Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Oops...It happened again...

Every night I have the same struggle.  I open my computer to 'just jump online for a sec to check emails.'  But I end up spending much more than the intended 2 minutes it takes to log onto my email account.  Tonight was not much different, but I told myself, "I will just read this short article called '3Ways to Make Your Fall Wardrobe Look New Again' on Yahoo, and then I will go to bed."  My plan was going smoothly...until, of course, I got to the part about shoe clips.  Until today I have never heard of such a thing, so naturally I had to click on the link to www.AbsolutelyAudrey.com.  With a name like that, how could I refuse?  And there I found a form of heaven on earth...  This website is inspired by Audrey Hepburn and sells clips of bows, jewels, etc. to clip on shoes to make them new and beautiful!  Who knew??  Take a look at them...

Before and After

Sabrina Shoe Clips - Ivory Satin  $20.00

Nadia - Blush Pink  $10.00
Zinnia - Ivory  $15.00

Twiggy black and cream enamel shoe clips
Twiggy Shoe Clips - Cream and Black  $15.00
Grosgrain fabric bow shoe clips
Tiffany Shoe Clips - Light Green  $12.00
 Yet another thing to spend my hard earned euros on.  But OF COURSE it would be a veery worth while investment... Naturally.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Carefree like a bird...

There are days, there are moments, when I wish I was a bird...  As I watch them dance through the air in such a carefree manner, I long to be like them, to be able to fly free with no cares, no stress, no worries.  I long to be able to fly out of sheer joy and pleasure with no thoughts of the time, the day, or the season.  I also wonder what they think of... What is going on inside the head of a barn swallow as it soars through the air, high one moment, and then dropping quickly down within inches of the ground the next?  Is food it's only goal, or is there some higher pleasure that it takes in feeling the wind in it's face?
But as I wish I could be like the birds, I remember... They have no ability to love, to feel joy...to know God.  Their life may seem like happiness, but really we are so blesses.  We can feel the love of another person.  We  can experience joy in life.  We can have a personal, loving relationship with the One who created the birds...Jesus.  And that, I realize with a smile, is so much better...

Saturday, October 8, 2011

People with willpower...

I have been thinking lately about all those famous people who really pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps and became successful through blood, sweat, and tears.  One of my favorite books is Me by Katharine Hepburn.  
She was a woman who when she failed she just got right back up and tried again.  People told her that she was not good enough and that she would never make it, but look how she did.  She is world famous and is recognized as one of the best actresses to ever live.
Another woman who comes to mind is Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel.  Most people know her as simply Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer.  She started with absolutely nothing.  When she was twelve, her mother died and her father left her in the care of nuns and then never returned.  When she was eighteen, she started working, first as a singer and then as a seamstress.  She started designing hats as a hobby, but then turned it into a full-time business.  After that, she added clothing and perfume.  Although her personal life had some flaws and hardships, she still created an empire and thriving business from nothing.  
In a way, Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry in the first part of the 20th century, because she realized that women were being forced to wear clothing that was highly restricting, uncomfortable, and impractical.  She wanted to make clothing that was stylish, classy, and still practical, with many of her designs inspired by men's wear.  During World War II, she realized that women were working in jobs that had been previously filled by men and the wealthy women no longer had women to help them get dressed.  So she began catering to the needs of the time, by making clothing that was easier to put on and also more comfortable for working long hours in factories and on assembly lines, but still fashionable and classy.  When the love of her life, Captain Arthur Edward 'Boy' Capel died in a car accident in 1919, she catered to that need by creating a simple black dress for herself, that could be worn every day.  Little did she know at the time, that this dress would become famous and be known simply as her 'Little Black Dress'.  
When I read about all the principals that Coco Chanel stood for, it saddens me a bit to see what has become of Chanel now.  I often look at the pictures from the Chanel runway shows today and can imagine that Coco Chanel would be rolling over in her grave if she knew what the models are wearing.  I see the models squeezed into these monstrosities that look far from comfortable or practice.  Coco Chanel designed clothing for women to wear in every day life, but I do not even know when women would wear what they show on the runways and catwalks.
Here are some photographs from the 2011 Chanel runway shows:
A model walks the runway during the Chanel Ready to Wear Spring/Summer 2011 show during Paris Fashion Week at Grand Palais on October 5, 2010 in Paris, France.
Chanel Ready To Wear Spring/Summer 2011, Paris Fashion Week

 
Chanel Ready To Wear Spring/Summer 2011

chanel couture fall 2011 runway 31 092011472845 716x1024 Couture Report
Chanel Autumn/Winter 2011

While I still love many of the collections that Chanel has put out, when I see dresses like the one above, I wish that Coco Chanel were still alive to tell them that a dress like that would be impossible to walk in.  I guess no good thing lasts forever...