Fashion for the bedroom

I would like to redo the girls' room to something like this:

I think a paris theme would span the gap between the two ages, 9 and 14, and would be fun and girlie, but in a bold way. I think I would go with white-white walls instead of hot pink, though, and just add accents of black and hot pink.

Tres jolie!

Winter Party Style

Here's a site with some great tips on dressing for those holiday parties!

I particularly like the casual festive look shown here:

It's as easy as pulling off a more structured day jacket and putting on a sparkly cardigan. If you have time, slip off those comfy day shoes for some sexy kicks. Slide on a deeper lip gloss and out you go!

Life in Color

Life in Color


by Jesse Garba and Joe Lupo is a fun book designed to help you determine your color family and find your personal style. Think Color Me Beautiful for the 2000's, then get ready to determine warm or cool, deep or light. It breaks the colors up into Sun, Moon, Earth, or Star which are the old Color Me Beautiful's Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.


The types of clothing styles have changed: Rather than classic, natural, romantic, gamine, dramatic, etc. this book has classic (of course), chic, whimsical, bohemian, and avante-garde (think dramatic). Interestingly, they suggest trying a style you like and working towards that, even it isn't what you "test" as.
I liked this book and found myself as a Sun/Bohemian. I am unsure of the sun, the only things that makes a sun/spring are my rosy cheeks, otherwise, I am an autumn. Finally, I don't like the bohemian look on me, I just test that way because I am so casual. I would muchpreffer a chic-whimsical look. But this book o.k.'s trying on a new look-it even encourages it. Fun book on one of my favorite topics.
I would have liked to see more information on wardrobe planning, since this has become more difficult as the matched suits of the 1980's are so out now.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 high heels.

Comfort

Being a new blog, no readers are likely out there. However, let's pretend you are there...On these cold wintry days, how do you balance comfort and cold.

Does fashion change with the weather? With the reason for the outing (does anyone where Manolo's to a football game?)

What are you tricks for staying warm and still looking smashing?

Or do you say, heck with it all, and bundle up?



I am working my second job today. Which means I will soon be venturing out into the cold morning. Frankly, jeans and a sweatshirt are all I crave. I am actually in jeans, sweatsocks, a black tee, blanketed with a brown cardigan. I will likely throw on my old red wool gap peacoat before I leave. I do have a thick men's olive cordoroy coat, however I left it in someone's car.

Since my second job is fairly "low" (cabdriving) this is an appropriate ensemble. After all, I don't want to look like I have a few bucks in my purse when I am driving strangers around. But...I do want to look nice.

So come on readers, what are your tricks?

Work Clothes

It's been a busy week. Money has been fairly tight lately, and I find myself in a dilemma over where to spend money.
At work, I need something dressier than jeans, but not really a suit.
At home, I want jeans and comfort clothes. When I think of nice work clothes, I think of wool garbadine and cashmere sweaters, but this is really too dressy for my workplace (I teach middle school special ed). Well, maye not the sweaters.

A cashmere sweater can go anywhere.
I don't want to spend $100 dollars on a pair of trousers for my work, though. I want...designer jeans, which reminds me. Where do us larger people get good designer jeans? Recommendations?

Will I ever have enough money to just go shopping? Sigh.

Clone looks

While I have to admit, I am not a huge celebrity fashion lover, I do watch what they wear. Red carpet looks don't interest me, because formal gowns are not a part of a teacher's lifestyle:o).

However, for pulled together looks, celebrities often use a stylist to plan their wardrobe, and that's why taking notice can help.

Stylehog has does a "clone" that look with less expensive suggestions for great-looking outfits.
Check out what they have done with Rihanna's look!

A Teal Suede Coat

When I was newly married and planning a move to Massachusetts, I had to purchase a new coat. Living in Southwest Missouri, I was perfectly happy to freeze my tushie off in a denim jacket for style. But I knew a thick and warm coat was needed.
I went to the mall and found a store with layaway. I fell in love with a thick, thigh-length suede coat in a warm shade between light teal and peacock.

The salesclerk tried to talk me into the hunter green coat, but this was the early 90's and the decade of hunter green. I wanted something different. Sure the teal didn't set off my (dyed) auburn hair like the hunter did, but everytime I slipped on that coat I felt warm and rich.

Nowadays, for warmth I would choose a down jacket, and for style something in wool. But that coat was a staple of my wardrobe over the next couple years and well-worth the $160 price tag.
Sometimes we just have to follow our own instincts.

"The World's Best-Kept Beauty Secrets"

"The World's Best-Kept Beauty Secrets" by Diane Irons is a great book full of helpful little tips in "beauty, diet, & fashion."

For example, did you know that models use hemorroid cream not only on puffy eyes, but puffy cheeks, and around the jawline, too? Wonder if it would tighten up this double chin o' mine?

Or that a light spray of hairspray (careful, now-eyes closed) can help keep makeup in place?

It also has recipes of good-sounding, simple-to-make food, low in calories. For example, why not try Stuffed Mushrooms, Baked Onion Rings, or Yellow Pepper and Orange Soup? Yum. I can't wait to try out these new recipes.

This book was published in 1997, so you might have to buy it used (used bookstores, Amazon, or eBay, but it's a lot of fun!

Like Classic Clothes

I woke up too early on this Sunday morning, and was flipping through old bookmarks. I came upon this link:
Chadwick's


Right now, they have a special: You buy more than $49 worth of clothing and they DEDUCT $5. No shipping, they pay you back!

Chadwick's clothing styles are fairly classic and affordable. When I was a new (and way too young) bride living in Massachusetts I was on a tight clothing budget. My (ex)husband was attending tech school with the Air Force in Ayer, MA, and we were living in Fitchburg. One day, I found I had made a mistake in the checkbook with over $150 in OUR favor. I picked up my old Chadwick's of Boston (I assume this is the same company) and ordered a pair of white denim shorts, a white cable cardigan, and two silk tanks (teal and turquoise). I added a pair of white casual shoes from them, and I always had a cute outfit that summer.
I also supplemented this with a perfect fitting pair of Levi's, and a couple tops from the PX (it was an army post, I think). I bought my first pair of "real" Keds (with the blue patch), and felt great. Granted nowadays, I wouldn't touch a pair of white loafers, but when you are 19, who cares?

I wore the white shorts and cardigan, with the turquoise silk tank on a trip to the beach in New Hampshire. We walked far out on a mound of rocks and the frothing sea foamed around us, as the wind whipped through my hair. I miss New England.

Isn't it interesting the memories that are tied with clothing?


Love,

Jill

This Blog!

One of my guilty pleasures has been reading books on fashion, wardrobe planning, and beauty. As a sensible woman, I have always felt it was a bit frivolous, especially since I feel my own wardrobe lacks in that extra "oomph" that makes fashion so exciting.
But no more!
This is the place where I (and you) express our love of clothes, make-up tips, and more!

I look forward to hearing from you, and will put up any tips, online sales info. or just a rave about a new style.

Let's get started!

Your friend in fashion,

Jill LaSalle