HE IS RISEN

Tintoretto: The Risen Christ.  QAG

The Lord is Risen.

Wishing you Blessings and Joy at Easter

With love from 

The Red Cardinal

HAPPY EASTER

Hello friends..

March is almost gone, and I don't know where I've been...

St. Patrick's Day was celebrated, as usual, with a touch of green.

And the scarf I bought in Dublin, 2016.

Enjoying my Friday choir rehearsal, in a beautiful old Church building in the City.

Grabbing a quick vocal warming coffee across the street, I enjoy the lovely blue Autumnal sky showing off the church steeple.

My brother has a new home on The Mountain, the area where we had so many day trips with Dad before he passed.  Long time readers might remember all those posts of mountain greenery and Lunches with Dad...  

As it happens, the house they chose has a small flower farm growing Peruvian lilies in every delightful colour.  We all received a gorgeous bunch of lilies to take home, and somebody has found an excellent retirement hobby/business to play with...

I have been dashing about the shops far too much - looking for a suitable coat to take on our next trip.

We are going to Europe, first exploring Vienna for a few days, then joining an Art and Music tour, with a cruise from Berlin to Prague, via Dresden, on the River Elbe.
We will see lots of Operas and Orchestral concerts, and of course art and architecture every day.

Vienna

Berlin

Dresden

After much searching about, I have found what I hope is the perfect Opera Coat/Summer raincoat/windy weather/cold day coat...

It is shower-proof polyester, with a pleated collar/hood (and lovely pleated side pockets).  Best of all, it is completely reversible, plain black on the other side.
The background colour is actually more taupe than the brownish colour of the photograph.  The print reminds me just slightly of Indigenous Australian art, which seems appropriate.

Rosella Namok, Ungkum people, b.1979 'Ngaachi Kincha' 2002

Part of a body painting series, 'Ngaachi Kincha', by Rosella Namok, Ungkum people of Lockhart River, North Queensland.  Currently on display above the Water Mall, Queensland Art Gallery.

Prague

Much of the excitement of any trip is the planning, and I have spent lots of time with the travel agent, and also reading a bit about these beautiful cities.

There is never enough time to see it all!
However, at least with tour guides, we will do our best to immerse ourselves in the European experience.

Blessings
XXXXX

A STAR DEPARTS

Hello

Sad news today with the passing of French Couturier Hubert de Givenchy..

His beautiful fashions were timeless..

He designed this wonderful and elegant ensemble for Jackie Kennedy to wear during the famous 1961 Kennedy visit to Paris.  So chic..

Jackie in Givenchy at a later date.

Givenchy was always associated with Audrey Hepburn, and became her personal designer for many of her movies.  

'Sabrina' and 'Funny Face' in the 1950s...

Givenchy was born in 1927, and in 1952 established his own Fashion House, aged only 25.

Who could forget the 1961 film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'?

Givenchy designed the iconic Little Black Dress for Audrey.  

For clothes watching alone, I always liked 'Charade' (1963)

The gorgeous Audrey would look lovely in anything, but as Givenchy's muse she was stunning...

Back in the day, Vogue patterns released many Givenchy designs.

The instructions were perfect, down to the last detail.

How I wish I had kept my Givenchy patterns - but over time, and many house moves, such things are given (or thrown!) away.

Sadly, I do not find the dressmaking patterns of today as beautiful in their construction or detail.  Some even have mistakes!! 

The horror of it....

And here's a little salute to Her Majesty, at the Commonwealth Day Service in Westminster Abbey...

wearing the Australian Hibiscus diamond and ruby brooch.

It is a serious gathering of beautiful gems.

Looking happy, a tiny little figure in the Abbey - but 

at times I think she must miss having The Duke of Edinburgh by her side.

What is happening at your Place?

Any interesting plans for Easter?

We have been enjoying some cooler weather, and quite a lot of rainy days.

This is always remarkable and good for our Hot Dry Land.

Have a good week

XXXXX

LIFE IN A HUMID CLIMATE

Hello.

 Here's a shot taken at the Art Gallery Cafe, as we sat beside the water feature sipping Sunday coffee and pondering the reflections.  

We took Little Aussie in to the children's art centre.

Here he admires the work of Yayoi Kusama.

But on to the topic of the day:

Did you watch the Oscars?  

Here are a few of my favourite frocks:

I like white.  

Margot Robbie because (a) Chanel and (b) she comes from our State of Queensland.

Jane Fonda for elegance and maturity.  

And I like her hair.

Laura Dern.  Nice.

Our Nicole.  Sculptural and Stunning.

And always fabulous.

I like cobalt blue too.

I think this might be Jennifer Garner.  Not sure.

Helen Mirren.  Flawless and maturity.

Blush pink, because....

Busy times, but not much happening..

do you ever feel like that?

I am spending hours putting together our next holiday trip.

Flying off again to a few countries we have never seen.

Art and Music is the theme.

Have a good week

XXXXX