MY LOVE HATE FASHION RELATIONSHIP

What...Fancy Nancy...dislikes a fashion related item???  Impossible you say??? Well...I have quite a complicated relationship with the televised fashion shows like "What Not to Wear", which by the way is no longer on TV.  Then why write this post?  Because we all know it will soon be replaced by at least one if not many similarly themed programs.

I have watched What Not to Wear for years and years and...well lets just say...FOR A LONG TIME. It goes without saying I have also enjoyed Say Yes to the Dress, House of Consignment, The Rachel Zoe Show, Its a Brad Brad World, Running in Heels, etc etc

Some of my frustrations are as follows:

1.  Most of the shows are based in large cosmopolitan cities (90% of the time, NYC) where shopping options are plentiful.  Who couldn't find great clothing in such a place?

2.  Generous clothing budget- if I was gifted with a Visa with a large balance it would be a no brainer that I could find clothes that would both fit and flatter since price would not limit me.

3.  The sense that each of us has this "perfect" haircut and color that will take 10 years off our appearance.  The stylist analyzes the client's face shape, coloring, hair texture and length as well as the amount of time and effort they are willing to set forth on their daily hair routine.  Where is such a person??  I have gone to many different salons and I love my current stylist.  That said tho I have never had the experience that is shown on these shows...have you?  If so, then please share with who and at which salon.

4.  We all know the difference a few minutes can make when makeup is applied.  A light foundation, swish of a blush brush and mascara wand, some lip color and a huge transformation takes place.  When I watch someone like Carmindy on What Not to Wear, I will often see her working her magic on someone with my same coloring, I want to know which eye shadow bring out her close set eyes, which lip gloss brightens up her whole face.  Its not just using the products, its using the right brand and shade and brush and...well you know how it goes.

So my challenge to the next fashion show to appear on my television screen is please...come to a small town, work with a limited clothing budget, show us how to get the crown height in our hair, tame the frizz, share with us which brand and color of lip gloss "works" on everyone???????  Most of us do not have access to Ted Gibson haircuts, shopping trips to Nordstroms with professional stylists or a makeup artist to pick our perfect colors.  

What are your thoughts on this?  Do you share any of these same frustrations? 

GOOD THOUGHTS

LINK LOVE

I hope each of you has at least one friend like this in your life:
http://sharonrandall.com/2012/03/forever-friends-column-for-march-20-2012/#more-555

I have heard wonderful things about this movie, fingers crossed it comes to Northern IN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEEJaIjF_Lo

I am sure you have read more than a few of lists like this but here is one more to enjoy:
http://mysocalledmidlife.net/50-things-i-learned-in-50-plus-years/

And I leave you with this, YOU ARE WELCOME!

2 VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE

In the past few weeks I have had the privilege of meeting 2 fun and special people I have long admired.

I often link to columns by a favorite author, Sharon Randall.  Ms Randall recently spoke to a woman's art club in a city close to my hometown.  It was an honor to attend, and listen to her wise words and funny stories.  She is as gracious, kind and warm as I had expected her to be.  If you have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy her columns on families, female friendships, motherhood and many other topics that I promise will touch your heart, here is a link to her blog:
http://sharonrandall.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the television show Say Yes to the Dress which follows brides at the Kleinfeld Salon in Manhattan.  My favorite person on the show, Randy Fenoli recently started traveling to cities around the United States advising and helping brides find their perfect dress.  Last night while having dinner at a local restaurant I looked up and see Randy, walking in front of me.  I gasped, said his name out loud before I even realized what I was doing/saying.  He stopped, smiled, said hello and held out his hand while thanking me for watching the show.  In the interest of keeping this blog entry short I will simply tell you he was beyond warm, has a marvelous sense of humor, is very welcoming and friendly; EXACTLY as he is on the show.  It was beyond fabulous to meet him.

GREAT FINDS

I love leather gloves (so classy) BUT never wanted to invest in them because I knew, without a doubt I would lose them and then whine about that for years...now, problem solved:

Anthropologie Persophone Gloves

PERFECT fall lipstick:

MAC Twig

Love this scarf. The polka dots are not quite as prominent as they appear in the photo. Have worn it several times in the 5 days I have owned it:

Anthropologie Geo Dot Scarf

Very important advice in an emergency:

LINK LOVE

How many times have we been in a dressing room and uttered at least one of these phrases (RATIONALIZATIONS) if not multiple ones?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/25/shopping-dressing-room_n_3985882.html?ir=Style&utm_campaign=092513&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-style&utm_content=Photo

Helpful post from Angie at youlookfab on winter "must haves":

http://youlookfab.com/2013/09/24/must-haves-for-fall-winter-2013/

Sharon Randall's columns ALWAYS touch my heart:

http://sharonrandall.com/2013/09/whole-new-list-column-sept-24-2013/

Need some decorating/cooking/wardrobe inspiration?  Here you go:

http://blog.anthropologie.com

Just a few thoughts that I hope make you smile:

CLOSET TRANSITION

Are you as tired as I am of summer clothes?  Ready for sweaters and jackets (in other words...arm coverage?)?  Love the thought of no more tanning lotion?  Ladies, its time for fall.  Here are some quick ideas to help turn your summer lovelies into fall looks:

Blue Jean Jackets - I love throwing a good jean jacket over everything.  I especially like mixing the men's wear look with lace and/or a few (yes...a FEW) ruffles.

JCrew jean jacket

Black Tights - Everyone should have at least 2 good pairs of opaque tights in their closet. Black tights look good on EVERYONE and coupled with black shoes or boots give a long and lean look (no additional explanation necessary).

Cardigans  - Some people seem to  accumulate (will not name names here) cardis in every color of the rainbow.  I love to see unexpected colors together (black and navy, orange and pink).  You can button up your cardigan (with the buttons in the front or back...honest, you can) and tuck it into a skirt, you can leave it unbuttoned and wear it over a shirt or tee or tie it preppy style over your shoulders for a peek of color.  Such fun!

Nordstroms

Scarves - Look for darker colors, maybe a print.  I myself rarely wear scarves in the summer...just too warm.  However come fall, I am a scarf queen (or so you would think given the number of scarves I own).

Anthropologie

Lip Color - There is no rule that says you cannot wear your glossy pink lip tint once the leaves begin to fall.  However this is a good time to explore some pretty colors like plum and deep berry hues in a matte formula.  You could even take a fashion risk and try bright red lipstick.  Just remember that red lipstick is not red lipstick...you need to shop around to find the one that is right for you (hmmm, maybe a life lesson here too).

Boots - -Do you own booties?  If not, please run out as soon as you finish this post and join the current fashion season.  Booties have and continue to be EVERYWHERE this season.  Trust me when I say black booties paired with black tights will take you anywhere and everywhere.  They look adorable with jeans (even boyfriend jeans), skirts and dresses as well as dress pants.

Anthropologie

What are your favorite transition pieces?