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.

Style Poll: Rainy Day Doldrums

I'll admit it. I'm one of those wacko people who absolutely adores a rainy day. The old Eddie Rabbit standard "I Love a Rainy Night" plays gleefully over and over in my head. Ba-da-da-da-da...

I love lightning

I love thunder

I love puddles and rivers overflowing (within reason and that they don't cause any harm).

I love raincoats and rainboots (note to self: go buy fun pair of rainboots. NOW.)

But 1) I realize I'm practically the only one, and 2) this morning it just ain't workin' for me. Grouchier than grouch. And not even coffee and my apple green cashmere shell can pull me out of it.

So what - other than a pair of fun rainboots or a child's raincoat - pulls you out of a rainy day funk?

Style Poll: Fashion Faux Pas

It's not even about style. It's about not flashing the world.

For those following on twitter, you know I left my skirt unbuttoned this morning. Didn't discover it until just before my 11am meeting. Thanks for speaking up, colleagues!

So what have you left unbuttoned, unsnapped, unzipped?

Style Poll: Signs of Spring

As MotorCityGirl commented, "It's (finally) spring out here! I'm starting to see full cotton skirts peeking out from under long spring coats."

Depending on where you are in the world (Carmen Sandiego), your springtime hints have been blooming for a while, or are juuuuust starting to peek out from under the wool.

The budding blossoms, apart from making me look like a hangover gone bad and forcing me to go sans eye makeup for two days in a row, inspire me just a little to dig through my closet for a little bit of pastel prettiness. I've never been one to shy away from peep toes or bare legs in cooler temps, so the newly painted tootsies have been baring all lately.

So tell us...What's your springtime inspriration? What are you chomping at the bit to pull out of the closet? If you're dying to wear the springiest of spring dresses, share, and we'll figure out how you can don it even with threatening snowshowers (sorry, Middle America, guess Punxatawney Phil was right).

I'm very very close...

to picking the blogging back up. Life has been, well, life, and I'm sorry I've neglected you, the Infintessimal Readership. Back real soon!

So in preparation, what's the most pressing style topic for you right now? Answer the poll at left - or shoot me an email at dcceline.blogspot@gmail.com, and tell me what you need...I'm at your service.

Style Poll: What's Up Next?

As promised, I'm slowly, but surely, getting back into this blogging thing. The world has calmed down a bit, and I'm ready to start helping out the Infintessimal Readership with your Biggest Style Questions.

That being said, tell me what's eating at you most, style-wise. Vote for your most urgent issue in the poll at left.

In the meantime, if you're not sure what to wear to Aunt Lou's for Turkey Day, or how to dress for the round of Office Parties coming up way too soon, drop me a line at dcceline.blogspot@gmail.com - and I'll guide you through this tricky season.

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...

Style Poll: THE Accessory

Well, I'm a terrible listener.



Despite agreeing with the 100% response on our last style poll, that a big, floppy J.Lo hat is The Don't Forget Beach Accessory (other choices were a sarong, sparkles, and a credit card), I did. I forgot it.



Fortunately, Sea Isle City, NJ, hosts a Big Huge Market in the middle of September every year (the main reason we make the trip this time of year). So I grabbed a $5 cap and am wearing it proudly (GO PHILS!).


That is, when The Bean doesn't grab it from my head and wear it on top of hers.

Shore Style: What Can't You Do Without?

(Yes, I admit a mild addiction to the Blogger poll gadget. So sue me.)

This time tomorrow, I'll hopefully be hurtling (ok, crawling) around the Beltway, ready to head north on 95, The Bean sleeping peacefully in the back seat.

We're goin' Down Tha Shore.

Nearly 2 weeks of surf (don't even really care if there's sun) and quiet. The occasional trip to AC for some sparkly arm-pulling (I know the odds are ridiculous bad, but I like the sparkly spinning wheels!). H and I may even talk grandma into an evening of Beansitting to hit the Borgata.

I'll be packing tonight, of course, with H throwing his stuff in the 'case tomorrow morning before we go.

So what shouldn't I forget? I will, of course, forget something. So help a gal out, and check out the Poll at left. Voting closes tomorrow, so vote quickly!

I promise I won't bring back any hermit crabs.

(Wow. Didn't even really recognize the voting trend thing - oops! I planned it that way - really! - it's primary day in DC - and I voted this morning. DC residents, did you?!)

Style Poll Results: Wellies yes!

A whopping 5 members of the IR voted, but a vote is still - and always will be - a vote.

4 out of 5 of you say "yes, please!" to rainboots, though you were split on whether to go all out or play English gardener with an understated green. Here are a couple of choices for both sets.

Gardening mavens Smith & Hawken go simple...

Normally practical LL Bean gets a little prep

And Tretorn - yup, Tretorn - goes glam with Wonder Woman (via WellieArt.com)

Keep your eyes peeled for the next poll...

Bored? Answer a question, then...

...and see what other IR members think...

Check out the Rainy Day Style poll at left.

Style Poll: Online Resource

What's your favorite online style resource? It could be a store, a mag, a blog...share, please!

Style Poll: Summer Lovin'?

• The porch at Tenleytown Guapo's, H with a "matrimonio" in hand.
• Iced coffee, just about anywhere in the city
• Breezy summer dress that blows up, Marilyn-style when you head into the windtunnel of our Metro
• Someone else's swimming pool (note to self: find some friends who have a pool!)
• Fruit at the famers' markets
• Max's Best on a Sunday night
• Dolceazza anytime

So what's your summer pleasure?

Choices Revealed

Thanks to all who voted today. The Infintessimal Readership was unanimous - get spoiled with a haircut.

But life chose for me...sadly. My stylist, Jae, whom I've known for 10 years now, lost her grandmother this morning. My heart goes out to her. Please send her and her family all sorts of good karma and thoughts.

Style Poll: Hair or Shoes

I have a choice today.

Get my hair cut. Last cut before The Bean. 2nd reschedule, if I don't go. (Location: Bethesda, will have to Metro from W Falls Church)

Get a new pair of shoes. Have worn my current pair into the ground. Not sure when else I'll go.(Location: Tyson's)

Votes welcome.

Style Poll: Bump or No Bump

If you were pregnant, would you wear clothes that fit to your bump and accentuate it, or would you wear things that hide it more?

Style Poll: Name Your Style Today

As I'm leaving this morning, I "apologize" to H, "I'm going for the Preppy Pregnant look today." Bright pink and orange plaid collared blouse (sorta like the Motherhood Maternity one at left) and M khakis. Summery, bright, cheerful, I thought it might make me cheerful.

No luck.

So what would you call your style today? And is it helping your mood?