Are We on a Roll Here?
August 8 | Huh?

For the love of 80’s… why do I keep seeing rolled up jeans?  Celebrities seem to be embracing this blast from the past.  Katie Holmes is a repeat offender and other stars have been seen about town that way.  So should this look really make a comeback? 

A look from that sartorial standby J. Crew

Other 80’s trends have made a second or even third go around.  Neon, check.  Blue eyeliner, check.  Hammer pants - oh sweet Jesus - check.  What’s next, the return of spiral perms?

There seems to be two schools of thought on the rolled leg look: pegging the legs tightly around the ankle or just folding them up.  I’ll admit I roll my jeans… when I’m wearing wellies on a rainy day and want to avoid getting the bottoms soaking wet.  My rolled jeans - strictly for practical purposes.  But I have to admit, I don’t actually hate the rolled jeans look.  Am I going soft?  Who knows?  Maybe at its worst rolled up jeans are not as bad as leggings.  Now that I hate.

No Public Pajama Party
November 26 | Huh?

Even though we want to do our Christmas shopping online, my husband and I bundled up our baby and headed out to do some in person shopping yesterday.  It was a spur of the moment decision and we agreed to hit specific stores, find exactly what we want and get out quickly.  The crowd was light and what I expected to be a big headache wasn’t so bad.

What did make my head spin was the sight of not one but two women walking around in bedroom attire - one woman in fuzzy slippers and the other in pajama bottoms.  I know comfort is important when shopping, but come on!  Unless you are grabbing your morning paper, there’s no reason to step out like that.

Frolicking in pj’s works for a Victoria’s Secret catalogue… but not for public outings.

 With the proliferation velour track suits, lounge pants and Crocs, the ranks of the slovenly keep growing.  That attire is for when you are hanging out at home and… oh forget it, Crocs shouldn’t be seen on anyone over six years old! 

For the love Karl Lagerfeld, wearing pajamas and fuzzy slippers in public is serious a crime of fashion.  Possibly a crime against humanity.  At the very least it’s a crime against my sensitive eyes. 

 

Strutting Toward Broke
April 3 | Huh?

I’m not going to lie. As much as I’d like to believe I am a practical fashionista, sometimes sensibility goes out the window when there’s something I really, really want. My power to resist has gotten better over the years, because let’s face it, no one wants to be well dressed but broke. Well, no one in their 30’s wants that.  Might as well fess up that my carefree 20’s are behind me. I was once well dressed and broke but that gets old quickly.

Don't get me wrong. I’m a big believer in getting what you pay for and paying good money for things that last. Bags, shoes, the perfect black pants:  these are things I don’t feel guilty about forking over a hefty chunk of change if I find a winner. With proper care they can last for years. Then again, there are times when a girl can't help but indulge. It happens to the best of us.  If it turns out to be an unwise buy, hopefully you’ll chalk it up to a valuable learning experience. Every time I start a give-away pile for Goodwill, I come across a few of these items and vow never to fall victim to the impulse buy again.

So what is this musing about really about?  Take a look at this:

DSquared2 platform sandals $724

Wow.  Is there ever a time when nautical themed footwear for this much money is a smart choice? These have to be a pure impulse buy because who in their right mind would pay that much for costume jewelry for the feet?

So are there any takers?... Good.

Gilt-y Pleasure?
August 1 | Huh?

Wow.  This looks like something Dolly Parton would wear. 

Giuseppe Zanotti boots available at Bergdorf Goodman

I love me some Dolly Parton but her look isn’t easily translatable for the rest of us mortals. Any takers for the boots?

Update:  I checked out the new Paul & Joe collection at Target and it’s a mixed bag.  The black & white poppy print shirt is well constructed and very cute.  Sadly, there were only two shirts left and neither was my size.  These are going like hotcakes.

I didn’t see the kimono sleeve dress but there were a couple of slip dresses that looked like good buys for summer.  As I suspected, the silk floral prints and the black silk wrap skirt looked cheap.  For prices between $24.99 and $34.99 my expectations shouldn’t be too high.

Knit Wit?
July 13 | Huh?

Three years ago, I rediscovered the joys of knitting.  My mom and my grandmother taught me at different points in my early life, but I just didn’t have the patience to make anything other than swatch samples.  I was too busy coloring Barbie’s hair with magic markers or cutting up my Dad’s shorts to make doll clothes.

As an adult, I would beg my mom to knit me sweaters, scarves and hats.  Then I decided to take matters into my own hands.  Now I’m fully addicted.  I do have to have to post a disclaimer: my knitting projects have proven to be expensive at times. But satisfaction of creating something unique and enjoying the process is well worth it.  It’s easy to see why I have a fetish for knitwear.

Now I bring your attention to this little combo:

Vivienne Westwood Fall 2006 - I love that the mask has a jaunty little peak on the side as if to say, “Yes, it’s 90 degrees under this glorified ski mask but I look gooooood.”

I believe the talented Ms. Westwood was trying to say something clever with this look.   If you’ve figured out what that is, please pass it along.

Madonna for H & M
June 8 | Huh?

I for one am completely over Madonna but I have to mention this deal with H & M anyway. According to Fashion Wire Daily, Madonna is designing a track suit for the European discount clothing chain. Trackies? For real??? Track suits are about as fashionable as sporting a camel toe. I can hardly contain my disgust. I’m going to walk away now.