Monday, November 26, 2018

Sequins Are a Girl's Best Friend


I didn't know this line when putting on this outfit for the opening performance of the new professional regional theater program in Tacoma, and yet I wore sequins as if I knew.


The first season of Tacoma Arts Live (formerly known as the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts) opened with a comedy play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang. Premiered in 2012, it originally featured one of my favorite actors David Hyde Pierce as Vanya, and Sigourney Weaver as Masha. If you are familiar with Anton Chekhov's plays (such as The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Three Sisters and of course Uncle Vanya), then you'd recognize the countless connections to the famous Russian author and playwright - starting with the Russian names of all the six characters (even Spike's real name is Vlad), though none of them is Russian.


But even if you didn't read Chekhov, you'd still be able to enjoy the play which provides both laughing out loud jokes and food for thought, which both Anya and Justin mentioned when I asked them how they liked the show. Justin even said that it was his favorite of all the performances we've seen together. I was pleasantly surprised with the high quality of the production. The actors, the directing and stage design were wonderful, and I am definitely looking forward to other new productions at Tacoma Arts Live (this season, there will be two, and the next one is scheduled in May 2019; but in the future they aim for 4 productions each season). 



For our first performance of this holiday season, I wore my golden velvet pants (shown in FEBRUARY 2018), thrifted cotton knit coat from Goodwill in Oregon (shown in JUNE 2018), my floppy wool hat (last time shown in FEBRUARY 2018), beloved vintage carpet bag and this sparkly polka dot top that I bought on sale earlier this year. I've never had an item fully made of sequins before, and didn't expect that it's actually quite heavy! "Masha is right, I think sequins are a girl's best friend," said Sonia in the play who most probably also wore sequins for the first time in her 52 years, combining it with Maggie Smith impressions. Speaking of whom, have you watched the new documentary Tea with the Dames yet? If you love Maggie Smith, Judi Dench or any of the four legendary dames of the British cinema featured in the film, it's a must - Justin and I enjoyed it, and we highly recommend. Don't get confused because the documentary has another name too - Nothing Like a Dame.


But back from the English tea party to my modest American hometown Tacoma. We got so lucky (almost without my planning at all, hehe) that just after the live performance, on the square next to the theater, we witnessed Christmas tree lighting - the Tacomian tradition that is in its 73rd year now! The best news is that they stopped cutting a tree for this ceremony and now use a tall fur tree growing right in front of the Pantages theater (almost all theaters in Tacoma are right there, in what is called our Theater District). I don't know about you, but I still am in touch with my inner child and feel happily excited when it comes to tree lighting. In Russia, we have the same New Year's tradition, only our count down is a "count up", and as kids we used to say something like: 

One, two, three -
Light up, little fur tree!

or, as it goes in my mother's tongue:

Раз, два, три -
Ёлочка, гори!




Wishing you a beautiful and happy season filled with
LOVE, JOY and SeQUiNs!

Linking with Patti's Visible Monday
and Tina's Pink Friday

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16 comments:

  1. You're absolutely gorgeous in your sequined top and golden pants ensemble, so elegant and cool!. The black&white cardi is another perfect piece, so matchy. I totally love those big polka dots and the yellow background you picked, so brilliant!
    I'm taking notes on your recommendations as I love to discover any comedy author. And I'm looking forward to watch this documentary! those ladies totally rock!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much, Monica! I hope you enjoy the documentary and the play! <3

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  2. I love day time sequins, they make so much more of an impact and make everyone happy! The golden trousers are wonderful as is your thrift shopped cardi and my favourite bag!
    Judi Dench and maggie Smith are the best - wonderful role models amnd fantastic actors. I could watch The Best Marigold Hotel forever! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix! I haven't watched the original Marigold Hotel, only the second movie. I absolutely adore Judi Dench. I think of her as my beloved far away amazing sister. One of my dreams is to meet her in person some day. <3

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  3. A little sparkle goes a long way. Your getting terrific social wear from those pants.

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    1. Thank you, Sam! They are surprisingly comfortable (and I don't enjoy wearing pants usually).

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  4. You had a great day!I love the Christmas tree and you look beautiful (I love your bag!). In Lille there's also Christmas spirit with lights and little Christmas market and merry go rounds. They even open special little shops just for Christmas season. Hugs and kisses!:))

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    1. There is something truly magical in the air this time of year. I'm glad you enjoy the atmosphere, my dear! <3

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  5. very cool and festive look! the sequined top ist totally gorgeous!!!! love the patterns - dots + folky - and the rich colors. fabulous!
    sound like a wonderful evening at the theater - and then the tree lightning! i just came home from decorating the 5m high fir tree in the historical yard of our culture club´s homebase.... it will get lit at saturday.
    much love to you! xxxxxx

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    1. There is such a tradition in our neighborhood as well - on the first Saturday of December. Our landlord provides a tree from his yard, which is then set on a pierce (we live right above it). I am glad that you participate in your community life, my dear! It feels too lonely otherwise. <3

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  6. What a striking outfit, Natalia. I especially love how all the patterns and textures come together in photo number 5 (had to go back and count them ;-)) That sequinned top is fabulous: I really should go out and find something just as shiny, which is something my wardrobe is lacking. Those golden velvet pants look totally tactile, I'm sure they are super comfortable too, and a joy to wear! How lovely that you were able to witness the Christmas tree lighting. That must have been magical. Hugest of hugs xxx

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    1. Thank you, dear Ann! I know that you love a slice of life kind of posts, but to me there is such a thrill to simply do a photo shoot - there is something really artistic in it to me, and I know that I express a part of myself through it which I can't express otherwise.

      I started loving sequins! It brings joy to me. I used to take myself way too seriously, especially when I was young. Now I think that everything should be first and foremost FOR JOY.

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  7. You look gorgeous Natalia. Sequins are a good idea for a theater evening.
    I wish you love, joy and sewuins too Natalia :) ❤️
    With a huge hug, Tina

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  8. Those golden pants are wonderful...so eye-catching and bold. Great styling from head to toe.

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