Friday 11 April 2014

You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life


 It's Friday already, and I'm sneaking in a quick post before we head off for another weekend away.

We're going to Liverpool, and I need to sort, pack, make sandwiches for the train - you know the drill.

But first;
 


more florals.

I'm so predictable.


Vintage frock; cardigan; denim jacket; boots; vintage bag; a mish-mash of jewellery.
 
A uniform? 
 
Maybe, but self-selected, flexible, colourful, and a relection of my taste and personality. (You all read Vix's post about that, right? Check out her words of wisdom here.)



We were out last night to watch a show of musical and dance performances at Claudia's school.

It was a great evening, I enjoyed seeing so many kids demonstrating their talent, hard work and commitment to performing arts.
 


 
Tandem are a surprisingly professional-sounding band - a little Arctic Monkeys-esque, but that's not a bad thing. 
 


 I can't claim that Claudia has any particular technical ability, but she loves to dance, has good rhythm, and best of all, she isn't afraid to show the joy on her face. She beamed throughout, and so did I.
 
(On a side note; there was a clear gender split. I'm generalising a little, but it seems the girls dance and sing; the boys don't dance but they play instruments. What's that all about then?)

 
 
1970s maxi dress - Ebay
Cardigan, jacket, bangles and rings - charity shopped
1950s tapestry bag - flea market
Necklace - was my mum's 
 



Right - must get on. That suitcase won't pack itself.

Have a great weekend; I intend to do just that!

xxxx


42 comments:

Becky said...

Gorgeous dress!! The gender split is real. Kids are great mimics--so they're probably copying and identifying with what they see... I think that's why exposing them to a wide variety of experiences helps. At least, that's my hope.

Patti said...

I love looking at Claudia's face, she's so immersed in her singing! You do have lovely children, and that's no accident of fate; you're a terrific mom. My baby sis is mother to a 14 and 12 year old, and I watch how she interacts with them - so wonderful to see.

Very pretty florals on you and in the garden. Have a great trip, xoxo.

bahnwärterin said...

this flowers are huge! you look beautiful in your "uniform". and with the kids - "men don´t dance" (deep voice) ;-) i think it´s sad, dancing can be such gorgeous experience......
happy weekend! xxxx

Jayne H said...

Great to see all the kids joining in and getting up and performing - so good for their confidence. Love the outfit. Have a great weekend. xx

Suzanne said...

Have fun this weekend!

The the colours in that dress make me think of the tropics...but last I checked that wasn't Liverpool! LOL

We just saw a dance troop from Argentina last night and it was the men that stood out in my mind.

Dang I love your bag! It looks like the one I saw on Mr. Selfridges. Lucky duck.

bisous
Suzanne

Sheila said...

Uniform schmuniform! I love this look on you! Have a blast in Liverpool!

Vix said...

Bostin' maxi, killer bag and your boobs look particularly splendid in that cardi.
Claudia is just radiant, her smile would light up a room. I do love a bit of the Arctic Monkeys so tandem would suit me down to the ground.
Men and instruments, eh? I reckon most of them are shy and awkward and feel at lot more comfortable hiding behind a guitar or a drum kit.
Have a fantastic weekend, get those sandwiches made and start on the beer as soon as you can.
Love you! xxxxxxx

Vix said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Natalia Lialina said...

I love your layering - you always do it so wonderfully! This shade of blue is beautiful with your red hair, and you look very pretty and spring-like, ready for your weekend adventure! (Are you meeting with Sandra at all?)

Kids performances can be so much fun when kids are really into what they are doing! I enjoyed quite a bit of them too. :) Claudia is adorable, I wish I could see her dancing!!

I agree with Vix on men and instruments, same goes for cameras. Or airplanes for that matter. And it's just that boys love their toys. :) We girls just like to show off ourselves! Why would we hide, tight? :)))

Have a gorgeous weekend away, can't wait for your new stories!

Asparagus Pea said...

I wear the same thing every day - work clothes for work. Makes getting covered in shit less of an issue. Also enjoy the lack of thought required at 6.30 in the morning. You always look so fab and highly individual xxx

Liesl said...

Fabulous bag! I love to watch my daughter when she is on stage but it always makes me want to cry!

Fiona said...

I say! You do look splendid. As long as you like what you are wearing who cares what anyone else thinks. Claudia looks very happy and completely at ease on the stage.
My niece had the same trouble in her street dance group at Junior School, they could only persuade one boy to take part...the rest thought it was for cissies. What does Owen think? Have a lovely weekend.xxxxx

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Your layering is perfect in this changeable weather. One minute scorching hot, the next rather chilly. Your bag is divine. Have a lovely weekend in Liverpool! xxxx

The Small Fabric Of My Life said...

Great dress. Have a great time in Liverpool - it's been lovely all week.

Anonymous said...

Uniform or not, it's working for you. Have a wonderful weekend in Liverpool! Xoxo

Mother of Reinvention said...

So with you on the gender spilt but how often do you see girls with guitars in these days of Pop Idol and guff like that? We seem to have regressed since the 90's. Loving your amazing dress. Hope you have a lovely weekend away. Xx

Mother of Reinvention said...

So with you on the gender spilt but how often do you see girls with guitars in these days of Pop Idol and guff like that? We seem to have regressed since the 90's. Loving your amazing dress. Hope you have a lovely weekend away. Xx

at my dressingtable said...

Have a lovely weekend Curtise !, you look gorgeous you cannot beat floral dresses and the colours are great.
Lovely to see the children performing , Best wishes x.

Goody said...

I remember wanting to sign my son up for dance lessons as a toddler, and being looked at like I was out of my mind. I regret that we didn't follow through and find a children's dance class willing to accept boys. He's into Tango music, so I imagine it is only a matter of time before he finds a class to enroll in.

Gah, the adults are worse than the kids someti...most of the time.

Have a lovely weekend in your pretty shades of blue. You have now convinced me a denim jacket needs to happen in my wardrobe-maybe I can take the kid's-he'll never notice.

Peaches McGinty said...

Have a great time in Liverpool! I hope you have a lot of fun and the weather holds up for you! you can see the joy in Claudia's face, it is a wonderful thing when you see your child doing something which fills them with happiness! the gender split? I fear I may go on a rampage so I will summarise with - I wish all kids felt they could express themselves how they wish without prejudice - your maxi is spectacular btw, I flaming love it! predictable? never! you always look bloody great! x x x

Shawna McComber said...

You look fantabulous as always! If I were a celebrity I would hire you as my personal stylist.

I love school talent shows and the enthusiasm of the students. That one looks like it was great! The phenomenon of boys with instruments and girls with singing and dancing seems to have been around forever. That's why rocker chicks who actually play a guitar are so fascinating.

Have a great weekend!

Trees said...

No one rocks maxis and flower print like you! Interesting point about the kids show - with the boys being in bands and girls singing and dancing. I'm not sure why that is either, I guess when I think of bands I like (both current and older) it seems that they are mostly men, with a few kick ass chicks thrown it. Whilst pop music is riddled with girls - but its not really the music they are selling lets be honest. Food for though really. Hope you guys have a lovely trip - look forward to the photos when you return!

Unknown said...

You predictable? Never!!! You always manage to put together an outfit in a new and fresh way, popping on an unusual accessory or colour to really make the look sing. Good on Claudia - there is nothing better than watching a performer who genuinely loves what they are doing. Have a great weekend away! XXX

Angels have Red Hair said...

The only predictable thing about you is that you will always look gorgeous ... and you do
xx

Unknown said...

You look gorgeous as ever! And I say that you can never wear too many florals! :)

Sue said...

Another weekend away you little jet setter!! Well train rider. Sounds like fun, packing some arnies for the trip and all. You do floral so well and isn't your garden just bloomin gorgeous. Enjoy your weekend.

Vintage Bird Girl said...

Gorgeous Curtise! I hope you have a wonderful weekend away. Xx

Forest City Fashionista said...

FFFfft on technical ability - unless you're planning on a career in dance, enthusiasm and rhythm are great to have. I used to love to dance, and took a lot of classes in different styles, but I had crappy technique. Still enjoyed it though!

I think that maxi is one of my faves, for the full skirt and colour combination. Have a great weekend in Liverpool!

Veshoevius said...

Fabulous skirt! It looks great with the denim jacket. In all my years dancing the girls and women and the class always outnumber the boys and men. Sad because men who can dance are very sexy!

Unknown said...

gawd you look gorgeous!

Kezzie said...

Oooh, you always look fabulous Curtise! I adore your style, fabulous maxi!
hope you have a great time in Liverpool. that is somewhere I've never been but always wanted to go x

Connie said...

Beautiful dress. I'm feeling the denim you hippie! Yeah, what IS that boys in the band, girls in the dance class all about? Claudia has obviously inherited her mother's lust for life. Is it too late for us to join a rock band? I got a lust for life!

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

I simply cannot stop looking at your bag! It's jumping out at me against your amazing floral maxi - a combo that's got me all hot and bothered like. Thank you for sharing the school performance pics, it might seem odd, but I really enjoy watching the kids getting dressed up and performing live. Not everyone's kettle of fish, but like you I would have been beaming from ear-to-ear watching my daughter dancing:). As always, I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of your weekend away and tales of your travels. Big hugs xoxoxoxo

Mrs Bertimus said...

Love the maxi to the max!
Have a fab weekend!
Looks like a fab show x

Helga said...

Gawd I love that frock!!! With the cardi and the DJ,; so totally relaxed and fabularse! Very Riviera Chic, in fact, which I have just made up!!!
Indeed, there is such a gender split, I've noticed it myself. Couldn't tell you what it was about though!
Love you! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

freckleface said...

It's Monday already. Sorry it's taken me so long, but the weather has been so gorgeous i have spent most of my waking hours giving the garden a spring clean. Hope you had a good time in Liverpool la! Claudia sounds like my kind of dancer. I'll take joy over technique any time. I think Vix is right. An instrument is something to fiddle with and hide behind. You look like a beautiful garden in your frock. Gardens are my favourite thing right now. Xxxxx

Ivy Black said...

Ha! I too was thinking that yer boobs looked particularly resplendant! Love that maxi, it's the mutts and rocks teamed with the jacket. Springtastic.
It is curious that women are percieved as looking 'right' at a piano or playing a violin like those 'Beadifuul Corrs' and a lass with an electric gutiar is still seen as a novelty for some reason.
You are bang on about the face of joy. Lovely.
Loves yer flowery bits.xxxxx

mispapelicos said...

Dear Curtise, you are the best flower.
Thank you soooooooo much for joining the fun.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rhia said...

Nicely put together this outfit! I especially love your floral bangle and that gorgeous handbag!

Krista said...

You are so predictable even sporting that famous hot bitch face:) Emmmmhmmmmm:) I have bag envy because that bag is FAB!
I love HEARING about school functions although 3 hour plays scare me. Claudia looks quite comfy up onstage, a smile is the best thing you can send out into the audience.
When I was young I thought all the boys who danced were gay:) Not that it's a bad thing just saying:)
LOVE YOU!
XXXOOO

kobieta niewidzialna said...

You look great! Interesting blog, I'll be looking :) Greetings.

Rachel said...

You look gorgeous in that dress. It looks so fresh and summery. xxx