A Collection of Thoughts on Aging with Style
All week I’ve been ruminating on topics related to aging: the (Biblical) role of the empty nester, relationships between generations, my mom’s wardrobe, and more. Yet, when faced with the desire to produce a Friday Fashion Lab, I once again ran up against my most persistent blogging frustration: I have words, you all want pictures. But where to get them?
Perhaps in the not-so-distant future, I will be able to produce them myself. :) (Which thought came to me sometime in the 24 hours following my first drawing class.) Why not? If I learn to draw, I could just draw pictures of the ideas which are very clear in my mind, scan them, and upload them to the blog. Much less time-consuming than finding them on the internet (which gives great pictures, but takes forever), or taking them myself (yeah, you’ve seen my pictures, and now that I mostly blog when I’m home alone, the clothes must generally be pictured uninhabited, which is less satisfactory).
In the meantime, links!
- Imogen’s post on age appropriate dressing.
- Duchesse on Personal Style at 80
- Great Vogue video on personal style
And finally, in lieu of a fashion lab, a question:
Would an 80 year old be fabulous or frumpy in this Boden dress? What about you? (What about me?)
Related Posts:
Slow Down and Read
Believe it or not, I took off for Seattle in such a big hurry that I didn’t even grab a book. Not even my Bible. (That would be even more embarrassing if it weren’t for the fact that a skinny little New Testament is a permanent resident of my purse.) I did take a little stack of bills, thereby averting the disaster that late fees can pile on top of emergencies like these. And I took my ipod, but forgot about it most of the time.
I found the quiet (in my head) rather therapeutic.
However, if I had thought of it, I would definitely have taken Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style!
In the meantime, blog reading (I’m trying to get caught up on my blog-reading, but if I missed your fall wardrobe post, please send me the link):
- Damselfly’s What I’d Wear Wednesday Fall post. Note from me: magenta - yes!
- Is This Modest? has introduced Quick Reviews, where you can comment on the modesty of specific outfits.
And Yikes! Has the weather turned suddenly in your neck of the woods? It’s been wool all week for me.
Related Posts:
Just Linking, September 2008
Coming soon, by MInTheGap, Is This Modest?, a site all about modest clothing. Check out the about for how you can participate!
New blogs to check out:
- Of A Certain Age, suburban Southern California mom determined to enjoy fashion in her 40s.
- Work That Wardrobe, picturing outfits, but not buying any new clothes for a year.
New incoming links:
- Killer Heels, a celebrity style blog
New commenter(s):
- Mrs MK, who writes a lovely inspirational blog
- Keira H at My Beauty Match (I may need to talk to her more soon!)
- Christopher Hopkins, the makeover guy. Did you know he also writes a blog?
And the big news: Imogen has her own blog now! Check out Inside Out Style.
Aeropostale: Labor Day Sale! Free economy shipping on all orders with code FREESHIP
Related Posts:
Splendid Weekend Reading for August 2 & 3
From the Splendicity community, comes this week best in beauty, fashion and shopping.
BEAUTY
NY Spender remembers all of her past anti-frizz products and raves about her newest one.
Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at everything you need for a perfect brow from Anastasia Beverly Hills
Viva Woman finds out the types of Vitamin C in skincare products and what works for our skin.
Beauty Bento Box offers her first impressions on the OLAY White Radiance Foaming Cleanser.
My Women Stuff discusses what are chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens.
Beauty Blogging Junkie shows you how you can channel a Mad Men character at various price points.
Cinnamon Kitten forsakes her M.A.C. brushes for a few weeks to try out a couple of eco-friendly ecoTools.
Beauty Match has a video review: Should you buy Cover Girl Lash Blast or Maybelline Collosal Mascara?
Beauty Secrets Revealed is Giving Away AminoGenesis Anti-aging Skin Care Products Worth $119
Makeup and Beauty Blog gives you details on how to attend a free Chanel master makeup class.
SHOPPING
Shopalicious wants to share the wonderful jewelry concoctions of Amy of the B-Line, chemistry teacher by day, jewelry designer for fun!
ShopDiary loves the scent of Hermèssence Vétiver Tonka.
Laya’s EYE has fallen in love with the prettiest cupcake wrappers she has ever seen.
Shoe Blitz talks about the hottest shoe trends for fall.
Glamour Gift Guide loves the look of Lori Bonn jewelry, including coordinating necklaces, bracelets and more.
FASHION
Style…a work in progress is looking forward to a Gothic-Victorian-cowgirl style Fall and tells us about it when she says “Real cowboys never run, they just ride away”
Style Manila invites all to support the Style Manila Page on Facebook!
Tops 2 Bottoms shares some shirred and bubble style ideas for your work wear.
Just A Formality talks about trends in bridal shoes.
And of course we here at The Space Between My Peers are wondering if long floral dresses are hopelessly dated.
Related Posts:
Just Linking, July 2008
Stuff to read:
- I’ve been interviewed by The Fashion Time Magazine. Check out Between Her Peers, She’s Quite Fashionable.
- Slices of Life. D’Rae posts her outfits and her dinner menu, and on top of that she’s in pursuit of the perfect panty!
new commenters’ blogs:
Mercedes at Common Sense with Money
MellaDP at Quagmire Style
new to blogroll:
The Sky Is Bigger There (a new favorite read)
Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains Blog (a mother/daughter blog! Mom, want to join me?)
Retail Recovery. Thought-provoking (should I say riveting?) questions about style. Thanks to Danielle for reminding me about this blog!
BTW, Happy Independence Day (aka 4th of July)!
Related Posts:
Just Linking May 10th
Just a few random links I’ve collected over the past couple of weeks:
Amy at MotherLoad has a great post up on building a starter work wardrobe.
New commenters:
Chloe from Her Accessories.
Polly at Chick In the Country (featuring What I Wore pictures)
Jennifer at Family Musings. Be sure to see her post on modesty.
Vyque at Fasshonaburu.
Sharon from A Scrapbook of Me
Master photographer Stuart Riddell
New to the blogroll:
BTW, Happy Mother’s Day!
Related Posts:
Just Linking: April 26
This late-breaking development: I’ve joined the Old Navy affiliate program. And with the price of gas up to $3.60 per gallon and more, I’m thinking more and more of online shopping. It would cost me about $5 round trip to drive to the nearest Old Navy.
From around the blogosphere:
- Eternal Voyageur has been doing a bra-fitting series, something I will probably never do because a) I’ve never had problems with that, and b) she did it already and you can read hers.
- Illustrated with a $3 square neck top from Marshalls, Tessa posted on retail versus re-sale. I agree there are great deals to be had shopping new, rather than used, especially clearance. And if we are in a recession, I predict an overall shift from thrift to retail in terms of where the bulk of the really good deals are to be had.
- What I miss most about Italy is walking for transportation. While many of you are able to manage that in your life, out here in the Great Northwest it’s mostly impractical. (I say mostly because I know it could be done, but I’m just not into the other changes it would require.) Most of us have to carve out extra time from our schedule to exercise, which recently I have been very poor at. However, reading about Joy taking her bike to the grocery gave me another idea. The question is can I overcome my fear of biking?
- Tricia at bits and bobbins invites readers to consider “why do we wear what we wear?” Don’t miss the comments. Personally I’m still working through these questions, agreeing in large part with Claire who wants to feel happy, beautiful, and different from others and to be comfortable and prepared for what her day entails. I also identify with Ilka who says, “I wear what I wear because I want to seem slightly different from others, but I am not as adventurous on the outside as I am inside, so often I will try on an outfit in my head, but it never makes it out into the real world.” This happens to me all the time. I see two problems: family members who don’t agree with my vision and aren’t afraid to say so (I am easily discouraged), and lifestyle. I mean, where does one go where the only consideration in getting dressed is self-expression?
That’s such a good question, I think I’ll end there. Happy weekend!
Related Posts:
Just Linking, April 18
Update: Splendicity’s main page today features a never-before published article I wrote about shopping for a dress.
I’m trying out a new little time-saving blogging “device”: rather than try to sort through the many emails I received while I was gone (those that made it through the filter, that is), I am going to just post the links here. If there is something that is helpful to you or you think is fun, let me know.
- Need super-cute pjs? Capri Rose has a new etsy shop.
- Jennifer Taylor recommends Chick-eez for modesty.
- A Reuters fashion humor blog?
- Children’s Orchard, a children’s clothing resale shop.
- Weardrobe, a new social platform for wardrobe organization.
- Shop It To Me is a free discount-notification service for stylish clothing. This I may have to try out myself.
- Have you seen My It Things yet? I found this quote in an article in their fashion section:
Shopping alone is a whole different animal than shopping with those friends of yours who always have comments -good or bad- on what you pick out to try on and buy. Sometimes I feel like one of those paper dolls from when I was little when my buddies try to “help” by picking out outfits for me.
A pet peeve of mine: ladies who compel their less “fashionable” ( less interested? less trendy?) friends to go shopping with them for the sole purpose of dressing them up, cookie-cutter style, in unsuitable outfits. Off soapbox.
Related Posts:
Just Linking: Leap Day 2008
Weekend reading:
- The Carnival of Modesty at MIntheGap
- Healthy beauty tips at eternal voyageur
- New commenter kpriss blogs at StyleFrizz
- The Ducklings Respond to the news of the coming twins, at The Duchy of Burgundy Carrots.
- Stylish new blog: The Style Observer
More weekend reading:
- new to the blogroll: My Wardrobe Today
- Fabulously Broke in the City’s massive wardrobe cleanout blog project
- new fashion magazine for teens without all the sexualized content. Thanks Meredith!
On the topic of silhouette, Chantelle sends in this comment:
The Body Shape Bible over complicates for the sake of offering something different i feel. As a stylist I have always believed that there are simply 5 female body forms, the most common being the rectangle. In fact I have created a website which profiles your body shape and provides you specific style advice to suit… it’s an automated personal stylist service and simplifies the entire ‘what body shape am i question’.
I tend to agree about the 5 basic body shapes, although I do still prefer to distinguish between the hourglass and figure eight. But I never would have guessed the rectangle as the most common! Perhaps that explains my persistent attempts over the years to stuff my rounded shape into that linear silhouette. Am I the only one who has always subconsciously considered the pencil the ideal female shape?
Have a lovely weekend!
Related Posts:
Just Linking: February 8, 2008
Random stuff:
- Karen rightly thought I’d be interested in this post about gray hair beauty, featured at Wardrobe 911 style blog (which I have since added to the blogroll). Okay, so doesn’t the picture just make you wish your hair were gray?
- Here’s a tutorial I’m positive you will love: how to alter a boxy vintage cashmere sweater into a more flattering fitted shape, found via elegant musings.
- The trouble with boots is often in the fit in the calves. Although a couple of people have mentioned boots gapping in the calves, I have the opposite problem: it’s all I can do to zip them up. If you are like me, you might find help in this article Wendy sent me the link for: Boots With Room For Calves.
New blog friends:
- And an “old” blog friend has decided to quit blogging. I seriously hope she will continue in the conversation around here!
One final link, one I’m certain I’ll come back to in a future post: The Science of Personal Dress. Thanks Vildy!
