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I’ve been meaning to write this for a while. It was inspired by Fit-Whit’s blog from a few weeks ago. I got to thinking that my anxiety and depression may be stemming from not really living the life I feel I was meant to. What life do I really want to live? Who is the Ideal Me – the Michelle I actually want to be? I doubt it’s all about the rock star, rich girl I’m not.
-Connected to the Earth, the universe and God in my own way but paying respect in an outward way
-A great sister, supporting daughter and unconditionally loving (and not nagging) wife
-Physically fit and makes activity a priority and a hobby
-Prepares delicious and healthy meals 80% of the time, indulge in just what I want the other 20
-Finds fantastic scores while hunting for vintage and designer goods but doesn’t live to shop
-Keep my cool under pressure and handle anxiety in a healthy way
-Has a strong network of people I spend time with on a regular basis and they know me but still love me anyway
-Is debt-free and fiscally savvy and teaches others about the importance of financial freedom
-Gives back to the community in a regular and meaningful way
Now the question is what actions am I going to put in place to actually become this Michelle? And how soon can I become her?
I must admit that I love the new show “Missing.” Ashley Judd is kicking serious butt and taking names all the while trying to find her son and figure out why he was taken. But it takes me back to a different Ashley Judd. You know, the girl who played in some of my favorite movies – “Kiss the Girls” and “Double Jeopardy” to name a few. She may be getting a little older but she is still a looker.
The above look reminds me a LOT of my wedding nearly four years ago.
Jamison and I have been catching up on all of our DVR’ed shows from while I was in Paris. We watched a couple of episodes of “90210” and we both agreed that the actress that plays Adrianna – Jessica Lowndes – was worthy of a girl crush feature.
I love that she has the look of Megan Fox but also has a sick body. While her character is not very lovable, she is a HOT chick!
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Since she makes the bags I crush on, why not crush on Rebecca herself? After all, she is a cutie!
And while I’m crushing on her, can I also get a new bag? The Jet Setter (in cranberry) will do nicely!
I can dream, can’t I?
Just found this draft as I started categorizing blog posts… thought I’d still share.
1. Plaid pants/skirt
I doubted this one would be big when it sprung up last year, but it turns out I love it. I spotted a great plaid trench at T.J. Maxx over the weekend. Don’t be shocked if you see me with plaid pants, jacket, skirt, something…
Great Plaid Pants
Quicksilver Plaid Dress
2. Striped blazer
OK, so admittedly – I LOVE stripes and blazers. So this is no surprise to anyone that knows my uniform of navy & white and red & white striped shirts. Bring on more yacht wear in the shrunken blazer format, please.
Chanel and Look for Less Blazer
3. Bib necklace
I love all jewels, especially the really large pieces of the costume variety. So it is no surprise that ya’ girl is DYING for a bib necklace. This one below is hot but JUST for inspiration. You KNOW I’m too cheap to drop 8 bills on it… But damn it’s fly. Here’s to hoping it ends up in the T.J. Maxx jewelry section for $150 or less…
Rhinestone Bib Necklace
4. Rocker chic
I must admit I love this look (think Rihanna’s look almost any day.) I have several pieces already – studded dog collar anyone? But I want to get a few more pieces to toughen up my usual look.
Rocker Chic in Black
Silver Louboutin Rocker Boot
Candela Over the Knee Boot
5. Leggings
Yes I have some already. Yes, I have thighs and a lil’ bit of boo-tay. Yes, I grew up in them. Yes, I want some more. No, I will not wear them all day, everyday like LiLo. (I still love you girl.) And I won’t be wearing the liquid variety but instead whipping out my leather pants – yes, you KNOW I have leather pants. And I am getting some more leggings in my life…
Custo Barcelona Sequin Leggings
6. Cute, shrunken cardigan
Yes, I am STILL dying for Amy’s weekend catch – the fly purple cardigan. So I feel like I need one. I know the 34Gs may make it tricky, but here’s to hoping it can work out for me…
Chadwick's Ruffle Cardigan
7. Leopard trench
I love Amy for getting me the zebra print trench that I was DYING for back in 2008. Ever since, I’ve also wanted to scoop up a leopard print version too. Here is my chance – the animal print trench continues to rock and becomes a full-on CLASSIC (per Bazaar magazine September 2009.) Yay for girls like me who LOVE all things animal print!
8. Tights, tights, tights
I usually boycott skirts in winter. Then again, I used to travel to work in winter to really Frozen Tundra-esque places like Who-knows-where-ville, PA; Holland, MI; Fort Lee, NJ; and Milwaukee, WI.
Now that I got a straight gig in good old Georgia, I think I can tolerate skirts in winter with the help of lots and lots of tights. Since the trend seems never-ending, I already have green and purple and navy and black but I think I need even more colors! T.J. Maxx here I come!!!!!!
9. Sequins/metallic
Fall 2009 trends are easier for me. I have a crap load of sequined pieces. (Forgive me, my Ganny’s a jazz singer so I grew up with the stuff and still love it.) But I really want a metallic jacket or pencil skirt. Or both. Immediately!
Heidi Montag in gold jacket
Elie Tahari Gold Leather Pencil Skirt
10. Hot pink cosmetics
OK, I admit it. The only pink cosmetic I wear is Rosebud Salve. And that doesn’t even show up as pink. But I am really contemplating trying out some hot pink lips (a bit of a stretch) and/or blush (not so much of a stretch because I already wear crazy bright blush with my subdued makeup each day.) And there is some black liquid liner just waiting for me to get un-scared… My sister-in-law Taylor would be proud – she is the QUEEN of black liquid liner.
Hot Pink Lips from InStyle
11. Vests
I already love vests, so I am gonna stock up on the ones that are shaped well (read: nipped in at the waist) before they go off trend. And I really think I need a bold plaid or striped one to get myself started snatching them up for fall.
LaRok Studded Vest
Rag and Bone waistcoat vest
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So, this morning on my way to work, one of my favorite summer songs – “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh prince – came on the radio. And I thought, damn – this dude accomplished a lot on this song: went to the mall, played basketball, went to a BBQ, washed & waxed his car, went to the barber shop for a fresh cut and cruised the strip. I mean, I feel good when I can go to work, take an adventure out for lunch, hit up the gym after work, stop by the grocery store and cook some food before vegging out watching the tube. No wonder Will Smith is the world’s only A+ movie star!!!!!!
Anyway, this AM I was inspired by a little nautical & flower look. And it features a pair of the shoes I decided not to purge:
Red & white striped puffy-sleeve top: H&M (yes I scored it for $10 and I need it in every color. I LOVE it! It’s still on the floors…)
Navy pleated skirt: Thrifted years ago (clearly needs a slip – I guess THAT’s why they’re helpful)
Blue flower pin: NY & Company (got several on clearance for $1.99 each in the fall)
Red suede peep toe pumps: Bandolino (bought these on sale at Macy’s in Garden State Plaza back when I worked in NJ)
Gold hoops: another NY & Company score from years ago
Christian Dior – if I was extremely disappointed by the Chanel resort show, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pressed for the Dior show I can’t even describe it! The frothy shapes, bubble gum colors and killer gowns make me wish for some amazing summer occasions to wear them to…
Bottega Veneta – stark, simple silhouettes and a lot of black… where the heck is this resort Bottega Veneta is planning for? Not really my beach scene apparently
All images courtesy of style.com.
So, I have been dying for pics from the Cannes film festival, but as I was setting up all of My Favorites on my new laptop (that arrived today!) I saw the photos from the 2011 Chanel resort collection. Admittedly, it wasn’t the greatest Chanel collection I’ve ever seen, but it did make me happy it was spring:
All pictures courtesy of style.com.
Since I was about six years old, I’ve adored Lena Horne. My Ganny is a jazz singer, so I grew up with “Good Morning Heartache” as a favorite song. This means I am well acquainted with all the jazz greats, but Lena has always been one of my favorites. (Does “Stormy Weather” ring a bell?)
Like many other black talents of the early twentieth century, she sang and acted and was… blacklisted b/c of her “leftist” political views. Did I mention she was a Civil Rights activist too?
So, while she left this world on Sunday night, I really want to pay tribute to one of the trailblazing black performers. I will always miss you, Lena. They don’t make ’em like her anymore (sorry, Ms. Keys, I know you are playing her in a biopic soon):
As Liza Minnelli said Monday, “She was funny, sophisticated and truly one of a kind. We lost an original. Thank you Lena.” I couldn’t put it any better. She paved the path not only for black starlets and singers everywhere but for all fly girls across America. And she reminds us that you can be beautiful and talented and STAND for something meaningful too. Truly an inspiration…
In tribute of my mother – who jokingly referred to herself as modest and shy this morning… Let me tell you about my mother – she is definitely not shy. She is so NOT SHY that her nicknames include “Showtime” and “Sho-Sho.” While physically petite, she is certainly larger than life in every other way. I am a lot like her, which I’m certain is no mistake.
Love this photo of us taken during last year’s Zulu Ball in New Orleans. Ironically, she is also holding a bottle of Heineken in my other favorite photo of her (taken back in the mid-nineties – she is brand loyal.)
So I am wishing her and every other mother a wonderful day. Please do whatever it is that pleases you today, moms. I plan on drinking wine with my mommy (Jamison’s mom) and have already chatted with mi mamita (my mom) who plans to go to breakfast in a nearby town in Nebraska to check out their farmer’s market – one of her favorite hobbies.
ClearlyFabulous 