:: a fashion blog by your average fashion fanatic ::

Not that I have many (if any!) regular (very very very appreciated) readers, but I wanted to apologize for my lame, picture-less posts the last couple of days!

My work computer is not compatible with WordPress’s photo upload system, but I will try to go in after each post once I get home, and add them in.  It’s a lame compromise, I know, but will allow me to write when I can, and still get the photos in so you don’t have to hunt around for them.

Thank You!

Inspired by Jessica at What I Wore, and the critique I did of her list of items she avoids, here’s my unconscious list of Nevers, which only becomes evident while shopping with a new partner, during which trip, I’m bound to say, “I actually try to stay away from…” and “____ doesn’t really work on me…” more than my fair share of times:

• Trapeze/swingy tops – I occassionally pick one up, with the intent of either belting it, or wearing it under a fitted jacket, but the majority of time, they go unworn.  Why?  Because I’m thick and on the busty and hippy sides, with a small waist.  Although a belt/jacket helps, the blousiness from chest to waist makes me look huge; blousiness from chest to hips is even more obnoxious.
• Ankle-strap shoes – In addition to being the opposite of thin, I’m also short, and even luckier-short-legged.  Thick, short legs (actually either of these on its own as well) + ankle straps = cankles.  HOT.  Actually, I do break this occassionally – but usually only for either straps close to my leg color, dark straps worn with tights, or shoes I know I’ll wear only with pants.
• Overt matchy-matchiness – the epitome of non-chic, to me.  I appreciate that you’ve taken the time and put in the effort to find a pale peach carpis to pair with your coral and peach floral top, BUT matching does not equal style.  I was raised to match-match-match (my mom still gives matching socks along with any gift of clothing that she gives – she’s so cute!), but now think that pairing items because they “go” rather than match, somes across as more cohesive and put-together – in a casual, organically stylish way.
  • The blogger over here, bless her heart, is adorable and has potential, but ALWAYS falls into the matchy-matchy trap (and the too-young trap, see below): http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/
• Chunky knit or ribbed sweaters – First let me say, I adore sweaters – ALL sweaters!  BUT, I know me, and I know that a hugely cable knit crewneck or a ribbed turtleneck sweater will do my body no favors (I should say, I know this now…as both of these items were staples for me in my college years…the horror…).  Thin, preferably consisting of Merino wool or cashmere, and v-neck is what works for this girl.  On occassion, I will work a boucle sweater, but it’s bound to be body-conscious in cut, and paired with a slim bottom – and be during a ski weekend or to lounge at the casa.
• Over-accessorizing – I typically wear pretty classic sillhouettes (although I’ve been trying to be more risky with proportion lately), so I really count on my accessories to punch up my outfits.  Long, chunky gold pendant necklaces and gold watches are my biggest weaknesses, and I like to think, part of my style signature.  To keep from going overboard and costumey, I wear the same tiny hoop earrings nearly ever day.  On the rare days I do pick loud earrings over a necklace (oddly, on my wedding day?), I opt for a barely-there necklace or no necklace.  We hear and read about balance in accessorizing constantly, but I see this out far too frequently – especially with matching jewelry “sets”!  Just because it comes together and you like the pieces, doesn’t mean they all have to worn together, at one time!  Each piece would look that much more special if worn as the sole statement item of your look, no?
• Finally – too-young pieces – So, truth is, I haven’t been 21 for 5+ years…does that stop me from hitting up Forever 21 EVERY time I head to the mall?  no.  it does not.  However, I go in, knowing I’m too old for lots of their wares – and I’m okay with it.  I typically have expensive taste and like well-made items, but when I’m looking for a trendy (i.e. dispensible) item, I know where to go.  Teeny-bopper stores are great for funky accessories and even some “going out” pieces – just don’t wear them all together in your post-college days!

Whew!  What are your “Nevers”??

Jessica, over at What I Wore, (the most consistently inventive, but not overly-so, fashion blogger around – I love her!) recently posted a list of “Always and Nevers.”  I’ll touch on the Alwayses (?) another time, but Jessica’s Nevers included (and my commentary follows):

NEVERS:

• Corduroy in Summer/Yellow Chiffon in Winter, i.e. wrong fabric for the season
  • This is also a big one for me; however, I make exceptions for appropiating seasonality with proper styling.  For instance, a white eyelet dress – arguably the most “summer” item possible – but with black tights and layered over a knit turtleneck, this can definitely go into fall and even winter.  I’m also kind of in love with the thought of Jessica’s ethereal “yellow chiffon dress,” topped with a grey knobby-knit shawl sweater, as a loungy indoor outfit in the middle of winter.  It could even go outdoors in Fall/a mild winter with textured wool tights and a great pair of brown riding boots – so snuggly with a cup of hot chocolate in hand…
• White Sneakers with a Business Suit and Hosiery
  • Come on, Jessica – give us working girls a break!  I kid…I agree with this one as well, but admit to committing the crime.  Working in finance = hosiery required, but I am not about to scramble in and out of my hose and suit just to take a lunchtime jaunt around the business park.  My options are limited to sneakers, Adidas soccer slides, or Crocs.  Take your pick.
• Pit Stains
  • Does this even need to be addressed??
• Neon Plastic Sunglasses with those horrible horizontal Lines
  • Does this even need to be addressed – if you don’t happen to be Kanye??
• Chipped Nail Polish
  • It happens to the best of us…
• Last Night’s Makeup
  • I’m actually partial to remnants of a previous night’s eyeliner…does this make me grody or less chic – I think not!  I’m always sure to wash my face, but eye makeup remover and I don’t get along…actually, we probably could forge a relationship, but if we’re being honest, I really DO like the look of rockstar-morning-liner better than freshly applied

I’m just going to say it now: I’m a little disappointed in Jessica’s list!  Only two were really fashiony/functional tips (I may be a little bitter about having to break the latter one!).

Stay tuned for my “Nevers”…!

My former college roomie, Megan, over at Gasp*Shock, recently composed a list of her current beauty faves, thereby inspiring me to do the same.

Here they are:

L’Oreal Elnett Hairspray – I had a friend bring this back from Paris in high school, and have never found anything comparable.  Since then,  I’ve been using Sebastian’s Shaper (a poor substitute)…but now Target has come to the rescue!

Smashbox Photo Finish Bronzing Primer – I’ve used the original and oil-free versions of this, but so far this summer, I’ve been hooked on it.  It may be a mental thing, but I think this does an excellent job of complementing my (faux) tan, and not making me look chalky or orange.

Laura Mercier Oil Free Liquid Foundation – This truly has the greatest consistency of anything I’ve tried – super sheer and freckle-friendly, especially when applied with a damp sponge, and it melds with my skin, totally blending in with it.

Crest White Strips Premium – White teeth make SUCH a difference in a person’s appearance.  After my first time using these bad boys, I was greeted with immediate compliments on my teeth and smile, which were always just on the big/horsey side to me (when she was in the olympics, I got WAY too many (non)comparisons to Nancy Kerrigan…joy.).  When I looked ino having my teeth zoom whitened before the wedding, my dentist actually told me to use Whitestrips for a little boost, but that professional whitening wouldn’t do anyhing further.

Stila Lip Glaze – I adore the Berry shade, as it’s sheer, and takes away from some of the natural pinkness in my lips; it’s also not too sticky.

I also have a few longtime faves:

• The Shu Uemura lash curler
• Cover Girl Eye Enhancers Trio in Shimmering Sands – the first makeup product I ever bought, and I still use it!
• Bare Minerals Mineral Veil – nice for keeping me un-shiny and still dewy all day
• MAC Shimma Paint creme eyeshadow
• Covergirl mascara – I used to use Fantastic Lash and have lately switched between Lash Blast and Eyelights Exact; I’ve tried DiorFlash and Lancome Definicils, and always end up preferring good old CG
• Bumble and Bumble’s Volumizing spray – the. best.
• My perfume – either Micheal Kors or Burberry London (I wore YSL’s Cinema for the wedding, so I break that ou occassionally as well)

Lately, I’m in search of new:

• Deep conditioner – I currently have Ojon’s Restorative Treatment and do not love it – too greasy…
• Dry shampoo – I’ve used B & B’s brunette hair powder for years, but they’ve reformulated to a spray, which is just gross…Oscar Blandi’s is supposed to be superb – I’m planning to pick it up next time I pop into Sephora
• Beach/Salt spray – I’m getting toward the end of my last bottle of the discountinued (and fabulous) John Frieda Beach Blonde spray, which perfectly blended oil, salt, and perfectly summery scent…B & B’s Sea Spray is no comparison…

Do you have any beauty standards to share?

Although we’ve edged our way into summertime, the unseasonably cold weather us Milwaukeeans have been experiencing makes this post-re-applicable.  I’ve been having problems with WordPress since my employer blocked it, along with Twitter, and I haven’t been able to get into the blog!  (Damn you, password-saving technology, which allows me to over-depend on my computer to do the job of my memory…)  I initially penned this post in April, but had issues publishing – happy reading, and here’s hoping that we soon get some wear out of our summer wardrobes!  (sidenote: I completely don’t remember why this post is titled as such…I’m sure it was intended to be relevant/witty?)

(from 4.21.09)  Following an unseasonably warm Friday night and Saturday this weekend (obviously we couldn’t have gotten a full weekend of warmth – this is Wisconsin, afterall), I feel like another dressing guide is needed.

Although I like winter, at least the beginning of it, when everything is pretty and white, when the sun still shines more than it doesn’t, all too many of us in the northern hemisphere-ites spend the entire long, cold, lifeless season (at least after the Resort season, which was pretty bleak this year, anyway) looking forward to the breezy, bright styles that the spring shows have whet our appetite for sooo many months before…only to have far too many girls skip the season, fashion-wise, completely – and head straight for summer!

During our dinner date Friday and our couples-outing Saturday night, far too many of these seasonally inappropriate shapes were spotted at each of our venues:

• Denim Minis – I’m sure this will come up periodically in my blogs, but I hate the things – especially cut-off denim minis.  Although I concede that (hemmed-edge only) denim minis are adorable on little girls, and can be chic-ishhhh… swathing the perfect bums of the spring break crew and otherwise young, toned, beach-goers; heck – I wouldn’t even turn down a dark wash, paired witch darker tights and a kicky pair of boots paired with a snuggly sweater in the autumn…(deep breath)…they are not appropriate for MOST women over the age of 23, on the basis of the following: leg shapliness, and also class expectation.  While leg-shapliness is self-evident in terms of definition, “class expectation,” is a bit dodgier.  Distressed denim minis remind people of Britney Spears during the peak of her TTM (Trailer Trash Material) phase; they reak of Mariah Carey in her rolled-waistband, crochet halter days (are those over yet?); worst of all, they remind me of something Pamela Anderson would wear.  Hence, distressed denim minis in the summer = 1/classy (the inverse of classy, for you non-mathophiles).  Whew!
• Sleeveless Tops – Sleeveless tops are meant to show off toned arms and/or fab tans.  This is April in Wisconsin: chances are, you’ve got neither.  Even if you do, 60-degree weather still can’t be maintained for more than a few hours at a time, so layer on a tee or a jacket, and come join us back in the real world, where we don’t all look like MObama.  Thank You.
• Flip-Flops (worn at night) – lots of times these accompany the peeves listed above – which is fine – in the SUMMER.  Otherwise, it’s just sad.  I am not yet summer-carefree and thus, do not want to spend my evening looking at your dank bar-feet and worrying that you’ll be coming to my place for an afterparty, danking-up my cream carpet for sure.  Since summer a-bars usually take place outside, flip-flop-feet are more acceptable then.

On the PLUS side, Springtime allows for:

• Layering!  While even the tiny cami under your floaty chiffon top turns constricting and sweat-inducing on the hottest of summer days, springtime welcomes such forays into femininity.  Add a sweetly taylored jacket and jeans for cooler days, and save your 3″ chino shorts to pair it with come summer time.
  • I am obsessed with this top – how adorable with great, dark, skinny jeans and flats for now, and shortie khaki shorts and metallic gladiator sandals later?!

• Scarves!  I’m so over them in the hot-hot weather – I live in Wisconsin – I wear a scarf for 8 to 9 months out of the year, and I enjoy sporting a naked neck when the conditions allow for it!  In a light fabric, and paired with a trench during the spring, though, a scarf makes a perfectly chic headcover for those unexpected showers (I have curly hair and bangs – protecting them from moisture is practically a part-time job for me in spring!).  I especially adore this one, from Banana.

• Speaking of jackets…this is another of my (many) shopping weaknesses – somehow, I’ve managed to collect a spring jacket and a winter coat in ever nuetral color (olive and burgundy included), and have now moved into prints (graphic tone-on-tone turquoise for spring, and a gorgeous black and jewel-toned brocade for winter nights – I die!).  This one NEEDS a place to hang in my closet:  Clearance?!  I’m on it!

After not having written in over a week (so sorry – but it’s tax time and I work in the financial industry – life has NOT been pretty lately!), I’m interrupting the weddingness for this season-relevant post.

Friday in Milwaukee was Opening Day at Miller Park – against the Cubs (booo!), no less, which meant Saturday was the first game in our season ticket pack.  Although Art is a Milwaukee transplant, he’s quickly adopted a soft spot for the Brewers and all that comes with them (long summer days of tailgating, overpriced Miller products, and questionably good baseball).  After spotting the THIRD too-skinny girl in too tight skinnies tucked into too tall knee-high boots, we’re definitely overdue for a Guide to Dressing Like a Baller: ChicCritique edition.

Dressing Like a Baller – DO NOT:

• wear heels.  They slow you down and make you look pretentious.  If you’re attending the game in attempt to be “one of the guys” or to be “fun,” teetering all day on inappropriately high heels does not gain you any points.  Miller Park has exit ramps, which are favored over stairs or escalators for ease in exiting the park; heels work especially terribly in this context.
• bring a huge purse/bag with you.  If the seat beside yours is occupied, the only other option for bag storage is under your seat; however, placing your bag here puts its fate in the hands of the fan in the seat behind you.  In my experience, the odds are that this person will be either a) a child left to run free, spilling his Mountain Dew and his dad’s Miller Light into the row in front of him – and also into your purse (and then onto the $200 authentic Brewer jersey you just purchased as a Father’s Day gift), or b) the guy who REALLY loves peanuts – who loves him so much you end up with peanut shells in your hair, in your bag, and down your shirt.  Sometimes these people come together, or Peanut Guy gets tipsy and reverts to Soda Boy.  Take your pick – just leave your Balenciaga at home (since we’re talking Milwaukee here, I should revise that to “leave your Coach at home”).
• pretend that it’s summer just because it’s baseball season.  It was 38 degrees on Opening Day and didn’t top 40 the next day.  Please explain to me why I had to look at shivering, tacky, blue-lipped chickies in cut-off denim minis.  This leads nicely into my final DO NOT…
• DO NOT dress like a hoochie.  I love my cleavage as much as the next girl, but honestly, unless you’re out for a bachelorette party, there’s no reason for it.  The majority of the guys at the game are there for the game – they can catch an eyeful of lady flesh at any bar and spend a whole lot less money on an excuse to do so ($7/each beer, $25 priority parking, $20+ on tickets, $? on food – it adds up!).  The ball park is also a family place, and small children shouldn’t be subjected to your lack of decency – yuck!

• Keep it classy, people!

and here are some tips to look like the Baller that you are!  DO:

•  get supportive a wear a team tee.  Vintage is best; fitted is always cute (opt for men’s sizes over little boys’ as the men’s are longer and leaner if you can find an XS/S/M); baggy and grungy is never cute.  My go-to items are either my dad’s old tee from the ’82 World Series or the Ryan Braun tee from Art last year.
• or, work the casual-but-still-put-together angle.  I’m usually anti-screen printed items, so when I’m feeling less than cheerleadery, I’ll choose simpler layered tees or a hooded cashmere sweater.  You can have more fun in the summer, and definitely get more creative on a night out with the girls…but keep it unfussy.
• accessorize – but again, don’t get too crazy.  Heels are a non-no, but espedrilles or a cute pair of gladiator sandals (if the weather cooperates) could work.  Plain hoop earrings, an interesting necklace, or a cute headwrap…all appropriate.  Anything that looks too dressed-up comes across as trying too hard.
• block the sun!  This one should be a given, but sunblock, a hat, and a great pair of sunglasses are mandatory for enjoying day games in the summer.
• lastly, DO come with a good attitude.  Even if you’re more of a champagne kind of girl than a beer & brat type, soak in the atmosphere and relax.  Guys worry about so much less than girls, so take a note from them and let yourself enjoy the day.  Nothing is more noticably unattractive than a sour face among those smiling and partaking in the fun.

Batter up!!

Primped, anthing but proper, and ready to go, the girls headed off from my Granny’s house to the venue for pre-ceremony picture time.  I wasn’t nervous or anxious, and our busy day kept me focused and in a fab mood all day…

(Sigh – he’s so adorable…)

Then came the inevitable near-breakdown (for me) due to the issues with flowers, signage not being posted as I instructed, and me trying to finalize my vows…it was time for a deep breath, a quick cry (missing my grandpa), lots of kisses from the fam as we lined up and got ready to go, and one last HOLLER!

We’re married!

Onto the formal portraits w/ the fam:

Us lovebirds:

And one more, b/c I’m still prod of pulling this pretty pic out of nowhere!

* All pictures by Bridges Wedding Photography; we could not recommend them highly enough.

At the onset of the planning process, I knew I wanted everything wedding-related to be very cohesive.  Since during our engagement, we attended EIGHT other weddings, and had gone to three others during the 1.5 years before getting engaged, we’d seen A LOT of others’ wedding materials, and to be honest, most of them seemed pretty scatterbrained.  We’d get a Save the Date with one motif, and invitation with completely different style, and then attend a wedding where the programs didn’t go with anything.  The inevitable slideshow had obviously been thrown together without thought back to any of its predecessors.  We made a conscious effort to coordinate the event from start to finish (notice, I didn’t say “match” everything…)

Our Save the Dates linked to our big wedding day surpise, which we told nobody, save the MOH, about, prior to the day of.  Care to guess what the surprise was?

I know it’s become more common-place, but when we booked it, photobooths at weddings were rare; luckily, they still are in Milwaukee!

We made a conscious effort to execute the STDs in a prefessional manner; this meant:

• Taking LOTS of pictures at a real photobooth in a mall. (note: it is MUCh easier to do all four shots with one sign at a time, rather than trying to switch signs, position them, make a funny face, and be cute all within the three seconds between each shot!)
• Doing the pictures in color, and then converting to black and white in Photoshop to get a larger range in color.  Ours actually had a slight blue tint in order to maximize to look.
• Picking our favorite shots to make the cutest possible series.
• Running the photostrips through a Xyron (http://edushop.edu4kids.com/product_info.php?s=ghop&products_id=29592) machine, which laminated one side and magnetized the other – we highly recommend this!

 We hunted endlessly for the right invitations, which would relay our intent that the event be simple and FUN, and which would lend itself to our brown/orange color scheme and a possible polka dot motif.  We found the perfect option at Broadway Paper in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, but they were priced FAR beyond our budget, so we decided to recreate them!

Our inspiration:

Our version (three pages, held together by a grommet in the upper-left corner like the example):

 The right-hand portion of the last page was perforated for return of the response postcard, which worked out perfectly!  We received SO MANY compliments on them!

We lined the envelopes with a pattern that I found online, and then used the same print for our website.

Our programs continued the theme:

And finally, coming full-circle, were our Thank-You cards (not the best picture, since we totally forgot about them until the end of the night – oops!).  I know it probably goes without saying, but this is our proof, so the card was foled in half, width-wise, with us on the front and our logo on the back.

I’ll also note that our slideshow was a big hit with our guests.  We began each section with a title page to match our logo; i.e. “Paul” in a circle, then “Jill” in a circle, and then “Paul + Jill”.  We also used Tom Petty songs throughout: Runnin’ Down a Dream for him, American Girl for me, and then…maybe Wildflowers (?) for us together.

Overall, we were both really proud of how everything turned out, as we did it ourselves, without much outside help.  It was amazing to work with my husband-to-be in such a creative manner and have our ideas so in synch. (…love.him…)

Picking up where we left off, the girls headed out bright and earlyish for hair appointments, followed by makeup provided by the amazingly talented Michael Weiss (freelance makeup artist, works days @ Bobbi Brown @ Mayfair – Facebook him!), who met us at my Granny’s for the end of the primping!

Sarah, Paul’s “Best Woman,” and Nicole, my cousin and bridesmaid, looking HOT, above!  Then we were off!

My lovely Maid of Honor/Sister, PSYCHED for the impending shindig!

My mama make a gorgeous chauffeur!

At the venue, Downtown Milwaukee Transit Center’s Harbor Lights Room, we were met by the florist (Vender Critique to come, I promise!), whose sole purpose, it seems, was to disappoint the bride.  They worked, but EVERYTHING except for Art’s bout was wrong.  Luckily, our (amazing) photographers didn’t include the (multiple) pics of my flipping off my (crap) bouquet in our proof book.

(supposed to be simple, mostly white hydrangeas with a few orange orchids and chocolate cosmos; ended up much too orange/cluttered-looking – and are those rhinestones in the centers of the orchids?!  gag)

The flowers were decidedly UNchic.

After some intense pre-ceremony moments, we were ready to get the show on the road!

Love the title, and the fact that it’s courtesy of Art, who is WAY into my return to the blogosphere…he’s such a trip!

I apologize for my indefinite leave from the site, but when I left off, we were getting pretty deep into the wedding planning process, starting to house-hunt, and dealing with a majorly psycho landlord.  To say we’ve been busy would be to say that Danny Gokey on American Idol has an “okay” voice (Milwaukee, represent!) – we’ve been swamped!

Since last I wrote, we’ve planned the wedding, bought a house, decoarated said house, got married, honeymoon, added a puppy, “Dillon,” to the fam, and made it through the holidays (they last through march in our family, with my birthday in January, Valentine’s Day in February, and Art’s birthday in March) – whew!

Before I commit to the changes I’ve got in mind for the site by actually typing them out…the next post, maybe (?)…although I’ll admit I may be slightly biased, I’ll “critique”…

10.04.08 – the wedding!  actually, since the critique will surely be a long one, we’ll start with the pre-wedding-ness!

Our wedding weekend began with the rehearsal and dinner at Milwaukee’s Public Market, which Art and I chose not only because it opened just after we started dating, but because it’s also one of our ways (these days, with puppy in tow) to spend a Saturday afternoon, and because it’s so “Milwaukee,” the city where we met and fell in love.  I know that to most people, Milwaukee is nothing but beer, brats, bikes, and cheese, but it’s my hometown and the city that Art’s also adopted as his own.*

The food was delectible, the company was incomparable, and the love was tangible; in the absence of all the pics, here’s the happy couple (in a less than ideal shot – c’est la vie!)

Wearing: chocolate velvet halter w/ gold polka dots (Steve Madden? – awesome deal, purchased prior day!), brown/olive patent belt (JCrew), streamlined gold wedges (same as bridemaids wore for the wedding), my sister’s earrings b/c I completely forgot to wear any, and the bracelet Art bought right after we were engaged, for the wedding (finally!)

Following a quick run-through the ceremony, we dined on an eclectic meal consisting of a collection of Market offerings; everything from fresh sushi, to the best pulled pork, to fresh bread…to the deserts (!) – AMAZING.  Then, we disbursed gifts to the party (chocolate cashmere pasminas and funky enamel bracelets for the bridesmaids, plus a pearl bracelet for the MOH; engraved flasks and ties for the wedding for the guys; initial necklaces for the flower girls; the cutest tie-stay for the ringbearer!  Everyone love-love-loved their gifts!). 

After staying for longer than anyone expected, Art and I parted ways for the night, with me headed off to my parents’ for a sleepover with my siblings, a couple of cousins, and some family visiting from Washington.

We played a wicked round of Dream Phone once we got it working after not having played it in 10+ years – the boys DID NOT win:

The next morning, we were up bright, but not too early (we had a 4:00 ceremony for a reason!) to prettify – notice the (blurry) thumbs-ups!  -and the plate of cucumber slices for my eyes (wine indulgences the night before wedding = not the wisest decision of the night).

Up next: leading up to the nuptials/aka: Getting Our Hair Did & Hating on Flowers

*Stay tuned for a critique of the city (ooh, I’m just intriguing you, aren’t I?  hehe…)