What I Wore: GYPO Winter Challenge Week 2

Here is Week One.

The creator of GYPO (Get Your Pretty On) is offering a year long challenge ( four "challenges," one for each season) for a fixed price until the end of January. I am trying to decide whether or not to buy the package and continue with this approach to my wardrobe.

It is strange to change into pretty clothes after work--or, if I work late, change out of them to go to work. I have a lot of work to do over at my Mother's coming up, too, (posts on that, soon) and in my mind, I won't be able to wear "nice" clothes over there, either. But I could be wrong about that!

On to Week Two!

It was a strange one with Christmas plunked down in the middle.

I included the prices and places where I bought everything in Week One. Nothing new this week except the statement necklace.

Outfit of the day #8

I was supposed to wear my burgundy jeans, but I'd decided to exchange them for a smaller size, so I didn't wear the suggested outfit. I also worked a nine hour shift.

Outfit of the day #9

This looks so plain to me. I need either a necklace or a scarf.


Outfit of the day #10
I am supposed to be wearing the sweater dress (but I didn't buy it.) Instead, I subbed this favorite sweater from my closet.

Sorry for the blur.


Outfit of the day #11
Dressed to spend Christmas Eve at my nephew's eighth birthday party!

Burgundy jeans! I returned the old pair (for which I had paid full price, and got these on sale, $30.00 cheaper!)


Christmas Day.
Off script, but still pretty, I think.

Statement necklace: Pennington's $16.00

Those grey pants are beginning to bag out just a little too much.

Outfit of the day #12
(I am officially behind one day.)

 I am so sorry about that mirror. Every time I think I've got it cleaned--more pesky paint flecks show up!

Worn on Boxing Day for our second Christmas with my Mom and nephew.
I am supposed to be wearing plaid flats, but I couldn't find any. Besides, the flares are too long for flats! (They also need to be taken in at the waist.)

Worked a long day on Sunday and changed from work clothes straight into PJs.
Some days are just like that.

So, only five outfits this week.

PS: Kind, good advice welcomed.

What I Wore: GYPO Winter Challenge Week 1

Wardrobe Therapy.

A long, long time ago (in a galaxy far, far away) (sorry) there was a small group of women who went through their closets in an effort to purge all that was unflattering and to think deeply and long about their clothes and accessories. I was one of them. This is not that story.

Weight loss, Wait schloss.

My weight has been a nightmare ever since I decided to "do something" about it in 2011. (Did you know I have a weight loss blog? I do.) I'd lose forty pounds or so--and then stop exercising and start eating--and eat like I'd never eaten before. I got on the roller coaster--and every weight loss attempt resulted in a net gain about a year later.

I did well with some weight loss in 2014--so well, in fact, I treated myself to a mini summer wardrobe. Then, I started shopping for fall and everything fell apart. I started gaining weight, clothes became hard to find (and expensive!) and my weight was too unpredictable. So, I bought a few things and then gave up.

I am now the heaviest I have ever been. I may get heavier. (I hope not.)

Because: The Purge

After the big AT closet purge of my clothes this Fall, I was truly left with very little to wear. And I didn't want to buy just anything to fill in the gaps. I wanted a plan...a lovely little capsule wardrobe--and I really didn't want to figure it out myself, this time. Shopping for clothes is a horrible ordeal for me. So, I paid someone else to tell me what to buy!

GYPO (the most unfortunate acronym ever)

I signed up with Alison Lumbatis of Get Your Pretty On for the Winter 2015 Challenge, She sent me a shopping list--and 21 days of outfits plus three dressy outfits and two PJ options (Christmas, you know) assembled from the items on the list.

It's not personal in any way. She sends the same materials to everyone. Then, for a designated period of time, we wear our outfits. December 14th was the first official day. There are 1200 of us in a private facebook group--and we share photographs of ourselves in our outfits.

It's fun.

What I do, on days I work, is go to work in my work duds--and then I change when I get home.


Caveats:
1) The camera battery was acting up. I've since replaced it. Apologies for horrid blurry pictures.
2) I would dearly love a better place to take the selfies. I'm thinking about it.
3) I need a haircut.
4) I spent money with abandon. It's embarrassing. But it is also important to acknowledge that a functional wardrobe (especially in a plus size!) is not cheap.

So, without further ado, here are most of my outfits from Week One.
(I don't have every recommended piece).

What I Wore.

To the Christmas party where I work:

Jacket: Pennington's, $50.00
Sequined top: Pennington's, $50.00
Clutch: Value Village, $1.99
Ponte Knit Pants, Pennington's, last year.
Ankle Boots, Sam Edelman, The Bay, last year.
Oversized watch, Penningtons, $26.00
Chandelier Earrings, eons ago.

Outfit of the Day #1

Tunic Top (a substitution for a tunic sweater) Pennington's, last year.
Fur vest, Laura Plus, $99.99 (sale)
Burgundy jeans, Melissa McCarthy at Penningtons, $119.00
Runners, The Bay, last year
Tassell necklace, I've forgotten, last year.


Outfit of the Day #2 resulted in a top being donated.
No photo.

Outfit of the Day #3

I cleaned the house in this get up! I had to lower the thermostat on the furnace.

Fair Isle Sweater, Land's End, $75.61 (sale)

Flare Jeans, Old Navy, $23.47 (50% off) (That seems low. I think that's in American dollars).

Ankle Boots, see above.

Outfit of the Day, #4

Plaid Shirt: Land's End, $46.96

"Cable" knit sweater, Penningtons, $58.00

Black Ponte knit pants, see above.

Pearls, Christmas present from my husband, 1997

I am supposed to be wearing my "casual" winter boots, here, but they were snowy and wet.

Outfit of the Day #5
My least favourite outfit so far.
Someone suggested I substitute a cream coloured turtleneck.

Black Turtleneck, Penningtons,  last year
Fur Vest, as above
Burgundy jeans, as above
Black ankle boots, as above
coloured stones necklace, Sears, last year.


Outfit of the Day #6
I was supposed to wear the sequined top above with a cardigan and black jeans, but a) too much black, and 2) I spent the day at Mom's helping her organize her pantry and boxing things up for donation. Not really a sequinny sort of day.

(sorry, battery dying.)

Cardigan, Addition-Elle, $80.00

Plaid Shirt, Land's End, $54.91 (sale)

Ponte knit pants, as above

Pearls, as above

Purple suede moccasins, Land's End, $31.04 (sale)

Outfit of the Day #7

I'm supposed to be wearing a sweater dress, but I opted not to purchase one.

Black turtleneck, as above
Grey Diamond knit sweater, Pennington's? last year
Black ponte knit trousers, as above
Purple mocs, as above

So far, it's been a fun thing to do--but it still kind of feels like playing dress up.

Linking this post to The Pleated Poppy, Pumps and Push Ups, and The Mummy Chronicles.

What I've Been Up To.

I have been a shopping fool. I am so excited to be playing in my new closet.

But.

We're leaving for Vancouver Island soon--so it's back into camping gear I go.

See you when we get back!

Unclutterer: The Week

Day One, Monday:

I read Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Dolan last week.

It is written as though Dolan expects you to de-clutter in seven consecutive days, which is probably impossible for the average person who needs this book. However, in the introduction, she writes much more reasonably, that it took her seven days over the course of six months to unclutter her life. The "seven days" thing, then, is just a marketing ploy.

Nonetheless.

Dolan suggests you tackle your closet(s) and everything related to your clothes on Day One. During the evening you are to clear out, clean and create a "reception station" from the entry way.
The book also delineates things to do related to your office job, but since I don't have one, I'm going to skip those bits entirely.

So.

This Morning.

The Clothing.

I made a list of things which need to be done.

1) Go through the coat closet


and sort into what can be washed at home:


and what needs to go to the drycleaners:



2) Go through my clothes closet

I took out maybe three things, total, even though there are exactly three things I can wear in here. It's my Inspiration Closet.


I went through all the stuff in my drawers and under my bed when I did the season switch just a month or so ago. I'm good with what I did then.

3) Go through the sock bucket.



4) Bag up donations.

Strangely enough, just this morning, I got a call from the charity which picks up items--and they want to come Wednesday! How great is that?

So, there will be these waiting for them.

True confession: I keep an area in the basement laundry room dedicated to donations. This isn't just from today, but the past few months! BUT: there may be even more tomorrow.

next up: Entryway

Fixies.

I'm not friends with my sewing machine.

The reverse is broken which means I have to tie my seams by hand. That wouldn't be so bad if I didn't always seem to run out of bobbin thread in the middle of a complicated manoeuvre. The tension seizes regularily. And let's not forget the many, many times the thread pulls out of the needle just as I prepare to position it over the fabric.

I knew my relationship with the sewing machine would be less than cordial that day in Home Ec class, oh, it would have been Grade Seven or so, yes, the day I put the sewing machine right through the tip of my index finger (nail and all). It wasn't a freak accident either. I managed to do it again, many years later, as an adult.

Anyway, in an effort to be frugal, I have at last tackled the pile of clothing I sorted from the basement as "worth saving."

Mended (ie, seams that were ripped are now sewn):

one pair of hubby's PJ pants.

two pairs of children's shorts (left over from the days when my son wore them, they are now almost too small for my daughter).

one pair of shorts for me (I had thought to pack them and take them, but they have a small hole in the front. So, technically, I now have zero pairs of shorts that pass the "Grandmother test".)

one pair of kid's flannel PJ pants.

a pair of kid's stretch pants.

Patched:

one pair of work jeans for my husband.

one pair of jeans for my daughter.

no, I didn't patch my own jeans, yet. I want to do something "funky" with them, so they can wait 'til we get back.

Awaiting decisions and folks to try them on:

two pairs of kid's pants that if they fit should be made into shorts

another pair of kid's pants which need re-hemming

Gave up on:

a pair of kid's shorts.

a pair of kid's PJ bottoms.

a pair of kid's PJ's (both top and bottom need work).

Oh--and just in case you don't believe my sewing is cursed--remember the curtain panels I hemmed in the Fall Cure for the bedroom? One of them turned out to be about 1 1/2" too long. So, last Saturday, I took them down and washed them. The dust didn't come off too well, so I spent a lot of time and used up a lot of tape taking it all off. I re-hemmed the panel that was too long and hung them back up yesterday. (Yes, it took a week.)

I hemmed the wrong panel.

Strange, but True

Well, not that strange, really.

I went into a clothing store, tried on a few items, picked out what I wanted and then paid full retail price.

People do it all the time, whether they need what they get or not.

I went back to Pennington's and bought two T-shirts. Nice ones. I actually tried on a few styles to pick out the best fitting one. This time the link goes right to it!
The website doesn't show the colours, unfortunately--but I'm pretty sure you can all visualize red and lilac!

And you know, the success of yesterday and today is the result of Wardrobe Therapy last fall. I knew exactly what I wanted and I didn't even bother with anything lime green, orange or shell pink. I already have a perfectly good black t-shirt, so that decision was made, too. It doesn't matter when we do WT, whether it's the "right time" in the retail season, 'cause WT isn't about shopping. It's about being equipped. And we are.

So, for at least two days of our vacation, I'll look good!

I found them.

Of course I did.

That didn't stop me from nearly crying with joy and gratitude as I sat down to check their fit.

Dark Jeans, natural waist, straight leg, the only one its size in the store. Mark's Work Wearhouse. Second store I went to--recommended by a salesgirl in the first.

Then, I happily went off a bought two new bras.

Maybe there are some tops in my future too.
Who knows?

Clothes, Fear and God

I have to go shopping.

I hate shopping. Always have, even when I was skinny (though I forget exactly why). When I go shopping, every single self-hate tape ever made in my life seems to run through my head. My head also runs hate tapes about other people, too. "How can she walk in those heels? She'll cripple her feet. Oh, lok at her--that top is brazen. Why do fat people insist on wearing tight clothes?" And so on, ad nauseum.

When I shop, I feel doubtful, desperate, and poverty-stricken.

But my favourite (and only) jeans have rips in the knees. We're three days away from leaving. And I am not wearing them on this trip--not even patched which I've seriously considered.

We will be visiting with my 96 year old grandmother. As a child, I had a fairly complicated relationship with her--and one of our most vociferous battlegrounds was clothes. I want her to think she's finally won all those fights. (Since I am wearing the ripped jeans, still, it's questionable whether she actually has won those old fights.) I want her to know that I really do believe that I'm worth dressing well. (Even if I am scared to death to act from those beliefs). And as the rubber hits the road, I must be honest and admit, showing up in ripped or patched jeans may just be the equivalent of throwing her ammunition--and, I don't want to do that. The fight is over between us.

As I was pondering all of this, it occurred to me that the Good Lord would not have let my jeans become irretrievably rabbity at this exact moment in my life if there were not a better pair of pants out there He wants me to have. Sound crazy? Maybe. But for Mathew 6: 25-34, promises of light burdens and His Provision for ways out of temptation. (1 Cor 10:13)

I had planned to waken early and take the car today to find those pants. But Aurelia is suffering with a cold and I didn't get to bed until 5am this morning. So, here I am, with the clock ticking down, waiting for the husband to get home so I can go out, face my fear, trust in God and make my Grandmother happy.

These are the stars which must be aligned to motivate me to take a little trouble over my self.

WT: Week 1 Task List.

The Tasks:

BONES: Catch up on laundry and dry-cleaning.
For me, as I mentioned in my interview, this involves actually finding my summer season clothes. The winter ones do need to stay in action a little longer. (We just got a bunch of snow and we're back to freezing temperatures again. Ah well, March.)

BREATH: Choose one garment, accessory, or beauty product that you know is a Torture Device and ruthlessly de-accession it. (Do make a note of why you hate it, or vice-versa.)
Done. I had two dresses, both the same style, but which no longer fit. I gave them to my Mom, yesterday. I loved them--but they were "torture" because they just reminded me of my current state of fatness. As well, I had a long-to-the-floor skirt which I had admired on my Mom. She promptly handed it over. I put it on and instantly looked like Laura Ingall's mother. All I needed was an apron.

HEAD: Complete the WT Interview. After you finish it, find a source of clothing pictures that you enjoy looking at. It need not be a fashion magazine or current catalog. Old movies, Old Masters... doesn't matter.
Interview, done. Source pictures--well that may take some time.

HEART: Do something pampering for yourself.
OK. Buying a new deodorant might fit the bill. My current one makes me whooze.

WT: The Quiz

Whooo hoo, here we go!
I remember doing this the last time--zooza and I found ourselves at a pyjama party! It was just like having a slumber party, but on-line and on different continents.

Btw, I hate quizzes. My enthusiasm is merely for the process itself. Like scb, I too am not going to look at last fall's quiz.

Favorites

Who is your candidate for Best Dressed, real or fictional?
You know, I don't know anyone's names. I am a complete ignoramus when it comes to popular culture. I do like what The Sartoralist photographs, however. Of course, I love photography and his is stellar.

What is your favorite garment or outfit ever?
I suppose this would be embarrassing if it differs from what I wrote last fall, but I loved a particular little navy polka dot number with a flirty skit, and granny boots.(This was the early nineties folks--I was nearly a decade ahead of my time).

What is your current favorite garment? My Brax jeans. I noticed just a few days ago that they're starting to go rabbitty. I'm going to cry.

What would be your favorite thing to wear, if reality were not an issue?
Cute clothes. Dresses and pretty sandals.

Where would you shop, if money, time, and geography were not issues? A second hand shop in, oh, say Paris.

What's your favorite fashion faux pas story to tell, now that the scars have healed? Yeah. We're coming up on eleven years, so maybe it's time.
My wedding day. My dress. What's the term for it? It had no shoulders or sleeves--just a bodice and a skirt. I had no jewellery. None! My neck was bare, my ears were naked: I looked like I woke up and just threw the dress on and ran to Church. In a way, that's what happened. When I arrived at my Mom's--in plenty of time to dress--she hadn't finished sewing it yet. I was over an hour late for the ceremony. And my hair was a mess.

What colors do you associate with happiness? (Your Joyous Colors)
Pink, and red.

How You Live

If there were a uniform for where you spend most of your time, what would it be? Jeans, some sort of top with sleeves that don't fall into the dishwater and an unfussy bib apron in a joyous print.

If there were a uniform for where you spend your leisure, what would it be? Hi Susie! Throw me that magazine, will ya?
Sorry, Pj's.

Your Wardrobe

What is the problem with your wardrobe? (Maximum of three bullet points)

--there isn't enough of it.
--it is B-O-R-I-N-G.

If your wardrobe could speak, what would it say is the problem? It's Ok to wear shorts. Really, it's OK. People do not look at fat knees. Honest.

What would you like your wardrobe to do more of? Tell the truth. Ack no, never that. It should flatter and disguise.

What would you like people to say about how you dress? (Max 3)Nothing. I don't want them to say one little thing, except, maybe, "You look great."
(I make eye contact--a lot. I gesture with my hands when I speak. My face wears my expression--always. (Got me into trouble a lot when I was a young'un.) I don't think anyone notices what I wear. At least, I hope not.)

What, that's it, we're done?
I really must go and unpack my summer clothes and take a look at them. Then, perhaps, they'll speak more clearly. I wonder where I put them?

History and WT

For SCB, check it out here and this one and most especially, this one.

I don't want this to turn into an ad for Dover, so I'll stop now!

It's All Your Fault

I keep moving my head up and down, up and down, like a dashboard bobble toy.
I am walking very carefully down the stairs.
I am not to drive for a few days.
I am so thrilled, I don't have the words to tell you.
YES.
I picked up my new glasses today.
And it's all your fault.
Thank you.

Dressing Up

Both kids had their music recitals tonight. I decided I'd try to dress up just a bit. I put on a slip and some opaque black hose. Then, I took a mid-calf, full circle black jersey cotton skirt out of the closet and tried it with a beautiful Italian black and white knit top that had been in my Outbox. Baggy and loose. Nuh uh. I tried a teal cotton silk blend. Jewel collar, tunic length, big flappy dolman type sleeves. Much too unstructured and scruffy. So, I reached for the black short sleeved top that "goes with" the skirt. That looked good. I wished I had a tunic length vest to add a bit of colour, but I threw a headband on instead. (I don't have any fabric ones, yet. They're all the knit stretchy sort.)

I sketched some make-up on my face and went downstairs to pick out some jewellery. I discovered the clasp is broken on the longest silver necklace I have, so I slipped on my long celtic cross. You can see where this is going. It just wasn't going to fly.

So, I put on my trusty deep purple L.L. Bean dress and went out and listened to my children play.

I need something.

More on Basics

I've been thinking about the "jacket" recommendations of the "style experts." I don't need a jacket in my life--for inside wear, a sweater is all I really need for warmth, for outdoors, well, that's a different category of jacket. But the point of the jacket seems to versatility. Jacket + Top A + Bottom A is a different look than merely Top A + Bottom A.

So, what could serve this function in my own wardrobe?

I think a vest might do it.

1. They are easy to sew, if I have to do that.
2. They are a great way of introducing a little panache and pattern to my wardrobe.
3. I have always liked them. I don't know why.

4. It's easier to do the dishes in a vest and top than a sweater and top!

Spit and Polish

Before:

After:
It's just like getting a new pair of boots--without a nightmare at the mall.

Building Blocks.

Image from this site. I think I'm glad I found it.

I've been contemplating "Basic Wardrobe" lists, like this one. Anyone feel it's just too many clothes--or the wrong clothes? Here's another and one very specific! ;) This blog is utterly fascinating. The author took 34 pieces and created 70+ outfits. She even went on to create a more curated wardrobe.

Sam Saboura and the Budget Fashionista book I read have much more sensible lists. Sam is in blue, the Fashionista in red followed by my own comments.


Recommendations and Analysis

Little Black Number/Little Black Dress. For Sam this could be an exceptional pair of black pants and a special black top "perfect" for the event. I love the idea of this: I have no idea how to actually buy such an item--that is, I don't know what to look for. We're talking about something we can wear out to dinner right? or for a date? Well, back in the day, the husband and I would go to dinner, then listen to bands in bars--jeans were fine! But one does want something a little dressier for a play or a formalish concert....so I don't know.

Black Pants and Skirt/Black Suit (Jacket and Pants or Jacket and Skirt.) -- Completely unnecessary.

Basic Jeans/Perfect Jeans. Saboura recommends a dark "dressy" pair and a lighter "medium-washed" pair.--Yup, I agree. One dark, one "medium."

Chinos or Khaki casual pant. Um, OK. If they look good. I really like my knit trousers. Comfy and warm. Khakis or chinos are suitable for every season except "deep winter." (Nov-March)

White Cotton Button Down in long and short sleeves/White cotton button down dress shirt--interesting they both recommend this, and I don't have one. Would I get more mileage out of my wardrobe if I did? I have one with a mandarin collar in black.
Saboura also adds:
1. sexy black top
2. patterned blouse
3. casual shirts in bright colours and patterns
--is all this really necessary?

T-Shirts and Tanks. 5 each in long and short sleeves/Spandex or fitted T-shirt in black, white and "fun" colours.--Yes, I can clearly see the need for these. But they aren't a priority until about April or so.

Knit Tops
v-neck, OK. or something like the shirt from Land's End in the paper doll post. I have one in red, rapidly going rabitty.
turtleneck--at least four or five!
cardigan/Cardigan or classic twin set--Yes, a cardigan. I'd love a "twin-set" but goodness, I don't lunch, nor do I have any plans to do lunch.
"robe-style" knit. Um, no.

Jackets
2 each of:
Girly jacket (fitted, cropped, in a texture or subtle pattern) --no thanks.
Denim Jacket/Jean Jacket or
Blazer (1 dark, 1 light)/Blazer--I think I'd prefer the Jean jacket. It'd be perfect for those summer evenings we go down to watch the sun set and throw rocks into the river.

Outerwear:
Trench/Trench--no need.
Pea coat--I've wanted one since 1980, but I don't need it.
3/4 length coat-for spring and fall, yes.
dark coloured jacket "essential" to wear at night--no, it's not.
Winter coat--yes, of course!

Footwear:
Pumps with a thin or kitten heel/Plain black pumps 1-3" heel.
Flats in black
Boots/Brown or black leather boots. OK.
Sneakers/Sneakers. A-yup.
Sandals in brown or black leather--yes, I'd like something a little dressier than the boat hauling strap rubber soled sandals.
/Sexy Strappy heel. We don't have to go there, do we?!

Other stuff:
Knee length skirt--jury's out on this one until the Spring.
Leather Tote bag--well, a tote bag of some sturdy fabric, not necessarily leather.

Priorities:
A button down shirt I can layer over T-shirts would be nice, but it isn't really something I need. What I do need right now is at least one more turtleneck and a cardigan I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen in outside the house. It would be great to replace my rabitty red knit "shirt." Another pair of jeans in dark blue would be fabulous. (Wait until I tell you what I've discovered about my jeans!) Socks.

Come spring, I'll probably need various t-shirts and I'll look into that button-down shirt, perhaps. A Jean Jacket. A pair of casual pants, and probably some decent shorts. Somehow, I always seem to have a larger, better and more versatile summer wardrobe.

It seems that as a sahm, I'm right on track.

Pile One: Analysis

The shape of my face is oval or oblong. Without a standard for each, I'm not sure which it is. According to this site which Wende referenced in the comments, I should be able to wear "any length" if I have an oval face, and if it is oblong, I should wear choker length necklaces because they reduce the perceived length of the face.

This site, tells me a choker length is 14 to 16" but that it is best I don't wear that length if I don't wish people to focus on "that part" of my body. Fortunately, I'm not so aged as that, yet.

Interestingly, I don't have anything in this length, nor in the shorter "collar" length (12-13" usually multi-strand) But it would be a good length for T-shirts wouldn't it? And collared shirts, with the collar open. I'd have to see. I know the 18" length I wear is a tad long for T-shirts. I do have an awful lot of 18" necklaces. Apparently this is the "princess" length and one's collar should be either higher or lower for this. (And on me, this is just about exactly where T-Shirt collars fall. That could explain why I don't wear them.)

The "matinee" length is 20" to 24." It's supposed to add elegance to work clothes and casual wear.

The rest of the necklaces fall into the "opera" length category, and as the name implies, they are for formal dress--at least that's what I infer from this:

Add elegance to your formal gown or blouse with an opera-length necklace. At 28 to 34 inches, it draws the eyes down to your chest and away from your neck. This is a good thing if your bosom is more attractive than your chin, but wear a good bra!

Speaking of which, (ahem), if one is well endowed, one should not wear necklaces longer than 22" (I think that's what it says). If one is full figured, one should wear "chunky" necklaces (and jewellery in general. I've heard this before). If your neck is thick, the folks at this site recommend staying away from shorter necklaces and opting for graduated, opera or rope (over 45" long) lengths.

This site also raises some interesting issues. If you don't want to draw attention to your bust line, wear necklaces either very short or very long. If you do want to draw attention, then a pendant or a knot right at the breastbone should do it.

Other questions they raise are so basic, I don't know why I've never thought of them before.

1) Do I want the necklace to contrast with my outfit and thus be a focal point or create a serene monochromatic look? Good question.

2) Do I want the focus on the jewellery or the clothes? (Colour is only one way to create contrast. One could contrast textures as well.)

3) Do I want it to sit on my skin or on the shirt? (I don't know. What's the effect of each?)

I decided to go Windows(tm) shopping to find a necklace for this turtleneck:


Using the model in the post below, I decided I wanted the necklace to fall between 24 and 30." This was not an easy length to find!

I like this one: it's pretty. Maybe it's a bit too delicate and fussy for a turtleneck. It is 48" long, so one can wrap it double.

As I looked at Google page after Google page, I realised I have a taste for hand crafted jewellery, as opposed to mass marketed or "rarefied" high priced "gem stone" pieces. I love beads and pendants. I love glass, crystal; sparkly things. And then I saw something from Etsy which led me to this:



It's from GlowNGlass. It measures 1"x2" on a 24" silver cord.
I think I'm in love. I can certainly make beautiful, one of a kind, artisan crafted jewelery a focal point with casual clothing when it's like this. And it's only $40.00. Thank gawd for Etsy.

ps. I've figured out that all those silver necklaces I own are "snake chains."

Variations On A Theme....Pile One

(image from this site, courtesy of Wende. (Thanks!)

Other than "dressing up" to go out, I don't wear anything beyond a watch, my wedding band and a cross on a small chain around my neck. If I had pierced ears, I'd probably have fun with earrings, but I don't and I have scar tissue in my ear lobes from two unsuccessful attempts, so wearing clip ons or screw backs is at most a three hour affair....

So, I've been through the jewellery, such as it is.
Pile 1: Necklaces.
18"
Black and white coral.
Wood, glass and metal beads on string
Two pearl strands: one small and yellowish, one large and white.
Fine, fine silver (tarnishing)
Fine gold with five tiny pearls set like beads
Fine "knotted" silver
1/8" wide silver. This is the "chunkiest" of the lot.
Silver Celtic cross around my neck on fine silver chain.

24"
Silver chain, less than 1/8" wide
Silver chain, about 1/8" wide

25"
5 strand multi coloured shiny tiny beads in blue, purple, chartreuse.

30"
Single strand pearls, neither white, nor yellow: they actually look like pearls!
Silver strand, about 1/8" wide.

34" or "Pendant"
hammered copper pendant on a thin leather strap
green soap stone (looks like a stylised comma) on a waxed string.
Silver Celtic cross on linked silver chain.

What's up with all the silver chains? Actually, they aren't really "chains." They aren't chain links: they are all sort of flatish--under a magnifying glass, you might say they are braided. I don't know the "correct" word. I have no idea why I have so many, more or less identical. Why all the pearls? I don't know that either. I probably read somewhere that a woman ought to have them...so I do.

Why is everything so fine?
Well, that I can answer. I'm scared of jewellery as it calls attention to oneself and says things to others about your style, your savvy and your pocketbook. Until WT I hadn't anything I really wanted to say to others about myself. Secondly, when I'm thin, as I mentioned, I am rather fine-boned. Delicate, simple jewellery seemed to say "me" without broadcasting it, kwim?

But I now have no idea whether it is a) suitable, b) what I want to "say." Actually, I do know the answer to the latter. It isn't. But I feel rather mute. I don't know how to say anything with necklaces. I've highlighted the ones which interest me in purple.

I've taken pics of all of them, but they'll be in the camera for a long time....

So, now what?

Look! Land's End Paper Dolls

On some views of clothing, you can click something called "try it on." Up comes a little window with a "virtual model" wearing the item--and a list of suggested go withs--which you can also "try on". Like this:


(I really need to get off the computer!)

Whether the Weather Be Cold...

It's officially Spring sometime in March, isn't it? This is what it looked like here in 2006:

April is a good month to start evaluating the wardrobe again, but May is better--it is the most beautiful month. We're travelling East this year (to Montreal--man, would it be nice to have a sartorial shopping list for that trip!) for the last three weeks of May. So, as far as I'm concerned, the Spring Edition of WT can begin again whenever!

To help Wende out, perhaps you can all let her know when Spring becomes a reality in your part of the Continent in the comments section.