It's Raining Min

Hats!

2011-12-14T16:28:00.000-08:00

All of the hats in this photo are from my collection. I donated them to the wardrobe mistress of the production of "Crowns" that will be performed at my church in January. I'm even going to get a mention in the program. :-)

The Office

2011-09-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

It is my ambitious plan to declutter my office today. I have the motivation, I have the will, and I have the big trashcan.

Cover me; I'm going in.

I'm a lazy blogger.

2011-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in my campaign to declutter and simplify my life, but I haven't posted anything. I had a yard sale last Saturday, and, including the pre-sale I did for friends on Friday night, I made $420. It went so well that I'm having another one this Saturday, and my neighbors are going to join me. So I have to come up with a lot more stuff for the sale, because I sold so much last weekend. I have culled almost all the furniture that I want to sell (and I've pre-sold my dining room sideboard), except for my old dining room suite. I am seriously thinking about adding a couple of the den chairs to the sale, because they're very pretty Victorian chairs, but they're not comfortable, and no one enjoys sitting in them. Plus, if I move the chairs and side table out of the den, I can add another bookshelf to get the remaining books off the floor.

I have a couple of odd chairs in the garage that I will sell, and I also have a metal cabinet that I bought surplus at work, but I'm never going to use it, so I may put it in the sale, too. Plus, I'm selling a lot of framed art and Halloween and Christmas stuff.

Success!

2011-08-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have decluttered by master bedroom, master bath, hall bath, and guest bedroom, except for a pile of art underneath the guest bedroom bed. I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do with it. I have already identified some pieces that I intend to put in the garage sale, but there's a lot I don't want to part with, even though I will never have room to display it all in my modest little home.

I just read this over a Miss Minimalist's blog, and it really spoke to me:

All too often, we hold on to stuff because it represents who we think we should be, rather than who we are. Sometimes our fantasy selves are meant to impress others, sometimes they’re relics of our past, sometimes they’re fantasies about our future.

I have just about had it with the Stock Market.

2011-08-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

I don't contribute all that much to my 401(k), but I'm seriously thinking about stopping the contribution altogether and putting the extra money toward debt reduction. That way, I'll know that I actually got some bang for my buck. And then I can just start socking away cash, until I retire.

The guest room is a nightmare.

2011-08-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

But I knew it would be. It may take the rest of the week to get it where I want it.

I'm thrilled. Thrilled, I tell ya!

2011-08-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

I have finally completed the decluttering and re-decorating of my master bedroom, and it looks faaaabulous. I replaced the burgundy sheers and heavy burgundy brocade coverlet with a black/white toile valance (that my mother made for one of my long ago apartments), a white blanket, rose sheets, black/white toile pillow shams (that I made to match the valance), and a single black brocade throw pillow. I took the burgundy and purple fringed scarf/throw off the mahogany rocker, which shows the black/white toile underneath (also done for that same long-ago apartment). With the new clean, white walls, the black/white/rose color scheme makes the room look so much bigger.

It's even more thrilling when I open my closet doors, because both closets are tidy, organized and free of junk sitting on the floor.

I need to find black or white European shams to replace the burgundy ones on the rattan settee, and I have to decide whether I'm going to repaint the bathroom to match.

I managed to declutter both my linen closet, my hall bathroom, and my hall closet this weekend. Next up...the guest bedroom. And it's going to be a bear.

Slowly, but surely, the decluttering continues.

2011-08-07T13:07:00.001-07:00

I have finished decluttering my master bedroom and bathroom and feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment. I've also identified a basket full of things to go in the garage sale.

Next up, the guest bathroom, linen closet, and hall closet.

I also bought two really cute new dresses yesterday at Peebles, my favorite place to buy dresses. They were both on really good sale.

Anyhoo, one is a red/pink/white/black expressionistic poppy print with an A-line skirt, a black rouched waistband and a scoop neck edged with bands of black. I wore it to church today with a red sinamay hat, red sandals, and a black purse trimmed with faux zebra.

The other is a sky blue (with brown polka dots), sleeveless dress with a bateau neckline and an A-line skirt. I have a light blue sinamay turban that may be just the thing to wear with it.

Now, I just have to decide what I'm going to get rid of to make room for them.

I never was much for chaps.

2011-08-01T07:46:00.003-07:00

But Daniel Craig in chaps? Oh, yeah. That works.

Well, I kinda fell down on blogging my 333 Project.

2011-07-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

But I did complete the 90 days of the project, with only a few stumbles (vacation in Florida, hats on Sunday). It has given me a new appreciation for needing to have significantly less in my closet, and I do intend to continue with the "buy one new thing, get rid of one old thing" approach that the minimalists recommend.

Next up, the house. I'm having a big, honkin' yard sale in August, and I intend to clear out the house.

I am sick to death of the 333 Project.

2011-07-11T15:28:00.000-07:00

So much so that I've started sneaking in an extra piece of jewelry or two. Anyhoo, here's the recap:

Day 82
Pink/red/black top
Black pants
Black purse
Black/cork slides
John Atendio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack sterling/Herkimer diamong ring
Sterling cross

Bonus accessory: Pink/white/black vintage Christian Dior bubble toque

Day 83
Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black dress
Black sandals
Black purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

Day 84
Brown polka dot dress
Teal shoes
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

Only 6 more days!!!!

The 333 Project, Day 73

2011-07-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Black dress
Teal shoes
Black purse
John Atencio ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack ring
Sterling cross

The 333 Project, Day 72

2011-06-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

Black/teal/green shirt
Black pants
Black purse
Black shoes
John Atencio bracelets and ring
Lilly Barrack ring

The 333 Project

2011-06-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

I took off the week of my vacation, so I'm now back on track.

Day 70: Teal/black dress, black jacket, teal shoes, teal purse, John Atencio ring and bracelet, Lilly Barrack ring, sterling cross.

Day 71: Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black dress, black sandals, black purse, John Atencio ring and bracelets, Lilly Barrack ring.

I have done some more trading out, because I have discovered that, when you wear the same shoes over and over and over again, you find out which ones are really comfortable, and which ones are not. So, I have traded out my uncomfortable black and cork Onex (made in the USA) platform slides for a pair of black White Mountain gladiator sandals (sadly, not made in America, but very comfortable).

In addition, I walked the soles out of my ultra-comfortable black Aerosoles 4-give sandals (they actually disintegrated), so I have replaced them with a pair of teal and silver Onex (made in the USA) slides.

Catching up on the 333 Project...

2011-06-04T09:25:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black dress
Black shoes
Aqua purse
John Atencio sterling/gold rings and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise rings and bracelet

Thursday
Off-white jacket
Off-white shell
Brown pants
Sand shoes
Aqua purse
John Atencio sterling/gold rings and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise rings and bracelet

Friday
Pink/red/black shirt
Black pants
Black/cork shoes
Black purse
John Atencio sterling/gold rings and bracelet

Saturday
Jeans
Black top
Black shoes
Black purse
John Atencio sterling/gold rings and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise rings and bracelet

The 333 Project, Day 50!

2011-05-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

Brown dress with aqua/white polka dots
Sand shoes
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

I haven't been blogging much...

2011-05-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

...so I just wanted you all to know that I wasn't taken up in the Rapture last week. That said, I do feel like I've been rescued from Hell, now the that Tennessee General Assembly has adjourned.

I'm really falling behind on my 333 Project Reports.

2011-05-29T13:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday
Black dress (I had a funeral to attend.)
Black shoes
Aqua purse
Seafoam allweather coat (In case it was cold in the church. It wasn't.)
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and rings
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise bracelet and rings

Bonus accessory (for the funeral): Black satin bubble toque (got it on Ebay)

Sunday
Black/teal dress
Black jacket (In case it was cold in the church. It wasn't.)
Black/cork shoes
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and rings
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise bracelet and rings

Bonus accessory (for church): Black sinamay picture hat with swooping brim (got it in Toronto)

The 333 Project, Day 37

2011-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Teal/black dress
Black jacket
Black shoes
Teal purse
Teal thermoset brooch
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet

I haven't been wearing daily hats, because (a) they aren't in my 33 items, and (b) my hair is so long that a hat pushes my bangs into my eyes. That said, someone commented on the fact that I wasn't wearing a hat when we went to the House chamber to listen to a bill debated yesterday, and then someone else commented that I had such beautiful hair, she didn't know why I even wore hats. This, naturally, made me feel good, because no one has complimented my hair in quite some time.

But I'm still getting it cut as soon as I have a chance to get to the salon.

The 333 Project Weekend

2011-05-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

The 333 Project, Day 34
This was Iroquois Steeplechase Saturday, and it was damp and chilly (blackberry winter).
Black ankle-length dress
Red/white polka dot boots (selected by my niece Mariann)
Aqua allweather coat (didn't match, but I was glad to have it)

Bonus accessories (because it was Steeplechase!): Red sinamay picture hat, red cinnabar bangles

Trades: I have traded out a suit and replaced it with the ankle length black dress, because I need dresses more than suits in the theoretically warmer weather.

The 333 Project, Day 35
Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black dress
Black shoes
Aqua purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

Bonus accessories: Aqua straw breton, black wrap (it was chilly, and I spilled something on my allweather coat at the race)

The 333 Project, Day 36
Teal/green/black shirt
Black shell (it's chilly again today, so I'm layering
Black gored skirt
Black shoes
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Black rain jacket (my allweather coat is at the cleaners)

Catching Up

2011-05-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

The 333 Project, Day 27
Jeans
Black top
Black/cork slides
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring
Sterling cross

The 333 Project, Day 28
Black pants
Black windowpane top
Off-white jacket
Black/cork shoes
Black purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

Bonus accessories (because it was Sunday): Black/cream straw hat, red enamel flower pin (for my mother, who is still living)

The 333 Project, Day 29
Black dress
Black purse
Black sandals
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

It's already hot as the devil here in NashVegas, so I have traded out one of my suits for another black dress. However, according to the 333 Project rules, it does not go back in my closet. I have added it to my box of stuff for This'N'That.

The 333 Project, Day 25

2011-05-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

Brown/white polka dot dress
Off-white jacket
Sand 4-give sandals
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

I had two black jackets in my original 33 items, but I realized yesterday that 24 days of the 3 months had passed without me ever wearing one of them, because it doesn't go with anything else I chose. So I traded it out for the off-white jacket, which goes with a bunch of things.

The 333 Project, Day 24

2011-05-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Teal/green/black shirt
Black skirt
Black 4-give sandals
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

Bonus item: Black all-weather coat, because it was cold this morning. We're apparently in the middle of blackberry winter.

Did you hear about the royal wedding?

2011-05-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

My three favorite ensembles:

Autumn Kelly Phillips. I would have wrestled her for that fabulous coat.

Princess Michael of Kent. She always looks lovely.

Sophie Winkleman. She's so pretty, and I really want that hat.

Catching Up on My 333 Project

2011-05-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

Day 22
Teal/black dress
Black jacket
Black shoes
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring
Teal brooch

Bonus acccessory: Vintage straw breton

Day 23

Black pants
Black windowpane top
Black/cork platform sandals
Teal purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

Bonus Outerwear: Black rain jacket ('cause it's raining like a big dog!)

I had to swap out a couple of things. My "good" shoes were killing my feet, if I had to spend several hours standing on them (which, in my job, I do), so I traded them out (and gave them to This'N'That) and replaced them with black 4-give sandals and black/cork platform sandals.

The 333 Project, Day 13

2011-04-20T17:18:00.001-07:00

Brown polka dot dress
Sand 4-give sandals
Aqua purse
Seafoam all-weather coat
Sterling cross
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

Teh 333 Project, Day 12

2011-04-19T10:19:00.000-07:00

Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black print dress
Black shoes
Aqua purse
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and ring
John Atencio sterling/gold/turquoise bracelet and ring

333 Project Catch-Up Time

2011-04-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, DAY 9
Black top
Blue jeans
Sand 4-give sandals
Seafoam all-weather coat
JA sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

SUNDAY, DAY 10
Off-white suit
Off-white shell
Black shoes
Teal purse
Teal thermoset brooch
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

Bonus Accessory: Turquoise sinamay hat

MONDAY, DAY 11
Off-white jacket
Black windowpane shell
Black pants
Black shoes
Black purse
John Atencio sterling/gold ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring
Sterling cross

The 333 Project, Day 8

2011-04-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Teal/black dress
Black jacket
Black shoes
Teal purse
Teal thermoset/faux pearl brooch
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet and ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring.

The 333 Project, Day 7

2011-04-14T07:36:00.001-07:00

Brown pants
White/brown/turquoise/yellow print jacket
Sand 4-give sandals
Teal purse
JA sterling/gold ring and bracelet
JA sterling/gold/turquoise ring and bracelet
Sterling cross

The 333 Project, Day 6

2011-04-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Black dress
Black/off-white linen swing jacket
Black shoes
Black purse
Black straw breton (vintage)
JA sterling/gold bracelet and ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring
Sterling cross

I had such intentions last night to complete the purging of my clothes closets, so that I can move on to my accessories collection. Alas, no. I made myself some supper, sat down in my favorite green leather chair to watch a little "Supernatural" (I'm rewatching the Season 1 DVD during the show's hiatus), and fell asleep. When I woke up, I decided just to go on to bed, because, apparently, I am old, and I need lots of sleep.

Sigh.

The 333 Project had taken over my life.

2011-04-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Last night, while the wind howled, and the rain fell, I pulled stuff out of my Lane chest that hasn't seen the light of day, since I moved into my house in 1998. Then I took that stuff, and the stuff I pulled from my three, count 'em, three clothes closets and packed them up to take to the This'N'That thrift store. I filled three storage containers, and I have enough stuff left to fill a fourth.

Next up, my kitchen.

The 333 Project, Day 5

2011-04-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

Aqua/turquoise/lavender/black dress
Sand 4-give sandals
Black purse
Seafoam allweather coat
JA bracelets and rings

Pictures!

2011-04-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

First, my 333 Project wardrobe.

Then, my 333 Project accessories.

I traded out a couple of tops, a jacket, and a pair of shoes from my first list.

The 333 Project, Day 4

2011-04-11T08:19:00.000-07:00

Teal/green/black blouse
Black skirt
Black low-heeled slingbacks
Black purse
JA sterling/gold bracelet and ring
JA sterling/gold/turquoise bracelet and ring

The 333 Project, Day 3

2011-04-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

Same thing for Day 3, since I have a tough time accessing the eBlog site from my decrepit home computer.

Black shell
Black pants
Black/off-white swing jacket
Black half-boots
Black handbag
John Atencio sterling/gold bracelet
John Atencio sterling/gold ring
Lilly Barrack sterling/pearl ring

Free accessory:
Sterling cross

Bonus accessory:
Black sinamy hat

The 333 Project, Day 2

2011-04-08T15:08:00.001-07:00

I am posting Day 2 in advance, because tomorrow is a crazy day for me, starting with a layperson event at church at 8:30 a.m. and going until a party at Mike's at 6 p.m.

Black dress (I'm attending a funeral in the afternoon)
Black slingbacks
Black purse
John Atencio bracelets, one sterling/gold, one sterling/gold/turquoise
John Atencio ring, silver/gold/turquoise

Free accessory (333 Project Rules):
Sterling cross

Bonus acccessory (Ginny Rules):
Black 60's era bubble toque

The 333 Project, Day 1

2011-04-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Brown polka dot dress
Sand 4-give sandals
John Atencio sterling and gold ring and bracelet
Lilly Barrack sterling and pearl ring
Seafoam all-weather coat
Teal/cream/black striped purse.

I have labored to produce...

2011-04-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

My list of the original 33 pieces of clothing that I will wear for the next 3 months:

1 pair jeans
1 pair black dress pants
1 black skirt
1 black dress
1 brown/aqua/white dress
1 seafoam/aqua/lavender/black dress
1 teal/black dress
1 casual black top
1 casual teal top
2 black shells
1 pink/black top
1 teal/green/black blouse
1 pink/red/black blouse
1 black suit
1 aqua suit
1 white suit
1 black jackets
1 black/white jacket
1 black/off-white swing jacket
1 black handbag
1 aqua handbag
1 teal handbag with brown/black/cream stipes
1 pair blue 4-give sandals
1 pair sand 4-give sandals
1 pair black half-boots
1 pair black slingbacks
1 pair black/white slingbacks
1 seafoam all-weather coat
2 John Atencio bracelets
1 John Atencio ring
1 Lilly Barrack ring

There is a proviso, and I think the rules permit it. If I lose weight, I may start swapping out clothes that no longer fit for clothes that do. I already have an entire wardrobe in a smaller size from which I can select replacement pieces.

Also, I consider a suit to be one item, because I don't break up my suits and use them as separates, nor do generally I wear them with a blouse. So, in my mind, they are the equivalent of three long-sleeved dresses.

Finally, a project for this blog.

2011-04-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

It's been so crazy in my real life lately (the Republicans took over my state legislature, and they apparently cannot govern to save their lives) that I haven't had much time to blog. I have also been really stressed for the last two months (I've noticed that my hair is turning gray at a highly accelerated rate), because of what is happening in my state and how it might affect my job, so I have decided to try to remove other stress from my life.

I started with a whole foods approach to eating in February. And it was fabulous for the first month. I felt great, I lost weight. Then I got lazy, and I have to really re-focus and start planning again, so that I keep to the regimen.

Now, I have come up with a brand new project, one that really suits this blog, since it has always had such a fashion emphasis. I am going to do the Project 333 challenge. Never heard of it? Check it out here:

http://www.bemorewithless.com/2010/minimalist-fashion-projects/

The challenge is to identify 33 things in your existing wardrobe and then wear only those 33 things for the next 3 months. The 33 things don't include underwear, sleepwear or exercise wear, so it's mostly day and evening outer wear and accessories that you have to consider. I'm going to do the preliminary work tonight and early next week, which is to take inventory of my closets and cupboards and pull items that I need to get rid of, anyway. Then I'll select my 33 pieces from what remains.

I may end up doing a little bit of a cheat on accessories (hats), but I'm going to try to stick as close to the rules as possible. Wish me luck!

Sigh.

2011-03-09T15:53:00.000-08:00

If you should ever decide to attend a House Education Subcommittee meeting at which Rep. Bill Dunn of Knoxville lies like a dog in the road about the teacher tenure law, I don't recommend it.

In other news, the Associated Press took my picture (the photog liked my hat) and my card at the meeting, so I may be appearing in a newspaper near me.

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted.

2011-03-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the conservative fringe has taken over my state, and I've been engaged on the front lines. Here's a pic or me and a colleague taken at the rally on Legislative Plaza last Saturday:

Happy New Year, everyone!

2011-01-03T08:55:00.001-08:00

And to 2010, I say "good riddance".

Ooh, pretty!

2010-10-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is the cake from the bridal shower that I attended on Saturday.

I almost forgot to post.

2010-10-07T15:15:00.001-07:00

I turned 50 yesterday!

Post Dragon*con.

2010-09-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

My green and blue streaks are already beginning to fade.

I got blue and green streaks in my hair for Dragon*con.

2010-08-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

But they don't look exactly like I thought they would. My colleague Kate says I look like a peacock. :-\

A New Hat

2010-08-30T15:50:00.001-07:00

My church supports an orphanage in Durbin, South Africa, and every year, a group of parishioners goes to visit, helping out around the orphanage and meeting the children. Well, this year, two of the parishioners brought me back a present...a red and black woven hat in the Zulu style.

It's very similar to this one, only the red is much brighter and in greater contrast to the black.

More fun with Miss Universe 2010

2010-08-18T11:27:00.001-07:00

Miss Jamaica. She is so going to win.

Miss France

Miss Puerto Rico, whose costume does not appear to cover her ladybits.

Miss Aruba!

Miss Trinidad Tobago! I'm sensing a theme from the Carribean nations.

Miss South Africa. Gorgeous colors.

Fun with Miss Universe 2010

2010-08-17T10:59:00.001-07:00

Miss Canada. Fabulous!

Miss Ghana. Also fabulous!

Miss Ecuador

Miss Turkey

Miss Nigeria

And last, but not least (tacky)...

Miss USA

Pics from Project Rungay (http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/). You must go read it, because TLo have some hilarious commentary to go along with the pics.

My White Collar Boyz...

2010-08-02T16:38:00.001-07:00

Looking particularly fetching on the set of the show:

I tend to prefer Peter to Neal, but I will say this. If Matt Bomer is not the most genetically gifted young man on television, he will do, until that guy comes along. 'Cause damn.

There is no more elegant garment in the world...

2010-07-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

...than a well-draped sari. Here are a few lush, gorgeous pieces from Delhi's very first Couture Week.

J.J. Valaya

PallaviJaikishan

Varun Bahal

ManavGangwani1

Pics courtesy of Project Rungay

Today was an auspicious day.

2010-07-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

I began my program of budget austerity and more healthful and frugal eating. I spent the weekend cooking and freezing food in various sized portions, so that I can bring my lunch to work for the next 6 weeks. I also have stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables from Eric and Stephanie, who own a local farm and sell their produce in their front yard.

I have seeded and coarsely chopped peppers to freeze for use in the fall and winter. I also intend to make my own pickles, and I may freeze containers of fruit, if I can find some nice peaches or berries.

I changed my layout.

2010-07-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

Again.

The image is another one of Jennifer Gordon's collages. I own it, so I figure that I can use it for my header.

After all, it's been my avatar for months already.

Gifting Vintage

2010-07-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently turned 50. She loves interesting and unusual purses, so I gave her a vintage Enid Collins Mille Fleur canvas bucket bag that I had in my collection of vintage purses. Circa early to mid-70's (when the bags were made by Collins of Texas), it was in excellent condition, the interior was clean, none of the jewels were missing, and she seemed to really like it. But afterwards, I wondered if it was a bit gauche to give someone what was, essentially, a used purse.

What does my flist think?

More Hats

2010-07-08T07:48:00.000-07:00

One of the older gentlemen at church lost his wife to a long illness a couple of months ago. He and I shared church guide duties on a Saturday in June, and he brought me all of her hats in boxes, about 15 boxes in all. I finally got around to pulling them out and trying them on last night. I'm going to keep most of them, but there are a couple that are too small for me, and the fur hats are a color--blonde mink--that I don't wear well, so I've offered them to other women in the parish through the women's listserv.

I've already had two takers. :-)

I'll try to post some pics of me wearing the hats sometime soon. There's a particularly cute black summer trilby trimmed with a pink silk peony, an elegant layered cream white toque, and a pink pillbox covered with a mass of silk flowers. I don't really like pink, but I might buy something just to match that flowered hat.

Fabulous Hats on a Beautiful Woman

2010-07-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

Christina Hendricks on the cover of LA Times Magazine:

Hat by Philip Treacy, necklace by Tim Szlyk for House of Lavande

Hat by Philip Treacy

Feather face piece by Irene Bussemaker, diamonds and peridot by Harry Winston

Pics courtesy of Project Rungay.

Dior's Fall 2010 Couture Collection

2010-07-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Galliano hit this one out of the park.

Images courtesy of Project Rungay.

I may not make the Balenciaga exhibit...

2010-07-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

...but Nashville has its own exhibition of vintage haute couture, The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947–1957, at the Frist Center for the Visual arts, including this Balenciaga dress from the 1950's:

Check out the exhibition here.

Deep, deep, deep...

2010-06-25T12:07:00.001-07:00

...deep, deep, deep in the most deluded part of my brain, I look like Salma Hayek.

I would kill to see this exhibit.

2010-06-24T15:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.libertylondongirl.com/2010/06/21/major-balenciaga-retrospective-to-open-in-new-york/

Water, water, everywhere...

2010-05-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

We have only one working water treatment plant in Nashville, and our clean water reserves were down by 15% yesterday. Even worse, they're down by 63% today. Apparently, people have started hoarding water, which is putting us on a slippery slope to shortages and contamination.

I have taken a number of conservation measures, myself. I'm using bottled water to take sponge baths, brush my teeth, and wash my dishes. I am only flushing my toilet every third time I use it. I am not running my dishwasher, washing machine, shower, or ice-maker.

Also, we may be looking at both a gas shortage and a diet Coke shortage, because the distribution centers for both of these items were flooded.

I'm fine. My house is fine.

2010-05-03T11:01:00.001-07:00

My city? Not so much.

I have selected my Steeplechase dress.

2010-04-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

A floaty B/W georgette dress with a wrapped bodice that I bought late in the season last year. I'll wear the black sinamay hat from Easter and a pair of simple black sandals with it.

Unless it rains, and then I'm wearing my new red/white polka dot rain boots. :-)

New Header Image!

2010-04-19T09:47:00.001-07:00

It's from a photo by Jacqleen Bleu, who sells her photographs on Etsy.

Morena Baccarin is faaabulous!

2010-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the proof from Project Rungay...

Jason Wu

Proenza Schouler

Emilio Pucci

Alexander McQueen

I love her in the yellow Pucci with the big earrings. And she is totally rocking that pixie cut.

"I could write a sonnet about your Easter bonnet..."

2010-04-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

There's too much sun in my face, but here I am in my Easter chapeau in the front yard yesterday.

2010-03-17T10:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a rockin' look from L'Wren Scott's Spring 2010 Collection.

And here's Shelley O, rockin' it out at some speechy thing.

New Layout!

2010-03-16T11:08:00.001-07:00

In honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Misha Collins as Castiel.

2010-03-15T10:57:00.001-07:00

He's not the prettiest, wittiest, most self-aware genre actor in all of human history, but he'll do, until that guy comes along. I think I'm in fannish love with an actor who tweets.

No good can come of this.

My favorites from the Oscars (even though I didn't watch)...

2010-03-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive`

Rachel McAdam in Elie Saab

Nicole Ritchie in Reem Acra (quite possibly my favorite look of the night)

J-Lo in Armani Prive` (I loved every gown in this collection)

Vera Farmiga in Marchesa

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

"Supernatural" has eaten my brain.

2010-03-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true. I've been marathoning episodes for two weekends now, and I'm still only through half of Season 4. There is not rest for the weary Winchester fan. ;-)

I am now cool on an intergalactic level.

2010-02-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

I was posting about my acknowledgement in C.E. Murphy's new book on the Coffee Nebula, when a Trek buddy of mine emailed me and informed me that he had given me an acknowledgement in this book:

Apparently, I'm in the chapter on "Enterprise". I had no idea that I rocked this hard. :-D

I'm not saying the Russian ice dancers has the worst costumes I've ever seen on ice...

2010-02-23T11:41:00.000-08:00

...but I am saying that, if they gave Olympic medals for tacky and vulgar, the Russians would have taken home gold.

Original Dance

Free Dance
Not quite as tacky as the Original Dance, but the graphic on her left breast looks like her nipple is peeking through.

How cool is this?

2010-02-23T10:13:00.001-08:00

Author C.E. Murphy, whose blog I follow on LiveJournal, was asking on LJ for the name of a hymn for her protagonist to reference as encouragement in her new book, and she didn't want to use "Amazing Grace". Another poster suggested "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", and I commented on his post that this hymn would be a particularly good choice, if the hero was besieged in a maritime environment, since this is the Navy Hymn. And then I quoted the refrain, "Oh, hear us when we cry to thee, For those in peril on the sea."

Well, it turns out that this hymn was, in the author's own words, "PERFECTPERFECTPERFECT", so we're both getting an acknowledgement--in our real names--in the book. This may well be the coolest thing that has ever happened to me on LJ. :-)

Yes, yes, he's a raging attention queen...

2010-02-22T13:46:00.001-08:00

...but you have to love Johnny Weir's outrageous sense of style.

These pics are from a NYT article on several Olympians, including Johnny Weir. The fabulous knit skating outfit on the left is by the fabulous Rodarte sisters.

Something pretty from Marchesa's 2010 Fall RTW line...

2010-02-18T16:14:00.000-08:00

I wasn't crazy about Irina on last season's Project Runway...

2010-02-15T09:36:00.001-08:00

...but damn, that girl can make pretty clothes. From her Fall 2010 collection:

See more from the collection here:
http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2010/02/irina-shabayeva-fall-2010-collection.html

I wasn

2010-02-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hurrah!

2010-02-11T10:00:00.000-08:00

I won "Old Man's War", by John Scalzi, over at Book Love Affair!

The aspiring fashionista in me mourns.

2010-02-11T07:59:00.001-08:00

Alexander McQueen has committed suicide at the age of 40. How tragic. :-(

I called my mother to complain about my house...

2010-02-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

...which has water in the crawlspace, and it turns out my niece was staying the night, so we talked about "Eldest" and "Brisingr" (she loves that series with the passion that a girl always brings to her first dragon books) and about "The Lightning Thief" movie, to which I am going to take her and her brother on Saturday.

Anyway, it also turns out that she's going to a Valentine's dance this weekend. And I, being her fashionable Aunt Min, asked if it was a real dance for which you get dressed up, and she said yes and told me all about her dancing dress...a strapless teal dress with a bubble hem. Personally, I think strapless is a little too old for an almost 13-year-old, but she also said that she has a little black cardigan to wear over it, which I suspect is Grandmother's tempering influence. She is soooo excited about her dress and has planned to show it to me when I go home this weekend.

I remember my first dance ensemble. I wore a lush green velvet skirt that my mother made for me, a white satin blouse, a green velvet flower over my ear, and my very first pair of strappy sandals with heels. My mother was beside herself with excitement when I picked out those shoes, because I was already 16 years old, and she had despaired of me ever giving up my Keds and hurachi sandals. :-)

Book Giveaway, Bab-ee!

2010-02-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

Jawa is giving away Joe Scalzi's "Zoe's Tale" over at Jawa's Read, Too. Get thee hence and check it out:

http://jawasreadtoo.blogspot.com/2010/02/macmillan-giveaway.html

Wanna see someone do haute couture right?

2010-02-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

I give you the 2010 Armani Prive` spring Collection, whose theme was the night sky:

I love this suit.

This one has "Red Carpet" written all over it.

Easter Dilemma

2010-02-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

I want this hat so bad I can taste it. It's gorgeous, it's relatively inexpensive, and it would go perfectly with my Easter ensemble.

Isn't it fabulous????

However, I had sort of committed to doing this year what I did last year for Easter...create an ensemble entirely from things I already own. I can still do that, since I have the suit (for which I need to lose only 13-18 more pounds), the shoes, and the purse. Plus, the suit and shoes have never before been seen at church. And I have a hat, a perfectly lovely red sinamay confection that I usually wear with a red linen dress, that would match the suit.

But I really want that hat.

Winter, you say?

2010-02-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

The view from my back steps:

Gaultier Glamour

2010-01-29T11:03:00.000-08:00

I'm not usually a big fan of Jean Paul Gaultier--he's a little outre` for my taste--but I love the hats in his 2010 haute couture collection.

I know, I know.

2010-01-25T16:03:00.000-08:00

Galliano isn't breaking any new ground here, and Edith Head is probably spinning like a top, but I still love the luscious elegance that is Dior.

That purple gown just sends me.

Book Love Affair is giving away more books.

2010-01-13T11:46:00.001-08:00

Go check it out.

http://www.bookloveaffair.com/2010/01/giveaway-larbalestier-and-scalzi.html

And give me credit, if you enter. Please and thank you. :-)

Seasons change, and so does my blog layout.

2010-01-13T09:45:00.003-08:00

This picture was posted on LiveJournal by one of my flisties in Finland. I loved it so much that I stole it.

Lily's giving away free books!!!

2010-01-13T09:05:00.001-08:00

Check it out:

http://lillybook.blogspot.com/2010/01/followerseries-giveaway.html

I do love mermaids.

2010-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

Which is why I bought this pin on Etsy:

If it's as pretty in person as in the photo, I may go back and buy this one, too:

Arghhhhhh!

2010-01-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

Static cling is the bane of my existence. I am never, ever, ever buying polyester or acrylic winter pants again, no matter how washable they are.

My Easter shoes...

2010-01-11T09:22:00.001-08:00

...around which I will build my Easter ensemble.

Late 80's vintage, never worn. I couldn't believe it when I found them on Etsy for a steal.

I came down with bronchitis right after Christmas.

2010-01-08T08:45:00.001-08:00

So my week and a half off wasn't the productive event that I had planned. OTOH, I did lose 7-8 pounds while I was sick, and now, building on my post-holiday momentum, I have lost 10 pounds total. It is my goal to lose 30 pounds by Easter. I already have my Easter suit and my Easter shoes (a pair of vintage red/white spectators pumps). The suit has been hanging in my closet for the last three years. I'm really hopeful that I can finally wear it this year, because it's an incredibly hot little suit that I got at Janice Ann's, and red is a good color for me.

I will just need to find a fabulous hat to go with it.

2010-01-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

It's almost time.

2009-12-22T15:16:00.001-08:00

My extended, forced Christmas vacation, during which I am banned from the office until January 4, 2010, starts in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas is kicking my ass. Again.

2009-12-21T06:52:00.000-08:00

Saturday, I worked in the bookstore, then I had to go to K-Mart and buy another Crockpot, because I forgot and left all my others ones at the office. That's okay, though. I can always use another Crockpot. Then I came home to cook, because my book group women were gathering for our annual Christmas party that same night, and it's a major food and gift extravanganza. I made a Greek terrine, chicken and rice soup, and homemade chocolate sandwich cookies with vanilla cream.

I didn't get home from the party, until after 2:30 a.m.

Then I dragged my sorry butt out of bed on Sunday morning and made it to the 11:00 a.m. service. I stuck around to work in the bookstore for a little while, then I came home and finally got my Christmas tree up. It isn't one of my prettiest trees, but, by this point, I ain't picky.Then I headed back out to meet my other women friends for dinner and gift giving. It was very nice, and I ate my weight in fried pickles, a fact for which I will certainly pay today. I begged off driving around to see the Christmas lights, because I have entirely too much to do tonight. I stopped by K-Mart on the way home and bought a gift card for my mailman and a couple of Christmas movies.

I came home and messed with the tree some more, stuffed assorted stockings, set out my Fitz and Floyd Santas, addressed Twelfth Night invitations, wrote thank you notes, and otherwise tried to get a handle on my remaing list of Christmas tasks. I have a party tonight, and I don't expect to be back from it until around midnight. I have to find time to take Mike's gift to him, and I have scads of packages to wrap on Tuesday night. God only knows when I'm going to have time to bake.

I'll be so glad when Christmas is over, and I can finally start to enjoy the holiday.

I love almost everything...

2009-12-09T08:36:00.000-08:00

...in Zac Posen's new pre-fall collection.

http://projectrungay.blogspot.com/2009/12/zac-posen-pre-fall-2010.html

Except the cats. Not crazy about the cats.

I'm off to Knox-Vegas.

2009-11-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!