Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Cheers from Spy Girl


Yesterday morning, I woke up to an UNBELIEVABLE surprise! 
You all, of course, know Anne Bray, the talented Spy Girl, and her fun, inspired and inspiring Digital Catwalk where you can find so many of your favorite style bloggers and dear blogging friends. I loved Anne's fun sketches, and I have to admit, when I looked at them, I thought to myself that maybe some day... just maybe... I'm not saying it's gonna happen... but wouldn't it be wonderful if some day... (Yeah, I am a dreamer, what can I say.) But of course, I did not expect anything. And especially that some day will come so fast! Anne took me absolutely by surprise when she sent me this beautiful sketch of my modest red wine loving persona last morning. I was laughing and jumping, and I adored it! I still can't believe that it actually happened! I am amazed! 
Anne, you are AMAZING!  

I participated in Anne's 52 Pick-Me-Up: Libation week 

I love the glass of wine in my hand - such a fun artistic touch! And I love the title Anne gave to the sketch. But I didn't get the cultural reference right away. Justin told me that Red Red Wine is a song title, so I had to Google it to get my proper music education up to speed. To my surprise, I recognized the song! Of course I did! I used to love UB40, and I love reggae - it's so happy and makes you want to start dancing (or, at least, wiggling). I bet I first heard this song in the early 90s, back in Russia, when I was making funky plaid or bright floral wide-legged "skirt-pants" (that's what we used to call culottes in Russian, юбка-брюки, this clothing item was considered very cool in those days), and if it wasn't culottes, then probably something else equally funky, while listening to the pirate MTV translation from Asia (I remember that it was black and white on my TV). Back then, I did not know much English. Not even enough to understand "red red wine". (I studied other foreign languages in school and college - I am practically a self-taught English speaker and writer, I only had a few initial lessons in the very beginning, before I moved to America.) But I appreciated the music, the rhythm, the voices, the energy! That pirate Asian MTV was my window to a new, unknown Western world. And my first English words came from MTV too. Who knows, where I would  be if not for that pirate translation! See, Anne, what memories you awoke. :) 


I am still in the state of amazement. I had no idea when I began this blog, what a fun and supportive community of women I would find online. Always, as long as I can remember, I trusted in women's friendship. For one reason or another, women need other women, we need to feel relevant, equal, loved, cared for, inspired and inspiring. We need friends who remember our kids' and pets' names, and who can always find a kind and encouraging word in their heart whether we feel happy and content, or we feel down and looking for support. So I just go ahead and tell you this. You probably don't even know what you all mean to me. Or maybe you do. Maybe that is exactly what you find in this wonderful, warm, accepting community?

...You are a source of inspiration and fresh ideas. You are a source of a good joke and a good mood. You are the healing source for my soul. I know that when I come here to post photos of myself, you will always accept, encourage, and sincerely compliment me, even though there are tons of ways to find a flaw or two in my looks. But you always, always have beautiful, kind words to say, day after day, post after post. Because kindness and honesty are actually not mutually exclusive, as some think. They are two sides of the same coin, and you, my beautiful friends, truly own this wisdom.

And that's what Anne does, giving so freely, so generously her fun, energetic sketches full of personality! She finds the best in each of us and makes a star of each of us. We will shine from her beautiful illustrations from now on, forever.

Needless to say that I will print this sketch and hang it in my home, so I will always be able to see it and be reminded of you, my dear amazing Anne! And I also will be reminded of all the beautiful community of friends that I found online. Thank you! Here is to Friendship! Cheers!

14 comments:

  1. Anne's sketches are wonderful, aren't they? And I can see why she chose that outfit as her inspiration for a picture of you, the colours are fabulous.
    I love the thought of you picking up English from MTV, and now, your English is outstanding, you write wonderfully (better than many bloggers for whom English is their first language, I have to say.) Red Red Wine is actually a Neil Diamond song, though the UB40 version is probably the best know.
    Yes, the blogging community (or at least our little corner of that world) is a supportive and inspiring place to hang out. Quirks and flaws don't matter; kindness and friendship and encouragement and enthusiasm matter, and we can all offer these to each other.
    Cheers to you too, Natalia, it's a pleasure to have you around! xxx

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    1. You always say something so wise and kind, Curtise! Thank you for that! I am happy to hang out here with you and all the girls, we really have found each other. :)
      My writing is better than my speaking. Writing is just something which comes very naturally to me. I make mistakes, I know. Justin helps me to clean up the bigger ones to avoid misunderstanding. He is a wonderful writer himself.
      See, my musical education continues. I googled Neil Diamond after your comment. What a talented guy! The original version is very pretty, indeed. A bit sad though.

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  2. It's fantastic! You look great in the outfit too so it was a really good one for Anne to choose to sketch. I love the song Red Red Wine, by UB40 and also the Neil Diamond version. I agree with you about the blogging community of women here. I'm new to it, though I have been lurking as an invisible reader for awhile on some blogs. I am so amazed by the kind, compassionate and supportive women leaving such positive comments for each other. This particularly community is a wonderful one and I am thrilled to be on the fringe of it. I have seen and participated in others not as lovely.

    I feel like I am just showing up and parroting everything Curtise said, but she is right. She's a smart woman. Your writing in English is really impressive and much better than many people for whom it's their native tongue. I'm so glad I found your blog.
    xo

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    1. Thank you, Shawna! You are very kind! This community is pretty exceptional as far as I can see. It is a rare thing in real life or online, and I appreciate you all so very much!
      Anne is really amazing - fun, creative, kind, generous! I love her sketches. I am so honored to be one of her "supermodels" :)
      And Curtise is wise, smart and amazing. I just love this girl! :)
      Thank you very much for the encouraging words about my writing in English, they mean a lot to me. I know I make mistakes, especially when I am tired or in a hurry. But I love writing, and it is the way to get better - by just doing it. So I just do it. :)
      Me too, Shawna - I am so very happy to find you and your blog! Cheers! :)

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  3. What an honour! You know you've arrived when you get immortalised by Anne. Love the outfit she chose and of course the glass of vino! That leather jacket is a beauty and I've a real thing for fancy umbrellas so I love yours.
    I'll echo Curtise and Shawna, your English is impeccable and a joy to read. I've only known you a short time but from the moment I glimpsed your Jeffrey Campbell wedges on Bella's link up and followed you over I knew you were a kindred spirit. You're warm, witty, supportive, glamorous, funny and downright lovely! xxxxx

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    1. Oh Vix, thank you for the kindest words! I see all these qualities in you too, and it's such a miracle that we all found each other here. It is an honor to be "immortalized" (I love that!!) by Anne. She is simply amazing!
      I am really glad to hear all this about my English. I think it will get better and better as I continue writing.
      It is joy to be here with you all! Hugses!

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  4. These drawings are wonderful! Yours was a lovely spirit just like you. I was just writing on another blog what empowerment blogging has given me and I think many of us feel this way. To see yourself clearly, make changes where you want and be a part of a community of women doing the same worldwide. I'm so glad you found a home here!

    blue hue wonderland

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    1. This is a great way to put it, Ann - "found home here". Yes, I did! I am amazed by all the women I meet. It's incredible how supportive and kind they are. And I totally agree with you - blogging is very empowering. Thank you so much for your kind and meaningful comments! I am so happy that we met!!

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  5. You always shine, your warmth and kindness flows of the page! I love to visit your blog and always feel better for doing so!. I also agree with everyone else about your English, it really is perfect.
    I love the Blogging community so much, it really does mean so much, it feels like home. Anne's sketch of you is amazing! your homage to red wine in this outfit is perfect! (and thank you for your wonderful words, it means a lot) x x x

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    1. Sandra, you are sooo sweet! Thank you, my dear, for all your kind words. We all found something we apparently were looking for and couldn't find anywhere else, and it is amazing! I started dreaming about the World Blogger Meeting. Somewhere. Sometime. Soon.

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  6. Isn't she wonderful!
    I got mine done too, so wonderful that she does this!
    I can't remember if i follow you by e-mail or not, but nonetheless i subscribed today

    Arianexo

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    1. Thank yo for stopping by, Ariane! I am very honored! I tried to leave comments on your blog, but they did not get through. I will definitely do it again. You are one of the most unique voices out there, and I admire your bold, brave, very inspiring outfits!

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  7. Brilliant.
    Thank you soooooooooooooo much for removing W Verification.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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    1. It's my pleasure, Sacramento! I had no idea I even had Word Verification (I know they are kind of annoying).
      Hugses!

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