LINK LOVE

Lots of time in my schedule to read articles, find new books to enjoy, browse sales on line and blog.  Here are a few links I hope you enjoy:

Remarkable stories of the other nine women in RBG's law school class of 1959

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/07/the-women-of-harvard-law-rbg-1959.html

How light and delicious does this pasta look:

https://www.spoonforkbacon.com/capellini-with-garlic-lemon-and-parmesan/

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale begins August 13th.  So far very underwhelmed with the early access view:

An oldie but a goodie...73 questions with Anna Wintour:

https://www.vogue.com/video/watch/73-questions-anna-wintour-on-brooklyn-the-rumors-and-the-one-thing-she-will-never-wear

Speaking of Vogue (with the Anna Wintour interview above) I just began this book.  I will report back with my thoughts:

Till next time:

                                    

FRIDAY FANCIES

Happy weekend.  I hope you had an opportunity to relax, enjoy some favorite activities and time with people who make you smile.

Lets look at some things that we absolutely NEED ...well perhaps more want than need....but in this time of stress, anything that makes us happy becomes more of a need, don't you agree?

I find dresses (vs pants) to be both cooler and  more comfortable during hot summer days.  However..since I am going nowhere besides taking a walk in the neighborhood, sitting on the deck or sitting in my driveway...dressy clothing is totally wasted ...and knowing me...likely to be spilled upon within 20 minutes of putting it on.  I picked up this dress in two colors from Target last week. Its super comfortable and 100% cotton:  

One of my favorite bloggers (thefashionmagpie.com)  shared a fabulous charm necklace her family gave her.  Each person picked out a charm they hoped would remind her of them.  Love that idea.  Then a good friend stopped by to visit and she was wearing the very same charm necklace.   Both womens' necklaces are from Hart Hagerty (they also makes charm bracelets):

Have you had some difficulty concentrating recently?  I think that Covid has absolutely affected me in that area  For example, I will open a book and often need to re-read entire pages because my mind has wondered.  So I am choosing to read books that I can learn something from and also not so heavy that they are depressing.  Have settled on travel and food memoirs as my current favorite genre.  

Have read several set in Paris...yay...if I cannot visit, at least I can read about this beautiful city. 

 

Till next time:

                                                

FANCY NANCY IS BACK

Hello everyone.  I have been considering a return to blogging for awhile.  I certainly have enough time to post but wondered if a fashion related blog was appropriate during such a stressful time in our world.  However, after much thought.... I decided we could all use a bit of lightness and joy in our lives.  So, I will do my best to put a smile on your face.  

I don't know about you but I miss dressing up everyday for work or going out to dinner or to a movie.  Each morning I look in my closet to see which pair of black yoga pants and shirt I will wear.  I bypass all the pretty dresses, cute pleated skirts, and summer cardigans.  On go the Birkenstocks or athletic shoes along with the bare minimum amount of makeup and a quick brush though my hair.  Honestly a trip to the grocery store is the highlight of my week and I do get a bit more dressed up for that "event".

So lets daydream a bit and look at summer fashion for our closets, pretending we have important and fun places to go.  

Pleated midi skirts remain a wardrobe staple. This skirt from Anthropologie could be worn with a tee in the summer and a sweater this fall.  

Midi dresses as well as midi skirts are all over every fashion blog and instagram account.  Thankfully this longer style lends itself to summer ease of sitting on a picnic blanket, park bench or lawn chair without constant rearranging.  I am partial to cotton dresses for both the wearability as well as comfort level.  I have purchased this dress in 2 colors from Nordstrom: 

           

One other item I want to share with you is a wonderful self tanning lotion with great reviews on both the Sephora and Ulta websites.  Unlike most self tanners, it has a pleasant smell.  Warning...it is a bit pricey but I use sparingly and would definitely purchase again.  

I will leave you with this thought:

   

FRIDAY FANCIES

Happy Friday everyone.  Should we get right down to business and see what pretty things we fancy?

For some reason I love this scarf.  I am not usually a red person so not sure where the love is coming from, but its just so pretty:

If you are a follower of this blog, you have heard me whine numerous times about my foot issues and how that leads me to being forced to purchase expensive shoes that are not always stylish...therefore if I can vouch for the comfort in a pair of shoes/boots, believe me, you can wear them.  I own these in black and am seriously considering a second pair in brown.  In addition to being stylish and comfortable, they are WATERPROOF.

A friend gave me a delightful Christmas present of L'Occitane products.  One I especially like is the Almond Shower Oil.  It is moisturizing without being greasy and foams when coming in contact with water...simply amazing.  

I love Prosecco...pretty much any and all brands of Prosecco.  When  I decide to treat myself to one that feels a bit special and luxurious, this is what I buy:

If we are going to splurge on a delicious Prosecco, lets also enjoy drinking it from a pretty flute:

I hope you have a fun weekend planned.  My husband and I are very excited to have one of our sons and his family visit us.

Are you familiar with the fabulous Iris Apfel?   Sharing below one of her many fashion rules:

BOOKS AND MOVIES

Hello all.  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and were able to be with the special people in your life.  Our Christmas was wonderful.  We were out of town visiting family and it was a very special time.  I am fortunate enough to have a long holiday break and have spent quite a bit of time reading.  Wanted to share with all of you some books that I have enjoyed.

Educated - This is the January read for our bookclub. I was anxious to begin reading the story because it seems to be on every "Best of 2018" booklist.  It was very interesting.  It is amazing the adversity some children are able to overcome in their lives.  If you read The Glass Castle, there were some similar themes.

A Paris All Your Own- Essays by 18 female authors about their adventures in Paris; both the good and the bad.  I especially appreciated Paula McLain's honestly in her research for the best seller The Paris Wife...which is a fabulous book if you have not yet read it.

GREEN BOOK - Fabulous movie and if you have the opportunity to go see it, please do.  Rotten Tomatoes synopsis of the movie: 

Dr Don Shirley is a world-class African-American pianist, who is about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. In need of a driver and protection, Shirley recruits Tony Lip, a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx. Despite their differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation. Official trailer: 

I will be back soon with links to fun new blogs I have discovered, new favorite hair and beauty products along with a few surprises.

ACCESSORIES

I used to think that accessories were not important.  My thought was if I had a nice dress or skirt/top, that was an outfit...then I realized the error of my ways.  Accessories can MAKE your outfit come alive and show the world who you really are.  The necklace you wear , the earring and/or bracelet you pair with it, the shoes you choose all say something about you.  If you saw one woman in small diamond studs and black pumps along with a designer handbag, what conclusions would you draw about this person?
Lets look at Megan Markel in a recent photo:

Now lets look at her from several years ago:

It goes without saying she is beautiful young woman in both photos but her shoes/handbag and dress all portray her very differently.

So when your makeup has been applied, your hair completed and its time to pick out your clothing and accessories, think about what image you wish to project.  How do you feel that day?  Sophisticated?  Confident? Serious?  Playful?

I think a pashmina/scarf is one accessory that can be extremely versatile.  You can use it as a scarf over your coat.  It can cover your shoulders to add not only arm coverage but also warmth.  It can add a pop of color if you find 99% of your closet is composed of black (Fancy Nancy I am looking in the mirror at you right now....).  Nordstrom has 112 options when I searched their site for pashmina/scarf:

https://shop.nordstrom.com/sr/scarves-cashmere-pashmina-scarves

Jewelry is also an area that reveals a lot about you.  Long Kendra Scott dangling earrings say one thing https://www.kendrascott.com/products/marty.html?dwvar_marty_stoneColor=346#start=17

Pearl studs convey a different feeling https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nadri-imitation-pearl-stud-earrings/4108606?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=silver

High heels with an open toe https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ukies-amanda-peep-toe-pump-women/5077636?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=nude%20patent%20leather

Lower heeled pumps with closed toe https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sam-edelman-dori-pump-women/4938092?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=classic%20nude%20leather

I think seeing a visual is often very helpful in understanding an idea.  I also think a full length mirror is vital along with an honest assessment of the look we show the world as we walk out the door. As with most of fashion, there is no right or wrong....its whatever you feel is right for you and the image you want to convey.

FRIDAY FANCIES

Its almost Christmas which means so many pretty and fun items tempting us in our favorite stores and boutiques...and I think we deserve them, don't you???? 

I purchased Blondo booties last winter and they are beyond fabulous.  So comfortable (when I can say that...you know its true), stylish and they really are waterproof.  I would love to have a second pair.  I think this would be a versatile color.  Do you agree?

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/blondo-valli-waterproof-bootie-women/4026896?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FWomen%2FShoes%2FBoots&color=black%20suede

I know many bloggers, cosmetic companies, etc say a lipstick color is "universal"...one of those mentioned over and over is the color Twig by MAC.  Believe me, this color flatters almost every person whether you are blonde, brunette or have auburn highlights in your hair.  For comparison's sake, here is  a sheet with similar colors from MAC.

Most makeup and department stores carry MAC makeup so next time you are in Ulta or Nordstroms or...a New York based store that has failed miserably in trying to replace Marshall Fields (any guesses here???) ask the makeup artist to let you try it.  I don't think you will be disappointed with the color, coverage or price point.

One other makeup fancy...the newest mascara from NARS is really good:

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nars-climax-mascara/5051747?country=US&currency=USD&mrkgcl=760&mrkgadid=3320091460&utm_content=61786981803&utm_term=pla-297414535588&utm_channel=shopping_ret_p&sp_source=google&sp_campaign=745687890&rkg_id=0&adpos=1o1&creative=312380913491&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxs3gBRDGARIsAO4tqq0c8eiveFcmddX9eKiselrzds2a2-GeoWftRC24SLnYA0mlIdwddDwaAjsuEALw_wcB

I eagerly await fall when I can wear black tights 99.9% of the time.  They are both warm and flattering and will go with pretty much any outfit you choose.  Don't choke at the price point, they are totally worth it and wear like steel.  

https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/spanx-luxe-leg-shaping-tights/4018415?origin=saveforlater

I hope you have some fun weekend plans.  I am going to attend a mindful meditation workshop tomorrow at our local library on Saturday morning. Saturday night is a  Christmas dinner with dear friends. We  are all at the point where gifts are always appreciated, of course, but time together is very special to each of us.  

So in honor of meditation I leave you with this thought: