Style in Print: Stacy London Book Signing in DC

Yes, I'm posting this way in advance.

Yes, I'm crazy excited. Super-crazed-fan-level excited. I'm admittedly a bit of a celebrity junkie. I also admit to watching loads of reality TV, particularly style and cooking shows, and reading far less than I really like to. Let's just say that it's where I "am" right now in mental capacity.

That being said, Stacy London has captured my attention from all sorts of levels.

The Truth About Style, Stacy London's new book, via

First, there's the streak. I'm so glad to see that it's on her new book cover. I was very sad when I met her earlier this year (see how The Bean captured her attention, here) and saw that, while her new redder color was lovely, it disguised the streak. I love the streak. It's a beautiful, graceful, elegant statement of owning her own appearance.

Second, I happen to agree with virtually everything she and her partner-in-style crime, Clinton, say on What Not to Wear. Sure, I'd love it if they pushed the fashion envelope a little more once in a while, but let's face it, their TV clients aren't ready for envelope pushing.

Third, I have immense respect for entrepeneurs of most types, and even more respect for someone who's risen up out of themselves to build a career and a life from their passion. Never mind the being immensely successful at it. Which is what she's done, and resulting in Style for Hire.

Fourth, there's "The Rest of the Story." I don't read non-fiction, usually, but I do read biographies and memoirs. I am chomping at the bit to read this one, The Truth About Style. Because, you see, I think the story is likely a really important one. From what I understand, Stacy uses this book to talk about self - and how she found her self after struggles Just Like Us, so to speak - through the lens of style. She shares her battles with weight and anorexia, among other things. The more time I spend in this online style world of ours, and the older The Bean Gets (and uncannily recites virtually every single commercial she sees on TV word for word), the more important I think it is for us as a World to understand these stories. So thank you, Ms. London (as I've taught The Bean to call her), in advance for sharing your story.

So. Now that I've written a post that might very well be flagged as blatant a.ss-kissing, when in reality it is simply immense respect for a Woman Who's Made It Her Own, on to the details. I've bought my tickets. With a book. Have you?

What: Stacy London

Where: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington DC (can you believe I've never been? They have so many good shows there, and I've never been)

When: Thursday, October 4, 2012, Doors opening up at 6:00pm, Show starting at 7:00pm

Why: See above, please, so I don't have to repeat myself in the most psychophant of ways.

Tickets range from $18 (one ticket, no book) to $42 (2 tickets + book)

You can bet I'll be saving that signed copy for 10 years from now when it may just be important for The Bean to read it.

PS - Thanks to Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen for alerting me (how could I have missed it?!)

PPS - Check out the list of events at Sixth & I. Um, Molly Ringwald? Hel-LO? If that week weren't already too full with the DSS and maybe one other night (yes, 2 events is massive in our house), I'd be there in a second. Talk about a childhood/teenage idol. Um, she's a redhead, people!

Favorite Post: Rockin' It Old Skool

I had grand plans for a lovely post on our date night at Mussel Bar Revel. I promise, it was fantastic, and I promise a post soon. But like at the end of last week, Real Life got in the way, and between a day job deadline today, the Beans' ballet & music classes & meeting Stacy London on Saturday (thanks, Allie!*), preparing traditional Romanian dishes and table for Easter No. 2 (Orthodox Easter was this weekend), a visit from my Mommy, and a long-scheduled date night to see H's hometown favorite, Blues Traveler, I just couldn't find the time to sit down and write it up.

So will you forgive me if I give you yet another Favorite Post? Way back when, when The Bean was still teeny, I posted about trying to find my style mojo again - with a Metallica T. Trust me, after last night's phenomenal concert, I considered one of my 2 remaining concert Ts ('tallica or The Wedding Present) with my pinstripes, but both shirts are Very Fitted. Give 'em a month.

So while you read about my 'tallica T, I'll knock out another proposal. If I still haven't posted a new one by the time you're done, borrow some of my inspiration from last night's concert, and go rock out to whatever is yours right now. Me? I'm missing John Popper and the boys in my collection, so I'll go country with some old school Randy. Randy Travis, that is.

*Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen invited me and The Bean to join her and her E to meet the Grande Dame of style consulting. It's not up quite yet this morning, but I'm sure she'll have it up soon.

I've got lots of thoughts brewing on this lil' ol' blog here, and while I mull them over, I thought I'd pull some of my favorite posts from the past 6+ years (yes, I'm an Old Blogger).


If you have thoughts, ideas, questions, Style Dilemmas, please do send them along! I'd love to hear what you want to read!

Style Poll: What Cool Don't You Do?

When 3120Forever and I were on our mamacation last week, she pulled out a belt and said "I really want to wear this belt, but I just don't know how to do it."

It was a great, medium-wide brown braided belt. Ideal for cinching a blousy t, cardigan, or even a sweet little spring-to-summer dress. She put it on over the flowered top she was wearing. Which should have worked.

Nope. Didn't work.

Stacy & Clinton rave all the time about belting "the thinnest part of your body" to accentuate it, blah blah blah. But you know what? It doesn't work on everyone. I have the same problem as 3120Forever: we have fairly broad (not thick) ribcages. So a belt won't help. Eeeeevery once in a while I manage it, but for the most part, I'm relegated to using belts in my belt loops, if at all.

There are plenty of things out there that are supposed to be style principles - or rather, styling principles. And you try them, taking care to do Exactly What the Stylists Say, to no avail.

So what trend (or classic) do you love but just. can't. do? Me? shirtdresses. Love. But i look like a toad in them.

Mingle in Style: Living Chic Blog Launch Party

...with Stacy London!

Yes, that Stacy.

The gals at Urban Chic are launching their blog, Living Chic, and throwing not one, but two parties to celebrate.

First, Wednesday, 22 July from 5-9pm at the Georgetown store (1626 Georgetown Ave), then

Second, following, an after party from 9-11 at Blue Ridge, down the street.

If I weren't traveling to Rocket City, USA (free "get of style jail free" card to the first person who knows where that is) for a good part of the week, I'd be there...

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 Poll: Where Do You Turn

when you need to know What to Wear?

I'm going to assume we don't all have Stacy and Clinton on our personal payroll. Nor do we all have the cash for a personal shopper.

So who do you turn to? Check out the Style Poll at left...

A bit of wisdom

So I don't consider myself fashionable by any means, but I really do thank my lucky stars that I've never seen Stacy and Clinton discard any piece of clothing that I own myself.

31204ever, "new" mommy and Type A organized woman extraordinaire

Style Dilemma: First Day Out

Dear DC Celine:

I'm leaving the house for the first time tomorrow - after months of seclusion and ventures out only in sweats and baseball hats - Stacy and Clinton would have a cow in their "secret footage." I'm going to celebrate birthdays with my dearest girlfriends at Jaleo in Bethesda, and want to wear something chic and casual - and fitted. Months of baggy Ts and post-maternity clothes are wearing on me.

What to do?

Baggy in Bethesda

Dear Baggy:

First thought: trouser jeans. And heels, heels, heels. (I know you've been running around in sneakers - and not even the cute little ones.) The top is a little harder. I like blousy tops with tailored bottoms, but if you're jonesing for some fitted wear to show off your body a little (or at least not feel like a schlump), try a cute little blouse with ruffles, like the Banana one at left. Channel a little old-school secretary. Too make sure you're not going librarian on us, make sure the heels are sassy, and wear your hair down or at least in a messy, I-don't-care updo.

Hope that helps!

PS - yes, yes, yes, Infintessimal Readership, you guessed it, it's me. Baggy and schlumpy, I haven't had a shower in days. But tomorrow I celebrate 4 birthdays within 2 weeks of one another with my dearest dearest girlfriends (Go Terps!), and am really looking forward to a few hours of girl time. (And the shower.) Daddy's (formerly known as H) got The Bean, and Mama's looking for a brand new...well, everything!

Out of the Closet

...and into the donation bag.

The other morning, while Grandma had The Bean out for a morning walk, I hurredly tried on every work-related piece of clothing in my closet. Two bags: donations and drycleaning.

Needless to say, my closet is considerably emptier.

We hear all the time about how to sort through clothes, yes/no them. Tim Gunn's got his new show with 4 piles, Stacy and Clinton brutally sort entire racks of old t-shirts into a garbage can, and there are closet consultants and stylists abound, even in this supposedly style-free city.

What it really comes down to?

Be honest with yourself.

Not an easy thing to do, of course, but here are my post-sort conclusions/advice:

1) Set yourself a time limit - one hour. Call it the Clean Sweep (you know, where they give the clutter-a-holics a half hour to sort their house into three piles) method. If you've got to do it quickly, you won't hem and haw. Knowing The Bean would be back and likely hungry any minute lit a fire under my proverbial a##.

2) Use the "if I haven't worn it in..." and pick an honestly reasonable number.

3) Only keep it if you really like it, it really fits (or a good tailor could make it so), and it's not all worn out. Exception to this rule: the first designer piece you bought. 12-13 years ago I spent a ridiculous $700 on a Betsey Johnson crushed velvet coat and black jersey dress. (I was working as an admin for a non-profit at the time. Not having the money would be, well, a huuuuuuuge understatement). I've worn it well, it's still in good shape, still fits, and I just can't/won't give it up. Sometimes that's ok (despite what the gurus say).

4) Only keep "to be tailored" things if you have one. A tailor, that is. If you don't, and don't have a friend who can recommend a good one, then into the donate bag. Why have it hang around for ages if you're not going to have it fixed - ever.

5) After the purge, pat yourself on the back and look lovingly at your emptier closet.

6) Make a list of the things you really, truly need to fill any holes you might have. Note: might have. Just because you dumped a whole bunch of stuff doesn't mean you should fill the closet right back up.

7) Go shopping - judiciously.

I'm at #7. I was pleasantly surprised at how many things fit, and fit well (sometimes it pays to spend a little more money on well-cut clothes, if you can). It's one of the side effects of being a human milk machine. So I'm not even in a panic over not having anything to wear my first day - or even month - back to work. But I do have a few holes I can fill over the next few months. And I will, you can be sure of it.

First on the list? A kick-a## ensemble for H's high school reunion.