I'm finally watching an episode of Oprah that I DVR'd months ago. It's called "Oprah's Shoe, Handbag, and Accessory Intervention, with Bra Updates," from November 2, 2009.
Hey Ladies, these shoes you must have in your wardrobe, or so says Oprah's people.
1. black pumps - with a kitten heel
2. comfortable flats - that work for both work and weekends
3. show stopping gorgeous shoes - with some umpf
4. cute non-athletic sneakers
5. tall boots
6. All-weather boots
Now you know that I don't agree with everything, because I never do. I'm not really a tall boot person. I don't think they (the ones I tried, before I gave up) accent my legs and body shape well. I would rather just include a flattering boot for 5. My flattering boot is the bootie, and (I lied) I can pull off the perfect riding boot. Most of you are just like me, every boot doesn't work for everyone. Remember, just purchase yourself a flattering boot! Spend wisely, because this should be considered an investment.
I do think this is a great list. I'd never run across a shoe list before, wow.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Why did you purchase that?
My problem with shopping is that I'm between sizes. I won't share what those sizes are, but I am. So of course I don't follow my own rules. When I shop, I go down to the smaller of the two sizes. I should purchase large and tailor, but I can't always push myself to do the right thing. It's near impossible to get me to buy anything larger than I am. I'm busting my tail to lose weight. Go up a size? I don't think so. Anyway staying on target, this very moment I have three items riding around in my car that need to go to the tailor. I even pass the tailor a few times a week, at least, but I never feel I have the time to go in and get pinned. So I push myself to drop a few pounds to get into the smaller size, and it usually works for me. But this isn't a big stretch. I'm not buying a few sizes too small. I'm purchasing a size one inch smaller. I could even fix this with a Spanx. It's not a good idea though. You should do just as the wise Stacy London and Clint Kelly say, on TLC's What Not To Wear, dress for the size you are now.
I poke fun at my mom and my aunt often about their purchases. Why did they purchase that...whatever, I tease that it's because it's on sale. It's tempting to buy because it's now 75% off, but if it's not worth that discounted price in your life you wasted your money. So you scored a great deal on those jeans, but they're slightly tapered, high waisted, and too light. You just did yourself a injustice while you saved money. Plus, you turn around and donate or sell at a lose in a yard sale. You just cost yourself money while you saved money. Be careful that your great buy really is a great buy for your body, style, and wardrobe.
It's so pretty. I had to have it. Now with shoes, I should be slapped. I love a pretty shoe! I love, love, and love a pretty shoe! But, shoe designers do not love my wide feet. I often purchase shoes that I know are too tight because they are so pretty. Then I just own them, but never wear them, or I occasionally wear them with tears in my eyes. I know people that do this for everything in their wardrobe. They buy the wrong tunic, blouse, dress, or jacket because it's pretty. They squeeze into skinny jeans knowing they are unflattering on their shape. I appreciate beautiful clothes and fun trends. Hell, I obsess about bikinis and formal gowns every year and whatever trendy thing young Hollywood is sporting, but they don't always belong in my life. They usually don't belong in my life actually, but it's still okay to love these things. It's okay to love clothes. It's even okay to have a healthy obsession with clothes. But remember, you don't have to own, or wear, every pretty thing you see. Buy, and wear, what works on your body and in your life. I'll take that into consideration with shoes. Naw, I just need to find something to stretch these new platform pumps out from a M to a W.
I poke fun at my mom and my aunt often about their purchases. Why did they purchase that...whatever, I tease that it's because it's on sale. It's tempting to buy because it's now 75% off, but if it's not worth that discounted price in your life you wasted your money. So you scored a great deal on those jeans, but they're slightly tapered, high waisted, and too light. You just did yourself a injustice while you saved money. Plus, you turn around and donate or sell at a lose in a yard sale. You just cost yourself money while you saved money. Be careful that your great buy really is a great buy for your body, style, and wardrobe.
It's so pretty. I had to have it. Now with shoes, I should be slapped. I love a pretty shoe! I love, love, and love a pretty shoe! But, shoe designers do not love my wide feet. I often purchase shoes that I know are too tight because they are so pretty. Then I just own them, but never wear them, or I occasionally wear them with tears in my eyes. I know people that do this for everything in their wardrobe. They buy the wrong tunic, blouse, dress, or jacket because it's pretty. They squeeze into skinny jeans knowing they are unflattering on their shape. I appreciate beautiful clothes and fun trends. Hell, I obsess about bikinis and formal gowns every year and whatever trendy thing young Hollywood is sporting, but they don't always belong in my life. They usually don't belong in my life actually, but it's still okay to love these things. It's okay to love clothes. It's even okay to have a healthy obsession with clothes. But remember, you don't have to own, or wear, every pretty thing you see. Buy, and wear, what works on your body and in your life. I'll take that into consideration with shoes. Naw, I just need to find something to stretch these new platform pumps out from a M to a W.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Reflection
2009 was a difficult year for me. I learned a lot of hard lessons. I did things I never thought I'd have to do. I was put in situations that I never saw coming. I had a number of failed friendships and relationships. I learned. I saw the reason for many of the changes in my life. I realized that God was not so much testing me, but clearing a path for something new. I am blessed! I have overcome so many things. I have grown incredibly in a year.
I thank God for this life. I am mother to an amazing kid. We have our health. We are surrounded with love. We have peace and stability in our lives. I appreciate the renewed faith that comes with understanding that God does not take us through anything without reason and strength.
I look forward to 2010. I am more confident than I have ever been! I am more focused, logical, and realistic. I am dedicated to my goals and driven. I have so much more potential than I ever gave myself credit for. My opportunities are endless! This is simply the beginning.
Look out for the growth and successes we are all capable of attaining in this new year. I wish you all prosperity.
With love,
me
I thank God for this life. I am mother to an amazing kid. We have our health. We are surrounded with love. We have peace and stability in our lives. I appreciate the renewed faith that comes with understanding that God does not take us through anything without reason and strength.
I look forward to 2010. I am more confident than I have ever been! I am more focused, logical, and realistic. I am dedicated to my goals and driven. I have so much more potential than I ever gave myself credit for. My opportunities are endless! This is simply the beginning.
Look out for the growth and successes we are all capable of attaining in this new year. I wish you all prosperity.
With love,
me
Monday, December 28, 2009
Can I mix metals and metallics?
Of course you can, but should you? I believe mixing metallics is possible, but it can be difficult. To me it's like trying to match reds, typically impossible. Well near impossible without a plan.
The plan is to purchase a few multi-metal accessories. Grab a yellow and white gold ring or bracelet, pewter and antique bronze necklace or earrings, or copper and anything, then keep mixing. I love copper colored jewelry, done correctly.
I have a fun multi-metal necklace. It's antique bronze and pewter. I pair it with pewter earrings and antique bronze, antique copper, and pewter bangle bracelets. The metal accents on my handbag and shoes are pewter, but the sheen differs. However, it all works, and it works well.
Use the same concept with metallic clothing and accessories. There's a gunmetal sequined top I was obsessed with for weeks. When I noticed the last one in my size, I purchased it to just to figure it out later. I had it about a year before I felt I owned the right accessories for it. But, then I hated my choices. I was drowning in sterling silver with onyx accents. It was disgustingly matchy matchy! I tried too hard. My successful pairing included multi-metal chain necklaces, oxidized sterling silver and onyx cocktail ring, and black and white gemstone bracelets with sterling silver, pewter, and copper bangles. Sounds like a lot, but with black trousers, a dark wash denim jacket, and black wedges it was glamorous!
You can also get metallic creative with other pieces, hardware on your accessories, or another metallic clothing item. Thinking about it now, that top would be beautiful with a metallic jacket. It's gunmetal with shiny gunmetal sequins, but it's lacking some flare that would be complimented with other metallic clothing pieces.
The moral is that mixing metals is easily done when there's a cohesive approach. It's the same rules for all style, but without cohesion there's chaos!
Enjoy!
The plan is to purchase a few multi-metal accessories. Grab a yellow and white gold ring or bracelet, pewter and antique bronze necklace or earrings, or copper and anything, then keep mixing. I love copper colored jewelry, done correctly.
I have a fun multi-metal necklace. It's antique bronze and pewter. I pair it with pewter earrings and antique bronze, antique copper, and pewter bangle bracelets. The metal accents on my handbag and shoes are pewter, but the sheen differs. However, it all works, and it works well.
Use the same concept with metallic clothing and accessories. There's a gunmetal sequined top I was obsessed with for weeks. When I noticed the last one in my size, I purchased it to just to figure it out later. I had it about a year before I felt I owned the right accessories for it. But, then I hated my choices. I was drowning in sterling silver with onyx accents. It was disgustingly matchy matchy! I tried too hard. My successful pairing included multi-metal chain necklaces, oxidized sterling silver and onyx cocktail ring, and black and white gemstone bracelets with sterling silver, pewter, and copper bangles. Sounds like a lot, but with black trousers, a dark wash denim jacket, and black wedges it was glamorous!
You can also get metallic creative with other pieces, hardware on your accessories, or another metallic clothing item. Thinking about it now, that top would be beautiful with a metallic jacket. It's gunmetal with shiny gunmetal sequins, but it's lacking some flare that would be complimented with other metallic clothing pieces.
The moral is that mixing metals is easily done when there's a cohesive approach. It's the same rules for all style, but without cohesion there's chaos!
Enjoy!
Lazy? Quite possibly.
I have this problem. I often hold my fabulousness for what I deem a special occasion. Awful I know, but I do. I'm not where I want to be in my life regarding my goals, my business, or geographically. It's made me fashionably lazy!
So the day after Christmas, my son and I were return/exchange shopping. He was adorable, as always, in a hoodie sweatsuit. I was nicely dressed in my own hoodie sweatsuit. We were only planning to be out briefly running errands, right? Yes we were, BUT I'd entered the public. I had thrown myself into a 50/50 mix of fabulosity and frumpy. I was average at best, and that's never good enough. Especially considering the number of attractive men out shopping/exchanging. There were more men in my dating age bracket out than ever before!
Don't make your style lazy. Even in my cute hoodie sweatsuit, minimal floral graphic tee (too add color), scarf, coordinating (and metallic) New Balance sneakers, great handbag (a huge shiny brown woven one), and beautiful jewelry (http://blaisedENVY.com), there was no trace of make up and my messy ponytail was no where near flattering. Face and hair, I got lazy and paid the price.
Don't make my mistake. Have a daily beauty regime. Then have that last minute rush regime that still hits all your high notes. I should have used some foundation and a little pressed powder, some mascara across my top lashes, and sheer lip gloss over my cocoa butter lip moisturizer. I wouldn't have been at the tip top of the fabulous list, but average would have been beneath me!
So the day after Christmas, my son and I were return/exchange shopping. He was adorable, as always, in a hoodie sweatsuit. I was nicely dressed in my own hoodie sweatsuit. We were only planning to be out briefly running errands, right? Yes we were, BUT I'd entered the public. I had thrown myself into a 50/50 mix of fabulosity and frumpy. I was average at best, and that's never good enough. Especially considering the number of attractive men out shopping/exchanging. There were more men in my dating age bracket out than ever before!
Don't make your style lazy. Even in my cute hoodie sweatsuit, minimal floral graphic tee (too add color), scarf, coordinating (and metallic) New Balance sneakers, great handbag (a huge shiny brown woven one), and beautiful jewelry (http://blaisedENVY.com), there was no trace of make up and my messy ponytail was no where near flattering. Face and hair, I got lazy and paid the price.
Don't make my mistake. Have a daily beauty regime. Then have that last minute rush regime that still hits all your high notes. I should have used some foundation and a little pressed powder, some mascara across my top lashes, and sheer lip gloss over my cocoa butter lip moisturizer. I wouldn't have been at the tip top of the fabulous list, but average would have been beneath me!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Panty lines...YUCK
Do not dare go anywhere with your panty line showing! It bothers me. I'm not talking about the hint of show when you sit a particular way. I mean chunky cotton undies under khaki pants. It drives me insane.
I have my own issues with khakis, but this panty line issue, now that's an awful look of it's own. Ladies, and cross dressing gents, purchase a full length mirror. TODAY! Check your look head to toe before you enter the public.
This full length mirror will solve many of my hang ups, but today just focus on turning around and checking your tush. Baby steps. Now if making the investment in the mirror is an issue, take your lunch a day or two. They're about $10 at Target. You can save up for the fancy one later.
While at Super Target buying lunch goodies and that mirror, grab a 3-pack of no-show, or thong, undies. Multitasking. Three birds with one stone!
I have my own issues with khakis, but this panty line issue, now that's an awful look of it's own. Ladies, and cross dressing gents, purchase a full length mirror. TODAY! Check your look head to toe before you enter the public.
This full length mirror will solve many of my hang ups, but today just focus on turning around and checking your tush. Baby steps. Now if making the investment in the mirror is an issue, take your lunch a day or two. They're about $10 at Target. You can save up for the fancy one later.
While at Super Target buying lunch goodies and that mirror, grab a 3-pack of no-show, or thong, undies. Multitasking. Three birds with one stone!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Seasonal best
Can we be seasonal and weather appropriate? I ask this as I sit at my desk, in December, wearing flip flops. Hypocritical hypocrite, I know. But (excuse is) it's raining, not that cold today, and I have a pedicure appointment after work. Oh, and today's a short day with a skeletal staff. Usually, I stay weather and seasonally appropriate though.
My advice is STOP wearing sandals in the winter and knee high boots in the summer. PLEASE consider your sleeve lengths, fabric weights, graphics on your t-shirts, and footwear. You look crazy when you don't.
I walked into the office this morning and the receptionist asked, slightly judgemental, "you're wearing flip flops?" I understood her tone. I would have used the same tone on anyone else. I explained myself. Plus, I have closed toe wedges in my WAY oversized handbag.
It's shocking to see someone dressed drastically against the weather. It's inappropriate, unprofessional, and distracting. Don't believe me? Go far left seasonally and see how many people make fun of you or, at the least, look at you like you're a dumb ass.
Because the economy's garbage and, financially speaking, I'm strained, I purchase many transitional pieces. I love cotton! I thank God for cotton. It is the most versatile fabric. I have so many cotton tops, tunics, tanks, sweaters, and blouses. I can wear them separately, layer then, or whatever my creativity calls for.
I also adore scarves. I'm big on accessories, says the jewelry designer. I wear my t-shirts and viscose scarves from September or October through May.
Denim is another! This falls in with cotton, but it deserves it's own praise. Any, no most, denim can transition all, or most, seasons and weather. I live in my Gap denim jacket, jeans in 50 zillion different styles, and it's fun to play up or down a denim skirt. Timeless or classic are an understatement for the fabulousness of denim, done correctly.
Another transitional staple is the ballet flat. Wear them in any season and during any weather. It's not fool proof, but hard to mess this one up.
And, jewels are always perfect. Buy a solid white tank and solid or minimal print long sleeve t-shirt and a 3/4 sleeve tee. Then accessorize then into an outfit. Great jewelry will always out last clothing. Great jewelry is more durable, more versatile, and transitions between trends easier. Invest big in jewels, as big as you can says the jewelry designer. Let it carry your outfit every season in all types of weather.
http://blaisedenvy.com/
So when you're standing before your wardrobe preparing to dress, remember to take a cue from Mother Nature and be seasonally and weather appropriate!
My advice is STOP wearing sandals in the winter and knee high boots in the summer. PLEASE consider your sleeve lengths, fabric weights, graphics on your t-shirts, and footwear. You look crazy when you don't.
I walked into the office this morning and the receptionist asked, slightly judgemental, "you're wearing flip flops?" I understood her tone. I would have used the same tone on anyone else. I explained myself. Plus, I have closed toe wedges in my WAY oversized handbag.
It's shocking to see someone dressed drastically against the weather. It's inappropriate, unprofessional, and distracting. Don't believe me? Go far left seasonally and see how many people make fun of you or, at the least, look at you like you're a dumb ass.
Because the economy's garbage and, financially speaking, I'm strained, I purchase many transitional pieces. I love cotton! I thank God for cotton. It is the most versatile fabric. I have so many cotton tops, tunics, tanks, sweaters, and blouses. I can wear them separately, layer then, or whatever my creativity calls for.
I also adore scarves. I'm big on accessories, says the jewelry designer. I wear my t-shirts and viscose scarves from September or October through May.
Denim is another! This falls in with cotton, but it deserves it's own praise. Any, no most, denim can transition all, or most, seasons and weather. I live in my Gap denim jacket, jeans in 50 zillion different styles, and it's fun to play up or down a denim skirt. Timeless or classic are an understatement for the fabulousness of denim, done correctly.
Another transitional staple is the ballet flat. Wear them in any season and during any weather. It's not fool proof, but hard to mess this one up.
And, jewels are always perfect. Buy a solid white tank and solid or minimal print long sleeve t-shirt and a 3/4 sleeve tee. Then accessorize then into an outfit. Great jewelry will always out last clothing. Great jewelry is more durable, more versatile, and transitions between trends easier. Invest big in jewels, as big as you can says the jewelry designer. Let it carry your outfit every season in all types of weather.
http://blaisedenvy.com/
So when you're standing before your wardrobe preparing to dress, remember to take a cue from Mother Nature and be seasonally and weather appropriate!
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