Wetsuits - Yay or Nay?

Lately, I have been doing a lot of bathing suit "shopping". Even browsing online,  without the harsh fluorescent fitting room lights, it's a demoralizing process. I do, however, think that I have come up with a solution to my very long list of suit requirements. These include: full rear-end coverage (top and bottom), clingy three year old pull down resistant, doesn't draw attention to my minimal chest - extra points if it makes it look like I have a hint of cleavage, and nothing sleazy or desperate looking. Bonus if it rings up under $200. Impossible, right?!?! Then I stumbled upon these super cute wetsuits. The one I really want seems to be unavailable anywhere (so last season), but there are a number of other cute options. I wonder though if it's weird to wear a wetsuit to the local community pool with your preschooler? Does it matter what other people think if I'm comfortable? If I think I look cool without being embarrassingly overexposed, then I am leaning towards.... Go for it!

1. Is from a Cynthia Rowley/Roxy Collaboration in 2010 and my dream ( I also love the similar color way below it, but can't track it down to buy either... )
2. The only non Cynthia Rowley Suit

Nail Polish: Butter - Artful Dodger

I never considered myself a blue nail polish person -- they were all overshadowed by a bad stint with some shimmery cobalt in high school. Apparently, my BFF knew better than I did when she gifted me this hue for Christmas - I adore it! It's a muted shade with a yellow undertone and smooth creamy finish. It has garnered many compliments from strangers and has managed to remain at the top of my polish basket.

Butter - Artful Dodger

Love: Grey

As a lover a neutrals, my wardrobe, accessories, and color palettes contain a lot of grey. Grey by its very nature is incredibly versatile, it can be cozy-casual, professional, and sophisticated chic. Depending on your own style, grey can be the base for your look, but it is definitely strong enough to stand all on its own. Unlike black, which can be striking, the shades of grey lend themselves to an appealing softness. I suspect this is why I have just as many LGD's as LBD's!

These are all grey things that I own and use frequently:

1. She looks so happy to have this awesome shirt!
2. Essie - Master Plan
3. OPI - You Don't Know Jacque
4. ULTA - Finely Pruned
5. A Versatile Kohl Style Liner - Great for Everyday Wear
6. Budget Friendly Neutral Palette
7. Comfortable Shoe for Work & Casual Looks
8. (Similar) Flattering Classic Dress
9. So Great I Bought it in Both Colors!
10. (Similar) Soft, Chic, and Cozy Sweater
11. A Pant for Every Occasion - I Have These in Both Colors as Well
12. Great Tights at a Great Price

How To: Cuff a Sleeve

Being tall definitely comes with many advantages, however finding clothes with long enough sleeve and pant length isn't one of them. Some manufacturers have started coming out with Tall lines for women, but they seem to think that not only are our arms and legs longer, but so are our crotches and armpits?!? Oddly enough, when I do happen to find a shirt with freak sleeves long enough for my arms it feels so weird that I just roll them up, anyway. 

So, with years of sleeve rolling practice this is my tried and true way of getting the best results from a cuff. It holds firmly and looks a little mussed up and carefree, to boot! Bonus: if your inner cuff is a different color or pattern, this cuff helps display it instead of hiding it like most typical rolling does.

1. Start with your sleeve pulled straight down. No, that isn't a 3/4 sleeve shirt! That's just where most sleeves hit - above my wrist. 
2. Next, flip the sleeve inside out and pull the base of the shirt cuff to just below your elbow.
3. Finally flip the bottom edge up to about halfway across the exposed inner shirt cuff, and give it a little tszujs, VOILA!

This cuff works great under sweater as well and gives the cuff a little substance and decorative flair.

*Disclaimer, no shirts were ironed for the making of this blog post.

Nail Polishes: The Length of my Obsession

If I was down to ten dollars with a week yet til pay day and no food in the house, I would likely spend $8 on a new nail polish and the remaining $2 on ramen...aaaaand be perfectly content with that decision. I'm not quite sure what it is, but with all the polish I have I still feel a burning need to acquire more; this shade but with a touch more red or this shade with a little more grey - less purple - no sparkles - more muted....and on and on and so fourth. The worst part is, these options are out there! The colors that you seek and more keep coming every season. There are new colors and trends, but then you also use up all your classics and favorites and need to replenish.  It is truly an endless cycle. I decided to put my love to the test and measure out my nail polish basket. This basket is where I store all of my nail care items and polishes. Whenever it is too full, I force myself to purge and share or toss to make room for the new additions. If I did not have this measuring tool, my habit would easily double and triple and I would likely die of a heart attack from the over does of sodium on a ramen diet!

Here she is...for reference this table is 8' long:

Mens Post: Ankle Boots

Mens ankle boots come in many forms and many names; Chukkas, Beatle Boots, Chelsea Boots - to name a few. Though they have a number of names their uses are far more abundant. I reckon a man could get away with owning only four pairs of shoes; a black dress shoe, a running shoe, a boat shoe (Men don't wear flip flops, boys do) and a great versatile ankle boot. Given the plethora of boot styles out there this boot can be the most telling of a mans personal style. Whether it is a slim line leather lace up or and earthy suede chukka, their is a pair out there for every man. I've compiled a few to get you started of many varying styles, and when you only need one go ahead and invest a little more so maybe you can go three years between shopping excursions instead of just one ;)

Also because it seems men like to shop in one fast sweep I have selected all the boots from Nordstrom- one stop shopping from a place with excellent customer service!

1. Beautiful Basic Black
2. Espresso Chelsea Boot
3. Classic Red Wing
4. Worn Finish Pull On
5. Go with Everything Grey
6. Clarks Classic Chukka
7. Vintage Looking Caterpillar
8. Red Lace Leather Chukka

Wardrobe Staples: Chambray Shirts

This one is for all the readers out there, ladies and gentlemen! A chambray shirt is a closet staple, dress it up or down - it will be one of the most versatile pieces in your closet. Being in the denim family, it looks great with any color or texture and is pretty foolproof. It lends itself to a laid back vibe that is approachable and comfortable even with dressy attire and its durability offers a casual ruggedness. 

1. J.Crew Classic Ladies
2. J.Crew Factory Chambray Camp
3. BDG Vintage Beauty
4. Womens Levi's Classic
5. Lands End Plus Size Ladies
6. Old Navy Wallet Friendly
7. American Apparel Unisex

1. Lands End Work Shirt
2. American Apparel Unisex
3. Old Navy Regular Fit
4. Mens Levi's Classic

Chambray also comes in a variety of colors, so once you cross the basic blue off of your list, go ahead and pick up a black, grey, red, or whatever and know it is guaranteed to look great!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday season and are currently recovering with some tea, detox smoothies and internet fun time in front of the fire, while planning their first trip back to the gym in two weeks tomorrow....oh, thats just me? Anywaaaaaay.....

Now that the holidays of 2012 are behind us, I feel I need to kick start this year right and will be launching five, count 'em: 1-2-3-4-5! All new blog posts for the next five days, so stay tuned, I hope to have a little something for everyone. Happy New Year!