Santa Fe, fall 2012.
Runner’s
prayer for twisted
sister hoping she won’t Trippen
in her “to Paula from Santa’s
Dry Goods” boots
and fall…
à la Fonda…
on Assisi!
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Nov 28 2011
Nov. 27, 2011. Memories from the 1st day of 29 years and counting of Paula Graves Adams’ Cowgirl Adventures…
by admin
Just a word of clarification…
I have to qualify the use of the term “Cowgirl.” I use it as a state of mind, not as any profession which could claim me as an associate. I do ride a horse, can herd cattle without causing a rampage, and I have a hill on the XIT to where I would ride on a regular basis and look back at the river and the XIT Headquarters.
But cowgirls are really born. They are born to fathers who are cowboys and cattleman who work in the trenches. Not all daughters of these men are cowgirls. Just the ones who worked alongside the other men. Some rope and tie, others vaccinate and herd and brand. The three real cowgirls I know in the Adams family are Wanda Adams, Chelsea Adams, and Lacy Adams. But that’s another post.
So. Today is 29 years to the day of our wedding day. And I am celebrating another person who in so many ways made me who I am today, John Adams, just as I feel about my parents. I definitely pulled my weight and worked this gift of parents and husband as I have done with other God given gifts. I need to do a bit more of this for myself and cut them some slack from all the burdens that come along with this responsibility, but I am eternally grateful.
So I will try not to talk (too much), but here are some pictures of stuff leading up to the wedding, the big day, and of our honeymoon in Chicago for three days before heading west in a u-haul to begin the adventure.
Dean Graves is laughing at one of his own jokes in the lower left photo. Probably something witty sensing my fear of this new burden of “stuff.” I inherited this tendency to do big belly laughs at my own jokes.
I just mainly remember that John Adams would look at it all and say, “you are really getting great stuff.” This is translated as, “these things we both will cook and serve off of are yours so you will write the thank you notes” and extended on into wedding gifts. We had some perfectly nice “Paula & John” cards custom designed by the calligrapher for Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, Mary Lou Cook, but I don’t really remember John using these :). But, he had to pack it and haul it and unpack in a u-haul over bumpy roads, not breaking a dish. As he did two more times to Lawrence and Wichita over the course of our marriage, which is more moving of stuff and wife than most husbands would tolerate. So this really counts for much, much more.
Here is a brief concept and history page for my Paula Varsalona wedding dress. Sandra Kenney, former KU cheerleader, the most beautiful Pi Phi at KU in the 50s, former wife of Bob Kenney, was the buyer for The Jones Store at that time.
Beautiful Kenney women: Sandy, Karen, Kirsten.
She was a good friend of my mother, Kirsten my good friend, and the reason why The Jones Store got all the best designers at that time. And, the models to wear them…Terri Sue Walters and Kitty Bliss. Terry’s picture is underneath my head on the Independent Cover and Kitty’s beautiful picture was on the cover when our engagement picture appeared. So, I am honored to be pictured in a magazine with photos of such beautiful and photographed Kansas City women!
A cover, concept, lace mitts and shoes, and two Paulas at a dress fitting. Professional and hobby designing women.
My mother spotted another $1,000.00 shorter lace dress that was also very beautiful and classic with a plunging neckline. It would have been lovely, but I opted for this $325.00 more Victorian number which I styled with the lace mitts, shoes, and dropping the veil for a crown of baby’s breath with some tiny ribbon streamers. Both dresses seemed like a lot of money at that time, but nothing compared to the rest of the party. What our fathers do…
Here are some of the friends who were at the University Club on Nov. 27, 1982.
George Waugh, Mike Tutera, back of David Kerr's head.
Christie Reed Reniger, Ed Bolen, Kate Nettels Faerber
Julie Connally, Karen Majors Bogle, Alison DeGoler.
Dr. Dick Dreher, head of Children's Mercy Hospital, Marthe's date?, Marthe Dreher Tamblyn.
David Stubbs and my cousin, Wendy Ward.
Alison Weideman Ward, Eleanor Stolzer?
Molly Miller, Lynn Kindred, Susan Grier, Kathy Kindred.
Bridget O'Brien and Elaine Beeson.
Scott Ward and Liz Waugh.
Jamie and John Kane, Carney Nulton.
Mary Beth Simpson, John Simpson, Bradley Grover Simpson.
Mary Stauffer and Sam Brownback.Two Jack's and a Jane: Savings and Home, Dicus and Frost.
? Beta?, Elaine Scarborough, Greg Duvall, John's Patient Pledge Dad.
And here are some family pictures…
Raymond Adams and Sandra Dublin Frizzell Adams with her parents. So I am kind of related by (ex) marriage(s) to both McKinley Winter Feedyard, Cindy Brown, and Tripp Frizzell and Alison Miller Frizzell in a way.
David Adams, 12-step Guru across the High Plains. Judy Robert Adams, great-niece of Sally Chisum, a wife on the XI Ranch who never lived there and niece of John Chisum. William Robert, Judy's Grandfather was the former co-owner of the XI Ranch Landholdings before H.G. Adams partnered with him to fence and water, subsequently buying the holdings from Robert.
Ginny Graves, my mother and co-party planner who handled all the details. In a great mother-of-the-bride frock with Allison Ball in the background in a smash pink and black party dress.
And look! Heavy Hitter Jessie Adams and a dashingly handsome man (Bud Helm?) and heavy hitter and my bro Randy Knotts at left.
I’m assuming they all attended the nuptials at 4:00 at Second Presbyterian Church, but I didn’t look around. It was another stage performance where I was gripped with both fear and emotion.
In part, I hold Gina responsible (my maid of honor) as she was beside me crying when I said my vows at the altar at Second Presbyterian Church. This of course precipitated my crying while I said “I do.” John later expressed concern that others would think I was crying because we were getting married. We were both wearing our parents shoes. I actually was sad at the idea of my father giving me away. But as they say, “a son is a son until he takes a wife, but a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life.”
At the University Club, someone took these candids in the room where all the food was. It was freezing rain that Thanksgiving Day. So, many of the older guests wanted to get in, wish me well, and get safely back home.
Where did the saying, “Rain is good luck on your wedding day” come from?
YAHOO! Answers.
It pops up through Shakespeare’s works and I imagine it would have to do with a pastoral society, where rain would symbolize fertility-hence it is good luck on a wedding day!
So after having a thoroughly wonderful beautiful month of Paris with rain every day and living on a very dry ranch in western Kansas and a wedding day of heavy rain, Paula the Pisces Water Child is always happy to see raindrops, curly hair and all.
But back to University Club, the point is that I’m putting in this picture at the lower right of this “media page” because it is in the library of the University Club. This was pretty much all I saw of my wedding reception until about 8:00 after which John and I did the bouquet (Beth Van Winkle Ewing, Theta now in Dallas) and and garter toss (Ed Bolen). Then we bolted, socially exhausted. One reason I now adore other people’s weddings!
The length of the writeup in the Beaver is only shadowed by the coverage in the Meade-Globe Press which is not included. They noted every detail of my outfit that I had so lovingly chosen. I was both embarrassed and tickled pink.
We spent the night at the Kansas City Club, arranged by John’s step-mom-at-that-time- Sandra (the Wichita Falls most beautiful party planner and gift wife). She had medium-rare filets with three sauces (a bernaise, hollandaise, and a horseradish cream) delivered to our room. The next morning we lay around in bed all morning and watched Little Big Man with Dustin Hoffman. Then, John had to go back to Lawrence to prepare for his finals and a project with some Brian guy from business school who had transferred from engineering school.
We had a few people to dinner at this apartment in Lawrence during finals. Pat Boppart I do remember, but I cannot remember the others who were still finishing up their college careers. I had chicken breasts stuffed with boursin because it was John’s turn to cook that week. John and Pat argued about how one person of these two felt it was not an even trade for one person to have t-bones and the other to serve spam, though Pat defended this staunchly. I tasted spam later in life, as I have also tasted dogfood, and it is really not all that bad.
Our first Christmas was in Lawrence at Hillcrest Apartments, but I will also do this in a later post in the advent countdown to Christ’s birth. I am more exhausted from this wedding post than I was from the actual wedding.
I will include pictures of our honeymoon in Chicago, a gift from Kevin Pistilli. He and Tina met us there for dinner at the Pump Room. This didn’t happen until later, but honeymoons are a part of the wedding picture so they are included here.
The Raphael, the Cape Cod Room at the Drake, Frank Lloyd Wright's first big residential project in Oak Park and tour of his home.
I am looking forward to the holidays and remembering some very early times with my husband and friends from pictures that I am sure my mother took.
Before a house,
before children,
before a place that would be my life for 29 years and always in my mind.
I hope the others that were married that day in Kansas City (there were four of us, Gibson Rymar and Sara Jury and….??) are also celebrating.
Of course, it is now the 28th as I didn’t get it done by day’s end. This is the day I always I incorrectly remembered as my wedding date. It was always just “the Saturday after Thanksgiving” in my mind…it didn’t matter much as we were usually always having fun with friends and family in the city and would forget to celebrate.
So now I will take the time to say, “Happy Anniversary John!” But this time it is a joke because I remembered yesterday to celebrate this day, the start of my big life adventures that still continue.
love, Paula.
Oct 28 2011
Adventures of the Handy Dandy All-Purpose Ballgown from Wells Street.
by admin
The Handy Dandy All-Purpose Ballgown from N. Wells Street was born into the Adams Family on a trip to Chicago in the summer of 1999. John and Paula Adams were there on a summer trip. I think Jack and Lace were on this trip, because I remember Jack playing with a ball on the steps in front of Nicole Miller. We also bought a black Barbie silk vest for Lacy that I think she wore once, but it will be great for dress-up.
The cumulative total of Balls attended respectively by John and Paula Adams at this time was three. John Adams had attended the Jewel Ball in 1979. He had been solicited to escort, but had mistakenly felt he could be absent from parties in June for two weeks to fulfill family roundup and branding responsibilities on the XIT Ranch in western Kansas. When he returned, he had been demoted to the floor committee. “What on earth were you thinking?,” was my comment when he still seems a bit injured. The other two Adams ball attendances were Paula Graves BOTAR Debut in 1982 (1) with John Adams as her escort (2).
I like to go on record here that John Adams, though he went to Pembroke-Hill, was from Wabaunsee County. He was living in Lawrence finishing his last semester in business school while Paula was first working at Hallmark as design coordinator and then working at Halls in retail. Because a BOTAR could choose her escort if she as engaged, John Adams as fiancé was her GOTAR. It tends to be a bit of a family competition at times which holds social rank: being the BOTAR from Kansas City or being the demoted Jewel Ball Escort from Wabaunsee County.
There were two dresses, one a bit more expensive than the other, both very pretty. The less expensive was a crinkly black fluffier number that would look very good on someone about 5’4″ and taller. The other was this dress pictured below.
The Handy Dandy All-Purpose Ballgown from Wells St., Paula, John, stucco fireplace.
The structure:
It was column-like with a bit of a flare at the pedestal base. Not enough to be anything tent-like, which is how small women can feel when wearing a floor-length dress. Just enough to make it easy to walk, and more important, in which to dance. The bodice is boned.
The sheathing:
Textiles always do it for me. Handy Dandy’s skin is an aubergine silk that is cross-woven with black. It is crushed into very flat wrinkles. This gives her a faintly iridescent appearance. It reminds me of an old swakara (persian lamb) coat I have of my grandmother’s or bird’s-eye maple or anything very intricate, but naturally patterned in a tight, small design.
Anyway, after trying on this dress John Adams said, “that’s the one.” For a man who never appears to have any interest in or spends any time shopping, he has a good eye. But, his maternal Grandfather was an artist and had a sign company. And, his father had a good look. As well, John Adams always looks pretty dapper.
Adventure One-Debut at the 50th Botar Ball:
The 50th Annual Botar Ball. My friend Betsy, whose taste in fashion is impeccable, called me a trophy wife. That was nice, being that I had young children and was slaving through that last semester of architecture school so I could get the job in Wichita for Lacy to go to the big city school. Neither John nor I were feeling like there was any trophy at the end of the tunnel of marriage, children, and attempting to live rural and urban lives driving thousand of miles and eventually getting Lace educated in secondary school 200 miles from home where I would work for SJCF Architecture. It was grueling, but we were moving towards doing it, and we did it. So, feeling like a prized heifer got me through.
Handy Dandy does the Meade Eighth Grade Graduation.
Adventure Two-Second Appearance at Meade 8th Grade Graduation:
Handy Dandy appeared on stage at the Meade High School for the Meade Eighth Grade Graduation with Lacy Amelia Adams when she graduated from Junior High. This is a formal occasion, not uncommon in smaller rural towns. I think my mother told me of wearing a white long dress to her eighth grade graduation, or perhaps this is someone else who grew up in a small town.
I have included the picture of Lacy as she walked down the aisle with the flower that all the girls held. A local member of the clergy was the guest speaker. He spoke of Christian values, which at the time I found jarring, wanting separation of church and state education. But, I’ve lightened up on this and feel it was a reflection of common values that we all held in that room. It was just clothed in a language that was probably not offensive to many, if not most, of the people in that auditorium in Meade, Kansas.
If you will look at the bottom picture of the lineup, you will notice how all of the kids turned so nicely to look at me when I took their picture. Amanda West is the “even more petite than Adams women” girl to Lacy’s left. She and Lace get the prize for most effervescent. Lacy is seen having lost all composure at the occasion. This happened on several occasions at Meade Grade School performances, at times even taking down the group. But, she was forgiven and loved for her transgressions and has since learned to handle public appearances in full control of her mirth.
Adventure Three-The Handy Dandy All-Purpose Ballgown from Wells Street at the 62nd Annual Botar Ball, Oct. 22, 2011.
When Lacy Adams was asked to be a BOTAR in the summer of 2011, the BOTAR Mother pondered, “what to wear?” Because this frock had traveled across the state and was in the possession of Lacy Adams, I asked if I could borrow it back.
Though I had been instructed from my friend Betsy,”You will not cut off that beautiful dress,” I ignored the advice. I hauled it to my stylists at Brick’s in Wichita, and asked for a second opinion. “Where will you ever wear a long dress, or more pointedly, where will you ever want to wear a long dress?” they said. Good point. Not only are they not conducive to climbing stairs, they are not height inducing for the Lillputian. A little bit of leg helps. And, they don’t show the killer shoes I intended to wear that were also recycled from the Governor’s Inaugural Ball. Oh, I guess I forgot that, I guess the Adams are at 5 Ball occasions.
Tuxedo and the Handy Dandy Ballgown with Jack and Paula Adams.
I won’t get into more details or show you pictures of the shoes. (though please notice how cute my BOTAR Governor’s Pin looks on the little cutout in my dress at my left breast.) But, I will tell you that I was very proud of myself for recycling this classic dress for it’s second appearance at a BOTAR Ball. I could never have found a dress that I liked as well as this one. And I bragged about this to everyone who would listen. The men, of course, weren’t listening though if they were, I think they would have commended me for my practicality.
One female friend commented, “No one will even notice.” Completely missed my point as I wanted to tell everyone in the room. I am the kind of woman who thinks it’s fun when someone buys the same dress that I have purchased and plans an event where we can wear them together like twins, hoping for a third woman to join in on the fun for a Couture à Trois. Of course, if anyone should think I am too practical from living the rural life, I do have to confess that I spent as much or more on my clutch and bracelet.
So that’s it for now for the Adventures of the Handy Dandy All-Purpose Ballgown from Wells Street. I will keep you posted.
I fully intend to wear if it I ever have a Granddaughter who is either living in Kansas City, or has the opportunity to attend or be in the BOTAR Ball if she has any desire for me to lurk in the lobby and peek in.
And if this seems too far off and murky relative to anyone wanting me in attendance or me wanting to be in attendance, I’m sure I can stay this size for one of my potential grandchildren’s 8th grade graduation, circa 2035.
Oct 2 2011
“Speak softly and carry red lipstick.” And please let me explain…I hate being misunderstood.
by admin
Teddy Roosevelt. Had the importance of the look down early on.
Teddy Roosevelt
” I have always been fond of the West African proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. ‘ “
-written by Teddy Roosevelt in a letter; 1900, the year before he became President.
He repeated this in a speech as President in Chicago in 1903, and twice again in his writings, but each time it was “speak softly.”
He made the statement in regard to foreign policy. It meant to speak politely or diplomatically but have the forces to make our position meaningful.
Teddy’s belief was that words and actions that went unvalidated would only attract frustration and scorn. And, that ’empty words’, ‘broken promises’ and ‘unfulfilled actions’ would not offer protection even with a ‘big stick.’ Self-respect had to be earned through hard work and determination.
I think that this can be applied to other forces on this earth. Specifically here, that God in one form of analysis, made two different models of human beings. They are, in some ways, different. And that is a good thing. A great combination of energy, a unity and friction that will always exist.
How I am applying to some of my “person” now.
I have been working on speaking softly and having boundaries. I also like to wear heels and boots, and at times, to wear red lipstick. So, my mind keeps putting together these two ideas because of Teddy’s phrase and (completely unrelated, at least in my consciousness), I was compelled to buy a classic red chanel à la Mac lipstick last week.
Paula à la Wayne Thiebaud.
Someone else has probably already said it before me, but I couldn’t find it in brainyquotes, and this keeps recurring in my mind.
‘Speak softly and wear red lipstick; you will go far.’
-Paula’s recurring thought now in print.
I have thought about this for a while before saying it or writing it. I am often misunderstood by speaking too soon, before I have thoroughly given it thought about what I am saying and I really don’t like that. That is, if someone takes it at face value and latches onto the idea that women will speak softly but use their femininity to control in a negative way, what is theirs to control, it would bother me. And control, when and if we truly can, can get mixed up with manipulate. So, here are a few thoughts…
DI-SSECTION
(di: prefix meaning “apart” or “two”)
Speak softly.
When I am excited, on task, caught up in humor, in a hurry, all kinds of reasons, I often do not speak softly. It is often more forceful, more urgent, full of unbridled energy. Sometimes when I have spoken softly, it was because I was a doormat and not wanting to take a stand. I did not know how to do it because I did not have the skills to say it with edit, with proper tone, with well-chosen words. That took hard work and determination on my part, to get the self-respect I had not earned.
Wear red lipstick.
Of course, red lipstick I see as using feminine strengths, whether it is a man or a woman wearing it.
I do not see dressing nicely, painting pretty colors on lips or eyes to highlight features, or wearing shoes that make me feel rugged or statuesque (and this isn’t easy for me!) to be anything negative. I like color, form, design, masks, costumes.
I’m an artsy
my plague and my gift
forever in my mind
even if I am blind
I will see it.
I’m not intending to misuse or entrap or mislead, I am 51 and I will enjoy this, what others may see as vanity, until I die. It is for me.
On occasion, I have crossed the line in judgment of a given region or time or field of perception.
- shorts in rural churches in New Mexico in 1968.
And times change.
- My Grandmother Mildred Evelyn Lee Ward, gave up stockings with her dress and heels in Seaside, Florida circa 1990. She even starting wearing slacks, not jeans, on occasion. Her mother, Lillie McDowell Lee might have been turning in her grave.
And, we are different but also the same.
It is no different than the contra-fairer sex deciding what facial hairs to keep, to shave or wear a ponytail, to boots or birkenstocks, to freshly clean t or tattarsall. We are all actors and put on this earth to play his roles. It is not superficial to bathe and clothe to fit the gig.
Lipstick versus Drawing lines and listening and reading and prioritization.
There are so many other skills and strengths that I was given to work, so this is a small outer pleasure that became so seemingly unimportant in the big scheme of time and how I used my day. I lost site of this as being something that mattered to myself or to anyone else. I see now that it does give me pleasure. And pleasure is not a bad thing. We were meant to have joy and fun.
I try to find each day a different way or action to do the hard or not-so-hard work to earn self-respect. To put forth good with no expectations by using what God gave me.
And it is work, at least for me, to give up control, to give up trying to force something to happen. I have to examine my motives, to see if I’m giving or doing to get something back in return that is off-balance. I have to reign in the inner forces to, as Teddy said, “to have the forces to make our position meaningful.”
But today, I have put some things into practice and have gone far.
And, I was told to wear red lipstick.
I know, Teddy, with his gifts of words, action, and style, would get it.
Sep 8 2011
Tuyet, can you alter these shoes? 15 reasons why I KNOW you can do it.
by admin
Navy Blue suede Chie Mihara shoes at Brick's, Wichita.
This is a fabulous pair of shoes.
It would be naughty with all the new navy blues this fall…
…provocative with a provençal yellow accent…
…Kansas indigenous with indigo jeans, and I can go on, but I won’t.
I want them for all these things and for the new navy blue frock, whose pleat alteration looks divine I might add.
And, Lacy needs my clothes and shoes as well as her own this September and October. So, my feet will have nothing to wear.
Tuyet, I know you can do it. We’ve tried the heel huggers and the pads and the inserts, but the 6 and a half just does not fit. Genevieve called New York to see if any of their other customers in the US had ordered these shoes in the navy blue. Genevieve is way to far ahead, everyone else in the country ordered black. So, a size six simply does not exist or I would have them now.
And Tuyet, they only sent a 6.5. It’s not like I didn’t see them right away and some size six got in ahead of me in Wichita. I did not procrastinate.
And… you altered both my bathing suit from Von Maur and the Mossino two-piece from Target with such grace understanding the issues as a fellow petite miss.
And plus, you always take in my tank torsos that bunch at the tops of things when I can’t buy the XS or petite.
And 10., the vintage Nicole Miller dress from Wells Street that I wore to the BOTAR BAll 50th! It’s stunning at tea length, recycled anew to wear again for the 65th BOTAR gala. Your boning at the bodice will be bondé de bosom, so I know you have structural architecture down and can handle this project.
And, the custom fit of those faded 4 year old banana republic bermudas looked fabulous for the cocktail fête with the salmon ruffled silk I purchased. Genevieve is always so nice about that, buy one, alter two.
And Tuyet, you know I’ll never quit researching and so often-times buying that perfect timeless piece from Genevieve. So, I feel I am, at least, a decent customer if one deducts all the professional shopping therapy time and consultation.
And anyway, I hardly think Genevieve is even aware of the extent of our relationship. She’s always so busy working and being so lovely to everyone. I’m sure she doesn’t even notice all that you do for me, she can hardly find time to have that baby next week.
And, it’s not like I’ve been bringing in my brassieres or pajamas or anything silly like that. It’s only outerwear with which I bother you. Which reminds me, my nike running skirt could really use an inch out of the back waist.
And last, Mike at the Rusty Nail Saddle Shop in Meade has always handled my boots for the calf reduction. So think of all the work he has saved you. I just didn’t think he was the right person for this task.
So Tuyet, can you pretty puh..leeeze… alter this pair of shoes. I know you can do it.
This is my friend ,Tuyet, in her beautiful workshop with all of the beautiful spools of thread.
Smiling darling Tuyet in green and purple.
Paula
FYI: shoes available at Brick’s, Wichita in Bradley Fair. Don’t miss out, they are the only blue suede Chie Mihara like this custom ordered in the country. Ask for Genevieve, Toni, Marilyn, Gail, Erin or really, anyone. A real team of experts.
Aug 30 2011
August 29, 2011. A text from Lace…
by admin
Text I rec’d at 12:15 today…. [and I was on a roll…crossfit at 5, home washing face at 7, at desk ever since…the joys of having adult children]
“Mom-try to check your email whenever you have the chance!”
This was the email I looked at at 1:45 pm, since we’d had a boundary talk about communication. I was trying not to drop everything in an effort to mirror availability when contacting one another…you know…two weeks adult child = two hrs. mom.
From: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Grey shift dress and shoes
Date: August 29, 2011 11:13:05 AM CDT
To: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>
“I didn’t realize it was so soon – but we have our first party (the Botar Buffet) this Thursday where we meet our escorts. This is the party that is the Kentucky Derby theme – I need to figure out what I’m going to wear!!!”
– Lacy Adams
text to Lacy at 2:08 pm…
Lace sorry to text [this as an aside, not in text…I’m trying to be on-the-text-wagon but the company I keep is making it difficult…] but I’m on it with Genevieve with hat dress and shoes. U r not obligated! I had fun but I’ll send you pics in a bit. luv mom.
email to Lacy…2:35 pm…on the way out of the door to Towne East in Wichita.
From: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>
Subject: Derby attire
Date: August 29, 2011 2:36 PM CDT
To: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>
I’m checking Von Maur. There is one possibility that might be good for someone smaller. As the Derby is a summer event, the summer hats most like this have all been sent back. I will send you pictures as soon as possible with some ideas and will be in KC Wed. night to deliver to you as I am driving in from Wichita for the Parents Cocktail Party. I also am hoping that this FB post might gather some other mothers or women in for the challenge! We can do it! Nothing better than feeling needed :). I hope you think this is funny. love, mom.
[I posted this and photo below to FB, hoping for faster communication and some tips from other women. It seems to be a genetic thing in our family to communicate through social media as fastest medium]
googled "Kentucky Derby Hats" and saw this as an option...
3:00 pm, Facebook post from Julayne Ramsey appeared on my wall….so sweet and so” other mother” not to disappoint…
“this is not the best photo…it was taken in the mid 90’s some work deal…But I was showing off my hat…..too bad I don’t have it anymore…I was reading your post and found this.”
Aug. 29, 2011 3:02 pm…
Text to Genevieve at Brick’s, Wichita: This is felt and 78. Something someone (who?) would potentially wear again who wears hats. Not us…
[Toni, Genevieve, Marilyn and Gail are the team of stylists for the Adams women who know all the available clothes and shoes better than I do as I have bought everything here for the last 6 years and keep it all forever. It is all timeless. Genevieve Gordon’s family owned Brick’s in downtown Wichita back in the day. She lets me borrow her purses and hats.]
- The felt one someone might wear again, $78. Dillard’s.
Aug. 29, 3:04 pm…
Text to Genevieve:
this one kind of dull slick like microfiber and to me looks most like the derby hats online that were the alternative to the big brim one side up and one side down. It is $108 which is way more than I want to spend. But since Derby is over, I can’t be picky. I guess someone might go to another Derby party in their lifetime or the actual Derby?
- the most like the Derby Hats online…or I thought…looks like something from Alice in Wonderland in this picture…
Aug. 29, 3:06 pm…
Text to Genevieve:
This one has a slight flip up at the edge like two inches (curved up) and the curve is very structured plus the flat top slants so it’s just quite the combo. In the last one the bow is almost just like a free loop of structured satin, and kind of freely more artful tack with a few wispy feathers. so my gut is with that but you know, not I. TY so much for the Chin luu suggestion that I have that is perfect. What shoes?
Aug. 29, 3:08 pm.
Text to Paula from Genevieve and Toni:
We like the first one the best!
Aug. 29, 3:12 pm.
Brringg…brrinnggg..!!!….Call from Genevieve to I-phone (who is 3 weeks from delivering and not working today by the way….I hope I don’t have to bother her in labor…)
Genevieve to Paula: Yes, the first black felt one is the best.
Paula to Genevieve: Okay, I’m heading to Von Maur. Will send you the last picture in a minute.
Aug. 29, 3:18 pm.
Text to Genevieve: This is not a great pic may try for another but have to sneak.
- self-photo at Von Maur with Cosy helping me…ssshhh..illegal photo and they are very strict about this, I’ve tried before…Cosy could be fired.
Text from Genevieve in team effort with Toni: We like this one the best!
Aug. 29, 3:25 pm. Punishing them for good behavior…
Text to Genevieve:
What shoes? I’m wearing the French whore shoes (the pink and black patent platforms with cutouts) so I could just leave those up there except maybe inconvenient since I can’t take off until 9pm and I have to drive back, so if you have another idea that is good, too. TY so much for checking on the navy blue suede Chi Mihara shoes and for getting the cocktail party shorts done. Takes a village of women….
And here’s the finale, the email pièce de résistance….(since most recent at top, read from bottom up).
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Lacy Adams <lacyameliaadams@gmail.com>
Date: August 29, 2011 4:36:50 PM CDT
To: Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Derby party.
Hi mom,So when is your cocktail party?? I just found out this derby party was THIS Thursday. Is yours this Wednesday night?Mom – this is the cutest pic though. So cute. Oh my goodness I love it. You’re so lucky that you know Genevieve and all of these ladies to give you such good fashion advice… I seriously just LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!Well, I’m driving back to Lawrence tonight – but Tuesday night and Thursday night for sure I’m staying at Sara Liechti’s (her address is – 4949 Wornall Road)I love you a lot & I’m thinking of you. I can’t get over how cute this pic is!!!!!! How expensive was the hat? Seriously for all of these dresses that you’ve let me wear and dresses that you have purchased for me – if you feel that you want any reimbursement just let me know. Seriously.xoxo, LaceOn Mon, Aug 29, 2011 at 4:09 PM, Paula Adams <paulagravesadams@gmail.com> wrote:The final 'fit for the 'ffair.
I checked out three hats at dillards which i hate which were expensive and all kind if over the top and sent to Genevieve at bricks and posed the challenge.
Then to Von maur for last option to see cody who had described this tasteful peau de soie with a soft boyish tie and wavy ( like a ruffle ) band.
Genevieve and Toni at bricks chose the latter which was half the price and twice the taste. She also said do the chan luu which I got on sale from her in fall 2008 and u wore to granddads funeral with the little petal shreds.
The shoes are the ” all black” ( I call them French whore) black and pale pink platforms which I will wear Wednesday night so I’ll have to meet you after this cocktail party which is at 61st and Terrace and over at 8:30. Are you still commuting from Lawrence and if not where are you living?
Don’t feel obligated to any of this, it was fun for everyone on your skilled team (which i am not one of!)and I can take back the hat but do let me know how to drop off if you’d like.
Thanks for emailing me hon.
– mother of the independent new assistant accountant executive in marketing at osborne and barr who also has always done everything for herself including fashion. I’m so enjoying the moment and think you have a great team of stylists who know all our available wardrobe choices from 2006 on, shoes, dresses, jackets.They said to call anytime! 1-316-681-0361 and ask for Genevieve, Toni, Marilyn, Gail, or Erin.
Sent from my iPhone
Done! Everything in red conveys tremendous satisfaction and love.
Jun 30 2011
le sketch du jour: Yvoire, Genève, power shopping with details. June 24, 1980.
by admin
Our bus route from Morzine, France to Genève, Switzerland.
A bit of background. While we were at the Auberge de Jeunesse in Morzine (French Alps) we did intense French lessons. But, there were two days of sidetrips. After study on a rainy Monday, we were rewarded with this trip to Geneva. I’ll just begin from the sketchbook.
Mon. June 23, 1980.
Woke at 7:00. Sunny. Ran to Les Gets (all uphill 🙁 ) & back (all downhill 🙂 ). About 6.5 miles. Breakfast on raisins and coffee. Shower-hot.
10:00 headed for Genève.
Allons-y! traduisez: Let's go!
Yvoire
Stopped at 11:30 at Y’vroiy (sp?). Small, medieval walled town that reminded me of San Gimingniano [San Gimignano, Sienna] in Italy. Lunch there.
[Yvoire is a medieval town in Haute Savoie on the shores of Lac Léman. It dates back to 1306. It was an important town on the trade routes through the Alps and along Lac Léman. By the 16th c., Yvoire had lost its strategic importance and had become a fisherman’s village. There is a beautiful château on the bank of the lake with turrets, towers, and a demanding position at the entrance of the yacht towers of Yvoire. And, the flowers are lovely.]
Genève
We were in Geneva from 1:00 to 6:00. Beautiful, beautiful city!! The feeling of Rome, but more polished and glittery, yet not artificial because it is still old. Very cosmopolitan feeling! I felt very important. All the $ is just overwhelming, though. Blocks and blocks of banks, jewelry stores with enormous emeralds & diamonds, & every designer one has ever heard of! Stores that you wouldn’t step into unless you were dressed to the teeth & probably not then! We went into the McDonald’s there & a Big MAC is $2.50.
Sent a white chocolate to Robb [Robb Edmonds was my part-of-the college-time boyfriend who was working in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Kassebaum, I think] at Georgetown which was really fun to do! Felt very touristique!!
The people were very nice, & I’m beginning to understand without having to ask questions, ask to repeat, or ask to speak more slowly. People also seem to think by this time that we can speak a relative amount of French fluently (as long as we don’t speak too much :)! ) I think our tongues are loosening up a little & we’re not as halting as on our arrival. I made 2 purchases.
[I am always money conscious and worry about running out of money. My grandmother lived to be 97. This doesn’t mean I don’t spend it extravagantly at times, but I do keep track and my goal for this trip was to come home with money in my pocket to give back to my mother (parents). I think I was realizing how much spending money had been given to me and the great experience my parents were providing for me.]
One [purchase] -an aqua soft, soft sweatshirt ($17 or $18) that is possibly for mom-possibly Gina. I bought it at a place called Blondino’s (like Fiorucci) [Italian store started in Milan in late 60s, maybe still around?]. It was wild! Bright colors & sort of punk-pink topsiders-yellow penny loafers etc. It was worth it for the bags alone.
[true shopping confessions]I also made another purchase-for myself-but probably for sharing in the family [the 3 Graves girls; mom, Paula, Gina, as the Adams girls;Lacy & Paula, shared clothes].
[This was a rationalization, I don’t think it was anyone else’s look and Gina was at ASU. Distance and heat would make impossible and silly].
It is a beautiful, hand-knit in Switzerland blue (?), wool (yoke), button-up front w/ little silver button sweater.
A KU style tangent
[we called these Fair Isle in US in 1980s at KU for any sweaters that had a yoke. In Kansas, it was a loose term for any stranded color knitting specifically with this neckline, not necessarily having any relation to the knitting of Fair Isle or any of the other Shetland Islands. It was a Kappa signature sweater. They wore them backwards with buttons up the back, a great look which made me wish I’d pledged Kappa at times, along with the keys & fleur-de-lys. The one I bought looked Bavarian.]
KU Craft note
Note: I took knitting at Yarn Barn in college and I tried to knit a Fair Isle one once. I had mastered Fisherman’s knit and knitted them for me, mom and Gina. I never got the tension right on the Fair Isle, very difficult. So, I’m sure that not being able to make one for myself and the very cold rain without the proper clothes were both additional rationalizations for flipping out this kind of $.
I don’t want to say what I spent, but I do want to keep track in this book so I will say. $100. hmmm….But I do love it!! I have cashed $150.00 in traveler’s checks so far. My expenses have only been those 2 things, chocolate for Robb ( ) [don’t know why I don’t write this down, must have been expensive chocolate in my mind or hiding money I’ve spent on a boyfriend from my parents like they would care? I’m sure shipping was exhorbitant] and expenses such as postcards, drinks in cafés, fruit, carrots, stamps, bottled water.
For dinner we had potage, coq au vin, la salade verte, & fromage blanc avec sucre. It is a white, sour cream type thing that you sprinkle sugar on top of. Very subtle, but good.
Journal and letter writing.
Almost done with Tender is the Night.
Tomorrow-possibly Chamonix if weather is good.
Au revoir à demain!