Fashion

This is probably going to be the least wordy Fashion Friday in history because I am tired and I have got to get some sleep and I have to run in the morning because if I don’t do it then I will never run again. I don’t understand why that’s the way my mind works, but yet it is who I am.

So, just a few things before I share ten cute things I’ve seen this week. The first is that I can’t believe I’ve warmed up to the bootie. The second is that I can’t believe how wrong the previous sentence sounds. And the third is that I tried on a pair of jeggings last week and came to the conclusion that just because something appears right on someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for me.

I cannot do the jegging.

Ironically, I think I can do the bootie.

But I’m not going to declare the jegging off-limits to everyone. I have seen several people (mainly people who eat three grains of rice a day and run eight miles) who look darling in the jeggings. I just couldn’t get past the fact that it felt like I was wearing leggings, but then I looked down to what is merely a faux denim. It seemed like pure madness.

My point is that you can’t let trends dictate your style. Find things that work for you and that you feel comfortable in and incorporate whatever trends you can live with on your person. There is no need to walk around feeling like you’re wearing a costume.

Or pajamas made out of denim.

Here are my picks for the week. There are no pictures. I humbly apologize but I just couldn’t get it done this week. Try to tell yourself that it’s better than nothing. Or click away and it can truly be nothing. Whatever works for you.

That’s my theme this week.

1. Hive and Honey Flower Ring

This ring is adorable. And it’s gold. And I have a crush on gold right now.

2. Cloud Nine Hobo

I’m still on the search for a fall/winter purse. This one is a contender.

3. Caught My Attention Top

LOVE. There is nothing trendier right now than some sequins. This would look so great paired under a black boyfriend blazer or a cool leather jacket.

4. Asymmetrical Hem Tee

I would wear this everyday.

5. Cowl Neck Sweater Dress

I am on the hunt for a great sweater dress to wear with tights or leggings with boots. It’s not always an easy thing to have because you need something that will fit just right. You do not want a sweater dress that hugs your booty.

Not to be confused with your bootie.

6. Karima Leather Boots

Speaking of bootie, I love these boots from Target and they are a great deal. I lived in my tall brown boots last winter.

It’s true. I was the old woman who lived in a shoe. Except it was a boot.

I also love these Journee Rope Detail Booties. See what the fashion industry does to you? Two years ago I saw booties and gasped in horror. But now they’ve worn me down and I think they’re cute.

Well played, fashion industry. Well played.

7. Open Chunky Knit Cardigan

I have a sickness. I cannot have enough of these in all colors and versions and textures in my closet.

8. Chambray Work Shirt

I can’t believe I’m back to a place in life where I want a Chambray shirt.

Again, well played, fashion industry.

9. Gypsy Hoops

Love these. So cute and you know how I feel about gold.

10. Fields of Roses Embroidered Dress

I probably wouldn’t wear this as a dress. Well, maybe with tights. But I’d definitely wear it with leggings or skinny jeans and my brown boots.

That’s it for today.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Last Monday my sister and I were over at Bops and Mimi’s house and she asked me if I’d go shopping with her a little later this fall and help her pick out some new clothes.

Umm. YES.

There are few things more enjoyable than spending someone else’s money.

So we began to discuss a few boutiques and key items she might need and Bops suddenly said, “Well I know for sure that the key to a good wardrobe is a great pair of jeans. You need to spend some extra money to get the right pair of jeans”.

I believe we have a closet Fashion Friday reader and I think he might have been mocking me.

I replied, “It’s true. A good pair of jeans should be viewed as an investment piece. They’ll last for years.”

And he said, “So do my Levis and they only cost me $29”.

Then I knew for sure he was mocking me.

I think he might still be bitter that he paid $80 for the pair of Guess overalls I HAD TO HAVE back in 1986. But in all fairness, I took those to college with me. INVESTMENT PIECE.

There are three fall trends left to round out the list of ten I started three weeks ago:

1. Structured handbags

Also known as a doctor bag. Or a bag like the ones little old ladies use to hit muggers on the head in cartoons and movies.

The official Dolce and Gabbana Cervo Doctor bag is a mere $2000.

Absurd.

I’d only pay that much if it came with $1900 stuffed in the side zipper pocket.

But if you are a fan of the doctor bag aka structured handbag aka little old lady weapon bag, there are definitely some affordable options out there.

Like this Hyde Park tote or this Steve Maden satchel or this Fossil vintage reissue satchel. And this Misha bag is an incredible deal.

Personally, they all hit a little too close to this.

Holla if you had one. Mine was forest green. It was my first true purse love.

But, like most old loves, I don’t know that it would be wise to go back.

So I’ve got my eye on something like this Big Buddha bag for the fall.

Or maybe this one. Or this one.

Clearly I need to make a decision. Especially since, TRUE CONFESSION, I’m still carrying my white purse.

Oh the shame.

2. Chunky sweaters

If there is a piece of clothing that can count me as a fan, it’s the chunky sweater. I love a good sweater. In fact, I went shopping with my friend Steph yesterday and I told her not to let me buy one more flowy cardigan type thing. I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame.

But sweaters are everywhere right now even though it’s still more humid than a rainforest in the Amazon. I love this twisted cable cardigan.

And this Front and center pullover sweater.

Old Navy has a ton of great sweater options and different ways to wear this trend. Check out the long belted cardigan, knit wrap sweater vest, button-collared sweater coat, or the cable-knit tunic.

I also like this short-sleeve textured cardigan

And this ruffled sweater coat .

Oh, and this textured turtleneck.

Or how about this cashmere hooded striped cardigan? ADORE.

This Every which way cardigan is great.

But I think my favorite is the Far Away cable cardigan by Free People.

Hi. My name is Melanie and I am addicted to sweaters.

Which is ironic because I live in South Texas.

3. Feminine jewelry

Are great accessories ever out of style?

The answer is no.

Although it was kind of a rhetorical question.

I love this Hive and Honey pearl drop double strand necklace.

Or this cluster necklace.

This olive green jewel bib necklace has great fall colors as does this seraphim necklace from Anthropologie.

This necklace from Forever 21 is a total steal.

And with that I will bid you adieu.

Y’all have a great Friday.

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There are so many great posts coming out of Guatemala from the Compassion Bloggers that I can’t choose just one. I loved Amanda’s post about a Tale of Two Hurricanes and if you don’t cry when you read How To Make Your Life An Endless Celebration by Ann Voskamp, then you’re stronger than me.

I can’t believe that I totally missed that yesterday was 9-02-10 days. Get it? It was September 2, 2010. Which translates to 9-02-10. Which translates to West Beverly High and the show that I watched long after it was age appropriate for me to be so invested in the lives of Kelly, Brandon, Brenda, Donna and Dylan.

But I’ve never been good with numbers, so I didn’t even realize it was 9-02-10 until I began to see people posting it on Twitter and Facebook and whatever. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I was googling “Donna Martin Graduates” and “David Silver sings ‘You are so precious to me'” and “Brenda Walsh’s prom dress”. Because, y’all, if there was ever a dress I coveted besides Princess Di’s wedding dress, it was the dress Brenda Walsh wore to prom.

I am so ashamed.

Ultimately I came upon this picture.

And this one.

Oh sure. We can laugh and mock. But we aren’t that far away from seeing all those things come back around the fashion bend.

Except for maybe that shirt David Silver has on. Please don’t let that ever come back around.

On a totally different note, several of you asked if I really bought a pair of camo leggings. Yes. Yes I did. I’m still not entirely sure what came over me but they were $12.99 and I felt like they held some possibilities. Chiefly, the possibility that I’ll put them on and P will ask, “What in the hell do you have on your legs?”

But also the possibility that they might look cute with the new oversized white boyfriend shirt I bought and my tall brown boots.

It’s a risk I’m willing to take for $12.99. Worst case scenario, I just bought myself some camo loungewear.

Now for some more fall trends:

1. Jewel tones

Rich colors are definitely in for fall. When Gulley and I were shopping last week I felt like we saw teal and purple everywhere we went. Mainly because anytime I see teal and purple I cringe a little bit because there was a time that I owned a pair of teal flats. Teal was a very important color for me back in the late 80’s.

Which is why I’m not sure I can go back to that place again. However, I do love the rich color of this magenta tunic dress although I’d never wear it as a dress.

I also love this wrap tunic and twist waist sheath dress.

And, oh how I love this From the Poles jacket from Anthropologie. The built in ruffle detail has stolen my heart.

I also have a big crush on this washed velvet coat. How great would that be with jeans or black pants with boots?

And if you don’t carry the scars of teal around with you, there is this washed cord skirt in teal.

The good news for me is that it comes in other colors.

2. Leather

Leather is everywhere right now. Of course the majority of what I can afford isn’t actually real leather, but rather faux leather that smells reminiscent of my grandmother’s collection of GENUINE LEATHER handbags that she kept stored in the top of her closet.

The big style for leather right now is the motorcycle jacket. One of my college roommates, Meredith, had the best black leather motorcycle jacket. I cannot tell you how I coveted that jacket and she was kind enough to let me borrow it on occasion. One of those occasions was the day I decided to go break up with a guy I’d been dating for a few months. It had been a tumultuous relationship and I felt it needed to go out with me clad in leather and slamming his front door as I left.

I was a treasure at twenty-one years old.

Anyway, I really like this Manderson leather jacket.

But there are many other options, such as this Hydraulic faux leather motorcycle jacket. Or this faux leather ruffle jacket.

If you’re really feeling edgy, there are even faux leather skinny jeans. All I can think about when I look at those is that episode of Friends when Ross wore those leather pants and went to the bathroom to splash his legs with water to cool off and couldn’t get his pants back up.

Needless to say, I’m going to pass on the leather pants.

3. Feminine shapes

On a totally different note, there is a return to clothes that have a feminine shape. Things that actually show your waist as my grandmother would say. “Why don’t you show your waist? You have such a cute figure.”

I’m such a fool for coats and I particularly love this fresh coat in print

There is also the Anything but ordinary dress.

And I’m so sad that this All vest up with someplace to go vest is sold out, but it looks like they may get more in at some point. I can just see this with jeans and boots. Of course I can see everything with jeans and boots.

If you’re looking for a pretty feminine blouse, you might want to find something like this blouse from Anthropologie. So pretty. Although I struggle with the word “blouse”.

4. Animal prints

I went to breakfast the other day with Steph and Gulley and we got into a conversation about how animal prints shouldn’t necessarily be listed as a trend because they have really become a timeless classic. We also talked about the fluctuations in the stock market and our thoughts on the global economy, but those conversations aren’t relevant to this post.

We all agreed that we can’t remember a fashion season in the last several years that didn’t feature some sort of animal print. It’s become as ubiquitous as khaki or denim or black.

And, yes, I just used the word ubiquitous. I didn’t even have to look it up on spell check. I’m going to tell Caroline about this the next time she’s studying for a spelling test and wants to argue with me about the correct spelling of “sandwich”.

I believe the use of animal prints in a wardrobe is a personal decision. You can go big with something like this Glendale top.

Or you can just have one outstanding piece like this Street Car Darya bag by Kate Spade. Even though that particular bag costs the equivalent of fifteen years of my wardrobe combined. But I included it anyway because IT’S DIVINE.

There are always these cute leopard clogs or a pair funky leopard flats.

Best of all, you can always find the budget version. Like these Merona leopard ballet flats or these leopard rain boots.

That’s it for today.

And, in the words of David Silver, you are so precious to me.

Or in the words of Dylan McKay, “I loved you more than I ever thought I could love anybody. Maybe that was the problem.”

Y’all have a great Friday.

So I had these grand ambitions to cover at least five of the trends for fall today. But then I remembered that I have to leave my house at 7:00 a.m. and I might want to pack a suitcase some time between now and then. It doesn’t help that it’s also just been one of those days.

However, I managed to muster the strength to talk about three of the fall trends. I’ll also tell you that Gulley and I went shopping yesterday and both agreed that we felt like we were looking into our closets circa 1991. We even saw a sales girl wearing a lace dress with a denim vest over it. I owned that outfit once upon a time.

I don’t tell you that with pride.

1. Boots

If you’re only going to buy one new thing this fall, I’m going to suggest that it be a pair of boots. And, let me tell you, there are boots galore to choose from.

There are over-the-knee boots

And lace-up boots

And more lace-up boots

There is the lace-up bootie that makes me feel a little nostalgic for those Esprit boots I used to wear during my junior year of high school with the built-in wool sock things sticking out of the top.

There is ankle bootie. They frighten me a little because I’m not sure what to do with them.

(When I just proofread this I realized I should have written, “there is the ankle bootie”. But it made me laugh that I wrote there is ankle bootie, so I’m leaving it. Watch out for ankle bootie. You don’t want ankle bootie.)

(I’m sorry. I’m very tired and a little punchy.)

And there are boots with spats. I’m a little obsessed with these.

Lastly, there are riding boots. I am such a fan of the riding boot. It’s a classic that will withstand the test of time and fashion whims.

2. Lace

Gulley and I were in Nordstrom yesterday and I saw a lace bodysuit. It was very similar to this Back to Lace-ics Onesie except it had long sleeves. I pointed it out to Gulley and laughed and said, “Remember when you used to have one almost exactly like that in college?”

And she replied, “That wasn’t mine. It was yours.”

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Anyway, as it turns out I should have saved it. I could sell it on ebay or something for tens of dollars because the lace is everywhere right now.

Dahlia tunic

Discovered lace dress

Lace is for Lovers top

My only advice is to remind you that nothing feels worse than cheap lace against your skin. Except for maybe freshly shaved legs at the beach. Or alcohol on a paper cut. Or biting into a water chestnut.

3. Military Influences

The military jackets are everywhere. There are dressy ones and utility ones. They even have them in camo.

Rag & Bone Cotton Safari jacket

Maybe I’ve been married to P for too long, but I actually really like that jacket. Of course I could probably find the same one for $30 at Cabelas. Along with a cheaper version of these Prada camo riding boots. Too bad they don’t have the leather snake detail like P’s.

But if the thought of camo frightens you, there are other ways to incorporate this trend into your wardrobe.

Sanctuary Military jacket

skinny cargo pants (I haven’t actually tried these. I’m not sure why any woman over the age of six would want to add bulk to her legs with pockets and have them taper to a skinny little point at the bottom. It seems like it might make your legs look like they defy the laws of physics. And taste.)

We the Free Majorette jacket

Do you see how I got too tired to actually upload pictures here at the end? I totally would except I really don’t want to right now. I have to go to bed.

And catch a flight.

And try to forget that I was the proud owner of a lace bodysuit.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Actually, today is not my birthday. It’s tomorrow.

And I’m going to be 39.

Which means I have plans to spend this weekend bathing in Oil of Olay, researching the cost of Botox and trying to contact Demi Moore to find out where the Fountain of Youth is located. Even though I’m pretty sure the answer involves several highly-skilled plastic surgeons.

I may also eat some chocolate cake.

And do a little shopping.

Here are a few things I’ve found online this week that might be worth spending some birthday money on. Oh, and I’m not uploading pictures of anything today. I’ll blame the heat. And the laziness.

1. Everyday Chocolate Chiffon Top

This top is the perfect top for a Texas fall. It has an autumn look to it and would look great paired with jeans, yet it’s short-sleeved and appears to be fairly lightweight.

2. Class Dismissed Jacket

I got all caught up on The Rachel Zoe Project this week and I noticed that she is often wearing jackets like this with a longer top underneath. It’s totally major.

I think you could wear this jacket in either color and shut it down.

Also, does anyone have any thoughts on Taylor? How did that happen?

3. On The Go Grey Watch

So I never bought a white watch this summer. I don’t really know why, but I think it had something to do with being hot and not wanting to add one additional layer of anything on my person. Yet I still adore these watches.

I’d been debating what color might be good for the fall and considered orange for a brief moment before I realized that it’s sacrilege for me to wear orange during college football season. But this grey? IS PERFECT.

I’m totally getting one.

4. One Shoulder Jade Dress

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but I’m guessing this would be too short for me to actually wear as a dress. It may also be a little too much for a lifestyle that involves skipping PTO meetings and going to HEB to grocery shop.

However, I think it could be great over a pair of jeans or leggings. Very dramatic and I adore the green. Picture it with some great gold cuff bracelets and hoop earrings.

5. Splendid Lace Tank

I am on the hunt for a gorgeous lace top. I totally fell in love with this Beyond Vintage top in the spring and hoped and prayed that it would go on sale. Alas, it never did and my love for it is unrequited. It makes me so sad because ADORE.

However, this lace tank is the perfect piece to wear by itself or to layer under jackets when the weather cools off. It could be dressed up with a blazer (that word sounds so dated and makes me think of elbow patches and a pipe) or a great casual jacket.

6. Apple Orchard Sweatshirt

I love things that I can just throw on with a pair of jeans and walk out the door feeling semi-cute. This fits in that category.

7. Rocket Dog Rideon Boots

Last year I fell in love with a pair of lace-up boots from Anthropologie. They don’t have them anymore, but they kind of looked like these except much cuter.

And even thought the Rocket Dog boots are quite as cute and lack the ruffle detail, they are still pretty cool. Plus, they’re $200 less which makes them a winner.

8. Naughty Monkey Detective Boots

Speaking of great boots, I seriously love these. And it’s just a bonus that I could walk around the house asking, “Where are my naughty monkeys?”

9. Chambray Shirtdress

This is another dress I love because it is so versatile. You could wear it with leggings or with a great belt or just on its own. The beauty is in its simplicity.

10. Green beaded Hoop Earrings

These earrings would be perfect with so many outfits. I love the green paired with the gold. Think how cute they’d be with the one-shouldered jade dress.

So that’s it for today.

Hope y’all have a great Friday.

For more fashion visit Jo-Lynne at Musings of a Housewife.

I was all prepared to write a long impassioned post in defense of jeggings, but I made the mistake of watching Marley and Me for the second time and now I just want to curl up in the fetal position and cry for the next hour or so. You’d think I would know better considering the last time I watched it I had to sit in the living room trying to gain my composure so P wouldn’t mock me for being so invested in a movie. And then when I finally walked into the bedroom, he asked me how I liked the movie and I broke down in tears all over again.

Needless to say, the dogs are getting to sleep in the bed tonight and have ice cream for breakfast.

Anyway, about the jeggings.

I didn’t even realize what I’d done last week when I casually mentioned that a plaid tunic would look great with a pair of jean leggings and boots. It was just one of those things you say, like maybe I’ll cut my hair above my shoulders. It doesn’t mean it will ever actually happen, just that I like to think about it. Hypothetically.

And, yes, I realize that sometime last year I said ugly things about the jegging. They frightened me with all their sleekness and spandex. But then I bought a pair of tall brown boots that were just begging to have jeans tucked in. Which led me to my first purchase of a skinny jean since 1989 because you can’t tuck bootcut jeans into boots.

I ended up wearing the heck out of those skinny jeans all winter long for the love of the boots. It was all for the boots.

Thus, I can see the benefit of the jegging. It’s all the fashion of the jean but with the comfort of the legging. The trick is to get the proportions right. Unless you are in phenomenal shape, I don’t think they should be worn without some sort of long top or sweater over them. And don’t forget the importance of the right proportion of top and boot.

I also feel like I need to tell you that I would never wear the skinny jean or the jegging with a pair of flats. Mainly because I don’t really like flats, but also because I’m afraid it would make me look like an ice cream cone.

That’s my personal issue. I know several people who wear flats with skinny jeans and they look darling.

But enough about that. It’s the season of the summer sale and here’s some cute stuff I found.

1. Laundry Bell Sleeve Eyelet Shift Dress

I’d love this with some pretty turquoise jewelry.

Of course I love everything with pretty turquoise jewelry.

2. Candy Coated Tote

This bag is so cute and comes in several different great colors.

3. Konnie Linen Ruffled Shirt

I originally thought the model was wearing pink hot pants, but they appear to be slim-fitting cropped pants which is a relief.

Personally, I’d wear this top with jeans and my cowboy boots.

4. Suckered Gingham Shirt

This is the perfect shirt to wear with everything from shorts to skirts to jeans. And I love that it would transition perfectly into fall.

5. Citizens of Humanity Denim Jacket

I don’t know what I’d do without my denim jacket. It completes me.

Or at least it completes several outfits in my closet.

6. Tie-Dye Maxi Dress

I’m tempted to buy this dress just so I could wear it all next summer or even use it as a coverup.

7. Plaid Long Sleeve Roll Tab Shirt

I have a thing for the plaid shirt.

8. Lantern Sleeve Tunic

This would look so pretty with a pair of white jeans.

9. Candy Sweet Dress

Gulley has a dress similar to this that she wears as a swimsuit coverup and it always looks so cute. I also think it would look great paired with leggings or even over a pair of jeans.

10. Candy Bowl Ring

I’m not sure why I picked three things this week with “candy” in the name. It was purely coincidental. But the matter at hand is that I love this ring. But I really need to get a manicure before I have any business calling attention to my fingers.

On a final note, if you happen to live in San Antonio then I need to let you know that Grove Hill is having a huge sale right now. There are tons of things on sale for 75% off and great designer jeans on sale for 50% off. And, not only that, Adelante is also having a big sale. They’re taking 30% off all merchandise in the store with the exception of jewelry.

And if you don’t live in San Antonio, then I can only console you by telling you that our heat index for tomorrow is supposed to be 110 degrees.

I’ll be at the pool.

Eating ice.

And thinking about vacationing in Iceland.

Y’all have a great Friday.