Wear The Hat

What is girly or womanly??????

2012-02-10T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ever notice how some females are more girly and some are more womanly. I remember being a counselor at a summer camp and my co camp leader told me I was different than all of the other female counselors. He told me I acted and looked like a woman. I was very puzzled by this comment. I know that he meant it as a compliment. I was 26 at the time. So over the years I have thought about this and have come to know what he means. Some females are forever girls and some become women. I think both are an okay way to be. I am wondering though what and when was my transition.
I know some females look very girly even as elderly women. My mother is this way. the doctors call her a "girl" . She wears hair barrettes and piles on the perfume and wears clothing that reminds me of short sets matching tops and bottoms. When she sits she swings her feet if they don't touch the floor. NO it is not dementia.. She doesn't laugh she giggles.
I never giggle I have a loud laugh. I never wear barrettes or hairbands. I have my hairdo intact most of the time so I don't need to hold anything in place or out of my face. I don't wear perfume unless I am going on a husband date. My clothes are separates but not out of matching fabric. I never swing my feet and I don't like sitting with my feet dangling. I don't read romance novels I prefer adventure or mystery or biographies. Is this what makes me more womanly? I am not necessarily more or less serious than my girly mother.
Maybe it was the clothing I didn't wear when I was in my mid 20's. I didn't wear a bikini to that camp. I thought a counselor should be more modest than the campers. I was the only one wearing a one piece. I didn't wear low cut tops like the other counselors. I didn't wear sports jerseys as nightgowns either. Did that make me more womanly.?
When I finally asked that guy many years later about his comment he laughed and said it was because I was more confident that the other female counselors. He feels confidence equates with womanly and lack of confidence reads 'girly'. I don't know if I agree but what do you think? What constitutes girly or womanly?

I'M HONORED TODAY

2012-02-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Imognee Lamport from INSIDE OUT STYLE has me as her guest blogger today here is the link Guest post:

Simply Green

2012-01-28T11:33:00.000-08:00

My corgi thinks she is going to herd me in the back yard. She is trying to grip my shoes in her mouth in order to guide me her way.

It is a green day. I love the color green I think it works well with my red hair and rather ruddy complexion. I am wearing 3 different greens but they are next to each other on the color wheel so I think they work. I don't usually tuck my sweaters but wanted you to see this beautifully tooled belt.

Boot these boots are made for walking.

2012-01-24T20:20:00.000-08:00

I love me some boots! I have been trying to wear boots in the brown family because they 'book end' my hair color so well. What I have discovered is that not all boots are equal with pants tucked in. You will see in the photo's above that proportion and where they cut your leg line is very important. To my eye the taller boots just look better. I tried to wear the same T shirt and jeans so it would be easier to compare these aren't finished looks just the underpinnings.

The graphic T shirt:casual but not slumpy

2012-01-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

I realized that I have a love of Graphic T shirts. What is a graphic T shirt? The New Merriman-Webster dictionary says it is a representational or decorative printing on a flat surface. So some of my prints are probably also considered graphic prints. Here is one paired with a tied drape front sweater. I have paired one with a trench type coat and scarf.

I like to pair them with dress slacks and a jeans jacket OR I pair them with jeans and a dressy blazer. I once paired one with a black pencil skirt and ballet flats not too shabby.I also have one of Bob Marley.

To market to market to market I go

2012-01-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

This is what I wore to the grocery store today. I wanted to get some wear out of my cargo skirt and this striped top that I rarely wear. I am leery of horizontal stripes on me, but this top has them on the diagonal and they are not highly contrasting. I wore the tights because I wore them to church and was too lazy to change. I threw this short sleeved sweater on to be warmer and to make this more seasonally appropriate. Those are my Easy Spirit shoes that keep my knee from hurting.

Venting

2012-01-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

The Blogging world has made many experts. But some are more expert than others. I am always torn but what I should say on someones blog and when to keep my opinion to myself.
There are some areas of fashion I feel better versed in than others. Wearing hats is one area I feel accomplished. When I see individuals wearing hats that obviously (to me) don't fit their heads I want to rip them off of their heads. How can so many people wear hats that are too small and other people continue to tell them how "good" they look. Many women choose to avoid hats because they can't find ones to fit their heads. I applaud those women. Don't wear hats, shirts, shoes or belts that don't fit. One might ask but how can you tell by a blog photograph? The telltale sign is the hat is sitting about 3-4 inches above their ears. The hats look perched on a high wire instead of being on someones head. OKAY then I have said it and gotten it off of my chest. If you want advice on how to fit a hat on your head send me an e-mail and I will freely advise you. adr10@erols.com

Closet redo

2012-01-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

On Christmas day 2010 my master bathroom imploded. Yes a pipe burst in the wall. The bathroom was Circa 1976 Harvest Gold. It needed a redo. As part of the bathroom area was my very large walk in closet. It actually took up more space than the actual toilet and shower area. I decided to make one long wall of my bedroom a closet. The whole length of it. This made it possible to completly gut our bathroom and spread out the toilet and shower area and to increase our sink area to two sinks, and two medicine cabinets with a makeup area in between. Well here it is a year later the closet is totally organized and finished and functional. The sinks are operational and so are the shower and toilet but one half of the space needs to be demo and my husbands closet still needs to be done. He had hand surgery right before Christmas so phase three is waiting until he is better. So here is my new closet.

Part 5 continue another elevation of a basic

2012-01-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

In the photographs below I show you the basic T with a navy blue open front draped cardigan and a scarf that picks up the blue and tan colors. Another basic outfit upgraded with a bracelet and earring too.
I added a brown tweed jacket and an animal print hat and scarf that I made. The jacket has a small scale print-tweed and the hat and scarf a bigger scale print. They are all in the same neutral color family so they work.

In the next photo I used a brown sweater with copper flecks in it. It is closer in color to the brown in the animal print. It is so much more expected but it works. A very simple upgrade of a sweater and jeans.

Somebody Cares!!!!

2012-01-03T17:55:00.000-08:00

Somebody Cares!!!!

too few beacons gave me the above award. Bless you what a lovely surprise today. I am so green in the bogging area that my paint isn't even dry.
But with every honor comes responsibility so I must follow the rules and nominate 5 other bloggers that are new and have less than 200 followers.

The rules for accepting the award and posting the widget are to:

Link back to the giver and express your heartfelt, undying gratitude. : )
Pass it to five more bloggers, letting them know it’s been given.
Copy and paste said award to your blog.
Keep the love flowing. They’ll tell five friends, and they’ll tell five friends, and…so on…
so the nominees are

1.chewyspaghetti - A great blog by a dedicated mother who has a unique style all of her own.

2.thedailysophisticate- A wonderful blogger that is getting ever more popular she's an athlete, cat lover and has very high taste level in clothing.

3.chapeaudujour - a wonderful blog about hat making and millinery you should check her out.

4. jillthinksdifferent- a very interesting blog of course she makes fabulous hats but has some of the best photography. This lady has been blogging for a long time and makes for some of the best reading on line.

5. the rantings of a mad hatter this is a milliner located in Spain that blogs on all things hats and making hats. She is a total inspiration to me and other milliners as well. Her explanations are supreme and I love all of the information she is sharing for free.

stage 6: When does an ordinary outfit become cool?

2012-01-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

When does a basic outfit become cool?

In my last post I made abasic outfit a little more interesting by substituting a colored T shirt andcolorful scarf. It is okay but still a little conservative. By adding moredetails like a hat and gloves and sunglasses and purse it becomes moreinteresting. By changing the shoes and rolling up the hem on the pants areother styling options.

Do you agree or are my accessories too much??

Part 5: Elevate a basic comb with color and a scarf

2012-01-01T15:15:00.000-08:00

Elevate a basic by adding color in both the T shirt and scarf. Today I wore my basic jeans and added a red T-shirt instead of the khaki and the same military jacket that is a deep green.(yesterday's post) I added the scarf with colors that accent the red T and jacket, silver hoop earrings a silver cuff and ready to go out the door. Oh and by the way I am an Easy Spirit shoe fan. I find with a bad knee they keep me walking much further than any other footwear would.

Part Four: the basics jeans and jackets.

2011-12-31T16:13:00.000-08:00

I am wearing the same T-shirt in each of these photographs. I changed the jacket and style of jeans. I am wearing bell bottom dark wash jeans and straight leg dark wash jeans. I added a few different accessories and shoes. I tried to consciously choose the colors that are best on me the muted browns and greens and golds. I still have a few with black in them but paired with the khaki Tee I think they can work. The next step is to jazz these basics up with accessories and shoes.

Style evolution part 3 the color Green

2011-12-30T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'm a color nut. I think that I look good in most green colors. I have consistently bought green items of clothing. Here are five photos of my green outfits.

Part Three: Jeans looks Good bad and the ugly

2011-12-29T14:34:00.000-08:00

The top two looks are where I started out. Totally the wrong color fit and style. The bottom left is so much better color paired with a nice jacket the one on the right is okay but the top is cheesy.

Day 29: When is red too much?

2011-12-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

I Love this dress, so I decided to winterize it with a blouse underneath. I have worn this dress with a red coat and got some good reviews. So again with red but a blouse this time. Do you like the pointed toed pumps? I think they are too pointy for me. My nose isn't that pointy so I should switch to a more rounded toed pump.I will have to try to find a more suitable pair somewhere.

Style evolving part two

2011-12-28T22:28:00.000-08:00

Silhouette: I realized a while back that until I embrace my figure and deal with it and accept that I will never look any different despite weight loss or gain.

Examples of bad silhouettes for me: The fabric in this shirt dress is just too stiff and there is so much of it that it was not flattering even though the sales person said a wrap top is always flattering.

The scarf just add emphasis where I don't need it. The added width of the sleeves just hits me at an unflattering place.

This is all wrong. The emphasis is on the bust line. Something I don't need to do. The colors are unflattering. Black and white and red not a good color combo for me. I got talked into this dress too.

BETTER OPTIONS: All of these dresses are knits. They flow over my curves. I tried to hem them at knee length. Although the one on the left is black I tied a scarf around my neck that has flattering colors for me in it.

My style ID updatepart One

2011-12-28T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Process:Throughout the past 3 years I have worked on improving my style and trying to developing my 'look'. As a more mature woman I wanted to have a 'look' that is mine. I refuse to be jerked around by the fashion fads anymore but want fashionable wardrobe. Don't get me wrong I love to look at fashion but trying to figure out what will work on me has been a daunting task.

Silhouette: I have learned what is my optimum silhouette, by figuring out what isn't. I have never seen my body type in the fashion magazines. Plus size models don't look like me either. So that makes it even more difficult. The other issue is realizing which fabrications will work on my body. Kendal Farr talks about this in her book and it is a very good point. I have a fleshy body so fabrics that drape with some structure work well on me. Too much flimsy fabric doesn't work too much stiffness doesn't work. Knits with enough body work well on me, this was a surprise.

Colors:The second criteria was to find fashions in the colors that look best on me. This is easier said than done. The fashion industry has colors that they use each year. Sometimes they favor individuals with warm coloring but usually they favor the cool color complected women. If you have black hair and that color complexion you have it made, because you can wear black. Black is always in style. If you look good in primary colors they are always available in every cut and style. If you are like me then it will be more difficult I have a warm based complexion and need muted shades. This is great for blouses and sweaters but try to find a brown suit jacket in the past 3 years. Oh you can find tweed and plaid but not any warm brown. And dresses tend to be in primary colors or bright spring colors. I can find neutral colored dresses but usually there is something else I don't like about them.Thank goodness blue suits are coming back because I can wear a shade of this color.

FIT and Proportion:The third criterion has to do with fit and proportion. I am an 'in between' person. Some of the X-large tops fits but most don't across the bust. When I find a 1X it is way too large in the hips or the sleeves are way too long. I seem to have an easier time with pants as I usually wear a regular length in a 12 or 14 or sometimes a 16 depending on how they are cut. The other issue is that my weight fluctuates because of my inconsistent exercise and diet habits. So as a result things that fit me last year may be too big or too small in 6 months depending on where I am weight-wise. (This is very self defeating behavior.) Oh and I went for a professional bra fitting this past fall and lo and behold I was wearing the wrong size, too big a band size too small a cup size. I am now looking "lifted".

THE Details:Accessories are my weakness. Whenever I get frustrated with clothes I just get a new accessory. I have way too many scarves. I have way too many necklaces. I always wear a watch and earrings and my wedding ring as a minimum.I love bracelets and wear them too. I love shoes but they giving me fits now and I have a hard time finding ones that are comfortable and stylish.

In Part two I will start showing you some photos to illustrate my points.

DAy 28: Channeling Great Aunt Helen

2011-12-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Today I am channeling my Great Aunt Helen Boulay-Beardslee. She always wore multiple bangle bracelets. Never took them off that I knew about. I am also wearing shoe clips. Mine are from my mother probably from the 1970's. They are brass and square shape, otherwise the shoes a plain black sling back pumps.

Day 27: Look at the shoes I found in my closet

2011-12-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

Look at those shoes. I forgot I had them and they are comfortable. I didn't wear them for a whole year because they bothered my old hip. Now that I have a new one voila they work.

Day 26: same dress different shoes

2011-12-26T06:54:00.000-08:00

This is my guest Bill Toohig. He is the accompanist at my church and a dashing Irishman who wore his kilt to the Christmas service.

Day 25: Merry Christmas not dressed up

2011-12-25T06:38:00.000-08:00

This is a very cheesy smile because I am glad Christmas is here. Time to relax with the family. I am wearing a moo-moo dress my mother bought in Hawaii in the 1980's. I guess all of the tourists were talked into these dresses... a bit bright for me but fun never the less. Enjoy your day. I'm going to spend it cooking and eating.

Day 24: Purple is my go to 'black dress'

2011-12-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

Purple it turns out is my 'black'. I am a soft autumn and black just washes me out. But I am discovering that by wearing purple it is just as appropriate as a black dress. I found this one with some slimming draping in the front that doesn't show up in the photo. I also am wearing purple shoes that are my go to comfortable dress shoes. Perhaps it is too matchy but I like to be subtly stylish.
I'm discovering that when you are a big girl you don't need too many accessories.

What a BIG girl wears to a Party

2011-12-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

I styled this dress with the black hose and shoes originally. It didn't look right to my eye so off came the black hose and on came the flesh hose and silver/gold shoes. I think it gives it a better overall look.

Day 22: i've been scalped

2011-12-22T03:07:00.000-08:00

Here is the new haircut, short again and my green sweater dress. I love it because it feels like a comfy bathrobe.

Day 21 dressember challange wear a wedding dress.

2011-12-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

Never wore this dress(one on the left) to a wedding.When I was getting married for the second time. I originally thought that it would be a summer wedding. I thought this was a beautiful dress and bought it. It fit me then. Well as planning progressed we decided to get married in the fall and this dress would not be warm enough for an outdoor wedding. So poof I didn't wear it but wore this one instead.(one pictured on the right)

Day 20:Maybe Plain is better called Minimal

2011-12-20T11:23:00.000-08:00

Wearing a dress everyday I have noticed that perhaps this is a good look for me. My legs are my thinnest asset as are my arms. If I find the right dress in the right color and fit and fabrication it seems to work. I also noticed that I don't need many accessories. I actually seem to disappear under all of the accessories and look overdone. So today I kept it simple: dress, shoes, earrings, watch, rings, glasses.

I am showing another shot with a jacket the color of mud. I also realized that mud is a good color on me.

Day 19: Im in a plain Jane mood.

2011-12-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

Today I was in a hurry and had to get somewhere so I popped on my ubiquitous brown dress and layered it over a bow tie blouse. Added the new brown hose comfy easy spirit shoes and off I went. Hair needs an attitude adjustment so off to the hairdressers on Wed.

Hat Collection some I've kept

2011-12-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

I have made these hats. When you make hats they tend to get sold as a result you end up with none to wear yourself. So I've kept some for myself to wear. Here is the winter collection.

Day 18: Vintage hat made with vintage block

2011-12-18T08:52:00.000-08:00

I decided to add a hat picture today. This hat was made with a vintage hat block I bought from someone a while back. I just didn't have anything to wear it with until I bought this dress the other day. the hat block was a style worn in the 1940's. The crown is conical with some interesting carved detail. The other thing I did was put on a lot of eye make-up. I don't think you can tell I am amazed. What looked like too much to me is in fact photo worthy.

Day 17: Polka dots

2011-12-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Spots or Polka-dots as I like to call them. Didn't have any dress with them but I do have hose with them. This is my first sweater dress and I had to go up a size so it wouldn't be clingy. I'm glad I did.

Day 16: One dress two looks:

2011-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

It is the same dress, different blouse under it and I have textured hose in the first with suede boots and in the second plain small fishnets with animal print shoes. I never realized how versatile this dress is.

Day 15: I live in a crooked house

2011-12-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

I Live in a crooked house. My tripod stand has one leg that has decided not to extend all of the way as a result I look like the leaning tower of Pisa. Brown dress layered over a cowl neck top. I think this works.

Day 14 making a dress casual

2011-12-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

Making a dressy dress casual: add fishnet stockings, oxfords, quilted vest, and a T-shirt under the dress. Accessories are earrings and belt..VOILA

Dec 13: Another black dress look

2011-12-13T06:18:00.000-08:00

Again the black dress. I tried wearing a blouse under this and I think it works. It looks like a 'teacher' look. I put the animal print shoes to dress it up. Going to an old-agers luncheon with my mom today I am now old enough to go. It's there Christmas luncheon.

On the twelfth day of Christmas.....

2011-12-12T04:51:00.000-08:00

This is my Chanel style jacket that I like to wear with everything, it is as neutral as it gets. It is a gray and brown weave. I need to wear a longer skirt to make it more proportionate, the hem of the jacket cuts me at my mid-line. I prefer more of a 1/3 to 2/3 proportion but it is what I got so I'll wear it. What's a girl to do???

day 11: purple and black

2011-12-11T09:14:00.001-08:00

Its a purple and black day. Notice the movie star pose: 3/4 stance, one foot in front of the other, hand on hip, head tipped down a little.

Day 10 still with green dress

2011-12-10T05:57:00.001-08:00

Just added this comfortable knit top open front jacket. I did nude fishnet stockings and flat shoes. Keeping it simple!

Dec 9 another look with the green dress

2011-12-09T07:24:00.001-08:00

Another look with the green dress from yesterday. I just realized that my coat is similar to my couch fabric. At least I'm consistent in my choices or maybe I look like a couch. One of my friends asked me to wear a hat so here it is.

Its a Blue Green Day

2011-12-08T06:15:00.001-08:00

It's a blue-green day. I'm making a summer dress winterized by wear tights, boots and a sweater over it. I was inspired by a post that was done on 'You Look Fab'. http://youlookfab.com

Dressember collection so far

2011-12-07T13:13:00.001-08:00

Here are the looks for the first week. I am thinking enough with the black and prints so next week I am going to try to do coloring blocking looks.. Lets see how I do.

twirling Wed

2011-12-07T07:41:00.001-08:00

Twirling Wed I tried doing it in high heels big mistake. I almost fell down. I learned something about being 57 twirling in high heels with a new hip not a good combination. So fellow Dressember members I did my best with my shoes off..

Day6 Im in a PUCCI,Guicci,Channel or whatever this syle is

2011-12-06T07:00:00.001-08:00

Day6: I really like this dress even though the print on this dress emphasizes what I should try to hide. I tried two versions one with the textured hose another plain. I like the former.What do you think?

2011-12-05T06:31:00.001-08:00

Day 5: Into the black/white look recently. My out the door look. Not sure I really like the buckle in the middle of the dress but am thinking of covering it with gross grain ribbon to make it look more like a day-dress.

Is this really December?

2011-12-04T09:19:00.001-08:00

Day 4: The weather is really nice out today a bit crisp but more like Nov weather not Dec.

Im Channeling the 50's

2011-12-03T09:51:00.001-08:00

Day 3 in the challenge. I am channeling the fifties in this look, I even wore makeup: eye liner, defined brows and reddish lipstick. I wore a belt to define what is left of my waistline. I have a vintage Sarah Coventry bracelet on. I remember my mother hosting one of those parties. But the biggest news is I have a SPONSOR for my Dressember challenge. Hooray.

2011-12-02T16:15:00.001-08:00

Dressember day 2:
I wore this all day on a shopping trip with mom. It was long, I am tired but mission accomplished. My mom is pushing 91 so she has done a lot of Christmas shopping over the years.

2011-12-01T08:51:00.001-08:00

Well here it is Dec 1, 2011 I finally got the date right! This is my attempt to look hip with a motorcycle jacket and boots that bookend my hair color with out getting too red. I also took another shot with the jacket unzipped. Remember it is Dressember month. If you want to sponsor me Ill tell you about my favorite charity. A Rabbit rescue organization called BunnyLu Rabbit Rescue.

2011-11-30T06:54:00.001-08:00

December is Dress Month! 31 dresses here we come. Support your favorite charity by participating. Dressember. Here is Dress outfit 1, While it is still fallish outside. I will wear it with stockings otherwise my legs will freeze. But it was 70 degrees here the other day.

Where left meets right!

2011-11-30T06:31:00.001-08:00

I wonder if a older plumper lady can utilize style tips provided by a twenty something? Will the style combinations work on an older lady with some tweaking like lower hems and in some cases flatter heeled shoes. Tell me what you think?

Working on hats planning session

2011-11-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

When women buy my hats they are usually impressed with how good they look. I have seen several women tell me that hats dont look good on them and then end up buying one of my hats because that wasnt true. What was true they never had found the right hat before. I LOVE when this happens. I want women to feel good about how they look.

When I develop a new line of hats I always sort all of my stuff by colors. I put all of the hatblanks ribbons and flower trims, feathers, together by colors. That way I know what I have and what colors I need. Then I usually dye the straws the colors I need. I confess I love to do the dye process. I usually go overboard and dont make enough neutral colors. Most ladies buy neutrals with a color trim. American Women are very conservative when it comes to hats. Okay that is a sweeping generalization. Maybe it is better to say that most of my first time hat buyers buy hats in neutrals.But I LOVE making the colored hats and putting them together...

The next thing I consider is the shapes. I have some shape combinations that people love. I have other odd shapes that I usually only make one or two of per season.

Then I get busy trying to have a variety in each size group. Small -medium- large head sizes. I never trim hats exactly alike. I use a variation on a theme; ribbon with flower on one hat, ribbon with feather with flower, fabric sash and buckle all in the same color families. This way it gives the hat some variety without going crazy trying to think this stuff up.

French Chic

2011-11-26T18:24:00.001-08:00

I was reading an article on "How to dress like a French woman". I do like the classic French chic style. But what is the 'American Chic" style? I'd like to think that each region of the US has an architype of style. I think that West coast is the Blond thin suntanned kaftan wearing ladies like the ones on the TV show The Housewives of Orange County . Women from Atlanta in the Southeast I think of sundresses and high heels and curly hair and those classic colors of hot pink and lime green. Women of DC I think of the well heeled business suits. Classic bob haircuts. Floridians I think of capri pants beautiful sandles blond hair and suntans and beautiful manicures and pedicures. New York women I think of artsy avant guard style. The northwestern women I think of boots and beautiful sweaters and coats of wonderfully hand felted woolens. My sterotypes may be off but the point I'm trying to make is that we -The American Women- are chic and have our own looks. I am proud to be one of them an I am glad no one mistakes me for French Italian or German.. Okay now I'll come off of my soap box and say Ladies lets step up to the plate. Clean up our acts. NO MORE FUNKY SWEATS at the grocery store.

Vacation new for me

2011-10-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

I am on the dock in St. Augustine before we took a boat ride. What a great city to have a vacation. There are lots of historical sites to see and great food, good weather. I am coming back!

What is my style?????

2011-10-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure this out. Seems like a simple question. I have been reading on other people's blogs how to do it. Well here are my style words:menswear inspired, colorful, classics, accessories, creative. They are supposed to describe what I wear. I realized that thinking about what I am NOT first was easier. I'm NOT: Boho, ultra feminine, eclectic, artsy, dramatic, femme fatale. When I looked at my inspiration board the clothing basically were: pants; jeans and cargo types and basic dress pants, jackets some more tailored than others, knit tops in lots of colors, some button downs in colors, very few skirts and very few dresses. My favorite accessories are: scarves, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and of course hats. I wear some rings and always a wrist watch just out of habit and I like them. I like belts too and have some nice ones but my waistline is disappearing so I guess I don't feel like belts are that great on me. So what would you call my style??

shoe wardrobe

2011-10-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

I have some really nice shoes and I am trying to stop buying black shoes because that is not my bookend color (color that matches your hair color) I have some really old Frye boots that is why they are so scuffed.. I took pictures of my shoes a while back and they all looked so dowdy and drab. So I have tried to find cute 'Wearable ' shoes.

doggire update

2011-09-15T17:39:00.001-07:00

Willow has gone to the Upper Pennisula in MI and ridden on a motor boat she is now super dog. No life preserver for her but none needed.

wardrobe for the "non-working girl'

2011-09-15T17:22:00.000-07:00

I love to look at fashion blogs.. Many use themes to devise outfits. I can identify with this approach being that teachers often work from themes. But now that I am retired what is my theme? I know that casual is the usual one for retirees. I cant say I like the look of Yoga pants on me. I dont want to fall into the trap of looking like a slob: sweat pants, sweat shirts, and T-shirts with big logos. Not that they dont look good on other people not just me. I need structure around my curves.. On the TV show 'What Not to Wear', they often say structure those upper curves with a cute jacket. Hmmmm Will I need to even wear one now that I am retired. Im not sure. I like sweaters button down ones. Maybe I can fudge it with a structured shirt and a button down sweater over it. Sort of a female "Mr. Rogers". Hmmm not sure that is me either. Well I'll be experimenting and posting pictures. Feel free to leave your comments.

Its Official I'M RETIRED

2011-09-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

Well it is finally here retirement. Actually I've been retired since July but I didnt feel it until today. So what am I going to do with the rest of my life. Well here is the big project WEEDING! Its time to organize the outside of my house. The Weeds have been having a field day. No pun intended. So here is my first really good picture of what is left after all of the weeds have gone... Im so proud.

OH and here is a recent hat project a custom garden hat for a dear person. Check it out. Simple but so chic.

It really happened I'M RETIRED

2011-09-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Yes the school year has started without me. And of course they are all surviving without me. Does it sound like I'm pitying myself? H_ll No! So what am I doing with myself. Well I decided to keep making hats but I need garden inspiration. So the weeds are going in the compost or trash whichever works. I will post pictures as things develop.
My latest hat project is finished. A custom hat for a dear lady that I met at a county fair. She has a rather small head size.Picture is forthcoming. Will let you know about my other hat projects too.

New year at an end

2010-12-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

Some hats I made this year.

capsule wardrobe

2009-10-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

I am going to use 1 pair dark wash jeans, 2 jeans skirt, 3 brown tweedish jacket, 3 muted brownish T-shirt, 4 black slacks,5 white long sleeve blouse, 6 black wrap sweater, 7 brown boots, 8 black boots, 9 black T-strap shoes, 10 red T shirt.
accessories: gold hoops, brown purse, scarf multi colored, scarf black multi, cuff bracelet.

Back in the drivers seat

2009-09-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

Who could believe that such a little dog could take up so much time..

Jackets Do these work?

2009-02-28T08:53:00.000-08:00

I never know whether or not I am buying the right style jacket for my body type.

The one on the left is a blazer with a waist seam. The one on the right has a tie belt and 3/4 sleeves. I have those football shoulders and ample bust to accommodate...

complimentary colors-color wheel

2009-02-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

These are complimentary colors on the color wheel. I read somewhere that mixing them works. What do you think? Oh I finally realized that I should look down into the camera not hold my head up... Better results.. Ford models look out!

fashion update

2009-02-27T18:31:00.000-08:00

Well I discovered a tripod in my office closet and figured out how to use it. I also discovered my camera has a timer. So I set it up jump in front of the camera and VIOLA !

It is funny because a few times I lost my balance and all I got a picture of was the door... Old age the balance is the first to go.

I like the colors in this blouse. The ruffles down the front would have normally made me put it back but just couldnt resist the colors. Paired with the black pants I think it works. These are pants I just had altered to fit. Well for $10.00 I could have just sewed up the back seam too. Next time Ill just go buy a new pair of pants. Now I have sunk money into these so I've got to suffer with them until I loose more weight and am down a size. How is the posing coming?

I'm thinking my hair doesnt have enough length. My head looks too small for my broad shoulders.

Following fashion advice!

2009-02-11T17:21:00.000-08:00

Over the last few years I have been I'll admit obsessed with finding the fashionable me. So I have read all of the fashion magazines advice on how to dress for this type of figure challenge or that figure challenge. I think that the trend setters dont do this. I think the key is to do whatever you want but do it with confidence. I think that is the biggest fashion accesory you can have!

I still havent mastered how to pose for pictures and I still look like the camera was on the ceiling.. Im working on this but note the crossed legs. I have seen alot of models doing this. Not sure the arms are working (though) I tried the shirt tails hanging out the bottom of the sweater... not sure I like it. The green color I like and the necklaces work with the collar of the shirt..

new hats

2009-01-28T11:09:00.001-08:00

This is an example of what I call a sculptured hat. I love them they are basically rumpled by hand when wet. I pin the rumples in place and when dry I use a stiffener. Voila! They are very fun to make and no two are alike. What do you think?

2009-01-10T10:23:00.001-08:00

2009-01-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Now Here is a hat that fits the rules. Notice the wearer does not have long hair. the hat compliments her outfit. The brim does not overwhelm her. She is wearing the hat down on her head. The great smile completes the outfit!

Hats Hats and more hats

2009-01-07T17:43:00.000-08:00

Do you wear hats? Allot of women want to but get hung up on what will look good on them. There is advice from stylists that talk about face shape. Baloney! It is a lot easier to find what looks good on you. I have a simple way to tell.

1.Look at your shoulder line. The hat brim width should not be wider than your shoulders.

2. What hairstyle do you wear. The bob long or short wears hats well. Long hair is easier to cover with a hat stylishly. The trickiest hair styles are the super short ones for hats. As long as some bangs and sideburns show under the brim it will work.

3. Color is very important. Neutrals are the most commonly selected and worn hat. Most natural straw hats are neutrals. Pick one that compliments your skin tone. If you want color then wear what compliments your eye color or your hair color. Black is always a safe color but hot in the summer. Accent colors that means all colors for hats that aren't neutral or black should some how relate to the outfit you will wear it with. I didn't say match...

4. Trims on hats reflect the mood of the hat. Flowers and veiling are more feminine. Tailored hats usually have simple hatbands. Lots of artistic decor can go either way. Just pick a hat that reflects the mood of the outfits you will commonly be wearing it with

5. Size the hat. First of all buy a hat that fits. Store hats are usually one size. Measure you head around above the ears where the hat will sit. Most common size is 22.5 inches. If your head is bigger don't jam a small one on your head. If your head is smaller then you can probably tighten the trim so it fits.
6. Wear the hat with the crown on your head pushed down above your eyebrows. Tilt it if you choose but not back so the brim is perpendicular to the sky!

Beginning Blog Jan 7, 2009

2009-01-07T17:41:00.001-08:00

Hi all I have almost finished a dress for my daughter. I started it in July. It will be ready for next summer. Yes I know I 'm not a fast sewer.. Stay tuned for details later.