I Have A Secret

Hi there, so I apologize for the infrequent posts as of late, but I have a secret to share with you. 

I have braces. *gasp* 

It’s unfortunate that I didn’t have the opportunity to correct my teeth and bite long ago, but better late than never.  I’m revealing this secret because I will not be able to post that often this summer.  On July 10th I’m going in for oral surgery where they will be breaking my jaw to correct a severe overbite.  (Oh fun!)

Do I really need this you say?  Well, my other choices were to wait until I would inevitably need dentures or have two of my teeth pulled resulting in the appearance of a larger nose (no way!).  I figured that if I was going to wear braces for two years, I wanted my teeth and bite to be fixed.

One good thing, the forced liquid diet will help me shed the extra ten pounds I have put on since last year.

I’m so glad you can’t see me now because I have these lovely custom wires in my mouth that make me look like Hannibal Lector; with prongs sprouting up from each tooth so there is something to attach the tight rubber bands to keep my jaw shut. (Sorry if that’s too much information) 

Needless, to say, I look far from fashionable.  I’m trying to keep my mouth closed as much as possible, which has been pretty easy, because I currently have laryngitis (the gift of a virus from my 3 1/2 year old).

So, please don’t cancel your subscriptions.  Better yet, if you haven’t already subscribed, do it now so you will know when I have a new post.

I may post here or there, so keep an eye out.

Have a great summer everyone!

Fashion Sensei

Fashion Sensei Says…

Ahh Nirvana…

The LampLagret i Örebro  Nirvana Daybed would make one amazing respite.  Go to Lamp Largret for further details.  BTW, the price comes out to around $4,362 USD.

HSN Nabs An Icon…

In a press release out today, famed stylist Patricia Field, will roll out a 50-piece limited edition collection available only on the Home Shopping Network.

“Patricia Field’s DESTINATION STYLE (TM) NEW YORK” will offer a collection of “chic daytime looks, and fabulous pieces for a night on the town, including sequined party dresses, sexy tops and eye-catching colors, all featuring Ms. Field’s signature flair for whimsical details, as well as a new take on classics such as the trench coat, the slim-fitting blazer, and the motorcycle jacket. The collection will also feature assorted accessories, including handbags, belts and scarves.” PR Newswire

 

Dress The Part…

 

Recycled Fish Lips…

You care about the environment and you try to reuse the gift bags that you are given.  But trying to use recycled gift wrap is sometimes a bit tricky.  Cue Fish Lips recycled gift wrap.  This clever company uses 100% Post-Consumer use paper to create their artistic wrap.

 

I Like My Style…

Do you want everyone to see the fashionista that you are?  Well click on I Like My Style, to join a community of street style exhibitionists.

 

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Kate Spade Private Sale

Are you a fan of Kate Spade products but not the high prices?  I just received notice this morning of a private sale that you may be interested in.

June brings a bevy of birthdays, graduations, weddings and baby showers and this sale may have a few cute items that will make your friends or family think you really went the extra mile.

These make up bags would make a nice gift to a girlfriend or a young woman going off to college.

(click on images for shopping information)

 

 

Are you tired of buying lingere for your friend’s personal shower?  Why not get her something she could use for her honeymoon?  A shopper to carry all of her souviners, a stylish make up bag, or adorable sandals meant for a romantic stroll on the beach.

These baby bags will have the mother-to-be squealing with delight along with a brag book to show off her bundle of joy.  Don’t forget the journal (a steal at $10) so mom can record all her memories of pregnancy.

 

 

Oh, and you have to get a little something for yourself while you’re at it…

 

 

 

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Botkier Comes To Target

The maker of luxury handbags commonly toted by celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Heidi Klum, is set to launch their collection for Target on July 20th.

Here’s a look at Botkier Bags.  The real deal will set you back somewhere between $225- $800. 

(click on images for shopping information)

Target’s collection on the other hand ranges in price from $20- $50 and look like this…

 

Photo Source: the Cut

I don’t know, is it just me or does this collection look like a load of bags that we have seen more than once?  Not to mention really cheap?  It feels like a Project Runway challenge.  See what you can create that costs us only $5-$20 a bag…now go! 

I think I am going to pass on this one ladies.  I could find something much more appealing for the same price elsewhere.  The Botkier name is not enough to pry this woman’s hard earned money.

 

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Fashion Lesson #17 The 411 On The LBD

    

Last week I was asked to write a piece about the Little Black Dress.  A staple in any woman’s closet, The Little Black Dress has an interesting history involving icons, war, “Sex” and even safety pins.  The Little Black Dress first originated in 1926 with Coco Chanel.  The first archetype was silk, calf-length, straight, and decorated only by a few diagonal pin-tucks as decoration.  American Vogue dubbed it the Chanel “Model T”, because like the original automobile, it was simple and accessible for woman in various social classes. Vogue further predicted that the LBD would become “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”

Interestingly, prior to the 1920′s the color black was only for women in mourning.  However, due to the number of fatalities in WWI, in addition to the overwhelming fatalities during the Spanish flu epidemic, it became more common for women to appear in public wearing black.

With help from Hollywood, (black was the color of choice for film making during this period as the color would not be distorted on the infant technicolor film), the LBD grew in popularity.  Further more, during World War II, when women began entering the workforce, and a widespread rationing of textiles existed, the Little Black Dress became the uniform of choice for the new legion of civilian working women (with accessories of course).

In 1961, Hubert de Givenchy inspired women with his sexy black sheath dress worn by actress Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“.  Then after a decade of sparkle and sequins in the 1970′s disco era, the LBD experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 1980′s.  Remember Tatiana Thumbtzen in Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” video?  I wanted nothing more as a teenager than to look like that in the fashionable tube dress.

In the 1990′s where grunge and heroine chic ruled, Elizabeth Hurley’s famous safety pin Versace gown dazzled us while she escorted then boyfriend Hugh Grant.  Closing out that decade, the gals from Sex And the City personified the LBD and how woman wore them.

After a fall from grace with certain designers at the start of the millennium, the color black ruled the runway for Fall 2008.  Be it the bleak economic out look, or a newfound appreciation for the Little Black Dress, they’re here to stay.

 

Per Nothing Fancy’s request, I have some LBD’s for your consideration. 

Source: Wikipedia; The Little Black Dress by Jenna Wallis; click on images for photo sources

Related Articles: Vintage Textile; Black Magic People.com;

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Fashion Sensei Says…

Knit One, Pearl Two or Three…

Keep cool in this knitwear the next time you are in the market.

 

 

 

Do you think you know Fashion?  Prove it!

I discovered this fun little fashion quiz on about.com, to distinguish who really knows their fashion.  Let me know how you do!

 

In The News…

Thomas Pink, known for his high-end men’s dress shirts will roll out a women’s collection in mid- August.  An outside designer Richard Nicoll has created nine dresses, skirts and shirts.  Prices range from $195-$500.  Click here to read more.

Bloomingdale’s will expand their collections for women age 35- 50 into a boutique-like departments where multiple labels will be intermixed to allow women to mix and match styles from a variety of makers.

Hip Hop Artist Andre 3000 will debut his new menswear collection this August at department stores such as Barney, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.  The collection is said to be based on the preppy styles worn on college campuses in the early 20th century.  Prices range from $75 to $1,995.

Angelina’s been dumped.  Not by Brad Pitt, by St. John.  After three years, Jolie will no longer be the face of St. John.

“The campaign, using models who aren’t household names, departs from the black-and-white images of Jolie shot by Mario Testino under the direction of David Lipman. It consists of four color vignettes shot at night in New York City locations, including Times Square and Central Park. Each captures a specific color palette and group, from daywear to cocktail to evening. The ads will launch in the August issue of Vanity Fair.” WWD

 

Androgynous Art…

Timo! wallets are the hottest eco/efficient/artistic billfold to hit the hipster scene.  The slim wallets come in artistic prints that you or your honey will love.  Maybe even a gift idea for Fathers Day…

(click image for shopping info)

Clip This Coupon…

Express buy three get one free!  Click here and print.

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The Great Debate: To Wear Or Go Bare

 

Last week, I read a very interesting story in the Wall Street Journal debating whether woman should be wearing panty hose in the office.  The question was asked as the weather grows warmer, “Are bare legs proper?”

The writer of this article, Christina Binkley responded to a request by the president of a small financial institution in Wichita, Kansas with approximately 50 employees spanning several generations.  The business until four years ago prohibited women from wearing boots, mules or backless shoes; and hose were strictly enforced.  Now, the president of this Credit Union is finding it increasingly difficult to enforce his company dress code concerning stockings.

This pressing issue came to the forefront when Mr. Holt hired a 28 year old executive director of administration and human resources, about a year and a half ago.  According to the article, Ms. Spear informed her boss that “wearing hose to professional events sometimes made her stand out awkwardly.”

To say the least.  In doing a little research, ABC television did an unofficial survey and discovered “that most large companies, including Coca-Cola, Microsoft and insurance giant AFLAC, do not require women to wear hosiery. Women in New York also said that virtually no one they know wears pantyhose to work, and if they were required to, there might be an uprising. ‘I think there would be a definite lash out by the women,’ said one New York woman.”

This brings us back to Mid American Credit Union.  It appears after speaking with the WSJ, along with Ms. Spear’s survey of 17 other financial institutions (75%  polled did not require stockings), Mr. Holt is relenting.  “I didn’t want to be so old-fashioned that people would be like, ‘Do you require corsets, too?’ ” he said.  In coming weeks the company plans on holding meeting to roll out a new policy on wearing panty hose.

Nearly 6 years ago when I worked in the insurance industry, there was no question about whether or not to wear hose to work.  The answer was always.  I had a female office manager in her 40′s who frowned upon wearing mules, open toes or sling back shoes as well.

When dealing with opinions of stockings, the WSJ article, infers that stockings have a generation gap.  If you are a woman who entered the workforce before 1990, you may consider “hose…as necessary as underwear.” 

I have to say that I am just a little conflicted on this topic.  Generally speaking, I hate wearing pantyhose.  That being said, I think a woman wearing a suit with a skirt should wear hose.  Call me old school, but I think a business suit is really dressy and conservative, lending the same invitation to your legs. I recently spoke about this with a friend of mine and she seemed a little taken aback that one would even consider wearing hose in the summer.

So if you are going without stockings at work, I think you should keep a few things in mind. First, keep your skin well hydrated.  Use lotion everyday to keep your skin looking soft and healthy.  Ashy, scaly skin is not attractive.  Further, if you have varicose veins, several mosquito bites or bruises, wear stockings or cropped pants.  It just looks bad at work.  You want to look polished and professional, not like you just left a rugby match or a hiking expedition.

Also, if you are wearing sandals with open toes, YOU MUST HAVE GROOMED TOES!  Ok, sorry for the screaming, but I just can’t stand to see women with 6 month old chipped polish and untrimmed toe nails.  You don’t have to pay for a pedicure, do it yourself.  (This could be a whole new post, so I will leave it at that, but please keep this in mind.)

So now I’m interested to know how you feel about this topic.  Does your company have a hose policy?  Do you think it’s fair?  Should panty hose be banned?  Leave a comment!

By the way, I would be remiss if I didn’t direct you to the fantastic site that I found these vintage advertisements, Found In Mom’s Basement.

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Shh! It’s A Secret…

Have you ever wanted to get in on those exclusive sample sales that the gals in the city always seem to take part in?  Well here’s your chance to do it from your computer in the comfort of your own home.

Editor’s Closet is a members only site that offers between 30-70% off  “up and coming” designer samples.  Stock rotates quickly, with sales only lasting from a few hours to 2-3 days, so shoppers are advised to buy it while they can.

So how do you get in on the fun?  Fashion Sensei has access to a referral code for you and all your friends for a limited time.  Type in detroit@editorscloset for the referral e-mail address, and you’re in!

Right now, the site is offering purses.  The Gustto Prato bag above, has an original price tag of $798.00 and is on sale for $350.00.

Don’t see anything that interests you?  That’s ok, once you sign up, you will be alerted to new sales.

Enjoy!

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Fashion Lesson #16 Forty And Fabulous

First, I would like to apologize for the delay in posting my usual Friday Fashion lesson.  Life is speeding up on my end of the world, therefor I will not be able to post as regularly as I did this past winter. 

That said, I received a request from Nothing Fancy, requesting advice for ladies in the forty-something category.  I have to start by telling you a story about my days working in the Insurance Industry.  About 10 years ago, my boss who was over forty advised me that all women no matter their age should dress like they are 35 years old.  In her case, she should dress “younger” and in mine, I should dress “older”.  I am still curious why she made 35 the magic number.  And now that I have attained that benchmark, what does it mean to dress like a 35 year old?

When thinking about women over forty and what is appropriate, I think as with any woman it varies.  If you have a well toned body, you can get away with wearing tighter clothes than you could otherwise.  However, it must be within reason.  So how do we navigate that invisible fine line?  Not even Julianne Moore dresses like she did on the cover of Vogue Paris in her daily life.

Here are some very general suggestion that I would give women who feel uncertain in what to choose while shopping.  For the purposes of this post, I will stick with casual clothes. 

Dofocus on fit first.  As we age, all those sexy parts seem to shift.  Boobs droop, butts sag, even our skin starts to loosen.  It’s of the utmost importance to find clothes that fit, even if it requires a trip to the tailor.  Also, be sure that you are wearing the correct size bra and undergarments.  Panty lines and saggy bums are not a good look.  Spanx has a minimizer with a little lift in the tush that can be your best kept secret.

As I discuss with each of my Fashion Lessons, focus on your assets.  If you have toned arms or legs, show them off.  If you have killer abs, rather than revealing them, you can wear a slim fitting shirt or dress. 

Don’t borrow your teenager’s clothes or shop in the Junior section.  The clothes in the Junior section run much smaller and are not proportionate to a woman’s figure.

Also, as I have mentioned before, if you want to participate in a current trend and you are old enough to remember it the first time around, Do choose wisely.  Pick one item from said trend.  If you like the new bright neon look, wear a bracelet or pair of earrings.  Never dress head to toe in trendy items. 

Don’t go too monochromatic.  There was a time back in the 80′s when matching everything ruled.  My advice is to break up your color scheme. If you are wearing a yellow vest, don’t carry a yellow purse, wear yellow shoes or yellow jewelry all together.  The yellow vest is enough.

Don’t wear white shoes.  This is just a personal opinion.  I think if you are over 30 and are wearing white shoes, it ages you.  Instead wear a pair of metallic sandals or heels.  (See below for examples)

Do stick to showing off one asset at a time.  If you are wearing a low cut shirt, wear a longer skirt (knee length or just above).  The same goes if you are wearing a shorter (not mini) skirt, pair it with a more conservative top.  You can be sexy without giving it all away.

Here are some suggestions for summer…

Click on images for shopping details

Running Errands

 

 

Kids Sports Fan

Backyard  Party

Girls Night Out

 

  

Couples Dinner

All Purpose White Shirt And Jeans (notice the metallic bag)

One last thing, if it has been awhile since you have had your make up done, please go in to a place like Sephora for an updated look.  You want to make sure that you are not still wearing lip liner or full on blue eye shadow.  An update in your hair style and make up can make a world of difference.  Oh, and just because you are 40, doesn’t mean that you have to cut your long hair. 

Nothing Fancy, I hope this addressed some of your questions.  Again my apologies for getting this out so late.  Please weigh in with your opinion, good or bad as to the selections or advice.  Do you know someone who doesn’t dress their age?  Tell us about them in the comment section.

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She’s Got The Look

With the advent of the new Sex And The City Movie, all the newspapers are abuzz with women of a certain age.  Articles from the Wall Street Journal to local newspapers are discussing the “untapped” market of women over 35.  Can you believe 35 is considered old?  Is seems that once you graduate out of the 18-34 marketing category, corporations and marketing firms consider you dead.

Well, with unmistakable timing, a new reality series called She’s Got The Look is America’s Next Top Model for the over 35 set.  She’s Got The Look is looking for a women with beauty, but more importantly, a relatable personality with depth that comes with maturity.  Ten women will compete for a contract with Wilhemina Models and a photo spread in Self magazine.

Judges include:

Sean Patterson, President of Wilhemina Models, Inc.

Beverly Johnson, The first African-American supermodel to appear on the cover of VOGUE.

Robert Verdi, whom you may recognize as the host of shows such as Surprise By Design and Fashion Police.

Photo Source

As you can imagine all sorts of fashionistas turn out, from a man in the process of becoming Trans-gender to a leopard-print, body suit wearing diva.  Each hoping to have “The Look”.

She’s Got The Look airs Wednesday, June 4th at 10:00pm on TV Land.  To read more about this show and to view some great sneak peaks, click here.  I’m really interested in your opinion on this. 

I think it’s smart of TV Land to recognize that women over 35 aren’t dead and we still do care about what we look like.  I hope that a show like this encourages women to take better care of themselves and inspires them to follow their passion at any age.  We’ll see…

Any 35 or over gals want to weigh in? 

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