Got The Blues?

Meet the new staples in my shoe closet! I was strolling the aisles of DSW looking for a killer pair of black pumps to add to the “office” collection. I struck out on the black shoes, but found a fabulous pair of inkwell-blue patent leather pumps by Nine West to kick up my heels in. It’s an amazing color that will work with anything that would call for a black shoe.

They basic, but not basic black. They’re bold and beautiful. This fall when I’m feeling the blues, it won’t be a sad thing!

Just An Old Fashioned Handbag

What's special about vintage?  History, of course.

I played “grown-up” as a child with a similar handbag--it felt like the epitome of womanhood!  This smidgen of old fashioned glamour recalls the era of embroidered linen hankies, sparkling white cotton gloves, and Revlon's "Love That Red" lipstick.
     

If this gorgeous bag could tell its story, what would it be?  Maybe something like this...

Cassie stuffed her car keys into the handbag before clasping it shut.  Although Joe was driving the family to the funeral, she was concerned about how much he might drink at the repast.  It was his favorite uncle who died, after all.  Well, actually, he was killed.  Razor.  Angry husband.

Joe's Uncle Chuck was a loose man.  Loose morals, loose lips, loose zipper.  The zipper got him in trouble.  Chuck had an unfortunate affair with a screechy bombshell who was married to a paranoid muscle-bound thug who kept a razor in his shoe and brass knuckles in his pocket.  Angry Thug Husband found out about the affair.  Chuck was quickly filleted.

Chuck's wife went to the morgue to identify the remains and said, "Yup, that's him.  The attempts at plastic surgery are a nice touch, though."

Gimme A Head With Hair

I wanted something different after sixteen years of a TWA (teeny weeny afro)--different but low maintenance. I wanted to let my hair grow out a little, but dreaded the über ugly growing-out period. Every woman has experienced those hair-raising weeks during which you make comparisons of yourself to Buckwheat, Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, or Phil Spector in any of his jacked-up wigs.

So, I talked to my fabulously cool barber about a growing-out plan that would prevent frump and horror. Here’s the result--my first fro-hawk! This is the coolest haircut ever. It works with my style and speaks to my inner rock chick.

Oh Dem Golden Slippers

Elvis has returned to the building

Cherry red slingbacks. Sunset orange Chuck Taylors. Silver Hush Puppies. Asparagus green sandals. None of these kicks can top my new Midas-gold wingtips. I found this fabulous pair of Sam Edelmans at Marshalls for $28. Yeah, it really does feel like I raided Fort Knox.

I dubbed them my Elvis shoes. Why? There is a 1959 Elvis album titled, “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong,” and on the cover he’s rocking a gold lamé suit and matching shoes.

The shoes made their debut with a pair of indigo J. Crew Toothpick jeans that were plucked brand new from the racks of Buffalo Exchange for $20, a charcoal J. Crew tee listing the days of the week in Italian, and a Boston Proper jacket with gold-tone studs at the cuffs. I padded around the workplace wearing them with black high waist pants and a snug black cap sleeve turtleneck.

My friend Amy says that I have to do the Mummer’s Strut when I wear them. I just might do that as I navigate the cube farm at my job.

Down to the Nightclub

Lotsa folks consider the 1980s a fashion wasteland. They cite acid washed jeans, Miami Vice looks, parachute pants, neon, big hair and heavy makeup as reasons to hate. But there was a lot of fun stuff and super cool influences like Michael Jackson, Madonna and punk music. I loved wearing miniskirts, high top sneakers, overdyed denim, shoulder pads, colored tights, and touches of androgyny. My favorite pieces were slouchy suede boots with men’s overcoats and baggy shaker pullover sweaters.

If you’re a fan of 1980s style, check out these pieces from the “Club to Catwalk” exhibit which was at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last summer. It’s a fabulous reminder of the imagination that busted out of our closets and the energy that emanated from storefronts and dance floors. I bet you were rocking some of these looks while you grooved to The Human League, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, or Bowie’s ubiquitous “Let’s Dance.”