The Fish are Biting in France

Hat (Wal-Mart for $7.99, seriously.  For serious hat inspiration, check out Style Crone's Hat Attack!); Carnelian necklace (Overstock.com); Dress (Macy's)

Despite my fondness for sensational shoes and sundresses, I'm not particularly prissy.  I'm not afraid to get dirty; I actually like camping in a tent; and I own (and wear) more baseball caps than Derby hats.  

Leather bracelet (Indianapolis Museum of Art Gift Shop)

One of my biggest disappointments in college was not getting a summer job as a camp counselor.  I thought my interview went well, but found out later that one of the interviewers, who I knew only casually at the time, was concerned that I was too much of a "girly girl" to handle a summer with no air-conditioning, muddy kids, mosquito bites, and bunking in a communal cabin.  When we later became roommates and close friends, she admitted to me that her assessment was based on the way that I dressed for the interview (blackwatch plaid skirt, navy tights, cable-stitched cardigan) and the fact that I had long red fingernails.  After a weekend of camping and white water rafting together in Kentucky, she also admitted she'd been wrong.  Talk about a living lesson in the importance of clothing to first impressions...

Sandals (Lindsay Phillips Switchflops with custom floral embellishments)

In any event, despite the pride I take in my "tomboy" side, and the fact that I've never had a problem baiting my own hook or taking my own catch off the line, I screamed like a little girl last week (during a "spa treatment" of all things) when I plunged my feet into a tub filled with hundreds of tiny biting fish.  

Have you heard of the "fish pedicure?"  I had heard of the treatment (ironically enough, from the same woman who quashed my camp counselor dreams), but had never really given much thought to it.  Last week, however, during a spectacular holiday with friends on an island in the French Riviera, the opportunity presented itself.  I was a little squeamish, but our hostess, who runs a gallery next door to the fish spa, generously arranged for me to try it out...and then delighted in taking pictures while I squirmed and squealed!  

My initial reaction to hundreds of fish swarming my feet was to squeal and laugh uncontrollably, but after a minute or so I was able to gain my composure.  It was most definitely a different sort of experience.

The brochure touts the treatment as one that increases circulation; detoxifies; decreases the appearance of scars; and exfoliates.  The bottom line is that hundreds of tiny garra rufa fish nibble the dead skin from your tootsies, resulting in the removal of callouses and the like.  Ewwww.  I'm still slightly grossed out by the smorgasbord I apparently provided these miniature carp.  

So what does it feel like?  I was never afraid it would hurt; I did think it might tickle (my feet are very ticklish).  As it turns out, it actually feels like the "pins and needles" feeling you get when your feet fall asleep.  The most disconcerting thing is that when you spread your toes apart, the fish will swarm in between them and then you're afraid to relax them because you might squish the fish.  Again, ewwww.

Ultimately, I did think my feet felt softer when the fish were done feasting, though not any softer than with a traditional pedicure.  Would I do it again?  Well, the traditional pedicure also comes with the added benefit of a foot and lower leg massage (the best part), so in the future I'll probably stick to nibbling on fish instead of the other way around.

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

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No Return a Dress

  

Returning things you've decided you don't want, don't need, or don't like is a pain in the behind.  But, for the most part, it's definitely worth the effort.  After all, no one wants to leave money hanging in their closet unworn and unappreciated.  Sometimes, though, I just don't get around to it, especially if it was a low dollar investment (not that all those bargain buys don't add up, and it's no bargain if you don't actually wear it...)

This pink and orange number, purchased in the summer of 2011, is one of those items I intended to return but never did.  I didn't love it when I bought it (which should have been enough to keep me from buying it to begin with).  But, I'd just learned I needed to leave on short notice for a two week business trip to India.  It was the height of monsoon season and incredibly hot, so I knew I wanted to pack clothing that was lightweight; didn't wrinkle; took up very little space in my suitcase; and was culturally acceptable.  This maxi dress was the first one I tried during a quick, pre-flight shopping trip.  It fit all my criteria and was clearance priced, to boot.

Ring (Payless); Dress (INC, Macy's); Shoes (Tommy Hilfiger, Zappos); Bracelet (Macy's)

Despite the fact that it made the trek half-way round the world with me, I didn't end up wearing it.  I'd been in such a hurry to prep for the trip that I hadn't even bothered to remove the tags when I packed it, so I thought I'd return it.  After all, I didn't love it, and it's not a dress I'd have purchased had it not been for the unexpected excursion.

I don't know why I never did get around to returning it.  I had no desire to keep and wear it, yet I can't say I forgot about it.  The errand remained on my "to do" list, but somehow never seemed to make it to the top (I am a ridiculous list-maker, just short of being that person who makes a list of the lists they need to make).  I wasn't too worried about prioritizing the return since it didn't cost much and the department store I bought it at has a fairly generous return policy.  But, I have to admit three years is probably unreasonable even for the most customer focused store...


Carnelian and glass bead necklace (Overstock.com)

So when I pulled it out this summer during a closet reorganization, I decided to try it on one last time.  Lo and behold, this time around I really liked it...liked it enough that if I'd been trying it on in a store that day, I'd have bought it (again).  Suddenly, I didn't know why I ever wanted to return it, and why I hadn't ever worn it before.  I wore it the very next day, and packed it for my European adventure this Summer.  Maybe the dress just needed to age, like a fine wine... or maybe it was me that aged, and my evolving taste changed my opinion of the dress.  Either way, in this case my procrastination paid off.

Perusing the fresh produce at a street vendor in Como, Italy.  I may not have worn it in India, but it turned out to be a great dress for cross-continental travel after all.
Fashion is what you buy; Style is what you do with it!


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The Full Monty

Dress courtesy of Karina Dresses.  It's a perfect dress for packing (no wrinkles), and it has pockets!

The "Full  Monty" - it's not what you think, at least not in the context of Red's Shoe Diaries!  I'll leave the more traditional definition to that similarly titled 1990s Showtime series.  For me, "Monty" will always be the enormous, mouse-eating python that lived in Mr. Randak's Freshman biology class.  Like this blog, Monty's name was wordplay for a pop culture reference.  Monty Python -get it?!  It's probably not terribly original to name a python Monty, but my 15 year old self thought it was brilliant.  I've always loved a good play on words - it's probably one of the reasons I liked Mr. Randak and his class so much, though I also liked feeding the snake and the fact that I sat next to a boy I had a huge crush on...

I can't get enough of these Poetic License shoes - I have three different color schemes in this style.  They are incredibly comfortable, and I can't resist a spectator.  It was total coincidence that the snakeskin leather on the heels is a perfect match to the patterned dress.

Come to think of it, that boy had a lot in common with Mr. Randak.  They both had very muscular forearms (I know this is a really weird observation - don't judge), and he was good with wordplay, too, once cracking up our entire Speech and Lit class during a discussion of Great Expectations when he mentioned that narrator Pip moved away from the "marsh" and now lived by the Kroger (admittedly, this is a reference that only a Hoosier is likely to understand).  The Speech and Lit teacher did not think it was as funny as I did, but then again, the Speech and Lit teacher did not appreciate how cute this boy was. 

I also have this Bodhi bag in three colors- when I like something, I really like it; The Aqua Master watch was a bargain Overstock purchase to celebrate my first jury trial victory several years ago; The SunChip-inspired sterling silver pendant on a black leather cord was handmade by local Indianapolis jewelry artist Dani Fishman - you can find her spectacular pieces at GoldMine Jewelers.

Why am I telling you any of this?  Monty was the first thing I thought of when I received this snakeskin print dress from Karina in the mail.  I have a tendency to involuntarily word associate, so thinking about the python led me down memory lane.  It also increased the frequency with which I have randomly spouted Monty Python quotes of late...you can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you! 

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

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French Navy

Sweater (Lauren Ralph Lauren); Editor Pants (The Limited)

This morning, I'm headed to Europe for a holiday with dear friends from Germany.  We'll spend a bit of time in Duetschland and Switzerland (plus a stop in Lake Como, Italy to visit my pal George Clooney), but most of our vacation will be spent soaking up the sun on an island in the French Riviera.  Well, everyone else will be soaking up the sun...this fair-skinned redhead will be slathered in SPF 70 and wearing a big hat.  Not that I'm complaining - I've been looking forward to this trip for months, and I love wearing big hats!  

The last time I was in France, I was 22 years old and backpacking around Europe on my own.  After getting hopelessly lost in Paris and leaving in tears without even visiting the Eiffel Tower, I left my passport, traveler's checks, Eurail Pass and camera on a train in Monaco (thankfully, they were retrieved by another backpacker and returned to me, for which I'll be forever grateful).  This time around, I'm looking forward to sleeping in real hotels rather than youth hostels, and traveling with companions who know exactly where we're going!

In anticipation of spending time in the Cote d'Azur, it was only fitting that I channeled the spirit of the French Navy last week with an iconic nautical look.  My Breton striped Ralph Lauren sweater may seem as American as apple pie, but it's actually a historical nod to the French Navy's adoption of striped uniforms in 1858.  Coco Chanel introduced the design to the fashion world in 1917 after a visit to the French coast inspired her nautical runway collection.  Adopted by affluent Europeans in the 30s; beatniks in the 50s and 60s; and featured in countless films, the style has an enduring quality that's never out of fashion.  It has also been popularized by iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe, Pable Picasso, Bridgette Bardot, Andy Warhol, Jean Seberg, Audrey Hepburn, and James Dean (click on the links to see how they wore the look).  Intrigued by the history of these stripes?  You can read more about it here! 

Spectators (Steinmart); Watch (Steinmart); Sapphire and Diamond Ring (Ross-Simons); Pearl ring (Princess Cruise purchase)

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

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The Butterfly Effect

Blouse (eBay); Capris (Ann Taylor); Sandals (Rack Room Shoes)

This summer I've noticed an abundance of butterflies everywhere I go, and they seem to be drawn to me.  As much as I'd like to imagine they're following me around like Snow White's forest creatures, I'm no princess (and if I could be a princess, it would be Merida, not Snow White).  To tell the truth, I'm not sure if they like me or hate me and are trying to attack!  On a recent golf outing, a monarch continually circled my head while I was teeing off, and a small yellow butterfly landed on my skirt and clung on for dear life, hitching a ride for a few hundred yards in the golf cart.  Do butterflies poop?  Maybe it was pooping on me... Regardless, its delicate, colorful wings perched on my thigh reminded me of these embroidered silk shantung capris from Ann Taylor.  I've had them since 2001, but they've been cocooned at the back of my closet and I haven't worn them for a couple of years.  

I picked up the blouse last Winter to go with a long blackwatch plaid skirt, but those pieces didn't end up working together, and I left it hanging in my closet, unworn.  So, I was excited to discover how well the peplum waist and satin-edged, ruffled neckline of my eBay find paired with the mariposa and dragonfly-adorned pants.  It feels like a brand new outfit: reborn like a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly...

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

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The Bell Curve

With one notable exception during my scholastic endeavors, I was never a fan of bell curve grading (ironically, the exception was a statistics class)...  but I do love the curve of this bell-shaped ponte knit skirt from Anthropologie.  To be honest, I didn't expect a skirt shaped like the Liberty Bell and stiff enough to stand up on its own to be flattering (true story - it looks like a little green shrub in the corner of my closet).  But, the store's online reviews for it are almost universally glowing - with every shopper touting the high waist and bell shape as most loved features.  It's been offered in different colors over several seasons, all of which have sold out quickly, and second-hand options from eBay are selling for near retail price.

Blouse (Tommy Hilfiger);Skirt (Anthropologie); Bag (Bodhi); Belt (eBay); Watch (Embassy); Necklace (Grace Boutique, vintage)

I chose it not just for the unique shape and fabric, but because it was the perfect complement to this circa 1997 Tommy Hilfiger blouse, a favorite purchase from my law school days moonlighting as a sales clerk at the now defunct Parisian.  In fact, I like it even more now than I did when I first brought it home 17 years ago (I guess polka dot prints really are timeless).

Typically, I'd have reached for my kelly green suede Coach bag to finish the look (see it below), but I decided to break the curve with a bold tangerine safety pin clutch from Bodhi.  The result is much more fun and highlights the truly unique bag.  Don't be afraid to add the unexpected!

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

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Pippi Golfstocking

Dress (J. G. Hook); Cardigan (Jessica Howard); Belt (eBAy); Orange python cuff (Diego Rocha); Ponytail holders (courtesy of some lovely houseguest who forgot them!)

I don't know if it was the citrus striped Mary Janes; the circus bright color combination; the fact that I'd be going straight from the office to the golf course in 85 degree weather and wanted my hair off my neck; or if I was possessed by the spirit of Pippi Longstocking (one of my favorite ginger haired childhood heroines), but yesterday I made a spur of the moment decision to wear my hair in pigtails.  This might not seem like a big deal, but I literally have not worn my hair this way since grade school.  And, yes, I'm using the term "literally" in the correct manner...have you noticed how often people misuse it?  It drives me crazy, but not "literally crazy."  It actually just annoys me quite a bit. 

Mary Janes (Poetic License, with custom monogram clips from Etsy); Golf shoes (Callaway, with custom kilties)

I have to say, this hairstyle certainly shortened my morning routine.  I didn't time it, so I can't say that it was "literally" a three minute hairdo, but it can't have taken much more than that.  Bonus points for extra time under the covers (have I mentioned I'm not a morning person?!)  It's definitely not an everyday 'do, but a nice change from a standard pony tail and maybe a little more polished looking (despite the juvenile sounding description...isn't there a better term than pigtails?)

I love this fun, tulip-shaped headcover by Winner Edge Designs - it protects my new driver and coordinates with my golf bag and the orange grips on my irons.

Speaking of saving time, I don't like to mess with lugging a change of clothes with me to the office, so I try to make sure whatever I wear to work will make a smooth transition for any after-hours activities on the calendar.  I can't always accomplish this - I once attended a Killers concert in a black pinstripe business suit and felt like the only adult in a sea of skinny jeans-clad teenagers (though I don't think I was "literally" the only adult).  I also can't really get away with wearing my softball uniform to the office.  But for golf, it's pretty easy to get by with only a change of shoes.  Literally!

Then and now:  even my beloved childhood dog Cinnamon, an Irish Setter, was a redhead; the bottom photo was taken at Service Merchandise (remember that place?) when my parents were testing out polaroid cameras.  I don't remember wearing pigtails much after that, though I did have some unfortunate banana clip 'dos in middle school.

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

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