Hip, hip Hooray!

A majorette opening the Marc Jacobs Collection show for Spring/Summer 2006 (September 13, 2005)

Today's the day.

The day that I tried on my size 4 Marc Jacobs Collection shorts and they fit! For the first time in a very long, long time.

I'm not one to throw out clothes that don't fit. First of all, a lot of my clothes were bought or gifted back when I was -- how do I say this -- a lot smaller. And to me, there are some girls in my household that may really like having some of these "vintage" items when they turn a certain age and size.

I loved these Marc Jacobs shorts as soon as they hit the runway. They're pictured here in black satin but the ones I got were a thick black cotton. I'm wearing them now as we speak!

The whole collection was an exaggerated school girl look. I remember it so well, beginning with the Penn State marching band that opened up the show with "Smells Like Teen Spirit." What a show!

This wasn't the only item I purchased from this particular collection. I also could not resist this jumper. To me it was perfection. I loved that it reminded me of my youth but that it had enough of a classic look that could be fashionable without looking too trendy. I love the look with a blazer thrown on top. Very grown-up Catholic schoolgirl.

Turns out that when I went to Vegas, I got a deal on a pair of Marc Jacobs sandals that were -- you guessed it -- from the same collection. I got these sandals but in a nude color. They're that total "jolie laide" type of shoe that I got so much use out of back in the day. I've semi-retired them for now but I think we'll have to put them back into rotation.


I realized today that I have lost over 40 pounds since Annabel was born. And I gained only about 20 pounds when I was pregnant. You can do the math.

I have gained quite a lot of weight since moving to this state -- a little bit ashamed that I too have succumbed to the bad eating habits of many a Nebraskan. And I got to say that living in a household with two active children who eat dessert almost every night (and one who likes to bake many cupcakes), well, it's pretty easy to gain weight.

But lo and behold I have lost weight without really trying. It's been a gradual process but one that I hope continues...

My newly fitting old Spring/Summer 2006 size 4 Marc Jacobs Collection shorts are definitely encouraging me to continue with my weight loss goals. I've got a couple size 38 Chanel jackets and a size 36 Jil Sander navy wool skirt that are definitely items that I would love to incorporate into my Fall/Winter 2012 wardrobe! I am definitely motivated to shop my closet if it means saving some money too.

photo sources:
Marc Jacobs Spring 2006 Ready-to-Wear
Marc Jacobs Spring 2006 Ready-to-Wear
Marc Jacobs Spring 2006 Ready-to-Wear
Marc Jacobs Spring 2006 Ready-to-Wear

The Illusion of a Lady

I have this phrase I always use with friends- "You have to keep the illusion of a lady!"-meaning that one should always be on their best behavior and put their best self forward when in public. (Yes, this includes sitting straight, shoulders back, and legs crossed). It seems that on the spring runways, designers took my advice by showing lady like ensembles in pastels and 50's inspired frocks.

Take a little mix of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and top it off with a bit of Blair Waldorf and you've got the right look. Designers like Marc Jacobs (for Louis Vuitton), Giambattista Valli, and Miuccia Prada all seemed to take inspiration from decades past with delicate details like lace, modest skirts that fall to the knee and ladylike pencil skirts, and demure blouses. The light and airy easter egg hues also lent themselves to the trend-- pastel pink, sorbet yellow and green seem to be the colors of the season.

Ladylike inspirations (clockwise from top):

Edith Head's Dress for Success, Rescue Beauty Lounge nail polish in Pepto Pink, Prada SS 12 collection, Tocca grapefruit and cucumber hand cream, MZ Wallace Little Alice bag, Ginette_NY mini boy and girl 14 k gold w/ diamond necklaces, Prada SS 12, Dolce Vita suede pump, Louis Vuitton SS 12 collection.

I, for one, am pleased to see the nod to purposeful dressing. I cannot express enough my views on dressing for your career and stage in life, and then there's something to be said for just dressing to express all the right things and keeping some of it a mystery.

What are your thoughts? Too prim and proper or refreshingly sophisticated?

**All photos courtesy of Google images.

Two for the Road: 10/7/09

Date: 10/7/09

Bag: Marc Jacobs ivory tote

Shoe: Miu Miu python and metallic leather kitten heel

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Polo button down, Sonia Rykiel cashmere sweater, H&M bubble skirt, Forever 21 leggings

I've had a few days off from the store and it's been nice to have a brief respite from logging my outfits. I didn't realize how much work is involved in putting together these looks but I am enjoying the process of weeding through my closet. Soon I think I'll be able to purge many things. Anyway, I digress...

The bag is the only MJ one I own. I have never been a huge MJ bag fan; I find them to be way too heavy for my liking. The PR folks at Marc Jacobs (or should I be more specific, at KCD, their PR agency) were always really generous at loaning out bags for fashion week. I remember carrying one of the more popular styles (the one with the big coin purse closure that was quilted) and like Cinderella, returning it when the NY-Milan-Paris extravaganza was over. This ivory tote is a classic MJ that they gifted me and I decided that I needed at least one bag from each designer for my archive collection. On the bag is a keychain of gold Louis Vuitton "cherries" from Spring/Summer 2005. The Miu Miu shoes are yet another purchase from Milan fashion week (I guess I really did buy at least one pair of shoes when going to the shows). The sweater is a steal from a sample sale; it's one of my faves. The button down short sleeve window pane patterned shirt is from the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Ave (with my 30% discount). The skirt is from H&M that I got last month and the gray leggings are my latest purchase for $4.50 from Forever 21 at Westroads Mall.