Remembering Trends

skirt~Anthropologie
silk tank~thrifted
jacket~TJ's

Trends.  Half of the time I can't remember whether something is IN or OUT now--I've guess I've just gone through so many TRENDS.  Was it this season or last season that LEOPARD was in?  Fashion trends change so quickly now, that its really hard for a women my age anyone to keep up.  I do remember though, that the mixing pattern thing was a trend this year, and I have enjoyed it.  And I think it's a trend that makes me visible, so here I am again enjoying Visible Mondays--with thanks to Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style.

I still watch the trends tho.  Hey, I don't want to be TOTALLY out of it.  I am compiling my info now and have chosen a few that I know I like; and one I don't like.

the new New Look at left --Junya Watanabe; the original New Look by Dior at top right; and peplum from late 17th century

I am loving the peplum look and am crafting one presently from a thrift store find .  It's a look that is classic, and it flatters a women's figure.  It's always in style--as far as I'm concerned.  The peplum I am working on is a fall color though, and not quite ready for postings YET!

Here is  a look that would be EASY for me to do, but sorry, I am not going to look like a little old lady any more than I have to.  (PS. LOVE the rest of Marc Jacobs polka-dot thing this season).  This picture is one of the reasons why fashion is just crazy sometimes.  Could make us all victims.

Are YOU done with trends--but still take a peak at fashion mags?  Or are you really DONE?

Oil Change

Am loving the new blue on my toes--and how convenient;it matches the pot!

Ah, the maintenance schedule.  I'm a 10 weeker. My hairdresser (old school term I know) yells at me as I usually have a couple of inches of regrowth but as I've said

before--I'm an old hippie at heart.  Those anti-establishment ideals are tough to kill off.  And I'm all about low maintenance. 

Pedicure--CHECK

Haircut and color--CHECK (oh, you're surprised I am not a natural blonde??)

Eyebrow wax--CHECK

Leg wax--CHECK

Gycolic peel---CHECK

Ladies, start your engines.  (or what is your maintenance schedule like?)





Bed Jackets and Boleros

Some things are meant to be seen on Visible Mondays over at Not Dead Yet Style.  (I finally did it Patti!) But some things, like my upper arms, should not--and that's why I'm always looking for creative ways to hide them.  For that purpose, I have had a lot of success with bed jackets and boleros.

Remember bed jackets?  I mean the recent kind; not the 18th century kind (more here) which were more like aprons.   The one on the left is from Victoria's Secret from about 15 years ago.  Not quite vintage, but there are great vintage versions too. 



Tom Miller Illustration (1950)

And I love boleros--new ones or vintage styles. Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Blog did a great job with some gorgeous 50's boleros the other day. (you can see them here).  This one that I am wearing (on the right) is from Talbot's; I wear it frequently but the only drawback?  I SEE LOTS OF THEM!!!!

Thanks to Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Mondays and maybe next week I can do Two Birds AND Visible Monday????

Ah, the Mixing thing again

I was watching an old Lon Chaney silent movie the other night, Mr. Wu, and he was sporting a Kimono made of mixed patterns.  That film was from 1923.  As I suspected, mixing patterns is nothing new.  I've been trying to understand a formula for success in this tricky trend, and have yet to come up with one.  Sometimes it helps to see it from another time perspective--so I've been looking for it in movies, books--whatever.   "Crazy quilt" patterns employ mixed prints-- as with many artistic quilts  today.  What's the trick? Again, it's a thread that may tie the patterns together; but sometimes it's darn hard to figure out what those threads are--as in the two above.  What would be your guesses as to why they work or don't?

Finding Inspiration

hubby took this photo~

On my days off, I have been going to a small coastal town to "get away" and recharge for a day.  In the summer, the little town of Rockport turns into an artist's community and I love to visit the galleries for inspiration.  Two of my favorite places on this visit were the Mercury Gallery and the Tusinski Gallery.  Both gave me inspirations for my Christmas cards (that I am making now--and I'm not saying na-na I started my christmas stuff--I just need to start early so I enjoy it) and a whole new perspective.

And of course, there is the shopping!  I managed to snatch a bargain at one of my favorite second hand stores and --and a few alterations later, I have something for my fall wardrobe!  More on that later.  I have had great luck with dresses this year, and this casual one above is one of my gems. 

Of course, I would like to take the hem up just a little......(oh, on my dress--not on the manikin--she's perfect!)



Where do you find inspiration?

The Sweater Story

Once upon a time, Paula from Fashion over Fifty bought a sweater at Marshall's.  She thought it would be perfect for the summer--a short sleeved, linen, neutral cardigan for $19.99.  There was just one problem:  it was 2 sizes too big.  Paula thought it was no big deal--it would be roomy.

It seemed that no matter how she styled this sweater for work, it always looked sloppy.Too bad she didn't listen to her own buying guidelines--the Four Fits.  (you can see the guidelines here)  She would not have made this mistake. 

How was she able to remedy this problem?  Paula decided to relegate this sweater to her more casual wear and whala!  It seems to work now!

The moral of the story?  BUY THINGS THAT FIT, PAULA!

The House Dress

I've been thinking about casual dressing lately and recently I read a great blog on retirement dressing that you can read here.  I'm all about looking good while just hanging out--mainly for me it's a chance everyday to indulge my creative side.

And I discovered the new version of the house dress--the picture on the left.  My mother in law wore house dresses.  Do you remember them?  They looked like an apron sort of--changed into a dress.  You could find them at K-Mart for under 5 bucks.  Not a bad idea really, I mean, it was a dress--though not the Mrs. Cleaver type but a dress non-the-less.  My version is the not-fitted-well-enough-to-go-public dress relegated to it's new position.  Key  for this look?  The dress MUST have pockets!

dress~ A.B.S; Marshall's

Skirts are a good alternative to to wear for play clothes--the picture on the right.  Jean skirts work well for this and the shirt?  It's a tie-dye throw-back from the 70's that only my backyard will probably see!

my backyard

Summer Hats

sort-of-cloche, Daktari, rice paddy

Summer hats.  One false move, and they can be very lol.  (little old lady)  I think some bold sunglasses can really help wash that ol' lady out--agree? 

I love hats--and I really need to wear them in the summer.  My hair is very thin, and my scalp gets sunburned!  Course, I don't have a collection as extensive as Judith over at Style Crone.  She is the guru of hats--but I know we both share our LOVE of hats.

All of my hats I need to sew ties onto--it's regularly pretty windy here so my hat needs to stay ON!  The first hat on the left is  a find at Marshall's; it's great 'cuz you can crush it in a suitcase and it bounces back!  The middle one my husband calls my Daktari hat--remember the series Daktari about a safari eons ago?  Well, that hat I bought at a boating store and I love it because of the tie.  And its cotton.  oh, and it has snaps on the brim.  Very Daktari.  And the last one is a recent purchase from a trunk show from an exclusive second hand store in Boston.  It says, "Bonwit Teller" on the inside, and the ribbon is velvet.  I get more compliments on it!  Small version of a rice paddy hat.

I never wear baseball caps--they look AWFUL on me. 

I had to try this hat on during a recent visit to Martha's Vineyard. 


 I passed on it.  So Carmen Miranda and maybe a little flying nun too--don't you think?

Jewelry Swap

When Pam over at Over50feeling40 decided to do a jewelry swap; I said, "sure,  why not!"  This piece of jewelry is from Debbie over at Boopnut.

I actually flipped the disk over and found it was made on mother-of-pearl.  I liked that side better and used it instead.  I don't usually wear necklaces; earrings are my thing--but this was a nice change.  It's good to get out of your comfort zone.  Thanks Debbie!

I paired  the necklace with a casual outfit--I'm thinking of posting more casual outfits for all of us baby boomers now partially retired or retired--or just working part time.  Sometimes its more difficult to find casual clothes than work clothes!  This look of a tunic top and capris works great for me.

Thanks Pam and Debbie for this fun post!