Fashion

Posted by Colleen     February 10, 2009

Carolyn’s Kitchen Giveaway

I love Carolyn’s Kitchen Retro Aprons. So cute! I’ve coveted one for a long time. Want a chance to win one of your very own? Head over to Comfort Joy Designs and enter win.

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Posted by Colleen     October 11, 2008

Girl Talk: Shopping Trip

My husband Dave gave me the best gift EVER a few days ago. He sent me out for a night of shopping ALL ALONE, and he even gave me some money to spend GUILT FREE! In fact, he told me I had to spend it all on myself. I absolutely was not to use it for anything else.

It was fantastic to actually be able to take the time to try things on, and with out a three-year-old whining in the corner of the dressing room about going home. And then to make a purchase, and not think, “I should be saving this for something else.” Oh the FREEDOM!

It really wasn’t an enormous amount of money. I’m sure many people wear shoes that cost more than what I had to spend. But it was a lot to me. Way more than I would ever think to go out and blow on myself. Because it is our money, and I try to spend it responsibly. And, well, because I like to be able to eat and heat our house and other frivolous things like that.

But Dave insisted, and I did even protest a little bit. In the end I decided this was one time I ought to just shut up and do what I was told.

I was determined to stretch my little windfall as far as I could, so I studied all the sales fliers in the Sunday paper. I even managed to find a couple coupons on line to use at some of my favorite stores. I had a list of specific items I wanted. Mostly things I decided I couldn’t live with out after watching What Not to Wear.

On the top of my list was a pair of wide leg trouser jeans. Just the thing, according to Clinton and Stacy, to slim my chubby thighs. I must have tried on 25 different styles at five different stores. I have a few things to say to denim designers.

1. Wider hips don’t equal longer legs. Why does the length increase by, like, half a foot when the waist increases by one size?

2. Most of us do not need sequins and fancy swirls and flowers emblazoned on the back pockets thus drawing even more attention to the span of our rear ends.

3. Can’t you all get together and agree on a standard sizing chart, so that I don’t go into one store and try on a certain size to find that it’s too big, then go in another store only to find that I can’t even get that same size past my knees?!

O.K. I feel better now.

Anyhow, I did finally find a pair of wide-leg trouser jeans that fit like a dream. And they do take off at least 10 pounds. Everyone — short, tall, fat, thin — needs a pair of these. Well, maybe not thin, because if you’re thin you should be wearing those skinny jeans. You’re the only ones who can wear those skinny jeans. If you don’t wear them who will?

So, as I was saying, these wide-leg trouser jeans create a slimming, straight line from hip to toe, and if you wear them with a nice pointy heel, you look like you have legs that go on for miles. And you can dress them up or down. These things are right up there with the skirted tankini as far as fashion advances for woman kind.

I love my trouser jeans. I don’t want to take them off. I wore them three days in a row. But I decided I should take a day off from fabulousness, and wash them before they get up and walk by themselves.

I also picked up a pair of shoes and a few tops, a jacket and even a foundation garment or two. And with my coupons I managed to add an extra $32 to my little wad of cash. It was a shopping success all around.

I had so much fun, and it was nice to have some time away. So thanks Honey for the treat!

Now I’ve got to go get those jeans in the wash, so I can wear them on Monday. I have to hang them up to dry. I mean, you just don’t put risk putting pants that fit that well in the dryer.

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Posted by Colleen     September 30, 2008

The June Cleaver Experiment: Day Two

O.K., so you all think I’m crazy for doing this. Well, I am just little bit off if you must know the truth.

I am committed to seeing this thing through.

Look, I have to entertain myself somehow.

This morning I woke up well-rested with a better attitude. I didn’t have anywhere to go, so it was motivating to have to get dressed and put on make-up. I often do my AM housework in my PJs, and then get showered and dressed.

After sitting on the couch sipping coffee for awhile.

But it didn’t feel right to lounge around when I was all ready to go. I threw myself into it early, and actually got a lot done.

I did find a more comfortable pair of pumps in my closet to wear, so my feet didn’t really hurt. I had a skirt on and it wasn’t a problem to do housework in it. I even managed to get the clasp on the pearl necklace closed today.

There were a few times that the outfit was impractical. This morning when I let the dogs out one decided to wonder back into the field behind our house. He didn’t come when I called, and I had to go out and get him. The grass was wet and the ground soft. Heels really weren’t the right attire for my little hike. I should have put on some galoshes probably, but I was afraid the dog would be all the way out into the woods if waited to change my shoes.

Today was also trash day, and I pushed the garbage can up to the curb in my heels and in the rain. I imagine June never had to deal with the trash. I’m sure Ward or the Beav did that for her.

When the rain stopped for a few minutes I took my son David out to play. One of my mantras — you’ve heard this before if you’ve been reading a while — Dogs and small boys must be exercised outside daily. I had to give in at that point, and kicked off the heels in exchange for some flip-flops. I put them back on though as soon as we got inside.

On the upside, someone came to the door today looking for the neighbor’s house, and for once I didn’t have to wonder how disheveled and deranged I looked.

Because I just looked plain nuts wearing pearls and heels at home by myself in the afternoon!

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Posted by Colleen     September 29, 2008

The June Cleaver Experiment: Day One

I was so tired when I got up this morning. I didn’t sleep well. That last thing I wanted to do was put on a dress and heels. To make matters worse it meant that I had to shave my legs at 6 a.m. since I was going out to women’s Bible study at my church this morning.

But I did it.

I modernized June’s uniform a bit. I wore a jean jacket over my dress to make the outfit a little more casual, and because it was chilly today. I also exchanged the pumps for sandals with a heel. And I didn’t wear the pearls today, because I couldn’t get the clasp fastened by myself. I wore a different necklace that was easier to fasten.

They didn’t say anything, but I’m pretty sure the ladies at church thought I’d lost my mind when I arrived all gussied up. Most of us have young kids, and we’re lucky to get out of the house with our hair combed a lot of mornings.

The outfit wasn’t much of a problem until David threw up in the nursery during the study. He got it all over his clothes. Luckily I did have extra with us, still in his back-pack from potty training days. I had to figure out how to carry him to the bathroom with out getting it all over my dress. I got him changed and cleaned up, then we left. Since he didn’t feel good I carried him to the car. He weighs 40 pounds, and the church is a big building. It was a long, long walk in heels from the bathroom to the parking lot.

David was feeling better by the time we got home, and even ate lunch. Then I washed dishes. My feet hurt after standing at the sink in heels.

I had other housework to do, but already tired, my attire just didn’t motivate me to start cleaning.

I still wasn’t sure if David was really sick or not, so I made him lay down and take a nap. Then I sat down on the couch and fell asleep too. I have a feeling perfect June Cleaver did not nap in the afternoon.

I woke up when my husband came home from work. Dave suggested going out for dinner, and I was all for it since it meant not standing at the stove in heels.

It was pouring down rain when we went out. I was more than a little cold, and really wished I was wearing jeans and sneakers.

We went by Walmart after we ate. That just meant more walking in heels.

So far it was inconvenient and uncomfortable to dress like June all day. And I was a lot less productive. I have to get the housework done tomorrow, so we’ll see how that goes.

I may be soaking my feet in Epsom Salts.

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Posted by Colleen     September 16, 2008

The June Cleaver Experiment

June Cleaver was always dressed to the nines. Even vacuuming and dusting in pearls and high heels.

Can you imagine?

Well, I can’t. So I’m giving it a try.

I’m spending every day for a week going about my normal modern life, but doing it in a dress and June’s accessories.

Come by Monday evening Sept. 29th for the first daily update on my little experiment.

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Posted by Colleen     August 20, 2008

Girl Talk: Does Your UPS Man Know what You Look Like without Your Make-up On?

I didn’t get Girl Talk posted last Thursday, because my parents were coming to visit, and I was knee deep in housework. Housework takes three times as long when you have a three-year-old boy going behind you un-doing everything you just picked up and straightened. Oy!

This week I’ve been hunkered down at home working on some other projects, and taking care of a sick husband.

So I haven’t gone out much the last few days except for a couple quick trips to the store to replenish the milk supply. Speaking of milk, did you ever think you’d see the day that a gallon of milk and a gallon of gas were roughly the same price? Are the milking machines running on Premium now or what?

When I’m just at home and have no plans to go out, I have to admit I don’t exactly take the time get gussied up. Don’t worry. I do shower regularly, and change my underwear. But I let my hair just air dry, and the most make-up that goes on is a pre-emptive layer of Oil of Olay. That always comes back to bite me when I do end having to run out of the house unexpectedly, or answer the door for the UPS man.

Anyhoo…

What I am taking the long way around to get to is this.

What’s the minimum amount of primping you’ll leave the house with? I have a few rules.

1. My hair must be combed and mostly laying right.

2. My clothes must be presentable. No ill-fitting or stained clothes, and absolutely no pajama pants. I can not stand it when I see people out shopping in their pjs, and yes, even their fuzzy slippers! Don’t they at least own some sweats and pair of flip-flops? Really!

3. Mascara. I can go out with out lipstick, eyeshadow, even foundation, but I just feel naked with out my Great Lash.

So how about you? What are your minimum requirements for leaving the confines of your house?

Talk to me Girls.

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Posted by Colleen     July 17, 2008

Girl Talk: The Evils of Bathing Suits and Win Some Swag

After a chilly spring and a cool early summer, the heat has finally kicked into high gear around here. It’s been 90 degrees and humid for days now. That’s pretty hot for us Yankees up in Michigan.

That means I’ve been spending a lot of time in the pool with my son, and a lot of time in my bathing suit.

Bathing. Suit. Season.

Three words that strike fear into the heart of many a woman be they short, tall, fat, thin, pear or twig shaped.

Oh, the horrors of searching for that perfect swimsuit.

It’s torture to try on suit after suit in a tiny little dressing room all the while scrutinizing yourself in one those evil three-way mirrors under fluorescent lights that create cellulite you don’t even have. You’ve got to find the right color, the right support, the right coverage.

For a few year now I’ve coveted one of those mix & match tankinis from Lands’ End. With so many different styles of tops and bottoms to choose from and a big range of sizes, they’ve got something for just about anyone. In fact, you can choose the customize option and even get a top in your exact bra size, with or with out under wire.

Alas, I can not justify spending over a hundred dollars on something that I’m just going to hang around my backyard in. But I also don’t want to scare the neighbors, and we do make a few trips to Lake Michigan each year.

In August.

When it finally thaws.

Oh, if you have not had the pleasure of swimming in one of our country’s beautiful Great Lakes, baby, you don’t know what cold is!

If it were up to me, I’d wear this to the beach.

I personally think the Victorians had it goin’ on when it came to swimwear. Modest, full-coverage, nothing to keep tugging back into place. It is the mystery of what is not reveled…

Unfortunately it’s the 21st century now.

I never was comfortable in a skimpy swimsuit. There were a few years back in my younger days I could have rocked a bikini, but most of the time I stuck to the one piece. And then along came the tankini. If that’s not one of the best advances in women’s fashion in recent history, I don’t know what is.

But since hitting, and passing, 30 and carrying a child for nine months my hang ups about exposing my figure to the world in a swimsuit have exponentially increased.

Well, I unexpectedly hit the swimsuit jackpot this season at, of all places, WalMart.

O.K. First of all, I know it’s a “mom” bathing suit, but I’m a mom. Get over it. I don’t wear mom jeans, so just let me have this.

I love this suit, which I think is technically called a swim dress. It’s so flattering, if I do say so myself, that I actually get excited about putting it on. I considered taking a picture of me modeling it, but decided that no matter how good it looks, a photo of me in a swimming suit just does not need to be out there on the World Wide Web.

The V-neck accentuates one of my better physical attributes while the a-line cut and princess waist causes it to fall away from the rest of my body, smoothing and slimming everything. The length is just right to hide my thighs, my biggest hang-up of all. In fact, it fits so well, I wish it were a real dress. I’d wear out everywhere.

I also happen to like the sassy little animal print. Not sure what it is. Giraffe, maybe? I don’t think that animal actually exists anywhere on earth, but it’s cute. And it’s brown, the new black, don’t you know?

Lake Michigan, here I come!

Just as soon as the glacier melts.

Talk back to me! Gotta swim suit story? Leave a comment and share.

Girls Just Wanna Win Swag

Girls Just Wanna Win Swag is a new weekly giveaway I’m starting next week in conjunction with Girl Talk. Each week I’m going to feature a different woman-owned small business that offers products for the “girl” in you. You’ll have the chance to win some swag from the featured company.

I’m really excited to help promote women in small business, and introduce you to some wonderful companies and products you may not know about. I’ve got several weeks of great giveaways lined up already. You don’t want to miss it. So come back next week for our usual chit-chat, and some great swag.

Have a women-owned business you’d like featured in a Swag givewaway? Fill out the contact form in my sidebar and let me know.

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