Stylish Thought

It is my belief that when people go on vacation its an escape from “normal” life and often times your “normal” self. On vacation you can become anyone you wish. Want to be to the Countess of Davenport while lounging in Capri, by all means role-play. If you’re not into faking a hideous accent, role-playing can certainly reflect in your style choices. And vacations are the perfect time to test-drive clothes you may not typically wear at home.

Something about warm weather and the beach signals polka dots, flowers in my hair, peddle pushers and kitten heels in my mind. Retro style seems to fit perfectly with the playfulness of summer. Plus, images of Bridgette Bardot, Bettie Page and other knockouts in their high waisted bikinis doesn’t hurt either. Going ”vintage” for the beach  is spirited and casual with a heavy dose of rompers, polka dots, straw boater hats and  high waisted silhouettes perfect for us curvy girls.

A. Betsey Johnson Skirted Bikini/ B. Fables by Barrie Dottie Jumper/ C. Kerin Rose Encrusted Heart Sunglasses/ D. Hayden Harnett Ruffled Bikini/ E. Boater Hat/ F. Esther Williams Zen Garden Bikini

I’ll be exploring different beach/swimwear styles this coming week (my vacation is soon, so I got bikinis on the brain..) so stayed tuned.

Do tell, what’s your summer style?  Are you a vintage lounger? What style do you gravate to when on your vacay?

The world is abuzz with Grey Gardens. The HBO remake of the 1975 documentary “Grey Gardens” about the Beale family, specifically Edith “Big Edie” Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edith “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale is making it’s rounds.  The original is a cult-classic and featured the extravagant and secluded life of the Beales, aunt and cousin of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

I loved the original, specfically Little Edie’s quirky bag lady style (the original before the Olsons) and the frenzied yet loving relationship between Big Edie and Little Edie. It’s all a little tragic, the way they ended up.

The HBO movie with Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange, attempts to delve the before of the Beale’s and how they ended up in the dilapitated Grey Gardens estate. Drew’s performance as Little Edie is spot on; the accent, her appearance, everything was amazing. Jessica Lange was also amazing and it was an amazing remake. But clearly the main star was the costumes.

I love the 1930-1940 styling and the soft waves on the hairstyles. I plan on rewatching with eyes glued for style inspiration.

Have you seen the Grey Gardens remake? Are you loving the costuming and movie as much as I am?

Lately, I’ve been feeling out of it. Just not up to doing anything really; kind of aimlessly working, blogging without completion, not into the spirit of dressing up and vegging out in front of yet another ‘Real Housewives’ marathon. Call off the alarms, I’m not depressed or anything serious. I think I’ve just got a case of the “Mean Reds”.

Unlike Ms. Golightly, going to Tiffany’s doesn’t beat my blues and this sudden case of the “blues” has me wondering what does snap me out of a funk? Everyone has their down days; sometimes weeks, but we all have those little treasures that help rejuvenate us.

Clipping Fashion Magazines: Sitting with a stack of magazines and the “Way We Were” playing is so serene. Maybe it’s the process of going through my old mags and getting inspiration or clipping out things and piecing them together, but creating my fashion scrapbook helps rejuvenate me like no hot bath could.

Rite-Aid’s Makeup Aisle: Perhaps my equivalent to Tiffany’s, wandering aimlessly through the beauty aisle in the drug store lets me focus on nothing but the sensory overload of all the glosses, mascaras and makeup. It’s like being a kid in a candy store and I can’t help but feel elated and slightly overwhelmed because I want it all.

Playing Dress Up: A childhood obsession that I will never outgrow. I close the door and I play for hours, mixing and matching pieces and coming up with outfits that I would have never discovered otherwise. Yes, my boyfriend thinks I’m insane when I fly around the house in 20 different outfits, but so what. Bonus: I turn on my dance mix (Prince, MJ, Rupaul…) and have a cover girl style photoshoot!

Speaking of Music: when I’m feeling listless it’s one of those things that truly restores my spirit. When home alone (the boo would freak if he saw this, plus I don’t want to be judged) I turn on the music channels (LOUD!!!) and dance around the house. It’s so freeing, plus it’s great cardio!

Peace, be still: Sometimes just being still is the best medicine. Taking a deep breath and doing nothing is the greatest luxury. We’re constantly moving, reading emails, answering calls and shutting off the computer, unplugging the phone can feel scary and disconnected. But being disconnected can make you appreciate the connections you have.

Is anyone else feeling the Spring slump? What do you do to get over the “blues”?

I’m a shoe whore and damn proud of it. So when I come across some hot and heavy shoe-gasmic porn I must share it with you. LaRare Paris is one label that will have my undying lust. The site is in French so I could barely make out much (darn my C+ in French class), but the shoes speak for themselves.

These shoes are spectacular. Are they giving you convulsions?

It’s raining men, well at least that’s what I see when there are raindrops. But the Northeast has been experiencing on and off rain for the past week, which signals two things: Spring is officially here and it’s time to break out the wet weather gear.

Wellingtons or “Wellies” have become more stylish as of late, but most come with all cutesy manners of polka dots and girl prints. So today’s Sole Search is for more streamlined, stylish ways to stay dry in this rainy season.

A. Motorcycle boots are au current and what better way to stay on trend while staying dry. Jeffrey Campbell Engineer 2 rain boots mix the best of both worlds; a tough motorcycle boot in the form of a Wellie.
B. Dr. Scholl’s is most known for comfort, but these boots appear to be big on comfort as well as style. In sunshine yellow with gray trim, these have two special treats: a rubber heel for height and laces.
C. Not actually a boot, Shuella’s are more umbrellas for your feet. Made of flexible rubber, they slip over your existing shoes and have velcro straps for security.
D. Printed Wellies are pretty standard, but ones covered with raging tigers, not so standard. Leave it to shoe-maestro Jeffrey Campbell to take the typical boot and amp it up a notch with the Marsha Tiger boot, not to mention the oval shaped toe.
E. Chooka makes an assortment of wellington boots, but the Buffalo Bone stands out with it’s trendy buffalo plaid and full on laces and it’s less than plastic-y surface.

April Showers are certainly here, so staying dry doesn’t have to be a drag. A great trenchcoat and printed umbrella go perfectly with rain boots.

What are your “wet” weather fashion staples? How are you staying dry in April’s Showers?

STYLISH TRIVIA: Wellingtons, also known as gumboots, have been incorporated into a semi-traditional popular music in South Africa. The sound of people dancing in gumboots is often known as “gumboot music” or “gumboot zydeco”.

Probably the best thing about blogging is the interaction with other bloggers, meeting such talented and amazing people and collaborating and working on projects together.

The graphically and style astute Tamia from The Style Sample had the amazing idea of starting a magazine about fashion bloggers (genius right!) and with her great direction and the help and contribution from other great fash bloggers, yours truly included, the April/May issue is here!

Style Sample goes behind the scenes with stylist/writer/blogger Marian. Read up on Adore Vintage and Ashe Mischief’s love of the dramatic with her Etsy Shop, Mischief, My Dear! The Lovely Nina from Femme Rationale is on the cover and the subject of the feature article, written by moi, and Fashion Fille teaches bloggers how to make eye-catching headers. The layout is professional and rivals that of Elle or Harper’s, but the best part is that it’s by Fashion Bloggers,about Fashion Bloggers, for everyone!

Check it out and I can’t wait to work on the next issue.