Boo! to You! A Peek into Our Halloween

When we live life at the pace we do, we often don't get to relish the moments. With The Holidays coming, I know I won't get to it all. But this year, starting with Halloween, I will.

Halloween might be The Best Holiday Ever. It's childlike, it's imagination, it's vibrancy, it's gleeful, it's creativity. At least it is in my house - always has been. We grew up with My Mommy making our costumes, and then creating them ourselves. I was Wonder Woman, I was a gypsy. When H and I met much later in life, and we threw two massive Studio 54 parties, I was a costume-changing 70s harlot (I had three different ensembles each party. H had at least that many.)

So even in our crazy lives, when I don't get to do All The Mommy Things, I do two things: I bake their birthday cakes, and I make their Halloween costumes. Up til this year, it's meant a quick tulle skirt, an appropriately colored leotard and tights - oila, it's a flower princess, it's Thomas (of Tom & Jerry), it's Tinkerbell! Bean No. 2 hasn't been up late enough yet to bother.

This year, he was unequivocal: Batman. She started with Alice in Wonderland, and I was to be the White Rabbit. That would've required an actual pattern. Needless to say, when we were flipping through the Martha Stewart Living October issue she'd asked in the grocery line if she could buy, and she fell for the makeup on the grownup evil queen demo ("I wanna be that, Mama!"), I was thrilled. And proud. And so, with a lunchtime trip to Joann's Fabric and Craft to buy the fabric and notions, began the creation of the Evil Queen.

She's been practicing her evil laugh and her evil commands. Batman assures me that, if the Evil Queen puts me in jail, he'll shoot her and save me.

"Pumpkin" sugar cookies for the playground bake sale; the flower princess skirt repurposed for the ballet princess at Saturday's class, when they were allowed to wear something other than their ballet uniforms (and we were allowed to watch); a neighborhood home All Done Up (taken by The Bean out the car window)

Creating her crown; the beginnings of the Batsuit; the start of the skirt

Batman's first fitting; the Evil Queen's cape fitting; Grandmom's sewing kit, still in some of the original packaging and the Sucrets tins she used

The skirt nearly final; Batman's final fitting (he wouldn't take it off); the Evil Queen's final fitting (pose all very much her own)

And Mama? I love Halloween (and my Beans) so much that I let them pick: "What should Mama be for Halloween?"

"You witch, Mama," piped up No. 2.

I've got my hat, complete with spidery veil. And you?

Boo!

Personal Style: Wear Your Happy

A friend emailed me the other day, “OK, I admit it, I really like watching Isaac Mizrahi on QVC. It's one of my guilty pleasures...after the kids go to bed, and [my husband] is working away on his computer, I sit and watch QVC.”

First, this gave me pause. I love me some good Isaac, but I had never thought about watching QVC. I have a vision of salespeople (remember that one just a few weeks ago where the co-anchor just went on talking as his colleague collapsed on camera?). It’s oddly a “hometown company” for me, headquartered in West Chester, PA, near where I grew up. One of my babysitters worked there during high school, and even auditioned for a sales job. They had to talk about a pencil - an old school, yellow, No. 2 pencil - for 5 minutes.

But the real reason she emailed me was a coat. Isaac was hawking a coat, and she thought maybe, just maybe, she wanted it.

Now, this friend is (though she’ll demure this description) one of the most stylish people I know, and I’m using “stylish” to mean that I think she regularly expresses herself well with her clothing and accessory choices, and then how she chooses to put them together. Not to mention I continually envy (in the nicest of ways) her hair, which is often in the cutest pixie cut, and when not short, it’s got the curls this non-curly, non-straight-haired girl always wanted.

So when she sent me the link, unsure whether or not to buy a coat she really liked, I was fairly sure I’d love it. She wrote, “I saw this coat recently, and I'm seriously considering it. I like it for a couple of reasons...first of all, that cute bow/scarf. Second, I like the nice, straight lines. Not too super-big, puffy. Third, it seems to be a good ‘mid-weight.’”

Even on my phone, I clicked through.

Isaac Mizrahi Live! Quilted Coat with Adjustable Scarf in Rio Red, image via

Seriously? Love. But that's not really the point.

I wrote back that I liked it, loved the color (she was also considering the grey, which I nixed, if only because, well, hello, a red coat with a bow), and asked about their return policy, since she was still unsure. The policy is apparently ok, but not great (you have to pay for return shipping). My response:

“If it makes you happy, then check the measurement charts carefully (one of my fave side effects of WW is knowing your measurements), and go for it! I think it might make you happy!”

You see, I could just tell from her emails that she loved it. She’s a creative, joyful person at heart, even if strangers wouldn’t see that immediately because she’s fairly reserved. She’s been pushing at her own style boundaries lately (she lost her kid weight just before I did), like when I pretty much forced her to buy skinny jeans that she didn’t think she could wear. (For the record, she now adores them, and doesn’t even feel the need to wear a tunic to cover up what she perceives to be a problem area. For another record, it’s not a problem.)

At this point, I don’t know whether or not she bought the coat. But what this whole exchange reminds me of is that, trends, a chosen personal style, or appropriateness aside, we all need to wear what makes us happy. Sometimes that has to do with a state of mind, sometimes it has to do with a pattern, texture, or color plain old making us smile.

Sure, you need to try things on and look in the mirror. Sure, there are colors that look better on one person than others. And sure, there’s a time and a place for certain pieces.

But go - look through your closet tonight (Lord knows we’ll probably all be looking for stuff to do, what with this #Frankenstorm of a Hurricane Sandy bearing down on us). Make 2 piles: one for pieces that work just fine, and one for pieces that make you smile and grin. Then, take a second look at that first pile, and see what decisions you can make about your closet.

Lastly, go find Isaac on QVC. I know I will be. As a blog experiment. Really. [Runs to set recurring program on DVR at said friend’s suggestion.]

Style Dilemma: The Black Maxi Skirt

Oh, about 2 years ago, long time reader, follower, twitter and blogger friend, and musician Scarlet emailed for help. She’s a clarinetist in a regional orchestra, and plays in formal concerts. She needed (needs? Scarlet? Am I too late?) a long black skirt. It’s that musicians’ uniform.

When she asked me, I had immediate images of Sharon Stone’s now (in)famous high-low Oscars ensemble. I was also convinced that Isaac Mizrahi had done a ballgown + buttondown look that would be perfect.

I had ballgown in my head. I searched and searched, to no avail. I couldn’t find the images I was looking for. What I did find, though, was that it was most likely a Carolina Herrerra look I remembered (who is, after all, the One with The Shirts). Sorry Isaac.

So time passes (crap. this might even have been before Bean No. 2), and the blog post never materialized. I checked with Scarlet, and she hadn’t resolved her Black Skirt Issue. She’d essentially resigned herself to buying a pattern and making one herself. There were no Long Skirts to be found.

But then, oila! the maxi skirt was on every page of every magazine, much to my confusion and chagrin. I still (true confessions) am not entirely sure what to do with them. I see others, but I Don’t Get It. I’ve tweeted the same. Lord (and the twitterverse) knows.

So it looks like it’ll take Scarlet’s style dilemma to get me over the hump. I scoured Pinterest and blogs, checked online catalogs and those “look book” things people keep talking about. And here’s what I found: a Black Maxi Skirt, as we’ll now call it, is probably a wardrobe item that is much more versatile than you’d think. I almost couldn't stop making combinations from what I found.

Thomas Pink Jessie shirt for ruffles made by one of the ultimate shirtmakers, or go local with The Signature Shirt with Leather Trim (I'm also in love with the blue and black one) from The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens

Patterson J. Kincaid maxi skirt with pleats instead of fullness, for a little more forgiving, and probably cooler (stage lights, people) take on the ballgown Scarlet and I had in our heads

Carolina Herrera inspiration via (nope, not planned that she got the FGI Superstar award last night!)

Mossimo Ponte Blazer in their version of oxblood, The Color right now (or, you know, the Chanel-inspired bouclé one I might have bought last night and might be wearing today)

Mossimo Long & Lean tank (best. tank. ever.)

Scully Cantina 3 Tiered Skirt, dialing it down from the inspirational image, with tiers for the fullness, but cotton for the ease

Blogger inspiration via

Old Navy Rock the Vote T (thank you, Liz, for the inspiration!), because, well, it's nearly November 6th and I live in Washington OR use that tank (told you it was the best) with a splash of color from Stella & Dot's Bryant Park scarf take on "animal print"

Adrianna Papell taffeta skirt, the most formal of the skirts on here, which I used very purposefully in this ensemble. Yes, it has The Bow, but I also personally love the juxtaposition of super casual with formal

Blogger inspiration via

Banana Republic Essential turtleneck OR softer, more colorful with Old Navy's Softest cowl-neck sweater

ModCloth's Cute to the Core skirt, in layers of filmy sheer, will balance any weight you might get from a Big Sweater.

Or you could go sleeker on the skirt and bigger on the sweater, for a full-on wintery look.

Sharon Stone inspiration via

Folks, let's just say that this is only the beginning of all of the looks I wanted to build with what is clearly (yes, I'm now a maxi skirt convert, only 2 years too late) a solid wardrobe staple. For me, and I'd venture to say that for most professional women out there, I'd say the maxi needs to be relegated to non-office activities, but I can absolutely see it on a playground, at a happy hour, a brunch, or, you know, an orchestra concert. Then, of course, you can take it and dress that baby up (sequined top, anyone?) for an elegant dinner or show. Seriously, endless possibilities.

Check out other pieces I considered here, but didn't make the ensembles in this post, on my Blog Possibilities board. Who knows? You might even get a preview of upcoming posts!

Personal Style: Who's That Girl?

I get it all the time. PR pitches addressed to "Celine." People seem shocked when they find out that my name isn't. And it isn't even close. But there is a story to it, one that I actually hold very near and dear to my heart.

And so, on this day when I'd have loved to post a new style dilemma for you, or told you about some event, but didn't get to it, well, I figured I'd answer that question, "Who's That Girl?" So head on over to that ubiquitous "About" page, here, and find out.

Image via

Then, if you like what you see, and this blog is the only place you've come across me so far, well, then, get on the social media wagon and follow me elsewhere...

DC Celine on Facebook - I don't read as many blogs as some, but I do have my favorites. I share links, photos, and other interesting fashion and style things that pop up in my own feeds here. And, for those not on Instagram, I periodically post my Instagram pics (at least from my #twitterfashionshows) here, too. Have a question about something you see on my facebook page, just comment, and I'll track down the answer!

DC Celine on Twitter - 140 characters of fashion and style focused chatter. Fairly regular tweets on what I've been #wearing. I also share where I've been that relates to my own fashion, style, and personal journey (no, I'm not "mayor" of the Starbucks and the yoga studio, I swear). Have a style dilemma or a "where do I eat in DC" question? Tweet at me, and I'll give you my (solicited) opinion!

DC Celine on Pinterest - For those who follow the blog, you know that, even when I'm too swamped to post regularly, I can usually find a few minutes to pin. I've got boards for everything from seasonal clothing (Winter Girl) to aspirational fashion (Pie in the Sky) to #healthyme to my travel desires (Where My Heart Wants to Go). And if you contact me with a style dilemma, and are on pinterest, we can do a collaborative board, like we did to find City and Sand's reception frock.

DC Celine on Instagram (@DC Celine) - Some don't get the "filters." I, on the other hand, love them for Making My Pictures Look Better. And since I'm not an Outfit of the Day #OOTD poster, but sometimes want to share at least the concept of what I've thrown on, I find it easy to make a simple shot shine. Also, The Beans. And H.

Healthy Style: Learning How to Walk

I originally posted this on my Weight Watchers blog after a TrainerJen workout last week that made me think (ok, most of them make me think, which is part of why I love them so much). There are obvious ties to knowing and understanding who you are, which, in my mind, extrapolate into knowing and understanding your style. See, of course, Stacy London's musings on the topic of understanding yourself and where you are in that moment first before leaping into style considerations. In my mind, there are all sorts of connections in here, particularly when I get to the "foundational" and "pitching forward on my face" parts. But you're all human, so without further ado, I'll let you form your own impressions. So here's the post...

Last week I was all proud of myself for getting my rear end to the gym and doing a solo playdate, a la TrainerJen - but without TrainerJen.

Yeah, that still stands. I saw her for yoga yesterday (all sorts of awesome ujjayi breath and flows from warrior 1 through tree to warrior 3), and then again this morning for our now regularly scheduled 1x/week session. “How are you?” she asked, and I started to blabber on about my a.ss and how I must’ve done more leg work than I thought on Tuesday because it still hurts. Then I stopped and said, “I’m fine, thanks for asking. And how are you doing?” Much more polite and present to do that than blather on about myself, right?

Anywho, we went straight into a workout, complete with pullups (leaning ones, not full ones, thankyouverymuch), pushups, 2-footed block flying (jumping up steps) and frog leaping, farmer walks, and some tortuous overhead pressy things. I was sweating. It was good.

Then she walked us towards the stairs (the cardio equipment is up there, as well as the studios). I breathed a sigh of relief (and didn’t say a word because I know if I said something, she’s say “oh, good idea, let’s do that”) when we walked up the stairs instead of stopping and running up and down said stairs, as she’s wont to make me do.

Over to the treadmill.

Hmmm.

TrainerJen more or less doesn’t believe in old skool cardio. Even when we’re using the treadmill, elliptical trainer, stair machine, or rowing machine, it’s as a 10 minute warm-up at the beginning of a workout - and even that we haven’t done for ages.

On we go. I walk. She pushes incline and speed buttons as I walk. (She never has me run.)

Then she starts to guide me into leaning forward, shortening my too-forward stride, and moving my upper body and arms. Apparently, I don’t know how to walk.

Image via

Or rather, I walk like a girl. We women, it seems, have some weird notions about how to stand “straight.” Sticking out our chests, holding our heads “high,” as I know I thought I was taught to do, well, that just makes us stick out our a.sses. The boys might like the whole T+A show, but it wrecks havoc on our lower backs.

So I spent 15 minutes alternately walking uphill at a slower pace (during which the incline pretty much forced my torso forward to where it should be), trying to release my pelvis (and therefore my lower back) and walking faster at a lower incline (during which I was “practicing” the whole pitching my face forward while I walked thing - because that’s what it feels like). I also attempted to loosen my upper body enough to just bounce it along and swing and reach my elbows and feet back far enough to get any use out of them. I’m not so good at that letting go.

It was a remarkable 15 minutes. I was re-learning to walk. I seem to be re-learning a lot of things lately. In fact, when someone asks me about Weight Watchers, that’s what I tell them: “I’m relearning how to eat well and live well.” What I hadn’t noticed, quite frankly, but it hit me in the face this morning, is that our journey to relearn our lives is as basic as re-learning to walk. It is foundational, and if we get that right, then the rest of it - whatever “it” may be for each of us, will follow. The journey, as basic as it is, is not always simple, and breaking habits to return to our foundations (some of which some of us never had to start) is often heart-wrenching, but it is a basic journey that, if we manage to plod through it and acknowledge what we’re building, we cannot help but be successful.

Travel in Style: Weekend Bags From Flirty to Sturdy

Oh, more than 8 weeks ago (I know, because that’s when I started pinning possibilities), a reader and twitter friend asked for some help in finding a weekend bag that wouldn’t break the bank. And while it’s well past her beginning-of-September deadline (forgive me?), it’s time I finally put up or shut up on the topic.

It is, after all, nearly the holiday season, when we all travel to see our families.

Yes, I just wrote that.

It’s also the Season of the Fall Weddings. Facebook, twitter, and Instagram are aglow with group shots of brides and grooms at leaf-adorned outdoor alters, group shots of college friends All Dressed Up, and even invites. So I know a few of you need something in which to stow that gear to get you from Friday night rehearsal dinner through nail appointments, the ceremony and reception, and finally the bleary-eyed wedding brunch The Day After.

The original requirements were a not-uncute weekend bag no more than $100. Easier said than done, of course, especially for this vintage-inspired-luggage addict who goes for the leather travel trunk every time. Gorgeous, but ridiculously impractical.

So I found a group of bags - some bigger, some smaller, most under $100 (but a couple of reaches, especially now that they’re on sale. Personally, if I can’t have leather, I want color.

Clockwise, from top left: Land's End Ella Vickers Medium Duffel (um, named after a woman who served as first mate on the America's Cup team? yes.), Dr. Koffer Fine Leather Accessories Chaucer Bag (see? leather. I told you), Urban Outfitters BDG Buckle Tote (the smallest of the bunch, but adorable and versatile), Lipault Plume Weekend Bag (a bit old school, comes in fun colors), Heritage Leather Co. Canvas Mason bag (love the leather and canvas mix for a mildly nautical twist), L.L. Bean Hardshell Rolling Pullman (the whole hardshell thing intrigues me, though I'm a canvas girl through-and-through, plus, well, rollerbag).

On a terribly practical note, I will say this: if you absolutely must have luggage that you need to depend on (and aren’t terribly concerned about the cute factor, though it’s perfectly presentable), go L.L. Bean or Land’s End every time.

After Mom-Mom bought me my first set of luggage for high school graduation (it’s what she did for all 17 grandkids), and my trusty royal blue canvas Land’s End set took me to my years in Austria and Germany (never mind other trips), I can’t say enough about the quality and customer service from each company. We now rely on an L.L. Bean rollerbag, complete with preptastic monogram. I can stuff a weekend’s worth of clothes for both Beans and me in it (though sometimes the shoes have to go in a separate bag). You can’t hurt either brand, but if something does happen to it, both have impeccably easy repair or exchange policies. They’re pricier than this request, but they’re oh, so worth it.

Just pick a color you’ll like - kinda like that tattoo you’re thankful you never got.

Sip in Style: In Connections We Trust - of Wine, Style, and Real People

Warning, folks, this is a DC-centric post. But here’s hoping that other locales can take inspiration from what is a marvelous concept and recreate it in the style of your own town (wine and mushrooms, Kennett Square? scarves, boots, and gluhwein, Chicago?)

First off, if the rest of DC Wine Week events are as delightful as last night’s Red Plum and Burgundy evening of fashion and wine, get thee to one of the remaining events this week. Now. Really.

(There are loads more events on the schedule for the rest of the week, over here.)

Blogger friends Emily Kate Hargrove of Capital Style (in her deliciously flirty yet work-appropriate plaid mix), yours truly (in my NoLita-purchased pinkyotto frock), and Alison Gary of Wardrobe Oxygen, (in her MICHAEL by Michael Kors leopard dress and Stella and Dot fringe necklace)

Last night was a rare opportunity for me (inherently a Myers-Briggs "I") to have quiet - but lively - intimate conversation with new, style-minded friends and “old” blogger buddies. It was a night on which the introductions often went:

“Hi, I’m Alison.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Sally.”

Minorly blank stare.

“DC Celine.”

“Oh! I follow you on twitter/your blog/Instagram!”

We made connections in real life, which is always lovely. It’s the power of social media, when you can translate those electronic connections to face-to-face. Congratulations, DC Wine Week, for doing something you may not have set out to do - and you did it so well!

On to the event itself...the brainchild of Lisa Byrne and Vanessa French, the week of wine education events is in its second year. Designed to expand our fine city's wine education opportunities, from my perspective, it does a remarkably fine job of just that in a pleasantly understated way. The events connect different segments of our city’s social scene: the fashionistas, the social media folks, the dining gurus, the art scene, and finally the wine lovers who already know how to pronounce “sangiovese,” as yesterday’s guest blogger quipped, with any place or venue you might encounter wine: a winery, a wine shop, a bar, or a restaurant.

Last night, for example, by pairing 2 delightfully engaging small business owners with a dramatically comfortable ambiance at Lost Society (H and I will be returning - soon), style blogger María José Ovalle of Very Busy Mamá offered a red and a white. Simple, accessible wine offerings opening the doors to chat and explore.

What I expored? Layered, cashmere knits I might just be obsessing over, an embellished jumpsuit that just adds to my intense need to add the garment probably best associated with the Studio 54 era to my closet, and a mix of chunky, powerful stones with flowing metals and delicately cut filigree.

Allie toys with a perfectly chunky piece that reminds her of a necklace her mom won't give up - yet. It's a Laboradite stone, which helps steady a girl through significant transitions. (Maybe I need one, too?)

I’m a stickler for knowing where my purchases come from (when I’m not indulging in “fast fashion” at the Target down the street from my office), so I had lovely conversations with Zina Boutique owner Valeria Medrano and Stella and Dot-stylist-to-the-shows Kristin Biggs. I came away from both knowing I can trust them to buy pieces I’d want to wear - and do want to wear.

I suppose that’s what it all comes down to, in this rambling non-review of a DC event. When you’re spending your money and time on something, you want to know you can trust its source. So again, congratulations to Maria, Vanessa, Lisa, Valeria, Kristin, and the lovely Lost Society staff: well done.

You’ve made me want to come back for more.

PS - Speaking of connections, a huge thank you to Allie for letting me "borrow" images from her Instagram feed. The social-media-dependent blogger's nightmare happened last night: my cameraphone died. Somewhere on my SD card I have a lone image of my ensemble, but the poor phone is tired of Too Many Shots, so I have to give it some TLC before I get anything more out of it.

Sip in Style: DC Wine Week's Red Burgundy & Plum - A Night of Fashion and Wine

Yes. Well.

Wine.

Fashion.

Women and Song? Wait. That’s not right. At least not for this blog.

But nevertheless, here’s one event that I won’t just be posting and telling you, as I often do, “Please go because I can’t and tell me about it so I can live vicariously through you while I wrangle two Beans into Bed then collapse.”

I’ve cleared my schedule for next Tuesday night, have an official pass - and full support (“Of course,” he emailed, when I asked, “Can we make this happen?”) from H. I know there will be a slew of other interesting women there (men? you coming? hel-LO? well-dressed women and wine? Oh, wait. We covered that already.)

So here are the details, and I hope you can join me and Very Busy Mamá as we raise a glass (or 7) to the study of All Things Wine, plus a healthy splash of fashion.

What: DC Wine Week’s Red Burgundy & Plum: A Night of Fashion & Wine at Lost Society

Where: The hip, cool (proven by the fact that I’ve yet to set foot in the place, and can’t wait) Lost Society, 2001 14th Street NW

When: Tuesday, October 16, 6-8pm

Why: There’s a list. Hold on.

1) Wine. Specifically, support for the local wine industry. From local wine education to DMV vineyards, DC Wine Week is all about it. So Open Wine Bar from 6-7. Really. Open Wine Bar.

2) Fashion. DC Wine Week teamed with fashionable mamá Maria of Very Busy Mamá to showcase some lovely styles.

3) A Secret Society. Well, not really. But when I hear the Lost Society name, I can’t stop the Lara Croft Tombraider soundtrack version of Illuminati playing in my head. Wrong era. Wrong secret society, but I’ll take underground Victorian. Especially if it means I can don my oxblood velvet boots and maybe a few ruffles.

4) Open bar. I mentioned that already. Oh. And food to go with it. I haven’t had a peek at the night’s menu, but any joint that prominently features pickled anything (comes up twice on the bar menu alone) is perfect in my book.

Tickets: Get them now. Click on over to Eventbrite (you do have an account, don’t you? It’s where all the Kool Kids buy their tickets these days) and snap one up for a mere $40.

Lastly, don't forget to check out the DC Wine Week blog. There are some marvelous guest posts by local bloggers already (wine + shoes, wine + fashion inspiration, pouring the perfect glass...it goes on) - and watch for more!

Contrasting Style: What's Your Style Personality

H’s 20th high school reunion

#DayJob deadlines

bluemercury founder and CEO Marla Malcom Beck + loads of inspiring women (thank you, Ruth’s Chris Women in Business series and Marie Claire!)

Stacy London + Truth About Style + a group of women who put themselves out there - on blogs and in life

#DayJob deadlines

other than one anomaly, the first weekend since my trip to San Diego that both H and I were home and we didn’t travel as a family (um, that would be 2 months)

laundry

last minute night out to see Public Image Ltd (PiL), including two rock legends

It has been an insane block of time. Insane.

I have a lot to think about, and lots to mull. I have lots I want to discuss with the interwebs. Much of it comes, duh, from hearing Stacy London speak about her journey - and witnessing her openness breed the same in the brave women who waited patiently in line to ask her a question. (Turns out, though, that the same group of women did not wait so patiently to get their books signed. There was some MeanGirls goin’ on up in there. Really? Ladies?)

A couple of women asked, predictably, I suppose, especially for Washington, D.C., about their work wardrobes and its appropriateness. Stacy’s answer to one young woman, who works in a very conservative office that really requires suits, struck me this week as I looked at my own style. (That happens when you take pictures of yourself, even Instagrams of your feet. Talk about self-awareness and crap. Pooh. Also, props to the #OOTD posters. I give you all sorts of credit for putting yourselves out there like that.) This young woman yearned to break free of the suit. Stacy’s answer took me a bit by surprise. She recommended sticking with the suit, making sure it fit well and was a flattering cut. If possible, she said (acknowledging that it isn’t always possible in some environments), that you can use accessories to show a flash of your own personal style, but...

Don’t worry about it. Just make sure you’re presentable, professional, and appropriate to your environment.

Then - and this is the important part - you can have an entirely different style on the weekends.

Radical. And hand-to-forehead-leave-an-imprint simple.

For a long time now, I’ve tooted the horn of “it’s of course possible to express yourself, even in conservative environments.” Use color, I’ve said. Use texture and textiles. Use accessories.

I’m also lucky that even in my #DayJobs along the way, all of which could be considered conservative environments (non-profit government relations with not infrequent visits to Capitol Hill, government contracting with defense agencies, and the stereotypically conservative world of accounting), I pretty much don’t care. I push the envelope. I can, I will, and I am absolutely OK - personally - with getting the occasional “nice pants” to my lava orange khakis that really means “Wow, that’s really bright, did you really mean to wear those in the office.”

Left's #RuralPreptastic look for the office: Gap Eversoft circle sweater (I bought it super small, per Stacy's other excellent bit of advice, to have a more fitted, vice the slouchy look shown on Gap's site), grosgain belt bought in an especially preppy shop in Annapolis years ago, Gap Perfect Khakis, lillybee Kate (get them! they're on sale!); Right's #rockerchic look for the PiL concert: Religion Clothing Union Jack Skinny Jeans (on sale at ASOS!), lillybee Meghan (sale, people, sale!), and a Druish scarf H brought me from Israel in deference to the "chill" that night (not shown: black Target Mossimo Long & Lean tank)

But what Stacy said rings true. There is nothing like a piece of clothing that fits well. If it fits your body, it flatters you. It lets you shine, and doesn’t let the outfit wear you and distract from your purpose in the office: to do your job.

We could certainly wax poetic about how It Doesn’t Matter what you wear, that people should be able to look past all of that, but the truth is - and this is why, in part, there’s a proliferation of style blogs, ambush makeover TV shows, and how-to fashion books - It Does Matter.

So know what you’re OK with. It’s sometimes difficult to find that place, and it takes time. If you’re just starting - or restarting, as a number of women I meet are - your career, stick to basics to start. Listen to that inner voice, but explore online. Use pinterest to its every advantage and flag what speaks to you. Try it. Ask friends. Ask bloggers (most of us are more than willing to lend an opinion).

Then, wear it all with confidence because, as Stacy says, you must know yourself first. Then you’ll be able to find your style. And if there’s a bit of a split personality in that style - and you go from #ruralpreptastic (or, as H told me “40 year old Potomac lady) to #rockerchic like I did this week, know that contrast is perfectly fine. You don’t have to dress a single way all the time, and rock a single style. I relish the contrast. How ‘bout you?
__________

As I said, I have more posts in my head, not the least of which is probably more than one springboarding from my visit with Stacy. (We’ll just pretend that it was a one-on-one visit, like it felt, I’m sure, to everyone in the room.) It was a lovely and inspirational evening. Here are a few of my compadres’ posts on our night: Wardrobe Oxygen's (in which Stacy likes my "vegan" dress - we're BFF, you know), and The Chelsea Chronicles (in which Stacy tells you to buy a Celine purse for your birthday)

Healthy Style: Moving Forward

Just a little update on where I am - in #healthyme, in life, in family, and in style. I have - promise, swear, cross my heart - a few actual reader questions I really, really, really want to get to, have started, but just haven't finished. I wrote a version of this for my Weight Watchers blog, and, as usual, it seemed worthy of sharing. Maybe it's not. You tell me.

1) I hit my goal weight, so now I'm on "maintenance" to stay at a single weight. I technically "get" to each more. yeah. a little bit hard. there's a little bit of a mental "oh hell." but on the other hand, the habits are still there. I still make choices like a roasted veggie wrap with hummus (seriously delicious) at lunch the day of H's reunion so I wouldn't have to worry about dinner that night. Also, I didn't drink. Very much, anyway. That had more to do with not wanting the hangover (even though our nanny came with us and kept the kids occupied so we could sleep in a teensy bit).

Yup. Used it. Friday night, walking to H's Homecoming game. But not actually at the high school. Promise. (Bowmore 15, btw)

2) I love Princeton, New Jersey. I knew this, but I especially love college towns in the fall.

Wandering Princeton's cobbled streets

3) I really want to have the space to be creative. Even just snapping cell phone pics in Princeton University's Prospect Garden gets me going.

Just one of the snapshots that littered Saturday's Instagram feed

4) I'm already having to toss my interim clothes (ok, give away, consign, etc.), plus I wore skinny jeans tucked into boots and rocked it. LOVE.

5) I was the Hott Wife at H's reunion. As in "how did he score that?" level. Kinda gloating in a way that's, quite frankly, deserved.

6) I love my dress (DVF)

7) I love my shoes (Stuart Weitzman Platswoon, in blk patent)

Dark and stormy accessories shot. Clutch is an ancient (at least 10 years old) 9 West.

8) I love my family

Goofing around on just one of the many sculptures littering Princeton's campus

This week. It's crazy at work, of course, but what this week brings is better:

1) (yes, another numbered list) Home. We're home. All week. And into next. Since I went to San Diego in the end of JULY, this coming weekend is only the 2nd that both of us will be home together and/or we're not traveling as a family. I made H promise we Will Start No Projects, even on the weekend.

2) Tuesday night: going an event designed to inspire women to figure out how they can make money with their passion. And there are a load of other inspiring women coming with me.

3) Thursday night: meeting one of my style idols (again): Stacey London at her new book signing here. CANnot wait.

4) Outfit planning for said events

Lastly, a few "thankfuls" on my part:

1) Our nanny. She is loving, kind, and savvy. She's patient, and puts up with us. We are blessed.

2) My husband. He's just plain old the best.

3) Our lives, that we have the freedom and means to do things like go away to H's reunion for the weekend. We're very lucky, and I recognize that.

4) Silliness. See the picture. The Bean looking all modelly, and for some reason, I'm in a Prell commercial. The weekend (and especially the drive back) was filled with giggly moments like this. And I really, really, really need to remember that. All of the time.