Friday Frock: On Saturday (Sorry about that)

When I was a kid, growing up in Christchurch, we went on a yearly school visit to the Christchurch Museum.  There were two parts I loved.  First, the old, fake street:

When I was going there, there used to be a big horse and carriage in the middle of the street.  I loved that plastic horse, and would always pat its nose.  I think it is gone now, which is disappointing.

The other thing that I loved was a gallery, upstairs with dresses “through the ages”.  So pretty with the lace and the brocade and the colours and the sparkly things.

I realise it makes me sound tremendously shallow, what with the liking of the shops and the frocks.  But rocks and hunks of metal and weapons don’t engage me.  I learnt more about history through those sparkly things, through looking at how small the waists were, and how uncomfortable the shoes looked.  I could imagine myself going into the shop to buy some snuff for my husband and a hatband and some ribbons, and that taught me more than sitting in a amphitheatre looking at a huge globe ever could have.

Which is why I wish I was in London (aside from all the other reasons) so I could go to this exhibition.

Is that dress on the left not divine?  Plus how could anyone resist details like this:

[Norman] Hartnell succeeded magnificently, adapting his signature style of full-skirted dresses decorated with exquisite beading for the rigours of life in perpetual motion. ‘Hartnell used a great deal of duchesse satin,’ explains de Guitaut. ‘He found that more conventional satin tended to crease, while heavier materials were simply too hot. Duchesse satin, however, combined exactly the right amount of weight and softness.’ An evening dress designed for a later tour of New Zealand in 1963 bears this out. The oyster-coloured duchesse-satin skirt is cut into a scissor-style shape, which manages to be both architectural and fluid. What’s more, its heavier weight provides a firm backdrop for a beautiful embroidered panel decorated with pearls, diamanté and sequins arranged in a diamond pattern.

If you had to wear a dress with an Olympic ring pattern, wouldn’t you want it to be just like this?

Plus, she’s not just styley, she’s also very practical.

The Queen might be asked to ride an elephant, as she was during an early tour of Pakistan, or be presented with unusual items of clothing, which will have to be incorporated into an existing outfit. Her ceremonial feather cloak, presented to her by the Maoris of New Zealand and worn subsequently on several public occasions, offered particular challenges.

Love.

Actually not much has changed.

From 1963:

I never know where my next drink is coming from

After a weekend in which it would have been fair to describe me as “sozzled” I am both looking forward to, and dreading tomorrow.

So, just in case we’ve forgotten And for Miss Harvest Bird, who is an homorary member this year: Dryly the rules.

1. No drinking.
2. Seriously, no drinking.  No wine tasting, no booze in food, no sneaky beers with the rugby
3. Dryly begins at 12:01am on July 1, and ends at 11:59 on July 31.*
4. No other major life/diet/exercise changes – otherwise the health/wellbeing benefits will be impossible to pinpoint (and in that case, what’s the point?)
5. In lieu of drinking, possible fun activities to take place.

What’s been interesting this year, is how many people think I am nuts.  Possibly I just hang out with more drunkards, but people are astounded I’m doing it again.  Mostly, I just want to save a bunch of money.  I have my third trip to Australia this year to pay for. I’m also hoping for some….psychological benefits, which i will talk about later in the week.

*Except not this year.  It’s the same for me, for Claire it is 12:01am on July 6, and ending at 11:59 on The 8th of August.  I am a hard taskmaster.

It’s a hard life

Sunday night, chez Wegan:

Spanish wine

French Bread

Olive Tapenade

Tuna Pate

Cherry Tomatoes

Double Cream Brie

Italian Salami

Pita Crisps

Camembert

Tomato and Herb crostini

Creole Dip

Capsicum

—

Not pictured:

Steamed Brocolli

Roasted Yams

Mohair Blankets

Bond, James Bond

Friday Frock: Purple

Can we talk about Allison Janney for a moment? She’s responsible for one of my favourite characters in my favourite television show ever:

And this could be my favourite moment in the show (it’s not, but it is up there)

Seriously, if someone said this to me:

“I just want you to talk to me about it. I want us to talk about what it will mean and we’ll make it work. I want us to talk like we’re gonna figure it out together. I want us to talk…because I like the sound of your voice.”

I would probably fall down dead at the sheer romanticness of it all.  “I want us to talk…because I like the sound of your voice”.  If you ever want me to do something for you….that’s the line right there.

Also, she’s responsible for my favourite moment in the movie Juno, which I can’t find video of, but which goes like this:

Bren: When you move out I’m getting two Weimaraners!
Juno MacGuff: WHOA DREAM BIG!
Bren: Oh, go fly a kite!

And how about this quote from her:

“Dogs tether you to the earth in some really good way. And exercise, of course. And martinis. And sexy high heels. That’s it. Good work, a nice pair of heels, a martini, a dog and a man – not necessarily in that order.”

So, I think we can agree she’s pretty freaking awesome.  The kind of woman we like here at CITNB.  (By which I mean, likes heels, and booze.)

And then, there’s this:

Jo pointed me to this picture, and I think that is the literal definition of a tall drink of water.  A tall, divine, incredibly beautiful, pretty much perfect, drink of water.

I could wax lyrical about how great the the colour is, and the unexpected but cool detail of the red ring, the diamond bangles, the detailing on the bodice, the flattering cut.  But seriously, just drink it in.

Activities

So Dryly is upon us.  I start on Wednesday, Claire has a Very Important Family Thing and so is starting on the sixth and continuing into August.  I may complete the last week with her, I haven’t decided yet.

So…activities for Dryly.

• High Tea at Martha’s Pantry, Finc or Hippopotamus
• Attend some Films
• I am going to do some more skating, cos I’ve been really slack recently.
• Maybe I’ll attend a sporting event.
• Craft 2.0.
• Actually, a crafternoon.  Maybe finally making these.
• Maybe a trip over the hill for some pretty shops?  (And if I remember from last time, an excellent milkshake.)
• A shopping trip to Otaki, followed by dinner at Denny’s.

What else should we do?  What else will be on in July?  What sober things can we do?  Ideas please.

And while you are thinking of ideas….Emily needs some help too.  At the start of the year she started a list of things she absolutely must do in Wellington.  Things like taking the cable car and picnicking in the gardens, eating at Fisherman’s table and Matterhorn. Seeing the Massey memorial, doing the vertical bungy, going to Kapiti Island and the karori sanctuary.

What other Wellington must dos are there?

Wondering

How much time the person behind this amazing website has on her hands?

And, how badly I would mess up cheeseburger cupcakes if I tried to make them?

Thanks Emily for finding it for me.

Hypocrisy

I’ve been aware, for a while, that I probably appear to be a bit of a hypocrite.

After banging on over and over again about taking women’s sport seriously and not sexualising players like Maria Sharapova, I’ve gotten stuck in a bit of a thing.

Over at Public Address, Emma and I have been discussing Richard Kahui.  And let’s face it, he’s an attractive man.

Credit for this beautiful photo goes to: Photo by Ross Land/Getty Images

But I thought I should explain myself.

I know some people think it is OK to admire sportspeople based on their looks, because at least it is a healthy version of beauty, and I sympathise with that view.

Where my frustration lies is when their beauty (and in some cases, lack of) eclipses their talent as sportspeople.  I know that athletes, to some degree, bring this on themselves with their endorsements and fashion ranges.  But when half the headlines about Maria Sharapova are about the length of her skirt, and sports’ administrations teach women how to apply make up, it’s not about the sport anymore.

I like Kahui (and Captain Tackles Richie McCaw) because they are amazing at what they do. It helps that I like to look at them.  But first and foremost, they are rugby players.  Great rugby players.  Players whose games I like and who can always astound me with what they can do.  Reggie Miller used to be the same.  So did Phill Jones.  So is Julie Seymour, and Hadyn’s new crush, Casey Williams.  Shane Bond, Dan vettori.  That list is as long, and as exhaustive as the sports I like to watch.  And it’s not limited to people whi have really good arms.  (For example, Dwight Howard is on the list, and his arms freak me out.  His shoulders are as big as his head! Although, I suppose, Julie Syemour does have impressive guns.)

I often get in trouble watching sports, especially when I’m at the ground, because I will watch one person, off the ball, for ages, and completely miss what’s going on.  But I think that’s because, in large part, I like sport for the people involved.  I am constantly astounded by what these people can do.  By what they can force their bodies to do, and the talent, skill, and dedication it takes to be really great at a sport.

And that, my friends, is hotter then even Richard Kahui’s chiselled cheekbones.

The gospel according to me.

Miss Hubris is touting me all over town as some kind of red lipstick expert.  Which, while untrue, is quite flattering, and good blog fodder.  So, ladies (and any gentlemen who think they can pull it off): Megan Wegan’s rules of red lips.

1. Find a colour that is right for you.  This is the most important thing.  There are blue reds and orange reds, and one or other of them will work with your complexion.  If you get this wrong it will be disastrous.  Every red lipstick I have owned has been sold to me by a make up artist, at either MAC or Napoleon. And I’m not shilling for either of those two, but seriously, MAC has the greatest colours, and their staff, while I understand they can be scary, will help you find a colour that works for you.  Seriously. (That one to the left, is probably my favourite, Napoleon Perdis’ Aphrodite.  I got it when I was having my makeup done, and I said to the artist, ‘I don’t really mind what you do, but I want harlot’s lips’.
2. Lip Liner: Use it.  It helps keep everything in place, makes your lippie last longer and makes it look more crisp.  And red lipstick needs fuller lips, so you can use a bit of artistry to make your lips appear bigger. Whatever you do, make sure your liner matches though.  There is nothing tackier than visible lip liner.
3. And if you have one, use a lip brush.
4. Red lips requires good skin.  If you your skin is not cooperating that day, use good foundation.
5. Keep the rest of your makeup light.  No stripey blusher, no smokey eyes.  Little bit of contouring and just a little mascara is all I usually wear.
6. A little bit of clear lip gloss in the middle of your bottom lip.  I’m not sure what this actually does but it looks cool.
7. Confidence.  Bright red lips takes some balls, and you are going to feel a bit like a clown.  It takes some practice, but a few nights out, a few compliments, and you will never look back.

Friday Frock: The winner

Have I told you how much I love you guys?  Because you took my laziness, and turned it into awesome.  If I could, you’d all get cupcakes, but then, it wouldn’t be a competition, would it?

So, my favourites:

Favourite Dress: Catherine

Date night in Paris by deleifd featuring Miu Miu bags

Favourite Shoes: Nicky (+ extra points for being a little raunchy!)

Date night by nicolaelisabeth featuring Forever21

Favourite Accesories: Caza.

English summer by caza22 featuring casadei shoes

Favourite Item not any of the above: Harvestbird’s coat.

Commissioned by MeganWegan by harvestbird featuring Calvin Klein

And the winner…because she used her internet power to win the voting by a landslide, and her dress made me feel like summer, and her shoes and bag rock: Martha

Yellow by Wanda Harland featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Cupcakes on the way, lady.