Saturday 26 May 2012

Light the corners of my mind

I have had this dress for 15 years. I bought it when I visited America in 1997, and have pretty much worn it every summer since then.


              It has navigated a path through weight fluctuations, style changes, pregnancies and wardrobe clear-outs.



                                It's light, bright, and the colours and funky floral print always say summer to me.


So the frock led me back to the photos of my time in the US, which I loved. I stayed with my darling friend Debberoo, who I have known since we were 16. She and her husband had settled in New Jersey at the time, and were kind enough to welcome lovely Patsy and me, let us stay with them, and show us around. We explored the many delights of New York, and have such fond memories of a wonderful trip.


                                                          

The hair had the remains of a perm in it, I was thinner, and I seem to have had a thing for black and orange, but otherwise, it's recognisably me. I am wearing that brown leather/suede Sweeney jacket, I see, which like the frock, still gets an outing even now.


True story (a la Misfit): we were on the boat going to visit Liberty and Ellis Islands, along with numerous other tourists. One tall, rather handsome man appeared to be looking over at us. A lot. Patsy nudged me, whispering "He's looking at you!"  I protested, of course, but kept taking sneaky peeks, and he did indeed seem to be looking over at me. Then he raised his camera, and I may have preened slightly, and stared moodily across the bay, displaying my best side...

"Go and say something!" Patsy hissed. No! I couldn't possibly. Could I...? Just as I thought, what the hell, maybe I will just saunter over, we finally noticed a woman behind us, waving to him. He smiled, raised his camera, clicking away as his wife/girlfriend posed for photos.

I do hope she didn't hear. If she did, she probably pissed herself laughing. As did we. We still chuckle about it now.

And also about the bar we ambled past in Greenwich Village, where Patsy practically had her nose pressed to the window as she eyed all the hot young men. She was desperate to go in and mingle (flirt) until I suggested that possibly, since there were no women to be seen, we might not be their type... She always loved a gay-looking man.

                                                                          Those were the days....

                                                         Still, plenty to enjoy about the here and now too.



                                                            Blue nails and charity shop tranklements.



                                                              Forget-me-nots a-plenty in the garden.




                                                      Charles Jourdan espadrilles, £2.99 (Oxfam)



And this lot. Taking the kids out for tea used to be an experience to be borne with gritted teeth, but these days it's a pleasure. Especially since they are prepared to go for a curry now!


              Have a wonderful weekend, whatever you're up to. Paddling pool. barbeque and beers for us!
                                                                                  xxxxx

32 comments:

Robert Barnsley said...

Thanks for taking us down memory lane Curtise. Just right reading for a lovely summers day like today. Rob x

Anonymous said...

I love the word "Tanklements."
That dress sure has traveled along in life with you many years. I don't think I've owned one thing that long, except for a hat pin. I would love to own the first maxi I ever had though. My aunt made me a maxi wrap skirt with big purple flowers on it. I can still remember walking home from elementary school in it. I remember the kids staring at me too. Not in a good way either. I think I must have been the first one to wear a maxi in my school!

Penny Dreadful Vintage said...

What a bargain on those Charles Jourdan sandals! Loving your floral dress too.

www.pennydreadfulvintage.com/blog

Sarah Jane said...

Tranklements - good word! It's always nice to look back on these moments that define a period in our lives. Mine all happened when I was all skinny and didn't have to watch what I ate!!:) I love your floral dress and blue nail varnish. Is it Barry M Turquoise? xx

Melanie said...

What a lovely family you have xxx

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

Ah, lovely pic of you and the gang - I love eating out with mine, they're pretty good and we were once even complimented on their behaviour by an old couple *preens*. Mind you they may have thought differently if Boy2 had decided on his 'you look like a funny funny witch' introductory speech!

The dress is lovely too, turquoise us THE colour of summer for me.

xxx
PS. The noah's ark hanging looks great in boy2's tiny room, I love it.

Fiona said...

Blimey your 16 year old frock is in bloody good nick, no wonder you've kept it so long it's very pretty and suits you a treat. Loved hearing about your time in USA and seeing the pic of you and LB's. What a handsome family you are. Enjoy the beer and BBQ. xxxxxxxx

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I love looking at your old photos, fantastic dress too! Your experience on the boat sounds like the kind of thing that happens to me xxx

Unknown said...

That maxi is timeless - the colours are still perfect on you, the happy floral print is gorgeous and you are the maxi QUEEN! Love your NY pics - and I always love a revealing True Story! Look at that gorgeous pic of you and your crew of supermodels - what a beautiful family you are! Love! Sarah xxx PS I think that is everybody's favourite Barry M - it's the MOST perfect colour!

The Style Crone said...

The maxi is fabulous and I can see why it's been with you through many transitions. I have a few of those 'good friends' as well. The blue polish is perfect with the espadrilles and the dress. And your family is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I don't know what to say about the dress other than it is all sorts of cool. Love the blues and greens.

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Fab dress yet again my sweet. Love the print & the green tones are wonderful. Had a chuckle at your traveling story, I can just picture it! Hope you enjoy soaking up the sunshine & warmer weather. Xx

mumasu said...

Love that dress.
I agree it is soo much easier now they're all old enough to sit through two courses.

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Blimey Cutirse, you hAvent changed a bit! Love the photo of you and your adorable offspring. Xx

Anonymous said...

Cute story. I think it's so great that you've had that dress since the 90s - a testament to how wonderful it is! I had so many floral frocks from the 90s that I regret letting go of - I wouldn't have worn them in 2000, but I sure would wear them now! :)

Vix said...

That photo of you and the crew is just lovely! What a fabulous bunch of colourful folk you are. I love how they're trained to eat curry, how very civilised!
Love your travel tales. You hardly look any different, those gorgeous legs of yours that go on for miles and miles!
The Nineties frock looks as fresh as it must have done back then, made even better for the Bazza M polish and adornments!
Hope you had a brilliant weekend. xxx

Unknown said...

Ahh what a lovely trip down memory lane i did chuckle at the camara and the guy and his girlfriend incident;-)) You have a beautiful family that is such a lovely photo of you all more memorys for you to treasure. I love your dress today lovely colours on you. Have a lovely week, dee xx

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful brood you have. And how cool is it to have a dress that evokes these wonderful memories. Although I live in the US, I've only ever been to NYC once and can remember being impressed by the numbers of handsome men who, er, weren't my type.

Heather said...

Beautiful dress looks great on you I can see why you are hanging on to it!! What a sweet family you have ~enjoy your tea xx Heather

two squirrels said...

Oh that dress is super cute on you!!!! It's so fresh and pretty!!!
I so would not be able to fit anything I brought 15 years ago. You are amazing!!!!
I love the photo of you and the kiddies!!!! You must be a proud mummy.
The pic of the forget me nots is so lovely. Spring is so with you guys.
Love v

Melanie said...

Great story! You really brought back that sense of seeing guys and thinking, oh, wow, hot guy, and then doing your best to ignore him and attract him at the same time. But the horror of the misplaced wave or hello...ha! I've had that happen. Very Mr. Bean-ish.

Both you and the dress have withstood the trials of time so wonderfully. You look hot enough to attract some guy. This is just the dress to go peeking into local pub windows in. Or not... Your family is beautiful.

VAL said...

Thank you so much for the kind words you left on my blog.
Valerie
p.s. I have that exact colour painted on my toes, I love it

Kitty said...

Gorgeous maxi hon!! Looks like you are as freckled as me. Best we not let you out in the QLD sun!! Yes it was such a fab day with Helga and Desiree, would have been even more awesome with yourself and other bloggy friends around too.xx.

karensomethingorother said...

love the dress and LURV your tranklements. That was a fun story about your trip to the U.S. That was 15 years ago??? You haven't changed! I know that sounds like some bullshit line people always say, but honestly Curtise, you looked great then, and now.

Forest City Fashionista said...

I love the photo of you and the kids, and your story from your NY visit! Both you and the dress look none the worse for wear; don't you love pieces like that that retain their appeal until they fall apart.

Unknown said...

Oh Boy Curtise this is a nice mom and the kids pics, it brought joy and tears at the same time! Lovely!

So you went to America! You know that i was in England many, many years ago - and just loved it, i wish i could go back, will see, maybe Mr D and I could stop on our way back from Asia in a couple of years - Yes, yes, planning a big trip -
Anyway - I went to NY several times and just love it -

Oh! you know what? you did not change much!

Nice dress you have there, i had one of those dress that see you through events, time, ect...

Take care lovely

Ariane xxxx

Krista said...

I can see why this dress remains after all these years. Love the pattern it looks like springtime gone wild! Well Hello America (def leppard song) I love hair in old photos, your looks good! Funny story about the staring guy, I see even back then you had a sense of humor.

I love the family shot, you all look so loveable!
Xxoo
Krista

doradadama said...

Curtiseita,
You and that timeless Maxi haven't changed one bit.camera man story had me cracking up. You look like some kind of cool ass rock chick.
You have a beautiful family they all look like their gorgeous Mama.
Besos

lucy joy said...

You haven't changed much at ALL, except now that guy would be taking pictures of you - the frock is gorgeous. To have stayed the same weight for so long is admirable too.
Your children always look so genuinely happy. I cannot imagine a time coming where dining out with mine would be a pleasure.

Love the painted nails and gold espadrilles, you look all set for holiday (and I'd LOVE to come with you.

Lucy x

Raffy's Trust said...

Tranklements! My amazing Nan used to use that word and whenever I drop it in to the conversational flow people look at me as if I've been at the gin!
Love your blog, you look fab!

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

You have the best dresses.

Note to self: Do blue nails. They rock!

Vintage Sweetheart said...

Love these flashback photos! New York is pretty freaking amazing, I just wish it was closer. I hope to hold onto some pretty frocks to remind me of good times. xx