Thursday 30 August 2012

Blend in or stand out?

Does anyone else experience the phenomenon of feeling flat as a pancake after having a really great time?

It often happens to me, I get a horrible shit-that's-over-now come-down, leaving me feeling sad and grouchy, and not a little guilty...



Today's outfit is an attempt to shake myself out of my funk.






It was working too, until I tipped the tray loaded with the kids' lunch onto the kitchen floor. And over my feet.

Orange squash-soaked sandwiches, anyone? 


I took pics of yesterday's outfit, but look...




... my dress and the bark of my cherry tree are the same colour. Talk about camouflaged. No wonder I felt a bit drab.


Today - lunchtime accidents apart - is better.






But will whoever keeps sneaking into my wardrobe and letting my hems down please desist?


Another one! I know what I'll be doing this evening.


The kids had a great time with their auntie and uncle, and we all met up on Monday. Tynemouth, on the North East coast outside Newcastle, is a lovely spot.







Great company, fabulous food and drink, gorgeous beach, even some blue skies - wonderful!



So - it's daft to feel downhearted after a lovely time, isn't it? Kind of spoils the experience, if you let it.





1970s Crimplene maxi skirt - Ebay (£2.20, bargain!)
T-shirt, suede belt, necklaces and bangles - charity shops





Not blending in so much today - that's good!



While everyone knows Morrissey's Everyday is like Sunday is the best British seaside song ever (sorry, I will have NO argument about that) and Squeeze's Pulling mussels from a shell is the funniest, I find myself rather fond of Keane's swoony nostalgic tune.


Enjoy.

xxx




38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for bringing me always on the sunny side of the motherood pond (yes, because sometimes we live on standing waters)!You are my mentor!
I'm glad that you spent such lovely times with your little team at the beach!Your outfits are both amazing especially the new vintage maxi, great camaleontic skills both in creating always new outfits and in mimicking yourself!
Love

Melanie said...

I know exactly what you mean about feeling down after a nice time. When we did the WWII re-enactments, we would spend the weekend with lovely people having absolute fun and then I always felt like I had come crashing down to reality with an almighty bump.
I very much like your skirt, it's such a lovely colour pop xxx

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

I think you are coming to terms with The Summertime Blues - sorry couldn't resist another song title.
I love the shade of red in the skirt and it is so vibrant with the blue.
I have never been to Tynemouth but I do love British beaches.

Krista said...

Curtise...I just love your big ole mushy sentimental self! First off I totally dug the song and video and I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me tear up because it most certainly did. The beach always reminds me of my family back home especially now that I have played in the ocean with my nephews. I suffer from the come down quiet often after returning from visiting them. It really can't be avoided, you can't feel that good and fulfilled without a lil emptiness to follow. You are allowed to feel this way:) it's ok.

Now onto this fabulous skirt (screw the hem) it is a total show stopper. Love it on you! The pictures from the beach of the family are so awesome too! I will be there soon so we can all feel high together and enjoy the moment. I can't wait to see your beautiful country and meet your gorgeous self. It will truly be a highlight!
Love ya girl~
Krista

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Wow, Curtise - you've got a knack for silhouettes which are fabulous on you! Yesterday's outfit had great red boots, and I think it looks lovely and gentle against the tree. However, it's true that sometimes we need more of a POW! which today's incredible maxi delivers in spades.

Hilarious about the hems - those things do come in waves, and my mending pile is never under control for long - and sorry about the lunch mishap. Dammit, eh?

Easing away from a post-event comedown pattern takes a shift in focus - might see if you can interrupt / trade your "it's over" thoughts for the "was really great" and some forward-looking ones; it does take practise. Fantastic work on taking action by looking smashing!

Anonymous said...

LOVE that skirt!

Unknown said...

Hi Curtise
I do love this bargain skirt of yours! that was really cheap
I does happened to me sometimes to feel down after something good, probably had too much of a good time maybe? I would elaborate more on the subject- but it would be too long, i have my own theory...it would need a live chat!

Did you put stuff on e-bay yet?

Tynemouth looks like a lovely place, i love the seaside so much

Take care

Ariane xxxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

Love the vibrant red and blue - the skirt is glorious and your rack looks awesome in the blouse (I'm just sayin'...). Sorry about the post-event letdown. I get that all the time whenever I come home from a trip, especially if I've been in NY. The only cure is to start planning the next fun thing!

Anonymous said...

You always manage to find the most amazing maxi skirts. I absolutly hate blending in with the background and have like you been suffering from a 'come down' week as were just back off from spending a fabulous week with my parents and now Im back to isolation :(

But your outfit has given me a spark to go upstairs and just put on the brightest/funkiest outfit I can find xx

Anonymous said...

Oh man, is that a velvet dress I see? I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE it! I know you feel camouflaged but it is fantastic Curtise!

I do also feel down after a good time, especially where too much drinky was in the mix. But I'm thinking mostly about coming home from a week long camp experience in 6th grade. We were all crying on the bus home. It was the first time in my life that I experienced feeling that way and obviously it was unforgettable.

I think your cats are loving you by snagging the bottom of your frocks. They're lying on their backs in your closet when your gone pawing at your hems! Take a look at the floor below them. I bet there's cat hair! ;)

People love to leave you loooong comments. I certainly didn't want to come up short!

Kaffesoester said...

The feeling of an anti-climax is hard to fight, life always has ups and downs. But fighting the downs "one outfit at a time" as the Style Crone expresses it, is a beautiful way. And for this you need gorgeous skirts like yours, and great belts! A bit of arm candy doesn't hurt...

Even if it matched the background, I really like the bark dress with the burgundy boots!

Tynemouth looks lovely!

Anonymous said...

I love the skirt - the outfit is really you. I like the velvet dress too - maybe you should try it again when you're feeling up rather than down?

Ivy Black said...

Oh I know what you mean. I always have a bit of a come down after a really good time away but that's where other things to look forward to come into it!
That's a stunning skirt, beautiful colours. And no...no to blending in.
xxxxxx

Fiona said...

No need to worry about blending in when you look that hot, ( How skinny are your waist and arms ???) and you look fab in the vibrant maxi also.
My biggest anti-climax ever was post bungee jump, so I just had to go out and get pissed ! Not suggesting that you do that of course.....ooh no.
Lovely pics of Tynemouth and look, blue sky. Not seen much of that round here lately.
xx

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Yup, I know exactly what you mean. I'll be suffering from post holiday blues and grumpiness any day now (reading your post on holiday yipeee!). I like the midi but yeh, shame it matches the tree. xx

Helga said...

Yes, I do indeed get the post grand time blues!Not always,just sometimes.......can't be helped, no-one likes to see a good time end!Frocking up fabulously is a fab way to combat said blues,however,lunchtime accidents aside!Bugger!
That skirt is KILLER fabulous!Red and blue,o how I love you!
I love that your previosu frock co-ordinates with the tree bark! But then I am the matchy-matchy queen!It's a beautiful frock,that whole outfit is just as scrummy as the blue and red!
Blening in isn't my bag,however!Standing out IS!
Love! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Annie said...

Today's outfit is fab - guaranteed to raise the spirits.

It is tough dealing with the anti- climax after a great time. Music helps, and I am partial to Suede's 'By The Sea' when I come back from Cornwall. Tynemouth looks utterly beautiful, and I love the old poster. I have one of those from Penzance.

But not to worry, you are meeting Krista soon! You'll have such a blast! xxx

OP SHOP MAMA said...

Great skirt - suite you splendidly!

For me the state of happiness is directly related to amount of chaos in my house and the weather!

Getting frocked up defo a good antidote to coming down blues!

x

Trees said...

I always feel a bit drab when I return from an overseas trip - so I get what you mean! I usually pull myself out of that frame of mine by planning my next trip/adventure. I think all you need is something else to look forward too. I do agree on the brown dress - it is a lovely frock though, such a shame about the colour. Perhaps you could dye it? I LOVE the maxi and what evil pixie keeps letting down your hems - surely it is related to the pixie that keep on loosening the button on my jacket?

silvergirl said...

i hate that let down, it's over feeling
love this skirt though
btw...cornhole is bean bag game where you try and throw the bean bag into a hole drilled into a rectangle of wood.
brett

Anonymous said...

It's always hard to return to real life after a break...I've been going through that for two weeks since my classes resumed. I actually LIKE the second, velvet(?) dress, but bright colors are just the thing to lift one's spirits.

Stacey said...

I do love that brown velvet frock, but it doesn't seem quite "you". It is a very nice shape though. I think today's outfit is much more Curtise! Loving the bright skirt - and if anything can get you out of a funk, it is bright colours.

Camelia Crinoline said...

I know the feeling. I usually shake myself out of it by remembering what a great time I had. I love the colours of this outfit. The print of the crimplene skirt is fab. Pity about the tray tipping but at least you looked good doing it.

Unknown said...

Oh I am a shocker for a Post-Fab-Time-Crash-And-Burn.

YOU look gorgeous in that fab maxi - I absolutely love you in a maxi, have I mentioned that forty six thousand times before? I absolutely love your outfit from top to toe: the lovely ruffles on your top, the necklace - PERFECTION! And your beach pics are lovely... all those CASTLES make me very excited!

Love you more than SUNSHINE! Sarah xxx

Kitty said...

Nah, you have to just create another experience that out-does the last-which in this case, may well be spilling stuff all over the kitchen. In other words, it's all about your attitude. Oh, and the hem monkeys? They also live at my house, in my own wardrobes, in my stockroom and in VBs room!

Mrs. D said...

just to let you know that I nominated you for the Liebster award

http://hellothemushroom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/my-very-first-award.html

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah--the post fun blues SUCK!!
The pix of the beach are awesome--we have nothing like that here. Our beaches-at least the ones near me-are "Jersey Shore"-UGH
I love the "tree camo" dress--you don't look invisible at all!!
Now the red & blue maxi outfit is the bomb!!! The blue top gives your rack Helga-tastic boobage awesomeness!!

{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}
Tamera

Nikki @ Penelope Cat Vintage said...

That skirt is amazing - I love it with the cornflower-y blue top as well. I like the dress too, but it does get a bit lost against the tree :)

Sorry you're feeling a bit "bleagh" after your trip. Hope the funk clears soon.

Nikki x

Fran said...

Glad you are coming out of your "down" feelings. Looks like you had a grand holiday.I do like the lovely blue and red outfit but I really, really like the outfit that you compared to the bark of your cherry tree. I guess I always choose camouflage colors, but those red boots are exactly the right touch.

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

Well, your post certainly brightened my funk a bit! I love both outfits; I vote you Best Fabrics Style Blogger.

Um, no thanks to a squishy, soggy sammich :P

CityScape Skybaby said...

I love love love Tynemouth, and you are right, no argument, about Morrissey and Every Day is Like Sunday. I must say I loved your velvet dress with the denim jacket, I think it's quite a nice thing to match a tree, trees are great! But you do look lovely and bright in your blue and red outfit, I'd like to be braver when it comes to colour because it does make a difference to your mood. xx

mispapelicos said...

You can´t never look drab, more...at one with natuner, lol.
Gorgeous dress, and second outfit, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Gorgeous family.
You do know your butterflies,but Victor tell me that the one in my photo is a tortoishell.
Much love always, my dearest friend.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Megan said...

I love that Morrissey song. So Maudlin and gloomy.

In contrast, your maxi skirt and your red boots make me happy. So pretty!

karensomethingorother said...

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE FRIGGING SONGS EVER. EVER. E.V.E.R.

Okay, calm down. That song game up in random shuffle on my ipod one day when I was in a shitty mood, and it made me so happy.

Anyhoo, I COMPLETELY relate to being down in the dumps after fun. Sometimes, curmudgeon that I am, I even wonder if it's WORTH IT to have these wonderful times, because then you have to return to blahville. Yes, that is how I think. I am a total party.

Love your outfit though, and sorry about the soaked lunch.

Melanie said...

The down after an event is wretched, wretched!!!! That's why I couldn't go into theatre - the feeling the day after the final curtain...wretched. Your way of handling it is superb, with a wonderful colourful maxi dress. Too bad you couldn't turn the soaked sandwiches into a food fight with your kids. That would have been fun. And then hire a maid to clean up after - and I don't mean you! I also like your camouflage wear.

Vintage Coconut said...

Totally love that maxi on you Curtise!! You look rather gorgeous!

Miss Simmonds Says said...

I miss my holiday terribly already, so I know what you mean. That dress is lovely but far to autumnal - the skirt is fantastic!! I need a maxi skirt! Looks like you had a great time! xxx

Vix said...

That skirt is too fabulous, it makes me happy just looking at it!!! The velvet frock is gorgeous but I agree with Clare, it's too Autumnal, I refuse to let summer go until at least October.
Tynemouth looks gorgeous. I'm feeling a bit sad after the last festie of the season but I have blogger love to look forward too, yeah!!! xxxxxxxxxx