America open your eyes...

How Blessed We Are

While I love fashion, and other forms of art, and enjoy writing about it, I also want this to be a blog about real life. Whatever that may consist of.

This is not some patriotic blog entry, but I just want to get real for a minute. Do you realize how blessed we are to live in this country? I have been in several third world nations, and even I tend to forget sometimes just how good I have it. Even after bandaging wounds in remote villages and working in an AIDS hospess in Cambodia, somehow I seem to get caught up in the glitz and glam of the American lifestyle. Especially around the holidays.... it seems that amidst the sparkle of Crabtree Valley Mall and the hustle and bustle of Glenwood Ave. at 5 pm, I still cannot help but think of all the people in need that have come across my path. It seems those hungry eyes and cold, shoe-less feet will stick with me forever. 

I mean lets face it. While most people are busy trying to keep up with the Jones's and others are trying to keep their budget for Christmas in a fallen economy, let's all keep one thing in mind. Even those of us who are not buying gifts this year are rich beyond measure compared to those who are without a roof over their head or food on their table.

I have a lot more to say about this, but I will post more later. This is enough to "chew" on for now.

The World's Ugliest Shoes

Just so we don't take ourselves and our fashion too seriously, I just had to post this today:

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/fallstyle/the-ugliest-shoes-well-ever-2388563/#photoViewer=1
With the exception of the Uggs, I ask myself, what were these people thinking? Even though they are a bit UGG-ly, I still want a pair of those nice, warm Uggs.

Tights

Bold Tights

The investment in tights of different colors or prints is a great way to diversify your outfits.

Mat or shiny tights? Well, the mat ones will make you look thin, but the shinny ones are elegant and glamorous. Black thighs or tights with natural color highlight your beautiful legs and charming clothes. The easiest way to create a sophisticated image and shine is keeping your feet heated in winter in a very fashionable way: wear a pair of black tights and a long sweater with a glamorous belt.

Black tights look great with denim

Be careful with the shape of your body! Tights or stockings in strong colors fit best for girls with thin and long legs, do not forget, the thicker legs you have, you have to choose darker colors. If you want to create the illusion of longer and thinner legs, try shades of purple and black plums. Watch out for prints! Be careful when wearing big prints, horizontal stripes or very colorful tights. They will thicken your feet and are very difficult to match. If you decide to wear tights with a certain draw, or model, then keep the rest of your image as simple as possible. If you choose to wear colored tights you need to know what to avoid: do not fit them with colored dresses with prints. When wearing uniform colored tights, wear shoes in neutral shades. ~beautips.info

Colored Tights

For more on the do's and don't of wearing tights:

http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2010/09/the-dos-and-donts-of-wearing-tights#slide=1

Scarf Situation

Whether its silk, cashmere, wool or even cotton, we all have our fave scarf. It's Fall, and it feels like it. So if you haven't already, dig

out that long beautiful piece of fabirc and rock it.

(left): Wearing a scarf allows you to instantly look more stylish without having to wear lots of accessories.

(right): Scarves are perfect for looking more fashionable in an instant, even when only wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

How to wear scarves:

Simple tie. Best with your winter coat's collar turned up and the scarf lying under the collar to help secure it.

One loop around. Wrap long scarf once around neck.

Loop around and knot. Fold a large triangular scarf or shawl with fringe in half with the points in front. Wrap around back once and tie in front.

Bib style. Take a square scarf and fold in half. Tie in back.

Shawl wrap. Drape around your shoulders and tie in front. Or leave one end longer and sweep it over your shoulder for more drama and warmth.

Fold, tie, and loop. Fold long scarf in half lengthwise, wrap around your neck, and pull the ends through

Let it hang. Let a long scarf hang around the back of your neck so that the two ends are in front, on either side.

Double Knot

There is something so fresh and organic about this hair....I love it. To me, this hair style looks country french and could be worn with a button down kelly green cardigan, khakis, and tall brown boots. It also would be a great compliment to a nautical theme outfit such as a long navy trench coat over white denim and gold heels.

Ten on Denim

In light of my recent post "Denim Direction" I would like to make a few suggestions when shopping for your fave pair.....


1. Just say "no" to camel-toe! If it's "riding up" you need to "put them down" immediatly and walk away-fast!

2. High waisted, washed out, pleated "mom jeans" are usually not cool. Unless you are under the age of 24, are skinny as a bean pole and are trying to pull off the urban boho high waisted look that you see some famished models wearing these days, steer clear!


3. Beware of muffin top. Yes we love eating them, but we don't want to look like one. If you are set on wearing that particularly tight pair, be sure to wear a billowy top, or sweater that will hide the love handles. Otherwise you should opt for a larger size.

4. Baggy britches are just not flattering. I'm sorry but they are not. By no means do you HAVE to wear tight jeans, but at least try to find something that isn't hanging/dangling/sagging in your seat. If there is enough fabric to grab with your whole hand in your butt/thigh area, you are in seriously saggy trouble. Try shopping for a slimmer leg jean.

5. We all love skinnys, but let's face it, they are just not meant for all people. By no means do you have to be skinny to pull of skinnys, but you must know how to wear them. With skinny jeans, it's all about proportion. If you wear skinny jeans/pants, you need to wear a looser fitting top, or a longer tunic. This will bring balance to your frame and draw your eye up, while avoiding overall tightness.

6. You should be able to fit at least two to three fingers in comfortably at the waist. If not, they are probably too tight. If you can fit your whole fist, they may be too large.

7. If you are concerned about your belly and want to draw attention away from it, avoid low-rise denim, that cut in just under your belly. A medium-rise is best to keep belly buldge at bay, especially when you sit down. Low-rise will give way for your belly to hang out/push out where a medium-rise jean will actually keep it nicely tucked in.

8. If hips are your concern, skinny jeans are your enemy. Opt for a boot-cut jean that will bell just a bit at the bottom and bring balance to your hips/butt. Another nice fit for hippy women is a dark wide legged jean. The width all the way down to the floor actually brings equilibrim to your legs and hips.

9. Remember that dark denim is always the most dressy and will make you look slimmer than light-medium denim.


10. If you have flat butt syndrome, when shopping try to keep in mind that flap pockets will work wonders for your "lack there of." They add visual weight and curviness when your wall-like butt needs a bit of help.

Denim Direction

Denim.....Every woman needs at least 4 (at minimun) good pairs of jeans. You may already have these and not even realize it.

 1) You need one sexy dark denim jean for when you are feeling "fierce". This is the ultimate hot party pant, also referred to as your "going out jeans" and can be skinny or slim-boot cut (not too much flare), but they must be dark.

 2) Then you need one pair of good "comfy/day" jeans for everyday use. This pair is the "stopping in at Wal-Mart" basic and known as your "bummin' -round" jean. This pair should be more loose fitting and can be any color; I prefer light to medium denim for this.

 3) Third, you need a good "transitional-weekend" jean that can be dressed up or down. This is the "favorite" pair that you absolutely must take with you when going out of town, and can easily transition from day to night depending on your shoes, accessories, and top. This can be medium to dark; I prefer dark, because dark always looks dressier no matter what you put it with.

 4) You need one more pair of either #2 or #3 jeans depending on your lifestyle. If you go out a lot and need to switch it up from your "fierce" jeans, if you travel a lot, or have a more overall "urban look" I suggest owning another #3 jean. This fourth pair is fun and can be charcoal, black, blue or even white and can be skinny or boot-cut. If, however, you have a more casual lifestyle and prefer working in the yard to hitting the shops, you will want to own another #2 "comfy-day" jean. This can be what ever color you want, but loose fitting, keeping it comfy and casual.

 5) Like I said, every woman must own at least 4 pairs of jeans. Your fifth and sixth pairs are optional. These jeans can range from dark to light, and skinny to wide-legged. If you own a 7th, 8th, and 9th pair, it is highly likely that you don't need them and/or never wear them. This is probably due to the fact that you: a) unfortulatley can't fit in them anymore, and are praying that you can squeeze your butt into them one day, b) you are hoping this particular style of denim will make a "come back" (don't hold your breath for it), or c) you may have a fashion-hoarding issue and desperately need to clean out your closet.

Let's face it ladies, it may be time to clean out if you haven't worn them in a year (my golden rule). If on the other hand, you are missing one of any of the four pairs listed above, I suggest you hit up your favorite shops in search of the "necessary pair". Remember: it is important for a woman to have options, but too many options or not enough, may leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Clothing I Designed and Created

Other Work

Black Ink on Artboard

Seasonal Plate

Window Display

Hand Knit Scarves

Diva

Harvest

Daydream

Paintings

Here are a few of my works....

Pastels on Artboard

Mixed Media (acryllic and fabric on canvas)

Pastels on Art Board

Pastels on Art Paper

Oil on Canvas

Oil on Canvas

Oil on Canvas

Oil on Canvas

I have always produced very controlled detailed oil paintings. Recently, I have been breaking away from custom tradisionalism and have been dabbling in modern, abstract acryllics.

It has been delightfully freeing to "color outside the lines" and create something completely different than what I always have. Rather than planning out each meticulous step, I allow the brushstrokes to lead. I must say this new expression is very fun and makes me feel alive.

This new form of art is very fitting for where I am at in my life right now, especially not having a job or daily structure. I consider myself a pretty organized person. Rountine? Never. Detailed? Absolutely. Perhaps that is why this modern twist is so exciting to me right now. Though my eye does, and always will be, drawn to refined detailed art.