 |
| Invite to the opening reception for "Magnificent Vision" at the Philbrook Museum, Tulsa |
If Friday evening(after the shopping thing) found us in Oklahoma City for the monthly art walk, Saturday evening found us at the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa to attend the opening reception for a new show: Magnificent Vision. I'd eagerly awaited this date for weeks, with joy even. Why? The exhibition features a collection of paintings from The Speed Art Museum, and those very paintings played a huge role in my younger life. Situated in Old Louisville, the Speed was a regular haunt of mine. I would take the bus from our suburb as soon as I was deemed old enough (high school), and years later I lived for a short time just a few blocks from its portal. I fell fast in love with Dutch painting, Rococo garden painting, and French portraits because of its gracious gratuit policy, and it gave me my first big dose of Post-Impressionist, Surrealist, and Postmodern masters. By the age of 15, I was enrolled in my first college art history class and sketching from the collection. My love for art continued from there.
 |
| Pieces: Anne Fontaine top, J. Brand denim, J. Crew suit jacket, cheapie sunglasses, pearls from India hand-strung with larger beads, and a vintage snakeskin bag from France |
The collection was as stunning as it had ever been--more so even with the new paintings added in recent years. MP and I wandered through the exhibit twice, taking a break over super-sweet cakey frosted things out in the lobby. For both of us, it was an interesting time to be seeing this exhibit. MP's current project asks him to consider Renaissance and Baroque painting, so his eye sought out certain themes. Meanwhile, I found myself in a memory spin as I moved through the show, my mind going from Tulsa to Paris in a rush. This painter will fill large gallery after gallery in the Louvre. That painter helped design portions of the Versailles gardens--and the light of his paintings puts me there instantly. This type of painting we'll see lots of in the upper floor of the Louvre in a remote wing. That painter has a hall full of portraits. And so on.
It was very exciting.
 |
| When I get a real set of sunglasses, I want tortoiseshell. I love how it goes with almost everything. |
For the evening I dressed very simply--something all the more necessary given the one-hour-plus commute, the early seafood dinner at which I stuffed myself, the trip to Target to get a new coffee maker, and the whirlwind tour of Saks at Utica Square because I just had to see if skinnies would fit me. MP gets a public round of applause from me for the latter. We had just twenty minutes until closing time (they close early), and he raced there in record time. I. Am. So. Spoiled.
 |
| The reason to go for Anne Fontaine: the neckline lays open beautifully |
This coming weekend sees us busy again, but fortunately everything is taking place closer to home. It will also see my hair getting a much-needed trim. How about you? What do you plan to do or accomplish as Friday rises on the horizon?
Lovely. This is BY FAR my favorite of your white shirts. It whispers effortless chic. It does not look stuffy or uncomfortable or too crisp, it is relaxed, yet elegant. It actually, for the first time ever, tempts me to consider a white blouse. Can you tell me specifically which AF one it is? This look is perfect in my opinion -- elegant, effortless, nonchalant chic.
ReplyDeleteC., you look absolutely stunning in your AF and JBrand. The pearls have been a favorite of mine since you artfully tied each one of those precious pretties together. You definitely get an A++ for this one. So glad you had a great weekend in Tulsa.
ReplyDeleteKristi,
ReplyDeleteYou would look amazing in a white blouse, especially with your dark hair as a frame. Because this one is used, the care tag with the name is cut out. Here's the important detail: the sleeves and the back are made from this incredible soft cotton knit with some stretch. It's one of her signature fabrics. I went a size up from normal (which would still need to stretch around me) so that the effect was simpler (that said, the side angle of the front-top portion stayed a bit dramatic).
Jeanne,
Smoooch! Ever since I finally fixed the necklace, I've been having a lot of fun with it. It seems to instantly elevate a classic combination like this one.
Love that bag! ; ) And you look stunning. I now want to go to an art museum in the worst way. Maybe I will search my tour guidebook for one in the D.R. When we get back, a trip to Chicago will be long overdue. xxBliss
ReplyDeleteYou outfit is amazing!
ReplyDeleteYou look AMAZING in AF! Their shirts are meant for you! I think it is close to the one I recently bought ( mine has 3/4 sleeves and the stretchy back). It is called Connie. But your pearls - I am swooning over. Your bag - love the vintage look of it, and now you are all set for your b/w cravings. Loved reading about your Museum musings. I make a point to attend exhibits here in my area, and the shows are diverse and make such an impact on my work, as quite obviously do to your as well. Beautiful photos by MP.
ReplyDeleteWill read post (particularly about the art exhibition) later, but want to know - did you buy the "skinnies?"
ReplyDeleteCheers, I love this post! The Speed Museum is my happy place. I spend many a lunch hour strolling its galleries. And also, you look gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHey, you seem to be slimmer compared to one month ago. Did you lose weight? Shopping equals exerising.
ReplyDeleteShoe-shopping elevates my heart beat to the fat burning zone!
Bliss,
ReplyDeleteWho's the beautiful lady who found it for me? ;) (Everyone: Bliss did--she's FAB.) You definitely deserve a day roaming the Art Institute. If I was closer, I'd beg to join you in the fun. Have a great trip!
Michelle P,
Thank you, sweetie!
Lanit,
Isn't this fabric combination *the best*? This shirt was the trial shirt--did this fabric really do its job. Yes!
For creative individuals like you (and me), visiting galleries and museums is imperative. Even just passing by the windows can be the inspiration one needs, and you live in one of the dress cities for that! xo
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteLOL. No, I didn't. They ended up not being skinnies so much as leggings/jeggings. YUCK. If we had had more than 10 minutes, I would have tried on the "pencil" cut. Next time!
Amy S,
Swooning that you live so close that you can spend your lunch hour there! Tell me--what's led to this tour of the European collection? Are they renovating part of the museum (as that's often the cause for these types of exhibitions)?
Paula,
Well, you caught me. I am still losing weight--and not because I'm not eating (I am, and drinking beer too), it's probably because of work stress (there's a lot of work coming in, more than normal for this time of year). The loss should normalize soon. And you make me laugh--a few laps around a great mall totally takes care of my cardio any day!
Love the posts about art. Museums are one of my favorite things to do. Inspired by by you, I've decided to give J brand and Anne Fontaine a try since I've a similar body type. I tried on several J brand and ended up with a boot cut in a beautiful color that they call Riviera Blue (dark teal). For the skinnies, you might try going up a size or two. I was size 29 for the jeans that I bought, but size 31 was a better size with the slimmer legs and lower waist. On me, the skinnies looked fine from the front but I decided to pass because I wasn't entirely pleased with the rear view of the low cut. The only skinny jeans that I've liked so far are Christopher Blue. They look great tucked into my boots. Similar:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.christopherblue.com/pants/miller-cigarette-luxe-knit/
I've also gotten a gray Anne Fontaine blouse with white collar, cuffs, and trim in San Francisco. There were two that I liked - the other was a pure white with a zipper and could be worn as a light jacket. My concern with that one is that the lower collar was like an oversized deconstructed peter pan shape. The first seemed more versatile. And the sales girl mentioned that there would be sales after Christmas and told me which styles might be likely to be on sale. There was a third with 3/4 length Flared from the elbow sleeves and a Renaissance ruffle collar, but it was not in my size.
Elizabeth
I'm on my whirlwind tour of N.Calif, but wanted to pop up to say: YES!!! to every post, and especially strong approbation (you can thank my daughter's GRE word flashcards for that word) for your outfit here. Totally perfect. I have 2 white shirts I wear under blazers and sweaters, but my problem is finding a non-see through fabric so I can wear it solo, as you do here. I don't like adding a cami,, as that feels fussy, so my question is: where can you find good fabric in a white shirt that (not stiff/stuffy)? Does AF do this well? Yours looks pretty much perfect. Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteP.S. I declare without shame that by Friday I plan to have accomplished yet again more whooping it up with my DD here in the Bay Area, featuring at end of day bottles of her carefully cellared wine (& DVX sparkling!) and her exquisite cooking. What more could a mother want?
XO
The Speed is undergoing a crazy-big renovation, so I imagine that was the reason for the collection's fortuitous landing in OK. The new wing is rather fantastical:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFWbwhUn60E
What do you think? It reminds me of the IMPei expansion of the Louvre, perhaps...to put it in a Parisian context (49 days?). I'm not certain how I feel about its stark architectural contrast to the original building; but it will probably be awesome.
I love Anne Fontaine shirts too - that one looks so crisp and beautifully fitted on you. The bag was the perfect compliment - and you are lucky to have a husband that'd race to Saks for you to try on jeans! :)
ReplyDeleteArt, great food and a bit of shopping and smashing good looks, what a lovely day you had.
ReplyDeleteLove this look- simple but sophisticated and elegant!
ReplyDeletewww.saysskippy.blogspot.com
I crown you the queen of white shirts, seriously, you do look radiant!
ReplyDeleteThank for those links in the previous post, the Bill Cunningham one was great for white/black but the Haider Ackermann color palette really popped my eyes out! Wow. I love jewel tones.
The Thought Catalog article was very funny, I just shared it on facebook.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteWelcome! I laugh because, yep--skinnies require a couple of sizes UP. So do J Brand pencil legs on me. The real issue with the skinnies was the denim--way too much stretch. If I want leggings, I'll get leggings, thank you very much. But what is this you say about teal bootlegs? Gorgeous! That stands out--like in that last B. Cunningham photo essay I linked to (before Paris and b&w).
Thank you for the link for skinnies. I will investigate and perchance find the label in Paris (?). And I'm grinning at the whole notion of sales at AF--lucky you! I'm so glad you found something beautiful there; it's amazing how many different options there are. Now all you need is to find that one with an Elizabethan collar in your size!
V.O.,
Celebration time!
Whoop it up for as long as possible, sweetheart--this week is YOUR week to love on your DD and do all sorts of fun things with her. I look forward to hearing more about it--I miss our "chats"--how did it get so crazy?
And about AF shirts: Yes, you can find a white shirt that won't require a camisole. Almost all of mine are very solid and not thin. A couple are thinner, requiring a nude bra, but nothing else. This is one of the reasons I'm now an AF-die-hard fan. I don't have to worry about it looking dingy just because the shadow of my skin shows underneath. xo
Amy S.,
ReplyDeleteIncredible! That's a huge project, which means the Speed must be doing very well during this time. It makes my heart swell to hear it. Seeing the new works in the collection over in Tulsa made my eyes open wide. Most of them that were showcased are pretty stunning examples of key pieces--particularly the ones from the northern regions of Europe.
Next time I'm in Louisville, let's go tour the Speed together!
Katherine,
Thank you on all counts! :)
Bienchen,
It was a wonderful day--especially with the fantastic seafood.
Skippy,
Thank you!
Susan,
Yeah! I'm so glad you reposted it on Facebook--it's so awesome!
And I know what you mean about the H.A. collection . . . . To Cry For. Those were the kind of colors that just make me weak in the knees. I hope that trickles down into the sub-designer fashion so I can get a few pieces.
I join in the general acclaim for your outfit , it so suits you, and for me my similar kit ..jeans and black AF Connie [ like Lanit] takes me everywhere . The problem is .... nothing else will ever look or feel as good .
ReplyDeleteYour pearls are just superb with the white shirt and I'm getting to love that lizard bag [ Please tell me it's lizard effect , not real liz]
You were so lucky to have found art galleries a source of interst and amazement, something which resonated throughout your life and is very much part of you. For me it was and is music , and I'm eternally grateful that I was exposed to it and understood it young. I do love galleries and visual art too , but it can't take me to the place music does .I always wish there were a quartet to listen to while I gaze...
It's endlessly fascinating discussing these things, and finding out about others . Thanks for sharing .
AA, I love how you take a simple white shirt albeit one by Anne Fontaine paired with jeans and pearls and elevate it to the next level. This what I call simple chic at its best.
ReplyDeleteYou look so pretty in this shirt. I agree with other comments - white is often too sheer on me as well and I dislike the camis under Tees. I am definitely not a black/white girl more black/grey and then some color. Despite it not working for me it's a very chic combination. Your musings on avantgarde and 80s fashion is so refreshing and fun. Hopefully, the leggins, baby-doll top, Jersey shore fashion will go away quickly. Have you heard of German contemporary painter Neo Rauch? His works are amazing and mesmerizing. Have I written already what a fantastic photographer MP is? The picture of you from the back with the movement in your hair is stunning.
ReplyDeleteMaedi
Estrella,
ReplyDeleteThat IS the problem; I already feel it. I could wear jeans + a white AF blouse every single day. I better start stocking up. But . . . if that happened, I might as well close down the blog, no? So I think I should try to still spice it up sometimes.
The bag seems real, I'm sorry to tell you. I don't think it's lizard--instead, snakeskin, and the scales are something fierce. I'll do a post about it (I need to start making lists, no?). It's vintage from the 60s or earlier, shipped from a town in France.
We have the opposite history, it seems, regarding art and music; when I was young, I did listen to music once I got into high school (but not much before that), and years after that I discovered the possible reason why music and dancing seem distant to my life: I can't hear beats very well. I'm not tone deaf; but I can't clap a beat or tell the difference between them to save my life. Maybe this is a reason for my intense irritation at less than sublime musical events--it starts to break down and I can't follow it (meanwhile, MP is a music lover and used to play). I look forward to Parisian concerts and such for a taste of the beautiful.
CC&C,
Thank you--that is the best compliment a woman can receive.
Maedi,
Oh those baby-doll tops. What the hell? It peeves me to no end to enter all the street stores and find baby-doll after baby-doll. I tried one on at Zara--and yep, I looked pregnant. Why is this in fashion?
I didn't know anything about Neo Rauch until you wrote his name, so I looked him up. Incredible! The work is haunting and dynamic and just riveting. Thank you for the inspiring mention, because it gets me even more excited to be heading to Paris where I can explore the galleries very soon!
I was watching another vintage snakeskin, handmade in Italy, same colors--after reading this post I went to check on it and possibly get it--too late...SOLD. It was gorgeous. xxBliss
ReplyDeleteIt's a date!
ReplyDelete