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Embroidered off-white crochet

4/28/2015

5 Comments

 
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Anthropologie Lace Jumper
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Forever 21 Fringed Macramé Shift Dress, $27.90
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H&M Embroidered Jumpsuit, $59.95
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H&M Crocheted Dress, $24.95
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Swell In a Field Crochet Coverup, $39.50
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Zara Crochet Dress, 79.90
5 Comments

Everyone else is wearing it...

4/26/2015

0 Comments

 
As I was growing up, my parents would not buy me the cool thing everyone else was wearing. They would take me to the theater, fly me overseas, buy me toys & books & bikes & the little glass animals I collected, but they wouldn't buy me the sandals everyone was wearing or the t-shirt needed for the school photo. They claimed it built character.

It could be why I now write a blog on clothes, why I think clothes matter.

I don't think parents should spoil their kids with $150 tennis shoes or overpriced trends. 


But on a basic level, I believe if a kid is wearing pretty much what everyone else is, her clothes become invisible like a uniform, & she can concentrate on other things like schoolwork & boys. But if her clothes don't fit in, she stands out like I do in this photo below and make way mockery.

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Yep, that's me in the tic-tac-toe shirt. 3rd grade, North Beach Elementary School, Miami Beach, Florida

What do you think??

0 Comments

Paddle boards, ice cube molds, & odds & ends from your favorite clothing stores

4/24/2015

0 Comments

 
We expect to find some quirky items at Urban Outfitters. But who knew that Anthropologie carries stylish paddle boards,
J. Crew carries pretty catchalls, H&M has playful paperclips, & American Eagle carries pool floats? 

Here are some of the unusual things I found in the depths of their websites...

From Anthropologie
Need a $5,000 designer paddle board? 4 styles to choose from...

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Anthropologie Limited-Edition Stand-Up Paddleboard, Kai Olohia by Saffron James, $4999.95
From American Eagle Outfitters
For lazier days, how 'bout a pool float? Also available: Tootsie Roll Pool Noodle & Ice Cream Sandwich Pool Float.


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American Eagle Outfitters Bigmouth Giant Donut Pool Float, $19.95
From J. Crew
I really like the J. Crew "catch-all" if it weren't so expensive. I think it'd make a fun gift too.
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J. Crew John Derian® Things I Like Tray, $88


Here's a must-have for summer cocktails...
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J. Crew Sunnylife™ Pineapple Ice Tray, $16
From H&M
Need a dog sweatshirt or collar, a fancy pencil case, a pink unicorn pencil sharpener, or a passport cover? 
Also available from H&M: an eyeglass case, hair extensions, a sports wristband, a travel coffee mug, umbrellas, & a lint roller. Also a panda backpack, a rain poncho, a yoga mat, a bunch of iPhone cases & even a portable charger! 

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H&M Headphones, 3 colors, $49.95
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H&M Tape Dispenser, $5.95
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H&M Passport Cover, $5.95
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H&M Masquerade Mask, also in gold, $9.95
From Urban Outfitters
I'm surprised there's not a skull & crossbones on this bottle...

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Urban Outfitters Sisters of the Black Moon Ether Essential Oil. $19.99


Last but not least--never leave home without fire starters. Why not keep them in your purse next to your lipstick?

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Urban Outfitters Bush Smarts Fire Starter Set, $14.99
See anything you like? :-)
0 Comments

What I remember about prom

4/17/2015

4 Comments

 
I went to three proms, none of them my own. Here's what I remember...


Shopping for the dress with my mom
I remember shopping for a prom dress at the downtown May D&F with my mom. She sprung to action sifting through the rounders, examining quality, ruling out gowns, pointing out details in others--a side of her I'd rarely seen. We settled on a dark red knee-length gown, spaghetti-strapped but with a sheer overlay.  


Marcel & his mom
I'm not sure if we ever reached the prom, but I was supposed to go to prom as a junior with Marcel.

I remember most going over to Marcel's home on the 
Air Force base for pictures beforehand. I'd never been to a house on the base, & it was a joy to meet Marcel's sweet, smiley mom. After that, Marcel & I set out for dinner & prom. We were supposed to go to dinner at 
Baby Doe's, a restaurant overlooking downtown. We tried to get there, but Marcel was so nervous he kept turning any random direction at each corner, & we never found the place. I remember being annoyed, & I think I made him take me home.


Brad's prom at a suburban high school

I got asked as a junior to attend a prom at a suburban high school. The school was large & modern & windowless. The dance was held in a big plain room, & 
a photographer was set up in one corner--he took our photograph (shown right :) >>


Marty's prom

My mom made me go to Marty's prom--also at a different school than my own. Marty was a boy I knew from Sunday school, whom I didn't particularly like. Apparently his peers didn't care for him either because at his prom no one talked to us. I remember the room had tables with white tablecloths, & Marty & I sat at one of them off in the distance watching people interacting & dancing. 



My favorite memory of the lot is of shopping for the dress with my mom. The dress got me through three dances feeling pretty. I graduated early from high school, so I didn't go to my own prom. 




What do you remember about prom?
Do you remember shopping for your prom dress?
What did your dress look like?







A few famous prom dresses :-)

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Lovely Frenchy (from Grease) at prom. Her date calls her a "beautiful blonde pineapple."
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Here I am in my prom dress! :-)
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Andie from Pretty in Pink in her prom dress
4 Comments

Twisted!

4/16/2015

4 Comments

 
A little twist or knot on the side to emphasize your waist...

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GAP Knot Tee, 2 colors, $19.95 minus 40%
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GAP Stripe Knot Peplum Tee, 2 colors, $18 minus 40%
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Garnet Hill Twist-Detail Knit Dress, $98
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Garnet Hill Twist-Detail Knit Dress, $98
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Zara Printed Knot Blouse, $49.90
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Zara Draped Waist Top, $49.90
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Piperlime Starside Twist Front Tee, $59.97
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Banana Republic Striped Jersey Zip Dress, $89.99
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Boston Proper Side Knot Three-Quarter Sleeve Dress, $19.98
4 Comments

If you spend money on these things, it doesn't count

4/11/2015

4 Comments

 
Here's a list of things that don't count if you have to spend money on them:

  • dish soap
  • an outfit for your job interview (you need the outfit to get the job to buy you the outfit & more)
  • vitamins (your health is priceless)
  • tree trimming (nature has its expenses that can't be helped)
  • team sports uniforms & sporting equipment (clothes for personal athletic pursuits do count, though, since we know you could just wear shorts & a t-shirt)
  • athletic shoes (you have to take good care of your feet)
  • socks, hose, underwear (but lingerie, sleepwear, & loungewear do count since it doesn't really need to be fancy) 
  • eyeglasses or contacts
  • insurance, electric bill, water bill, garbage bill, etc. (excessive heating or cooling excluded)
  • any food purchased for meals you're making at home (even if the food is very nice!)
  • most organizational items like clear containers
  • paper
  • tea or coffee (but only at home)
  • presents for birthday parties or the like
  • anything for your pet
  • an alarm clock
  • an umbrella
  • gardening gloves
  • a hat
  • sunscreen
  • sensible shoes
  • a wedding dress
  • a white shirt
  • the item you've been watching for a year that suddenly goes on sale at very low price
  • anything to support a close friend or family member
  • car repairs, heater repairs, plumbing repairs
  • anything education related
  • rent/mortgage
  • lightbulbs
  • jewelry or clothing under $10
  • shipping costs of $5 or less
  • dental work
  • deodorant
  • framing your diploma
  • tires
  • most .99 cent songs or inexpensive apps
  • bus fare, train fare
  • gear for a cross-country trip
  • a bathing suit for any kind of beach or pool event
  • going out for ice cream

Do you agree? What would you take off or add on to the list? 

4 Comments

Tops with funky sleeves

4/10/2015

0 Comments

 
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Zara T-shirt with Printed Sleeves, $39.90
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Piperlime Wells Grace Crochet Yoke Top, $54.97
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Sheinside Blue Long Sleeve Lace Loose Chiffon Blouse, $16
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Zara Top with Embroidered Cuff, $19.95
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Madewell Forestdream Pullover, $99.99
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Revolve Vava by Joy Han Kyle Off Shoulder Top, $41
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Zara Embroidered Blouse, $79.90
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Zara T-shirt with Side Fringes, $25.90
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Piperlime Sol Angeles Indigo Fringe Sweater, $59.97
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Zara Sweatshirt with Applique Sleeves, $39.90
0 Comments

A gift for her for all budgets

4/5/2015

0 Comments

 
As we near the end of the school year, I start thinking about gifts for teachers & graduates. Mother's Day is also coming up on May 10, & it seems a lot of birthdays fall at this time too. This year I'm thinking about the gift of summery scarves.

Scarves come in a variety of lengths & prices, but one size fits all. 

They run from around $6 to hundreds of dollars, so you can find one to suit any budget & anyone's style. Look for one that matches her eyes. 

Fair Trade
You might consider buying a fair trade scarf handmade in a developing country. Try the selection from

  • HandCrafting Justice
  • Ten Thousand Villages
  • Fair Indigo
  • Novica
  • Marketplace: Handwork of India
  • Serrv

Affordable, huge selection

Check out these websites as well as the Accessories link at your favorite store. 
  • Scaves.com
  • Scarfand.com
  • Charming Charlie
  • Claire's


A few beautiful, inexpensive options...

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American Apparel Unisex Sheer Jersey Scarf, $9
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GAP Mini Floral Scarf, $20.99 minus 40%
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Forever 21 Frayed Woven Scarf, $5.90
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Scarf& Summer Colors Lightweight Viscose Scarf with Fringes, $8.99
Glamorous cotton scarves...

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Zara Cotton Scarf, $29.90
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Zara Cotton Scarf, $29.90
More expensive, unique choices
                                                                                                                       Tassles are popular right now.

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Anthropologie Tassled Triangle Scarf, 2 colors, $34.95
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Athleta Deena Scarf by Pistil, $36
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Printed Village Ba-nanas Scarf, $38
                                                             





Printed Village is a design community & helps new designers get their start.
This Ba-nanas scarf was designed by
Allie Oliver-Burns of PoseManikin
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ModCloth Anglophile Style Scarf, $24.99
                                                                                                                   Eternity scarves are easy to style.
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Urban Outfitters BDG Desert Textured Gauze Eternity Scarf, $29
A cross between a scarf & a piece of jewelry...

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Zara Embroidered Chains Scarf, $39.90
Do you know someone who wears scarves?
You may also like...
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How to wear 
a $5 bandana

0 Comments

3 easy spring/summer staples for a casual workplace

4/4/2015

0 Comments

 
In the morning rush, we just want to get dressed fast & easily. Here are 3 staples to speed us through the work week.


1. White or off-white skirt or pants

Goes with everything.


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Ann Taylor Modern Cotton Sateen Straight Leg Pants, $89 minus 40% (will be again by the weekend, I predict)
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Limited Refined Ankle Trouser Pant, $39.97

2. Comfortable dress

One-step dressing


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GAP Daisy Belted Dress, $29.99 minus 40%
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I'm wearing the dress in a 
Tall (I'm about 5'5"). 
The regular length was too 
short for me for work.  

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Zara Printed Dress, $79.90

3. Boatneck tee

Add any pant or skirt (perhaps white?). You're ready to go. 

(Add jewelry & a cardigan if you need to dress it up a bit.) 

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J. Crew Painter Boatneck Tee in Stripe, 3 colors, $39.50 minus 30%
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J. Crew Factory Artist Elbow-Sleeve Tee, $13.99
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J. Crew Factory Artist Elbow-sleeve Tee, 6 colors, $13.99 minus 30%
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J. Crew Factory Three-quarter Sleeve Stripe Tee, 2 colors, $9.99
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Zara Organic Cotton T-shirt, $15.90
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GAP Modern Boatneck Tee, 7 colors, $16. Buy 2 or more, save $3.95 each. Plus minus 40%
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Zara Polyamide Boat Neck T-shirt, 4 colors, $19.90
What are your 3 staples that get you through the workweek?
0 Comments

Bandanas

4/3/2015

0 Comments

 
I'm not saying we should tie on a bandana. I'm just saying we can if we want to :-)


Style suggestions...


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Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal Vintage Well Worn Bandana, $6
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Urban Outfitters Basic Bandana, $5
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Urban Outfitters Urban Renewal Vintage Well Worn Bandana, $6
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American Eagle Outfitters has several colors of bandana, $6.95. Buy one, get one for 50% off
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Image from Zara
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Image from Zara
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Zara Bandana Scarf, $15.90
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Zara Bandana Scarf, $15.90
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Image from Zara
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Zara Bandana Print Scarf, $25.90
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Sundance Catalog Vintage Stories Scarf, $79.99
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Urban Outfitters Ecote Woodblock Classic Bandana, $4.99
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Urban Outfitters Ecote Woodblock Classic Bandana, $4.99
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Target 2Pk Bandana Handkerchiefs Navy/Red, 100% cotton, $3.99
0 Comments

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