Fashion

Seriously, eight Fashion Fridays? Because it feels more like thirty-eight.

And if y’all thought yesterday’s post was lame, just wait. Today will probably be worse.

Caroline has her Thanksgiving program and feast at school today so we spent a good portion of our day yesterday baking gingersnap cookies. It shouldn’t have taken up such a large chunk of our day, but let me let y’all in on a little secret. If you’re making a recipe that calls for shortening and you open your tub of Crisco and notice it smells similar to a pure petroleum-type product, otherwise known as horse’s rear end, then it’s a safe bet that you probably shouldn’t cook with it.

This realization, sadly, didn’t dawn on me until after I had mixed in the rest of the ingredients and noticed the dough still smelled more like the devil’s armpit than the makings of a gingersnap cookie. I actually had to taste it before I accepted that, yes, Crisco can go rancid.

Just the memory of the taste makes me throw up in my mouth just a little.

So, we pitched the entire batch of gingersnap dough and started all over again. And it wasn’t so much the remaking the dough that was unpleasant as it was getting the petroleum-type substance off my Kitchenaid mixer and bowl. It rivaled the Exxon Valdez.

I kept thinking that something like this would never happen to Ree at Pioneer Woman.

But anyway, as we were finally rolling the dough into little balls and coating them with cinnamon and sugar, Caroline looked at me and said, “You’re my BEST MOM.”

I said, “Well, you’re my best girl.”

She said, “I looked down from heaven and saw you and knew you would be the BEST MAMA EVER.”

And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me get all teary and weepy at the sweetness of it all.

Which is kind of how I felt when I saw this dress at J. Crew the other day.

Except in black. Because, as my closet will attest, I can’t have enough black clothing.

And do you see what I’ve done? I’ve brought it around to fashion, my friends.

It’s a gift.

1. Lora asks: I need sensible, comfortable, yet stylish every day shoes. I wear mostly jeans and khakis. Suggestions?

Is it possible to wear skirts in the winter? I’m in Alabama, so it’s not like it’s sub-zero temps here. What sort of style would they need to be? Any ideas? I need just a few pieces that I can mix and match and rotate because, let’s face it, I don’t dress up any other time of the week. I prefer skirts on Sundays, although I can appreciate a good dressy pant on occasion.

This series of questions has been sitting in my inbox for a few weeks now because, frankly, it overwhelms me. But rumor has it that Lora is waiting on my answer before she goes shopping, so now the pressure is on.

Let’s start with shoes. If you’re looking for comfortable, stylish shoes to go with jeans and khakis, I’d look for a cute flat, a tennis shoe or flat boots. Flat boots are really in this year and that would probably be my personal preference because I enjoy wearing socks in the winter time.

Here’s an example of a cute flat.

Or this.

Here’s a good tennis shoe.

And here is a flat boot that I would love to have greet me in my closet every morning.

Hello Lover.

Remember, these are just a guideline. So, figure out what works best for your lifestyle and adapt as needed.

On to the next part of the question. Yes, it is possible to wear skirts in the winter. I think a wool skirt with boots and tights is just about the cutest thing going.

Think about something like this.

Or this.

Or how about a sweater dress?

And definitely go check out Target. They might have some really cute skirts. I wouldn’t know if they do because I have temporarily banned myself from Target because I always leave there at least $100 poorer with nothing really to show for it.

I definitely like the dressy pants option for church because you can mix and match it with some cute sweaters than can also be worn with jeans throughout the week. Here are a few nice sweater options.

This.

Or this.

Or for a little something different, this.

God speed as you shop for a winter wardrobe. I hope I helped just a little.

2. Darlene asks: “I’ve been wondering this for awhile now. How do you feel about sweaters/sweatshirts with characters on the
front? For example, snowmen, Mickey Mouse, Pooh and such. Are they in or out? Personally, I don’t wear them… anymore. I have been known to sport an occasional Hundred Acre Woods character or two in my time!

I have never been a fan of character shirts. Well, unless you count those three years in elementary school where I would beg my mom to buy me a new t-shirt at one of those iron-on transfer t-shirt shops.

Remember those days? A bright blue t-shirt with a unicorn jumping over a rainbow and “Follow Your Dreams” written in cursive?

People used a lot of illegal substances in the 70’s.

If a person enjoys wearing character shirts then, by all means, wear on my friend. But I think it’s safe to say that you won’t see any character shirts on Project Runway or Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

Maybe it’s their loss.

But probably not.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. If I haven’t gotten to your question yet, I promise I will at some point.

It’s just hard to keep up, especially when I’m busy trying to live up to my title of BEST MAMA EVER.

I wouldn’t want Caroline to second guess the selection she made in heaven.

***Edited to add: Gulley called and asked me where I found the brown tennis shoes. I realized that many of y’all may not realize that if you click on the colored words in the text that they will take you directly to where I found the sweaters, shoes, etc. It’s usually the word “this” that’s in blue and will take you to the site. Hope that helps.

YOU’RE WELCOME.

I’m just going to go ahead and get that out of the way because I am about to share an incredible fashion resource with y’all. It could change your life, or at least your closet.

This is even better than when I shared how to buy a bra and I happen to know that changed some people’s lives. There were women who had been scared of wearing knitwear post-childbirth, but thanks to the proper use of underwire they now feel free to wear sweaters again.

And I won’t even get into the women who were claiming to be larger than a B cup but were wearing tank tops with shelf bras as their means of support. Sister, either you’re not larger than a B cup or you’re putting your girls in serious peril.

Anyway, here’s the tip. It’s a site called SHOP IT TO ME.

The site asks for all your fashion information. The type of clothes you’re looking for, brand names you prefer, and the sizes you wear in everything. You can even enter information for your child and your husband. I entered Caroline’s information, but not P’s because how many Columbia fishing shirts does one person need?

Once all your information is in the system, Shop It To Me will send you an email every Tuesday and Friday letting you know what’s on sale in your size and where you can find it for any brand that you chose in your profile. It’s BRILLIANT.

The internet never ceases to amaze and delight me. Next thing you know there will be a site where people can upload home videos for all the world to see.

On to the questions.

1. Jennifer asks: Alright, I have been putting off this question…What is the deal with WHITE…shoes, pants, when to wear them and when not?

The deal with white is that all good Southern girls are raised from birth to believe that wearing white shoes or carrying a white purse after Labor Day could lead to eternal damnation or worse, being permanently banned from Junior League.

However, while I would still never dream of wearing white shoes after Labor Day, or really EVER, the fashion world now smiles kindly on what is called Winter White.

Winter White can look very elegant and sophisticated, unless you are the mother of a child who may pat your bottom at some point during the day leaving behind a grape jelly handprint, then it just looks like an unfortunate wardrobe decision. That’s why I save white clothing for child-free vacations or never.

This outfit from Ann Taylor is a good example of how to do Winter White.

Please note that the shoes and purse are not white. If they were, this whole blog might actually self-implode and cause your computer to crash.

And also, your grandmother to gasp in horror.

2. Stacy asks: I have a question about pantyhose. I am from up north and was taught to always wear pantyhose, or tights for winter, with a dress or skirt for work. Is this just a northern thing?

I remember the first time I was allowed to wear hose instead of tights it was like a right of passage. I believe I wore them with my Yo-Yos which, if I remember correctly, were open-toe shoes. That’s just unfortunate.

Tights are back in this year so I think you’ll see women who live both north and south of the Mason-Dixon line wearing them. I think the fundamental difference is that Northern women wear hose and tights out of necessity whereas Southern women wear them according to if they are currently in style.

Nude hose, otherwise known as SUNTAN, are no longer in vogue. The days of the L’eggs Eggs are over and Southern women are now free to sport bare legs as God intended, UNLESS they work in a conservative work environment that still requires legs to be encased in nylon.

If you have to wear nude hose or just enjoy wearing them (does such a person exist?), then think sheer. The hose should be as close to your natural skin tone as possible. And for fashion’s sake, do not wear them with open-toe sandals.

3. Beth asks: I’m in the cold North East where you can’t really wear sneakers during the winter because the snow or slush is up to your ankles. What do I wear on my feet to go with a “sporty” look? Say I’m wearing yogapants, long sleeved layering T’s and a ski jacket. Are there any kind of boots that look athletic enough for this? What would you wear?

Oh Beth. If you only knew how long I have deliberated over this question.

First, let me say that I wouldn’t wear anything because if there was snow or slush involved I would be inside drinking hot chocolate with my feet as close to the fireplace as possible without causing them to spontaneously combust. However, that probably isn’t a practical solution when you live in a place that has weather like that more than once every fourteen years.

So, I’m going to throw out a few suggestions for a sporty boot. At first I couldn’t even imagine such a thing, but then I found these.

Or these.

But as for me, on cold winter days, I will be wearing these.

INSIDE.

4. Candace asks: I just realized that my husband’s work Christmas party is “after 5 cocktail”- could you give me an idea of what this looks like. Do I have to wear a dress or skirt?

No, you do not have to wear a dress or skirt. Although you certainly can, as long as you don’t wear white shoes.

Here’s the best advice I can give you. Wear something you’ll feel comfortable in. The last thing in the world you want to do is spend the evening trying to discreetly adjust your strapless bra in front of your husband’s co-workers. Trust me.

And remember, you can never go wrong with a basic black dress. Unless you own a white dog that sheds a lot.

I would go fairly conservative since it’s a work party, so maybe something like this.

Or this.

Or, for a little color, this.

These are just a few ideas. The important thing is to find something you like.

And if that’s none of these things, I won’t take it personally. Although it is midnight and I am scouring the internet looking for things just for you.

That’s it for this week. Don’t forget to go sign up over at Shop It To Me.

There are sale items everywhere just waiting to be discovered.

If you have a question for next week, leave it in the comments.

Hope y’all have a fabulous Friday.

On Wednesday, I met Gulley and AJ for lunch. We went to this little Mexican restaurant that we enjoy because they have the best migas tacos ever. And for those of y’all not familiar with the migas, it’s scrambled egg, cheese, and tortilla chips all cooked together and wrapped in a fresh flour tortilla.

I am fairly certain this taco is the answer to world peace.

Anyway, I like to order my taco with a side of refried beans. I enjoy dipping the cheese and egg combination into the refried beans. And that type of culinary dedication will probably make some cardiologist very wealthy some day. But in my defense, I drink a Diet Coke with this cholesterol-laden combo. I’m saving myself, like, 140 calories right there.

Maybe I’ve just never paid attention before, which is always a highly likely scenario, but when I got my check I realized that my side of order of refried beans cost $2.25. My taco cost $1.75.

How is a spoonful of smashed beans more expensive than an entire taco? Is there some kind of bean shortage that I’m not aware of? Is there a bean cartel that’s driving up the price of legumes?

And I obviously can’t get over it since I’m still talking about it almost 48 hours later. I realize I need to let it go and move on with my life. But seriously $2.25 for beans?

I realize that y’all are wondering how my highway robbery in the form of beans ties into Fashion Friday and, honestly, so am I. It’s a big leap from refried beans to fashion…but not as far as you may think.

And I have no idea what I’m talking about when I say that, it just sounds good.

I have decided that what my wardrobe is lacking, other than that coat from Anthropologie (I know. Stop with the coat already.), is some good accessories. I tend to go plain and simple. Diamond earrings, wedding ring, and an occasional necklace. That’s it.

The necklace decision is based on whether what I’m wearing looks good with one of the two necklaces I own that I actually like. It’s highly scientific.

So, I’ve been on the search for cute, CHEAP accessories. Sometimes quality counts, but right now I’m in search of quantity. Target and Forever 21 both have some good trendy jewelry for low, low prices. Yet, I sensed there was more out there.

It was this need that drove me to Walmart on Wednesday after the refried bean incident. I usually make it a policy to avoid Walmart like the plague because I feel it is an atmosphere similar to a carnival held in a parking lot. There may be some fun to be had, but you’re going to have to deal with a lot of carny-type folk to see it.

When I leave a Walmart I always feel like I need a good hot shower or perhaps to be hosed down with antiseptic.

However, I discovered that they have an impressive display of cheap jewelry. I bought the cutest pair of earrings that were on sale for $2.00. Granted, they may make my ears rot off, but what can you expect from a pair of earrings that cost less than a spoonful of refried beans?

Do y’all see what I just did there? I tied it all together.

On to the questions.

1. Amy asks: I found this dress at Target the other day, what can I wear with it other than the standard white button down shirt? Also, jewelry and shoe suggestions would be appreciated.

It may shock y’all to know that I would not wear a white button-down shirt under this dress. It’s too much bulk for me and I’d spend the day constantly running to the bathroom so that I could adjust the shirt under the dress. It’s not that I don’t like the look, it’s just never worked for me because I am compulsive.

I would wear a turtleneck or even just a long sleeve knit shirt under it. You could do black or charcoal gray, which is really in right now. And if you’re more adventurous than me, you could go for a color.

As for shoes, I would suggest tall black boots or black tights with some cute black shoes. I will tell you that the hem of this dress concerns me. As it appears on the model, it looks like a length that’s universally unflattering. Depending on where it hits you, you may want to have it hemmed to your knee or just right above your knee. It’s a much better look and won’t make your legs look frumpy and shapeless.

With jewelry, anything goes. I think you could wear a long, chain-type necklace or maybe some fun silver hoop earrings.

Consider the dress a blank slate. You can make it work with just about anything that appeals to you.

2. The Lucky One asks: Now you had to go open the whole foundation garmets can of goldfish … can you elaborate my dear?

Last week, I mentioned the importance of foundation garments if you’re going to attempt to wear a sweater dress. However, good foundation garments apply to any wardrobe choice. Ladies, I’m talking about lycra and spandex.

And yes, those words often have terrible implications and can trigger memories of almost passing out at a dear friend’s 40th birthday party because your stomach is being held in so tightly that breathing is a distant memory and you definitely shouldn’t have tried to eat that fifth or eighth stuffed mushroom, but you just couldn’t help yourself. All that is true. They can be the worst kind of evil, but they can also be the stuff that makes dreams come true.

Smooth lines and flat tummies under jersey dresses. Bras that make your girls look like they haven’t seen the ravages of motherhood. Skirts that appear to skim saddlebag-free hips.

It’s like Fantasy Island.

Tell me something that looks like this isn’t going to cure a multitude of sins.

But I’ll be honest. Use it sparingly. This kind of torture isn’t for everyday use. Save it for high school reunions, weddings, birthday parties. If you try to wear it everyday you will most certainly become angry and bitter.

And I don’t know what this has to do with anything, but it made me audibly gasp when I saw it.

Why does this woman dislike her unborn child this much? It hasn’t even kept her up at night for 4 straight years yet. Do not subject your unborn child to this kind of suck-innage.

Unless you want to pay for years of therapy later on.

3. Marcy asks: What should I do with all these bridesmaid dresses in my closet? I have about 10 of them and they’re taking up lots of room. I haven’t gotten rid of them b/c they each cost at least $150, but I seriously doubt I’ll ever wear them again. Should I just toss them?

Yes, yes you should.

Here’s what you need to ask yourself. If you were to all of a sudden find yourself invited to a Regatta Gala type thing, would you ever in a million years wear one of those dresses? I’m thinking DOUBTFUL.

I know that we are emerging into a friendlier bridesmaid dress era with dresses that are a little more fashion forward, but even so, no one is ever going to wear those dresses again. Have you ever seen any scenario where someone has on a fabulous dress and when complimented on it says, “Thank you. I wore this when I was a bridesmaid in my cousin Myrtle’s wedding. I just love teal!”

That’s what I thought.

But before you just throw them out, you may want to see if you can donate them. I know there is something called The Glass Slipper Project that looks for donated dresses that can be given to inner-city kids for prom dresses.

4. Yet another Amy asks: Maybe you could include the importance of lipstick in a future Fashion Friday? I could use the inspiration.

Mary Kate Olsen is a pretty girl. Here she is without lipstick.

Lipstick is your friend. Embrace it.

Y’all have a great Friday.

Remember that song from the movie “Annie” that said you’re never fully dressed without a smile?

Yeah. That song lied.

Whoever said that, totally discounted the fact that smiles come and go, but good accessories last forever, or until they go out of style.

Many of y’all have emailed asking about fall handbags. In fact, AJ and I even looked for a good handbag for her while we were shopping, but it seems that I have crossed over into appreciating the “Mom Bag”. I was hit with this realization when I pointed out a really cute purse to AJ and she said, “Oh yeah, that would be perfect for you. It’s a Mom Bag”.

She said it in the same voice you would use to describe something that smells bad. “Oh, that smell? That’s chicken that’s been in the garbage can all night.”

However, she is young. She’s at a point in her life where she can leave the house for 24 hours and only take a cell phone and a tube of lipstick. In fact, while she was trying on a pair of jeans at Neimans, I remarked that they had an odd little pocket inside the actual back pocket. I wondered aloud what is was for and she explained it’s the perfect place to just put your I.D. when you go out.

Like at night.

As in somewhere other than HEB to buy allergy medicine for your child.

Hmm.

These days the only thing I need my I.D. for is to collect my social security check.

Oh, I kid because I feel old.

Anyway, I am not a girl who changes purses to go with various outfits. That would involve way too much transferring of various lipsticks, gum, HEB Buddy Bucks, juice boxes and Nilla wafers. For the most part, unless I have a special event, I carry one purse per season. And after that season is over, I usually put the purse out to pasture.

There is only so much grape juice the lining of one bag can absorb.

Since so many people have asked for fall purse recommendations, here are some cute ones I have found.

This red purse from Target

This brown suede tote bag, also from Target. By the way, I don’t know why the Target photographer hates this bag, it’s much cuter in person.

How about this smaller brown purse? Two guesses where you can buy it. Oh, and it also comes in red, camel or black.

But if money were no object, just like it is in my dreams, I would love to carry this Kate Spade bag. Can’t you almost smell the real suede?

Of course, even if money were no object, grape juice and graham crackers are just a part of who I am. It would be a travesty to unleash that horror on what is certainly not faux-suede.

And I wouldn’t want to carry it everyday, but I would love this purse because it’s just pure fun. I saw one that was similar to this in TJ Maxx about a month ago and was thrilled. Until I looked at the price tag and saw that it was marked down to $350.00.

MARKED DOWN to $350.00.

When did TJ Maxx get so full of itself?

Bottom line, there are a bunch of really great purses to be found for fall, whether you lean towards the “Mom Bag” or just need a cute little something to keep your I.D. in when it’s not in the fancy little pocket of your jeans.

Now, for a few questions.

1. Serah and Jenny both asked: “What do you wear on your legs in the winter when you’re wearing a dress or a skirt?”

Ladies, I am going to be honest and say that a lot of the time I wear nothing on my legs. Nobody said fashion is painless.

Sometimes you just have to be cold if you want to look good. I believe Eleanor Roosevelt said that.

However, I live in a climate where cold temperatures mean in the 40’s and if it’s that cold, I’ll usually just wear pants.

That being said, I’ve been very excited to see the return of the black tight. I love the look of black tights with boots. And if the boots scare you, then wear the tights with a good black shoe like these that are sturdy enough to balance the tights. It will create a long, lean line even if you’re not very tall. That’s my recommendation, but I realize not everyone is a fan of the black tight.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? What do y’all do up north where it actually freezes on occasion?

And please don’t say legwarmers, unless you’re a professional dancer.

2. Jodie asked: “Okay, so I have a fashion question. What’s the word on overalls?”

The word is no.

At least that’s my word.

I know they’re comfortable, but unless I decide to start growing corn in my backyard I’m staying away from them. I believe I confessed my unfortunate maternity overall situation a few weeks ago. There are some scars that even time can’t erase.

However, some people like overalls. I used to be one of them. So, if you like them you should wear them and be proud.

And send me a bushel of tomatoes.

3. Shannon asked: “So, elaborate on the high-heels-as-an-acquired skill thing. Because right now, I can’t say I believe you. I’m afraid some girls (like me) are destined to be wobbly-ankled klutzes their whole lives. But assuming you CAN acquire the skill, do they ever become more comfortable to you?”

Gulley saw this question in the comments a few weeks ago and called me immediately with her advice. She says that she, too, used to be a wobbly-ankled klutz, but was at a point in her life where she needed to wear heels to work everyday so she wore them around the house and even VACUUMED while wearing them. Practice made perfect and she began to feel comfortable walking in heels.

However, now that she’s been out of the work force for almost 6 years, she is out of high heel shape.

I can attest that walking in heels is an acquired skill. I had to wear heels to work almost every day for 10 years and it just became second nature. That being said, I still had days where I would come home and have to put band-aids on blisters and drink heavily to forget the pain in my feet.

It’s a good thing I quit work when I did because I was going down a dangerous path that could have easily led to corns and bunions.

Now, I only wear heels on occasion and they have to be comfortable. If you’re a heel novice, look for wedge heels. They are your friend because they distribute weight more evenly.

4. Kelly asked: “What does a fashionable lady wear when she’s throwing up every 34.5 minutes?”

Not a smile, I can guarantee you that.

Finally, to wrap things up. I have one more fashion find to share. Gulley’s sister, also known as The Other Gulley, emailed me the other day and so I asked her for her thoughts on fall fashion. She lives on the East Coast and is fab, so I knew she’d have a good tip.

She told me that it’s all about the dress right now and even included a picture of a darling sweater dress she purchased to wear with tights and boots for the fall. It’s from J.Crew.

It also comes in black. And best of all, it’s on sale right now.

I hope it goes without saying that if y’all are going to try the sweater dress, you’re going to need some good foundation garments.

You know you’re never fully dressed without them.

And a good purse.

And maybe a smile.

Y’all have a great Friday!

Let me start today with a disclaimer. This post is for the ladies. Of course, if all 3 of my male readers are like P, they moved on as soon as they saw the word fashion.

If not, here’s your chance. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

I believe I have mentioned that I am a fan of Tim Gunn’s new show entitled, appropriately enough, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”. Tim is a kind, gentle fashion authority. He honestly wants to help women look good and feel better about themselves. He doesn’t mock the fashion impaired, but instead offers them assistance.

Sometimes, he even cries.

And gasps at the mention of leggings.

And describes a closet full of capri pants and t-shirts as “self-flagellation”.

Love him.

One of the critical moments of Tim’s show (because yes, we are on a first name basis) is when his sidekick, Veronica, tells the women she needs to go through their underwear drawer.

I am not even kidding when I say that the first time I saw this I hid my face in a pillow to muffle the screaming.

I was mortified. Mainly because all I could think about was the shameful things Tim and Veronica would see if they were to go through my underwear drawer. I have underwear that attempted to see me through my pregnancy, and thus bid a fond farewell to elastic years ago. Yet I still wear them.

I have bras that are older than Caroline. Bras that should have been retired long ago after years of faithful support and gravity defiance.

But I haven’t been able to let go, mainly because I don’t want to think about replacing them.

I know some women love shopping for undergarments, but I don’t know these women. It’s not something I enjoy spending money on. It grieves me to spend money on a bra when it would be much better spent on something of value, like dishtowels from Anthropologie.

However, the reason Tim and Veronica go through the underwear drawer is because good undergarments are the key to clothes that fit well. A good bra can help eliminate that upper back fat spillage over the band.

Well, a good bra and cutting out the Hostess cupcakes. But you get my point.

It can lift and separate and cause you to instantly look 5 pounds thinner. What else can do that? Other than a mirror at a carnival or hallucinations?

Inspired by “Guide to Style”, I set out for Nordstroms’ today with Caroline. Nordstrom stores have professional bra-sizing specialists in their lingerie department, so I went in and got measured. Just as I suspected, like 98% of the female population, I have been wearing the wrong size.

The helpful saleslady took my measurements, assessed my bra needs, and then went in search of several different options.

I bet I tried on at least 20 different bras, which was no easy feat with Caroline climbing in and out of the dressing room the whole time and intermittently watching herself dance in the mirror.

The saleslady helped me figure out exactly what I needed and her opinion was much more helpful than Caroline’s, whose only opinion was that I should buy the “HOT PINK ONE, MAMA!”

Like I’m in the market for a hot pink bra.

That bra would require a different life. A life filled with Cosmopolitans and leisure time.

So, here’s what I learned today:

1. When you purchase a new bra, the band should fit snugly when fastened on the loosest hook setting. All bras lose their elasticity over time and this will allow you to fasten it tighter as time and saggage take their toll on the elastic.

2. Do not handwash bras in Woolite. Apparently, Woolite is like Kryptonite to brassieres. I had no idea. Either wash them on gentle cycle in a mesh bag and hang to dry or handwash them using regular laundry detergent.

3. The right bra will look and feel so much better than the bra you’ve been wearing. Especially if it’s a bra that carried you through the fluctuations of pregnancy and is the consistency of a moth-eaten dishtowel with underwire.

So, ladies. Go forth and support the girls that are closest to you. They are the only one you’ll ever have.

Well, unless you spring for saline upgrades.

Now a few questions:

1. Nicole asks: “What are your favorite shoes when you’re going for comfort? We’re taking a trip to Disney World in a couple weeks & I’m trying to decide on footwear. I’ll be wearing mostly capris & knee-length shorts. I don’t want to wear tennis shoes unless I have to, but my flimsy Ann Taylor Loft flip flops aren’t going to work for miles and miles of walking! I need comfy, yet cute and stylish.”

This is my daily dilemma. I love a pretty shoe, but pretty and practical don’t always go hand in hand.

Personally, if I were going to Disney World and wanted to be comfortable, I’d probably go with my Nike running shoes. They aren’t the cutest things in the world and I certainly wouldn’t set the fashion world on fire, but I also wouldn’t set my feet on fire.

And seriously, if you’ve ever been to Disney World then you know what I’m saying when I tell you that fashion is not the priority for most patrons. It’s like one big fashion don’t. You’ve never seen so many black socks paired with sandals in all your life, not to mention an appalling lack of female support garments. Apparently some folks like to let it all hang loose for Mickey Mouse.

My point is, wear what’s comfortable and won’t cause you to want to cut off your feet by noon. If you’re looking for a comfortable flip-flop with good support, I would suggest Reef flip-flops. They are the only kind I wear and have never caused me one ounce of foot discomfort, even after a day at Sea World.

2. Mandy asks: “Was I on something, or did I see Seven jeans at Kohl’s? Another question for Friday or whenever…What type of unders do we wear with yoga pants? I have just gone for the velour in the past, but I want to move on for a more yoga-type. I don’t like dental floss…is that my only option?”

I believe that you must have been on something.

In all fairness, there is a cheap brand of jeans called “Sevens”, but one quick try-on will confirm that they are imposters. The key is to make sure they say “For all mankind”. Because the real Sevens are an inclusive jean.

As for underwear under yoga pants, I don’t think you have to wear something that skimpy if you don’t want to. Just make sure it’s something with a smooth line. Visible underwear lines are not your friend.

I don’t really wear my yoga pants tight enough for it to be an issue. I like a loose fit that ensures any problem areas won’t be accentuated because wearing a girdle with yoga pants would defeat the whole purpose.

And make me angry. Very angry.

3. Suzi asks: “So I’m lost are you are real fashion expert or do you just have terrific taste?”

I am not a real fashion expert. I just play one on the blog.

But thanks for the compliment about my taste.

That’s all for this week.

I have more questions waiting in my inbox that I promise I’ll get to eventually, but I also have a child who needs to bring something that starts with “C” for show and tell today. And, as God is my witness, I will come up with something better than the “cap” from the toothpaste.

Y’all have a nice Friday!