Style Obsession: What I'm Pinning, Tagging, Instagramming, and Following

First, let me apologize for the sporadic, practically non-existant posting. I was on a roll again, then we went to New Orleans (#NOLAoclock was amazing. absolutely amazing), then it was really busy, then I got sick.

So since I was home sick yesterday, and spent the day on social media, pinning, tweeting, and facebooking (yes, people still do that), I thought I'd share a few things over which I'm currently obsessing - in my tummy-bug-induced stupor.

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Retro style. Our #NOLAoclock trip left me wandering the streets, stumbling into delightful boutiques like Trashy Diva's 3 stores on Chartres. The shoe boutique, and its amazing collection of ReMix Vintage Shoes, the brown version of which one above came home with me. Seriously. ReMix copies real vintage styles impeccably. I could've bought 5 pair, at least.

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Mid Century. H and I have a long standing compromise-collaboration: he grew up in a decidedly contemporarily designed home, I grew up with antiques. Somehow, Mid Century Modern seems to meet in the middle. I find myself pinning all sorts of design from that period, like this amazing light fixture. I stumbled into the best shop ever, Loisel Vintage Modern, on Magazine Street during my solo day on #NOLAoclock, and spent probably an hour in there, snapping pics to show H. The owner was knowledgable and helpful. And I wanted it all.

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Clean Eating. Even before #NOLAoclock, I'd been toying with the idea of a formal cleanse. After a year of #healthyme focus, I eat pretty cleanly, but lord knows I still eat "treats," have a drink, and do lots of nutritional things that might not be the best for my body. So before we left, I'd done a little research and settled on the Clean Program (fellow GOOP followers, Gwyneth talks about this one, but it was my mommy who turned me on to it). It's logical, not terribly different from what I've been eating (ok, a fair amount, but still not difficult), and, not being a "juice cleanse," it includes, um, Real Food. Plenty of it. Since returning, from #NOLAoclock, I've started the preliminary "elimination diet," and am happy. Looking forward to using a bunch of the clean recipes I've been pinning all over.

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Minimal makeup. While I love a good smoky eye and drama, I do not have the energy or time - or inclination, for that matter - to do that every - ok, any morning right now. So when I do bother (and it is NOT every day), I blot on some Bobbi Brown powder, then swipe on whichever Red Lipstick happens to be in my purse. I think this one is part of a trio of reds I bought on Allie's recommendation from Revlon. So awesome.

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Grey walls. In anticipation of H's cousin (and the Beans' godmother) and her son coming at the end of June, we're high-gearing it into #OperationPrettyHouse, which is loooooong overdue. I refuse to have her come back to a home with the same walls and kitchen she saw at The Bean's 4th birthday. We're starting in our bedroom, where we went dark and luxurious, with what I see as a deep dove grey (Behr's Anonymous). A friend and designer recommended 50% white from the wall color for the ceiling color, so that we did. With our blonde wood furniture and what I hope will be a dramatic (um, mid century?) light fixture, it'll be stunning. If we ever finish it. Because it still looks like this.

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Virgin Atlantic. Seriously. As nice as they were to me yesterday, I'll fly with them whereever they go. I'd whined about a sick day on twitter yesterday, and their team, who happened to be in DC yesterday, scooted by, rang my doorbell, and brought me flowers. And a gift card. Really. Though it was, um, intimidating to have 3 coiffed and primped flight attendants smiling in my hallway whilst I was in a bra-less nightgown, it actually made me cry. Oh. And the handwriting in the card (they even gave me a card!) looks just like my BEF (Best English Friend)'s. So yeah. Tears.

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#DVFlovesROXY. Apparently, DVF is a beach lover, and is into the spirit that girl surfers, who give it their all, have. Me, too. I'm dreaming of my next surf lesson down tha shore this summer. And may or may not be plotting to spend my Virgin Atlantic present on these board shorts. Think they'll make my legs look like that?

Swim in Style: Taking the Plunge

This is my own Style Dilemma. I also know that it’s Every Woman’s Style Dilemma.

If it isn’t, you’re a freak-of-...you’re exceptionally well-adjusted. Congratulations.

While I’m not going to buy The Real Beach Swimsuit until June (got less than 10lbs to get to my goal weight - and I’m going to flaunt it when I get there), H and I really want to get The Beans into the indoor pool now. This weekend, perhaps.

So when The Bean and I made our shopping list for a Target jaunt last weekend, right after the Bike for The Bean and Barbie for The Bean (long story, but Mama & Papa bought the Barbie - duh - bike and The Bean paid for the Barbie out of her very own piggybank), we listed bathing suit for Bean No. 1 and bathing suit for Mama.

I just needed something I could get in the pool in and not have it fall off because it’s 300 years old and stretched through pregnancies. Seriously. I figured Target could help with that.

Target doesn’t have many one pieces - maillots, if you will, oh, Fancy Fashion People, but they do run to the Esther-Williams-like retro styles that have been catching my eye. (Full “selection” over on my SeasidePoolside pinterest board.) We were at the end of our Target jaunt, so patience was low for both Beans. I dashed through the racks, and picked up a ruby-grape rouched halter, size M.

Merona Womens Purple 1-Piece Halter with Twist Mesh Front

Size M, people.

It was wishful thinking.

Oh.

And it worked. When I tried it on, the legs are a little tight, and the halter squeezes the girls just a tad too much (I hate when my halters are too loose, so it could be me), but it FITS. It won’t get me through 1000 yards in the lap pool (that’s another, non-Target swimsuit purchase on the horizon), but it’ll work. I’ll look presentable in the pool.

Mission accomplished.

Target has an almost overwhelming swim section. Racks and racks of bikinis. Some trashy, but most threateningly cute. I was hoping to include a few for your viewing pleasure, but I'm either completely internet unsavvy, or the interwebs have issues today. So instead, you'll see me - most likely - in crochet, Missoni-like zigzags, or old fashioned red, white, and blue stripes. And hopefully, all 3!

Success?

Since you asked, I did manage to shave this morning, but just couldn't bring myself to wear the wrap dress. Don't know why. So instead, am wearing my retro AT navy suit skirt and a buff cable cashmere T, Chie Mihara pumps. Something dreadful is going on with my hair, so I've resorted to the DC Ponytail.

Not stunning, but perfectly presentable.

The Bean, however, is the picture of summer loveliness in her "new" Baby Lily. Magenta & orange on white, paired with magenta bloomers, it's the perfect thing to go with her Baby Lizard suncreen. (Grandmom picked up the shift at a PA consignment shop - go Grandmom! - so the pattern is probably a few seasons old - can't find it on the site, but this is the dress, at right.)

At least one of us looks good.

Style Challenge: Lunch Hour Update

The Challenge: Work-appropriate pants that fit. In an hour. In Clarendon, not quite the fashion capital of the world.

The Solution: Ann Taylor Loft. Really. At heart, I'm a mass-production-hater. In reality, I appreciate the ATs and box stores for the anchor pieces - black slacks, a white shirt, you get the picture. So three blocks down from the office, in torrential rains (I really needed an update), I pulled every stinkin' pair of slacks off the racks that wasn't capri or some wierd knit that reminded me of the trousers the residents wore in the nursing home where I worked in college. Rapid fire dressing room - on, turn, squat, yes/no. Yes, hang on one hook, no, hang on another.

Out of 6-8 pair of slacks, I bought: One.

My motto: if they don't fit perfectly, don't bother. I didn't go to find another pair of poorly fitting pants. I went to find ones that fit. I ended up with the "Ann" cut, which isn't a high-waisted trouser, but certainly isn't a low rise - high enough to tuck in a shirt without looking strange, and not so high as to scream "2007." A little bit of perkiness in a pale blue double pinstripe - on navy, with a cuff.

The Backstory: Post M-clothes, I've been fortunate enough to loose the Bean Weight (I credit one-handed eating and choosing sleep over food. That, and walking as much as I can with her for months because that was the only way she'd sleep during the day.) So even the slacks I bought Post-Bean, because my others didn't fit, are now too big. Walking around in them, day after day with my single dress belt (also too big, actually) cinching them in not enough to look like a purposeful paper bag waist, well, it just feels plain old unhealthy, actually. This morning, when I put on my new pants (and a new blouse, see below), I felt trim, healthy, and alert. Told H, "I just can't believe how much better I feel - it's amazing what I new pair of pants can do for a girl."

I still have a few more updates to make, but in the meantime, I feel better, and have a few more choices in my closet. ATL has some adorable summer choices. Most are decidedly in the preppy camp, but if chosen carefully, and paired with some thought, you won't look like you've just stepped off the Annapolis-based yacht (not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you have the means to be yachting, but...). I've got this sweet button down on with my striped pants - stripes on stripes being my cheekiness today. The fabric is light, but substantial, and the fit good. I'm tempted to go back and pick up the navy polka dot version. I also picked up a fitted cable v-neck in what ATL calls "Embellished Blue." Not sure what "embellished" means in this context, but it's a clear, bright blue that provides just the right kick.

And for others on the update prowl, the sale racks are ripe for the pickin'. I didn't score any deals - nothing fit quite right, but there are plenty of little jackets (like the drool-worthy pink one in this earlier post) and a retro housewife dress I wish was still there in my size. It doesn't have quite the flair the Goodwill version does, but with well-chosen jewelry (Dariaux, here's the place for that blue necklace!), it can be the perfect canvas for individual style.

Books and Covers

Hop in the elevator this morning, and already in there is a tall gentlman with long, brushed-back brown hair (women would kill for it, honestly). He had on a stereotypical faded denim company shirt - what company, who knows? But not exactly a fashion plate. Picture your freshman English TA - you know, the one who thought so much of himself, but really had nothing to offer - in the least?

I had a cuppa my new favorite BK Joe*, and as he turned to me and started, "Is that...?" I assumed he was going to ask about the coffee, for some reason. I was all ready to sing its praises.

"...Ralph Lauren?" he continues, nodding towards my leather jacket.

[Slight hitch as I adjust to the different conversation bent]

"Nope, it's actually Wilson's Leather. My retro-British-biker-chick-thing."

"Well, it's working for you."

[Me trying not to be astonished, but clearly flattered]

"Thank you." The elevator pauses on my floor. "Have a good day."



Who'da thunk the mid-life-crisis-used-to-be-an-English-lit-TA would know - or try to know - designers? Teach me to judge a book...



*Burger King coffee - I swear, it's the best - try it. The secret? It's a Dutch company - Douwe Egberts - I saw it through the drive through window one morning.

Style Dilemma: November Shoes

Chicago Golden Girl writes:

We have a wedding here this weekend. 6:00 Saturday night. I have a bcbg sateen cotton, deep halter with a bubble skirt dress. It’s a medium golden brown/tan. I wore it too one wedding with gold sandles. What shoes should I wear in November? Are retro satin cream peep toe pumps too heavy? New shoes are an option…. Suggestions?

Dear Golden Girl:

First thing to consider, other than the time of day - the venue. If it's a fancy-schmancy place, you could absolutely wear gold sandals, even in November. And while I'm a fan of sateen pumps, especially ones with a retro feel, I think that, unless they're a really soft ivory cream, yup, they might weigh down the dress, rather than grounding it.

If you are up for buying new shoes (and who isn't?), my suggestion would be to go for a splash of unexpected color. Treat the dress as a neutral (somewhere a long time ago I wrote about brown as a true neutral, rather than a color), and find a pair of airy, delicate pumps or sandals in any color you like - yellow, red, royal blue, and yes, even green (I think that's my front runner suggestion). If only Valentino had had the foresight to make these lovelies in green instead of predictable red...riiiiiiight...as if I'd have the money...a girl can dream, can't she?