Plastic Bags and Magazines

Okay, maybe not actual Birkenstocks (are you kidding me?  At my age, I’m a sucker for comfort, but my sense of style hasn’t completely evaporated into the ether), but a bit of a cooler, Spanish-made Birk-like sandal.

The weather has been particularly crap volatile over the last several weeks and I’ve been wanting to wear open-toes, but I’m a little terrified of freaking frostbite afraid.  Some of you have forged ahead in this endeavor, getting the first or fourth pedicures of spring and rocking some serious nail art on the toes.

Me? Not so much.

First of all, my “winter-protected” toenails have probably developed into what some might call talons.  Side note: yes I am the recipient of and can do without the extra foreign-language commentary when it comes to the state of my post-winter feet.  A PedEgg only goes so far…

I’m struggling to muster the courage to fully embrace the sandal with the knowledge that there’s a next-day frost advisory.  That means permanently storing any footwear with fur and sock liners at the rear of my closet.  Also, I’ve had enough of walking around looking like a Greco-Roman warrior in damn gladiators (see: talons).   It’s officially the latter half of May, and weather be damned - it’s time to literally and figuratively jump in the pool, so here’s your Russell Crowe-free-heavy-on-the-cork-and-wedge sandal round-up.

*Note: Apologies for the slider not working earlier!

Baz Luhrmann’s Gatsby has generated much hype as of late with Leonardo DiCaprio starring as the revered Jay Gatz, aka Gatsby.  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great American Tale of Excess was one of my favorites as a teenager, so I’m actually reluctant to see the movie. (Don’t you hate it when a movie ruins a good book?)  However, I’m loving the influx of Jazz Age attire on the scene - give me sequins, diamonds, gold, and architectural elements all day, every day. 

This is just in time for the Jazz Age-themed wedding I’ll be attending next month.  Check out some of the glitzy swag and go all Daisy Buchanan on them.

In the 20s, more was more, so don’t be afraid to glam it up.  Black with gold and silver accents are the obvious choices, but don’t forget about structural fringes and patterns in muted colors like sand, brown, and white.  You can keep it from veering into I-just-fell-into-the-costume-closet-at-the-community-theatre land by keeping a few elements of your attire basic.  Save the fascinators for themed parties.  Opt for the fringed dress, glitzy jewelry and tone down the look with simple shoes.  This style is definitely over the top and fun, but can easily get cartoonish.

Now grab a couple of friends for cocktails and live it up.  What do ya say, old sport?

So I finally decided to jump on the Warby Parker bandwagon and try their glasses.  I absolutely adore my Prada Baroque glasses and I should have gotten them with Transitions lenses, but I didn’t.  I normally wear my contacts with cheap sunnies, but Warby Parker makes it easy for you to get a pair of funky yet affordable prescription sunglasses and do good simultaneously.  For every pair of glasses purchased, a pair goes to a person in need, much like the TOMS model.  Except the likelihood of finding me in a pair of TOMS is about…oh….zilch.  I’d much rather wear a standard espadrille with ankle straps.

I finally got my shipment today and it was like Christmas - four pairs of sunnies (can’t we all just agree that sunglasses just instantly raise your coolness factor exponentially?) and one pair of super-chic secretary glasses, all in a super hip box. Considering I’m doing the hair-up/mod thing today, the whole look was spot on.

As far as sunnies go, the “Mabel” is my favorite and will be my purchase.  For $150 for polarized prescription lenses, you can’t really go wrong and I’m almost tempted to get another pair.  If I have some FSA cash left over by year’s end, you know what it will be going towards….

Check me out…



Photo credit: verypurpleperson http://www.flickr.com/photos/verypurpleperson/7730190894/ under CreativeCommons 2.0 Attribution License

I was having a conversation with a friend today about maxi dresses, prompted by the latest #girlwithcurves post here: http://girlwithcurves.com/post/49498557696/maximum

She asked: Chrystal, on girl w/curves website she talks about having a maxi dress as one of those classic staples (paraphrasing).  I would think that, unless you have a flat stomach and butt, that a maxi dress would just HIGHLIGHT all those areas you want to hide.  I like maxi dresses but for the curvier woman it doesn’t seem like a smart move.

True or False?

The answer is definitely, false.  Dresses are wonderful things for female figures.  We all want to cover up and hide what’s not flattering to us, and what better way to do it other than a swath of graceful fabric?  The point is to make sure you have the right fabric and the right fit.

There are a number of different kinds of maxi dresses, and what looks good on you will depend on the fabric and cut.  Heavier jersey fabric will drape well and skim over your curves without clinging to any one place, and lighter ephemeral fabrics will float and billow for smaller figures.

For pear shapes (smaller on top and bigger through the midsection and bottom) the empire waist style works well.  A dress that hits high at the bust and skims over the rest of your body without hugging you in the midsection will be very flattering.  Detail up top will draw the eye upward.

For apple shapes (bigger on top and smaller on bottom) you want a style that gives the illusion of larger hips.  Looking good in your clothes is all about proportion, so embrace prints that fill you out on the bottom and details like v-necks up top.   Peasant dresses that have deep scooping necklines, come in at the waist and have ballgown-type bottoms will also flatter.

Straight up and down?  Tank dresses like the one above will work for you, but for a bombshell look, go for embellishments on top AND bottom - ruffles, layers, and the like.

Curvy on top and bottom?  Lucky girl!  Avoid spaghetti strap dresses if you’re plus sized or don’t want to draw attention to your arms,  but you can get away with most styles.  

Petite?  Stick with simple styles.  You don’t want to drown yourself 

Choose dresses with cap sleeves or longer if you are self conscious about your arms.

Keep in mind that a chevron print ( stripes in a V pattern) draw the eye inward and are quite slimming and viva la summer! Long live the maxi-dress!

Passport cardigan, $76 / James Perse long white shirt / Falke pantyhose, $15 / Mary Katrantzou knee length pencil skirt / J.Crew small heels / J.Crew colorblock handbag / Bibaskinny waist belt, $52

I’m often complimented on my outfits at work.  People think that I spend countless numbers of hours getting ready in the morning.  If they knew about my abject laziness, they’d have a fit.  Here’s an ode to your snooze button - how to always look put-together, even if you only spend 25 minutes in the morning getting ready (like me.)

1. Avoid Sartorial Paralysis.  You know exactly what it is.  Standing in front of your closet for 10 minutes with a pained expression on your mug as you contemplate what to wear.   Do it the night before.  If you’re a real boss, plan a week’s worth of outfits.  I’m fickle, so I can only handle one day at a time. This single act shaves 10 minutes off your morning.  Put everything you need out - underwear, shoes, belt, all of it.  
2. No iron? No problem.   I stopped weekend ironing when I was about 14 - I used to iron all the family’s clothes on the weekend to help my working mom.  I have been scarred for life as that meant three giant baskets of ironing a week.  Take advantage of no-iron dress shirts and pants for work.   
3. Have a uniform.  My uniform changes from time to time, but it’s basically, dress/sweater/tights/boots.  Lately it’s cardi/tee/skirt/flats. 
4. Embrace the dress.  It’s a top and a bottom already picked out for you.  I am not a fan of wearing pants, so I’m all over this.  
5. Have a steady supply of black tights.  I swear this will never fail you.
6. Invest in multiples of easy layering essentials.  I have about 5 cardigans that get recycled time and time again.  
7. Have at least three tee-shirts:  A white tee, a black tee, and a striped tee.  They go with everything, are easy to pack, and will move you out of Sartorial Paralysis very quickly.  
8. Have at least one well-fitting button down white shirt.  I really slacked on this one for years and let me tell you, it is a gamechanger.  Definitely go for a no-iron.  I paid $40 for mine, but if that’s a bit too steep, go to the thrift store, get a men’s shirt, and have it tailored.  I scored a Christian Dior button down for $6 from Salvation Army.  
9. Carry a bad-ass bag.  Instead of schlepping all of your crap in a reusable grocery sack and carrying a purse and a lunch bag, streamline it all and carry one large gorgeous bag.  
   Mine is a version of the this Badgley Mischka bi-color studded bag.  Mine is vertical, rather than horizontal and makes all the difference.  I fit my tablet, my homemade breakfast and lunch, my tea flask, plus all of my everyday essentials in it.   It matches everything and has great pockets on the top for my ChicagoCard and phone.  Invest in a good leather bag if you can, or something equally as durable because this bag is gonna take a beating (I smashed a ripe avocado in mine the first day I had it….) 
10. Invest in a variety of good accessories.  A tee-shirt and a skirt can go from pedestrian to slammin’ with the addition of a skinny belt and a chunky necklace.  I’m big on scarves - thick ones for the 9 months of hell that is Chicago winter, and silky ones for style.  Scarf-perplexed?  I get them everywhere - from museum gift shops to the thrift store dollar bin.