Blog Archives

Sunflower tees

8/31/2014

"I should like to change into a sunflower most of all. They're so tall and simple.
What flower would you like to be?"
--Maude

Photo by Dawn Stratton

dELiA's Banded Bottom Long Sleeve, $24.90

Urban Outfitters Project Social T Mineralized Sunflower Tee, $34

Sahalie Women's Long-Sleeved Saturday Market Tee, $$39.98 - $44.98

Amazon Fengbay Women's Long Leisure Sunflower T-shirt, $24.39

Forever 21 Cutout Sunflower Tank, $11.80

Etsy Naturwrk Unflower T-shirt, $28

Amazon Green 3 Apparel Long-sleeve Unflower USA- made Organic T-shirt, $39.90

Urban Outfitters Truly Madly Deeply Sunflower Triblend Tee, $34

Sunday Tees

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Let me start by saying that Allie Oliver-Burns of PoseManikin is so talented she can make anything you need or want!

When I realized I could really use a cinch clip, I knew that Allie was the one to ask. She designed the perfect clip for me--better even than I described to her.

You're saying: "What's a cinch clip? What are you talking about?" Here's the cinch clip Allie designed for me:

Have you ever admired how a shirt looks on a manikin in a store? Have you ever said to someone: "They made that outfit look better by pinning it at the waist." A cinch clip cinches your top or dress at the waist.

It's a little reminiscent of the 90s. But my guess is, with the resurgence of that era, we'll be seeing them everywhere soon. I'm so fortunate that I have a customized one!

I realized I needed a clip when I wore the top pictured below & in this post on peplum. The top basically hung on me. With the clip, it looks fitted.

Back

Front

Awkward pose, slightly blurry, but you get the idea :-)

Works great with dresses!

Back

Front

It even works with everyday things. I clipped this slightly loose, slightly sloppy top, & it looks much better, I think!

Before

Back after clipping

After

I have big plans for this clip! Allie also sent me, just because she is amazingly sweet, some beautiful handmade earrings & the heart collar clip she made that I'd admired. The package she sent was such a joy with a card & treats just for me!
Thank you so much, Allie!!

Allie has recently designed a large line of pillows, phone covers, t-shirts, tanks, & more which she's selling on society6.com. Here's just a tiny sampling of her beautiful pillows....

Allie also designed my OMF logo & business card:

Allie is an amazing chef, a wonderful writer, a fashionista, a graphic designer, a jewelry maker, & a great friend!
Follow her blog here & follow her on Facebook & Twitter.

If you can imagine a piece of jewelry, a clip, something for your hair, a business card, an image for your website or your new book or your new cd, Allie is the one to turn to.

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Art tees

8/24/2014

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Bold, hip, & beautiful, these t-shirts display works of art & artful designs. Add jeans & you're ready.

From Peruvian Connection

Peruvian Connection Qero Stripe Tee, $59

From Zara

Zara Abstract Print T-shirt, $39.90

Zara Printed T-shirt, $29.90

Zara Printed T-shirt, $39.90

Zara Printed T-shirt, $29.90

Zara Combined Print T-shirt, $29.90

Zara Girl Print t-shirt, $29.90

From Land's End

Land's End 3/4-sleeve Slub Jersey Boatneck Floral Art Tee, $39

I know, I know--there are infinitely more art tees out there--from Etsy, Threadless, & Design by Humans among others. Truly too many to choose from :-)

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Simple sandals

8/21/2014

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If I look over what I bought this summer, I'd say that simple sandals were my best purchase. They go with everything without complicating an outfit, & I think they updated my style. Most are on sale now.

Here are some ways we're wearing them...

Image from Sole Society

Image from J. Crew Factory

Image from Nordstrom Rack

My image from this post: http://www.openmindfashion.com/blog/sweet-ebay

Here are some places to buy them...

From Dress Barn

This is the pair I bought. Also comes in grey. I wear them comfortably every week.

Sole Society Issa, $32.48

Victoria's Secret Strappy Sandal, $49.99

Garnet Hill Frye Skye Belt Heeled Sandals, $95.40 after 40% discount (was $228)

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Serious fun: what to wear the first day of school

8/15/2014

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A balance between serious & fun is the goal as we prepare for the first day of school. Whether a student or a teacher, you want to look like you mean serious academic business but also that you're planning on having a good time!

It's actually pretty simple to create this impression: just mix one playful element with one serious element.

Here are 3 examples...

1. All black (serious) paired with a fun accessory like a patterned scarf, big earrings, or heels (fun):

Zara Palm Tree Scarf, $2.99

Victoria's Secret The Kate Flare Pant in Stretch Cotton, $29.50

2. A collared shirt (serious) paired with a playful patterned skirt (fun):

Garnet Hill Favorite Casual Cotton Shirt, $68

J. Crew Factory Printed Pencil Skirt, $34.99

J. Crew Factory is offering an extra 25% off to teachers in store through Sunday!

3. Black pants (serious) paired with a printed top (fun):

I hope to wear these pants >>
with the top once they arrive,
as long as they're not too much fun! :-)

Zara Printed Top, $19.99

Boden Bistro Crop Trouser, $26.40

So which outfit do you think I should wear?
What will you be wearing for the first day of school??
Have a great first week back!

More schooly posts...

What I've worn for the first day of school in the past

Back2school tees

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Was she smiling?

8/12/2014

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I can remember distinctly the first time I went to the London Victory Club in downtown Tampa, Florida. In this chic, dark nightclub, my friend pointed out that I would never fit in if I kept smiling so much--I needed to look angry or at least serious to be cool.

As I roam websites, I stare back at the dour models at Zara, the posing supermodels at Victoria's Secret, the laughing women on the Boden site, the travelers at Eddie Bauer, & the girls working out at Athleta.

My question today is whether you're more enticed to buy clothing from serious-expressioned models or from those smiling & actively running around.

It has only become commonplace to smile in photographs in the past 50 years or so. In old photos, people usually kept a straight face.

The Zara models sometimes look angry or sad & almost always serious. While it's not necessarily attractive to look pissed off, it can be powerful.

Zara Cotton Parka, $169

Zara Dress appliqué on neckline, $79.90

The models at Boden always look like they're having a ball.

Boden British Tweed Mini, $118, & Hotchpotch Pattern Sweater, $108

Boden Jersey Jacquard Top, $88, & Wool Bistro Crop, $138

Eddie Bauer image

The Eddie Bauer women are always traveling
& most always smiling >>

The Victoria's Secret model typically stares right out at you. Most of the time she's half-smiling.

Victoria's Secret Three-quarter Sleeve Vintage Tee, $29.50 or Special 2/$50

Athleta Pixy Drifter Tight, Lazy Breezy Bomber, & Duffy Slip On By Corso Como

The Athleta girl is usually seen coming from
a workout or yoga session. She looks relaxed.

In fashion magazines, most models are rarely shown smiling. Is serious glamorous?

Lithuanian model Edita Vilkevicute posing in H&M Lookbook

I realize all these images have to do with branding; each company creates its own special presence by the way the models appear. But each company is also trying to create a reflection of you, how you see yourself. Our goal in buying clothes is almost always to find something that best reflects who we think we really are or who we wish to become.

So who are you?: a traveler, a yoga girl, a goof, or a serious type? Do you smile most of the time (when you see others or your photo is taken)? Which images most appeal to you?

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The animals are coming out now

8/11/2014

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A week or so ago, I posted a gallery of animal-print pieces with some off-season buys. Now that fall lines have been released, the animals are out en masse. Here are a few favorites...

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Coffee, tea, wine, juice--what's your pleasure? (beverage tees)

8/10/2014

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You're on a plane flying first class. The flight attendant approaches--you can have anything you want to drink--even two or three different drinks! What'll you have?

Coffee, tea, milk?

Spreadshirt Coffee T-shirt, $21

Spreadshirt tea bag T-shirt, $19.90

Amazon Milk Cartoon T-shirt, $17.95-$19.95

Juice or a smoothie?

Jamba Juice Fast Food Restaurant Distressed Look T Shirt, $19.95

Soda pop?

J. C. Penney Orange Crush Graphic Tee, $9.99

Coca-Cola Red Script T-Shirt, $15.99

J. C. Penney Drink Mountain Dew Graphic Tee, $9.99

J. C. Penney Dr. Pepper Oval Logo Graphic Tee, $9.99

Beer, wine, or something stronger?

J. C. Penney Miller High Life T-shirt, $9.99

J. C. Penney Dos Equis Graphic T-Shirt, $9.99

Madewell rxmance® 235 wine party tee, $49.99

Dennis Kirk Jack Daniels Label T-Shirt, $18.99

Or just water?

Spreadshirt glass of water T-Shirt, $21.50

T-shirt Sunday Tees

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Pure elegance or playful color? (or black or red?)

8/4/2014

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Question: If you had to pick between these two colors of sandal, which would you choose?

Macy's American Rag Carllie Demi Wedge Sandals, $39.99 minus 20%

This choice comes up for me constantly. Should I go with elegant black, solid navy, simple white?

Or should I layer playful pink, turquoise blue, firehouse red?

Fashion Feline was recently asked this same question...

Fashion Feline at your service

Dear F.F.:
I have fallen madly in love with these shoes [above].

While my first instinct is to go right for the black (or maybe even the taupe or grey), my husband reminded me that I have a lot of neutrals. I do have one pair of red ballet flats
that I wear nearly once a week.

I've done my diligence and checked out outfits on Pinterest. Here are a few favorite images:

What do you think? Black or red?
Thanks in advance!

--Rach

Answer:
Dear Rach,
"Well, it's more fun!" This is what my husband says to me each time I ask him this question. It is much more fun to go with the splash of color.

Black from head to toe is elegant but also serious. In the cat world, some even say it's bad luck.

Your heart lies with the red. I think it's revealing that you looked up photos on Pinterest solely of the red.

If you can't buy both of them, then I'd go with the red.

--FF
>^..^< Meow meow

You may also like...

The devil's in her heels:
more images of red shoes

Lots more questions & answers
from >^..^< Fashion Feline

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Let's talk about it

8/3/2014

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"Break'n Ankles Shatter'n Dreams." "Can't Stop Me." "Living Legend." --Are we really that good?

The words above appear across the chests of athletic t-shirts from Nike, Adias, & New Balance. My kids love them.
I don't.

I know that maybe the sayings are meant to be tongue-in-cheek (are they?). Or maybe they're meant to psyche out the opponent. Maybe they're meant to pump up the athletes wearing them, charge them to live up to the claims?

To me, they look like self-promotion, self-flattery, & arrogance.

Your coach is supposed to tell you you're all that--you're not supposed to tell yourself. Right?

We need confidence in ourselves, but shouldn't it be on the inside?

But maybe they're just meant to be funny. I don't know. And they may just be a novelty. After a short while, the words will seem cliché, & we won't even notice them anymore. And, no matter what, you're sure to get razzed for wearing one.

Please let me know what you think. Would you buy them for your kids? Would you wear one?

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Sunflower tees

Cinched at the waist

Art tees

Simple sandals

Serious fun: what to wear the first day of school

Was she smiling?

The animals are coming out now

Coffee, tea, wine, juice--what's your pleasure? (beverage tees)

Pure elegance or playful color? (or black or red?)

Let's talk about it

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