The online photos show the hemline to be longer that it is on me ... the result of my being freakishly long-waisted. I also have incredibly long arms, we're talking Missing Link here. After seeing the fabulous Tabitha in her Philip Lim mid-calf grey, I have major Hemline Envy. (And let's face it, everything else envy). Maybe I should let it down...
I was off to the 50th birthday of my lovely friend Anne, who manages to chortle about most things that life sends her and - without invading her privacy - life has sent some curve balls out of left field. It was also her 28th wedding anniversary - Anne was married to Barry on her 22nd birthday. I have long been fascinated by friends who marry young. I was such a complete drongo at that age, it was hard enough for me to decide what pub I was going to frequent that eve, let alone contemplate spending my life with the same person (not that anyone was offering - far from it).
 |
| Barry and Anne at a friends' wedding 20 years ago |
Once I asked Anne: "How do you think you've stayed married all these years?"
Her answer: "No idea. When I got married I never even really thought about it - what do you know when you're 22? " She cites the example of how she and her bridesmaids wore 80's-style shepherdess outfits with fascinators and veils. She wasn't even sure she wanted children (turns out she did - their sweet babies are now teens.)
She told me later: "l also think we are ok because Barry is the most flexible person on the planet and didn’t have pre-set ideas that he needed a mom, or a working woman, or whatever as a wife – none of that 'check this box' thing – which is a good thing, since I would have been lying if I told him what he was going to get 28 years later!
I asked Barry the same question. "I was crazy about her." Barry shrugged: "And I still am."
Sometimes it's just that simple.
What's the most wonderful thing a loved one has said about you?
You look pretty good too! I don't see the freakish proportions you mention. Don't know how to answer your question as my husband and I make fun of each other all the time!
ReplyDeleteSame in this house!
DeleteSame in our house!
DeleteYou look great in the dress. I would not wear a necklace as the neckline is so great looking on it's own. Not sure what to wear a to a 50th this weekend-such a silly dilemma but I want to look my best...wish I knew what that was these days :-)
ReplyDeleteMy husband considers a really good mom - can't top that in my book.
Money saved! Lovely compliment to you from hubster!
DeleteYou totally look like a model!!
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning!
ReplyDeleteNo need to necklace that flattering neckline...
I think you look better in the dress than the model does on the website - you have a gorgeous shape - nipped in waist. Your arms don't look freaky to me either!
ReplyDeleteBeen with my husband since 1987, married in 1990, and we still act like daft kids.
Corker.
DeleteThat is too funny! You know two women, married to Barry's who turned 50 this year and have been married for 28 years! Hmm - do you think it is the Barry's?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have worn a necklace, but then I never know either!
The tao of Barry?
DeleteMy God it could be!!!! Or maybe they are long lost cousins...
DeleteYou sure rock it
ReplyDeleteA sure fire hit
Would I, nope?
Necklace make me look like a dope lol
Maybe with a clock on the end,
DeleteFlavor flavy pretend
Your legs are awesome!! Seriously. A necklace would ruin the neckline! You look perfect.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you just became a Grandma, by the way - congratulations!
DeleteI love that dress, perfect without a necklace I think. My husband is a man of very few compliments but he did once (a few years ago) play me " 9 million bicycles in Beijing" by Katie Melua and said I needed to listen carefully as it was how he felt about me - by far the most romantic thing he's ever done (trying to throw me out of an aeroplane not withstanding!)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful song. Just had t google it as I got it mixed up with the balloon song..
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTy3WA0Pq8M
You look beautiful in that dress without a necklace...
ReplyDeleteI think you look stunning, I like it without a necklace....gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteI have accessory blindness too so can't comment on your dress I'm afraid. A small gold necklace usually reflects nicely on the skin though and gives a glow, so that's all I'd wear.
ReplyDeleteHaven't noticed gorilla arms, and the length is very stylish. You're very slim too, obviously keep off the peanuts!
One of the most memorable things my ex-h said about me was that I gave birth to my eldest like a tiger. I liked that image. :)
Love the image of a Tiger!
DeleteA CHOKER type necklace with a lot of sparkle would have done the trick!But you are so pretty as is it isNOT required!
ReplyDeleteXXX
32 years later MTL said 'Thank you for marrying me.'
ReplyDeleteI like the neckline bare. A teensy brooch to one side if you feel naked.
Pat, lovely, says it all!
ReplyDeleteI am also a bit of an underaccessorizer, so sisters of the world unite! What a sweet story your friend Anne has. She married a good one!
ReplyDeleteI'm also not much of an accessorizer, but I think it looks nice sans necklace. Simple, non-dangly earrings probably would look good too?
ReplyDeleteMy husband tells me I'm his dream girl all the time. I'm a lucky lady!
What a sweet story! I also married at 22 (funny thing... it was the day after my birthday!) After 11 years of wedded bliss, he is still my number 1 fan. He has always supported and encouraged my dreams. I love him for that! :)
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful in that dress!!
Simply stunning... your beautiful smile is all the necklace you need with that dress...
ReplyDeleteAs for the most wonderful thing a loved one has said about ME recently, my answer would take your blog into a totally different realm... ;oD
~shoes~
I can't accessorize worth a **** either but that dress is perfect without a necklace, or maybe it's your figure that's made that dress perfect, you look gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful story about Anne and Barry, the pic of them together is so sweet. You said it best, sometimes it is just that simple.
Husby told me he'd miss me when he falls asleep ... and he said it long before that song came around.
Now I will hear the Cups song all day long - was that the song?
DeleteI don't wanna miss a thing - Aerosmith ;)
DeleteI don't know the Cups song, will look that up but maybe not listen to it, sounds like one that could stay in your head?
You will have heard it a mill times, it will totally stay in your head (now its in mine) but I still love it and Anna Kendrick really is pitch perfect
Delete...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSbXsFE3l8
You look so sexy, really beautiful!
ReplyDeletehttp://en.ofweek.com
The shoes, LOVE the shoes!
ReplyDeleteThey are absolute killers. About eight years old and I had always wondered through the years why I never wore them - and last weekend I found out! Any shoe without some cushioning under the toe (ie stacked heel) is a killer pour moi
DeleteI found who made thoese sandals isabel marant and they are still available on sale in the us. I love the dress I am a accessories girl and would probably wear a simple brooch with this dress. I agree tabitha looked stunning in the grey dress. I also married young and I suppose one of the main advantages is now our children are at college while many of my friends still have children in school. We tend to poke fun at each other rather than saying loving thoughts .
ReplyDeleteI love the dress on you just the way you have styled it~your blond locks being the perfect accessory. Sounds like a fun party!! I did marry at 20, then at 33, and finally to 3's a charm (mostly) at 39. I guess you could say 'I'm a believer' or an idiot. I'll go with 'hopeful'. Happy weekend darling!
ReplyDeletexx, Heather
I thought I left a comment the other day, but I guess it didn't go through. You look beautiful and I love your friends, what a sweet couple!
ReplyDeletexo Mary Jo
Sorry about that Mary Jo, this commenting thing is crazy making, its really hard to know what settings to use. A friend said the other day - How do I comment and now I've taken off the anon settings i had to tell her "No idea!"
Deleteoh bless!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED both their answers. And clearly they love each other! One of the nicest things my husband did was throw me a surprise 40th bday party. We'd just gotten back from vacay and I said not to worry about my birthday. He agreed.... And then I got a fun suprise - a nice dinner with all our friends arranged by him.
ReplyDeleteThat was so sweet and the surprise means you don't have to worry about it at all
DeleteJust my kind of dress with the three quarter sleeves and perfect length. With such an interesting neckline it doesn't neen a necklace! What a sweet couple - love their answers.
ReplyDeleteLove that it has sleeves, otherwise i would have to buy a cardy to go with, it's not warm enough here to do the sleeveless evening thing even in summer
DeleteYou can get away with not accessorizing!
ReplyDeleteI was once told that the way I rolled a cigarette was very sexy... I think that's the only compliment that's stuck in my mind - bit sad really.
Sx
Very French!
DeleteJody- What a sweet post! Well, we didn't marry too young, but we married way too fast! Short, short engagement right after meeting!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that neckline - If you skip the necklace, go for statement earrings!
Loretta
Loretta, a decisive, no mucking around engagement - love at first sight?
DeleteOh my, what a sweet, and true love story. PS...do not touch that hemline, you look AMAZING!! I think it looks great without any accessories, but a sweet little pearl necklace would look nice.
ReplyDeleteI tease my husband some times and say, "Your crazy!" (funny more than crazy!) and he says, "Crazy about You!" <3
PS, it's been a while, trying to get back into my blog...once again! Life does that!!
Welcome back Diana, I know, sometimes I leave it for two weeks and that blank page gets really scary
DeleteDon't think that neckline needs anything else. And the reason that hemline works on you is your great calves - so just leave it as is.
ReplyDeleteI know about having incredibly long arms - expected proportion is that measurement from fingertip to fingertip (wingspan?) will equal your height. My arms' measurement is over 5'10" even though I am under 5'4' tall. People assume you are very tall until you stand up.
Ha1 I've never measured my arms - now I'm going to! I probably should be 6ft.6 in my arm life!
ReplyDelete*swoon* (what Barry said).
ReplyDeleteYour shoes have interest. No necklace needed. Please don't hem the length. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteTime and tailors fees saved!
ReplyDeleteJody this dress is amazing on you! I have serious figure envy. You can wear anything!! No need for the necklace you have such nice skin and no spots-wrinkles.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of Barry and your friend. Friends of mine just celebrated their 25th and they have been together since the age of 15!! Yes, it is pretty amazing when people end up with their soul mate so young!