I have noted the recent furore surrounding goings-on in the Independent Fashion Bloggers community, but from the safe distance of one who doesn't give too much of a toss about being a "successful" blogger.
To me, my blog has succeeded beyond any expectations I had when it began. It has put me in touch with a range of wonderful women whose intelligence, warmth, generosity, humour and style I admire.
That's good enough for me.
See? Happy!
In amongst the swathes of commentary and reaction, it's great to see that delicious minx Desiree has been highlighted here as a "non-traditional" style blogger of note.
Of course she is, we knew that already!
Doing what she does best!
One of the comments on the post featuring Desiree included the poem Warning, by Jenny Joseph.
For those unfamiliar, here it is;
Warning
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.
Jenny Joseph
At 48, I guess many young style bloggers would consider me to be an old lady.
I can understand that. I remember as a young teenager thinking Debbie Harry was old at 32.
But it certainly didn't stop me appreciating how stunningly gorgeous she was (still is.)
But I'm now thinking I should get some purple-wearing practice in, you know, for when I'm positively ancient. And a good splash of red never goes amiss.
Neither does a flash of one's petticoat!
Dress and sandals - Ebay
Cardigan, red shoes, petticoat, belt, bangles - charity shops
Hair flowers - retail
Pale freckly never-tanned skin - I blame my parents
The day started off a little cool, hence the leggings and cardigan, then it rained, then it was hot.
Such unpredictable weather makes getting dressed very complicated!
Lord, you wouldn't want to get into an online fracas with me, look at my bitch face!
So here are my thoughts, for what they are worth;
Wear what you love, no matter how young/old you are.
Be inspired by others, no matter how young/old they are.
Have a bloody laugh, they're only clothes.
Amen.
If it's good enough for a fuchsia, it's good enough for me.
Don't know what I'm looking for there among the pebbles.
My lost youth perhaps?
Nah, I'll take what's left in front of me, thanks!
And just for my friend Joni, who commented on my previous post that she thought the cherry tree might throw me into a spin and kiss me...
... a little tree hugging. We all need one sometimes, right?
Hope you have all had wonderful weekends.
xxx
