Fashion and Philosophy Series / The Blog-o-Sphere (Just Observy)

IT HAS BEEN BARELY OVER A YEAR SINCE I STARTED BLOGGING AND

BEING WELL INTO THE NEW YEAR, I WANTED TO SHARE SOME OBSERVATIONS RE:

THE BLOG-O-SPHERE !

I AM NO EXPERT, NOW WILL I 'NAME NAMES', 

BUT THIS IS WHAT I HAVE NOTICED THIS FIRST YEAR....

WHEN I STARTED, THERE WERE THE BIGGIES, THE MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROADIES AND THE NEWBIES  ( like Me... )
I WAS IMMEDIATELY DRAWN TO THE BIG GIRLS. THEY SEEMED TO HAVE THEIR SH@T TOGETHER. 
I WAS ALSO DRAWN TO THE NEWBIE, AS WE WERE ALL STRUGGLING TO GET OUR BLOGS NOTICED.

THE BLOGS THAT REALLY GOT MY ATTENTION WERE THE UNIQUE ONES. ESPECIALLY A BLOG THAT WAS CONSISTENT, QUIRKY AND HAD A STRONG SENSE OF PERSONAL  STYLE. THUS, MOST OF THE BIGGIES ( who rarely , if ever, visited me anyway ... ) KINDA JUST FELL AWAY. 
NOT THAT THEY WERE 'BAD' OR ANYTHING, I JUST LEFT BECAUSE I FELT A SENSE OF DISCONNECT.
TOO MANY ADS, TOO MANY CONTESTS, TOO MUCH ....

TRUE CONFESSIONS ~
HOWEVER, THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF BLOGS THAT WERE GROWING SO FAST MY HEAD WAS SPINNING! WHAT DID THEY HAVE THAT I DIDN'T ??? 
WE STARTED AROUND THE SAME TIME, WORE SIMILAR CLOTHES ......
I FELL IN LINE, MARCHED TO THEIR TUNE, COPIED THEIR LOOKS ;)
I HIT WEARDROBE, CHICTOPIA, AND EVEN BLOGGED IN A MAGAZINE....
SO WHY WASN'T I A BIG-TIMER ???

WHEN IT HIT ME !

WHEN I FINALLY FELT I HAD CREATED A "SUCCESSFUL" BLOG, ( WHICH IN NO WAY IS COUNTED BY FOLLOWERS NOR COMMENTS PER POST, THOUGH THAT IS A HUGE PART OF IT...)   BUT I FELT I WAS BEGINNING TO ACHIEVE MY GOALS ( DOING SOMETHING I LOVED AND FEELING PROUD OF IT )   
WAS WHEN I SMILED A REAL SMILE. NOT A FORCED SMILE . 
THAT SIMPLE. 
WHEN I STOPPED BEING SO DAMN VAGUE THAT I AM 46 !!!
WHEN I STOPPED PUTTING ON FULL-BLOWN WAR PAINT ,( which was a chore for me ) - now I rarely wear make-up anymore ... (disclaimer: lipstick is always a must, otherwise i look kinda dead)
 AND WHEN I ADMITTED THAT I AM A REAL PERSON WHO CAN LAUGH AT MYSELF OR CRY ~
( depending on the day ;) . 
WHEN MY PHOTOS STOPPED BEING EXACTLY 1/4 " AT THE TOP BY 1/2 " ON THE SIDES. 
 ( though don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good photo, it's my thing ;)
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: LISTENING , INSTEAD OF SHOUTING, "LOOK AT ME!"
SEEMS SO VERY SIMPLE, HUH ?

I DO STILL VISIT A COUPLE BIG GIRLS, BUT I DO IT TO SEE THEIR COOL OUTFITS , THEIR UNIQUE PHOTOS AND THERE IS ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT MAKES ME LAUGH OUT LOUD. ( who doesn't need a good dose of humor ? )


NO, I DON'T SEE MYSELF AS A BIG-TIMER,
NOR DO I NEED TO BE ANYMORE ....
BEING "FRINGY" IS GREAT AND ALLOWS ME TO EXPERIMENT, MAKE LASTING FRIENDSHIPS,
AND LEARN TO TRUST IN MYSELF :)

TODAY, I SEEK OUT THE BLOGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL GOOD. 
MAKE ME THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND GET ME ALL EXCITED TO GO OUTSIDE IN THE FREEZING COLD TO POP OFF MY LATEST ENSEMBLE ;)
I LIKE BLOGS WHERE I FEEL A KINDRED SPIRIT. NOT BECAUSE WE DRESS THE SAME- I HAVE A MIRROR ( or two ;) FOR THAT, BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTING TO ME. WHO OFFER THE STUFF I NEED TO ENRICH MY CREATIVITY- MY SOUL....
WHO ARE HONEST and ORIGINAL. ( I think I was a Brit in my former life ....)
MAYBE THAT'S A BIT SELFISH ;)   ~  BY THE BY :

WHEN DID IT HIT YOU ?

ATTIRE: VINTAGE ELEPHANT EAR PANTS ( MINE , VERY OLD )

                CROPPED SWEATER: THRIFTED ~ BOOTS: THRIFTED

                MEN'S HAT: THRIFTED ~ SUEDE BAG: THRIFTED

                COPPER PENDANT: THRIFTED ~ RING: CLAIRE'S

                SCARF; TARGET? OR WORLD MKT. OLDER...

               

Let It Go ! / Tribal Print Skirt

( NOTICE CANDY BELLY ? ;)

I AM STILL GETTING MY "SHTUFF" TOGETHER AFTER THE HOLIDAY (S). 
I AM MOVING AT A SNAIL'S PACE, BUT HEY, THAT'S OK ....
THIS IS ONE OF MY BACK-UP SKIRTS ..... LET ME EXPLAIN.... WHEN I FIND SOMETHING I REALLY LIKE, I USUALLY BUY 2 ( If on deep sale, which this was ), BUT RARELY WEAR IT , AS IF IT IS A GO-TO "SAFETY" ITEM. THE ITEM THAT IF OR WHEN I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO WEAR, IT WILL SAVE ME ;)
BUT AS TROLL LOGIC GOES, THEN IT RARELY GETS WORN, IF AT ALL ! (( this skirt is at least 3-4 yrs.old with tags still attached ...))   ~ plus, I have another one a size bigger !

SO MY WISE MOTHER-IN-LAW

 ENCOURAGED ME TO STOP "SAVING" THINGS .

( I ALSO SAVE MY GOOD FRAGRANCE AND LOTIONS, WHICH LOTIONS BEGIN TO SMELL BAD AFTER A COUPLE YEARS ;) WHAT AM I SAVING THEM FOR ANYWAY ???
1. A NUCLEAR ATTACK ? ( I'll make a well-scented corpse )
2. TOMORROW I WILL DESERVE TO LOOK OR SMELL BETTER ? 
( Come On ! )
3. I MAY WANT TO PASS THEM DOWN TO MY CHILDREN ?
(oh, yeah, I don't have kids...)

SO HERE SHE IS IN ALL HER GLORY ! TO BE WORN, 

AND BREATHE A BREATH OF FRESH COMPLIMENTS ;)

WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING ON TO ?

ATTIRE : SKIRT, JCPENNY'S, DEEP CLEARANCE

                TOP: SEARS,CLX. 

                SCARF: WORLD MKT,OLD ~ EARRINGS: CLAIRE'S 1.00

                GLASSES: RUE 21  ~ CLOGS: SEARS SUPER CLEARANCE (OLD)

FASHION AT 75 / MY MUSE ....

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO ONE OF THE MOST FASHION FORWARD WOMEN I KNOW ....

WE CALL HER MOM !

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW , CEDITH, AGE 75, SOON TO BE 76 IN MAY, IS ONE HOT CHICKA !!!
SHE IS MY MUSE, ( if you were with me back in the summer, you met her then as well ). 

SHE WASN'T ALWAYS AS STYLISH AS SHE IS NOW. A SELF-PROCLAIMED "TOM BOY" WHO SWUNG FROM THE TREES AND DONNED ROLLED-UP JEANS AND LOAFERS.

SHE CLAIMS THAT HER HUSBAND "GOT HER STRAIGHT OUT OF DIAPERS" WITH A GRIN, AND HE SAYS THE FIRST THING HE NOTICED ABOUT HER WAS HER BUTT. ( But in his defense, he saw her getting on the school bus from behind ;) SURE, DAD !!!

HER FIRST DRESS, SHE RECALLS, WAS A BLUE FITTED DRESS THAT HER SISTER BOUGHT FOR HER AS SHE WAS HOME-COMING QUEEN HER JR. YEAR AND DIDN'T OWN A DRESS.

( She was a natural, see her pink satin shoes and pink hat ! )

MOM WAS AN AVID READER, SCOURING BOOKS SUCH AS NANCY DREW AND ZANE GRAY NOVELS.

SHE READ A BOOK IN WHICH ONE OF THE CHARACTER'S NAME WAS RODNEY AND SHE KNEW THAT WOULD BE HER SON'S NAME !

THE NEWLY WEDS :)

MOM WORKED HER WAY THROUGH COLLEGE IN BEREA, KY 

( at which time she wanted to be a teacher, but felt the calling to help other's and graduated as an R.N. ) AS HEAD NURSE, SHE TOOK CARE OF MANY VETERANS IN CINCINNATI BEFORE SHE RETIRED.

HER VERY FIRST UNIFORM WAS BLACK STOCKINGS AND SHOES AND A PINAFORE BLACK/WHITE STRIPED APRON. SHE FELT LIKE AN INMATE ;)

( Rod still says she's a rough nurse, tee, hee! )

WHEN SHE REALLY GOT INTO FASHION ....

HER FIRST FASHION PASSION WAS IN THE EARLY 60'S.  A MINT GREEN DRESS AND A BROWN AND WHITE POLKA DOT NUMBER!

ROD REMEMBERS WHEN HE WAS IN SECOND GRADE, HIS MOM CAME INTO THE CLASSROOM AND ONE LITTLE BOY SAID "YOUR MOM LOOKS SEXY IN BLACK".

BUT AS MOST OF US DO, SHE HAD SELF-ESTEEMS ISSUES ABOUT HER BODY. SHE FELT THAT SHE WAS TOO VOLUPTUOUS AND WORE HER CLOTHES TOO BIG TO HIDE HER BODY. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN TIMES WERE SO TIGHT, THAT SHE WOULD BORROW DRESSES TO WEAR TO FUNCTIONS. BUT SHE DIDN'T COMPLAIN, THAT'S NOT HER NATURE.

SHE TAUGHT HERSELF TO SEW 

AND MADE HER FIRST MATERNITY DRESS IN 1959,

( THE FIRST DRESS SHE EVER MADE! ) 

SHE SEWED A LOT DURING THE SEVENTIES ...

( THE MID EIGHTIES )

TODAY SHE PREFERS LAYERS,
NEUTRALS, SILVER OVER GOLD, AND COSTUME JEWELRY OVER THE REAL THING . ( Me too !!! )

WHAT IS HER SECRET TO VITALITY AND HEALTH ???

MOM : " I HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY THE LORD WITH GOOD GENES. I EXERCISE, WALK, CLOGGED AND JAZZERCISED,  LINE DANCED AND AM ALWAYS ON THE MOVE."

SHE IS ALWAYS GIVING AND FEELS SHE IS MEANT TO SERVE OTHERS.

SHE TAKES CARE OF HER BODY AND TREATS IT AS THE TEMPLE IT IS MEANT TO BE.

PLUS SHE LAUGHS ALL THE TIME AND SAYS THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAITH, DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T HAVE FUN !!!

HER TRUEST LOVE IS HER FAMILY !
( left to right: Me, Rod (son), Clee (Dad), Karen (daughter), David, Wrong-way Feldman )

AND HER BIRDS !!!

WORDS OF WISDOM ?

" YOU MUST HAVE FAITH.

    IF YOU HAVE A GOAL, GO FOR IT ! DON'T LET FAILURE  STAND IN YOUR WAY.

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS EASY ..."

HER BELOVED MOTHER.

MOM IS ALSO A TERRIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER. 

SHE LOVES NATURE AND FEEDS ALL THE BIRDS IN THEIR NECK OF THE WOODS.

I HAVE WISHED SHE WOULD START A BLOG, BUT SHE INSISTS SHE IS JUST TOO BUSY. I BELIEVE IT !!!

AREN'T I BLESSED AS WELL !

OUR FIRST SHOOT :

(link)

TIMELESS BEAUTY

I'M BACK !

HI EVERYBODY !!!

I'M BACK FROM CHRISTMAS PART 2 .

 FUN WAS HAD BY ALL, FOOD-A-PLENTY AND THIS YEAR I HAD THE MOST FUN WITH MY CAMMY ;) 

I THINK I SHOULD NAME HER ...

WE LANDED STRAIGHT IN THE FOOTHILLS OF APPALACHIA AROUND SUNSET SATURDAY .

I COMPLETELY DISREGARDED MY MINIMAL PACKING RULE THAT WORKED SO WELL JUST THE WEEK BEFORE. 50% ISN'T BAD ;)

(ps, don't drive on acid .....)

kidding ;)

AS WE PULLED INTO THE DRIVE-WAY , A TREE YOU COULD SEE FOR LITERALLY MILES AND FAR INTO OUTER SPACE AWAITED US. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO POP OFF PHOTOS !

AND FORCED UNWILLING ANIMALS AND MY BROTHER--IN-LAW INTO THE TREE!

IT WAS HUGE , WE ALL FIT EASILY IN THERE AND COULD HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL MORE IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT THERE !

I MANAGED TO GET SOME FAMILY SHOTS AS WELL.

I WANTED TO STRAY AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY PHOTOS THIS YEAR. 

I THINK IT WORKED OUT !

I THINK I NEED TO PRACTICE MY " DIRECTING " SKILLS A BIT MORE .....

I HOPE YOUR WEEK IS OFF TO A GREAT START !