Aspire to everything Inspired

The view from over here, No. 11

 

Getting ready for another business trip.  Always, there is the fashion dilemma.  Always. 

{sigh}

What would you pack for 3 days in Canada, friends?

The view from over here, No. 10

 
I declared last Saturday to be "The Great Purge of 2011"... or maybe just of September... and spent a couple of hours emptying out piles from my closet.  It was one of those days where you ORDER YOURSELF to get it done, let it go, and get it out!

Favorite skirts that no longer fit?  Gone.  Nice business suits that I haven't worn in at least, ahem, 10 years?  Gone.  Those pants that I remember I hate every.time. I put them on?  Gone.

Rarely worn shoes, old sweaters, superfluous button-downs, summer shorts that didn't see the light of day this year...   Gone!

What a relief!

Of course, I've since decided a few more things can go too... like that black jacket, and it's friend, that other winter coat, or two... I might be on a roll. and maybe the Great Purge isn't over...

---

P.S.
And in a case of what can only be described as impeccable timing, check out closet clean-out tips posted this week by the intriguing Vicky Archer of French Essence, here.

Oh Canada! Thoughts from up North

I've been traveling like CRAZY the last two months.  CRAZY, I tell you!  My suitcase is semi-permanently parked in the middle of the front room.  Because it's too much trouble to haul it all the way to the bedroom.  Obviously?

Anyhoo.  Canada last week on business.  Toronto, to be precise. 

A few random thoughts along the way...

• Day 1:  Ooops!  As I'm fashionably walking through the airport, I realize I messed up and packed only high-heeled shoes.  For a full week.  A whole week wearing high heels – All. Day. Long.  What was I thinking?!?  These days, I usually wear heels to church on Sunday, and that's it.  I have no idea what I was thinking when I packed!  Must find flats to wear after hours or my feet will likely fall off-



• Stopped by a small convenience store… I think the clerk thought my coworker and I were odd – we each bought 5 candy bars.  And that’s it.  LOL.  A Wunderbar, Sweet Marie, or Aero, anyone?



• Day 3:  Bought new shoes.  Too bad the currency conversion rate isn’t in my favor.  Urk.  Still.  If you're going to buy new shoes in another country, buy something you love.



• Day 4:  This trip is turning into a Hot Chocolate Tour of Toronto...   the ubiquitous Starbucks, of course.  Local fave Timothy’s was great.  Tim Horton’s was too… powdered.  But the donut holes on the side?  Tasty!  Still need to try the hot chocolate at Second Cup, another local fave.



• Snow.  Weather forecast was for rain… and we have snow and serious wind gusts.  My coworker didn’t even bring a proper winter coat.  Brrrr!  6 inches on the ground at least.  Or perhaps I should be measuring that in centimetres.  Do you have a metric ruler I can borrow?



• Book Store!  Indigo Books.  Their Kids’ Book section is great… an interesting mix of UK and US editions.  For example, Harry Potter and the How To Train Your Dragon books?  They stock just the UK editions.  Fablehaven and Stormbreaker series?  US editions.  How very curious!  Found a few books I couldn't pass up... and with a 20% off sale, I didn't have to.  {bwah hah hah!}



• Might possibly have bought a birthday present for my older sister, N.  Possibly.  Of course, she never reads this blog - even when I post with some greater sense of regularity.  So of course, that means I could tell you what her present is, right?  Except, if I tell you that, then I can't change my mind and KEEP it.  Not that I would.  No, I'm sure I've never done that.  But, she might really want new paper towels for her kitchen, instead of what I bought in Toronto.  Really, she might.  Right?  Right?



• Day 5:  Our hotel restaurant looks out into the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays baseball team plays.  Except right now?  The only one playing in the arena is a team of 10 dumptrucks and 5 bulldozers.  They're getting the arena ready for a motorcross event this weekend.  Watching those dumptrucks come and go... HUGE piles of deep brown dirt... bulldozers moving and molding and building pile after pile... its strangely mesmerizing.  And who needs dinner conversation when you could be counting dumptrucks instead?!  Makes you wish you had a young child with you so that they too could be fascinated. 

Really, it's enough to make you wish you were there, isn't it?  Especially the part about the dumptrucks and bulldozers, right?  Yep, I knew it!  Well, tune in tomorrow (or maybe the next day)(or possibly the day after that) to discover that I know absolutely nothing about how to pack a suitcase sensibly...

Fashion Faves - The Globes 2010

So I didn't catch the show, but I did make time today for the fashion slideshow that every news outlet has... 

Favorite looks? 

Natalie Portman -

 

Heidi Klum -

 
Why?  The Globes are supposed to be less formal than the Oscars (supposedly), and both of these looks totally rock that.  Dressy, but with fun.  Other great looks...  Scarlett Johansen, Claire Danes, and Olivia Wilde.  And Kyra Sedgwick had on awesome earrings too, did you notice?

Lots of stars wore big formal gowns, but without the bling of the Oscar jewelery...   which means they sort of looked like Prom.  Except no one got a corsage either.  And for Hollywood stars?  That look is pretty "meh".  A couple of stars tried for an edge-ier look... and bombed.  Sandra Bullock?  The dress was okay, truly, but those bangs?!?!  Shaggy dog, my friends, shaggy dog.  (And don't you just hate feeling that way about Sandy's look?  Me too!)  And Halle Berry?  Okay, so maybe that short black corset dress looked great in person, but in photos... um, looks like she got on her support under-garment and decided to skip the dress.  BAD choice!

Trend that I loved seeing?   Sleeves

Trend that wasn't doing anyone favors?  all the somber and 'nude' colors -- it's supposed to be a fun show, wear fun color!

So, my friends, what were your favorite looks?

[Photo Credits:  Natalie Portman - by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters;  Heidi Klum - by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.  Check them out in the Globe fashion slideshow at MSNBC here, along with all the mentioned stars...]

Square Hair

We pause the Brussels review for a very serious topic.  Okay, maybe not very serious.  Maybe not even really serious.  But, its seriously very... something.  You'll see.

There's this young lady that I see every now and then in my office building... she has square hair.

Square.  Hair.

It's styled that way.  As in, she actually put effort into getting that volumized, square effect.  And then thoroughly shellacked her glossy, ratted-out-tresses in order to get them to stay that way.  It's like old lady helmet hair.  Except longer.  And she's not old.  And its not blue.

I wonder if she realizes her hair is square?

Maybe she doesn't know.  Maybe she hasn't ever seen her hair from the side or from the back.  And she just. doesn't. know.  that it's square.

If I had square hair, you'd tell me right?  Because good friends should tell you these things.  Good friends do not let each other walk around through life with square hair.

Just want to make sure I can count on you.

Just in case I, uh, you know, ever have a square-hair-day.

Okay, that was all.  See?  Seriously something.

When did 5 become 20?!

I was dressing for church on Sunday morning and decided to wear a skirt that hasn't been off the hanger recently.  A lovely houndstooth linen, it would be perfect for this in-between weather we're having around here lately.

'Hmmm...' I thought, as I pulled it on.  'Feels a bit snug.  That dry cleaner must have really shrunk it!'

Which of course explains why there wasn't a chance of buttoning the waistband, right?  Because the two sides were INCHES apart.

'No problem,' I thought.  'I'll just pull it up and wear it as a fitted, high-waisted skirt.  Stylish!'  Well.  What am I to think when said skirt will barely button around lower ribs?!  Okay, so maybe I won't blame the dry cleaner for that. 

But I'd like to.

---

I've never met a scale I liked. 

When I was a teen, I weighed around 115 pounds -- skinny for my height, though I thought I really ought to drop five.  Typical teenage girl.

When I was in college, I put on 10 pounds.  Still okay, though, again, I thought I ought to lose... five, maybe 10.  whatever.

And that's where I stayed for a decade.  At least.

But somewhere around age 35, it starts.  You've changed no habits.  Nothing.  Yet, between one week and the next, you're attacked by five pounds.  Attacked, I tell you!

Give it a few more years, and evidently that five pounds has now invited its friends.  They're having a regular party around here.  'Gah!!'

I'd like to uninvite them all.

I suspect its the sort of Herculean task that needs help.  Exercise-type help.  Well, bother.  Next thing you know, I'll be thinking "personal trainer".  Or maybe even "private chef".  'Thhbbbt! '  Maybe I should just donate that lovely houndstooth skirt to the thrift store.  Or cut it up and use the lovely fabric for something else.

Am I ready to give in... or give up?  Am I willing to admit that healthy eating is enough and I don't mind those extra pounds and the clothes that no longer fit?

Hardly.

Though I may still do something with that skirt.  Because I'm pretty sure the dry cleaner really did shrink it.  At least a little.

[Photo images found by surfing retail sites on the web. Nice!]

Yesterday

Yesterday, I mailed a package to New Hampshire.  Made someone’s day in Brazil.  And went grocery shopping at World Market, where I bought ridiculous foods at ridiculous prices.

At work, I sat in on two conference calls that only sort of made sense.  Spent an hour grilling someone on data transformation processes.  And once again wore Business Casual Dress while everyone else wore jeans.  (What can I say?  I’m the new girl and I’m still hoping to make a good impression!)
(P.S. That's my new cubicle. I need to hang some photos too, don't you think?)

At home, I ate cold cereal for dinner.  Thought about a surprise package for a friend.  Read a blog post that made me cry.  And bought vintage postage stamps from an Etsy seller.

It’s a glamorous life, my friends, and it’s all mine. {bwah hah hah!}

How’s your week going?

What to pack yourself for a quick trip...

Have you noticed?  It's that time of year when SPRING FEVER strikes.  It's like you've been cooped up in the cabin all winter with a smelly ol' dog, moth-eaten blankets, and questionable salt pork.  The water's stale, we're all wondering what that smell is, and if we have to play Musical Chairs to Grandpa George's bassoon one more time... well, there's no telling what will happen.  Definitely, a change of scenery is needed.  Definitely.

Around here, we decided a quick trip would be just the thing to brighten the dull days of unemployment.  After tossing around a few options, my pal J. and I had a brilliant plan ready to go:

Destination:  Los Angeles, CA
Duration:      2 days, 2 nights
Planned Activities:   J. Paul Getty Museum, Disneyland

The weather forecast may have helped our decision too -- sunny and warm (76^o F / 24^o C).  Sweet!   Buddy passes* offered by a good friend and our hotel points took care of the critical items, which just left the dilemma of what to pack... 

Packing Considerations: 

Salt Lake City is still having colder winter weather, but I don't want to haul a winter coat around LA for two days.  I want something a little dressier for the Museum, but I also really want to take advantage of the warm weather with short sleeves and sandals.  And I only want to take a light carry-on bag, if possible.  The smaller, the better.

Ready... Set... PACK!
Sometimes we talk about packing by color palette and all that jazz, but for a casual trip like this?  It's all about comfort, my friends!  Comfort, flexibility, and layers. 

Exhibit No. 1 - The Clothes:  2 pairs of pants, 2 short-sleeve tees, 1 long-sleeve tee, 1 jacket, 1 long cotton scarf, 1 pair socks, travel hair brush and deoderant

A light, unlined jacket was perfect for the flight and the Museum.  For our early morning departure I added a favorite long cotton scarf to ensure I wasn't cold.  Similarly, for the flight home to chillier weather, I packed a long sleeved white t-shirt for warmer layers.  I wore the long jeans on the flight and packed the pair of lightweight cargo pants for our day at Disneyland -- all those pockets come in handy!  And I brought two short sleeve t-shirts... which meant I had a spare shirt, if needed.

Now the socks at first seemed like a really dumb idea, considering I only took sandals on this trip...

Exhibit No. 2 - The Personal Stuff:  Summer pajamas, light toiletries, simple make-up, day bag for the museum, flat sandals to wear at Disneyland, dressier sandals to wear on the plane and at the Museum, Dramamine and ear plugs (just in case!), a little mesh pouch of 'emergency essentials' to throw in my day pack, and my travel diary, annual, and a good book for reading.      

I always think keeping shoes to a minimum is pretty critical.  They just take up so much room in your bag!  However, one weak formerly-sprained toe later, I was at Target buying a pair of running shoes for the Park -- and glad I already had good socks!  Which just goes to show that throwing in a pair of unneeded socks really is never a bad idea.   

Then there's all the really important stuff pictured below... 

Exhibit No. 3 - The Accesories:  Snacks (because you definitely don't want to starve on a quick getaway, right?), Kleenex, Sunscreen and Tylenol, Shout Wipes, sunglasses, minimal jewelry (a pair of earrings, a watch, and my favorite ring worked out just right), hair elastics, games.
 
And if you must know, that mobile phone isn't mine. It's J's, but we threw it in the picture anyway. Afterall most people probably would have a mobile, right?  On the other hand, that electronic mini-Yahtzee game?  That's totally mine.

Exhibit No. 4 - The Bags:  all carry-on and a bit of style

When it came time to choosing what bag to pack, I was incredibly indecisive.  I knew I needed to take something small, but expandable -- just in case.  But I also really really wanted to use my cool 'Something for the Weekend' bag.  Which is not expandable, but is just the sort of bag for this kind of getaway.  In the end, I decided to take both.  C'est la vie!  Packing light and carrying the cool bag?  Priceless

A few Packing Rules (but cleverly disguised as Postcripts) 

• P.S. #1 - If I'd been going somewhere cooler, I would have added a light cardigan sweater.  Possibly a rain jacket or a heavier sweater, based on the weather forecast.  And definitely would have swapped out the sandals for warmer / drier footwear.  For a longer trip, I would have added another shirt, a belt, maybe another jacket, a robe, and possibly a skirt -- and switched to a roll-aboard suitcase. 
• P.S. #2 - Did I pack underwear?  Yes, yes I did.  However, I subscribe to the philosophy that nobody really needs to see your underwear, so it was omitted from the photo call.  LOL!  I also packed a camera, but was using it to take the photos, so it didn't show up either.
• P.S. #3 - For this trip, I would have saved $25 if I'd brought my running shoes to wear to Disneyland in the first place.  But that brings up a good point -- almost everywhere you'll ever travel to?  Well, they sell clothes and toiletries there too.  I've bought clothes in some funny corners of the world, my friends, so trust me on this one.  If you forget something, don't. panic.  Chances are pretty good they sell toothpaste there too.
• P.S. #4 - And if you truly do have something that's non-replaceable?  Well, if it's not critical to your trip - leave it home.  Otherwise, put it at the top of your packing list, put it in your carry-on bag first, and then put a note on the front door to double-double-check that you've got it.  Something as important as, say, your passport, shouldn't be left behind.
• P.S. #5 - Wait, a packing list?!? Who said anything about a packing list?!  Sorry, did I leave that out?  Yes, no matter how organized you normally are, it almost always helps to make yourself a list on a sheet of paper.  I've packed for hundreds of trips and I still find I forget things - like fingernail clippers or a toothbrush - by simply forgetting to move them between suitcases.  So take five minutes, get a piece of paper and make yourself a list.  You'll be glad you did.
• P.S. #6 - And if you're also packing for Other People?  Make. a. List.  Check it twice.  (And for goodness sake don't forget to pack their underwear.  You'll never hear the end of it if you do!)  And once you're done?  Take a deep breath, let it out, and repeat to yourself the point of #3 above.

So now, my dears, you've got the idea of Quick Trip Packing.  YOU are ready for a short, but fun adventure of your very own!  Basically once you've got the essential gear worked out for your quick getaway... you'll just switch in more locale-appropriate gear or add on for a longer trip.  And definitely don't forget those important snacks - you'll be glad you had them.  Easy!   

Bon Voyage and Happy Trails!

*Want to know what a "buddy pass" is?  It's a free ticket to fly stand-by.  Employees receive them as a benefit and can use them for family or friends.  Pretty cool, huh?

Fashion Week a la Paris

This is one of those moments when you need to let your imagination run loose and pretend that A) we're all skinny trim and fit, and B) our inner fashionistas have buckets of money to spend... {now take a deep breath}... Okay, ready?  

Have you been following any of the terrific style blogs out there?  If so, you've probably already seen loads of images and commentary on all of the recent Fashion Week shows in New York, Milan, and Paris.  I'll admit that after noticing the first few, I pretty much breezed through the rest of them with a yawn.  What can I say - {shrug} - I wasn't invited to the show, so why give it my undivided attention?!  lol! 

Except.  

Well, yes.  Except.  Even though my engraved invitation never arrived, there were still one or two stunning Ready-to-Wear (RTW) shows that caught my attention.  Oh my, did they ever!  

Louis Vuitton
The Louis Vuitton RTW collection for Fall, by designer Marc Jacobs, is just simply... breathtaking.  An ode to the beautiful fashions of fifty years ago, the collection is filled with elegance and exquisite details.  It's a modern take on the clothes that we/you/I love to drool over in old films.  The clothes that you see and think 'why don't we ever dress like that anymore??'  Yes, it's those kind of clothes, my dears.  Personally, I saw at least three coats that I would just love to have... and a few dresses... a skirt or two, maybe (hah!) a few handbags... and some gloves... {sigh}
(And just in case the video below doesn't work -- it's being tempermental -- click here.)

Now tell me.  Why, oh why, don't we wear clothes like that anymore - ever?

Chanel 
Maybe its just me, but it seems like a Chanel collection is at once both the season's benchmark and its Grand Dame.  It just is.  Love it or hate it, it's going to be talked about.  Afterall, it's Chanel, darling.  And for the Fall RTW collection, designer Karl Lagerfield did indeed put on The Show -- the one that everyone is talking about.  Because of an iceberg.  Yes, really!  Have you heard about the Chanel iceberg?  Check it out...  (Go on, see the Chanel iceberg - and the collection.  It's worth it!) 

And while you're looking, maybe you'll see a suit, or sweater, or possibly even a coat that will make you think "hmmm.... that would look really charming with my new _______ from Louis Vuitton... with or without icebergs".  I know I certainly did.

{sigh}

[Video and links found on Style.com.  Complete images of both collections also available on Style.com... where you'll find all your inner fashionista could desire and more.]

So what did YOU wear to the Oscars?

I recently saw a picture of a gown from Elie Saab's Spring 2010 Couture collection... and nearly drooled on myself.   Almost exclusively evening gowns, the collection was filled with elegant, frothy confections.  I've never imagined myself as a 'frothy' person, but these dresses were, well, Simply GORGEOUS!   I decided that if I was heading for the Academy Awards, or even any sort of fancy party, I'd definitely figure out how to make one of these gowns work.  There are even a few with cap sleeves... hmmm....

Well.  I must be an imaginary stylist to the stars because not one, but two actresses wore dresses from this collection to the Oscars:  
 

Now, admittedly, neither dress is one of the ones I would have chosen, but still.  It's from the collection I would have picked.  And I'm certain that counts for something.  Want to see the entire confectionary collection of Elie Saab's Spring couture?  Go here.

Other Oscar trends I loved...   All of the shimmery silver dresses.  Normally, you know, I like bright and bold colors.  But these were all gorgeous too.  Hmmm... must be all that sparkle.

As for what I really wore to the Oscars?  Well, my dears.  I was simply radiant in my red pajama pants and ratty old white t-shirt.  With navy blue socks.  Simply stunning ensemble, I tell you.  Stunning.

[All images found at Style.com.  Photos of Rachel McAdams, Anna Kendrick, and Dame Helen Mirren all by Kyle Rover / Startracksphoto.com.  Photo of Kate Winslet by Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images.  Photo of Cameron Diaz by Jason Merritt / Getty Images.]