NEW Challenge - Navy Lace Skirt

This has got to be one of the prettiest skirts I've ever owned. A deep, deep navy (it often looks black in pictures), a non-shiny and non-itchy lace, and a really flattering cut. It makes me very happy indeed, particularly because it pairs SO WELL with my beloved Talbot's navy and white lady jacket. With the purchase of this skirt, I feel I have the perfect ensemble for an important meeting, interviewing job candidates, etc. The jacket also looks nice with navy pants, but the skirt really dresses it up.

Furry head lower right.

Underneath I wore my gray t-shirt with the silver bugle beads, which is a little unexpected and more comfortable than a blouse or dressy tee. I wore swingy rhinestone earrings. Here are some closeups.

Tulips? Maybe?

But the BEST part of the day was receiving a glorious souvenir of my boss' trip to the Mediterranean. She brought me a gorgeous silk scarf from Spain. 

It is made of two panels of silk, hand-stitched together with thousands of running stitches. These threads run off to the ends to make a self fringe. I've seen this kind of stitching called kantha, and it is used on textiles of all kinds. Wikipedia says it is done in Bengal. One side of the scarf has dancing ladies and paisleys, and the other side has blocks and tiny dingbats.

Hello! Orange!

 

NEW Challenge - Green Eyelet Skirt

It isn't brand new, as I bought it on eBay, but it is new to me. I became convinced I needed a green eyelet skirt after I saw the dreamy Talbot's pencil skirt version (bright avocado!), as well as the kiwi J. Crew eyelet skirt for 2012. The Talbot's skirt sold out at full price, and the J. Crew version is long gone in my size. I went a'lookin' (suddenly I am one of the Country Bears) on eBay and found this skirt, which was cute and cheap and lined in white cotton.

I can't remember the brand - none I recognized - but it's way cute, yes? Cheap and cheerful, as they say. The scarf is from Ann Taylor Loft and the white sweater is J. Jill.

If it were a pencil skirt, then I could tuck in a button-front white or chambray shirt, which was my original desire, but this assortment is just fine. When it gets a bit cooler, I can wear a denim jacket and boots with it. today I wore silver flats that conceal my unpainted toes. Gotta give them a breather once in a while!

Pencil skirts nag my conscience a bit, because, seriously, NOTHING is easier to sew. No pleats, no gathers, no tailoring details other than a back pleat, a basic zipper, not even a set-in waistband if you find the right pattern (and believe me, I always do). They require very little yardage, and cotton eyelet is really cheap (and easy to sew). Finding the right shade of green would be a minor challenge, and, oh, taking my sewing machine out of my storage unit and into the shop for a tuneup.  

NEW Challenge - A Necklace Story!

An outfit develops from unexpected starting points. 

"I want to wear the pretty red bra." 

Um, OK then, you'd better wear a red top if you don't want to look low-rent. 

"And I have to wear pants because I need new razor cartridges." 

Fine, you haven't worn those beige linen pants in a while.

"But I promised to wear my new things one by one and nothing so far is new!"

Oh for Heaven's sake, wear the Talbot's necklace, that will look snappy with the red top.

Makes pleasant clicking noises and weighs nothing.

"Did you know there is a matching bracelet on sale at the store?"

Shut up and go to work.

 

NEW Challenge - Pink and Pleated

Sometimes I buy things solely because they feel so good. Tiny pleats are one of those features; so swishy and body-skimming. Fancy without being formal. I tried this silky top on at the Talbot's store and nearly paid full price for it, it felt so good. But I held firm, and now it is 50% off online (in pink, black and white), and was part of the box o' pink that recently arrived at my door. I also bought a pair of ankle zip pants at Talbot's this weekend in a similar shade.

Clearly, a good "feel" doesn't always translate into a good picture. This was the best of five! It has a pretty split neckline that you can't really see in this overlit picture.

Cool enough to wear pants!

But I got lots of compliments at work, so that's all right.

Battle of the Bands - July 6

We're having our third annual Battle of the Bands tonight at the library, so I wore my Rock and Roll Hall of Fame t-shirt and a Talbot's floral skirt. Nothin' new here, move along.

I grew up in the Cleveland/Akron area, and every time I go back I devote a day to this amazing-in-every-way museum.

NEW Challenge - Kohl's Red Top

I have clever thoughts in the middle of the night, but I don't write them down, and this is the result (the post, not the outfit). Fire bad, tree pretty.

 

Kohl's cherful red and purple Dana Buchman top, Athleta purple skirt, Miz Mooz red pumps.

My mild brain fog is likely the result of walking in the 4th of July parade when it was over 100 degrees. We all got a touch of heat stroke. I'm just very grateful I didn't have to wear any sort of costume.

NEW Challenge - Ivory Swing Jacket

As I've said, I struggled with an ivory jacket that I bought last year. I thought it was a little big, I thought I should have bought it in another color, but it was final sale so I felt stuck with it. When I looked at it again yesterday, the solution came to me: neutrals. I'd pair this elegant fabric with tones of brown and ivory, head to toe. So I wore my leopard chiffon tee, brown silk pants and brown sandals.

The tee looks like a scarf, doesn't it? It has a drapey neckline. The jacket really needs to be taken in a bit on the sides; there is a bit of gather on the back waist, but not enough to truly tip in the jacket.  It is made of cotton, but I suspect mercerized cotton, because it has a slight sheen.

The details on this jacket are amazing. Covered buttons of course, but also covered buttonholes.

And check out the angled buttonhole on the bracelet sleeves. Swoon. 

The body of the jacket is lined with cotton, so it is fully breathable, but the sleeves are lined with acetate, so you can slip it on easily.

I asked my mother about her clothing tastes, or fabrics in general, and I must quote her response in full:

"I remember ordering my sheets from Macy's, NYC. As for clothes. They were a minor concern. You took the most expensive skirt I ever bought, saying it was too young for me.  You were right. But at least I didn't get liposuction to maintain illusions."

I know, she should be blogging. The truth is, getting sheets from Macy's was a BIG DEAL if you lived in Akron in the sixties. And apparently I was a mean and ungrateful teenager as well. But I remember that skirt, I stole it because it felt so good on me. It was the first skirt I'd ever seen that was lined, and that was the beginning of my affection for "good" clothes. Interestingly, this led to me dressing older than I was for many years. Imagine that ivory jacket on a 30 year old. I kind of regret that now, but I also understand why I did it.

I'm going home to have a bowl of strawberries and a piece of cake for dinner. Tomorrow I "march" (probably more like slouching in this heat) in the 4th of July parade with my library pals.

Have a great holiday!