Winter is Upon Us!

Northern California weather is not considered extreme but I feel weather changes drastically so I have a wardrobe of warm-hot-cold weather clothing. Today is rainy and windy and cold, signaling a change of seasons. Winter is upon us! My friends and I discussed rain boots, which they'd never owned, but I own (black with lining, yellow schoolbus) due to traveling in Europe over winter breaks. I noticed a cute assortment during my last trip to Target which they will check out. Another cold weather staple is a warm jacket. I was fortunate enough to have bought a few puff jackets (white and silver) last year that still wear well, in addition to my warm wool coat (dark gray) and rainproof overcoat with a warm lining (schoolbus yellow!). And gloves, hats, scarves and umbrellas to match (generally gray, white, black or cream of course). So all this keeps me warm but how fashionable?

Your jackets have to be slim not bulky, even for puff coats, so your silhouette is not dramatically increased. Layers keep you warm outdoors by adding to your bulk, and indoors by allowing you to increase or decrease your clothing to adjust your body temperature. And you can wear boots to your destination to keep warm and dry, just carry a cute bag with a cuter pair of shoes to change into.

Breezy Summer Style

As I prepare for my vacation I'm reflecting of my summer thus far. I've gotten away with shorts or jeans and tanks for the most part, a few simple dresses for casual events, once or twice fully dressed up because the occasion required more than a casual outfit, but everywhere, everyday FLIP FLOPS (abbreviated Flops)! I bought a flop wardrobe: fabulous clear plastic flops, silver flops with a clear jewel on the toe, black suede flops for daily wear, and silver heeled flops for extra fancy occasions. It's been a great style-casual summer, for which I'm thankful!

Them damn kids!

So 2 of my children from work teased me today about my walking stride and my thighs jiggling in my jeans: obviously these jeans were not a good choice because one should not see jiggle but I am African and those genes are killing my jeans! I guess I should exercise but I'm healthy and proportionate for the first time in my life so the thighs stay for now. I am in the process of putting together some equipment to get started because jiggly thighs are not the kick but Lord knows I don't like those 2 anymore [at the moment]! I still love them though LOL!

Then another child whom I don't like [at the moment] but I still love tells me certain individuals said I have a big butt. Again, attributed to African Beauty, the genes have kicked in and we've got a booty for the first time in our lives that is not controlled by exercise. As much as we appreciate our blessings, everyone does need to exercise to maintain health and in my case a desired weight and figure so, here's to exercise and a big booty!

God is tempting me...

I have a test for the man who truly loves me: he will propose with a variation of the perfect engagement ring. This feat requires a man's ability to notice and understand my eccentric jewelry taste. I believe this is an adequate test because your man has to be able to understand you in all your facets, and choosing the correct ring or choosing the correct way to select your ring if he's not willing to make a mistake (*no details on either method since that would spoil the test*) seems to be a fair way of judging your now and forever man because your engagement and wedding rings are jewelry a woman wears for a lifetime and can be literally buried with. There are grave repercussions for the man who proposes with the wrong ring: according to Sex and the City, wrong ring, wrong man. So here's your crib sheet for any one who's interested: Daniel K's Uternity band. All I have to say is DAMN!!!!!

Now, God is tempting me by sending all kinds of GORGEOUS jewelry within my viewing. It started yesterday with an email from one of my favorite shopping sites where I saw 3 pieces that I sooooo wanted to whip out the card for. Then I saw the above mentioned piece that I might not wait for Mr. Right for. Then I saw some earrings in one of my fashion rags...will this end?

Body Type

Sometimes I want an outfit that would not look good on me: I am heavy chested with large shoulders. I would love to wear some of the delicate and simple dresses that reign in fashion now but the proportions are waaaay off for me. So, what to do? I will design something that has the same simplicity but will take into account my measurements and body shape (inverted triangle); hopefully the tailor will comply with the design aesthetic since they also have their own ideas and don't necessarily understand body type...

What I want right now:
apron dresses adjusted so I can still wear a bra
short sleeved dresses
a fabulous spring jacket with short sleeves
racer-front dress (for full coverage in front, regular back)

What I want but will not buy since they don't fit my body:
halter straps in a top or dress (widen my shoulder line)

The New Black Is...

Bright: Jungle Green, Acid Yellow, Electric Blue or some other equally bold hue. I love some of the colors, but I'm not sure I'd wear them, even in moderation. But since other industries follow fashion's edicts we will be seeing these colors regularly.

Skinny Pants

What's with skinny pants? I am no longer the nubile 8-10 year old who can rock leggings because my legs were sticks. I now have a woman's figure and my thighs no longer look like the fashion models! As I peruse my fashion rags I am befuddled by the audacity of recommending that girls/woman with real legs (translation: real thighs) wear these skin tight leggings/pants/jeans! Depending on the time of the month, these may not get past one's knees, talk less of over one's thighs! So ladies, please acknowledge the gift from God your body is, understand your body type and how to dress it, and comply with nature not designers! Mirrors lie, do not be deceived and please do not wear skinny pants without taking appropriate measures to make this style body-appropriate.

Examples
1. Leggings to work out are appropriate but no mooning your fellow gym members/Lake walkers: ensure your look is proportional when wearing leggings.

2. Jackets over leggings are perennially elegant: again, unless you have model proportions ensure your posterior is covered to achieve balance/proportion.