Friday's Simply Smitten - Blush & Blooms

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“We must cultivate our own garden”

-voltaire

Happy Friday! I was, once again, a patron of the arts this past week. From museums to ballet performances, I immersed myself in all the beauty of oil paintings and intricate movement.

Did you have a lovely Mother’s Day? Since I wasn’t able to celebrate with my mom, I decided to have a brownie in her honor. Don’t worry, we talked on the phone for a long time, and I gifted her a little something.

Early in the week things were mundane; work, grocery store, etc. My closet rod fell again… the 3rd time in 6 months… insert eye roll. While I wait for my super to finally come and fix it, it did give me the opportunity to decisively purge clothes. Clearly I need to get rid of some of the items in my closet to lessen the weight. I ran 3 bags to Goodwill and am in the process of either sending stuff off to ThreadUp or putting items on my Poshmark. I haven’t decided yet. But clearly I need a major clean out of my wardrobe. I am somewhat of a clothes and accessories hoarder; you never know when you want to style a new skirt with a top you haven’t worn in 5 years. Or as I like to call it, my archival pieces.

Wednesday afternoon I went uptown to The Frick Collection to see the Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture and the Ruffles and Ribbons: Fashion Plates from the Time of Marie Antoinette exhibitions. Unfortunately the Ruffles and Ribbons exhibit, for reasons no one knew why, was closed. I was a little bummed but I do have until the end of August to see the exhibit. The Gainsborough one, however, is closing at the end of this month.

Thomas Gainsborough was one of Great Britain’s most talented portraitures in the 1700s for the fashionable society. Even though his paintings were mostly of aristocracy, he was the first painter to do a portrait of a black man (who was a valet). Gainsborough painting him with his hand inside his jacket, the sign of a gentlemen. He also did landscapes and portraits of dogs. I was in awe of the details within his oil paintings. However, what I loved most about his paintings was that the background is in muted colors, and the subject is in bright clothing. It really makes them pop. He also painted some scandalous portraitures, depicting current fashions of women showing more skin. Another interesting tidbit that I learned was that children, boys and girls, all wore dresses with satin sashes. The boys didn’t start wearing breeches (pants) until they were 7years old. In today’s society that would make peoples heads explode.

The exhibition was lovely and I am happy I was able to see it, even though the other exhibit was closed. The outside garden was also closed to my dismay. I have yet to be at The Frick when the garden is open. It is always closed when I am there. However, I do enjoy the little garden court within the museum. That is always lovely, and peaceful, to see.

Last night I volunteered as an usher at The Joyce Theater. This week’s performance is from ABT Studio Company. The American Ballet Theatre’s studio company; all teenagers, rising stars. A step up from the JKO School, but not quite there yet to be in the main company. I thought the performance last night was wonderful! Each piece amazing! Pieces created by a variety of different choreographers like Twyla Tharp, Tiler Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, and more. The performances ranged from classical to contemporary. You had variations from La Bayadère (classical ballet) to world premiere contemporary pieces. Although I thoroughly enjoyed each one, and was very impressed by the dancers, my two favorite pieces were the solos; Saudad performed by Kiera Sun, choreographed by Katie Currier, and The Weeping Willow performed by Kayla Mak, choreographed by Kyle Abraham. What I loved about the two pieces was the fluidity of the movement and the delicacy of their arms. Both showed strength and elegance. Unique use of negative and positive space within the orbit of one’s body; breaking speed, lines, and contrast. It was very beautiful to watch!

The entire performance showcases the same pieces each night but they switch up the order. If you do attend, look for the night’s actual program order, and who is performing, via QR code.

What I am watching: If you haven’t yet, you NEED to watch the new Netflix movie Remarkably Bright Creatures starring Sally Fields and Lewis Pullman. It is a book adaptation, and I wish I had read it before watching. The movie is so good! Very sweet, emotional, and heartwarming. It sounds a little weird because it is narrated by an octopus, but it works. I highly recommend this movie! I loved it so much!

Speaking of book adaptations, I watched, and caught up with, Margo’s Got Money Troubles starring Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfieffer, Nick Offerman, Nicole Kidman, and more. At first I wasn’t so sure about the show, I had to give it another episode to really get into it. Now I love it! The characters are messy and tacky, but lovable. There is partial nudity- that was my biggest turnoff in the begging. There is only so much I can see of Elle Fanning being topless. I am not even a prude when it comes to nudity in shows or films, but I didn’t need an entire episode of it. This show isn’t for everyone, but I really am enjoying it and am happy it has been renewed for season 2.

What I bought: I didn’t buy anything new this week but I was gifted a new book from publishers: The Burning Sides by Sarah Damoff. It’s about the complexity of family dynamics. It looks really good! I also bought a book. Well, audiobook. The current talk of the town, Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. It’s about a tradwife influencer who wakes up one day and finds herself in the 1800s. Now she really has to live the life she has been promoting through her social channels. It’s about tradition, faith, and the role of women in society. It’s going to be turned into either a series or a movie starring Anne Hathaway.

On The Blog

Sunday Shopping

What To Wear During Memorial Day Weekend

LTK Spotlight: White dresses for the spring and summer

ShopMy Spotlight: What I wore to The Frick

Top Seller: This gingham dress– now on sale!

Tomorrow night I am going out with a few friends for dinner and drinks. I am very much looking forward to it! Not only to catch up with my friends, but to just be out on the town. I need a fun night out!

Have a wonderful weekend xo

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2. The perfect everyday dress

3. A cute raffia mini tote

4. Eyeing this tweed jacket

5. Swooning over all of Jonathan Anderson’s Dior Cruise collection

6. These 1910’s fashion trends are making a comeback

7. All the best fashion at the Central Park’s 44th Annual Hat Luncheon

8. Why the Ralph Lauren flag sweater has stood the test of time

9. Interesting article: dancers outcry over balletcore

10. PCOS is now called PMOS

Weekend Sales