Over at I Like Her Style!.....

The intrepid Ms. Sylvia is introducing a new custom clothing site....

Introducing AprilMarin…

The line is presently limited to 3 styles, but they are so classic that any woman can make them work in her wardrobe.

Warning - they are all body hugging styles! However, with sizes ranging from 0 - 22 (and ample custom sizing options within those sizes)and prices that are more than reasonable, AprilMarin is starting out right if you ask me!

My fav:




Black Pinstripe Capri Suit - $180.00

Place your beautiful gifts in something just as beautiful...

Just as we have begun talking fall fashion, The Bag Lady has got me thinking of Christmas and the opportunity to give gifts in wonderful gift bags....

Glorious Gift Bags

Make sure to go over to the site - the bags are just beautiful! Just to wet your whistle:









With gift bags this beautiful it's like giving 2 gifts!

The pretty pear shape....

Revisited by Ms. Angie at youlookfab for 2007:

The Pretty Pear in 2007

Personally, I'm going to paste these guidelines to 3x5 cards and carry them with as I do MY fall shopping!

And for more great body shape advice, check out Ms. Angie's archives (just to refresh the memory - which at our ages is often a must!):

youlookfab Body Type Archive

As we comtemplate our closets for Fall....

It's time to contemplate how to make the best out of our Fall purchases!

And just like real estate is all about Location, Location, Location - clothes that make you look good are all about Fit, Fit and Fit!

And to get that indispensable fit, we're all going to have to start thinking alterations...a concept common to men's suit shopping, but something that most women probably don't think of as part of the price of their clothing purchase.

Well ladies it time we did...and over at youlookfab the wise Ms. Angie is getting you schooled:

Alterations: the path to perfect fit

The sad fact is that off the rack does not necessarily mean it fits off the rack!

I have finally gotten it through my thick head that I HAVE to get my pants and often my skirts, altered in the waist 'cause, as a now pear shaped gal, these hips of mine have to be accommodated first when I'm shopping.

The prices Ms. Angie lists look about right to me based on my own experience.Just recently I had a pair of Eddie Bauer chocolate brown linen pants altered in the waist (miraculously, the lenght was right for a change - yes I'm pear shaped AND short!). The pants were $44.00 on sale and I paid an additional $13.00 to have the waist fixed. So in total the pants cost me $57.00 - still less than the original price of the pants!

It will take a bit of practice, but you do need to start getting in the habit of calc'ing in the price of alternations as you're trying on those fall fashions!

Having clothes that not only look great but feel great because they actually fit you will be worth the extra! ; - )

To this I say....

Amen and Hallelujah!

From the New York Times....

Après Rehab: A Lovely Sobriety


May I simply say - it's about time!

Actually, it's probably mostly about Fall and that sense of getting back to business that it brings. Like the movie industry, the fashion world tends to save the serious stuff for the autumn season!

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Fall 2007 Collection

Hope over and take a look at Isaac's Target line for Fall '07

Isaac Mizrahi For Target Fall 2007


These pieces aren't available on line as yet, but their already appearing in the fashion press as good budget buys.

My favs? The swing coat (Yes, it's the 40s and 50s influence for Fall 07!) and the grey dress. Both pieces can work across the age line!

Don't let the kids....

Steal all the back to school outfits fun! (Which, if I recall correctly, was about the ONLY fun about back to school! :-P )

From About.com:

5 Back-to-School Styles to Steal From Your Kids

The one that I'm most dubious about is the layered look -- I'm not sure how that would work on those of us of an age.

But the other tips are definitely doable! ;-)

Choosing the Right Handbag Bag...

Is sometimes a war between your heart and your head! You love it, but it just doesn't quite look right...

Take a gander at About.com's guide to finding the right bag for your frame...

Choose the Right Bag for Your Body


Just a few good, commonsense tips to help you keep your head while bag shopping! ;-)

Classic Style....

Is what The Early Show on CBS was focusing on this morning.

The segment was pretty good, not only pulling out the old chestnuts (a good pair of black pants, a white shirt, etc.) but suggesting subtle twists on these old favorites.

You can view the video by clicking the following link...

Classic Style Staples

T.J. Maxx weights in on top picks for Fall '07....

This, care of Fashiontribes.com:

Fall Fashion Advice from T.J.Maxx that's Affordably Chic. FASHIONTRIBES FASHION BLOG

Fashiontribes.com has their own favs for Fall of course...

The Top 10 Fashion Must-Have's for a Failsafe Fall Wardrobe. FASHIONTRIBES FASHION, ACCESSORIES & SHOE BLOG.

Looking at these two lists, it's pretty clear to see that a trend towards more tailored looks is definitely what Fall '07 will be about. Tailored pieces in gray (looks like I was ahead of the curve for once in my,sadly unsuccessful, search this summer for light gray pieces!), bright accent colors and shoes that won't leave you crippled seem to be the key pieces to get or pull out of the back of your closet! Animal prints are also roaring onto the scene along with metallics. Personally I don't particularly like either, but I can see how a touch of either can add a bit of punch to the right outfit!

And speaking of Fall....

We are once again inundated with the ubiquitous Top 10 lists for Fall.

I'll post links to the ones I think are the best as I come across them. But since we were talking About.com this morning, let's start off with theirs, shall we?

10 Fall Fashion Classics You Need to Own

Nothing really revolutionary on their list - but good solid basics that will work well for any woman of any age.

Refreshing change from Spring and Summer this year is it not?

I don't know about you....

But a combination of me being in the process of cleaning out my closet (too much stuff from too far back in my past!) and the approach of Fall, has me thinking about how to establish - or reestablish - my own individual style.

Over at About.com: Women's Fashion they provide a brief but on point list on How to Develop a Signature Style .

I'll definitely be keeping this list in mind as I consider what to add to my wardrobe for the Fall...and beyond! ;-)

I'm backkk.....

Yeah I know - it's been awhile since I've posted.

The health issues in my family continue and that's taken a big bite out of my non-work time - not to mention my general energy level! And to be honest, with everything that's been going on in my life, I just haven't had much heart for writing on clothes.

But, as you know, you can't keep a good clothes-a-holic down for long!

So look out for some hardcore posting in the next couple of days!

After all fall fashion is on the way! ;-)