D-Xirably Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras and Multicultural!

Today is a great day for TWO AWESOME reasons! First, it is my AMAZING mother's birthday! Happy birthday to my lovely mom! :) Love you! :)

And second, it's FAT TUESDAY! Yes, today is MARDI GRAS! Happy Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras everyone!

In honor of Mardi Gras, my post will be about my heritage/multicultural background! Also, thank you Sam (http://frillsandthrills.blogspot.com) for suggesting that I do a post about it! :)

First, it's Mardi Gras! Mardi Gras is HUGE in Louisiana (New Orleans/Nawlins/NOLA)! My grandmother and great grandmother were both from Louisiana! So, my plan is to go "home" to Louisiana during Mardi Gras one year! I would LOVE that!

So, what's Mardi Gras and why is it such a big deal? Well, Mardi Gras is one of really cool and super fun celebration! I hear that celebrating it in New Orleans/Nawlins/NOLA, Louisiana is the best though, which is why I WILL be going to celebrate it there eventually!

Picture of a Mardi Gras cup and Mardi Gras beads

What Mardi Gras is and why it's celebrated!

For its unmatched exuberance, lively spirits, and city-wide participation, the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans can be regarded as the most extravagant of all American festivals. Mardi Gras is possessed by New Orleans through a bond of uniqueness, love, and tradition.

Although Mardi Gras is basically a Catholic holiday, today it is party for everyone here in United States. This is especially true in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana which can be credited for introducing this tradition in the country. Mardi Gras first came to New Orleans through French Culture in the year 1699 when the French explorers celebrated the holiday on the Mississippi River.

In French, "Mardi Gras" literally means "Fat Tuesday," so named because it falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the last day prior to Lent...a 40-day season of prayer and fasting observed by the Roman Catholic Church (and many other Christian denominations) which ends on Easter Sunday. The origin of "Fat Tuesday" is believed to have come from the ancient Pagan custom of parading a fat ox through the town streets. Such Pagan holidays were filled with excessive eating, drinking and general bawdiness prior to a period of fasting.

Mardi Gras is always 47 days prior to this alloted Sunday (the 40 days of Lent plus seven Sundays). The beginning of the Carnival Season itself, however, is also fixed...being January 6, which is the Feast of the Ephiphany. The length of the Carnival Season varies accordingly from year-to-year. The origin of the word "Carvinal" is from the Latin for "farewell to the flesh," a time when one is expected to forego earthly pleasures prior to the restrictions of the Lenten Season, and is thought to be derived from the feasts of the Middle Ages known as carnis levamen or "solace of the flesh."

 Mardi Gras Colors!

The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple (symbolic of justice), green (symbolic of faith) and gold (symbolic of power). The accepted story behind the original selection of these colors originates from 1872 when the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. During his stay, he was given the honor of selecting the official Mardi Gras colors by the Krewe of Rex...thus, did these colors also become the colors of the House of Romanoff. The 1892 Rex Parade theme ("Symbolism of Colors") first gave meaning to the representation of the official Mardi Gras colors. 

Picture of a flag with Mardi Gras colors

Picture of Mardi Gras beads

Mardi Gras Celebrations!

Today, Louisiana's Mardi Gras is celebrated not only in New Orleans, but also in numerous smaller cities and towns around the State and in the neighboring Gulf Coast Region. Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well. Each region has its own events and traditions.

Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated with much fanfare in many parts of the US and also all over the world in places like Belgium, Brazil, the Caribbean nations, Colombia, France, Germany, Guatemala, India, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. In the US, the festival is fervidly observed in Louisiana, Alabama, California, and Florida. The French tradition apart, influences of the Germans, as well as the British are evident in the day's customs across the country.

Mardi Gras Parades!

However, the parade is the main attraction of the New Orleans Mardi Gras and precedes the balls. The entire Bourbon Street is dedicated to the parades and has a world wide fame. Each of the organizations picks a king and a queen for its parade. These parades comprise floats, dancers and bands. Most parades have at least 15 floats. The elaborate procession of floats, decorated to depict different themes, are pulled by tractors.

The Rex parade is the highlight of the day. Saluting his queen who sits in the reviewing stand in front of the Boston Club, Rex is toasted by the mayor. Manned by his glittering, masked knights the Rex parade then slowly winds its way through the narrow streets of the Vieusx Carré. The press of people is tremendous and they spill over the streets making the streets crowded. But it's not a problem because all businesses remain closed on the day. And the festive revelry floods the whole city.

Mardi Gras Goodies!

As the parade with its costumed figures on the floats crawls its way through the crowded streets, viewers along side shout with the traditional Mardi Gras cry: "Throw me something mistuh!" Strings of beads, doubloons, cups and trinkets are thrown into the air. Beads are of plastic and come in all different colors, shapes and sizes. They resemble jewels that royalty would wear. Doubloons are metal coins that are about the size of a silver dollar. They come in different colors and are stamped with the krewes' emblem and their theme for the year. Similar to doubloons, cups bear the krewes emblem and theme for the year. Trinkets might be anything from a candy, to stuffed toys, and knickknacks of every description. They are almost worthless, but a stranger would never know it judging by the enthusiasm with which they are received and fought for.

The floats, the dancers and the marching units with the innumerable bands apart, the city on Mardi Gras is thronged with ordinary citizens who for the day have become quite extraordinary. With costumes of all colors and varieties the children and the grown ups alike become circus clowns or fabulous beasts or live comic-strip characters. Some groups may also cavort according to their whim as harem beauties or Indians or famous Americans.

Mardi Gras Masks!

Picture of two beautiful Mardi Gras masks

Illustration of Theater (Tragedy/Comedy) Mardi Gras masks

Illustration of a lady with Mardi Gras colored masks

Picture of beautiful and colorful Mardi Gras masks

Mardi Gras Coins, Wreaths, and Beads!

Picture of Mardi Gras beads

Picture of a Mardi Gras wreath

Mardi Gras Costumes!

Picture of some Mardi Gras costumes

Picture of a Mardi Gras costume

Pictures of some Mardi Gras costumes/dancers

Delectable Mardi Gras Themed Cakes!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake!

Picture of a beautiful Mardi Gras themed cake

Picture of some beautiful Mardi Gras themed cupcakes!

Picture of some beautiful Mardi Gras themed cupcakes!

Second, I am Creole/Lousiana Creole (which is the mixture of African American, Native American, French, Spanish, and/or West African Ancestry)! So, you can see why I LOVE Louisiana and it's celebrations so much!

 Ashley Forrestier personally feels, "Creole is a culture and a way of life; It is a rich culture with numerous contributions to food, entertainment and Louisiana history."

Third, I am African American/Black and I'm Native American. In particular, I am Cherokee Indian on my mother's side. My father is Native American as well but he never told me which tribe. So, I just claim Cherokee since I know that it's true! :)

Some of my favorite Native American Images!

Picture of a Native American Prayer 

Picture with A Strong Woman poem

Picture with one of my favorite Native American tale's, "The Story of Two Wolves"!

The above image includes a short excerpt of my favorite Native American tale, "The Story of Two Wolves". It's an incredible story that teaches about the good and the bad side within all of us. I use the moral/lesson in my life as well. My dad told me this tale during one of our conversations and it has been one of my favorite moral tales ever since!

This picture of the beautiful Josephine Baker is also my desktop image! :)

 Remember when I said that Josephine Baker is my favorite 1920's icon? Well, she was Creole! She was called the "Creole Goddess"! She was a very well known singer and dancer of her time. She was born in St. Louis, MO in 1906. She eventually moved to France in 1937 and became a citizen. She felt that racism wasn't as big of an issue there. (Sidenote: Many Creoles would go to France to be educated to get away from USA racial inequality).

Sorry that my post is so long. I didn't expect that to happen but I hope that you enjoyed reading it! Happy Mardi Gras Everyone! I hope that you enjoy it! :)

Love always,

LaTasha B.

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D-Xirable Style Decade #2! The 1920's!

Picture of a handsome, young Gilbert Roland! :)

My second favorite style decade is the 1920's ("The Roaring 20's" or "Roaring Twenties")! It's also known as the Jazz Age! Unlike the 1950's (when the sexy feminine figures were in), the 1920's preferred the boyish figures. Yes, the complete opposite of the pin-up ladies, I know. I guess I will blame it on my dual personality. I like the 50's feminine, pin-up style and then the 20's boyish, flapper style.

Style Icon's - 20's

My favorite is Josephine Baker, of course!

Other 20's Style Icons: 

1920's makeup - Cream rouge circling the cheekbones, eyebrows plucked and thinly penciled in and pale powder. Vivid red lipstick was used to emphasize the “Cupid’s bow” of the upper lip, and to exaggerate the width of the “P” on the lower lip. Thus creating what we now know as the “Rosebud Pout”.

Picture of a lovely lady in 20's makeup with a cute "Rosebud Pout"

Picture of a lovely lady in 20's makeup

Boyish look/figures - The 1920's ditched the corset and the ideal figure was flat-chested and somewhat boxy.

Undergarments, such as bras and slips, were first used in the 1920's. A flat chest was preferred to a large one, following with the boyish trend. Many women preferred thin elastic webbing Lastex girdles that flattened the abdomen.

Suspenders were attached to the girdles. The chemise, bloomers, or camisoles was employed in place of the corset.

Rayon stockings became popular in the 1920's as a substitute for silk stockings. Rayon was also used in undergarments. Colorful silk tights also came back into fashion for those who could afford them.

Picture of lovely ladies in 1920's undergarments

Sport uniforms - Men's fashion relied heavily on athletic uniforms. Of course, the fashionable athletics of the 1920's were tennis and golf, leading to high socks and sweaters. For the sporting guy of the 20’s, a trendy outfit as usually made up of a pair of linen knickers, a bow-tie and a V-necked sweater.

Picture of a famous 1920's golfer, Bobby Jones in a 20's sport uniform

The cloche - That iconic, beautiful hat of the 1920's for women. Cloche hats were bell shaped and often had embellishments such as flowers, ribbon, feathers. The women's hats of the 1920's are just plain chic. They make any woman instantly look like a movie star with bedroom eyes. The close, simple, cropped nature of the hat is dramatic, yet simple. Foreheads were unfashionable in the 1920's

Picture of a lovely lady in a cute cloche hat

The felt fedora (I love fedora's!) and a nice suit - The felt fedora and a nice suit was all the rage of the 1920's for men.

Picture of Fred Astaire in a 1920's suit and a felt fedora

Picture of the notorious Al Capone in a 1920's suit and a felt fedora

Leather helmets - Because of the popularity of WWI fighter pilots, both men and women became highly fond of wearing the pilot-style leather helmets.

Picture of WWI fighter pilots in pilot-style leather helmets

Art Deco - Art Deco was introduced in the 1920s as a protest against the Art Nouveau style. The Art Deco style is a very famous and popular art movement that had a lot influence in the world of jewelry. The Art Deco movement introduced styles that often focused on bold colors and geometric shapes.

Picture of beautiful Art Deco jewelry

Picture of beautiful Art Deco jewelry

Picture of beautiful Art Deco jewelry

Picture of beautiful Art Deco jewelry

Picture of beautiful Art Deco jewelry

Backless dresses - While the Western world wasn't quite ready for cleavage, they were totally fine with back fat. Dresses kept high collars in the front, but had very low cut backs.

Picture of a lovely lady in a backless dress

Wrap-over coats - The 1920's coats often wrapped to just one side fastening which was a feature of the garment. The coat fastening was either a huge button or some complex tab and buckle. Many coats had shawl fur collars. A fashion for coordinating coat linings with dress fabrics started at this time. This was not only a trend due to fashion; it was a trend due to need. During prohibition, women could hide many illegal bottles of alcohol in a large coat.

Picture of lovely ladies in 1920's wrap-over coats

Bobbed hair - Long hair was associated with virtue and maidenhood, so when the ladies of the 1920's started hacking their hair off, there were deeply ingrained social norms causing the shock. Women wore their hair short and cropped in the famous "page boy" style. Flappers chopped off their long locks in favor of a bob, a haircut where the hair is cut straight to frame the chin with bangs. Hair was first bobbed, then shingle bobbed.

Picture of a lovely lady in a cute 1920's bob

Picture of a lovely lady in a 20's bob

Finger-waves - After the hair was bobbed, it was finger-waved.

Picture of a lovely lady in finger-waves

Picture of a lovely lady in finger-waves

Eton Crop (1926-27) - An Eton crop was considered daring and shocked some older citizens, since hair had always been thought a woman's crowning glory.

Picture of beautiful Josephine Baker in an Eton crop

Picture of beautiful Josephine Baker in an Eton crop

Smoking - All those feisty flappers started smoking in public, which was considered crass, masculine, and unacceptable for women.

Picture of a couple smoking with 1920's cigarette holders

Bright colors - Fashion of the 1920's was much brighter than previous fashions.

Picture of some lovely ladies in bright colored 20's outfits

Shoes - T-bar shoes with buckles and bows and straps, and Mary Jane ankle strap button shoes were the style of the twenties.

Picture of 1920's shoes

Picture of 1920's shoes

Famous Designer - Coco Chanel

Picture of lovely ladies in Coco Chanel

Swimsuits - 1920's fashion saw bathing suits become more revealing as women started to express their new freedom. Bathing suits were either short taffeta outfits – favored by older women – or tight, sleeveless woolen tank suits with fitted undershorts which only covered down to the mid-leg. Bathing caps became a necessity as ladies needed to protect their bobbed hair styles from getting wet. People of this era also became interested in health-foods and exercise. Sun baking also became popular for many.

Picture of lovely ladies in 1920's swimsuits

Elegant evening attire - Evening clothes were elegant and made from luxurious materials such as silks, taffeta, chiffon and velvet. Many were tailored with long trailing sashes or asymmetric hemlines. In most cases, ladies didn't wear hats during the evening, but rather used stylish hair combs, bandeaux and jewelry.

Picture of a lovely lady in a 1920's evening gown

And my favorite thing about the 1920's - The Flapper girls, of course!

Flapper dresses were all the rage for women in 1920's fashion. A flapper dress was a sleek, sack-like form that could be very short or very long. It was usually highly decorated and made for dancing. The neckline tended to be square or straight; spaghetti straps were very popular. Flappers did not truly emerge until 1926. Flapper fashion embraced all modern things and styles. A fashionable flapper had short sleek hair, a shorter than average shapeless shift dress, a chest as flat as a board, wore makeup and applied it in public, smoked with a long cigarette holder, exposed her limbs and epitomized the spirit of a reckless rebel who danced the nights away in the Jazz Age.

Picture of lovely flapper girls

Picture of some lovely and beautiful flapper girls!

I hope that you enjoyed reading about my second favorite style decade!

Note to my followers: Look out for my "D-Xirable Followers Dedication" post coming up soon! :)

Love always,

LaTasha B.

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