Musical

I attended a remarkable concert last night: the St Olaf Choir's 100th Anniversary Tour. It was a concert that made me miss the act of making music, especially singing in a choir. Yep, little known fact, I was a singer in college (a pianist, too), and some of my most cherished memories involve choirs and the music we created. The sound of the voice, of the harmonies and dissonances possible, the tone colors, the texts - these have always moved me more than anything else. And I just miss it. The choir's performance was inspiring: impassioned yet restrained, spiritual, genuine and nearly flawless. And it's got me thinking that I need to find ways to make music again...

Lucille lace skirt - c/o Kiyonna / Fur collar cardigan - Eloquii / Camisole - Eloquii /
Platforms - Nine West  "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

And so, a remarkable night calls for a remarkable outfit, does it not? (Or is it that a remarkable outfit calls for a remarkable night?) Absolutely. I received the luxurious Lucille Lace Skirt from Kiyonna just in time for this concert, and it was just what I wanted to wear for the occasion. It fits like a dream - comfortably fitted and hitting ever-so-perfectly below my knees. The seaming in the front draws nice lines along the body, and the champagne underlay is so classic and elegant. I felt like a million bucks; I felt like I owned the place (though in my position I guess in a sense I already do), commanding attention, respect, and even desire from all who crossed my path. Okay, okay...I might be getting carried away, but isn't that we should feel everyday? It never fails to amaze me what power clothing can have...

I did have some trouble fining the perfect top, however. Black lace over nude lining makes for rather limited outfit choices. The right silhouette, restrained details, and good structure were also important to me. I needed to find something that stood up to the skirt but didn't detract from it, something that highlighted my curves while highlighting the skirt itself.

I decided I needed to stick with a black top, using color where I could in other accessories. A buttoned cardigan seemed too plain, but I didn't have much else in my wardrobe (believe it or not). A portrait collar could be glorious, but I didn't have anything in the right color or material. (Velvet? No.) But thanks to Eloquii's 46% Superbowl day sale, I thought I'd try this fur collar wrap cardigan of theirs. It was final sale, but it was cheap and getting great reviews. I thought that its v-neck and wrap shape (which Kiyonna's ever-amazing Evania also recommended) would offer the perfect silhouette. The fur collar was a great detail on its own, but it also seemed a perfect complement to lace. (I'll have to thank the trends for this one.) It wasn't until I received it in the mail and tried it on did I realize that it really was the perfect top for the skirt. I could stop looking!

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - The Limited

I waited to choose accessories until I put everything on, rummaging through all my jewelry for the right color component. My inclination was turquoise, mainly because it was the same direction I went with the gold and black palette for NYE. But this was also why I wanted to do something different. Gold, definitely, but I need a little extra color somewhere. After a few misfires, I came to this striking peach stone necklace. It was just the right amount of color I was after, allowing me to leave my earrings and ring to simple golds. The only obvious choice in all of this were nude platforms, come to think of it...

A harmonious outfit, I dare say. Music to my ears. =)

Post-performance in the Lower Foyer of the Great Hall

One Good Turn Deserves Another

Yes, I'm alive! =D

After almost a month of little to no posting, here I am. There have been a variety of reasons why I've been AWOL for all this time, and I plan to delve into those reason over the next few posts. But for now I just want to thank everyone for sticking with me and encouraging me along the way. I know that when it comes right down to it, I blog for myself, but I've also come to realize that I blog because of this awesome community of bloggers I've met, and with whom I've only scratched the surface. YOU inspire and motivate me, and for that I'm grateful.

It is therefore fitting that my blogger return begins with the (albeit overdue) announcement of my first blogger award!

A few days ago, I popped over to Ariana's fantastic blog, Fatale Fashion, and I read - much to my humbling surprise - that she was passing the "Your Blog is Breathtaking" award to me! Thank you so much, Ariana! It has been the perfect inspiration to get me back into the blogger groove!

As per the rules, I will answer a few questions, and then pass the award on to some of my favorites. So here I go!

 

1. What inspires you?

I am by training a musician and a music historian (a musicologist) and only a few short years ago I was immersed in the study of all things classical music, whether it was to teach my undergrad classes or to prepare to pass my prelims and begin to write my dissertation. My life has started to move in a slightly different direction, but I am still surrounded by amazing music and musicians, and when I'm fortunate enough to attend a few concerts, I never cease to be amazed by how much music can move me.

Warm, sunny days also do wonders to inspire me, as do my wonderful friends, whether those in real life or the blogisphere. =)

2. What is your favorite season and why?

As a Midwesterner all my life, I think I've learned to appreciate things about all of the seasons. I mean, how else would we survive?? Hahaha.  I think spring is my favorite season, though - especially the first burst of green that announces its arrival. So much life and possibility! And when you've had to endure a blistering winter, it is such a reward! On the other hand, there is so much to love about the winter holidays, and I'd waxed poetic about that in a few posts over the season already. =) The warmth, colors, and sounds of Christmas get me all sappy inside!

3. What are you most looking forward to this year?

I mentioned above that my life is taking a few different turns as of late, so I'm looking forward to really deciding where I'm going, once and for all. =) I also looking forward to paying off large chunks of debt!!!

4. If you could write a book about anything, what would you write about?

If I were to write anything of length, it would be my dissertation on the 19th century Russian composer, Sergei Rakhmaninov.

5. What is your greatest passion? 

I sometimes forget it, I really do, but music has been such a huge part of my life that I cannot deny that it is still a great passion of mine. But, I also take pride in and feel very strongly about honing my own personal style, and perhaps even helping others do the same. Hence this blog. =)

6. If you could change one thing about your life or yourself what would it be and why? 

I've been a curvy girl my entire life, or at least since the 4th grade. It's something I've lived with but never really accepted, sadly enough. Incidentally, that's one of the other main reasons I started this blog, but old habits die hard. I have rejoined Weight Watchers, however (as those of you who follow me on Twitter already know), and I'd like to really make a difference with myself - my weight, my health, my overall self-acceptance - through the program, as I had started to once upon a time 3 years ago.

I would ALSO like to get rid of all debt (and all on reliance on credit) other than student loans - which might never go away. =7

7. Lastly, what is your favorite novel? 

I'm a thirty-something who must admit that I continue to read and reread the Harry Potter series (especially Book 7). It's my comfortable blanket that tucks me in every night before I fall asleep. But, I also have to say that the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky, especially the Brothers Karamozov, have had a tremendous influence on me, so once again I must list two. (Though can they BE more opposite!?!)

I sure did break these rules by listing at least 2 things for every answer, didn't I.... =7

And now, the fabulous ladies I would like to pass the "Your Blog is Breathtaking!" award goes to:

1. Sara of Bombshell Beauty
2. Hilary of By Hillary
3. Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear
4. Erin of Work With What You've Got
5. Natalie of When Life Hands You a Pear...
6. Kyla of Blue Collar Catwalk
7. Clare of Between Laundry Days 

All of these girls are far more established bloggers than myself, but I just wanted to pass on this award as a token of thanks for all they've done to inspire me, even if they don't know it!

There are SO many more others, but then the list would be too long! And though they both already received the award, I would still like to give a shout out to Ariana of FATale Fashion and U. of Curvy Everyday!

Thanks for reading, everyone! 

Black and Blue All Over

Last night was the first time in a long time that I went to a performance and was able to enjoy it. As part of a four-part concert cycle, the School of Music's quartet in-residence performed four of the Shostakovich quartets; the rest (there are 15) will be performed at 3 other concerts throughout the season. Now, I realize this might not mean anything to many of you, and that's totally okay, but I can't tell you the last time I was able to take full advantage of my comp tickets at one of the many exhilarating performances that we hold. If I'm in the building, I always feel like I'm working, or at least should be. But I've finally come to a point that I can let things go a little bit, and knowing that, even though it was going to be an important performance, it wasn't going to be full house or even a terribly busy night, so I knew I could confidently hand over the reigns to my more than competent staff. More importantly, however, this concert made me start thinking about music again, about the importance of making and talking about music, about the fact that maybe I do want to write my dissertation. It won't be on this composer, of course, but I feel like I have things to say, and that they will be worth saying. I still love this new career path I'm on, and I do want to continue to explore it, but I think I do want to write the damn thing after all - for me.

As for my outfit, I wish I could say I wore it all day, but I didn't. I more or less slummed it in the earlier part of the day, knowing I would find something better to wear to the evening's concert. I won't lie - this outfit was something of an accident (or a stroke of genius), but I'm thrilled with how it all came together. I can't tell you how much I love the tweed pencil skirt juxtaposed with the edginess of the tee and jacket. My BF said it was a little too incongruous, but that's exactly I why I think it's so fabulous! What an unexpectedly delightful way to wear tweed!

Black cropped jacket - Maurice's / Blue screen tee - Lane Bryant / Tweed Pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Boots - Nine West (via Zappos) / FURLA!!! / White belt - LOFT?

The tee has actually hung in my closet since the summer. I didn't want to return it, but I was having serious trouble finding the right outfit for it. I wanted to be able to wear it with something other than jeans, and it is now long past white pant season. Even so, all those options just seemed too boring. I wanted to try to mix patterns, but I didn't know how or with what. So, it wasn't until I brushed past this top while digging through my closet, and then eyed the skirt hanging there too (one I hadn't worn yet, either) that the lightning bolt struck. Right away I knew my black boots would be involved, that I'd wear one of the zillion black jackets I owned - preferably one with lots of details - and that I'd throw on a belt to break up the pattern and define my waist under the jacket. Done and done.

Gunmetal earrings - The Limited / Hammered metal disc ring - The Limited / Sterling silver loop necklace - Kohl's

I think Shostakovich would have been totally all over this look. An edgy look for a bunch of edgy quartets.