If It Ain't Baroque

Don't fix it. So we repeated having dinner here.

A quiet moment here before the theater.

And once again it was a wonderful evening.

Notice all the curls and swirls at every stop?

Except for Gaston, who'd be obnoxious IRL but hilarious in the show. Well ... maybe his rippling biceps fit the theme too.

There were quite a few dressed as Belle in the audience.

But I wore my trousers in fabric fit for lavish drapes or upholstery.

And though we gave a standing ovation, we were suprised the cast didn't appear for a curtain call (slaps knee for Gigi).

 

So how goes it, has the first week of 2014 been a beauty or a beast?

December Dither

 With more couth I would've worn this outfit for Thanksgiving: 

the Collection café capri in antiqued floral, a cambridge crewneck from 2008 and the antique gold mary jane heels so wonderful I no longer pine for the spencer patent trimmed crackle metallic mary janes 

aka Emma Pillsbury's favorite shoes.

I think the antique floral print is rich and splendid. The fabric, 76% silk and 33% cotton, is quite substantial. It feels like two layers woven together. Could very well be since the reverse side barely shows any print show-through and has a different texture.

Highly recommended if you like crazy fancy pants.

Showing the shoes snapped up from Yoox but they are no more there.

Is it wrong to be in love with a pair of shoes?

 As threatened promised, here's what I wore for Thanksgiving:

This year's was a wonderful confluence of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah that I was completely unaware of since I'd been buried in work.

But look what we saw as we're fixin' the candied yams.

Is this one of those signs Jody talked about?

What the weatherman tells us for today.

And what it looks like.

But I'll be planning and packing for a week-long trip to places where the weather is difficult for me to imagine.

This (washable? faux fur) is likely the foundation for my trip.

With apologies in advance to ruth, Naomi, Heidi and anyone else I will likely offend, I will likely wear this on travel days:

With any luck, I may see some ...

That's a surprise snow storm the last time I visited my dad. 
Spending time with him will be the very best part of my trip. :)

 

Stay safe and warm and don't let the stresses take over.

Let me know what you're up to and I'll try to keep up.

See y'all in about a week.

A Moment in Time

Spurred on by Heidi's post on renovations and roses,

I clipped these from my garden and brought them to work. Why did I not do this every week all spring and summer long? They've been blooming away at the side of the house where we rarely ever see them.

Now I'm reminded to enjoy their glorious moments
and take more time to smell the roses.

Oh no. I'm dreading a Wally B moment. He recounted that here.

A pair of mine are missing. They did not come back from the wash and I've retraced my steps several times, double-checked the washer and dryer at least three times and shook out and cross-examined every item in that same load of laundry thinking they stuck. Nope.

I was blog surfing and somehow came upon this. I don't know who these ladies are but unlike Kate below who was having a rather pretty time fighting the elements, the one in the pale café au lait dress was captured in an unfortunate moment against the wind.

Kate was attending a forum where experts addressed cyber bullying; self-harm; special education needs; raising aspirations, access and achievements; and preventing addiction to build emotional resilience and strength. While the attention is likely on her Marilyn moment, perhaps some greater awareness will come of the worthy discussion to nurture good mental health in children.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to wear the sequin bow pant to work. Can I plead a momentary lapse of good judgment?



Sequin Saunter

This might be a meander. There are 3 things to talk about with this post but I have no clever ways to sew them together.

1. The anniversary of my blog

2. A little giveaway to say thank you

3. A few things to show if you're considering them at 50% off.

First thing, first. I wore full-on sequins to work.

Sorry if I'm offending your good senses, it's a tradition for my blog anniversary I suppose. Factory draped sequin tee. Factory skinny jean in black. Madewell heartdot boyshirt. Clifton booties also worn here.

Next, let's get to the fun stuff.

To celebrate 2 years with you and 100+1 followers (from what I can tell), I'm giving away a $25 J.Crew gift card.

Second prize is a bottle of lavender hydrosol, one of my most favorite things. Described as sweet and happy, a light spritz (OK even if wearing makeup) makes me calmed and refreshed.

Botanical Insights is the sister-in-law of a colleague and she lives by a field of lavender. Sigh. Sounds lovely.

Third prize is a Factory umbrella that I hope you don't mind me limiting to the U.S. and maybe Canada due to possible shipping challenges. I'll find a good substitute if you're an international winner. 

Here's how to enter ... please leave a comment for each of the following by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Nov. 10:

1. If you're a follower

2. If you add me to your blog roll

3. If you tell me why you should have another entry (1 per person).

Be sure to leave your email if I can't contact you through your profile.

I will generate a couple random numbers for the winners and announce with a post on Nov. 12. (I hope I haven't forgotten anything important that makes a mess of this.)

 Third stop: J.Crew's 50% off end-of-season styles.

Toothpick jean in garment-printed floral - thicker denim,

pattern is more subtle IRL. I like them.

Liberty toothpick jean in Matilda tulip floral- fits like the other Liberty printed jeans, the pattern has a tendency to add some width,

which could be why they are still around?

 Ruffled rhinestone top - I'm wearing petite 00 and with the Collection café capri in Ratti regatta print. I like the top with a jacket,

the Classic schoolboy blazer in navy in this case.

A close-up of the bedazzling. IRL the blue "jewels" are more like sapphires, they don't photograph true.

 

I've come to a dead end so I'll say bye for now. :)



Bling Chambray

With my love for chambray shirts and sparkly things,

you know I had to have this -- the boy shirt in beaded chambray.

Good thing I got it during a recent promo since the 00 is now sold out.

 IRL, the shirt is a greyer blue than what's showing on my monitor.

It's nicely faded, thank goodness without the drastic contrast between light and dark I dislike. 100% cotton. Very soft. No pockets.

The shirt would not be particularly remarkable without the bling.

The "hand-applied clusters" are sewn-on rhinestones, see a close-up.

 Some have noticed each cluster looks like an angel

or guardian angel jewelry. What do you think?

I think it's a very good thing to have 20 angels providing protection.

I need all the help I can get.

Wearing with Liberty toothpick jean in June's Meadow floral and Valentina mirror metallic pumps.

 And it's a really, really good thing I did not buy this shirt from a store. Because I would have compared every shirt in my size looking for perfect angels to drive myself insane. (Do not go shopping with me for a stuffed animal if there are 78 of the same teddy bear available.)

Most of the clusters are a bit askew like this.

With a single shirt in hand, I decided they were OK slightly flawed.

Kinda like us humans.

 

P.S. See Gigi's excellent review of the shirt here.



Sucker for Selvedge

Maybe it's because I'm in marketing I fall for the marketing hype.

Anybody remember how just about every fabric J.Crew uses comes from some remote village in the foothills somewhere making whatever specialty lace, jacquard or tweed for hundreds of years?

So while doing due diligence for the ultimate chambray-

denim shirt smackdown, I had to try this one.

Posting to get the correct Polyvore image
because what you save is not always what you get.

A selvedge (Merriam-Webster prefers selvage, which bothers my logic since the word is from self+edge) is the bound edge of woven or flat-knitted fabric finished to prevent raveling. As a former seamstress,

I appreciate its beauty and strength and if a garment makes good use

of it, I'm usually a goner. Here's what got me:

This heirloom-worthy shirt has authentic details inspired by vintage workwear from the 1930s,

and the Japanese selvedge cotton chambray is the best there is (we stonewash ours for

that perfect worn-in look and feel). Casually chic with a longer shirttail hem and

a slightly oversize fit, it's cool and classic at the same time.

Not only is it selvedge chambray, but authentic details ...
vintage workwear from the 1930s and heirloom-worthy?

I was sorely disappointed to find the selvedge used in three places.

A tiny piece stitched in between the front and back shirt tails.
Mine is from HO 11 and I can't spot this detail in the closeups of the current shirt.

To form the hidden button down under the collar.
Hint: don't try to button the collar while wearing the shirt, it will be a struggle.


Along one placket, used improperly IMO since it's a separate piece stitched on
and not even along the entire length of the placket.

Miffed, I fully intended to return the shirt but never got around to it.

So it's with me to this day and guess it's staying.

Wearing it this way to show you the fuller sleeves.
Wearing it with the Liberty toothpick jean in June's Meadow floral,
go to the larger of your pant sizes if you're debating. 



Trying for the casually chic.
Wearing with the cropped matchstick jean in indigo floral,
also recommend the larger of your pant sizes.

Warning: if you're petite and wearing flats,
don't wear it as a tunic untucked, it's not a good look.
Not sure it's a good look even if tucked, it's a little Vera B.

Still trying for the cool, classic, casual chic.
Wearing with the Liberty toothpick jean in Tresco floral, sized as June's Meadow.
I made fun of them when first released but seriously love them now.

One thing about the selvedge chambray shirt,

the fabric is fine and silky, finer and silkier than

any of the other chambray shirts I've tried.

And no distressing, which is a good thing in my book.

 

That's all folks for now. I'm going to publish before Blogger crashes again and makes me redo an hour's worth of stuff. :(