For those women who wear between a 5.5 and a 7.5., Amazon.com has Betsey Johnson's Lavonne marked down from nearly $300 to $82.49.
Typically being a size 8 - 8.5 myself, and knowing these shoes are so hard to find, I urge all of you of smaller feet to go! Go forth and wear the pretty shoes!
(And you should also note, that the Leopold style is marked down from $189 to $52 in both the black and green colors. There is a much wider assortment of sizes available on this one, too.)
I've had a lovely and peaceful break: classes are over (forever!?!?), I've been mentally recuperating, and generally taking it very, very easy. This holiday, I've been dabbling in some sewing and knitting, cleaning up a storm (at times), reading a lot of pleasurable books, and it's been a great time.
But don't think, that while I haven't been posting or commenting, that I haven't been reading! It's been wonderful reading everyone's holiday wishes and well tidings, along with their holiday activities and home lives.
In the upcoming weeks, I'd like to redesign the site, so it gives me the opportunity to throw things out there-- - Have I not linked to you, though I read your site? (sometimes I do get bad about updating that!) - Is there any kind of content you'd like to see on the blog? Though it's still young, I'm still forging and determining what kind of blog I'd like this to be. - Any other comments or considerations?
While I often lament that I was only a child in the 1980s, I should more often lament being a teenager in the 1990s. To this date, I'm not quite sure that there was much "Good" that came from 90s fashion, or nothing noteworthy (other than grunge), and I'm not positive I want to remember grunge.
Despite my apathy towards grunge, I have to admit to being mad about plaid. From Sarah Jessica Parker's Alexander McQueen evening gown to Charlotte York McDougal's tartan ballgown, to the lace and plaid frock worn by Amy Lee in Evanescence's "Call Me When You're Sober" (below). However, despite spending my vacation days watching repeats of My So-Called Life, I don't have much desire to revisit Angela Chase's wardrobe.
There's something about plaid that has a distinguishing versatility that other patterns may not have. From men's business suits to blue collar work wear to costumes, plaid is seen on the high brow and low brow alike (and the occasional unibrow!). It can be bold and alarming or subtle and demure-- one of my favorite pairs of pants for a long time was a pair of grey plaid pants. However, because they were striped with soft pink and dull black lines, they were savvy enough to go from board room to bar room with the change of a top and shoes. Companies like Burberry have capitalized on the versatility of plaid with their signature plaid that has been marketed, mocked, and infringed on-- because plaid sells.
While plaids (or tartans) have a vast range of stereotypes and connotations that can be less than flattering (the red and black checkered hunter's coat; the Irish or Catholic plaid skirt; the farmer), I've become intrigued in the last few months about a modernized styling of this pattern.
One such dress I'm kind of crazy about is this Donna Ricco Plaid Taffeta Shirtdress. The plaid, in dark green, black, and purple is subtle and modern. The dark colors deemphasize the pattern, so that the dress's cut and pattern aren't in conflict with one another.
Likewise, Betsey Johnson's Leopold is the best of all worlds-- plaid and patent in a pump. Stupidly (or perhaps luckily?), the green and black versions are on sale through Amazon.com-- the perfect way to pick up spunky, but arguably timeless shoes at a more affordable cost.
With Winter technically being 1/3 over, I still have time to work plaids in to my wardrobe. Sadly, Gap never replenished their plaid princess cut ruffle blouse, or it'd have been a staple in my wardrobe already.
New Orleans is always in my heart and actions, so this holiday, I thought I'd pass along holiday greetings New Orleans style. This video is special as it was created by my favorite bands, bartenders, and filmmakers, along with creative minds, in New Orleans.
In a statement, Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said: “Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspects of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic.”
Later, in a telephone interview, Ms. Eiseman said the selection process had been very thoughtful, based on various influences, and that indeed the final choice reflected a “need for thoughtfulness.” Five individuals were involved in the selection process. “With blue iris, we felt that it answered several needs, hopes, desires, that kind of thing,” she said.
This article intrigues me and piques my curiosity. From the claims of the absurdity of such a statement, to the relief that fashion professionals felt when hearing, it brings to question the role of color therapy, and whether or not dedicating a color to a year can influence the minds of the masses.
I have my own thoughts and appreciation of colortherapy; I think colors can stimulate, inspire, and challenge a person's emotional and mental conditions. There are reasons that fast food restaurants are colored in yellows and reds.
But how far can one hue go though? Will blue-iris really answer "several needs, hopes, desires," or will it simply be thought of by consumers as another shade of blue? Will it inspire people to find the magic in the world, or will they carelessly put on their blue-iris sweater with no concept of its reason? Did 2007's color, chili pepper red, play any role in your life? Did you even notice if it did or didn't have a role in your surroundings?
Could it be that Ashlee Simpson is (as my friend Annabella would say) "bitin' my style"? Is her Rubix Cube Dancin' Dominatrix self rocking a tiny top hat? Methinks she is.
Whee! Today I turned in my last final for my last class of graduate school. Next semester I have to complete a full-time internship or working internship (job), and then life can go on as normal!
To celebrate my newfound freedom (and returning sanity), I'll indulge in a tag-- Meg at All About Appearances tagged me to post 8 random things about myself. I have to admit, this is the first time I've been tagged, so I'm actually kind of excited about it!
The rules are:
Link back to whomever tagged you.
Post these guidelines before your list.
After you list your eight things, tag eight (of however many you want) other bloggers
1. I'm a contributing writer for Miss Malaprop. It's not unusual for people to get Miss Malaprop and I confused though or assume that only one person writes for the blog.
2. I have an irrational fear of getting in to running cars. As a child, I hated it and would make my parents turn the car off before I got in. Now that I'm older, it doesn't bother me as much, but sometimes it makes me a bit twitchy.
3. A friend recently embarassed me by brining a new acquaintance over with her. She then took the person in to my room, showed them the inside of my closet and said, "Look at all of those shoes! And she doesn't even wear half of them!" I love shoes. I love buying them and getting to wear them. But when people make a big deal of it, I kind of get ashamed.
4. I am a film academic through and through-- I can argue the social identifers and cultural commentary on a film like Josie and the Pussycats as well as I can anything by Ingmar Bergman. That doesn't mean I don't love a shitty action film or a trashy horror film as much as the next white trash man. In fact, I've going in to my second year doing freelance work for an international horror film festival, and will be structuring programming and panels that will show that horror is as smart as any other film genre.
5. I'm an equally split Yank and Rebel. I've spent 12 years of my in the South, about 8 years in the New England, 2 in the Midwest, and the miscellaneous two on the West Coast (my family was military). As a child I hated being called "That little Yankee Girl," and since Hurricane Katrina, have fondly thought of the South as my home.
6. Now that I get to go back to working full-time, these are things I am looking forward to doing again: photography, sewing, knitting, cooking, dancing, socializing, cleaning. I've taken too long a hiatus on them all, quite to my heart and soul's ache.
7. If I could make one wish, it would be for a limitless credit card that pays itself off. All the shopping I could ever want to do, without any of the financial risk!
8. During my undergraduate years, I used to be quite the Party Girl, but not in the keggers sense. I spent two to three nights a week at the local clubs, dressed in my favorite 80s/new wave/electroclash trashions, dancing and drinking the night away. It actually resulted in a weight loss of ~ 60 pounds. School + working too much has taken away that time, and as a result, I've gained too much back. Boo!
I've got a steamy mug of cocoa, chestnuts roasting, and a big roaring fire, along with some great posts about the Winter Holidays (or Summer Holidays, for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere!). Okay, maybe I only have the posts and the cocoa, but that's not a bad start for Monday morning!
For an entry that's just cute, and oh so true, check out Blog Fabulous's Her Way Sucks, I prefer His. I used to wear boy drahs in undergrad, and boy are they comfy!
This holiday season, I pledged to buy handmade. However, in many ways, I disliked some of the connotations that came up with the idea of shopping "Handmade": that "handmade" can be so broad and vibrant, but can also have some negative connotations. Handmade can be construed as sloppy, cheaply made, and while I know this isn't true, it can be difficult to shrug off that image (especially when giving gifts!).
Instead, I Took the Handmade Pledge, and have expanded it to fit my own needs. This holiday season, I want to shop with a sustainable conscious. I will support local and independent designers and artists; I will support local businesses; I will give the gift of donations to nonprofit organizations. I will do, what is in my power, give gifts that are full of love and thought while leaving as small a footprint as possible.
For those who are also looking to expand upon their pledge, here are some resources I, my friends, and family will be using/have used this holiday season:
Adopt-An-Animal with the World Wildlife Federation. When I was young, I remember how excited I was to be given an adopted Humpback Whale as a present. Now that I'm older, I love the share this gift with Miss Malaprop (who got an octopus last year!), along with my nieces and nephews.
Child's Play Charity was founded by the guys behind Penny Arcade, and each holiday season they strive to raise money for children's hospitals around the country. If donating straight cash isn't your style, each participating children's hospital has an Amazon wishlist with toys and games desired at the hospital.
Miss Malaprop also has her three selected, New Orleans Recovery related charities. My personal favorite is The Green Project and their Recycle for the Arts program. Supporting a sustainable environment and arts community in New Orleans, and helping it rebuild, is important to me.
And keep your eyes open, because this Monday is the Fabulous! Festival with everything you'd need to know for the Holidays!. After this, the lovely Meg will be bringing the show back home at All About Appearances. This festival should be lovely, with tons of ideas for the next few weeks.
In more important and optimistic news (compared to the actually important and cranky news), I have decided I officially love these:
And I wonder, quite a bit, if I should give them to myself as an "End of Master's classes gift." Because, why get only one gift from graduating when I can extend it to two?
While the affects of global warming have had a nice impact on what should be a nasty Indiana winter, I know that eventually the impending snow, sleet, and ice will eventually come. And when it does, I want to know that my feet are winter-proofed-- warm and dry against the elements.
And while we all know my distaste for the traditional Ugg Boot that seems to inhabit the Mid-West, I have to wonder what are their perks. If they are worn that much, are they really that warm, that comfortable, that preventative of me busting my ass when I slip on ice? (Once, I slip and busted by bottom TWICE on the way in to the movie theater!) I checked out the Ugg offerings on Zappos, to see that not all Uggs are Ugg-ly.
I'm actually a big fan of the Ugg Waverly boots. The shape is stylish, the crossing leather is snappy, and with the shearling lining and rubber traction on the heels, they're bound to keep my feet safe from snow.
At $300, the Brock boot is not their cheapest, but is certainly one of their more fetching pairs. Part riding boot, part steampunk or brown coat, these boots are one of the most versatile and realistic winter boots I have seen. They'd even be great during the Autumnal and early Spring months, and would look fabulous with the calf length skirts in style this season.
For the lady who insists on heels all of the time, I'm particularly fond of the Ugg Rosie bootie. Very Victoriana, while still having the warm fuzzy shearling sock. This would be a great match for a dress for a dress up event, while still providing the traction and stability of a winter boot. (I just hate that shearling strip up the side!)
With all of these great options available, for not much more than a regular pair of Uggs, I have to wonder why they aren't more common and prevalent in winter wardrobes.
For those women who wear between a 5.5 and a 7.5., Amazon.com has Betsey Johnson's Lavonne marked down from nearly $300 to $82.49. 
