Skirt or Belt?

I, very officially, feel like an old person on this one.  I'm one step away from yelling at kids to stay off my lawn and turn the music down.

That being said - I was shopping this weekend.  I went into Abercrombie (yes, I know).  I was curious what they carry these days.  I saw the above.  

It's a skirt.  I, too, was a little confused.  Now, I'm not necessarily all about dressing modestly.  I'm not bothered by teenage girls in half-tops or short shorts.  However, this, in my mind, is a step across the line.  And, if the person wearing this isn't a teenager - well that's even worse!  

But serious now.  How does one wear this?   How does one, ahem, bend over (even slightly)?  It literally looks like a belt?

I'd like to think fashion wasn't so bad when I was younger.  And I'd also think that, when I was younger, I would have had the good judgment not to buy this or try to wear it.  I really really hope so.  

P.S.  Comment on the '30% off' irony.

Shoe Time!

Hello, lover!

I got these shoes at Zigi in New York.  Well, I'm saying 'these shoes', but there's only one in the picture.  You can safely assume he has a counterpart.  They are oxford style shoes, which are apparently big for fall.

This brings me to a point, which I'll get more into later - everything old is new again.  Isn't it crazy how fashion cycles like the seasons?  Oxford shoes are popular, flare jeans seem to have gone out of style, again, and skinny jeans are the thing now, like they were around a decade or so ago?  It makes me think I should never give anything away.  It'll just come back in style and have that extra 'vintage' glow.

I am also looking for a version of this baby in black & white.  Please advise if you know where I can find this future friend.

Doc Martens

I lost my Doc Marten virginity.  Actually, that's a lie.  My first time was really back in high school (isn't that always the story - some lost confused incident back in high school that doesn't really count?!  I kid).  But those were sandals, and bought by Mom & Dad.

I bought these bad boys myself.   They are the traditional style docs, but they are 'pewter' (that fancy word for silvery).  Strangers compliment them.  I 'pinned' them (more on that later), and they already got repinned by a stranger who said she loves them (not sure what that fully means in the grand spectrum).

Anyhow.  I just wanted to post them.  I really like them and am really excited about them.  

Old Faithfull

So, recently I was cleaning out my closet.  Every time I decide to go through and pare down the wardrobe (out with the old, in with the new), the above sweater seems to make the cut to stay.

It's a simple, plain black cardigan sweater from Express.  It has no holes.  There is no logical reason to get rid of it.  I would probably have to go spend money on a new solid black cardigan sweater.  What would be the point of that?!

I was thinking back to when I first got this.  Drumroll please....  Sophomore year of high school.  It is from the days of when Express used slashy sizes (remember?!  1/2, 3/4, 5/6, etc.)  I have owned this sweater for...almost half my life.  It's coming up on being with me half my life.  And, as I've already established - there is no end in site for our relationship.  How long will our love last?!

Anyhow.   Does anyone see a reason to give this gem away?  Does anyone else have long-term clothing relationships?  Is it a very basic piece or more of a statement item?!  I used to give away 'statement items' fairly quickly because I felt it was easier to get tired of wearing them or they went out of style quickly.  I don't regret the extra closet space, but there are some quirky items I wish I still had, just for the fun of it (gold leather pants, I am looking in your direction).  

Nail Art

So, according to Glamour magazine (where I get a lot of my important information), fancy nail art is in.

Here is the article with some various tips.

I have news.  This is not NEW news.  This is like, when, say, 8 years ago, there were articles about flare leg jeans being in style.  Maybe it was a current, accurate statement, but there was nothing 'first' about it.  Back in high school (which was, ahem, a few years ago), I did nail art ALL the time.  I painted ladybugs, rainbows, hearts, flowers, and butterflies on my nails quite regularly.  (Editor's note:  please keep any commentary on what you, dear readers, think I might have been like back in high school to yourself.)

I used paintbrushes that I cut down to a very thin size (so there were only a couple bristles of hair left) for the fine line necessary for the detailing.   People would compliment my nails all the time - even strangers.   Does anyone who knew me back then have pics of this?  And by anyone, I mostly mean mom.  And by pics of this, I mean my nails, not people complimenting me - although that's something I'd like documented as much as anything.

Anyhow.   Although the nail art is fun, it is time consuming and the end result doesn't last for long.  Does anyone know anyone who actually DOES the fancy nail polish designs on her own nails?  Most of my friends don't even do their own nails - they get manicures.  If anyone knows of anyone sporting nail art - please submit a pic to this blog.  Otherwise, I will walk around thinking I am the only one, or, at least, was the only one back, ahem, a couple years ago.  

New Purse

Time to lighten things up.

So one of my very good friends, Nhan, bought me a gift certificate to elemental threads for my birthday. It is a design your own bag website.  Prior to receiving this gift, I had never heard of said company.  However, that being said, I had no trouble just diving right in.  I really like the purse I made; I'm very happy with how it turned out.  There were a good selection of options.

If anyone needs me to make choices for her on bag styles, fabrics, colors, etc. - I would be more than happy to do so for a very nominal fee.  Please inquire within.

Idol.

Ok, as of now, I'm staying with it.

My favorite girl.

Haley Reinhart.  Maybe it's the northwest suburban bias talking.  She's from Wheeling.   Last year we obviously had the Lee DeWyze win (but has it actually done anything for his career?  maybe these questions are details....)  Then the blackhawks won the Stanley Cup.  They say these things happen in threes.

However.  My favorite overall idol contestant thus far.

Paul MacDonald.

I don't know if it's the voice, or the style of singing, as much as it is the cute guyness (it worked for Kris Allen!).  Or maybe it's the fashion statements he makes:

I love the jacket.  But moreso, I love the kind of man who can wear that kind of jacket.   He makes a statement.  I like that.  I'll pick up the phone to keep him around just to see what he wears next.

Abercrombie & Fitch

Whatever happened to Abercrombie & Fitch?  I know the store is still out there because I see it at all the major malls.  Is it still popular?  Is it still expensive?  Is it still making sales despite the economy?  I feel like I don't see their clothes walking around on people much - maybe it's that they changed their style.  Maybe it's that I'm no longer in high school.  I don't know.  Maybe the company was started by some wealthy individual and isn't necessarily intended for profit - someone just enjoys keeping it running, even if it ends up in the red.  Does anyone know?

Greek-Style Gladiator Sandals

So, what does everyone think of these Greek 'gladiator-style' sandals?  They have become extremely popular for the summer, it seems.  My feelings toward them are similar to my initial feelings toward blue nail polish (I am now in the market for a second bottle).

Will I come around on these?  Should I?  My readers thoughts?

Undateable, Part 2

So I finished the book.  Freakin' hilarious.

Some common offenses men make that I found in the book:
--Zubaz
--Orthopedic-style shoes (EW!  And the worst part is, I see them CONSTANTLY)
--Corporate Swag (a.k.a. a fleece with, say, "MetLife" emblazoned on it)
--Wrong shoe/sock combinations (and I honestly feel this could be a book in and of itself)
--Tighty whiteys
--Jorts  (WHY?)
--T-shirts with various offensive sayings
--Zubaz (deserve a second mention)
--Bad dancing

I have seen many of the above clothing offenses.  In fact, a good amount of men I know have committed at least one clothing-related offense.  I have a lot of thoughts on this.  For instance, many men I know have committed some of these clothing offenses.  I do agree that black socks with sandals are a crime against humanity.   However, I do believe there are decent men underneath this.  At the end of the book, in fact, there was talk about how one of the authors' subjects transformed himself into someone completely dateable.

Now, I have some friends who have 'trained' some men.  I have a couple friends who have 'redressed' their men.  I have always been curious how one does this.  I have never done this.  I do realize that most men count on the women in their lives to help them with fashion decisions.  However, on the other hand,  I personally would not like it if I started dating a guy and, a couple dates in, he randomly 'suggested' I make some tweaks to my wardrobe.  I like to take some fashion risks - so if men think about or notice these things, I might be doing the man's equivalent of 'undateable' acts, and frankly, I don't give a damn.

I am also curious - I can imagine men have a list of 'undateable' qualities in women - some generally harmless qualities.  I can definitely see men getting put off by things like women not offering to pay on a date - but what are the more superficial qualities that drive men nuts?  Bad highlights?  A certain style makeup?  Do men care enough?  What are these qualities?  Do men get offended when women try to change how they dress, or are they happy to have advice?

There was so much great material in this book.  There's more to discuss.

A Pair of Shoes I Owned Back in High School....

I remember the day I got these and how excited I was.  I loved them.  So practical.  I am pretty sure they still fit.  I think I'll wear them to the office later this week.  They make a statement.

And the Award for Best Dressed Olympic Figure Skater Goes to....

Jeremy Abbott of the USA.

Classic, understated, non-effeminate, can't-go-wrong all around good choices.

For Those Watching So You Think You Can Dance....

Why do the wardrobe folks hate Cat so much?!?!

I didn't like Cat, either, at first, but now I think she's really the perfect host for this kind of show. She's the hard-hitting journalist who asks questions of the judges when they completely incoherent statements. That and she's kind and nurturing to the dancers - she's the mother hen. She's pretty good - much better than Samantha Harris from Dancing with the Stars. Anyhow - Cat's ok, but she needs someone to do a better job dressing her. STAT.

Bangs Bond

Ok, so 'bangs' have been the trend for about, oh, something around under two years for now.  

I am frustrated.  I have had bangs for almost 12 years consistently.  I STARTED the trend.  Sarah Palin, Reese Witherspoon, etc., are now either randomly famous or randomly trying this hairstyle (amongst their three different hairstyles a year).  

We true bangs enthusiasts know what it's all about.  It's not a random pursuit of the presidency.  It's not the latest hairstyle.  It's a way of life.  I had bangs when NO ONE did.  And I kept cutting them nonetheless.