A Creative Honeymoon...

Just saw this over at Snippet and Ink and it put the biggest smile on my face. Doesn't this look like the most fun ever! So much better than a cruise or a random island.

I know it's just a car commercial, but it is oh-so-sweet. Haven't figured out yet what the song is so if you know please tell me!

The Girls With Glasses Show

Loving these girls!

I Am A Girl - The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

I also think they have just inspired my Halloween costume for this year,
but I won't be more specific lest I spoil the surprise!

A Breath of Fresh Gabardine...

So this is not the post I was setting out to write a few days ago, but my thoughts have been interrupted by a piece of costuming work so gorgeous I'm having trouble doing anything other than trying to recreate a specific vest.

Namely this one...

Dorcas Lane, Postmistress and Bonne Vivante

Now, pretty much everyone I know is aware that I love Costume Drama's, especially those based on literature. I do tend to go on about them. Now there is something kind of fun about these productions that not a lot of people are aware of unless they are addicts like myself. There is a whole group of people who like to try and spot all of the costumes that get reused from movie to movie. )See this article for an idea of what I'm talking about... http://www.costumersguide.com/reused_regency.shtml)

One of my favorite examples is a Black and White pinstriped traveling gown worn in by main characters Lady Dedlock in the newer production of Dicken's "Bleak House" and also Margaret Hale in Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South" (my personal favorite.)




My point I guess is this; while Costume Drama's are lovely and obviously the costumes themselves are part of the point, it is rare in my experience to be really blown away by the inventiveness or clever spirit of a design, rather than simply the historical accuracy.

I have only just begun watching the BBC series "Lark Rise to Candleford." I'm only 3 episodes into the first season (and waiting very impatiently for the next disc from Netflix,) but within the very first episode I was so wowed by the costuming to the point where there are individual pieces I am determined to adapt for myself, the vest at the top of this post being the first. I only wish I could find a picture of the back to show you as it is just as fantastic as the front.

For me the genius of these pieces lies in the color, and the cleverness. The palette is so different from what we normally see for this period, and the designs appear to be so informed by the character wearing them instead of merely by their social class. (Though social class and it's distinctions are the driving force of the story.) They also seemed to be truly informed by "fashion", both that of the time and of the present.

Thus far Dorcas Lane, the local postmistress, is wearing the things I would want for myself, but here are a few other examples...

Laura Timmins is the main protagonist, a poor village girl who is sent from her home in Lark Rise to work and study in the middleclass town of Candleford. Her clothing is perfect for her age of 16, but very much conveys her coming of age, and more importantly the transition she is making to a life of slightly higher standing. Some of the things she wears are a little outdated and awkward, but I would bet that this becomes much less pronounced the longer the show continues and the longer she is in Candleford.

Seen here in their Sunday best, sisters Pearl and Ruby run the local haberdashery in Candleford. They are your run of the mill busybodies and town gossips.Their matching outfits are a scream, and the thing they remind me of the most are the shopgirls in Pretty Woman who are less than charitable toward Julia Roberts. They are also a bit fashion victimy which I love.

Lady Adelaide is the well bred London wife of the local Squire Sir Timothy. She is tall and willowy and as Dorcas first describes her, impossibly beautiful. More than anything she consistently looks like a very realistic version of one of the elaborate china dolls my Grandmother loved so much. A bit carved from marble. I'm certainly interested to see where they take her character. I'm desperately trying not to give too much away! She has one full lace dress that I wish I could find a photo of. Absolutely to die for.

And finally, the inimitable Dawn French as the spendthrift and usually drunken Mrs. Arless. Forever wandering about with her stays exposed, she is perhaps one of the best examples of why this show is so different for me. In most productions set in the Victorian era, a character like Mrs. Arless would look quite different. She is incredibly poor, uneducated, with 6 children and a husband at sea. In addition she spends all the money she does have on beer and frivolities and then has to beg her neighbors for food for her children. If this were Dicken's, she might retain the comic aspect of her character, but she'd certainly have a more drab appearance and wouldn't have a prayer of escaping with such ease the many scrapes she gets herself into. The fact that she is so colorful and that her poverty is acknowledged in such a different way (the lack of an overbodice, the rips in her indian shawl) is a refreshing delight.

I've also recently watched the miniseries "Desperate Romantics" which explored the lives and loves of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. While I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped, it is another example of really interesting and different Victorian design, this time with a focus on the men and a more Bohemian aspect of Victorian London than we normally see.

John Millais, Gabriel Rosetti, William Hunt, and Fred Walters

Well, I suppose that's all for now. I have proved that I CAN blog again! Look for the post I was originally working on to be here soon!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

And She's Back!

...tap tap....

...testing 1...2...3........

I don't know if anyone is still out there, but about 13 months I think I'm ready to be back. I suppose I'll give you all an update on the last year of my life at some point, but right now I'm just glad that I'm feeling inspired to be back in this space.

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful wrap-up to your summer. I for one am beyond ready for a beautiful fall here in New York.

I'm going to start posting again this week once I decide where the blog is headed, so I hope to be seeing you all soon!

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Cake Kisses!

Coming soon from the BBC... The Final NEW Jane!

So in January of 2008 when PBS did their "The Complete Jane Austen" broadcast, I only had one beef. We got brilliant new productions of everything but Pride and Prejudice (they showed the 1995 Colin Firth), and Emma (they went for the 1996 Kate Beckinsale). Now, to reshoot Pride and Prejudice is obviously unnecessary, but to my mind there has never been a great film adaptation of Emma. So why not try and fix it, no?

Well thank goodness the BBC decided not to wait too long, and there will be a new 4 hour miniseries of Emma broadcast on the BBC in October of this year. We should expect an airing on PBS here in the states soon after. The cast look pretty good to me with Romola Garai as Emma, Jonny Lee Miller as Mr. Knightley, and Michael Gambon as Mr. Woodhouse. Hopefully this will live up to the beauty of the other recent adaptations, (Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion in particular.)

Here's a sneak peek from the BBC...



Also, I don't normally go in for the video mash-ups on youtube, but I do find this one rather amusing. Seems like a perfect modern song for all the old romantic novels.

Trust is quicksand...

I've been working on a new project lately that has involved a lot of musical research. This week I discovered the band Sleeping at Last, and after downloading their album I've fallen in love with the lyrics to this song. They may end up being fairly instrumental to the project.

I shiver every time I read this:

Quicksand by Sleeping at Last

There are wires in between
Human heart and machine.
I will wait for mountains
To tell me you’re okay…

On paper my future will lay.
I’ll fold every failure into a crane.

Trust is quicksand,
Claiming everything I have,
All to give me life, all to give me life.

Slow down, hide your eyes!
The sun is setting fire
Through glass, branches deep.
I cough only to breathe.

Trust is quicksand,
Claiming everything I have,
All to give me life, all to give me life.
One thousand more to go,
I’ll send every prayer from below.
I was swallowed by a whale.

Slow down, you’re all words
And love is made of yarn.
Scissors,
A slip of the hand, a slip of the tongue;
God knows I meant no harm, I meant no harm.

In between every promise and lie there is a kiss.
In between tempers and suitcases there is a kiss.

In between medicine and the sick there is a kiss.
In between arrows, aim, and release, there is a kiss.

(Anchors in reverse
Lead us back to birth.)

Japanese Trailer for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

There are no words for how amazing this looks.

Britains Got Talent, indeed!

Check out Miss Susan Boyle of Scotland. This just taught me a lot about how cynical I've become since moving to New York.



Youtube has disabled the embed feature for this clip, but follow this link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

A Drop Of Golden Sun...

At least that's how this little video makes me feel.

Quite the cheerer upper on a grey Friday morning.

Make sure to watch the whole thing with sound.
You won't believe how big it gets.

It's Very Hard to Keep the Line...

The trailer for the HBO adaptation of Grey Gardens, starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as Big Edie and Little Edie Beale respectively is finally out! Based on the iconic 1970's documentary of the same name, the movie will explore the backstory as well as the documentary period, of Jackie O's eccentric relatives.

I have to admit, when I head they had cast Drew Barrymore as Little Edie I was very, VERY skepticle, but this trailer is giving me a bit more hope. She seems to have the voice down at least. Jessica Lange looks so much like Big Edie it's downright creepy.

I may have to subscribe to HBO for the month of April just so that I can actually see this before it comes out on DVD.

Somethings Coming, Something Good...

This photo from the new Broadway revival of West Side Story exemplifies everything I love about music theatre. This is what makes my student loans worth it.

(photo: Joan Marcus; courtesy of NY Magazine)

By the way, have you seen this West Side Story tribute spread over at Vanity Fair?

(Photos: Mark Seliger; courtesy of Vanity Fair)

We get Jennifer Lopez as Anita, Rodrigo Santoro as Bernardo, and tons of great tongue in cheek current stars including; Robert Pattinson, Camilla Belle, Ashley Tisdale, Chris Evans, and Ben Barnes. There's a 10 photo slideshow, so definitely go check it out here.

If I only get to see one show this year, this will definitely be my pick. Incidentally, it also features Cody Green (the season 1 winner of Bravo's Step It Up and Dance), as leader of the Jets, Riff. He's the one in the Red.

(photo: Joan Marcus)

My NYC/Kansas Dichotomy

I've always had trouble explaining to people why I love living in New York so much. I miss Kansas, and love the relatively simple life I had there, but there is just something about this city that lets me know I'll never leave. At least not unless there is a major change in my life sometime soon.

I just read this poem by one of my all time favorite poets Anna Ahkmatova. To me, this says it all.



Somewhere there is a simple life and a world
Transparent, warm, joyful ...
There at evening a neighbour talks with a girl
Across the fence, and only the bees can hear
This most tender murmuring of all.

But we live ceremoniously and with difficulty
And we observe the rites of our bitter meetings,
When suddenly the reckless wind
Breaks off a sentence just begun —

But not for anything would we exchange this splendid
Granite city of fame and calamity,
The wide rivers of glistening ice,
The sunless, gloomy gardens,
And, barely audible, the muse's voice.


-Anna Ahkmatova

I could sqeeze right?

Today I pose a simple question...

Why are these shoes not in my size?

via Dear Golden Vintage on Etsy

My sadness...

I've known about this for days now, and still have no idea what to say. Domino Magazine, my favorite shelter mag, is officially dead. In the past year we've lost House and Garden, Cottage Living, and Blueprint. They just keep falling one by one. I must try to not get attached to any other magazines in the near future. I must say it's like losing a friend. I know when my final issue of Domino arrives in the mail it will be an evening that I will savor. A cup of chai and a comfy chair, a final hour or two with my friends the editors. Ugh, now it sounds like a wake.

This is depressing now, so I will stop. Thank goodness I saved all my back issues. Sniff.

Cheese Thievery...

I don't really appreciate when notes get put up in my apartment because I, like this website, find it to be terribly passive aggressive.

That being said... this blog (Passive Aggressive Notes) is my new favorite thing.

Ahhh, cheese thievery, the roomies of 2C know you all too well.

New Weekliness!

I'm not sure if that's even a word, but nonetheless! I am announcing the first weekly installment here at Le Hot Tomato of Perfect Photo Friday*.

Because it's the first Friday of Fall, and we all know that makes me happy... I give you this photo, which makes me happy in the exact same fashion.

* I reserve the right to change the name of this weekly entry at any point when I'm feeling more creative.

Vote for Chuck!

Fall is my favorite season for many reasons, but mainly it's my favorite season for clothes. Colder weather means more layers. More layers mean more opportunity to play with different looks. Fall is perfect for this because you don't have to ruin your look with an enormous coat.

My inspiration this fall? One word. CHUCK!

Above is Charlotte "Chuck" Charles, the charming heroine from the show Pushing Daisies.

Below is Anna Friel, the actress who plays above mentioned character.

Basically I am of the opinion that who ever is costuming this show is a genius. Or at the very least is someone I want to be really good friends with. The clothes and show are totally kitschy and right up my alley, and the character of Chuck is so spunky and caring and adventurous.

I want to be Chuck.

Also, I would really like Lee Pace for christmas this year.

Here are some real world ideas on where to nab some of Chucks modern vintage style.

Silhouette's from the 1940's-1960's are essential. Play with texture and detailing in the construction of the garments. Chuck also often rocks a monochromatic palette, with matching shoes, hat and bag. As long as you are working with peices that are bright and detailed it won't look too dyed to match. Keep it creative.

Nanette Lepore

Also keep in mind prints, and keep them large and girly, nothing too modern.

Michael Kors

Finally, this show is nothing if not whimsical, so just remember to have fun. Wear things that are a little bit fairy tale. As long as you wear it with confidence you will pull it off. Chuck also has a bit of a tomboy streak, so always include a nod to that sensibility. It will keep the look grounded.

Tracy Reese

In the end just remember to enjoy yourself when dressing no matter what your personal style. Don't wear something unless you love it and feel good in it, and let your internal compass (not the current trend) be your guide.

Happy Dressing, and Happy Fall!

And yet my will power lives on...

Remember this Anna Scholz dress I wrote about back in May...

Well it's down from $630 to $422. Maybe it will get down even lower someday. Le Sigh.

Also the reversible Cynthia Rowley skirt I fell in love with back in November is on clearance.

But not in my size. Le double sigh.

It's fashion week in NYC so expect more coverage!

And the rice veil opened...

This past week I have been reading Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I realize that I'm a little late to this party. It's one of those books that I heard about through an incredibly long grapevine and was more interested in because it is resulting in a movie in which Meryl Streep plays Julia Child more than for what it was actually about. This was of course before I realized what it was actually about.

Now being a New Yorker who works as a secretary but is really an actress who is not currently really getting anywhere with it is something I can completely identify with. Loving good french food is another. Needless to say, I am enjoying this book. I can laugh along with the author about the vagaries of New York City apartment plumbing. I know all to well the thin line between happiness and humiliation that is toed when throwing a dinner party with nothing but a faulty gas stove and a prayer.

Does it make me want to follow suit and whip up every single recipe in Mastering The Art Of French Cooking? Absolutely not. At least not in 365 days. However, it does make me realize that even for all of the adventurous eating I do, there are so many things I've never tried, either from simple lack of opportunity or stubbornly clinging childhood resistances.

What finally got through to me was the section of the book where they kept eating liver. And rhapsodizing about it. Now this is definitely one of those childhood things, and except maybe for turkey liver chopped up tiny in the Thanksgiving gravy, liver is definitely a substance that has never passed my lips. Well, last night I finally manned up. That's not to say I ate any liver, but I did call my mother to request that she make it the next time I'm home. (My mother is a liver fan, and I always like to have something cooked for me once before I attempt to make it myself.

So I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I should attempt to be an even more adventurous eater than I already am. I should seek out new and exciting flavors (and make myself try them in at least two or three preparations before giving up.)

I already like brussel sprouts, eggplant, and beets which are kind of the trifecta of veggies that everybody hates. So, what should I try next? I'm open to suggestions. although I do think there's no way any of you will ever get me to eat aspic. What I do know is that the next time I decide I need a cocktail at the end of a stressful day I'm going to try a vodka gimlet on for size. You can only read about how delightful they are for so long before giving in to temptation.

To Be Stirred...

is I think one of my favorite life experiences. Whether it's a peice of art, or a song, or just something you hear someone say on the street; that feeling of your heart lifting in your ribcage in a moment of euphoria is something that is always genuine. And anything in this day and age that is truly genuine should be cherished.

I was stirred last night during (possibly the worst ever) Tony awards broadcast. But though the broadcast itself was bad, there were a few numbers that stood out. For me, there was nothing to compare with "Move On" from Sondheim's Sunday In The Park With George. This performance along with the letter Sondheim wrote in acceptance of his lifetime achievement award, absolutely made the night for me. I'd like to share them both with you here.

Stephen Sondheim
Special Tony Award® for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
(As read by Mandy Patinkin)

Thank you all, but this award has to be shared with Julius Epstein, Arthur Laurents, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, George Furth, Jim Goldman, John Weidman, Hugh Wheeler and James Lapine. These are the men who created the characters that sang the songs, the situations that gave rise to the songs and the criticism that improved the songs. They were my collaborators. They are called playwrights. They invent. They make whole cloth out of nothing. They make a hat where there never was a hat. And they don’t just write musicals.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m not sharing this Award with Hal Prince, it’s because he already has one.

Lifetime Achievement has a deadly sound to it, a ring of finality, a faint whiff of "You’ve outlived your usefulness." And, as you get older, you start to believe that. At least some writers do, including me.

The problem is that the more venerable you get, the harder it becomes to avoid the fear of not living up to the expectations and praise that are bestowed on you -- as in the form of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nevertheless, buoyed by your encouragement, with more Lifetime I -- we -- promise you more, if not higher, Achievement.

Thank you all again.




Edit: How could I forget the one part of the evening that actually made me tear up a little!!!!! What is wrong with me. I am referring of course, to this...