </div>
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There I was, my body moving down the sidewalk towards home after sketching kitty in my journal, then suddenly, I heard a squeaky braking sound and my left-turn ninker came on. Before you know it, I was on the stairs. Then BLAM, I was in...Topshop!! (sound of horrified screaming)</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iog6wL9UVdE/XGS_ALjItwI/AAAAAAAAK6g/gSbVj_WrX4wVqweSkwYpaFs2ZxmSDxRhwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bplaid%2Bpants%2Band%2Bjacket.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iog6wL9UVdE/XGS_ALjItwI/AAAAAAAAK6g/gSbVj_WrX4wVqweSkwYpaFs2ZxmSDxRhwCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bplaid%2Bpants%2Band%2Bjacket.png" /></a></div>
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What's the big deal, right? Lots of people shop there and the Earth keeps spinning, mind you, with a bit bigger wobble these days. The big deal is: 1) my closet is a glamazardous off-world colony; 2) I support thrift shopping to halt the wobble trend; and 3) I'm only dressing off-world these days (my closet). I still regularly shop at high-end designer stores for style inspo, though. </div>
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I digress:</div>
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I used to visit Topshop, mostly for ultra-cool footwear with sales of 80 percent off, cool shoes that nobody except me wanted, example <a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usDTl1gBfww/WfWDr0ezpEI/AAAAAAAAJUc/wFBfMjR4AaY5txAeftvxkvtPkReMbB0xACLcBGAs/s1600/Lourdes%2Bembroidered%2Bsandals.PNG" target="_blank">here</a>. Then those mega-sales dried up, probably because retailers in general have had to scramble to feed buyers deals in new and improved sale events, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day <i>Month. </i>Discounts seem lower but more frequent. This is my guess. Have you noticed it?</div>
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So when I realized where I was, at any second I expected the angel on my shoulder to garrote me with a harp string. But no, I heard a high-pitched sound, almost like singing: it was the devil on my <i>other</i> shoulder, tickling my ear with his spear! (no comment) </div>
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I went to scope out the shoes, but there in front of me was a row of neon plaid puffer jackets. I approached with trepidation and checked my rear view to make sure I wouldn't smack anyone when I recoiled at the underwhelming sale price. Gaaa - 80 percent off. I lunged. Oof. </div>
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But wait, there were a few more racks to nose through. And did I buy again? Let's just say my angel's harp strings are all broke; I'm more thick-skinned than I thought. And the devil, with so much action, dulled his spear. </div>
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I only bought one other piece, which I'll reveal later, but this was a big deal for me - non-shoe retail. To balance things out, I've been revving up my sewing machine at home. I'll show you <i>that</i> later as well. Is it clothing? Is it art? </div>
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And a couple more photos of what I wore last week.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hs6oNopxhL8/XGXMs6UzOXI/AAAAAAAAK68/_FwuBautq4gucq2_uH3t1wmtHGn9npF5QCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bin%2Balley%2Bfeb%2B14%2B2019%2Bbig%2Bcoat%2Band%2Btie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hs6oNopxhL8/XGXMs6UzOXI/AAAAAAAAK68/_FwuBautq4gucq2_uH3t1wmtHGn9npF5QCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bin%2Balley%2Bfeb%2B14%2B2019%2Bbig%2Bcoat%2Band%2Btie.png" /></a></div>
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My awesome men's Oscar de la Renta wool/cashmere overcoat made in Bulgaria with my black skinny jeans and pickle-stabber ankle boots. Every single piece here, I realize, is from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/msc_bwss/" target="_blank">My Sister's Closet</a> thrift boutique, which supports the Battered Women's Shelter Services. It's one of the very few thrift shops in the city (actually, the only one that I know of) that doesn't charge GST based on its charitable status.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpGEfN6KtDY/XGXMxF4blyI/AAAAAAAAK7A/PHC2ppSLvS4e8KDMcIBLJBZE8RwGIEDQQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B9%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bbig%2Bovercoat%2Band%2Btie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="650" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MpGEfN6KtDY/XGXMxF4blyI/AAAAAAAAK7A/PHC2ppSLvS4e8KDMcIBLJBZE8RwGIEDQQCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bfeb%2B9%2B2019%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bbig%2Bovercoat%2Band%2Btie.png" /></a></div>
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You can see in the above two photos how the light moved in the short time I was there. The second one was taken before the first one. And then this corner below always seems to have light but I don't go there often - it's a bit scungie despite the great graffiti.</div>
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I'll do linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Catherine at Not Dressed a Lamb for her #iwillwearwhatilike when the time comes. </div>
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I hope you guys are all fine. No, not fine - stellar!!! And why not? We're alive, we can dress up almost for free with stuff we have around, and the world is still turning, a bit more wobbly now, but turning. </div>
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-91591024842393814402019-01-30T00:14:00.003-08:002019-02-13T14:17:16.272-08:00Menocore style because they're not menopausalA woman turns 50 and she suddenly turns into a <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">confident potato with waistless pants</span></b>, at least that seems to be the view of <b><span style="color: red;">menocore</span></b>, the hot flash style trend among 20- and 30-something women who love dressing up (in this case, dressing down) as menopausal women. How flattering - a style that looks so good it's simply named after our reproductive life cycle. And by the way, you have the face for radio!<br />
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When I found the word <span style="color: red;">menocore</span> in a <i>New York Times</i> article, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/style/clogs-no-6-moms.html" target="_blank">The New Mom Uniform of Park Slope</a>, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, like a detective who smells blood - or not. The writer called it a "a hateful takeoff on normcore." I followed the link to the source: the blog Man Repeller, a June 2018 post called <a href="https://www.manrepeller.com/2018/06/menocore-fashion-trend.html" target="_blank">Menocore is the New Normcore, and It's a Lot More Comfortable</a>. Now I know who dunnit.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1rAZtqaXk/XFFTcxx1RLI/AAAAAAAAK4w/AisguT6bIQsC9ClrJRp4E_vGRzxUSsQOgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgold%2Blycra%2Bsuit%2B4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, gold catsuit, yellow wig, fertilcore style" border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="650" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_1rAZtqaXk/XFFTcxx1RLI/AAAAAAAAK4w/AisguT6bIQsC9ClrJRp4E_vGRzxUSsQOgCLcBGAs/s400/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgold%2Blycra%2Bsuit%2B4.png" title="Mel Kobayashi, gold catsuit, yellow wig, fertilcore style" width="400" /></a></div>
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This coat is a men's XXL - solid menopausal style.<br />
photos by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vancouverbarbara" target="_blank">@vancouverbarbara</a>, edits by moi</div>
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I learned that menocore celebrates baggy clothing, hair scrunchies, exposed bra straps, neutrals, and a host of other fun stuff we wear. And we are lauded for not caring how we look to other people. It's because we're so frigging confident. Ross writes that with the menocore trend, we middle-agers are finally getting our time in the spotlight, meaning, presumably, baggy neutrals have never looked so good because now they are on young bods?<br />
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Don't get me wrong. Menocore has certainly empowered me. That's why I'm excited to announce here, for the first time, a new trend for us of the baggy-pants set: Fertilcore (or Menstrucore, your call), named after the reproductive life cycle of women in their 20s and 30s. How freeing to feel insecure enough that we can finally care how we look! Hooray! If my friends raise an eyebrow and say, Gee, Mel, you're looking very Fertilcore today, I can blame it on those frisky fertiles.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdbv7dUjw9w/XFFTSpAvhHI/AAAAAAAAK4s/9P8kqhR14korW86iWZZNSrPPZfaRHcDhgCLcBGAs/s1600/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgold%2Blycra%2Bsuit%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, gold catsuit, yellow wig, fertilcore style" border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wdbv7dUjw9w/XFFTSpAvhHI/AAAAAAAAK4s/9P8kqhR14korW86iWZZNSrPPZfaRHcDhgCLcBGAs/s640/web%2Bmel%2Bkobayashi%2Bbag%2Band%2Ba%2Bberet%2Bgold%2Blycra%2Bsuit%2B1.png" title="Mel Kobayashi, gold catsuit, yellow wig, fertilcore style" width="478" /></a></div>
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New fab Fertilcore look: gold lycra catsuit, platform runners, neon yellow wig, white brows you can't see here. This outfit is not my fault!</div>
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So rip up those What Not to Wear Over 30 lists, my menopausal friends. Hello mini skirts, stilettos, and hoop earrings! And don't miss my soon-to-be-released list of What Not to Wear in Your Reproductive Years. I mean, if you want to dress as mutton, you better do it right!<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUW16hXdkoM/XFFWExaS4fI/AAAAAAAAK5M/DDILiTqSEfoimsoXY9ttmnVlm-ZsI5dOACLcBGAs/s1600/fertilcore.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mel Kobayashi, fertilcore debut" border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="580" height="193" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUW16hXdkoM/XFFWExaS4fI/AAAAAAAAK5M/DDILiTqSEfoimsoXY9ttmnVlm-ZsI5dOACLcBGAs/s400/fertilcore.png" title="Mel Kobayashi, fertilcore debut" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: blue;">Fertilcore - here we come! </span></b><br />
<span style="text-align: start;">See my attempts at super-tight leather pants </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcnf0TUbWZk" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: start;"> and </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJcdIbeMJ60" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">here</a> if you haven't already.<br />
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I have to say, I won't hold menocore against its adherents. I am satisfied knowing that hopefully some day they will all experience the special secret surprises that accompany menopause and middle age.<br />
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<b>And I get it: comfortable clothing feels good and can look great. But why not have the vagina (because balls are for juggling) to just own it all on its own? I think that's what <span style="color: #cc0000;">menocore</span> is about anyway - <span style="color: magenta;">confidence</span>, period, or not. My fertile-free-ness should not be an excuse for someone's neutrals any more than someone's fertility should be an excuse for my platform shoes. </b><br />
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I thought women's style had progressed beyond an us/them issue. We are all in this together, for the whole ride. So how about we forget about ageist labels altogether and enjoy what we all bring to the table? (Like Pao's comment - womanocore?)<br />
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As Jessica at <a href="http://warningcurvesahead.com/" target="_blank">Warning: Curves Ahead</a> concluded in her famous viral blog post in response to a list about what women shouldn't wear over 30: "<a href="https://warningcurvesahead.com/2016/06/04/24-things-women-over-30-should-wear/" target="_blank">24 Things Women Over 30 Should Wear</a>: <span style="color: magenta;">Whatever the f*ck they want</span>." Words we can <i>all</i> live by any time.<br />
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Cool sparkly owl pendant from Patti, <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/" target="_blank">Not Dead Yet Style</a>.</div>
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Edit: I'm linking up to Catherine's #<a href="https://www.notdressedaslamb.com/2019/02/thoughts-on-new-social-influencer-disclosure-guidelines.html" target="_blank">Share All Linkup</a> at Not Dressed as Lamb. And later to her #iwillwearwhatilike. I'll also link to the next <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/black-and-gray-and-a-cloudy-day-visible-monday" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.<br />
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Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4859347726001714274.post-83196540859584583382019-01-20T11:35:00.001-08:002019-01-20T11:52:45.136-08:00Tight leather pants and a sports carMy second tight pants video. I hope you like it! The first one is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJcdIbeMJ60" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Special thanks to my great crew, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vancouverbarbara" target="_blank">@vancouverbarbara</a> on camera, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ahlovethepug" target="_blank">@ahlovethepug</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wbartlett12" target="_blank">@wbartlett12</a> as the rescuers. I laughed so hard I cried when we were making this.<br />
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">Tight Pants and Sports Car</span></b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mcnf0TUbWZk?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
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Some more photos from the shoot.<br />
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Have a great week, everyone!!<br />
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<br />Melaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06218727738029858422noreply@blogger.com28