Going in Style!

Last weekend, while in San Francisco, my daughters and I took in the High Style exhibit, from the Brooklyn Museum of Art, at the Legion of Honor Museum.  What a treat! Historical, fascinating, gorgeous gowns were on display. Come along -- I'll give you a taste of what we savored....

 We began with a gown in the Victorian period, wtih high neck and lots of lace...

 This gown was unique...

 Flappers were also represented....

 Love the detail on the skirt of the pink dress -- scalloping, beads, lace...

 If we thought shoes now days were unique, you should have seen the wild heels on display!

 ...and if someone has lots of shoes, well, they simply need a large traveling case for them!

  From all covered up in the Victorian period, to revealing shoulders and necks --

 it all reminded me a bit of the changes we see in fashion through Downton Abbey.

 These were simply gorgeous gowns, fit for a red carpet.

 Oh-la-la -- pants arrived on the scene in a glamous way.

 So pretty in pink...

 Animal prints may have come into style in recent years, but they were also stylish in the late 40's.  This gown was known as "The Tigress."

 Recognize this period?  The 50's, of course! 

These are the kinds of dresses my mom would have worn.

 More 50's...

 Bathing suits became more flattering and fashionable...  Isn't this darling?

 Extreme run-way styles, the polka dot number on the left is from the 1960's

 and the big flowers are from the 1980's.

  We all fell in love with this little black number -- something that could be worn today.

 We tried to figure out how a person would sit in this gown. Notice there is a layer of brown below the pink and black lace layer. It's all constructed with wires.

 Va-va-voom! This gown was highly structured and quite involved in its "architecture," 

but isn't it to die for, dahling?

 

Hope you enjoyed taking this little museum tour. It was fun seeing it all again! 

~Brenda

A Night at Opera in the Park

Hope all my American friends had a wonderful 4th of July weekend! I certainly did! I spent the weekend in San Francisco with my daughters, and we started celebrating Friday evening with the Opera at the Park performance. Each year the San Francisco Opera partners with the Giants baseball team to live stream one of their performances from the SF Opera House to the AT&T ball park for free, so everyone can enjoy it. There is something about sitting outside, overlooking the bay, watching the birds, eating hot dogs and fries, and listening to fabulous music as dusk settles in. This year they performed The Marriage of Figaro, and it was charming! The acting and singing were impeccable. You can read all about it here:
Opera at the Park

If you want to hear a little of the enchanting musica (I'm sure you will recognize some of the melodies, especially if you have ever watched the movie "Amadeus"), click here:
Highlights from Marriage of Figaro

Speaking of "Amadeus," if you have never seen it, well then you simply must spend a wonderful summer evening doing so! Fascinating storyline, gorgeous costumes, and soul-tingling music.

Here was our view:

And if it seems a little far away, it was actually considered very good seating, and they have television screens overhead, as well. Thankfully, subtitles were provided.

Wish you could have all been along in my coat pocket.  Maybe next summer! Stay tuned for more pictures of my weekend in the city -- I have an exciting surprise post coming that I know you'll love!

~Brenda