That Just Happened!

So last Thursday I participated in Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop and I listed the first 5 of my Top Ten Fall Fashions.  Here is the second half of my list.  To see the source of all these goodies, just click on the pictures.

6.  Chunky knit sweaters.  Considering how I wear cardigans in the summer, I rejoice when I can start layering chunkier sweaters so I can stay warm without looking like a dork. 

7.  I love a nice hat and I wish I had more money so I could invest in funky hats like the ones featured on the runways for the fall/winter season.  A hat can change your look from casual to dressy, vamp to vintage…really it’s all about evoking an attitude.  Who better to look to for trends in hat couture than the master Philip Treacy?  Once again purple is the colour du jour for his fall collection.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a picture of them online (you’ll have to go to his site), but I also found this wonderful Gucci hat that also does the trick.

 8.  Floral prints were big this past spring and summer, so it only makes sense that we carry it through to fall.  What was once Mad Hatter Tea Party is now a little more grown up and subdued for fall.  Wearing an all over floral can be a one way ticket to looking like your grandma’s sofa, so I like it as an accessory like this Salvatore Ferragamo scarf.  Preeeetty. 

9.  A bright coat.  Fall is so sad sometimes when the grey weather hits and it makes me long for the bright, warm days of summer.  Just because the sky is dreary doesn’t mean you have to be.  This jacket is perfect for fall: it’s warm, cute, basic, and will compliment the fall colours.

10.  For those of us lucky enough to wear glasses every day, we can switch it up a bit with the one accessory we wear every day.  Fall calls for a darker, heavier frame and my favourite of all time is a tortoiseshell frame.  They compliment lots of different skin tones and can help you pull off that sexy librarian look to perfection.  A classic colour in a funky shape makes these glasses perfect for fall.

So those are my Top Ten Favourite Fall Fashions.  What would you like to be wearing this season?

That Just Happened!

Mama Kat hosts Writing Prompts every Thursday over at her blog www.mamakatslosinit.com and this week one of the options was to write about your Top Ten Fall Fashion Favourites.  As much as I love the summer, fall is the season for fashion.  All of the fall shows are huge, there are more clothes, more layers…and more luxury.  So, these are the first 5 items on my Favourites list.

1.    Actually, this first item I already have in my closet.  Passed down to me from my mom, this adorable cape was my grandma’s.  It came to me by default because I am the only one in the family who even comes close to fitting her…busty proportions, shall we say.  Since it was given to me, capes have come in and out of fashion twice and I have worn it that many times, so I am looking to get a little more use out of it this time around.  Also, I’m hitting two notes, because plaid is very in this season (or so I’m told).

2.   As I have briefly mentioned before, I had to wear a uniform for school, so anything to do with kilts and nylons makes me break out into a skin rash.  Until recently, the thought of wearing loafers did as well until I saw this seasons adorable loafer heels that come in colours other than dark brown and can be worn without a shiny penny.

3.   Hal-le-lu-jah, the 70’s are making a comeback!  I can’t say I am particularly in love with any decade past the 60’s, but the wide leg pant is for me.  I am too hippy for the boot cut, and the skinny jeans are so last year, so it is nice that they are featuring a pant that doesn’t make me look like an apple on a stick.  (Coincidentally, candy apples are another thing I associate with fall, but I don’t want to look like one.)

4.  DVF is one of my favourite designers.  Her clothes are meant for girls of all shapes and sizes (all hail the wrap dress!) and are available in sizes 0 – 16.  Her Teresia silk dress is perfect for fall and is very versatile.  Good for work (layered with tights, black boots, and a cardigan) or a night on the town, the Teresia is a great staple piece for the wardrobe.  Plus, black is boring and sombre, my thought is to save it for winter.

5.   Let’s just say the most I have spent on the wedding so far has been in the form of bridal magazines.  Each season all the new ones come out and I snap them up with glee.  Oh, to have an unlimited budget and peacock feathers…but I digress.  There is one thing that most of the wedding gurus and designers agree on: Purple is the hottest colour for fall.  Pantone released their fall 2011 colour report and purple is on the list.  What makes Pantone an expert?  Well, they asked the fashion experts, of course!

Next week, I’ll tell have the next 5 on my list, so until then…

That Just Happened!

Today I am going to do something a bit different.  Mama Kat @ Mama Kat’s Losin’ It hosts writing prompts (go here to see the prompt page) and although I have read many of them with glee, I have never participated.  However, “the time has come” as the Walrus said.  This week one of the prompts is:

 1.) Time for your tangent…what is your latest complaint?
(inspired by Jill from I Don’t Want An Oscar)  (BTW, I Don’t Want An Oscar is a Freakin Awesome Blog, you should totally check it out!)

Well, you may or may not know, but I love a good rant.  I’ve done it and I love when other people have them.  Why?  Because it totally means I am not the only one who gets worked up over the small and seemingly insignificant details of life.  I’ve ranted about the Library and the stupid eye-poking tree and now I am going to rant about V-Day.  I shouldn’t really be surprised seeing as how Christmas is starting in Aprilnow, but the posts in bloggyland are coming fast and furious for V-Day gift ideas, treats, activities, blah, blah, blah…

Ooooooo.   *shaking my fist* I HATE Valentine’s Day.  I pretty much always have.  Now, before you go calling me all bitter, hear me out.  I am in a relationship.  In fact, MPW shows up frequently on my blog (usually because he’s made me angry, but whatev).  So, my disdain for the stupidest day of the year is not because I am lonely and tired of making it about friendship love where we all get together and eat raw cookie dough and complain about men (that has never happened BTW).  When I tell people I don’t do V-Day they roll their eyes and immediately ask if it’s because I’m single, so I thought I would put that to rest.

www.fixcas.com

I hate V-Day because I think it is the most  commercial, unnecessary and meaningless “holiday” of the year.  (I even hesitate to say holiday because we don’t get time off. Maybe if we did it would be something I could get behind).  Nope, Christmas is about spending time with family and baby Jesus.  Thanksgiving is spending time with family and giving thanks for your blessings.  Easter is about spending time with family and adult Jesus.  Canada Day is appreciateing your country and spending time with your fellow Canadians.  Valentine’s Day is just an excuse for the men who got their wives insulting gifts for Christmas to get them a better present to make up. Let’s face it, sleeping on the couch loses it’s appeal after 1 month.  Then one week is spent trying to think of the perfect idea; one that will get them off the couch, but won’t be so good they won’t be able to top it next year.  Then 4 days gearing up to go to the mall/store.  Then the day of to pull it all together (which is inevitably why the woman gets to sleep in, because he is running out to get your present).

Okay, so that is part one of why I hate it and dread it each year.  The next part is (which is arguably the most important) I hate that you are told how to feel.  That today, of all days, is the one day that you are supposed to proclaim your love, and be perfect in your relationships, and say sorry.  Why not every day?  Plus, you know that everyone else is doing/saying the same things, so what makes it special?  If you really love me, flowers for no reason on any other day would mean a bucket load more than flowers on a day that you feel obligated and it is what you are “supposed” to do.  All those people going to restaurants with overpriced meals and buying over priced flowers and using up all that red construction paper. It’s just depressing.

I know it’s a month away, but man, the fever has already started. 

On the plus side, MPW is the most envied man in his office. When I met him I told him if he did anything I would break up with him.  He was actually happy to oblige and still is. Now he even stopped asking “are you sure?” and looking at me as if this was a test.

Yeah, That Just Happened!