Blog Archives

Sixties style

9/29/2014

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Let's just say you secretly wish you were living in the 60s. Boden makes it pretty easy to pretend you are...

Boden Ottoman Shift Dress, $82.80

Boden Ottoman Shift, $138

From Boden

Boden Sixties Mini, $11.60-$34.80

Boden Catharine Coat, $198

Boden Zip Top Clutch, $118

Boden Sixties Slingback, $148

Ebay Vintage 60s Mod Go Go LEOPARD Gold Chain BAG Handbag Purse, $20

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Boujour tees

9/28/2014

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Bonjour tees from Anthropologie...

Anthropologie Bonjour Tee, $48

Sunday Tees

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Gray suede shoes

9/26/2014

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Gray seems highly versatile to me.

J. Crew Suede D'orsay Flats, $138

6 pm.com Chinese Laundry Kristin Cavallari - Cadence, $64.31

J. Crew Suede Bow Loafers, $129.99 minus 30%

Sole Society Sable, $34.98

Anthropologie Banded Bow Heels, $69.95 minus 25%

From Aerosoles...

Aerosoles Wise N Shine Shoes, $99

Aerosole Red Light Suede Ankle Bootie, $99

Aerosoles Starring Role Suede Ankle Bootie, $99

Aerosoles Strole Around Suede Pump, $89

Nordstrom Isaac Mizrahi New York 'Mara' Pump, $129.95

Nordstrom Sole Society 'Opal' Pump, $64.95

From Born...

Garnet Hill Crown by Born Kenley Zip-up Booties, $89 minus 25%

6 pm.com Born Mott, $61.99

6 pm.com Born Tana - Crown Collection, $49.99

6 pm. com Born Abrielle - Crown Collection, $91.99

J. Crew Factory Quinn Suede Ankle Boots, $158

Garnet Hill Giorgia Ankle Booties, $94 minus 25%

Nordstrom BP 'Trolley' Ankle Bootie, $99.95

Jjill Suede Stacked Heel Lace-up Booties, $169

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The day after Rachel's clothing swap, I'm wearing some new-to-me faded skinny jeans. I'm admiring my new collection of fall sweaters. I'm feeling glad that my red, never-before-worn cardigan is now owned by someone who might get some use out of it.

I'm smiling at some of the things co-swappers said:

"My husband said, 'Please get rid of those skirts!'"

"I was punk in high school, goth in college."

"I could never find an outfit to go with those boots!"

"I want the back-story behind these jeans."

"I worked at Ross in high school."

"We must not be a dress-wearing group."

"Someone will appreciate these warm sweaters."

I'm remembering trying on clothes in Rachel's basement, looking at myself in a long, horizontal mirror resting on the floor so that I was kneeling on my knees & tilting my head a bit to see each item on me. I could hear the buzz of people talking & laughing upstairs--friends, sisters, & coworkers enjoying each other's company as much as they enjoyed unburdening their closets & picking up a few cute new things.

I'm not missing the things I lost to the swap.

I'm feeling a little sorry that we do this only once a year.

A few photos taken mostly before the swap began...

Our lovely host Rachel in a perfect top from the swap

My new fall sweaters from the swap

Rachel's creative jewelry display

Rachel donated eight bags of clothes to charity after the swap

Do you think you might host a clothing swap?

You may also be interested in...

Let the record show: donations for the swap

Last year's swap

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Let the record show...

9/19/2014

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Have you ever turned your house upside down searching for a top it turns out you donated? Once you realize it's gone, do you tip your head & wonder why did I donate that?? It was perfect! I loved it!

I remember very clearly a semi-preppy Victoria's Secret
v-neck sweater I had. It was navy with a contrasting white along the v, & it was long (too long), & I wore it only once--on a date with a rental car guy--but it seemed perfect. It must have been too long? I don't know when I donated it. It looked a lot like the photo to the right
(I'm tempted to buy it again!).

Nasty Gal Boys Club Sweater - Navy, $58

This weekend I'll be heading to Rachel's clothing swap. I'm excited! I have a big bag of clothes to add to the swap. But will I wonder years from now where my favorite top or pants went? Will I remember why I parted with them?

This time I'm going to take a few minutes to document what I'm letting go of.

Here's a list of my favorites that I'm donating, how much I paid for each one, how often I wore them, when, & why I'm letting them go.

Exhbit A
Anthropologie top

Exhibit A: Favorite Anthropologie top

Cost: $19

No. of Times Worn: 1

Where:
to the dentist

Why Donating:
too tight,
never did work

Exhibit B
Victoria's Secret cardigan

How I'd hoped to look

Cost: $16.99

No. of Times Worn: 0

Why Donating:
waist falls at wrong place,
so it doesn't hang right,
feels like old man sweater
(good for Mr. Rogers costume)

How I felt like I looked

Mr. Rogers

Exhibit C
Boden dress

Why do I feel like I'm from Spain in this outfit?

Cost: $35

No. of Times Worn: 2

Where: to work
The first time a friend told me she loved the dress on me. I later wore a berry cardigan buttoned over it & felt like a woman from Spain (in a good way)

Why Donating:
too tight & clingy,
not flattering now

Exhibit D
Three pairs of stone-colored khakis

Cost: $29/ea

No. of Times Worn, Where, How:
The top pair I wore only once, belted, with a top turned backwards & tucked in.
The middle pair I wore to the mall once with high heels & felt glamorous.
The bottom pair I've worn a few times--to work.

Why Donating:
The top pair is too big & high-rise.
The middle pair is too wide leg at this point.
The bottom pair is too tight & short.

Exhibit E
Boden gray & white ruffle-neck tees

Cost: $12/ea.

No. of Times Worn: don't know

Where:
work & play but not much

Why Donating:
neckline not right. These tees never felt as right as they should have.

Exhibit F
Patagonia dress

Cost: $40

No. of Times Worn: 5

Where:
once on a Friday at work,
once for a hospital visit,
once on weekend shopping trip

Why Donating:
I did love this dress, & it was a special purchase for me. But the waist is too high, so it makes me feel a combination of prego & a big baby.
It worked with a long cardigan, but I haven't worn it in two seasons, & I think I'm ready to let it go.

My sister once said that every piece of clothing has a story. It's always hard for me to part with clothes because they are full of memories. But I'll have a new supply from the swap with new memories to create.

I don't know that I'll ever record everything again like this because somehow it took quite a bit of work, but at least I'll know what happened to these few items :-)

Would you ever keep a record like this of the clothes you're donating?

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Trend alert: exposed zippers

9/14/2014

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You may be saying "that ain't nothin' new," but suddenly exposed zippers are everywhere!--on sweaters, pants, jeans, shorts, skirts, scarves--you name it!

A little bit edgy, I love the pants most of all. The ankle zip might just be practical!

Side-zip sweaters

Urban Outfitters Narrows Side-Zip Waffle Sweater, $69

Ann Taylor Merino Wool Side-Zip Sweater, 4 colors, $79 minus 50%

Banana Republic Zip-Hem Boyfriend Sweater, 3 colors, $59

Zara Sweatshirt with zips, also in gray, $39.90

Madewell Canal Zip Top, $72

Skirts zipped up the side, back, pockets

J. Crew Asymmetrical Zip Pencil Skirt in Wool, $138

Banana Republic Boucle Side Zip Skirt, black or cocoon (off-white), $93

J. Crew Factory Pocket Pencil Skirt, $66.50

Zara Pencil Skirt with Zips, also in black, $59.90

J. Crew Factory Zip Mini in Wool, $54.50

Banana Republic Asymmetrical Zip Mini, $50

Ann Taylor Shoulder Zip Crepe Top, $69 minus 50%

Banana Republic Sloan-Fit Zip-Pocket Pencil Skirt, $30

Victoria's Secret Leather Moto Miniskirt, $109

Pants, jeans, & cargos with pocket zips & ankle zips

J. Crew Factory Bi-stretch Winnie Pant with Zip Pocket, $68.50

J. Crew Factory Zip Utility Jean, $39.99

From J. Crew

J. Crew Sateen Toothpick Pant with Zips, $89.99 minus 30%

J. Crew Ankle-Zip Legging, $45

Banana Republic Heritage Skinny Ankle Zip Utility Crop, $49.99-$59.99

Banana Republic Heritage Skinny Ankle Zip Utility Crop, $39.99-59.99

Banana Republic BR Monogram Skinny Ankle Zip Pant, $59.99 minus 30%

GAP 1969 zipper legging skimmer jeans, $17.48 minus 30%

Madewell skinny skinny crop zip jeans in pure white, $34.99

LOFT Modern Skinny Ankle Zip Jeans in White, $24.88 minus 40%

A pretty zippy transitional outfit...

Piperlime French Connection Porcelain Zip Top, $128

GAP Ribbed zipper scarf, $16.95

Piperlime J Brand Kassidy Mid Rise Super Skinny, $109.97

Of course, there's also moto jackets & sweaters with lots of zips, but that's a whole 'nother topic, I think...

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Pretty birds

9/14/2014

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I love the owl t-shirts most of all. This is a post from the archives updated with a few odd birds.

J. Crew Factory Owl Collector Tee, $24

Boden Must Have Tee, $43.20

Long Tall Sally Owl Print Top, $65

Blackbird Tees The One That Got Away Open Back Shirt - Oatmeal, $40

The Front

Blackbird Tees The One That Got Away Pullover, $45

The Back

Blackbird Tees The One That Got Away Pullover, $45

J. Crew Funny Birds Tee, $45

Common Threadz 'Little Bird' CelebriTee by Schylar Fisk, $38. Purchase also provides for a school uniform to an orphan or vulnerable child in Africa so he or she can go to school.

Piperlime Marc by Marc Jacobs Graphic Tee, no longer available

J. Crew Owl T-shirt, sadly no longer available

Garnet Hill Paradise Tee, $9

Ebay pigeon vintage indy style old put a bird on it animal drawing gildan t-shirt, $9.99

How cute would these two look together with a cardigan or blazer?

Boden Hayley Skirt

A bunch for kids...

GAP Owl Bodysuit, $12.95

Boden Pretty Patchwork T-shirt, $14

Etsy TWEETY TWEET T-shirt: A Bright Blue Bird on a Long Sleeve White T-Shirt by American Apparel, $22

Boden Pompom Applique T-shirt, $21

Boden Bluebell Birds printed graphic t-shirt, $20

Boden Graphic Applique T-shirt, $28

GAP Bird graphic bodysuit, $12.95 minus 30%

Boden Glittery Graphic T-shirt, $24

Old Navy Puff-Sleeve Graphic Tee, $9.94

Boden Patchwork Applique T-shirt, $26

Yellow Bird Project Andrew Bird's T-shirt, $30. Proceeds from this shirt go to Pegasus Special Riders Inc., who provides adults & children with special needs a complete horse riding experience.

Sunday Tees

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All about me: some thoughts on the selfie

9/8/2014

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"You are beautiful, in every single way." --Christina Aguilara

The selfie: the #1 trend of 2014?
Feathered hair, singing telegrams, soap-on-a-rope, chicken-on-a-stick, paparazzi, karaoke, gangnam style, twerking, wraps, froyo, tbt, otd, photobombing, the ice bucket challenge... the trends come & go faster than you can say bling bling.

So what of the selfie, the ultimate icon for 2014?

It's been around without the name ever since friends with long arms held out a camera or a phone to capture a moment together.
Of course, that photo was typically of two or more people; we rarely photographed ourselves alone.

Me, my dear friend Abby, & my son, photobombing at age 1 :-)

Selfie: Any photograph you take yourself of yourself, whether the photo be solely of yourself or of you & friends.

Sometimes it seems it's all in the expression of the selfie-taker. Is he or she gazing into the camera with Narcissus' eyes? Or simply documenting himself or herself at this moment in time?

"Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections." --John Legend

eye pad

Me, myself, & I
I was not raised to draw attention to myself or be too proud. But I think the youth of the newer generation celebrate their individualism & uniqueness.
I watch kids giving "Me Museum" presentations from Pre-K on up. They trace their family ancestry, collect & share their favorite things, post videos of their weekend antics.

This generation has iphones, itouches, itunes, ipads, MyYahoo, MyMSN, & MyStarbucks--the ultimate all-about-me focus. It's surprising youtube entered the picture.

But I don't think it's bad; in fact, I think it's good! There's this sense of knowing yourself, of celebrating who you are with all your quirks & blemishes & idiosyncrasies & all the things that make each of us unique & special.

"You're beautiful. You're beautiful. You're beautiful, it's true." --James Blunt

To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet
We see each other on Facebook & FaceTime. Faces--each different, special, beautiful, individual. It reminds me of Michael Jackson's "Black or White" video, so many faces, one changing into the next, the variations so major & so minor at the same time.

At one point during the 2014 Kids' Choice Sports Awards, the hosts asked every kid watching to take a selfie for the Most Epic Selfie Moment Ever. What a beautiful sight--all those children's faces--laughing faces, smiling faces--from all around the world.

I asked around 40 people this week what they thought of selfies, & most said they were ok only in moderation, with friends included, & ideally when sightseeing, not alone in one's home. They thought the selfie of kids above was creepy & dangerous. Do you agree?

Some Facebook proile photos

So what of the selfie? Is it vain? Maybe sometimes. Is it trendy? Definitely. Will we be glad we took a few in a couple years' time? Absolutely.

"You are perfect to me." --Pink

Do you take selfies?

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Football tees

9/7/2014

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Sometimes the work uniform is football gear. On Friday, I took my son to the dentist, & everyone from the receptionist to the dentist was wearing a Broncos tee or jersey. Everyone at Costco comes to work in Broncos shirts on Sundays.

It's a fun, comfortable uniform & gets everyone psyched up for the kick-off of the NFL season. Only trouble is when your football t-shirt is ugly or stained with hot wings' sauce--but maybe that's half the fun... :-)

Here are my favorite t-shirts of the football season. Enjoy the fun & show your team spirit!

Nike NFL Blocking Tri-Blend Raglan - Women's, $37.99 available at Foot Locker, Dick's Sporting Goods, & other retailers

Junk Food Clothing NFL Denver Broncos Henley, $52

NFL Shop '47 Brand Denver Broncos Scrum Vintage T-Shirt - Brown, $37.95 free ship

Eastbay Nike NFL Stamp It 3/4 Raglan T-Shirt - Women's, $19.99

Nike NFL Blocking Tri-Blend Raglan - Women's, $37.99

Does your work have days when everyone wears football gear?

Sunday Tees

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The animals in my closet

9/3/2014

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Animal prints are classic & seem to me to convey a little old Hollywood grace & glamour.

Here are the animals in my closet...

I began in 2010 by ordering just a zebra-print belt from Boden >>

I also bought a couple other leopard-print belts at Forever 21 for next to nothing & an animal-print microfiber purse from Amazon.

Boden still carries a similar belt:

Boden Waldour Waist Belt, $38

J. Crew dress, Boden belt

Last year, I found this leopard-print dress at Land's End for under $30. Very easy to wear.

Land's End dress, GAP maternity cardigan

Land's End Women's Petite Sleeveless Pattern Ponté Welt Pocket Dress, $29.99

My youngest son's very favorite item of mine is this leopard-print cardigan because it's so soft. I got at H&M for $5;
I noticed over the weekend they still carry them in store for $14.95.