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I openly mocked the latest fashion resurrection of the dreaded shoulder pads. I scoffed, whooped, hollered, furrowed my brow and snubbed my nose high and mighty into the air. And with good reason!
However…
You may cry “hypocrite”, but I say unsuspecting-duped-lover-of-a-good-deal (aka: idiot).
While practicing a little retail therapy after bringing my dad to the airport last thursday, we stopped in Banana. (The ONLY reason I stopped in was because I had a gift card that I’ve had for over a year burning a hole in my pocket. I still stand firmly on my soap box against the big-bad-box-store.) My self-righteousness aside, I perused the sale section and came across a lovely tailored black jacket. Immediately my thoughts went to this post on dressing like French women and the importance of such a staple as a black jacket.
As I stood in the flattering glow of the dimly lit dressing room, I liked what I saw. This jacket could be my new “winter coat” when we become snowbirds later this year. It was fitted, yet big enough to add lots of layers underneath (another very key element to dressing like a French woman). I also liked how my waist appeared miraculously smaller (despite the heavy eating events all week).
I got the go-ahead from my mom and sister, both agreeing that it was a wise purchase. It was, after all, on sale.
Fast-forward to later that evening. I want to try on the jacket again, make sure it looks the same now that it’s made the journey home with me. I pull it out of the bag, by the shoulders, and I think the light-bulb moment was audible. I then called out the my sis and said, “This this has shoulder pads!!! Did you know that?!” She of course looks at me like I’m an idiot and says, “Yes, of course! You didn’t?!” Well I just knew, I would never hear the end of it from my husband and my inner critic!
My self-justification is that these shoulder pads are not near as big as the original football style in the 80s. So much for my miracle suit and shoulder snobbery. And really, who cares? Cause I’m gonna rock this thing tonight at the Pete Yorn concert!
I was casually perusing blog-land tonight when I came across a photo of this little gal. She is a model for the current J.Crew season.
I passed her by without much thought, but a few blogs later she was still in my head. I decided to look again, but I couldn’t remember whose blog it was so I went straight to the source. As I searched for her, I realized that I was getting angry and that’s why she was still in my head.
I was annoyed at her lack of curves and youth, but not jealous mind you. Soon my annoyance turned to anger. But my vitriol was redirected to the appropriate source: J. Crew for the moment. Just who the hell do they think they are trying to sell me, a 31 year old woman (with curves), a lifestyle that this young girl can’t possibly know anything about. It was as absurd to me as a 10 year old wearing high heels and lipstick. Basically the message you’re sending me is that if (one) I buy this outfit I can be a 14-year-old-prepubescent-girl-with-the-bank-account-of-beyonce. And (two) if I don’t look like her then I am not worthy of praise and adoration. A bit extreme maybe, but not far from the mark I’m afraid.
Yes, I know this is not a new idea. There are whole blogs devoted to the topic, but it really irked me tonight. The usual lure of clean lines, soothing colors, and safe photos were lost on me. I looked beyond the shine.
On the casting choice of this young girl, I understand that the reason we hold these models in such high esteem is that, yes, very few people are blessed with the combination of such beautiful bone structure, height, and protruding hip bones. However, this look is attainable…for a 14 or year old. I would even cut retailers a little slack if they would God-forbid cast a model that is over 25 (and NOT Gisele, Cindy, or the like). Why not actually cast someone in your target audience (maybe I’m the idiot and they are targeting 15 year olds… with $300 t-shirts I’m sure they are.)
I’m not advocating having the every jane-frumpy-person on the cover of a magazine. Oh believe me, I don’t want to look at ugly! But I wouldn’t mind looking at someone slightly authentic… ok fine. I’ll say it, someone over 20 with boobs! I’m not wanting to get on the bandwagon of the whole “plus size” model that has recently been in the news. (But good for her if she is healthy) I just want to see a woman that is around a size 8 with curves (someone that is not a glamazon and 10 feet tall). So maybe I’m a little biased because I’m a size 8 and I have boobs, big ones that combined with my short torso continually make me look “thick in the middle”. But people pa-leaze… how long are we going to tolerate this? I like being in my 30s. I have no desire to be an adolescent again…nor look like one. A few less wrinkles, an easier time toning my muscles, sure; but I like my boobs. I just don’t want to be made to feel bad for having them.
ok. rant over. it’s just another fabulous reason to boycott the box-stores.
It’s been a week of color and pretty, girlie things that have caught my eye. And I can’t image a more lovely combination of the two than over at Plumb Pretty Sugar. Charlotte’s entire collection is just sublime! She has the most wonderful color palate and I just want to wear all of her items. Go check it out her shop here or her blog here.
{all photos via PlumbPrettySugar}
to be so feminine, so fabulous, so terribly chic. i love the way dresses make me feel. i own so few, but they are some of my most coveted pieces or clothes. i’m all for the skirt/blouse combo, but something about a one piece dress… power. this fabulous company *Shabby Apple* has made dresses big business, and extremely personal. and i love that most of these are really affordable (as compared to a department store or the like). the company also has a strong philanthropic message…and i always like that!
{all photos via Shabby Apple}
my sister-in-law and i share july birthdays and so tonight we went to dinner and celebrated getting older wiser. and i was really pleased with the necklace i created for her. she was too.
My sister is a magazine junkie (who isn’t really?). While staying at her place she convinced me to yield my aversion of fashion mags & consider reading Vanity Fair. I genuinely thought VF was for people who recognized “Page 6″ hoity-toities and label-lovers. Well, wasn’t I chagrined when she passed the oh-so-handsome Johnny Depp into my lap. Let me tell you, this magazine is not just for the fashion-conscience, it’s quite pedantic in it’s own right. I also feel like VF is always quoted on the news, radio, etc., and now I know why. I love how culturally expository this periodical is. July’s issue offers one of the best perspectives I’ve heard of the Bernie Madoff scandal (much less the fabulous 6+page interview with Johnny Depp — who I now want to be best friends with). And although I may have to wade through 20 pages of annoying adds before I can even find the table of contents, I think it’s worth it. The content is just as provocative as its visual counterpart. I already ordered my two-year subscription. (It was only $20!)
it’s summer-time. i’m running. i want short hair. but i know i will regret it. i’ve had to accept the fact that i look better with longer locks. it’s just a fact. but oh, the ease and confidence that short hair gives. i also think you have to be wicked skinny to pull off short hair…and that i am not nor will i ever be.
but here are some looks that are inspiring me:
Over at Oh Joy! there was a little give away challenge. Oh Joy! teamed up with DwellStudio for a fabulous oh-so-help-me-this-would-be-amazing-prize. One lucky person will get a full bedding set (over $800 value). Each person was asked to choose a Dwell pattern and then find a coordinating fashion accessory. As of Saturday they had over 500 combinations from which to choose! Good luck not going blind.
So here’s my combo. A little prosaic, maybe, but I liked the idea of a little something for me…& a little something for my man.
But the best part about this whole endeavor was that I found a really cool Etsy shop: Toybreaker. She makes really cool ties. And with Father’s Day just around the corner, not a bad idea.
I saw these necklaces at urban outfitters and throughout blog-land and then ran across this great tutorial. And although the jury was out for a while, I’m in and I think my friend will be able to pull it off fabulously. I like it as an alternative to a scarf. I think I’ve got a green t-shirt that wants to be a necklace too.
40 inspirational speeches in 2 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI
(via swissmiss)
I just feel more organized looking here:
http://shop.getbuttonedup.com/
(via Outblush)
You can’t not LOVE this place:
http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/
(via For Me, For You)
I have two new favorite things right now that I seem to want to wear every day. I got the necklace a few weeks back from an antique store ($5) and then just added the bead myself. And the boots were a lovely little post-Christmas sale pick me up. I must say that I saw the boots pre-holiday madness and I told myself I needed to just wait. I couldn’t afford them. And for once, I actually listened to myself so I waited. Having received a little extra holiday cheer in the form of a few greenbacks, I thought I would press my luck to see if they still any left. Wouldn’t you know it, there was one pair left and in my size! AND they were 40% off!!! So with my gift certificate they cost me $1.26. Not bad.
I guess I’ve been gone a while. I’ve taken the last few weeks to enjoy the rest of summer: long walks, ice cream, fishing, the beach. I love summer. I liked not checking the computer everyday. I don’t know when the last time was I perused blog-land. I’ve also been settling into my new job; my new job that I really like. Although I haven’t done anything crafty or creative in weeks, I did watch what is now one of my new favorite movies…ever. It’s called Caramel. Calling it beautiful is an understatement. It’s about female relationships, of all types. But it’s nothing like SATC. I love it.
I mean, do these eyes tell all or what?! Netflix it today!
Even though I was having an amazing spiritual experience in England, there’s always room for a little shopping. Little did I know that Canterbury was so hip. One afternoon we had a few hours in the city center and I came across this little jewel and I would have sworn it was heaven! Of course, it must have been meant to be as it’s called: Triple H. All I have to say is Orla Kiely. I’m talking shoes, clothes, paper goods. I picked up the best little journal, but apparently I haven’t managed to snag a photo of it…yet. Here were a few other things I saw there.
So of course a new job means new shoes… real, bona fide, girlie shoes. I’ve been scouring the web and have come up with a few contenders. Lori’s shoes carries Jeffery Cambell, Miz Mooz & several other brands that I have no idea about. The only reason I’m familiar with those “names” is that I’ve tried them on several times and both seem to have a style I like (and budget I can afford). I’m terribly picky about shoes although you wouldn’t know it if you looked in my closet. I’m way not into the “peep toe” and pointy heels, or pointy toes either. I’m more of a mary jane kind of gal and maybe something like this:
I also like these:
It’s quite ridiculous though how much I’m in love with these boots. Seriously…it’s kinda sad. But what’s not to love???
I seem to love all Chie Mihara shoes; she’s got a great story too. Anthropologie carries quite a few of her shoes too. But the idea of paying $400 for shoes does not sit well with me…even if they were custom made to my feet. I know some people, I don’t know any actually, who do drop that kind of cash on shoes, but I just don’t know that I could live with myself. In the mean time though, I’ll sleep well at night knowing I saved $380 by shopping at good ol’ Target.
I saw this clever idea over at Apartment Therapy. But I would recommend shaving when wearing a tie.
Although I really want this $98.00 top from Anthropologie, I might just have to settle for the look-a-like.
every time we go up north I try to swing into my favorite antique shop. Although I easily get overwhelmed because there is so much stuff and everything is old…I can usually score a few good textiles. And I was so happy to bring home these little guys. I love handkerchiefs, mostly because I use them. But I like knowing I have something pretty tucked away in my pocket or purse. I also like the idea of having something lovely to look at when I may be sad or need a little pick me up. I enjoy nicely colored ones because who wants a white one that well, isn’t going to stay white. I loved the scalloped edges of the yellow roses & besides I’m totally on a yellow kick these days. I had to have the color palate of this one, and of course it’s like a moth to a fame when it comes to turquoise & orange. But I think I’m going to use that in a different craft project I have in the works.
tomorrow is my friend Amy’s birthday. I’ve been jonesing to make some jewelry again and this was the perfect opportunity. I’ve had these beads for a while but I hadn’t thought about using them together until now. I’m totally into long necklaces right now, and this one hits just below the bust line. And I really like the wooden beads with iridescent green ones. The southerner in me couldn’t resist making the matching earrings. (I am definitely my mother’s daughter.) I can see her wearing this with a bold floral or subdued solid. I hope she likes it!
*****Well she loved it…and then I found this little number that I thought would go perfectly!
I think this is definitely a need. I’ve had my eye on it for a while…but this darn moratorium on non-essential spending is still in place. I’ve splurged 3 times in one month and five days, but I feel like they were for good causes. I thought for sure we would notice the extra cash in our bank account, but with gas prices as high as they are I guess it was a good thing that we had cut back because all that “extra” money went to gas. I could just pull my hair out it’s so frustrating! Well for the time being I’ll just have to pine after it. Maybe if some other things fall into place I can get it as a celebratory gift to myself…
I’m officially a red-head. I needed change & my hair is the easiest target. Although it may seem subtle in the photos…it doesn’t seem that way. But I’m happy with the new color. Change your hair, change your life.
One of my favorite daily reads is Swissmiss. Yesterday she posted this cute little number that can be found at modern seed.
I knew exactly where I had seen something similar. I walk to work past a dress shop every day and this very spring skirt has me ready for tulips and birds chirping…or ducks quacking. 
