Shoes & Stripes Forever

Chevron striped skirt (American Living); Cardigan (ModCloth); Tank (Gordmans); Sterling Silver and Neoprene Necklace (local Indianapolis jewelry designer Dani Fishman); Shoes (Kate Spade)

I've had this chevron striped skirt forever. Well, maybe not exactly forever, but I've had it since 2009. I still like it just as much now as I did when I bought it, and I've worn it a lot. But, lately it hadn't been getting much love, and I sort of forgot about it at the back of my closet. 

I forgot about it, that is, until I discovered these Kate Spade shoes (called the "Bina") at Zappos. I wasn't looking for shoes to wear with this skirt. I didn't need shoes to wear with this skirt. It's a black and white skirt, after all. There's no shortage of choices when it comes to coordinating footwear. But these shoes. These. Shoes. They jumped off the page at me (well, off the computer screen). They were on clearance; there was but a single pair remaining in my size; I had an unused gift certificate burning a hole in my virtual Zappos account. The only conclusion to be drawn was that I was supposed to have these shoes.

Yep - this skirt has been in rotation for years: the photo on the left was taken at my baby brother's high school graduation in 2009; the photo on the right was taken by photographer Faith Blackwell in 2011. I love pieces that stand the test of time.

And while I'm not ashamed to admit that I have, on occasion (I won't say how many), bought shoes that necessitated purchase of an entire ensemble to wear with them, that wasn't an issue with this pair. Nope, these new shoes meant new life for a well-loved but forgotten wardrobe staple. Sometimes a new pair of shoes really is all you need. 

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also like these posts:

     

Jody Joan Jody: Mad Men and Me

For as long as I can remember, people have told me I remind them of whatever redheaded female TV or movie actress/character happens to be en vogue at the time. As a child, it was Pippi Longstocking; when she first came on the scene and we both had long curly hair, it was Nicole Kidman; after Titanic, it was Kate Winslett; for the last couple of years, it's been Mad Men's Christina Hendrix (aka Joan Holloway). I've never been offended by the comparisons (who would be?) but, frankly, it's very little to do with anything other than a shared hair color and it's relative rarity. That's okay. It may have taken me more than 30 years to fully embrace my ginger genes, but these days I don't want to be anyone other than a constantly evolving and better version of myself. 

That said, I didn't mind posing as Joan's doppleganger for a charity fundraiser last weekend. Guests were encouraged to come as their favorite Mad Men character and/or dress in favorite 60s styles. If you know me at all, you know how much I love vintage fashion, so the theme was right up my alley. Of course, with this hair and our somewhat similar proportions, coming as Joan was a foregone conclusion.   

I have to admit that, with the right dress; a vintage brooch; and my hair pinned up, there is actually more than a passing resemblance. Indeed, there was no question which Mad Men character I was channeling. Yet,the best compliment I received all night came from an older woman I'd never met before who said, "Honey, you don't even look like you're in costume. You just look like those are the clothes you wear and that's who you are." 

Thank goodness, because these really are clothes I wear in my everyday life! In fact, every piece was already part of my wardrobe, though I hadn't put them all together in quite this fashion before. Rather, I typically mix vintage finds (like the 1960s orange crystal brooch) with newer pieces to create my own unique and (hopefully) somewhat timeless looks. 

The Poetic License shoes and embossed leather Fossil bag, both of which have a vintage feel but are only a few years old, are in regular rotation in my wardrobe, as are the cat eye sunglasses pictured below. The Pinup Couture dress I bought online some months ago because it's my favorite color of "Jody Orange." I love it, but it's turned out to be a little less versatile than I'd hoped because the neckline hits so low (exactly what Joan would wear to the office; me not so much). The feather pillbox hat is one of a number of vintage headpieces I've collected, and although Joan actually didn't wear many hats in Mad Men, I never pass up a good opportunity to wear one. After all, I still gotta be me...

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

Today I'm linked up with Hat Attack, and you may also enjoy these posts:

   

Skis, Schwinns & the Summer Skirt

A few weeks ago was the annual "Feast 'n Ski" at Heritage Lake - our neighborhood's version of a Block Party. Along with a ski and wakeboard show featuring local kids, adults, and sometimes even dogs, there are exhibitions by professional skiers and wakeboarders; a kids' casting competition; and a live band. The yearly celebration is also a significant, volunteer-run community fundraiser that helps keep our lake clean, safe and stocked with all manner of freshwater fish.  

It's fun to see local waterbugs demonstrating their skills and having fun at the annual neighborhood Feast 'n Ski. (Photo courtesy of Paul Corsaro)

I volunteered to help sell and serve food this year - a fun way to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and contribute in a small way to the community. I'd hoped to take some pictures of the festivities, but the stream of hungry picnickers was steady, and I was so busy counting change and chatting with neighbors that I never even looked at my phone, let alone stopped to take photos. The talent of our local kids (young and old) is actually pretty remarkable, though, so I'm sharing the above photo captured by a friend across the cove.

This retro print skirt from Amazon comes in other prints, too.

I was also too busy to take any photos when I got caught up in the afternoon's live auction. It was a shiny reproduction of a classic Schwinn that caught my eye.

   

Had it been a regular old road bike, I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought. I already have a perfectly good Cannondale, after all. But the vintage style really captured my imagination, and neighbors who know me a little too well were quick to point out that it was the perfect complement to my retro skirt. It was also my favorite color of "Jody orange." Did I mention that? And it was for a good cause, so that's something, right?

Nearly this whole ensemble consists of bargain finds, and only the skirt is new this season. The shoes are from Target; the necklace (a perfect complement to the striped hats in the fabric) is from Burlington Coat Factory; and my straw hat is from WalMart. Style is not about how much you spend!

Let the bidding frenzy begin! Ultimately, I came to my senses and let the bronze beauty go to a gentleman from the north end of the lake despite a small crowd egging me on about how well the bike matched my outfit. I mean, really, who buys a $350 bike to go with a $16 skirt?! I'm fairly certain I'd have had buyer's remorse had I won, good cause or not. I hope the winning bidder feels good about the healthy contribution he made to the Lake Committee fund. Though somehow I doubt he'll be riding around the neighborhood in a vintage summer skirt. Hmmm, wonder if he'd like to trade it for a Cannondale...? 

As for the skirt, it's been a staple of my wardrobe this Summer. It's lightweight cotton and washes beautifully, but it's the fun print that's had me reaching for it over and over again. For less than $20 from Amazon with free shipping, to boot, it was an undeniable bargain. 

I don't think I could have said the same about the Schwinn, but I'm still keeping my eye out for another one...

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

Today I'm linked up with Hat Attack, and you may also enjoy these posts:
  

Share a Coke; Save the Girl

Creative recycling, with sparkle!

Last Summer, I dropped a two liter bottle of Diet Coke on the concrete floor of my local Kroger and sent a geyser of the delicious but sticky caramel liquid spewing all over me and every patron in a 20 foot radius. You're familiar with the ad campaign, "Share a Diet Coke with...?" Let's just say I don't think my fellow shoppers appreciated my literal but messy interpretation of the concept. (Amazingly enough, at least, these pants survived the debacle without permanent stains)

Meet Millie!

This Summer, I've discovered a more creative (and deliberate) way to share a Diet Coke (or any soda of choice). Meet Millie Trent. Millie is a recent graduate of Avon High School who designs, fabricates, and sells creative jewelry made primarily from recycled soda cans. Some of the pieces, like my Diet Coke bracelet, display an obvious nod to their saccharine roots. While others, like her signature heart charm bracelets, are more subtle.

I wanted a bracelet that proudly showed its origin, but other jewelry Millie makes is more subtle.

In addition to her creative, entrepreneurial spirit, Millie also has deep empathy for the disadvantaged, and has made the bold, philanthropic decision to donate the proceeds from the sale of her jewelry to Care India's Save the Girl program. The mission of this program is to help Indian girls, who are often treated as second-class citizens, complete their education and break the chain of poverty that limits the choices of so many. Meanwhile, Millie, now a college Freshman, is working her way through her own education with a job at Monster Mini Golf.

The colorful heart charm bracelet is Millie's signature piece, but she's always adding new designs.

I met Millie at Danville's Handmade Market last month, and was enamored with her fun, clever pieces. She didn't have a Diet Coke bracelet at the time, but she happily took the can I had just finished as I browsed the stalls and used it to make one just for me (I had to pick it up a few days later, because I wanted it "with sparkles," of course, and those take time to prepare and dry). While she was at it, I also had her make a Diet Dr. Pepper bracelet as a surprise for my friend, Stephanie, who for indiscernible reasons prefers that beverage to my beloved DC...(I actually like Diet Dr. Pepper, too, Stephanie)

Millie can make jewelry from the beverage can of your choice.

You can check out more of Millie's recycled jewelry on her website, as well as find out about upcoming exhibits of her work. You can also join Millie and me on Wednesday, September 16th from 6 to 9 pm in downtown Indianapolis for "Recycle with Red." For just $20, the net proceeds of which will go to Save the Girl, Millie will lead you through the process of making a unique recycled necklace and bracelet of your own design, and I'll serve light refreshments to fuel your creative juices. Spots are limited for this special event. Reserve yours with an RSVP to RSDiaries@yahoo.com. I hope to see you!

Can't make it on September 16th (or even if you can), but want a chance to win your own recycled soda can bracelet featuring the beverage of your choice? Like Millie's Jewelry for Save the Girl page on FaceBook; share this blog post to your FaceBook page; and let me know you did so. I'll pick one lucky entrant at random on September 1st.

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!

You may also like these posts:
 

Prep Shoe Diaries

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it. That is my fundamental fashion philosophy, hence the refrain at the end of each blog post. Style is personal, and doesn't have to cost a mint. It also doesn't have much to do with what's "in style" at any given time (which is why you'll never catch me in thigh high boots or skinny jeans - they may be "in style" but they just aren't "my style," even if I admire them on others). 

Style is in the details: Bag (Brahmin); Watch (Skagen, with custom designed watch band); Pink and green tourmaline ring (Taxco Sterling);Bridle bit leather bracelet (Churchill Downs Gift Shop); Rough cut emerald and freshwater pearl necklace (Ross-Simons); Monogram necklace (Ross-Simons)

Sometimes the "what you do with it" of style can be as simple as mixing two unexpected pieces or colors, or even wearing something in an unexpected way. Take this dress from eShakti, for example. It's a perfectly preppy little sundress with bold stripes that is very "me." Yet, when I first got it I noticed that the low cut square neckline gaped in a way that made me self-conscious. I don't like to wear anything that I have to constantly fuss over or "adjust," but I absolutely loved the dress other than the way the neckline laid. My solution - wear it backwards! It zips on the side, so if I hadn't just told you, you'd never know. The neckline in the back was higher and laid flatter - et voila, perfectly comfortable; perfectly me; just my style.

Lindsay Phillips SwitchFlops are my favorite summer slip-ons - the straps are interchangeable to match any outfit!

In fact, the bold stripes and fit 'n flare, retro vibe are so very "me" that I also own the dress in red, orange, navy, and mustard. Maybe that's overkill, but I loved ALL the colors. With a buy three, get two free special deal from eShakti, I just had to taste the rainbow.... Beyond reasonable prices and stellar deals, another great feature about this online retailer is the ability to customize features of the piece you're buying, such as sleeve length, hem length, neckline, and whether you want pockets or not. (Next time I'll choose a different neckline, at no additional charge).

This dress exemplifies my personal style, and I've paired it with multiple complimentary colors beyond this preppy pop of pink and navy (accessories are key to creating different looks even with a bold dress like this one). The last time I wore it, I was meeting a friend I'd not seen other than in the virtual world of social media for many years. She said she caught a glimpse of the dress from the back and knew it had to be me before she even saw my face. Similarly, a friend's husband saw me from a distance in a different sundress as I was headed to the Indy 500 this year and later said he immediately thought it must be me, but wasn't close enough to know for sure. He was right; it was me. Orson Welles said you should "create your own visual style...let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others." I didn't actually set out to make my style identifiable for others, but apparently I've managed to do just that. Style really is what you make it. 

You may also enjoy these posts:
  

My Kind of Camo

I have my moments of shy introversion, but I don't suppose you could say I'm a blend into the background kind of girl. And though I was raised a farm girl; like to shoot; and love our troops, I've never been much for camouflage gear, either. 

In fact, I think the only "camo" print I have ever owned is a hat (trimmed in pink, of course) that I wore as a show of solidarity with my newly enlisted baby brother when we took a sibling roadtrip to St. Louis just before he left for Basic Training. (Did I also mention I had pink camo fingernails that weekend?...) 

In any event, I was shocked to see how well this cotton sundress from Bernie Dexter coordinates with the woods beyond the deck on the side of our house. Inside, the bold English countryside print stands out for the quirky, unique piece that it is, but on the porch, I could almost pass for a one of Wyle E. Coyote's Roadrunner roadblocks! How's that for a blast from the past reference- I guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today. I think I'll go call my brother...

       

Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it! 

There's nothing shy about these sunshine yellow accessories, inside or out: Bracelet (Erwin Pearl); Ring (David Yurman); Shoes (Poetic License).

You may also like these posts: