I have no idea how much fashion I’m going to discuss this week because I’m scheduled to fly to Orlando at 8:00 a.m. and have a list of all kinds of things I need to do between now and then.
1. Think about packing.
2. Do laundry so I can pack.
3. Decide what to pack.
4. Eat Mexican food since I’m going to be out of Texas for 48 hours.
5. Watch The Office.
6. Go to bed at a decent hour.
7. Lay awake and obsess over things I might possibly forget or that the alarm won’t go off.
8. Wake up exhausted and head to the airport at an obscene hour.
9. Get Starbucks.
10. Purchase some sort of periodical to read on the airplane.
It’s a lot for one girl to accomplish.
On an entirely different, but packing related note, I so appreciated the zeal so many of you felt regarding the Liz Claiborne bag at TJ Maxx. I was tempted to go back, but decided that I didn’t care enough to make the trip. Thus, TJ Maxx lost upwards of $15.00 that was theirs for the taking. And I’m also holding onto that cute vest for another week or two in the hopes that Caroline might change her mind. Although since she is so much like her daddy, I’d say it doesn’t look good for the vest. Which I guess makes me the loser in this scenario. Actually our Christmas card is the real loser because it would have been so CUTE.
Now for some questions.
1. Stacy asks: “What about bright colors? Near the end of the summer I picked up two beautiful dresses in bright colors. Both are kind of a jersey material. I love them and want to keep wearing them on dates with the husband or whatnot. Your thoughts?
I am a fan of bright colors. Not that anyone would know that based on the seventy-two black shirts I have hanging in my closet.
I believe it’s totally acceptable to wear bright colors into fall and winter. It’s more about the dress style. A hot pink linen sundress? No. Just no.
But a lightweight sweater in a bright color or a corduroy skirt in a fun shade? Yes. Totally yes.
2. Shelly asks: “I bought this denim jacket at Old Navy and I’m trying to figure out what I can pair it with. Will I be ostracized from the fashion community if I wear it with dark jeans?
Yes, you will be ostracized.
I’m just kidding. A little. Last time I checked there was no island of fashion where well-dressed members could inform you the tribe had spoken and you were voted off. Which is good because I could have totally been voted off yesterday when I was running all over town wearing faded cargo shorts with a hot pink t-shirt that is no longer hot pink. It was a sad display.
A denim jacket with denim jeans is a look that can go so wrong. I feel your pain because I adore nothing more than a good denim jacket (I’ve loved them since my very first Liz Claiborne version that got stolen out of my locker) and wish I could wear one with everything, but it’s a look that’s best paired with something other than jeans.
Try wearing it with a pair of cords or a skirt.
It’s also can be a great piece to help you transition your wardrobe into cooler weather. Layer it over a summer dress, add a fun scarf, and you’ve got the perfect fall outfit.
Or it would be darling with a tweed or velvet skirt paired with tights and boots.
3. Jenny asks: “If I were to buy two pairs of shoes for fall, what direction should I head in? I’m a mom of small kids, and don’t have much occasion to dress up, so we’re talking jeans most of the time. Not to mention, I’m pregnant and I’d rather invest money in shoes I can wear after this baby, not maternity clothes that I’ll just give away.”
You are a wise woman.
I remember that I couldn’t believe how many people offered me their old maternity clothes the minute I found out I was pregnant with Caroline. Everyone was so generous and giving. Of course now I realize that they just wanted to get those dang things OUT of their closet. Nothing is sadder than looking at a pair of black pants with an elastic panel that is totally shot because they were the only thing that fit during the last six weeks of your pregnancy.
My point is that shoes are an excellent choice. Just remember that your feet may grow during pregnancy. It’s just one of the many glamorous benefits. See also: hair falling out and crying for absolutely no reason.
If I were to buy two pairs of shoes for the fall this year, I would purchase a good pair of sneakers and a comfortable pair of boots. Of course if you’re not a sneaker kind of girl, you could always go for some sort of loafer.
Part of me wants to suggest a clog but given the fact that your center of gravity shifts during pregnancy, it’s just asking to fall over. Also, I can’t get behind the ballet flat. I know they’re in style, but they just take me back to a bad place that I like to call 1984.
That’s all the time we have today. Actually you may have more time, but I don’t. It’s not like The Office is going to watch itself.
Y’all have a great Friday.
I thought the Office was great! I am so glad it is back. Have a safe trip and a nice weekend. Hope you got your Starbucks this morning!
Have a wonderful trip! I miss the updates on weekends, but do understand you need a break. Do you really? Couldn’t you write every day?
I couldn’t watch the Office because it was high school football Thursday (THURSDAY?? REALLY???) so I’ll be watching tonight..
Have fun on your trip!
I didn’t get to watch The Office last night…had dessert night over at a friend’s instead. Am hoping that Dwight said or did something delightfully inappropriate, but who am I kidding? Of course he did!
And Starbucks is a must!
Even though you would never know it based on my wardrobe selections, I do so love Fashion Fridays and hope some day to brave enough to actually wear something fashionable. (Right now I am modeling Ree and her yoga pants). Have a FANTASTIC time at Deeper Still (as if that needs saying:o))I pray you have a safe flight and enjoy the time with Jesus!
Thank you for not liking ballet flats… I can’t go there either.
~C
To the preggers cutie looking for shoes: Make sure your sneakers are slip-ons! Rocket Dogs are an awesome choice. And also, I LIVED in ballet flats when I was pregnant. Paired with some arch-support inserts, they are invaluable, especially if you can find some with a fun flower on the toe or in a shiny color. They just made me feel young, cool and cute.
And for those of us, who happen to be pregnant right now, would you consider doing some fashion tips for expectant mothers? This is my first — I don’t know how to look “cute” while being pregnant AND still working … what do I need? What do I buy? I haven’t had any offers yet of free, cute maternity clothes, so it looks like I’ll be heading to the stores in the near future. Help, Big Mama – what do I wear????
For the pregnancy and shoes question, may I make a suggestion? I couldn’t tie my own shoes after 5 months – bellies containing another person’s body don’t bend well. I always (4 times pregnant) ended up wearing tennis shoes that only had straps or could be slipped on, cute flats and sandals. If I wore tennis shoes that needed to be tied, I had to resort to asking my husband to tie my shoes like I was 4 years old or something.
Oh the denim jacket with denim jeans! also known as the “Canadian Tuxedo”, sorry to all the Canadians out there. Have been so out of it these days I wasn’t even aware that The Office was on last night. The DVR better not have let me down! The whole fam has a wicked cold. Have fun in Orlando.
Oh but Ballet Flats are SO cute with leggings… yes I jumped on that bandwagon. We have Loehmans here, and they have some adorable ones on sale there. Black velvet ones and some cute peachy ones
LOVE that Jean Jackets are back in, I have 2
I totally agree with what you said about denim on denim. As I was reading that paragraph, I kept picturing that awful travesty that was Brittany Spears and Justin Timberlake wearing their matching denim outfits back in 2001: http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/2008/11/madonna-britney-justin-what-wi.html.
Enough said.
Hi there, I love a good clog! I’ve seen you suggest Hanna Anderson a few times but I wanted to introduce you to DANSKO’s! My husband sells them at The Walking Company and I LOVE LOVE my leopard patient leather ones! super cute and comfy. So I just thought i’d mention it and maybe next time in a fashion friday addition you can give them a shout out
Whoops….I meant PATENT leather (not patient) hehe! here’s the site: http://www.thewalkingcompany.com/brands/Product.aspx?ProductID=7477&pagetag=women_dansko&source=Brand
thanks!
For pregnant lady number 3, I’d like to suggest the most amazing pair of shoes on the planet; Finn Comfort. These suckers are built like a BMW. You won’t regret for an instant investing in a pair.
http://www.zappos.com/finn-comfort
I like the colorful corduroy skirt but I noticed the bare legs. When its too cool for bare legs, I guess you add tights, but what color? The same color as the skirt? Black? Brown?
Oh yay! I hate ballet flats too but never had the nerve to say it since my niece lives in them.
Have fun! Hope you have a wonderful trip.
Those boots are cute.
Have a great time in Orlando!
But I do so love the ballet flat. You aren’t a fan? I suppose I am still your friend.
And by periodical, I assume you mean one of the celebrity variety? Because what else does one read on a plane?
Hope you’re having fun this weekend!
THANK YOU for addressing the denim jacket ISSUE! My mom ALWAYS wears hers with jeans and I shudder EVERY time! UGH!
I agree… no mixing denim! I love courderoy or army jackets for that reason. I wear them so much more than my jean jacket
Those boots look good for 69 bucks!
Melanie,
I’m out shopping today and just had to comment from my BlackBerry to say I’m having the hardest time finding a decent pair of black boots. What is going on out there?
Just stumbled upon your blog from PW and I love it! I’m gonna go back and read through.
Boot shopping is killing me! If you feel like hashing through the boot topic once again on your Fashion Friday, I’d love some advice on how to find a great pair of boots for a decent price. I want Frye boots sooooo badly, but I can’t justify the expense to my hard-working husband who buys 1 pair of shoes maybe every 3 years.
Can you recommend some boots that look like Fryes but cost way way less? (A girl can dream!)
http://www.thegirlsapparel.com/
Gmail must know I buy yoga pants because they just told me about the girls yoga pants. And if I recall, you were looking to purchase them online, right? Or was that someone else on my blogroll? =^)
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