Chat…Just Because

I’m back, if only for the moment. So much has been going on these past few weeks. Early in May, I chaperoned Madeline’s junior/senior prom. I had so much fun seeing all the young ladies and gentlemen decked out in their finest, completely absorbed in the moment, walking that fine line between teenager and young adult, having not a clue (and probably not giving a second thought) about what awaits them as they make the jump from high school to college or work.

The variety of dresses was mindblowing! It was like watching a designer fashion show right before my eyes. Madeline wore a vintage beaded dress that weighed about 7 pounds!

Believe it or not, my sister found it in a resale shop for $25, and once I had a new zipper put in, we had our original prom dress. It was just the teeniest bit roomy on her, but oh my, I must say, she looked stunning. I know I’m her mom, but still … (Pay no attention to the doorknocker tiara in the photos. Sorry about that!) With all that beadage going on, we decided a simple pair of crystal earrings was all this little number needed. She got so many compliments and had a wonderful time.

She’s basically finished with classes, having taken all of her AP exams and been exempt from the rest for having ‘A’s. Graduation for her is coming up on Memorial Day and then there’s the party in June, plus a quick trip to LA to see where she’ll be living when she attends The American Academy of Dramatic Arts! You’ll see her in films someday, so just remember, you heard it here first.

Elyse is finishing her freshman year and Parker his sophomore year. We’ve attended banquets and awards shows, spring hockey and lacrosse games, and dealt with school projects and activities, and now these two are approaching exams. I know you parents can relate.

I’ve got a few more tidbits to share with you, so please stop on by in the next few days!

I was excited to be the featured reader on Wickedly Chic, ”independent shopping for the wickedly fashionable.” It was a great opportunity to share some of my indie shopping recommendations. Check it out before it’s gone!

Thank you, Liz!

I’ve been meaning to show a picture of this little beauty for … well … since Christmas! My sister, Pam, gave me this darling purse as one of my gifts. It’s totally green, in an eco sort of way, because it is made of bamboo! Can you believe it? She got it through The Dancing Yogi. Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Here are some quick facts about bamboo:

1. It is the world’s fastest growing grass. Some varieties can grow between 12 and 18 inches per day; depending on the type and the climate, it tops out between 5 and 125 feet tall! 
2. It regenerates easily, quickly and without replanting; it is highly pest resistant.
3. There are more than 1,400 species of bamboo.
4. It is as strong as wood.

Bamboo can be worn, eaten and built with. It is used to make toys, tools, musical instruments and even weapons. While it has been only recently developed for clothing, it is proving to be a popular eco-choice. I am so interested in checking out a beautiful bamboo wrap featured here or this kimono tee shown here. Do you have any bamboo clothing or accessories? Do you like them? I’d love to hear about it.

So … y’all already know I’m definitely a jewelry girl (and we’ll get back to that soon enough). Well I may as well confess that I’m also a boots girl. Not only do I look forward to fall to experience the wonderful weather and witness autumn foliage show, but I get to break out all my cool fashion boots! It’s not that I have dozens of styles either, in case you were thinking along the Imelda Marcos line, but I just really like the look boots can bring to an outfit - not to mention they help keep the ol’ legs warm during the dang cold Missouri winters!

I wear my boots frequently with everything from skirts and dresses, to the standard jeans and trousers. As a result I’m pretty rough on them, even when I rotate three to four pair, so I’ve found I need to invest in new ones every few years. This is fine because I definitely get my moneys-worth out of them, even if it pinches the pocketbook right after the purchase. Anyway, this year I decided I wanted a casual, classic, yet sturdy pair of boots. Aaaaand drum roll please …. !

The Frye Harness Boots won out in this category. Here’s a picture of the ones I bought. Love them!

Now that I can cross off ‘casual boots’ from my list, I just need to find the comfortable, stylish and ever-elusive dress boot in black that’s just the right heel height and shaft design, and I’m set for the season!

Ok …  and maybe one more pair of brown dress boots. But then that’s it! I mean it.

ELIZA Magazine. The name alone conjures the familiar, elegant images of Audrey Hepburn in the role she made famous in My Fair Lady. As much attention was given to the fashion and style of the motion pictures of that time, as was given to the look of the starlets who graced the silver screen during that era.

I was first introduced to ELIZA Magazine through a networking site I belong to – a wonderful resource for meeting women entrepreneurs and learning about each of their endeavors. This beautifully designed fashion magazine from Los Angeles editor Summer Bellessa isn’t available in St. Louis, so I’m happy the networking site gave me the exposure to learn about the magazine. I was so enchanted with the title and concept that I ordered myself the latest issue and am happy to report my review.

Look and feel
One of the first things I noticed about the magazine is its weight. The entire publication is printed on heavier paper stock, a departure from what is typically used in your monthly subscription magazines, making it more substantial to hold and therefore creating a feeling of essence and energy. You’re more likely to keep the magazine handy and reference it several times just by the sheer fact that the paper gives it weight and importance. I like that. It makes me feel that I’ve made a worthwhile investment that I can enjoy for a while.

Once inside, let me just say that familiar, elegant images are certainly the standard. Summer has managed to create a visually captivating quarterly magazine that embodies the elements of style, beauty, fashion and grace that its eponymous inspiration sought, and did indeed become. From the lovely fonts and headers on each page, to the stylized fashion spreads, no element has gone unchecked in this publication. It’s obvious that attention to detail is of primary consideration during production and layout.

I’m one of those magazine handlers that tends to flip through, page by page, to get a sense of what is included before I go back and settle in to read the content. In doing so with ELIZA, what is perhaps as notable as the lovely photographs that accompany articles, features and fashion layouts, is the absence of in-your-face advertisements with their garish and sometimes overwhelming messages. The magazine certainly contains advertising, but information is presented in such a way that the ads look more like a fashion spread than a pitch to buy some product or aid. How refreshing!

It’s what’s on the inside that counts
While the pretty packaging is always fun to talk about, ELIZA is no shrinking violet when it comes to delivering relevant information about women’s issues and interests. Its contents range from Fashion, Beauty & Health, to Features and Kids fashions. The Features section alone boasts a variety of short articles that talk about music, art, food and even a Guys Guide (I always appreciate a man’s point of view). The cover story for this particular issue was on CNN.com’s Nicole Lapin, a 24-year old who’s accomplished more in her relatively young life than some 40-year olds I know!

I also learned so much from reading the article, Saving the World One Issue at a Time: Cambodia, which talks about the effects of the deadly regime the Khmer Rouge Guerilla Movement of than 30 years ago and the devastation it left behind. Did you know there are still up to 6 million active land mines in Cambodia, and more than 90,000 women and children have been left widowed and orphaned as a result of this movement? The article goes on to explain how Christa-Taylor.com partnered with the missions group Warm Blankets Orphan Care to help repair damaged orphan homes, pay the volunteer staff and build women’s housing. Inspiring!

Personally, I appreciate that ELIZA features a mix of real women and models in their photo spreads. As the mother of two teen girls, it’s wonderful to see the reinforcement (more for my daughters than for me) that one does not need to be a 22 year old, size 0 to look stylish and attractive. You can actually see how clothing is shaped to fit on the average body. Perhaps this is why I felt comfortable perusing the pages, just taking in the composition and color of the layouts – because I could relate to some of the women that were photographed.

Overall, a very good thing
I’m sure everyone’s ideas about what constitutes a fine piece of art are as varied as snowflakes, but I also  think that many people would agree that ELIZA is a visual and intellectual treat on several levels. If you love fashion or are looking for some artistic stimulation, this may be the perfect gem to fill that need. I’m looking forward to checking out future issues! In the meantime, you can check out the ELIZA site or blog.

ELIZA Magazine: Created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle.

I like to follow fashion and accessory color trends for upcoming seasons, especially now that I create jewelry. I greet the latest fashion ads and magazines with genuine curiosity and a healthy dose of excitement to see what’s coming down the pike in the next few months.

But for all of that energy and enthusiasm I expend, I find when it comes to my personal buying decisions, I pretty much stick to the palette of colors in my wardrobe that I know complement me. I don’t do this on purpose, mind you. I have every intention of donning that sexy wrap in the color du jour or splurging on that amazing pair of outrageously dyed shoes. Oh, I’ll occassionally add those trendy splashes of color with a new something or other, but I’m still drawn to that handful of colors I like.

Case in point: I’ll see a sweater in a great new color promoted all over the place, and think, “I’m totally getting that. Looks hip, fun and flattering.” I figure I’m going out on some crazy color-style limb and being daring by getting it. Then I get home, all atwitter, and realize my new rockin’ hip sweater is just a different shade of two other sweaters or tops I already own! So much for being controversial with my color choices. Am I ahead of the curve, five seasons behind, or just forgetful that I already own the latest in fashionably hip color items?

It’s like nothing has the power to draw me away from my comfort zone. I always somehow manage to bring home the colors I already love which freely hang out in my closet. But now that at least I’m aware of my color challenges, I’m becoming more at peace with the whole process.

For example, I like yellow, and I also know that it was one of this summers colors to have.

Trends aside, when I saw this scarf at Urban Outfitters this weekend, I didn’t think, “whoa, now this little number is going to completely revitalize my accessories collection because I don’t have anything yellow.” No. I thought, “This sassy scarf can accetuate so much of my wardrobe, that it should be included in my growing supply of scarves,” … even though I already own one or two scarves that feature yellow … hhh, well my point is, while it’s fun to see what the color forecasters predict for the season, I usually wind up buying something I like in a color I love, that I know I will enjoy for a few seasons - regardless of whether it’s the latest ‘in’ color.

What about you? Are you a fashion fanatic when it comes to color or do you lean toward your own classic colors that get you through, season after season?