I shun the latest trends....unless they're super cool

I try to be an individual.  Just because everyone is talking about / reading / watching / participating in "the new, cool thing,"  I have to stop and deliberate over whether it's something I actually want to invest myself in.  I don't watch "Dancing with the Stars," "The Bachelor," or "American Idol."  I cringe when I see a commercial or read about the "amazing new diet" trend that is sweeping the nation.  I still haven't read an entire book from the "Twilight" series, and I actually stopped watching "Glee" months ago.  Maybe I'm just stubborn, or maybe holding out on following what's popular subconsciously gives me a sick sense of pride and superiority......whatever the reason, I don't like to go along with stuff just because "everyone else is doing it."

Except for this

Oh, and these

And let's not forget THIS

Ok, maybe I'm not as original an individual as I think - but I AM a little picky about what new fad I'm going to embrace (sorry, skinny jeans, it's never going to happen).  It usually has to come highly recommended by someone very close to me, but even then I can need some prodding.
I resisted The Hunger Games for so long after my younger sister said I HAD to read them, and then they became added to my list of all-time favorite books.  So when my youngest sister told me to watch Once Upon A Time, I started soon after she told me to - and now I'm hooked.

What sealed the deal was the episode from a couple weeks ago, when the story inspiration was Beauty and the Beast.  That is already one of my favorite fairy tales, and probably my #1 favorite Disney Princess movie (I think I'll have to devote a blog post to it one of these days), and the way OUAT handled it was truly for the die hard B&B fans (in my opinion).

There was Belle in her yellow ball gown.

And her blue dress.

But I think what made me holler out loud at the TV was the fact that some unenchanted enchanted objects made it into the episode as well

(Check out the candle and clock in the background to the right, and Mrs. Potts on the tray to the left.)

It's easy to almost miss the Lumiere and Cogsworth cameos, but it was hard to ignore this one:

"It's chipped."

HAHAHA!!!

The Dress Post Part II

I'd wanted to include a picture of my "Titanic"-inspired prom dress yesterday, but since I graduated high school in 2000, digital pictures were not what they are today.  Luckily, my dad is a whiz at scanning, so he sent me one of the pictures.  Thanks, Dad!

Yes, my mom sewed pearls on the bodice!

In all honestly, my junior prom was such a dud - talk about an event that had NOT lived up to the hype.  But I loved my dress (and my hair).  And I've been able to dress up for other occasions that were waaaaaaaaay more fun.

My brother and sister-in-law's wedding reception, 2003
A pink, sparkly dress - doesn't get much more fun!

My "prom" dress for NYSTI's "A Wonderful Life"
(My heel got caught in the skirt a few times during the big Charleston number.)

Bridesmaid for my friend's wedding,
2005

Maybe someday I'll get to wear this dress:

(Well, maybe not, but a girl can dream!)

The Dress Post

On a recent day off, I wasted spent the day watching the first season of "Downton Abbey."  It was a very enjoyable way to spend the day.  Call me a nerd, but one of the things I loved most about it was the costumes - especially the women's dresses.

Seriously, how can you not love these??

I've always LOVED period dresses.  I think if I had ball gowns to wear when I was little, I would've worn them every day - instead I had to settle for a Rainbow Brite skirt and a Dottie Dog skirt / sweatshirt combo.  My mom always brings up how she couldn't get me to wear a pair of pants when I was little - it was skirts and dresses all the time.  I guess that's why my ADOS ("Attention Deficit Oooh Shiny") kicks into high gear whenever I watch something with beautiful costumes.

Love this.

While watching "D.A." I couldn't help but be reminded of "Titanic" - shocker, I know, as they're from the same period.  I love the style of this era.  In fact, I loved it so much, I based my junior prom dress on Rose's dress from the scene in "Titanic" when she's hanging off the back of the ship.  Not to sound conceited, but my dress was the best one there.  (And in the words of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, I'm not being conceited, I'm just being honest. ;))

This was the pattern my mom and I used for my prom dress.

I think if I had to do it again, I'd have this dress for my prom. 

 I know that the clothing from periods past had their down sides, but part of me would love to wear them rather than the 80s and 70s inspired crud that keeps popping up.  I'd definitely feel more like a lady wearing something like this:

"Pride & Prejudice" (A&E version)

Or this:

"The Young Victoria"

Oh, well.  Who knows?  Maybe gorgeous dresses will make their way back into popularity someday.  I don't mind waiting.