three things

It's my birthday eve today, so just a quick post; I have celebrating to do! Today's celebrations include trips to some of my favourite Auckland op shops, and watching the Judy Garland version of A Star Is Born. Oh how I love Judy. Almost as much as I love birthdays. ALMOST.

1. More Pretty In Pink. I wasn't a huge fan of Andie's clothes (maybe partly because I remember when people really wore beige stockings), but I really liked Iona's. Maybe my thirties will be the time to start experimenting with wigs?

2. I've been hoping to make it to California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way at the Auckland Art Gallery since we arrived - it looks great! The exhibition includes furniture by Charles and Ray Eames, and graphics by Saul Bass. I love mid-century Californian design, which can be traced back to the first time I saw The Parent Trap as a kid, and fell in love with Mitch's house. The house deserves its own post (it's my dream-house, and the day I read it was built on a sound-stage was a notable step in my journey to adulthood). If I make it to the exhibition, I'll let you know if it deserves its own post too.

3. Cher (and Greg Allman), getting the jump on my birthday celebrations at a Doobie Brothers party wbw (way back when; is that already an acronym in use, or did I just start something?). Photo from Old Loves, which always has great photos of some of my favourite people. I don't know what she's wearing, but I LOVE it. Cher and Judy Garland = INSPIRATIONS.

the comedown, and brightening up

I was so excited, I couldn't get to sleep last night. And then I awoke to find this:

I've never been so unhappy to see higher than anticipated temperatures. Today's sleet has been downgraded to rain. Rain! pfth (that was me spitting on the ground). I cut it out because it's just too depressing, but Sunday's forecast has the sun peeking out from behind a cloud. The sun! Spare me.

I'm definitely on the comedown. The thought of which reminds me of those crazy outfits you put on when you're hungover but not totally aware of it; like your brain is sparing you the conscious knowledge that you're being weird because it knows that you're doing your best, and the last thing you need to know is that your best looks like you let three warring two-year-olds choose your outfit. But why is it always a hungover day when you decide to debut the brightest/strangest thing in your wardrobe? I couldn't tell you.

I'm not planning a hangover, but one rarely does, so we may as well all be prepared; plus, this grey weather could use brightening. The way to wear bright and bold (and costume), and look excellent, demonstrated by Susie Bubble, Cher, Isabella Blow, and the great Vivienne Westwood (who all deserve their own posts). (The link is to Westwood's blog, which I just discovered - it's good!)

 

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God I love Cher. In case you missed it, here's the video she and Kathy Griffin made before last year's US election. And Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves, because it's raining and not snowing. We deserve it.