Run, Don't Walk!

Photo credit: recycledrags.com


If you live in (or near) Orange County, be sure to hit this upcoming sale at one of my favorite consignment stores:
Recycled Rags

THIS SUNDAY * AUGUST 30TH * 9AM- 4PM

Be sure to arrive early!
The first 25 customers to arrive will receive a coupon good for $5 off any purchase of $25+ to be used on the day of the sale!

Get in line before the doors open at 9 and you'll be eligible to win a $100 Gift Certificate(no expiration)!

Enjoy refreshments served throughout the day while shopping a stunning selection of designer clothing, shoes and bags for women & men!

   We hope to see you there!
2731 E. Coast Hwy
Corona del Mar, CA 92625

949-675-5553

for more information, please
VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Dress Your Best (When You Travel)

Image Credit: thegentlemansjournal.com

I came across this smart article from Slate.com about traveling in style and want to share it. The author, J. Bryan Lowder is not haughtily insisting that people to dress in fancy clothes when they get on a plane. However, he does suggest that "when traveling by public means, each of us dress 'nicely' or 'respectably' according to our means." He goes on to offer some very practical reasons for dressing well when taking public transportation, along with this sage observation: "When we dress well for travel, we are not only making ourselves look good; we’re also signaling that we are invested in making this shared experience pleasant for everyone around us."

Bravo, Mr. Lowder!

Reduce

Photo credit: Dallasmomsblog.com

I've written before about capsule wardrobes, and use this way of organizing my wardrobe when I am packing for trips. (Some great examples of capsule wardrobes are at wardrobeoxygen.com). I have not incorporated the capsule method into my everyday wardrobe though, and I sometimes wonder why. A friend sent me this terrific post from Dallas Moms Blog,  which explains the writer's style evolution and how a capsule wardrobe changed her life. The writer links to another blog, Unfancy, where the following advice resonated strongly with me:

When things aren’t adding up, start subtracting. So often, when I’m faced with a problem, my first reaction is to think I need to add something to my life to solve it. Like, if I’m disorganized, I should buy more storage containers. Or, if I’m feeling stressed, I should go shop for a new dress to make myself feel better. When the answer to both of those problems could be to subtract something from my life.

A Grown-Up Wardrobe

On page 21 of this month's Coastal View News I describe my experience working with a young man on the cusp of a career change. He is in graduate school with an internship and asked for help making his wardrobe align with this new stage in his life.

Super Cool Sandals

Photo credit: strutdenver.com


Yes,  I did go downtown for a bit of Fiesta this week though I don't like crowds. The silver lining was purchasing these sandals by Global Girls. I'd been coveting them for years, but their relatively high price tag kept me from getting them. But in the spirit of Fiesta (I know that's a weak excuse), I finally caved in. They are gorgeous, handmade sandals and support a very worthy cause (see Global Girls goals below).

Our Goals

Establish a co-op within an underserved community in which we train impoverished women to develop handicraft skills so that they may produce goods marketable goods and gain an economic livelihood.

·         Artisan Identification

Identify talented artisans who demonstrate need and commitment to work.

·         Training and Design Assistance

Provide training in handicraft skills to artisans to achieve the quality of workmanship that Global Girls requires.

·         Market Connection

Promote the artisans handicrafts in the US and international markets.

You Never Know

Dropping off a number of bags at the Assistance League in Santa Barbara the other day filled me with joy. I'd been putting in donation bags all summer and was so happy to get them out of my garage. Since I had time to kill, I did a quick perusal of the clothing racks and tried on a couple of darling dresses (from Ann Taylor and White House/Black Market) and a cute top. Six dollars (yes-$6!!!) later,  I walked out with a plaid, silk, sleeveless top that I just love. Clothing surprises are everywhere if you just take a bit of time to look.

Dressing to Impress

I like it when clothing plays an important role in a book. This week I picked up the novel Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English, in which the title character is determined to become a full-fledged English gentleman after leaving his native Germany just before WWII. He relies on a pamphlet given to  immigrants called While You Are in England: Helpful Information and Friendly Guidance for Every Refugee, following its instructions to the letter.

Mr. Rosenblum decides that getting a bespoke suit from Savile Row is an important step in his attempt to fully assimilate into (high class) English society. Here is the rich, wonderful description of his experience at Henry Poole on Savile Row:

The store smelled deliciously of cedar wood, and the tailor called him "Sir," measured his small frame without a sneer, and the suit was delivered twelve weeks later, wrapped in crepe paper inside a pearlescent box with the Henry Poole crest emblazoned in gold. His pattern was to be kept in the company vaults alongside those of Churchill, Gladstone,and Prince Albert. When he put on the suit, he felt taller than his five foot three inches, his bald head appeared to shine less and his nose felt, well, less pronounced.

So far, his suit has not helped him achieve one of his goals, but I'm looking forward to seeing him use his "sheer tenacity" to get what he wants.

Fashionable Sleuth

I've always been a sucker for mystery novels and television programs. My current TV favorite is Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, from Australia. I adore the complex plots, strong female lead, likeable characters, and beautiful scenery;  and I love, love the 1920s costumes, especially those worn by sleuth Phryne Fisher.

Actress Essie Davis provides an excellent description of her character: "I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp."

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf

I guess Phryne Fisher is the female answer to James Bond, Indiana Jones or a combination of both. She’s an incredibly independent woman from the 1920’s, who was born in poverty and inherited great wealth. She’s incredibly skilled, she lives life to the fullest and is a woman who never wants to get married but loves life and loves men. She’s an advocate for women’s rights and the rights of the less privileged in the world and she’s got a knack for sleuthing and finding out ‘whodunit’. She’s both a mystery and a bit of a romp. - See more at: http://tellyspotting.kera.org/2013/07/08/qa-with-essie-davis-star-of-miss-fishers-murder-mysteries/#sthash.L8fvptZ5.dpuf