jennylafleur: (jewelry)
jennylafleur ([personal profile] jennylafleur) wrote2008-05-04 10:53 pm

who's a pretty cotton candy princess?

Second time is always the charm with me. I had great fun wearing my chemise á la Reine to Costume College last year but I simply adore the re-vamp version!

Below are some favorite photos, the rest can be found on my website here:
http://www.jennylafleur.com/dressup/2008.0504/album


Today was lovely. Seurat Sunday is one of my most favorite events of the year and I was delighted we were invited back! Seurat Sunday is put on by a local creative arts center and Belmont, home of the artist Gary Melcher. The grounds are open for artists to paint, sketch, photograph etc then gather for a reception at the end of the day. My friends and I were there as a models, or from our point of view to dress-up for the fun of it, hang out with friends, play music, picnic on the lawn and generally enjoy the day.

Despite gloomy forecasts of rain all week today turned out to be *perfect*. One of those rare Virginia days where the humidity is low and the temperature moderate. There was a lovely breeze off the river all day and the gardens were blooming. It couldn't have been nicer. I'm so glad I went, it was a delightful way to spend a Sunday.


My revamped chemise á la Reine came out better than I could have imagined. The accessories really made it, that and some Big Hair (TM). I adore the green silk taffeta check I used on the sash and hat. I bought in the autumn (possibly to cover a hat with) but couldn't quite decide what I wanted to do with it. I'm so glad I waited as it really is perfect as a sash and hat pouf.


I have to admit it took me a while to get to back to the sewing machine after the marathon sewing leading up to Coaching Day. Even though it was little fiddly stuff I put it off all week, until yesterday in fact. Even then I put it off until after dinner. Once I got started I had fun, especially when it came to the hat and sash, but golly it was hard to get the ball rolling!


My new striped petticoat was already done thank goodness. Can you believe I've had this fabric in the stash for over 10 years and it matches the dyed chemise á la Reine almost perfectly? Yes and can you also believe I didn't realize my outfit matched my stays until I put everything on this morning? Sometimes I scare myself.


The hat. I love how something so thrown together can look so cute! The pouf I totally made up as I went along. It's a circle (17"x17" - well more or less) flat lined with 4 layers of nylon net. I pleated the bottom until it was the size I wanted then added a self binding to finish the edge.

I eyeballed everything, snipping here, pleating by "oh this looks about right". It was fun! The yellow vintage flowers were from the lovely [livejournal.com profile] bauhausfrau (thanks so much Loren!), the feathers & ribbon from the stash. Everything is pinned in place and the binding hasn’t been finished either. I still stayed up way too late working on it. I just couldn't stop once I'd started!


Once I got home B was kind enough to come out in the back yard and take some photos on my camera. I am going to miss our imaginative and creative collaboration in picture taking when she is gone SO MUCH!

[identity profile] koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
You're a pretty cotton candy princess! So pretty.

I find the same thing in a chemise dress--you have to put the whole look together, but once you do it's so fluffy and amazing :)
Edited 2008-05-05 03:13 (UTC)

[identity profile] padawansguide.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
I love how the gown turned out! The flower and sash and lace neckline trim are beautiful!

[identity profile] girliegirl32786.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh you look so beautiful! You really did such a great job on the revamp. I love the hat and the green sash is just perfect.

[identity profile] sarahlizzi.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
you look beautiful! and you're completely right - dyeing the gown made it so much more flattering for your coloring. I also love the accessories you chose, especially the fact that your sash has a subtle pattern to it.

and sorry that B is leaving! it's nice having sisters within arms reach. :)

[identity profile] chloeandrudy.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow, that green is a beautiful color on you! I love green.
Love the hat.

[identity profile] gilded-garb.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
So pretty! I love the color combo and the lace at the neckline is just stunning :o)

[identity profile] cigarettes214.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
Wow! So pretty! Plus, the hat's definitely a win :)

[identity profile] justawench.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
That turned out really great!

[identity profile] the-aristocat.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
Very pretty! This style suits you very well!

[identity profile] fiofiorina.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 06:22 am (UTC)(link)
Sooo beautiful!!

[identity profile] editrene.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 08:51 am (UTC)(link)
Gorgeous!

[identity profile] http://users.livejournal.com/aure_/ 2008-05-05 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
You are too cute! The colors are perfect for you and I just *love* the hat.

[identity profile] lisotchka.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
Very very very pretty! Good job!

[identity profile] isiswardrobe.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
You look like a dream!

[identity profile] mlsdesigns.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 10:43 am (UTC)(link)
wow!! you look so pretty :) is the dress a pale peachy colour? my monitor shows it as just white, but i think i remember you saying you died it?
the sash and hat are lovely, and it's nice to see the fabric 'in the flesh' i've been contemplating it for 1860s dresses :)

[identity profile] elegant-musings.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
gorgeous!!! I simply love the look from head to toe--especially the sash; it's a very charming outfit. ;) you've really got that late 18th century look down to a "t"...

[identity profile] demode.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
YOU are a pretty cotton candy princess! Fabulous - I love how well all the elements come together.

[identity profile] anielmom.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
You look so beautiful! I have total hat envy, it's so cute.
I'm happy to hear it turned out to be such a lovely day.

[identity profile] marcine.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
You look great! The green accents are perfect for your coloring and look lovely with the pretty spring greenery. Your sister got some really nice pictures of you. Yay for playing dress-up!

[identity profile] mala-14.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow! You look so pretty! The tree pics are adorable. And the hat is fantastic. I love all the coordinating colours, especially the flower in the sash. You really look like you should be in an 18th century portrait. Although, I'm thinking that my favourite pic is the "ginormous tube of gathered voile" one. ;) It's so fun!

[identity profile] tailordrews.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Simply soo adorable, beautifull eycandy!

Bjarne

[identity profile] love3angle.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Adorable! love the colors. :-)
newmoonstar: (tissot (olde_fashioned))

[personal profile] newmoonstar 2008-05-05 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
So pretty. Wow!

[identity profile] jehanni.livejournal.com 2008-05-05 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)
The blush color, and the striped petticoat, and the checked sash and pouf are all perfect, and perfect together! Lovely, pretty princess! ;-)

[identity profile] suededsilk.livejournal.com 2008-05-06 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
You look very pretty and Spring-y! :) I love that silk check. Pink and green are such a perfect combination.