Monday, August 8, 2011

in which life is a fashionable circus

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So, it's Monday. Once again. I had a pretty good weekend, although an intense anxious boredom descended upon me on Sunday afternoon between museum-going and K's return home. Sometimes I just feel so bored that it absolutely incapacitates me... and it usually happens when I've been a busy little bee for so long that I forget how to relax!

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(dress/scarf/sunglasses/shoes: thrifted; socks: uo)

I bought this dress soooo long ago and have yet to wear it on this blog (actually I think I wore it once before but I can't remember if I posted the pictures... I just remember I didn't like them). It was one of those things that I bought without trying on and then didn't really like the way it fit. But it fits fine so I'm not sure what I thought was wrong with it! Anyway, I love how the little pockets look like tulips :)

On Friday night K and I stayed in and watched a movie (LA Story), which was light and funny and just what we needed after a stressful week. Saturday he left really early and I got up around the same time and went for a run, then hit Goodwill for a bit of a shopping spree (I definitely stocked up for A/W, although every single dress I bought needs serious hemming) before meeting my friend Elizabeth at VCAM to load up some film equipment. We chatted over iced mate at the bar below her apartment, then started setting up to film the first in what we hope will be a series of interviews for a documentary we are working on. We finally wrapped around midnight and went out to meet her BF at a bar where we drank G&T and watched people sing karaoke until the wee hours.

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The next morning I dropped her (and the equipment) off at work and headed over to the Shelburne Museum to check out the In Fashion exhibit. It was definitely enjoyable, albeit a bit small (pretty much to be expected around here), and I spent a couple of hours closely examining couture and stepping back through the fashion of decades past. Having never seen a couture gown up close, I was absolutely astonished at how beautiful and intricate they really are. I think one of my favorite parts of the exhibit was the FIT student work. The museum had a small collection of bodices that were missing skirts, and they opened up a competition to FIT students to complete the look. I just thought it was a pretty creative way to juxtapose contemporary and historical fashion design and to expose the community to new design talent.

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The only other exhibit I was really excited about was the Circus Figures and Posters. It didn't disappoint. The moment I walked in the door I was awed by an elaborate hand-carved three-ring circus (Kirk Bros), which Edgar Kirk fashioned over a period of 40 years using a penknife and treadle jigsaw! Can you imagine committing to a project like that for 40 years?? That's almost double my lifetime. I've always been fascinated by the old-time circus of the 30s, so this was definitely another interesting exhibit for me. Finally I headed home and waited for K to return with a fresh (and fabulous) tattoo... but man, do I feel exhausted! Getting up this morning was no easy feat.

9 comments:

  1. I don't know how you could be bored with a weekend like that! And I like the dress, especially the tulip-shaped pockets. I seriously need to stock up on A/W when I get back to Canada (where Thrift stores exist) : )

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  2. It sounds like you had a pretty packed weekend, I'm not surprised you are tired! I love hearing about museums that I can visit, so interesting. But man 40 years is insane!Very cute dress with those pockets.

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  3. I think the dress looks great! Love the color! I could never buy anything without trying it on...

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  4. that sounds like a packed weekend, how in the world did you get bored? I love the story behind those circus figurines, thats truly a commitment.

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  5. Those circus figurines are sooo cool! How interesting. Sounds like a great weekend, I often forget how to relax too haha
    I love your dress, the colour is so wonderful and perfect for summer!
    xJennaD

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  6. Those are probably the most adorable dress pockets ever! Also the little circus figurines are so cool!

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  7. Fab colour on your dress, I love the combo with the little scarf! And I always love the little touch of vintage look that a pair of t-strap shoes add to an outfit!

    Wow, the circus exhibition sounds (and looks) so cool! This is totally an exhibit I would enjoy looking at, there must be so many details on the little figurines! 40 years of work, that's amazing!

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  8. I love that scarf paired with your red dress. Really cool sunglasses too!

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