Tag Archives: Style Advice

Why I hate polyester (and other synthetic fabrics)

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I hate acrylic.  I hate polyester.  And a new goal I’ve set for myself is to never buy anything (clothing, fabric or yarn)  again containing either of these two fibers.  (I’m not tossing out any clothes that I already own, just not buying anything new that has synthetics)

This is not as easy as it may seem.  I received strange looks at Victoria’s Secret once when I said I was looking for pajamas that weren’t polyester.  I think I managed to find one cami and bottoms set in cotton and 0ne pair of shorts in silk.  Everything else was synthetic.

I’m not sure if everything in this article is legit, but it might make you reconsider synthetics.

Personally, I’m not keen on the idea of wearing fabric made from chemicals and or plastic.  I would much rather have a material coming from a plant (cotton, linen) or an animal (wool, silk) any day.

I like to be able to understand where my fiber comes from.  But I still have trouble grasping exactly what polyester is.

For more information about the benefits of natural fibers, I recommend checking out The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes.  While it is a book geared towards knitters, there is excellent information in here on different types of fibers, where they come from and what properties they have.  Even if you don’t knit, this beautifully designed and photographed book can teach you a lot about where your clothes come from.

My exception:  Modal is actually made from wood.  I’m still a bit confused as to how it actually works, yet I love this super-soft, cotton like fabric.

What’s your opinion on synthetics vs. natural fabrics?

What I keep in my purse

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I’ve seen other bloggers post about this, and I think it can be fun (and maybe a bit voyeuristic) to find out what people carry around with them all the time.  I have a small set of core items that are with me almost all the time, so I thought I’d share that here:

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Obviously, there are some things that pretty much everyone carries.  Wallet (I really don’t like this one, but I like to keep a lot of cards in it, and most wallets just don’t have enough card slots without bulk), cell phone, pen.  My sunglasses are prescription and are quite essential.  I used to wear contacts all the time and would hate my glasses days because the sun would blind me.  Then I got prescription sunglasses and I’ve been a full-time glasses girl ever since.  I have two Moleskines: one is a weekly planner where I keep track of my schedule and to-do lists, the other is a regular journal where I jot notes, ideas, long-term lists and blog post drafts.  I also keep a small zippered pouch that I made myself in my purse at all times.

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In my pouch, I keep my small essentials.  Lip glosses and lip stick (pictured are Revlon, Clinique, Burts Bees, and strawberry lip gloss from Smokey Mountain Scents. Yum!).  Hair brush.  Tape measure (because you never know).  Safety pins (for wardrobe disasters like broken zippers).  Flash drive.  Eye drops.  Nail file.  Tweezers.  Pens.  Nail clippers.

Besides the lip gloss, pens and hair brush, I don’t use these items every day.  But I still like to have them on me at all times, because they’re so useful when they’re needed.

What’s in your purse?

What I wish I had this winter

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squirrel

(photo by me)

Okay, let me preface this post by saying that I understand many of my fellow bloggers have to deal with temperatures in the negatives during their winters.  In Florida, we are lucky to get half a month’s worth of days where the temps dip below the 50′s spread throughout the months of December to February.  The past few days have been like that.  And while we have so few days that are cold, it’s still important to have some type of winter wardrobe so that we’re neither a) shivering all day in flip flops or b) look like an snowman bundled up in too many clothes (or c, wearing black constantly and looking dull and morose).

Anyhow, this Florida winter has revealed to me that my wardrobe is seriously ill-prepared for temps below 50.  There’s a lot of essential pieces I’m lacking.  So here’s my list of things I want to buy (or make) before next winter:

  • Pullovers in a variety of colors – You would think that, being a knitter for 6 years now, I would have a ton of cozy pullovers.  But alas, I have none.  There are a few cardigans, but only one that I really like to wear.  I’ve only got three store-bought pullovers, (the third is a black version of the grey one) and they are all acrylic, which means lots of static and not a lot of warmth.  So, I plan to be knitting some merino and cashmere pullovers over the next year.
  • Knee high leather boots- I’ve never owned a pair, yet they seem so essential.  Especially today, when my feet are freezing in my lovely but ill-equipped Marillas.  I’m hoping to snag a pair during some end-of-season sales.
  • Merino sweater tights – maybe this is going overboard, but they sound so cozy and warm.
  • Knee high socks – to accompany boots
  • Layering essentials – I only have a couple long sleeve layering tees, so I plan to snatch a few in a variety of colors from American Apparel (when they go on sale).
  • Hats, scarves and fingerless mitts – I have a pretty decent selection right now, but these are all super fun to knit, and I think I can never have too many scarves
  • Wool skirts – for really cold days
  • Neutral coat – I have a red coat from Target that I absolutely love, but it doesn’t go with everything.  A neutral colored coat (either camel or grey) would solve this problem.  In wool would make it even better for extra cold days.
  • A leather jacket – Because they look so cool while keeping you warm.

Layering Scarves and Necklaces: Part 2

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I recently posted a tutorial on layering scarves and necklaces, focusing on long necklaces and long scarves.  Here, I’m looking at short necklaces with long scarves.

There are several ways to make these two types of pieces work together.  The key is to make sure that your scarf isn’t completely obscuring your necklace.  Otherwise, what’s the point?

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Wearing a scarf as a shawl can be easy and fun.

 

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A simple single loop around the neck looks nice as well.  Just be careful the loop isn’t too loose, or your necklace might get covered up.

 

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This is one of my favorites.  I call it the peek-a-boo, since the necklace peeks out through the scarf.  It works really well with pendants.

 

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The European-style.  Make sure it’s set off to the side instead of down the middle.

I’m still experimenting with other combinations of lengths, but at this point, the two combinations I’ve shown (long scarf & long necklace, long scarf and short necklace) are really the only two that I like.  Short scarves obscure short necklaces and look kind of weird with medium or long ones.  Medium scarves work with short necklaces, but with basically the same ties shown here.  I think the key is that the scarf needs to be as long as or longer than the necklace, otherwise things look off-balance.

Layering scarves and necklaces: Part 1

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After a request for ways of layering scarves and necklaces, I decided to put together a few posts to show different ways you can pair these two accessories successfully.  There are lots of different combinations depending on the length of each part: short necklaces vs long necklaces, short vs. medium vs. long scarves.

When pairing scarves and necklaces, be aware of balance.  Keep the rest of your outfit, including other jewelry, relatively simple.  If you’re wearing a printed scarf, keep the necklace simple.  If you scarf is a solid color, wear a more elaborate necklace.  Style is all about balance.

First, long scarves and long necklaces.

There are many ways to tie a scarf, and I certainly don’t know all of them.  One important thing to keep in mind when layering long scarves with long necklaces is to make sure that the ends of the scarf don’t hang down the middle, or else your necklace will be completely covered up.

 

The most basic pairing is to simply let your scarf hang down your neck.  This obviously works better in milder temperatures, where a scarf is worn for fashion more than warmth.

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Next, the simple yet chic tying the scarf around your neck once, letting both ends fall in front.

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If you have a wide, rectangular long scarf, you can wear it as a wrap, with or without a brooch.

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Last is the “Boa constrictor”.  For this, you twist the scarf til it gets rope-like, then wrap it three times around your neck (not too tight!) and knot it in the back.

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Buy Better, Buy Less

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fluevog

Fluevog currently has a sale going on, and I couldn’t agree more with the philosophy: Buy Better, Buy Less.  The idea is that it’s better to spend more money of items of better quality and buy less, than to buy a whole bunch of cheap stuff and keep having to buy more when it falls apart.

“But wait!”, you say.  “Aren’t you on a budget?”  Well, yes.  But it’s better for me to buy only a few quality items that will last for years than to buy a bunch of cheap crap that I won’t like for long (and that won’t last).

To further explain this, think about the price per wear of what you’re buying.

I bought some cute strappy sandals once for $35.  They seemed to not hurt my feet in the store, but then after wearing them to work for a day, my feet felt like they were dying.  I wore them maybe two times after that.  They are also manufactured cheaply, and the price sticker damaged the heel when I took it off.

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Intial Price: $35

Number of Wears: 3 ish

Price per wear: ~ $11

Now look at my Clarks Marillas.  These shoes cost $100.  And I adore them.  They are seriously comfortable, and even after wearing them all day, my feet don’t hurt.  I probably wear this at least two or three times a week.  Since they are real leather, it’s easy to shine them and take care of them.  I have a feeling that they will last for a long time.

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Initial Price: $100

Number of Wears: 50 and counting

Price per wear: $2

So, which shoes ended up being a better deal?  This is why I feel that it’s better to buy quality than cheap.  This doesn’t mean that cheap stuff never works.  I shop at Target and thrift stores all the time, and my Mary Jane Crocs only cost $30.  But I feel that, in general, it’s better to spend your money on items that will last.

How to brighten up a blah day

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brownie

(photo by me, of my kitteh, Brownie, who lives with my parents)

The past couple of days, I have been feeling blah, sleepy and uninspired.  No matter how much coffee I ingested, all I’ve felt like doing in curling up in bed with a book.  The unseasonable weather hasn’t helped (temperatures in the 60s and 70s!  Blah!).  I realized that this was also coinciding with no taking Zyrtec for my allergies the past few days.  I took a pill this morning, and I’m already feeling better.  I was worried that I was becoming addicted to Zyrtec, but then I read this article about how your body can’t be addicted to antihistamines and felt a bit better.

However, some days feelings of blahness cannot be alleviated by a simple allergy pill.   On days like this, I think it’s extra important to take care with your appearance.  Even doing just a few simple things when you may really not feel like it can brighten up the rest of your day.

Here’s a few suggestions:

  • Wear pretty underthings (bonus points if they match!):  It’s true that in general, no one else will see what you’re wearing under your clothes.  But you know what you’re wearing under there.  There’s just something about wearing something pretty and colorful and sexy under your clothes that boosts your attitude about the day.
  • Put on some luxury fiber:  Got a gorgeous red cashmere turtleneck?  And sumptuous silk camisole?  A yummy merino scarf?  Throw it on!  You’re feeling blah, you deserve to treat yourself to some fiber that feels fantastic against your skin.
  • Add a splash of color:  For me, this is usually a pretty scarf.  But even a fun pair of colorful socks could brighten your day.
  • Wear jingly jewelry:  Put on some jewelry that makes tinkly sounds, like a stack of sterling silver bangles.
  • Put on your favorite shoes:  Because having a beautiful (and ideally comfy) pair of shoes on your feet is always a good idea.  You may already know what these shoes are for me.  Before too long, I shall have them.  Muah ha ha!
  • Wear something that smells/tastes good:  Strawberry lip gloss, your favorite perfume, lavender scented lotion, etc.  Smelling good is always in style.
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