How has your weekend been?
Good, I hope.
I spent Saturday working hard at our annual school Summer Fair.
I think it went OK; I spent all my time on food and washing up duty, so I didn't really get much of a look around. A few glasses of sparkling rose with fellow volunteers afterwards were in order and much appreciated!
This week, the lovely Tamera has been wearing black and white, and invited her followers and friends to a Black and White party, in support and recognition of those who live with chronic, long-term health conditions, and their loved ones and carers.
I had a couple of attempts at monochrome outfits, and predictably couldn't choose between them, so I am including them both here.
This isn't a vintage dress but I like its 1970s-referencing-the-30s vibe.
Dress, bangles, sandals and shorter pearl necklace - charity shopped
Sunglasses - gift from heavenly Helga
Longer pearl necklace - gift from party girl Tamera
Look - trousers!
We all know about me and my trouser issues, but I do like these silk palazzo pants a lot.
I look as though I am sneaking off for an illicit assignation, hoping no one will recognise me!
(I didn't, honest.)
1970s peasant blouse and 1960s Chinese silk waistcoat - Ebay
Silk palazzo pants and hat - flea market
Bangles - charity shopped and gift from dearest Tania
Black beads - gift from darling Helga
Bastard massive Cancerian pendant - gift from beautiful Vix
Sunglasses and shoes - retail (old)
1960s vanity case - charity shopped
Tamera's call resonated with me.
My youngest daughter has a rare and severe skin condition, Bullous Ichthyosiform Erythroderma (BIE) or Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis (EHK); the name depends on where in the world you live.
But whatever you call it, it's a bugger of a condition to live with - uncomfortable, visible, difficult to manage, and incurable.
Live with it she does - we all do - and despite it being technically a disability, Littlest doesn't see herself as disabled, and neither do I.
She's Nina. She's so much more than a mere medical diagnosis.
She's a budding actress, or Drama Queen, take your pick!
(Previous rants on the subject of Littlest, disability and difference are here and here, if you care to read them.)
Whatever you or your loved ones may struggle with, know that there are people out there who understand.
Thanks for the party, Tamera!
I'll be linking up with another Hostess with the Mostest, Patti, at Visible Monday, though I'm sending Clementine in my place this week. I do hope she behaves herself.
xxxx
33 comments:
I love how easily you swing from a swoony frock to slick pants!!! Both outfits are great, but I have a real soft spot for a good maxi, everytime!!!
There are some hideous ailments that so many are just getting on with, quietly. I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am, but feel constantly broken hearted that there is nothing I can do for those who are suffering.
Your lass totally ROCKS! As do you!
Love you! XXXXXXXXXXXXX
your Littlest is beautiful. Love her "Drama Queen" outfit
Hi Curtise
Poor darling, she is yes so beautiful!
Both your outfit are fabulous but you are the queen of the maxi that's for sure!
Hugs
Ariane xxx
Superb B&W outfits Curtise but your 'dirty weekend' ensemble is a winner for me. You look as though you should be sipping Martini's on the deck of a yacht in Juan-les-Pins or somewhere equally as glamorous dahling. I too, feel fortunate that I haven't suffered with major ailments and feel humbled seeing what many others live with day in, day out. My closest friend became paraplegic and has my total admiration for the stoic way she copes with her disability. From what you tell us about Nina, she sounds quite a character with a wicked sense of humour I reckon?
xx
PS Is that London Pride in your garden?
Oh that Nina. Long before I ever knew about her EHK I could see that she was something special. All of your kids are pretty amazing. Of course they are. They have YOU for a mom. But Nina really has a spark and when she is a very famous actress she can thank you in her Academy Award speech. "I'd like to thank my mum who taught me how to be fabulous in front of a camera!"
Thanks for sharing your black & white post. Littlest's skin condition must be rather wretched. But one good thing amongst the bad is that suffering stretches ones character. Sometimes I think the greater healing is learning to live with your condition with grace & acceptance. Xx
Yes, I see you Paris in a sportscar with the warm wind in your hair in that second B&W number. But that first one, mystery, romance...
I agree, Littlest is destined for the stage or big screen - you better brace yourself. You think life is hard now sometimes?... There's nothing like the thee'-ah-tah.
You look fantastic in trousers - I understand your fear of them too. I look awful in them, I'm sure they make me look like I'm a hobbit. I love the idea of this blog party too!
Gorgeous in colour and soooooooooooooo chic in black and white, Curtise.
Your daughter looks soooooooo like you.
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Looking great in black and white. Glad the fair went well, I suspect the rose was well-earned! Love the palazzo pants, I know you have trouser issues, but personally I can never see them! Nina sounds like a real trooper and it's really admirable how you get on with things.
I had a nice child-free weekend for a change! I've blogged as well!
I love how your posts often give me so much to think about Curtise, I read both links to your other posts on the subject and your Nina sounds a great little girl, as well as being gorgeous. My oldest son has had a lot of health problems over the years, he was just getting over childhood eczema when we found out he had an underactive thyroid, and he's had chronic vomiting and stomach problems plus severe social anxieties on top of it all, so I know how horrible it is to see your child have to cope with stuff you just wish you could fix for them. On the up side, he is a very caring boy with a lot of empathy for people and animals and I think that's because he's had to deal with a lot himself. I totally agree with you about the statue, and if the children were going to be uncomfortable with seeing disability, isn't it better to use the statue as a talking point, rather than waiting until they meet a disabled person and don't know how to react because they've been hidden away from everything that isn't the norm? xx
So Beautiful! Love these pics!
I love all your outfits! I have nothing but admiration for people like your daughter and yourself because I don't think I could do it. x
Look at that seamless transition from frock to trousers in the blink of an eye and both equally fabulous, stylish and drop dead sexy.
Nina is a beauty and the very image of you. She's an absolute credit to you and your brilliant parenting. How you have time to raise so much for the school funds, dress like a goddess, be a fantastic friend and raise three amazing kids makes you my hero! xxxxxxxxxx
I love the trouser outfit!!!!!! Sarah recently had on some bell bottom jeans and I loved that look just like I love this one on you!!! Such a good cause for wearing B&W and I think your little Nina is smarter and more beautiful than most girls her age. I see a happy kid and that is all that matters! Digging all your B&W accessories too.
Lotsoflove
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You really turn this classic colour match into something really personal and beautiful,the outfits are equally amazing and I apprecciate Tamera's idea of supporting through a playful event who lives with chronic healt conditions! I really admire you and Nina and I love how you pointed out that nobody should be defined by a medical diagnosis!That photo of your daughter is amazing and her facial expression is priceless, I really wish to come with my daughters to play with you both!
Love xxxxxxxxx
Love the maxi dress with the fluttery sleeves and plunging neckline. I love longer dresses that show that you don't have to wear a micro mini to be a sex goddess. :)
Hugs for littlest. She looks like she's ready to take on the world.
Big hugs for littlest, I know how bad eczema can be and that is mild compared to what she has, so big big hugs x
And I have to say that I prefer the second outfit as its more monochrome and the accessories are a lot more fun xx
I bet Clementine will behave extremely badly. I certainly don't see Nina as having a disability, just a tiresome personal inconvenience, I'm sure she can overcome it and become an acting sensation! I do love you in trousers, never dull, especially with this black and white 30s theme, gorgeous. You could be a mysterious writer in a Poirot novel. The black dress is gorgeous too. Love the gold bangles added into the mix!
I didn't know about littlest's skin complaint, and indeed I've never heard of it. It sounds painful, bless her, but she is such a little cutie and sounds like she has got it all just right with yours and her dad's sensible advice.
I love you in that outfit that looks like you are about to go on an illicit rendezvous, but most of all I love you in that black dress. Tall, slim as a whip and beautiful, that dress is fantastico!
Sounds like you well and truly deserved that glass of rose after all your hard work! Bottoms up! ;) xxxxx
Your are elegance personified in both black and white ensembles. Black dress or black trousers, you shine!
Your youngest daughter is bright and beautiful, and with you as her Mother, I'm sure that she will continue to dazzle as she does today in this brilliant photo.
Tamera's Black and White Party supports a cause I believe in, and I have been inspired to appear late to the party.
I am totally loving that second look!!
SO fun and chic
Brett
Wow - I love the palazzo pants - that's a glamourous outfit. I love the dress too but the palazzos are fab.
Your littlest looks very much the budding actress. Definite star qualities.xx
I'm in love with that maxi dress and its angel sleeves and deep neckline. Your post is a good reminder that so many people have chronic illnesses, that we might not always be aware of.
From your posts, it looks like your littlest has such a vivacious spirit!
Love the black outfits. Littlest looks adorable. She will get to where she needs to be, she looks like she has spirit. :)
love you and this post! I hear you and you know I get it! WHat an amazing mum you are and can I just say clementine is so funny I may well have peed my pants a little at your last post (damn pelvic floor!) also wanted to hand deliver the message to you that I have decided to turn Shiny T Tuesday into a new weekly fashion linky!! Eeeekk!!! It will have weekly prompts, the first prompt for next Tuesday being 'When Patterns Speak' .....do come and play at the party at my place if you can! I am a little scared at the thought of being Billy No Mates xxxxxx
Tamera's idea is an excellent one, and if I can get my act together I will participate. I can't imagine the stress of living with chronic conditions like Nina's skin infection. She's got spunk and sass, and a great Mom, which all helps her to cope.
The dress is very pretty, but my vote goes for the "secret rendezvous" outfit. It looks freakin' gorgeous on you, and has awesome accessories!
Since she's YOUR daughter I'm going with "Drama Queen" in all the bestest ways!!
Nina is adorable. She has no disability at all-- because it doesn't hinder her being FABULOUS!!
Rude, mean and cruel people are the ones who are truly disabled in this world!
Thanks for the shout-out and the support. We all are truly a tribe!!
Both outfits are wonderful and your little one is such a pretty thing, I love theat photo of her xxx
You do black and white justice both outfits are lovely. Nina is gorgeous just like her mum xx
Both outfits are beautiful (YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL IN BOTH) but I especially LOVE the gorgeous pants with the big floppy hat and suitcase... such a wonderful woman of international intrigue and scandal!
You are a great Mum.
Love! Sarah xxx
Oh my the tiered frock with the plunging neckline and fluttery sleeves - swoon!!!!!!! Tamera's necklace is amazing and the sunnies are gorgeous! Then you go and make my eyeballs pop with that amazing getaway outfit from Tamera's party - delish indeed!!! The first thing I saw in the pic of Miss She of the Dramatic Faces, was of course, her hilarious pose, then multi-coloured nail polish - weeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! Girl's got style and panache, the dear wee thing :). It was touching to learn about all the various differences and disabilities at Tamera's party, thank you so much for sharing your story. xoxoxoxoxo
I'm late to the party these days, but grateful for the wonderful party and society that wonderful blogging friends like you create.
Nina is fierce and lovely. As mom to a daughter with a severe medical condition, I can see her rising above it (most days) and becoming stronger. Our daughters are fighters, troopers, and angels.
Love and miss you,
Lynne
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