Mists of Avalon, Practical Magic, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Downtown Abby, Merlin, Stardust, Secret of Moonacre Woods, Nanny McPhee
What do these all have in common… an exotic imaginative atmosphere, romantic clothes, colorful sets in beautiful locations, luxurious, exotic vibes, incense, perfumes, drapery, silks, brocades… sigh….I love the scene in Practical Magic where the Aunts and young Sally and Gilly are outside in the garden overlooking the bay, eating a lavish picnic spread out on an old wooden table. I love everything about that! The gorgeous clothes the aunts wear… sumptuous layers of rich, decadent fabrics and beautiful accessories… I want to dress like that every day! I also love the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark when they are in the old sooths sayers lair overlooking the city. While the mystic is looking at the magical medallion, Indie and Salla are pacing inside this beautiful grotto-like room overlooking the city of Cairo. It’s moodily lit by pierced bronze lamps spreading intricate patterns of light against the old plaster walls, the air filled with incense smoke, the desert breeze gently blowing in the open window. It’s all so magical and evocative. Or the robes the priestesses wear in the Mists of Avalon as they emerge from the island out of the dense fog… or the gorgeous gowns Morganna wears in the series Merlin, or the ones the Moon Princess and Maria wear in The Secret of Moonacre Woods. I love all this sooo much! And the settings are over the top. Gaius’s study in Merlin, Nanny McPhee’s houses (the color!), Stardust with the market and all its exotic mysterious wares and that beautiful Vardo!!! And my absolute two favorite dream houses, the Practical Magic house and the home of the Little Witch. Why don’t we create living spaces that have this kind of quirkiness and style. So many out there are cookie cutter boxes. Even the fancy ones seem to all look alike. I want personality, uniqueness, something that makes me want to explore all the nooks and crannies, loose myself in the library and have a secret assignation with a wizard in the tower room.
I want that exotic feeling, the mystical magical plots and that rich, extraordinary wardrobe in my life. To drape myself in robes and silks, to read by candlelight, to luxuriate in rose and sandalwood oils, drink exotic teas and spice my food with saffron and curry. I love the poem by Jenny Joseph called “When I am old, I shall wear purple…” It goes on to say I shall wear purple with a red hat that doesn’t go and doesn’t suite me. My favorite part though is when she later says, “But maybe I ought to practice a little now? So, people who know me are not too shocked and surprised when suddenly I am old and start to wear purple. Yes, definitely, wear whatever we want to know, and who cares if we shock anyone. If my cats accept me then I’m golden, and there far more decerning than most humans I know.
This is what I want to do now! I had a recent health scare, which, as I am sure it does for most, reminded me of how short life is and how precious it is. For me, though, it made me want to become even more eccentric, more outrageous, and generally be who and what I want with no apologies or excuses. I mean, why shouldn’t we be what we want? We are each unique with our own flair.
Who cares who likes it or not, I like it, I will enjoy my life in the manor that suits me. I have always admired Helen Bonham Carter and her outrageous way of unabashedly being herself no matter what the clothing critics say, “how dare she wear that, she looks ridicules”. Well, she dares, and I love her for it. She is quite comfortable in her skin and her personal tastes, and they are not boring or cookie cutter in the least! I am not going to wait until I am old, I am going to allow more of myself to emerge, to be bold and fun and eccentric. to wear what I want, velvet in summer with jeans… Why not!
Silk gowns to bed when I am only sleeping by myself… How marvelous! Wear an embroidered caftan to go to the post office? Well, someone has to add a little spice to the place! Flowers in my home just because? Absolutely. Life is for living… right now! Not when I am old, or retired, or have more money (thrift stores are my Sacks Fifth Avenue!). Wear rhinestones for day or maybe as much turquoise as I can pile on… but of course! It will require more work on my part but so worth it. I already have all these beautiful clothes and what do I wear mostly? Sweats, or jeans and an old comfy t-shirt. There is nothing wrong with this, and I will of course do this still, however I am going to inject a more lavish luxury in my life, actually a lot more! I will bring out all my beautiful things and revel in them. Wear them for ME. Go to the grocery store in my finery, show up to meetings draped in velvet, put rose oil on every day and burn incense constantly. I want to feel like I have entered a movie set when I come home.
Beautiful Outfits
I can’t wait to see another eccentric, outrageously dressed woman in line at the DMV…. I will wink at her in solidarity and together we will splash a little more color and personality in an often-beige world. Don your finery my mysteriously exotic friends, lets add our unique color to an often black and white world!
