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