Hello everyone
Where did that month go? November seems to have flashed by and I think December will too. And then 2023 – phew! I’m saying nothing on the political front but I am hoping to carve out some time to write on My Other Blog – no new posts there as yet.
Instead of writing posts (because you might have noticed my timings for these frugal posts have been all over the place) November was a great month for meeting up with friends and family and getting out and about. First of all though, I must mention that we think we have finally solved the IT problems – what a challenge for Mr F that was. We might still increase the size of the typeface, but at least the blog has an up-to-date theme, which will stop those crashes, the typeface is darker as are the links, which at first were a very pale pink (sorry about that) now darkened.
This is a slightly shorter review as I’m going to do films and books in a post early next week.
Yes, November has been an interesting one for culture. I went up to London, twice. The first trip was to the V&A to meet my very good friend, Gail of Is This Mutton.
I treat the V&A as a place to meet people and it was the second time we’ve met there, the first time being before the pandemic in early 2019. I was very happy to see Gail again and also see the two exhibitions (Africa Fashion and the Korean one) again, the latter of which is such a fascinating insight into South Korean culture. Look at those hats worn by Korean men – made from horsehair!
I don’t think we realise what a reach that K-culture has, after all we (I mean Mr F and me) certainly watch their films (Parasite) and their television programmes (Squid Game and many more).
I know I’ll visit it again!
The second visit was this week – to the Tate Modern. I was so happy to go to the Tate as we hadn’t been since November 2019.
Interesting though, I went with great expectations of the Cezanne exhibition, and sadly felt a little underwhelmed. Apples in a bowl were obviously his thing but I’d had enough after seeing a few.
I was also put off by the huge rococo gold frames, which rather took ones eyes away from the actual paintings. This below was my favourite and as you can see it didn’t have the distracting gold edging that the majority of paintings had.
I know, I know I should more appreciative of this great painter – but I wasn’t smitten.
However, there was one exhibition at the Tate that was AMAZING. That was Magdalena Abakanowicz’s fantastic hanging creations – just mind-boggling and highly recommend.
I spent the entire time going around saying, wow!
It’s difficult to say why I was so mesmerised as the forms are ambiguous, and they defy any analysis and categorisation. Abakanowicz wove the material herself from sisal and her vision was that fibre was the essence of all living organisms – we are fibrous structures. But, on reflection, my ancestors were not just military men, I come from a long-line of Scottish hand-loom weavers and I love the touch and feel of woollen and cotton materials and anything woven, so I guess the exhibition and the huge hanging woven forms struck a deep ancestral chord within me.
We spent more time at this exhibition than at the Cezanne – and what a great experience it was. I shall remember it forever.
On more mundane matters, I wore the other long black coat that I bought this month and the same hat as last time.
This coat is lined and is warmer, which was good as it’s getting colder here and standing on train platforms is always a drafty business. The coat was slightly more expensive at the price of £25, but worth it as it’s 100% wool. The label is Vernissage which, I think, means it’s vintage.
Note I wore the same Schuropody boots, because they are unbelievably comfortable, essential I think for a day of art exhibitions and walking around the Tate, which is huge. Also note the lace fingerless gloves. I bought them a couple of weeks back because I had a hideous bruise on one hand, but I rather like the Madonna look it gives and think I might continue wearing them for the future.
I think I made a mistake in wearing a long black scarf – I’ve got a yellow silk scarf that would have been better against the black of the coat.
Under the coat I wore a long and very smart charity shop wool skirt with an old black top (bought new from Peacock’s years ago) and a newly bought charity shop jacket, which I expected to be seen as I walked around as I was going to leave the coat in the cloakroom. However, it was quite cool in the galleries so it only got seen when we had lunch!
The jacket cost £6.50, and I shall get a lot of wear out of it.
All in all we had a great time. Don’t forget more about November’s films, tv, and books early next week. Hope your November was a good one too, and if not you take care.
That’s all for now. With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
You do look good Penny in your black coat. I must wear mine when we go to London next week.
You showed a photo of yourself in a waterproof coat a little way back and when I saw one that was 70% off and remembering what you said I bought it.
It’s fur lined and very good quality.
It was from Joules.
All the best Penny xx
Ah yes Joules is a good quality brand, but did you hear that it nearly folded but it’s been saved by Next who have bought it up. A lot of jobs are safe now, thank goodness.
Thank Vivien 🙂
A red scarf would have looked fab against that coat….or indeed any bright colour. Have you watched the Alexander Armstrong series on South Korea? It was only 3 programmes and had a fairly light tone, but was a fascinating glimpse into the country. Apparently many older people are fashionistas over there…into wearing vintage and eclectic clothes!
I totally agree Alison, my yellow scarf would have gone well but a red scarf I do not have, so might drop big hints and/or put it on a Christmas wish list!
Yes, seen the first episode. South Korea is a really fascinating country with a very interesting story.
Thanks Alison 🙂
I’m so happy with the darker print—thank you.
You look lovely with your shorter haircut.
I look forward to posts on both your blogs. You do a terrific job of informing and entertaining.
Thank you so much Sharon for those kind words and so glad you like the darker print – we may still make the typeface larger
What an interesting exhibition, Penny! I would have been wandering around and wondering what in the world. Were you able to touch the textiles? Probably not as that would, inevitably, damage the fabric. What a wonderful time you and Gail must have had just catching up! If I make it there, I am definitely making plans with both of you!!
I can’t wait to read your books and films post as you sometimes give me suggestions I can access here!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
I think one of the reasons I liked that exhibition so much was that unlike the Cezanne which was very crowded there were fewer people going round it and it was a darker environment so the whole area had a hushed reverential feeling to it. We walked around slowly in awe of the huge sisal structures. And no you couldn’t touch them but I did go up very close and saw the material in detail. All in all it was fascinating. And you’re right I did wonder, what in the world…. Which I think is what the artist wanted to achieve.
In contrast the Cezanne was just pretty and nice and charming and…well, OK. I know it’s a very personal subjective view but actually that is what art is for to make us react and think and go either, wow or, that’s nice and I sure had both those reactions! And you know what the sun shone as well – bonus!
Oh do come over to the UK, I think the dollar is in a good state in comparison to the £, so you’d be quids in as the saying goes! Working on the next post tomorrow 🙂
Thanks Marsha 🙂
You look very elegant in your long coat and hat Penny & it’s great you have been able to get up to London again. Your experience at the Cezanne exhibition reminded me of a visit to the R A Summer exhibition a few years ago. It was rather disappointing but the Tamara de Lempicka show there was a wonderful example of the art of painting & made the day much more satisfying. O the joy of serendipity! I’m looking forward to getting back to exhibitions and concerts in the spring, not to mention going on holiday again, albeit just in the UK. I have 2 more weeks of radiotherapy and a couple of months recovery period ahead of me but I’m doing better than I’d feared so far so everything crossed that I’ll get my life back!
Yes, I agree as I had no idea who this artist Abakanowicz was, but I had read a review that was very positive. I was so impressed. The thing is, unlike the Cezanne paintings which were fine and good to look at, the hanging forms made a huge impact on me which I think is the point of all art.
Glad to hear that you’re hanging in there and that the treatment is nearly over. Yes, you go on as many holidays you can manage. If you have to stay in the UK could that extend to a cruise around the British Isles? I expect the insurance would be rather steep though. Anyway, so glad you’re looking ahead. Btw, I’m thinking I might do a Saga cruise next year – aiming to book in the New Year.
All very best, and I too have fingers and toes crossed for you 🙂
I was also thinking that you look quite elegant , but with a touch of sass. Those boots! In the photo there is a clear contrast to the woman in the background with the puffer coat which everyone seems to wear all over the world, myself included. As I was looking at the photos from the exhibit I was reminded of a visit to a contemporary art museum a month or so ago. It was an exhibit of current women artists. Nothing was conventionally pretty or decorative but the docent provoked some interesting conversations and I did think about what I saw after the exhibit as well. So great to see that you are able to get back to your cultural and social life. This may be a quiet holiday for me. My son and family will be away for Christmas. just the three of us around for family. Me, my daughter and her husband. However, We will all get together on New Years Eve. I am planning to attend a choral Christmas concert next week. My friend’s husband was not interested so she asked me and I accepted with pleasure. Looking forward to your post on what your a reading and watching. Love, Darby
I expect puffer coats are very warm and as we have a cold spell arriving this week there will be many more of that type of coat out and about. A long wool coat is fine though as long as it is 100% wool with no synthetic fibres. And I have another very warm wool coat that buttons up and down the entire length of the coat – that will definitely get an outing this coming week.
Yes, the hanging forms were a very unique exhibition that had impact and provoked in me a lot of thought which I think is the essence of all good art while the Cezanne was fine but it just didn’t move me.
For a change we are having a very full Christmas with all the family present, but while I might get tired (we are cooking) it was what I longed for all through the two years of lockdowns.
Now off to write up the next post! Thanks as ever for your comment which I so appreciate – wishing you the very best from Lewes, England 🙂
Ooh I like the look of the hanging textile exhibition, although I would want to touch them all and you’re probably not allowed to. Agree with you on those hideous frames. The frames play a huge role at art exhibitions. Thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the V&A and hope to see you in Jan for afternoon tea! x
So fun to see the bloggers I follow getting to meet up! I think that’s the thing about art, different styles, content, etc appeal to different people. There are some like Pollock, whose creations I wouldn’t classify as art at all. But some people love them. Great bargain on the wool coat!
Michelle
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
Merry Christmas and thanks for your always interesting posts. May you and yours have the best Christmas ever, and a Happy New Year.