Fashion Forward

It’s back to work for many Americans this week after a long vacation and I’m quite sure, like me, many of you stood in the doorway of your closet asking yourself the age old question, “What am I going to wear today?”  My closet is full to overflowing with clothes.  Some are too small,  some are too big, some are uncomfortable and not practical for work, and then there are the five outfits that I manage to wear every week.  I have decided that when designers get to work, they do not have the short, average, middle age, round, mom body in mind. That is why I am bound and determined to make 2017 the year granny fashion comes back in style for those of all ages. I’m not talking about these newfangled grandmas who dress better than I ever hope to. No, I’m talking about the good old fashion shampoo and set grandma. Just hear me out and I know that you will agree.

Shoes

Just look at these!  The SAS is the most sensible shoe ever made.  It’s three most popular colors-white, black, and classy nude- will have you ready to go no matter what you are wearing.  The sassy wedge in the back can take you from the office to the clubs with ease.  Soft, supportive in soles make you feel like you are walking on air.  Throw on a pair of knee high stockings and you are set no matter the occasion.  No more worrying about time consuming pedicures, your unpainted piggies will be safely hidden.

Pants

Never has there been such a practical invention as the no iron twill elastic pant.  They come in three great lengths-Long, capri, and resort. If you are headed into work, black, grey, and taupe are available. For weekends when you want to let lose, you may want to go with the soft denim, or the wide array of pastel colors available in all three lengths.  Think of all the time and money you will save not running to the dry cleaners.  Just wash them and hang them out back to dry and you’re set to go.  Eat too much over the weekend?  No worries, the sturdy elastic expands an extra four inches!  Another plus?  You don’t have to shave above your knees ever again.

Shirts

 Let your true fashion sense show by mixing and matching floral blouses.  Button that baby up, or let it all hang lose by layering over a white t-shirt.  The sturdy cotton blend never needs ironing.  Just think of all the combinations you can make by investing in several of these beauties.  Take the blouse in the picture for example.  You could pair it with white capris one day and then totally fool those at work by wearing with lovely khaki full length pants the following day!  No one will know!  These also fall into the wash and go category so once again, you are saving time and money.

This to me is a no-brainer!  Affordable and comfortable should be the new stilettos and camis.  Who cares if you look 20 years older or are repeatedly mistaken for Ethyl down in payroll.  Never again will you have to squeeze into those skinny jeans or worry about working out those triceps.  So who is with me?  All those in favor, meet me at Sears on Thursday.  I hear they will take off an extra 20% for early birds.  Maybe then we can go grab a bite at the picadilly cafeteria.

They Dance Alone

I am from Orlando.  Like thousands of others in my community I awoke to hear the terrible news that 49 people were dead.  49 people who had left their homes the day before intending to return after a fun night out.  49 people who may have uttered the words “see you soon” or “call me tomorrow”. 49 people who had wanted nothing more than to go out and have fun with their friends.

As many of Americans, I sat and watched the news coverage, unable to turn away from the pictures of the first victims whose names were released.  They were just kids.  They were in their early 20’s.   The interviews with frantic friends and family as they awaited word on their missing loved ones were hard to watch as you tried to imagine what they must be feeling.  These 49 people had moms, dads, friends, and in some cases children.

As the day went by, it became less and less about the 49 and more and more about the issues.  The focus of this shooting is quickly becoming about race, religion, gun control, the election, sexual orientation, and national security.  So many are quickly using this to voice their opinions on these issues.  Don’t get me wrong.  These issues are all important.  Very important.  I have strong opinions, you have strong opinions, I’m sure that each one of the 49 people had strong opinions.  But these people didn’t go to the club last night to be martyrs.  They weren’t prepared to fight and give their life for a cause.  They weren’t there to stand for or against anything.  They went to dance.  For just a few hours, they put aside their jobs, their responsibilities, their worries, and they danced.

So in the days to come, take the time to honor them.  Put aside your fear, your anger, your sadness.  Gather those you love close to you, and for just a few minutes…dance.

Happy New Year!!

Here we are again!  A new year.  A clean slate.  A fresh start.  A blank page in the book of your life.  This is your year….the year you are going to become that world famous blogger, the year you are going to give up caffeine and chocolate and lose the 15 (which has now turned into 25) lbs you have been needing to lose for so long, the year you finally take that 30 minutes a day for yourself.  These are the resolutions I have been making for years with little to no results.  So this year I am changing it up.  I’m going to make a new list of resolutions that I have a better chance of achieving.

1.  Get less sleep-  As my kids get older and their activities get later, I can with full confidence resolve to get less than the 6 1/2 hours of nightly slumber I get now.  

2.  Give up Romantic Comedies entirely-  I have seen two movies in the past two years.  They both had light sabers in them.   I live in a house full of boys and it is safe to say I will be seeing a lot more light sabers and a lot less romantic proposals at the movie theaters.

3.  Become an expert at the “What Stinks?” game- My response time is way to slow when I ask myself this question.  For the survival of all in this household, I need to shave at least 90 seconds off my fastest time.  

4.  Embarrass my children at least once a month- According to the boys, I do this way more often than once a month.  I have let them know that embarrassing them is the one true joy of parenting and I will not be giving it up.  I WILL  be saying “I love you” as they leave for class and asking how their day was in front of their friends.  If they protest, I will walk them to class and hold their hands while crossing the street.  

5.  Eat more chikn- Those cute cows with the signs love me already.  I frequent their drive thru regularly as I rush kids from one activity to the next. I am quite certain I will be able to up these visits significantly as our schedule gets more and more hectic.
So there they are!  My top five resolutions for 2017.  I feel confident I can achieve these.  The year is only hours old and I have already accomplished three of them!