Seasoned Elegance: January 2016

Friday, January 29, 2016

99% junk, 1% treasure ...

I absolutely love thrift store finds that are classic yet trendy. I wish I had found these boots myself but alas, my friend Gina was fortunate enough to snag them at a great store in Merrifield, VA, called #UniqueThriftStore. The only problem with shopping in thrift stores is sifting through 99 pieces of junk to find the one piece of treasure. I just don't have the patience :-) Just wondering if others will share their thrift store treasure hunt best find with me below?

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Why do we wear what we wear?

Came across this book, Fear and Clothing, by Cintra Wilson and was kind of intrigued. So, I thought we (me and one lucky blog reader) might read it together. All you have to do to enter the drawing to win a free copy is visit here: https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/b3d230d0a8c0840e #Amazongiveaways

After you read it, we can compare notes (and trust me, Wilson has some pretty awesome observations about why we wear what we wear, no spoilers here though!). And maybe we can even swap style secrets :-)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Very stylish upcycling ...

Courtesy of Upcycle Magazine

Ever wonder what to do with those old worn out jeans? UPCYCLE! Upcycle magazine has some great ideas on what to recreate with old clothes. I seriously hate waste so the coasters and quilts out of upcycled denim jeans are great ideas.

And if you need a bit more inspiration, Seattle Opera's costume design team came up with some pretty bright ideas on how to recycle denim too! Watch this video for more creative ideas! HERE
https://www.facebook.com/SeattleOpera/videos/10154488426826038/?theater

Friday, January 15, 2016

Happy Hat Day!!

I fear I have but one head in which to wear a hat on #NationalHatDay, January 15. Little is known about the origin of Hat Day (which is always Jan. 15 apparently) but do we really need a reason to wear a hat? I think not. But, if you are someone who needs a reason, here are 5:

Hats keep you warm -- its a proven fact that more heat escapes the body through the head than any other part of the body (although my family swear all the hot air in my body escapes through my mouth -- I talk a lot). Why do you think babies are always wearing hats?
Hats can make you look elegant, unique. Why do you want to look just like everyone else?
Hats cover your hair when you have a bad hair day. I have those often!
Ladies who wear hats with veils (a fancy hat) don't have to worry as much about make-up. I'd save tons of money on make up!
Everyone looks good in a hat -- even pets! Just Google "photos of pets in hats" for some great proof! For those who say you don't look good in a hat, you just haven't found the right hat. Keep looking.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Insta-snap-quick-tweet meets the step back ...

It's rare to find me still for very long but when I am, I sit down with a nice cup of tea and read. Sometimes I like long reads like Edith Wharton. Sometimes I like short reads like a magazine. Today, was a magazine day. I had just picked up a copy of the Fairfax Woman Magazine (my friend Oda Solms does a fabulous job publishing not only this monthly lifestyle magazine but two sister magazines -- Alexandria Woman and Southern Maryland Woman -- as well; all free and available at stands at the Metro train stations and in select shops throughout the DMV) and delved into the pages.

But this wasn't just reading for fun. You see, I write an article now and then for this publication and I specifically wanted to read what I had written, again. Yes, I know, I read it several times over while I was writing it but that is proofreading. This was just reading it for fun, to read it with the eyes of another. That is what helps me be a better writer, to look back on what I wrote and read it not with a critical eye but to see that I had done my job to educate or entertain the reader. I think I did just that but you can tell me what you think. So, sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and flip through this link (pay special attention to page 34).
http://www.flipsnack.com/77FDF7EC5A8/fairfax-woman-magazine-januaryfebruary-2016.html

I think in this day insta-snap-quick-tweets, we lose sight of stepping back to look at things. This kind of attitude can be applied to any aspect in your life -- relationships, career, even fashion. I've been known to try on what I thought was a cute outfit only to look at it from my sister's eyes and promptly put it right back on the rack. When you step back and look at yourself and your actions from a different perspective (i.e. trying to see it from someone else's eyes/viewpoint) it can sometimes mean changing or improving for the better. Of course there are also times when I see things from others perspectives and I still think their opinion is madder than the mad hatter. You still need those crazy viewpoints though ... keeps you sane and makes for great laughter :-)