Happy Pi Day!

As we celebrate this March 14th, also known as π, 3.14, or Pi day, I happen to have a little story for Pi day which involves my pie dresses.  I say pie dresses because I am in fact the proud owner of three of these dresses.  So, here's how it all went down.  Back in the 20-teens, 2014 was the year I believe, ModCloth released a dress called My Kind of Pie.  The fabric was originally made by Robert Kaufman under the name Confections Cotton Fabric and came in three background colors: Pink, Yellow, and ModCloth's blue.  

The dress was released by ModCloth's brand, Bea & Dot, and also by a brand frequently carried by ModCloth called Fervour.  My Kind of Pie was a huge success, featured constantly in the customer gallery and worn by bloggers everywhere from Kate Gabrielle to The Soubrette Brunette.  I don't remember what I spent my dress budget on that month instead of this dress, but I do remember it was a seriously close call.   So, I let this dress get away, but I always had a little crush on it.  

At some point, maybe when Susan sold the company to Walmart or maybe before, I don't really recall when and I never really knew why, ModCloth re-released a series of their best selling dresses this time under their own ModCloth brand label, Bea & Dot having disappeared.  At first, I thought fortune had smiled and I would have a second chance at this sweet dress, but there was a stone in this cherry.

According to reviewers at the time, the quality of this second string was somewhat second rate.  Colors weren't as bright, fabric wasn't as soft, and they just generally weren't as good as the originals yet cost the same.  I've actually seen this happen a number of times where people hold up a re-release to an original and the quality is visibly different.  In a side by side comparison, those reviews were correct.  (I don't really want to post the pics here though, because if you didn't know, you wouldn't know and I don't want to ruin it for someone else.)  I know it must be difficult to make something exactly the same as it was when there are years between the first and second, but I have to wonder if retailers know they can cut corners the second time around by decreasing quality to increase profit margins.  It's just a theory.

Since I didn't have the money to spend on a dress that wasn't quite like the original, I decided to pass on the second string.  But, you know me and my inability to forget a dress I once loved.   For some reason, it suddenly struck my fancy all these years later to see if I could find this dress and finally make it mine.  I think the reason obesession struck was because Betsey Johnson had just released a Cherry Pie Crossbody Bag that I was gaga for and I thought, Wow, I love this, but what would I wear with it?  And then I remembered the My Kind of Pie dress.

The original Bea & Dot is hard to find and still costs about $100 on resale sites even though by now all these originals have some wear and tear to them and the Fervour version is exactly the same.  Undeterred, I kept searching.  Finally, I found an original for well under $100 and bought it.  After a week, however the dress hadn't shipped and the seller hadn't responded to my messages, so I decided I would cancel the order and try another. 

I found a second dress but the seller never responded as to whether it was the original or re-release version and then the dress sold, making it all moot.  So, I found a third in my price range and approximate size, but it was the re-release.  Oh, well, I thought, if I never see the original, will I ever really know the difference?  So, I purchased it from a different re-sale site.  The payment wouldn't go through, so after messaging the seller, the seller and I agreed to just cancel the order.  The search was on again and I managed to locate and purchase a fourth dress, also re-release and this time the sale went through without a hitch.  I thought, Finally!  I'm going to get this dress!  And then things went awry.

The first seller messaged me at the last minute (before the order auto-canceled) and said they shipped the dress without initially adding tracking info. but it was on the way.  The seller added the tracking info, and the order couldn't be canceled.  Then the third seller messaged me and said she had figured out the issue with the payment processor and had also shipped the dress (even though we agreed to cancel), so it too was in the mail.  I now had not one, not two, but three pie dresses all on the way.  Oh my, oh my, oh so much pie.   I think this was right about the time I began to realize that I had a significant problem with my shopping.

Now you, like the alternate-universe-pastry-chef-version-of-Sir-Mixalot, may be wondering, Whatcha gonna do with all that pie?  I wish I had an answer for you, but the best I can think to do right now is just set two aside and wear the other non-stop, every week, until it becomes my signature piece and neither I nor anyone else can remember a time in my life when I wore anything else and at my funeral the picture will be of me in this dress (or one of them) and the eulogy will mention how I was probably born in this dress and definitely breathed my last in it as well.  For today, though, I'll just wear the original to celebrate Pi day and be grateful that this dress is at very long last mine indeed.

Outfit Info:  My Kind of Pie dress, Betsey Johnson Pie Bag, Honiara Vintage Shoes.

Paws & Poise Revisted

Take a step back in time with me.  The year was 2015 and I was over the moon styling my Paws & Poise dress from ModCloth.  Featuring a darling dog print on cream chiffon with a black embroidered collar, this dress was a no hesitation, instant purchase and thankfully so, because it quickly sold out and never restocked.  I styled it different ways, (mainly by changing the cardigan color) and posted lovingly each time.   And then?  The dress, as far as I can tell, has not been featured on the blog since then.  A decade has passed without at single post about this dress?!  A shocking revelation, I know.  Oh, dear, well I intend to rememdy that today.  Yes, I do in fact still own this dress and it is just as darling ten years on as it was that February long ago.

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THEN

NOW

I still love my cardigans and wear them all the time, but sometimes I prefer the more structured look that a blazer provides.  I also did the first few photos with the dress collar out, just to see how it looked, but I typically wear it with the collar under the blazer collar.  I also wear less color these days just to match the vibe of my current workplace.  

Outfit Info:  Paws & Poise Dress, Blazer, belt and flats are all old.

Coping with FOMO

Call it the winter blues, but I have had strawberries and cherries on my mind for months.  I made that classic mistake of one last splurge before commiting to change my shopping ways, and thrifted several Collectif tops and this versatile skirt at the tail end of last year.  I set them aside for photos, but haven't allowed myself to wear them yet, because they really are more suited for warmer weather.  Looking back on my December spending spree, I have realized that while I am doing better in 2025, I still have a long way to go, and it all goes back to habits formed in my childhood that I have to address and retrain.

I grew up in a feast or famine home that was heavy on the famine and light on the feasting.  Sometimes we had some money, most of the time we had none.  So, when we did have a little extra, we had to hurry up and enjoy it before it was gone.  It turned me into an avid prepper as an adult, so that I wouldn't have to go through the famine again.  That's a great way to be in a lot of situations, but not so much when it comes to clothes.  You see not only was there rarely money for clothes in my childhood, but when there was, it was so difficult to find clothes that fit my body type that I spent years loathing myself and hiding in baggy boys' clothes.  If I ever did find something that actually fit and looked good on me, I would buy one in every color to tide me over until the next time I could either find clothes and/or have enough money to buy them.  

Times have changed now, and it's important to note that.  Just because someone has a difficult childhood, it's not an excuse for everything that happens afterward.  Growing up means working through all that stuff, letting go and moving on.  Not only is all that childhood stuff behind me, but after much time spent researching, I know the brands that suit me and I regularly find clothes that fit my frame and are the right size, but I am still in the Fear Of Missing Out mentality.  It needs to stop and I've put it on the list for change.  If a beloved brand goes away, I should just enjoy the pieces I have rather than frantically collecting all I can find.  Because sometimes brands come back just as wonderful as before, and sometimes, it's good to just enjoy and then move on.

Likewise, if I find something that fits me well, just get one or two and wear them out, rather than stocking up for the apocalypse of linen pants or scoop neck blouses.  There will be other thinsg to come along and it's Ok to just enjoy things for a season and then find new things to enjoy once they're gone.

As much time as I've spent being afraid of missing out, I've never actually gone without clothes.  I always end up finding something that I either love, or will at least suffice to keep me covered until I do.  It's time to let go of the FOMO and just be present in the here and now.

Outfit Info:  Thrifted skirt and top by Collectif, Betsey Johnson purse, necklace, and earrings, SheIn shoes.

Dark Cottage Core

    I'm absolutely mad about toile.  Wallpaper, shelf paper, upholstry and yes, dresses.  A beautiful blue toile day dress is what drew me to Worth Collective, but I found a couple of other beauties while I was there that also caught my eye.  Since WC sent me a 20% off promo code as a thank you for my first order, I decided to bring home this black and ivory toile beauty and the other as well.  I like to think of this Amalie dress as a dark cottage core.   

    Each of the dresses I purchased are 100% cotton and they're both pregnancy and nursing friendly.  Those days are long gone for me, but love the comfy fit.   I did find this style is a little more flattering for my shape when I added a belt.  In fact, I wore this outfit out to dinner after our little photo session here and as we were walking to our table a mother and teen daughter nearby gasped when they saw this dress and exclaimed, "Oh!  How Pretty!"   Already getting positive feedback on the Amalie and it was my first time to put together an outfit and wear it.  I can't wait to see what else I can come up with.

Outfit Info:  Amalie Dress from Worth Collective

A Dress Lover's Movie Night

    I hope things are looking Spring-y where you live but that is sadly not the case for me.  With the weather outside still looking rather frightful, I like to plan a few themed movie nights to share with my family.  Two years ago I was on a roll that tragically ended in an ill-conceived Martin Short Movie month, in which my family and I watched campy hits such as Captain Ron, Pure Luck, Inner Space, and Treasure Planet, at the end of which my family announced I would no longer be trusted to plan our movie themes and then burned Mr. Short in effigy.  

    After a brief 24 month hiatus, just long enough for them to heal and forget (forgiveness may be too much to expect), I'm back and better than ever.  I've picked myself up, dusted myself off, and I've learned from my mistakes.  This time I'm going to stick to what I know, and what I know is: dresses.  So, pop some corn, crack open a bottle of the fizzy stuff and let's enjoy and evening at home with some Best Dress-ed Classics!

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1.  Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. (2022.) 

Love at first sight, this movie is a delightful gem, a feast not just for the eye but for the soul.  Follow the story of the dependable and kind Mrs. Harris, who waits for beyond all hope her husband's return from war while sacrificing her own dreams.  She then embarks on a marvelous journey, touching lives along the way to purchase her dream dress from Paris couture fashion house, Dior.   Costume design is by the very talented Jenny Beavan.  Remember that name, you're going to see it again.

2.  The Dressmaker.  

This one is actually on my to-watch list.  That's right, I haven't seen it yet, but it's got all the elements I'm looking for: Pretty dresses, Kate Winslet, and a 66% postive rating from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.  So, this one's been requested and is on the way to my public library as we speak.  The story in a nutshell is that a fashionable woman goes back to her small town and seeks revenge for the past, but I'm hoping along the way she does some good too.  

*UPDATE:  No, she doesn't.  This movie took waaaay too long poorly telling a story we've all heard before but with the twist that this time it was written by a self-absorbed 6th grader.  This movie sucks!

3.  Ever After: A Cinderella Story.  (1998).  

With an all star cast, a brilliant story revamp and stunning costume design of Jenny Beavan, who you may remember did my No.1 pick, this retelling of a children's classic has always stood out as my personal favorite.  Suddenly the characters have motivation, they have depth, no more mere good and evil.  Cinderella has dreams and opinions, the stepmother has trauma, and the prince wants more than just arm candy, he wants intellect.  Although one look at her in that marvelous dress and it's safe to say he gets both.

4.  Cruella.  (2021). 

Ok, ok, I know the storytelling is pretty weak on this Disney prequel, but cinematography and the brilliant actors, Emma Stone & Emma Thompson,  do make up for some of what the story lacks.  If you're in it for a fun girls' night of oogling pretty dresses then this movie fits the bill.  Oh, and once again, the costume design is the work of Jenny Beavan, because that lady knows how to make a beautiful dress!

5.  Troop Beverly Hills (1989).

This movie has been a favorite of mine since its release in 1989 and has featured in more than one movie night since then.  A few years ago while living in Japan I had a friend who also loved the movie and suggested that we introduce our daughters to it together with a very girly movie party.  Since then my daughters and I have watched many times together.  The story has all the heart warming 80's charm you could want combined with plenty of celebrity cameos and of course fabulous dresses as Shelley Long's main character, Phyllis Nefler, would say.

Cabin Fever Remedies

Winter is underway and our family recently spent three days snowed in together, followed a few weeks later by five days snowed in together.  We've gone longer in the past, so three and five days doesn't really feel like a big deal to me.  To be honest, I spend so much of my time working in my home on the weekends and feeling like there is never enough time to get it all done, that I relish the snow days so I can finally tackle all the "extra stuff."  My family on the other hand loved the first day of laying around and relaxing and then started to get cabin fever.

My theory on why cabin fever affects them so much and myself very little is that I rarely have those entire days of just"doing nothing."  I break up my screen time with chores that get me up and moving, so even though we may tear through a whole series in three days, it wasn't by spending the day glued to our seats.  I always have projects to do even if they're just cozy little chores or an enjoyable hobby.  So, here are some of my favorite things to do on snow days to keep cabin fever at bay.  

1.  Mending and Sewing.  I have so many things that are in need of alteration or repair and they tend to sit on my sewing table for long periods of time.  A snow day is the perfect time to throw on a favorite movie and sit on the couch with my mending in hand.  Alternatively, I make a little room on the floor to lay out my alteration projects, and still keep an eye on the movie.   It's important that it be a movie that I've already seen or I'll miss too much while I'm pinning and cutting.

2.  Clean out the Fridge.  Cleaning out the refrigerator used to be a spring and fall task.  That was before I worked outside the home.  Now it kind of gets done when it gets done.  But toward the end of several days of everyone being at home, we are usually running low on groceries and it's the perfect time to take everything out, throw away the expired condiments, wipe down all the surfaces and put everything back neatly.

3.  Declutter.  I have been known to start first thing in the morning with a huge closet declutter, or to just take out a few desk drawers for a micro declutter.  Anywhere is fair game: bathroom storage, linen closet, sock drawers, or kitchen cabinets.   For this most recent snow-bound venture, I focused on my desktop and adjoining bookcases.  There are so many books I've brought home to read and after years of collecting dust, I have finally toted them out in donation bags.  Likewise, I have binders full of class lectures that I will never read again, and various other such paper stacks that have now been relegated to the firestarter pile.  I managed to clear off a quarter of my deskspace and get rid of years of clutter.  I also went through my formal dresses and closet once again as prom season approaches and managed to pull together one more 33 gallon bag filled with donations that I hope will make someone's prom dress dreams come true.

4.  Try a New Recipe.  Snow days are my favorite time to make comfort food.  On our most recent stint indoors, Mr. Bleu started us off with crockpot chili and I followed two days later with chicken and dumplings.  The trouble with this is that you may need ingredients that you don't typically keep on hand, your options here are to either be prepared before the snow hits, or be creative with things you already have.  

5.  Rekindle an old hobby.  I've been getting back into making felt sweets this year, but I also needed some new kitchen towels, so I decided to embroider some blank white towels and make a fun little project out of it.  This is something that can also be done while listening to music or watching an old movie with the family.  I love to keep my hands busy even while we're sitting around together.

6.  Focus on Self-Care.  There are plenty of mornings when I don't feel like I have the time to squeeze in a workout and plenty of evenings when I'm too tired to do the extras like deep conditioning my hair, or whitening my teeth.  But, on a snow day, I have nothing but time.  These are the days when I can work in all the extra stuff.  In addition to the things I mentioned above, I also like to:  Take a long soak in a mineral bath, do my nails, try a new make-up technique or hair style, dry brush, and the list goes on. 

I won't say that I never get cabin fever, but with so many ways to keep busy and feel productive, it definitely takes me way longer to feel like leaving home, and in the end makes these times feel like a little vacation rather than a forced seclusion.  With winter still raging on, I expect to have a very tidy home by the time spring rolls around.

Outfit Info:  Pink Velvet Earrings from Kramaric Millinery, Collectif Skirt is thrifted, J.Crew Strawberry top is thrifted, YeMAK Cardigan

Mermaid in Winter

Collectif is back and the world seems like a brighter place.  In particular I'm glad to have my dear Caterina style back in so many beautiful new prints.  I purchased this mermaid print from the grand-opening sale in December and I have never had a Caterina that I didn't love.  

Outfit Info: Caterina Mermaid Check Swing Dress from Collectif Vintage  Sweater from YeMAK