11.2.13

Indian LBD and Valentine cards from the USSR


This is my look for Valentine's dinner. Little black dress made of knitted fabric and embellished with beads, embroidery and velvet flowers applique. This dress is Indian and that's why it has so much decoration on it, Indian women don't like plain dresses too much. As there is pretty much of everything on the dress itself I accessorize it with a few simple silver jewelry: a chain, earrings and a ring. I also wear a head band though I am not a big fan of them. And there is a new for me eye make-up, thick lines a la Brigitte Bardot (though I'am afraid it is not that much noticeable on the photos). I'm still not sure whether it suits me or not (what do you think?)


It is interesting that just 15 years ago when I still lived in Belarus nobody heard there about Valentine's day. And during such a short time everything changed, now it became not only known but popular and is celebrated with joy, mostly by young generation of course.
Anyway, though there was no such a special day for sweethearts at those times in the USSR, Valentine's cards did exist. They were called "friendship cards" and people gave them to each other whenever they wanted to, not just to makr a certain day. They were hand-painted and had sweet touchy phrases written on them also by hand.
These three cards were given to my mom in the late 1950s when she was a young teenage girl. There were more but only these three have survived the time.

"Remember and don't forget your darling friend" is written on this one.

"You are my happiness and joy" says this one.



"Wish you happiness" is written on this one

Sharing this post on Patti's Visible Monday as Little Black Dress never fail to make a woman visible, be it in India or somewhere else.





8 comments:

  1. Oh how cute post...love the little darling I've run the end......

    Btw NEW POST in my blog
    Xoxo

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  2. Luved ur post ,, happy valentines day to u
    Keep posting xoxo

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  3. Gorgeous! And I actually have similar cards from my school years :) we would revamp the cards our parents never ended up using :D

    Edita
    http://www.pret-a-reporter.co.uk

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  4. Love your black dress, and the wonderful cards of your mother's! So charming and romantic. Thanks for linking up!

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  5. Now, that is my kind of LBD, quite unlike the bland & sloppy jersey crap that the high street chains perpetually punt out. I think you look absolutely wonderful in that frock and the Brigitte Bardot liner really suits you too.
    In Sweden Valentines day is called Alla hjärtans dag ("All Hearts' Day") and according to wikipedia it was launched in the 60s by the flower industry's commercial interests, and due to the influence of American culture.
    I'm not keen on (commercial) days of note like this when shops are trying to put you on a guilt trip for not spending loads of cash on roses, chocolates, champagne and cards & restaurants charge double and stick in more tables to cater for all the lovebirds, you end up sitting and elbows stretch away from complete strangers...not my idea of romantic!
    I much prefer the idea of the handmade friendship cards, it is evident that some real love went into making those; they are truly precious...xXx

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  6. Hi Olga!
    What a beautiful dress and gorgeous you!
    Sweet Valentine's cards!

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  7. What a pretty dress, and I like your hairband and classic shoes with it. It's always interesting finding out about different countries and traditions what are or were different. Sounds like good old capitalism is the norm almost everywhere now!

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  8. Delicate and elegant black dress. Very pretty. Your Bardot eye make up looks nice as well.

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