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Posts Tagged ‘sandals’

Look closely

02 May

{ fashion: }

The dress I’m wearing has a photo print front. I must have worn it about three times before I realized that, upon closer inspection, there’s a couple sitting at the water’s edge. So much for attention to detail. In all fairness, it’s a little hard to make out when you’re wearing it. From a distance? Easy as pie.

I’m rediscovering dresses now that the days are warming up. I don’t feel as silly wearing a skirt or dress with my house flip-flops, it’s casual, but so what? Wearing tights and fuzzy slippers in winter, on the other hand, was a whole other story. A story that wasn’t going to happen.

Anyone else feel compelled to wear red and green? It’s like Christmas over here all over again.

sitting wearing black photo dress, green cardigan, red belt

sitting wearing black photo dress, green cardigan, red belt

{ deets: }

Mini dress/Modcloth, red skinny belt/unknown, green cardi/Nordstrom’s, black mini skirt/swapped, necklace/Anthropologie, black sandals/Dansko.

 
9 Comments

Posted in Fashion

 

Personal shopper

17 Oct

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfit, wearing watercolor mauve, grey, black sheer blouse over skinny jeans

Daily outfit, Daily outfit, wearing watercolor mauve, grey, black sheer blouse, Alexis Bittar necklace

{ personal: }

On Monday, October 10 at 7:03pm I received a text from a friend. I was sitting at a hair salon with violet, magenta and mahogany in my hair while my husband was getting his hair cut. She wanted to know if I would wear a fully lined, chartreuse jacket with ruffles. TJMaxx had one in my size for $29.99 and she thought of me. Several texts followed announcing other miscellaneous items that were apparently perfect for me. Not quite knowing what I was in for I gave her the green light. I didn’t ask for pictures, I like surprises.

The next morning I arrived at a photo studio at the crack of dawn to be greeted by smiling faces and a bag very full with clothes. While the first shot was getting set up I modeled my new finds. Almost everything fit flatteringly. For perspective, I will add that she’s at least four or five inches taller than me, very lean with fair skin and blond hair. We could not look more different, yet she was incredibly successful with her choices. That’s quite a talent. As I wrote her a check I realized how special this was. Not only did she think of me, she acted without hesitation and had made peace in advance with handling any returns. She was surprised that I kept most of her finds, I was surprised at her thoughtfulness.

How often do we think of our friends? How often does a certain life magic occur that allows us to act on that thought? Perhaps a text or an email. Sometimes that thought results in a purchase, a card or a gift. Some of those thoughts graduate from words to action. I had been feeling a little down recently. A lot of work and some minor, yet chronic, health issues had been sapping my energy. I stated loud and clear to myself that feeling depleted had given the clarity to realize that at this time I must only put energy into relationships that give back.

Another friend of mine has made the forty-five minute drive to have lunch with me several times in the last year. She checks in with me regularly, it always takes me too long to get back to her. I’ve never gone to meet her in her neck of the woods. She’s a musician and composer yet I had never seen her play. Something has always come up. Maybe I have never made the effort. Last week I drove after work to see her perform for the first time. I had made an agreement with myself that I would not flake.

I drove by myself into the sunset, Mill Valley is west from where I live. The black silhouette of Mt. Tamalpais against the green-hued sunset was surrounded by the icy blue reflection of the San Francisco Bay. I drove over the Richmond bridge during my favorite time of day. The imprint of dusk filled me with peace, I arrived at my destination forty-five minutes later. At eight, she and her band-mates took the stage. She’s a small woman with a very calm energy, this was her band, these were songs. This was her moment.

The first thing I realized is that I had not been a particularly good friend to her. I had not been bad but I could not claim to have been good. I had dismissed the effort it had taken her to keep us connected regularly. The second thing I realized is that she is incredibly talented, her complex timing and melodic jazz compositions were enveloping me, body and soul. Fortunately, bad behavior, once recognized, can be amended. I left the performance lifted.

A couple years ago, ready to celebrate another friend’s birthday, I found myself presented with a gift instead. The birthday girl’s sister had sent her a t-shirt. She liked so much she bought me an identical one. Random, unexpected, unabashed love. Driving home from the performance that night I was warmed by the thoughts of love and friendship in my life. I have thoughtful friends everywhere, in and outside work, in my sisters, in my husband, in the blogosphere. When arrived home last Tuesday after the photo shoot, the first thing I did was try on my new clothes all over again. I enthusiastically assembled outfits, as I am fond of doing, deciding to wear a diaphanous mauve, grey and black patterned blouse over black skinny jeans the very next day.

The May before last, I salvaged a bright pink t-shirt with black kitties all over it from a bag on its way to the nearest Goodwill. One of my friends had talked me into running Bay to Breakers with her in the sunny spin of a margarita-filled afternoon the day before. After crossing the finish line, we walked back to her car, sweaty, filled with adrenaline and a sense of completion. She offered me a t-shirt as the coastal winds picked up, I grabbed the one that had been a favorite of hers a few years back and I gave it a new home.

I wear it with my raspberry pink pajama bottoms when I’m drinking coffee in the mornings. Not a single wear goes by that I don’t think of her. Friendships are fluid, constantly shifting and evolving. Sometimes they happen while we’re not paying attention, such as with my lunchtime friend, others delight and surprise when we least expect it. The common thread that connects and strengthens friendships, that creates relationships that give back, is a thoughtfulness that extends beyond expectations, such as when a friend randomly decides to act as your personal shopper. It would seem that I need not look further than my own closet for a little love.

{ hair: }

Daily outfit, violet and magenta haircolor

It was time to touch up the roots so I did what any respectable adventurous, color-loving girl would do. I had my friend and stylist, Nicole,  add violet and magenta. And as my father-in-law, unknowingly quoting Ministry, said, “every day is Halloween.”

{ deets: }

Watercolor pattern blouse/TJMaxx, black skinny jeans/Urban Outfitters, black camisole/unknown, cocktail ring/Ariella, watch/DKNY gifted, Alexis Bittar necklace/gifted, black sandals/Dansko.

 
13 Comments

Posted in Fashion, Personal

 

Missoni and me.

27 Sep

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing Missoni for Target blouse, black skinny jeans

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing Missoni for Target blouse, black skinny jeans

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing Missoni for Target blouse, black skinny jeans, Jillery ring

A couple of weeks ago I walked down the sunny plaza where I work to pick up the September issue of Vogue. Sitting quietly with my lunch in Oakland’s historic Rotunda building, I methodically flipped through, dog-earring pages of interest with predictability. The launch of Missoni for Target caught my eye, I made a mental note to drive over the following week at lunch.

On September 14 I had lunch with a friend whose baby girl was stylishly sporting a violet knit dress with the trademark zig-zag in citron yellow and green. Over soup I heard a first-hand account of items maddeningly becoming out of stock in her shopping cart while online two days earlier. A visit to the store provided further proof of the mayhem in process. In my naïveté I had believed I could casually swing by Target in the following week or two and decide in person which knit dress I would buy for myself.

Against my desire to succumb to the frenzy I still found myself online a few hours later scanning every item until I could find something not yet out of stock. I found two blouses in my size. I did not hesitate. I bought both of them with the precision maneuver of a professional online shopper. I would decide later if I liked them. Now was not the time to waffle and question whether I needed either, both or whether they even matched anything else I owned. I had gotten caught up in the moment I had been trying to avoid. Why?

I later found myself reflecting on what had happened. I will most likely never be able to afford a full-priced Missoni dress. I’ve walked by them in Nordstrom’s, I’ve touched the knit, the combination of silky and nubby calls to me. The patterns and colors remind me of my childhood, my mother crocheted and knitted her fair share of little dresses and sweaters for us girls in the 70′s. I love color, I love good and unexpected color combinations, I’ve coveted Missoni dresses for years. I could save up for one, sure, but I’m better off paying a bill or taking a vacation.

Target gave me and others like me the opportunity to have a little something special. The playing field, however competitive, was leveled briefly. This doesn’t cheapen the brand, it allows the rest of us to touch the untouchable. My new blouses are polyester, not silk. The hem is unfinished as a reminder that I may own a little part of a dream but I don’t have the real thing. That’s fine by me, I’m not out to fool anyone.

The decision for a designer label to choose to be more accessible is in part economic. But the idealistic dreamer in me also hopes that there is a nobler goal; that letting the rest of us get a taste of something usually reserved for the elite not only brings us pleasure, it is also sharing its art and vision with us. My economic status doesn’t drive how and what I am able to appreciate, it only affects what I can call my own. Hype or not, the blouses are beautiful. I’m keeping them both.

{ style tip: }

Missoni has always been a pioneer of bold color combinations. Deep rust, pale chick yellow, aqua blue, soft peach, sandy beige. Reflex blue, grey, ivory, bright minty green, soft purple, brown, cream. It’s absolute madness! While most of us are inclined to leave these color combinations to the experts, here’s a hint why they work: The values and hues compliment each other.

I encourage everyone to play with color, my trick is that I assess whether certain shades look good together in daylight, in advance of getting dressed. Indoor lighting can be misleading but indirect daylight provides the perfect lighting environment to determine how well colors work together.

{ deets: }

Multicolored blouse/Missoni for Target, black skinny jeans/Urban Outfitters, black studded belt/unknown, black sandals/Dansko, spike ring/Jillery.

 
15 Comments

Posted in Fashion

 

Taking lessons

22 Sep

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfits and style tips, mixing patterns wearing red skirt, red striped top

{ personal: }

I’m certain that my husband has an advanced degree in relaxing. Chillin’. Chillaxin’. Call it what you will, he’s got it down and I could learn a thing or two from him. When I lived in the Upper Haight in San Francisco I had a routine. I worked from home and would leave the house every afternoon to walk to the store and buy a cookie. I really did this for years. What can I say, I like a routine. Three blocks each way, one cookie and fresh produce for dinner. I would cross the panhandle, slowly, taking it all in; the dogs, the cyclists, friendly faces and neighbors.

I also started my day with a soy latté just around the corner, journaling and daydreaming. I spent an hour in the quiet hush of early morning orders by myself documenting every thought and emotion, turning stream of consciousness into poetry, day after day. My neighborhood cafe played great music, I rediscovered my love for electronic music. I once told a group of somewhat younger women about my morning routine. “You must really love yourself,” one said. Actually, yes.

Fast forward ten years. I no longer work from home. I have very little control over the kind of demands making their way across my day; I have some control over how I deal with the stress. Running, sometimes a drink after work, sometimes not. The most draining days require prescription strength television watching. We don’t even have cable. My husband and I met at work and carpool together, sharing one car. The routine is gone. It’s been replaced with coordinating schedules, grocery shopping, laundry days. Oh, and blogging.

I was washing the first batch of dusty Burning Man bins on Sunday when said husband exclaimed that he was going to chill for a while, complete with beer in hand. Envious, perhaps, I asked if he hadn’t just been relaxing. (This conversation can now go two ways.) Yes! He was going to relax again he proudly announced. He asked me to join him. Uncharacteristically, I put down what I was doing and grabbed my own beer. We sat and appreciated the million dollar view we’ve been blessed with and listened to hummingbirds whir.

View of San Francisco Bay from Oakland hills

LIke I said, I could learn a thing or two. The impressive stack of laundry that needs to be put away sitting in the back room is not going anywhere. Does it matter if I deprive myself of relaxing with my best friend only to put it away three days earlier? Of course it doesn’t. What matters is this: Carpe Diem. When I’m relaxed I photograph better. I write better. I dress myself better. I’m more creative. I’m nicer to myself and everyone around me. I would bet money that I will age less quickly if I subscribe to my husband’s plan. He’s not lazy. He gets things done. I try to get even more done and then beat myself up for not having done enough. I must be taking funny pills because that kind of math does not add up, does it?

Daily outfits and style tips, mixing patterns wearing red skirt, red striped top

What you see above is proof, actual photographic proof, that I came home tonight, popped open a hard cider and enjoyed our warm summer evening. After a day of such intense pattern mixing who wouldn’t need to unwind?

{ style tip: }

Ah, mixing patterns. The old taboo. This one is not always easy to pull off. It’s easier when there are elements in common. In this case, the color red and the graphic nature of the clovers versus the stripes worked. One didn’t overpower the other which kept the outfit balanced, this is key. There are many tips out there on how to do this well. The Chic Fashionista has some good advice.

Don’t be afraid to give it a shot, it takes guts to step outside our comfort zones. There will be misses but there are sure to be hits, too.

{ deets: }

Red clover skirt/Urban Outfitters, striped shirt/Michael Kors, daisy ring/Hatch, red leather cuff watch/Nixon, red jacket/Precious Boutique, black sandals/Dansko

{ giveaway: } 

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway. I’ve got a lightweight scarf straight from Paris just begging to go home with you. Male or female, it matters not. This scarf is genderless and will flatter everyone. Check out The House in the Clouds on facebook to enter.

 
21 Comments

Posted in Fashion, Personal

 

Bye bye, blondie!

26 Aug

{ personal: }

That’s right, I’m going on vacation and will out next week but I’ve got some great bloggers to represent in my absence. Do come by for a visit and say “hi”. In the meantime, say “hello” to my new hair.

It’s not so blonde anymore. It’s blonde, pink and orange.

I had to do it. Nicole of Graph Paper Heart did this beautiful color for me, I’d been wanting to add pink into my hair for so long and had chickened out for fear of ruining it.

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing salmon ruffle tank and cardigan

No more fear! I love it. We’ve been darkening the roots with a deep mahogany recently for contrast. She weaved in the bright orange and pink alternately around my face and a little on the sides, leaving the utmost top layer blonde. It all blends well for a really beautiful effect. And if I really feel like going wild, I can pin the blonde part back leaving a shock of color.

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing salmon ruffle tank and cardigan, grey ankle pants, black sandals

I’m posing quite proudly next to my new and improved flower bed, the dahlias have come back to life since I fearlessly captured their aggressors: The snails.

{ style tip: }

To offset the shock of  my newfound hair color at work, I played down the style of both my hair and my outfit slightly. In fact, I barely wore any jewelry. It helped me ease into it gently—at least as gently as one can go with bright orange and pink streaks in their hair. I still opted for a bright top, wearing neutrals would only have drawn more attention to the contrasting color of my hair.

When trying something new, it’s not a bad idea to create a little more comfort for yourself by underplaying other elements. Sometimes having everything be in the spotlight can feel like too much. Find your comfort zone and ease into it. You want to have fun with it, after all.

Your personal style should be fun for you, you’re beautiful when you’re happy!

{ deets: }

Hair/Nicole, Sakura Salon, (Oakland, Ca.), salmon ruffle top/Urban Outfitters, salmon cardigan/Nordstrom’s, grey ankle pants/Express, black sandals/Dansko, black pearl necklace/gifted.

{ special guest appearance: }

Mr. House in the Clouds also got a little color. In fact, he was the instigator.

 
15 Comments

Posted in Fashion, Personal

 

FBFF Q&A: What’s your dream job?

19 Aug

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfit and style tips, wearing mint green lace front tunic, floral scarf

Daily outfit and style tips, wearing mint green lace front tunic, floral scarf, paisley harem pants, green sandals

This is how I dress when I’m not working for the weekend. I must admit that my weekend outfits have evolved, they have become cuter and less sloppy. While I’ve never been one to let myself go, I’ve certainly taken advantage at times of being home and unseen.

One year, I went through my closet and got rid of everything sloppy, slouchy, stretched and stained.

The problem is these special “cleaning out the garage” outfits started making a regular appearance. Let’s face it, they were soft and comfortable, I never had to worry about messing them up as I putzed around the house or garden. My subconscious has a tendency to propel me towards the familiar and comfortable. I had to take drastic actions. Eliminate the temptation, solve the problem.

If I’m home all day I’m not going to be doing dishes with jewelry, a scarf and shoes on but you will no longer find me looking like I’m in the middle of cleaning out the garage. Especially since I haven’t had one in eight years.

{ fbff: }

This week on Friend Friday, (FBFF), there’s been talk about pursuing dreams. What’s your dream job? What would you love to be doing right now? Putting them down on paper is often the first step to realizing those dreams. Today, we’ve been asked to consider what that dream job would be. Let’s see what I’d be doing. I eliminated my very first dream job: to be a snowboarding instructor and ride full-time because I have every intention to teach someday and it’s not a stretch at all. I’m just not ready to do it at the moment.

FBFF: Fess up – if you could do anything professionally what would it be?

FMJ: My dream environment would make use of my love of writing and fashion, along with my creative, analytical and interpersonal skills. (That really sounds like I pulled it from my fantasy resumé!)

FBFF: What draws you to this?

FMJ: I’ve always loved to write, English was my favorite topic in school and I was a voracious reader. I actually have a blog for my poetry, The Places I’ve Been. I’ve always had fun with clothes, there’s never been a time in my life when I played completely by fashion rules. Fortunately, I’m already in a creative and analytical role. I think I would die if I weren’t. That’s very dramatic of me, so, ok, I wouldn’t die. I would, however, be completely and utterly miserable not having strong creative outlets in my life. I’m just wired that way. And they can’t be just creative, they must have an element of logic and analysis, too. Both sides of my brain want to play in the game.

FBFF: When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?

FMJ: I don’t know that there has ever been a clear starting point. Right now, it still feels like a fantasy job.

FBFF: What’s holding you back from going all in?

FMJ: I suspect part of not having tried to head in that direction is the lack of relatable skills. While I probably would do well in such an environment, it would take a great leap of faith for someone to have the vision that could connect what I’ve been doing with what I could be doing.

Conceptually, it doesn’t feel like a stretch, right? I’m responsible for the visual representation and interpretation of marketing objectives for well-known brands. I get how to make things look good while also making them work. The high level skills are transferable, the direct experience is not.

FBFF: Sometimes the first step is the hardest… what’s one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

FMJ: Research, conversations and developing clarity on what it is I want. Whatever it is I do starts with the first step I take.

Thank you Katy of Modly Chic for crafting this topic. Friend Friday is an opportunity for fashion and beauty bloggers to share their thoughts on a specific topic and read what others have to say on that same topic. For more information, check out Modly Chic and welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!

{ deets: } 

Paisley harem pants/H&M, mint green lace front tunic/Urban Outfitters, floral scarf/Urban Outfitters, green sandals/Finn Comfort, long beaded necklace/Nordstrom’s, mint green glass spiral earrings/Braindrops, silver and mother-of-pearl cuff/Lois Hill.

 

 
9 Comments

Posted in Blog Events, Fashion, FBFF Q&A

 

Show me your shorts! – Pushing past the fear

15 Aug

{ blog event: }

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing mint green bubble shorts, salmon tank and peach blazer

Overcoming fears. Pushing ourselves. Redefining our place in the world. Being proud of who we are while embracing the unknown of what we will become. What does all this have to do with showing your shorts?

A few weeks ago I called on you to submit photos of yourselves wearing shorts. I picked this in particular because it happened to be the one item of clothing that was a stretch for me to wear comfortably and I pushed myself to get over it. It’s not the wearing of shorts that makes me feel better about myself, it’s the pushing past the fear. I decided to celebrate that push, we all have fears to overcome but it is infinitely easier to push when we don’t feel alone.

I have news for you, you’re never alone over here.

See and read how these ladies wore their shorts. For some it was hard, for others it was completely natural. By sharing their photos each gives us inspiration and each gives us cause to celebrate ourselves and our bodies. Stephanie of The Loudmouth was my inspiration to push myself. Who will be yours?

{ participants: }

Stephanie, The Loudmouth

When people think of Minnesota, they think of snow. And BELIEVE ME, we get snow. But we also get incredible, suffocating, oppressive heat and humidity in the summer and when it’s hot outside, shorts are virtually all I can wear. And, thankfully, my fellow Minnesotans seem to feel similarly and sport shorts all summer long. The very idea that any woman would feel her body isn’t worthy of shorts makes me want to shake my tiny fists at the sky. No matter how big, small, long, short, scarred, hairy, pocked, smooth, wrinkled, tanned, or pale your legs are, you can and should wear shorts if the spirit moves you. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. Promise me. – Sally, Already Pretty

I don’t like being told what to do. So, when my thighs, who are both bossy and rebellious, tried to tell me not to wear shorts, I decided on a little rebellion of my own. I’m wearing shorts and I’m happy to be doing so. Viva la shorts! – Gracey, Fashion For Giants

I know that short shorts on a “mature” woman is a major fashion faux pas. I believe the proper protocol calls for a no more than two-fingers above the knee hemline. I tried to do this about 6 years ago, when I turned 40. When I was 39 I wore what I believed to be my last spate of micro-minis because I planned to retire my short hemlines and trade ‘em in for a more modest and mature skirt, and shorts length.

For a year I wore what is now called “metro shorts.” And I call them grampa, or golf shorts. And you know what? The length dated me- made me look older and not in a nice way like toting an Hermes bag or wearing a Chanel jacket would. I looked dowdy. Old. Frumpy. And I said: fuck that. So I took a pair of scissors and shortened all my shorts and that was that. Now I shameless parade my middle aged gams about in saucy skirts and short shorts. You know the saying: Give a girl an inch and she’ll wear it as a skirt. Well you do now. – Bella Q, The Citizen Rosebud

With summer here, showing a little skin is almost a must to keep cool in the heat. Over the years, I have pushed myself to be more comfortable with my body – including showing off my legs in shorts. These denim cut-offs were a do-it-yourself project have been my go-to pair for the summer and I feel wonderful in them. – Callie, Unladylike

I started wearing “short” shorts the last 3-4 years. I usually wear shorts that are a little bit above the knee, but lately I’ve ventured into shorted shorts. These black ones are my favorites because their length is ideal for both wearing in the office and going out. And black is always a classical color that never goes out of fashion! – Anna, Designed By Ann

These shorts are actually a pair of “Just My Size” jeans that were too short, which I cut off. I am nervous about showing my legs and knees in photos – therefore I cover them up.This is a challenge for me to not worry about what others think and to just push myself outside of my comfort zone. Therefore, you can see me and my “not-so-perfect” parts. I hope you are encouraged to not be so concerned about the outside but worry more about the inside. Right now, I need to work on the inside…. so this was perfect timing! - Sherry, Girls Day Out

I love having bare legs! I would wear shorts to work everyday if I could find some that fit me well. Either the shorts are too short and inappropriate to wear to work (too much upper leg chub dangling out), or they are too boxy and manly looking (like I am some hip hop star or something- just call me J-Dog yo yo if you know what I mean). These black shorts are the lone pair I own that I wear with heels and a dressier top. I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else is wearing so I can get some more ideas!! – Jodi, Day2Daywear

I just felt like doing something casual with a lil bling. Also often when I wear short shorts I like to pair ‘em with a loose fitting top. So i added this gap peasant top, which I cropped myself to these tan shorts by Necessary Objects. Then for the bling I added this rhinestone choker from BeBe, an Eiffel tower necklace that I added a second pendant to, this sequin rhinestone bracelet and these 3 stone jellies by Dollhouse. – Doc Starr, Doc Starr Chic

Being petite, short shorts are one way to elongate your figure and show off your legs. For me, it’s a secret rebellion against the tall, tanned, toned, and slim figures…and to show that yea, I can rock shorts too. - Jess, Stylepint

I wore this outfit to meet one of my girlfriends for some fish, chips and a Guinness at my favorite local pub. I usually wear skirts and not shorts however thanks to our weather I could wear shorts almost all year round if I choose to. – Ofelia, My Intended Life

I thrifted a pair of khaki Bermuda shorts a few weeks ago with the intention to dye them either red or yellow. I also got a pair of  7 for All Mankind jeans that had seen better days. I knew that they would work well as a pair of cutoffs, so they were destined to be red (more on those in another post) leaving the khakis to become my new yellow shorts. I love how bright they turned out to be! – Danie, No Guilt Fashion

Inspired by the colored denim craze, I went for a shorter version in my new favorite J. Crew shorts! I threw on the headband just for fun, and think I just found another trend I can’t seem to get enough of!!! – Carlina, Allergic To Vanilla

As a kid summer was all about shorts and t-shirts, swimsuits and flipflops. But now as a professional, summer has become more about trying not to melt while running errands and attempting to still look fresh by the end of the day while attired in ‘dress-up’ clothes. So on the weekends, I’m not afraid to bust out the shorts and run around town. I’m especially loving the dressed up shorts trend that was huge this summer, allowing ladies everywhere to look stylish and fresh while still wearing the play clothes of childhood. – Katy, ModlyChic

Yvonne, Fashion Recon

Terri, Rags Against The Machine

Nicole, Graph Paper Heart

Veshoevius, The Taxonomy Of My Wardrobe

Please join me in thanking everyone who took the time to participate, I encourage you today to share your comments and words of encouragement. It may only be Monday but in my world this moment is cause for celebration.

How are you celebrating yourself?

{ deets: }

Mint green shorts/ModCloth, salmon tank/Urban Outfitters, peach blazer/Nordstrom’s, platform sandals/Urban Outfitters, rose and sparrow necklace/gifted.

 
23 Comments

Posted in Blog Events, Fashion, Inspire

 

Flowers and skulls

03 Aug

{ daily outfit: }

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing floral print dress, lace slip, black tights, black sandals

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing floral print dress, earrings from farfetch.com

Branch and skull earrings from farfetch.com

Last month I found out about a new online retailer, farfetch.com. My curiosity was piqued, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to blow, I mean, consciously, spend my discretionary allowance on accessories and the like. In a perfect world I would be supporting independent designers and boutiques with every purchase on unique pieces within my price range. As it turns out, it’s not that hard to do it with farfetch.com.

They curate the best that independent boutiques have to offer with over 1,000 high-end and budding designers and brands. I just couldn’t resist, they have so much to choose from in a wide variety of price ranges. Did you see the unique earrings I’ve got on? I’m wearing them with orange plugs, in the future they’ll look better with a darker or metallic silver pair. I couldn’t resist the intricate design and detail of the branch and skull. They delicately add an edge to an otherwise sweet ensemble.

Here are some other favorite pieces of jewellery that they carry, (that ring is definitely on my wish list):

Flutter spike ring, farfetch.com

Flutter Spike Ring from SHE Boutique, Highland Park, US

Joanna Cave, "Felippa" necklace

Joanna Cave, “Felippa” Necklace, from no-one, London, United Kingdom

Orit multi-strand bracelet from farfetch.com

Orit Multi Strand Bracelet, farfetch from Bernard, London, United Kingdom

{ deets: }

Black and floral print dress/H&M, black tights/unknown, black lace slip/Nordstrom’s, black sandals/Dansko, teal wood bangle/Costa Brava, branch and skull earrings/courtesy of farfetch.com, steampunk dragonfly necklace/gifted.

{ disclaimer: }

While I may at times wear and review an item courtesy of a sponsor, I promise to you that any endorsements made on my part remain objective and genuine.

 
5 Comments

Posted in Fashion

 

Show me your shorts! – A blog event

01 Aug

{ blog event: }

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing ivory shorts, peach blazer, blue suede platform sandals

Now, get your mind out of the gutter! This is my story. I have never worn shorts except for running, outdoor park and beach days or hanging around the house. This is relatively new to me, I was initially inspired by a picture that Stephanie of The Loudmouth posted of herself some months back. All of a sudden, it seemed like everyone was wearing shorts but me. Alright, not everyone but it was my perception at the time. I decided to give it a shot.

Daily outfit and style tips, wearing white shorts and vintage ivory blouse

I first wore them on a date with my hubby, it seemed like a pretty safe way to dip my toes. Next, I wore them to a friend’s party. One thing led to another and next thing you know, I finally did the unthinkable, I wore a pair to work last week. I had attempted the week before and chickened out. Yes, I do that sometimes.

It might come as a surprise that I had to really push myself to do this given that my outfit choices are not particularly conservative. I wear a lot of bright colors and I have tattoos but this was just new to me. I saw it as a way to step outside my comfort zone, something I’m actually comfortable doing. What I mean is that I like the challenge of pushing myself to do something new, something different. There’s a lot of personal growth to gain from taking chances. It’s easy to play it safe, I fall prey to complacency often.

Then I see someone wearing shorts and I’m intrigued and inspired; I know I must push myself repeatedly in this life and step up. It is only through trial and error that we get to realize our potential.

It isn’t the initial fear or hesitation, it isn’t the discomfort that defines us, it’s what we do with it when we experience it. How are you defining yourself?

There’s a song on Paul Simon’s Graceland album called “Further to Fly”. I think of it as my personal anthem. As long as I can dream, as long as the cycle of life continues, there is further to fly. Now I’m wearing shorts with the sass of someone who’s done it all along. You know I’m keeping an eye out for that next challenge. Whether it be sartorial, physical or professional, it will inevitable be very personal.

Won’t you join me?

Send me your photos of how you’re rockin’ the shorts and in two weeks, on Monday, August 15, I will post them and link back to you. My goal is to inspire you to challenge yourself and share with others how you’ve done it. Every time we push ourselves, even doing something as simple as wearing something we don’t typically wear, we grow as individuals. You’re helping me grow, let’s do this together.

I’m calling out to all you lovelies who are already wearing shorts to show us how you do it and I’m calling on those of you who don’t wear shorts to go for it, dip your toes in that water, the temperature is just right. Send me your photos at flyingfabu [at] gmail [dot] com by Friday, August 12, with a little blurb either about your outfit or the experience of wearing the shorts. Let’s make this happen!

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Top: Ivory shorts/H&M, ivory lace top/Nordstrom’s, peach blazer/Nordstrom’s, long beaded necklace/Nordstrom’s, orange skinny belt/thrifted, blue suede platform sandals/Barcelona. 

Bottom: White cotton eyelet shorts/H&M, vintage Bergdorf Goodman blouse/thrifted, ochre elastic belt/Anthropologie, gold shimmer tights/Urban Outfitters, steampunk dragonfly necklace/gifted, hand-carved wood earrings/Braindrops.

 
9 Comments

Posted in Blog Events, Fashion, Inspire

 

FBFF: Where the magic happens

29 Jul

{ daily  outfit: }

Daily outfit and style tips, wearing big blond earrings, vintage floral shirt

Good people, I bring you the debut of my “big blondes”, the hand-carved earrings that I bought before the honeymoon. They didn’t fit until this past weekend. Fortunately they’re incredibly light. I love the bold ethnic feel. One could say they’re my statement earrings. I’ve always been a big fan of big bold jewelry. In fact, I only started wearing lighter, more feminine pieces in the past year or so. I’ve embraced being girlie in my forties. Personal evolution is always cool.

Daily outfit and style tips, wearing big blond earrings, vintage floral shirt, jeans, pink sandals

I’m feeling the seventies vibe with this shirt. I picked up this 100% pure genuine polyester a few months back and rediscovered it yesterday. The lapels are ready for take-off, I like a shirt that can fly. By the way, did you notice that my canna just got its first flower this summer? I’m so proud of my little garden.

Daily outfit and style tip, wearing steampunk and flower neckalces, vintage floral shirt

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A few days ago I received a comment about excessive accessorizing. I’m mostly in agreement, one can’t go wrong quoting Coco Chanel, she’s one of my style idols after all. I say I’m mostly in agreement because I also believe in pushing boundaries, breaking rules and taking chances. My style would never have evolved had I never taken chances. You win some, you lose some. But if you don’t try, you don’t find out.

I’m experimenting with the balance of wearing multiple pieces and how they can relate to each other.

This is my attempt at combining edgy and feminine. It worked for me because I wore the steampunk necklace lower into the neckline so that it was only partially visible every so often and I dug the juxtaposition.

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Daily outfit and style tip, wearing vintage floral shirt, jeans, working on laptop

Fashion Beauty Friend Friday has evolved the schedule of the question and answer series from weekly to bi-monthly so that we may have more time to ruminate on each topic. The gap in the schedule provided an unforeseen opportunity. FBFF members can suggest any type of blog event for that week. For this week’s event we’re sharing where the magic happens, where our natural blogging habitat truly lies. It is brought to you by Suze of Miss Vinyl Ahoy. If you haven’t yet paid her blog a visit, I highly recommend doing so. She’s fantastic, has great style and does amazing things with color.

As you can see, mine is my bedroom. Though I share it with my husband, it is the designated girlie room of the house. Our bed has a memory foam topper and is unbelievably awesome, the pillows make it extra cushy. Normally my laptop lays on a big wooden cutting board, it makes the perfect platform. And yes, that’s Hami, the hamster in the corner.

Thank you Katy of Modly Chic for encouraging this topic. Friend Friday is an opportunity for fashion and beauty bloggers to share their thoughts on a specific topic and read what others have to say on that same topic. For more information, check out Modly Chic and welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!

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Vintage floral shirt/thrifted, jeans/Calvin Klein, pink patent leather sandals/Dankso, big blonde earrings/Braindrops, silver and mother-of-pearl cuff/Lois Hill, purple flower necklace/gifted, steampunk dragonfly/gifted.

 
17 Comments

Posted in Fashion, FBFF Q&A

 
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