So, they say Baroque is back.
Does that mean anything to you?
Does anyone care?
Tee hee.
It's kind of funny to me, to be like, Baroque is back, get the wardrobe out!
I have not followed a fashion trend in so long, I wouldn't even know where to begin.
Don't worry, I am not starting.
I just wear what I want.
Maybe the joke's on me, haha!
However.
I found myself digging out all my old jewels and frocks, of the pseudo Baroque variety.
Just for fun.
Seems I have quite a bit.
Why on earth would I own anything Baroque one asks?
Well, it seems….
That it was a HUGE trend during my high-school years.
Along with monster sized earrings and such.
And yes, tis true, I still own it all.
The jewels, the clothes.
You see, I have saved my favorites from as far back as I can remember.
The thing is…
For years after high-school I would show friends parts of my most ornate jewelry collection, and they would laugh at me.
Yes, laugh.
Ha!
And ask, What? Where? Why?
Who owns this stuff?
Who wears this stuff?
And I would ask, you didn't wear this stuff in high-school?
I always got big no's.
When I was in high-school (graduated in 1994), everything wearable was embroidered with stones and sparkle.
Everyday was a costume ball.
Dress up was the name of the game.
Does anyone remember that?
Beaded off the shoulder sweaters?
Leggings paired with heavily beaded blazers?
Sequins, huge rhinestones, clip on earrings, the whole bit?
Anyone?
Rhinestones and beading were everywhere, heavily adorning dresses and more.
Levi jackets covered in every frill and bauble you could muster were the thing.
People sometimes wore ripped jeans and the ornate stuff together.
(me included)
I think grunge was going on at the same time.
So, some folks sort of morphed the two.
I wasn't able to pull all the treasures out, as they are packed away carefully.
But the jewels are always at the ready.
I was looking through Vogue last spring, at the upcoming fall/winter 2012/2013 campaign –
And I almost fainted.
Dolce and Gabbana plunged into Baroque head first.
Baroque from here to there.
With a little over the top thrown in for good measure, of course.
Tapestry shoes (still love mine and wear them), heavily beaded and adorned coats.
I kept exclaiming, wait wait, I wore that in high-school!!
Anyhow.
If nothing more.
I had a fun lil' trip down memory lane.
Me and my jewels 🙂
And Miles, plunking his monkey on top of them, just as I snapped a photo.
Too funny.
Showing just where life is now.
Fur, toys, jewels on the side.
I'm pulling some things out of the closet that I had forgotten about.
And now, I wonder where all my rhine-stoned coats and things are?
Oh yes, I know. Must excavate them.
I can bring them back for show and tell, and giggles, if anyone cares to peek.
I am not sure if Baroque will work on a trip to the grocery in this tiny desert village.
But, I kind of love Baroque.
That's the thing.
I am glad it's back, to remind me to go through my old treasures.
As over the top as it seems.
Time to delve into bauble drawers and see what we find…
The 5th bangle down, with the coral and turquoise, is a vintage Kenneth Jay Lane.
I have the earrings too.
A gift from an old lady at the end of her life journey, I was ever so thankful.
Think of her every time I wear them.
But, point is.
Guess what?
That same bracelet is being made new again, by Kenneth Jay Lane.
How fun is that?
But wait.
Does that mean what I think it means?
If I am old enough for my high-school trends to be coming round again.
That means almost 20 years have gone by.
What is that saying?
Everything old is new again?
What I want to know is.
Does this mean I am getting old, or I am new again?
New again for sure.
😉
And no way, I really don't think I am old.
Doesn't it kill you when 20+ and 30+ year olds whine about "being old."
So silly.
I have always had friends so much older than me.
And they made me realize a long time ago that, old + age, is not what we think it is.
Two of them are 75/76 and youthful as can be.
Active, fit, happy, making art.
My outlook on age shifted a lot early on.
When I looked at life through their eyes, I realized that people whining about getting old at 30/40/50 were beyond absurd.
You are as old as you feel.
I can still see a schoolgirl shining through my 70+ year old friends.
How is that for awesome?
And who even defined what age is?
At this age you should be doing this, at that age that.
You are too old for this or that.
You should grow up and act your age.
Ah, hogwash.
H o g.
W a s h.
But, don't even get me started on that.
I better go, I have guests coming, and this post has turned into a crazed madness of nonsense.
Don't forget to pull out all your giant clip on earrings!!
🙂
Now, if only I lived here…
As long as I didn't have to pay property taxes, utilities or a mortgage, I could totally do it.
haha!
Love, V
ps: random question/fact.
When I was little, I once tried French braiding my hair, and I just could.
I didn't know how or why?
I could just reach back and whip up a braid of any kind, on myself.
No matter how intricate.
I still braid my hair all the time, do you?
And do you French braid your own hair?
My family would ask me to French braid my hair, just so they could see.
Like it was a silly human trick or something.
That and bending my thumbs to my wrist, and crinkling up my double jointed fingers.
Oh, and touching my feet to my forehead.
Anyhow.
I was always fascinated with the way the brain can let you do things backwards and upside down as such.
Do you have any fun human tricks you can do? I wanna know 🙂
Finally, females look like ladies…I know “what does that mean?’ well that is what makes us SPECIAL dont you know……..really, equality doesnt have to be so hard..looking…okay I feel a rant coming on…🖤Debi
I love your jewelry and it would be fun to see your fancy clothes. In the ’80’s I used to wear a lot rhinestone jewelry both new and vintage, and wore outfits made up of many vintage pieces bought from thrift stores. I was especially fond of old menswear suit blazers(big shoulders were in then) I also kept all my jewelry and some of my favorite wardrobe items. They are really fun to look at and try on once in awhile.
I can’t braid my own hair but can do others. The only thing I can do is raise one eyebrow. Wow, pretty amazing huh? LOL!
Take Care,
Tracy M.
Tracy, I can raise one eyebrow realllly high too, my left one.
Which one can you do? I cant do both, shame….
Oh yes, the big shoulders!!!! For some reason, I see Janet Jackson in
my mind, doing sharp shoulder moves singing, what have you done for me lately,
dun dunna dun dun, oooo ooooo ooo yaaa 😉
No my first name aint Baby, its Janet, Miss Jackson if ya
nasty…..
🙂
hahahehehee!!
Debi, I totally agree. I cant still wrestle Mister Lovee to the
ground, or chase a thief down the street in ruffles. I could even solder
or weld in ruffles. 🙂 I know you can too ;))))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/6/2012 8:30:04 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Wow, what a show and sooo opulent!!!! I just wanted to see some more facial expressions on those models! Those stoic faces drives me nuts! I loved how the lights went down then up as the last grouping come down the run way. The stage and runway with the chandeliers were just like a dream! I really love the black/brown with the gold trim, just delicious! I could just see myself dressed in one of these outfits here in AZ! Would be funny! Would turn some heads!
Vanessa, love your first pair of earrings and that first bracelet on your wrist just GORGEOUS! Your closet of clothing, WOW! You have an awesome collection yourself!
I have a little black lace blouse from way back that I just may pull out to wear for for Christmas now!
Sorry no tricks to share that I can think of at the moment. My head is full of that Fashion show and the beautiful music! BRAVO!!! 😉
I was an 80’s girl. The early 80’s was pretty wild, punk rock-like clothes. Then I started dating band guys & it was leather & lace, mini skirts, big hair & total dress up days! Ah, the good old days! And like Tracy up there, lots of rhinestones. I always liked costume jewelry & not fine gold chains or fancy stuff. I have a lot of ornate, I guess you could call it Baroque-ish style jewelry. Kids in the Madrigal dinner show at the local high school have borrowed some to wear with their costumes. My new prized possession is an big ornate skull ring with a colorful flower on the top. I just bought it at a Witch’s Night Out charity thing in Joliet. It was only $5. Everyone probably thinks I’m crazy but I’m wearing it even after Halloween. I just love it. I guess they already think I’m crazy anyway so, oh well!
Those sunglasses with the gold around them are kind of cool.
A while back I heard that someone in my husband’s family said I was immature. I’ve been through so much in my life that I could hardly be considered immature. Growing up I was a little adult. I just see life differently than most people I guess.
It’s almost like I see life through the eyes of a child. I’m in awe of things that most people take for granted.
I’m going to be 50 on Dec. 6. I sure don’t feel 50. And, people always think I’m in my 30’s, so I still got that going for me. : )
I always liked the saying about how growing old is mandatory but growing up is optional. (and boring)
Man, I wish I went to your school! I graduated in 1991. I remember my Freshman year of High School, my Mom bought me this gorgeous skirt and vest from a thrift store that I just begged to have….it was black velvet with rhinestone buttons. I paired it with a crisp white shirt and cute black flats. I felt so special in that outfit…until I got to school. A few people asked me what I was supposed to be, others snickered. I wasn’t confident enough to just proudly say, “Me”.
I don’t remember having a style worth mentioning after that…haha! I wish I had that velvet set now….
I have a little collection of vintage (30’s through 60’s) vintage jewelry and I LOVE the earrings and would wear them all the time. But. They. Hurt. Big time. Instant headache. Sigh.
xo,
Lisa
Hellooooo! 😀 I loooove Baroque! I love Cannon in D by Pachelbel 🙂 Here it is for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOA-2hl1Vbc
I love and miss all of that ol fun jewelry… I was born in 1980 so I didnt get to enjoy it to its fullest but still had a good snippet! The 90’s were a little different… they let go over that costume jewelry love that I loved so much about the 80s.
About the weird girlie tricks- yes! I, too, can do anything with my hair! One day, I decided that I wanted to know how to french braid. So, I took a barbie and just ‘did’ it. Then, I did it on myself. My Dad says I have ‘magic hair’ :)” one minute its half up, the next its wrapped in a pencil! ” In fact, a few weeks ago, I was visiting him and his lady friend were over and he asked me to teach her how to whip up some fun new looks 😀
PS- I can also wiggle my ears without touching them 😀 hee hee!!
AH man!! I wish I could
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/6/2012 1:00:18 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I bet you can!! I see people start to do it when they yawn… maybe there’s a ear wiggle muscle in there… 😉
I am so glad that Baroque is back! (Haha okay, I confess: I didn’t actually know what that was until this post, but now i do!) I love all of the jewelry and the beads! Awesomeness! That is so cool what you can do with braiding. I can French braid my own hair, but it took me a while of practice to learn. It was frustrating, but I eventually mastered the art 🙂 Now I can do side braids, wraparound braids, and all sorts. I can also make weird shapes with my tongue. Like a W and a taco. Not sure if that is really considered “weird human things”, as I don’t know if others can do it too, but maybe it is. Who knows!
I just love that you kept your pretty things! I’m loving the trend of wearing several bracelets but no…my hair is too short to braid! And now that I am nearing the 70s…I think old is 90s or 100! heehee! Love your fun post and beautiful spirit, my friend!
Oh, I am SO there with you on the sparkles and loads of jewels. Ahem—why do you think I have a blog with RHINESTONE in the name? I never QUIT wearing the granny costume jewelry. I think I came out of the womb and immediately stole my mother’s earrings. I even own a Bedazzler.
I was admiring your fishtail braid before I even got to your paragraph about braiding. Yes! I’ve always braided my own hair, too. I have to get into weird contortiony positions to do it sometimes. I actually think it’s easier than braiding Violet’s hair. Maybe just because it’s longer.
And I could eat Dolce & Gabbana with a spoon.
Oh goodness….yes!! I can French braid my own hair….but my really fascinating trick is how I can move my eyes in different directions (apart from each other!)
Oooo la la she she me me!!! If it ain’t Baraque don’t fix it… Sorry I could not resist. Boy-yo-boy does Queenie love this line of fashion… Lace, emboidery, bling and more lace… yummy! Thanks for sharing. I needed some loveliness on election day when emotions and tempers make me want to hide.
One of my unique human trick… Queenie can wiggle her ears… and… can wiggle my nose like bunny rabits. :o)
Hoping your having a really great day.
Always, Queenie
I was into baroque as a teen too! Still wear some black velvet leggings with a baroque pattern all over them that I bought when I was 17. Love those earrings of yours!
I’m into flares at the moment, deeply unfashionable no doubt but when it’s vintage Biba like it is for my latest post, they’re so beautiful they’re timeless.
I have no funny tricks I can do, but I do have a phenomenal memory for names and events, which serves me well in my job 🙂
Sis, when you say baroque, it reminds me of the lesson I HAVE to teach my students in my Introduction to Southwest Studies class about the Spanish baroque style of the missions in the Southwest. All I am going to say is, no me gusta. I don’t want to look like the inside of a 17th century Spanish mission… I just don’t…. Call my crazy, but, it ain’t gonna happen.
When you were in high school, I used to watch you leave the house in this mad whirlwind of rhinestones and velvet and platforms and earrings down to your shoulders, and I thought you were crazy, but it’s only because I thought Strawberry Shortcake had the perfect ensemble with her petticoats and bonnet. Now, I feel like I should have stolen some of your things, because I could totally rock the sh*t out of them today… specifically that one velvet jacket with the cross on the back in pearls and stones. Isn’t it sad that our younger brother and subsequent generations will never have the experiences we had when we could cross that little line in the sand known as the U.S.-Mexico border and be at some hot fabulous club in our hot and fabulous outfits! Where are my London Undergrounds?? Oh! and my Luichiny’s. I could wear those out today and it would be alright… right?
I don’t think you are old at all. I am not old, either. I mean, let’s ask each other that again when we are like 81 and 86, ok? Old… whatever.
Weird tricks… I can stick my fist in my mouth. Why I know that… I don’t know. I can still walk in a bridge and on my hands. Does that count?
I dont even know what old is anymore. Does it even exist
really? I mean – I dunno. For starters, my mom is in her early 60s
and she is hipper and more fabulous than I could hope to be. And my friend
Joyce is in her late 70s maybe 80 by now? And she is someone i look up to
and beyond fab and amazing and creative, and goes places and travels, and
lives. No age barrier. So, I guess, we all hold the key to what
later years holds for us?
Maybe the greatest epiphane/secret is that, age is in our mind – a
perception?
Ithought you said I was cool??? Now I was scary. Ah, the
truth comes out, hahahaa!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/6/2012 4:39:59 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Seriously…go on a mission…find those clothes!!!
I love your jewelry! I think I went through my old and cleaned it all out to give away but I don’t think I actually did. It’s here somewhere! I graduated in ’87. We had the whole early Madonna thing going on. It was fun! I’ve always been able to braid my hair too. Used to wear it in a French braid all the time. Until someone said I looked like a Duggar. Then I stopped. Now I have short hair and can’t braid it. But I’m thinking of letting it grow again. 🙂
love & blessings
~*~
Oh I love your fishtail braid V!! I learned how to do it and sometimes do it to my hair now that it’s so long…but it takes forevah and my arms get tired, tee hee 😉 Plus, I can only do it on one side and can’t do down the back. Love all the bling too!
Hugs,
Jamie 🙂
I remember people “bedazzling” everything they could get their hands on! (I graduated in 1993). I like funky, shiny stuff!
As for braiding, my mom could never braid my hair, so I had to learn on my own. It’s thick and I have a TON of it, so the only type I’ve ever done is a french braid. I’ve always wanted to fishtail it, but as I said, too much hair. I bet if someone was industrious they could do a neat tapestry type of braid. That would be so much fun!
This is too great!!!!! I love Baroque…..although I have not saved everything from the 90’s …..I adore that MORE IS MORE look and all the embellishment…..oh be still my heart!!! I know I’ll a woman of advanced years but I still love it all.
xo
Jo
You were cool! You are cool! You weren’t scary! I never said that. I was just too obsessed with strawberry shortcake at the time to realize how cool you were. Today, you are way cooler than me, and you know it 😉
I was just kidding. OKay you are cooler. Infinity.
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/6/2012 8:17:40 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
It so reminds of my time in Russia this summer..going to see all the beauties of the Czar’s. I have never seen such gold and silver and jewels in my life. Czarista dress’s were amazing. Thank you for your posting the video!
Hi Vanessa, today I will wear a red velvet suit…..full length flamenco style skirt, with the jacket smothered in beautiful embroidery. With it I shall wear red suede shoes, and if it’s chilly I’ll cover up with a black velvet cape. Do you get the idea I love velvet? As for jewellery, well I leave that choice till the last minute. I always wear exactly what I want and I don’t give a fig what other people think. I’m a sort of hippy/goth .My GD borrows my clothes, and the 21 year old nurse at my doc’s surgery says she want’s to be just like me when she’s older. I took that as a compliment as today is my 67th birthday. Just had champagne for breakfast,so the day is off to a good start! love Lesley UK
Happy Birthday Lesley! There’s nothing like a champagne breakfast!
Lesley you doll!!! Happy Happy Happppppy
Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are fabulous!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/7/2012 3:03:40 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Baroque is feminine! But aside from that I have not heard anyone say “hogwash” since I was a kid! Made me laugh, and brought back some memories like how my brother said ‘”hogwash” to a neighbor and she thought he called her a pig.
What a great post. I wish more people would read it. Especially about how old you are vs how old you feel.
I graduated a “few” years before you. Ok, six years. ha. But I definitely know the feeling of seeing things I wore coming back into fashion. Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, anyone? I definitely rocked that back in the day, and to see it all come back now, it’s actually fun to see.
Oh, and as for silly human tricks. I am right-handed, but I can write backwards with my left hand, like a mirror image of writing with my right hand. How did I figure out I could do that? You know we probably all tried it as a kid. So, one day, as a kid, I picked up a pencil with my left hand, started to write my name, and it came out backwards, without even thinking about it! interesting.
I have a small collection of glitzy clip-ons that I wear all the time. I’ve always liked to be (conservatively) different, but not too stand-out-ish.
As for tricks? Not really a trick, but I have a most amazing belly button.
I can french braid my own hair. ^-^ I don’t remember when exactly I acquired this skill, but I think once I watched someone french braid someone else’s hair, I was able to do what I saw them doing to my own. ^-^ I’m a rather visual learner I suppose…
Still haven’t mastered the art of the fishtail braid, but am working on it. =D
I love your fashion posts! =D It’s always so much fun for me to see your baubles & such. ^-^ I lovelovelove fashion (especially vintage dresses & all kinds of shoes…), even though I mostly wear just jeans & skateboarding shoes (even though I don’t skateboard… XD) And I wear my trusty zip up hooded sweatshirt… that’s beginning to wear rather thin in spots, because it’s my fav & I wear it all the time… lolz…
I always like it when you post videos of fashion shows… My only complaint is that the camera people never pay enough attention to the shoes! I am madly in love with shoes… =3 And purses… I like those too. ^-^
Well then… I’m off to measure things to make sure I get the right size stuff to fix my sink! Hope you’re having a good week! =D
XOXO
PS… I remember all that stuff from the ’90s. I was in 4th grade in 1994, but I totally remember bedazzled EVERYTHING. And grunge too. And the mixture. =D
brilliant post and so many great pics with lots of memories….thankyou!
Your talents are limitless!! :)) (I mean that!)
Actually, I can do all of those things, except braid!! I have zero talent for any kind of hair styles…
And boy do I remember all of the “baroque” stuff…I used to work at a boutique called Gantos, and they were the purveyors of all things sparkly, big, flashy…yet upscale and glamorous…I loved it!! 😉
What a gorgeous bracelet…adore the colors…
I completely agree regarding age…it is all in how you feel and see yourself…
Enjoy your guests, you beautiful soul!!
Sparkle on, my friend…
– Irina 🙂
Of course, you and I agree on that ‘age’ thing. I basically ‘live’ Alice In Wonderland most of the time…I’m too ‘mad’ not too! Silly and sane at the same time.
Actually, I take life very seriously but make up for it with the creativity and loose myself in the moment.
I had noticed the trend in very large necklaces coming back, and of course, if everybody is doing it one might as well join in on the fun. I prefer Gothic style jewelery myself…the more dark and mysterious, the better. I had a clear glass oval faceted necklace special ordered on Etsy from, I think, The Old Blue House (or something like that)with a small dark chain on either side of the oval. Jewelry is fun stuff! But I don’t think a full blown trend will ever come back again like in the 1960’s when women and girls wore dresses EVERYWHERE!!! I miss that feminine clothing trend of the past. Thanks for the memories!
You Rock! Lesley
I just had my 63rd birthday and dress however I want to! I also adore Steampunk style and mostly black or grey. With the Beatles as our peer group rock band how can we not be cool!
Great blog, hope to see more from you
in England it was called “new romantic ” and yes I wore year with very wide sleeved shirts with ruffs at the neck, large sparkly earrings, stone in crushed crosses and long pear necklaces … the long pearl are about the only pieces I still have and I will still wear them because you can’t go wrong with pearls
No human tricks here, but I am loving your baroque bracelets.
I love your humor and attention to the little things in life.
Beautiful jewels! Have you seen the pictures for Keira Knightley in the new Anna Karenina movie? You’re going to LOVE it, I can just tell. Silly human tricks? Hmmm my tongue is REALLY abnormally long, but that’s about it. I can french braid my own hair as well though!
What pretty sparkly jewelry you have! I love when trends popular during our growing-up years become “in” again! Human tricks…I can kick my leg up all the way to my head…LOL Does that count? I am kind of klutzy, so that is the extent of my tricks.
Hahahaaa! YEs that counts!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 11/9/2012 6:15:44 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I graduated high school in 1987 and I didn’t wear earrings unless they were long enough to brush my shoulders! I loved that baroque look in the early 1990s~ so fun. Especially that whole black/gold thing. I inherited my love of sparkles from my grandma who is 90 and still doesn’t leave the house without them. 🙂
I can only do the left one too, try as I might. Too funny!!!
Love Janet Jackson!!
wow… this is so great, Im so glad I found this I really love the images also its has great content. I also love jewelries.