Tuesday, August 25, 2009

just like that

The Sartorialist - "pretty biker"
I love everything about this fair maiden. In my heart, I want to ride a bike sporting a pretty little frock (just like that). Underneath, I think I would need to wear some sort of short so that when the wind proceeds to lift my dress, my modesty would feel no shame.

Truth is, that the worst accidents that I have experienced have in fact been riding a bike, once in 3rd grade and the other in college and both ended with many stitches and tears. Just like that, I was riding along and just like that, I fell - never realizing how it could have happened so quickly. My lesson, was to get back up, get on the bike and ride, just like that, in a pretty frock, dangly earrings, and metallic leather ballet flats.

30 comments:

Debra said...

Just like falling off the horse right... get right back on. I love the feel of your photo and love the little frock. I picture a basket on that bike with a little "Pickle" poking her head out.

pve design said...

Debra,
I do love that smart bike too.
My basket would have art supplies and lunch for two!
I would be delighted for you to join me just like that.
pve

Formerly known as Frau said...

It's fun to see the old and young riding there bikes everywhere. Dress in everything from dresses and high heels to suits. I ride to the corner grocery and I'm a sweaty mess! I wish more women in Germany would wear shorts under their dresses while riding....I've seen more than I care too!

pve design said...

Frau,
Oh my goodness, you mean they ride around just like that in Germany, showing the merch! You must tell us more about your rides!
pve

elizabeth avedon said...

NYC streets are packed with girls on bikes in little print dresses this summer! I envy them, but traffic looks daunting.

p.s. pve: I love your Header Illustration for Emily Evans Eerdmans blog with the framed EEE's hanging over the settee!

Pretty Neat Designs said...

I wish I wasn't so afraid of riding my bike on the street. I drive it to a path and then ride it, which sometimes makes me feel guilty, but then I think about the traffic and I get over the guilt. But the idea of a sweet bike with a basket and a dress, thats lovely!

Vodka Mom said...

i LOVE this! I just told tightwad that I want a bike for my birthday. Now I need to add a "sporty little frock" to the list!!

Joyce said...

I love these bikes. I have been thinking of getting one, but to get out of our area is a HUGE hill and a another. During the winter even in my car has been known to slide back down the hill, but this bike would be so neat for the forest trails over the hill. I'm glad you got back up and dusted the dirt off your knee and continued to ride. xoxo

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

Jeez.....I don't look nearly that cute when I cycle. But I think you would Patricia! I fell for the first time this spring and got right back on. I was told to always wear goves and the surgeon who told me this was absolutley right. I would have had a banged-up hand had I not been wearing them that day. helmets too!

pve design said...

Sande,
Well, truth be told, a helmet, long pants, and gloves and any other sort of protective gear really are a must.
I have 32 stitches from one fall and a not so pretty scar, but it is a reminder to me, that I got up, brushed myself off and got back on the bike!
pve

Shandell's said...

I had a terrible bike accident when I was about 8 years old. I have tried a number of times to get back on, but never felt comfortable. I rather ride a horse.

Deidra said...

I love love love to ride a bike! I don't have one of my own, and am always sneaking off on my daughter's or my husband's. I've been "shopping" for a cruiser...teal or peacock blue with a wicker basket on the front. And I would ride it in a skort, with a silk scarf loosely tied around my neck.

Nicola said...

i linked to you from a day that is dessert...
i smiled when i saw this photo.i wouldn't mind being in the whole scene, too.
but then, i am with you on the shorts and um, where is her helmet? i imagine that beautiful bike is also a one-speed, making it a tough ride.
you have a beautiful blog. third time's a charm?
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

Kwana said...

She is so pretty. I'm a little afraid of the bike. My worst accident have been on the bike too but they are so freeing and so much fun.

home before dark said...

My bike days are over. Our university town is all bike and no bike trails! It's a mess. It's like a biker's wild west with bikers not obeying traffic rules and drivers not being observant. When I think of biking, I think Holland does it right. My bike scars are from my high school boyfriend's first motorcycle, loose gravel and a too soon stop light. At least with bikes, you don't get the exhaust burns too! Thank goodness, gardening isn't an extreme sport!

Karena said...

very familiar. I had an awful bike accident, no stitches thank goodness! I am ready for a new bike and riding in the wind. My late husband sold my former bicycle! That is another story, pretty funny actually!

Summer is a Verb said...

Mine was on a moped which I had been forbidden to ride. Still bear the burn scar on my ankle and can easily recall the punishment...XXOO

Mrs. Limestone said...

Adorable photo but that dress she is wearing isn't bike riding friendly. The whole world will be able to see her bloomers!

pve design said...

Mrs. L-
Indeed, bloomers would be sweet underneath.
pve

annechovie said...

Hear, hear!! I am famous for my bike accidents...my family always says "Anne and bikes do not mix!". I have a few scars, thanks to biking. I have trouble focusing on where I am going, because I am always distracted by so many things I am looking at! LOL. Love this photo, Patricia. xoxox

Unknown said...

PVE,

Bikes are the metaphor of life. Keep going, look great and if you fall or fail just get back up and do it again!

Bette

style chronicle said...

The Sarorialist image is beautiful. I gain so much inspiration from his site.

Leciawp said...

I love everything about that photo too. With a radiologist husband who has seen lots and lots of terrible trauma from bike accidents, we are very, very conservative about biking - only on trails, etc.

pve design said...

Lecia,
We bike on trails, and wear helmets and try to use bikers etiquette whenever possible to alert each other.
Your husband is brave to see so much and to share.
pve

Lulu and Co. said...

I agree, get back on and look "just like that" if you fell everyone would come running to help!
Would love the whole outfit,so cute,
LuLu

A French Cloud said...

good life lessons in this post, isn't there?

Yansy said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog! I'm glad you enjoyed Anne's home tour. I love riding bikes but Miami doesn't have large parks in the middle of the city where you could ride and look chic at the same time.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

She definitely needs to add a "short du bicyclette" to make that ensemble work! I tired riding my bike in a (longer) skirt last week. Not. Pretty. :-)

Unknown said...

Love this! She seems so carefree and happy.

xo

Anonymous said...

The last time I felt so carefree was aged 10. I loved being 10! Airy frocks and moving free (no makeup, cramps or cumbersomeness, and not so aware of myself), bicycles, horses, and bare feet.