63 Days To Go

As August is winding down, I have been thinking a lot of fall.  I love fall.  Warm days, cool nights, and cool mornings for running.  Not quite cool enough in Southern CA to bring out the sweaters, mind you.  But it is time to put the whites away (although in SoCal, white seems to be worn all year round - but not by this native Northwesterner!) and think about the colors that come with the season.

It is also a time when I begin thinking about my hair color.  I have decided to move away from the blonde look, besides they don't really have more fun, and find a richer color for the season.  Lord knows what my natural state would be if I let it all hang out, and I am not going anywhere near there, but I am thinking of a richer, milk chocolately color.  I has helped that my stylist has been using Morroccan Hair Oil on me.  It leaves my hair with unbelievable shine and manageability.  The texture becomes what I have always sought, and I absolutely love, love, love the way it looks and feels.  The problem?  It is a new product and I am not allowed to make said purchase until November 1.

So, left to my own devices, I thought I would try something from my home kitchen.  I put a teensy drop of EVOO on my hand, worked it around my palms and then added my normal smoothing balm.  Worked them both into my hair and voila' - I had stiff, unmanageable hair.  Albeit shiny...

Not to be deterred, I tried again, with an even smaller amount of EVOO, a little water mixed in and more smoothing.  Results?  Better, but still not ideal.  Bottom line, I am waiting for November when I can have the soft, shiny, manageable hair of my dreams.  And I give myself points for trying.


Love,
S

PS:  If you haven't had the luxury of trying this, do it now!  Well worth the investment for the small amount you use.

69 Days and Counting

I spent a day last week pulling things out of my closet.  My goal is to have everything I haven't worn in the last year out by November 1st.  Noticing how packed my calendar is in September and October, I thought I better get the lead out and start now.  The bottom line is, I have some great pieces that I no longer wear, be it size or style issues.  There is a beautiful LBD and Blazer from J.Crew from the early 90's.  Neither fit and to have either or both of them tailored, I think the price would not benefit the outcome.  There is a beautiful silk Eileen Fisher Jacket and Pants - gorgeous really - but it is quite large and the jacket is entirely made of pintucks.  Again, prohibitive to have altered.  A couple of silk skirts from mid-90's J.Peterman, that I hate to discard, but they are so dated...I know I won't wear them again.

The bottom line is, I need to find a women's charity to take them to.  There are too many good pieces to just do the Goodwill thing and hope for the best.  Any ideas on charities that will take gently worn, beautiful clothes to help women get back on their feet?  I know there are places that do this work, I just don't know where.

Love,
S

PS: I am not done with the closet but I think the shoe drawers are next.

74 Days to Go

Oh my goodness, I can not believe I am almost done with this project.  I have been thinking about what I have learned over the last 10.6 months.  Here are a few "Shopping Lessons"  that will remain as blueprints in my consciousness:

1.  Just because it is expensive, doesn't mean it is the best style for me.
2.  Just because it is on SALE, doesn't mean it is the best style for me.
(Both ends of the spectrum)
3.  Cheaply made clothing from stores that are trendy do not suit me. 
4.  Trendy styles do not suit me.
5.  Bright colors, at least near my face, do not suit me.
6. A well fitting bra will change the look of my clothes.
7.  Spanx should be worn with everything.
8.  Never buy shoes just because they are cute if they hurt my feet.  (One would think I had learned that lesson years ago, and I had, but still...)
9.  Basics.  Basics can be mixed and matched.
10. Just because it looks really good on my best friend, doesn't mean it looks really good on me.

I have learned a lot more than this short list, but I can't process it all at once.  I am beginning a list of basics I have found I really am missing and will post that next.

Love,
S

88 Days

I have done so well, but the summer is really trying my patience.  I am so tired of wearing and recycling my closet.  I definitely have an idea of what works in there and what doesn't and I will be due for a major overhaul come mid-October.

I broke down today.  I found the cutest summer dress and not only did it fit perfectly, but it is on sale and an additional 30% off at the Donna Karan Store.  Not fair!  Last summer I spent 4 days at The Ritz Carlton in Dana Point with my best gal pals.  We went out for dinner one night and they were both decked in black knit dresses.  Not wanting to be the odd girl out, A loaned me her adorable Allan A dress.  I felt gorgeous in that dress and asked her to find one for me when she returned home.  Alas, the store was sold out and my on-line search proved fruitless.

Today I found a great substitute.  I called R and asked him to go buy the dress for me and hold it until November. R was very encouraging and told me I could just quit and go buy the dress if I really wanted it
but now I feel guilty and realize this sort of behavior is against the point of the experiment.   I haven't asked if he bought it or not.  I'm not going to ask. But tell me if you don't think this super cute dress is worth the very low price!  Versatile and summery.

Love,
S