Hinting Around For Christmas Gifts??

Do you do it?  I used to, but it was a hit and miss kind of system... Here are some examples:

What I asked for:  A plush long warm robe.
What I received:  A robe from the womans department that was so huge - it could easily have doubled as a tent!

What I asked for: Casual riding clothes (not for showing) to use around the farm.
What I received:  A bibbed ski suit.... he thought they were warm overalls..

What I asked for:  A casual watch.
What I received:  A plastic Timex.

Okay - clearly this was not working...ha ha.  I'll give him this - he tried! 

From then on, I just wrote him out a long list that he could choose from.  I not only gave a detailed desctiption - but the store, store address or web site, the item number and full sizing information and sometimes I printed off a picture!  Then he could go through it and pick out what he wanted to get.  My Christmas gifts have been perfect from then on!

 

Anyway - I found a few really cute things on the internet that I wanted to show you:   

Now this is a new twist on rubber boots!!

Riding Gloves

 

When I show, I prefer to use vintage gloves.  That is what our post is about today. 

Now, I am not saying that such delicate gloves should be used for practice, clinics or for a hunt, but when showing or exhibiting at a horse show, the time you are up is usually limited ~ and the extra details you can find on vintage gloves cannot compare to the modern day store bought ones.

I have also found that after a ride or exhibit, people will follow me back to the stalling area to ask question.  It is at that time, they get a very close look at exactly what I am wearing.

I even own cotton crochet gloves, like the ones in the below picture and have used them if it is raining.  I will admit, I was surprized at how strong and functional they were!

Gloves are not a part of our modern culture as they were a half century ago, so I had to study up a bit with the help of a few old books found on e-bay.

This I found most interesting - a size chart for gloves.  This helped me when I bought gloves off of E-bay.

and the books addressed the importance of storing gloves - always keeping them flat and never folded.

Glove boxes were ideal for keeping gloves safe.

.. as an example - I wanted to show you a pair of my gloves.  These grey gloves were purchased off of Ebay for $15.00.  New - either fashion or riding gloves would have cost me in excess of $40.00. 

 They fit my hands perfectly and made for an exceptional detail when worn with the grey pinstripe vintage pattern riding habit!  Do you see the way the color of the suit just flows down my arm and into my hands without interruption?   I like that look.

New Sidesaddle Covers!

Jeanne Cracknell is making me new sidesaddle covers.  This is the fabric pattern I chose since my barn colors are black and white! LOVE THEM!!

What To Do With All of Those Ribbons...

Now, I am not one who is drowning in show ribbons... especailly not the coveted blue and red ones... but for those who are.. or even for the show barn owners - you might just find an idea that you could use right here. 

For your enjoyment - here we go:

A ribbon wreath - as long as it is done up well, it is attractive.  I have seen some not so nice ones though.

I love these frames - but to make them interesting - they need to include more than just ribbons - photos, show programs or pins are nice details

This is seriously cool!

Love this elegant idea with a Christmas decor twist.

 Never thought of putting the shadow frames in the barn. but why not!

Great desk decor!.. especially the desk in the barn office.

Now, I have seen many a show ribbon quilts and pillows...and most of them look like.. well don't get mad at me for saying this .. but most of them look like ribbon vomit!

BUT - when I saw this pillow... I had to save the photo to share with you.  This looks like a designer piece to me!

Anyone else have another idea for show ribbons?

Answering Questions..

..about the corset.This picture is the only one that I found that sort of shows how flattering the corset is. There were no lines or bumps anywhere, including my back and where the corset ended and I began.. just because it fit so well. I now wish I would have asked my husband to snap a few pics with my arms out of the way so that you could see the difference. I will do that for the next show.

This black top was always a bit large on me. I took it in 4 inches at the waist before this show. I took the grey riding suit in 2.5 inches at the waist. I will probably use that one at SASHA in early March, but I have to replace all of the buttons on that suit... but that is another long story..

1. Do I wear it other than riding?
No not anymore. I did wear it a couple of times before I rode in it, but since I only have the one and it works so well for my riding, I don't want to wear it out for fashions sake. I need to have another one made.

2. Is it lined? Yes - I should have taken a picture of the inside of it. It has strong 'ribbons' made of a heavy fabric that run from each section horizontally. Did that make sense? I know it is there to keep it from stretching too much.

3. Is my waist getting smaller? Yeah... NOT. It is Christmas time.. no need to say anything else about this subject..lest I get testy!

4. I have always had a small waist line compared to my hips and bust. Only recently, after my hysterectomy did I gain some weight and my waist expanded some. Used to be 36-26-38 Now I am 37-28-39. I knew when I received the corset that the waist could have been taken in another inch or so. It was not lose, but 'less snug' at the waist than any other place. I am not interested in permanently altering my body, but I do enjoy the perks of the corset. I would wear one even if the only perk was how much it helps my back.. because honestly - that is the biggest perk of them all! Also - I am an outdoor type of person, so almost every year I weigh more in the Winter and less in the Summer..just because there is lots of fun activities to do outside. Inside .. there is food and TV.

Corset Update!

Not sure if you remember, but the TASHA show was the very first time I showed wearing my corset. I also finally got up the nerve to tell my instructors that I was wearing one. I was so tempted to tell them before, especially when they would comment on how much nicer I was riding the trot. I knew it was the corset helping my lower back! But ~ alas, there was always another customer, student or a groom close by, so I would just smile and thank them for the compliment.

I first told Dora, the assistant trainer. I asked her if she remembered when my riding posture all of a sudden improved even after exhausting rounds of the dreaded "Extended Trot"! She did. That is usually when I would start to fall apart. Even though I post as best as I can, when the extended trot is called for, there is a LOT of motion going on in that saddle and the corset now buffers my lower back from some jarring blows. I never EVER hurt the day following a riding lesson or a show class! What a blessing that is to my (gulp) 49 year old body!

The next person to discover my secret was a lady who used to ride at our barn. She was complimenting my skirt and touched my waist. The hesitation in her voice and her body language begged for an explanation.. so I told her as well. Another gentleman put his arm about my waist for a group photograph... but I just let him guess for himself with a lip biting smirk on my face!

Yesterday I had the most glorious lesson! You see, many of the riders live close by each other and decided to go Christmas Light cruising... and as I hear, alcohol was involved.. so one by one they all called to cancel their lessons! Okay by me.. I received the best sidesaddle lesson I have ever had. It was just Sandy and I.. no other instructors, no other riders, no other grooms... so not only did we talk about my corset and how it has helped me... but I pulled up T-shirt #2 and let her see it. I said T-shirt #2 because I always wear a very thin T-shirt under my corset to try and protect it from any body oils and as much perspiration as I can.

I can cinch it all the way in now from the top to the bottom and I want to get the waist taken in. I know it could be pulled in another inch +. Karen is so sweet too. She offered to take it in for me at no charge. I have a huge dilemma though... I don't want to be without it even for 1 riding session.. so maybe I just "need" to have another one made!

Let me know what your experiences have been with your corsets.

My Grandmother Called Them Pretties...

Lets take a short break on our saddle posts. I have several more good ones, but I do not want to wear you out on one specific subject!

This is a post not so much about my Grandmother.. who LOVED jewelry..but about jewelry associated with the sidesaddle theme and what you might wear while riding aside.

Some sidesaddle themed jewelry is pretty...

..although I have never seen a piece that I felt like I HAD to have..(to me, this looks more like a coin than a broach)

..and this is nice..but I would have put it on a charm bracelet.

This antique pin leaves a lot to be desired though. Even if you knew a lot about riding aside, you would have to look at this for a moment to realize what it is.

So when it comes to jewelry, I lean toward period correct pieces... but just not specifically sidesaddle themed.

Okay, I have to admit something - I love seed pearls. They are the tiniest of pearls that are usually used as an accent on a piece of Victorian jewelry. Wouldn't you be proud to wear one of these at your collar ..
..or on your jacket lapel?


..and look at this small antique hair pin. How beautiful this would look complimenting a historic riding costume!

Unique Sidesaddle Covers

Remember this vintage sidesaddle cover that I fell in love with? It was made specifically for this sidesaddle and was sold with the saddle. Well, ever since seeing that, I have been on the search for other unique sidesaddle covers.


This is Izabella Zebrowska with her ss/horse cover! Love this!!!


This stunning hand sewn sidesaddle cover is made by Suzie Vandepeer. She makes them one by one, specific to the sidesaddle and sells them! You can contact Suzie via e mail (stoodley.pike at virgin.net) if you would like to have one of these beauties!

What's Under Those Skirts Anyway?

Only once have I ridden aside in jeans.. Once was enough, because when I was done, there was no skin on the back side of my right knee! OUCH!!!

Anyway - when I first started to ride aside, I used my saddleseat pants. Even those were too bulky to be totally comfortable. True, they did have the inner leg protection that almost all riding pants offer, but sometimes they would bunch up and rub. So, I took a look at what the hunt girls have known about for years... riding tights.

Now, I will admit the first time I dawned a pair of these.. I blushed. I thought I looked like I was wearing hosiery, not pants! Not one once of me was hidden and I found them to be the exact opposite of what sidesaddle costumes offers.. eye popping beautiful fashion without exposure.

Well, one ride in these stretchy wonders and I was in love.


Now, when I take my lessons, I just wear a longer shirt over my stretchy wonders and smile!

..And Since We Were Talking About Veils..

I found a few white/light cream colored top hats. Would you ever wear one, outside of with a wedding dress? I have a black and a brown top hat and have shown in both - but not so sure about one this light in color?

This one is made of leather...that was a first for me as I don't think I have ever seen any kind of top hat in leather...

I don't know if I would wear a white or cream colored top hat...but then again .. there is this dreamy riding costume!

What do you think?

Do You Wear a Veil..

when you show or hunt aside?..and if so what kind of veil do you wear?

Do you tie yours like this?

I believe this one is tied like the above diagram.. but the photo is small so I am not certain.

..or do you have one like this one sold at Hartmeyers? ...anyone else think "lunch lady"?

..or even one like this, which I would call a modified veil? When I show in my top hat, I use a veil like this, but made shorter with black or brown tulle.


Now to me - this looks like formal hunt .. turned out to perfection.


More fashion than function going on here... but OH - WHAT FASHION!!! This is a still shot from the movie Hildalgo.


No offense.. but doesn't this look like a birthday hat rubber band under her neck?


I just love the way designers borrow on tradition to create equestrian street clothes...right down to the veil! Seriously - I would wear any one of these outfits! I just love what horses have done for my life... even influencing what is in my closet!

Just Another Top Favorite Photo...

I keep saying it... every time I think I have found a sidesaddle photo that cannot be outdone... I see another! Here is the latest discovery sent to me by Marilyn. Kudos to the lovely rider as well as the photographer who had the intellegence to snap this candid moment!



















If you are like me... the very next thing I wanted to do was to research parasols.. especially ones with the same Victorian flair of the one shown above. Here are a few I found for us to enjoy from http://www.parasolpassion.com













Please note that most horses are naturally freightened by umbrellas. If you plan on using an umbrella with your horse.. he must be desentized to it... and you must be extremely careful about using an umbrella around other peoples horses.

I know this because when I was a little girl waiting to go on a trail ride, it started to rain and my Mother popped open her umbrella... Ummm yeah... 3 of the 8 horses pulled back so hard they broke their halters!