Of Shoes and Ships and Sealing Wax

voltee ♦ September 16, 2011 ♦ 4 Comments

Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Fuchsia, silk Designer: Elie Tahari Where Purchased: Last Call Neiman Marcus Years Owned: One

First of all, a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave me such kind words about coming back last night. I am so very grateful for your support!As a few dear, wise old friends noted, I really am happiest when I am writing here. And so I shall!
Plus, I do have a highly urgent need for a huge closet clean out, and I will have to be ruthless like never before. So I am counting on you to help me!
This blouse is a another recent addition to my collection of clothing. It is a perfect example of what I like to call “The Rescue.” The Rescue is one of my most favorite types of shopping. Basically, it is when an item is damaged in a way that is small enough to not ruin it, but big enough to call for an astounding discount. My favorite place to exercise The Rescue technique is at the Woodbury Common Last Call Neiman Marcus. They have a Final Clearance rack where clothing is so discounted, they are practically giving them away. Some of my most beloved garments have been Rescued from that rack, things that needed maybe a few buttons, a little seam sewn, a belt added. I find that when I spend the time in a minor repair, I bond with the piece that much more. I love The Rescue Technique!
This blouse was almost free. And it really didn’t need a single repair. It just had a few tiny threads exposed from the bead work. It was so minor I didn’t even bother to fix it- it’s not noticeable at all. And the beads are just so lovely that I had to buy it. It has these amazing vintage rhinestones that I adore:

Anyway, I had never worn it before, when I decided to take it on a little trip to California in May. Carrying out the theme I unconsciously chose last night, we spent a night on The Queen Mary, an amazing ship from the 30’s that has been turned into a hotel, reportedly one of the most haunted hotels in America.
I was so excited to stay there. The ship has retained many original features, and is literally like sleeping in a time machine. It has a wonderful history, from celebrities and opulence to World War 2. Plus, it looks a whole lot like the Titanic! But really I was hoping to see some ghosts.
And so we took the Haunted Encounters tour. We were lead through the most “haunted” areas of the ship and encouraged to take pictures in the hopes that the ghosts will pop out in the images. It was all very creepy, especially when we got to enter a room that is apparently so fraught with paranormal activity that they no longer allow guest to stay there. It was stark and definitely frightening, but we saw no ghosts.
After the tour, we thought we would try our own hand at ghost hunting, and headed to the lounge, also reported to be highly ghost filled.
We found nothing except delicious hummus, cheese, and fruit, and a few cocktails. Oh, and a very intoxicated man who really liked to talk. I guess he may have been a ghost- it’s hard to know these things… And here I am:

Later, that night, after dinner and complimentary champagne, it seemed like a good idea to have one more go at finding a true ghost. So we went back down to the Haunted Stateroom, deep in the belly of the ship. It was locked of course, but there was a ventilation grate on the door that was a little bent.
“I’m going to put my hand in there!” I told Nate excitedly.
He just laughed at me. But I was determined.
Slowly, I crouched, and, holding my breath, put a few fingers through the grate.My heart began to pound, as I leaned forward to put an ear on the door. A few seconds passed. Then- a bang!
I jumped, pulled my hand from the door, grabbed Nate, and got out of there as fast as possible.
It turns out that hearing a ghost may in fact be scary enough. I no longer really feel the need to see one.
Haunted or not, we loved our stay on the Queen Mary. Without a doubt, a highly unique experience.
The blouse, though, I’m not so sure of. I love it on Trixie, and I loved wearing it. But I am not fond of the picture of me wearing it. It seems too bare. As someone who is bosomly challenged, I do not often feel over exposed in that area. Maybe it’s just the picture? Maybe I just look bloated from too much vacation food? Maybe it needs a cami underneath? Would that neckline be ruined with a cami? Help!

**Too new, again, to decide just now. Let me know what you think!