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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Just a few observations.

There are a few things it is never good to run out of:
Cat Litter
Frozen Pizza
Certain personal products
Toilet Paper
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Soap
Gas
Money(gas is too expensive)
Clean underwear
Time(This one is often a problem for almost everyone.)
Erasers
Computer Memory
Necessary Medications
Energy
Ideas

I'm using these as a general rule. Some folks may never make mistakes, or need meds, or get tired. But I'll bet they are in the minority.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Not Missoni

I have stated in previous blogs or comments that I don't care for Missoni. Unfortunately I am irritated by most zigzags. There are certain patterns that I find unsettling and Missoni is the author of one of them. This zigzag pattern is one that I do like. I think because it isn't straight across and it is broken up by other patterns. So I bought it. I think that is my attempt at trying to do a trend.

I read in a blog that a woman was always dressed in black pants, a flowy top, and great jewelry. I love that idea. I don't think I'll immediately pitch all of my non flowy tops. But I am going to try to work up some outfits using that idea. I am also going to try to match jewelry to my present outfits so I get the most out of both. I decided to hang a sandwich bag on a hanger with the top if it's the only top I wear that jewelry with.

I do a small amount of sewing and hope to increase it soon. On one of the sewing blogs I saw a book mentioned about how to make changes in patterns. I find sewing easy and fitting hard so I have been reluctant to mess with a pattern once I get it to fit. This book is so wonderful in its explanations.
The book is out of print I believe and it was published in the 90's but good ole Amazon.com has it and there are many used copies available. I got one and it is just great. Anyway, there are so many ideas about changing the basic pattern that I also got some ideas about redoing garments that I already have. One of the most obvious is long sleeved tops that have sleeves that are tight or too short. On a sweater I have opened the underarm seam and made a flow sleeve. On a top, long sleeves became 3/4 sleeves. And this book is great too if you have a seamstress or someone who does alterations.

I want to tie into the last post. I have had some really wonderful comments from some of the nicest people ever. Serene says I can be a trend setter. That idea rings a bell with me. Leesa and The wonderful Free Bird have their own take on making my way.  I think that for the first time in my life I actually feel the freedom to take the road less traveled. So the road is going to get mapped out for me by my choices.

I love to see the beautiful young girls and their blogs. I know I am not able to have those looks both because of age/weight and because I so won't spend that sort of cash on fashion. But the feeling of satisfaction they have with their looks is something I have wanted. I have decided that they work hard at their art(fashion). And instead of having jealousy about them I am going to view their art and just enjoy. I am going to enjoy making my way down the road just as much. My thanks to all of the commentors who have helped me get started.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Age appropriate? On trend? Huh?

 Partly because of the blog I am getting a better handle on my own personal style. Part of the style is a Boho vibe. I've always wanted to be a hippie. The freedom displayed by the hippies when I was in my early twenties pulled at me. I know myself well enough that I wouldn't have been able to totally commit to that lifestyle. One of my main needs has always been for safety. Unfortunately I made the mistake of depending on others for safety and they were either unwilling or unable or both. So after my  parents were gone and I was divorced it hit me that I needed to take care of myself and to create a safe place for myself. I haven't ever been good at it. I'm still learning.

One of the problems with taking care of yourself is that sometimes you must find out who you are. I have become someone I don't recognize. I have spent tons of money trying to become on trend, elegant, chic, pretty, or just acceptable. I went on a diet a year ago to become more acceptable to me. I now weigh more than I did then. I have purchased, willy nilly, clothes to make myself feel better only to arrive at the conclusion that they don't fill my needs. Some of them are trendy. At least they are trendy for someone who weighs what I do. But that doesn't help. I find myself going back to the same few outfits in my wardrobe because I know they fit. And many of the other things may fit but I'm afraid to try them on because they might be too tight. I don't know what to do now. Resolutions I make are forgotten. Or ignored. I have been unhappy with my looks all of my life. All of it. I've decided I am not going to be pleased. So I have to come up with another way to deal.

I always have loved color and pattern. Not Missoni. Jerky patterns make me nervous. I am reminded of sharp things. But flowing colors and patterns are very soothing to me. I think I am defining what is "On Trend" for me. With my need for color and flow, the top I am wearing (HSN) is an example of what I'm drawn to. The closest to a spiky fabric I can handle is an Ikat. I've posted one before. Anyway, I love the ethnic looks also. Some seasons they are "IN" and some seasons other things are in. I've been really disappointed in the designer offerings this year. I've found most of the fashions depressing and I'm really glad I don't have to dress that way.

Above you can see me in one of the outfits I have been wearing. In the summer I really don't wear much jewelry, it feels heavy to me. And basically what you are seeing is me in something I can get on my body. And it's boring. I have beautiful jewelry. Much of it came from Avon, like the ring below. But much is one of a kind and handmade. I think I've used the jewelry and handbags as my only form of expression because in a lot of the cases one size fits all. 
The newest thing, on trend, must haves are all expressions being bandied about in the fashion world now. On trend seems to be skinny jeans that are so tight they pull across the legs. Pants that sit so low that they look like they are going to fall off. Crotches at the knee. Cut off jeans and high high heels. See thru clothes with mismatched bras. Bulky scarves with flip flops(saw that one yesterday). There are bags big enough for everything one could ever need. There are shoes that are much larger than the foot wearing them. There are 2 part outfits, (dressy on top and relaxed on the bottom). I saw on MSN Glo a picture of a girl who had 4 different patterns on, and they were wrinkled. (I used to think that meant the give away bin at the thrift store.) There are models who make heroin chic of 15 years ago look fat. There doesn't seem to be a dress on the red carpet that isn't cut down to there, or up to here, or both. So it's difficult to know what to do. Young women don't get dressed. They style themselves. Make-up is either non-existent or it is totally wild. There are bracelets on both arms from wrist to elbow. I saw a fashion pic in which the model wore 4 watches. Some of the designs out there would look great on a slender person in their 50's or 60's. But I am stumped when it comes to finding clothing for myself at 66 and very overweight.

I realize that many of the things I have mentioned are marketing ploys. But I am as gullible as the next person when it comes to that. I want someone to turn around and look again and say to themselves, "She looks good." And I do recognize that because of my age, things that look good to the very young aren't pleasing to me. Some of the styles popular now would have been worn by women in the exotic trades when I was a young married. And I promise that mini dresses have been in and out several times. However, I don't remember when showing the underpants was OK. I guess that now I think fashion is an anything goes business. I don't envy the designers. It must be hard to stand out when there is no really specific trend that everyone wants. But I also think it is difficult for any regular woman to stand out. Many use pics of "fashion inspirations" and that may be one way to go about being fashionable. I dare anyone to find a truly fashionable woman of my age, my weight, and my lack of income that I can use as a fashion inspiration. In the meantime, I am glad I like change because the seasons are changing here and the problems will come up again with my winter wardrobel


That's all for now. I am not sure whether I am bitching or just jabbering. I suppose you'll have to decide.