Online Shopping and the Hungarian Ballet

voltee ♦ September 27, 2010 ♦ 4 Comments

Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Cream, polyester Designer: Rebecca Taylor Where Purchased: Shopbop.com Years Owned: 3

Here is a blouse that I love. It’s very romantic, with all the lace, but in a very wearable tee-shirt shape. This was an online purchase, a method of shopping that has quickly turned into a bit of an obsession with me.
It’s just so easy. You can sit comfortably in your home, with a nice glass of wine, and browse for hours without even standing up. Most of the time I am also catching up on my recorded tv shows that I missed during the week. But the best part is that you can get an email announcing a sale, and you’re just a click away! So you never miss the time it takes to get out of your house and travel to the store. One can lose many treasures during that transit time. And then there’s the delightful anticipation of a package in the mail. That’s a pleasure I never get tired of.
The worst part about online shopping is that it is so easy. Sites that will save your credit card info are the most dangerous. There is nothing to slow you down, or give you time to reconsider- you don’t even need to get out your wallet. One click, and you’re done! It seems like virtual shopping, until the credit card bill arrives…
So it’s very easy to make a mistake and end up with something you regret. This blouse was not one of those. It was even better in person, and I loved it instantly. I’m sure I sang to it.
Anyway, I wore this in Budapest two years ago. We visited many cities on that trip, but Budapest was one of our favorites. It is an amazing medley of cultures, from the truly bohemian to urban chic. We only had two days to spend there, but could have stayed for weeks.
The city is divided into two halves, Buda and Pest. This day we spent in Pest. I remember walking up Andrassy Ut, one of Budapest’s grandest avenues, all the way up to the Heroes’ Square, with it’s statues of legendary Hungarian Rulers that look like they might have inspired characters in The Lord of The Rings.
We finished the day by watching the Hungarian Ballet Company perform Gone With the Wind. It was a strange thing to watch such an American tale told so far overseas. And to be honest, it wasn’t our first choice. We really wanted to see the opera, but it was sold out. The ballet was truly wonderful, though. Simply gorgeous. It was the first time either of us had been to a Ballet. Nate was not at all familiar with the story, and had not even seen the movie, so I had to narrate along to the dancing. Which was easy, since I know the plot by heart.
It wasn’t a perfect day, though. We got into a huge fight on the Boulevard before the ballet. I don’t even remember what it was about, but it wasn’t a fun one. It was just a flash fire that burned hot and bright for all of an instant and then faded away. But still I remember it. Here is the blouse inside the Opera House:
I can see the argument in my eyes. There were tears, for sure. But the night, and our stay in Budapest, ended on the highest of notes. All in all, a city I will never forget. And a blouse that I love. I think this one should stay.

**I can’t get enough of this blouse.  It’s staying!