Monday Morning Inspiration/Oscar and a Bucket List

A few weeks back, I shared the summer bucket list that my husband found folded up and laying on the ground in an alley. He brought it home, thinking that I would enjoy seeing it, and I did :) I especially love the simplicity of the list. Everything is achievable within the course of the summer. I also loved the idea of being excited about the possibilities of the summer. When was the last time I was excited about the summer?!! This simple little bucket list inspired me to do my own. You can find my original post HERE. 
   

I decided that my bucket list needed to be special, not just written out on a piece of typing paper. So, I sat down and painted the picture below.  

I did not write on my original painting, but rather copied it on to a piece of paper that I will mount on a piece of poster board. Below is my list. So far, 2 things have been checked off. I really wanted to see 2001: A Space Odyssey for the 50th anniversary. That kicked off my summer as we saw it on Memorial Day, for me, the official beginning of summer. We have a wonderful theater in Chicago called The Music Box where they play all sorts of international films and art films. It was there that we saw the movie.

  

There's a great German delicatessen in Chicago called Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen. When you walk through the door, you feel as though you have been transported to Germany. They have a rooftop beer and wine garden where I have wanted to eat since they opened, but have neglected to. It finally happened last Friday night. I loved it!

As you can see, I've tweaked the list to my own liking, but all things that I would like to do, and if I didn't have the list to remind me, I just might let them slip. What a fun project this has been. So much so that I am inspired to make a list for fall and winter.

Now for some fashion inspiration...

I recently came across the picture below. This lovely dress is from the Oscar de la Renta 2019 Resort collection.

So many of the pieces are just fresh and fun.  

I especially love the plaid coat on the left below.

And I found the brown stripes to be refreshing.

The shorts on the left below are such fun with the contrasting pockets. I thought the short suit on the right was lovely too! 

The design of the pieces is really nothing new, but I just love how pieces are paired. 

I thought both of the gowns below were especially pretty. You can see all of the collection HERE.  

If you would like to make your own bucket list, you are welcome to print off my little piece of artwork :)

I also put together the piece below that can be printed off if you like. Just a nice reminder to write down our dreams to make them a reality. 

Have a wonderful week!

Rhonda

Monday Morning Inspiration/Oscar de la Renta Resort 2017

Last week, I told you about a book that I was reading, Gary, The Most American of All American Cities. I found the book to be extremely interesting, and enlightening. Rather than watch the Grammy Awards last night, I finished my book. How are you when you finish a book that you have thoroughly enjoyed? Maybe you're like me, I close the book, hold it for a moment, turn it over and re-read the back cover, hold it in my hands for a few moments longer as I ponder what I've just read, and then rather sadly say goodbye. Isn't it wonderful though when you read something that really touches you? Now the search is on for the next great read :)


I've been sharing quite a bit of lace inspiration recently. The Haute Couture Club of Chicago will have a lace challenge at our next meeting. What usually takes place is our speaker will have about 45 minutes to give their presentation. Then we move into the challenge. Everyone who participates will have made something that they feel fits the criteria of the challenge. They put on their garment and then explain what they have done. It's always a lot of fun to see what everyone has made. So I am hoping that with all the inspiration that I've found, we'll have some knock out pieces for our fashion show which will be Sunday, May 7, 2017.

When I was looking for a fashion show of the Valentino 2017 Resort Collection last week, I stumbled upon the Oscar de la Renta Resort Collection. It's a beauty! This collection also showcases a number of lace pieces that I thought were especially lovely.

The collection mixes tweeds with lace and little sweaters. Love the peek-a-boo lace near the hem.

Lace godets add an airy touch to a tweed dress.

Love this little flapper inspired lace cocktail dress. Perfect combination of 2 laces and feathers.

This dress has applied lace on the tulle. The back of the bodice is lace.

Lace insets in the jacket.

Crochet is also a form of lace.

Love the combination of the stretch lace tee with the pieced skirt. 

I left the last 2 images in their larger size so you could really see the application of the lace. So pretty.

If you would like to see more still pictures from the collection, you can find them HERE at Vogue.com. 

There are many other pieces that are especially pretty, and there's nothing better than actually seeing the clothes move, so I've included the fashion show below. It's not too long :) 



Hope you enjoyed the show!
Have a great week!!!
Rhonda