Too hot for clothes!

   So much for style. Its just too hot!!!  And humid!!! Going naked has more appeal than getting dressed... clothes are just too warm to wear. And it isn't even August yet. Oh my!  Same for most jewelry. It absorbs the heat from my skin and intensifies it!   Did I forget to mention the heat rash? It feels HORRIBLE!!!  And my part-time job is doing pack out in a bakery.... in front of those big ovens.  I tell you, I'm really hating the heat right now.

    In contrast, or maybe because of all this heat, I've been obsessing on Autumnal colors. My last couple of trips to the thrift shop have yielded several blouses in that color range.  Earthy pumpkin orange is calling to me! hahaha 
 

 

 

Well, its a start. chuckle

 

Arrival of the sari fabric.

   So, a few weeks ago I discovered that you could buy old saris. I thought that might be a good source of some interesting and different fabric for my Crone Closet. Well it looks as if I was right! These are the first two that arrived. I think they're going to layer and drape just beautifully!!

    I've also come a bit closer to finding a "style". Thanks to Pinterest (again!) I stumbled across something called the Lagenlook.... interesting. Then I came upon a page filled with photos of some of the most fun looking clothes by the designer Gudrun Sjoden. Not all of them tickled my fancy, but quite a few had that long, breezy look that I love so much!!  And the layering. I'm really getting excited about this project again!!!    Now to dig out my old patterns to see what I can modify and head off to the fabric store to check out the new ones. Also to find out what materials are available around here. I desperately need some solids!

Got lucky this time!

    Did you ever do something without thinking it through real well? Then kick yourself for it? Well, I did that last week... I was perusing the usual internet shopping sites looking for a red bracelet. Found a few, some went on watch lists and I placed bids on a small handful.  
    Now, I know better than to jump in without checking the shipping cost. But I overlooked that on one bid. Oh, how I cringed!!! To ship was $6.99!!!!  The bid was for .99 cents!!!!! The photo wasn't that good either. What the heck was I thinking?  I kept hoping that someone else would bid higher.... and, of course, they didn't.  Well, I wouldn't even consider trying to back out. It WAS my mistake! Time to suck it up and learn to be more careful next time.
    Well, it arrived in the mail today. I now have a RED bracelet! A BIG RED bracelet!!!!
     Big, chunky, heavy and bright!  Forgot to take a photo to show the translucency.  The original listing said it was Lucite, (I don't know my plastics very well.) and it weighed in at 116 grams. I'll have to find a chart on weights. This thing has quite the heft to it!
     The geometric pattern shifts around as the bracelet moves. And what a color! A rich candy apple red. Well, at least in my opinion. Have no idea what I'm going to wear with this. She definitely commands attention! hahaha

I've decided to name her "Big Red".

  

Blossom approves! Or perhaps she is staring in awe...

And the search is on! Not real successfully, but hey!

    Spent a few hours off and on this afternoon researching and reading articles, blogs, etc... on fashion and style for women over 50. I was really hoping it would help. I'm looking all over for hints and tips and perhaps that perfect formula that will help me recreate my wardrobe and my style of dressing. But, like most things, the articles were conflicting. Some took that stereotypical stance of older gals need to cut their hair short, wear neutrals and blacks, etc... Others stated that pretty much anything goes, just look mature doing it. Yes, I'm over simplifying, but not by much. Looks like I will just go ahead and figure it out myself!!!
    I mean, I know what I like.  And then, I know how I'd like to look! haha  Not always the same thing.  There was one that had a quiz to find what your dominant goddess archetype is and how to dress accordingly. That was actually pretty interesting, as well as being fairly accurate.
    Guess I was hoping for guidance of a more detailed nature. Think I will just keep looking and reading. I've managed to glean some very helpful tips that way.  Plus there is always Pinterest!! Seriously, I have seen some wonderful garments on there that I would love to wear!

     In the meantime, I'm looking at what I have for accessories. Mainly jewelry and scarves at this point. Especially bangle bracelets. I like they way they feel on my arms!  You know, I love bakelite and other early plastics, but the more I learn about how I should be caring for them... the better Lucite and similar plastics look. So I'll start looking around for some of those pieces. Need to group them according to color. So I'll start with the blues and greens! Ebay, watch out! haha
   Update: Since writing the above.... no, I didn't post it, just stashed it away... I have played around with the plastics a little more. Will definitely have to stay with the older stuff!! The heavier the better! The really light weight pieces just don't feel "right". And the new pieces feel downright odd.
    Have ordered a vintage wooden bangle off of Ebay. I used to wear those when I was a teenager!  Now they're "vintage". Sheesh!   Always liked the way they felt. And hey, if I could get a hold of some that are unfinished I could do some artwork on them. Talk about a personalized jewelry statement. Now THAT would be the way I'd like to do it!

These photos show a few of my "keepers". At least for now.
I just love the colors!!!

The Importance of Putting One's Self Together!

    Had a wonderful little discussion this afternoon with an older friend about how important it is to begin each day by "putting one's Self together". Its a ritual that many women, and men, have somehow lost. Myself included. Well, I didn't actually lose it.... I misplaced it! chuckle   My life has become so crammed full of "stuff" to do, that I've neglected to give myself the time necessary for that morning ritual of dressing. Preparing oneself for the day ahead, regardless of what it might bring.

"I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little ~ if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And its always best to be as pretty as possible for destiny."                        ~ Coco Chanel

    Since I'm intent upon reorganizing and transforming my life, I feel that its essential to reintroduce this as soon as possible! 
    Its going to take a while for me to organize my clothes and such. I'm going to HAVE to dig out my sewing machine and reacquaint myself with it. Have quite a few clothes to be mended, altered and "recreated". This ought to be loads of fun!  But that will take some time... so first I'll focus on a dressing table. I don't have one, but.... I do have an old sewing machine cabinet out in the storage shed. That should do nicely for now. A little later I'll find someone who can modify it. It will need a drawer added and I'll have to figure out how to finish the top of it. Wood or perhaps a beveled piece of marble.  Oh, there I go getting ahead of myself again.    First step is cleaning it up and getting it inside!!! And I'll need a mirror. Thankfully I have plenty of those and will just have to chose which one, then put it up on the wall.
    Will have to seriously consider what my personal style is, or is going to be! Just went over to Pinterest and checked out my board titled 'Fashion for my Crone Years'. I see I've collected a lot of long flowing, layered looks. So guess that's where I'll start. But I have to consider that its Summer in Florida and I need to stay as cool as possible! haha  Oh my, this is going to be interesting!