Brooch

This seems like something I could try crafting at home. Save me $160.


(source: satineboutique.com)

Siren calls

The coupon codes this time of year are siren calls, shipwrecking my budget.

I have boxes coming in from J.Crew, Virginthreads, Urban Outfitters, and the Gap. I can't even keep track of it these days. The UPS lady, I'm sure, curses my name.

Winter coat

This might be the first winter in a long time that I'm actually warm.

Yippee!!!


J.Crew Hooded Coat with thinsulate

What's wrong?

I get a frenetic feeling when I shop these days. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what I want from acquiring these things. I find something new and pretty, and after a few weeks or months, I'm completely tired of it. It's a cycle, and it keeps replicating itself.

Dissatisfaction

There's got to be something better than this. Beauty found somewhere besides these places. Is that what I'm searching for?

Books as backdrop

I was paging through an Anthropologie catalog today. Looking at all the vaguely exotic clothes, reinterpreted for a non-hippy, kinda dreamy American audience. I noticed that in one of the spreads for bed linens, they had set up the bed in what looked to be a library--the bedpost smashed up against the shelves of books so that anyone looking for a copy of Pride and Prejudice would have to climb atop the bed to reach it.

At the shopbop.com Web site (home of my ill-fated Marc Jacobs run), there is a picture of someone's pert tush in some True Religion jeans as they stand defiantly among rows of books. Which makes me wonder when books became an object of style, like a pair of designer shoes or the latest handbag? When did it become some aspect of your identity that you could just assume, without any real knowledge or history of it?

Products

I've gone Sephora-crazy. I can't pass one up without going in there, smoothing on some lotions, smelling perfumes, trying on lipsticks and blushes. I like reading what the products claim to do, imagining a newer, brighter, more exfoliated me.

AND, did you know, you can ask for free samples. The salesgirl (who stalks you mercilessly as you try on products) slid open a drawer and handed me a fistful.

Today, I walked out only with Terax hair treatment, the big tub, with its accompanying pump.

"Christmas sweater"

The Urban Outfitters stuff arrived. Everything goes back but the Nordic-print thermal that I'd been eyeing for weeks. It's as cute as I thought. But why is everything sized so small these days? I went up a size to the small, and it fits perfectly.

The boy calls it a Christmas sweater, though. I tell him that it's a Nordic print, and he tells me that there's some Norwegian somewhere snickering in glee that he was able to pawn off last year's Christmas sweater. Hmmph.

Friday writer's meeting

The writer's group. Missing a member today, but I think she may have permanently dropped out.

last night's white button down, now all wrinkled
jeans, droopy...didn't add the belt because the boy said the flash of skin was nice...
south sea pearl necklace

&
winter gear!
Kangol cap
long polka-dotted scarf
shrunken peacoat

...
I envy everyone I see in knee-length coats. It's raining hard today. Folks dashing across the street from under eaves and awnings. Nice to be home now, changed into dry clothes.

Armor

Today is dirty work. The tenor of the group will likely change. After they get my criticisms, the group is then likely to go on the attack, finding weaknesses where it might benefit them.

Hence, the need to wear armor. Metaphorical armor. The clothes of the ruling class, as my psychiatrist ex once said. The expensive pants, the neatly pressed white shirt, the silver-linked watch, hair pulled back and black-frame glasses worn.

Rugby stripes

I like the rugby stripes on my shirt. Although it isn't a rugby shirt, but rather a top with a little bow on it. But I feel British and collegiate in it.

I feel sad, though. For no particular reason, so it's really more like a melancholy. The purchases of late have come out of that depression, as I like to buy things when I feel down. It gives me momentary pleasure.

But it doesn't work for long.

Rain beads on wool

Another wet, cold day. The rain falls steadily down, not in torrents that expends itself, nor in drizzly dots that sometimes disperse. But steadily, incessantly, from impenetrables clouds of grey. The grey is thick here.

I ventured out to pick up lunch--tempura dinner from Yummy Teriyaki. It was cold, cold, cold. I felt the wind penetrate my jeans. I kept my head lowered, so that the brim of my newsboy cap could protect me from the wet. The rain beaded on top of my cap and kept me a semblance of dry.

L'Occitane Daily Face Cream SPF 15

Currently trying this moisturizer, courtesy of Sephora samples. It's thick and takes a little work to spread, but a little bit goes a long way. The cream is a little bit yellowish-green, and sits in a pool of oil. It's derived from olive oil. It seems counterintuitive to put oil on your face (especially when it's acne-prone and combination skin like mine), but good moisturizers actually are supposed to help balance your skin's natural oil production. The boy enjoys the smell, which is light and fresh.


So far, it's been working fine. Too soon to tell if it will replace my Oil of Olay. I have two more samples to test out before I'll be satisfied with a new winter replacement. Dr. Hauschka Toning Day Cream and Weleda Skin Food.

When you have to deliver bad news

It's a good idea to dress professionally.

Online order

Early mornings, my mind is fuzzy with sleep. My guard is down. I am susceptible to the little voice reminding me of something I saw, somewhere, that would be so nice to have.

This weekend

* grey peacoat (Banana Republic)
* l/s scoopneck grey ribbed tee
* 3/4 sleeve layering tee
* red and black striped tee with bow (all Forever 21)
* birthday card for my neice
* Thank You cards for the wedding
* Christmas countdown chocolate calendar

Cold weather

It's suddenly cold here in Seattle. Wet, frigid weather, which feels colder than snow. I was underdressed, even with my scarf, hat, and peacoat.

So I've changed into thick cords, a vest, and a ribbed tee underneath. I'm still on my search for a good winter coat. The peacoat works for now, but really only because it was on sale for half off at Banana Republic.
The details are a little too cute with the big, trendy buttons. I'd like something classic and understated, like a princess coat, but with a thoughtful young detail in the cut of the collar or something.

Today's outfit

very fine wale brown cord pants
light blue gauze shirt with crochet detail
long silk scarf with watercolor blue flowers
thin gold hoops
Skagen watch
jade bracelet

newly shorn hair!

Buttons

Always check the buttons. I now have three pieces of clothing for which I will have to find replacement buttons.

What comes around

So the Repetto shoes will go back. I think they're comfortable and well-made, but I didn't like the glitteriness in the these particular shoes. I will definitely be looking around for other styles, though.

I bought a few things at Urban Outfitters. When they have the 50% off sale items, you can find things for 5 and 10 dollars. Most of their stuff is pretty overpriced, otherwise, considering how quickly they wear down.

I received my box of Freepeople stuff today as well (where I got the Repetto shoes). I'm keeping the items I added just to be able to get free shipping. No pics, as they're already sold out on the site, and I didn't get the photos in time.

Waistcoat

Which sounds much better than vest.

This time around, the trend works when done in a menswear style, worn loose, and definitely with a shirt underneath. Think Sienna Miller or Kate Moss, not Chippendales dancer.

I'm wearing my Banana Republic version oversized (size 10) with a loose tee underneath, and fine-wale cords. Oxfords complete the Annie Hall-ish ensemble.

The circus has left town

And now I'm married. Much of it, as I told the husband, was just showing up and wearing the clothes.

It was actually wonderful, though.

Wedding dress

picked up. lovely.

Airplane trip tonight

* light wool slacks
* burgundy/tan striped top
* shawl/scarf from flea market in Paris
* Kangol cap
* Earth shoes


These aren't mine, but they look like this.

Chloe ad

The Chloe ads intrigue me, because it's all about intimations
and faint suggestions
and watery imagery.
And out of that alchemy
comes desire.


bwgreyscale.com

Look at the cuteness

Clements Ribeiro kitty key chain
at Satineboutique.com



And here's the backside...

It's hard to dress like an adult

The clothes seem more confining. No more loose tee shirts, Birkenstocks and baggy jeans. They won't do, at least not in the work environment I'm in.

I have one soft, lovely white button-down shirt. It's one of the few collared shirts that I can tolerate. But alas, it is $88 in stores now (but I found it in the thrift store), and I don't have another.

So I'm wearing an ensemble of grey work slacks, purple tank with lace inset, and a black babydoll top.

Marc by Marc Jacobs ID case

Just got it. Kinda disappointed. It's pretty flat, so that flatness and the curved shape makes it hard to get stuff in and out of the zip pouch. The leather is thick, but doesn't seem $75 luxurious. There is a large button that snaps open to give you space for your ID and a few credit cards.

It's not bad, but I guess I'm underwhelmed. Back it goes.

Avoiding work

As these posts might suggest, fashion is a great way to avoid doing what you're supposed to be doing.

Coming soon

I love getting things in the mail.


Marc by Marc Jacobs ID case
Photo shopbop.com


Repetto ballet flats
Photo freepeople.com

Nuts

The Theory "Honey" dress in grey is sold out in my size. There was chocolate brown available, and a black version in size 2. But it's best not to tangle with gravity when it comes to strapless dresses.

Scarves

I have a thing for scarves. It started maybe 10 years ago after I read a descriptive passage in the New Yorker. The writer was describing his friend running across a field with his scarf flying behind him. The image conveyed his friend's careless, emotional way of being, and it stuck with me.


Burberry ad campaign with Jessica Stam

it's not 9 AM yet

I'm waiting for my packages to arrive today. *squeal!*

The Fashion Spot Evolution

I discovered thefashionspot forums a few months ago, via mightybigtv.com, when I was a big America's Next Top Model fan. It took a few visits, but I got sucked into that weird, woolly place populated by affluent consumers, teenyboppers, and fashion obsessives.

It's changed my thinking about clothes.
* more conscious of trends...I can name them now and spot them on people
* expanded notion of what's reasonable to spend
* more discerning eye toward what I will get tired of, like, immediately

I'm not altogether sure that these are good changes. But my hobby for now is clothes. Collecting them, seeing what's out there, coveting...just like one used to do for stickers, or sugar packets, or stamps.

I haven't given up shopping at mass market outlets like Old Navy or Forever 21. But when I go there now, I don't shop purely on impulse. Unless it's like this weekend, when I looked for eye-catching baubles just to cheer me through the next few hard weeks.

His thermal

I'm wearing the thermal I gave him. When he realized that, he was like, "Wait a minute. Isn't that...?"

I ran into the bedroom, and said, "I gave it to you, so it's half mine."

Sizes

In high school, I wore oversized Gap pocket tees that I thought hid my skinniness. Of course, I look at pictures now and I see that I only accentuated it.

At some point--part of the trickle-down style of the past few years--I started wearing the fitted, even tight, clothes that were popular.

I've suddenly bounded back the other way. It was the slouchy pants at Chloe a few seasons back that gave me sudden intimation of another way that clothes could function. Not to reveal. Not to show off one's shape. Rather, a complicated, modern layering of armor and vulnerability, revelation and mystery.


Chloe F/W 05
from Style.com
Photo Marcio Madeira

Gearing up for Fall

Since summer, I've given myself wholly over to my fashion obsessions. Being somewhat of an intellectual, I have tried to hide it over the years. But alas, game's up.

So perhaps this is my way of moving into adulthood by acquiring the accoutrements. I'm not sure. I do know that I'm pretty unsatisfied with my trickle-down style.

So I've edited my wardrobe, sold bags of things to Buffalo Exchange and Crossroads, and given even more to Goodwill. I'm almost ready to slowly invest in good, last-forever pieces. But right now, I'm still in my "research phase." This blog is my attempt to sort things out.

You might not know that from the list of things I've bought this weekend. But these armloads of fun, trifling items will serve the purpose for now: to outfit me for work, and to have fun.

black opaque tights (DKNY)
brown cord jacket in military style (Forever 21)
denim mini (Forever 21)
sea green polka-dotted shrug (Forever 21)
red and tan striped top with bow detail (Forever 21)
(2) black and cream criss-cross babydoll top with crochet collar (Limited)
grey knickers (Forever 21)
menswear-inspired waistcoat (Banana Republic) in size 10
blue and white striped C&C l/s v-neck (Buffalo Exchange)
Thank You cards (Crane)

and online....
Marc by Marc Jacobs wallet
Repetto ballet flats
Free People gauze sundress
Free People lace camisole
Theory strapless pleated dress
12th St. oversized sweater