The Hidden Seed

The Story of my Dream Dress (part 2)

My Mom and I shared the same dream about seeing myself in the lace dress so one day she made it happen, even when it was an expensive dream for her to bring to reality. There was a place in Holguin (the province where I was born) where you could have your picture taken wearing a princess dress. My Mom made the reservation for Saturday Monday and at 8:00 AM sharp we were both there.

It turned out that my Mom and I weren't the only dreamers, there were like a hundred of us in the place!! The house was loud and ready with all the elements to make you feel like a real princess: "fancy" furniture, "glass" (plastic) lamps, "antique" (plaster) sculptures...The only little wrong thing was: THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

The gentleman seemed to come out from a horror movie. And it wasn't exactly because of his funny teeth, mustache, hair style and shoes...it was just that he didn't get the point of the princess-for-a-day- experience at all. He was a magic killer! That man didn't stop screaming for a second: HURRY. HURRY, HURRY!! COME ON, NEXT ONE, NEXT ONE! I DON'T HAVE ALL DAY, HURRY, HURRY, COME ON....

Every girl was photographed by the same lamp, in the same position and probably with the same expression as mine. The whole thing took about a minute per customer. It was like a princess dream industry on fire!! We got out of there as soon as we could, but more girls kept arriving.

Then, after a few weeks, we finally got the "wonderful" photograph of Elsita as a princess. My Mom kept this photo for all these years as if it was a real treasure and I am so glad that she did! Now this photo is Bill's property, she gave it to him as a present for his birthday :) Yay!! It is one of the very few pictures of myself from those dark and fun times in Cuba :) 

The End :)

The Story of my Dream Dress :) (part 1)

When I was a little girl growing up in Cuba I had a dream: I wanted to wear a big, dreamy, wonderful, amazing lace dress, something like a wedding dress, even if it was only for a few minutes. I had dreams about myself wearing this beautiful dress all the time.

I also remember having dreams about myself being a cake girl. This happened because at my sister's wedding someone said that "lace wedding dresses looked like big cakes". The expression had a big impact in my mind so it translated into dreams where I was a walking cake. But I didn't mind being a cake girl at all.

And then one day my dream came true! But not in a movie-like way. It came true through a real nightmare and I have the rare photo above to prove it. Just look at my face and you will understand what I mean :o

But tomorrow I will tell you why the experience was a nightmare and I will explain you the circumstances in which this picture was taken :)

See you tomorrow!

Elsita :)

My First Dress :)

Dress: I can't remember if my Mom made if for me, I have to ask her
Shoes: The one-pair-a-year kind (called Kikos) that every girl wore in the island back then
Pair of socks: Borrowed from my brother Rene
Accessories: Gray belt ribbon (improvised) Frida Kahlo eyebrows (came with me at birth :)

Alexander (The Great :)

My brother Alexander has always been such an inspiration to me when it comes to personal style. Alex was born with a great sense of style and I am so grateful that he let me take the photo below for The Hidden Seed. Yay! Thank you so much again Mano!

I am sorry that I don't have the credits of what he is wearing in the picture above but as you can see everything is nice and simple and that's what I like the most about my brother's style.

Alex graduated from music school (percussion) and he is so talented! Everybody thought that he was going to become a famous percussionist. But Alex realized that he didn't really enjoy the life of a musician (being up late at night etc). He still enjoyed playing the piano and the drums a lot. When we were growing up I also thought that Alex was going to be a visual artist because he created the most amazing comic books with great drawings and stories. 

Alex now woks in construction, he loves it and he is pretty successful. The whole process from planning to building something is what he really enjoys. Alex can build a whole house from scratch and whatever he builds is always of the highest quality, that's why his customers keep coming back to him because as I proudly say: he is the real deal :) 

I wanted to show you one of his many creations: A fence. Here you can see the before and after pictures.

Yay for Alexander!!!

A proud sister :)

Elsita :)

Red Friday :)

Here I am ending this week in Red :)  Today we're driving up to the mountains again for a relaxing weekend with the kids. I can't wait!

I wish you a very peaceful weekend too my friend!

Love!

Elsita :)

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Whole look: Anthropologie

In the Middle of the Road :)

This is more or less how I looked in a regular day when I was living in Cuba (sandals instead of Oxfords:) Cuba is an eternal Summer, all year round. I miss the island, specially Holguin, the province where I was born. The best part of living over there was that I never had to drive. I walked wherever I went, even if it took me 2 hours to get to the place. 

I will try to walk a little bit today :)

Have a great day my friend!

Elsita :)

Top: Ambassador Roberta
Pants: Max Studio
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell 
Sunglasses: Vintage from Rose Bowl Flea Market
Headband: Nordstrom
Necklace: Handmade by me

Simplicity :)

 

Dear friend,

Sometimes life calls for simplicity and relaxation. Let's put this concept in practice today by doing three simple things:

1. Look up at the sky/ceiling 

2. Take a deeeep breath with your eyes closed

3. Smile

This little ritual will do wonders for your well-being 

Lots of love from your spiritual coach! :o

La seniorita Elsita :)

Pants: Jones New York
Shirt: Vintage from Etsy (precioustots)
Shoes: Born
Belt: Target

Mademoiselle Elsita :)

Here, finding some inspiration in my 19th century friends. Ruffles and flowers and belts and all kinds of things. One more element and Natalie is going to say that I look like a crazy lady :) I wonder how much time my friends spent putting their looks together back then. Fashion in the 19th century required a lot of time and energy. For example: carrying the hat with the planted garden on top seems like a lot of work to me :) But on the other hand I think that they had lots of fun! 

Would you like some tea? :) With cookies maybe? :)

Skirt: Anthropologie

Blouse: Love Stitch

Cardigan: Ann taylor

Shoes: Predictions

Belt: Anthropologie

Headband: Anthropologie

Earrings: Vintage

Botanical Girl :)

Coat: Anthropologie
Pants: Jones New York
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Hat: Old Navy
Purse: Vintage from the Flea Market
Bracelet: Bakelite, vintage

Have you ever seen those beautiful antique botanical drawings in person? That's the job that I would love to do in the future if I am ever born again :) I would love to spend hours drawing and coloring plants and flowers and seeds...I will live in a little cottage in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature. I will go out in the morning to collect my specimens and then I will spend hours studying and drawing them in the afternoon. If that ever happens I am going to change my name to Margie and then life will be perfect :)

Lots of love!

Elsita :)

Black and Gray :)

Skirt: H&M
Cardigan: Vintage
Top: Lucky Brand
Shoes: Lower East Side
Bracelet: Handmade by me
Belt: Ambassador Roberta

And here I am ending this week with a smile and wishing you a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!

Do something nice for yourself this weekend my friend! You deserve it!

Lots of love!

Elsita :)