Over at....

I Want I Got...

Balenciaga Edition Fall Winter 2008 - 2009

Very interesting concept!

Balenciaga raised eyebrows during the Fall 2008 shows with their rework of the LBD:






(Personally I think it looks a bit like your dress got into a knife fight prior to you wearing it to dinner...but that's just me!)

But I think this revisiting of classic looks is even more interesing....

Balenciaga Fall 1965 - Gazar Sleeveless Dress with Ruffle


Balenciaga Fall 1967 Wool Coat with Wood Buttons and Lined with Taffeta


Balenciaga Fall 1958 - Silk Scarf with Lace Ruffles at the Edges

Balenciaga Spring 1940 - Crepe Shirt Blased with Organza

Blaenciaga Spring 1958 - Checked Wool Rounded Shape Short Jacket

Balenciaga Spring 1961 - Checked Wool Wrap over Skirt with Two Pockets


Balenciaga Spring 1966 - Double Range Crystal Necklace


Balenciaga Spring 1959 - Strass and Pearl Flower Necklace

What I find amazing and wonderful about these designs is that, through they span different eras, they could all be reproduced today as is and feel perfectly modern.

What a perfect example of classic style.

(Pics: Balenciaga.com)

Sigh.....

Ok.

Lets face it.

Tomorrow is September 1.

Kids are going back to school.

It's Fall.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay maybe I'm particularly feeling down about the whole Fall thing this year because I had a crazy busy summer at work and with family - so I feel I had no Summer at all!

Be that as it may - Tress are going to turn from green to gold, the wind is going to go from balmy to crisp...

And you're going to need some gloves.

Why not do it in style...



Ines Gloves Europe

She does 'em short:





Short Every Day Glace Gloves - $135.56





Warm Silk Happy Laced Gloves - $145.88

She does 'em long...



Sensual Almost Elbow High Gloves - $90.08

Longer...



Longest???....



Sensual Indulging Up Shoulder Gloves - $293.23

And then...well you be the judge...



Fashionata Half Gloves - $145.88

But my fav?....



Gloves Bolero - $396.37

Ah...If I were only 30 years younger....

Okay let's face it....

As you get older, your eyes do too...and suddenly reading glasses become one of your best friends! That is if you want those letters on the page to stop resembling marching ants!

So since sooner or later you gotta wear them...why not do it in style...

icu Eyewear


A couple of my favs...



Modern Geometric Patterned Full Oval w/case

Fun, Funky 60s and fab!




Slim Rectangle with Etched Stem

Classy - but at $62.95 class will cost ya!




Soft Cat Eye w/Rhinestones

What can I say - the 50's born girl in me just thinks they're fab!

So if you keep saying, "Why do they make this type so small" join us here in Realville and skip on over to icu Eyeware - see what you're doing and look good in the process!

Diane von Furstenberg....

Gets interactive while showing off her Fall 2008 collection....

Looks We Love

As you know, if you read my thoughts on her Fall 2008 collection (Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2008 RTW.... ) way back in February, I loved a lot about it except for those damnable skinny belts (which, by the by, it appears that we will not be able to escape this season!).

So go on over and get interactive with her while you take another look at her Fall offerings! ;-)

Getting Healthy.....

and staying healthy can be, as you know, a real challenge as you grow older.

Over at Fabulous After 40 the always fabulous Glam Gals share words of wisdom from one of their favorite health gurus:

How to stay fit? Good Question!

The tips are great good sense and definitely doable! I'll certainly be adding them to my arsenal as I try to get my health (which has been kind of shaky as of late) back on track!

From the New York Mag Look Book...

A woman who knows where she stands on style....

Rose Conrad, Retiree

And I agree. Just 'cause you can do something doesn't mean you should!

Over at....

Barbs Beauty Tips for Babes over 60 Ms. Barb holds forth on...

A SHOE WITH THE GYM BUILT-IN?? ..In which Ms. Barb takes the highly hyped FitFlops for a test spin - and likes what she feels! (Personally, a gym built into my shoes is probably the only way I'll make it to one!)

Gives us tips for dealing with yet another delightful aspect of growing older...

TIPS FOR THINNING HAIR

Once again...

The Thoughtful Dresser points us to a piece on sartorial perfection - or, at the very least, the desire for it...

A well-judged column

Do go over and read the whole thing - delightful and well worth the time!

One of my favorite fashion blogs...

Is the Adventures of an Urban Socialite. She specializes in featuring up and coming or off the radar designers with a definite cutting edge. More often than not intriguing, never boring, reading her helps keep my fashion chops sharp!

Sadly, most of what she features is usually cut too young for the 50+ woman to pull off (with her dignity intact that is!)so I rarely link out to her featured designers.

But every once and a while the cutting edge is right up my alley -

Dit-u see that?

Now admittedly, some of the skin tight skirt action is a bit too much for the 50+ gal. But the butterfly sleeved knit tops are dreamily beautiful and easily pulled off by the 50+ femme!


CHREE-ative design

Can you say future classic? Amazing clean lines with unexpected details that make you go "Wow" not "WTF!". If you one of the more intrepid boomer dressers (oh and skinny, don't forget skinny), do yourself a favor and check CRHEE out - hell check it out anyway just for the pleasure of looking at the designs! ;-)

I Heart....

Elena Miro's Fall 2008 collection....





Okay, I'm not too sure about the fuzzy pink sweater - pink not being my color! But I like the concept of the color matched with that brown kissed with an undertone of gray color their working it with - it rocks!

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Fall 2008.....

I guess when they announced that Isaac Mizrahi was leaving Target for Liz Claiborne, I wasn't paying sharp attention. Regardless of the way his name has been removed from prominent display in Target stores, he still on deck for them until the end of this year...

Thus his Target Fall 2008 collection:


















As you can see, there's plenty to love for the 50+ femme in this collection.

Oh and of course, let's not forget the accessories...

About a week ago.....

I stumbled across (no, of course I don't remember how - senior moment!) the following site:

Seeking Designers

This site is to fashion designers what the wonderful Etsy is to artist crafters. Designers can post samples of their work with links to their own sites and contact info.

Some of the designers on this site I already think are fab?:


Neiko Designs



IGNES Handbags




Cha Cha



I'll be doing a longer post on these designers on my
Bag Sanity site. But feel free to follow the links to their pages on Seeking Designers - I think you'll like what you see!

Okay for some strange reason.....

I'm having a problem posting pics here today!

Hopefully I can get this resolved today -- I have quite a few things I want to post today!

Yes I know....

I've always been an occasional blogger, but lately it's just gotten to be ridiculous!

It's been a busy summer for me. While others may have been enjoying vacations in fascinating (or not so) places, there was a large project at my job (yes, the way I continue to be able to blog indoors) and lots of family related issues to deal with. Needless to say, it feels that the summer has passed me by!

But it's looking as if Fall maybe take a slower pace for me - and hopefully that will mean more blogging opportunities!

So continue to watch this spot! ;-)

I Heart....

Paco and Lupe's Urban Jungle Bag - $95.00

I Heart....

Tina Tang's pearl and silver lovely....




Audrey Silver Necklace - $175.00

Interesting......

Her Forced Retirement

I have to say, the Sigrid was not my favorite among the Liz Claiborne stable, but I did buy a couple of pieces from that line and I know it had a loyal following.

Moreover it is yet one more disheartening case of a clothing maker who seems to want to run from the boomer woman as if we all had the plague! Even more so when it is the company that Liz Claiborne started specifically because she wanted to provide reasonably priced, quality garments for the professional working woman - of which we boomers make up a large segment!

I will be posting later on some of the changes I've noticed going on over at the Liz Claiborne website as a mere observer and long time fan of the LC brand - and in fairness I will say now that I have tentatively liked what's going on so far.

However, I find it disappointing that they appear to have treated the woman behind the Sigrid line and it's fans with so little regard - not the type of behavior I would have expected from this iconic woman's brand.

Glad I'm not the only one...

That gets a kick out of seeing what the Olympic teams wear as they march in!...

Olympic fashion parade

And yes, the USA was quite dapper in Ralph Lauren - but don't you think it looks like we sent a yachting club to represent for America?

Karl Lagerfeld....

Like everyone else and their momma (well not mine yet, but I won't be surprised if she announces any day now) is coming out with a handbag line...

From New York Magazine

Karl Lagerfeld’s New Bag Line Is Futuristic!

What a great summer look....

That would look great on the 50+ woman as well....

From Stylesightings



The New Yorkers

Over at....

The Three Tomatoes, they give tips on looking younger in no time...

How to Look 10 Years Younger in 10 minutes!

Looks like Target's Appetite....

For designers has not dimmed!....

This from Vogue UK....

On Target

Humm, Alexander McQueen for Target? Interesting thought....

Hop over to Style.com to check out his Fall 2008 collection - and see if you think he could be a good match...

Alexander McQueen: Fall 2008

It Appears...

That Old Navy is determined to come out with a wonderful little black dress for the plus sized woman every season....

And it looks like they've done it again....



Women's Plus Shift Dresses - Black - $39.50

Sleek, classic, this is the epitome of the LBD - you can wear it to work and step straight out of the office and out to dinner!

As wonderful as it is in black - I love it in the Stainless Steel!




Women's Plus Shift Dresses - Stainless Steel - $39.50

Over at.....

Fabulous After 40 they're taking fall fashion too....

Fall Fashion picks for women over 40

Even through it's still summer....

The Fall stuff is hitting the stores and the web right now!

So let's get started taking a sharp (I hope!) eye at what the retailers are offering that might work in the 50+ lady's closet!

Starting out of the gate - Banana Republic...




Paisley Cardigan and Pencil Skirt




Belted Sweater and Wide Leg Pant



Sleeveless Origami Knit Dress - $150.00



BR Monogram Blazer and Wide Leg Pant



BR Monogram Blazer and Pencil Skirt



BR Monogram Trenchcoat and Dress



Trenchcoat and Wide Leg Pant

Yes, yes I know. I usually ignore BR - frankly mostly because I resent the fact that they don't offer their clothes in plus sizes (for some reason, they think that being tall - which admittedly can be quite a dressing challenge in and of itself - is more of an issue for the modern American woman than finding good tailored clothes in plus sizes - NOT!). There's also the issue with the closing of Forth and Towne - a MAJOR mistake if you ask me!

But looking at these outfits, I can't turn a blind eye to their sleek stylishness - just the sort of bedrock pieces a 50+ gal can build on! As long as the frame you're building on doesn't require a size larger than 16!

And by the by....Their Fall handbag collection is not lookin' too shabby either! Skip over to my bag bog -Bag Sanity - for all my picks.

But between you and me...I'm thinking of making space in my closet for this lovely...



Robson Hexagonal Tote - $260.00

I've been longing for a gray bag just this color for awhile now - and this one might just fit the bill! Note that this color is only available online.

Wear candy on your feet....

Not on your hips!

Payless shows you how....



Skip on over and check them out! But beware - these are nose-bleed heels (4")! But I know there are 50+ babes out there that can rock 'em!

I don't usually.....

Feature handbags over $1000.00 here (and certainly not on my bag blog!).

But every once in a while, a uber expensive bag just steals my heart (if not my wallet!)....




Tod's Dokt Bag Tote - $2345.00

For me this bag works on so many levels - classic look (you'll be able to carry it until the day you die and it will still look in style), 2 handles (one for the hand, one for the shoulder - always great to have a choice!), a latch that looks great but is also practical (unlike the Birkin or the Kelly, beautiful bags that they may be!) and the leather just looks lush!

All in all, if I had around $3000.00 to blow on a handbag, this one would be high up on my list of possibles!

And yes, if you just love bags of lizard - and have $30,500.00+ (Yeah that's right - $30,500! - by my calculations a year's worth of mortgage payments for a rather nice house) to pitch out the door you can get this beauty in alligator!

The battle of "To Wear Stockings or Not to Wear Stockings....

Continues....

Sheer stockings get a fashion thumbs-down

As I've said in previous posts - not wearing stockings to work is an anathema ! (Hey I figure if this is the only cantankerous thing I say in my old age, I'm ahead of the game! ;-) ). But like the woman quoted in the article I am aware that that's based on relentless parental programming! ;-)

A shout out to Uptown Girls for the heads up on this one!

Wouldn't it be lovely in these time crunched days...

To have your own personal shopper?

And yes, some of the major stores do offer personal shopper services for free -- but then you have to go into the store to take advantage of that and that takes time, the time you supposedly don't have...well you get the picture.

But what if you had a personal shopper who did the research for you -- and sent the results right to your e-mail...

Meet ShopItToMe

Here in brief is how it works:

1. You sign up.
2. You choose the retailer/designers you love/buy
3. You choose how often you want to be notified

And viola! When items by that retailer/designer goes on sale on pretty much any website, you get an e-mail which not only tells you what's on sale but provides a picture and link to the site!

I received an e-mail from the site basically announcing the service and suggesting that it might be of interest to my readers -- so I decided to check it out. And I must say, it is pretty slick! And if you, like me, do a great deal of online shopping it's that personal online shopper you've been wishing for! My one caveat is that they need to add more retailers - I'm not quite sure why J Jill is not a choice!

So go on over and give ShopItToMe a try!

Wicopy Earrings....

Simply enchanting!...



Juniper Berry Fairy Earrings - $10.00



Spider's Lace Earrings - $10.00




Time Travel Turquoise Earrings - $18.00

Check out the whole collection on Etsy...

Wicopy Bead & Jewelry Supplies

Here's what I love about this - not only are the earrings lovely they are also unique! There is only one of each -- which means you won't see yourself coming and going on the street when you wear them!

Interesting style choices....

Some people make them early....

The San Francisco Twins

I have to say, I'd never heard of these ladies...but it appears they are famous for both the fact that they are very identical twins (award winning actually) and that they dress just alike - and have for most of their lives! For more on them, and another pic of their style check out their entry on Wikipedia...

San Francisco Twins

Interesting isn't it how some of us spend a lifetime trying to determine who we are from a style perspective -- and others just seem to be born with it!

(A shout out of thanks to the
Franklin Avenue blog for introducing me to these distinctive ladies!)

I love the hat....

True Style

Okay this bag...

Is simply delish!

From The Purse Page

3.1 Phillip Lim Runway Lotte Handbag

A few fun things...

From the wonderful Budget Fashionista.....

Colorful Bridal Gowns, Coach Contest, Cute Necklaces: Web Round Up

By the by...I went over to Brickfish (Which is a concept unto itself!) to check out the Coach contest entries...and I have to say there's some pretty impressive work being submitted!

Maybe it's time for Coach to take a page from Freddy and Ma and provide the ability for customers to custom create their own tote - hey they've already got a template! ;-)

Just for fun...

Skip over to Easy Fashion in Paris and check out this post...

Maurizio Galante High Fashion Palais...

I point this post out particularly for the pic of the many tiered sleeves on the pale gray wrap (?) - what an extraordinary piece! It's like origami with fabric!

P.S. If you haven't bookmarked or at least signed up for the email notifications of this blog do yourself a favor and do so! The pics are always wonderful and while, like on all street blogs, you will rarely see pics of ladies our ages I think it helps to keep current on what those younger than us are wearing - we don't have to emulate them, but you just might find elements you can comfortably incorporate into your closet keeping it up to date!

Plus the blog has a great soundtrack! (Link over - you'll see what I mean! ;-) )

Over at Wardrobe 911....

The love continues for the 50+ gal!

what to wear: boomer summer day

Many thanks Ms. Teresa!

A couple of interesting posts...

Over at The Thoughtful Dresser...

And Who Buys Couture?

(I have to admit I wonder this myself!...)

More or Less

Yes -- it is beginning to get through my thick skull that I would probably be much better off with a much more edited closet with fewer clothes of better quality - it's just a better strategy for the 50+ gal. Looks like I'm not the only one moving in that direction! ;-)

A whole lotta love...

For the 50+ lady has been flowing this week from two of my favorite style blogs!

Over at YouLookFab Ms. Angie reflects on the timeless taste of the over 50 femme...


Over 50 and fabulousOver 50 and Fabulous


While Ms. Teresa over at Wardrobe 911 gives a whole series of tips to the 50+ gal on what to where in different situations...

what to wear: smart casual at fab 50

what to wear: planning a retirement wardrobe

what to wear: going out - 50+

A shout out of love to both these ladies for these delish tips! (And ladies, read the comments -- you'll find yourself laughing and shaking your head in agreement!)