Not in Black

I mentioned in the last performance photo that I can't really deal with the idea of not performing in black.  Haha, that's really funny...

Tonight was the Global Music Fiesta, raising funds for CARE Australia.  As I was already going, when the quartet found they would be down a violin, they asked if I'd play.  Not a problem.  I assumed all black (the standard), but checked anyway, and heard 'black with a bit of colour'.  Easy.  But then I started to wonder, is that, like, black with a coloured top?  Or black with a coloured brooch?  How much colour is a 'bit' of colour?  Then, I get a message saying, let's not do black, let's do colourful so we look more festive.  Ummm...

This morning, I tried on every dress I own that is not a work dress, and not black.  I even tried on clothing that has languished in the ironing basket for a really long time.  None of these was suitable.  5 of them were red.  One made me look like a bridesmaid, another a pear, another like I should be at a summer brunch, another was a close contender but the front is just weird, and the other was way too short.  A blue dress made me look a few decades older, and a purple dress feels more like a work dress.  As I had to go into town anyway, I thought I'd check out the op shops, and if I had no success, I'd wear black.

My favourite op shop had nothing, the revamped store next to it didn't fill me with sartorial delight (despite 20% off), but the boutique - end of lease sale...  Because it's not an op shop but has really pretty dresses, I'd never actually set foot in this store (a bit too dangerous), but today was the day.  Oasis Boutique (in the arcade at 144 Adelaide St), 50% off or $20, depending on the rack, until the end of March.

This evening was rather humid, which is not ideal when not wearing black.  Once I was actually at the venue though, it was fine.  And it felt rather liberating to wear emerald green while playing Mozart and jazz (not at the same time...)

Outfit #8 - Black and Red Floral

Earrings - actually sandalwood seed pods.

Outfit:
Dress: Hot Options.  Brooch: gift.  Shoes: Hot Options.  Earrings: from Kuranda.

Shoes, with wedge and Bandaid details.

Yes, I like Hot Options.  I don't often go into Target, but when I do I nearly always find something to try on.  This dress was one of 4 (yes, 4!) that I bought all at once.  2 different styles, each in a different material.  I'm not totally sold on this dress design (a twin to the circle dress, found in outfit #5) - it feels a bit baggy around the middle and I suspect I need to fill it out more for it to look really good.

This is the other brooch I was given for Christmas, which goes so well with this dress.  Someone even asked me if it came with the dress.  All the music staff looked great today - house photos.  Which also meant I had a very messy day trying to teach all my kids when mostly they were being photographed.  Or, it turns out, their teacher was being photographed and so the class went AWOL.  Super.

Wednesday, January 4 - Talking to Strangers

I'm hoping this will not be the last Talking to Strangers.  Some people seem to find this easy, others not... Obviously, I fit well and truly in the latter.
Now, I tend to take people as they are.  I don't tend to notice if they are looking particularly gorgeous, although I might if they look exceptionally trashy.  If someone asks if I notice anything different, I usually have to guess (haircut/pierced ears etc) until I get it right.  But I do feel great when someone sees me and says, "Nice dress".  So I've started looking for potential compliments *before* it's a return compliment.  Then, at summer school in the first week, a lady was wearing a dress in one of my favourite blue shades and I said, without thinking, "Love your dress". 
Of course, once started, this is an easy one to continue, and I've since found several options for initial compliments.