Peace out AND Yellow Skirt News

That's me wondering why can't I get my photos to stay upright but I have found a solution, apart from having to stand on my head or contort into other shapes. Hurrah!! I should break into an anthem of some kind here...

So I'll have to go back into my dusty photo files sometime and right those tipped-over shots. Below is a closeup of the poorly-made shoes that I bought at super discount worn with my retail fabulously-made socks. Too bad I have a wrinkle at the ankle. Don't you love that peace T-shirt? I nabbed it yesterday as I was leaving the thrift store. Close call! 

I wore this outfit this morning to the Jazz Festival downtown. Free music? What a superb start to the day, although I hope the musicians were handsomely paid. The group that I caught at the art gallery sub-stage was clearly talented but distinctly Country & Western with lots of slide guitar action when what I was craving was soul food - waterfall sax, lots of string bass, trumpet... I'm going again tomorrow. And I think the festival continues through until next weekend. How great is that?

Details:

executive pinstriped pencil skirt, thrifted

peace T-shirt, thrifted, label called LOL Vintage

black T underneath, thrifted

black tights, retail long ago

striped socks, retail

poorly-made but awesome studded platform shoes, retail at big discount

magic loupe and 2 other magic pendants, made for me by O

I always wonder why so many people here dress like they're going hiking when they attend an occasion that requires them to walk more than one block.

I just reread my last post and laughed. Jeez I'm bossy. "Follow me on Bloglovin'" she commanded. I was ordered by Them to "claim" my blog and that's what I had to write, but put more civilly, having recovered from my tech meltdown, I have switched everyone I'm following over to Bloglovin' and if you'd like to keep following me, I'm there now too. Some of you have made the transition with so much grace that I didn't even notice. You are my role models. And thank you SO MUCH for keeping me real when you do drop in and your helpful comments too. (You're right, Val, it's an apostrophe, not an exclamation mark, but I was just seeing expletives at the time.) Also, if you have Google+, while I can enjoy your posts, sadly I can't comment at the moment as I am not a member, nor am I on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or anything else. I have trouble remembering all my passwords as it is.

and 

YELLOW SKIRT NEWS

Friends, 

The request list for the Freakish Yellow Skirt (FYS) has become rather overwhelming, which is great news, and although I am an anarchist when it comes to style and self-expression, after emailing with Shelley of Forest City Fashionista, the most recent FYS wearer, I've decided to go ahead with coordinating FYS's globe-trekking. Shelley has most kindly offered to do a spreadsheet of people who request the skirt so that FYS is not flying pell mell to all corners of the earth and you don't feel passed over. Even with the list, I suspect the skirt will still be criss-crossing the globe as more people hear about it, so fear not: even if you miss FYS when it's on your continent you will still be able to participate in the years to come, which would be awesome! Thank you, Shelley. I could never do this on my own.

Therefore, if you would like to play with the Freakish Yellow Skirt, send Shelley an email, slong88 at hot mail dot com, letting her know your full postal address so she can do her admin magic. Also, don't forget to tell me when you get the skirt so I can put you on the official Travelling Yellow Skirt Freak Show page and make the announcement here. Also, it would be great if you could post the skirt to the next wearer within two weeks of receiving it - just a guideline.

Hugs and kisses to all of you for joining in this yellow skirt MADNESS!! She has got a mind of her own that yellow skirt and I love her to bits - um, hopefully not to absolute bits... It's crazy how she's touched your hearts but it's only because she's MAGIC!!! Born into harshness, resurrected into glory - Sing Anthem Now!! (See how bossy I am?) Thanks, Sarah at Misfits Vintage, for your idea in the first place!!

Join me for a dirty martini at the Stork, won't you?

Roddy picked me up after my show at the Stork Club in his new black Bugatti. Really, I haven't seen him so giddy since he recounted his night of debauchery with Rudolph Valentino in Palm Beach! I was afraid they wouldn't have the car ready for his birthday but Gustav knows I have my eye on a matching one in red. Now Roddy laughs that he'll have to enter the Le Mans next season. What fun. Let's hope I can get my new place in the Hamptons sorted out by then.

This exquisite pink champagne satin outfit is courtesy of Sarah of Misfits Vintage. It accompanied the divine yellow pantsuit that sent me reeling back into the '70s. I went even further back this time, late '20s/early '30s, inspired by this glamorous handmade beauty circa I-don't-know-when. Can any of you place this piece? The pleated fan sleeves are truly works of art.

When I first saw the skirt I was certain it was too small and only tried half-heartedly to slip it on before resolving to add small expansion panels to the sides. When it came time to do the alteration, I was sad; I simply couldn't mar this wondrous piece. Duty-bound, I went for a second attempt as is.

Voila. This is definitely a wiggle skirt, and although the zipper went up without a fight after all, I couldn't fasten the double hook-and-eye at the waistband, despite my wonderwear's ungodly sausage-casing powers.



Details

• fan-sleeved, rear zip boat-neck satin top in pink champagne with matching skirt featuring side slits, from visionary Sarah
• vintage patent black shoes (I really required some crystal studded strappy silver sandals, but one makes due. Diamond bracelets and earrings, a white faux mink stole, two enormous white ostrich feather fans, and crimson nail polish would have been grand as well.)
• faux pearls
• gold locket with a photo of my grandmother
• sausage casing, from the meat store
• canary yellow jewel, toybox

I spent a couple of hours mending, pressing, and smoothing in the afternoon before the shoot, but the chocolate-coloured dingleballs on the hem of the top are hanging on for dear life. Now that the shoot is over, this pampered lady-wear is hanging safe and secure in my closet, not quite hale enough to brave Vancouver's sidewalks but certainly game for another adventure at The Stork in the months to come. (Stork Club: famous NY nightclub that opened in '29)

On another note -
Connie over at Crafty Home Cottage has immortalized me in her artwork. If you haven't seen her blog, she explodes with positive energy that she shares in her hand-drawn journal images. She is also a musician and all-round cool person.

Thank you so much, Connie!

What are you dreaming about this week, lovelies? I once read that the dream car of surveyed Canadians turned out to be a Jeep. I was mortified. Maybe our dream gowns would be made of goretex  too (outdoor rain fabric)? Obviously, there are different interpretations of the word "dream"...

If it's Monday it must be 1978

When I saw this wondrous lemony poly pantsuit I instantly thought Charlie's Angels, pantylines, deodorant commercials, department store perfume, and racquet sports. Hence...

Interior. Daytime. On the club phone in the lobby: "Burt, oh, Burt (Reynolds), I'm finished playing. Course I trounced him. Gawd, I'd sell my third unborn child for a drink; meet me on the deck for daiquiris before we hit the beach, okay, sweetie? Then let's go for a spin down the coast with the top down. (LOL) YOUR top you naughty boy... Mwah." This was a very fun mini shoot - having been my first step away from work, journaling or foraging for food since my last Visible Monday shoot. And I have

GORGEOUS, SMART, FUNNY SARAH

at Misfits Vintage to thank for it!!

She sent me a package stuffed with love and goodness last week and I hugged it in its marvellousness.

Check out this fantastic drawing she sent me on the card! I LOVE IT!

I just had to put this pantsuit on and prance about in it. I haven't worn it out yet, but I shall when I have more free time to enjoy its spendour.

That's not me. It's my evil bitch catalogue self. I get that way when I wear makeup - can you see it? It was only proper for this homage to the lemony yellow pantsuit. Plus, the pineapple light. One never plays squash without mood lighting, darling.

Details of the outfit:

• lemony yellow rescue pantsuit, from Sarah
• platform Steve Madden sandals, thrifted, $11 hee hee
• striped socks, retail
• earrings, vintage, purchased new
• pineapple light, retail, Tokyu Hands, Tokyo

Obviously I am joining Patti's Visible Monday bunch at Not Dead Yet Style. Wish I could hang out for longer but I'll have more energy and time in a couple of months...

Sarah also included a skirt and top that made me speechless. I can't post it yet because I must do some tweaking before I can squeeze into the skirt. I'll just say, you have never seen sleeves like it before in your life. Hugs, Sarah. Wish I were there to loll about with you on the whore!

And this last photo conveys a bit of my real courtside self. Kick you to the curb? You betcha.  Especially in my orange platform court shoes. Bwa-ha-ha. Hugs, everyone. You are my joy.



Join The Travelling Yellow Skirt Freak Show

The Freakish Yellow Skirt is now retired. Thanks everyone, for joining! She is home, but she is not finished yet. Stay tuned. 

Yes - the FREAKISH yellow skirt (FYS) is flying around the world AGAIN! - and it wants YOU to style her as part of a I-surrender-to-positivity celebration. The globe-trekking, which kicked off in 2012, was Sarah's idea (from Misfits Vintage), and I think it's too much fun. Plus it's much easier than mailing a gnome - or myself considering how gnomish I look below.

 

REQUEST THE SKIRT

Send me an email, act like a diva (no spaces) AT g mail dot com. Include your full mailing address and I will tell the current skirt holder where the skirt should go next. I will notify you that the skirt is on its way. 

The list will be made in priority sequence, not according to geography. She is a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-skirt kind of skirt. Plus, MANY THANKS TO SHELLEY of Forest City Fashionista, for generously coordinating so much of the skirt's journey until now. 

AFTER YOU GET THE SKIRT

If you like, attach something to the skirt or alter it with paint, sewing, markers or other means. Please do not shorten the skirt because the length is part of its charm, and please maintain the skirt's flexible sizing. 

Post a photo of yourself in the skirt and let me know. I shall then put a notice on this blog and post a photo in the FYS Gallery.

Please try not to not keep the skirt for more than two weeks. She is a rambling gal and likes to be on the move.

SIDEBAR FYS BADGE

If you like, you can put the logo below (or in my sidebar) in your blog. The cartoon woman is modelled after Sarah.

SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY HERE.
(The gallery was on this post originally, but with 25+ women who have participated so far, a separate gallery was required.)

ABOUT THE SKIRT

The skirt is a slippery silky parachute-type fabric with an elastic and drawstring waist capable of accommodating many sizes. My addition to the skirt is below: acrylic paint, Vancouver badge, lovely squiggy sewing.

My journal sketches of the skirt: Jul. 16 and Aug. 5, 2012 ("atsui" means hot in Japanese). The animals hiding under the skirt are, importantly: a dog, a cat hanging by its claws, and a penguin.

I hope you will join this circus. 

B A C K G R O U N D

I bought this big lemon skirt on sale in July 2012. I wore it for the first time here. I wore it a couple more times in the summer and then did another post of it here as a purely inspirational piece.

What makes this skirt special is not only its vibrant colour but a particular comment about it which was very critical, excerpt: "you're looking unbelievably ugly in those clothes." I have to say that of all comments on Bag and a Beret, this one – which incidentally was written by a male friend (TT) - has had the most impact on me to date. In the midst of so many laudatory comments, here was one that directly questioned my style.

Until this criticism I admit that it was surreal writing and receiving so many superlatives and compliments on blog posts. Also, while I know that all the comments I receive (and write) are genuine (and seductive in their positivity), the absence of criticism was an elephant in the room. I couldn't help but wonder – isn't there more to it?

I believe that criticism can be useful, but this remark really made me think. And think... At first I was relieved and amused by it - but then hurt, angry, STOIC, so much drama! What I finally concluded is criticism IS meaningful - there must always be room for differing opinions - but in the context of my blog, where I am sharing my life/style adventures, I need safety for experimentation, which helps me grow stylistically through supportive remarks, enthusiasm, and gentle suggestions, and also grow new friendships. Much darkness breathes in the city around me, and I reason that surely, finally, I can afford to surrender fully to this online positivity that I have miraculously stumbled into. Private email still leaves plenty of room for critical engagement.

Would I publish this kind of criticism again? I really don't know, but TT shook me into an awakening, which was a good thing. It affirmed my style convictions, my blog intentions, and my respect for the blogging community, but it was also a reminder that I must continue to stretch and question myself, which I believe is part of what he was getting at. Also, the comment was definitely a case of "be careful what you wish for"! I regret that other comments on the post were derided by the remark, and I was very moved by fellow bloggers' swift and sure defence of me and their own opinions.

The travelling yellow skirt freak show represents the positivity and solidarity I discovered through what happened. Apparently Helga of Helga von Trollop had done a similar thing in the past with a quilted bag (which took an unknown detour), so this is not an original concept, but I do hope you embrace this skirt and what it means. Sarah was a genius to apply the idea to this skirt. I will feel incredibly happy knowing that the big bright yellow sail of a skirt is flying and flapping wildly around the world with its message:

Let's enjoy life!! 

Let's enjoy dressing up!!

It's just frickin' fabric!! (a really good piece though)

We surrender to the positivity!

Let's dance, baby!!

I look forward to seeing this skirt on any of my existing friends, and new friends, who want to join in!!!! (More gratuitous exclamations!!!) Aaaaagh!!!!! IS THAT ENOUGH POSITIVITY FOR YA?!

Bwa-hahaha!

Deep Floral Haze

Fabulous Sarah at Misfits Vintage declared this FLORAL WEEK, rather "arbitrarily" and only lasting as long as she felt like it - that's my kind of Floral Week. Doesn't she look fabulous in that floral-splashed coat that Vix gave her?

Today was dark and dreary so I decided that perhaps a little floral therapy would be good medicine. I stumbled to my closet - think of me here as Pig-Pen in Charlie Brown both in my state of mind and dress - and tugged out this maxi dress, praying for floral healing powers. Then, SHAZAM, POOF!

Suddenly I awoke and the world embraced me, it drew me to her bosom and whispered, "My pet, we are one again." Aglow, I skipped downtown with beatific joy until a smiling gentle soul greeted me with, "Snap out of it, biotch!" Bwa-ha-ha. No, that didn't happen at all. But the florals did pick up my mood. I'd say those sneaky flowers reduced my grumbling by, oh, 50 percent, which is pretty darned good.

Details of the ensemble:

• vintage homemade maxi dress, thrifted
• ankle boots, retail
• white maxi slip, thrifted
• black coat, retail
• red wool beret, thrifted
• oversized aubergine silk blouse, hand-me-over

I always look like that photo above when I'm cold, my collar turned up as high as possible, as if that's going to make the cold go away.

So happy florals! I found a few other florals growing in my closet while I was rooting around. I never know what I'll turn up. I hope you're all having a great week. I love that song Deep Purple. Bring it on!