It's All in the Details

Oftentimes, we can look at an ad or a picture from a vintage magazine too quickly, thinking the look is dated or no longer relevant. Today, let's slow down and look at some details. All of these ads are from 1954. When you open your eyes for inspiration, there are some great ideas to be found.

This ad is for Worumbo Vicuna fabric used in a coat by Max Milstein.

Did you notice the orange leather handbag and yellow gloves? Bright colors offset a basic camel colored coat to perfection. And a colorful scarf peeks out of the pocket. Then, did you notice how the handles of the purse are molded to be flat at the top, so the bag is comfortable to carry on the arm? Genius!

Here's an ad for a mink wrap coat by Leslie Morris, Bergdorf Goodman's custom designer.

Did you notice that incredible hat? The model's hair is worn tight to the head, and a cap of pheasant feathers is tilted to the side. So sophisticated!

This ad is for Jantzen bras.

Did you notice the stacked pearls on her arm? There are either several multi-strand bracelets worn one atop the other, or several strands of pearls wrapped around and around the arm to form a wide cuff. Fabulous!

Here's a photo of a simple black matte jersey dress and jacket by Larry Aldrich. The 3/4 jacket sleeves are lengthened with black gloves.

Did you notice how the plain black is set off with a zebra-striped bag? Fun!

This ad is for a Maximilian mink coat.

Did you notice her haircut? The hair is parted low on one side and swept over the top of her head with little wisps touching the forehead. Love!

Remember you are Loved.

The Girls with Glasses, aka my dream soul sisters, have created the most wonderful of holiday songs.  
You Are Loved is on repeat around these parts & it leaves me with feelings of hope & love in my heart.  I think it will for you as well. ; )

Enjoy! 
 

"You Are Loved" - Happy Holidays! from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.

& fewf(!) tomorrow is friday...
so, a very happy friday & weekend to you, sweets!
xo-

p.s. working for the girls with glasses show is totally on my list of dream jobs.

Trailer Ruth Flowers MamyRock

I found this woman on the Advanced Style blog, that features senior citizens who are fashionable and inspiring. I want to be just like this woman "when I grow up." (I'm 51 now).

Thanks for visiting my blog!

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{holiday inspiration: warm winter white}

. . . rushing around today and very nearly & fashionably late, but first, a few favourite {winter white} things . . .

kate spade satin heels | heal's matt white pyramid bauble | morgane le fay feathered capelet | kelly wearstler brass kaleidoscopes | yves saint laurent ipad case | olympus e-p1

{p.s.} also:
* winter whites & cozy nights
* recent inspiration boards: one & two

{holiday travel inspiration: australia}

. . . with the exception of one christmas in florida, have always spent the holidays somewhere where there is the possibility of swirling and softly falling snow -- whether paris or anywhere else in the world, the holidays were always a winter wonderland in late december, and while shall always love a blanket of snow on christmas day, have sometimes wondered what it would be like to celebrate in a place where the sun shone brightly and warmly and it was summertime, and realise that it would be quite the same, if you are with those you love, with the exception, of course, that you could trim the tree with freshly picked gardenias and host a holiday dinner party outdoors . . .

{images: homelife}

{style inspiration: topknots & dusky coral}

. . . falling, falling headfirst into holiday inspiration, but first, could not resist a tiny glimpse at the wonderful things to come after the last of the gifts has been unwrapped, and could not help but be inspired by the ultra-chic asymmetrical topknots and stunningly beautiful and enchantingly vibrant shades of nutmeg, dusky coral and cerise for holiday soirées . . .

{h&m spring 2011 lookbook via miss at la playa}

Little Miss Perfect?

Sorry for the late start this morning. I've been dealing with a whopper of a headache (not a migraine, thankfully, otherwise there would be no way I'd be talking to you right now), which I've been trying to sleep off. When I finally got around to going through my emails I came across the Goop newsletter. Today they were dealing with the question of boundaries. All the contributors had something interesting to say, but I was really struck by the words of Monica Berg (excerpt below), which got me thinking.

"At some point we get the message...that we need to excel at everything. Academics, career, mind, body and spirit--and we're expected to keep it all in perfect balance.

This creates a total impossibility. We become afraid to act because we are afraid to fail. And that’s why so many of us are trapped in prisons made up of beliefs such as, 'I can’t disappoint my family,' or 'I mustn’t speak up because I will be labeled as 'difficult,' or 'I have to be perfect all the time.'

I loathe this word: perfect. Mostly, because I tried to be this person most of my young adult life. Unfortunately, this unconscious image of perfection is totally at odds with what our soul wants—to be free, to make mistakes & grow stronger through life experiences, and to express itself fully."

From my experience this issue is something that women struggle with constantly and much more so then men. I'm not a mother but I've seen this need to be perfect become even more pronounced once women have children. Part of that, I'm sure, is that motherhood just amplifies everything. It's one thing to make mistakes where you're concerned, another when it's your child. The worst part is it seems to be women competing against one another--comparing, criticizing--and themselves, being scared to accept help because they might not be seen as the can-do-it-all Superwoman. How did we get here? I have no idea.

I'd like to think that I've accepted the fact that I'll never be perfect, never be the perfectly put together girl with the flawless hair or the colour coded closet. My relationships will be bumpy, but hopefully honest. The truth is, though, that it's a constant battle to remind myself that I can't be everything for everyone (whether at work or at home) nor do I need to be. And sometimes taking a stand and actually speaking my mind is difficult, although I've gotten a lot better at telling people where to go. And trying not to feel guilty all the time. What do you think? Do you struggle with the need to be "perfect"?

Images
1, 3-5: weheartit.com
2: Tommy Ton for Vogue Nippon