Ready to wear?

There is no escaping, cooler weather will be here before we know it. The sun is vanishing earlier every day, making the days shorter. In the Midwest we can live in denial for at least a month longer – but the fashion industry is always ready.

On par Fall Fashion Week takes place every spring. Clothing, accessories and make up styles have been waiting months to appear in stores. It’s no shock mid July to see cool weather clothes magically replace the isles of swimwear and sundresses you need for that garden party or last summer beach vacation.

Fall/winter 2009-10 is shifting summer’s tropical colors to darker jewel tones. I for one am thrilled with the blue green, warm orange and purple fashions.

Makeup and clothing once again seem to be taking on an 80’s nuance. Dynasty inspired makeup application minus heavy foundation, black eyeliner, bright lips and winged eye shadow are some trends borrowed from the past we will be seeing. Fall’s nail polish color is magenta. The darker your skin the darker your polish should be.

Office wear is tailored with emphasis on strong shoulder designs. Poof sleeves and balloon skirts are here again – only wear one or the other. You don’t want to run the risk of looking like a crème puff. Fitted, military styled jackets were seen on the runways too. On the other end of the spectrum we have 1940's inspired attire.

Skinny jeans are still here – predominantly in dark washes. Breakfast Club babies – look out - distressed jeans are here again, actually a 90’s flashback. Hang onto scarves – they are surviving another season. Biker chic was also an influence on the runway. The cropped biker jacket is a must have topper. If you dare, experiment with plaids.

As for shoes – one of the biggest trends seen on the runway – was over the knee boots. Pretty Woman I am not – but I won’t knock your fashion choice. They look fantastic on the models and Rihanna. Stilettos, heels, platforms, and flats alike can be found studded, jeweled, animal printed, and exotic skinned. Pair new foot candy with textured and/or colored tights and look fashionable while battling cold winter temperatures.

Ornate cuff bracelets, elaborate belts and multi-strand statement necklaces are jewelry trends to be seen this fall/winter. Chains are revisiting us adorned on purses and their straps. Purses will also be found in rich colors and textured skins.

There is a reason not everything makes the transition from runway to everyday. Make this season’s trend choices according to your tastes, events, lifestyle, and comfort. You can still be stylish and yourself.

Something Old Something New

Eventually fashion trends come back in style, right? We hang onto those outmoded oldies. I have a fitted Shania Twain inspired shiny snakeskin print sleeveless mock turtleneck hanging in the back of my closet. I even have a pair of black jeans splashed with a rather large red and yellow flower print. Oh – and I can’t forget the black leather pants! I have no idea why I am holding onto these items. Actually the leather pants I paid too much for. I am keeping those on principle.

It makes more sense to keep jewelry. Jewelry takes up less space, and is easy to make fresh again with a “now” outfit. What about grandma’s hand me down costume jewelry, reminiscent of a time everyday women wore dresses, men wore suits, and ice cream was a nickel? What do we do with the Bakelite necklace with the broken clasp, or the rhinestone earrings without a match?


Cece Vintage Trouve takes old baubles and turns them into your newest treasure. Jewelry artist, Nicole Quigley, applies today’s go green mantra – reduce, reuse, recycle to her designs. Earrings are made into rings, typewriter keys into bracelets…Nicole’s creations are many. Custom orders are welcome – great for bridal shower gifts, wedding jewelry, or just for you.

Contact Nicole at nmpquigley@hotmail.com for something worth keeping!

The Great Outdoors? Help!

Forever striving to earn the perfect wife and mother award, I say this tongue-in-cheek, I came up with the idea to plan a family trip once a month this summer. One month my husband will choose an activity, the next month I will choose an activity. These activities I thought would be somewhere along the lines of a day hike, the beach or a zoo trip. It is a lovely thought – in theory I’m finding out.

My husband however – like he always does – takes things to a whole new level. His trip consists of being gone for days. My husband loves the outdoors – and so do I – from a certain distance with the right ensemble. I’m all for enjoying nature, hiking, crossing a stream, doing a little fishing, and watching wildlife I don’t normally see from the city limits I live in. However, at the end of the day I want to take a shower and crawl into a nice comfy bed. Is that so wrong?

The camping trips I have been on have always consisted of bugs, dirt, messy cooking, inconvenient cleaning centers, dirty toilets, and uncomfortable sleeping. What about the midnight call to use the bathroom – and then the 20 minute walk to get there - not to mention watching out for small bears and large cats? Ack! According to my husband this is all part of the “experience.” How can I not love this, even sporting the newest shade of Lancome SPF 12 lipstick?

I am stubbornly acquiescing to this trip – mentally dragging my feet the whole way just to avoid “making this trip all about me.” I will not apologize for being a girl who doesn’t like to rough it that appreciates comfortable amenities.


I will lace up my leopard Timberland hiking boots, sit in the car for a 12 hour drive to Mountain Home, Arkansas located near Flippin (no joke a town named Flippin, Arkansas) – where the average July temperature is 90 degrees with 90% humidity. I will pray this is the trip that changes my negative perspective on camping. Meditations of a beautiful riverside resort/spa will get me through..Om…