Thursday, February 7, 2013

Wendy as Peter Pan

Ah, Thursday.  Here you are again!  All sunny and happy.  But your are only toying with me, as the weather outside is -35 with windchill and there is ANOTHER snowstorm coming tomorrow.  Sigh... 

I will probably go get groceries today so I can be ready with wine and chocolates tomorrow.  But you know the old saying: Life gives you snow, make snow angels!


I noticed an ad on TV today that Disney's Peter Pan was recently released for the "first time ever" on Hi-Def/Blu-Ray DVD on February 5th.



It can be no surprise to you all that I am a fan of Peter Pan.  I was named after THE Wendy after all.  It was my Dad's favourite book when he was a kid.



The story about the boy who doesn't want to grow up has been around for over one hundred years.  Authored by Scotsman James M. Barrie, it has been performed as much on stage as on film.  It was beloved by my mother's mother as well, who named her son Barry James after the illustrious author.

When I was in London, of course I had to go visit Peter's statue in Kensington Gardens, which thrilled my father, who had visited it himself in the 1950s:



I bought the paperback version myself at university as I loved the illustration, although I am partial to the version below that includes a certain "other name" in the title:




Over the years, I have received the odd doll:



And I loved the film about James Barrie starring Johnny Depp, Finding Neverland



As you may know, the name Wendy first appeared in print (or anywhere else) in Peter Pan.  According to Wikipedia:

This play introduced audiences to the name Wendy, which was inspired by a young girl, Margaret Henley, who called Barrie 'Friendy', but could not pronounce her Rs very well and so it came out as 'Fwendy'

But what made me think of Peter Pan this fine winter day, besides the Disney commercial I saw?

Well, my outfit of the day, actually.  I got up this morning and felt like wearing something I normally wear in a dressier way in a way that is more comfortable.  I typically wear the dress in this picture with nice dark hose and high heels and a blazer.  It is a lovely silk chiffon dress from Alice + Olivia that I bought a couple of years ago.  Today, I wore it with a pair of leggings and one of my Tippi cardigans.  When I went out, I wore it with my black boots.  In the house, just plain old loafers and an apron when I did the odd picking up.



And a close-up of the leggings, which I have had for awhile as well - I like the details (embellished chic - remember?)


Worn with legggings, this little dress seemed kind of Peter Pan like, almost like a little tunic. 

So I felt quite like me all day and was glad to be able to repurpose a work outfit for use at home!
So happy Thursday: Do you Believe?

Stay Safe Out There!




25 comments:

  1. I believe...that is a perfect way to repurpose your dress. And those creative tights are so fun. I adore the magic of Peter Pan!

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    1. I realized I only had two pair of leggings to me name, except for exercise leggings, and these were one of the two. I think I bought them for some funky event, but I can;t recall!

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  2. Cool leggings! Embellished chic indeed, they are perfect.

    I love the story of your name and how significant that book has been in your family's life!

    I like how you re-purposed your dress. I am trying to get better about "re-mixing" my clothes, ie making various outfits out of them. I tend to think too much in fixed outfits.

    Do you speak/read French? I found a personal stylist's column that has some gems in it sometimes. A lot of it is about being on trend, but there are some great ideas in there about organizing your wardrobe, how to make certain items work, etc. The comments are always useful too. Here's one about working from home: http://blogs.lexpress.fr/styles/mode-personnel/2013/01/18/mon-molleton-home-work/

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    1. Hi Abby! I am guilty of the same thing - wearing the same thing the exact same way - I am mixing it up now! I do indeed speak french so I will go and check this out! Thanks for the tip!

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  3. That's such wonderful background to your name, I love that you visited the statue and have the book and doll. Next up is Barrie's house in Kirriemuir when I drag you over!

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    1. Oh Yes! I have to go see that for sure! When I took my kids to Disney WOrld, we met 'Wendy" - the kids were so excited as for them, it was "THE" Wendy! She and I had our picture taken together! I have always wanted a blue nightie like that, but have never found one! I am starting to think I should be like Dani and have some things made! My daughter and her friend want to visit Mood, the fabric store in NYC made famous by Project RUnway. I may go along and actually look for a really nice silk linen blend and have someone make me a simple dress for summer! I certainly couldn't make it myself!

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    2. Or you could go to "Bonne Nuit" on Lex and 81st. It's like the Ali Baba of the nightgown, I am sure you will find it there

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  4. What a fun post! I love the story of Peter Pan AND Wendy. I've been to the theatre to see it twice, once at the Shaw, and at Stratford. Guess who is in a production of Peter Pan this April, that's right our little Miss, well she didn't get the part of Wendy (everyone wanted it) but she is playing Tootles, a Lost Boy. Rehearsing 6 hours a week these days.
    Are you going to that fabric store? How fun is that. WIll you please take pictures?
    Yes we've got snow coming today and it is looking cold and gray outside just now. Stay warm.

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    1. Well I think tootles is the better part - Wendy is a bit of a fusspot (in the book and real life!)

      I have not been to the Stratford in 28 years! I really must take Barry - he would love it!

      I will definitely take pictures at Mood for you! That will be a girl trip. Barry refused to go with us, not because he dislikes Project Runway, just that being in a fabric store for even 15 minutes does him in!

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  5. How many couples can say their names were inspired by the same book???? Talk about meant to be.

    I've had dresses made after childbirth; as I am not a film star, it took me longer than 3 months to resume my former size. I found a lovely woman with a sewing business, some Italian wool crepe, and viola1

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    1. I may go look at patterns myself this week for summer. I would love two or three lovely little shift dresses cut perfectly to my shape!

      I am cleaning the shelves this morning in our open kitchen cupboards. Ugh! I have done one shelf, had to scrub with vinegar and baking soda and am taking a break. ugh!

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    2. Then you will need a Non Caloric Reward for completeing this task.

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    3. Hey Lane - you are right - I drove into town and walked in the mall and got nothing, but did 2Km - it is so cold here, impossible outside, it is -37 right now with windchill! Back now for lunch and more cleaning!

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  6. I took my son to see the production of Peter Pan last winter in Madison Square Garden. We had fabulous seats and Peter flew right above us and sprinkled us with fairy dust at the end - it was magical. I saved it of course. It's a great story and your outfit is lovely Wendy!

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    1. Oh A! That sounds amazing! I bet he loved it! I remember being once at the old Boston Gardens at the circus and a motorcycle on a highwire went over us - too cool!

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  7. I adore Peter Pan, and love that your father named you for Wendy. I saw it on Broadway with Mary Martin playing Peter Pan -how's that for dating me! I find it sort of fascinating how we all got our names, and all the back stories. Would be fun to do a post on that.

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    1. That's a great idea Kathy! You have helped me come up with tomorrow's post! And people will even be able to explain their nom de plumes...

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  8. You and Barry named after the same book, this kind of stuff makes you say oh c'mon when they put in in the movies and yet, here you are, hanging padlocks on the fence in Paris...
    I think the dress with the legging (love the embelishments) is THE perfect outfit, comfy, warm, great proportions, beautiful color, everything works...

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    1. Hi AJC! Thanks for the nice comments! I am still marvelling over your wonderful post yesterday - it was so good!!!!

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  9. BIG ADVENTURE As JM says, “All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.” Thanks for sprinkling ours with a bit of sparkle and spunk IRL Wendy (in between scrubbing cupboards). Love today's post and look forward to tomorrow's. Definitely agree you should do a couple of custom shift dresses in your best hues, there is nothing like perfectly tailored or personally made, and need not be that 'spensive (think CPW). With the Mood girls' visit that could be a fab NYC souvenir ( unique, and no Poly).

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    1. Maybe I will call Tim and take him with us - he is all for good quality, affordable fashion!!! Am wondering how Dani is making out with her return?

      Upper cupboards all done. I am not worried about germs now in NYC - I think I had them here!!I think my spring cleaning will be done by March this year!!

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  10. Love your outfit, looks great! I have not seen it in person, but I love that Peter Pan statue from Kensington Gardens. And your doll too! Cool story!

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  11. I got to see Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan. A very classic story. However, I could not have that Peter Pan doll in my room. Neither then nor now. Kinda creepy looking :)

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    1. He is hidden way down in the bottom of my DVD shelf. He is kind of odd-looking isn't he? And the history of having small women play him on stage (Mary, Sandy Duncan, Cathy) is kind of odd, too! Cathy Rigby was awfully cute!

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  12. Never saw Peter Pan on stage (wait, I saw it once in Italy but it didn't stick apparently) but I LOVED Finding Neverland. Interesting about the name Wendy, we always learn something reading your blog!

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