Healthy Style: On Badassery

I originally posted a version of this over on my Weight Watchers Online blog. But I thought this fashion-interested world might want to read it...so here it is.

We've all been using it.

"I feel like a BAMF."

"I'm one of those people out in the freezing cold, running."

As compliments to others on their running, their yoga, their Tough Mudder, or their Crossfit,

"BEAST!"

It struck me the other day, as I read a post from a running friend about how and why to run in the cold. I'm with her, 100%, I've found I love it, but something isn't sitting right about one of her reasons for getting out in the cold: "I'm usually the only one out there at 5am in the freezing cold, and if I see others, they're usually much younger, and men. So own the BAMF of being out there," or something like that. Why do we want to be a badass? Or maybe the question is "why do we call a strong, accomplished person who pushes themselves towards goals a badass?"

Isn't that a derogatory term?

We certainly use other phrases and words to describe our womanly selves: strong, committed, dedicated, healthy, thoughtful, gorgeous, brilliant... So why do we feel the need to steal terminology that otherwise applies to people we do not want to be? Even in my bloggery fashion world, I've got a Rocker Chic(k) Pinterest board, with lots of leather and studs, shit-kicker boots, and black eyeliner. I love that stuff. In fact, I'm wearing all black and my combat-like boots today (allbeit with a cozy hand-knit scarf, white wool coat, and fur hat and gloves, balancing that badass).

The fashion-y version of badass. Bullet bracelets and The Real Deal

I suppose it's because we want to feel strong - even when we don't. We want to feel that we can do anything, and byjesus, those biker chicks who kick their biker boys' a.sses whenever they like, well, they can do anything. I suppose it's because we want to leave the doubt of our "softer selves" behind, and charge forward without looking back. I suppose it's because, somehow, boys are still better at this than we are. In our heads, at least. I mean, really, no matter how strong a feminist we are - ahem - I am - there's still doubt. All the rocker chicks and wrestling divas and I'll-give-birth-then-acquire-a-company-2-hours-later CEOs, well, aren't they simply emulating the male?

I hear it now. If this were to "take off" on the interwebs like things do now, I'd be bashed up one side and down the other for saying women just want to be men.

It's alright. I can take it. I'm one of those BAMFer-ines people talk about.

For her birthday last year, H gave the newly 6-year-old Bean a "comic book" of Athena myths. She (and her brother) loves it. Admittedly, I picked it out for her, knowing he'd want her to have a link to her Greek heritage. And what better link than the original lady badass? True, Princess Diana, aka Wonder Woman (also a hero in our superhero-ridden home), also comes from old mythology and the strength of the ages, but Athena? Don't mess with her. It's a message H and I want to the Bean to hear.

The Bean reading Athena to her brother

Be strong. Be true. Be honest. Be kind. Honor your parents and your elders. Speak up for and protect those who cannot speak for or defend themselves. Honor your heritage, your body, and your self by taking care of yourself, both mentally and physically.

And if a devious demi-god tries to get in the way, hold your head high, look forward, and walk right over them with your a.ss-kicking motorcycle boots.

 This year, she's going with a Frye Veronica slouch boot (last year, it was the moto-like Engineer Pull-on, kids' styles, here. We got hers at Nordstrom.). I, on the other hand, got my combat boots at Target

Style Dilemmas: A Ball, a Nomination, a Gala, and a Family Portrait

It’s been a little quiet here on the DC Celine blogging front lately. I’ve been trying to focus on work and prepping the new Day Job for my 2-week absence while amping up #healthyme and spending time with the family.

That’s a lot.

I am not, however, gone from the blogging airwaves. I’m just keeping it to the other media at the moment. So here’s a taste of what friends (online and IRL) are asking and how we’re (because it’s collective in almost every circumstance) solving their style dilemmas.

Belle of the Ball (Pinterest board here, Chelsea’s posts here)
We haven’t posted more than Chelsea’s updates on Lee’s online fashion show. We do have a styling challenge we’re going to post - Chelsea’s going to style the champagne one shouldered dress, I’m going to take the gunmetal (with support from my warhead friends). I won’t say more than that, because I’m keeping my styling secrets secret. Gotta beat Chelsea, you know.

Dining in DC Does the RAMMYs
Lisa, the beauty and brains behind the acclaimed Dining in DC blog as well as the newly minted (baked? stirred? some other cooking reference) 4 Bitten Media cooperative, asked me for help a while back. The theme to this year’s Big Gala (the DC dining scene's Oscars) is “Hats Off,” which translates to, literally, hats for the men (easy, right) and fascinators for the women. Fun, on trend, and, well, when else do you wear a fasinator except to Gold Cup? She had some fantastic gown options, including a red stunner I’m dying to see her wear, but she decided on a, well, gunmetal frock. Apparently my preference for the strong, elegant shade is catching. She’s going to top her dark, side-swept locks with a pretty fascinator in purply hues. Searching for a dressy but not bride-y fasinator was not an easy task. (No pictures on this one - I'm keeping her gala ensemble a secret for her.)

Celebrating CityandSand (Pinterest board here)
I “overheard” hillarygrove and jesserker, just two of my new twitterverse-to-IRL friends congratulating cityandsand on her nomination. Nosy that I am, “What for?” Turns out she’s been nominated as member of the year and will join the board of directors for an organization near and dear to her heart. There’s a celebratory reception at which they’ll announce the award, and she was contemplating a new dress. Fans of the twitterfashionshow that they are, hillarygrove and jesserker sprang into action, and I butted in. There’s a pinterest board, and lots of color and sparkle. And just so you don’t think that pinterest is just a tool for companies to get you to buy new things, turns out cityandsand was inspired by the pins to don a dress from her closet. She has one similar to the pink one hanging below in a dove grey.

Counter-clockwise, from top left: Quillaree Macaron Shoppe Dress via BHLDN, Kenneth Jay Lane Sculpted Branch Cuff via Rent the Runway, CUSP dress (no longer available), Tom Ford Neroli Portofino via Nordstrom, Kate Chandelier Earrings (Kate Spade New York Accessories) via Rent the Runway

Dress selected, we moved on to jewelry. I’ll admit I had a little problem separating cityandsand’s (whom I’ve never met IRL, but seems to be similar in stature to me) jewelry search from my own lust-objects. The Kenneth Jay Lane cuff needs to be in my jewelry box now.

A Mama and Her Beans
I have a cousin. A long-lost cousin. She was a friend first, and we later discovered through drunken yells about Iggles that we are, in fact, fairly closely related. (It was a long time ago, ok? Long before either of us even thought about Beans. Looooong before.) Well, she texted me a few weeks ago. She’s just had her 3rd Bean, a second girl to sandwich her boy, and they’re doing a family portrait. On the beach. They live near Lewes, Delaware, at the beach, and she’s constantly posting pictures of their “playground” time on the beach. Yeah. You can hate her.

But anywho, she needed help picking an ensemble that would fit into the blue & white theme they’d picked for eveyone to wear. It would be a beach shoot, too, so casual. She was brave enough (seriously, she shouldn’t have any shame in front of me, given all that’s in our past, family or no) to text me pictures from the LOFT dressing room. I haven’t seen the final shot yet, but she ended up with a prettily layered navy blue top and white capris. Beachy, comfy, flattering, and she was happy in it. Ultimately, she picked it herself based on how she felt in it (“Feels great!” she said), which should, along with the fact that it’s navy and textured, translate well into a flattering and not-dated family picture. I considered sending her to Allie’s advice on dressing for the family portrait, and I certainly called on it myself (don’t pick the white for up top), but she found her own happy clothes place.

Top has somehow disappeared from the LOFT site between me putting it in the image above and now, so here's a similar one, Marisa Cargo Pants in white cotton poplin (LOFT). Background: my FriendCousin's backyard. Almost literally.

The moral of the story? Just because I’m posting Favorite Posts and gearing up for vacation doesn’t mean I’m not available for ensemble idea bouncing. Really! Tweet, email (dcceline dot blogspot at gmail), facebook message, or comment with your own dilemma, and we’ll see what we can do! Also, I won't post it unless you say it's ok. I never, ever post anything about anyone unless they're ok with it.

Style Dilemma: Black Champagne

Sequins and Sparkle by dcceline

Funny things happen on Twitter. You share things and thoughts you wouldn't tell close friends. You "meet" people. You learn about celebrity deaths before anyone else. You put a number sign before a string of words that would normally be a sentence and confuse the heck out of non-Twitter-users but makes you LOL.

You plan fake funerals with vats and vats of champagne and black sequined dresses.

True story.

So a few of us are going to have a Black Champagne party. We'll drink bubbly, eat salty, and probably talk salty, too (a few of us have been known to make a sailor blush once in a while). And we'll wear sequins. Because we can.

It's supposed to be black sequins, but when I went looking, the sequin selector on the Nordstrom site (seriously, they have "sequins" as a filter option on dresses, which. just. rocks) pulled up a few other colors, like gold and silver. So I included them. Then there's the deep blue "cold shoulder" mini I obsessed over last Friday (the charcoal/black version is the first one in the second row), but refused to try on because I was on a Bra Mission.

The silouhettes range from fitted to forgiving, with room for only bubbly or room for a whole tin of gift popcorn. Since I've only met literally one of the 7-8 women who will be at our Black Champagne party, I have no idea what might suit them.

But it's sequins. So a girl just can't go wrong.

If you want to find out more about the Ladies of the Sequins (because we're a fascinating bunch), watch for the #BlackChampagne hashtag on Twitter.

New lease on life: critical undergarments

You've heard it on every style show known to man. I've written it before. But I'm going to say it again: if you haven't gotten fitted for a bra in the past year, get thee to a reputable lingeré department or store. Now.

I've been slowly whittling away at my extra pounds. And with the first 5 suckers gone, I already feel an improvement in the way things fit. It's incredibly encouraging.

Then, because H had to pick up some suits from tailoring at Nordstrom, I stopped in "Women's Intimates." Now that I'm no longer a food source, I can wear regular bras again. The Bean joined me, enamored with the triple-mirror in the dressing room. The saleslady measured, and brought samples. We found the right size, and oh, my, goodness.

I feel like I've lost 10 more pounds.

I stand up straight, my clothes fit better, and my hourglass figure is, well, hourglass.

That's not to say I won't maintain my healthier lifestyle. I will (though the Easter Bunny can be cruel). But if ever there were motivation, it came in a D-cup.

Last little bit - tips from the lovely saleswoman:

• Have 5 bras in rotation. Seems like a lot, but, see rule #2.
• Never wear a bra 2 days in a row. They need to recover, so they don't stretch out too much.
• Always buy a bra on the tightest hook. I've lost the logic of this one since Saturday afternoon, but it has something to do with stretching.
• If it's sliding up in the back, you're wearing a band size that's too big (all too common, she says).
• It really should lay against your skin between the girls. And it can. I didn't believe it until Saturday. Huge, huge difference.
• The whole "lean forward, pull 'em up, tuck 'em in?" It works.
• Bras last 6 months. 9 if you're really, really kind to them. (I did ask her whether this was some sort of bra industry ploy to get you to buy more. She assured me it was not.) H has now decreed that I have to go every 6 months. He likes it when my bras fit.
• Being kind to them includes hand washing and no Woolite. In fact, most detergents have some sort of chemical that break down the elastic.

So there you have it. Go forth. Get measured.

Gone Shopping!

At least that will be the sign hung on my condo door tonight. Leaving The Beans at home with H and the laundry (and rumors that he's having a friend over to smoke stogies), hooking up with BlueSuitGirl, and heading to The Mall.

Yes.

The Mall.

Before you jump all over me for it, here's my rationale:

• Need affordable (but not cheap) work clothes
• Need clothes that fit
• Need to do it in one evening

 And Banana's having a one-night 25% off $100 or more sale.

I've long been a proponent of their suiting pieces. They generally fit me well (or used to, we'll see), are made well (only reason I'm about to retire my grey pinstriped suit is because I wore it with flats one too many times and have frayed the hem), and won't break the bank entirely. Their wool-blend pieces fit right into the "you get what you pay for" range of quality over cost.

So. We'll just have to see whether Banana or any of the other standbys (I've been known to find fun pieces even at places like Ann Taylor or Express) come through.

They'd better. I meet my new Big Boss on Thursday.

 

Here's thinking...

A navy suit with cute puffy sleeves? (Banana)

Ruffled sweater(s). Love the doubled up look here, but doubt I can pull it off on this post-baby bosom. (Banana)

Cropped, boxy tweed jacket. I'm a sucker for a bracelet or 3/4 sleeve. Ever so ladylike. (Ann)

More navy, in a fitted yet comfy sweater that will be waaaay too hot for the office, but I'll wear anyway because somehow it's sculptured bulk is flattering (Ann)

Part of my sought-after pieces - cute jackets. As a broad-shouldered girl, it's hard for me to find ones that fit well, but maybe, just maybe, these ruffles and rosettes will work (Nick & Mo, Nordstrom)

And not anywhere on the range of "work," "value," or "practical," this adorable mini. A girl has to have something to wear to the DSS, right? (Tory Burch, Nordstrom)

Well-Fitted

It's the "tip" that everyone and their mother's brother (almost literally) has heard: the fastest way to make a woman's clothes fit and look better is to wear The Right Bra.

17,300,000 results in a web search. Vicky's touts it with miracles and angels. "As Seen on TV" ads offer all sorts of ways to adjust what you have, the latest being the round thingy that slides your straps together and "makes you look at least a cup size bigger."

Right.

But the right one, well-fitted, honestly will do wonders for how things look and feel. I've written about my troubles, and lately I've had a hard time finding one that fits. I haven't taken my own advice and Gone Fitting, but rather I attempted an online purchase because I just plain ol' didn't have time to go to a store. It sorta worked. What I found works better than the ancient, worn out things I'd been wearing, but it's just not quite right.

I'm still not convinced that The Right Bra is out there for me, though I've certainly found ones that Fit Better.

But for those who really need the update, there are absolutely local options. Nordstrom's has a competent department, and Bethesda's Sylene and Vienna's Trousseau are touted - at least to brides-to-be and those looking for undergarments for formalwear (though they both serve the general public, too). In the Post, Brigid Schulte gives us a first-hand account of what it's like to be fitted by an expert. Amusing, frank, and, yes, helpful...it's a fun read that will motivate you out the door to Get Fitted.

Style Dilemma Solved: Being the Hot Wife at a Reunion

H's high school reunion is next Saturday.

Have to look hot for him - it's my wifely duty.

So I've been on the hunt for a dress to wear. We looked a little last weekend - hence the sweater dress post. And since the reunion is next weekend, it was today or never. So in the mom-mobile we piled, off to Nordstrom (I had a gift card to spend!).

The results? About 4 dresses on...2 liked, 1 hot.

M Missoni - amazing knit, obviously, and gorgeous color. Bottom was great, top just not so flattering on milk-producing boobs.

ISSA London wrap dress - not this exact one, but you get the drift. Lovely, but black & white, and, well, (sorry Dariaux), but a wrap dress. Just didn't do it.

Iisli cap sleeve mini - a sweater dress, yes. And absolutely f-ing amazing on. The delicate grey I bought isn't available on the website, but trust me, it's perfect. Hugs just a little more than on this model (heck, anyone has more curves than she does). Hot.

Now I just have to find the right tights and shoes. I'm thinking ruby slippers.

Huzzah! to Mr. Nordstom

I have no idea if there is one (a Mr. Nordstom, that is), but he's brilliant nevertheless.

In our Mall Visit yesterday, we spent a large part of it in Nordstom. The Bean loved Mr. Piano Player, who graciously offered to help her sleep. Didn't work, but nice of him nevertheless.

Anywho.

One pair of slacks each for H and DC Celine (H a gorgeously heathered Italian-made wool, me a well-tailored Kate-inspired brown plaid) later, we packed up the little one and made a beeline for the last errand on our list. On the way we noticed the display windows at Nordstrom.

They announced that Nordstrom stores will not be "decking the Halls" until November 23rd.

I wish I could remember the rest of it, but the essence was that we've gotten too far away from a holiday season (i.e. putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, Halloween even. Ahem - Mazza Galerie?). So they're waiting.

I applaud this immensely. What a lovely marketing decision. I predict they'll get a great response from it, despite our innane attempts to "shop early." I seriously doubt a Christmas tree in the middle of a store helps fuel purchasing by an intent early shopper. For the rest of us, who like to wait until the week before and then enjoy the hustle and bustle and crisp winter air, maybe a tree or two puts us in the mood. But when it's a) still 7o degrees outside and b) we haven't even broken bread over Plymouth Rock, well, then, it's just silly.

So congratulations, Nordstrom, on what I consider to be the best marketing decision a store could make nowadays. You've got my vote.

Style Dilemma: No Emotional Space to Shop

Baby B's had a couple of rough weeks (ok, months) at work. She's drained. The light is finally visible at the end of the tunnel, but a few weeks ago, "buried" would be the way to describe her work life. No emotional space to do anything but work and crash after work.

But still, she had a wedding to go to two weeks ago. In Charleston, SC. Where it's warm(er). And digging something out of her closet, let alone hitting the spring sales, to find something to wear was the last thing on her mind.

So the Wednesday before the wedding, she trudges home. And draped elegantly on her bed is a lovely dress.

"For you to wear to the wedding," says her boyfriend, RV.

He's such a doll that he braved Nordstrom all by his lonesome to pick up the Jones New York number at left. And by all accounts (I've seen the pictures - she looked lovely), he did very well. Congratulations, RV, you've got brownie points extraordinaire.