Une femme d'un certain age

Office-Worthy Denim

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +0000

The closest anyone at Sterling Cooper ever came to Business Casual!

Whether you find it freeing or confounding or a mixture of both, for the foreseeable future Business Casual is here to stay. In many BC offices, denim has gone mainstream, even Monday through Thursday. The upside: a little bit of denim can signal "relaxed" and "approachable" (important especially for those who manage others) and admittedly, many denim pieces are comfortable thanks to a bit of stretch, and washable. But there's denim and denim, and if Polished and Professional (P&P) is at least as important to your workplace image as Relaxed and Approachable, denim looks for the office should be chosen carefully.

Ann Taylor Modern Denim Trousers

I just discovered the Ann Taylor trouser jeans pictured above last weekend and LOVE them. (Never would have thought to shop AT for denim, but now they're on my radar.) This style is insanely flattering as the "Modern" fit is slimmer through the hips and thighs than many wide leg or trouser jeans. The wide waistband is comfortable and doesn't bunch up or roll even after hours of sitting, and (for those who are shirt tucker-inners) wide enough to accommodate a substantial belt. But those belt loops lie FLAT under a top or sweater, another bonus. The wash is dark and even, again a more polished option. The fabric isn't as light and silky soft as my Seven's, but these have a bit more body and structure and are every bit as comfortable.

Ann Taylor Signature Denim Trousers

For those who prefer a looser fit through the hips/thighs, try this style in the Signature fit.

I have my own guidelines for wearing denim in a way that's office-appropriate, which granted are based on my age and sensibilities, and being an administrative professional in a non-conservative field. Those who work in more conservative or more creative office environments may have different guidelines.

Wash - stick with a darker, more even wash. No whiskering, "dirty" washes, very distressed or very light washes. I push this guideline a bit with my Sevens, as they have a bit of a fading on the upper part of the leg. The Notable Exception: white jeans.
Design - simple and straightforward. No super skinnies, no rips, no "elephant" bell bottoms, no cuffed "boyfriends," no "butt bling." Colored denim? I'm still not ready to go there at work. Talk to me in a few months; I've been known to change my mind.
Length - make sure they are hemmed correctly for heel height. No hems dragging on the ground.
Except for Casual Fridays, one piece of denim per outfit.

Styling - if I'm wearing denim jeans or trousers, I Bring the Business with a jacket, point-toe pumps or flats, or nice loafers. I'm on the fence about jeans tucked into knee high boots. It's a great look, and still au courrant, but I still haven't figured out how to make it work at work.

Kut from the Kloth "Victoria" trouser jeans

I did say "no super skinnies," but a tailored slim leg still looks P&P to me.

Not Your Daughter's Jeans "Michelle" stretch trousers

For those who want a full rise, check out NYDJ.

"Denim" doesn't have to mean "jeans," though.

Lafayette148 denim shirt - look Ma, no boob pockets!!!

Denim shirts are hot right now, though personally I'd save my Double Denim looks for Casual Fridays. I'd wear this blouse in a heartbeat with a printed pencil skirt, or slim trousers in a non-denim fabric.

You could try a denim blazer...

J.Crew Chambray Blazer

...but NOT with cuffed shorts, at least not for the office!! I may catch flack for this but regardless of fabric and style, shorts for the office just do not read as P&P to me.

Try the blazer instead with a tailored solid or printed pencil skirt or twill trousers.

And speaking of pencil skirts...

Ann Taylor denim pencil skirt

Denim skirt, yes, but not your teenage niece's version. This could pair nicely with a brightly colored printed top and some bright pumps.

Pour moi, clean, simple styling, and mixing your denim with more structured pieces are key to keeping denim in P&P territory. And then on the weekends, go wild!

Do you wear denim to work? How do you style it?
~

Must be my lucky week...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:42:00 +0000

I won the Shabby Apple skirt from Pam at Over50Feeling40!!!

I've already been mentally going through my closet to pick pieces to try styling with this skirt. And I'm thrilled, as the colors are right in my Light Summer color palette!

Thank you, Pam, and Shabby Apple!
~

Une femme recommends...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Darling, where have you been all my life???

Le monsieur likes his button-front shirts. He's a wear-em-once-and-wash-em kind of homme. A Domestic Goddess I am not, and as neither of us has time to iron shirts (especially as quickly as he goes through them), for years it's been hi-ho, hi-ho, off to the cleaners they'd go for a wash and press. But lately those laundry elves must have developed a taste for Cristal and caviar, as the per-shirt price has almost tripled in the last year or so. We tried cheaper laundries, but the shirts came back with broken or missing buttons, and an overabundance of starch. Add in those "dry clean only" items that really don't need to be cleaned, just pressed, and I was hitting the wall with the escalating and unnecessary costs.

Karen had recommended this Jiffy steamer a while back, and I finally succumbed to its industrial charms. It arrived this weekend, required a minimal amount of easy assembly, and within 20 minutes I was off and steaming a two-week pile of home-laundered shirts. The instructions say to let it heat up for a couple of minutes; I found it hit optimum steam after about 5 minutes.

I will say that if you demand razor sharp, stand-at-attention-crisp shirts, you will probably be underwhelmed. But if you're looking for a quick and easy way to make cotton shirts and other items you'd normally iron look presentable, it's just the ticket. Once I got the hang of it, pressing a shirt with this steamer took under 2 minutes, probably about 1/3 the time it would take (me) to iron.

And as mentioned above, it's great for those "dry clean" pieces that just need a little pressing to freshen. It's easier on fabrics than ironing, leaves no iron sheen, and there's no risk of scorching. It stores easily in a broom closet fully assembled, or you could probably take the rack apart to store in a smaller space. With what we'll save on cleaning costs, I anticipate I'll recoup the cost within a couple of months.

How to you handle pressing clothes? Do you iron, steam, or buy only "no iron" clothing?
~

Fashion Flash Monday and More Good News

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Une femme is now part of Fashion Flash Monday! This week, No-Nonsense Beauty Blog is hosting the very fashionable roundup. It's the best of style and beauty for the certain age set. And if you haven't yet checked out No-Nonsense Beauty, this blog lives up to it's name, testing and reporting on the latest in serious beauty products and treatments. If you have questions about IPL, Retin A, or even sunscreen, it's covered here, honestly and objectively.

In other Very Good News, last week Wendy Brandes won the Fashion Group International Rising Star award in the Fine Jewelry category!! You can read about it from Wendy here and here. She wore a dress designed by Stacy Lomman (another Rising Star finalist in the Women's Apparel category). I have two pieces of Wendy's jewelry, my custom re-designed engagement ring, and the lovely Diana necklace, engraved with my signature. Congratulations to Wendy on this well-deserved recognition!

For those of you who weren't able to snag this J.Crew Leopard Tippi sweater when it was introduced last fall (sold out fast) it's now back in stock, and as of this writing it's currently still available in all sizes offered.

This sweater is really a winner: flattering, lightweight, and work-appropriate. (Looks great under a blazer too.)

And to wrap up this edition of Very Good News, the last couple of weeks it's been snowing in the Colorado Rockies! We're getting ready for our annual ski week, and until recently I was starting to worry that there would be less schuss and more (muddy) slush. #beentheredonethatnofun

One week from today I'll be hitting the slopes. Think Snow!!

Do you have any good news to share? Any recent fashion or beauty finds?
~

GREAT news...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:58:00 +0000

Back in November I linked to a post at Big Little Wolf's Daily Plate of Crazy, about Ashley Quiñones, a lovely young woman with cystic fibrosis who was in need of a kidney transplant. Medicaid would not cover the surgery, despite having a confirmed donor, and because of her pre-existing condition she was unable to obtain private insurance. We wanted to raise awareness of her situation and money for this crucial surgery. The great news is that thanks to raising over $40,000 in donations, she is now scheduled for the transplant surgery in early-to-mid February! Her kidney donor is blogging about the experience here.

Ashley still needs to raise a bit more money to help cover the cost of the surgery. You can donate here. (All donations go directly toward Ashley's surgery.)

Best wishes, blessings and strength to Ashley, her donor and both of their families!
~

Expert Testimony

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I'll admit to being something of a style book junkie. I probably have a dozen in my own library (below are some of my favorites). I've also had the good fortune to benefit from the knowledge and training of AICI image consultants Imogen Lamport and Karen Karlsen in person, and most recently had a comprehensive Personal Color Analysis from Julia Dupps at Wish Wardrobe Consulting. I've been inspired by each of these as well as blogs by stylists and aestheticians, and have been grateful for the ideas and guidelines they provide.

But consensus, that's another thing altogether. Reading various style books and blogs, one often encounters conflicting advice. Some say black is forever chic, others say that most women should never wear black. Some say that women over ___ should never wear skirts above the knee, while others say it depends on your legs and your style. Some insist that each person has a very specific color palette that will make them look their best, and other say that color is purely about personal preferences. Or while you might agree with 80% of what a particular style guru has to say, you know some of it is just WRONG for you. (An example of that last one: I love you, Tim Gunn, but wearing a belt does not "create a waist," it just makes me look like a sack of potatoes with a rope tied around the middle.) If you're one of those women who has a strong sense of her own style, this probably isn't an issue. But if your body, life and/or style are in transition and you're looking for help, how do you sort through it all?

I think back about the one time I served on a jury (called often, chosen rarely). It was a civil case involving a car accident, and the plaintiff and defendant each brought in their own expert witness to testify about the probable causes and results of the accident. As one might imagine, their expert opinions diverged considerably, which serves to remind me that experts in any field are not necessarily wholly objective and unbiased. With regard to style experts, they are informed by their own taste, their own culture, and even their own physical characteristics. In fairness, they are often designated "experts" because of their unique viewpoint.

Case in point: Charla Krupp of the (oft-divisive) "How To Not Look ______" style books, insists that pale pink lipstick is best for women of a certain age, while Ines de la Fressange says women of a certain age should never wear pink lipstick. And I say, let's examine the evidence. Look at Krupp's coloring (blonde, fair), and look at de la Fressange's (dark, olive). Of course pink lipstick will look great on one and probably terrible on the other. We all have a tendency to project our own experience, and it's certainly not a stretch to imagine that's partly responsible for the disparity of opinion on this particular issue. (I'm not saying that every stylist/image consultant does this around every issue, but when I start to see words like "always" and "never" my antennae start to twitch.)

Going back to the courtroom analogy, it can be easy to view the anointed style experts as Judge and Jury, when in reality they're just offering informed testimony. We each have to be our own one-woman jury, weigh the evidence presented and render our own verdict. Fortunately, we have a wide variety of options beyond "guilty" or "not guilty" (or "do" or "don't") and have the ability to make nuanced choices based on our own taste and judgement.

Style advice from the experts can help us see with fresh eyes, get out of a style rut, and provide inspiration and helpful guidelines. My motto these days is "tools not rules." I'm learning to use expert testimony as a starting point rather than a hard stop.

Do you enjoy style books and websites? Are there any that you've found particularly helpful?
~

This Is A Sniffa

noreply@blogger.com (Karen) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:20:00 +0000

(Today Karen has offered to share a bit about one of her passions...fragrance! I look forward to learning more about this myself. --Déjà Pseu)

This is my neighbor, Colleen, and I having one of our periodic "Sniffa" sessions. A Sniffa is like a wine tasting for the sense of smell, our own little olfactory opium den wherein stressed mommies inhale heavenly (and legal) odeurs in an effort to reach an enlightened state of being.

Today we are at my place. Colleen is a MAJOR fragrance collector. She is not only an aficionado but connoisseur, and has gladly been tutoring me on the detailed histories of perfume houses and scents commercial, niche and indie. She keeps detailed notes on her library of hundreds of fragrances (full bottles and samples) and is teaching me to do the same so that I build my own references. I'm also learning descriptive vocabulary like "skanky," screechy" and "animalic." We frequently swap bottles and samples since we live so close together, and we are both members of a larger fragrance lover's community on Makeup Alley. It's about the only place in the world where it's all scent-talk, 24/7.

Today Colleen and I have decided to test my newly arrived sample kit of the indie perfume house 40 Notes. We usually have a gameplan for our Sniffas, or a theme. Sometimes we'll go through all the samples we have from a certain house, like the cultic Serge Lutens. Or sometimes we will compare fragrances that are "dupes" or similar to a certain fragrance such as Guerlain's Shalimar. Or we may examine the "flanker" offshoots of originals such as Poison/Midnight Poison/Hypnotic Poison. Sometimes we test different concentrations of something in Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum and Parfum, noting differences in top, middle and basenotes. One Sniffa could be all vanillas, the next all violets. Invariably, Colleen fills me in on the minutiae of which perfumer made what perfume, which version is better--reformulation, pre-reformulation or vintage.

We bring tons of perfume to the table as you can see, though we don't always get to it. If we really like something we want to test out, we find four spots on our arms where we can squirt a little juice and assess the drydowns. We were amazed today to find that an amber fragrance from 40 Notes was very similar to Prada Candy due to a hefty dose of benzoin. That's another thing Colleen's teaching me; obscure ingredients that I'm trying to memorize in isolation --heliotrope, indole, galbanum, labdanum, oakmoss, aldehydes, different patchouli and wood notes, vanillin, resins etc.

Colleen and I both feel utterly lost and incomplete as humans without our scent wardrobes. I vary my fragrance with my outfits, my moods and the weather. Fragrance is CRUCIAL for styling my entire day. After I bathe at night I lavish on something hubby loves and that relaxes us both as we go off into dreamland.

Next time, we will talk about Colleen's extremely sensitive gift for fragrance styling. How she selects her Juice du Jour is so complex and interesting!

If you are interested in learning more about perfuming your life, there's several great resources that Colleen and I recommend.

Blogs:

Yesterday's Perfume
The Perfume Magazine
Ca Fleure Bon
Fragrantica
Bois De Jasmin

Books:

Karen
~

Une femme recommends...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow

For the longest time, I'd abandoned eye shadow, and couldn't be bothered. Either it didn't last long enough to make the effort to apply worthwhile, or it shifted, settling into my creases. Using eyeshadow "primers" didn't help (and the ones I tried often made my lids look as rough as a lava field, certainly not the intention!). I read a recommendation a while back for the matte versions of the Bobbi Brown cream shadows (I veer away from any shadows now with frost or sparkle) and recently gave it a road test. Sold!

This shadow when applied with the fingertips goes on fairly sheer and subtle (I'm using color "Cement" which is a light taupe) and stays put all day. Doesn't shift, doesn't migrate where you don't want it. It makes the skin look smoother and more even. I apply from the lash line up to a bit above the crease. Most of the colors in this line seem to be lighter and subtle, great for "le no makeup look."

Do you use eyeshadow? Have any favorite eyeshadows? Have you tried this one, and what did you think?
~

Emotional Baggage - New Items Added

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Bags...

and a bit of Bling.

Une femme at Fab Over Fifty!

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Just a note, une femme is interviewed this week at Fab Over Fifty!!

Welcome to those of you visiting from FOF! Hope you'll pull up a chair and join the conversation. You can find all of the scarf-related posts here.
~

What is "Classic" anyway?

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

I think we can all agree: Classic (and fabulous)!

Angie at You Look Fab had a great post up on Tuesday extolling the versatility of classic pieces. She has a point. Simple classic wardrobe elements can dress up or down, be worked into a variety of styles and bring a timeless, elegant quality to any ensemble.

Photo from here.

The big trick is how to keep classic pieces from looking stodgy. Angie does a great job here, by using color and mixing more updated, trendy pieces with her classic ones.

Last week, in comments on my post recapping my style lessons from 2011, LPC said,

Overall I take away that you are finally relinquishing that "classic" style idea, having found that you require more freedom in silhouette and palette.

At the time, I agreed with her, and though this is partly true (don't fence me in!), I still find that classic pieces *speak* to me. When Tabitha at Bourbon & Pearls posted those Hermés riding boots, part of me responded at an almost cellular level. Classic is in my DNA, and to some degree I will always hunger for a look that incorporates classic pieces. I'd love to be able to achieve the kind of "Modern Classic" that Angie frames in her post, sophisticated but lively.

The challenge I mentioned above, keeping classic fresh and modern and avoiding the Spectre of Frumpy Hollow has been particularly vexing for me of late. Being of the short-and-curvy persuasion, two hallmarks of classic style, "structured" and "tailored" seem to be particularly daunting. (Put me in a tweed blazer, and I'm the shorter stunt double for the Earl of Grantham, traipsing through the copse.) What we (I?) often think of as "classic" seems to work best on the more ectomorphic among us. Am I trying to work "classic" too literally for my body type? (Is there such a thing as Voluptuous Classic?)

Can classics evolve? Do some items that were considered "timeless classics" twenty or even ten years ago now look dated? How much can you tweak a classic before it's no longer, well, a classic?

The trench, brightened?

Banana Republic pink trench (the navy polka dot one seems to have sold out, unfortunately)

Or a blazer in "Maraschino Cherry"?

J.Crew blazer

A sleeker version of the penny loafer in a teal green?

J.Crew Biella penny loafer

Or perhaps some pearls, but not quite your grand-mére's demure pearl choker?

Pearl Paradise multicolor necklace

A classic scarf, tied unexpectedly?

Are you drawn to classic styles? How do you define "classic" and how do you work it into your style without looking dated, frumpy or like Miss Marple? How do you add some "edge" to your classic pieces?
~

The Ever Versatile Denim Shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Karen) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Pseu is so nice to let me post here now and again! Today I thought I'd tell you a little story about a denim shirt.

Last week I realized just about the only "basic" piece I didn't have in my wardrobe boutique was a denim shirt. I wanted one that was super soft, slim fitting and that could be tucked or left out of pants. The one that met all my requirements happened to be from J.Crew, so I snatched it up and have worn it a good four times now (time for a wash, think?). It's so all-purpose it's not even funny. I suppose my favorite way so far is when I wanted to slob out. On that day, wore some "tailored" grey sweatpants by Splendid, a cashmere tank from Eric Bompard, used the shirt as a jacket layer (hey -it's January in Cali), and added some slim-soled white Converse tennies. I layered on some easy jewelry and I was done.

Today I met Lee, pictured above at left, at a women's Bible study. I loved the way she was wearing her denim shirt over that white tee, with her chic black puffer and gorgeous blue Goyard purse. Still a blogger at heart, I asked her if I could take her picture for a post on the denim shirt. I swear people always think I am nuts when I stop to take a photo of their outfits. Lee indulged my craziness, bless her stylish little heart!

As you can see, I buttoned my denim shirt all the way up today and rolled up the sleeves to expose my arms so I could wear a chunky bracelet and watch. I tucked into a pair of soft black JBrand skinnies and belted with red wool plaid just for a tiny hit of color. It was cold out so I added this "third piece" of a Tory Burch down vest in Navy. Looking back, I might have added a pin at my neck and lost the hoop earrings. But I really wasn't after making a smash with my clothes today, anyway.

Speaking of a "smash", the next thing I plan to do is dress this baby way up and see what happens. Can you make a shirt like this actually sizzle? We'll see...

I love how Adrienne at The Rich Life on a Budget found a denim shirt for two bucks and is working it like a champ!

I'd like to invite you to continue this style adventure. If you have a neat way you wear your denim shirt, tell us about it or send in a pic.

Karen

Long Live The Queen

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Helen Mirren rules the red carpet, again.

Une femme isn't one to pore over RC shots (and heaven knows, we'll be inundated with them in the next few weeks, as Award Season gets underway) and contribute to the fashion commentary and critique, but this was just so freekin fantastic, I had to give a nod (and an "x-large" pic).

Elegant, glamorous, eye catching without flashing a lot of skin. And not black, red or "nude." I'll bet close up, that color really enhances her eyes. Take notes; this is how it's done, Hollywood Women Of A Certain Age.
~

Unloading More Emotional Baggage

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:58:00 +0000

New items just listed!
~

Wear-n-Wash

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 03:20:00 +0000

A Laundry List of Random Clean Thoughts

While cranking through a few loads of laundry the other night, I got to thinking about how, when and why we wash clothes.

My clothing care practices have made a few tectonic shifts over the decades. In my 20's, with a limited wardrobe and limited access to laundry facilities, everything got washed weekly at the coin-op, whether it needed cleaning or not. Sometimes it really, really needed it. In my 30's and early 40's, working in a more corporate office environment (before Business Casual had taken complete hold) meant lots and lots of drycleaning. I remember reading one woman's advice from her father to always buy two pairs of pants for each suit, as they'd be cleaned more often and wear out more quickly than the jacket. Over the past few years, I've migrated my wardrobe toward washable items, to the point that now probably less than 10% of what I own *must* be dry cleaned (and I wear those pieces rarely now).

I've read that in the US, we wash/clean our clothing entirely too often. And washing, not wearing, is what causes clothing to "wear out." Though I went through a phase of believing that everything had to be washed after every wear (barring sweaters and outerwear), I've mostly abandoned that notion. I try to wash my clothes only when absolutely necessary, almost always in cold water, and NEVER a hot dryer (only our cleaning rags get that treatment). And I use only 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent.

I've also read about campaigns urging people not to wash their jeans, but freeze them instead. OK, that's taking things a bit too far. O_o

A lot of clothing marked "hand wash" can actually be washed in a lingerie bag in the washer on the gentle cycle, then hung or laid flat to dry.

Not long ago, a drip of salad dressing that landed on my "continental shelf" would require a wash of the entire garment. But this little miracle product soaks up greasy spots on many fabrics, and they can be brushed right off.

Janie Stick. This is also great to carry when traveling.

Do you find that men have weird ideas about laundry? Le monsieur insists that his woven, button front shirts are washed and pressed after each wearing, yet he'll re-wear dress socks 2-3 times, laying them out to air in between. (I know...eeeuuw.) I've more often known men who seem to feel that freshly washed clothing in general is an abomination.

I'm still murky on how pounding clothes on a rock is supposed to get them clean.

I can't be bothered with liquid fabric softener, but am a fan of these:

Bounce dryer sheets

For all but the largest loads, 1/2 a sheet is all that's needed. NEVER use fabric softener or dryer sheets with towels; it will reduce their ability to absorb moisture.

I HATE folding laundry, but LOVE the feeling of having everything clean, folded and put away. Confession: I don't iron my cotton sheets.

What about you...any favorite laundry anecdotes to share??
~

Lessons Learned: 2011

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Duchesse's post on Tuesday prompted me to retrace my own wardrobe/style steps over the past year. In looking back over pictures from the blog and finishing up my January closet purge, some broader themes became evident. I'd started out the year with the intention of upgrading and refining my wardrobe, continuing in the direction of simple, dark neutrals. But toward the middle of summer, I became a bit (!) obsessed with color, resulting in some experimentation and some mis-spent clothing dollars, before I finally invested in a comprehensive professional PCA (Personal Color Analysis) in December. (Wish I'd done this earlier.) The good news is most of my "experimental" pieces were accessories or inexpensive cardigans, no major investments.

I didn't track my spending in 2011, and probably would give myself a heart attack if I added it all up now.

But water under the bridge, yada yada. Here's what I've come away with:

1. Second-guessing myself rarely ends well. When I hear myself saying "It's not really me, but...it's so pretty/such a bargain/one-of-a-kind/such a great fit/such a gorgeous color/my friend really likes it..." I need to pay more attention to the "it's not really me" part of that sentence and walk away.

2. No turning back the clock. I can't go back to more tailored clothing, or styles rooted in reprising the past. Even tailored jackets on their own feel wrong now.

3. Shopping/buying out of habit/boredom. I still do too much of this.

4. Boots! I haven't yet gone wrong with a pair of boots. Whether "shooties," ankle boots or knee highs, boots seem to fit seamlessly into my wardrobe, always feel right, and remain one of my Power Items.

5. Skirts and Dresses. I re-discovered skirts and dresses over the last 12-15 months. Especially with boots (see #4.). Key are knit pieces, flattering and comfortable cuts and styles.

6. Black will always be a part of my wardrobe. I know stylists and color analysts rail against it. But I still love the simplicity, edginess, elegance and ease of black. Yes, I'm trying to supplement my neutrals with some grey and taupe, but there will always be a place for my black pieces.

7. I have officially given up on the White Shirt (Crisp™, or otherwise). Just doesn't work for me. Marinières on the other hand, still hands-down winners.

8. There's nothing wrong with a uniform. I need to tape this to my mirror and say it seven times a day as an affirmation. Despite my expressed desire to cultivate a uniform, as soon as I feel I'm getting close to one I find myself getting distracted and drawn to pieces outside of my tried-and-true parameters. The most stylish women usually have developed a uniform that they tweak and update. I need to tune out those voices that say "it's boring," and "but XYZ is the look for Spring!" (see #1).

9. Love on others, not for me: menswear look, über-feminine, full skirts, the Chanel suit look, anything too structured, fussy or twee, bows, most ruffles, classic Preppy, sheath dresses, mixed patterns, the kate spade aesthetic, lots of bright color.

10. Knits, knits, knits. Other than my denim jeans, knits have become the backbone of my wardrobe.

11. I don't have a designer clothing lifestyle. Accessories perhaps, occasionally (bags and scarves), but my body, life and style demand clothing that's comfortable, practical, flattering and versatile. And washable. I also have little need for any dressy or "occasion" clothing; we just don't have events in our lives these days that demand that level of dressing up (a shame, really, but still).

In some ways, it feels as though I keep covering the same style ground, circling back around. Too much of #1, I guess.

Did you do any experimenting with your style over the last year? Have you come away with any insights or changes in how you approach style?
~

Stumped! Your kind assistance is most appreciated...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:21:00 +0000

A reader emailed me with a conundrum, and I have a few ideas but thought I would put this out to you for suggestions, as perhaps some of you have faced a similar challenge. She says,

I am allergic to wool! I can't even wear cashmere. Merino, alpaca, cloud soft anything--no matter how fine, soft or luxurious, any form of wool makes me break out in red spots and itch terribly. This means that the fabled chic cashmere sweater is impossible.
There is so much gorgeous wool and cashmere out there. Can you suggest anything equivalent but non-allergenic?

Readers, I can think of some options in viscose (rayon) and cotton (neither of which are as warm/light as cashmere), but other than that I'm stumped! Can you help?
~

My Emotional Baggage Is Your Gain...

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Une femme's January Clearance Sale is ON over at Emotional Baggage. I've priced items for quick sale, so don't hesitate if you see anything you like! More items will be added over the next few weeks, so keep checking back.
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Celebrating the Little Things

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:41:00 +0000

Tonight to celebrate and get in the proper frame of mind for the return of Downton Abbey, we cracked a bottle of bubbly...

set out some shrimp and brie...

and even warm canapés.

One must do what one must do.
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Of A Softer Stripe (and Dot)

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Banana Republic metallic trim sweater

(Don't forget code BRTAKE30 for 30% off through Saturday 1/7. I need to mention that unfortunately this code doesn't appear to be valid on international orders, so sorry!)

Several of you mentioned in comments on yesterday's post that high contrast prints are harder for you to wear due to your own softer coloring. I'm in the same boat, so looked up some pieces that will work better for us. In addition to the Banana Republic Sweater Jacket, the Eileen Fisher tee, and the Banana Republic dot scarf shown yesterday, here are some additional suggestions for those who are drawn to geometric prints but need a softer look.

Land's End felted wool jacket

Ella Moss sweater. Neutral but not boring.

MARC by Marc Jacobs silk/cashmere scarf

Marni coat from Outnet, très Mod! Think one would need some height to carry this off, however.

Deviating a bit from my Stripes-and-Dots theme, I'm also going to recommend this jacket from Talbot's, now quite discounted:

Talbots Buffalo Plaid jacket

Yes, the print is large, but it's very muted and blended. The mohair blend fabric is soft and light, and the fit is not bulky. This is easier to wear than you'd think. And it zips! (I love jackets that zip.)

Another suggestion is to look for stripes or dots that are very small and close-set. This will give the impression of a more blurred and lower contrast pattern.
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Warning: Post Contains Graphic Images

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Banana Republic, $69.50

Lately, I'm finding myself entranced by clean, geometric prints. (Yes, even polka dots!) They feel fresh and feminine without being too fussy or frou-frou.

Banana Republic sweater jacket, $110 (LOVE this!!)

Banana Republic polka dot trench, $150 (This too!)

(Edited to add: Banana Republic currently offering 30% all purchases of $100 or more; use code BRTAKE30.)

Ann Taylor, 40% off everything with code NEWYYEAR

Ann Taylor again

While the chartreuse color in this top above might be tough to wear in a solid piece, in smaller doses it's easier to manage.

J.Crew top

A softer stripe from Eileen Fisher

Splendid "Palm Desert" Blazer.

Talbots striped bateau tee

Do Not Fear The Horizontal Stripe!

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel top

MICHAEL by Michael Kors top

Banana Republic dotted wool scarf

kate spade bag

Are there any patterns or designs you're drawn to right now?
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A Welcome Resolution

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Statue in the Vatican Museum

New Year's Resolutions and I have a checkered past. For so many years I made resolutions that came from a place of self-loathing, that were unrealistic, and that I was never able to keep, making me feel like even more of a failure. Then for many years, I made no resolutions at all.

I'm still of a mind that if one wants to make changes, then one should make changes regardless of some externally imposed timeline. Be it New Years or your birthday or Saint Vitus Day or the day after Halloween, there is no inherent value in setting a starting point on one or another. Every day, every minute we have the opportunity to make a fresh start. But the New Year comes on the heels of holidays that often involve much eating, drinking, spending and carousing, so it's not surprising that vows of abstention are what come to mind when we think about New Year's Resolutions.

This year, however, January 1st felt like turning a page. We've wrapped up the process of clearing out my late mother-in-law's home (deadline imposed by renters moving in on 1/1), and after months of being consumed with this monumental and sad task, we now have some breathing room. (Figuratively anyway, with several boxes stuff still parked in our living room.) Her untimely passing and the subsequent process of sorting through her possessions have brought much perspective.

My overarching goal is to have my life feel more manageable. Decluttering, divesting, time management, and the various steps to get our home back in order are all part of that. Unlike those unsuccessful resolutions of the past ("I will lose 20 pounds by March"), the resolve, the desire for forward motion is coming from a place of self-support rather than fear and self-denial. So this year, at the start of a calendar New Year, yes, it feels right to refocus on where I want to go and the processes that will help get me there.

My goal with the blog is to continue posting, 3-4 times a week whenever possible, and to respond to every one of your comments. And later this month, I'll be having a handbag and accessory "fire sale" over at Emotional Baggage, my very own marché des puces.

Do you set goals throughout the year or at specific times? Do you write them down and map out the processes it will take to get you there, or do you approach more intuitively?
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Luncheon in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:03:00 +0000

In my Fantasy Life™ I met up with "the girls" for New Year's lunch at the Pré Catalan, in the gorgeous Bois du Boulogne in Paris. We dined on seasonal delicacies in exquisite surroundings, accompanied by champagne and equally sparkling conversation. The clink of silver and crystal was punctuated by an occasional peal of soft laughter at a risque reference to a recent political scandale.

What does one wear to such an effervescent afternoon in such elegant surroundings? A few years ago (still from the fantasy perspective) I might have chosen something straightforwardly elegant and irreproachable, but even my Fantasy Life™ has moved forward, and so I chose to express my lighthearted side. Already looking toward Spring, I chose light colors, a playful knit and favorite jewelry from my Fantasy Jewelry Box™. These days, I mix the classic with the more casual and contemporary to keep the mix fresh.

New Year's Day Lunch by unefemme featuring a trench coat

It is with much relief and hope that I contemplate moving forward into 2012. I've been thinking quite a bit lately about moving forward as it relates to style, but here are some additional areas I've been examining as ripe for some forward motion:

Managing my time. I can easily get distracted surfing the net or TV channels, when books I want to read are gathering dust, when little household projects remain undone, when opportunities to take better care of myself are unrealized. I need to set more goals, and though I do need some mindless activity time, I resolve to set a timer to keep 15 minutes from becoming 2 hours.
Decluttering. Yes, the word that's on everyone's lips. I've pulled and bagged everything that's fit for donation (and tossed the rest) but have some clothing and accessories that I need to photograph and list for sale.
Prepping the garden for Spring. Time to prune, mulch and weed.
Dog whispering. Or something. Our boy dog has developed some behavioral issues in recent months that are increasingly disruptive and we need to get professional help.
Breakfast. Every day.

Many thanks to Marsha at Splenderosa for hosting this virtual luncheon! (And I LOVE what she chose to wear!)

Happy New Year, everyone! How are you moving forward into 2012?
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Bonne Année!

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:55:00 +0000

Bonne année!! by unefemme on polyvore.com

Wishing you and those you love a happy, healthy, peaceful, prosperous, delicious, adventurous and stylish New Year!!
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10 Days Of Chrismukkah: Cadeau No.10

noreply@blogger.com (déjà pseu) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

"Stuff Parisians Like" by Olivier Magny

If you are familiar with the blog Stuff Parisians Like, you'll find this book an amusing expansion of the themes there. And if you haven't checked out the blog yet, it will be a delightful discovery. Olivier writes about the social habits of his fellow Parisiens with a uniquely French blend of derision and affection.

On our last Paris visit, we had the pleasure of meeting M. Magny at his wine bar in the heart of Paris, Ô Chateau. Is he not handsome?

No, I didn't take this one. From gqmagazine.fr
(He's just as charming as he looks, bien sur.)

If you'd like to be entered to win the book* please leave a comment below. Many thanks to all of you who have entered over the last few days, and congratulations to those whose names were drawn.

Happy New Year to all!

10 Days Of Chrismukkah Winners Circle (so far):

Day 1 - Eyelash curler - Judy

Day 2 - Brow Pencil - Melina

Day 3 - Bonjour, Happiness! - Northmoon

Day 4 - Clinique City Block - cigalechanta

Day 5 - Signed copy of "Hidden In Paris" - Sara

Day 6 - Cream blush - Norma

Day 7 - Blotting papers - coffeeaddict

Day 8 - Lipstick - Pam @ over50feeling40
Day 9 - Brush cleaner - Paula

*will be sent directly from amazon.com

And the final winner is...

Semi-Expat! Congratulations and Happy New Year! Please drop me an email where this should be sent, and I'll get right on it.
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