Monday, November 4, 2013

A Bit of Baroque from Bisou Bisou



I love the Baroque period in art, music, architecture and philosophy. It's a period of elaborateness of design only surpassed by the era that followed, the completely over-the-top Rococo period. Next to the Rococo, it's positively restrained.

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa
Bernini


The Calling of St. Matthew
Caravaggio


According to the OED, the era's name derives from similar words in Portuguese, Spanish and French for a "rough or imperfect pearl." What a lovely idea.

Baroque pearls!


To our contemporary eye, a little Baroque goes a long way. Although, clearly there have been some fans in the design world who are making more than a little of it. This fall especially, and in contrast to some pretty stark minimalism and a sea of highly tailored and simple silhouettes, we're seeing unabashed references to the Baroque all over the place, in jewelry and embroidered fabrics and laces ... but very little of it is casual. Or even close to affordable for the likes of me.


More D & G, but with  putti prints.


Leave it to good old JCP to once again surprise me, and provide me just the right amount of what I want. I just found this very sheer Baroque print with a faux leather panel by Bisou Bisou.




It's just a sleeveless tunic-top, which I'm looking forward to wearing with a skimpy black camisole underneath and an "after 5:00-ish" jacket on top. But of course I want to wear it NOW, so I'm layering it with a light weight tee for this suddenly cooler weather we're having and more casual occasions. I also like the contrast of  faux leather trousers, and added the suede heels with tassels for yet another texture.

Just a little Baroque for little old me. I'm such a sucker for a bit of historical romance!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm joining our favorite Lovely Patti, the Lacy Cat Lady at Visible Monday
and the Ever Elegant Elena Fay at 
Hope you'll pop over and see what everyone is up to!


82 comments:

  1. Patti_NotDeadYetStyleNovember 4, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    A perfect dose of Baroque, Jan! (and I love the baroque pearls you're showing). Thanks for sharing the art history and your fabulous look with Visible Monday.

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  2. I say yes to Baroque styling. Fun top with your pants but for me it's the shoes that finish the statement beautifully. Fun outfit, great for the upcoming holidays.


    blue hue wonderland

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  3. Wow!!! Totally hot look! Love the pants, love the top, love the shoes...nice job with the styling!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  4. Jean at Dross into GoldNovember 4, 2013 at 7:59 PM

    Jan, you never fail to educate and entertain. Love the baroque tutorial and love the top. The shoes are killing me, though. LOVE THEM. You look great. XXOO

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  5. I love the background and the images that you give for context. And that looks *amazing* on you! I have a few thrifted Bisou Bisou items and now I know where they came from. :D

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  6. VersatilestylebytraceyNovember 4, 2013 at 10:05 PM

    Fantastic! Love the leather and the top!

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  7. i always look forward to what you come up with each week Jan! Great writing and a great top! The colors and pattern on it are so pretty- the possibility are endless! Have a wonderful week!


    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlfie.com

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  8. You're singing my song! I love Italian Baroque and spent three wonderful months studying in Rome - Caravaggio and Bernini everywhere! I would love some of those putti prints, but maybe I'll settle for seeing what my JCP has. Your top looks great, and I love the way you've styled it. Very classy!

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  9. Want! I love the Baroque period, and I love the that it means rough or imperfect pearl...my favourite kind. {Ah if that necklace could be mine.} Do you think it would be too much to wear this with the tulle? Maybe the proportions might be off, but do give it a whirl...or twirl. The shoes! Between you and me alone, they would be sitting on my bedside table being swooned over before nighties!

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  10. Gorgeous!! Love that tunic and the whole look is fantastic!! A very romantic look!!

    <3 carmen @ http://fashionableover50.wordpress.com/

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  11. So thrilled for your love of historical romance and and Baroque because it led to this. What a brilliant and lovely post. How you are able to educate and entertain week after week is amazing. I sure hope Dan swept you off to a lovely night out with you looking so romantic and stunning.

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  12. I had no idea of the meaning of baroque so you've educated me on this dull and damp Tuesday morning! that top is wonderful and the slipper type shoes are a perfect accessory. x

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  13. What a cool history lesson on Baroque.


    Very hip sexy outfit. Those shoes are super sweet.


    bisous
    Suzanne

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  14. Mrs_Jack_of_all_tradesNovember 5, 2013 at 6:45 AM

    D&G's contemporary Baroque has Sicily written all over! I am a little green here looking at those pants in leather.. I can never pull off leather pants due to my ehem, thunder thighs! Trust me, very unflattering on me.. maybe a bit (what? a lot I mean) of stretch would help.. oh, well. Love this simple yet elegant take of yours, very tasteful :)

    GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
    MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
    http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/

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  15. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh so fabulous, dear Jan. Baroque is my favourite style too.
    That top is wonderful and your smile even better.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

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  16. Lovely outfit Jan. Your top is amazing. Those colors so so awesome. Love your heels!!!! They are GORGEOUS!!!! Those baroque pearls are beautiful. Wouldn't say No to them ;-)
    have a great week hun.
    hugs
    Lenya

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  17. There's a word I'm looking for here, but it's stubbornly refusing to come and play. "Awesome"is going to have to do for now.

    I'm loving how you're mixing leather with softer elements. And those shoes. Swoon!

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  18. Do you think there's potential for the putti print panties portrayed in that photo? ;-)

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  19. I love how you layered the top for the cooler weather. I like the Baroque arts (music, painting, etc.) but often forget to add fancy embellishments to my outfits. I'll try that!

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  20. Now I did not know about the meaning of Baroque, so thank you for that. Since I feel decidedly like a rough and imperfect pearl, perhaps I'll adopt the term to describe myself... My, that necklace is pretty - I'll have one of those, please! The putti prints are great too, but I am really impressed with your version of the Baroque, Jan - the jewel colours and gorgeous print looks so glamorous with the faux leather trousers. You look like a Rock Star! xxxxx

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  21. I say if it ain't Baroque, don't fix it! LOL YiKES, that was bad.

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  22. Whaaat... that's from JC Penney? You have got to be kidding! I'm in awe of you finding and creating such amazing outfits! Love it, adore the layering you've done so you can wear it NOW and those shoes couldn't be more perfect with the top. Bravissima (or bravo or however it was uttered in the Baroque period - time to return to my historical novels.)
    xo ~kim

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  23. I keep admiring this jacket -- I feel it would fit right in here! http://www.frenchologie.com/en/fashion/673-teddy-jacket.html

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  24. That's Ophelia floating away to her doom, isn't it? It's a beauty, alright, similar homage ... a little dark, but extremely cool.

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  25. Yes, it's Ophelia ... she's also on a dress!

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  26. You are covering some stylish territory, from tulle to Baroque. The sheer print top, with its brilliant colors and design, light up the screen! The suede shoes are spectacular too.


    You have me going to my closets to find a bit of Baroque. I'm sure it's in there somewhere. Thanks for the information and inspiration!

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  27. Bernini's "Ecstasy of Maria Theresa" brings back memories of art history test at University and new English words I had to learn to describe ecstasy and excitement. Great outfit .. I love the shoes, I bet these are the shoes worn by the prince as he was running after Cinderella once the bell struck at midnight.. Great post. Sara

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  28. GREAT outfit. You reminded me I should look at sleeveless tops more often. I always skip them as I cannot wear sleeveless. But of course with a thin T-shirt underneath and a jacket on top it is a whole different ball game.
    Thank you.
    Apart from this lovely top I so want those trousers but especially those shoes. Those shoes are to die for. Love them. Talking about baroque.
    Greetje

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  29. Hi my dear! Wow, what an amazingly stylish look, I positively love your new top and like you love this era too, it's very inspiring for finding clothes and accessories in!! You look fabulous (as usual!) and I hope you're keeping well too! xxx

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  30. Dawn @ AlterEgoFashionistaNovember 6, 2013 at 8:30 AM

    I adore the way that you began your post with some history of the Baroque Period, and then went on to show what the big name designers are doing with it, before showing a piece that a real woman could afford and wear. You look so darn cute in your versatile tunic, paired with those knock out jeans, and talk about killer shoes! They're so beautiful to begin with, but the tassels just knock 'em out of the ballpark!

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  31. Tamera Ferguson WolfeNovember 6, 2013 at 10:29 AM

    Jan--that top is FANTASTIC!!! Love how you've styled it more casual yet it would easily glam up for evening!!!
    My furry babies say hello to yours!!!

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  32. I'm a big baroque fan as well, Jan - and a huge fan of that top! It's really beautiful, especially with those leggings. You look so edgy in that outfit. You're giving Ruralville some serious style lessons lately, Lady! ;-)


    Alicia

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  33. Thank, Pretty Patti ... aren't those pearls corkers? They are, of course, not mine, but a girl can dream. I could go on all day about this period of art (and aren't we all glad I didn't?!) and I love that the influence is current to counter the very square, spare shapes that are also hot these days. So happy you stopped by.

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  34. Thanks, Debbie. Glad you like it! I'm looking forward to wearing it with just a slinky cami under, a tuxedo jacket and a pair of black satin slacks. Probably the same shoes ... I love them, too!
    Thanks for stopping by.

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  35. I've been waiting for it to get cool enough to wear these since I got them on extreme sale at JCP late last spring ... I'd tried this exact pair (display) a couple of times and really wanted them. They were meant to be mine, and I'll wear them often! Glad you like them. They look almost like velvet here, but they are just suede, with leather tassels.
    Looking forward to the show video ... (!!!)
    Know it will be fabulous!

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  36. Have seen so many things in Baroque style recently that are indeed "too much" and it is not easy to find something that would have just the right, not overwhelming, amount of Baroque. Have to say that your tunic is exactly such a thing - very pretty and not overly decorated. I love it. Looks great with the pants and the shoes are amazing too.

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  37. That's great when everything works out to get the item that you love! I like the shoes because they are a mix of a pump and a short boot, so cool.


    Sadly no video of our show. So much going on and no time to do one. I'm going to do some pictures at the studio when the weather gets colder. First snow yesterday!

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  38. Thanks for yor comment ! I love your baroque style ; your top is gorgeous !

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  39. Have a great showing ...and enjoy your snow. You can have all we get this year! (Kills my business at our slowest time.) I like cold, but snow stay away!

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  40. Thanks, Debbie! Glad you like it. I'm not 100% happy with styling, but am never, so what's new. Looks better in the mirror!
    Thanks for dropping by!

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  41. Hey, Jean! Glad you had fun with it. I could go on all day about the periods of art that I love (and some I don't!) so I hold back ... don't intend to teach, but do like to set up my goofy thinking. Glad you like the shoes ... I'm going to wear them every time I get a chance. Love 'um.
    Hope you're enjoying your driving around!

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  42. So glad you liked my little post, Aya, and my top. It looks better in the mirror than in photographs. Am feeling that about everything this week! Will get over it, always do!
    So happy you dropped by ,,, you are always more than welcome!

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  43. Thank you, Tracey. Hope you're having a good week!

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  44. That makes me so happy to hear, Alice! Having a bit of a challenging week, but will overcome. All good wishes help, so thank you for yours.
    Back at'cha!

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  45. You and Dan have been, but not me. My BIG DREAM ... which I may never get, but I keep hoping I'll get there while I can still handle my own luggage. Dan said he never understood Rococo until he saw Versaille. Someday.
    Thank you for your kind remarks ... always a pleasure to see what you have to say and what you're up to!

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  46. Too long, I think, to wear with the tulle. Lost if I tucked it in. So glad you liked it, though. I'd love to own those pearls as well!
    And yes, the shoes have a special place, when I'm not wearing them!
    Have a great week, adorable Sue!

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  47. Renae of Simple SequinsNovember 8, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    Hi Jan! Finally getting to your Visible Monday link. This top is so amazing. I love it.

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  48. Thank you, Carmen! (Your first name is one of my favorite, all-time names! Lucky you.) I'm glad you like my little get-up. I'm happier with it IRL than in photos, and am looking forward to mixing these items up with other pieces this winter. We all need a little romance this time of year, yes?
    So glad you stopped by!

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  49. Thanks, Trina! Glad you enjoyed it ... I can (but try not to) go on and on about the few things I know a little about. My goal is to entertain. No ... I wore this outfit to make sure other women had a nice evening. I'm due for a "sweeping off!"
    Good to see you ... thanks for dropping in.

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  50. Thanks, Vix ... long week. Glad you liked this little post. I'm far behind in replies, but thank you for reading and your very nice comments. I'm going to wear these little shoes a lot this year, I know.
    Sure enjoyed your photos of Nottingham shopping ... a treat!

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  51. Thanks, Suzanne. Sorry for my late but heartfelt reply. Knowing where the ideas behind the design of what I want to wear is one of the most interesting parts of style, for me. Glad you liked my get up and shoes. Mostly glad to hear from you ... you look marvelous, and am glad to know you're recovering well!

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  52. I love the D&G ad series! Like a little Italian movie, each one. Such drama.
    I cannot believe you are complaining of *thunder thighs*. You are such a petite flower! I'm not sure I would wear even faux leather pants in your climate, though. These have the stretchy side panel/wide stripe on the sides, and it keeps the knees from bagging. That's what I want to avoid!
    Thank you for liking my little outfit ... it was fun and easy to wear.

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  53. Thank you, darling Sacramento! Yes ... I can see you'd love the Baroque. So happy you read and enjoyed, and I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  54. Thank you, Lenya! Glad you had fun with this post. I'm pretty happy I was able to pick up these little shoes, as well. They're among my favorities. And yes ... those pearls are gorgeous, aren't they!?
    You have a great week, as well.

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  55. Awww ... thanks, Laurie. Gotta tell ya ... I'm enjoying my shoes this winter. I had to wait all summer to wear these.
    So glad to see you out and about!

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  56. That look is what I would, with profound understatement, call a fringe trend. At least. IRL? There are professionals or amateurs with more money than sense that might find these useful ...
    Urk.

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  57. Isn't that a great comparison? And, yes, we should all have that necklace. I was pretty taken with it myself, but probably won't be in my wardrobe any time soon.
    Nobody has ever even hinted at Rock Star looks for me ... you are clearly the nicest woman in the world! Now that I think of it ... there are so many really old rockers still hanging out from my era, perhaps that's not completely unattainable! Us old guys.
    Fun just to feel a little fancy in this very streamlined season!
    So happy you stopped by, and congrats, again, on Debenhams. Your part of the world will have more stylish men, I know!

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  58. I tried really hard to fit it into context, but couldn't manage it. Someone had to say it though ... nice to be able to count on you!
    Hope you're having a great week ... and you know you are welcome here always!

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  59. Thank you for your very nice comments, Kim, in any language. Glad you liked the combinations I put together. This outfit is just one of those that looks better, I'm convinced, IRL. I spend all of my time trying to optimize low-ish end garments ... it does, however, give me the opportunity to try new ideas without breaking the bank.
    And that really can be fun (if I remember not to take myself too seiously!)
    So happy whenever you stop by!

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  60. Thanks, Jean! Glad you enjoyed the post. Your taste needs no embellishment! One of the most stylin' young women I know!
    So happy you stopped by!

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  61. fabulous baroque print and fabulous you!!, love how you're sporting your top with faux leather pants and pretty baroque shoes!, they're beautiful and give it a twist!, and you're looking so cool!!
    besos

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  62. I'm not a fan of the baroque style, but I LOVE your tunic! Did you say ?JCP--wow it looks like a million bucks. xoxo

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  63. Mrs D of Hello the MushroomNovember 11, 2013 at 3:45 AM

    What a lovely look! I love baroque too - the churches back in Portugal are full of it and it is a feast for the eyes!

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  64. Darling Judith ... so sorry for the delay in saying thank you for dropping by and for your very nice comments. I'm glad you liked my shoes, especially ... I'll be pressed not to show them with every dark outfit!
    Of course you have Baroque ... I'm sure it's there somewhere. Glad you had fun with this little bit of history!

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  65. As you know, the Baroque often demonstrated a sensational approach to theme and narrative ... almost "reality TV" of the era ... much to love and enjoy as a modern viewer. So fun. St. Theresa is always the first thing I think of ... not just the figure but that wonderful three-dimensional light behind her!
    Thank you so much ... these shoes will be worn completely out this winter.
    I'm so far behind ... but very soon I have to get back to your wonderful posts about art and time, and about Frida ... doesn't she look modern these days? I'll wander away from the computer, thinking about one of your posts, and then allow reality to distract me from reply!
    So happy you came by. I'm always glad to see you.

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  66. I'm such a bad bloggy friend, Greetja ... so slow in reply. Thanks for liking my little layers ... I have a couple of pieces that magically grow sleeves during the winter. Glad you liked my shoes ... I've waited half a year to be able to show them off ! Finally getting to wear them!

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  67. I'm so glad you had fun with this little post, Sharon. Thank you so much for your very kind comments, and know I'm sorry about being so slow to get back to you. Always so happy to see you here!
    Stay dry, and safe!

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  68. Thanks, Dawn. You got what I was going for completely. Thanks so much for reading and having fun with it! Also for your very kind comments. I'll wear the outfit again, but I'll wear the shoes out ... this winter!

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  69. Poor Ruralville ... they deserve lots better than me. I wanted a little edge, but it didn't really go where I wanted it to. It's there, conceptually, as you say ... but no matter how edgy I feel, I know that I'll always look like an elderly cherub. ( I'm in one of those style-moods where I don't like anything I wear ... at least in photos. I'll get over it soon ... I always do!)
    Thanks for being so patient with me for slow reply. It's been a busy week with odd little interrurptions. No big whoops, but just stuff. But the retrograde is over, and I'm feeling a pinch more forward momentum!!!! Yeaaaay. Just what the business needs right now!
    Have a very groovy week, Alicia!

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  70. Hello, lovely Olga! I like it that this elaborate print doesn't take itself too seriously in the sheer fabric and with the bit of faux leather at the top. I'm sure I'll wear it a lot. All pieces I like, together.
    So happy you stopped by ... and look forward to hearing more about your trip to London. Had no idea your daughters were there!

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  71. Thank you! Glad you liked it. So happy you stopped by for a quick visit. You are welcome, any time.

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  72. Oh, me too, Renae ... I'm so far behind! Glad you were able to stop by, and you are welcome any time you can manage it! Thanks for your kind remarks as well!

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  73. Hola! Thanks so very much for your lovely compliments. So kind! Happy to see you here. Have a lovely week, and I'm looking forward to your next post ... you are always an example of great style!

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  74. Awww.... thanks Paula! Yup ... good old JCP, which we have in common as a shoppy hangout. Ours is looking a little raggedy after the reorgainization ... they're slipping back into some of their dowdy old habits. The petite section is looking like MY grandmother should be wearing their stuff. But it looks like they'll keep Joe Fresh and Bisou Bisou ... and MNG is still good.


    Glad to see you out and about and hope all is well your end!

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  75. Thanks, Mrs. D! I'm so grateful for the Internet these days ... whenI was in art school, I would have given a lot to be able to see all that I can now. I was roaming around in Saint Denis the other day ( I love cathedral architecture of all periods!) and never had to get off the couch here in MidNowhere to do it. The Baroque always looks cooler to me when held up next to the Rococo ... makes it easier to appreciate some of the fine points of the more restrained craziness!
    So glad you stopped by, darling D !

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  76. Gorgeous outfit. Love the baroque design with the leather.

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  77. Oh lovely lovely! Truly Baroque and splendid. I do like minimalism and clean lines, but there as something so what-the-heck and enticing about colour and drama xxx

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  78. I love Baroque and I think you look wonderful!

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  79. Thanks, Wendy. The Baroque is more elaborate than I usually attempt, but just a touch was fun to try!

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  80. Glad you liked it, dear SS! I love the outright cheekiness of an elaborate print on sheer fabric and faux leather. It's got the same kind of appeal for me as all the Big-Bling of statement necklaces. Obsessing a bit there, but having no end of fun doing it.

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  81. Thank you again, for the second time today! I'm so slow in catching up ... forgive, please. And know you're always very welcome here!

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