Pssst! I like Myself! Don't tell!

I originally posted this over on my WW Online blog, where I share loads more (too much, really, sometimes, but that’s the whole point, quite frankly) on my #healthyme journey. And because I have such a spring in my step, and because I think it especially relevant to this style blogging world, and because I think I need to share it over here, I am. And you can tell me, like H does (read on), to get over myself. Go ahead.

I'm nobody, who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there's two of us, don't tell!
They'd banish us, you know

How dreary to be somebody
How public, like a frog
to tell your name the livelong day
to an admiring bog.*

- Emily Dickinson

I wrote this post's title first. I was thinking about how lovely it is to like Me. I walk down the street nowadays, a little bit giddy to look at my reflection in the store and office building windows. Today, especially, I like my look. I have my Jason Wu for Target shirtdress on, it shows off my legs, and brown booties that are cut just right, so my slender (always, even 20+ lbs ago, it's a blessing) ankles really, well...

ok, enough of that.

I like myself.

I get excited to get dressed. I get excited to try on clothes. I feel good. Heck, I feel great, and I'm not even done #healthyme yet. In fact, I hope, wish, and pray I’ll never be done.

So that's what I was thinking when I typed the title. Then I popped into the "Write your post here" field, and a little Emily Dickinson came out. This is one of my absolutely favoritist pieces of literature, and has been since I was a child. It was especially pertinent in high school, I think, when I was Nobody. Or at least I felt that way.

Nowadays, I'm somebody. I'm a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, colleague, professional...all of those typical roles. I'm also a blogger, and an online presence. I have a small social media addiction, I suppose (even WW online counts, I think). H is always telling me to get over myself. But I get really excited when I get an invitation to an honestly exclusive event, or, [drumroll. seriously, drumroll] I get asked to "host" an in-store shopping event for a national clothing chain. Because some PR person did her homework and actually read my blog, which tells, in part, my #healthyme story. And then she offers clothes. Seriously.

H is proud, but he also reminds me "get over yourself." Regularly.

And then I typed Emily's words. They just came out. Maybe it's my psyche's way of keeping me humble and focused on What's Really Important about all of this: I'm healthy again, and continuing to improve that. I feel better. I like Me better. And I'm changing my life for the better, one bite, one meal, and one workout at a time.

*Ok, you literature geeks, I know I don't have all of Emily's unusual phrasing, capitalization, line breaks, or punctuation correct. And I'm not going to go look it up. At least not until later today, when I dig it out to read it to The Bean again. I'm teaching it to her by heart.

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 Dilemma: Designer Prints for a SAHM

DesigningMom and I emailed this weekend:

DC Celine:

I recently bought this dress from Target's website.

When it arrived, I was a bit underwhelmed. I think it's OK, I just don't know what to do with it. Since I'm a SAHM*, I feel a bit "out of the loop" when it comes to fashion. Do you feel like giving me some advice?

It has 3/4 sleeves, and now that it's fall, I think maybe I need to wear it with a jacket or a cardigan? Also, I like animal prints, but the whole dress is a (maybe) bit much and the jacket/cardigan will be useful in covering some of it? What about shoes? Boots? Flats? I don't like bare legs in the winter, so I probably want to wear tights...or not? It comes with a little fabric belt. Should I replace it with something more substatial? If so...what? How about jewelry? I have a free-lance interior design client now and will occasionally have some meetings with them in their fabulous house, along with some buying trips to the Washington Design Center, so I need to look somewhat business-casual-chic (is that a category?).

Dear DesigningMom:

first thoughts...more later...

like the animal print.

love the concept of the shirtdress, but yes, they can be underwhelming.


yes, your instinct on a "more substantial" belt is a good one. big 80s style wide belt would work well - or if you can't stomach that, a skinny belt would be fine, too - solid color - as fun or as neutral as you can handle. might sound weird, but think of the print as a sort of neutral.


on jacket - no, don't think you need a jacket or sweater. 3/4 sleeves are 4 season - and the best. i love them. find some plain gold (no chains) bangles - wide ones - or some plain bakelite or lucite bangles - clear or a color - and that should do for accessories. if you are chilly, i'd say a 3/4 sleeve cardi, but you'd need to belt that, too, to withstand the tendency towards boring.


and on shoes - whatever you want - all of those would work, though i'd lean to pumps, and boots (though dear to my heart) would be my last choice.

Dear DC Celine:

This is fun. Love it! How about a camel-colored belt (the lighter color in the print) and then chocolte brown tights and shoes? I love the idea of a bunch of bangles. If only I had some.


Dear DesigningMom:
 
i'd actually go with something not in the print - a black patent, or even a yellow or green.** camel would blend, and you want it to pop. yes, you could do brown tights and shoes - monochrome legs/feet = length/height. for the bangles, hit a claire's. or a thrift store. and i'd say go for wide ones, big chunky things instead of little clanky ones. something bout those and the leopard rings "jersey" to me. or you could do that to be cheeky...in which case, go as high as you dare with shoes. wedges would be a good option, too, as they just are.



it is fun. i'd say use your design aesthetic...think about how you'd accessorize a room, and you're probably good.

I happened to see DesigningMom at her daughter's birthday party Sunday, and she gave me an update. She's excited about the idea of a boldly colored belt. Now, if she could just find the time to get one (more online shopping, dear?). The thing is, she has a great sense of style. She's the one I always admire for being together, and her home? Well, she and I apparently have the same taste. I pretty much want her kitchen. And dining room...and...

*Stay at Home Mom

**Alright, folks. Apparently the way to go here is pushing the Jersey envelope. Exhaustive web search and the only wide bold colors I could find in belts were black patent, gold or red. Black is mildly predictable, but fine. Gold - well, that fits into the camel category - would work, but would blend too much. And red, well, I'm always a fan of red, but you'd just have to have fun with it. In that case, maybe finding a sweet little cardigan (emphasis on the word "sweet") would be in order, to temper the tendency to get your nails airbrushed and tease your hair. Belt sources (having posting issues, sorry!) are JC Penny & Kohl's. Yup.

Dreaming...

Once the Bean weight is gone...or maybe even in between, a few pieces I'll use to perk up my style mood...

Gap denim pencil skirt

Banana Republic safari shirt jacket

Banana Republic ruffle placket Henley (a nod to my current, ahem, access issues), and really, it won't perk me up, but it should serve a mildly stylish purpose.

The biggest drag for me, style-wise, with having a young child, is not being able to wear dresses during the day. Skirts and accessible tops will have to rule the day - and I'm very much looking forward to that. Bring on the flirty, the pencil, the cargo, the colorful, the neutral...

but then again, this Milly print might just provide enough....flexibility.....or I can just wear it on the rare occasion I leave the house sans infant.

Boo! to You

In the midst of Halloween preparations, I thought I'd check in with the Infintessimal Readership.

What makes the best Halloween costume for you?

Do you want to be scary? Eye-catching? Clever? Puzzling? Current?

Do you want it to be flattering? If you want to stand out, in what way? Va-va-voom, or EEEEEW!

Personally, I've apparently entered the phase of life where "family" Halloween garb is of the moment. I've only got one party on the calendar this year, and it's a kid's birthday party. So since The Bean requested "Thomas" (of Tom and Jerry), H and I are going to be Tom's owners: a 50s-era pipe-wielding and apron donning couple (it was beyond my energy to make more than one set of ears for us). I happen to have a polka-dot shirt-dressy M dress in the closet, and we'll figure H's out on the fly.

*Pics courtesy of Tom and Jerry Online, an unofficial fan site

Style Dilemma: Static Cling!

Tights are the perfect way to stay warm in winter and transition through these wierd spring showers - no May flowers yet (sorry, just couldn't help myself). But, like conflictedthimble writes, there's that nasty static cling issue...

dear dc celine,

i have a great outfit today. black button-front shirtdress (vintage gap) over black tights with my donald pliner ankle boots. my problem? how to i get the dress to stop sticking to my tights??? nothing like feeling confident in your look to have the skirt ride up while walking around the office, not to mention the inappropriate factor!

help!

conflictedthimble

Thimble, I hear ya. If your skirt/dress isn't lined, you have a couple of options.

1) Go even more vintage and hit Ye Olde Department Store for a slip or two. If you want to feel really old skool, go for a full slip, rather than half (which personnally make me feel about 500 years old and more unstylish than I could imagine - elastic waists will do that to a girl).

2) Dryer sheets. Yup. Carry a stash in your purse or keep them in your desk drawer. They work. You'll have to "refresh" periodically, but it'll help. (Also go a long way in keeping dust off your tv screen/computer monitor if you "dust" with one.)

Let us know what works!

Shop in Style: Hitting the Seasonal Sales

Last week I had a flashback. Two years ago, the new H and I jumped on a train and travelled north to NYC for our honeymoon. Time together as a newly married couple, art, culture, dining, music, blah, blah, blah. It was the perfect time for shopping. At the end of July/ beginning of August, stores are clearing out their summer stock to make room for the winter (fall's already been on the racks forever, so even some of that's on sale). Among other things, I scored my still-favorite Chie Mihara pumps, a bluest blue cashmere sweater from Henri Bendel, and my Daslu boots.

I can't make it north this year, or probably even next - The Bean's probably not ready for all-day shopping - and I can barely even make it to the brick and mortar stores here. But I can shop online - and the sales online are at their best right now - sizes might be scant, but if you can find your size - or shop for sizeless items - you can score some amazing deals. Here are just a few I've stumbled across while working very very hard at my day job.

Freshwater pearl earrings at Banana. Every girl, even the edgiest, has to have a pair. If you don't own any, spring the $16.80 for these. Their sale jewelry boxes in-store are always great - I've found some of my most complimented pieces there - especially their enamel costume jewelry, like the turuqoise ring at left. Wait a little longer, then check the store, and you can probably get it for less than $15.

Never too many t-shirts in a drawer, she says. Well, actually, that's possible, but pretty, fitted, long (aren't we always looking for long ones?) versions fly to the top of the list. bluefly.com has this Rebecca Beeson top for $24.99. Not an amazing deal, but good enough to bother for something that fits - and in a couple of colors, too.

Easy to take in any style direction - classic, sporty, funky - with the right accessories, and definitely all-season, in my book, a great deal at $84 (from $240), this Rebecca & Drew shirt-dress is to be had online at Nieman Marcus. Nieman sales are great, percentage-wise, but if you're a gal really on a budget, you have to go to the end of the price-sort list for stuff that makes it in the range. $1000 from $4000 is absolutely a deal, but really.

Here's to brilliant sale shopping - online or in-store...and if you find a great deal, email me - with pics, if you can, and tell us about your find & how you plan on wearing it.

Don't forget the cardinal rule of sale shopping - if you can't picture an immediate way to incorporate it into your wardrobe, don't bother. It's still not worth the money, sale or no sale.