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That's what Hubs calls it when I look like this:
This is one of those times I feel incredibly fortunate. The color is, shall we say, enhanced. The cut is awesome, because I pay for an awesome cut, and the wave? Is all mine. What you see there? Is towel-dried hair. It. just. does. that.
Don't hate me because I'm beautiful. Hate me because I'm rubbing your nose in it.
Not really. I know I'm lucky!
This Random Thoughts Tuesday is going to be exactly that. Whatever the hell pops into my head for thirty minutes this morning. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Time to take off the sweatshirt. It's a dance every morning, as I am cold when I get up, the over-warm after awhile from the coffee, oatmeal, and meds.
There are days when I am blogging that I feel actual love and support for all the bloggers out there, and empathy and compassion, and I want to climb right through the wires and make everything okay, and hug, and pass out money. This is a totally alien feeling for me. I can guarantee you that Hubs is stunned right now reading about it. No idea of the cause. Maybe people are supposed to be like that, and I've just discovered it?
Fortunately, that feeling passes. Heh. Actually, I'd like it to last. Shit. Hubs has been wondering (as have I) if I need to go back to that counselor again. I'd rather spend the money on pedicures! *snicker* The Grinch is back.
Speaking of pedicures, NOTHING makes me feel as sexy as a new pedicure. Got one yesterday, felt sexy all day. Thanks to the OPI website, I can share the color without showing my feet to all of the fo.ot feti.sh.ers out there:
If there's no picture there, it's because I forgot to go back at the end and insert it. I'll catch it eventually.
This is what the temps look like for the rest of the week. I am insanely excited!
One of the best things about not working for a school system anymore is that I can now travel off-peak. Have I said that before? I am becoming one of those old people who tell the same stories over and over again. With my dad, it was Wayne Newton. If the name came up, you were guaranteed that my dad would say, "You know, he puts on a hell of a show in Vegas." I filed it in for him one time, when he was a little slow out of the gate. I got the stink-eye in return.
20-year-old-Girl and her fiancee, Lovely Young Man, are in the market for their first home. What a time to be shopping for a home! They are going to see the one right across the street that is in foreclosure, although there are already two cash offers on it. The people who had to leave took the furnace with them, and banks won't finance a house without a furnace.
How's my posture? I am trying very hard to remember to sit up straight and stand up straight. I know it's better for me, and it makes me look much better, but old habits are terribly difficult to break. I can actually turn into the letter C if I stop thinking about it, curled into a hunched over position. Bad bad bad. If there were such a thing as a posture brace, I'd wear it for a month just to...never mind. This is getting weird.
I guess there's a reason people edit themselves, eh?
I cooked dinner last night. Actually, I did all the prep work in the afternoon, so all I had to do was toss it in the oven for half an hour. This is another one of those "regular people have been doing this for years, and I'm just figuring it out" moments. I should probably be passing this on to my kids, but, screw it. They're on their own. Have you any idea how liberating that is?
I have another training session this Saturday, from 2-6, I think. It's not that I am forgetful (in this instance, I certainly am forgetful other times), it's just that I offered to be flexible, in case other people needed the morning session.
You know how they say you should drink 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water every day? I actually do that. So you'd think my hands wouldn't be all puffy and sore all the time. WTF, hands? Off to inquire of Dr. Google, I guess.
Does anyone else check their e-mail as compulsively as I do? I like to leave Office open, so I can get the little dings! which has taken the place of AOLs "You've Got Mail!" Ding! would have been a stupid movie title, though.
Time to post! And link to Keely! Have a good Tuesday! Use lots of exclamation points!
Be sure to visit Sally McGraw at Already Pretty this morning for her post about fashion and body image through the years. Sal invited me to contribute, and I was honored to oblige.
When I started Wardrobe Therapy, I was thinking it was because I had nothing to wear. Where I got that impression, I don't know, as it's turning out that I am pretty well supplied (except for cold-weather tops, but I haven't needed any during my personal summer). When it comes to Piles of Bottoms (sorry, Duchess!), I have lots and to spare.
This stack is of the bottoms I will wear for work. From the top: Khaki jeans, black jeans, khaki brushed cotton slacks, black linen capris, and khaki cotton crop pants. I have ordered a pair of L.L. Bean chino khaki-colored walking shorts, as well. We have a uniform black polo to wear with them. Boring, but functional, I feel like I can safely say I have plenty with which to make it through the summer. I suppose they qualify as Stalwart Staples.
My go-to pants, every day lately has been these:
These are Lee Rider stretch jeans, and I have two pair. They are from K-Mart! I can hardly believe it, I NEVER shop at K-Mart. K-Mart opened it's first store a few miles from my house, then grew to huge proportions. Now they are affiliated with Sears in some way, don't ask me to explain. My BIL is a district manager in Green Bay, so you'd think I would shop there more frequently. But the K-Marts around me tend to be a huge mess with products of questionable quality.
Last year, in February, we drove from Detroit to Captiva Island, Florida with friends. On the way home (a two-day drive) I spilled coffee on the one pair of jeans I had brought. No time to do laundry, so I ran into a nearby K-Mart and came back with these. They fit so well, I went back and grabbed a second pair.
Is it kosher to put pairs of nondescript jeans in the category of Superstars? I'm doing it anyway.
I'm such a rebel.
I am including spring/summer bottoms in this WT, so here are a couple more Stalwart Staples...
I think these are Meronas, which is Target's in-house brand. They are comfortable and light, and I have at least three t-shirt style tops to match each of them. I think I've had them for two years, and they get a lot of wear in the summer. So do these, which qualify for Superstar status...
These are Liz Claiborne stretch denim capris. They fit perfectly, and I look great in them. They are also insanely comfortable. What more can you ask for? I can hardly wait until it's warm enough here to wear them. We have a trip coming up to Vero Beach, Florida at the end of April, so I'll be able to wear them then, at the latest.
Some more Superstars...
This pair of chino shorts is from Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer has designed their pants, capris, and shorts with my body shape in mind. This pair are called Vashon fit, but I can also wear their other styles easily. There used to be an Eddie Bauer Outlet near me, but alas, they have closed or moved away. Even the clothes from the standard Eddie Bauer store are not expensive, considering the quality of the materials and the construction. The things I buy from them are sturdy, well-made and fashionable. They will last years. Why then, does my heart skip a beat when I see a price tag on a garment I like? I really need to talk myself out of the Target mentality. Cute stuff there, too, but not usually the highest quality. Here are a couple more Superstars...
Left to right: Neutral brown-ish (dirt color!) Mercer fit slacks from Eddie Bauer, Charcoal gray Bremerton fit, side-zip slacks, also from Eddie Bauer. This second pair fits under Velveteen Rabbits, as that third box? Shows the light/shiny spot near the left hip. I have no idea what to do to blend that spot again, but those pants take 10 pounds off of me, and I am not willing to part with them!
I also have those skirts that I kicked off WT with...
I'd like to keep one of the three skirts. I'll need to try them on, and decide then. That combo in the center? Is adorable, and looks AWFUL on me. Not the fit, the color. What was I thinking, buying that straw color? It's almost the exact same shade as my face, so I disappear in it. Worn ONCE. I think they are both either 12s or 14s. If you want them? I will ship them to you (not you, Captain, don't even ask). The last three fit under the category of day dresses. I wear the one on the left a few times every summer, as it's light and comfy, the middle one looks like a jumper from Catholic school. So does the last one, but at least the one on the right is within the realm of "colors I can wear."
Phew, this is a long enough post. More later this week on my "personal fashion statement." The very thought of which makes me tremble.
Like scb, I tried the color analysis at Donna Fuji Institute, and discovered that I am a low-contrast Autumn. Here is the palette it gave me, which is surprisingly similar to the colors I often choose for myself:
Although gold jewelry makes my skin glow better than silver, I still love silver, and will try incorporate warmer colors, or maybe silver-gold mixes, which I really love.
In other beauty news, Sally at Already Pretty has put together a post with input from women in different phases of life...including me, under the category Clueless-But-Means-Well. Be sure to visit on Monday morning when the post goes live, and stay to follow Sal's smarty-pants, practical, positive-body-image writing. You'll love her as much as I do, I promise.
This is the week 2 assignment for dr. wende's Wardrobe Therapy.
At this moment in time, the name is unfortunate, at least for me. If you are old enough to recognize the other meaning of "piles" you have probably suffered some time in your own life. Ah, well, on with the show (only clothes, I swear...I'm not that good with the camera...or that free with my...parts).
Let's start with Velveteen Rabbits....
This is a pretty small pile, because I learned to cull for these "loved to pieces--literally" clothes when I started teaching. I needed to look really professional, so stained or damaged clothes rarely linger. Also, I don't invest enough to bother with fixes too much. I have a leather jacket and a cashmere coat that warrant repair. Not much else.
Ignore the pair of pants on the bottom. They are off to the donation bag, too.
Torture Devices...
I have no clothes in this category! Maybe some shoes, but I am a shoe wimp. I try EVERYTHING on when I shop at stores, and if an online purchase is uncomfortable? I don't care how great it looks. I know myself too well to think I would endure discomfort to look good.
Same Time Next Year...
...is mostly formal and black, although there is one standout. It is probably not my color, and the kerchief hemline is probably completely out of date. But I love it, and best of all it was a steal! Marked down from about $240 to $85. 100% silk.
Yes, we own a boatload of compact discs.
Sentimental Journeys...
Just the dress I got married in, which, in 25 years has not been properly stored. No one will ever wear it again, I just can't bring myself to get rid of it.
Mysteries of the Lost Shopping Trip...
...another category I cannot claim, thankfully. The shopping trips are few and far between. Usually I talk myself out of things I have selected for one reason or another. I like the idea of shopping much more than the actual activity.
Stalwart Staples...
...here we go. Lots of these. Someday, I may even be able to wear them more often. Menopause has taken away any opportunities for layering, a look I absolutely love. At this point in my life, I had better really be confident of the bottom layer of clothes, because I am going to get there. In public. I have learned that I love the 3/4 length sleeve, I like a scoop or v-neck, and I like a tailored fit, not too snug, just enough to curve where I do.
Ignore the wrinkles. I store most tops folded, then either iron, or tumble-dry the wrinkles out when I want to wear them. At the top of the photo are navy, black, white, lilac, and coral versions of the same shirt. From Target. They are 3/4 sleeve, fit well, and the front of the shirts are double-layered, which is snug underneath and a bit looser on top, which means they cover the bumps and bulges common to my age. I have one in an aqua color, too, but it was in the wash. When I saw how well I loved the white one I bought, I went right back to the store and bought all the other colors I liked. On sale. On the bottom left are two sleeveless tops with little details that make them pretty. The white one is a Sigrid Olson that was on clearance! Score! The only remotely cold-weather shirt in the bunch is the blue w/stripes on the middle, left. It's a Liz Claiborne that was advertised as "The Perfect Sweater." I can but agree.
and the Superstars...
...having seen other posts, I am grateful to be able to share FOUR superstars.
I have been told I look fab in each of these, from lots of different sources. I'm thinking that these jewel-tones may have something to do with that. Until I put all four of these pictures together on Picnik, I had no idea, so I have learned something today, which was the goal.
Top left: This is from Christopher & Banks, a shop I usually avoid like the plague. It's typically full of the clothes you'd see on a kindergarten teacher. Navy knit cardigans with apples and pencils embroidered, and the like. Last August, when I was contemplating (with dread) my return to the classroom, I went shopping at C & B for work clothes, which I was pleased to learn, were from a different buyer for the chain. I emerged with $350 worth in two enormous bags. When I decided to quit, which shouldn't have taken so long, seeing as how I didn't remove a single thing from it's tissue paper wrapping, I returned everything except this top and a matching pair of pants. I justified it because I felt I'd need "interview clothes." Guess what I wore to the group interview?
Bottom left: My younger sister bought this years ago at NY &Co., then decided she didn't want it. It's faux velvet, and flows like water when I wear it. SOOOO comfortable, and I love the blue.
Top right: This is the shell from a 3-piece ensemble I bought years ago. It had a jacket that was almost calf-length, and flowy, black pants. I think I bought it for somebody's wedding. The rest of the suit has been gone for awhile, but the shell gets a lot of wear. It looks great with a black blazer, although I'd like to find something more colorful to go with. It's a gorgeous royal-purple, that doesn't come across well in the photos.
Bottom right: This a crepe blouse I saw at Kohl's. It is mildly high-maintenance, in that it rides up a bit in the shoulder. Also, when my hair is collar-length, it can make me crazy dealing with the hair/collar conflict. But, it fits great, washes well, and NEVER needs ironing, owing to the intentional accordion wrinkles.
Those are the piles I am sharing. There are also four HUGE piles of stuff I no longer wear because of fit/image issues. I own(ed) far too many sweatshirts and hoodies and souvenir t-shirts. Someone else will get much more wear out of them.
