Darn Moths

Do you ever wonder how and when those moths get into your wool sweaters?  I mean, when does this go on?  I see moths around our lights outside, but I never see them in my closet.  Anyway, those pesky insects made petite holes in this sweater!



sweater~J.Peterman Catalog

I still love this sweater and was very bummed when I found the holes.  Even though this sweater is about 10 years old, other than the holes, its still in pretty good shape.

So when I got home from work, I darned my sweater.  Yup, DARN, you heard me correctly.  Does that date me or what?  Darning works best on knitted things, and I must say, it looks as good as new!  Anybody else out there DARN LATELY???

Art as Fashion

I've found that trying to mix art with fashion is a tricky business.  Its either too much art, and not enough tailoring; or too much tailoring and not enough art.

This jacket is no exception.  I've had this gorgeous artful jacket for about 15 years and have attempted many times to style it--many times unsuccessfully.  This is about as good as it gets.

The material looks like a watercolor painting.  It's silk (my favorite!), it has raglan sleeves with the orange peplum.  I bought it second-hand and just can't part with it.  Whenever I wear it though, it reminds my of one of my most inspirational books, When Art Became Fashion; about Japanese kosodes (similar to kimonos) and their artwork.

From When Art Became Fashion, Sakai Hoitsu, early 19th Century, National Museum of Japanese History

Here is a beautiful example of artwork as clothing that inspires me to keep that jacket!

Freak Fest 101

I know I'm probably a bit of a freak.  The reason why I say this?  These are my thoughts on getting ready this morning:

                   For stripe week start with black and white stripe top

                   Looks good with hot pink sweater  (?)

                   Black skirt?  Too much black   (?)  

                   Striped skirt?  Too conservative  (?)

                   Find print skirt---found black silk with blue and green  (does this go with pink sweater?)

                   Lace tights--sick of thick tights   (lace tights with all this other stuff going on?)

                   Better wear high boots--cold out

                   oops, cant see pink sweater under jacket

                   ok--so I'll just belt it and open it up and make some lapels

                   whala!

Not your average ideas of what-goes-with-what.  I know, I'm crazy--bit of a freak--but if anything, maybe you can learn from me?  Maybe the crazy is a little genius sometimes;  how good does this jacket look with a belt?

And for an added splash, (like I needed one..)  honking big pink hoops.





Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are not very popular in New England.  Sorry all you cowboys and cowgirls...but here in NE, you see more of the LLBean type boots or snow boots.

And I love cowboy boots!  It's such a nice break after wearing much heavier snow boots all winter.  Love the heel--low and wide.  They are a lot more comfortable than they look.  I should have more than 2 pairs in my closet...

The rest of the outfit?  This is sort of that head-to-tails jean look.  The jean jacket is beautifully tailored from Ann Taylor.  The jeans are that funny cropped length; the reason for wearing the boots in the first place.  In a last minute flash of genius, I put on this beach tunic top for a bit of the orange.

The heather is the only color in my backyard--at this juncture.  Soon the crocuses will be up, then daffodils.  Almost spring!



Green and DVF

Having been a child of the sixties, I need many tools to jog my memory nowadays.  Sketching is one of those tools-- and when I get one of those visions of the perfect outfit to wear?  I like to sketch it so I don't forget.

Since I'm a little bored with my winter clothes, I'm digging in the annals of my closet to discover those unworn clothes that may spark up with a new companion.  One of those visions was this forgotten green wrap dress paired with my new blue tunic sweater.  (see sketch)

There is a lot I love about the dress; it is a silk knit, I love the print and its the classic wrap shape that allegedly looks good on everybody.  But to be frank, I never bonded with the wrap dress thing--it never looked that good on me--not that Diane von Furstenberg isn't a genius--it just doesn't work that well for me!

Overall, meh.  At the least, its green for St. Paddy's day!

Color, Comfort and Chanel

Lots of complaining here in the Northeast of how dismal, dull and dreary the landscape is here this time of year.  I can't complain really 'cuz I escaped for a while.  But I do try and combat the dreary backdrop by infusing as much color as I can in my daily outfits.



purple jacket~(it is purple--not blue) Marshall's
silk skirt~Banana Republic
clogs~have forgotten!



And comfort.  I just finished reading yet another book on Coco Chanel--and I really do attempt to dress by her philosophy--chic comfort.  I think one of the reasons that Americans embraced her is she believed in comfort.  And isn't that really the foremost criteria for dressing now?  Oh, and pockets.  She loved pockets. 

So, color, comfort and a little chicness--and hopes for spring.

Kandinsky Sweater

I'm trying to do the Terri pose! (not as cute as Terri, tho)

Early this morning, before I knew about the tsunami in Japan, I was very excited about this post.  I will try and rewind myself, and do my best!

First of all, I want to thank Terri over at Rags against the Machine for sending me this gift!  A while ago, I had complimented about this sweater on her blog, and what did I receive?  THE SWEATER IN THE MAIL!  How sweet is that?  And I just love it!  I'm all excited about all the ways I can style it--but for now I went with my current go-to outfit.



  

My go-to-outfit-of-the-bottom-half is my jean skirt, brown tights and my fuzzy clogs.  Its mud season in here, so need a durable shoe.

This sweater reminds me of Kandinsky--don't you think?  Now, I'm not as eloquent as Artfully Awear in describing the artist's style, but I think the shapes and colors are somewhat like his style.  Except for the Missoni sleeves.



Kandinsky, Cossaks--1910



My thoughts and prayers to those effected by the tsunami.

Crazy Lady

Yup, I'm just a crazy lady today--and this, my first day back at work.  When I bought this designer jacket at JC Penny, and I just kept on dreaming about this combination!  Go figure.  Maybe what influenced this crazy combo is the fact that I didn't want to wear the same old winter clothes again.

Course, maybe I went to far.  I'm intrigued at the pattern mixing thing, and debated many times before I left the house this morn if I should go for it.  I did. 

I do love these stockings tho!  They are a dainty, lace stocking that are a combo of merino wool and lycra.  So comfortable, yet not so fragile that I worry about them.  Perfect for spring.  And can you believe I got them at the Vermont Country Store on sale?

  

Profound Thought~ Flux

Well friends, I'm still alive and back in Boston again.  Sorry for the infrequent posts, but I'm in flux now (in a good way).  Sometimes life just gets in the way.....

There are a couple of reasons for the flux. Part of the reason is we have decided to sell our "big" house and downsize; that means painting, cleaning and purging.  We will be building a smaller cottage here in New England and buying a pied-a-terre in FL.  Based on the anticipated craziness, I'm hoping to post at least every 4 days or so--but it may be sort of spazmodic. 

The other reason for the flux was the blogging thing.  I love so many things about it, but it is a time eater.  For the time being, I need to put more of my energy to use in a more practical way.  In the end, I decided that I'm not quite ready to give up the blogging yet--I don't feel that its run its course. Afterall, I'll need some time for fun!

Thanks to all of you for following and being friends~

Paula