Inspiration - The Great Gatsby

One of my favorite classic novels is The Great Gatsby.  I can't wait for the stylized movie version coming out May 10.  Maybe it's the portrayal of the decadent 20's or the fantastic fashion or maybe it's both.

I'm betting there will be an Oscar coming for the costume designers.  Period pieces always get a nod and this one is fantastic.  Custom Brooks Brothers suits, Tiffany diamonds, and Prada dresses. WOW!

Here is the trailer for the movie.  Did I mention that I can't wait?



In case you need to brush up on the characters and their relationship, this character map is like the Cliffs Notes version. I highly recommend reading the book. 

 

The Great Gatsby character map

I'm definitely going to have to do a bit of research on 20's fashion.  I've seen some real life photos from that time period.  The grandmother of an ex was an honest to goodness flapper and a fantastic lady.  She was definitely ahead of her time.  The photo I saw was her standing next to her first car (bought with her own money) wearing a beaded shift dress and a cloche hat.  Fantastic! She resigned from her job at the newspaper (she was a journalist) when they refused to allow her to write anything but the society column. She wanted to write hard news stories. So cool to meet and know groundbreaking women like her.

Here is a link to the Vintage Fashion Guild's page on 1920's fashion.

My Holiday Must Haves - Every Year

The Holidays for me are about memories and spending time with those I love.  I'm not usually super sentimental and mushy but the Holidays bring back some of that out in me.  We have some family traditions that have existed since I was a child. Some of those have changed because of our lives as adults but {msL} and I have created some of our own traditions.  There are a few things that are must haves for me during this time of year.

I love Holiday decorations but I hate spending tons of time to put them up, just to have to take them down a couple of weeks later.  Because of this, my decorations have become more simple over the years.  I create easy to put up and take down displays that are festive but no stress.  I use lots of glittery ornaments and candles and lights.

A few nights before Christmas every year, {msL} and I hop in the car and drive around drinking coffee or hot cocoa.  We listen to Holiday music and look for the most tacky and over the top Holiday lights we can find.  It's so much fun and really puts me in the Holiday mood. Tacky Light Tour can help you locate displays in your neighborhood. If you live in the DC area check out Holly's Tacky Christmas Lights and don't miss Christmas on 34th St. in Baltimore.  Make a fun evening out of your drive to Baltimore. It's fantastic.

Christmas and Holiday movies are a must have for me.  The nostalgic childhood cartoons like Rudolph and Frosty are fun.  Classics like Holiday Inn and It's a Wonderful Life always top the list.  Over the years I've added some favorites.  The Holidays aren't complete without watching A Christmas Story, Elf or Christmas Vacation.  I also have to throw in a dysfunctional family movie like Home for the Holidays or The Family Stone.  These movies are fun and always make me smile.

The Holidays aren't complete without music. There are so many great ways to get free Holiday music, no matter what type you love.  You can create your own channel on Pandora. Amazon is giving away free Holiday music downloads for 25 days in December.  Just check here every 5 days for the new downloads. Check out a list of ways to get free Holiday music, here.

How do you celebrate the Holidays?

Inspiration - The Hunger Games

This weekend marks the opening of the highly anticipated movie, The Hunger Games.  If you haven't read the books, I highly recommend all three. They are quick, easy reads and they're riveting. I couldn't put them down. What I love most about these books is that the female heroine, Katniss Everdeen is strong, tough and driven by her love of family, friendship and loyalty instead of (as many recent heroines) by a boy.  There is love in the story background but it is secondary. She's a great literary role model for young girls.  She's determined, loving, and honorable.

Many times I don't hold out much hope when a beloved book comes to the big screen. This time, I'm excited.  I am looking forward to seeing how the books have been translated for movie audiences. In honor of the movie, I thought I'd pull together some items inspired by Katniss' wardrobe.  All of these items could hold out through many seasons and trends. 

An anorak jacket is on trend this season. The leather gives it an edge and it's an item that could be worn for many years.  Braids are the hairstyle of choice for Katniss.  You can create your own version using clear elastics and bobby pins that match your own hair color.  Katniss is the "Girl On Fire" in a red dress during her introduction at the Capitol.  This red dress could take you to a great party.  A versatile backpack can store your laptop or your carry on items for the airplane. Cargo pants are perfect for a hike in the woods or around town on errands.  A zip pull over is the perfect work out top.  Black patent ballet flats are truly a classic piece of footwear.  I don't know what I ever did without a pair of lug sole boots.  They look cute with a skirt and I love them over jeans.  Three neutral shades from the China Glaze Hunger Games collection. Panem may be the future but the style can translate to today.

Will you be seeing The Hunger Games?

Frugal Fashion Friday - Free (or Almost Free) FUN!

Today is Frugal Fashion Friday but instead of fashion, today is all about FUN!  I love doing things that I enjoy that are free or almost free.  I thought I'd compile a list of the things that I love just for you all.  This weekend you can try them out, no matter where you live and they are all budget friendly.  I even have a few ideas for Valentine's Day gifts. It's a very popular holiday and one of the biggest days to give gifts. I have a confession to make, I think Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday.  I think that you should tell your special someone "I Love You" every day. But my Honey is a big mushball and loves Valentine's Day so I celebrate for her.

At the County Fair - we cashed in our change for the entry fee and a ride on the Ferris wheel

Create a Carpet Picnic -  Grab your favorite goodies and create your very own indoor picnic.You don't have to cook a full dinner, you could just do snacks and finger food.  If you're feeling adventurous, you could create your own campfire using a Sterno can.  Using the Sterno heat you could cook hot dogs, and s'mores. Just grab a can of Sterno and put it into a heat proof dish. I use a ramekin and a plate underneath.  You can purchase a pack of wood skewers from your local grocery store for a few dollars.  Grab your hot dogs, marshmallows, and other items. Then light your Sterno and you're ready to go.

Visit an Art Gallery or Art Museum - In the DC area the Smithsonian museums are completely free. It's one of the most amazing things about living here.  Check your area for free or low cost museum admission. If you don't live near a free museum, check out a local art gallery.  It will be a great place to see new and emerging artists and it's free! You can also Google "free art museums" and you'll get results for your city or all over.

When I think of art and romantic gestures I always think of the movie Some Kind of Wonderful. Keith paints a picture of Amanda and gets a friend's dad to hang it in the art museum. The dad lets them into the museum after hours and the painting is hanging in the gallery. That's not my favorite scene in the movie but it's a good one.  If you haven't watched it, you should.

Consult a Going out Guide - There are tons of apps for checking out the local happenings.   My favorites are the DC Going Out Guide and Got Eventz.  They are both free apps that provide info on local movies, music, events, restaurants and bars. The DC Going Out Guide is an extension of the Washington Post. Check your local paper or tv station they may have their own app. Got Eventz provides details nationwide.

Got Eventz Lite (free) App Interface

There are free apps for restaurant reviews and reservations like Urbanspoon and Open Table.  You can also use these great tools online.

In the mood for a movie? You can check movie times or buy your movie tickets on your phone or online using Fandango.

Progressive Dinner with Friends - Enlist a few of your friends to join with you in a progressive dinner.  Each house or apartment makes one course.  You travel to each location and enjoy.  The only cost for you is the course you have to make and possibly gas (if you need to drive). You can just plan a few courses or create a cocktail time along with your dinner and dessert.

Visit a Playground or Go Sledding - Nothing can bring out your playful side by doing something child like. Once my Honey was very stressed and I took her to the neighborhood playground to swing.  How can you be stressed when you are flying through the air on a swing like a five year old? Winter is also perfect for child like pursuits.  It doesn't cost you anything to grab a trash can lid or plastic bin lid and sled down the local hill.  When you're done, you can go home and make some adult hot chocolate. 


Snap Photos - If you have an iPhone or an Android you can use a photo app to create fun photos that you can post and print. Take photos of your fun. I have an iPhone so as you know I love Instagram.

You can download photos and print them out. Incredibooth  is another fun app.  It creates a photobooth on your iPhone or iPad.  Snap pictures together or of each other and save them for later. They make a great gift or even better, "just because". Incredibooth is only 99 cents on the app store. There are several different photo options available with the app. You can also buy add-ons if you'd like. Download your photos to your computer or email them and post them online or print them out.  The possibilities are endless. A great DIY!

There are tons of other photo apps available at different prices. I'm a fan of the free or low cost apps.  My service is through AT&T.  I'm very happy with the options and services I get through them. If you have an Android you can check out these cool, free, photo apps for Android.

If you don't have a smart phone, you can use the camera you own or use a disposable camera. You can have it processed as digital images to print or share online.

Create Your Own Card - If your an artist and can create amazing personal cards, I'm jealous! If art isn't your thing I have a simple solutions.  Use a blank piece of paper or card stock and clip phrases out of magazines and newspapers that express how you feel and add a picture or two (from the magazine or from your phone).  Write your own message inside. A handmade card is more personal than one you purchase. You don't have to be Picasso to cut fun phrases out of magazines. Just use your imagination and your DIY ideas. It doesn't have to be fancy, it's from the heart.

I love finding creative ways to have fun on a budget.  Creating unique and memorable gifts and memories is always special.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Last Minute Gifts for a Bargain

Have you ever gotten a gift from someone you didn't expect and felt the need to return the favor?  Or left someone off your Holiday list? Or just waited until the last minute to buy a gift and had to scramble? I have and it can throw even the most seasoned shopper into a panic. The thought of running to the store at the last minute, giving a terrible gift or going empty handed is the worst.  Gift cards can be a good solution. They are sold in every grocery and drugstore. But I think that with a little creativity a quick trip to the grocery or drugstore can yield a more personal gift. .

Clockwise from Top Left - For the Reader, For the Wine Lover, For the Traveler,  For the Movie Lover, For the Beauty Girl

• For the Reader - A Subscription to a Magazine: Pick up a magazine they will love from the store. Fill out the pre-paid card and drop it in the mailbox.  Wrap the magazine and attach a little card letting them know they will getting a gift subscription.
• For the Wine Lover - A Great Bottle of Wine and a Corkscrew: Pick their favorite bottle, red or white and grab a corkscrew.  Even grocery stores sell corkscrews.  
• For the Traveler - A Travel Case and Travel Size Toiletries:  Every drugstore has a nice selection of travel bags and sample size shampoos, lotions, and fragrances. Pick a pretty bag and pack it with all of their favorite items or new things they could try. Then the next time they hop on a flight, they'll think of you.
• For the Movie Lover - A Bag Filled with a DVD, Popcorn, Candy and Sodas: Grab a container or gift bag and pack it with a fun cult movie, like Rocky Horror, microwave popcorn, their favorite candy, and their favorite sodas.  
• For the Beauty Girl - A Container Filled with Everything they Need for a Manicure: Grab a cute bag or bin and fill it with fun nail polish, nail files, cuticle cream, polish remover, clippers, and any other manicure goodies you can think of. 

All of these items can be found at your corner grocery or drugstore.  With just a little thought, you can come up with a fun gift for anyone.  It will be a personal gift and you won't spend a fortune.

Happy Holidays and Happy Last Minute Shopping

Real Girls!!

With Kid Gloves

Over the past few seasons we've seen a resurgence in ladies wearing gloves. I for one am thrilled with this trend. As a little girl I saw pictures of my mom from the 50's and early 60's wearing gloves to events and even with her suits. When I recently told her about my love of gloves, she brought out a beautiful pair of black, leather, opera length gloves that she wanted me to have. I was devastated to learn that my hands are larger than hers and I couldn't wear them. This sad fact did little to deter me. The beauty of this trend revisited is that anything goes. Long, short, formal, informal, leather, satin, knit, bright colors and neutrals are all being seen on the runway and the street.

The trend hearkens back to the "ladies who lunch" aesthetic but it can be done in a modern way. I love old movies and one of my favorites is "Read Window" with Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly. That movie displayed everything that was beautiful about women's style at that time. Grace wore gloves with many of her costumes in the movie. She wore opera length gloves with a dress and shorter gloves with suits.

Grace Kelly "Rear Window" 1954 Paramount Pictures

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is another iconic image of a woman in gloves. The opening scene in her black dress and black opera length gloves has been often copied in movies and on the runway.

Audrey Hepburn "Breakfast at Tiffany's" 1961 Paramount Pictures

My quest has been to find great ways to modernize this vintage idea. Below I present a few of my favorite examples. The gloves don't have to be opera length or worn with a formal dress. This trend is hot as evidenced by it's inclusion in the fashion forward show "Gossip Girl". The character of Serena wore short gloves with a formal bridesmaid's dress for her mother's wedding. This look was straight off the runway (Ralph Lauren's Spring 2008 show).

I also adore the idea of long gloves with a coat or jacket that has shorter sleeves.

photo credit: Scott Schuman, The Satorialist, http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

The photo above was taken last winter in Paris. I became obsessed with adapting this look to my own style. I couldn't believe how hard it was to find gloves, at that time. This season, there are many glove options available. I purchased two pair of elbow length, knit gloves from Talbot's at the end of last winter, for a steal. As this trend has increased in popularity, more options are becoming available in the US. Of course you can spend a fortune but it's not necessary.

Nordstrom has a great selection, ranging from $28 - $148. My favorite are these short metallic gloves by Tarnish. At $110, they are a bit pricey so I am on the hunt for some less expensive options.

Kohl's has gloves available in the Simply Vera Wang line. If you catch a sale (which they have weekly) you can get them for as little as $15.00! I especially love these dyed, fingerless gloves.

The style of these gloves isn't ideal but how can you beat 100% cashmere gloves for $19.50?! You know Old Navy, these will go on sale soon, so look out for an even better deal.

We can always count on Target for great style at a great price. As I was typing this blog entry, I may have just found a great, low cost substitute for the pricey Tarnish gloves I mention above. Check these out at Target for only $17.99.

There are budget conscious options out there, you just have to hunt. Isn't the hunt half of the fun? Happy Hunting!