HAPPY PI DAY

Welcome to Pi day!  Yes that’s p-i and not p-i-e, however you are encouraged to eat pie on Pi Day.  Pi Day is observed on March 14, since 3,1,4 are the first three significant digits of π in decimal form.  If you really want to get a bit nerdy with the day, you should eat the pie at 1:59 (the next three digits in π) 

To celebrate Pi Day, I am loving this bow tie from The Wool Fish.  On one side is the π symbol in multiple colors, while the other side features lattice-crusted pies.  It truly is an awesome way to celebrate both components of the day.  Whether, you’re out with friends, or just enjoying your favorite slice on your own, this tie from The Wool Fish is the perfect companion as you celebrate Pi day.

***How are you celebrating Pi Day?

ONE FOR THE LADIES: THE FOX FUR STOLE

A popular fashion style from the turn of the last century was women’s fox fur stoles.  These stoles were actually the pelt of a fox, with the tail, legs, and head (with glass eyes) intact.  While it might sound strange to us now, it was quite a fashion statement at the time for the ladies who wore them.  The photo above is of my paternal grandmother, Virginia Ludwig White, and while her hat is most impressive, it’s the lovely fox stole that completes her outfit.

This second photo is of my maternal grandparents George and Kathryn (Heims) Gadient on their wedding day.  The beautiful fox stole that she is wearing was my grandfather’s wedding gift to her.  He hunted the fox himself and had it made for her.  It was one of her most prized possessions, but that story, however, does not have a happy ending.  

One evening while my grandparents were attending a dance, my grandmother’s fox fur was stolen.  The fur was never recovered, and my grandfather bought her another one to replace it, but it never meant the same thing to my grandmother.  While she liked the new fur, it could never replace the fox fur stole, made from the fox he had hunted, and given to her for their wedding.

 

***Have you ever seen one of these fox fur stoles?

VOTE FOR MILL CITY FINERIES

Great Lakes Prep has launched their 2015 Brand Bracket (presented by Country Club Prep).  Each March, Great Lakes Prep hosts their own version of "March Madness" as they invite everyone to vote on the preppiest brands, eventually choosing the one winner for the year.

This year one one of my favorite local Minneapolis manufactures has debuted on the list. and I'm encouraging you to vote for them.  Mill City Fineries has been a favorite of mine for some time now, and I can't say enough about their products.  They are without a doubt one of my favorite local bow tie manufacturers, and I own several of their products.

This round of voting will close at 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, March 12, so please go to the link and vote for them right away, and if you haven't already done so, head over to Mill City Fineries website and purchase a new bow tie (or more) for spring (Hint: they just released their spring collection).

(Logos are from Mill City Fineries and Great Lakes Prep's websites)


***How do you celebrate March Madness?

ORANGE L.L. BEAN SWEATER

After a month of subzero temperatures in February, our March is starting out drastically different.  In fact we are predicted to be in the high 50’s to low 60’s all of this week.  This unseasonably warmer weather allows us to set aside our heavy winter jackets in favor of a lighter weight jacket or a sweater.  Since I love sweaters, I will most likely go with the latter option. 

Last month, I tagged along with a friend on a shopping adventure to the Mall of America.  As always, I stopped into the L.L. Ban store to check put any sales they might still be running.  Fortunately they still had a small selection of post-holiday sale items left, and among them I found this great sweater,

While our temperatures may be warming up during the days this week, our evenings will still be a bit cooler.  Made from 100% lamb’s wool, this sweater is heavier than the burgundy one I wrote about last month, and can easily be worn without a jacket this week. While its weight will keep me warm, the lamb’s wool ensures that it is soft and comfortable to the touch.

This sweater from L.L. Bean is the perfect answer to the “How do I dress?” question for this week, as it’s heavy enough to keep me warm on its own, and can easily be layered as the evenings get chillier.  I have to say I am really happy with this sweater and it has quickly become a key part of my wardrobe.  One that I will try and stretch out for as many weeks as I can before totally submitting to Spring’s arrival.

***Are there pieces of your winter wardrobe that you try to stretch into        spring?

REQUIEM FOR A PRINCE . . . OR NOT

The 1497 death of Prince Juan, son of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, was indeed a catastrophe.  His succession was to have united the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon into a new kingdom of Spain.  In addition, his marriage to Margaret of Austria, the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, ensured that Spain would emerge as a Catholic superpower.  All of those dreams changed with the prince’s death.

The Basilica of Saint Mary.

Warm up before the concert.

Very little is known about Prince Juan’s funeral, and even less is known about the music performed for it.  We do know that composer Pedro de Escobar was at the court of Isabella I at the time, and we have pieces of his music that have survived.  From this, Jordan Sramek, Founder and Artistic Director of The Rose Ensemble, was able to piece together what most likely was Escobar's Requiem, and what may have been the requiem performed for Prince Juan’s funeral.

The stairwell leading to . . .

. . . The pre-concert lecture.

As you will well remember I am a huge fan of The Rose Ensemble, and last weekend I had the opportunity to hear them perform The Requiem of Pedro de Escobar, as their candlelight concert at the beautiful Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.  The evening was truly spectacular.

 Dark Horse Consort opened the concert from the back balcony.

The Rose Ensemble takes the stage.

In addition to the program notes, we were treated to a more in depth introduction to Pedro de Escobar, his music, and the historical time period of these events, at the pre-concert lecture.  We also met The Rose Ensemble’s special guest instrumental group, Dark Horse Consort, who introduced us to the sackbut, and early ancestor of our modern trombone, and to the cornetto, a fairly antiquated instrument rarely seen nowadays.  I always love the pre-concert lectures as they give us a wealth of information and background on the performance we are about to see.

Dark Horse Consort.

The Rose Ensemble with Dark Horse Consort.

The choir area behind the Basilica's altar.

Prior to last weekend, I knew very little about Prince Juan or Pedro de Escobar, but now I’m please to say I find myself caught up in the intrigue and mystery of this wonderful time period.  The Rose Ensemble’s performance of The Requiem of Pedro de Escobar – which may or may not have been performed for the royal funeral - was amazing, and I left the performance feeling inspired as always.

What I wore to the concert:    
               Shirt:  Polo Ralph Lauren
               Sweater:  L.L. Bean
               Bow Tie:  Mill City Fineries
               Gray Flannel Pants:  Vintage
               Shoes:  Allen Edmonds Shelton
               Socks:  Polo Ralph Lauren
               Phone Case:  Fossil

               Watch:  Timex

               Watch Strap:  Brooks Brothers

***Do you have a favorite choral music group?

SOLO SHOT SATURDAY

It looks like I've found an invisible friend!

***What fun store names are near you?

LONGING FOR SUMMER

The weather forecasters are saying that we have turned the corner and our cold weather is now behind us.  I seem to remember hearing something along that line being said a month ago, and we know how well that worked out.  

(All photos from our archives.)

Still this is the time of year that I long for the warm summer days spent walking around the beautiful lakes here in Minneapolis.  For as cold as our winters can get, our summers are equally as beautiful, if not more so.  I love spending time at the lakes in the warm weather, when the city just seems to come alive, fresh and anew.  There's something about that experience that nurtures my soul.

Even if we haven't completely turned the corner on our cold weather, at least now that we are in March, we know spring is in sight, and soon the lakes will once again be teaming with life.  


***Do you find yourself longing for summer at this time of year too?

THROWBACK THURSDAY: MY GRANDMOTHER

Taken in 1914, this is my favorite photo of my maternal grandmother, Kathryn (Katie) Heims Gadient.


***Do you have a favorite old family photo?

WINTER SNOW AND TUESDAY BOW

This morning our subzero temperatures gave way to snow showers, covering the ground with a fresh coat of white.  As winter lingers on, my Brooks Brothers blue signature tartan bow tie is the perfect accessory to carry me through the day.

***What gets you through these last long days of winter?

WINTER IS DRAGON ON IN STYLE

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) is celebrating its 100^th birthday, and they are celebrating in “surprising” style!  Fifty-two surprises in all.  During the year there will be special programs offered at the MIA in addition to many pop-up events throughout city.

The sculpture consists of three separate sections.

One of those surprise off-site exhibits as been installed here in Uptown, along Lake Calhoun.  On Saturday morning, February 21, the MIA debuted an amazing dragon ice sculpture.  The installation was originally planned to be located on the lake, but our warmer temperatures in January caused it to be moved to land for safety reasons, although I suspect our weather now would have made the original plan ideal.  The sculptures is made from 280 blocks of ice, and weighs 60 tons.

The dragon celebrates, and is inspired by, the large jade dragon collection at the museum.  In fact theirs is one of the largest collections in the world.  Just like the intricate works of art in the museum, the detail carvings found on the on the ice sculpture are incredible, and my photos certainly don’t do them justice. 

Sunset on the Dragon.

The Dragon is located near the pavilion at Lake Calhoun, and fortunately won’t be around for long – it will eventually melt away, once our frigid temperatures leave us.  In the meantime, I encourage you take advantage of this opportunity to view the sculpture.  It truly is spectacular!

***Do you have any favorite memorable ice sculptures?