AfricanKelli

Remember Friday when I said I was going to go through my closet and get rid of some things because “Spring is here! And I must have new skirts!”

 

The intended brief organization of the closet turned into a several hour affair with lots of folding, sorting and gasping. Good Lord, I own way too many skirts as is. It is fun to find pieces of clothing you forgot you owned.

And shoes. Good grief, I do not need any more shoes. (Although I am pretty sure this isn’t going to stop me from buying those Chacos.)

The point to all of this was to remind myself to be happy with what I own and to use what I’ve got. I’m participating in the new flickr pool called “Use What You Have.”

I’ve even signed up for April. It is fun to look at my craft and art supplies and figure out what I can create with them, rather than starting with the project and going to look for the supplies. It is just a different way of being creative. I’m enjoying the challenge so far.

In other news, I am happy to announce my hair is back to its natural state. Thank God. I wasn’t made for blonde highlights.

That’s the Manos shrug I knit. Ms. Nicole asked for a photo of me wearing it. So, I present a lame bathroom mirror self-portrait:

Happy Monday to All,

~K

My closet shelves are looking a bit disheveled. I need to sort out all the clothes I haven’t worn in the last year and tuck them away. Some I’ll take on summer travels — so I can wear them and leave them behind. Others I’ll schlep to Texas for my mama. We swap clothes regularly. And then there is the growing Goodwill basket that needs to be dropped off this weekend.

Focusing on that whole “earth mama” vibe I talked about last week, I’ve decided to pitch the bulk of my stilletos and replace them with these:

Too cute, non? I have a pair in black I received as a bridal party gift at Finny and Andy’s special wedding two summers ago. I wear them all the time. And while they are definitely not the most flattering shoe to my wide Flintstone-esk patas, they are comfy. [Do you think these are workplace appropriate? Remember, Arizona is HOT 2/3 of the year. I think I could pull them off for non-meeting days. Hmmm] And man these pink ones are sweet! They’ll look great with a new slew of skirts I’ve had my eye on:

And dresses. I already own two white sun dresses, but this one is so pretty and so cheap. Got to love the Old Navy:

Then there is Old Navy’s stuffy older sister, who you can’t help but love too, Miss Banana. Damn if I don’t love the brat. She’s much more likely to provide me with duds suitable for the workplace. Like these shirts, made of my favorite cotton/lycra blend. Love these:

 

If I weren’t trying desperately to be responsible financially, saving for the exceptionally bland such as carpet, faucets and light fixtures, I would be spoiling myself silly with a bit of extravagant flair.

Like these. My goodness, I can’t imagine spending $170 on sunglasses — especially those I’d more than likely wear this summer to work in Nicaragua and Mozambique, but we aren’t being practical here. Today is a practical-free day. And they certainly are extravagant, non?

And while we’re at my very favorite store, how about these too?

Mmm… yes. They are completely impractical, but pretty.

To wear with spring skirts:

Mmmm… so much more fun to think about than:

Damn practicality.

~K

Phoenix has had a dramatic cooling off in the last few days. The difference between the high on Saturday and Sunday was 16 degrees. For someone who often complains about the heat, but really loves to be warm, 16 degree change = misery. [This is when my east coast friends collectively roll their eyes.]

Suddenly I had to find warmer clothing to sleep in, work out in, and of course wear to work. The pajama thing really isn’t an issue, but I own only one pair of running leggings. I’m either going to have to buy another couple pairs, or wash these suckers every other day for the next two months. I’m leaning toward shopping. (shocker) The work wear is more of a challenge. If I’m known for anything in regard to my wardrobe it is that it is nearly all black or white and open-toed. I would much rather be fashionable than sensible, even though my feet regularly hate me for such foolishness.

This is why it is frankly shocking I’ve worn actual closed-toed shoes TWO DAYS IN A ROW. A baby step toward maturity, I’m thinking. And you know what? I’m warmer. I’m more comfortable. And I’m going to get behind this winter wear thing.

Here’s what’s on the shopping/Santa list:

Old Navy. Cord Blazer. On sale for $25.

Old Navy. Fold over yoga pants. On sale, $13

Target. On sale $25.

Target. On sale $19.

And for the not so practical side:

Banana Republic, $44.

Banana Republic, $78

There are also a very cute pair of leopard print flats I’ve had my eye on for a bit at Nordstrom. Chances are I could buy everything my size at Old Navy for the price of those shoes, but this girl’s got priorities, and as previously mentioned, foolishness is top rate.

I am happy to see that knitted items are all the rage this season, and then again, a bit dismayed that you can get such cute scarves, hats and mittens for such low prices. It makes the knitter in me want to take a back seat to the shopper in me.

~K

It is Spring Fashion Week in
New York and the Cathy Horyn of The New York Times is beside herself. If you’ve ever listened to her commentary online, you know her tone volleys between pompous and condescending.

Regardless, I’m always interested in the glitz and the glamour of the moment. I love examining the models, looking at the details the designers have included — whether they are fur caps or sequin hems — and guessing what some of the ugliest clothing I’ve ever seen would cost at a high-end boutique on Fifth Avenue. There are designers I absolutely love — Carolina Herrera, Emilio Pucci (in moderation), Oscar de la Renta and Zac Posen. And then there are those that I cannot believe have found any success in this industry — Jennifer Lopez, for one. And really, it is JLo’s line that gets the press. She is the Latina of the moment. The star with the giant ass! Let’s all applaud her work and hope to God she comes out at the last minute to walk the runway and smile for the cameras is if she had absolutely anything to do with the creation of this clothing (other than inspire its ghetto-like nature). I like JLo as an actress and even for the occasional pop song, but please don’t try to make me believe this woman could thread a needle. (Strangely enough, Cathy and I agree on this point.) Her love does cost a thing.

There are fashion trends I’m bucking this season. You’ll never see me with wood bangles, long peasant skirts or T-shirts with holes in them. You won’t see me schlepping a giant handbag with fringe and buckles falling off. I do not own a Chihuahua. (Although, to be fair, I did own one a long time ago.) I do not own tiered necklaces. I will not wear fur. I don’t think Mary Kate or Sienna are fashion icons.

There are trends, however, that are so yummy they make me want to dress up everyday and celebrate my femininity. Cocktail dresses, for one, are simply fantastic. I love them. (Thank you, SJP.) I also love the peek-a-boo cut out heels with a bow on the toe. If I had the budget of a New York socialite I’d be wearing Michael Kors sparkly silver cocktail dresses and Zac Posen’s turquoise silk evening gowns. I’d have Ana Sui patterned tights in my closet to wear on chilly mornings under denim skirts with smart rounded toe pumps and a white T-shirt. I’d wrap up the look with a perfectly paired Tod’s handbag and diamond studs.

If only I were a Hilton…

Instead, I will hit my regulars and find things for the fall and winter that are smartly priced, well made, in style and not so trendy that they can’t be worn next year. On my list are:

Fall color — no, I don’t think you have to resort to black, brown and cream because it is cool out, especially in Arizona.

Animal prints in moderation — this tiger clutch is lovely and I dig the caplet.

Wraps — they complement my figure and are comfortably classy.

The bag — because, well, Coach is my weakness.

And then again, what do I know about fashion? I’ll drop $150 on a pair of great jeans, but also search and search the discount aisle at Nordstrom Rack for the right pair of $10 heels. And really, when it comes right down to it, I think confidence can make nearly any outfit work.

~AK

I’ve never considered myself fashion forward, but have always had an inexplicable love of shoes and purses. Preferably matching, leather and Italian.

I’ve never considered myself smooth with men, but have always had an inexplicable love of tall, glasses and sweet smelling. Preferably 6′, wire rimmed and musky.

I’ve definitely gotten more fashion focused as I’ve gotten older. My friends love to rib me about taking Ralph Lauren towels to the Peace Corps. [They were good quality and they were what I owned at the time. It wasn't as if I ran out to purchase them for the trip.] There was a brief period of my life when everything was Polo, from my socks to my undies to my perfume. Soon enough, I learned that finding designer items on clearance at Ross that were ill-fitting weren’t as cool as say, the $4 t-shirt at Target that was my color and a good texture and complemented my long torso.

But this took time.

And in that time, I dated many men who had their hand in creating the closet I own today. I started training for my first marathon with Rebs the day my first serious boyfriend walked away without looking back. I wanted to run after him screaming, “Jerk!” and ”ooh, God, you are REPUBLICAN!” but instead, I just ran. And ran. And ran. And six months later was still running across the finish line with one of my best friends shouting, “Look at me now sucka!” And in the process dropped a few pounds that had been stuck around my midsection since college.

With a trimmer figure, I got more confident and dated a boy at work. He was a snazzy dresser and owned a ridiculous obnoxious sports car – as if that wasn’t an immediate sign of compensation. Office place romance meant I now had to look nice on the weekends AND at work. In a workplace that prided itself on tank tops, jeans and flip flops as year-round attire, I made the professional shift to button-downs and ironed slacks and leather slides bought on clearance at Saks. Everything fit, was barely within budget and I was making baby steps toward fashion progress.

Then I dated the golfer with his Banana style and love of ironing. In never gets old getting out of the shower and finding your boyfriend ironing your clothes before work, “because MY GOD you weren’t going to wear it looking like that were you?” Obviously I was, but I didn’t take offense. He was ironing and I knew better than to complain. In time, my taste in clothing became more expensive and more pressed. I also switched jobs, moving from journalism to public health and saying adios to the ex-boyfriend I’d run into in the elevator everyday.

Did I mention this ex actually referred to the female anatomy as “the pink taco?” Yeah. What a winner. As I said, ADIOS.

I spent this weekend sorting through a lot of clothing I’ve had for many years, making piles of “to keep,” “to pitch,” “to donate,” and “to burn.” Just kidding on the burn part. I wouldn’t dare. But it made me wonder why I felt the need to hold on to TWO neon pink bikinis that haven’t seen the light of day since my freshman year of college. Even then, they were outdated and a bad, bad idea. The clothing I kept is a good mix of my two favorites: as the Manolo would say, the Target and the Banana. [I love that you can now use your Banana card at Old Navy and Gap too. I'm a total sucker for the marketing and love getting the $10 gift cards in the mail.] Today I have on my backward dress that I once wore to work, you guessed it, backward. It is pink and from Old Navy and purchased when I was seeing a 6′4” balding blond. Needless to say, my love of the dress lasted longer.

Here’s what I’m loving — and coveting — for Fall:

The Jean:

The Bag.

The Shirt:

The Shoe:

The Dress:

Yes, I really am that plain. Black and white, they are my friends. Besides the jeans, the rest will probably remain on the shelves. The jeans however, ooh, the jeans…

~Kelli

If I lived in Spain, I would wear these. But then again, I would wear them here too. So pretty! So bright! So nicely lined up. (Imagine if this were your closet?)

I have tons of great cooking photos to post, but apparently left my camera cord in my other bag. Tomorrow, for sure. It will be even better then because I’m bound and determined to photograph the softball team boys enjoying my fancy little treats.

To a wonderful Tuesday,

AK

Sure, now they say the Hornet is cool. Does this dashboard bring back Dobson Mustang memories for anyone else?

I believe in the power of retail therapy, just ask my therapists: CitiBank and Visa.

Thankfully, last night I used two gift certificates and an in-store coupon (okay, okay, you had to use your BR credit card to use the coupon, but why not?) to purchase a new ensemble.

I never thought I’d buy banana pants from Banana, but I just did. And they are yummy. They are a soft pale yellow with large white buttons on the pockets. And they are made out of crisp cotton that fits like a glove. (No photo yet available on the site. I’ll keep you posted.)

The top, in white, is also made out of this wonderful synthetic blend that doesn’t wrinkle and hangs nicely.  I have several in this material and they are by far my faves.

And a beautiful teal silky tank with ruffles, purchased in a moment of complete extravagance. Alas, no photo either. If these , in black,  are on sale by the time I return from my travels, I may have to make another appointment on the couch. (And if I were completely out of control, I would consider this, in yellow. Oh so pretty!)

~AK

Sock tan from Phoenix.