I did more laundry yesterday than I have ever done at one time in my life. I finally looked at the massive piles of brights, whites, sheets and towels and realized the time had come to let go of my denial. I looked at those piles and declared, “You are my Everest”.
I don’t know how the dirty clothes got so piled up, but it’s just another sign that I’ve been off my A game this week. Not that my A game is all that great. It’s probably closer to other people’s B game.
I’ve just had a lot on my mind, what with hearing that Mary and Byron, one of two happy couples from The Bachelor, had a little domestic squabble over the weekend. I’m sure their relationship tensions weren’t helped by Chris Harrison getting all in their business about when they were actually going to get married. That kind of conversation is always so enjoyable in any dating relationship.
Especially when the people in the relationship are 85 years old and time, she is a-wastin’.
I’ve just been so disillusioned by it all. I mean if you can’t find lasting, true love on a six week reality show that involves fantasy dates to the circus, what hope do the rest of us have?
Not to mention that I’ve been worried about Britney Spears and her alleged new pregnancy. Oh Brit. It would appear they didn’t teach proper birth control methods in the Mickey Mouse Club.
In spite of all these distractions, I did manage to actually make HOMEMADE Rice Krispie Treats for Caroline to take for snack at school. Not only were they HOMEMADE, but I made one version with peanut butter and one version with the traditional jet-puffed marshmallows. I was so proud of myself as I packed them in the snack basket.
And since I was being so domestic, I looked to see if I might have any cute napkins to send with them. I found some old giraffe napkins leftover from Caroline’s second birthday, but I only had eight of them. Then I spied some hot pink ones at the back of my drawer and thought they would be perfect until I realized they had a picture of a woman saying, “Once again, he’s 30 minutes late. I have half a mind to go home to my sick husband”.
Probably not appropriate humor for the preschool set and their HOMEMADE Rice Krispie Treats.
Anyway, yesterday I conquered the laundry. Today, I will conquer Fashion Friday. Although I am slightly intimidated knowing that Nena (Nena Marcus as some of y’all named her in the comments) is more fashion forward than I’ll ever be.
I never would have bought that jacket. Not even for $5.00.
I have shamed myself.
On to the questions.
1. Marcie asks: “I need to know how to buy a good white button up shirt. The dilema? B**bs. Medium size shirts fit in the torso, and pull across the chest, large sizes fit in the bust and hang at the torso.”
I feel your pain. And I’m not just saying that in a Bill Clinton way.
I have wrestled with button up shirts for many, many years. There is nothing more frustrating than trying on a button up and realizing that I am, yet again, in between sizes.
However, Banana Republic has heard our cry. They are now offering button up shirts in a tailored cut for larger bust sizes.
Here is an example.
I have tried these shirts on and they are everything you would hope them to be. Now, if they just came with some sort of Scotchguard built in for easy stain removal, I’d go buy myself a crisp, white button up shirt.
A girl can dream.
Which may explain why Mary from The Bachelor stayed with Byron for so long.
2. Anna asks: “I live in Hawaii, where it never gets cold, but I still want to look cute and fall-ish. Somedays are cool, like rainy days, and I can wear thin long-sleeved shirts, but for other times, what do I do?”
Have I mentioned I live in South Texas and there are days in January where the temperatures are in the 80’s. That’s just sick and wrong. However, you are hitting me where I live with this question. I am always searching for something that’s seasonal yet won’t leave me writhing in misery as I suffer from heatstroke by mid-afternoon.
You can always go with the button up mentioned in the first question. Maybe look for one in a fall color.
And here are some other cute options.
This shirt from Banana Republic comes in some great fall colors and looks really good with some dark-rinse jeans.
Or this from Old Navy.
You could dress it up with some nice pants or just wear it with denim. Either way, it’s fab.
And here is another great shirt in a fall color from Old Navy.
These shirts almost make me glad that there are days in February where it’s 97 degrees outside. ALMOST.
3. Quirky asks: “I have a question about belts. I can never figure out when to wear big chunky belt, and when to wear a little skinny belt. And what about scarf belts, or decorative chain-type belts? In or out? Is there any rule of thumb that you can bestow on us fashion-challenged so that I can pick a belt with confidence?”
Quirky you have asked a question that deals with my fashion arch-nemesis, the belt. For many a year I wore my Brighton belts with great pride and then, one day, the belt became passe. Belts were out.
And y’all know what? I found I didn’t miss them. AT ALL.
Oh, but now some moron has decided to bring back the belt. Why don’t they just go ahead and bring back velour? Oh wait, they did.
As much as I would love to give y’all some catchy phrase such as “When it doubt, leave it out”, I have no rule of thumb because I find this to be a tricky accessory. The last time I wore belts it was about tucking in your shirt and wearing a belt in the belt loops of jeans that hit at your true waist.
Which was really just an unfortunate look.
Today’s belts look like this.
And this.
They are both very reminiscent of medieval torture devices.
The only belt I ever wear these days is an old western-style belt that belonged to P’s daddy. When he was a teenager. I’m not sure y’all want belt fashion advice from someone who wears a 50 year old belt.
4. Dcrmom asks: “Little Black Dress. Holiday company party. Not sure yet about the shoes. Nude hose or black hose?”
I’d have to go with sheer nude hose with black shoes. I think black hose are like black jeans. When you see someone wearing them you never know if they are incredibly fashion forward or if they haven’t updated their wardrobe since Joan Collins and Linda Evans were on primetime television.
Speaking of primetime television, I’m going to wrap this up. After all, my DVRed showing of Project Runway won’t wait forever.
And, apparently, neither will Mary from The Bachelor.
Y’all have a great weekend.