Every Girl Needs a Tutu

 

When I was a little girl you couldn't get me out of my tutu.  I remember twirling and dancing around the house.  I quit my dance lessons (sorry mom), but that didn't stop me from dressing up and dancing free style.  I felt so elegant and grown up.  The revival of the 80s dance wear as street wear is very exciting to me.  

The above picture is showing our Ultra Feminine Warrior tutu, made from layers of white tulle embedded with strands of silk and upcycled silk flowers with bead stitching and fiber optic lights. $80 www.ricerafferty.com

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

When I was in college my art building was shared with the dancer/theater majors so I was heavily influenced by exposure to dancer clothing.  Even though my hands were full of art books, sketch pads, and paint brushes I'd wear leg warmers and leggings and my hair up in a messy bun several days a week.  Gee!  No wonder my favorite painters were Renoir and James Tissot!  I'm not a dancer, but drawing/painting ballerinas and wearing dancer clothing made me feel like one.  Wearing dancer clothes also puts me in the mood to work out, stretch, maybe do a little ballet workout (check out the NYC Ballet Workout - really great for your posture and makes you feel very graceful).

DANCER LOOK

Wear the tutu with black leotard or leggings and a tank top if you plan on dancing. 

 TRENDY LOOK

If you're a tad more daring with fashion, like Carrie Bradshaw, pair the tutu with a short skirt and blouse/tank (maybe a blazer if it's chilly) with a few strands of pearls and stiletto heals. 

RICE RAFFERTY LOOK

Pair it with our Ultra Feminine Warrior silk one shoulder turquoise tunic and bib or statement necklace.

NIGHT TIME LOOK

Simply flip a switch and turn on the fiber optic lights if you plan on going dancing!  

My favorite dance movie is Center Stage (Special Edition)

I seriously can't get enough of this movie.  I've watched it at least a hundred times.

A Struggle that Inspires

Whenever I watch a movie I love to do some research after (or sometimes during). I enjoy reading the writer/director's biography, film locations, and info about the cast.

Recently, I watched the movie The Last Seduction. The main character is a femme fatale who steals from her husband, runs from NYC, finds a guy outside Buffalo, NY who she attempts to seduce into killing her husband. The movie was very dated in a good way(80s/90s) - old answering machines, women wore short skirts with long jackets, women curled their hair on the bottom. I first heard about this movie because it was mentioned on the pilot episode of Sex and the City. Samantha adores the femme fetal Last Seduction character for having sex like a man. What I found even more interesting than the movie itself was Steve Barancik's honest biography. It's so rare to hear honesty these days.

http://www.best-childrens-books.com/steve-barancik.html

In the above link he writes about his failures and success - dead end jobs, working as an adjunct professor, trying to make writing a career, writing a screenplay, writing children's books and pizza delivering. There's nothing I enjoy more than a story about a person struggling, overcoming circumstances and making something of himself. It's a story all artists, writers, musicians, etc can relate to. Thank you Steve!

What do I want for Christmas?

The BOYFRIEND Blazer, of course!

I didn't pay much attention when i first heard the phrase "boyfriend blazer." I've been noticing it with a new 80s twist with rolled up sleeves. I absolutely adore it! The blazer has always been a must have in my closet. I love layering it with dresses, jeans and a shirt, etc. It adds a polished, yet carefree finish to any outfit.

NOTE: Macy's has a fairly inexpensive version $49.50 by Style & Co.

Are the trends this winter for YOU?

***Fashion Trends for Autumn 2009 - Winter 2010*** thigh high boots, capes & cloaks, see-through clothing, leather, ripped jeans and military fashion

Trends of course are not meant for everybody. Trends, like art are supposed to be extreme and push the boundaries of how we think about the world around us. Trends pave the way of tomorrow.

When you're a teenager it's more acceptable to try all the trends...sometimes even in one outfit! oh my! As you get older you develop your own style; you have likes and dislikes from years of following trends (or avoiding trends). The key is analyzing the trends, understanding them and adding one element to your wardrobe to freshen things up.

Every woman should dress to compliment her own body shape and skin tone. I recommend the book Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson. Yes, it's from the 80's, but its lessons are timeless. The most important thing about personal fashion is it should make you feel good. What makes one woman feel confident and strong may make another woman feel miserable. Don't forget the phrase, "look good feel better." Take trends as a mere suggestion and follow your instincts.

Elmwood Ave Trends

The fashion show Friday night was amazing. All of the models really shined in their Elmwood Clothing Trends. There were twice as many people as last year, so the popularity has really picked up. Janet Snyder even made an appearance. Now lets talk clothes...my favorite trends were the glamorous dresses depicted above. The gray dress on the left has a classic look with a modern twist because of the unique way the dress is bunched on the bottom. I believe these dresses were from Half & Half on Elmwood Ave in Buffalo, NY. There was an array of clothing this year from super glam to punker rock styles. Everyone at the show shined and they got our imaginations going on how to be creative with accessories this winter. Don't Forget: Shop Local.

TGIF

"It's Friday night/And the mood is right/Gonna have some fun/Show you how it's done, TGIF.."

Ahhh childhood nostalgia. It was a time long ago...before reality television. Fridays remind me of the good old days. When TGIF meant more than a saying it was an event for children in the late 80s-90s.

If you didn't recognize the quote it's the theme song from the TGIF "Family Friendly" sitcom television lineup on ABC. The lineup consisted of 4 sitcoms 8pm-10pm. 20/20 aired following TGIF. This block ran 1988 - 2005. TGIF had its own branding of graphics and a theme song. The family friendly shows lineup was an ABC staple reminiscent from the 1950s (The Donna Reed Show, The Brady Bunch, Leave it to Beaver). The shows were wholesome, they brought the family together and just made you feel good. Over the years TGIF shows included: Full House, Family Matters, Step by Step, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Perfect Strangers, Dinosaurs, Baby Talk, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Boy Meets World, and Clueless.

Thinking about TGIF reminds me of hanging out in the basement of my old house, writing on the chalkboard, playing hangman, making forts out of pillows, playing dress up with my cat, sharing air popped popcorn and ginger ale with my grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, and brother. It was more than television. It was about enjoying the simple things in your life - FAMILY. These are the things we need to focus on now more than ever during this recession. I admit even to this day...I sometimes sneak and watch old Full House reruns. It calms me like a glass of milk or a cup of chicken noodle soup. For 30 minutes I can escape to another time...a calmer time. So tonight find a way to calm down, relax, and have fun the way we did during the TGIF days. Enjoy! KR

while i was away...

Hello All! I'm sorry its been awhile since I've posted. I drove from New York State to Georgia and back. Everyone should do that drive sometime. We live in a beautiful country with such different landscapes, plant life, and animals. I saw alligators, turkeys, palm trees, spanish moss, oak trees, lakes, oceans, etc...

While I was away I read about the shooting in Pittsburgh, Pa, August 4, 2009 at an LA Fitness center in my old neighborhood. The gunman lived a few streets away from me. I rode the school bus past his house for years. This is the kind of stuff my grandma would have nightmares about. She was always watching the news and worrying about things...now I see for just reason! My prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the gunman. He was very disturbed and isolated. It's sad he didn't have anyone to turn to. We must reach out to people who look as though they're going through a difficult time.

On another note my favorite writer/director, John Hughes, died August 6, 2009. You may know his movies - Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Home Alone, Weird Science, The Breakfast Club and many others. I was looking forward to his future films. His films will be appreciated for generations to come. RIP