Taking Summer into Fall/Winter: Layering Tees and Turtlenecks

So the calendar says it's fall now and suddenly, on cue, it's rainy, wet and freezing!
But wait- where's my long walks in the woods, looking at pretty fall leaves?


For the colder months I always stock up on layering tees and turtlenecks, sometimes called "tissue" tees.


I do this because, much like the cami or tank is useful for layering in the summer, light-weight tees become very useful for layering under three quarter sleeve tops, cardigans, sweaters, blazers, you name it.


If they are too thick you may become too hot and the outfit may look too bulky. I stocked on tissues tees and turtlenecks last year at Target, and already have one on under a short sleeve cardi today!


The two shown here are from the Gap.

If I am going to wear these thin tees or turtlenecks on their own, I always layer a trusty tank underneath because they tend to be more see-through.

I always stock up on the basic colors in my wardrobe: white, black, grey, tan or cream and dark brown--and then throw in another color for good measure--this year the IT color is still purple.

Also, I lean towards scoopneck tees as opposed to crewnecks or v-necks because that neckline pairs well with everything, much like the silhouette of a tank or cami will.

They can also help you stretch your summer tops into fall.

For example, a short sleeve empire waist top may look great with a scoopneck tee underneath and voila! you have a new fall outfit!

Here are some layering ideas and examples, below. So if you are stuck thinking about how to transition some of your tops from summer to fall, go and buy some layering pieces!

Thanks The Budget Fashionista for feauring this post on your site!

They are currently running a contest until October 27. Here's the link:
Never Pay Full Price for Designer Fashion? Tell us why you're a Maxxinista and You Win a $500 Shopping Spree to TJ Maxx.

Also check out their story on Urban Brands Get Chic!

Fall/Winter 09-10: Over the Knee Boots

I'm not sure how I feel about the over the knee boot trend. I feel compelled to call them f*** me boots.

I am pretty dang sure I won't be wearing them.

BUT if I had a change of heart, I would get the kind that fold up or down, like the Jessica Simpson ones, below, from Piperlime, for $139.

(photo credit:jeanotype.com, thatshideous.com)

Choose or Die: 80's Music Style

It's been a looong while since I've done one of these, so here goes:



If you HAD TO choose one of these outfits to wear all day long, in public--no, not for HALLOWEEN-- which one would it be?



Absolutely cannot choose? Then walk the plank, Matey -ARGHH!





Choice #1- Cindy Lauper (hair and all):

Choice #2- Devo:
Well?

The Write Style: On Queries

I've been shy, for the most part, about sharing the teen zombie novel that's consumed my life for the past year.

I've already begun writing a new one--leaving my very first unfinished draft in a computer file collecting dust. I thought I'd return to it-- NADA.

But the one I've written this past year (now my first love) keeps going through revision after revision as I become a better fiction writer.

I've been inspired by other writer blogs who give snippets of their writing as "teasers", never knowing if I'd ever be that brave.

And I'm still not. Not totally.

But I think I'm brave enough to share my query letter.

My query letter--the one you send to agents to hopefully hook them into asking to read your manuscript-- has been ripped to shreds and then gently taped back together, better than ever, by the Query Ninja Blog. Go check it out, if you want!

HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND!

Remember When: Snacks from Childhood

Recently we introduced our son to snacks we loved from childhood--Twinkies and Ho-Ho's and Little Debbie's(the oatmeal cream cookies and peanut butter wafer snacks).



And you know what? They just didn't taste the same! No where near as yummy as I imagined them as a child.

The only treat from childhood that STILL has staying power for me?
OREO COOKIES. I can eat a whole row of them!
With milk? Not necessary. :)

(photo credit: 43things.com, dimbulb.typepad.com and gettyimages.com)

Denim Leggings

When I first saw some (at Target) I thought, AW HELL NO!

Demin Leggings by real style real people featuring Dorothy Perkins tights

But then I got to thinking about them. How were they that much different than wearing skinny jeans- with a top covering my bum, tucked into boots (or with ballet flats)?

If anything they would be way more comfy! And may get rid of that sag I seem to get at the top of my boots where my jeans are tucked in....

So I'll be giving them a try this season! How about you?

REAL PEOPLE, Real Style-Party Edition

A reader's request for one of these again (it has been awhile)....


Lots of black and white (classy!):

My friend Deb, "showing off" her new boyfriend-style vest (want one!):

The First Day of Autumn

Yeah- my FAVORITE season (spring is a close second).

I love everything that goes with it- apple and pumpkin picking, the cooler weather, Halloween, and FOOTBALL!

But especially the COLORS of autumn!

The REDS:

autumn reds by real style real people featuring Marc by Marc Jacobs dresses

YELLOWS:

autumn yellow by real style real people featuring Dorothy Perkins

GREENS:

autumn greens by real style real people featuring Aeropostale

ORANGE:

autumn orange by real style real people featuring Sergio Rossi shoes

and BROWNS:

autumn browns by real style real people featuring Splendid

Your Jeans Wardrobe- Revisited

I thougth my post on jeans from last year was worth a repeat, so here goes......


In my opinion, trying on jeans, is like trying on a bathing suit- you need a boatload of confidence, and lots of time, to find a flattering pair. And you should never go by the size you see on the tag, because it's different in every store, but I know that plays with a women's psyche. As far as cost is concerned, finding a pair that fits you to a tee and make you feel dynamite, is worth the price of admission. Especially if it's a pair that you'll own for years and becomes an essential in your closet.

So what are those essentials jeans you should have in your closet? Here's my list:

1)Straight Leg Jeans will always be in style. They are classic and look good on most figures. The straight leg jeans below are from The Gap.


2)Crop Jeans. Crop style have been around for a long time and are now considered a classic silhouette. You can wear your crops into fall with boots, heels and ballets. The crops below are from Motto at QVC.
3) Trouser Jeans have a more refined look in your jeans wardrobe. They look dressy and therefore add more sophistication. The trouser jeans below are from Banana Republic.
4)Boot Cut Jeans also work on most figures. I love them because they help balance out my hip area. However, women who are ultra thin say that they have the opposite effect are them. The bootcut jeans below are by Elle, a newer line by Kohl's that I like. You can take your boot cuts a little farther and have more of a flare at the bottom, and sometimes it's hard to differentiate between the two in stores. But boot cuts should only flare out slightly at the bottom.
5) Wide Leg Jeans, which are meant to be wide from hip to heel, can look classy or trendy depending on the rinse and rise. They can help "balance you out", but on petite women's, they can look overwhelming. So again, try everything on and find the right fit for you. The wide leg jeans below are from Old Navy.

Now length, rinse, rise and pockets a different matter.

You need to decide whether you want a longer length because you wear a lot of heels or a shorter length because you're a flats girls. I am somewhere in between and so I tend to look for "in between" lengths that can go both ways. Or, if I am wearing flats and my jeans are too long, I roll them one or two times at the bottom.

As far as rinse is concerned, I would stay closer to a darker rinse most of the time, because it is more flattering, on trend and classy. Although, it is fun to have a lighter, broken in pair, as well as a different color, such as black or grey.

The rule of thumb for pockets is that if you have a bigger bum and hips, go for clean lines and pockets that don't stand out, such as tab button pockets in the back. If you have a flat bum and hips, these kind of pockets will help add depth. But again, the key is to try everything on. My favorite pair of Gap jeans have tab buttons and I think they are very flattering on me.

The rise depends on what your comfortable with and what flatters you. Some of my favorite jeans have a low rise because they look good on my hips and thighs. But they can drive me crazy, because I always think something in back is showing. I am definitely more comfortable with a higher rise, like right around or below my belly button.


Trendy looks that will be a safe bet for the next year? Skinny, all the way! Before you know it they'll be considered classics (who knows).

Also, boyfriend, distressed and moto-cross styles. How about denim jackets, vests and shirts? YEP! More to come on these.....

Baseball Anyone? Not in my House!

Have a Great Weekend!

I leave you with this photo I took of my son's creative use of sports equipment.



Can you tell he's only ever used this tee ball set once (sorry Garrett who bought it for him-he doesn't have a sports bone in his body), and would rather collect sticks, rocks, leaves and flowers?


When I asked him what he was doing, he said he made a holder for his "walking sticks" so he can pull one out to use everyday like Yoda does.



Hey, he and Obama have something in common-their love of Star Wars :)!

Anna Sui for Target

Anna, I'm a fan- of your mix of feminine with edginess.(pictures from style.com)

And I'm excited to see your Target collection, in person!

Here are some samples, below:

Not sure I'll fall in love- but will give it a try, up close and personal.

Write Style: Making a Promise to Your Readers

Currently I am reading Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games Series.

Seriously, I am in love with this series and Suzanne Collins writing.

One problem though, is that I feel like a total failure as a writer, when I read her lovely prose on every page.

Fellow writers out there, do you have that feeling reading certain books over others? Like you better just throw in the towel because you don't measure up?

Anyway, I'm coming near the end of the book now and I don't want it to end. You know that feeling?

My favorite line thus far, is from Peeta: "If you die, and I live, there's no life for me at all back in District Twelve. You're my whole life", he says. "I would never be happy again."

Yeah, because I'm a sappy wimp :)

Anyway, speaking of writing and books, I mentioned I attended an SCBWI conference this weekend. It was fabulous. Some great authors and editors were in attendance.

One lecture by editor Harold Underdown, spoke to me:

He said (and I paraphrase here), "Dont worry about all the rules you've heard about the very first page in your book. That it has to have great action, or launch you plot, or introduce your character, or that it can't have any back-story. Just make sure your very first page makes some kind of a promise to the reader (about what's to come in the story)! That promise will make a reader turn the page.

That was profound for me because I have terrible trouble with my first pages.

So anyway, since I have Catching Fire sitting right by me, I have decided to open to the first page, and read:

I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air. My muscles are clenched tight against the cold. If a pack of wild dogs were to appear at this moment, the odds of scaling a tree before they attacked are not in my favor. I should get up, move around, and work the stiffness from my limbs. But instead I sit, as motionless as the rocks beneath me, while the dawn begins to lighten the woods. I can't fight the sun. I can only watch helplessly as it drags me into a day that I've been dreading for months.

Does she make a promise to the reader (about what's to come), so that they want to turn the page? She did for me....

Three Reasons Why I love Joan Holloway's Style

I'm a newer convert to Mad Men, so here goes:

1. Her BOLD use of colors:

2. Playing up the features of her realistic womenly body:

3.This one is totally biased: I most love when she wears green (my favorite color) with her blazing red hair!
Gorgeous, assertive and sexy, all in one!

I think I just came up with my own Halloween costume-think anyone would get it?