Yesterday, we discussed Chambray shirts.
Today, I want to discuss other things that inspire how I dress or decorate.
Movies are a big one. In 2004, when I saw Julie Delpy wear a little black peasant blouse with jeans in Before Sunset (see the picture below), I was desperate to find a similar top. Alas, it eluded me.
Last week, I re-watched Before Sunset in advance of catching Before Midnight and there was the blouse again, and this time, I decided to try again. After some searching - nada - nothing seemed close enough to delight me.
However, this black eyelet peasant top from this morning's July rollout at J Crew may fit the bill for me:
The 30% off doesn't hurt either. I have a white one that I bought 3 years ago there which I still love. I figure this is worth a try and will let you know what I think! The description said:
"Floaty, airy, light and breezy, this top is one of the main reasons why we love summer so much. Trimmed in intricate eyelet embroidery at the neck and sleeves, it's crafted from a slightly sheer blend of cotton and silk in an easy, oversize tent shape that works for day or night."
"Easy oversize tent"? That either has floating and airy written all over it or 8 months pregnant.... The proof will be in the pudding (and rumours of me eating pudding are just that..)
I had the same feeling when I saw Meg Ryan's apartment in You've Got Mail.
I just thought it was the coziest spot ever! I was ready to move right in! Even looking at the pictures now make me homesick for it! Isn't it funny how we can become homesick for places we have never been? I suffer from this a lot.
It is perhaps rivaled by Meryl Streep's kitchen in It's Complicated:
Oh marble counter tops, you will someday be mine!!! Do not warn me that they will wear poorly or get stained! I care not!
or maybe her garden, which was equally divine:
Oh Hollywood, come do over my house/yard/wardrobe!
How about you - anything you have seen or read lately that has begat a lustful thought in your head re: fashion and decorating?
*******
This afternoon, we found a wee little hummingbird dead in our garden. Oddly enough he was on top of the gazebo at the side of our house (the same one we ate in, GF). At first we thought he might just be stunned and as per advice on the internet (what DID we do before the internet?) we placed him in a bed of kleenex propped up next to a little saucer of sugar water. But sadly, he is dead and we will have a little service for him tomorrow (okay, maybe it will just be me...)
I know it is morbid, but I did take a picture as he was so exquisite! It seemed very Victorian of me to do so. Barry says he has gone to see Baby Jesus and I guess he has, as something that exquisite should be in heaven, oughtn't it?
It reminded me of the hymn we used to sing in Sunday School when I was a little girl:
God sees the little sparrow fall,
It meets His tender view;
If God so loves the little birds,
I know He loves me, too.
He loves me, too, He loves me, too,
I know He loves me, too;
Because He loves the little things,
I know He loves me, too.
He paints the lily of the field,
Perfumes each lily bell;
If He so loves the little flow’rs,
I know He loves me well.
God made the little birds and flow’rs,
And all things large and small;
He’ll not forget his little ones,
I know He loves them all.
I always thought that was such a sweet hymn and when I was young, it bucked me up quite a bit when things would seem bleak or tragic.
Of course, this cannot be the first hummingbird to die here over the years, but I suspect that now that we are home, we are noticing so much more of our little micro world, this little pageant of nature that plays daily in our own backyard. I will say that regardless of what happens work-wise and my working again and where I will work, I will always feel grateful to have this time to get re-acquainted with this little humble world that I have created. Now I will stop being all Pat of Silverbush on you and wish you the most happiest of Thursdays. Stay Safe out there!
Today, I want to discuss other things that inspire how I dress or decorate.
Movies are a big one. In 2004, when I saw Julie Delpy wear a little black peasant blouse with jeans in Before Sunset (see the picture below), I was desperate to find a similar top. Alas, it eluded me.
Last week, I re-watched Before Sunset in advance of catching Before Midnight and there was the blouse again, and this time, I decided to try again. After some searching - nada - nothing seemed close enough to delight me.
However, this black eyelet peasant top from this morning's July rollout at J Crew may fit the bill for me:
The 30% off doesn't hurt either. I have a white one that I bought 3 years ago there which I still love. I figure this is worth a try and will let you know what I think! The description said:
"Floaty, airy, light and breezy, this top is one of the main reasons why we love summer so much. Trimmed in intricate eyelet embroidery at the neck and sleeves, it's crafted from a slightly sheer blend of cotton and silk in an easy, oversize tent shape that works for day or night."
"Easy oversize tent"? That either has floating and airy written all over it or 8 months pregnant.... The proof will be in the pudding (and rumours of me eating pudding are just that..)
I had the same feeling when I saw Meg Ryan's apartment in You've Got Mail.
I just thought it was the coziest spot ever! I was ready to move right in! Even looking at the pictures now make me homesick for it! Isn't it funny how we can become homesick for places we have never been? I suffer from this a lot.
It is perhaps rivaled by Meryl Streep's kitchen in It's Complicated:
Oh marble counter tops, you will someday be mine!!! Do not warn me that they will wear poorly or get stained! I care not!
or maybe her garden, which was equally divine:
Oh Hollywood, come do over my house/yard/wardrobe!
How about you - anything you have seen or read lately that has begat a lustful thought in your head re: fashion and decorating?
*******
This afternoon, we found a wee little hummingbird dead in our garden. Oddly enough he was on top of the gazebo at the side of our house (the same one we ate in, GF). At first we thought he might just be stunned and as per advice on the internet (what DID we do before the internet?) we placed him in a bed of kleenex propped up next to a little saucer of sugar water. But sadly, he is dead and we will have a little service for him tomorrow (okay, maybe it will just be me...)
I know it is morbid, but I did take a picture as he was so exquisite! It seemed very Victorian of me to do so. Barry says he has gone to see Baby Jesus and I guess he has, as something that exquisite should be in heaven, oughtn't it?
It reminded me of the hymn we used to sing in Sunday School when I was a little girl:
God sees the little sparrow fall,
It meets His tender view;
If God so loves the little birds,
I know He loves me, too.
He loves me, too, He loves me, too,
I know He loves me, too;
Because He loves the little things,
I know He loves me, too.
He paints the lily of the field,
Perfumes each lily bell;
If He so loves the little flow’rs,
I know He loves me well.
God made the little birds and flow’rs,
And all things large and small;
He’ll not forget his little ones,
I know He loves them all.
I always thought that was such a sweet hymn and when I was young, it bucked me up quite a bit when things would seem bleak or tragic.
Of course, this cannot be the first hummingbird to die here over the years, but I suspect that now that we are home, we are noticing so much more of our little micro world, this little pageant of nature that plays daily in our own backyard. I will say that regardless of what happens work-wise and my working again and where I will work, I will always feel grateful to have this time to get re-acquainted with this little humble world that I have created. Now I will stop being all Pat of Silverbush on you and wish you the most happiest of Thursdays. Stay Safe out there!
RE- yesterdays post. I think chambray is very flattering against most skin tones, and will never go out of style. It is a great foil for your blue eyes! I like the black top too- which does look short, but is very pretty. I think it will be lovely for you. I solved the problem with my Lodden peasant blouse of tucking it in to my waistband loosely, so as not to appear as if I were expecting. Years ago, I saw a dead bird in the street, and went out of my way to avoid it. I muttered something about a car, or accident, and my son(very little at the time) just looked at me and said- Mom, birds die of old age too! So odd, but up until that time, I had never really thought about it. Now I have the"before" movies on my radar. Soon, I hope.
ReplyDeleteHi Knityarns - your son was very wise! Isn't it wonderful how wise young children are! I am curious about the top and it may not work, but am okay to at least try it, as most of these kind of tops are white in summer! Have a great day!
DeleteOh poor Hummingbird!
ReplyDeleteHope the "easy, oversize tent" top doesn't disappoint - it looks very nice and summery.
I do wonder about the copywriting at J Crew..... really, 'oversized tent' doesn't make me particularly tempted!!
I often become obsessed with a house or room after I've seen it on a screen somewhere. Clothes too, although perhaps not so much.
I still want the kitchen in Holiday Inn and Mrs. Muir's bedroom in the Ghost and Mrs. Muir!
DeleteWendy, I think we are on some weird; almost psyhic wavelength of late. First, it's the zombie movie and now we are on to current lusts. Well, I've been lusting after a satchel from Cambridge Sacthel Company over in the UK. J. Crew is currently selling a few of their satchels and that was what got me lusting once I was over on the official website. Been reading over the reviews and I may have to get one. I would get an 11 inch red satchel with real buckles. BTW-these sacthels are individually handmade. Wait time is over a month due to its popularity. Apparently, it's super trendy with the fashionistas. I'm not one so I didn't know about them until I started doing my research, but I just really like them. That ties back to your post from yesterday. I feel that if you like something enough, it's a classic in your closet!
ReplyDeleteOh No - I visited the site and I love them!!!! I used to have a satchel almost the same in grade school (this was before the era of knapsacks - we all used what was known as book bags)
DeleteThe oxblood would be fall perfection! This may be added to my fall list!
Thanks for the heads up!
Wendy's, I have never used Gilt, but from emails, I know they have popped up there occasionally, mostly the more vivid hues.
DeleteI too had a heavy leather school bag, they were big at behind-the-times Brit. schools in Caribbean. Like CSC, but afraid the brand is now the "affordable" Celine bag for the younger set, iykwim and based on WMM's post yesterday. IMO, Zatchels (relatively affordable made in England) Mulberry and a couple of other trad Brit brands also still do some good satchel bags, particularly if you can find an end-of-season sale.
So funny that you posted about Miss Delpy top because her outfit in Before Sunset stuck.with me too. I saw the,top that you ordered it today and it is VERY nice, if I hadn't the Marrakesh one from a few,years ago, that is very similar, I would be all over it.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Hamptons house in Something's gotta give
Ema,how is the fit on the top? Did you try it?
DeleteI am thinking of ordering the Baja top or this one.
TIA
ema, i loved that house, too! glad to hear it is nice IRL - am hoping my VPS and i chose the right size!
DeleteI didn't try it but I will go back today (I have a banana tank in xxs on hold, can't decide about the size on that one). It didn't look too tent-like despite the description.
Deletephew...
DeleteOK, so I tried it and it is ADORABLE. There is very little difference between the 0 and the 2 but in the 0 there was a little less fabric around the body. If you are small chested I would go with the 0.
DeleteThe only thing is that in my opinion the color is more of a shadow-navy than a real black, I tried it with black shorts and you could see the difference. It is also on the shiny side (which I like but just wanted to mention it).
Ha! I was just going to write, but Wendy, don't you know about the staining of marble...I also have never been there home sickness, I even get that with historical periods of time. Ancient Rome, Georgian England, and Ming Dynasty China, I miss em all!
ReplyDeleteCSW! Glad I am not the only one with this odd affliction!
DeleteStained marble - I have heated marble on my bathroom floor and it is amazing! But I know it takes a terrible beating in the kitchen!
Very Victorian, I always get upset when a bird dies in my garden, the worst is when they career into the window, the thud is so loud, and then I spend 30 tear stained mins willing them to wake up.
ReplyDeleteI don't like marble in kitchens, marble just says "gravestone" to me, but I'd love real wood - I know, that will stain and show marks even more, so I'd need it in my just for show, stunt kitchen.
You are funny! Is there something wrong with me - I love the dings! We have beechwood all through the house and it shows the knicks terribly, including the kitchen, but I love it! We lived in a house with butcher block countertops - you just had to be prepared to sand and oil regularly. That's the darn thing about houses - they want keeping up all the time!
DeleteAw your poor bird. I am quite enamored with a little chipmunk that scampers around my deck and up my feeder. Killer Cricket will hopefully not get to him. Can't say I covet too many things and/or places...I'd take Alcide on True Blood for a night tho.
ReplyDeleteBB - I can SEE you in Alcide!
DeleteWe have a little chipmunk too, who is quite tame. Last night we were sitting in our living room and looked out and the groundhog was in the backyard with a young groundhog. I am starting to feel a little like we are in an episode of All Creatures Great and Small, which I know is a great favourite in your house Dani, and which was my mother's favourite show!
Aw, poor little bird.
ReplyDeleteWe had a beetle somehow get stuck in our washroom air vent this morning. First we were terrified - he was making noises and just his feet were protruding - and then we felt bad because he was stuck and we didn't have a way to save him. Dramatic morning.
I cannot think of any movie inspiration at the moment. Oh yes, I loved Charlotte Gainsbourg's style in Prête-moi ta main ("I do" is the English title), but it isn't something I could emulate.
I hope your tent top is more flattering than J. Crew makes it sound!
Hi Abby!
DeletePoor beetle!!
I know - copywriter from space needs a little help!
WMM, JCA collective would scribe much better, I'ms sure.
DeleteAbby, she totally had the simple black top, skinny jean, ankle boot, rolled cuffs white shirt, messy topknot look down in that movie. I would love to master sim. super simple, monochromatic chic. But on me it just looks funeral, too prim/ washed out or so plain, didn't make any effort.
it's the je ne sais quoi of the french...
DeleteHAPPY SAD WMM, I don't know if movies/ stars inspire my decor or closet? (Sure there are some, mainly classic like Annie Hall; these days mostly happy my wardrobe is trying to be more Sofia Coppola or early modern Grace, far less Mrs. Danvers.)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I know films have long inspired me to travel and read about every kind of far-flung and around the corner place. In fact it was Before Sunset which pushed me to seek out and tramp the Coulee Verte, you would like. It's kinda different now there are a million travel blogs and you can see/ research places with a couple of clicks at desk or phone. But movies are still a big source of bucket list, learning inspiration for me - even if I know real life won't live up to the stunning visuals of Lean's Passage to India, Summertime, or Mr. Ripley's Ischia and Piazza Navona.
Really sorry about your feathered friend. Living in a tower we get the occasional, painful thud. But I am often glad you are having, using, living this time to catch up with the wonders of every day life. Thanks for sharing with us too (city loves "country"!)
P.S. Haven't been to Paris for a while, not sure whether the name I learned or Promenade Plantee is the "proper"/ more common French one? Maybe Ema or WFF will tell us...
DeleteOddly, we never got there when in Paris (though we only had limited time), and the whole movie (except for the very end) takes place in the neighbourhood in which we stayed. Love your movie place picks!
DeleteYes, it's the Coulee verte...
DeleteI can't imagine heaven without animals so I'm sure our poor hummingbird is there now. I've bought a number of clothes based on movies I've seen: that white dress Diane Lane wore in Under the Tuscan Sun, Rachel McAdams' outfits in Midnight in Paris, etc. Hope you score on the black peasant top. I tried it last Tuesday, it's beautifully made but made me look wide.
ReplyDeleteUh oh - I don't want to look wide! crossing fingers and toes it works! I forgot about Under the Tuscan Sun! And I loved Rachel's wardrobe in that movie, too!
DeleteDear beautiful little creature! I hope another finds your feeder quickly.
ReplyDeleteI was stuck in Annie Hall for a long time, I think. I had a man's vest from the thrift shop, tuxedo shirts and heavy khakis.
I loved that kitchen, too, but the garden is totally fake ( look at the row of ornamental kale). A pretty fiction, though.
I thought the same thought about the garden - but then was hopeful after I saw Oprah's garden! I never did the Annie Hall look though I always loved it! Still have two more hummers in the garden (at least) but will bury the little fellow today!
DeleteWenders it is my favourite show hence our trip to the Yorkshire Dales next summer! I have a bit of a crush on that rascal Siegfried too, I think he's a wonderful actor and such a ladies man.
ReplyDeleteI'm always sad to see a bird die and I've had funerals for goldfish. I would definitely have a rather large service for the hummingbird and invite the groundhogs too. You've got a real little world in your back garden, I can see all of these animals becoming characters in one of your books!
I also love those layered movie sets, so appealing and cozy, it's a fine line between that rumpled layer look and clutter and I'm sure the set designers work very hard for those types of Ephron-esque looks.
I think the black peasant top is very pretty. How about with black or white pants and the red kiki flats, hmmm?
I have a dress that I was lusting after (I'll be posting on it today, finally) and it has proved to be a great addition to my wardrobe. I also edited out an entire bag of clothes after buying it, I like this honing down very much. Of course I've added in ballet flats and a clutch which ups my "numbers" but oh well. I think at one time I focussed on buying outfits but then wouldn't have the right shoes, at least not wearable shoes, so those kiki flats have been a practical purchase for me.
Hi Dani - I keep winnowing, then adding more casual fare, then winnowing again - there are things I am simply not reaching for at all. Of course there are some things that are keepers - the black linen suit, etc, but since I do not plan to work in a 9 to 5 environment again, am wondering what is worth keeping now. I need some things "in case", but I also don't want to hang on to things too long that could be consigned this fall, as they can lose their flash quickly, can;t they?
Deletecan't wait to see the dress. Still no sign of Kiki!
I'm so sad about the little birdie!... :(
ReplyDeleteLoved Mery's kitchen and garden too!
well I said a nice couple of prayers so all was good, all things considered!
DeleteEma you and I think alike. The first movie set house I thought of when reading this post was the one in Something's got to give I would move in there with Diane Keaton tomorrow and Jack might be fun too. I also loved Cameon Diaz's LA house in The Holiday. Kate Winslet's English cottage was cute too. I stopped by my jcrew yesterday but didn't try on the peasant top. It looks pretty but the tent reference is a bit scary. Plus if I linger by the full price section too long the VPS goes rabid and tries to sell me everything in sight. She should know me better than that by now. Funny that you should post about our dear departed animal friends today. While at the vet with my pup for a checkup there was a lady in tears picking up her cremated pet's ashes and deciding on the little box to purchase to hold them. I had to get the heck out of there before bawling myself. I've buried more than one departed creature.
ReplyDeleteOh S.C. - I don't even like to think of that day with my little Indy dog! Just sent son off to grad ceremony (they go earlier than us) and am all gussied up! Thought of breaking out one of the baby bottles of champers GF left for me, but will wait till we get home tonight!
DeleteMake sure you wear waterproof mascara. My son just graduated from high school a few weeks ago. I cried like a baby when the graduating seniors sang a song alongside the kindergarten students. The 5 year olds all innocent in their white caps and gowns and the seniors in their blue ones. They shouldn't do that to us sentimental moms.
DeleteI didn't try that top on, but it seemed very sheer when I saw it in the store! My style and/or what I like is not heavily influenced by outside media type sources. I admire people I see in real life or their homes I see in real life.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Netflix instant doesn't have Before Sunrise or After Sunset!! Darn!
ReplyDeleteHi cate - you may find it at HMV or Walmart for cheap - I have seen them packaged together for $10!
DeleteI adore Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, I just love those characters, I just get so invested in their story. Cannot wait to see Before Midnight, I hope it gets released here.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you loved Julie Delpy's outfit in Before Sunset, I did too, especially the cream jacket she wore!
I loved the cream jacket as well! just so simple and french chic!
Delete