Genuine Genius

It's perfect for a day like today when the weather can't quite decide if it's summer or fall.  It was so lovely and cool, but not cold today.  The sky was covered with thick gray clouds, flirting with rain, but never falling.  The orange and gold has gone from the forest, but they've been replaced with a deep rust and sullen gray to match the sky.  The brilliance of fall replaced by the depth of winter, and the quiet world is a beautiful place today.

 The first dress from my shopping spree at ModCloth's Black Friday sale has arrived!  I waited sooooo long for this dress that they didn't have my size.  That's the risk we run when we wait for the perfect sale.  So, then it became a question of size up or size down.  I decided to order the size down and to my surprise it actually fits very well thanks to that stretchy smocked back.  This is going to be my new go-to dress for running errands and being my children's taxi driver.  

shopping info: Genuine Genius Halter Shirt Dress in Village, The Dream of the Crop Cardi, from ModCloth

Cupcake Consultant

It's time to start looking for those holiday pieces that will get worn lots of ways to all the many things that fill our schedules at this time of year.  I've chosen to go with a few items that are suggestive of the holidays without being an eggnog and candy cane sodden slap in the face.  For example:  This outfit.  

It stands out.  Velour has been the comeback kid this season.  It had it's day and faded away and then it was back and then gone and now it's back again.  I think it should just be back to stay, especially as a winter fabric.  There is something so cozy and cheerful about velour, especially when it's made into a well fitting, stylish piece like this jumper.  I paired it with a lighter textured top, and printed tights so it could really shine.  Remember: each outfit should have color, print, texture, and a little sparkle.  You don't have to go over the top in any of those areas, just make sure you hit them all.

Shopping Info:  Cupcake Consultant Velvet Jumper in Teal,

Get a Leg Up Plaid Tights, and The Zest is History Heels in Navy From ModCloth, White Top from SheIn, Necklace and earrings are handmade by me ;)  Bag from Disaster Designs

The Pretty Lights

I remember laying under the Christmas tree each year and looking up at all the lights.  It was a solitary tradition all through my childhood and into my adult life.  I lived alone for about five years before having a family and it was during that second year that I bought my own Christmas tree.  I chose my theme after much thought as "Handmade" so everything was made of either wood or felt and looked handcrafted since as a poor college student I couldn't afford to fill my tree with truly handmade things.  That choice served me well when my children came along.  Nothing was breakable so I didn't need to put a fence around my tree or guard the ornaments and decorating process.  And after their tiny hands had hung all those unbreakable things in a cluster on one bottom branch, we would scoot under the tree together and look up at all the lights.  I must admit, I stopped looking at the lights at some point, because the real sparkle was in their eyes and on their faces, so naturally that is where my gaze lingered.

Shopping Info:  Neon Light Pleated Midi Skirt from ChicWish, Heels from ModCloth, Thrifted Forever 21 Sweater, unbranded scarf.

Dear December

Another quick How-To post for all of you out there who want to be more festive at holiday time without looking....crazy.  I think there's a place and a personality type for the crazy holiday sweater, but if your workplace looks a little more serious like mine, rest assured there are some lovely and more subtle ways to get into the spirit of the season. 

In my post on 12/1 I wore a spearmint green and cream number, which is suggestive of holiday colors without going full on into Christmas theme.  Today's post is my office appropriate holiday outfit entirely brought to you by ThredUp, so the top and skirt together cost me about $25.  The important thing to remember is that your outfit should suggest, not scream, Holiday Time.  That's why for this outfit I chose a plaid pencil in fall colors, and a simple pink sweater with a deer print over something red and green and covered in berries or tinsel. 

Shopping Info: Forever 21 Sweater & Limited Skirt from ThredUp, Heels & Tights from ModCloth

Whimsy Without End

This print tho'!  I knew the second I saw this card print and adorable collar that I would be bringing this dress home and Thank God for ModCloth's Black Friday Sale too!  I'd have to say that the thing that drew me to bombshell fashion, and ModCloth in particular, was the whimsical novelty prints.   Suddenly all other clothes just looked boring.  I realize, especially as I get older that balance to all things makes for a more classic style.  I don't want to be the crazy lady who looks like she's wearing a costume rather than a stylish outfit.  My clothes should enhance who I am, not over power me.  As always, I believe in balance and moderation to all things.  So, while I'll never give up my whimsical style, it's nice to know that it can grow and change with me.  

Shopping Info:  Whimsy Without End A-Line Dress in sizes XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X

A Little Glitter for the Holidays

Live, Love, Sparkle from Julep

Treasure Trove Stone Bracelet $8

Rollicking Radiance Beaded Dress in sizes XS, S, M, L, XL

Fool Me Once Pyrite Gold Bangle Bracelet

Absolutely Jazzed Sequin Leggings in sizes S, M, L, XL

The Zest Is History T-Strap Flat in Gold in sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Ancient Egypt Black and Gold Sequin Skirt $23

Tis the Season

I've had my hits and misses on Christmas spirit, but this year I'm feeling it and I wanted to do something outside the box with my Christmas outfit.  Normally I go for the old ugly Christmas sweater, but this year, I wanted something that really stands out.  I took a chance on this ChicWish skirt and I'm so glad I did. 

I say "chance" only because as much as I love ChicWish and trust their quality, I've found that they carry two types of printed midi skirt:  one is made of a pliable fabric that lays well and all the wrinkles come out pretty easily.  The second is made of a stiff fabric that is impossible to iron and poofs where it really shouldn't.  I can tell the difference because the difficult kind has larger, thicker pleats than the easy kind.  

This Scottish Green Stripe Skirt is the difficult kind, but I was determined to keep it, so I really worked with it on ironing and forcing those pleats to lay flat.  If you're looking for a dynamite outfit, look no further.  Chicwish is such an awesome place, but, if you want something low maintenance, better keep searching.  And, if you stick with me, I think I may be able to show you some more awesome holiday picks.

Shopping Info:

Scottish Green Striped Midi Skirt from ChicWish

Sweater and heels from ThredUp

Purse from ModCloth

Time to Tone it Down?

Is your style is getting you a lot of attention, but none of it is the kind of attention you want?  Maybe it's time for a change.
Recently on a vintage style fan group, someone posted  the following question:  What do you do when someone makes fun of your style?

The message boards lit up with things like, Tell them to F#$k off!, They're not worth even thinking about, I feel ya, People are going to stare and I don't give a $h!t, Be you!  Originality just scares people, I bet they have no sense of style whatsoever, etc, etc.  

The internet can be a great place where like-minded people support you, but shouldn't at least one person have asked to see this gal's style before encouraging her to press on?  No one did.  They all told her she should just keep doing what she was doing, which just happened to be something that had hurt her.  

 So this was my response and I want you to hear me out:

"This probably isn't going to be a popular thing to say, but sometimes it's worth listening to those views to see if you need to tone your style down a little bit. It's possible that this person is just being horrible/jealous/rude/the-worst-person-ever, but if you find it happening more and more, it may be time to ask some people who love you if your style needs some work. Your clothes shouldn't overpower or distract people from who you are, they should enhance who you are. If your style is distracting people from the real you, maybe you've gone too far. Just a thought."

Now of course, saying such a thing can cause all kinds of outcry from a group that judging by the amount of expletives in their comments before reading what I had to say, lives their lives in a state of offense.  She shouldn't have to change!  How dare  you suggest such a thing!!  I say it because we're talking about clothes here.   I'm not asking her to change who she is.  When it comes to fashion it truly is ok to tone it down, scale it back, or if it comes down to it, get rid of it completely.  Because maybe what you think your style is saying to the world is not at all the message the world is getting, so why not change that until it truly is you that the world sees and not the crazy crap you put on your body?

This is a real person...just walking by my office,
probably thinking she looks awesome!

So often today, the message is "You're perfect just the way you are."  Well, the truth is, you're not.  You're not even close.  You need work.  We all do.  And I don't just mean a little tweak here and there, I mean serious work.  Constantly for a while and then regular maintenance for the rest of your life coupled with the occasional overhaul.  And that goes for your entire being: body, soul, spirit, and style.

You're constantly changing.  What worked for you at 19 likely won't work so well at 29, 49, 89.  And that's ok!  That's maturity and wisdom, and experience and a million other things constantly moving and changing and they all make you you.   I cringe as much when I see a 40 year old woman reading trashy teen fiction as I do when I see a mature woman wearing teen clothing, or an adult of any age who says "I don't like to eat vegetables."   Growing up means doing what's best for you, even if you don't particularly care for it.  

January is a time of new beginnings.  We're all geared up to start over or push ourselves out of our comfort zones.  So, if you've gotten stuck in a style rut that's getting you all kinds of negative feedback, maybe it's time to change.  Ask someone whose style you admire or simply who loves you what they think of your style and if it's time to tone it down.