Found these FREE downloadable templates to help with daily organizing, fitness goal and meal planning. And when you are done with your work it is time to play with FREE downloadable coloring pages from Blue Sky Planners...be a kid again.
Denim Suiting
Not since the 1970's when denim began mainstreaming in the work place as acceptable office attire, now denim suit sets are no longer seen as overly coordinated.
Suiting is making a come back. Fashion clothing sites like Zara (pictured above) has a coordinated suiting collection that includes such simple articles as fleece available in two piece sets.
There is such a wide range of coordinated sets available that you can now control your personal level of tailored or casual wear to suit your mood or personality.
Patches In Blue
I think it is safe to safe I own a fairly large denim jean collection, roughly 2 dozen or so. Many of them are recent purchases that have a unique embellishment so I can slip on a blazer and a pair of heels and feel "dressed". I needed to update my ordinary blue jeans to join the rest of the stable of peals, sequin and rhinestones.
A hot iron and a little imagination is all you need. My examples above are embroidered patches purchased from online shopping for under $8 each. These patches are specified iron-on instead of sew-on. Think of a theme and start shopping.
UPDATE: December 2024
In December 2023, I conceived the jeans (top) with black heart patches.
Forever21 showcases their jeans with black heart patches on their website.Am I a Fashion Trendsetter?
Is it too late to find my calling?
USB Music File Sort
What the online Forums can't tell you-
Although this post is not related to any subject matter usual to this blog, (Fashion - Food - Travel) I felt strongly enough to share the process of creating personalized music file sorting on a USB 3.0 flash drive. Playback unfortunately will always default to the order originally recorded. None of the Forums that I could read had the answer, but I did it.
I recorded mp3 files from two music cd's; Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong onto one usb 3.0 32GB flash drive. I wanted to sort the playlist to alternate songs between the two artists. After combining the two disk folders into one, I simply renamed each song file in alternating Artist song order assigning ascending numerical designation; e.g. 1., 2., 3. etc., but this did not create a personalized playback. The player would continue to only recognize the order in which the files were originally transferred first playing all of Sinatra playlist then the Armstrong playlist.
The solution I created was to make a new folder within the file segment that housed all 40 songs, giving the new folder a different name from the original 40-song library, and one by one I cut/paste from the original list of 40 songs to the new folder. Thus eventually deleting the first library and creating a new library that recognized the order I manually created. No clunky third-party software download required.
Problem solved.
Ugly Sweater 2023
Friday, December 15, 2023
Ugly Sweater Day is only a few weeks away, do you need help with this?
Just Loafing Around
This post will be short, but sweet.
Fall / Winter 2023 requires shoes made for walking: Platform Loafer Pumps
Look Like A World Traveler
The word on the dusty trail is you need to wear cargo chic this year. Cargo is all the rage and it is not only represented via jeans. Cargo is also created in jackets and skirts. Big industrial pockets and extra seaming for a casual, yet at the same time mysteriously tailored look. I like the photo example in this blog post from Anthropologie shows their model is wearing a sequin top with her durable cargo pants.
You can wear cargo skinnies, wide leg and even a luxurious shiny satin finish. Check out the link below for your next cargo bookmark and eventual purchase.
How To Make A Money Lei
My TALL Blonde You Tube video is so popular on how to make a Money Lei it probably deserves a re-post. A Money Lei is a fun and unique gift that are popular among high school and college graduations. But there is a growing interest in making one for a Quinceanera or make two of these beauties to present the Bride and Groom.
By clicking on the link below from my TALL Blonde Stories archive you will find written instructions along with step-by-step photos on how to make a Money Lei yourself, it's easy.
This is not only a unique and fun gift but my Money Lei is made from 50-one dollar bills which is also your gift and more fun than a $50 check inside a greeting card.
Veil Fettish
Hottest thing in women's hat fashion since the Cowgirl Hat. A Christian Dior veiled hat is over $400, even a veiled Eugenia Kim is over $200. For about 5-bucks and 10 minutes of your time your knit cap can also look like a million bucks,,,well at least $200.
Here is Luisa's quick DIY from her Why Don't You Make Me blog with easy instructions to add a veil to your favorite knit cap. Before you get started, it might look best if you begin with a new cap.
Luisa's quick DIY from Why Don't You Make Me
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Classic Denim
Denim is an American staple in fashion. What started out as worker's industrial wear reinforced with copper rivets and made popular during the California Gold Rush of the mid 19th century, brands like San Francisco founded Levi's has been producing denim for all age groups and numerous generations. But did you know denim is originally French fashion? The fabric known today as denim was originally made in a small French town called Nimes <pronounced neem>. If one were to say this hard wearing fabric is from Nimes you would say "de Nimes". Say this 5 times fast and you can well understand the rebranded name.
Well over 150 years old and in no signs of dropping out,
Gloves - Not For Gardening
Fall/Winter 2022
These gloves are like a great pair of shoes.
Wear them to accentuate your fashion identity, not cold weather or gardening.
Opera length, wristlets or fingerless driving gloves in oodles of different fabrics.
Check 'em out!
UBER
UBER, and I do not mean the car service.
Uber-wide pants are in for this Fall. So pack up your skinnies and get uber wide now.
Many of these wide trousers are in plaid patterns which really gives them a classic-chic look.
These are not your mother's pants from the 1970s.
Blowout
$1.99 $2.99 $4.99 $9.99, even 99-cents !!
If their shoes last only one season you are still way ahead of the game. This also means you can purchase multiple pairs for your different summer looks.
You won't know what you are missing until you take a quick look.
ZARA Brings You Kate Moss
Zara offers fashion to look like Irish supermodel Kate Moss. These are great classic looks that will survive your closet for a long time:
Help Is Here
Warm weather is finally here and what comes with it is fashion that sometimes requires specialized undies. Many a time I used to pass on a summer garment because it required a strapless bra. I visibly cringe with the thought of the destruction and damage to sensitive skin at the end of the day from the digging underwire, not to mention the constant maintenance of "slippage".
Help is here-
My private secret that I have held close to the heart (literally) is now published. I use washable stick glue to keep everything in place. Here is how:
1. Put on your strapless bra where it is comfortable and the placement is correct
2. Gently pull back on the side strap under your arm, so as to not disturb bra placement
3. Swipe glue stick in a north / south motion once or twice on your skin the length of the strap
4. Place side strap back and press
5. Done! This holds for me the rest of the day. Note: clean skin will ensure success
You're welcome !
The Summer Shade
I like to celebrate the beginning of summer with a fresh pair of the latest shades. Surprisingly Aldo Shoes seems to have a unique perspective on design and that fulfills my need to find something a little bit eccentric or controversial.
Let The Light Out
Orchids grown indoors require a special pot. The roots below ground require air to circulate through the bits of bark entwined in its root system. These pots with its air holes also make great luminaries for parties or just a little mood lighting when it is just you. Scour your local hardware store for interesting shapes, colors and designs.
ProTip; I only use candles that are sold in a glass container, saves on messy melted wax clean up.
Romance Is Back
ROMANCE IS BACK!Lace
Chiffon
Sheer
Ribbons
Velvet
Ruffles
Swiss Dot
Corset
Embroidery
Paisley
It's like the 1970's again-
Cowboy Boots - Out of Necessity
Burns Cowboy Shop, Carmel, California
Cowboy boots are such a permanent part of the fabric of Americana it is difficult to imagine there was a time they did not exist. The truth is necessity is the mother of invention and cowboy boots are the poster child of this honest proverb.
The link below is a brief history of the making of the first cowboy boot, and I am a distant participant. How many pairs do you own?
Faux Fashion Shines
Faux leather pants are becoming the new norm for you closet, soon it may take over sloppy sweats and too stiff jeans. They are available for all body types and design shapes. You may even invest in 3 pairs: Leggings, Wide Leg and Boot Cut.
If you are really adventurous, try the liquid wet look patent shiny leggings from Spanx
Puff Puff Party
The hottest winter fashion piece this season is the puffer jacket and/or coat. While these have been around for decades, now they are available in velvet, iridescence and super shine patent. The link below are some examples from 'Forever21' store. Excellent as a holiday gift to your BFF!
Home
!! BREAKING NEWS !!
Are you a fan of Zara like I am?
Hold on to your blankie, Zara HOME Collection is coming soon.
Make Up Removal
I have tried those other products. Some of those fancy brand towelettes would rip the surface of my skin off and leave my eyelids raw. I have converted to CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Not only does it effectively remove eye make up, it is good for my skin. It is also great for moisturizing neck skin for a more youthful appearance. I suffer no alcohol sting when it comes in contact with my eye surface, also cruelty free.
Jelly Beans
Spring / Summer 2021 features jelly beans, and not the sugary tooth rotting kind.
Find those bright pinks, greens, blues and oranges in your wardrobe or start hunting the sale rack for bright summer neon colors. You will be the stylish one among your friends.
2 Pieces for 2021
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| Fashion by Balmain |
The hottest item for 2021 summer fashion is the two-piece, and I am not talking bikinis.
A fully coordinated cropped top and matching skirt, sometimes referred to as a 'Two-piece Dress' which I find laughable....dress (ha).
In some cases the two piece look is also presented in a similar cropped (seen above) and a front pleated fully tailored wide leg trouser with maybe a matching blazer, seen earlier this Spring.
Check out a number of websites (Zara, Net-A-Porter, etc.) to get some ideas and then dive into the pool, the water is fine.
REMINDER: Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 9.
MIXING Is Back
Back in March of 2012 I wrote in a former fashion blog that the SS 2012 was all about "mixing". Mixing is the concept of pairing divergent patterns of a similar scale within a complimentary color palate. Nine years later, mixing is back in a big way.
Gucci and Zara are the most prominent fashion design houses that emphasize this trend so well. This may be a great opportunity to take in your entire closet with fresh eyes and find some great pairings that you already own.
Follow the links below for SS 2021:
Baby Got Back
Spring / Summer 2021 is all about the open back dress or top. The strappier, the better.
Below is a link from Forever 21 to give you some fashion ideas through their collection of backless women's clothing, also at an affordable price. Available options from various retailers include knitwear and metallic fabrics for date night too. Go wild!
Butch Says Woof
Your favorite clothing designer is now 'puppy friendly'.
Check out the Zara doggy clothing and accessory catalog.
Valentine Date Class
Retailer Sur La Table offers their well known cooking classes online, only $29 per household. How about a great Valentine gift for your BFF or Special Someone?
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