The spice of life!

Some days you just have to spice up the wardrobe a bit. Today was one of those days. Black fishnets with a red chiffon skirt and white button down blouse and black pumps. Classically sexy!

Historic elegance ...

I like consignment store shopping and often find the neatest things amongst others cast offs. This weekend, I was at a fabulous consignment shop in Virginia and found this Gobelins Art purse complete with purse cover for storing the purse when not in use. A little history on Gobelins so that you really appreciate the craftsmanship that has evolved into this purse (so cheaply priced at $89 and in mint condition). The Gobelins family were Parisian fabric dyers who established a factory in the 15th century. King Henry IV rented space in that factory for his Flemish tapestry makers so the Gobelins learned the art. The Gobelins factory still stands today and throughout its 500+ years has produced works of arts that hang in the world's most noted art galleries and historical places. Of course this purse is not from the Gobelins factory but a replica by one of the leading reproduction houses in France. All this grand history for such a tiny handbag!

Quote of the day ...

I don't normally share memes and never on my blog. But today, the meme above popped into my Facebook feed and it absolutely forced me to break my "never share" rule. Thanks to www.ceoglam.com for the quote and the reminder that words like pretty, beautiful, handsome, etc., describe a person's looks but the word elegant describes a person's way of being, their way of pulling themselves together, their way of behaving. Pretty=physical; elegant=behavioral.

Shoes with real soul ...

www.oliberte.com

These fair trade shoes from Oliberte have real soul! No seriously! Not only can you feel good about buying them (they are made in Africa to a small company where the workers are paid a living wage) but they have a small map of the Africa terrain on the souls. Fun and fashionable, huh?

Unique, elegant accoutrements ...

Artisan Confections http://artisanconfections.com/

I like style in practically everything I wear, am and do -- from the clothes on my back to the places I visit to the food I eat. When I found these stylish, fashionable chocolates at Artisan Confections in Merrifield, Virginia, I fell in love. Like the old saying goes, good (and I'll add, fashionable) things often come in small packages! So what a better stylish and elegant accoutrement to your wardrobe than these tiny masterpieces in chocolate. I'm pretty sure I have a blouse in that exact striped pattern as the chocolate on the bottom right corner of the box :-)

Not mutton, but not lamb either ...

My sister loves to remind me that I'm no lamb and that I need to dress my mutton age. Well, there are certain places where that mutton-dress ain't going to cut it. A rock concert is one! Pair a maxi skirt with a sexy bustier and some leather and chain jewelry for that definitely-not-mutton-but-not-exactly-lamb look. Another of my family's favorite quotes: "bear the bottom or bear the top, bear them both and you look like a slut." So this outfit covers the bottom completely while giving a little va va va voom to the top.

Fair fashion ...

I'm not naive or ignorant, well, I try not to be. But, I was watching a documentary the other night (www.truecostmovie.com) and am amazed at what I don't know about the fashion industry. I'm also a little ashamed of myself. I'm not going to spoil it for you (you really should watch the movie) but I will give you a synopsis: The Western world is not treating other countries who make 90% of our clothes very nicely in my opinion. So, I visited the movie's site and read up on our fashion industry. Needless to say I'm embarassed and will be ordering and buying clothes (when at all feasible) from people who care about people and not profit. Don't get me wrong, it's alright to care about profit but people (in my book) will always come first. What was my first Fair Trade Fashion purchase? A great pair of shoes from Oliberte! https://www.oliberte.com/shoes/amboa/rustic-brown-pullup/

Fashion DASH ...

What a fantastic way to use fashion to help those in need. Last night I was privileged to be at the Walk For me Charity Fashion Show at the Carnegie Library and saw some fabulous designers, models and celebrities coming together to help a worthy cause -- domestic violence. The Jolie Agency partnered with various fashion talent to put on a fashion show that not only raised awareness for DASH, a DC domestic violence shelter, but raised funds to help DASH operations.

One of my favorite dresses from the show!

Fabulous model, Sharice, looked gorgeous in this glamorous gown!

For more information on the show visit the website at: www.walkforme.com or watch a segment on Fox about DASH at:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/clip/11730426/walk-for-me-charity-fashion-show-with-dash-and-ivan-ellis