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!

Favorite Post: The Ties That Bind

I think I used this as one of my last Favorite Posts. I don't care. It is one of my favorites. I picked this today because I'm wearing my Mom-Mom's brass bow brooch in what I think (you be the judge) is a throroughly modern way. At least it's modern for those of us who have a small obsession with The New Bowtie, a la DC's best, my faves (and also Very Cool People) Accoutre or Ciao Nina.

So here's the story of how my "vintage bow tie" found its way into my jewelry box.

1 - Accoutre's Casual Friday ($60), 2 - Ciao Nina's Secretary Vintage Ascot Necklace ($42),

3 - Mom-Mom's bow brooch (Priceless). Photos 1 & 2 via Eliot and Nina's sites, linked above. Pleaseandthankyoupleasedontsueme.

Today's Favorite Post brought to you by sheer exhaustion last night that thwarted my noble attempts (OK, thwarted even before I started) to style one of Lee's ballgown options in the Style Dilemma Chelsea and I are solving. We both crashed. And we both plan (hope?) to have some #belleoftheball posts up on Monday for you to weigh in. Hope. If you're desperate for the possibilities and have to give us your opinion, Chelsea has a bunch of them posted over on her blog, here.

Favorite Post: The Style Blogger and The Jersey Shore

I've almost literally got a paper chain countdown going in the office right now. I love my new Day Job, but I am also exceptionally ready for a break. My weekend of:

Friday night work
Saturday staffing The Bean's First Recital Dress Rehearsal
Sunday staffing The Bean's First Recital Dress Rehearsal
Big Family Dinner after The Bean's First Recital Dress Rehearsal
Drive to Jiffy Lube Live for WMZQ Fest's Miranda Lambert performance
Stress over a day o' deadlines today

Has me desperate for June 15th, when we load up and ship out for down tha shore. So here's a favorite post from last summer, in which I contemplate the balance between stylish and not caring. I've been prepping all spring on pinterest, but I'm still looking forward to the nights of wandering the promenade in our little beach town that are cool enough for a Big Old Sweatshirt.

Blog in Style: The 7 Year Itch

Tomorrow, December 8, 2012, will be DC Celine’s 7 year anniversary.

To be honest, I don’t quite know what to say. I can’t even quite believe that I’ve been blogging for 7 years. Nor can I believe that I don’t have any plans to “give it up” or stop blogging. I love it.

There are times when I can crash out 3 posts in a row, and it’s all I can to do talk myself into scheduling them out, rather than posting them all at once. I get rather excited, sometimes, about what I write. There are times when it’s all I can do to re-post a favorite post.

There are times, when work is too full, when I run off and get married, birth a child, write a thesis, or birth a second child. These things, though redirecting me for a time, have all ended up enriching the bits and pieces of story that emerge here in and around the Style Dilemmas.

I set out, 7 years ago, to be “the Rachel Ray of fashion.” Really. That’s what my original goal was. Frustrated as all get out with my DayJob at the time, and considering any sort of career change I could get my hands on, I asked myself, “If I were doing anything other than what I’m doing now, what would I be doing?”

As I walked across an empty parking lot from Crystal City to Pentagon City to take the Metro home, I answered myself, “Writing about fashion.”

Then I called H, then “F,” and told him that exact thing. His response: “Why don’t you start a blog?”

I had to go look up what a blog was. In 2005, the Interwebs still felt young. We barely even used webmail, people. Twitter wasn’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye. But I found Blogger, and I created an account. Then I wrote my first post.

I thought that, if maybe I could write a little bit about fashion, where I found my inspiration to not be another federal contractor in a boring grey suit, I could bring the craziness of the runways to Every Woman. If, along the way, I could answer a question or two and help someone figure out what to wear, I might actually help someone.

To this day, most of my Style Dilemmas come from friends emailing me and asking me fashion questions, less because they know about my blog, but more because they just know I love fashion. Then I pretty much beg them to let me post their questions and my answers. They’re gracious and kind to let me share.

To this day, my readership isn’t as big as I’d like it to be. I’d love to reaching tens of thousands of readers. Not quite. But every once in awhile I get a note or a comment or a tweet letting me know that I have somehow touched someone or helped them - whether I brightened a day with a pretty picture or whether I wrote something that resonated with them at a deeper level.

To this day, my staunchest supporters are my friends and family. True, that family of friends has grown and changed with this online world. But really, my mom and my sister read regularly (dad and brother, not so much). My girlfriends read, and sometimes even comment. For this, and for all of the emails, comments, and tweets, I thank them.

To this day, H is the reason this blog is what it is. It was his brainchild, an idea he had to help me out of an unhappy place. He has attended events (“When did all these hot, well-dressed women move to DC?” I believe is pretty close to a direct quote). He has played chauffeur. He has adjusted his schedule. He has been patient when I’m in the middle of posting. He has acquiesced when I asked him to join me for “just one event,” and fallen as much in love with Bill Cunningham as I am. He has bought me McQueen, Chanel, and Anglomania volumes. He has spent half of our honeymoon shopping 5th Avenue and being patient with me when I couldn’t get up the courage to walk through the incredible doors of the Comme des Garcon outpost in Chelsea. He has stayed home with the Beans so I could be out. He has understood when I needed a new outfit for an event. He has recognized that writing - blogging - makes me happy.

But most of all, he believes that I have something to say, and a unique way to say it. He may be the only one, but I am eternally grateful to him for it.

__________

I’m still hoping that I can get my overworked, underslept, and overstretched ass in gear and organize a few little events in the new year to celebrate what has really been a pretty cool 7 years of meeting cool people and doing cool things. But don’t hate me if I don’t.

Favorite Post: As It Was in the Blogger Beginning

I was actually hunting down a more recent set of jewelry box and closet re-organizing posts I wanted to re-share because it's still insane here. So I searched my own darned blog for "organizing," and up popped this amazing retro-DC-style-blogger-scene post. Yes. I called my own post amazing. Deal with it.

I decided to share this now, because in between contracts and proposals and business deals, I've accepted and declined a slew of blogger invites this week. And I'm not even one of those insane folks headed to Fashion Mecca for NYFW. Between that and cleaning our room and organizing the 10,000 samples from event goodie bags this weekend (I seriously had one from an event More Than A Year Ago), it just somehow seemed appropros.

How the heck did this post come up in a search on "organizing?" you ask? Well, there was an indefatigable PR maven "organizing" photos. Can you guess who she was without clicking through?

Read on, here, to see how it all went down in October 2006 at a Saks charity shopping event. Things haven't changed all that much in 6 years, I suppose.

Photo via

Favorite Post: Vintage Sap

H is the lovliest man, for all sorts of reasons. One of those reasons, like I mentioned in my What's In Your Bag post Tuesday, is that he brings me lovely gifts. In this post, I share a perfect vintage gift he bought for me, the Girl Who Doesn't Fit Vintage. And why I don't fit vintage. Which reminds me that I should make sure I wear the Gifts From H. Which he reminds me of regularly.

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!

Favorite Post: Hooker Dress Style Dilemma

I wanted to post about our date at Mussel Bar Revel for today, but I just couldn't get to it. (Silly day job. Silly family.) Look for it Monday...I hope...in the meantime, here's another favorite.

We've all seen those people who really, really, really should have written into a style blogger to ask a question or two. Or three. Here's one who should have. My friend M and his wife Sugarplum (dear, dear, dear friends) witnessed an unfortunate style choice. And then he emailed me about it. It's a rare foray into snark for me.

Snicker again with me, will you?

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!

Closet Cleaning = New Wardrobe

This is the 3rd topic in what's become a series on rebooting my (and by way of example, your) personal style. (Search my blog for "Style Reboot") After I admitted to massive style doldrums, I got my @#$% together. First were my attempts to re-fill my clothing coffers with Clothes That Fit and I Want to Wear, here, and here. Second was The Great Accessory Cabinet Reorganization (The Beans' personal favorite), here, here and here. After this here Closet Cleaning post? A how-to with my tips on how to get started and make the right choices in your own Closet Cleaning. Want more? Want support? Email me at dcceline dot blogspot at gmail dot com. Tweet me or join the twittersation with hashtag #ClosetCleaning. Others are with you, like Ally over at Wardrobe Oxygen, with her great post on how Irene helped her closet.

It's that time of year. The time of year when I start itching to buy sweaters, corduroys, scarves, and sweater dresses. Anything cozy, fitted, tailored, and wool. I'm a fall/winter gal who doesn't look back. Lament how I can't wear my cute summer dresses anymore? Nope,  not me.

I also get excited for school supplies. That The Bean needs them now gives me into palpitations of joy.

First of all, I'm just not a summer dress gal. They're all too-small-in-the-bust-and-don't-fit-my-broad-ribcage. I need a bra, so slip-like things, as cute, flirty, and breezy as they are, just don't work.

Secondly, I'm a firm believer in manipulating the pieces you have in your closet to be all-season. I've never been one to pack away my winter or summer things, even though I've been space constrained for the last 20+ years. Except for the occasional heavy wool sweater (like my absolute favorite orange J. Crew chunky turtleneck, probably circa, oh 1998, if not earlier), I will wear anything in any season. Extra fine merino wool v-neck sweater? Perfect to pair with a flirty skirt or, to make it oh-so-2011, tailored dress or leather shorts. (I will literally cry when my beloved, perfect weight chocolate brown Banana favorite, which I'm fairly certain pre-dates H, springs too many holes to get away with it any more. Why do they not make it again? It was - is - PerfectionInASweater.)

That being said, in order to manipulate like a pro, you  have to know your closet. You also have to be able to find what you know. Which, until 2 weekends ago, I couldn't do. I had regular morning fits about what I didn't like in my closet, and was constantly searching for things I knew I had but couldn't find. So I bumped a Closet Cleaning up the household priority list, decreeing to H that by the end of August 28th, we would have cleaned out our (not The Beans') dressers and closets. He bucked and whined, claiming that cleaning our den/office was more important (pshaw! we don't need to find major documents or know where our bills are. Finding our clothes is a much higher priority.)

So when Bean #2 went down for his nap on Saturday (and H followed), The Bean and I capitalized on the energy gained from reorganizing my accessories cabinet, and started to unload my dresser. It was her idea of a great time, especially as she decided that anything and everything we were sorting was up for grabs, asking "Mama, can I have this?" at every belt, scarf, and t-shirt we sorted.

Before I get into the "how I did it" (upcoming post), I should show the "it was all worth it." Isn't that the way to motivate? Show you what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it? And it is very. very. difficult to bite the bullet and start a Closet Cleaning project. I promise you, though, I've found whole new life in my wardrobe without buying a thing.

So. After thwarting The Bean's attempts to confiscate everything I own, dodging her brother's full-on dives into my neat, folded piles of Things I'm Going to Keep and Wear, and making a teensy bit of space on the bed for H to sort his things (and trying desperately not to micromanage his own sorting), here's what I got.

Day 1

• A dresser with infinitely more space in it than I had before. And no, that's not massive license to go fill it again. 
• A reminder that I love scarves, and have a lot of them, many of which are vintage and were given to me by special women in my life.
• A reminder that I have some great belts (one of which my son seemed to love. H will hate that I posted this picture.)

• Drawers in which I can find things. I mean really find them.

Day 2

• My missing black slacks. For oh, about 3 months, my new(er) black wool slacks (part of a 3-piece suit collection I rarely wear together) have been missing. They were on H's side of the closet, still on the drycleaning hanger. I feel much better now.
• A whole additional side of the closet for my pants. Somehow, before now, H had more closet real estate. While he's a clothes horse of sorts, it just wasn't right. Things are the way they should be now.
• More shelf space for my beloved shoes.
• A sense of what I have (dresses), and what I don't have (fall shoes).

Then, there's what left my closet and dresser: flip-flops that have no partner, shoes I never wear or don't fit (passed along to friends or in a bag for Simply Sole's program), a beloved dress that won't ever fit these boobs again (which our sitter now owns), T-shirts and tops that have more than seen better days and should have been tossed long, long ago, button-down shirts (I haven't worn them in a year, don't particularly care for how they look anymore, and am no longer a fan of the overall concept), and a sequined Victoria's Secret tank emblazoned with "Sexy" for which H actually shed tears.

What am I surprised I kept: a pink terrycloth mini H gave me not really in jest Christmases ago (perfect to toss on down tha shore and a ridiculously short denim mini (same Christmas) I tried on and couldn't believe fit. I'm going to attempt with tights, boots or booties, and a big ol' cozy sweater (probably the cowl neck or poncho I've been eyeing over at Michael Kors). If that doesn't work, though, out it goes with the rest.

What I won't ever give up: bonus points if you know what this is.

Favorite Post: In Honor Of

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).

This one, "In Honor Of," was 3 years in the making, a post I wanted to write after I went to the first funeral, the one I get to at the end. It's a tender subject, for all sorts of reasons, and I'd love to hear what you think.

Favorite Post: Once a FallGirl, Always a Fall Girl

Still behind on posts. So either to joyfully relish the fall with you - or to torture you, if you're one of those summer types - I thought I'd re-share some of my happy autumnal and wintery posts and Pinterest boards.

Yes, I like the chill in the air.

Here is a post I wrote a little more than a year ago. I bought the turtlenck poncho. It didn't fit. It looked terrible. And I never returned it (much to H's chagrin). Turns out? It's perfect now! Cannot wait to don its glorious coziness.

I love fall (have I mentioned that?), so tweeds and velvets make me happy. See?

My velvet Daslu boots still make me crazy happy. I've already worn them once this year.

Then there's my Winter Girl Pinterest board, which is also good for fall. Or try my Weekends Around Town board, which, right now, seems to have lots o' autumnal inspiration. Then there's my boot obsession showing up on Bells on My Toes.

Move Over, Gwyneth

I originally posted this over on my Weight Watchers Online Community blog. It's been a while since I shared here about my #healthyme journey, though, so since there was a stunning dress involved, I thought I'd post. It's been almost 2 years since I started this journey (check out the beginning over here), and while I've been on track for the most part, this past summer was really rough on me, my eating, and my activity. Here's the story of my little wakeup call, how I responded, and the dress I got to wear as a result.

Really. Eating clean works.

I mean, we all know this, but we all (not so) conveniently forget it. I had to remember over the last 3+ weeks, as I'd chosen to do a cleanse. It was a food-based cleanse led by the amazing nutritionist Ellen Kittridge, and my second attempt at a cleanse, at that. (My first attempt was Dr. Alejandro Junger's Clean Program. You know the one Gwyneth does? It was good, I felt great, and was happy eating clean. But a combination of the plan's restrictions and running nearly headlong into Easter candy sent me on a downhill spiral from which I just recovered.)

An unfiltered look at the stunning color of my beet, avocado, beet greens, banana, chia seed, raw cacao powder (with maca), and coconut water smoothie. I smoothie every morning for breakfast (after a glass of warm lemon water). I've been smoothieing since the beginning of the year, and feel best when I have this "ice cream for breakfast," as one of my WW friends says. Also, who knew? Chocolate + beets? OMG divine.

For me, the cleanse I just completed reminds me that:

• Eating whole foods is better: tastier, more fueling, and more nutritionally dense
• Eating more processed foods leaves me wanting: taste, fuel, and nutrition
• Eating sugar is not as tasty as I thought it was (seriously, sweet is too sweet now for me. I pray that stays around!), and it is not fueling nor is it nutritious
• Staying hydrated is very useful
• Eating enough to fuel and satisfy, but not more, is also very useful

One of my favorite dishes I picked up on the cleanse: a sweet potato and red lentil red curry soup with spinach. It's insanely easy to make, and with a squeeze of lime over? Eye rolling good. I was sad when I finished the last bowl of it for lunch yesterday.

All of this, folks, because I'm back on the losing train. I've been fighting (not very hard, mind you, which is why it wasn't coming off) to lose the last of the 10lbs I gained back over the summer's not-clean-eating reign. I didn't lose during the cleanse (there may or may not have been some fresh date+sunflowerseed butter madness in the evenings), but I didn't gain. And now that I've woken up and smelled the daily lemon water (I'm still caffeine-free, too!), well, I've stopped the nibbling and guess what? Down 1.5lbs.

Boom.

The wakeup call? It may or may not have been trying on the two Rent the Runway dresses I "borrowed" for the White Hat USA inaugural gala last night. (I'll do more of a review next week of the experience I started over here, but for those of you who have events, anything from a wedding to a black tie gala, this service? Crazy awesome. Dress rental. Duh. All price ranges, and you get to wear @#$% you'd never even think you could afford.)

All dresses fit, and the bigger size was too big (you get to borrow a bigger size for free, just in case), but as good as I felt and looked, let's just say I'm glad I'd not let gluten and dairy back in fully yet (since they sometimes to bloat me). I'm certainly going to reintroduce those things and see what happens, but I was on a dress-wearing-in-which-photos-will-be-taken mission.

The first dress I tried on a lovely, striking, and classic Narciso Rodriguez. This was Rosa and Bean No.2's favorite.

And then I tried on my obsession dress, an incredible Viktor & Rolf. The Bean loved this one, No.2 did not. This got the most #twitterfashionshow votes, and I felt amazing in it. Even if I did have to wear the belt from the larger size. My favorite comment? E of District of Chic wrote, "Boom goes the dynamite." I laughed. And I felt exactly like that.

With 2 days to go, I set out to eat as cleanly as possible, eating what I need to fuel my body well and enjoy it at the same time. I was hoping the belt might fit a little less snugly by the time Thursday came around.

This week I felt good and strong. I felt in control. I felt happy with my food choices, and satiated in nutrition, fuel, and taste - even without the activity that my bum knee still won't quite let me have (this weekend! Can't wait!). That's a huge win, people.

H and I in our "prom picture," before stepping out. I'll say it. I know I look good. But more importantly, I felt incredible. Absolutely incredible, glamorous, and, perhaps most important of all, comfortable and happy. I was also thrilled with my accessories. A reliable Ann Taylor satin and patent clutch from oh, about 2006, let me carry phone, card case, lipstick and gloss, and still have room for my Mom-Mom's rouched gloves once I took them off (I needed them last night! It was freezing!). My MIL's vintage fur stole kept me warm and cozy. My earrings were long, delicately colored danglers I got somewhere pre-Beans, and I pinned my braids up with a favorite hairpin I stalked back in the day at Simply Soles.

But looking this good in a dress? It's a dream. Quite literally one I never even allowed myself to have. Who woulda thunk I'd be wearing literally red carpet (and we're not talking the crap ass 3rd tier "premier" in the star's hometown, here, but LA-NY-London-level) gowns?

My newly rediscovered J. Renée sandals, bought ages ago on a lark in South Beach...

My two favorite men of the night, Dealer Doug, who kindly taught me the basics of H's favorite game, craps, and H. Also, it's a lot easier to learn a game when you're playing with funny money.

I bet on my Beans: I put "money" on the 4 and the 6 (their approximate ages). I didn't win (I'm a horrible gambler), but by "betting on our kids," the silent auction, and other fundraising activities throughout the night, we raised $327,000 for Children's National Medical Center and honored a volunteer who was once a patient. It was a pretty incredible and humbling evening.

I turned 40 Wednesday. And as my friend M and I texted (the dear friend with whom I ran the last leg of the Baltimore Running Festival relay marathon two weeks ago), "It doesn't hurt that we're fitter at 40 than we ever were at 30."

Move over Gwyneth (and Nicole and Michelle and ...), there's a new clean eating sheriff in town.

Ageless Beauty: Beauty Tips from the "Advanced" Set

She's always got a show tune at the ready. If you're lucky, maybe a little soft shoe, too. We run into her, usually, when we're on our way back in from our after-school activities, and she's all dolled up, ready for dinner before a show. "An avid theater goer" would be a glorious understatement for our friend Aunt Dottie.

I had another post in draft, just about ready to go, and then I ran into Dottie at our front desk. It's cleaning day, and I offered commiseration, since H and I spent most of our self-imposed 4-day weekend cleaning and organizing. My nails and hands are shot, I shared.

"Oh, you know what's good?"

Dottie and I started swapping natural and home-remedy beauty tips (ok, she shared, and I agreed on the few I know and use). I promised her I wouldn't reveal her age. But let's just say that, well, you wouldn't guess it.

She really is a fashion plate, even on cleaning day. That's some serious (and probably purposeful, knowing her) pattern mixing, never mind the nonchalant cleaning rag in her apron pocket.

1) Fix Those Winter Hands: For hands that are as torn up as mine, and to prevent them getting worse whilst cleaning, track down a pair of white cotton gloves (I kinda like these, because they have "inspection" in the name, as if my house is clean enough for one). You've heard it, the spa and nail place have done it, but slather up your hands with your favorite thick lotion, then don your gloves and go to bed. Note: you will have to adhere to that other bit of advice about not using social media in the bedroom to do this.

2) Fix Your Cuticles: I am not one to worry about them, but when they get so dry they crack and split, well, maybe it's time to do something about them. Dottie says to put plain white vinegar (go ahead, get the big bottle, then check Pinterest for its infinite uses) in a little spray bottle, and spritz throughout the day. She keeps them on her kitchen counter. Office-bound? Keep them on your desk, especially with this adorable atomizer. My own tip, for folks who might see other people during the day and don't want to smell like salad dressing? Add in a little essential oil, say...lavender (my favorite).

3) Keep Your Cuticles: Now that you've fixed them, use up that evening TV time (or whenever else you can sit without touching thing) by using a lip balm (she recommends "the one in the metal tube at CVS," but Chapstick will do, too, she says), and pushing the balm into your fingertips.

4) The Best Lotion: Dottie swears by the big tub of thick Cetaphil ("it's a little expensive, but it's the best"). However, so you don't contaminate your tub with your icky hands, put some in a smaller jar (these are a package of 6, but I'm sure I can find a use for 5 more) for everyday use, then try to use a little spoon or spatula to scoop it out (how cute are this spoon and this spatula?). Also, see #1 and use it on your dry, cracked feet (also like mine).

5) Hydrate and Alkalize: To stay hydrated (and if you look at her skin, there's no way you can argue with this), mix 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 of honey into a paste, then mix into water. Drink at least three glasses a day. From my own experience, especially with my cleanses with Ellen Kittredge, CNC, try raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey (but any old honey will do).

6) Your Face: Forget the fancy creams, at least a few times a week, and use either the aforementioned Cetaphil or good, old-fashioned Vaseline. Slather your mug with the stuff, use an old, clean men's T-shirt (but don't bleach it, because that's not good for your skin) as a pillow case to save your shams, and get a good night's rest.

7) Avoid Stress: It's simple, and easier said than done, but this was her parting thought to me (after I tried to explain about this blog as a website so I could get her permission to post her pic and tips). Rid your life of as much negativity as you can. It just doesn't do a body good.

Oh. And one she forgot, but I've learned from knowing her nearly 16 years: learn a few show tunes by heart, and break into song on a fairly regular, but unexpected basis. There's one for just about every situation.

What are your favorite beauty tips and at home remedies? What are the ones you really, actually use (and didn't just pin to your "Must Try" board)? Leave a comment and tell us - and tell us who told you!

Favorite Post: The Perfect Honor

If you follow me on twitter, you've seen #wearing tweets where I mention vintage pieces. They're usually my late grandmother's. I inherited a lot from each of my grandmothers, and miss each of them every day. Back after I lost my second grandmother, I posted about part of how my family dealt with her passing.

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!

Favorite Post: My Christmas-No-Birthday-No Just Things I'd Like to Have List

Way back when (October 2011? December 2011? Earlier?) I posted a list of "wants." Every girl has that list. We do. Even if we don't write it now. These are things I'd really like to have in my life. They're not current obsessions, they're not "things I'm loving now," and they're not "of the moment." They're Big Things, mostly, and some of them are even It Girl Things.

So.

Am I missing anything?

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!

Favorite Post: My First Time

PR People, listen up. As much as you'd think I'd use my own name on the blog, I am not "Celine." But there is a reason the blog is DC Celine. Read up. Then change your email lists, please.

And for the rest of you, you must have a moment when you saw, felt, knew...a dress, a look, a sense of style...what was your defining style moment?

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!

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

I logged on this morning, and realized "It's Wednesday, and I wanted to post today!" then dug through my in-process posts and found this. I wrote it on May 7th, the day after H's birthday and birthday weekend. I edited it a little bit, to tone down the WW-heavy points and such discussion, but kept it essentially the same as it cam out that day. It tells an important story.

H's birthday weekend was just amazing, from a friends and family perspective.

A joyfully embarassed H at Brasserie Beck. We sang to him. All 12 of us.

From a #healthyme and Weight Watchers perspective, both H and I tracked up Saturday's points reluctantly, but were both still on point. Deeeeeeep into our "extra points," but on point.

So I jumped on the scale this morning, curious. Out of a scientific sort of curiosity. "I was so excessive this weekend, I wonder if it'll show up in the scale numbers. I bet it does."

And what I saw - just a little bit up from Thursday's WI - showed me that sound, scientifically based hypothesis was right.

So I got dressed, kissed The Beans and H, and drove to work. I got my ham & cheese croissant and coffee (I can still stay on point for the day when I do it, but I need to break the habit), and drove to work with the knowledge that I have a training session tomorrow (I earn extra points), yoga Wednesday morning (more extras), and that I'm already jonesing the fruits and veggies I didn't eat this weekend (or do the best strawberry cupcakes in the world count? They're made with fresh strawberries?).

Then I saw the numbers from the scale again in my mind's eye.

162.7

Last Thursday's weigh-in (before H's birthday weekend): 163.1

I'd seen the .7, perhaps, and just flipped the numbers in my mind.

I cried. On the WW Online community, there's been a lot written recently about how the plan works, and how we need to trust it. I've believed pretty much from Day 1.

So I cried.

I cried because H was so happy this weekend. Part of what made his weekend was "my hot wife." When I asked him his favorite part of the weekend (3 days of surprises, family, friends, food, drinks, and joy), he said, "having my hot wife walk around in her dress."

I had to ask him "what was your favorite part of the weekend that wasn't about me? Because if you can't come up with something, I did it wrong." He had an answer, and it's important in another forum.

But really, I'm on an exhausted high this morning (see mention of ham & cheese croissant above), and just need a vacation. The weekend was perfect for all sorts of reasons. So perfect that my crazily active little boy fell asleep in my lap yesterday. Which he hasn't done in, oh, about a year and a half.

And, in large part, I have WW to thank. Happy Birthday, my love.

[End of May 7th post. Now, here's today, May 23]

Fast forward to yesterday. If you saw my tweets and Instagram posts, you know.

The gym scale (I peeked, 2 days before my official WW weigh in) says I’m at the same number I was 2 days before our wedding on June 16, 2006 (or is it 17? Seriously. Neither H nor I can remember.)

And because of that number, I decided to try on my wedding dress last night.

I got home to pretty much cheers of jubilation, “Mama! Mama! Mama!” and asked our nanny to hang out for a few minutes, and didn’t tell her why.

I slipped into the dress.

I swear it went on more easily than it did 6 years ago.

She almost cried. (Have I mentioned how amazing she is?)

And then I made her take pictures.

 Someone said it's adoration. It might be "Mama's crazy." #happymama

Dancing with my beans to Beastie Boys 6 years after marrying their Papa in the same dress? Priceless #healthyme #shoutingfromtherooftops

Needless to say, I couldn’t stop smiling. I posted a picture to my personal facebook account, I sent one to H over email, telling him “Hurry home!” He sent back a note saying that he’s wearing a suit he bought in 2000, when he was living in Germany.

It works.

I indulged myself and The Beans with episodes of Imagination Movers and Little Einsteins while they ate dinner and I a snack. And then I pulled out the wedding pictures.

The picture (dancing at our wedding) that reminds me #happymama

I “let” them stay up to look at pictures. “Mama laffing!” “Papa laffing!” “Dra-pop!” “Dra-mom!” they exclaimed. We had a lot of fun at our rehearsal. A lot. We looked through all the pictures of our rehearsal and the ceremony. I saved the “party pictures” for tonight.

I was in a marvelous mood last night. Happy to the point of tears. Getting back into that dress triggered all sorts of things: joy, love for my family, memories, and reminders of why H and I married in the first place.

Dress is back on, i'm online, waiting for H and the Masala Art #oldmemories #newmemories

It’s a solid reminder, my stylish friends, of why clothes really are connected to meaning in our life.

Oh yeah, and I’m wearin’ a bathing suit this weekend down tha shore. And I’ll look better than I did on our first honeymoon down tha shore with my mother-in-law and her girlfriends.

Style in Print: Summer Reading for the Jersey Shore

T minus 3 days, if you count the departure day. I couldn’t be more excited.

We won’t talk about what life is going to be like between now and then, though. At all.

Later this week, I’m hoping to put up a post - and join the masses in the “how to get ready for vacation/ summer essenials/ what to pack” posts - about how I’m approaching our 2 weeks at the Jersey Shore. We’ll see if that happens. In the meantime, though, here’s one thing I’m looking forward to immensely.

Reading.

I go through phases. I grew up a voracious reader, going to great lengths to keep reading (um, hiding in the bathroom, the Place My Mother Couldn’t Argue With, with my book, to avoid chores and keep reading? Yup.). I’m absolutely an escapist reader. Annoys H to no end, at times, especially when he’s suggested for the 10,000th time that I read Into Thin Air, one of his all-time favorites. The combined library of an escapist reader and a non-fiction reader make for some pretty interesting bookshelves, let me tell you.

Come Friday, I certainly won’t get to while away long hours reading on the beach. I do have two Beans, you know. They’re much more interested in sandcastles and burying each other than flipping pages (at least on the beach). I will, though, take advantage of Bean No.2’s midday nap. One of us has to stay home while he’s sleeping. It’s not unusual that I’ll volunteer for that duty (when it’s not time for The Bean and me to hit the nail salon for our weekly Jersey Shore mani/pedi session). Reading on the balcony while overlooking the ocean is pretty good motivation for nap duty.

There’s a mix in here of things I’ve read and things I intend on reading. There are also some actual, physical books sitting on my nightstand I’ll bring along.

My Nook Book Library

Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer - I missed her stop in DC, but can’t wait to read her take on NYC.

Nora Roberts - I’m a sucker for a good, formulaic romance novel, and the native MD author writes trilogies I just plain ol’ enjoy. These are the first two in her latest (I hate waiting for the last one to come out).

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides - One of the few places H & my literary tastes overlap is on Middlesex, Eugenides’ Pulitzer Prize-winning story of Greek refugees escaping the Turks. OK, so that’s not really what the book was about, but it’s part of what hooked us both (H’s Armenian family escaped the same area as the beginning characters). So the newest Eugenides book is definitely on our list.

A couple of books for The Bean - I’m torn on how much to let her read on my Nook, but the books that read to her have been a godsend on a couple of afternoons when I’ve been sick or exhausted and needed to nap while the little one was also napping. The Bean was thrilled to read herself!

A couple of sample cookbooks - haven’t taken the plunge into Nook cookbooks yet, though I have a cookbook addiction. Chef Chloe’s might be the first.

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett - a rare purchase recommended by a Nook blog post. It’s a book about books. Duh.

The Game of Thrones - bandwagon. Undecided, despite my penchant for maidens and armor and family tragedy.

Weisburger and Bushnell - already happily devoured

The Flame Alphabet, a novel, by Ben Marcus - I no longer remember exactly why I bought this one, except that I think there’s a Romanian (another piece of H’s heritage) connection.

The Drop by Michael Connelly - Already read, I love Connelly’s Harry Bosch books. Also a sucker for old school detective stories (JD Robb is a favorite, too).

25 Favorite Novels - the joys of the Nook. Everything from Austen to Cather. For 99 cents. First thing I started? Anne of Green Gables.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - also happily devoured

What else? Well, there’s that Justine Picardie Coco Chanel bio I’ve started but not finished, a hilarioius read penned by Simon Doonan, and the novel I can’t find anywhere in my house, which is very very annoying, the German copy of Herta Mueller’s Atemschaukel (The Hunger Angel) I desperately want to read.

I’ll let you know in 2 weeks what I’ve finished. Bets?

Style Dilemma: What to Wear to an Amusement Park

The original post, from waaaaaay back in 2006, is my "all time" most popular. Given a few of my recommendations have gone out and are back in style, I figured it might be time for an update. While most of my 2006 recommendations stand, my 2015 updates are at the end. I've also updated the links in the original 2006 recommendations for options available today.

Feel free to share how you've gotten through a sweltering day on the rides!

From 2006

Dear DC Celine:

Help! After long, hard, sleepless hours, my boss is rewarding us with a "teambuilding" trip to King's Dominion. I'm actually pretty excited, since I haven't been to an amusement park since the "band trip" to Hershey Park in 8th grade (at least as far as my unscarred pyche will allow me to remember). But what to wear? I'm going to be schlepping around in the mild heat all day, upsidedown & backwards. How do I maintain a modicum of modesty, preserve my feet, and still not channel "soccer mom?"

Amused in Anticipation

Dear Amused:

I hear ya. There are a couple of issues at hand:

• Feet - walking around all day on asphalt gets hot and uncomfortable. Breathing feet is key
• Hair - keeping it cool & not dissheveled
• Skin - too much sun = bad
• Heat - sweaty = bad

My suggestions:

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. There's nothing less stylish than a girl stranded in "lobsterland" because she "forgot" (as H is wont to do) to slather it on. Never mind there's less of a need for the fridge-cooled aloe vera when you get home.
• Ballcap. This would be one of the very few times (the other would be when you're whooping it up at a homecoming game) I'd say: forget hairstyles, pull it back in DC's-best ponytail, toss on a cap, and leave it be. It'll keep you cool & sun-free.
• Cargos or linen gauchos. You can't hurt 'em, and you'll stay cool without putting on (gasp!) casual shorts. Please, please, please, don't put on a pair of cutoff jeans. There is virtually nothing less attractive than a home-styled pair that's waaaaaaaay too short. And a skirt will not work on a roller coaster. Trust me.
• Layered tops. Cami (preferrably sweat-wicking cotton), and a beach-inspired thin cotton button-down. A tunic would work well, here, too. Airy, light, and layered is key. An interesting t-shirt might do, too, but you'll be cooler if you're layered.
• Shoes. This is hard. My comfort inclination is to tell you to screw fashion & go tourist by throwing on the running shoes. But I'm going to pull back from the edge and say: if you don't already have a pair in your closet, get thee to any store worth it's salt (my cheapy fave, Target, will do) and grab a pair of what department stores so eloquently call "fashion sneakers." Puma, Nike, and every other brand known to woman now have fun colors that won't kill your feet.

Anyone else have any suggestions for Amused?

2015 Updates

Nearly 10 years later, enjoying a play day with 100,000 of your closest friends is still a challenge. So here's what I'd do now.

Casual summer togs have come a long way, style-wise, since 2006. Play with prints and textures! Wear your retro...just about anything! Images via Target.com, and linked below.

1) Sunscreen - not long after this original post, the wonders of the then-only-available-in-Europe Mexoryl-based sunscreens came to my attention. I'd buy bottles and bottles on our European trips. As a child, no matter how many times my mommy reapplied, I'd endured blistered burns. So 70+SPF? Yes, please. Now, we can get the originally available La Roche-Posay Anthelios version, but even CVS has the wonder-block.

2) Ballcap - I love the retro versions from my favorite professional and college teams (I'm partial to my plaid Phillies cap, similar to this one), but I have to say that No.2 found my new favorite, this sparkly straw cap. Granted, it won't take on the water park, but sparkly? Yes please.

3) Easy "bottoms" - the gauchos everywhere in 2006 may be "out," but the 2015 version is the culotte. Most versions are dressier, fall options, so we'll go with today's cool jogger pant, if you want full coverage (helpful in the sunscreen department), or the loose, fluttery shorts that are just about everywhere. I've had luck with GAP and Target, but this Lucky Brand Tencel version is such a fantastic color.

4) Layered tops - or a vintage T - this one stands, save for the idea that cotton wicks (what was I thinking?). A cotton tank or cami is still a good option, especially if you want to layer it with a breezy button down (I have a reliable one similar to this Calvin Klein). That being said, the current "vintage T" trend options are cool, lightweight, and have more shoulder coverage. I can't help but steer you to this Schoolhouse Rock flashback.

5) Shoes - when you're walking all day, sandals and flip flops are just asking for blisters. So stick with my 2006 recommendations, and go retro fashion sneaker. To update it them to 2015, go for the slip on. If you grew up in the 80s and early 90s, your grungy skater dreams won't turn down this Vans-inspired leopard print. I have a Target version in my closet that I've been wearing non-stop.

Packing for Greece...if I ever get to it.

Let's just say that I'm thankful I've traveled a lot. Packing happens for me in about 30 seconds. 60 if it's winter and I'm trying to stuff things into a bag.

Everyone has different packing styles. Take, for example, me and my mother-in-law. My style? I just told you. List in head for a week (or not), then pack on the fly. Invariably I end up with a few too many tops, but worse things could happen. MiL? She's been packed for a month. I kid you not. MiL's a very planned and "get it done now, so I can play later" kinda gal (dinner's often cooked by the time I get up in the morning). It's served her well. So she started packing in the spare room about a month ago. She'll be packed, then think twice, pull something out, replace it, see a weather report, change it again...

So when I left this morning, already mildly stressed about trying to get further with the aforementioned thesis-type project thingy and transition my projects to coworkers for the next two weeks, I really wasn't even considering packing. It'll happen. Someday. Our plane departs tomorrow dinnertime, so I figure I'll get it done at some point. No worries. Jae and Erwin tomorrow morning are much more important (I'll feel good, even if I have nothing to wear) than getting my crap in a bag.


[12 hours after I started this post...continued...]


But I did find 10 minutes before a meeting and again after my brain conked out on work & school to make a list of the things I think I should pack. I'll spare you all of the vitamins and face products, but here's the pre-packing clothing list.


2 Old Navy tanks (one in True Blue, one in a berry color that doesn't seem to be on the website)
orange sparkly Indian-inspired Chrome Hearts tank
INC sheer blue T
4 summery, flowy tunic-y blouses lent me by a marvelous GreekGoddess friend who just gave birth to her first daughter
an iie
blue Motherhood Maternity dress
linen Old Navy halter dress (for some reason not on the website - wish it were - it's so non "M")
a standby cami
tummy sleeves (one black, one nude)
underwear (of course)
socks (in case my feet get cold at night)
trouser socks (eew, I know, but just in case it gets cold over there - it's possible)
tights (see above comment, but without the "eew")
Old Navy rollover waist khakis (Babsie D, you were right, right, right - don't knock 'em til you try 'em - and I never want to wear anything else ever again - but also can't find these online)
Citizen standby jeans
an old standby printed Ann Taylor skirt - just in case
favorite brown merino v-neck sweater
favorite black cowl neck sweater (again, just in case it's cold)
a black cotton motorcycle jacket (Gap, 300 seasons ago, but it's still one of my favorites)
red cotton raincoat
teal silk pashmina-like shawl - perfect for the plane!


Shoes are a little extensive...but here goes
Mia stars flats - like slippers - with stars! (for some reason, 3 of the last 4 pairs of shoes I've bought have been Brasilian-born - something to look into there)
my orange flats
standby black heels (just in case)
gold strappy sandals
my favorite bought-in-Miama with BlueSuitGirl ankle wrap sandals
my new Grasshoppers
slippers (oddly enough, also with stars)


And, of course, accessories...but I haven' t decided on those yet.


MiL says that the shoe shopping in Greece is to-die-for - lots of little boutiques. I promise a full report - and I'll tell you if I actually packed any of what I listed, let alone whether or not I wore it.


See you on April 11th! I'll let you know how visiting the relatives in Athens and Chania, Crete, was!

Favorite Post: In Honor of Operation #boothbabe

The folks hitting the conference sessions down here at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center today and tomorrow have already stepped it up a notch or two from the government folks and contractors I met at a Large Meeting in Aberdeen, Maryland, in early 2011, but...

We've still got a looooong way to go, baby.

Maybe it's that we're in the city instead of essentially rural Maryland. Maybe it's that there's a much higher proportion of women in government accounting than there is in Army IT support, but there is a smidgen of style here and there.

There are at least a few LV purses - whether they're real or bought on a Georgetown side street - there's an attempt at purchased style. There are a few dashing gentlemen with crisp white hair and interesting specs (as befit an accountant, naturally), and a few who can hang with their decently (but not perfectly, mind you) pinstripe suits.

But there is still a proliferation of ill-fitting, double-breasted, horrendously patterned separates. Ladies, really? It's 2012. Gentlemen? You can buy a new tie. And do we really need to talk about the sportcoats again?

I said it in 2011, and I'll say it now: Style Counts. Honest.

I originally posted this in March 2011, after attending a huge meeting up at Aberdeen Proving Ground. While the govvies presenting certainly knew their stuff, and the contractors in the room were honestly a bastion of experts, well, they didn't know their style. But that's what we bloggers are for, right?