If only I could get may hair to do that wavey thing...

I love the fashions of the 1940's. I have always said I was born too late -- I should have been a New York City socialite in 1945. I can't say exactly what it is that I find so fascinating, but I have some idea.

The 1940's dress was flattering to the female figure; classic in style; and emphasized the waist, producing an "hourglass" silhouette. Colors of the 1940's were deep, rich, saturated hues. At this time, shoes began to show off more of the foot with slip-on styles and peep-toes.

My bathroom is decorated with prints from Joyce Ballantyne's pin-up collection--a daily reminder of the pin-up girl within. It's true that what you wear has a direct affect on how you feel. When I wear an outfit like I wore today, I feel like a glamorous woman in 1940's.



I even threw in some fishnet stockings for good measure. Technically, the 1940's were all about "full fashioned hosiery" you know, the kind with the seam running up the back. The beloved move "A Christmas Story" was set in 1939 or 1940 -- and as you may know, fishnets played a part in that movie.


("It's a major award!"-- A Christmas Story)

As with most of my blog entries, there is a back story about who said what. Earlier this week, when I found this blouse on the clearance rack (deep discount) at Ann Taylor, there were other women looking at the same racks. One of them pulled out this shirt and said "This is so ugly. This looks like something my grandmother wore." I just kept my mouth shut, but what I was thinking was "Your grandmother must have been a hottie -- maybe you could learn something from her."

blouse: Ann Taylor
skirt: Pink Tartan
belt: Mossimmo
stokings: Vera Wang for Khol's
shoes: Jessica Simpson

A Tale of Two Sweaters

I never realized how many things I have in common with Michelle Obama. Okay...maybe not many, but several. Okay...maybe not several, but at least a few. Case in point: She loves a wide belt -- I love a wide belt. She's a Democrat -- I'm a Democrat. She loves cardigans -- I love cardigans.


And it is not as though I just happened to open up a magazine from 2008 and discover this. But for all we know, I was wearing cardigans and belts before her. They are a wardrobe staple after all.

So much a staple, in fact, that I have taken to wearing cardigans two at a time and throwing in a wide belt for good measure. I treat the base cardigan like a button-up and the top cardigan like a jacket, left open. I add the belt for silhouette and viola.

I also wanted to share a close-up shot of my Cindy shoes. I think that's actual donkey fur:


Black sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Aqua sweater: New York and Co.
Belt: Fashion Focus
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Cindy
Necklace and bracelet set: Cookie Lee

To quote Tori Amos: "hand me my leather"

When I initially sat down to write this blog, I really didn't know what I would type.

Yesterday, I wore a leather skirt to work.



I don't think this is too big a deal, but I realize that some people may be consider that "blog worthy." Take for instance, my sister. The skirt was hers originally. She bought it about eight or ten years ago at Nordstroms and SHE NEVER WORE IT. About a year ago, I came across this skirt, hanging out, looking lonely in what use to be my sister's bedroom at my parent's house. I tried it on. No go. I brought it home with me and vowed that when it fit I would wear it -- PETA and office dress code be damned. When I called my sister yesterday and told her I was wearing the skirt, she was very happy. Apparently, she bought it because it was something she "would like to be stylish enough to wear," but never did.

Now, I'm not bragging here. I don't mean to focus on the fact that I lost weight or that I'm "stylish enough" to wear a leather skirt. I mean, not once today did anyone say: "Don't you look stylish!" Rather, I actually would like to prove a few points.

Firstly, leather skirts are not (only) for hookers. For some people, the idea of a leather skirt may conjure up the image of a prostitute leaning into a car window. However, given the right length, cut and style, leather skirts go from street walk to the catwalk. I mean, if its good enough for Gwenneth...:



Secondly, did I mention that this skirt is about ten years old? I've never kept a job that long, let alone an article of clothing. So I think it is worth nothing that a leather skirt can be an "investment piece" that is worth hanging on to. Styles come and go, but the leather skirt is a staple -- if it's a neutral color, appropriate length and devoid of a zipper running up the backside.

Lastly, as I sat here, trying to think of what I would write. A memory popped into my head. One I thought you all would appreciate.

Xenophobia is defined (by Webster's) "fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign." Xenaphobia is defined (by me) as anyone who has a problem with Xena: Warrior Princess. She always wore a leather skirt and she was a bad ass.




(Halloween, circa 1999)


Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
skirt: anonymous
shoes: Cindy
ring: H&M

If I didn't have a plane, perhaps my sleeves could help me fly home

Somewhere between crazed and pissed off, there is this face:



Honestly people, I think I've forgotten how to do this. Is Barbizon still enrolling?

What can I say about today's ensemble? To be practical, since it was below 30 degrees today with, a windchill in the teens, I definitely aimed for warmth. In reality, since I never actually have to come in contact with fresh air (thanks to a strategic positioning of parking structures), I can pretend it is in the 50's and wear a skirt.

The story behind this sweater (and yes, there is always a story), is that one day last year my boss told me he need me to fly to Austin for the day to work on a project at a client's office. Sure, no problem. I happily hoped on the plane and earned some SWA rapid rewards. However, that "one day" turned into three days. So, rather than commute back and forth to Dallas, I decided to take advantage of being in my hometown. I drove my rental car as fast as I could to the local Target and set about figuring out how to wear the same black pants for another two days. Which was not hard to do, really. The tricky part was figuring out how to do "full face" makeup with a new tube of mascara, the pressed powder in my purse and borrowed eyeshadow from mom. Did you know you can't expense lipstick?!

To recap, this sweater was one I bought and wore with black pants...one day...a year ago...in Austin. And even with all the time I have had to consider it, I honestly don't know where the sleeve width starts and stops on this thing -- they are quite vast.

sweater: Mossimo
t-shirt: Mossimo (freak coincidence really)
skirt: Banana Republic
belt: Fashion Focus
boots: Calvin Klein
necklace: Cookie Lee

To quote Psychedelic Furs-- trying to be "Pretty in Pink"

And this is what happens when your staff photographer is busy and you try to use the self-timer without a proper tripod:



I've come to realize I look a bit crazed when I smile for no reason. But that is neither here nor there.

I was unable to capture myself from the knees down, but I can tell you that I wore gray tights and my gray platform heels with gunmetal embellishments. I once read that if you don't have -- or cannot afford -- a pair of boots, you can "easily mimic the look by wearing a skirt, tights and shoes in the same color." I personally think you'd have to be a moron to confuse tights/shoes for boots, but nonetheless, it does make for a nice long line (which I wish I could show you, but...)

I first fell in love with the sweater/shirt layered look when I was in Chicago. As you can see, I basically just swapped the blue sweater for a pink one and the black skirt for a gray one. I know it may seem odd to wear cotton candy pink in the dead of winter, but it is a wool sweater. Interestingly enough (or not) I got this sweater at my consignment store about four years ago. I remember it was four years ago, because I initially wore it with soft knit gaucho pants. [If that's not dated, I don't know what is.]

I have kept this sweater because it's in exceedingly great shape for being almost seven years old. And I know how old it is because the small tag on the side seam reads "HO/03" which translates to Holiday Season 2003. Most major chain stores put these little labels in their clothes. It's good to look for this tag so you know if what you are willing to pay full price for is actually "last season" -- think Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde."

blouse: Anne Klein
sweater: Gap
skirt: Ann Taylor Factory Outlet
necklace: Cookie Lee
earrings: New York & Co.

To quote Simple Minds -- Don't you forget about me

Hello dear friends! It has been so long since my last post, I seriously thought Blogspot would have locked me out of my account. But since they didn't jump on that opportunity when they had the chance, here I am...again. I want to thank those of you who have inquired / hounded me about my lack of posts. I appreciate knowing you enjoy reading these things. And though I do not believe in "New Year's Resolutions," I will resolve to try to post more often in 2010.

In the months since I last posted, I have compiled several "blog worthy" outfits, but for whatever reason they were never captured in a digital image and posted. I guess it would have behooved me to ask Santa for a tripod, but I can't dwell on that now. I just hope I can remember what conglomeration of things I threw on my body and thought "ooh, this is good" so I can wear them again and share them with you. I know one involved a leather skirt and I think I may have at one point layered cardigans.

Today's ensemble is brought to you by the expression: "Don't you look stylish?" It was not "Don't you look stylish." or "Don't you look stylish!" It was definitely, an inquiry -- "Don't you look stylish?" Inflection on the "don't." This of course makes me laugh (and over analyze). Submitted for your approval:




Sweater: Mossimo
Jacket: Hinge (with slight modifications)
Skirt: New York & Co.
Tights: Apt. 9
Shoes: Fabulosity by Kimora Lee Simmons (I know...I know.)
Necklace and Bracelet: New York and Co.

Can-can I wear ruffles? Yes!

I bought this wool skirt when it was 100 degrees outside. And I have patiently bided my time since August for the mercury to dip low enough for me to wear it.

When I stepped outside this morning, it was 50 degrees -- perfect! Not realizing the temperature would hit 70, I happily pulled on my tights, my awesome wool skirt, boots and sweater. Adding a wide belt for good measure (surprise, surprise) and I set off for the office. No sooner was I on the road heading east that the sun hit me through the windshield and I realized I had jumped the gun. Nonetheless, I sought refuge in my air conditioned office -- for once, grateful they kept temperature so chilly.

I really like this skirt. However, ruffles on one's lower half are not usually recommended -- unless you happen to be a can-can dancer.



But I figured since the ruffles were low on the skirt, I could pull it off. I don't think it added bulk, but rather provided balance with my cinched in in waist. If I saw this skirt on someone, I would chase them down the street to find out where they got it. So imagine my surprise when I walk into the office and hear -- and this is a direct quote -- "Oh. (pause) Ruffles. (pause) Cute."



Oh well, you can-can't please all of the people all of the time. But I can-can still love what I wear! And I really would love to wear this outfit again, but next time I'll make sure the high is 50 degrees. There's a reason sheeps get shaved in the summer -- wool is very warm.

************
sweater: Ann Taylor
necklace: H&M
bracelet: Cookie Lee
belt: Fashion Focus
skirt: DKNY
boots: Calvin Klein

Shoes with a view

Today I awoke and readied myself for another busy day in Chicago. First order of business, Round Two at H&M, which just happens to be 3 blocks from where we are staying. The sun was finally out today. I decided to wear a skirt and my new boots -- which I had just bought last night.



I layered up with an H&M turtleneck (bought last year during a trip to Boston), a off-white Michael Kors jacket (another great consignment find) and a denim skirt. You can't tell in the photo, but I also rocked a pair of nude fishnets.

As I mentioned in my blog post the other day, Chicagoans are not big on color. There is a lot of black and gray here. Needless to say, my colorful outfits stick out like a sore thumb. But not trying to hide my not-from-around-here-ness, I proudly marched up Michigan Avenue to H&M. By the time I returned back to our bed and breakfast, I decided jeans would be a better idea.

Of course, this idea had nothing to do with the fact that I had bought the cutest tweed, plaid shoes at H&M that I thought would look adorable peeking out from jeans...well, maybe it had a little to do with it. But I think all shoes deserve equal and fair wear. It is just that some of them are lucky enough to view Chicago's glittering skyline on a beautiful, crisp Autumn day. Lucky shoes indeed.



And while Chicago may not dress like they do in Dallas, they still have one common thread -- they will comment on my shoes. The lady taking our tickets at the Aquarium said "I can't believe you are brave enough to wear those shoes walking around." As per my usual, I gave her a smile and explained, "this was nothing," and they were about "two inches shorter than what I usually wear." Even so, by the end of the day, which included a visit to the world's largest indoor aquarium, a walk to Buckingham Fountain and then the John Hancock Observation Deck and a final walk back to the B&B -- I must say, might feet were killing me! It is not often I say that, but they really were. On the upside, the postcard view with my cute new shoes is a great keepsake and now that I broke in my new shoes, next time won't be so bad.

Chicago - Take 2

One thing I learned from tromping across NYC awhile back, is that I cannot wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. This is not a question of being fashionable, its simply a matter of giving my feet a break. And after yesterday's traipse across Chicago in my knee-high Calvin Klein boots, I needed to switch gears.

Since today's itinerary included a river boat architectural cruise, I opted for jeans instead of a skirt and tights. I wore my brown equestrian boots under the jeans for added warmth. I tried to tuck in, but the jeans were the wrong cut for tucking. Needless to say, when the rain came -- and it did come -- my jeans got soaked. We had to make a pit stop back to our B & B to refresh and dry off.



After a quick breather, we headed off to dinner and walked around, and around and around. Eventually ending up back at the river where we took the cruise tour. We then walked back north on Michigan Avenue -- the Mag Mile.

My first day in Chicago, I found a pair of boots I just loved. But the store did not have my size. Every time I saw the store I would go in and ask about the boots. Either they didn't have my size, or the color I wanted. While working our way back up the Mag Mile to our hotel, I stopped in a shoe store along the way. Jackpot! I snagged the size and color I wanted.

*******
sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
blazer: Banana Republic
jeans: Joe's Jeans, Muse cut
boots: Nine West

Look who just blew into town

Welcome to Dressing On The Side -- Chicago edition.

When I decided on an October vacation in Chicago, I was looking forward to the leaves changing on the trees, and sunny, crisp days shopping on Michigan Avenue -- otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile. However, I picked a rainy and cold week to visit. The wind is blowing the rain sideways and my hair is getting knotted and soaked. Nonetheless, I forge ahead.

Despite the not-so-ideal weather, I decided to put my best foot forward. So, for my first full day in town, I wore a ruffled, white button-up blouse under a cropped blue sweater paired with a black skirt, black tights and black boots. If nothing else, the boots kept my legs dry as we ventured out to The Field Museum where we saw "Sue" the largest and most complete T-Rex fossil ever found. We explored the Real Pirate Exhibit, where I was slightly shocked to realize I dressed a bit like a pirate myself. To quote Jerry Seinfeld from the puffy shirt episode: "I don't wanna be a pirate!"



I was grateful that I had the foresight to purchase a raincoat before I visited The Windy City. Although, I was slightly surprised to see that I (apparently) am the only one in Chicago with a bright pink raincoat. And it may explain some of the looks I got while riding the subway. I think my raincoat screams, "Howdy ya'll! I'm not from 'round here!"



********
blouse: Nine West
sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
skirt: Banana Republic
boots: Calvin Klein
jacket: 23rd St.

Get a leg up

I have to admit, when I decided to wear my lace-patterned fishnet stockings to the office, I was ready for comments. I had psyched myself up for it. I practiced a line from "Erin Brockovich": "Well as long as I have one ass instead of two I'll wear what I like if that's all right with you." I practiced steely silence as a response to any off-handed comments I might encounter.

But when I arrived at the office, the strangest thing happened. People liked them. And not just people, but the older women -- who I thought for sure would look at me like a streetwalker -- actually liked them. The stockings did not go unnoticed by men either. That afternoon, a gentleman told me I looked "very nice". I commented that he had seen me that very same morning. His response, "Well, I didn't see you standing up." Oh, I get it....nice (and a little creepy). I love how people continually surprise me.

And speaking of surprises, these fishnets are actually footless capris. I bought them on clearance for about $2.00. So, while I will never wear them without boots to cover my legs, I think they were one hell of a bargain.



***************
sweater: Ann Taylor Factory Store
necklace: B & B (but Cookie Lee has one just like it)
skirt: Banana Republic
belt: Fashion Focus
tights: Simply Vera (Vera Wang for Kohls)
boots: Calvin Klein

Button up

You know that expression, "If you don't like something,change it"? Actually, I'm not quite sure if that is technically an "expression" or just something parents say to you during adolescence when you complain. Either way, it is something that gets said and something I take to heart -- especially when it comes to my clothing.

I wish I had the ability to design and sew my own clothing. Well, not so much the ability -- I'm perfectly able -- I could take classes and practice and fail and try again -- so what I really mean is, I wish I had the inate talent/gift of sewing. I always have ideas about the perfect dress/skirt/blouse/etc., but can never find it in the stores. Since I cannot make my own clothes, I must resign to work with what is available. Our market economy depends on people like me. And while this is good for our economy, it can reak havoc on individuality. No one is immune:


Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Though I cannot make my own clothes, I can certainly make clothes my own -- give it some individuality, put my spin on it. For example, the jacket I wore today did not always look like this.



I wish I could tell you I cropped it, nipped it, tucked it, and "oh by the way, it use to be a drape", but that did not happen. This jacket was another Nordstrom's Rack find. I bought it last year because (I'm sure that) I read somewhere trench style-jackets: a) will never go out of style; b) are appropriate for all occasions; and c) flatter every figure. I'm a sucker for a three-prong factoid.

I bought this jacket at a very reasonable price. However, the cheap, plastic buttons that originally came on the jacket were, well...cheap and plastic. I'm sure the original buttons lended themselves to the reasonable retail cost, but they compromised the whole look of the jacket. They were perfectly acceptable buttons for "disposable clothing," but not for a piece that was suppose to a-c.

After buying the jacket, I immediately set out to the fabric stores. I searched high and low for luxe buttons that were the right size in a complimentary color. Not as easy as it sounds. I finally located the chocolate-covered-butterscotch-esque buttons you see here. The store had only 2 left in stock, so I had to order more. Yes, I had to special order buttons for this jacket. Then, I had to pay my tailor (what I believe to be) an exorbitant amount of money to remove and replace the old buttons. Though, I really shouldn't complain about the cost. I could have tackled buttons on my own, but some things are best out-sourced to the professionals.

In the end, it breaks down to this:
cropped trench jacket: $20
new luxe buttons: $32
tailor fees: $35
having a jacket a-c: $87 (not exactly priceless, but close)


*********
t-shirt: Apt. 9
jacket: hinge
jeans: Gap
shoes: Guess
jewelry: Cookie Lee

Spring into fall

Getting dressed in the morning is a lot like taking my dogs out to do their business. Sometimes it is very frustrating, takes a long time, and makes me late for work. Other times it is easy and over before you realized what happened. Today was the former.

The weather in Dallas has been rainy and dreary for days and days. The office where I work is air conditioned to a nippy 68 degrees and I'm about one sneeze away from wearing tights and boots to work. We are still 7 days away from the start of Autumn --which begins September 22nd -- but since it is so very close (and my office is so very cold) I got a jump start on dressing for Fall today.



I found this cute cropped, sateen cotton jacket at Nordstrom's Rack. Having originally tried it on with jeans, I was perplexed by what to wear it with to the office. I own several cute jackets, but have recently decided they all look best with jeans and not my work-appropriate pants or skirts.

Pacing from closet to closet, I tried to decide what to wear. I finally grabbed these pants and worked my way up. The multi-colored scarf was hanging with my belts. The burnt orange color in the scarf lead me to the selection of the burnt orange t-shirt (and not, as one co-worker suggested, because I'm from Austin and support the Longhorns).

I vacillated between wearing the platform, snakeskin heels or wearing a pair of burgundy patent leather peep toes. I ended up keeping on the snakeskin heels and hoping too much pattern in one outfit wouldn't put people off. I added the gold jewelry to compliment the gold threads in the scarf. And, as a last minute decision, I decided to wear my butterfly ring -- once again compelling a co-worker to state "That is a big ring." Nothing escapes this brain trust.

*****
jacket: Kenneth Cole
t-shirt: Banana Republic
pants: Banana Republic
scarf: Apt. 9
shoes: Guess
gold bracelet: Apt. 9
ring: B&B Resale shop

All aboard for Labor Day!

Today as I say "Hello" to a 3-day-weekend, I bid adieu to my white jeans. Labor Day is upon us and as mainstream, popular culture knows, white after Labor Day is a "don't". Or is it?



In very recent years, I have noticed several (reputable) fashion sources speaking out in favor of keeping white in your wardrobe all year round. Does this mean I can wear these white jeans in December? According to Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor at large at Glamour, "Nothing is more chic than white jeans in the wintertime with a chunky cozy sweater or a blazer and leather boots." A look she dubs as "very Michael Kors."

Okay, so it is one thing to know (in your heart of hearts) that you can wear white after Labor Day and be considered fashionable by those in the fashion industry. But what about those of us in the real world? For example, I work with several older ladies who have been talking about "no white after Labor Day" since September 1. I guess they are really excited about packing away their elastic-waisted Briggs pants and Coldwater Creek blouses.

I admit, I would like to be confident enough to stroll into work wearing stark white in November, but I know I never would. What I will do is find me a nice pair of eggshell/off white/"winter white" pants. And I hate the term "winter white" because again, this is a color that truly can be worn year round as well.

When did colors get so pigeon-holed? I mean, if it wasn't for Christmas I might very well wear red and green in April -- who knows! In that vein, what is it about patterns and colors that conjure up certain images and ideas? For example, I was racking my brain trying to figure out what this blue and white striped, cotton denim jacket "reminded me" of. Then it dawned on me -- do I look like an old-fashioned train conductor?




*******
t-shirt: Mossimo
jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
jeans: Ann Taylor Loft
shoes: Jessica Simpson
jewelry: Cookie Lee
purse: Liz Claiborne (It's shiny AND it's leather! Can you believe it?)

Define "too much"

I hear a lot of women say, "Well, I was going to wear a _____________(belt / necklace / heels / tiara) with this, but it was just too much."

We all have our own ideas of what "too much" is. For some, a necklace AND earrings is "too much". For others, "too much" means they wouldn't wear metallic shoes outside a dance club. I am very aware that my idea of "too much" is no where near the limits of some people's concept of "too much". Hence, I don't think I have ever uttered the words, "I was going to wear a red belt, but it was just too much." No, I would wear the belt.

Every morning I look in the mirror, ponder my outfit and ask myself: "Is this too much?" Very rarely do I tell myself it is.

For example, today's outfit:



Taking a few elements from an outfit I wore in May, I modified and built on it to create today's ensemble.

Keeping the multi-colored blouson top and sweater, I swapped out my gray skirt for this lilac one (Why I thought I would never wear a lilac skirt is beyond me**) and my purple, croc, hidden platform pumps. When I decided it wasn't enough, I added a black belt to provide some definition. I'm sure some people think this is "too much" -- and that is fine by me.

**As an aside about this lilac skirt, I purchased it at a consignment store earlier this year. It is what I wore it in my first blog entry of May 4th. Since then I have worn it about 4 times. As with most of my consignment purchases, I often wonder about the original owner. When and where did she buy it? What did she wear it with? Did she only wear it at Easter? Why did she decide to get rid of it? Based on deductive reasoning, I have concluded this skirt is circa 2002 - 2004. I figured this out while watching reruns of "Less Than Perfect" on Lifetime. One of the characters was wearing a very similar skirt with a cream colored blouse. And this was an episode when Sara Rue was heavier, so it was early in the series. Is this too much information? I don't think so.

*******
blouse: I.N. San Francisco
cardigan: J.J. Basics
skirt: Etcetera
belt: Fashion Focus
shoes: Charles David

In full bloom

I have to laugh at the ads that are running on my blog. I mentioned bracelets in some of my posts and now there are Life Alert bracelet ads on my blog. Whoever thinks computers could replace humans are sorely mistaken.

Anyway, today's picture is no good. Not only am I in desperate need of a bang trim (which I will get on Saturday), but my "photographer" messed with the camera settings and all I got was this grainy picture. Nonetheless, I wanted to show you my super cute sweater with tone on tone flower pin.



As I'm sure you can imagine, my flower pin has a few people conjuring up comments about Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City". One woman even said, "Oh I'm glad flowers are coming back in style." As usual, I smile and nod and then bash her in my blog. When did flowers go out of style? It's not like they are butterfly collars or leisure suits -- it's a fabric flower for Pete's Sake.

I got this sweater at New York and Co. I've recently fallen back in love with this store. I swore it off after college (when I think it was still called Lerner's New York). But NY & Co. has clearly upped its game. They have new designers with a far better grasp of what affordable chic should look like. It's no longer a store full of polyester elastic waistband skirts and track pants. Plus, they have Carson Kressley (from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) as a spokesperson. He even called me to remind me to use my City Cash reward coupons this weekend. Well, actually it was a recording of him, but still -- such courtesy.

The reason the rest of my outfit does not appear is because I got a pedicure after work and I really didn't want to mess it up by putting my shoes back on. The polish may be dry, but I think it takes a few hours for the varnish to cure. And since I had to pay $5 more for a pedicure in Uptown Dallas (since my usual suburb salon was closed), I didn't want to risk a dent.

However, I will tell you that I wore my purple Charlie Davids as shown here:

HOT DEAL ALERT

For anyone interested in my beloved Jessica Simpson Genaviv shoes -- Macy's at Barton Creek in Austin has them on clearance. I didn't see the camel color I have, but they had black and chocolate brown. They are also on sale on the Macy's website: click here

How to broach the subject (the long way)

I'm a big fan of television and I watch a lot of it. Not so much that would make you think "Oh, poor thing, she must be a shut-in", but enough to make most people wonder when I find the time (thank you DVR).

I like anything that is not reality -- because, t.v. is supposed to be an escape from reality. And I don't care for shows about criminal profilers -- they are just too disturbing and it makes me wonder about a) the sick minds that are thinking it up and b) the sick minds watching that show thinking: "Mmm, that looks like fun." Other than that, I really like t.v.

One of my new favorite shows is Drop Dead Diva on Lifetime. There are several reasons I have worked this show into my DVR line up -- the least of which is that I'm a sucker for any show where there is a curvy girl.

I loved "Less Than Perfect," but was very upset when beautiful Sara Rue lost about 30 pounds.


I adore Sara Ramirez as Callie on Grey's Anatomy (even if the story line with Erica Hahn wasn't my favorite).


I really routed for plus-size barmaid Janet Meadows (played by Rebecca Field) on the now defunct show "October Road". Though admittedly, I did find the romance between her and gorgeous, bad boy Eddie Latekka a bit far fetched.


And don't even get me started on how upset I was when my favorite 5' 2" foul talking comedienne Janeane Garofalo (who I adored in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" and "Matchmaker") lost a ton of weight. It almost makes watching her now on "24" unbearable -- oh wait, that would be the never ending doom and ceaseless cell tower triangulation.


I do love movies and shows with curvy girls, so it is no surprise that I love Drop Dead Diva and its lead character, attorney Jane Bingum (played by the beautiful Brooke Elliot). Though, I find it almost ironic that a very slimmed-down Margaret Cho plays Jane's assistant.


Now, on to my point (we took the scenic route to get here). In the pilot episode, Jane's antagonist, a thin, snarky attorney named Kim is putting down Jane's fashion sense and says something along the lines of "She wears a brooch. No one under the age of 50 wears a broach." Well, I'm not sure when the script was written, but it had to have been awhile back. Because broaches are one hot accessory. I've always had a broach on my winter coat, but I'm going to try to wear them more often and in different ways. I even set out to find a broach for the specific purpose of using it as a closure on this lace jacket.





This jacket is black cotton lace overlaying pink lace and is lined with pink cotton. It is one of my finds from my consignment store trip. It had a little ribbon to tie for closure, but I opted to cut it off and close with this broach, which I found at Macy's on clearance for $5. It would also work well pinned to the lapel of a jacket or on a sweater. Broaches can double as hair jewelry. Another way to wear a broach is to place it on a necklace or cluster several broaches together and create your own statement jewelry.

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jacket: Odille
cami: Old Navy Intimates (I wish I was kidding)
brooch: Charter Club
skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
shoes: Tahari