I am happy to say I’ve just finished one, and begun another trip around the sun. My celebration included all of my favorite things, including listening to live music at ahidden gem of a club and wearing an outfit that had me feeling like a 70’s rocker chick. I enjoyed some of my favorite foods, like homemade french onion soup and football-chuterie (which is really just charcuterie eaten during the NFL playoffs), spoke with the peeps I love most in this world, and even carved out time to swim, read, watch a movie, and dream about what I might accomplish in the year ahead… Continue reading “Singing Our Birthday Song…”→
One of this fall’s hot fashion trends is the Mary Jane shoe (preferably in red) which works out well for me since I’ve always had a thing for red shoes. I selected three pairs on my ‘things to buy’ wish list and then went virtual shopping for some clothing to compliment each.
For some reason, red Mary Jane’s led me to search for wide leg pants, plaid skirts, tennis sweaters and varsity jackets, all used to build the 1-2-3 wardrobe pictured above. What is a 1-2-3 wardrobe? It’s all about getting creative with your fashion choices, and making less do more (see past versions of 1-2-3 dressing here and here). A few pairs of shoes and/or boots, 2-3 bottoms, 3-4 tops, 1 dress, 1 killer coat and some accessories allow you to create endless combinations you can wear for work or play. Wanna go casual? Pair the pants, red sweater, scarf, bag, and round toe flats for a day out with your friends. Looking for something for a night out? Pair the dress, pointy toe flats, and varsity jacket for dinner, a concert, or dancing at a club! With a 1-2-3 wardrobe your outfit possibilities are endless.
Earlier this month I showcased some ‘High,Low, Sew’ red suiting looks. which could really work in any season depending on the fabric. Now that it is officially fall, my fashion mind is turning toward all things warm, including two more Fall 2023 trends: leather and long skirts. I’m seeing the leather trend play out in pants, shirts, dresses, skirts, and jackets available at every price point using authentic skins and synthetic fabrics that look as good as the real thing.
A circle skirt is one of the easiest things you can make, and that may be a good thing since I haven’t seen too many options for sale. What I have seen a TON of is leather, especially in pants and motorcycle jackets. I’m not going to lie: I am never going to attempt to make anything from skins, mainly due to my sewing machine’s ability to handle heavy work. I am planning on making a circle skirt though, using synthetic leather, since those fabrics are easily handled by any of my vintage sewing machines.
As for the jacket? I am a Moto momma all the way. I stole my first motorcycle jacket from my dad when I was a young teen and never gave it back. It took me 10 years to wear that jacket out before moving on to two other much-beloved versions I also wore for decades. Sadly, I’ve outgrown both over time, so lucky for me I can buy, or make, a replacement this fall. Now I just need to find the perfect pair of rock-and-roll boots to wear with both and I am set!
Labor Day always makes me think about fall, and adding some key pieces to my fall/winter wardrobe. That might have to do with fondly-remembered annual back-to-school shopping trips with my mom and sister, which always involved a train ride into the city, a visit to Wanamaker’s to see the Eagle and wander through their high fashion floors, lunch at Trio’s (where I always had a grilled cheese with ripple chips, a pickle and a chocolate milkshake) and a stop to see my fashionable grand-mom at the clothing store where she worked.
Back then, we mostly shopped for jumpers and Peter Pan collared blouses, since I wore the same style uniform to school for 12 years. Once I hit college I adopted my generation’s uniform of jeans, concert T’s, and hippie dresses. Nowadays I am drawn to classic, some would even say uniform-like, styles. The top 10 2023 fall fashion trends, which include anything colored red, boxy blazers, clunky earrings and classic suiting, are perfectly suited to my style.
With this post, I’m replacing my ‘Recreate the Runway’ feature (check older posts here,here, and here) with a High/Low/Sewfeature. Style has nothing to do with the size of your pocketbook, and great fashion can be found at any price point if you know what to look for, or can make it yourself. As a practitioner of high-low fashion years before it was a hashtag trend, my periodic High/Low/Sew posts show that no matter what option you choose, you’ll be perfectly suited for any occasion!
Has it really been two months since I last posted? By the calendar it would appear to be so, but by the one big time meld I have been living since last March it could just as easily have been 2 weeks, or 2 days. Regardless of the passage of time I am still planning on getting to London before October so I can catch the Victoria & Albert Bags: Inside Outexhibition.
I really enjoy 3 to 4 day trips, ones where I can fly in, spend a few days exploring, and then fly back out, maximizing what I do while minimizing what I spend. It’s the kind of travel made for light packing, requiring a carryon bag, a backpack, a captivating book and always, music.
For this quick trip across the pond I am planning my ‘looks’ around the two newest bags added to my own personal bag collection: Studio 54 (a 1980’s Whiting & Davis silver mesh clutch) and Mod Squad ( a 70’s wooden beaded shoulder bag). I’m going groovy for the day and disco for the night, but based on what I’ve pictured here may need more than a carryon to store it all!
What is it about a handbag? Women go nuts over certain brands and styles, many of which have become iconic over time. The Louis Vuitton Keepall Bag, the Chanel Quilted Bag, and the Hermes Birkin Bag are coveted by collectors the world over, routinely selling, and re-selling, for thousands of dollars. There are bag collector groups, blogs, websites, and even virtual galleries like The Vintage Purse Museum devoted to all things ‘handbag’. You can even take a quiz(or two) to see which handbag you are.
Turns out I am either a backpack (simple, compact, and practical with a touch of whimsy) or a hobo bag (free as the wind, live by different set of guidelines, value autonomy, exploration, art and personal expression, and prefer things that are unique and last a lifetime). Laugh if you will but both bags, and personality descriptions, are quite accurate assessments of me AND my bag styles.
I love those ‘What’s IN my Bag’ spreads in the tabloids. Peek inside my bag and you will always find my Ray Bans, Mac, Nikon, sketchbook, pencils and pens, lipstick, Aleve and my wallet, all carried in a big tote or backpack. I’ve been relying on these choices (almost always in black leather or pleather) since I was a teen. Both styles are arguably the workhorses of the bag world, designed for maximum content and minimal fuss.
Are you a bag lover? Do you have a favorite style? I do, and it is definately not a backpack or hobo. Hands down, my vote goes to a special occasion bag (see whimsical above). Going out for a night on the town in which a great outfit and attendant bag are required always gets me thinking of how to assemble the pieces of the fashion puzzle to make sartorial magic happen. There was a time when my lifestyle saw me routinely dressing up for one glitzy event or another but those days are long gone, leaving me with an awesome fashion archive and nowhere to wear it to.
Even if I don’t have any actual plans, for the past few weeks I’ve been trying to figure out how I might manage a special, spontaneous and quick jump across the pond to see the Victoria & Albert Bags: Inside Outshow. I could travel light, with my trusty hobo (for a few outfits) and backpack (for my passport, plastic, and sunnies) holding everything I’d need to to get me from here so I could tour the V&A in a rocking outfit and carrying by a great bag the entire time. While odds of this fantasy becoming a reality appear slim a girl can still dream, about travel and a great bag (or two)!
Portrait of Constance-Gabrielle-Magdeleine Bonnier de la Mosson as Diana by Jean-Marc Nattier (1685 – 1766) from The Getty
I am 3+ weeks into this isolation thing and pretty sure at this point I am corona free. Week 1 of social distancing saw me driving 2000 miles for a work trip where I was essentially alone except for a few food, gas, and restroom breaks. Made record time getting to my various destinations too, since the highways weren’t crowded at all. And while I feel very fortunate to be able to work remotely week 2 & 3 have convinced me I am less busy when I work from my office then when I work from home.
If I put aside the fears, disappointments, and uncertainty that accompany this pandemic I am actually enjoying having more time to garden, cook, read, and spend time with my family. I have also been spending a LOT of time on the web (which I am grateful has enough bandwidth to support what seems like the entire country watching ‘Tiger King’ at the same time). Here are a few things that have kept me from going a stir-crazy over the last week. Here’s hoping one or two will do the same for you…
When you’ve scrolled through everything Amazon, Netflix and Hulu have to offer check out Shout TV
Spend some time virtually strolling in these beautiful gardens– my garden doesn’t come close
If gardens aren’t your thing maybe Escape to The Chateau will be – I was instantly hooked
Summer officially begins on Friday, which means it’s travel time for me! I’ve got three weekend trips planned and I hope to get away with bringing nothing more than an overnight bag for each. Mix-and-match outfits, some lip gloss, and a good book are about all I need – besides a loved one or two – to enjoy my time away…
My second adventure is taking me to Denver to spend time with two of my favorite peeps, where we’ll tune in and turn on at the Dead & Co show, followed by a day enjoying Mother Nature at Garden of the Gods. Since my flight doesn’t leave til late Monday night I am going to play solo tourist and check out some art and some books at the Denver Art Museum and the Tattered Cover Bookstore…
Finally, at some point before Labor Day I’m going to make it to Charleston for a long weekend. I’d like to spend the time exploring the architecture and cemeteries through walking tours, drop in at SCAD, get some tan time in at Folly Beach, and visit the basket ladies at Charleston City Market…
How about you? Any travel plans for the summer? Do you like to visit new places when you go on holiday or do you stick with the tried-and-true spots that make you feel nostalgically happy? Drop me a line…..I’d love to know.
This weekend I celebrated another birthday. I’ve never been a big party kind of person and prefer a more intimate day spent with those I love, sharing some laughter and a tasty home-cooked meal followed by the sweetest store-bought birthday cake I can find. One personal birthday tradition I have kept for many years is to wear something special to remind myself of how much I love clothes and dressing for an occasion (previous birthday outfits hereand here).
My husband, who knows I’ve developed a bit of pinball obsession, surprised me with a trip to an area arcade I had no idea existed. Best gift ever! We were the first customers of the day and had our choice of hundreds of machines, all in great working condition. We lost track of the time and finally called it quits when our wrists hurt so baldy we couldn’t play anymore. In keeping with my birthday outfit philosophy, and having an inkling of where we might be going, I dressed accordingly.
Earrings | Chunky Coat | Maxi Dress | Chiffon Scarf | Boots
Earlier this month I showcased some ‘High,Low, Sew’ 
The Grey Goddess 