"What I Wore" Wednesday 11.09.11

This has been a crazy week!  We were in DC, usually a balmy place, and met up with 34 degrees and icy rains.  I was completely unprepared mentally and wardrobally.

What: Here's one of my favorite outfits: animal print tunic top layered over Victoria Secret Body lycra top and Simply Vera Wang leggings.  Accessories: statement wood & bone necklace refashioned by Jessica Buchtel, artist, satin gold watch from NY&Co, satin gold bracelet from the Sackler Museum of African Art.  Vintage black suede cowboy boots Via Spiga.  Bronze leather handbag by Talbot's.
Where: Seeing the Air & Space Museum.

The next day was much nicer, so I ventured out in something a little more Springy.  I'm writing an article for my friend Jo-Lynne, about what is appropriate attire for a 50-something.  I think I'm on the verge of being inappropriate; I don't know, just a little too "cutesy."
What: Sleeveless dress by En Focus Studio from Ross, with a melon shrug from Dress Barn, worn over black leggings.  Patent black wedges by Me Too.
Where: Touring the Capitol.

What: Eggplant front-zip fleece by Champion, purple and burnt orange down vest by Land's End over jeans.  Brown suede athletic shoes by Privo.

Where: Doing some architecting - roof inspection of the local public library.

I got this new gray cotton knit tunic by H&M and wore it two different ways:
What: With this aqua silk/wool scarf, over black leggings and knee-high boots.
Where: To a meeting at my son's school. 

Then a bit more casual, ironically, to church: over denim leggings and my vintage Via Spiga cowboy boots. 

I layered all my silver necklaces to get this look:

Finally, this is my dressy winter coat that I had to get out the other day.  This was my Christmas present a couple of years ago - cashmere coat by Fleurette bought at Last Call Neiman Marcus.

Join the adventure at All Things Chic!

"What I Wore" Wednesday 10.19.11

Once again, I thought I'd join the "What I Wore" Festival hosted by The Pleated Poppy.    Come check out the fun at All Things Chic, too!

Last week, I went to my son's school for the first meeting of the chess club I started.  I wore my new, A-line, button-front denim skirt by NY&Co with a taupe tee by Ideology. I wore this skirt last Sunday for a house tour, and I noticed the tee I wore was too long.  This one is shorter and goes better with the skirt.  I wore an old pair of metallic bronze slingback by Bandolino and a bronze and ivory statement necklace.  I kept the earrings small by wearing bronze hoops

Every single piece, except for the earrings are from a thrift store or yard sale!

Saturday evening, my husband and I went to a dinner party with some friends.  I am in a book club with an amazing group of bright and kind women and this is the annual Autumn dinner where we bring our spouses and NOT talk about books.
I wore a new top by TRAMP, a racer back, black/white tent tank with asymmetric hemline, worn over a black tank by Alfani from Macy's.  Black leggings by H&M.  Vintage black suede & leather embellished cowboy boots by Via Spiga.

For church on Sunday, I decided to wear this new navy sweater dress I got at Ross.  Although I love navy, it can be a bit tricky not looking like a school uniform or too preppy.  I wore a 3/4-sleeve, basic white blouse from J.Crew, and denim colored capri leggings  Kohl's. I wore red patent leather wedges and carried a mustard patent leather bag to add color and "zap" to the outfit.

 What did you where this week?

Fashion Friday: Blackbelt Summer Action

This is the time when all the stores are desperately trying to clean out their summer stock, right?  Well the same is true for thrift stores.  Yesterday, even though I barely had 10 bucks to my name, I stopped at one of my haunts and SCORED!

Fun watercolor tank by Lucky.  Lucky for me, since these are pretty pricey!  I love how it fits, I love the little ruffle embellishment and the fun colors.

Here's an Old Navy black embellished tank, which I am sure has never been worn!  I'm not sure how long this flowers and ruffles thing is going to last, and I'm already getting tire of it, but I like this because it is subtle and flattering on me.  If I get one summer out of it, it's still worth what I paid!

I love love this t-shirt.  It's so simple and casual, clean and fresh.  It's Faded Glory, sold at WalMart, which is funny because I never go to WalMart.

And look at these adorable shorts I got for Boo!  Not always easy because he won't wear anything that even has a speck of orange or red.  Don't ask me why!  I have no idea!!  I'm determined to have him dress better this school year - instead of gym pants and t-shirts every day - so wish me "bon chance!"

 So.  Tahdah!!

Fashion Friday: Dressing for the Holidays

I know.  It's March.  Shouldn't she have done this post in, um, December??

I'm not talking New Years' parties because you can find literally hundreds of posts and articles about that.

I'm talking....the dreaded....OTHER holidays: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's, Easter and the worst: Fourth of July.  I just want you to know I never.  NEVER dress for these holidays.  Do you remember on Bridget Jones' Diary when the [gorgeous] Colin Firth wore that horrid "jumper" that his mother knit?  Yup.  That's what I think of.  If it can make the Fabulous Firth look that bad, think what it's doing for your figure!

Love makes you do funny things.  In my case, the love of a 3rd grader with an interminable smile.  I'm even volunteering in his classroom for parties.  Look, it's no secret among my friends that I do not like children.  Oh sure - I like MY kid and I [usually] like YOUR kid.  But not kidS.  So love makes me do funny things.  I get to watch these kids eat glop made with white processed flour, covered with sugar paste made desirable to them by a smathering of petri dish coloring and petroleum-based flavors...

Oh.  Fashion  Friday.  That's right...where was I??

So I went to help with the Valentine's Day party at this school.  What to wear.  What to wear.  So. I wore this slinky red tunic top, a red/grey silk scarf, skinny jeans and a pair of BONGO red wedges.  I wore earrings that my friend, Jessica Buchtel, made out of brass washers and red coral.  [I just want you to know that all the reds DID match.  At least they matched enough, but the camera makes them all look clashy!]

I would not be so "matchy-matchy," were it not for a 3rd grade Valentines' Day party.

So, if you wore one of these tops for Valentine's Day:

you have a chance to redeem yourself. St. Patrick's and Easter are coming up.

**Check next Friday for my suggestions!**

**Check out the What I Wore Wednesday features at my new gig - All Things Chic!**

Fashion Friday: Making My Own Skinny Jeans

I took this pair of bootleg jeans....

 and made meself some skinny jeans!!

If you want to know how I did it, then read on.

So I've been looking for some skinny jeans that are appropriate for me: 50, chubby, 5'3", muffinable, Korean proportioned me.   Oh, and cheap.  Blackbelt shopping cheap.

I went to Chicos because their jeans will keep the muffin from overflowing.  But at $79-89?? and literally needing to cut 8" off the bottom??  Every other pair I looked at had the additional problem of being low-rise.

This past week, I opened up my winter pants drawer and found a pair of jeans I'd forgotten about.  They have a touch a Lycra, a deep rise and are a dark wash boot leg jeans.  They were the perfect length and the perfect price: $7.  Seven dollar jeans??  Yes! at the thrift store.  (Check back for my post on shopping thrift stores.)

1. Make sure they fit well at your waist and hiney.
2. Make sure they have Lycra.
3. Check all seams along the legs to make sure they are single stitched like this:

not double top stitched like a lot of jeans:

4.  You know they can't have pleats, right?  Right??
5.  They should be black, dark denim or white, without any bling.
6. Flip them inside-out, start pinching and pinning to what you are comfortable with.
7. Keeping the stitch length as long as your machine will allow, sew.
8.  Flip them back right-side-in and try them on.  Do this as often as you need to get it right before making your final stitching run.

Voila!

Fashion Friday, or Blackbelt Strikes Again

Blackbelt, dressed as an ordinary mom, stealthily by day or night, frequents thrifts stores and yard sales...all in the name of fashion justice.

Just last week, she found and rescued these fashion basics, bringing them to a warm, loving home, where they will be washed inside out with mild detergent and hung on satin hangers.

Black cotton jersey.  From H&;M.

Worn with a tank under, a bit like this?

I am always warm.  So even in the winter, I am wearing short sleeves.  I've got plenty of V-necks because that's more flattering on me.  But I needed some scoop-necks to wear under denim jackets or cardis.  It's hard to find good basics, I found this deep scoop neck is more flattering on me than a more modest one.

By Ideology.

I was scanning the internet for the right look, and I found one at my friend Jo-Lynne's blog:

From Francesca's Collection

What do you think? Pretty close, huh?

This one, too, but a longer silhouette that I can wear over leggings:

It's brand new!  It's organic!  and it's actually a grey-purple.  By Toggery.

And look at this beautiful silky top! I want to find a pair of straight jeans in an unusual color to wear with this:

In 2 shades of gray by cdr

Closest I could get but not this tent-ish.

I've been looking for a sporty winter something:

Eddie Bauer down vest

I'm not the outdoorsy type but here's an outdoorsy look that'll help me pretend!

And last but not least, this black, silk top from my favorite store - TJMaxx:

On clearance for $7

I'm thinking something like this - with skinny jeans or a pencil skirt.  (I wish I could belt it but that's not the style for me at this point):

Not perfect, but really wanted to show you!

All six items for a grand total of $26.00.  SCOooRE!!!

*Thanks to Eddie Bauer and Ann Taylor, my stylists.  ;-)

I've Been Shopping

It seems I go in stages. One day, I will notice that my clothes look dated and my shoes look pathetic. I'm not one to follow fashion too much any more. I did that in my 20's. And 30's. Now? at 49? It's just not worth the fuss or the money. But I don't want to be one of those people who look exactly the same for 25 years. You know what I mean - the too-bright lipstick, the blotchy blush, the permed hair and shoulder pads.

I was at another one of my stages when I realized many of my basics had been basic'd to death and needed to be buried. So many of my shorts seemed too short. All my tees were too tight. My shoes were surely shabby. (Oh OK, I'll stop!) It was handy then, that for Mother's Day, I got a gift certificate to a plaza that has a Talbot's, Chico's, Ann Taylor Loft and NY & Co.

Oh, but wait.

Of course it's summer. That means Boo is home. And it would be more bother to hear "Mom, I'm ready to go. Mom, mom, I'm ready to go. Are you almost done?" a bazillion times than even shopping is worth. I had just enough time the other day to drive over and have an hour or so TO MYSELF. I shopped fast and furious. From Talbot's, I got 2 t-shirts in sun yellow and black:

The deep V is more flattering for my, umm, thicker figure than the scoop necks I used to look good in. I also got a pair of black chino walking shorts good for a night in the burbs or a day in the city:
And these! I'd been ogling these for months! They are comfy and adorable! And guess what? Blackbelt strikes again. All the sale items were an additional 25% off that day!! Yeah!!

This past weekend, I got a chance to sneak to Macy's and get some walking shorts for kickin' around town. I got white denim and dark denim. Perfect. Calvin Kleins. On the way home, I thought I'd swing by the Salvation Army because I needed a cheap, large serving bowl for the party I was going to that night. I didn't find a bowl, but I found a white denim pair of walking shorts for $3.99. You can bet the Calvin Klein pair weren't $3.99.

I guess I'll have to go back to Macy's to return them . . .

. . . and if you take a mom to Macy's . . .