Hope you are having a wonderful day. Christmas was great and now we are headed into a new year. The weather keeps changing from warm to cold. I find that I really have to dress for the day and in some instances for the hour. I use to iron a weeks worth of outfits. I cannot do that too much anymore because the temperature may change and what I picked out is not right for the day. This winter has been much colder compared to the whole winter season last year.
Te photo below shows the leaves are still on the burning bush and the day was brisk. I had recently purchased the pink Vera Bradley crossbody bag after receiving an email that they were doing a huge sale on eBay. The bag was on sale for $14.00. The weather on that day was mild but there was a chill in the air.
JT styling Vera Bradley crossbody
We had snow during the Christmas holiday and now was time for my winter coat. Temperatures for the last couple of days have been in the teens so I had to bundle up.
JTwisdom in the snow
When it comes to the seasons sometimes there is a sudden change in a single day, so we have to be ready. Many people say they cannot wait to see the snow melt and go away because of one main reason. They hate to drive in it. Listen, I understand about traffic and taking long hours for you to get home, Other drivers honking at you because you are driving below the speed limit like you are supposed to. I know where you are coming from.
But, I still enjoy seeing the snow fall and the peacefulness in the air; there’s nothing like it. I am not a little kid; but I feel like one when I am running around outside with my husband and my puppies in the freshly fallen snow. Those are memories I cherish in my heart. Life is what you make it and it’s so much more fulfilling when you turn that frown upside down.
Am I a naturally whistle while I work person? No. I have to choose to be happy in this world that we live in. Yes, it’s a choice. We have to be careful that we do not fall into that negativity trap because it will only bring us down and we can’t move forward that way.
Lace can be absolutely gorgeous for prom…if it’s done right! Lace boasts sweetness, glamour and just the right amount of sexy when done tastefully. However, if it’s done wrong then things can really take a turn for the worst.
It’s your big day. Prom is a day you always want to remember for all the right reasons and the prom dress you choose will play a huge part in that. When you look back at the photos you want to be proud of the dress you chose. This is why it’s crucial to follow our do’s and don’ts when it comes to choosing a lace prom dress.
Remember, if you’re searching online for lace dresses, there are some great options out there. Check Prom Dress Shop’s cheap green prom dresses 2018 collection to see some stunning items that you may like.
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF LACE AT PROM
Do buy a beautiful lace dress that doesn’t reveal too much.
If you are going with lace, you may be tempted to flaunt it all. But sometimes less is more and when we are talking prom dresses, this saying is most definitely appropriate. Lace can make a stunning evening look which is perfect for prom but remember to keep it tasteful!
Keep it colorful!
Lace doesn’t always have to be in dark shades. You should definitely experiment with different colors like blush pinks, yellows, blues, purples and other shades of pink. Lace goes really well with a variety of colors so feel free to experiment on this one. Also, don’t be put off by the white wedding dress look if you have fallen head over heels with a white lace dress! Go for it.
Keep up with the times.
Some lace dresses, let’s face it, can look like they were from a different time period altogether. Unless you want to go for the antique/vintage look its best to avoid older styles with high-necks when buying a lace prom dress. Follow blogs and get on Pinterest to make sure you are keeping up with current trends in lace so you won’t be disappointed with your choice. The layering technique is current and on-trend so if you spot a lace dress/skirt underneath an opaque dress, feel free to experiment and try it on!
Don’t go too fancy
When it comes to lace, simple works best so be careful you don’t overcomplicate and overcrowd yourself with accessories. Lace is an intricate one and the less you do the more the beauty of the lace will shine through.
So, if you want to embrace the lace, remember these tips and you’ll be just fine. It’s best not to overthink things with prom dresses but with lace there can be more margin for errors. However, when you pull it off (which you will) you’ll get the most stunning, elegant and sexy look possible!
It’s that time of the season and the holiday glitter is in the air. Thanksgiving is next week, the trees in Missouri are so beautiful with all the variations of the different colors of fall. When I think of the holiday season, I see bright colors and that make me smile.
I am enjoying the embroidered look in fashion. For my wedding anniversary my husband and I saw these boots called Veraly Chelsea in navy/multicolor at DSW and I had to have them. The boot was $59.95 which is such a good bargain because I have seen embroidered boots going for $67 and up.
indigo rd embroidered boots
Styling boots with embroidery is not complicated. Make sure the boots are the focal point. If there’s too many different prints and patterns, the beautiful embroidery pattern in the boots get lost.
Styling with indigo rd embroidered boots
In the collage photo above you can see how comfortable the boots are with that extra goring on the sides for easy on and off. The heel is about 2 inches and very stable and grounded.
Style File
Pink Cardigan – Macy’s
Black/White polka dot long sleeve blouse – Macy’s
Pant – Isaac Mizrahi 24/7
Flower headband
Earrings – Gift
Agate Necklace – Birthday gift
Ankle Boots – Indigo Rd. Veraly Chelsea from DSW.com
Fragrance: Pacifica Coconut Nectar
I think this holiday should be celebrated the whole week, not only a day. How can you limit the celebration for just one day? I know that I cannot.
My handbag enjoyment started as a small child. It is all my mother’s fault. She purchased a handbag to go with my Easter outfit. It was a time where crochet gloves and handbags were a necessity for a special occasion outfit or for a holiday. They were not expensive bags, however they were pretty and I always thought it finished my look. My outfit was never complete without a handbag.
While in college my main bag was my backpack because I needed something to be on the go, and carry all of my textbooks at one time. When I got married, I started looking at bags differently. I wanted quality and longevity, a bag that would take the test of time and age gracefully.
My first prestige handbag was a Dooney and Bourke cross body. It was a splurge for me at the time; but my hubby gave it to me for my birthday and I have never looked back.
National Handbag Day
A handbag adds class and style to my different looks whether dressed for a day at the office or going to see a movie with the hubby.
Oh fashion, how we love and loathe you so, you gorgeously addictive cross to bear. That’s right, a cross to bear. You see, people think being born with an unhealthy addiction to all things fashion is a blessing that bears no curse. If only that was the case. Unfortunately, it isn’t. It requires having a constant finger on the pulse, keeping up with trends that come and go quicker than most Game Of Thrones characters and learning the language with the same attention to detail you had to have when learning Spanish in high school.
JTwisdom
Yes, it has its rewards, treating every day as a fashion show and seeing the world as your catwalk, but it requires time and effort. That said, it is a responsibility much bigger than the individual. This is because about the new styles, latest innovations and which designers are doing what is what keeps the wheel of fashion spinning; it is what allows us to pick new outfits and recycle old ones; it is what allows us to climb the ranks of Instagram until thousands of unknowns double-tap our every upload, inspired by our style.
But of all the challenges that accompany the world of fashion, it is staying up to date with the glossary of terms that is the hardest to do. Oh, yes, for every new fad and every unique trend, with it comes a new word, and it is your job to know exactly what is meant. In the same way your brain can tell you that “Vamos a la fiesta” means “let’s go party,” your brain needs to know what frosting, sock boots, jorts, normcore and chicken cutlets mean before you get left behind in conversation, scrambling to decipher the context and why people are laughing in unison.
So, without further ado, here are this latest batch of nonsensical fashion jargon you need to pick up, even if it just for fun (like our -thus far – tongue in cheek blog post). Enjoy procrastinating.
Term: Jorts Definition: This portmanteau made up of “jeans” and “shorts” has become fashion’s most marmite invention of recent years (probably since that meat dress worn on the red carpet). They are also one of the few trends that transcend genders having become a staple diet for both men and women, irrelevant of the backdrop. Now, don’t get us wrong, we believe that Daisy Dukes will always have a place in fashion. Always. However, it is the time and place that is important. As for men, choosing the right pair of jorts is an art and not an easy one at that. Nonetheless, the jort is one of the terms that every fashion-addict needs to add to their vernacular.
Term: Frost Yourself Definition: It’s hard to describe this in any other way than to coat yourself in statement jewelry, the kind that is coated in so many diamonds it sparkles like an African night sky, the kind that you can buy from www.frostnyc.com. It could be a diamond encrusted pendant necklace that lifts your outfit, or a pair of earrings, a big and bold bracelet or just a chain so exuberant you’d see 50 Cent stop, pause, nod, smile and then phone his jeweler. For some people, bringing attention to your wealth in this manner is unneeded, for those that want to lead a life of Kardashian-level glamor, however, there is nothing that will get all eyes on you quite as effectively as, well, this kind of bling.
Term: Sock Boot Definition: The sock boot is climbing the ranks faster than a Taylor Swift latest release and hits your halfway up the calf and features a rather delicious pointed toe. How you rock these is completely up to you. It could be that you simply roll up your jeans and wear these out to the club with a nice top, or you could just rock ‘em with a pair of Daisy Dukes (yup, the very same as the ones we mentioned above. If you still have no idea what we are talking about, then just Google Hailey Baldwin of Gigi Hadid, click the images button and start focussing on their footwear. It is still early days for this trend, but we believe it could hang around for a few years yet, which is what makes it so worth learning this term and remembering exactly what it means.
JTwisdom
Term: Chicken Cutlets Definition: Just to get this cleared up nice and early, when we mention chicken cutlets in a fashion context, we are not talking about a form of frozen poultry that you can pick up from Whole Foods (or wherever you do your grocery shopping). It is important you learn this for the sake of saving face. You see, in a fashion context, the term chicken cutlet means silicone pads and they are used to cover up your nipples on days that lean more toward the chilly side of proceedings. Of course, there is never just one word for something in English, so if you hear the term pasties, gel pads or even nipple covers, these all refer to the same thing. In terms of ownership, they could change your life, especially if you are quite, how do we say, weather sensitive.
Term: Ear Jacket Definition: The ear jacket has fallen on the world of fashion in the same way you fall to sleep: slowly, and then all at once. You see, these pieces of jewelry have become a staple addition to jewelry boxes the world over in the past few years. What distinguishes these from other earrings is the three-parts to them, as you can see at Asos.com. There is the stud at the front, a middle piece that you attach – one that hangs below the stud – that hugs the earlobe, and then the fastener that goes on the back, securing it in place. These really are the must-have accessory at the moment, a subtle piece that can really make an outfit pop. So, next time you see someone wearing a set, compliment them on their ear jackets and, if they look at you with a blank expression, educate them and then walk off with a sassy strut.
Term: Bum Bag Definition: We call them fanny packs, but the Brits call them bum bags (which is because the word fanny means something quite different over there). If you are still lost, then it is worth thinking back to all those holidays you had in the 90s because the bum bag would have been a must-have accessory that your dad wore around his waist at all times. To Disney World, on the beach and even around the city. However, this once laughable addition has made an unexpected comeback, especially within girls fashion (although there are some guys that are using them to cheat their way to a Dad Bod. Don’t ask). Pull it to the side so that it is on your hips, tuck it around the back, use it to break up an outfit, whatever suits you. Then just put all your bits inside and off you go.
Term: It Definition: If you have ever been to South Africa, then you will have come across the term, “Lekker,” which can be used to describe just about anything so long as it is positive. That is exactly same when it comes to the term “it”. You can It Girls, it Handbags, It Shoes, It Suits, It Sleeves, It Grills and just about anything else that is on trend right now. That is what it means. The word “It” in fashion simply means something that is on-point, on trend or popular right now. It just gets labeled with the word “It”. It is also worth mentioning that there is no such thing as too niche when it comes to throwing this term around. Seriously, hemlines, laces, soles, manicures, and fascinators – they can all be It.
Term: Balloon Sleeves Definition: It was late in 2016 that the balloon sleeve started to make its presence known in the world of fashion, namely on some of the biggest catwalks and runways. We’re talking about designers like J.W. Anderson, Marni and Simone Rocha all adding these to their collections. In a world of nuances – and that is exactly what the fashion world is separated by – it is important that you don’t confuse the balloon sleeve with a power shoulder. You see, with a balloon sleeve, the bulbous shape starts just below the bicep and tends to finish at the wrist. Like all the terms on this list, it is well worth knowing what is meant by this, although, in all honesty, we don’t think it will last the test of time. Phew, right.
And there we have it, the top trends and the terminology used to describe them. We couldn’t tell you which copywriter comes up with them, or where they first get coined, but they seem to have a way of sticking and transforming the entire industry. It is beyond us, but what can one do but sit down, revise and prove they know their stuff.
My hubby and I saw a really cool exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum, and the last day to see it is Sunday, September 17th.
Often when you think of fashion exhibitions, you think of women’s fashion – haute couture dresses, free-flowing ballgowns and the like. However with Reigning Men, menswear takes the stage with this exhibition that was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Drawing on its own collection and from generous loans from private collectors, the exhibition examines men’s fashion from 1715 to 2015, featuring more than 150 pieces including zoot suits, military uniforms, and swimming suits. I have always been fascinated by the changes in men’s fashion, I even wrote my masters thesis on the subject. When I heard that this exhibition was coming to the Gateway City, I eagerly anticipated the opportunity to see it.
Inside Exhibit, Picture taken without Flash
I had requested for press pictures to include in this review; but I never received them from the Museum. It was awesome that we could take my own photographs, as long as I didn’t use a flash.
Excerpt of Exhibit from the St. Louis Art Museum as you enter.
Picture taken without flash at SLAM
Trailer about the exhibit
One of my favorites of the exhibit is Oscar Wilde in a smoking jacket. The richness of the velvet looks regal, but comfy; and transcends the time period that he would have worn it.
Oscar Wilde in smoking jacket Picture taken without flash at SLAM
The exhibit had so much apparel to showcase, I could of stayed there for hours to read the label each label. Do you see the picture below with the traditional Tuxedo jacket with tails and the non-traditional Tuxedo that was donated by Cameron Silver (who sells Halston apparel on QVC) with the tails in the back and in the front where the cummerbund would be. It almost looks like an elaborate apron that would have been worn by a maitre’ d at a restaurant or servant working in an English country manor. To see this garment up close was quite the treat.
Dapper in Tails Picture taken without flash at SLAM
These fur coats remind me so much of photographs that I have seen of my grandfather in his sporty car in the 1950s. Wearing fur was seen as a status symbol and showed off your wealth. I can only imagine how heavy it would have been to wear one of these jackets.
Image from the Exhibit – Picture taken without flash at SLAM
Here is another image from the exhibit – is a look at the aristocratic uniforms and clothing of the 18th Century.
PIcture from the Exhibit
My hubby and I enjoyed seeing the many styles of men’s clothing from the last three hundred years. We ended the experience with a selfie.
J & T taking selfie at the St. Louis Art Museum
If you have not had a chance to see the exhibition and you are in the St. Louis area, please stop by the St. Louis Art Museum to see Reigning Men.
The exhibit had a short run and I am glad we were able to see it before it closed. If you are unable to make it, you can also see the virtual exhibition by clicking here or purchase an exhibit catalogue which includes photographs and descriptions of each piece from the exhibition.
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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