Blog Archives

Trend alert: unexpected pleats

3/30/2015

It's amusing to read the reviews of these newly pleated items.

My favorite: "Yes, it is faintly reminiscent of an old nurse's uniform as Dear Husband pointed out (what does he know?)"

I do think there's a nostalgia to these pieces, something conservative & Old World, a touch of the style one might expect to see in The Sound of Music.

But will it make us look bigger than we are, pregnant when we're not? Possibly. The clothes here define the shape more than the shape of the person hidden within the clothes. But such might be the shape of things to come...

Front pleats

Anthropologie Button-Pleat Shirtdress, $148

Zara Double Layer Pleated Top, $29.90

J. Crew Box-pleat Skirt in Pink Pepper Tweed, $118 minus 30%

H&M Short Dress, $24.95

Last Call Fade to Blue Denim Invert-Pleat Shirt, Iris, $51.35

Sundance Catalog Cotillion Top, $228

Back pleats

ASOS Slim Boyfriend Shirt With Pleat Detail Back, $50.16

Zara Back Pleated Dress, $59.90

Madewell Tailored Tee, also in white, $79.50

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Jellies!

3/29/2015

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It's the kind of thing you'd expect to find in a bin at the grocery store or in a big tub in a beachside shop: jelly sandals.

The last time I vaguely remember wearing them I was about nine years old--how 'bout you?

I wouldn't have pictured them with a heel if I hadn't ordered some last summer. They appealed to me because of the chunky lug sole, which gives height & stability at the same time.

So are jelly sandals comfortable? Are they easy to walk in? Well, now that own two pairs, I'd say I think so. They are soft for sure, & the heel is hardly noticeable since you sink right into it. The plastic itself is comfy depending on how soft it is. I like my new American Apparel pair because the plastic is very bendy. I can't see myself ever wearing ankle socks with jellies, but I could see that socks could take care of any little problems that might arise if you wore them for a long walk.

I know you might not feel that you need these sandals in the slightest way, but if you come around at some point, you should know that prices vary widely for the exact same shoe.

The least expensive ones are from Boohoo.
I think the cutest ones are from American Apparel.

These ones are my favorite. They come in 5 colors & don't have sparkles in them, so they're subtle (believe it or not).
I think they make your legs look longer because they're nearly clear.

American Apparel Classic Jelly Heel in smoke, $42

Image from American Apparel

American Apparel Classic Jelly Heel in amber, $42

American Apparel Classic Jelly Heel in white, $42

American Apparel Classic Jelly Heel in clear, $42

American Apparel Classic Jelly Heel in black, $42

Quick comparison of prices for the same fisherman-style sandal:

Boohoo Frances Block Heel Jelly, $7-$14

Amazon SNJ Womens Summer Retro Jelly Slingback Strappy Heel Rain Fisherman Sandals, 19 colors, $11.50-$24.95

Forever 21 Classic Jelly Heels, 3 colors, $15.90

Love Culture Black Jelly Sandals, $13.95

Asos Julu Babe Neon Orange Glitter Heeled Sandals, $16

Urban Outfitters Julu Footware Babe Jelly Heeled Sandal, 5 colors, $49

American Apparel Woven Jelly Sandal, 5 colors, $45

I tried the Boohoo glitter style last summer, but it was too glittery for me. It was like a rainbow of reflecting colors that added up to a bluish tint. The rainbow colors made me feel a little too much like I was in Saturday Night Fever.

Love Culture Clear Glitter Jelly Sandals, $13.95. Also in pink, gold glitter, white, & nude.

Urban Outfitters Julu Footware Babe Jelly Heeled Sandal, 2 colors, $49

A unique Urban Outfitters style ...

Urban Outfitters Juju Footwear Babe Jelly Two-Tone Heeled Sandal, $55

Don't worry: the flat ones are still available out there too :-)

American Apparel Flat Lattice Jelly Sandal, 11 colors, $12-24

Charlotte Russe Bamboo Flat Jelly Sandal, 2 colors, $17.99 or buy one, get one for $10

Boohoo Tilly Flat Fisherman Sandal, $10

Amazon Kali Women's Angel-Low Block Heel Fisherman T-Strap Jelly Flat Sandals, $13.99-$24.99

Jelly Beans Day Dreamer, $29.99 (about 26 colors of Jelly Beans available)

Amazon BC Footwear Women's In No Time Jelly Sandal, 3 colors, $29.95

So will you be getting in on the jelly craze this summer?

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Nothing to cry about: My $15 Boohoo outfit

3/27/2015

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Dress: $8, Shoes: $7

Boohoo.com Clara Floral Box Pleat Front Shift Dress, $8

Boohoo.com Frankie Block Heel Jelly Sandal, $7

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Spring dresses

3/23/2015

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Nothing too short or too sexy--just a few basic pretty dresses for Easter, Passover, graduations at reasonable prices.

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4 things that look alike

3/23/2015

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If you're not really looking, it's easy to mix up similar things.

1.

The other day when I was using a long toothpick to check on a cake in the oven & eating breadsticks at the same time, I nearly took a bite of the toothpick.

2.

Grabbing the can from under the sink without looking at the label, I ended up waterproofing my suede shoes with stainless steel cleaner.

3.

I got a swift response from my son when I started pouring Rice Crispies for him when he'd asked for Frosted Flakes.

4.

When you've lost something, you imagine that you see it in the most unlikely places. When I lost my glasses, I thought I saw them on the street but found when I got close up that it was a seedpod instead. I did eventually find my glasses at work! :-)

Have you mixed anything up lately?

You may also like...

Lost Forever:
Stories of lost clothing

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Josie's clothes

3/20/2015

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When you see something with your name on it, you do a double-take. Lately, I've come across quite a few things named "Josie." Who is this Josie? Do these clothes look like me?

Boohoo carries this "Josie High Neck Marled Shift Dress," which does seem a little like me. I do love marl!

Boohoo Josie High Neck Marl Shift Dress, $10

But they also carry this "Josie Harness Strap Biker Boot." Must be for my alter-ego!

Boohoo Josie Harness Strap Biker Boot, $24

On the other hand, Josie looks bookish & restrained in this "Josie Sweater Dress" from Anthropologie (or does she?)...

Anthropologie Josie Sweater Dress, $19.95

Here she is again, that Josie, this time in a black sheath (with or without the biker boots). Yes, I can see it!

Reiss Josie Ruching Detail Dress, $245

My friend Cat found this Josie Monsoon skirt for me. It's just my style!

Monsoon Josie Skirt, $79

But then this "Saylor Josie Dress" from Free People doesn't feel like me at all! Far too lacy & complicated...

Free People Saylor Josie Dress, $275

Nordstrom carries a whole Josie line, mostly lingerie like this chemise. I think it's pretty cute.

Nordstrom Josie 'Amp'd' Chemise, $38.86

Well, I guess Josie's ok. She's a simple girl on the whole, but she does have a little edginess to her too. I think that's me! :)

Have you ever googled your name to see what kinds of clothes come up? You should give it a try!

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Street style: St. Patrick's Day 2015

3/17/2015

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OMF took the streets today to see how we're wearing our St. Paddy's Day green!

Come join us on the OMF Facebook page, so you can see everyone's comments :-)

Maui

Alice

Jennie, Pat, Emilie, & Mike

Rachel

Ginger

How are you wearing your green?

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Suede is back

3/16/2015

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Is tan suede really back?

Image from Top Shop

I have not very good memories of wearing an orangey-brown suede midi-skirt with a black top in the late 90s. That skirt is long gone.

The stores would have us believe that brown suede should be paired with light colors--denim, light blue, pink, or white.
Is that where I went wrong in the 90s?

Zara Seamed Skirt with Trimmed Waist, $79.90; Fringed Block Leather Sandals, $99.90

Zara Suede Cutwork Shorts, $129

White House Black Market Side-Zip Equestrian Legging, $29.99 (faux suede)

Urban Outfitters BDG Suede Crossbody Saddle Bag, $39

H&M Suede Skirt, $129

H&M Suede Dress, $299

H&M Suede Top, $99

H&M Leather Skirt, $99

Nordstrom Topshop Colorblock Panel Suede Jacket (Brit Pop-In), $560

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Built-in hardware

3/15/2015

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Black, white, & gray tees with built-in jewelry for work & play...

Zara T-shirt with Beaded Neckline; black, white, & gray; $25.90

Zara T-shirt with Beaded Neckline, $17.90

Zara Open-Back Necklace T-shirt, $25.90

back

Zara T-shirt with Beaded Neckline, $29.90

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Inspiring ways to wear necklaces

3/12/2015

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Are necklaces an afterthought for you? Or do you sometimes plan an entire outfit around one?
Now that the weather's warming up, I'm excited to start layering necklaces & wearing statement necklaces.

Layering necklaces
It's easy to layer necklaces to create new looks. Here's how I do it...

Take one strand of short beads &

one longer pendant

add a drop of color

It's fun to mix different textures too.

Necklaces from Treasure Tower, Madewell, & PoseManikin

You can create your own combinations...

Necklaces from Banana Republic & the Artisan's Center

Or you can find necklaces that are already layered (but it's much less expensive to layer your own).

Banana Republic Triple Layered Necklace, $49.50 minus 30%

Sundance Catalog Multi-Strand Necklace, $158

Free People Cherish 3 Chain Necklace, $38

I've also gained layering inspiration from Baroni Designs:

Baroni Jeweled Halo Necklace, $75; Inner Fire Necklace, $135; Aquamarine Mala, $95

Baroni Helen Necklace, $235, & Tumbling Pearl Necklace, $138

Bib necklaces & collars
I love bib necklaces & collars, though they take some bravery to wear.

Most of my necklaces have been gifts from my friends & relatives.

My dear friend Tami has joined me on trips as I search for statement necklaces & just bought me this beautiful Zara collar necklace below for my birthday!