Kaleidoscopic Refrains

Monday, September 7, 2009

Wild Horses and One Little Butterfly

Yesterday I decided to go to a park in the town where Dan and I used to live. Its lovely and I've been thinking about taking outfit photos there for a while. The big highlight is an old bridge (with a very scenic New England view) that leads to nature trails. It was a beautiful day and my husband was out of town with his brother, so I decided to drive over and go for it.

The temperatures dipped into the 60's yesterday so it felt like the right time to break out my new 'wild horses' dress. I have a few vintage polyester dresses in this style and really like the way that they fit and when I found this one with the huge horse print, I couldn't help but buy it a few months back. I grew up on a horse farm, and although I'm not a huge fan of equestrian themed clothes, this one just called out to me from the rack.

When I had finished taking the photos and was packing up my things, I noticed a butterfly flying around me. I think it was actually following me as I walked so I pulled out my camera to take a few snaps of it. This might be the first time one has let me get so close. I ended up taking about ten photos, but chose three of my favorites to share here. It was a sweet end to a lovely afternoon in the park. I hope everyone else had a nice holiday weekend!

(Please Click on Any of the Photos If You Wish to Enlarge Them:)

Belt: Target
Dress: Vintage
Shoes: Anthropologie
Pearl Earrings: Gift
Purse: Thrifted

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Precious in Pale Yellow

I love this dress. The best word for it is probably precious. The peter pan collar, lacy details and little buttons decorated with gold swirls...along with the color....have made it one of my recent favorite finds. I wasn't sure if the color suited me or not, but couldn't help but snap it up a few weeks ago when I spotted it in one of my favorite vintage stores. Today was the first time I've worn it, and I initially thought about pairing it with white t-straps and a white bag, but decided instead to go with the dark brown shoes and belt. I guess I wasn't feeling all that precious this morning:)

The breezy, breathable cotton fabric of this frock was perfect for a warm afternoon of thrifting and walking around the city, then coming home for some cooking, photos and hemming while I finished An American in Paris. I hope everyone else is having a wonderful holiday weekend as well!

(Please click on any of the photos if you wish to enlarge them:)

Dress: Handmade Vintage
Shoes: I love Comfort
Belt: Thrifted
Pearls: Gift

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Movie Inspiration: An American In Paris

Credit

Lately I've realized something...I have forgotten about so many movies that I watched while growing up and loved. I guess Turner Classic Movies was on all of the time and I viewed so many that a great deal of them have just slipped from my current thoughts. Today, between running errands all day and then meeting my husband and friends for dinner in the town where he works, I made time to sit on the couch and watch the majority of a An American in Paris...and fall in love all over again.

Immediately I was flooded with old emotions...namely my young infatuation with Gene Kelly. Oh the man was amazing: he could sing, he could dance and he looked amazing doing it all. I also remember really enjoying the Parisian neighborhood scenes and did again today, singing along to the majority of the songs (to the chagrin, I think, of my neighbors downstairs:), reveling in the technicolor, the costumes, the various dance numbers and the romantic love between Lisa and Jerry. Lisa's various full and pencil skirts, her nipped waist dresses, wide belts, and perfect bow tie and vest (see the second to last pic) inspired me so very much. I had to share a few stills with you all from the film. I hope you enjoy them as much as I always do!