Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Wacky Wednesday #16: Lemons

 
This week’s costume is all about lemons.

Initially, I thought of making a dress out of Lemonheads candy boxes but I couldn’t picture myself buying forty boxes of candy for this costume. So Lemonheads are an accent only, and the rest of me is all about lemons. Although I didn’t eat a lot of Lemonheads as a child, this candy reminds me of childhood because the box’s original design has a retro feel, like many items did in the 70s, when I was born. These days the Lemonhead box has an updated look but I feel nostalgic for the original design created when Lemonheads debuted in 1962:


Since I know you love trivia, here's a fun fact: Ferrara, the company that makes this candy, sells 500,000,000 Lemonheads each year. Wow. 






 


Creating an outfit about lemons is a fun choice for me because yellow is so cheerful and a happy color with which to work. And I love citrus scents, so lemons evoke a good feeling in that way, too. Fruit is beautiful and a symbol for life. Lemonade feels summery, too, so my costume references the current season. Out of curiosity, I Googled the symbolism of lemons and found that lemons symbolize love, longevity and friendship.


Today it delighted me to bring some smiles to people at a hospital. My friend needed a nerve block and I drove her to her appointment. While I was waiting for her, at least a dozen people walking by said that they liked my costume. Some were patients but most were staff at the hospital. It made me glad that my costume surprised and brightened people’s day. Hospitals are serious places and if my Wednesday whimsy helps lighten the mood, even for a minute, I’m happy to help. One woman, Jo, introduced herself to me and told me that my costume had made her day. I told her that her enthusiasm had made my day. (See, this whole bright-and-colorful-clothing thing really lifts moods. Give it a try!)
 
Alternative titles for this post:

·         “A lemon in the hand is worth two on the tree, far out of reach.”

·         (To be sung to the tune of “Yellow Submarine”) “We all love a yellow lemon tree, a yellow lemon tree, a yellow lemon tree..."

·         “When life hands you lemons, make a lemon dessert, and you don’t even have to share it!”


Well, it’s time for me to say goodbye for this week. If you think that I’m off to mop the floor with a lemon-scented cleaning product, you’re wrong. I like citrus scents but I’d still rather make art than scrub surfaces. I’m off to dream up something fun and fabulous for next Wednesday…



https://instagram.com/sarahconleyartist/
 

14 comments:

  1. I think your outfit is great! I especially enjoyed seeing it in person. Yellow is so cheerful.
    Roxanne

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    1. Thanks, Rox! I agree. Yellow is an instant mood-booster.

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  2. Sarah, you really were at hit at the Moore's Cancer Center today! Too bad you couldn't make the rounds of the chemotherapy patients since you would have given them a boost too!

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  3. Amy,

    Thanks! Hey, we've got to wear clothes (it's the law, after all)--so they might as well be FUN!

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  4. Now I'm jonesing for lemon bars and lemonade! I love lemons--and your awesome costume is seriously making my tastebuds tingle like lemons. Haha!

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    1. Thanks, Kimmy! I'm glad my outfit evokes happy thoughts rather than gross ones. It's a sign. You need lemon bars now. Yes, NEED!

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  5. Your outfit today was a ray of sunshine and left me smiling when I saw you at camp! I am inspired by your creativity!

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    1. Hi Ashley, thanks so much! I love surprising people with what I make and it delights me when people like my creations...

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  6. I never liked lemon heads because of the personification around the name and depiction of the lemon with a face. I'm weird. I eat meat but not candy with human like characteristics attached to them,

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  7. It's all good. I guess that's why there are about a zillion different kinds of candy--something for everyone. What I can't believe is when someone says they have no sweet tooth. WHAT??!!!?!?

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  8. Super cute and bright! I used to love Lemon Heads. They are a favorite of Lucas. :)

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  9. I love Lemon Heads too! I like how they're so tart, and their nostalgic '70s package is so cute! Love the sunny lemon-yellow costume 😄 You're visions are always so creative!

    I also LOVED your fortune cookie blog and costume, but I couldn't write anything in the comments, for some reason. I love the whimsy of opening fortune cookies, too! 😄😄😄💕

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  10. Thanks, Lo! I like creating costumes around everyday items that most people know. And of course, colorful, playful costumes are my fave!

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