tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68640296198795317612024-03-13T15:52:47.150-05:00 Fort Smith StylistaStyle-wonkette notes about fashion and personal style from Fort Smith, Arkansas, deep in rural America. For mature women, beldames, women of a certain age, matriarchs and fully grown-up females. Age is not nearly as important as your eye for style. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-61867325568139274872015-12-24T13:41:00.000-06:002015-12-24T13:41:08.274-06:00A Bloggy Holiday Blast From the Past<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Merry
Christmas Eve to you all ... no matter how you celebrate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Bet you
thought you'd heard the last from me, didn't 'ya? Nope. I promised
myself that I'd at least post my <i><b>undying love</b></i> to you
all for the holidays, so here I am! I will probably always be your little friend who always shows up late to the party!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a quick catch up on<b><i> personal events</i></b> since last I posted:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Dan
survived and is currently thriving after a little hernia surgery. So
happy he's all fixed up. I'm fond of his doctor; he came into Dan's
hospital room the morning of the procedure, and greeted me by saying
"I see you got your old <i><b>dad</b></i> to come in to get this
hernia fixed." Adorable, I thought. Dan thought not so much.
The good doctor does not deserve his reputation for lacking a sense
of humor, IMHO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Our
business winter season is not so dismal this year! I'm reaping the
rewards of finally figuring out how to take advantage of a particular
Facebook advertising program that will allow me to get the word out
to readers within a 50 mile radius, and happily, we are starting to
see some results. This is still our slowest season, but it's not
desperate, and for that I am gratified and grateful. </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Beyond
that, not much news to tell. Things don't change much here, other
than whether they run smoothly or they don't. Oh, yes ... almost
forgot. The <i><b>pony</b></i> is still hanging out with my big ol'
mares, and he still shows occasional bursts of optimism but remains
thwarted by physics. Poor lad. Someday we'll have to give him a
name, I guess.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As quiet
as it is here, there's still a little happening on the <b><i>personal style
front</i></b> that I can report.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1) I
bought a pair of flats. And I wear them sometimes. I feel like I'm
standing in a hole when I do, though. Okay, I tried them. But
they're not as much fun as heels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Seriously,
I don't have many flats I really like, but I do like these Old Navy
loafers. Especially with skinnies and a scarf and raincoat. Much
better than sneaks and a more retro-urban look than booties. Will
wonders never cease?</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmrtlkGx8Jg/Vnw_-kJKu1I/AAAAAAAABq0/8jmZOox9k4Q/s1600/ON%2Bfauxpatleatherloafers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmrtlkGx8Jg/Vnw_-kJKu1I/AAAAAAAABq0/8jmZOox9k4Q/s320/ON%2Bfauxpatleatherloafers.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2.)
Speaking of skinny jeans ... they didn't die after all the
declarations of their demise by the denim cognoscenti. Mine have
settled back into rotation with their reincarnated cousins, the
straight leg jeans and most of the boyfriend jeans have been
relegated to a bottom drawer with only occasional outings. Still
love my rippy jeans, though, and the closer fitting ones best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">3) As I
wrote a couple of times, I was all excited about the opening of the
new <b><i>Burlington </i></b>store in our little Big City. It opened. It was
nowhere near as nifty as I remember the Burlington Coat Factory in
the Seattle area. Not surprisingly, it has a big selection of coats.
And lots of other stuff as well, but most of it looks pretty drab
and as unsubstantial as the Big Box store brands without the
trendiness. There are some "better
brands" but their pieces look leftover. There are about a
gazillion handbags, all in a similar classic top-handle satchel
style, and all in a vast array of black and brown. </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You
win some, you lose some. </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">TJ Maxx</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">will not be losing a large share of my business after all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>4)</i>Some
bad style-related news is that I'm having trouble getting my photos from my
camera onto my computer. <b>Windows
10</b> updates are still
wreaking minor havoc with my digital life, but I'm still optimistic
that it will all sort out before I have to freaking replace my
current freaking laptop (!!!!!!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5) But
the <i><b>VERY</b></i> good news is that <b>Waterlogue </b><i>(an
extremely nifty app that converts photos into pretty convincing
watercolors) </i>has
finally been made available for PC! And I nabbed myself a copy! I've
been so jealous of some friends/fabulous bloggers who have been
showing off with their photos on iPad (if you're reading this,
<b><i>SpyGirl</i></b> Anne, I surely mean you. Your <i>Daily
Truck</i>
series is the BEST!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since
I have no new pics to show, I'll jazz up some old photos here:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-BY8ZaUjSc/VnxBXJq-LpI/AAAAAAAABrA/Bee-wAn3iJo/s1600/WL%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-BY8ZaUjSc/VnxBXJq-LpI/AAAAAAAABrA/Bee-wAn3iJo/s400/WL%2B1.jpg" width="345" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">My favorite corner of our restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7MWi5vtSm4/VnxCF9kQcZI/AAAAAAAABrI/IH5H4xFQZRQ/s1600/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7MWi5vtSm4/VnxCF9kQcZI/AAAAAAAABrI/IH5H4xFQZRQ/s400/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q06RSSzYZpM/VnxDfcYQseI/AAAAAAAABrs/Z3Lby-3-BR4/s1600/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q06RSSzYZpM/VnxDfcYQseI/AAAAAAAABrs/Z3Lby-3-BR4/s400/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lovely for pet pics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfwgZWs-sAM/VnxCTtJarwI/AAAAAAAABrQ/LiVeAcPV_tI/s1600/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfwgZWs-sAM/VnxCTtJarwI/AAAAAAAABrQ/LiVeAcPV_tI/s640/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="305" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Not so much for people, usually. (This is probably what I'll wear on Christmas Day ... it will be in the 70s I'm told!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxw0qGJEs70/VnxCdz9nU4I/AAAAAAAABrY/zkXGgdlW9RQ/s1600/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxw0qGJEs70/VnxCdz9nU4I/AAAAAAAABrY/zkXGgdlW9RQ/s320/Waterlogue%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Although, I may keep and use this version of my</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">avatar ... the lack of detail makes me look a LOT younger... way too many decades younger! Probably not a good idea, but tempting. Really tempting ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">That's it from Mid-Nowhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Hope to check in more often in the coming year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">But for now, and whether your celebrate <b style="font-style: italic;">Christmas, Christmas and Boxing Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Winter Solstice, Pancha Ganapati, HumanLight, Newtonmas </b>or <b style="font-style: italic;">Festivus</b>, I send my annual big, smothery cyber-hugs with my best wishes that you enjoy</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'City of Light', cursive; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: red;">HAPPY
HOLIDAYS !</span></b></div>
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<b style="color: #191919; font-family: 'City of Light', cursive; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="color: #191919; font-family: 'City of Light', cursive; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="color: #191919; font-family: 'City of Light', cursive; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With special thanks to the <b><i>Glorious Patti</i></b> and her world-famous </span><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/7057-2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, without whom I'd have missed knowing a world of wonderful women! I'm heading over there right now ... join me!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-14935038796102592482015-10-29T20:29:00.000-05:002015-10-29T20:29:40.999-05:00Down the Rabbit Hole ; Google Search<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's cooling off here in
Arkansas. Finally and at last. We're getting some rain and
that's all to the good. However, we're entering the doldrums as far
as our business is concerned, and <i>fuhball </i>(every FREAKIN' NIGHT!!!)
and huntin' keep folks here from dining out as much. May the World
Series be decided quickly. Halloween (very, VERY big here for
private parties and events as we're in a low population density and very rural
area) and the state university Homecoming all happen this coming
weekend. That means we just have to settle for the leftover non-U of A grads
and the few non-sport addicted curmudgeons who turn out all the lights and flee the
trick-or-treaters. </span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Pickin's, as they say, are slim for our little
destination gastro-esque pub/restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While things are fiscally
<strike>dismal</strike>
challenging, it's no surprise to us and happens every year. Given
that we do everything we can to minimize the problems and maximize
the positive, we grit our teeth and persevere until spring. I've
learned to save some great books to read ( Amazon is my almost
unending source of free/low cost digital reading and gaming and
movies via their Prime program. Cannot recommend it highly enough! )
I keep some interesting DIY projects on the back burner to fire up when
needed. I record and we binge watch the best of the fall television,
too. During which I try NOT to EAT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I try to allow myself
the freedom to fall down the most interesting rabbit holes that
Google search provides. Here are a few random, Googly things I've
discovered or revisited of late ...</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a recent Google for
"style role models 5' and over 60 years old," I eventually
came across these style notes on Ruth Bader Ginsburg (one of our
three women justices on the Supreme Court of the United States ...
ahem.) She's one of my top ten admirable women of all time, with her style sense only an eeensy-weensey footnote in her long life
of great accomplishment and service. At 82 and 5'1" she sports
her trademark gloves and statement necklaces in ways that look more
editorial model than elder stateswoman. I'm all admiration that she
manages to look sleek and chic and beautifully dressed with a
sparkling-dry bit of humor and more than just a little mature edge.
And this she serenely rocks while helping interpret the Constitution
of the United States of America, and thereby shape the world we live
in.
</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdBKxY-YsGw/VjK4kC4iQeI/AAAAAAAABpg/Dkp5ESDp93Y/s1600/RBG%2Bstyle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MdBKxY-YsGw/VjK4kC4iQeI/AAAAAAAABpg/Dkp5ESDp93Y/s640/RBG%2Bstyle2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is how I want to dress at 82. (RBG is center here, in the white and black jacket.) I love the gloves she matches to every outfit (sheer black and minimal ones here... a style habit she picked up during a bout of chemotherapy and happily kept.) And I want to be able to chat and sip champagne with another Supreme, Elena Kagan)</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEQcW-dgyVM/VjK79nEzE_I/AAAAAAAABps/6CRoflBaiSM/s1600/RGB%2Bstyle%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OEQcW-dgyVM/VjK79nEzE_I/AAAAAAAABps/6CRoflBaiSM/s400/RGB%2Bstyle%2B4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In theory, a crocheted collar and gloves would read sweet and elderly. She combines them and achieves a cool factor that works with her no-nonsense features and sharp intellect.</i> </span></div>
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<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Read the article and see
more <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/10/tribute-to-ruth-bader-ginsburgs-style.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> at <i>The Cut. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Completely apart from
Secretary(and presidential candidate) Clinton's politics (and in this highly polarized political season it
seems everyone either loves or hates her, so I ask that you suspend
your left or right leanings for the moment) a Google search for "Who
is dressing Hillary Clinton" netted this weird little article. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See what I mean <a href="http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/g422/dressing-hilary-clinton-loobook-0508/" target="_blank">HERE</a> .</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> She and I have a lot in
common physically, and share short body-to-head proportion, short
legs and a down-turned mouth and serious expression when listening or
concentrating (yes, we both suffer from Resting Bitch Face, but stay nice, please.) And because of this, I am amused by this author's
imaginative but completely unrealistic cut-and-paste of her head set
atop the shoulders of catwalk models wearing outfits that this editor
thinks might work for her. Real-life proportions are blithely
disregarded. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Su-MuVME9o/VjK_znugOdI/AAAAAAAABp4/kIO5-8wdO7A/s1600/Hillary1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Su-MuVME9o/VjK_znugOdI/AAAAAAAABp4/kIO5-8wdO7A/s320/Hillary1.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do this to myself,
though, in my head. Doesn't always work well for me either, but I
found it interesting to see what these designers think what might
spin well for our age group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I'm reminded that she
finally got out of Arkansas, so maybe there's hope for me yet.</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've mislaid my link to
one of my favorite guilty on-line pleasures, so I had to run a Google
search for "Girl Genius online comic" and am happy to share
this nerdy-steampunky adventure by Seattle denizens Phil and Kaja
Foglio here at the very first episode. "A Gas Lamp Fantasy
Comic" promising "Adventure, Romance, MAD SCIENCE"
this elaborate epic has been running for a bunch of years, so prepare
to fall down a deep, <i><b>deep</b></i> rabbit hole when you <a href="http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104#.VjKfQ_mrQhc" target="_blank">CLICK HERE .</a></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MYzD8yFOpg/VjLB8NlvyEI/AAAAAAAABqE/ag-QJTP8GHY/s1600/girl%2Bgenius%2Bbig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MYzD8yFOpg/VjLB8NlvyEI/AAAAAAAABqE/ag-QJTP8GHY/s640/girl%2Bgenius%2Bbig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't think the Foglios would mind me promoting their comic by using this image ...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And in nosing further
around the links provided by this search, I found this brand new
super-hero comic for the most die hard fashionista, <i>Heroine Chic.
</i>It's about the strange
challenges facing a novice stylist and designer serving a postmodern
super-hero<i> </i>clientele.
Only a few episodes to catch up with, so <a href="http://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/heroine-chic/chapter-1-a-clothes-call/viewer?title_no=561&episode_no=1" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for the fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SpXyR2kyCE/VjLFU5hISXI/AAAAAAAABqQ/NQKYVtHkHFI/s1600/Heroine%2BChic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SpXyR2kyCE/VjLFU5hISXI/AAAAAAAABqQ/NQKYVtHkHFI/s400/Heroine%2BChic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Again ... just promoting the 'toon.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gratefully hurrying over
to the <b><i>Well-Traveled Patti's</i></b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">fabulous <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/visible-monday-162-how-to-do-paris-in-nyc" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> link-up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Thank you again, Patti, for the extra time!)</span></div>
</div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-69205595385911969692015-10-13T20:38:00.000-05:002015-10-13T20:38:12.005-05:00Head Cold Excuses and The Doctor<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'bh had a berry bad code. Or allergy.
Flu maybe. But whatever it was, secondary upper-respiratory
nastiness ensued, so I got some antibiotics and a perfectly lovely
codeine cough syrup for bedtime that seems to have done the trick.
Mostly better now, thank you. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Codeine notwithstanding, I'm at that
stage of recovery when you're so glad not to be miserable anymore
that you achieve a natural high.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not much to report, consequently, and
I'm going to post briefly and spend my spare time between now and
next Tuesday catching up with you all.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pony left, and we sighed with
relief, happy in the hope that he had just given up his wandering
ways and gone back to his family. ( See<a href="http://fortsmithstylista.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-i-did-this-summer-and-why-ive-been.html" target="_blank"> more about this</a> ... the last two paragraphs will explain the pony.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then he came back. I'm beginning
to wonder if he's not a message from the Universe to just lighten up
and embrace some optimism. Remember to get out and have some fun. Be
the pony.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm still looking forward to the
Burlington store opening. No sign of it yet. I've spent too much
time parked and idling in front of the construction fence, looking
for signs of progress. I wouldn't be surprised if security came out
and asked me to "move along, ma'am." <i>Open, open, open</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See, I've made a skinny scarf! I
learned that I can take enough off one side of a wider scarf and have
plenty left to wear the wide one as usual. Good to know. Find some
styling ideas <a href="http://www.refinery29.com/skinny-neck-scarf#slide" target="_blank">here</a> .</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGuz0FRP6Ic/Vh2wISk-KYI/AAAAAAAABo0/bzANxn5DmIQ/s1600/Sonic%2BSunnies%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RGuz0FRP6Ic/Vh2wISk-KYI/AAAAAAAABo0/bzANxn5DmIQ/s640/Sonic%2BSunnies%2BUSE.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a summer of lighter weight, more
flattering aviator sunnies, I fell completely out when Doctor Who
introduced his sonic sunglasses. Mine aren't sonic, but here is my
homage to our very own guitar shredding, technology wearing,
Boomer-generation Doctor.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-KnaMQs280/Vh2wcyh68lI/AAAAAAAABo8/2ZE42W3K9zQ/s1600/Who%2BSunnies%2Band%2BAxe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l-KnaMQs280/Vh2wcyh68lI/AAAAAAAABo8/2ZE42W3K9zQ/s400/Who%2BSunnies%2Band%2BAxe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Off to join the <b><i>True Blue-on-Blue Patti</i></b> at her </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">amazing linkup <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.com/visible-monday-160-how-to-do-blue-on-blue" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> . You should</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">drop in to see all the fall fashionistas!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-27243599919897046992015-09-29T21:11:00.000-05:002015-09-29T21:11:16.456-05:00Just a Little Story About How Cool My Husband Can Be<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Google
says that to make the 101.6 mile trip from my driveway to the Target
parking lot in Rogers, Arkansas it takes 1 hour and 37 minutes. But
below this information, at the very bottom of the page, in teeny,
tiny print, Google added a disclaimer stating that there are lots of
variables that may affect the accuracy of this estimate (and blah,
blah, blah ...) Well, they were right about that part, anyway.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday
morning, September 27th at 8:00 AM, the <b><i>Adam Lippes for Target
</i></b>collection (or just a tease, a mere taste of the collection; the
few sad pieces we get here in Mid-Nowhere) would be available for me
to see and buy. I'd kept a small chunk of change aside just for this
purpose and was ready to buy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We got
up at 4:45 on Sunday morning to get on the road by about 6:15.
Experience told me that the very early start on Sunday morning would
make for almost zero traffic and a faster trip. We'd both worked a
fairly busy Saturday night, both had head-colds and neither of us had
slept much or were feeling particularly perky. But we managed
morning animal chores, coffee, baths and showers, and all the stuff
one does to get out the door on time. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still,
in spite of our best efforts, we found ourselves running just a few
minutes behind and we arrived at about 5 minutes past 8:00. Only
three other cars were in the lot ahead of us, but I bailed out of our
car and made for the Target entrance at kind of a wheezy trot, with
Dan following behind, lugging my purse for me. (<i>What a guy. How nice
is that?</i>)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It took
only seconds to find the Adam Lippes display; the pitiful, two little
racks holding 10 pieces allotted to us out of over 50 pieces from the collection, and
then the rack holding the only dress I really wanted. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znbgABQtgh4/Vgs5TGetaOI/AAAAAAAABn4/uYL0-AAAz1I/s1600/Adam%2BLippes%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-znbgABQtgh4/Vgs5TGetaOI/AAAAAAAABn4/uYL0-AAAz1I/s640/Adam%2BLippes%2B1.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">As is
their stupid habit for smaller stores, Target allowed this store only
<i>one each</i> for <i>each size</i> of <i>every item</i>. One XS, one S, one M, one L,
one XL and that was that. At about 8:07, I realized that there was
no Medium where there was supposed to be a Medium. My size. I looked
around for the woman who aced me out and there was no one in sight. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dan is
such a good guy. He stayed close and made sweet, sympathetic sounds
as I stupidly checked and re-checked the tags on the XS, S, L and XL,
hoping one of them was the M and had just been put on the wrong
hanger. Nope.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After
raging a little and huffing and sighing and blowing my nose, I
decided to try on the Large. I was pretty sure it would swamp me, but
decided I was at least going to get to try one piece on after hauling
my sleepy, congested old self all the way to a far flung Target for
this stupid non-event. Dan reminded me to look for the shoes I
wanted, and true to Target form, there was one pair in each size. At
least Ms. Earlybird McDressGrabber, my arch-nemesis for today, didn't wear a
6.5 and want MY shoes as well as MY dress.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDUTA_JN4BE/VgtBbGPdDnI/AAAAAAAABoc/DCkv0Nc8LtE/s1600/AdamLippes-Buffalo-Look05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WDUTA_JN4BE/VgtBbGPdDnI/AAAAAAAABoc/DCkv0Nc8LtE/s320/AdamLippes-Buffalo-Look05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Dan took
the L, my 6.5s and the cart toward the dressing room, while I ambled
behind, pouting and snuffling as I scanned the rest of the Women's
department for other pieces that I might like enough to keep the trip
from being a total loss. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I
caught up with him waiting out the dressing rooms, he said, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You
know, I just saw somebody head in there, and I think she had your
dress."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Oh,
that's just swell," I groused as I grabbed the dress and shoes to
try on. "Goody for her." </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just for
good measure, I checked each open dressing room in hopes that my M
might be a reject and hanging still in one of the empty rooms. No
such luck. I chose the open dressing room next to the only other occupied room, and tried on the L. I was swamped by it, like I knew
I would be, and decided then and there not to bother with the massive
alterations it would take to make it fit. All the while, I could
hear the woman who had my M moving around in the room next door, and
the rustle of fabric as she tried on her selections. Sad Jan.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
also decided to put the adorable shoes back, because I couldn't be a
truly pitiful martyr if I bought them without the dress to go with.
No matter that I could instantly think of at least five outfits that
would look better with these sweet little shoes. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dan was
patiently waiting for me, and was respectfully quiet as I tossed the
L and the shoes back into the cart to return to the racks so some
other woman would not suffer the same disappointment. It didn't
escape him that I was wearing my Ultra-Mean face, and here I have to hand
it to him. It took courage for him to put a hand on my shoulder and
say, "Just hang on a minute, Sweetheart."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />"WHAT?"
Sweetheart snapped.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The
woman who has your dress is still in there, and I don't think that
medium is going to fit her. Just wait until she comes out."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There
are times in a marriage when the benefits knowing each other really
well and all the years of teamwork really pays off. I am sometimes
truly in awe of Dan's powers of observation, and just how savvy a
shopping strategist he can be. We waited about five minutes, and
finally Ms.Earlybird McDressGrabber emerged from the dressing room
carrying several items, my M among them. I pounced.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I pasted
on my most ingratiating grin, pointed to my M and asked her, "Did
that dress fit you?"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"No
..." she said, surprisingly non-startled by a short, grinning
stranger with a big red nose, accosting her with personal questions outside the Target
dressing rooms.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Can
I have it?" I asked.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"Sure!"
she said with a nice smile, and handed over my M. What an adorable
lady she was, not at all the sleazy Ms. Earlybird McDressGrabber I
imagined her to be. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I gave
her my thanks and dashed back into the dressing room to try on the M. Excellent. Too long (of course) but an easy alteration and a good
fit in shoulders, hip and bust. The little shoes came home with us
as well, and that is how Dan's sharp eye and good instincts helped me
score my dress. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I never
knew he had such finely honed set of competitive shopping skills.
I'm a lucky girl.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I admit,
this little dress all by itself doesn't inspire. However, this
styling example from the collection look-book is right up my alley.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbwGUYnm8yg/Vgs8rllgwuI/AAAAAAAABoI/TXxsQMGU3WE/s1600/ONMODEL-15-ADAM-LIPPES-W-049-v1-QC-R150.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DbwGUYnm8yg/Vgs8rllgwuI/AAAAAAAABoI/TXxsQMGU3WE/s640/ONMODEL-15-ADAM-LIPPES-W-049-v1-QC-R150.jpeg" width="520" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact,
I can think of a couple of other combinations using pieces I already
own. My long sleeveless blazer would work, as well as the shorter
sleeveless vest. Absolutely worth the trip and all the angst.
Success snatched from the jaws of defeat, and all is now well.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to you, Dan! You always rock my world and come through when it really counts.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Joining the Polka-Dotty Patti, hostess of her wonderful linky party, <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/visible-monday-159-how-to-do-black.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> . Come see what we're all up to this fall!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-38865508414519154042015-09-22T21:52:00.000-05:002015-09-22T21:52:48.899-05:00Rocking the Pre-Shop<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That first cool morning sets me
yearning to begin making my fall wardrobe purchases. But, the minute
I start itching to get out the door, inching toward it so I can start spending some of what I've been fiercely saving since July, I
manage to put on the mental brakes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Hold off," says I, sagely.
"The best stuff isn't out yet. "</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"True," I reply to myself.
"All I saw last week was the dregs of summer sales and a few, sad looking, fall-ish separates."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"First, we gotta go through last
year's stuff ..."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I resist my smarter and better-self with muttering, moaning and complaining.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ignoring myself, I continue, "And
figure out what we'll wear again this year."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Awww! Nice to see old
friends again!" I add, perking up a bit.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Then see how we can freshen it
all up with some new pieces!"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Excellent," I reply,
congratulating myself on my wisdom and restraint.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"But right now, we can go<i>
PRE-Shopping </i>!"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "The <i>BEST</i> ! " I
shriek, running for my cash and keys.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It stays hot here so long that over the
years I've adopted the technique of <b><i>pre-shopping</i></b> to keep
me feeling like I'm doing something other than just <b><i>window-shopping</i></b> for fall things. I wrote a little about this last year, but I've got
it down to a science now. I mostly just prowl my usual haunts,
seeing what's starting to come in for the new season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But to make it more fun, I make a contract with myself containing the understanding
that if I find something spectacular that I can easily afford without
breaking the bank, I can bring it home <i><b>if</b></i> it's <b>1)</b> True Love<b> 2)</b> tried
on in-store, <b>3)</b> an item that will help me transition from hot summer
to the slightly cooler fall temps with stuff I already have. And finally,<b> 4)</b> it must possess enough utility to go with me deeper into
winter.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(The exception to the wait-and-see part is
footwear. I've written about my creative rationalization for fall
shoe shopping in previous posts. I buy early if I possibly can
because I have a common shoe size and they go fast. Really.)</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This DIY-brainwashing cuts out all of
the impulse shopping, allows some few but intelligent purchases and
lets me feel like I'm doing something proactive. It keeps me from spending too
much ahead of the arrival of the best stuff when fall weather really
gets into full swing. I've even found I can begin thinking of
Pre-<i>Winter</i>-Shopping and retain a bit of cash to spend on myself when
the grooviest holiday items appear.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the last few years, I've discovered
another particularly satisfying and handy use for the process. There are
occasions when I want to ride the escalator up to the Better Floors
in our one upscale-ish department store. When I'm feeling
particularly hedonistic, I treat myself to a trip through the racks
where there are items by designers I see in the glossies, the names
we all recognize, but that I rarely can afford. In Pre-Shopping
Mode, I can easily make the trip a fact-finding tour to see what the
local 1% types will be wearing, how a good cut looks, what I
might wish to find in a more affordable version, and so on.
Invariably, a sales woman will come and offer assistance. Instead of
ducking my head and replying "just looking" and getting the
side-eye and tight smile reserved for lookie-lous, I smile
confidently and say, "No, thank you. I'm just Pre-Shopping the
season." You'd be amazed at the response you'll get. "Ah!"
she'll softly exclaim, and smile knowingly as she drifts respectfully
away. Complete pony-poo, but fun and effective. You should try it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Some Items From My Fall 2015
Pre-Shopping List :</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm pretty well set up with ankle
booties from an obsession I indulged last winter, but I'm looking for
a pair of nude or blush or warm beige booties. (Google "nude
blush bootie," then click on Images and see what you come up
with. I dare you.)
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88TRnwlQpLE/VgHnX0lgjyI/AAAAAAAABlk/j_lQCsG424I/s1600/nude%2Bbootie%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88TRnwlQpLE/VgHnX0lgjyI/AAAAAAAABlk/j_lQCsG424I/s400/nude%2Bbootie%2B1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Excellent with winter white jeans, yes?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMdfvman1fM/VgHndxjKOWI/AAAAAAAABls/-fgu92Jvzd0/s1600/nude%2Bbootie%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dMdfvman1fM/VgHndxjKOWI/AAAAAAAABls/-fgu92Jvzd0/s320/nude%2Bbootie%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Or maybe something more dressy like these pretties?</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I'm sort of pining for a pair of
rougher, strap laden ankle boots to toughen up the look of some
feminine silhouettes I have in mind.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a-S-vt46sc/VgHrgp6AY6I/AAAAAAAABl8/1NvNoVs1MwU/s1600/Black%2Bbuckle%2Bankle%2Bboot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a-S-vt46sc/VgHrgp6AY6I/AAAAAAAABl8/1NvNoVs1MwU/s320/Black%2Bbuckle%2Bankle%2Bboot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are a little sleek, a little tough ...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJNxPWl-udc/VgHrluaK2mI/AAAAAAAABmE/Z9p5zaDDY0k/s1600/black%2Bbuckle%2Bboot%2Bwith%2Bheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FJNxPWl-udc/VgHrluaK2mI/AAAAAAAABmE/Z9p5zaDDY0k/s1600/black%2Bbuckle%2Bboot%2Bwith%2Bheel.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but these are closer to what I'd really like.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I loved seeing all the well structured,
tailored, long sleeveless coats and blazers last year, but none
appeared here until this month. I've actually already found and nabbed a long one and a
shorter version, both in black, that met all the standards listed
above for Pre-Shopping purchase. I'm glad I did, 'cause they went out of
the store fast. Satisfaction is sweet. I've begun wearing them with
some summer tops for the transition, but see them with tees and long
sleeved tops and tunics and weightier shirt dresses for winter. She
shoots ... she scores.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBrVBBXwsl8/VgH0wa6_UBI/AAAAAAAABmU/iBx24zzQih0/s1600/long%2Bblack%2Bsleeveless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBrVBBXwsl8/VgH0wa6_UBI/AAAAAAAABmU/iBx24zzQih0/s320/long%2Bblack%2Bsleeveless.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Similar to mine, and a bit shorter,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but I'd </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">love one in this navy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ19Mqd_ZbE/VgH3TIi0YwI/AAAAAAAABmk/tOdNrgyQMys/s1600/sleeveless%2Bblazer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ19Mqd_ZbE/VgH3TIi0YwI/AAAAAAAABmk/tOdNrgyQMys/s320/sleeveless%2Bblazer.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Again, similar ... and I only aspire to </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">bring this much </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">attitude.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of long and shorter tunic
tops, asymmetrical hem sweaters and blouses, and traditional
button-down shirts and shirt dresses, see the following candidates:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIoFAmLA4GA/VgH4WnyjFqI/AAAAAAAABm8/BSQRbYdp3dM/s1600/faux%2Blayers%2Bsweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WIoFAmLA4GA/VgH4WnyjFqI/AAAAAAAABm8/BSQRbYdp3dM/s400/faux%2Blayers%2Bsweater.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We're finally seeing some of these faux layered sweaters/shirts and they are becoming yet </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">another minor fixation of mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This brings us to the sub-category of plaid shirts. They're everywhere, and I didn't do them when they were grunge basic in sturdy fabrics. The current iterations, though, include some gauzy styles that work niftily for the transitional weeks now upon us. I have these two already.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiBKpQwwkH0/VgH47jGve3I/AAAAAAAABnE/gpieIlp-CwU/s1600/oversize%2Btunic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uiBKpQwwkH0/VgH47jGve3I/AAAAAAAABnE/gpieIlp-CwU/s640/oversize%2Btunic.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one actually has more drape and shape </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">than shows here, and the colors are richer!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DogYCC17gQ/VgH5IFMJDnI/AAAAAAAABnM/l9U-ywdCIG4/s1600/mossimo%2Btarget%2Bplaid%2Bshirtdress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DogYCC17gQ/VgH5IFMJDnI/AAAAAAAABnM/l9U-ywdCIG4/s640/mossimo%2Btarget%2Bplaid%2Bshirtdress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Mossimo for Target dress I wear differently; open all the way, minus the belt like a duster-vest. Over a black leather-ish, high-neck tank and black skinnies, ankle boots or with black heels. Loved wearing it to work recently ... swirled elegantly as I sashayed around.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm declaring a moratorium on any more plaid shirts for the moment. I suddenly love what I can do with them ... but stay tuned. I can turn on a dime.</span></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another idea that I'm allowing myself
to obsess over more than just a little is the completely attainable
and surprisingly cool looking <b><i>skinny scarf </i></b>! I can get swallowed
easily in traditional winter scarves, and often forgo wearing them at
all as I get too warm to keep them on after coming in from the cold.
I've left them behind to be lost permanently.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enter the new kids in scarf-town; they can lend
a cool androgynous edge, and function as much like a necklace
as a scarf. A skinny scarf can become that illusive third piece without a bit of
bulk or fuss and prettily hide a neck-ring wrinkle or two. They can work
as well in summer as in winter. They can be easily made at home
without looking home-made (a major virtue here in rural Mid-Nowhere, the
absolute dead-end of the fashion supply chain) and I stand a pretty
good chance of keeping the long ends out of my dinner plate when we go out!
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not with shorts for me, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but the rest is doable and fresh to my eye!</span></div>
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</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm sure more ideas will take me as the
season wears on, but this is my current Early Fall Pre-Shopping List for F/W
2015. Stay tuned, 'cause I know I'll want to show off some results
soon ... Autumn always takes her sweet, slow, southern time
transitioning into fall, y'all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please don't hesitate to tell me </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">about your own Pre-Shopping adventures, if you have them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Flying late and low, trying to get to the</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Color-Happy Patti's</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/visible-monday-158-how-color-makes.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> link-party. Join us!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><i> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>A special note to all those who sent their astonishing support and empathy for all my summer-time-bloggy blues: </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>You've made me feek all better now. I'm blown away by your efforts to perk me up ... it worked! I'm still trying to answer all your notes, and will finish them ASAP. To all of you, especially to those of you who haven't heard fro me yet, I send my best thanks and massive affection. </i></span></div>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></b>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-88835147153580354872015-09-15T16:57:00.002-05:002015-09-15T16:57:55.003-05:00What I Did This Summer ... and Why I've Been Absent<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Surprise! Remember me? Wouldn't blame you if you didn't. I've spent almost a
whole season hiding under my cyber-rock, but I've decided to crawl
back out to check in with the bloggy world with hopes there's still
somebody out there. Although I've been absent, I've still been out
here playing dress-up, so before fall gets in full swing, I'll try to
trot out some of the summery ideas that </span><strike style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I've been mutilating
and trying to bend to my will</strike><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">loving and adapting for my own use.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>"Never
say never in fashion, because you'll be wearing 'never' in two years'
time." </i></span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Alexa
Chung</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So true,
at least for me. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A couple
of years ago, when ripped, distressed and destroyed jeans were
disinterred from the grunge-era graveyard and then reiterated and
conceptually freshened up a bit, I squinched up my nose and said, "Ewww. Why would anybody want to wear ruined jeans?" But
as so often happens, my eye trained itself and I'm got used to seeing
them out and about on perfectly reasonable looking women, and even
some of them like me in my advanced maturity! It's already a <strike>cliche</strike>
classic, so that means it's my cue to try it out. Sad.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Paired
with"<i>nouvelle grunge</i>" accouterments, rippy jeans
still just look ... well... grungy. I didn't go there even way back
when I lived in the Pacific NW epicenter of original grunge and it
was hot and new. But contemporarily paired with a slightly snazzy
top and a pair of ladylike (or especially unladylike pointy toe shoes
with a vampy stiletto heel) they just delight me. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nn_GmJ7R_k/VfiKCvu991I/AAAAAAAABko/ItWVdOzJ7iU/s1600/1c36e0047a3bf0b1fd5d759228857de1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nn_GmJ7R_k/VfiKCvu991I/AAAAAAAABko/ItWVdOzJ7iU/s1600/1c36e0047a3bf0b1fd5d759228857de1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>I got a fabulous deal on these red lacquered cork Ralph Lauren pumps.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Neat with ripped jeans and a white shirt.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>You'll see them eventually, I hope. </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> When I try for
that unstudied look that is so appealing, I still come off looking
sort of clenched and I've never once managed the <i>effortless</i>
look.<i> </i> Worn jeans with spiffier pieces takes me much closer,
and I've had all kinds of fun wearing them as a summer staple. Not
quite a uniform, but worn often enough to function as one. The
contrast has a sense of humor, and it's a look that just can't take
itself too seriously, or at least not for very long. </span>
</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJXnkLGnD0Y/VfiISdzhwQI/AAAAAAAABkQ/iF5-_5kZRbQ/s1600/LFWSTREETSTYLESPOTLIGHTPOPPYDELEVINGNE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJXnkLGnD0Y/VfiISdzhwQI/AAAAAAAABkQ/iF5-_5kZRbQ/s320/LFWSTREETSTYLESPOTLIGHTPOPPYDELEVINGNE1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPgpww4FZJk/VfiJE-omNaI/AAAAAAAABkc/mc-3s76KFAU/s1600/neutraljeansheels%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPgpww4FZJk/VfiJE-omNaI/AAAAAAAABkc/mc-3s76KFAU/s320/neutraljeansheels%2BUSE.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"<i>Where,</i>"
you might well ask, "<i>is your example? How do we know it
works for you? Where are your outfit photos</i>?"</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this
leads to the reasons I've been incommunicada for the summer. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In no
particular order of importance:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. I'm
exhausted with making photos of myself. It's been noticed (ahem) and
commented upon (nicely, though, and by more than one person) that I
have about 1.7 poses that I use and that it's getting old. I know
that. I'm tired of looking at it too. I'm as vain and insecure as
anyone and I use that one pose with only the most minute mutations so I'll look as pretty as possible.
That's the pose that makes me look less short and squat than the
other possible positions, so I cling to it like a lichen.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not sure
what to do about this. No, Dan is less able than ever to help,
although he tries heroically. There isn't anyone else around to play
photographer. It's a challenge I have yet to overcome.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. I
just couldn't stand it that I couldn't join some of my favorite women
in the whole bloggy world at the Vancouver blogger meet-up. I
really, really, REALLY wanted to go. Just couldn't manage it
financially (or in the style to which I aspire, at any rate) but the
most daunting road block was that the meet-up was celebrated on our
busiest, most exhausting weekend of the year for our little business.
Dan and I both would rather take a beating than work this particular
weekend, so I couldn't jump ship on him even if I'd opted to blow the
bank. The upside of this is that I was so overwhelmed that I didn't
have time to think about all the fun you all were having in BC.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm
ashamed to admit it, but I just couldn't bring myself to vicariously
share in the Vancouver adventure via your blog reports of the event
either. I don't for a minute begrudge any of you your wonderful time,
but seeing you all together just felt bad all over again. I was
being rude and childish to avoid the blogs of some of the women I
admire most, I know, but it didn't seem right to visit anyone while
avoiding some. I apologize to everyone, 'cause that's what I did and
I'm sorry.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3.
Because we don't go anywhere, or do much that varies from our tight
schedule, I've been feeling cramped for blog subject matter. Time
for a reassessment of why I bother with this at all and how/if I can
proceed in some</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">useful/fun/satisfying way. One version of my personal truth is that
I am a short, squat, elderly woman in the middle of nowhere
struggling to look as pretty as I can while coping with the limitations of big-box
stores, discounted fast fashion and my own shortcomings. (No stature
jokes intended.) Since I'm fairly sure a lot of women find
themselves in my situation, can I make this worth writing about, or
is it just too much same-old-same-old?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. At
65, It's been bugging me that I suddenly find I have about as much in
common with the "over 40" set as they have in common with
the 20-somethings. In terms of dressing challenges, anyway. Even you
50-plussers sometimes seem like carefree youth to me. Some of you
late life beauties can carry on looking beautiful and chic forever,
but I'm aware of a movement that relegates us ordinary elders to an ice-flow of brightly eccentric and wildly artistic dressing as our only final style statement option. I'm not ready for that, or drawn to the aesthetic for myself at all. I'm having a hard time finding living style icons.
Bummer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Because
of the above, I find myself embarrassed at my own behavior and
floundering creatively. Blogging should be fun, at least for the
most part. Instead, I'm learning some unpleasant things about myself
... and that's the problem with even the shallowest "voyages of
self discovery." There's always the danger that you'll discover
some not so nice stuff. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So there
we are. And here I am. As much angst as I'm whipping up for myself
right now, I still miss the camaraderie of mature-woman style blogging,
so I am still trying to figure this out. But there are no photos
of me in my rippy jeans, or in any other kind of outfits today, okay?
Good.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I return
you now to our regularly scheduled programming ... and more of what I did
this summer.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've
been cultivating my eyebrows and readjusting my bangs so the brows
will show. Stay tuned for more on this fascinating subject. The fun just never stops here.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Burlington store is going in in the Big City and will open sometime this fall. Dan and I have been watching the construction with excitement. <i>(I could just weep that I wrote that and that sentence and that it's so TRUE. See what I mean?)</i> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Another
idea from the "never say never" files: I've resisted
mirrored sunglasses for a couple of seasons now. They used to remind
me of mullets, Tom Selleck's big old mustache from back in the day,
and institutionalized male chauvinism. However, I finally overrode my
own good taste and fell hard for the modern version for women. Hot
weather-floaty fabrics aren't really much support for the little bit
of edge I try to sport during the summer, but classic aviators with
hot pink mirrors just say something. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MY_aVdKjxaQ/VfiLm0K_usI/AAAAAAAABk4/h49BltKF93c/s1600/pinkraybancockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MY_aVdKjxaQ/VfiLm0K_usI/AAAAAAAABk4/h49BltKF93c/s320/pinkraybancockpit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(Photo by Shade Traders.) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>I got a pair of these in pristine condition from</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>good old T.J.Maxx at a reduction so deep that even </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>I felt like</i></b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i> there must have been some mistake.</i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>They were more a gift for my pink</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>winter coat, so you'll see these later in the fall, too.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also
have some icy blue classic aviators that are even better, and Dan has even found
a similar pair he likes. We do our matchy-matchy, old-folks thing
when we wear them to town, but with a soupçon of old-school swagger
that I really need to throw right now. Yes we do.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vykkSFxnFAs/VfiM_TZzmqI/AAAAAAAABlM/TvOvdzuKxTo/s1600/bluesunniescouple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vykkSFxnFAs/VfiM_TZzmqI/AAAAAAAABlM/TvOvdzuKxTo/s1600/bluesunniescouple.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>Obviously not Dan and I, but if you squint </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">imagine this couple a lot older,</span></i></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i> it's sort of the same idea ... we are, in fact,</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><i>a little cooler than these two. </i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Completely
OFF-Topic weirdness</i>: Do you remember wishing for a pony at any time
in your early childhood? I do ... and am living proof that some
wishes do eventually come true, but with completely inappropriate
timing. A couple of weeks ago, I was sipping at that first cup of
coffee of the morning, looking out at our messy pasture when our dogs
went completely berserk. About that time I saw what looked like a
big spotted dog trucking off across the pasture toward our remaining
big old mares. It took me a minute to figure out that it was a very
tiny pony who had broken in to our pasture. So little that he just
sneeked right in under a missing wire in the fence. There was no
doubt at all about his gender, clearly a stud horse and sporting the
most optimistic erection as he headed toward my hefty old girls.
First, they regarded him with curiosity, then disdain, then with
aggressive annoyance. He ended the day hovering wistfully, unsuccessful but undaunted, at the
edges of our little herdlet, and he remains with us still. </span>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No one
is claiming him, and I've notified the local authorities, and we do
NOT need a pony. We'll find his family eventually and make them come
and get him. I know Dan blames my 6 year-old-self for that long
forgotten wish, 'cause he says he does.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Late as
I always am, I'm happy to sneak in to the return of the always lovely Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/visible-monday-157-welcome-back-and.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> link up ... feels like homecoming! </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-39940789808207735682015-06-09T22:25:00.000-05:002015-06-09T22:25:25.914-05:00Some Mules, Some Culottes and a Satchel Walk Into a Bar ....<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... and although I can't come up with a punchline here, I was so cool and and happy wearing them on a very hot evening, I don't mind leaving that title-set-up flapping in the breeze without its punchline.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12N_V81AOxM/VXeWV95xKTI/AAAAAAAABjE/_rNWaj3WaHw/s1600/BlackCulottes%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12N_V81AOxM/VXeWV95xKTI/AAAAAAAABjE/_rNWaj3WaHw/s640/BlackCulottes%2BUSE.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found this pair of denim culottes (with the tags still on them!) while closet diving. I vaguely remember putting them in the "alterations needed" pile some years back, and although I don't remember what I was going to do with them, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I slipped them right on and was as tickled as if they were a brand new purchase. This flowy tunic is just one of a dozen shirts and tops I'll be able to wear with these. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether the top I choose is shorter or longer, this silhouette just cries out to me for a dressy heel, so ... ta-daa! Meet my new black mules ... with a tiny, cushiony mini-platform for comfort and that extra height I never mind pretending to own.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I first saw this little satchel, I didn't mind a bit that it had bright yellow panels on either side, with warm and cool beiges and some subtle black trim. I love that it's a color interesting a lot of designers this season, but for me it's a problematic color to wear ... just like it seems to be for a lot of women. Seems like everyone and their giddy aunt is wearing it on a tote this year as a good solution, so this little bag seemed like a fun variation on the theme.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cynKcyhOMzg/VXejaaITf7I/AAAAAAAABjg/P0SvoSy6Ouw/s1600/BluCulottesYellow%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cynKcyhOMzg/VXejaaITf7I/AAAAAAAABjg/P0SvoSy6Ouw/s640/BluCulottesYellow%2BUSE.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And since I'm loving yellow, blue and white together this summer ... ta-da Part 2! I bring you an inky blue, rough denim shirt (with popped collar, of course) with my blue and white batik culottes. A yellow belt, the new satchel and I'm set. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These culottes were only recently a pair of long palazzo pants that I felt looked more like sister-wife-wear on me than a garment meant for traipsing lazily about on the cool tile floor of an Italian villa. Snip-snip, hem-hem, and there we are. I haven't seen any printed culottes here in South Fly Over yet, so that's a problem solved.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nude, buttery-soft leather mules make me so happy with this outfit. I love these. In fact, this particular pair of shoes (which I have been looking for more than a couple of seasons!) have inspired me to make a serious effort to wear the shoes I love much more often than the ones I just like or seem merely practical at the moment. If I got hit by a WalMart truck, I'd hate to croak knowing my especially-beloved shoes where not worn completely out.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the very last minute as usual, I'm ducking just under the wire to attend the <b><i>Season Finale</i></b> of Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/06/visible-monday-by-sea-in-karina-dress.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. Sincere thanks to you, Patty, for the wonderful past year... and I'll look forward to Fall even more than usual for the season premier of your brilliantly cast link-up! Ahem.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Come on over to see the red-carpet looks at VM.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-70609895941942330052015-05-19T16:42:00.000-05:002015-05-19T16:42:59.737-05:00Artifacts from my Way-Back Machine<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm always interested in bags and
shoes. And shoes and bags. Always. But this year, stores and the
glossies seem to be offering so much more of them both to love, so
I'm not surprised that they are so especially intriguing to me. Some
years for me it's skirts or dresses or tunics. This year looks like
it's shaping up to be the Jan's Year of the Accessory.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We are enjoying strangely extended
mild spring temperatures this year, with lots of rainy days, so I've
been enjoying a few more days that I can keep comfortably wearing the
perfect-for-me, long sleeved, crisp, white and black tailored shirts
that I discovered last year. They'll make way for similar-but-sleeveless tops in
the miserable heat that is coming soon (and as you see below, the
transition is already underway) but I've been digging the unexpected
extra opportunities to wear them with my recent and typically
Jan-Come-Lately discovery of straight leg jeans on the skinny side.
This very simple combination just begs for a great shoe and notice-me
bag ... I know "third pieces" are not supposed to be about
the shoes, but I think they can often function that way with very
casual outfits. There are so many fresh looking shoe shapes, many of
them creative iterations of retro classics, that it's easy to focus
on feet-first outfit planning. A bag, too, can make a huge difference
in how polished a basic shirt-jeans combo can look.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUOXeh157K4/VVuoXti5ZvI/AAAAAAAABhc/RYkHVnRpRPs/s1600/FringeBag%2B1USE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUOXeh157K4/VVuoXti5ZvI/AAAAAAAABhc/RYkHVnRpRPs/s1600/FringeBag%2B1USE.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was shoe shopping when I found this Boho-beauty, and it was a huge accessory crush for me at first sight.
I had a similar bag long ago, a much loved and more rustic version in the
way-back, that sported antiqued brass metal rather than the shiny and sleek silver fittings of this more polished design. My current
tastes don't usually run to strongly Bohemian looks, although it has never gone away and seems to be enjoying some extra fashion-passion
from trend lovers, classicists and vintage enthusiasts alike. I was
there for the late 60's version and have frequently dipped a toe into some revivals
in the decades between then and now. We eldest are so often
cautioned that "if we did it the first time around we shouldn't
do it again" but this bag, for me, is an illustration of why we
absolutely should do it again and as often as we wish.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the things I love about having
lived through the decades of style that I have is that I can enjoy
the evolution that allows past favorites to reappear, renewed and
reinvented and with refreshed relevance.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It occurs to me that the white,
sleeveless shirt-waist, complete with popped collar was typical of
the late 50s-early-60s. By the late 60s and 70s, it would have been
looking dated, and the fringed bag would have been paired with quite
a different look ... my straight leg jeans wouldn't have arrived yet
and the bag would have paired with bell-bottoms. The wooden
platforms were throwbacks even then to the 40s and 50s, and now I'm
happy to reintroduce them (yet again!) to other pieces from other
decades. Like the rest of the pieces, it's become a classic in it's
own way, and I am delighted to field the compliments I've been
getting. I fully admit to enjoying again the swish of fringe when I
walk, without going full-on hippy chic from the Summer of Love.
This slightly sleeker version of the my grubbier, rougher,
Woodstock-era carryall has evolved, and so have I. (Just from the era
... I wasn't AT Woodstock.) Neither of us are exactly the same as
we used to be, but both of us in our current versions are more
versatile, more useful than we were then.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if that isn't a perfect <strike>excuse</strike>
inspiration to indulge in a new bag in a style from my youth,
I don't know what is.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbfQpqai4k0/VVuqkvdyTVI/AAAAAAAABho/o5c8_byDPj4/s1600/FringeBag%2B2USE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbfQpqai4k0/VVuqkvdyTVI/AAAAAAAABho/o5c8_byDPj4/s1600/FringeBag%2B2USE.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(The color isn't as true as the photo above, but you can see</span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">what a nice drop it has from the shoulder.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's it for this week ... come with me over to Pretty Patti's </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/05/visible-monday-155-beautiful-day-in.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> and see what all the <i>glamourati </i>are up to!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-42817595767646744362015-04-21T21:30:00.002-05:002015-04-21T22:21:29.405-05:00Ketchup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1163490905"></span><span id="goog_1163490906"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It does NOT seem like almost a month
since my last post, but it's that, just short a couple of days. Wow.
During my absence, we've had thunderstorm-intense weather with lots
of rain (we did need the rain) followed by some gray, chilly days and
all that has been unsettling for tornado wary folks here. Dan and I
spent a lot of these weeks annoyed and inconvenienced by March
Madness nonsense and dealt with customers staying at home because of
tax time (an annual non-treat for us, too.) </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've spent an
inordinately large chunk of the lost weeks reestablishing our stuff
with a new primary health-care provider ... another ultimately good
thing, that. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> But my last nerve finally shredded last week because I
was still afoot after the old-car debacle of some months ago, and Dan
had to coax me down from the tree-tops with a promise of car
shopping. At least I thought it was my last nerve, but I found I had
still had some left to be frazzed during the compulsory shenanigans pulled by the local, good ol' boy used-car dealership in the
process. I have no proper words for this experience, really. But I
do have a decent vehicle that ought to be returned into my anxious arms tomorrow after a critical bit of repair is finally completed.
So, that's really good and I can only rejoice that it's <i>about
freaking time at last </i>!
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, that's some of what I've been
doing. Oh, yes ... I almost forgot having to face the dreadful, cold
squeezies of the Mammogram Monster. But the result was clean as a
whistle, so more good news to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">report. Yay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During all this day to day stuff, I did
manage to take pleasure in the change of seasonal wardrobe and bring
a few items from last month's list out to play! Look ... I managed
photos as well! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7qnDol45FM/VTbdIWSYfEI/AAAAAAAABgk/GT5e7gc1gag/s1600/redtennies%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e7qnDol45FM/VTbdIWSYfEI/AAAAAAAABgk/GT5e7gc1gag/s1600/redtennies%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="252" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So nice to be able to jazz up old
favorite combos with a fresh pair of kicks. <i><b>Keds Double Ups</b></i>, in this
case, and I was delighted with the slightly thicker sole, matching
red pin-stripe and red laces! Delightfully and magically, the red
laces relieve some of the gunboatish quality that old-school tennis
shoes sometimes have. I'm not crazy about how I look in large, flat
RED shoes, so they've been worn since then with rolled up BFs, sloppy
T shirts and my coolest sunnies. They work better in that context on
a short girl, I think, and make a trip to the grocery store a little
more fun.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCkatFGbT2k/VTbdAmpREVI/AAAAAAAABgc/qtIgKJHS9OI/s1600/mintytrench2%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tCkatFGbT2k/VTbdAmpREVI/AAAAAAAABgc/qtIgKJHS9OI/s1600/mintytrench2%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wore this on a trip to town on one of
those thunderstormy days and tried a nude shoe where I might
have worn a bolder color. The otherwise uninteresting and matronly top worked pretty
well with pale coat and shoes and a mid-blue pair of skinnies. I
always get compliments when I wear this coat, and I like that it
makes a faint swishing noise when I walk. Nice to get one more time
to wear it before it gets too hot.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I always go after handbags and shoes if
I'm unsettled about everything else ... so here you see a pale pink,
white and nude one from <b>Call it Spring</b> (<b><i>JCPenny</i></b>) with my favorite
rose gold-tone accents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HrLTvKptgY/VTbcq0kf59I/AAAAAAAABgU/_D5UKZhji9Q/s1600/blacktan%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HrLTvKptgY/VTbcq0kf59I/AAAAAAAABgU/_D5UKZhji9Q/s1600/blacktan%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="310" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't make this photo do justice
to the rich cognac color blocked with black in this <b><i>Sorial </i></b>tote.
It's much better IRL, as are the cognac mules. I could really fall
hard for these "straight leg skinnies" from <b><i>Old Navy</i></b>. They
may be my new favorite jeans cut as they definitely remind me how elongating and curve-flattering a longer line can be. I like this current iteration of the straight leg; it's like my old style, wider, straight leg stacking jeans married a pair of skinnies and had these!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQm1wxlQ5QU/VTb8iCAUKiI/AAAAAAAABg0/Gl391IJvQ3s/s1600/black%2Band%2Btan%2B018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KQm1wxlQ5QU/VTb8iCAUKiI/AAAAAAAABg0/Gl391IJvQ3s/s1600/black%2Band%2Btan%2B018.JPG" height="313" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ah. That's better, closer to the real
life color. Along with black and white, I'm seriously attracted to
brown, blue and black combos in all the possible variations for this
spring, so there's more to come.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUDZcwtmIPE/VTbcgB3K7DI/AAAAAAAABgM/Y9byuPlj5KY/s1600/windowpanepants%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MUDZcwtmIPE/VTbcgB3K7DI/AAAAAAAABgM/Y9byuPlj5KY/s1600/windowpanepants%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been wanting these windowpane
pixie pants, and got them at deep discount. Not as huge a pattern as
the black and white plaid version I showed you not long ago, and
closer to flattering, I think. I'm enjoying wearing fitted shirts
like this one with a collar to pop, and the close-but-not-tight fit
feels like a good thing. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of shoes and bags to make me feel
grounded; I love this chunky heeled and thick strapped pair (<i><b>Steve
Madden</b></i>) and adorably cheap-and-trendy clearance bag from good ol'<b><i>
Charming Charlie </i></b>! I'll get the good out of it with all the black and
white graphics that are appearing on my radar. Stay tuned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So. That catches me up, and I'm off to check in (sooner, I hope, rather than later) with all the Glamazons and Glamoratti at the Lovely Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/04/visible-monday-153-flowers-are-blooming.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> . I need to see what you're all up to!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-2182298049613272842015-03-24T15:41:00.000-05:002015-03-24T15:41:08.525-05:00Spring Crashes In<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Rather than her usual dignified and
gently gradual arrival, spring's appearance here felt more like a
teenager slamming through the front door and flinging herself
dramatically on the couch, shouting "I'm HOME!" in case
you somehow missed all the commotion. Two weeks ago, my pasture was
snow covered at 28 degrees, followed by another week of mostly rain
with temps in the high 30s, turning my pasture into a soggy
gray-brown mess. A couple of days ago it was 74 degrees and sunny,
followed by a couple of days of soft rain. There's green grass
that's suddenly all over the place and some of the white-blossomed
trees are already in bloom, but today we're under our first major
thunderstorm alert with tornado watch at 78 degrees.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't ready for this kind of
arrival. Although I knew logically that spring would be here any minute,
this winter seemed eternal, and I was not ready for this Snow's
Gone-I'm-Here-Right-NOW entrance. Consequently, I'm suddenly digging
around for warm weather clothing, and our springtimes don't last very
long so we could be into summer in nothing flat. Yikes.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happily, I can now wallow in a
satisfying fantasy of looking and feeling lighter and more optimistic
after the weight of this last winter. To last winter's receding back
I shriek, " <i>... and don't let the door hit your ass on the way
out!</i>" I always look forward to winter's arrival, but am
particularly relieved to see the back of this one.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Google Keep</i></b> is a list-making app on my
phone that I've been using to record notes on <i><b>Spring Stuff that
Appeals and Interests</b></i>. This year especially, the array of
retro ideas that designers are re-approaching is extra fascinating.
I'm charmed with the idea of evolved versions of my old favorite
statements and silhouettes. Since I'm old enough to have loved and
worn earlier iterations, it's like personal validation to see them
enjoyed and appreciated again, with fresh inspiration applied in
current context. Feels good to know what was groovy then still shows
some potential now ... just like me!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">More playtime with old playmates, but
with the advantage of hindsight. I have questions, though. The best
part of fashion revivals is that they're not exactly the same as the
first time around. So how, exactly, does that translate, and how,
exactly, is the old good idea made new and better? Here's some of
the ideas that interest me the most:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Consider implications of modern
Boho elements.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I actually wrote that pretentious
little exhortation to myself, but it's not a bad bit of advice <i>to</i>
me <i>from</i> me. See, although I love the Romantic era as well as
Bauhaus modernism, I have a hard time integrating them into a single
visual idea. After a few seasons of fascination with more minimal
silhouettes, my little soul is craving a bit of Boho. Maybe. Where do I
put it, though, and how to play with it this time around? No set
opinion on this just yet ... stay tuned.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Shoes! A broad subject always of
interest to me with several elements:</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b> 1. <i><b>Platforms
... shop the closet!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> As a short woman, my joy at their
renewed availability is palpable. And I'm smug that I didn't pitch
my favorite ones in recent purges. Out they come. <br /><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Big, blocky heel sandals,
lowish & high</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These
haven't been around much in recent seasons, and I'm happy to see them
again. The first time around they felt rebellious, as we
differentiated ourselves from our mother's stilettos. Nice to have
both shapes playing nice in the store windows!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Mules</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Here's evolution; I wouldn't have worn these on a bet when I was
a younger woman. They had a louche quality to them when famously
worn by bad-girl bombshell actresses of the late 50s, suggesting
high-heeled bedroom scuffs, festooned with marabou pompoms. They've
changed a lot and now look more modern and a bit tougher with a
higher vamp or strappier versions with a chunkier heels. I like that
remaining hint of their slightly sinful past along with what seems to
my eye a more sophisticated, cooler construction. They've come a
long way, baby, and I like the new iteration a lot.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Red sneakers ... just
because.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Got
'um, love 'um. My size goes early, so very specific shoes are
always a first seasonal purchase. So cute, I think. You'll see
them soon. As Dan said, though, they're "very un-Jan-like"
but that's probably the best reason to add them to my mix.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Nude Sandals and Shoes</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
have several pairs of these, in different shapes and styles, all much
admired but rarely worn. They go with everything, are said to
lengthen the leg, but they always seem the second best choice. But
with such a strong emphasis on neutral colors, I intend that this
will be the spring-summer when I figure out how to best style them.
I really want to know how to wear them to best effect. Any ideas,
tips, rules I don't know or silly-wild-ass-guesses are welcome.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Graphic dress and shift
dresses</b></i><br /> Sewing projects!? Yes, I think so. Stay
tuned. The two ideas combine in my imagination. I love the idea of
a graphic print in a shift shape. A classic shape that is noticed
again and welcomed with pleasure. Below, I recently pushed the
season a bit and gave this bright shift it's first outing. Making it
cower beneath a blazer and pairing it with work shoes isn't the best
presentation, but you'll see it again in sleeveless comfort as the
weather warms.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vDEzeYWpDA/VRHHMvMTq0I/AAAAAAAABfQ/2fLDJsx8fRs/s1600/ModSheath%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vDEzeYWpDA/VRHHMvMTq0I/AAAAAAAABfQ/2fLDJsx8fRs/s1600/ModSheath%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="270" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shift dress from JCPenny</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">)</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Long tunic tops / Asymmetric tops
with leggings or skinnies</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
love this look, and I love how easy it is to wear, dressed up or
down. Especially with cute summer sandals. I'm all over this one,
but I know when I'm this dizzy for a look, I'd better check twice in
the mirror for proportions.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Chokers</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
I welcome these back too, and I love the sleek, minimal ones.
Maybe these are the elusive, summer-time Third Piece solutions to my
personal style puzzle. A good style principle, but always a
challenge in hot humid climes.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Suede? Really? Suede for
summer?</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Interesting. What if I made an easy
Ultrasuede tunic or even just a minimalist top? (Not likely to see
any of this in stores around here any time soon.)<br /> A recent
<b><i>Dillard's</i></b> sale netted a ridiculously low price on some light
cognac-ish suede sandals that I adore, and that might about all I can
manage for this intriguing idea.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><i><b>Straight leg jeans</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Here's where I have lots of questions. I dug out some "straight"
leg jeans from my past, but nowadays they look like wide leg jeans.
Terms have changed, shapes evolve, and I've found that a modern take
on this cut is basically a skinny that is straight from the knee but
not tapered to the ankle. That's what I'm using as a working
definition while I figure out if these can be flattering on me or
not.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Again, stay tuned.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(I'm serious. I need some feedback about modern straight leg silhouettes and how to wear nude shoes to best effect.)</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm heading over to the Inimitable
Patti's at </span><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/03/visible-monday-151-making-military-and.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Come see how spring is evolving for a
whole lot of fabulous</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">people!</span></div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-87887784370078073052015-03-10T19:12:00.000-05:002015-03-10T19:14:04.879-05:00My Mojo Calls Home<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks so much to all of you who wrote and expressed sympathy for the loss of my mojo. I wanted to let you all know that she finally called very late last night! She was happily inebriated and all giggly, declaring loudly that she was okay but not coming home until the weather warms up a lot, and that I'd just have to manage by myself for a while. She wouldn't tell me where she was calling from, but I could hear raucous laughter and steel drums and what I thought might be crashing surf in the background. Of course, I checked caller ID but the number was blocked. Bitch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I want to know is where she got the money for a plane ticket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I'm on my own for a bit but you deserve an update.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The weather here, like so many places, has been too rainy, snowy, windy or just plain cold to photograph outside. So I finally got a bit of blank indoor wall space cleared where there is some decent light. I sort of like the effect of the natural light, but I see that I'll need to devise some kind of fill light-reflector-thingy as the shadows intensify my <strike>wrinkles</strike> facial flaws a bit more than I'm thrilled with. I'm comfortable with the better focus in my new camera showing more of them, but I'll be damned if I let them be exaggerated. I'm getting better with the camera as well, so I haven't completely wasted the time away from the blog!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyPlSNs0iMI/VP9-fFPfZ1I/AAAAAAAABeI/WXhgcJuAUD4/s1600/blacktan%2BUSE%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyPlSNs0iMI/VP9-fFPfZ1I/AAAAAAAABeI/WXhgcJuAUD4/s1600/blacktan%2BUSE%2B.jpg" height="640" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As you know, we mostly take these on our way out of the house when we head into the Big City for supplies. This was on a miserably cold day, and on top of this I wore a big old coat, big old scarf, and fleece lined gloves. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j2byX7t574/VP9_tOZYlII/AAAAAAAABeQ/gdJvORkomfc/s1600/dogbombSophy%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5j2byX7t574/VP9_tOZYlII/AAAAAAAABeQ/gdJvORkomfc/s1600/dogbombSophy%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="304" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Photographing indoors invites more dog bombs. Here you see our elderly boxer, Sophie, wondering why Mom is standing here all weird and posey-like. She's also asking to go with us, but it was not to be.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFgaknxFQjE/VP-BQ9Z8wQI/AAAAAAAABec/LKTTj85nvrY/s1600/minttrench1%2BUSE%2BA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DFgaknxFQjE/VP-BQ9Z8wQI/AAAAAAAABec/LKTTj85nvrY/s1600/minttrench1%2BUSE%2BA.jpg" height="640" width="308" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last weekend it warmed up considerably, and we had a very mild, 60ish-degree Sunday, so I decided to go all peep-toe in a pair of Ralph Lauren mules I lucked into. Some recent closet diving netted my old minty trench ... I'm sorry that I wasn't able to capture its elegant, slightly shiny texture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to remember to wear this outfit again. Salespeople were amazingly attentive, like I had money or something. Had to be the coat.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyhlxzgo_II/VP-DiQnuZyI/AAAAAAAABeo/2GlIZ_khniw/s1600/minttrench2%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyhlxzgo_II/VP-DiQnuZyI/AAAAAAAABeo/2GlIZ_khniw/s1600/minttrench2%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="284" /></a></div>
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.<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As one does this time of year, I've been feeling like the Goodyear blimp, so I'm pleased that these monster plaid pants don't look too bad. Especially with my perfect-for-me, curvy and crisp white shirt. I had a nice day wearing this outfit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm off to begin catching up with all of you over at the Incredible Patti's </span><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/03/visible-monday-150-karina-dress-and.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ! I'll be over to check in as soon as possible.</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-11346108403916356462015-02-10T10:59:00.000-06:002015-02-16T16:34:41.500-06:00Missing My Mojo<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes
I just loose track of my <i>mojo, my moxie, my swagger, my game</i>. Not
for long, usually, but recently it's gone walkabout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mojo: "Self-confidence, Self-assuredness. As in basis for belief in ones self in a situation ... ability to bounce back from a debilitating trauma and negative attitude." </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> Urban Dictionary Online</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"A
quality that attracts people to you and ma</i>k<i>es you successful
and full of energy"</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <i>Cambridge
Dictionary Online</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In
situations like this, the only reasonable thing to do is to show you
photos of cats.
</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bK_Ug-0WHNM/VNoypyAkHQI/AAAAAAAABcU/uBO2JfLSbtQ/s1600/BurgBlackNewBkgrnd%2BUSE%2BTHIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bK_Ug-0WHNM/VNoypyAkHQI/AAAAAAAABcU/uBO2JfLSbtQ/s1600/BurgBlackNewBkgrnd%2BUSE%2BTHIS.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
is Lucy, one of my herringbone tabby sisters that let us live with
them. It was taken in twilight, handheld, in very bad light with my
shiny new camera that I'm trying to learn how to use. Pretty snazzy
little zoom lens, not especially fast and therefore surprising in this
low-light situation.
</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAiMmFvzbgU/VNoy8i0jI1I/AAAAAAAABcc/Vc8As-H35tU/s1600/RedRaincoat%2B003%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAiMmFvzbgU/VNoy8i0jI1I/AAAAAAAABcc/Vc8As-H35tU/s1600/RedRaincoat%2B003%2BUSE.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our
newest family member is Mi-ke ( close pronunciation<i> Me-kay, </i>Japanese for calico; "three
fur"). She was born in our garage and is still so much a baby.
Doesn't she have a great face?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxCnGjuulUU/VNo0B_6LOxI/AAAAAAAABco/HR_UStZtQgE/s1600/RedRaincoat%2BUSE%2BAAA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxCnGjuulUU/VNo0B_6LOxI/AAAAAAAABco/HR_UStZtQgE/s1600/RedRaincoat%2BUSE%2BAAA2.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
is not a cat, of course. It's me in an old London Fog trench-coat
that I found while doing some closet diving. I paired it with black
Pixie pants from Old Navy, a fairly recent Bisou-Bisou surplice
blouse and some cute mules I finally found at good old Target.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've
not only mislaid my mojo, but I've lost my brick wall on my porch.
The wall is still right where I left it, of course, but this new lens
that I'm so fond of requires more distance than I have between me and
a three foot drop off the porch. So I have to find a new place to
make my shoot-and-run photos. I'm trying the north-lit garage front.
Not ideal, but I persevere. I do like it that, along with the lovely
sharp lens, this camera has a very nifty "soft focus" tool right
in-camera ... and I don't feel even a little bit guilty about using
it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By
the way, if you see my mojo wandering around, would you please tell
it to come home? </span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even mojo-less, I can still find my way to the Always Sleek and Chic Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/02/visible-monday-148-karinas-february.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> . Hope to see you over there!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-14519120302440995272015-01-12T17:40:00.000-06:002015-01-12T17:40:19.666-06:00Attitudinous Me<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Attitudinous </i>: "(informal)
Having a bold and possibly unfriendly attitude; sassy."
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes. That would be me on Sunday, still
tired after a satisfyingly busy but unusually physically taxing
Saturday night. I was not so much feeling unfriendly as
fiesty-ish with a "mess with me today at your peril"
approach to life and a warning to those who might cross my path while brandishing their own problematic attitude. We woke up to a very cold and rainy-icy
morning, and neither of us was roaring to hit the long road to the
Big City, but hit the road we did.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My soggy little soul wanted my warmest
and coziest coat; faux fur, not quite vintage, and one I pull out on
days when I need to wrap myself in a little spirit-uplifting glamor
as well as some substantial warmth. It has that 50's
dress-up-fur-coat styling, and really needed a bit of toughening up
with my highly attitudinous, lug-soled Ralph Lauren lace-up boots,
and my big, old studded shopper. The sleeves need my ancient, long
leather gloves for complete comfort in this weather, and my big, red
and black plaid scarf just begged to complete the outfit, so I
obliged. All old friends, all well used and all completely and
reliably cozy on these coldest, dampest days.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's nice to have some attitudinous
pieces in the closet, just for days like this, 'cause if you are not
completely up to showing the world a bold face, you can, at least,
let your outfit hint at one.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dW-fGjXFj6k/VLRaR-NO0fI/AAAAAAAABbQ/m0jbuo-ItgA/s1600/fauxattitude%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dW-fGjXFj6k/VLRaR-NO0fI/AAAAAAAABbQ/m0jbuo-ItgA/s1600/fauxattitude%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(No, the hem isn't wonky. The coat is
lined with soft, heavy satin and the big, wide sleeves allow it to
slide around a bit ... I sort of like the louche, 70's-style
attitudinous feel it gives to the whole get-up.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">WooHoo! Instant attitude improvement:
It's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/01/visible-monday-147-karina-dress-for-you.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at the Voluntarily and Happily Unemployed Patti's link up!
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-1712238414457767542015-01-06T20:09:00.000-06:002015-01-12T17:43:28.946-06:00More Guidelines Than Resolutions, Really ...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So many of my style-bloggy buddies
don't make a pile of resolutions for the New Year. Imagine that! Old
cultural customs die hard, but it might be time to rethink this
traditional process that causes us to make long lists of lofty
self-improvement goals that we may or may not even remember past the
first week of January. It is telling that we usually embark
enthusiastically on this hopeful project just after coming through a
joyful-stressful Very Important Big Holiday season. We've just
concluded an intense and often expensive family celebration, after
which we ritually finalize the year with an often calorically rich,
frequently boozy, and occasionally embarrassing New Year's Eve
ritual. That's followed by a sometimes regret-filled New Year's day
spent on the couch, recuperating from the always unintended excesses
of the night before. It's then that we decide to re-assess
everything.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Of course I'm not talking about YOU,
dear reader. Perish the thought. I'm talking about almost everyone
else. </i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm always drawn to
the idea of "doing better this year," but I just can't take
it too seriously. As you may know from last week's post, I dance
around the commitment that it takes to grimly impose FIRM RESOLVE on
a goal (hello, instant failure) by softening the commitment level to
a more gentle and foible-forgiving <i>aspiration</i>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So far, here is my
list of wardrobe and style improvements that I may or may not
accomplish in 2015, and for which I certainly will not feel even a
moment's self-loathing if I forget it all by spring.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Keep my end of the closet
tidier.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
</i>I always imagine how that might be done, but rarely get past a
half-hearted seasonal weeding. Frankly, the most effective way of
gaining more usable space for myself is to <strike>pester</strike>
convince Dan to clean out his end. Poor baby. He is saintly
in his tolerance.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. This is the year that I
transform our extra room into my dressing room.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of Dan, I
need to <strike>pester</strike>
urge him, somehow, into lots of help in making this aspiration
a reality, and sooner than later. We talk about it a lot, but it's
always in the planning stages. I need to remind him that he could
have our whole bedroom closet all to himself if I had a whole room
for my wardrobe, including shoes and accessories. Would I resort to
bribery? Oh, yes. Of course.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Keep adhering to the "Love It
or Leave It "rule that worked so well last year.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's always good to
put at least one fail-proof aspiration in your list. It's especially
effective to aspire to something you've already largely accomplished
or perfected. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and be proud to claim it again.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>4.
Seriously, renew your commitment to closet diving and constant
remixes.</b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of my best
outfits lately have been new/old match-ups. It's masses of fun, and
very satisfying. Remember that all my pre-pixie cut items look very
different on me now, so let them see some sunshine.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>5. This
year, remember to be my own best style adviser.</b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Old age is a
wonderful time to rely on the personal taste you've been constructing
for a bunch of decades. Taste, at it's best, can evolve and change
but still define your best core aesthetics.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>6. Take the
time to write scorching letters to style and fashion institutions,
blogs, magazines and individuals that are
dismissive/insulting/condescending or just ignorant
about how older women actually still have and maintain style lives. </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not much feels as
good as punching that "send" button. Join me in this one,
if you like. We should start a movement.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>On another subject
entirely ...</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a lot of
coats. You will see more of them in the coming weeks. Winter always
seems short when it comes to getting all the chances that I'd like to
wear some of my favorite wardrobe staples. The outfit underneath
always seems more important, somehow. But for <i><b>two </b></i>nights
in a row last week, I had anxious dreams ... not quite nightmares,
but more like quandary-solving dreams ... about styling a particular
coat I haven't worn in a couple of years.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have no idea why
I dreamed of this coat. To dream of a particular article of clothing
<i>one</i> night seems like mere stage-setting for my usual
subconscious issue-processing during sleep. But two nights? In a
row? That's a clear sign to make a blog photo of it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq_AH-0Kmjo/VKyQ3F0SyPI/AAAAAAAABa8/3rLNnbXbQEg/s1600/PlaidCoat%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq_AH-0Kmjo/VKyQ3F0SyPI/AAAAAAAABa8/3rLNnbXbQEg/s1600/PlaidCoat%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The plaid is a dark purple, black and cream. The cut is sort of retro-swing, and it does move beautifully when I walk. It's Nine West, and a couple of years old. Aren't these the prettiest shaped shoes? And such a great color ... from Gianni Bini, like my boots from last week.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful beginning to 2015.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Late Breaking: Joining up at Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2015/01/visible-monday-147-karina-dress-for-you.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> ... I also hope you come with me to see what we're all up to!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-41531617742190850822014-12-29T20:41:00.001-06:002014-12-29T20:41:39.966-06:00Year End News from Nowhere<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">News Flash!!!!!</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday. Big City in West Nowhere.
Regular Unleaded Gasoline: <i><b>$1.74 a gallon!!!!!</b></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I never thought I'd live long enough to
see it drop below $2.00 a gallon. That is all.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good things can happen even if they are
just little. Even small victories can taste sweet. But this is a
Very Big Deal for us as we have to drive so much, so often. And as
much as I am not in love with my crappy old car, I am pleased to be
reminded just now that it gets over 30 mpg. ( I'm not so pleased to
report that after all last week's repairs, a headlight has gone<i>
kaputt</i>. The good news is that if this keeps up, I will have
replaced so many parts that it will no longer be an old car. The fun
just never stops. But we are still moving down the road with a few
dollars more in our pockets after a fill up ... and that feels pretty
good this time of year!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... And in Other News from Nowhere
....</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One Major Holiday down, one Major
Holiday to go. I wish you all a Very Happy New Year with lots of
love and thanks to you all for reading my silliness and writing to me
about it. Please go safely and stay out of trouble on this always
boozy holiday. Nothing bums me out more than to see mug shots of my
friends (or worse) on the news.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reviewing my last year's <span style="color: red;">*</span>New
Year's Aspirations for 2014 ... How'd I do?</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm no fool. My character is not
upright enough for the staunchness of resolutions. I love a good
challenge as much as the next woman, but I refuse to set myself up
for failure. I can set some priorities, identify improvements that
need to happen, and fantasize how life would be if I actually had my
act together, but if I don't have a lot of stern resolutions to live
up to I do a lot better. Let's take a very quick look at last year's
list, and see how I did.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>My Facebook Blog Page: </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, it's there. I forget most weeks
to even post my own blogs. I'm not much of a FB kind of person.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Redesign website:</b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did that! Done.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Find a better way to keep in
touch with bloggy friends.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The idea was to read more and write
less. Stay current. I often don't get around to read everyone's
blogs before I bend to the self-imposed pressure get out my own
weekly post, or even get to respond to all the kind comments from the
previous week. Much of it has to do with my very busy
Wednesday-Sunday schedule. I know we all have limited available
blog-cruising time, and mine is pretty much limited to Mondays and
Tuesdays. I have to really hustle to get a post up so I can join
Visible Monday, and that's when I can do most of my catchup. I did,
however, make my sidebar <i>blogs-I-read list</i> more usable, so I
give myself a very few tiny points for that. Much improvement is
still needed, though, so I persevere.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Try to find some different
backgrounds for photos.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Major Fail. Still working on that.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Get a current avatar that
reflects the changes.</span></b></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good news: I'm finally happy with my
haircut. I love my long pixie, and while I don't think it is wildly
flattering or makes me look any younger or slimmer it is, I think, a
more proportional look for me, and it just feels like the most
authentic version of me thus far.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I finally made a new Gravatar.
About time, wasn't it?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(<i>These are more about my wardrobe
than the blog...</i>)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Spend more time recombining
(wardrobe) items. </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the best things all of my bloggy
friends do for me is to inspire me to do this. Like everyone else, I
wear my favorite things a lot, but I've found that I get stuck
putting the same pieces together. All my bloggy buds have taught me
to mix it up, and provide the inspiration for specific new
combinations ... so thank you all for helping me increase my
sartorial mileage!
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Renew, recycle, and reuse! </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Props to so many of you who have encouraged me to get off my butt and
actually use the few sewing skills I actually own. I've always had
to do the basics, but I was more creative and bold this year because
of your example, bloggy sewing-divas and artists. You know who you
are.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Continue to try to find a decent
resale/consignment shop and actually use it. </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm crap at this. There just are none
here that work for me. I'll continue to keep scanning my radar for
them, though.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Try it on before you buy it.
Really. </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
This was the year when I made this rule one of my shopping modus
operandi. I've left so many items behind in the fitting room ... and
saved myself a chunk of change, and more than a little heartbreak and
self-loathing, I know. It's also taught me how favorite brands
usually fit me, and that's a time saver as well.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>Love it or leave it. </b></i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Putting this into practice has been one of the best habits I've
cultivated this year. It is a huge money saver, of course, but this
year I've really enjoyed combining items that I already love. I'm
embarrassed how long it's taken me to understand that it's a lot
easier and more fun to combine pieces that I really love wearing than
trying to shoehorn in items that are just <i>meh </i>just to get the
good out of them. Duh.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*</span> I haven't
compiled Aspirations for 2015, yet. Stay tuned.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwyoMiqmkeM/VKIFjRQVCXI/AAAAAAAABZA/p1qN4XrT4wI/s1600/BlackTanMissoni%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zwyoMiqmkeM/VKIFjRQVCXI/AAAAAAAABZA/p1qN4XrT4wI/s1600/BlackTanMissoni%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="244" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, you just saw this jacket last week. But in the spirit of</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">closet shopping, wearing the pieces I love the most, and trying </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">new combinations, here it is AGAIN. But with a <i>Missoni for Target</i> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">dress I haven't worn in some time but love a lot, a <i>Call it Spring</i> messenger </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that suddenly feels fresh with these <i>Gianni Bini</i> equestrian-esque dress boots.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqzA4m0QXhc/VKIItHaXOFI/AAAAAAAABZM/NX9NyvxB7hM/s1600/04424074_zi_black_dark_amber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqzA4m0QXhc/VKIItHaXOFI/AAAAAAAABZM/NX9NyvxB7hM/s1600/04424074_zi_black_dark_amber.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A better look at the boots ... this is True Boot Love.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">They are in my possession because of a non-traditional </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">collaboration with Santa. But I'm happy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">*****************</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Before I conclude this last blog post of 2014, I'll leave you with a
final news item. I've been a bit of a Doris Downer lately, I know,
and this December has not been an easy month to enjoy. In keeping
with that theme, on Saturday night, the son of a dear woman-friend
that we hadn't seen in a while stopped by the restaurant to let us
know his mother was in the hospital, fighting off a desperate and
very frightening illness.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
We stopped by the hospital on Sunday afternoon to see her, and you
all know that terrible feeling of worry and anxiety that marks this
kind of hospital visit if you've lived very long. We finally found
her room, but I'm pretty sure you can also identify with the sickening little clutch you feel around your heart when you find the room empty of the
patient you're looking for. We found a nurse, and she solemnly
informed us that my friend had gone downstairs to the chapel. After
a mutual sigh of relief, we then had to decide whether or not to
bother her and invade her privacy there, but we really wanted to see
her, so we headed to the chapel to wait for her to come out.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
We found the chapel, and just outside of it we also found a small
crowd of very happy people, laughing and talking and taking
photographs. And there, in the center of the crowd, we found our
friend sitting in a wheel-chair ... in a lovely dress, in full
makeup, clutching a bouquet of flowers, wearing a white veil and a
big smile.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
My friend had just married her Significant Other of many years,
surrounded by their families with music and flowers and cake and lots
of joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Isn't that just the best, most amazing thing? I'll chalk that up as
one of those rare, sweet, year-end mega-victories I've been looking
for.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> *****************</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
I'm joining the <b><i>Bubbly and Intoxicating Patti</i></b> at her year-end edition
of <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/12/visible-monday-146-i-feel-like-goddess.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> ... where we all go to be much more than just visible!
</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-51564261125365670172014-12-22T23:33:00.000-06:002014-12-23T17:48:51.007-06:00Bah, Humblog! And the Seasonal Wisdom of Doctor Who<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let's not kid ourselves. This time of
year can be our most joyous, but for most of us, the lead-up to a
splashy Christmas and party-hearty New Year can be the most stress
ridden and difficult part of the season. A lot of you are nodding in
sisterly and justifiably cynical agreement, but there's always some
Perfectly and Perpetually Poised Pollyanna who (with humiliating
accuracy) reminds me that stress is a construct of my own response to
internal or external forces that affect my life, self-imposed and
over which I have complete control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To her, I reply "Bah-Freakity-Humbug, and please go peddle your superhuman self-control and serenity
somewhere else, girly! I'm doing the best I can with what I got."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not good at managing my
pre-Christmas angst. It's always our slowest time of year at our
restaurant as we're so deep in the hinterlands and 40 miles away from
any Christmas shopping areas. One eats where one shops, and we fall
off everyone's radar. I get it, but knowledge aforehand doesn't make
the annually inevitable financial pinch any easier to manage. And
every year, there's some treat from the Universe that makes it all
just a tiny bit more difficult. This December, Dan blew up his car
... I gave him mine to use and one of its fairly new tires promptly
disintegrated on his way to work. That got fixed, but the process
meant we had to be closed for half-day of much needed income. The
good news was that the tire warranty netted a prorated refund of half
the purchase price of the blown tire. The bad news was that three
days later, the breaks on the car noisily and dangerously insisted
on being replaced, at just over twice the cost of the tire refund.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But we and the car are safe and
operational, so (knock on wood) it's probable the seasonal worst is
over. I'm breathing again, keeping fingers and toes crossed that no
more mini-disasters befall us and that just a little business will
come our way. Both seem possible as the holiday proper nears, and we
will be able to enjoy two rare, whole days off in a row together ...
with food, drink, prezzies, movies, books and a family tradition, this year's <i>Doctor Who</i> Christmas episode!
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the midst of this week's automotive
and business drama, I remembered my favorite modern holiday quote;
it's from the 2010 "A Christmas Carol," a Whovian
intragalactic re-imagining of Scrooge's transformation
through the power of love and the Christmas spirit. The Scrooge-esqe,
deeply cynical, old rich guy, Kazran Sardick, says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"<i>On every world, wherever
people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact
mid-point, everybody stops and turns and hugs. As if to say, "Well
done. Well done, everyone! We're halfway out of the dark." Back
on Earth we call this Christmas. Or the Winter Solstice. On this
world, the first settlers called it The Crystal Feast. You know what
I call it? I call it expecting something for nothing! "</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I certainly don't agree with his
assessment of charity, loving kindness and generosity of spirit, but
I was struck by the idea of being "<i>halfway out of the dark</i>"
because that's how it feels to me so often. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love of a lot of things about
winter, but there is an undeniably strong, genetically hard-wired
urge within all of us to draw nearer to the bonfire or the
hearth fire, not just for warmth, but for the protection the fire
light brings from all the dangers that lurk beyond in the dark. Our
ancient ancestors had different things to fear, but even today we
are wary of what may be waiting for us in the dark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We still have to travel the rest of the
way through an often harsh and sometimes frightening and destructive
season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've always loved the Solstice especially because at that balance point, we begin the second half of the journey back into the light.
Also implicit in Sardick's statement is the reminder that although we may
pause and celebrate our triumph over the dark and the revisit the hope of more gentle seasons to come, there is still a way to go. But so
far, so good.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, sometime during the Christmas
Eve </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mexican</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> dinner Dan and I will have, or during the Chinese Take-Out Christmas
Day-all-day-feast, we'll pause and raise our glasses and send our
good wishes into the aethers with a delicate clink to sound their
coming. Our toast will be the words of Doctor Who himself; </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Yeah. Christmas. Halfway out of
the dark,</b></i><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>" </i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">because we know that in the second half of winter,
the light becomes just a little brighter every day.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJN2TLh8CnE/VJj8cMU4O_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/KisUm6_IyuQ/s1600/DarkChristmas%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJN2TLh8CnE/VJj8cMU4O_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/KisUm6_IyuQ/s1600/DarkChristmas%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="346" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Whether you celebrate Christmas,
Christmas and Boxing Day, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Pancha Ganapati,
HumanLight, Newtonmas or Festivus, I send you all big, smothery
cyber-hugs with my best wishes that you enjoy ...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: City of Light, cursive; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY
HOLIDAYS ! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Linking up with the wonderful Maricel at <a href="http://myclosetcatalogue.com/2014/12/23/tardis-tuesday-my-laziness-does-not-have-to-be-your-laziness/" target="_blank">Tardis Tuesday!</a> over at her always interesting site, </span><a href="http://myclosetcatalogue.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 0.14in;" target="_blank">My Closet Catalogue</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 0.14in;"> . What a great Whovian Idea!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-46546597476940209302014-12-15T17:49:00.000-06:002014-12-15T17:49:16.002-06:00Big Old Mixed-Up Pink Creamsickle ...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On very rare occasions I decide I want to go for<i> demure</i>. And last Sunday I had a yen to wear my cream and pink sweater that doesn't get to get out and about often. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-1k8U3VJMU/VI9lZ26hPgI/AAAAAAAABWI/CoxPMepsBns/s1600/PinkBlack%2BUSE%2B(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F-1k8U3VJMU/VI9lZ26hPgI/AAAAAAAABWI/CoxPMepsBns/s1600/PinkBlack%2BUSE%2B(3).jpg" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's a reason (or three) I don't wear this little sweater that often, and when I do feel demure, I don't feel that way long. I thought about wearing some girly pumps, but after a couple of tries decided on my slightly military-looking black chap boots instead.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVlz2hZyikw/VI9nzk_8MSI/AAAAAAAABWc/gvmDi9_hwf4/s1600/PinkBlack%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVlz2hZyikw/VI9nzk_8MSI/AAAAAAAABWc/gvmDi9_hwf4/s1600/PinkBlack%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the best part of this mixed feminine-masculine outfit is that it works </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with my mixed metal rose-gold and silver watch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's by Rotary, and one of my collection of automatic skeleton watches. I don't often bother to show the details, but I wear them all the time and this one is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">especially pretty. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMjuqa8v70E/VI9qTH-mHjI/AAAAAAAABWw/_P5vslvSNAk/s1600/Rosegoldwatch%2B003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xMjuqa8v70E/VI9qTH-mHjI/AAAAAAAABWw/_P5vslvSNAk/s1600/Rosegoldwatch%2B003.JPG" height="640" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hard to get the rose gold just the right color here, but you get the idea. I love to see the workings move when I check the time.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJBXJCIfHtM/VI9qITduGZI/AAAAAAAABWo/3O6fkOcLMJ4/s1600/rosegoldring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJBXJCIfHtM/VI9qITduGZI/AAAAAAAABWo/3O6fkOcLMJ4/s1600/rosegoldring.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wear it with this little rose gold and silver ring with wee-tiny</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> pavé</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> diamonds. I wore my original engagement ring out long ago and just have never had the stones reset. So I often wear some other delicate little ring in it's place. This one is a favorite. It's a better photo to show the color of the rose gold of the watch, too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feminine-masculine is an old style option, but the rose gold-silver combination feels fresh and interesting to me. Even though the outfit is not that big a whoop, the accessories are what made it fun to wear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pausing amid the pre-holiday crazies to stop over at the <b>Always Lovely Patti's </b><a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/12/visible-monday-145-gray-lady.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> ... come over and see what the <i>Grown-Up Glamourati </i>are wearing!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-80458733136175474232014-12-09T22:23:00.002-06:002014-12-15T14:40:02.487-06:00Back to Our Usual Weather and Not Quite Marsala<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">hat warm spell didn't last long! We now return you to our regular programming. Cold, with high humidity, lots of sun and and just enough rain. This was WIW on Sunday for our trip to the Big City. Lots of happy closet shopping here, but you haven't seen the boots, bag or sweater before. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlNXnEpX6Ao/VIe-XMcpYzI/AAAAAAAABV4/PetDavp68r8/s1600/BLCoatMarsala%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlNXnEpX6Ao/VIe-XMcpYzI/AAAAAAAABV4/PetDavp68r8/s1600/BLCoatMarsala%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel kind of<i> dashing</i> in these booties and leggings, and the coat-as-cape adds to that. This old wool coat you saw a long time ago, I think. I spruced it up for this winter by removing the collar to change it up, and I'm happy I did. The bag is more interesting than it looks here ... it has a stitched and quilted pattern for texture on the cream colored wings. A good size for shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm being more than a little careful about the red shades I'm wearing since the recent Great Haircolor Adventure is still in process. Still love the cut though, and that's a happy place for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we made the photos, I didn't realize that the<b><i> Pantone Color of the Year for 2015 </i></b>had just been announced ...<i> <b>Marsala</b> </i>(the color inspired by the fortified Sicilian wine, not to be confused with <i>Masala</i>, any of the various blends of spices used in Indian cookery ... yummy though they both sound..) Pantone makes a completely unabashed marketing tool of this annual event, lest anyone mistake it for anything more official than it is. The color is described in a variety of ways, and there's the usual amount of love-hate stuff from the design and fashion press, but here's a color sample so you can decide for yourself.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kA3czYMalCY/VIe8wch-kPI/AAAAAAAABVs/1wXu9R7Rq1w/s1600/141208_EYE_Pantone1.jpg.CROP.promovar-medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kA3czYMalCY/VIe8wch-kPI/AAAAAAAABVs/1wXu9R7Rq1w/s1600/141208_EYE_Pantone1.jpg.CROP.promovar-medium2.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I haven't been wild about the last few year's choices, but I like this one. For me, it's nice because I may see more of a color that I like out and about, and that's fun. But that's all it is. Nice and fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">None of what I'm wearing is exactly Marsala, but all three pieces are cuddling up next to it pretty close. A complete, timely, handy and happy coinkydink, I thought. Good thing, too, 'cause all I had was a cold weather outfit post. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saved by Pantone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Late breaking update: I'm going to join in at The Truly Elegant Patti at her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/12/visible-monday-145-gray-lady.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> link-up! So fun, so come with!</b></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-49983316109670931962014-12-02T00:31:00.001-06:002014-12-02T00:31:46.473-06:00Wonky Weather and a Hair Adventure Update <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was 78 degrees (25-ish C) here on Sunday when this photo was made. Not a Sunday in the late summery weather of last September, but on <i><b>this</b></i> last Sunday, November 30. Yesterday. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The high today was 35 degrees (1.6 C). We had the AC on in our car on the way to town on Sunday, but heat blasting on the way in to work this morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Disconcerting and sort of time-warpy, but pleasant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The unseasonable warmth did give me a chance to go lazy and all easy-peasy and wear my one and only graphic T ... my Audrey Hepburn shirt ... my favorite blazer and a newish red messenger bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found the silky little Audrey shirt on sale at Target, (in my size, which rarely happens) and if it was not true love at first sight, it was an infatuation that turned into shirt-love after I slipped it on. And how can one not love an image of Audrey? (The red cursive is supposed to be her signature.) Besides the bag, the rest was a matter of closet shopping some of my favorite dress-up-dress-down coated jeans, shoes and the rest. Guilt free and fun to wear on a lazy Sunday.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtDEb81Dfh8/VH1OfEhZnDI/AAAAAAAABVM/lG3cHxBKNxY/s1600/RedBlackGraphic%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtDEb81Dfh8/VH1OfEhZnDI/AAAAAAAABVM/lG3cHxBKNxY/s1600/RedBlackGraphic%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is a better view of the bag. It was a rare pleasure for me to find it on clearance, after I'd zeroed in on it the first time I'd seen it a few weeks ago, but put it right back on the rack after I looked at the original price. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This never happens to me. So, I'm pleased. I'd wanted a red bag to sharpen up a lot of darks I'm drawn to this winter, and this functions just fine. Lots of fun compartments, and the drop is a dandy length to sling over the shoulder with a jacket or coat.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjEK_zN8VB4/VH1T0d0GYfI/AAAAAAAABVc/bIhAbGCmrs4/s1600/AudreyRedBag%2BUSE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjEK_zN8VB4/VH1T0d0GYfI/AAAAAAAABVc/bIhAbGCmrs4/s1600/AudreyRedBag%2BUSE.JPG" height="320" width="273" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hair-Color Debacle Drama Update</i>: As predicted, super-stylist Kay did get a massive laugh at my adventure in bright hair color. A great cut helped a lot. It's simmered down with washing and a couple of applications of a warm-red color refreshing glaze. Neat! It's still bright, but I don't mind it so much. And the consistent acquisition of my personal color is no longer an issue. Excellent. I'm no longer unhappy and that is my preferred emotional state, if I get to choose!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"> ~*~*~*~*~</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Late as always, I'm heading over to the <i>Snazzy in Blue Karina Dressed Patti </i>for her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visble-monday-144-karina-dress-giveaway.html" target="_blank">Special Edition Visible Monday</a> !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You could win a dress from Karina dress and see how a lot of fabulous women are working their looks!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-73430810039144737692014-11-24T16:20:00.000-06:002014-12-09T15:54:20.101-06:00Just a Little Heads-Up for Kay ...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You know how it is when the store where
you buy your specific hair color is completely out of it? And you
run around looking for your color
at your backup source-stores, but it's nowhere to be found? And you
know you could get it on line but it would be a minimum of two days
to get it and you've already let your roots grow too long and you're
looking pitiful, necessitating some remedial action right NOW?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I know you know how it is when
you've had a lovely glass of wine with dinner, and you and your
husband have been talking about how, now that you're getting older, that you shouldn't stop taking risks or get into to too many
life-ruts. Been there, right? So, you know how it is when you're
getting tired of dinking around, looking for this one
item and you decide to try another brand, thinking to yourself "how
different could the same shade be?" And, as you grab a Light
Auburn you know how you forget that your usual L'Oreal <i>Preference</i>
brand tends to be more of a natural looking blend than the more
fashion-forward intensity of L'Oreal <i>Feria</i> colors? Which you
pick up in the <i>Feria</i> <i>Power
Red</i> brand, 'cause you're now feeling a little adventurous?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So then, you know when you mix the
color and your eyes bug out of your head at how much the mixed up color
looks like <i>very</i> bright, cherry-red Jello ? And you know how,
because you are 40 miles from another package of hair color, you slap
the garish pink stuff on your head when you absolutely know better?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>I hate it when that happens.</i></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the box, the color calls itself
<i>Rich Auburn True Red</i> and adds the more jazzy <i>Ruby Rush</i>
(yikes!) to the name, just for fun. <i>Rush </i>indeed.
I should have believed them when they labeled it as part of their
<i>Power Reds</i> collection.
Anybody who has colored their own hair for awhile knows that these
names are subjective at best and slapdash approximations at worst.
It could have just as easily been called <i>OMG Red!</i>
or <i>WTF Auburn!</i> or, to
my eye, most accurately <i>Freaking Hot Pomegranate Pink</i>!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
cannot blame L'Oreal because I was warned.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm
living with it until it fades, because, in truth, it's almost
wearable. In natural or incandescent light, I could describe it as
substantially and boldly brighter and edgier than my usual shade.
However, under florescent bulbs, it still looks closer to a
so-not-flattering dark hot-pink-on-the-purple side. (It's pinker
than the photo shows. By quite a lot.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
don't completely hate it, and it's not the most outrageous thing I've
ever done to my hair. But the worst is knowing that when I go to get
my hair cut this Wednesday, my always wise and kind and patient and
adorable stylist, Kay, will fall down and bust a gut laughing at me.
I just know she will. It just seems decent to give her a little
warning. Hope I don't cause her a serious injury just before
Thanksgiving.
</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YM5YSw9Ge4I/VHOs6W-A-ZI/AAAAAAAABU4/ktIqco1racg/s1600/BlackCobalt%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YM5YSw9Ge4I/VHOs6W-A-ZI/AAAAAAAABU4/ktIqco1racg/s1600/BlackCobalt%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here I
am with the loud hair, trying to distract you with how I've
winterized an early fall look you saw <a href="http://fortsmithstylista.blogspot.com/2014/10/old-lady-runway-rant.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> .</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> A wide-collared faux leather jacket, a pair of sling-back booties,
and my newish <i>Olivia and Joy</i> cobalt blue and black satchel (which I
got on scandalously deep reduction at TJ Maxx ... they never
disappoint) make for a more wintry interpretation of the basic
sweater and ankle trousers. I'm pleased with this look.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And, of course, I don't hate it when
that happens.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving to all here in the
US, and have a lovely week wherever in the wide world this post finds
you ... I'm thankful for every single one of you! (And especially for
Kay and Salon Adorn!)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of being thankful, I'm joining
the <b><i>Vintagey Yet Thoroughly Modern Patti</i></b>, impeccable host at her
linky party, <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visiblemonday-143-long-vintage-dress-is.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> .I'm always grateful when I get to do that. Come see what all the
fuss is about!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Late Breaking: Tardy for .<a href="http://myclosetcatalogue.com/2014/12/09/tardis-tuesday-of-starry-starry-night/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">Tardis Tuesday</a> ... swinging over to the Starry Night Beauty,Maricel's link up. You should come!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-55707499636189471082014-11-18T11:00:00.000-06:002014-11-24T16:25:57.663-06:00Ned Stark ; a tragic character but he was right about Winter ...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">... 'cause here it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It may not be </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">winter </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">officially for a month yet, but it is a pretty good imitation of it. Our heating system chose this time to go on it's annual, season-opening fritz for a couple weeks, but all is repaired and cozy. We are reveling in the warmth. Feels like a vacation. North of us the cold is deeper, but it was in the high 20s and low 30s on Sunday when we dressed to make our trip to the Big City. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cold weather is coat weather. That's one of my favorite things about the season. This little, heavy knit coat is perfect for my trips to town as it's light weight and cozy at the same time. These trips involve lots of time in a warm car or in a warm store with quick arctic-esque dashes between car and door. This is one I can comfortably keep on while I'm stomping around in the store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QC0W58DZEE/VGt1rdfOJPI/AAAAAAAABUg/amvzEuqsHMw/s1600/CreamGrayCoat%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1QC0W58DZEE/VGt1rdfOJPI/AAAAAAAABUg/amvzEuqsHMw/s1600/CreamGrayCoat%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="272" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My teeth gritting grin says it all ... "take the picture ... take the picture ... hurry up ... I AM smiling, so just take the damn picture!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is my first winter with the short crop, and scarves are taking on a new importance. I liked the almost reverse image of the coat's print this scarf added, and did a lot to keep my neck warm! This photo not only shows the patterns working together but how chilly and windy it was. A freezing gust poufed up the right side of my scarf, making it look like less of a gracefully draped scarf than an upholstered toilet seat cover. Just take my word for it, please. It looked much better when the wind died down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd-BxO-WYwo/VGt2CA_FaDI/AAAAAAAABUo/qgWRhxu0X_k/s1600/CreamGrayScarf%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd-BxO-WYwo/VGt2CA_FaDI/AAAAAAAABUo/qgWRhxu0X_k/s1600/CreamGrayScarf%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="270" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not taking on any topics tougher than winter coats today. Hope you are all staying warm and enjoying this most invigorating season!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Late Breaking: It's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visiblemonday-143-long-vintage-dress-is.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> at the Lovely Patti's ... come on over and see what we all are up to!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-17910385146919525492014-11-10T18:04:00.000-06:002014-11-11T10:34:12.350-06:00Stuck In My Craw<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The following is from a conversation between fashion
designer Mona Kowalska of <i>A D</i><i>é</i><i>tacher</i>,
Heidi Julavits, author and one of the editors of the book <i>Women in Clothes</i>, and
writer/childbirth educator Ceridwen Morris </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(p. 29) ...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b>"Ceridwen</b>: I just turned
forty-five, and the look that's being pitched to me is about being
MILF-y, sexy -- but whatever you do, don't look like you're
forty-five. Like the idea of being a capital-W Woman is not so
great. We should all look twenty-eight.</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b>Mona:</b> And the result is these </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">terrible human collages. Sometimes you see someone from the back and
they're all worked out and wearing skinny jeans and then they turn
around ....</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b>Heidi</b>: Eep! And they're seventy!</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b>Mona</b>: I'd prefer someone dressed in
a dowdy way."</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've gone on lately (and on, and on ...
I know) lately about attitudes toward aging that I see and hear.
I'm going to do it again. The above bit from the book <i>Women in
Clothes</i> has been stuck in my craw, and I need to hock it up and
look at it. Disgusting image, I know, but I'm pretty put off myself
with this little snippet. Right here, I'm going to issue a note that
I do not intend to condemn the whole book because it is a book full
of a variety of opinions and experiences. I will, however, note that
one of the elder-bashers is an editor of the book. Just saying.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What we have here are women complaining
about ageism in our culture and particularly within the fashion
industry. Then they make a quick 180 and wind up firing on women
older than themselves. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I understand that they deplore social
forces that demand youthful looks. I also understand that they
believe when women dress to appear younger and meet an impossible
standard of youth, some Baby Jane-ish looks can result.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJfUlIoPI-o/VGFCW_tqGaI/AAAAAAAABTg/iHiRwL2IMUQ/s1600/BettyBabyJane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJfUlIoPI-o/VGFCW_tqGaI/AAAAAAAABTg/iHiRwL2IMUQ/s1600/BettyBabyJane.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bette Davis in <i>Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?</i> 1962</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most of us would agree that this horror
movie still from the early 60s reaches the level of a "terrible human
collage." (This great role as a deranged, former child-star was
a career boost for an aging Bette Davis and won her nominations for
the Oscar, Golden Globes and the BAFTA awards for this performance.)
I don't know about you, but I'm having a hard time equating this image with that with the woman who is "all worked out and wearing skinny jeans". The woman they describe as "all
worked out" suggests a healthy woman with a great shape
that is admirable from behind. And one who chooses to deck out the
admirable figure in contemporary style.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please note the following images. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQR9LTxrMP8/VGFEIt8cVyI/AAAAAAAABTo/OMUckAqcRWc/s1600/item6.rendition.blog-horizontal.older-fashion-models-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uQR9LTxrMP8/VGFEIt8cVyI/AAAAAAAABTo/OMUckAqcRWc/s1600/item6.rendition.blog-horizontal.older-fashion-models-07.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lauren Hutton at 70 for <i>Lucky Magazine</i>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2z9Rwdzl430/VGFEv12SODI/AAAAAAAABTw/A4OFrpKDQDs/s1600/China%2BMachado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2z9Rwdzl430/VGFEv12SODI/AAAAAAAABTw/A4OFrpKDQDs/s1600/China%2BMachado.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">China Machado at 85 (really ... freaking 85!!!!)</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course these women are exceptional
and both won the gene pool contest big time, but the fact remains
that they are old women in skinny jeans. No "terrible human
collages" here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> "Eep! And they're 70!" says Ms.
Julavits of the woman she imagines in the conversation. This is not happy surprise she's expressing. Her
response implies that it's inappropriate for women to look good in
their 70s. Please understand, dear reader, the comments are not
about a woman who looks bad in her skinnies. This is about a woman
who looks good until her face shows her age.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But it's the last comment that really
steams my rice: "I'd prefer someone dressed in a dowdy way."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's no equivocation here ... this woman states that when you're old, you're no longer
permitted to dress in the same way that a younger woman might choose.
You gotta look old so we're all clear that you really are old. You
are no longer free to look vital and modern and part of the world you
live in. You're relegated to a syle-nil status. Get out on that
ice-flow and stay there! Don't confuse us and disturb our
stereotypes about age, and especially don't cause us to adjust our
world view. We need you to settle down and look how we expect you to
look at your age.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But absolutely, no matter what you do,
don't show us that youth can be overrated and is not automatically
present in all examples of female beauty. You just can't fly your
flag as an old woman and get away with it.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Eep, indeed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The three women in the conversation above are not 20-somethings who still
hold on to the callow assumption of immortality. These are really
bright and accomplished women in their 40s who clearly have some kind
of concept of their own progress in life by this point in their
lives, and are plainly resistant to the pressure to look younger. It
makes me wonder if they assume that there is some mysterious cut-off
point where they will only be graceful in their aging if they give up
all interest in dressing themselves in any interesting or attractive
way. Do they truly feel that being a capitol W-Woman is achieved by
sometime in ones 40s but you have to give the trophy back after you
get older?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These comments are not from a group of
gnarled, dusty, old misogynist fellows kvetching about uppity women.
These are otherwise smart and accomplished <i>women</i> talking this
way ... and that is what really, truly what bugs me.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I sometimes have the uncomfortable
suspicion that one has to actually get old before we realize that we
can always, <i>always</i> be all that (or <i>only</i> that) we think
we can be. If I had known this earlier, I might have done things
differently. These three women will get there, if they are lucky, and
I hope they remember this conversation with some chagrin. In fact, I hope the chagrin starts anytime now.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finally, this is the second time in a
couple of weeks that I've been pissed off by something said by
someone named Heidi <a href="http://fortsmithstylista.blogspot.com/2014/10/old-lady-runway-rant.html" target="_blank">(click here to see my other Heidi rant.)</a> For all you Heidis out there, and for the record generally ... I
don't think or mean to imply that all women named Heidi are women of
limited empathy for other women further along in the the aging
process. Just these two particular Heidis.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></b>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXFqEEiXq4k/VGFJ5mdXEUI/AAAAAAAABUA/9l3D9_Fv_pw/s1600/BlackGoldCranes%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vXFqEEiXq4k/VGFJ5mdXEUI/AAAAAAAABUA/9l3D9_Fv_pw/s1600/BlackGoldCranes%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="244" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is me, trying to look reproachful and smile big all at the same time. A difficult face to achieve, and I admit the fail. Nor am I an "all worked out" old lady, but I do wear skinnies without shame. If I am a "terrible human collage" then they must just look away if they see me coming. Eep.
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This tunic-sweater is the one thing I got from the Altuzarra collaboration with Target. I really love it. The low shoulder embellishment is flattering without looking like 80s big-shoulder pad extreme.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzU190XlbLU/VGFMNOMlafI/AAAAAAAABUM/O3rL9jQn70E/s1600/CranesUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IzU190XlbLU/VGFMNOMlafI/AAAAAAAABUM/O3rL9jQn70E/s1600/CranesUSE.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The appliques were much nicer than I thought they'd be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My photos didn't show the detailing on the neubuck booties, so here they are: by U.S Polo Associaton, and I loved wearing the gold with the gold. The funny marks just above the heel are their embroidered logos that show a couple of polo players and their horses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq82NdgJF_A/VGFOFe5M4nI/AAAAAAAABUU/oMTc_FMqrEM/s1600/CranesBoots%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kq82NdgJF_A/VGFOFe5M4nI/AAAAAAAABUU/oMTc_FMqrEM/s1600/CranesBoots%2BUSE.jpg" height="368" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(<i>Disclaimer: I have never played polo, but I do know how to ride, so I guess I can wear these if non-riders wear "equestrian" boots.) </i></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
\</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm taking it all over to <b><i>The Leafy and
Lovely Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visible-monday-142-all-favorite-colors.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> </i></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">with all the other Capital W-Women!
Join the movement!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And, late breaking, I'm joining Our Wonderful Sacramento at her <a href="http://www.mispapelicos.com/2014/11/share-in-style-shoes.html" target="_blank">Share In Style!</a> Come see the shooooooes!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-15758144923619493932014-11-04T23:28:00.000-06:002014-11-10T18:08:52.604-06:00Happy as Pharrell ...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And that's pretty darned happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not much to talk about this week except how much I love my pink coat. The weather went from the 70s to the 50s overnight, and I was FINALLY able to wear my pretty new coat to town on Sunday. And my pink mirrored aviators. Love them too, and between the coat and the sunnies, I'm about as content as I get with what I'm wearing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm-DBwJX9E0/VFmzAe_ow2I/AAAAAAAABSQ/rg2FH2Mdnp8/s1600/PinkCoat%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm-DBwJX9E0/VFmzAe_ow2I/AAAAAAAABSQ/rg2FH2Mdnp8/s1600/PinkCoat%2BUSE.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that, as they say, is that. I'm going to go put my pretty pink coat on and watch some television. I wonder how much the sunglasses will affect the screen color ....</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Update (11/10): Goin' to Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visible-monday-142-all-favorite-colors.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> ! Come with me!</i></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com68tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-29802892693731111552014-10-28T22:07:00.000-05:002014-12-02T09:12:07.076-06:00A Tale of Two Unicorns .......... and Carolina Herrera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> T<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">his story was inspired by an old
nursery rhyme that you all may know ...</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>There was an old woman who lived in a
shoe.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">She had so many children, she didn't know what to do</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">;</span></i></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>
</i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>She
gave them some broth without any bread;</i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>
</i></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>She whipp'd all their
bums, and sent them to bed.</i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>
</i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"></span></span> from J. Ritson, </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Gammer Gurton's Garland, </i>
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> or The Nursery Parnassus: a
choice collection of pretty songs</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> and verses for the amusement of
all little good children who</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> can neither read nor run</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (1794, rpt., Glasgow,
1866), p. 27.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Or </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mother Goose</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.
Whichever.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Once upon a time, in a backward little village, far, far away from anywhere of any consequence, there was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Classic Stiletto-Heeled Black Pump. (We'll just call her Old Woman because it's much easier. ) She had so many pets, she didn't know what to do, but that's another story for another time.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One morning, Old Woman stirred her old
bones <span style="color: black;">early to go to market and resume her
unending quest for </span>the most magical and elusive of wardrobe
pieces; the Perfect Crisp White Shirt. Late that afternoon, as Old
Woman flipped wearily through the Women's Medium Long Sleeved Shirts
rack at Ye Olde Discount Department Store, she was startled when ...
POP! ... the great designer Carolina Herrera suddenly appeared at her
side, as if out of nowhere!
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Old Woman," the great
designer began. "I know of your sincere desire to find the
fabled Unicorn of Fashion, the Perfect Crisp White Shirt, " she
continued, in perfectly elegant, Spanish-accented English. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">"Why, Old Woman, do your eyes bug
out so? You should see a doctor about that. And you may close your
mouth, now. It looks very stupid."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I'm sorry ... who <i>are </i>you?
You look like Carolina Herrera, but you can't be," Old Woman
stammered.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"That was fast. You're smarter
than you look," the apparition murmured to her self. "Okay,
so you found me out. I'm just a figment of your imagination. An
illusion. The psychological manifestation of your anxiety caused by
your foolish fixation on one, impossibly perfect item of clothing,"
she continued, her exotic accent turning abruptly into a Midwestern
version of American English. "But illusory help is better than
no help at all. And you need help, you know? Besides, you can't
afford the real Carolina Herrera. "</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Hey ..." Old Woman began
defensively.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Here's the deal," the
apparition interrupted sharply. "Rather than just granting your
wish, all poof-and-there-it-is, I'm advising you to grab the very
next white shirt that you come upon in this rack, and actually go and
try it on. You'll be glad you did, I promise. But remember this;
<i>unicorns come in dark neutrals as well</i>," she said, in a
more kindly tone.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then, as abruptly as she arrived ...
Pop! ... the spitting image of Carolina Herrera disappeared. Only
then did Old Woman notice other women near her giving her some
seriously suspicious side-eye and pulling their children closer.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Old Woman decided, for once in her
life, to do precisely what she'd been advised and sure enough, she
soon came upon a lovely, tailored white shirt by Jones New York. The
moment she touched it, the shirt whispered to her, " I am the
shirt you desire. I am the White Unicorn of tailored shirts. Take
me home with you. And while you're at it, take my sister ... the
shirt right behind me on this rack. She is the fabled Black Unicorn,
and just as rare and magical."
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Time to get my blood sugar
checked," Old Woman decided as she carried both shirts to the
fitting room. "Or maybe just skip that second glass of wine with
lunch ..."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As all good stories do, Dear Reader,
this one has a happy ending. Old Woman ended her quest with more
than she dreamed of, and took both shirts home at significantly less
than suggested retail price. She hung them in her closet, and the
shirts chatted happily to one another about their new home and how
inferior the rest of the clothes were, giggling about their escape
from the Final Clearance rack. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">They chattered on, non-stop. Into the wee hours of the
morning. And because they kept the Old Woman awake with their
merriment, she got up from her bed, threw both shirts into the
washing machine and laundered them in cold water with no chlorine
bleach as the instructions advised, in Woolite and on the longest
possible wash setting. In the morning she dried them thoroughly on
the Permanent Press cycle and hung them back in the closet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But now, they were silent and never,
ever spoke to anyone again, because, as everyone knows, washing a new shirt takes all the magic out of it as well as the factory sizing.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But Old Woman was pretty sure she'd wear them Happily Ever After
anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8YETNL9kNA/VFBDkTxSHRI/AAAAAAAABQ8/JZtg-Oj9TS8/s1600/Carolina%2Bin%2Bwhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8YETNL9kNA/VFBDkTxSHRI/AAAAAAAABQ8/JZtg-Oj9TS8/s1600/Carolina%2Bin%2Bwhite.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Carolina Herrera (the real one)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">in her signature white shirt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byhAbCyY2Xg/VFBTymckqMI/AAAAAAAABR0/VJ7egqXWfiM/s1600/CH%2BWhite%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byhAbCyY2Xg/VFBTymckqMI/AAAAAAAABR0/VJ7egqXWfiM/s1600/CH%2BWhite%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="288" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Me (<i>AKA Old Woman</i>) having my own </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">budget-Carolina Herrera moment in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jones New York. Still ... not bad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2RDrz3TyNs/VFBQTPcPN4I/AAAAAAAABRo/5y9NQa3C-do/s1600/carolina_herrera_464_544x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b2RDrz3TyNs/VFBQTPcPN4I/AAAAAAAABRo/5y9NQa3C-do/s1600/carolina_herrera_464_544x.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of course, she does it in black, as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-u2MFc2rI/VFBWc7YTsDI/AAAAAAAABSA/NoUiZaOf1-w/s1600/CH%2BBlack%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-u2MFc2rI/VFBWc7YTsDI/AAAAAAAABSA/NoUiZaOf1-w/s1600/CH%2BBlack%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="268" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And so does Jones New York! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So happy ..... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span>Update (11/10) I'm going over to Patti's <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/11/visible-monday-142-all-favorite-colors.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> ... come see what all the fuss is about!</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span></i></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6864029619879531761.post-53108052323074859632014-10-20T21:59:00.000-05:002014-10-21T10:35:09.262-05:00Old Lady Runway Rant<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I hear Heidi Freaking Klum or Nina
Freaking Garcia say one more time, "That looks <i>old lady</i>"
when they mean <i>dowdy, old fashioned, unfashionable, outmoded,
out-of-date, passé, unstylish, or frumpy,</i> I will be forced to
reconsider my weekly indulgence in one of my favorite guilty
pleasures: watching Project Runway. (I participate in lots of other
light-minded pleasures and activities. I just don't feel guilty when
I indulge in them.)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll miss you, Tim Gunn. But I have to
say, Tim, you should be all over this one and on my side.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is just plain ageist, incorrect and
mean-spirited to employ two words that describe an <i>at least
passably well-behaved and civilized woman who has attained a
considerable number of years past her youth </i>when
Ms Klum attempts to describe an especially unhip outfit made by one
of the anxious competitors. The fact of a woman's age doesn't and never should automatically define her stylishness or un. When Klum says this, she
implies that we old women look dowdy in whatever we're wearing
simply because we are not young, no matter how great our clothing
might be without us in them. Oldness makes everything about us
uncool.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">She
uses this phrase fairly frequently, and I cringe for her when she
does it. I try to remember that as a non-native speaker she does
worlds better in English than I do in her native German, and I can
understand her searching for a word while on camera. But it isn't
live-broadcast, so somebody needs to look at editing out this gaffe
the next time it occurs. Really, it's important to at least be clear
and respectful when she's paid as much as she is to opine about
something as subjective as the hipness of clothing design.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Garcia
often climbs on the band-wagon with Klum, but sometimes has the grace
to use other, only slightly less offensive terms such as <i>madame</i>,
or <i>mother-of-the-bride</i>
in the same insensitive way. <i> </i>As
the 49-year-old mother of young sons, it is likely that she will one
day wear her carefully chosen and couture outfits at the nuptials of
her grown boys, and she won't be a spring chicken by that time,
either. I guarantee that she won't like to hear her ensemble
unkindly described as "soooo <i>mother-of-the-groom</i>."
I'd offer her the excuse that she may well not have been a childhood
speaker of idiomatic English as she was born in Columbia, but I
won't because she holds a bachelor's degree from Boston
University as well as a second one from FIT.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Yooo-hooo</i>, Ms. Klum and Ms. Garcia.
<i>Hellooooo</i>. We're sitting right here in front of the TV. We're old
but we can still <i>hear</i> you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know. It's American Reality TV.
Therefore, I should not be surprised. I also know this isn't
so-much-of-a-much all in itself, and the next, most obvious step
should be to let it go now that I've vented. But it's been a week
where I've been noticing more disdain exhibited towards older women
than usual in our language and popular culture and media, and it's
been frustrating. I beg that my darling vintage-enthusiast friends
will cut me a bit of slack and not pummel me for equating only
current, knife-edge newness with great style. I do not mean that at
all. It's the equation of advanced age and non-style that I object
to. I've been chastised black and blue because I neglected to
clarify my smarty-pants glibness. Completely black and blue, I tell
you.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, since I'm bound to offend
someone, I'll apologize ahead of time and show my contrition by
wearing my black and blue shame right out in the open; in a very soft
and comforting blue Max Studio extra-fine merino wool sweater over my
Old Navy black and blue hounds-tooth Pixie Pants. And my navy,
cobalt and black suede d'Orsay ankle-strap pumps ... more black and
blue, from me to you.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, yeah. And my sleek and snazzy Old
Lady bag, too. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Snap to you, Heidi.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q79btuyr23M/VEXLvDwjiuI/AAAAAAAABO8/Bb74QFip9-w/s1600/BlackBlueFinal%2BUSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q79btuyr23M/VEXLvDwjiuI/AAAAAAAABO8/Bb74QFip9-w/s1600/BlackBlueFinal%2BUSE.jpg" height="640" width="312" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Taking this silliness to the Lovely
Lacy Patti at her <a href="http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2014/10/visible-monday-141-re-cycling-from-my.html" target="_blank">Visible Monday</a> link-up.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope to see you there.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12630135395645059302noreply@blogger.com64