Elusive Photo Skills

Hard to believe its getting to the point where I am forced to take pictures inside--or endure the cold!  After reviewing some pictures taken outside last week, I was looking TOO COLD, if you know what I mean.  And thank-God we dodged the bullet from the weekend Nor'easter and didn't get FEET of snow!

Ah, yes--the outfit!  I was feeling sparkly today.  Not a common feeling for me, by any means.  Somehow sparkly flashes me back to sequin appliques of the 80's.  Shopping in my closet, I dug up this old skirt from Christmas past, paired it with a Halloween sweater and had to don the boots--regrettably!  Although I think the boots work well with the skirt, no?

My last photography class is this week, and I have concluded that my camera on auto is more skilled than I am.  I'm trying to get good earring portraits but they seem to be ever-so elusive.  It doesn't help that I take my pictures in the morning as I am flying out the door to go to work.  Will you be patient with me while I develop some more skill?

Oh, and I think this is a great outfit for Visible Monday--don't you?

Big Poncho, Little Poncho

poncho sweater~Ann Taylor Loft
skirt~J Jill
clogs~TJ's

I was getting pretty tired of my clothes this year.  That's not to say I didn't like them anymore--I still loved my clothes. I just needed to shake them up, look at them from another perspective, inject some freshness into my look.

With that in mind, I've been playing with proportions--if you recall, I tried the new "New Look" with its full skirt and peplum top. While shopping, I noticed other new proportions this season, like the poncho sweaters, and cape-like tops.  What better way to change it up?

I can't tell you how perfect this poncho sweater is!  It falls gracefully over the tummy.  The sleeves, which may have created a flopping problem, work because there are small sleeves from the elbow down.  The only drawback?  With all that fullness, it's hard to get a regular coat to fit over the sleeves.

poncho~Macy's about 10 years ago....

That's what is so wonderful about this BIGGER poncho--I can fit my smaller poncho under it!  So I guess I'm double ponchoing it today.....

Are new proportions something you like to play with or do you like sticking with the tried and true?  Do you feel like some of the new proportions are "too young"?

Update:  I will be computer-less for the next few days so see you next week!

Essential List for Early Fall



cocoon sweater~express
skirt~thrifted
bodysuit~dancers warehouse
shoes~Anthropologie

Now that I am getting into the early fall swing, I am making the essential fall list in my mind. 

• Fishnets
• Bodysuits
• Clogs
• Boleros
• Leggings
• Tunics

I think I have made note recently regarding all of the above items except for the bodysuits.  Bodysuits, do you remember them?  A good and useful item to resurrect from the past.  I love this piece for layering; it's thin and stays put.  A bit hard to find lately--I have to search, but I tend to find them at dance stores.    It is best under skirts; no visible lines which may show under pants.

So, do you still wear bodysuits or have you passed them over along with bell-bottoms?

PS. This post is part of Visible Monday courtesy of Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style.

Zen Blogging

I would like to imagine a blogging world in which I could do zen blogging.  I wouldn't have to update my Facebook page, tweet and re-tweet my most recent posts, and constantly do the uncomfortable task of self-promotion.  A quieter world.

jacket~J Crew (and hand-washed)
skirt~thrifted
sweater~Macy's
shoes~TJ's

Of course, I probably wouldn't achieve what I want to in my blog.  Well, not to as many people anyway.  I wouldn't be able to inspire all the women I want to inspire.  I wouldn't be able to spread the word that dressing can be fun again; even after 50.  And I wouldn't be able to share my creativity with others, hoping they can cultivate their creative side too.  (PS Everyone has a creative side.)



Maybe someday.

Real or Synthetic?

For Visible Monday hosted by Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style, I wanted to share with you my go-to outfit on my day off.  It tends to consist of leggings, tunic top and blazer for fall.  I've had this tunic for at least 5 years now and it is a staple.

jacket and tunic~Marshall's
jeggings~Maxwell
shoes~Off Broadway

The tunic is silk, these leggings are denim (aka JEGGINGS) but the jacket is, sorry to say, plastic.  Yup. Some type of imitation leather that is surprisingly soft.  It is really incredible the fabrics that are created from synthetic materials lately--all the faux furs and faux leathers.  Must be easier on those poor little animals.

And the shooties are also synthetic leather, yet very pliable.  Not the stiff plastic of yesteryear.  I can hardly tell the difference from the real thing; even the inside is fake suede!

As much as I am a real fabric type of girl, I am slowly going to the other side.  How about you?  Do you only go real or do you go synthetic?

Down by the River

Very rarely is the water in the river this calm.  The recent Anthropologie catalog inspired me to shoot on the dock.

Of course, THEIR dock didn't have bird turds all over it like mine did.  I had to find a corner that was do-do free.  Don't you find that your fashion shoot is different from the magazines?  HOW do they do that???

vest~thrifted and altered
sweater~J. Crew
skirt~Marshall's
shooties~Anthropologie

With the cooler weather, the layers are coming on and I'm not quite comfortable with them yet.  It's tricky to layer and not to feel like you put on 20 pounds.  This sweater is perfect for layering, its very thin, but the vest--with it's pockets on the bust, make me feel inflated. I need to wear stockings but my skirt must be lined otherwise my stockings are sticking to the skirt all day long.

And so it begins......  

Washing Blazers by Hand?

blazer~Ann Taylor
chambray shirt~thrifted
skirt & clogs~TJ's

I had a hippie friend that swore you could wash blazers by hand.  I didn't believe it.  I was always afraid to risk it, but as a few of my better blazers aged--I found I didn't have much to loose.   I tried it.

This blazer was my first try and I am very pleased!  As long as the manufacturer pre-shrinks all the fabrics, I think you are safe.  But you never know.  Just like one of those pieces you take to the cleaners and it returns not the same size.....

Back to the outfit.  I love the colors--the blue in the chambray shirt is actually more saturated.  And you may know by now--one of my favorite shoes for the season?  CLOGS!

 
Just a great all-weather shoe.  Do I sound too utilitarian? 

Oh, and I almost forgot!  How appropriate that we had torrential rains earlier in the week, so I can show Patti over at Not Dead Yet Style what I wear in the rain!  Happy Visible Monday!

Transitional Shooties

When Tammy posted her Trending through the Decades subject, boots, I wasn't  prepared.   The last thing I want to wear now is boots.  Here in New England, we wear boots (not the pretty, high heeled kind, no-- the ugly mucky muck kind) for what seems like 6 months.  So, the thought of bringing out my boots before their time was ......revolting.

I remembered I have this OTHER type of boot--shootie--half shoe, half bootie.  When I bought these on sale from Anthroplogie, it was an experiment.  Was I going to be able to wear them?
As it has turned out, I wear these A LOT!  They are so much more practical than I could ever have imagined--they are a great transitional boot.  And not the mucky-muck type.

I ended up getting another pair of shooties in black!  Anyone else out there a shootie lover?

Another Rule Broken

jacket~Building 19
skirt~thrifted
sweater~ TJ's

There is a rule out there somewhere that says you shouldn't wear unrealistic animal prints.  Oopsey.  I mean, who really knows their animal prints anyway?  Yeah, well I guess you would know they wouldn't be purple.

new bag~TJ's

The idea for this  post was from Tammy over at Silverstyle.   Drop over there and take a peak at what the ages are doing for trends.

Just a few notes here; I've had to wear my glasses due to allergies (ugh), the funny look of my legs are my fishnets, and this is my new bag, (Patti)!  You can't tell, but it is copper colored, has all the pockets and organizers I love, and an adjustable strap.  Great feeling leather.  Love it.  Had to take a pic with my bag on--I mean this is what I look like most of the time! 

Do you think of posting with your bag?