Rebel Never Gets Old

Recently one of the IFB projects was "Independence" and while I thought about it -- was it my first car? My first grown-up clothes I bought myself? Of course I missed the deadline. Then last night it came to me. My independence came because of music. Music set me free, I could be who I wanted, when I wanted and didn't give a fig what anyone thought. I could dress any way that pleased me going from style to style with ease and a sense of curiosity and happiness. I lived a rock n' roll lifestyle (guess I still do to a degree) and wish I could tell you all the fantastic things I saw and did, however that's for the memoir! And I rebelled at every chance I could, usually in the name of all of the injustice in the world.

One song in particular really resonated with me. "Rebel Rebel" by David Bowie. Gosh I was just a young teen when it came out and pronounced to everyone that it was MY song! Below is a clip (sorry if I posted before) of Bowie during his Halloween Jack phase singing the song.


A few years back he redid the song, entitling it "Rebel Never Gets Old" which is the honest truth. Once a rebel always a rebel, and I'm here to prove it! Note the appearance of the Union Jack jacket made by Alexander McQueen makes an appearance.

XXX
Suzanne

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Links a la Mode

Ask and you shall receive

Edited by Vahni of Grit & Glamour

This blogging thing...it's been around a while now, and many are realizing what a rewarding endeavor it is, on a sartorial and psychological level. One thing I love about blogging is the opportunity to ask a question, ponder a theory—and have others share their thoughts and opinions as well. In this week's roundup, several bloggers reflect on the positive influence blogging has had on their lives and self-esteem. (Superb! Yay for blogging!) Others ruminated on everything from whether style is really subjective, to whether fashion as an exhibit is a trend. Or not.

Stumped for post ideas? Want more engagement with your readers? Been contemplating the style-related proclivities of society? Ask, lovelies. Everyone has an opinion, and most are chomping at the bit to share. But the most wonderful aspect of this kind of engagement is not more comments. Those are nice, yes. It's through discussion that personalities are revealed and relationships are forged. Your readers aren't just a little avatar and some words. They are vibrant individuals—and your biggest fans!

Links à la Mode: June 30th

Alex Drake Vintage: 10 Things I Like About the 1980s

Angela Osborn: 6 Lessons Learned from Coco Chanel

Any Second Now: Heartfelt lessons and thanks in this first year of blogging.

Beautifully Invisible: We Are Women. We Are Beautiful. We Are Real.

Beyond Fabric: On personal style and individuality—because redundant is the last thing you want to be.

Blah Blah Becky: Proof that it's always worth trying a trend: cropped tops without muffin top.

Boheme Noir: Fashion Show Coverage: Roberto Cavalli S/S 12 Menswear

Bubbling with Elegance and Grace: Fashion Designer Exhibitions: Is this the new trend?

By Anika: Closet check: Do your clothes make you feel good about your self?

College-Style: #Trending in Milan: Using Twitter to keep up with girls' and guys' fashion #trends

Divergent Musings: Five ways that blogging has improved my life (it can improve yours too)!

Grit & Glamour: Worker V:2.0 (Ode to the Pencil Skirt)

Hippie Lace: You Cast Your Spell On Me: Spell & The Gypsy Collective

Idee Fixe: Kindness: A Tale of Kindness, Generosity, and a Vintage Coat

KP Fusion: In the business of blogging, is style really subjective?

My Orange Stilettos: Just because you're short doesn't mean you can't wear a midi.

Oranges and Apples: On "going out" clothes and sexual attractiveness.

Seamstress Stories: Boundaries on body confidence and a culture of bonding through body bashing.

Style Sizzle: 10 fashion lessons learned from living in the desert.

The Stylish Butterfly: The advantages of being the worst dressed—it works for Helena Bonham Carter!

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Creative Urge: Finished Product

I promised I'd give you a look at my swimsuit coverup design when I had it put together. So here it is!


So sorry for the photo quality, the sun was quite bright and this -- believe it or not -- was the area least affected by the blaring sun! We were on our way to the pool, so it's over my Norma Kamali swimsuit (soon as finances allow, I'm buying another style, they are so fabulous!) with my Vivienne Westwood bag that I use as a beach bag (purchased last summer at the VW outlet at Biscester Village for a song!)

Yes, I've cut my hair again, possibly to go even shorter so I'll be all silver. I've been greying since I was 16, and dyeing my hair has been a routine part of my life since then, so now that I'm about 90% silver, I may just let it go and give my poor hair a rest! It's quite pretty and "growing" (Oo bad pun) on me.

Happy 4th of July to everyone in the US! I hope you have a lovely day! YAY for independence in all it's guises!

XXX
Suzanne

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Kindness: A Tale

I've recently been going through some very tough times. I'm an optimist who prefers to try and spread hope and kindness and try my hardest not to spread negativity. This time there was an attempt to drag my family down with me. It stops there. Say what you will about me, I have thick skin, but leave my family out of it.

Thankfully, as I explain to the Punk Glam Princess, our friends are the family of our choice. We can choose wisely, and cull the toxicity should it ever rear it's ugly head. And my friends are all amazing. Even the ones I've not met in person and only met online through blogging or my many other online gigs.

One of these amazing people is my fav local barista at Starbucks. She always has a smile for everyone, and is truly a burst of sunshine brightening my day whenever I see her. A few years ago she went through a tough bout with cancer and treatment and I remember her working through it and thinking what a courageous and remarkable woman she was. Last week she told me she was hoping to see me as she's moving down south to North Carolina, and she had a vintage coat she wanted me to have. The coat belonged to her grandmother and she had a feeling it would fit me perfect. It's a vintage seal coat from the 30's so she knew she'd have no use for it in NC. I was completely blown away, She wouldn't accept any money, and just wanted it to be loved and worn. Since she's seen me in my myriad vintage clothes, she knew I would treasure it.

Last week I picked it up. I couldn't accept it without giving something in return so we made up a moving/housewarming basket of all sorts of goodies, meals, relaxing candles, fun pool toys for her son, snacks, whatever I could think of that might be welcomed when just moving. And I wrapped everything and put it into a fun beach bag.

When I saw the coat I cried. It was not only beautiful and fit as if it was made to measure, but I felt like I had been made a part of a new family. Like the fur coats I inherited from a family member, I felt like I was being hugged by a new loved one, hard to describe but that's the closest I can describe the feeling. The kindness was overwhelming to me. A week later, I'm still stunned and tears of joy still spring to my eyes when I think of this amazing act of kindness and generosity. I'll let the pics speak for themselves...

Beautiful Bakelite button.

Pink embroidery!

We even found out that the furrier may still exist in NY!

Not only will this coat be treasured and worn, one day passed down to the Punk Glam Princess but I feel as if I've made a new lifelong friend. We plan to keep in touch, and had a lovely evening last night picnicking at the yacht club with a birds eye view of the 4th of July fireworks our town puts on over the Hudson. It was a lovely evening filled with good company and great conversation!

Kindness comes in all forms from the little things to the bigger kindnesses. I sincerely believe that the tough times I'm dealing with now has a direct relation to this most kind gesture. Like attracts like, and if we all take the time to spread small kindnesses each day not only will our lives be greatly enriched, but others will catch on and it will spread making the world a much kinder place! My friends are treasures to me, and I hope to make more great friends in the coming years!

XXX
Suzanne


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