Saturday, October 27, 2018

Rain, Art, and fashion for a Duchess


And so it came to pass that it rained for eight days and eight nights..
bringing relief to our parched gardens.

The birds were astonished...



Some of them had rarely seen rain..



Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are visiting Australia:



Last night she stepped out in the Best Ever Birdie Dress..
Tulle with laser cut seagulls, by Oscar de la Renta.
Magnificent.



I liked this dress she wore last week too.
There should be more secret red linings in our frocks...



In a week of mostly neutrals, this stripe maxi dress stood out -
worn on a visit to Bondi Beach, Sydney.


And they came to Queensland as well, but alas not to Brisbane.
Here is another beach outfit on Fraser Island, where they spent 24 hours in peaceful luxury, before jetting off to Fiji.


Then the bright colours emerged, on their first formal night of the tour.
The elegant blue gown matches the colour of the Fijian flag.


On to the Kingdom of Tonga -
and a bright red number.  I think the Duchess looks gorgeous in red.


She wore Diana's aquamarine ring with a formal white gown.
What a special gift from her new husband.
Australia was chuffed when they chose to announce their impending parenthood right here on our shores.

The primary reason for their visit has been to attend the Invictus Games in Sydney.
The Games were launched by Prince Harry in 2014.
Back in Sydney, ahead of tonight's Closing Ceremony, they attended the wheelchair basketball finals.





Only four months ago we were in beautiful Vienna, so it was with great anticipation I went to see this movie:
'Klimt & Schiele: Eros and Psyche'.



This is a must for art lovers.
It delves into that magical period in Vienna, leading up to WW1, a golden age for art, literature and music.
 Klimt and Schiele changed the feeling of art through their new way of painting, addressing the restlessness, fears and desires of mankind.
The movie ties their stories in with the music of the greats, Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler,  who lived and worked here.
And the contemporaneous work of Freud, who is seen in archival film footage.


I loved 'walking through the streets' of the Vienna of the past, where we so recently stood.



The camera caressed the Klimt mural room..
it was just like being back there again.

Gustav Klimt 'Judith'
Gustav Klimt 'The Kiss'



Ah, Vienna, I really did love it so much.

Happy weekend everybody

XXXX









23 comments:

  1. Hi Patricia, what a great post. I loved seeing your photos of Vienna. Thank you for sharing them. I enjoyed the photos of the Duchess as well, she really seems like a lovely addition to the royal family. I didn't know that she had Diana's aquamarine, what a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law. I'm so happy to hear you got lots of rain! The birds must have loved it and your garden too. Hope you are doing well, take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jennifer, glad you enjoyed. The Duchess is doing so well, in what must be a steep learning curve for her. Rain is very precious in our dry country, and we are always grateful to see the clouds roll in. Hope you are well too.

      Delete
  2. I do like that touch of red lining - it is such an effective and easily achievable accessory to lift a simple skirt.
    I shall definitely watch out for the film Klimt and Schiele with its combination of art and music set in beautiful Vienna. I used to go to Vienna often with my husband when he worked there for the UN.
    I recall that Harry gave Meghan that lovely aquamarine ring on their wedding day just before they left for the evening reception.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How lovely to have gone frequently to Vienna; there is so much to see there, and I would love to go back for another week or two. Maybe I could wear a dress with a red facing - (you know I'm planning to make one, someday). I think Vienna is the sort of party place you could wear anything. Wasn't that the most perfect wedding gift for Meghan, that beautiful blue ring.

      Delete
  3. They are such a happy couple!
    I loved the navy dress with the lighter blue deep border.
    You’re very observant Trish, I hadn’t noticed the red liningšŸ¤—
    They arrive in NZ today, yeah!
    Oh I must see the Klimt movie - I love being transported to another world of beauty, even for just an hour or two.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So comfortable and happy together, they made Australia smile as they held hands around the country. I have just seen the arrival in NZ - I hope they get to Auckland. Maybe you will catch a glimpse! If so, you must blog and tell us :) Don't miss the Klimt movie - it is very dense and enjoyable. xx

      Delete
  4. Patricia, it's lovely to see how Harry and Megan are so involved with what they do. They look very happy, don't they? I've never been to Vienna, but would love to go...so near but yet so far! Stay well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a happy couple, and they really put in a big effort with everything arranged for a very hectic tour. You must go to Vienna - maybe you could sail there?? We were fascinated that we could go by boat from Berlin to Prague, such a long way but so serene and effortless. Happy Sunday Val.

      Delete
  5. Fabulous - Meghan certainly looks beautiful in her clothes and with that smile - carrying oneself on those sky-high heels through the grass is never easy, especially when pregnant! I had concerns about her joining the Royal Family at first but now am really happy for Harry, he has apparently made the right choice.

    Watched the video of them arriving at Government House in Wellington - the rubbing noses made me smile!

    Vienna is a wonderful city - on my first visit I thought it rather stiff and too perfect, the second time I truly enjoyed it and loved how the women dressed so well in town. . . . . and the doggies were very well behaved among strangers on the streets.

    Hugs - Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Mary, thank you for your lovely long comment. Meghan certainly has pulled off this tour with confidence and panache, and the crowds are loving it. She seems perfect for Prince Harry.
      The rubbing noses ceremony sure is unique; there are photos of other members of the Royal Family performing it, but I could not find one of the Queen! I wonder if she ever did....
      Love that you like Vienna too - I too enjoyed it very much, and we felt safe and comfortable walking around there. Prague, which I loved for aesthetic reasons, I found a bit intimidating when out in the streets alone.

      Delete
  6. Oh Patricia...how you love your Royals!
    Have a great week..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, Linda - maybe I will change my mind after the end of the Queen's reign - who knows? I like watching their fashions, that's for sure. Cheers.

      Delete
  7. Its always a wonder after rain how everything seems to sparkle after being washed clean. Loved following our new Duchess....so elegant! Glad you enjoyed revisiting Vienna through the film xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rain is so precious, and we were happy last night to hear more of it overnight. Love seeing all the clean and sparkling leaves in the garden. Hope all is well at your end. xx

      Delete
  8. Trish,

    I missed my station in life, traveling around the world as a goodwill ambassador in designer clothes, shoes and jewels with a staff to take care of the details. You can never go wrong with Valentino and glitter!

    The birds are beautiful, and I must make it to Vienna (in what are sure to be sneakers.)

    Enjoy the after-rain,

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debra, Yes, you would look great as a goodwill ambassador! Wouldn't we all enjoy that. I for one would love a red Valentino gown.
      Back to the heat-waves here now! However it snowed at our daughter's in Ottawa, so watch out for it.

      Delete
    2. It is now autumn in the States, but an odd 70 degree F ( 21.11 °C) day here and there. And yes, to Valentino red!

      Delete
  9. So happy to see your photos of Meghans pretty dtesses! I loved them too! Aren't they just the dearest couple? Now, in this same post you tell me about a film about artists! I would love to see it just like I would like to see Vienna!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are a sweet couple - Australia suddenly forgot its Republican movement :)
      Look out for that movie, it is sooooo good (if you like Art History!)

      Delete
  10. The rain was excellent, it reminded me of the olden days when it rained for eight weeks most Summers. Those days are gone. That red lining was so subtle, it took me a while to wake up to it....then I loved it, of course :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those Lorikeets are so amazing. I'm in awe when I see them on your blog. The black and white dress worn by Meghan is very pretty. Black and white combination in is my favorite in fashion. Vienna is so charming. I have a sweet blog friend from Vienna. It's so nice that Meghan gets to wear Diana's aquamarine ring. What a special gift that was from Harry.

    Wishing you wonderful November days, Patricia.

    love, ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sheri, and the lorikeets send their regards. How wonderful to have a blog friend in Vienna, the city of the Waltz. Happy November to you too Sheri, as the beautiful Autumn leaves come and go.

      Delete
  12. satta king So, your ideas will be heard. This is great motivation from a writing standpoint but also a good marketing strategy.

    ReplyDelete