Paganne, goslings. I wonder when I became such a toady for labels? This whimsical frock is available from Love Me Two Times Vintage. It's a medium, full length gown with a long slit up the left side going straight to mid-thigh. The print is on the front and the back. Pagannes don't come cheap. But you are worth it, so go get it. Or at least look at all the lovely photos.

I'd be tempted to wear this with a hat made out of broken violins. You can pick them up cheap by the armload at Goodwill. It would be even better if the pattern on the dress was actually an electronic keyboard. How fun would it be to play your own evening gown at a gig? Though the keyboards are not optimally placed for doing so. But just imagine, watching drummers struggle with their kits and saying:load-in's a cinch with my new piano frock. In the movie version of my life, the working keyboard would be on an apron that I tied onto my gown, that way I could adjust it in my lap. And I'd play all Blossom Dearie tunes. Perhaps I'd have a small grand piano nestled in my chignon. It would have a working keyboard as well, but--get this--it's a toy piano, all plunky, decayed sound.

And rings on every finger--rings shaped like grand pianos that are in fact--music boxes. Did I mention that I love Liberace?

Now I'm getting greedy. I'd sit next to a full size grand piano, playing it using extended techniques, play the electronic piano on my apron and occassionally reach up to the toy piano in my hair. Winding the music boxes on my fingers.

Quick, someone call Margaret Leng Tan and Phyllis Chen. I have had the pleasure of seeing both of them perform live. Margaret Leng Tan was performing with Eiko and Komo at the Japan Society. And Phyllis Chen playing an assortment of toy pianos, music boxes, a grand piano, and even played a composition than involved frying an egg, at Symphony Space. Both were awe-inspiring.

New to my blogroll is Couture Allure's blog, featuring designer vintage togs, along with vintage advertising and tips. Tips not only on vintage make-up stylings, but the proper way to carry your gloves. Like a lady. [That last line must be read with an Eliza Dolittle cockney.] But I prefer to smack people in the face with my gloves, and challenge them to duels.

Oh, goslings, this is the dress that brought me out of retirement. It's just too succulent to keep to myself. And besides, it doesn't fit me, it's too small. Perhaps you can wear something with a 34 inch hip? Go on, you know you want it.

Isn't it just dripping with summer goodness? Don't you just want to nibble on it?

I am very devoted to Vera prints. I have a few that I love, but nothing this spectacular. Though her work has always had a following, the faux-retro, overpriced Anthropologie has recently latched on to her. I was shocked to discover that someone has unearthed a corporate video of her from the 70s,(complete with long shots of the lighted buttons of analog computers that controlled the color for fabric printing) and had it playing on very low volume on a monitor in the Anthropologie store. There was also a display of some of her scarves. Sadly, whoever installed the set-up nailed them to each other and to the wall. Now, I'm not precious about things, but, ouch! And some were silk too. Oh, the humanity.

So, what the hell happened to me? Well, it's been an eventful year, both good and bad. A lot to process. I'm a regular factory now, processing things, not ready to issue official statements. I attempted to post a couple of times, but couldn't for some reason. I'll be dusting off some elderly posts over the next week or so, and putting things into perspective. Just for the record.

Please go get this watermelon dress. It would look so adorable on you. Wear it to picnics and boardwalks. Summer's not over yet.