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Sunday 18 March 2012

The gauntlet was tossed and I picked it up

This is my outfit for Patti's Visible Monday. Thanks, Patti! I call this my garden party skirt, it is so dreamy, flowy, and leg-caressing, perfect for the wind we've been having here, a very girly outfit. I really should have taken a photo of me twirling in this, the skirt is so full. There is a matching cap-sleeve top, giraffe pattern as well, but the two together give me motion sickness.


Details of the outfit:
  • giraffe-patterned garden party skirt, chiffon with silky lining, new about 25 years ago
  • oversized silk beige blouse, oversized silk fuchsia tank and teal top, hand-me-overs
  • thrifted patterned coat by a label in Japan, I love this, $10?
  • new thrifted squid-ink indigo felt beret, $6
  • nude pantyhose, aaaa! but they have a control panel which makes me feel very put together indeed
  • thrifted patent black shoes with deadly heels
  • magic pendant O made me (I will do a post of his incredible work soon!)


Speaking of motion sickness...in this next photo it looks like I'm scaling the luge track! I've been mucking about in my studio and the perspective on my backdrop so far is satisfyingly real and unreal. Of course the pose and camera angle help.


This post is actually going up late Sunday evening, hours after the end of the St.Patrick's Day parade downtown. You will note that I'm not wearing green. In fact, I don't think I own any green, but I do have a great Irish poem as a tribute to the festivities... 

SAUCY POETRY ALERT!

"A whey-faced slat"* and a "parboiled ape" with a "tough jaw" are some of the delightful descriptives that 17th century Irish poet David O'Bruadair used to describe a wench who refused to give him free beer. A gent friend from Cornwall, whom I banter with in the art gallery cafe from time to time, fired it off to me last summer in good fun. Well, this saucy poem fell like at gauntlet at my feet and I felt it was time for a few female invectives in response, so I fired off my poem "Ten Dollars" in reply. Mine is a clumsy attempt to mimic Mr. O'Bruadair, as translated by James Stephens, but I had so much fun trying! [SORRY, I HAD TO TAKE MY POEM DOWN. I decided that there are too many invectives and I'm looking for more joy! But here is Mr. O'Bruadair's poem.]
*Please use a "U" instead of an "A" in "slat."

A Glass of Beer
by David O'Bruadair

The lanky hank of a she in the inn over there
Nearly killed me for asking the loan of a glass of beer;
May the devil grip the whey-faced slat by the hair,
And beat bad manners out of her skin for a year.

That parboiled ape, with the toughest jaw you will see
On virtue's path, and a voice that would rasp the dead,
Came roaring and raging the minute she looked at me,
And threw me out of the house on the back of my head!

If I asked her master he'd give me a cask a day;
But she, with the beer at hand, not a gill would arrange!
May she marry a ghost and bear him a kitten, and may
The High King of Glory permit her to get the mange.
______________

[MY MISSING POEM GOES HERE]

Do any of you write poetry? Rosemary the Shopper had an excellent poem in her post of February 23, When in Doubt, Turn to Poetry. It's priceless! Any ideas for replacement or additional lines in the poem I wrote? Or, better yet - and I don't expect it because it takes so much time - another poem in response to Mr. O'Bruadair? If nothing else, I would be satisfied with just two male-equivalent phrases as gratifying as "whey-faced slat" and "parboiled ape."

I hope you got a laugh.

43 comments:

  1. It's 3:30am and don't ask me why I'm on my computer...I have no idea. i just know that you look very classy in your outfit (pantyhose and all!) and your poetry is a whole 'nother dimension of fabulousness!!!! I'm going to enjoy this post again when I have have my wits about me a little more.

    I love the new backdrop with your outfit!

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    1. I'm a bit of a night owl too, Jean. Pantyhose, can you believe it? But it snowed and hailed and I couldn't fathom having a drop of colour touch my legs that day.

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  2. I like your response. It's a funny poem, though I have experienced the likes of David as a barmaid, though never as eloquent

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    1. It's too bad men don't speak like David when they're drunk. Life would be so much more interesting.

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  3. Hello Melanie! I love your look, a fabric on another one, one devises brilliant! The scene of the photos is magician, like you… And the poetry… without words! Although the translation I am complicated for me, has liked much! Greetings from Spain!
    Oh!: In previous post, you were precious also with the black dress!
    www.clubmujeresreales.blogspot.com

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    1. I hope the translation of my post into Spanish came out as well as the translations on your blog, which I love to visit! Thanks for your kind words!

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  4. Melanie, your poetry is causing me pain from laughter!! Well done! And your outfit is divine, I love a giraffe print any day of the week. Thanks so much for linking up to Visible Monday.

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    1. I'm happy that I caused you that kind of pain! And thanks for reading my post - I know it was a bit long-winded. You always have beautiful animal prints at your place!

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  5. Oh Melanie, you are so sweet to mention my "poem". And even better, your link works. (I posted a link, but mucked it up. Will learn it all eventually....!)

    Love your poem in response to the original. Go girl!! You really do have a way with words, as well as colour and outfits. If I make a return visit to Vancouver, I'd love to meet up with you.

    In the meantime, inbetween time, much love from me,
    Rose from England www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.com

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    1. I would love for us to get together if you make back to Vancouver for a visit. That would be so much fun!

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  6. LOL, your poem is hilarious!! And i love the color block effect you gace this outfit by layering these pieces!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
    -Jyoti
    Style-Delights Blog

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    1. Jyoti, thanks for your uplifting comment. Yes, colour-blocking, I always forget the proper words - you're my go-to woman for that!

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  7. Loving your layers, the mix of colors, the giraffe pattern with the patterned coat, the beautiful pendant, and of course the beret. The entire ensemble! You and Rosemary really know how to write a great poem.

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    1. I really like the pattern of the skirt with the coat too. It's too bad that the giraffe top washes me out so much and makes me look like wallpaper...

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  8. I love the layers and you have provided me with some inspiration for how to better wear one of my tops.

    The giraffe print skirt and the pattern on the jacket go very well together.

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    1. I'm so happy I've inspired you! That's the best feeling. Thanks for letting me know.

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  9. Goodness, lady, you're the first woman I've ever met who makes me consider nude pantihose as a viable option! Love your contemporary Flapper girl vibe today and your poetry is priceless. I wish I could have been that quick witted back in the days when I was a harassed young barmaid fending off lecherous old goats! xxx

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    1. I was forced into the pantyhose due to bad weather and an aversion to colour on my legs that day, but I had to dig to find them. I liked the control top action. Somehow I think you would have had the upper hand with those feckless tyrants. (love those words!)

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  10. Wonderful layering, dear friend!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  11. I love everything here, but oh, that coat! I think my heart is racing.

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    1. I couldn't believe the price when I saw this coat. Yes, it is a treasure.

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  12. Salut, Petite French Flapper Girl! You crack me up! Cheesie-crusted beard...priceless!

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    1. Salut! I had never thought flapper till Vix mentioned it, and now Petite French Flapper... Thanks for that vision! I love it!

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  13. love everything of this outfit, the pattern coat uff

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  14. The layers here are brilliant. I thought the oversize nude top was part of the skirt. Very sneaky. Must try this.

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    1. Oh yes, I AM sneaky! At first I tucked the top in but it looked blah, much better out.

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  15. Love the little curled wisp of hair against your cheek in the first picture. I've enjoyed the description of your outfit from the commentors...so Paris Flapper Chic. Love the background you've created as well. I'm amazed at each and every one of your posts. You're like someone from places only dreamed of... Yes, magical...like your pendant.

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    1. Lisa, this is the most wonderful comment. Thank you so much! I am verklempt!! I'm happy that I could create that illusion!

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  16. Ha, I'm fond of "twist his acorns"! I've been beleaguered at our house lately by all of my DH's "organ" jokes--juvenile!

    Love the contrast between the giraffe and the coat. And wish I had a backdrop like yours.

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    1. I'm laughing now because I'd like to get outdoor photos like you have and you wish you had a backdrop.

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  17. I wish my words were as eloquent and creative as your post...alas...I will utter the same refrain...I so love your artistry and your fashionable style my dear! Kudos and thank you for sharing your artistic soul!

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    1. Tamera, your posts are poetry! And your shots are incredible! Your last montage was so inspiring. You call me an artist? I call you one back!

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  18. Oh my the coat is so very fabulous. Lovely with the gorgeous layers of colours.
    Tee hee the poems are just brilliant!
    Love v

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    1. I think the acorns in my poem are not suitable for squirrels. Tee hee. Thanks for your lovely comment!

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  19. Hi Mélanie Dearest!

    I will not comment on the poetry , I will instead count the layers you have on..so clever of you and you can layer forever, you are so slim, so i am wondering why control top panty hose?
    I adore your backdrop it is perfect for the outfit!
    The shoes are adorable, i do love Mary Jane shoes

    Brilliant weather today but real mind twisting as far as outfits, but not complaining!

    I can't wait to see O beautiful art

    Lot of love to you Mélane

    Ariane xxxx

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    1. Bonjour Ariane!

      Oh, control tops don't slide down as easily are regular hose - baggy hose at my ankles makes me want to hike my skirt and give a great tug, but that would not be polite in public. I also like that squished-in feeling sometimes.

      The weather here is on again, off again too. But pastels everywhere! Flowers! People shrugging off the heavy coats! I can't wait to see more of your mind-twisted outfits!

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  20. thank you for sharing the poem! i write tons of poetry, though very rarely share it on my blog. i recently had a poem published, i link to it in a post called "the czech republic" (incidentally, name of the poem!)

    the delicate whimsical layers of this look are divine, and the pairing of mulberry, cobalt, and giraffe pattern adds a wonderful texture. love this.

    http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/

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    1. Congratulations on having your poem published! I will look for it. Thank you for your comment!

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  21. Excellent layering Melanie! I have to admit, I did a bit of a "cringe" at the mention of panti-hose, which I've always felt were a torture device invented by men to suffocate our lady parts.

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    1. For me too they have been a torture device in my past. I think having the choice this time made it okay, and it was cold. I hated the rule where you Must Wear Pantyhose to work without question, even in the summer. That was craziness and you should have heard me rant!

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