Cinderella Story

The grandeur of this year's Decorator Show House inspired me to pull out some of my favorite Spring skirts for my shifts as a volunteer docent. I'd share pictures of the fairy tale Meridian Street home, too, but I'd rather you see it in person!

I'm no princess. Not in any way, shape, or form. But last Sunday, for the briefest moment, I felt like one. I spent the day serving as a volunteer docent at the St. Margaret's Hospital Guild Decorator Show House. My post at the top of the stairway just off the entrance required me to periodically descend a few steps to maintain a smooth traffic flow for guests. At one point, as I came down the stairs wearing a full floral skirt and whimsical ice cream shoes (above middle), the five year old girl at the foot of the stairs exclaimed, "Mommy, a princess!"  Considering the fact that I'd been vacuuming those same stairs just an hour earlier, maybe she mistook me for Cinderella.... In any event, it gave me a chuckle. 

Skirt (Chicwish); Cardigan (Modcloth); Necklace (vintage); Shoes (ShoeDazzle)

And speaking of Cinderella stories, this year's show house is a classic one. The 1920 French provincial Meridian Street home has been restored and transformed by the designers into a beautiful, detail-filled space full of unique rooms worth lingering over. The home also has loads of historical character, with a grand central staircase and a Juliet balcony off the master bedroom that are most surely fit for a princess. If you haven't yet taken a tour, you haven't missed your chance. The home is open every day through Mother's Day, and all proceeds benefit Eskenazi Health Systems and its many programs for those in need of critical healthcare services. Find out more at www.showhouseindy.org. 

Skirt (Chicwish); Shoes (Irregular Choice); Purse (Bodhi); Cardigan (Modcloth); Necklace (vintage). Photos by Faith Blackwell Photography.

This is my second year working at the Decorator Show House as a member of St. Margaret's Guild. The Guild has been in continuous operation since 1907 and has donated more than 12 million dollars to Eskenazi over that time. It has been my honor to be part of this team of dedicated, design-loving women, and it's a delight to witness and play a part in the transformation of each year's chosen house. If you live in the Indianapolis area and would like to learn more about the Guild, feel free to send me an email. I'd love to tell you more, and we're always looking for new members!

Skirt (Chicwish); Cardigan (Nordstrom); Shoes (Poetic License); Necklace (vintage); Ring (David Yurman); Bracelet (Erwin Pearl); Purse (Bodhi)

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

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Boots & Ballet

Skirt (Eva Franco; Anthropologie); Jacket (Material Girl; Macy's); Boots (Sonora); T-shirt (Indian Motorcycles; vintage). Photo courtesy of Jones Photo.

I know people who are so busy "adulting" and striving to meet others' expectations in every facet of their lives that they've forgotten who they are...or at least, who they might be if they weren't so damned concerned with other people's opinions. Sometimes, that person is me.

I snapped this photo of a young girl I met last Summer at Silver in the City. I was inspired by her boots and ballet attire - an ensemble that spoke to my own inner child.

With my personal style, at least, I've pretty much gotten over other people's opinions (and excepting critical first impression situations like a job interview, but that's a topic for another day). I wear what makes me smile: like this fluffy, embroidered tulle skirt from Anthropologie...with cowboy boots and a vintage Indian Motorcycle t-shirt. Admittedly, it's a combination my 9 year old, horse-crazy self might have put together while pretend ice skating and twirling around my bedroom until my Mom came upstairs to see why the dining room chandelier was shaking. But you know what? My 40 something self still likes it. 

Photo courtesy of Jones Photo.

When you're looking for your own personal style, don't forget to ask yourself whether you like something because YOU like it and because it makes you feel like yourself, or whether you like it because someone else says you should!

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

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A Black & White Affair

Cocktail Dress (Chi Chi London; Modcloth); velvet bolero (Alex Evenings; Nordstrom)

April showers bring May flowers and a riot of Spring color: lavendar lilacs; pink peonies; tulips in every color of the rainbow. Even the weeds sprout sunny yellow hues, not that the color makes the dandelions dotting my front lawn any less irritating...    

Shoes (Lauren Lorraine; Zappos)

Along with the change of Seasons comes a change of wardrobe. In most cities, local boutiques are chock full of colors and prints that echo the brightness of the Season. But May in Indianapolis is all about black and white, even for a color-lover like me. 

The cocktail hat looks vintage, but it's actually an eBay find. I added a crystal butterfly brooch from a vintage shop for a bit of extra sparkle.

Yes, May in the Circle City means fast cars, Donald Davidson, and wardrobe options from tank tops and t-shirts to tuxedos and evening gowns that evoke the iconic checkered flag that signals victory at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, aka the Indianapolis 500. 

The embroidery of the Chi Chi London dress is white, but the underlying fabric is the palest silver grey, which pairs well with the crystal encrusted silver heels.

In the past two decades, I've rarely missed the Indy 500, and you'll usually find me at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Carb or Pole day, too. And yes, it's more likely than not I'll be sporting black and white.

This year, the Circle City celebrates the 100th running of the largest one-day sporting event in the world, and the pomp and circumstance surrounding the race is in overdrive. As one site accurately describes, the Greatest Spectacle in Racing "is actually the culmination of a month long event. It begins the first week in May with the Mayor's breakfast and parade around the Speedway" followed by qualifications, practice days, and lots and lots of black and white. 

A 1930s white gold and diamond watch by Wyler from an estate; a vintage art deco brooch; and $2 crystal earrings (that's not a typo - two bucks!) from Gordman's complete this black and white ensemble.

The highlight of the Saturday night before the race is the Snakepit Ball - a black and white themed, televised red carpet affair at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. This year's sold out Ball, hosted by Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, promises to be a spectacle in its own right. Hmmmm...what to wear, what to wear? I really love this heavily embroidered white and silver cocktail dress from Chi Chi London, especially accented with black details.  But, I just wore it last month to a fundraiser. Without question I'll wear it again (and again), but I've got something else in mind for May 28... stay tuned!

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

An Easter Rose from Grandma B

Grandma Betty would have loved this floral brocade coat dress from Byron Lars. It's my favorite piece from his Fall/Winter 2015 collection.

This is my family's first Easter without our beloved Grandma Betty. We lost her at Christmas after one final holiday next to her husband of 65 years and surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She lived a full and genuine life, and I'm grateful she'll spend this Easter in Heaven without the ever present physical pain that plagued her for so long. Yet, I know I'll feel her absence at the dinner table today, and perhaps more during our after dinner euchre games (though perhaps I'll finally have a chance to win - the woman was nothing if not a card player...)

Coat Dress (Byron Lars, Enza's Boutique); Purse (Charming Charlie); Boots (J.Lo, an eBay find)

Though she's no longer with us physically, I know that Grandma B remains with me in spirit. In fact, just a few days ago she gave me one last Easter rose. It came in the midst of a no good, very bad, if someone looks at me cross-eyed I'll cry kind of day. You know the ones. In any event, I was cleaning out a desk drawer, mindlessly clearing out physical clutter as a surrogate for the clutter in my mind: expired credit cards; highlighters that no longer highlight; inspiration pages torn from magazines that no longer inspired; more paperclips than any rational person can use in a lifetime; and a single white envelope addressed to me that I didn't recognize. I opened it to find an Easter card and a small white handkerchief embroidered with a rose. It was from Grandma Betty.

Necklace (The Secret Ingredient); I embellished the ivory booties with brooches from Premier Designs (thanks to my friend and Premier Designs jewelry rep Sherrell Bundy Smith!)

I had completely forgotten about it, and cannot imagine how it ever found its way into that particular desk drawer. Inside, she'd written a letter that covered nearly all of the white space. Though dated 2011, Grandma Betty's words were exactly what I needed to hear right that very moment. She always did know just what to say, and just when to say it. Apparently she knew I needed her that day, and there she was with her own brand of unconditional love and even a hankie to dry my tears. An Easter blessing, indeed.

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

My Easter handkerchief from Grandma Betty is a treasure.

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London Bridges

Both this Union Jack bag from Charming Charlie and the World Map necklace from ModCloth remind me how important travel is in my life; Pleated leather skirt (Nordstrom); Turtleneck (Kasper outlet); Boots (Diba, Zappos). 

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." ~Mark Twain.

These words resonate deeply with me, and I count my travel experiences among the most educational of my life, be it for study, vacation, or business. This is true not only for more exotic destinations like Australia and India, but also for sojourns wholly American but unique unto themselves. I find that whenever I have stepped outside my comfort zone and allowed myself to be open to different experiences and all types of people, the tapestry of my life has each time become immensely richer for it. As my dear friend Deborah Dorman always says, "Try it. You might like it!"

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

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Tickling the Ivories

These booties were designed by Turkish brand Gobi. I discovered them on Zulilly

Tickling these ivories may just result in a swift kick, even if you're Harry Connick, Jr.... Well, maybe if you're Harry Connick, Jr....

My love for music of all sorts is as deep as my musical talent is shallow. Oh how I wish I could play the piano. And the guitar. And the drums....But you know what they say: if you can't play it, wear it! Wait, I'm pretty sure no one says that but me.

The red leather and calf hair safety pin clutch is from Bodhi (I love it so much I have it in orange, pink, yellow and black, too. Sadly, they are very rare and no longer made so eBay is the best bet to find one); Polka Dot Skirt (Eva Franco from Enza's Boutique)

Music moves me. The right music can make or break my mood. I have theme music that plays on a loop in my head a la the characters in Ally McBeal, though my personal soundtrack is ever evolving and wildly eclectic (my getting ready to go out music, for example, is currently a mix of Bruno Mars, Kenny Chesney, Lenny Kravitz and Maroon 5). 

I've worn a piano skirt from Modcloth with argyle boots in the winter and sandals in the Summer, but the piano shoes plus the piano skirt might be a bit overkill even for me; Lace Cardigan (Macy's); Striped Bag (Kate Spade)

A catchy tune in the grocery store will have me dancing unconsciously in the aisles...last week at Meijer a favorite Prince song resulted in a sideways glance and a chuckle from the elderly couple looking for laundry detergent next to me. I'm sure I blushed a bit, but when I rounded the corner to pick up toilet paper one aisle over I didn't slow the spring in my step. Music makes the mundane more manageable!

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

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Hoops & Boots

My beloved Hoosiers play their first NCAA tournament game tonight, but my candy stripe Adidas warm up pants look a little less than lawyerly...

So when I want to show support for my school but maintain office appropriate professionalism, I might pair a cream and crimson T with a conservative black blazer, a classic Burberry skirt, and monogrammed riding boots.

Big meeting with a Kentucky fan I need on my side? No problem - button the blazer and the "pitchfork" hides underneath like the "S" hiding under Clark Kent's shirt and tie.

As for those candystripe warm up pants - they'll be back on by game time, and following a Hoosier victory I'll crawl beneath my candy stripe flannel sheets (not even kidding) for "Sweet 16" dreams.

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

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