Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady

 

These women make my whole heart happy.

Beatrix, photo by Ari Seth Cohen

 

They are all so, so beautiful

Last Week’s Workout and:

 

Totally lost the teeny blue Post-it that had this one
(and yes, I write out all our CF workouts on blue Post-its.
Do not question the blue Post-it!!!):

Mel

x5
Run 100m
10 burpees
10 pushups
10 mountain climbers (each leg)
10 v-ups
10 squats

Finished with pull-ups (still struggling with the fourth pull-up, ARGH).

 

I’m in the middle of creating my costume for Faire this year–
it’s a lot more complicated than my original costume,
by far and away–
my original costume is suitable for peasant class,
or for lower merchant class.

The bodice is simple, front-lacing,
the chemise and partlet are not starched or overly frilled,
and I have two skirts in a five-gore pattern with a standard waistband.
I wear a pair of Birkenstock mules in a light suede with this outfit,
and they work swimmingly.

 

See? Tres simple. And yes, it looks like I don't have feet.

 

This year,
I’m working with a FAHbulous group of folks
who dress as wanna-be aristocratic Frenchies,
and go around mocking people in zer Frahnch Accsahnts.

Consequently,
my outfit needs a leetle more *oomph*,
and a leetle more fashionyfashion.

So I’m making things.

Like chopines.

 

I KNOW.

 

This wonderful lady has given me brilliant ideas
on constructing said chopines,
and I ordered two sets of yoga blocks today.

I’m actually stupid excited to start creating those,
and I think I’ll be able to make something ridiculous and awesome.

 

I also ordered a wig:

I love the Renaissance.

 

I’m a tad anxious about that wig,
since I couldn’t find out what type of fiber was used for it,
and wigs, generally, are not returnable items.

However,
I’m pretty damn good at making cheap shit look great,
so I’m trusting in my gerry-rigging skills if the wig is more *meh* than *OMG*.

 

I am *also* making a headpiece,
which will (hopefully) look something like hers:

 

My current plan is to draft the pattern on paper,
trace it onto balsa wood,
cut the pieces out, attach them together with…brads?
Grommets?
Spit?

Paint with something pearlescent-y?
Metallic?

Something pretty, at any rate,
then attach it to the wig with combs and pins.

…

 

So,
I have a little more than a month before Faire opens.

I can totally get all this done.

…

Right?

…Hello?…

And We Lived to Tell the Tale:

 

After heroically fighting through horrible hordes of traffic,
I made it to the Beverly Center in Los Angeles for some serious Fashion Geeking
with Roommate Jessie and (former) Roommate Tamara.

 

Almost every store at the Center was open until 11pm;
there were free drinks and treats,
and all SORTS of amazing sales.

I scored a 40% coupon from Steve Madden–
which I elected to wait until tomorrow to use,
since the store last night was elbow-deep in women
staggering around with one right foot in a shoe.

The event planners cordoned off a huge section of plaza
for a runway show–I caught the last couple of minutes,
but only in passing.

They were very smart to elevate the runway,
since it was standing room only.

Jessie had to leave early,
so La Tamara and I hit Melrose Avenue
pretty much *just* to see Alexander McQueen.

And it was glorious.

I think McQueen will always be my favorite designer.
His style was so fresh, innovative,
his choice of fabrics perfect.
I love the unique way he combined structural edges
and soft, flowing fabric.
His tailoring was *impeccable*.

…

And I really wanted those sunglasses.

 

(I think Tam and I managed to get hit on by the only two straight men in Hollywood that night.)

(We still got it, baby.)

 

Fashion’s Night Out Banner

Tam got two AMAZING dresses for Jessie for 75% off at Macy’s. Killer!

The Pink One. The Tall One. The Tattooed One.

Wonderlandy Handbag display at Louis Vuitton

Killer…Queeeeeen….Dynamite with a Couture Beeeeaaaam!

I may or may not have licked these.

I want this book. I want this show to come to Los Angeles.

Even the mannequins at McQueen are complicated.

A great coat with THIS under the collar? We died.

The adorable MartEEn told us that this was “right off the runway”

The details! THE DETAILS.

FIERCE.

These were adorable–little blue birds on the side, and *only* $360. MartEEn almost talked me into them.

 

Next year?

We will hit Rodeo, and work our way back towards the Beverly.
There was not enough time to see everything,
to take it all in.

I wish this were a couple of nights in a row!

 

Also?

I can’t believe I managed to walk around for three straight hours
in five inch heels.

It was totally worth it, kittens.

Fashion’s Night Out:

 

Old Roommate Tamara and I are heading to Fashion’s Night Out in Los Angeles,
where we will drink champagne out of Louboutins,
exchange fashion tips with Anna Wintour,
and by discovered by Leibovitz, Richardson, and Meisel.

 

Like ya do.

But only if my dilemma can be solved,
which, naturally, is:

 

WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO WEAR?!?

 

All suggestions will be considered.

The management thanks you.

 

(what I wish was in my closet? see below.)

 

If ever there was a place you could get away with wearing these...

 

See, this is how my shorts are *supposed* to fit me. Alas.

 

Have I mentioned my undying love for open backed dresses?

And Yet Another Budget Crusher

 

OhDearLord:

Friend Aimee posted this on her Facebook,
and I,
alas,
I clicked.

And I haven’t stopped drooling.

 

*grabbygrabbygrabbyhands*

 

Cotton Candy Pretty

 

I love her gentle reminders to be fabulous in the everyday.

 
I am not good at this.

Partially because I hate wearing a bra with the passionate fires of hell and underwire.

But the simple things,
the wearing a pretty dressing gown,
or nicely coordinated pajamas
instead of my usual yuckiform of shabby shorts and floppy tank?

I should do that.

Not out of fussiness,
but just out of a desire to celebrate beauty,
even if I’m just sitting around and clicking on the interwebs.

 

Look at that teensy waist!

 

Such a perfect silhouette!

 

I’m going to try and drop in when The Boyo and I are up in Oregon this August…
 
 
I wonder how one of those pretties would look with my new fabulous boots…

Love Me, CuteOverload?

I knew she got her sartorial instincts from me!

 

 

I submitted this to CuteOverload today.

How could I not?

May be Breaking that Pesky 10th Commandment:

Co-ho-ho-veting:

*grabbyhands*

I actually love the ombre dye on this boot...and Fryes are wonder and glory, amen.

Versatile. Can be worn over-the-knee, or folded, as in the following photo.

See? I love chameleon clothing.

I’ve wanted a pair of over-the-knee boots since well before
they became Rachel Zoe’s pick of the week at Piperlime.
They just look so…bad-ass.

I think one of the tricks to wearing these is to go with a flat finish,
and a low heel,
since they can veer into “Pretty Woman” territory in a hurry.
My other sticky wicket with these boots?
I have the shortest legs in God’s green creation.

So, hey, my petite fashionistas,
how in the heck do you wear over-the-knee boots without stumpification?

Also,
have any of my curvy fashionistas found skinny jeans to wear with boots
that *don’t* make your thighs look five miles wide?

I lost a few pounds recently,
so I thought I would give the much-lauded AG Stevie cords at Anthropologie a go.

It was…sad.

So tell me, loves–
I long to wear boots with jeans,
but I currently reside in Wrinkly McBabar legs territory,
since all of my jeans are bootcut.

(such irony, that name.)

Tell me, o Interwebs!
What is the soluuuution?!?

*glurg*

http://www.bhldn.com/

Anthropologie!

Wedding dresses!

 

Wildly unfair!

When I’m an Old Woman, I Shall Wear:

Certainly not purple with a red hat that doesn’t go.

I want to look like Dame Judy Dench.
Or Helen (holyshit) Mirren.
Or Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada”.
(Her hair? Perfect.)

That strong, dignified, undeniable presence that comes with age and a certainty
regarding who you are and who you are continuing to become.

(note: I’m talking about wardrobe and look here–I would add someone like Golda Meir, for example, but girlfriend was a leetle more concerned about protecting the homeland of the Jewish people than getting her hair done.)

I will be as sharp as my Grandma Rea.

I will wear high heels and dance till all hours,
no matter how cranky my body is.

I will wear beautiful clothes in beautiful fabrics
for which my granddaughters will pine.

And here’s the (a) thing:

I love my pajamas,
particularly whilst in the midst of this unemployment thing.

But I don’t go outside in them.

I believe there is value in dressing well (not fussy, but well)
when leaving the house.

I’m still trying to find the balance between being comfortable and chic;
still trying to find those perfect cuffable capris that I can wear Audrey-style with red flats.

I’m working on having a style that is lovely.

Peasant blouse! High-waisted skirt! Wheee!

Okay...this one might mostly be for the Vespa, but isn't she just so chic?

Girl knew how to tie a head-scarf, y'all.

Sometimes, this woman really makes me want to start smoking...

I am in love with the shorty shorts and crisp blouse look...and those shoes? SLAIN.

Again with the shorts and blouse--this is possibly one of my favorite Audrey outfits.

Look at these women! Aren't they just fabulous?

Sorry, I can't get away from her. I may need to try this turban thing out, particularly with hoop earrings.

Love this color on her skin, and her ruffly short hair, and the fact that she's not afraid of her décolletage.

And this, from the Fabulous Project Rungay Guys.

(um…spoiler alert if you watch Mad Men)

This Girl May be Bad for My Budget:

La Couturiére Dimanche

I mean, GLURG???

!!!!!

LOOK AT THAT BACK! LOOOOK AT IT!!!!

(She made that dress, yo–
and the fit is freakishly impeccable.)

Girl has a seriously wicked fashion sense,
particularly for a grad student
(oh shaming me and my pajama loving self!)–
and I dig that she’s into historical costuming as well.

Also?

She made this hat.

I.
Die.