Just Linking: June 1, 2007
I’m putting this post up now so I can tell you the late-developing technical news:
- I am unable to upload the wonderful pictures Dana sent in for this week’s fashion lab. Still working on it.
- Friend just phoned. He’s on his way over here with his old/our new computer. We still need an Operating System for it.
The fabulous! festival appears Monday at Gala Darling’s blog. In the meantime, here’s some weekend reading:
- Why sleeveless is better than cap sleeve, via youlookfab. Come back and tell me what you think.
- Introducing Meg at All About Appearances. In her post Dressing for Job Interviews at Casual Companies, which is about all I see out here, she shares a bit of advice from her (brilliant!) mom:
When dressing for an interview, dress a bit nicer than the company’s employees.
- Since my hero works in the engineering and architecture field, it was fun to see the suggestions that Tricia at Omiru.com had for interviewing in a casual office (although I think she means technology engineering as opposed to structural engineering).
And this cartoon at bonnie’s blog has nothing to do with getting dressed. Or does it?
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Spokane Thrift Stores: BJs at Goodwill on 3rd
Located between Spokane landmark Dick’s Hamburgers and the vacated former Costco building on Third Avenue, the original Spokane Goodwill is worth popping in to anytime you happen to be in the vicinity. For me, that’s weekly. What if you only have a few minutes? Just park on the street or in their generous parking lot and run into Bj’s, the local boutique division of Goodwill, about which I found this quote in Goodwill’s From Yesterday to Today page:
Also in 1998, Goodwill opened Bj’s next to the downtown Spokane Goodwill store. The specialty boutique features Victorian décor, an espresso bar, and higher-end clothing, vintage jewelry, art and antiques, books, furniture and collectibles. The opening received enthusiastic local publicity. Bj’s is named after President and CEO Bobbi Johnson.
Offering quality name-brand items, many with tags still attached, as well as vintage clothing, Bj’s also has a women’s plus size section just inside the door, to the right. Unfortunately they have yet to implement sizing the racks, although the main store is starting to do that now. Also, the last time I was in there the espresso bar was torn apart. But espresso isn’t what we’re after anyway, is it?
Be warned: next week, June 4th - 8th, 2007, the parking lot will be being paved.
Bj’s, the local name for the boutique division of Goodwill, not to be confused with BJ’s Wholesale Club, which I had never before heard of.
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Using Accessories to Anchor Attention Around the Face
Casually mentioning that dcrmom could use some fun earrings to anchor attention around her face when wearing the red top, I think I stumbled onto something. As highlighting the face is the most important task of any ensemble, there are probably lots of other ways to use accessories that can be added to my neckline advice to do the job.
Let’s just consider this brainstorming. I’ll go first:
- Pendant necklace: one that hits at the proper balance point. Bonus if the pendant shape echoes the shape and/or color of the eyes.
- Headband. In scale with the wearer’s facial features, color could be used to create a frame (by matching the top) or to focus attention on the eyes.
- When selecting earrings, consider where the shape of the earring draws the eye. While I’m fond of more dangly earrings, but they may not tend to draw attention directly to my face as much as my daughter’s little tiny studs that mimic her “sparkles” (what I call freckles).
Okay, now it’s up to you embellishment people:Â What are your best accessorizing tips?
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If You Don’t Have a Secondary Style Personality
Recently I proposed that neglecting to accent with your secondary style can result in a look that feels boring, all the while looking completely normal. But what if you don’t have a secondary style?
Most of you readers who have commented on that post, or this one where I posted my working definitions of style personalities, understand yourself to be a blend. Most, but not all. My daughter who is a single style herself reminded me of this helpful principle for those who do not have a natural accent style.
With a single style, the style the furthest away from you is best to borrow from.
Here’s how they pair up:
Practical and Contemporary
Romantic and Glamorous
Timeless and Innovative
So if Miss Timeless is feeling a little bored, she might grab a pair of crazy socks or earrings. Or a colorful umbrella. Maybe she’ll even wear crocs!
When dressing for an event that doesn’t really fit your style type at all, the real genius in this principle kicks in. For instance, if Miss Romantic is invited to a red carpet event, she can ask herself, “what would a Glamorous wear?”
Thus, when Practical daughter has no idea what to wear for an event, she mentally stretches herself to think Contemporary.
Under what circumstances would this help you?
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Teen Style Tuesday: Are Shorts Modest?
Those of you who are not in the US may not be aware that yesterday was Memorial Day, meaning that my hero was at home and thus my posting schedule is slightly messed up. I am just happy that I was able to post the fabulous! festival on time. This morning it dawned on me that I had completely forgotten to run a Teen Style Tuesday post; but better late than never, right?
Okay, and time for true confessions: I could be a little more inspired for this feature. In the meantime, I want to raise a few questions (not eyebrows or hemlines) about the results of the Modesty Survey at the Rebelution.
So here’s a pair of results that surprised me:
64.5% of the respondents agree with this statement:
It is immodest for a girl to expose her legs up to mid-thigh.
However, only 34.2% agreed with this statement:
Any shorts that are shorter than knee-length are immodest.
My conclusion: short skirts are more of a problem for guys than short pants. (That is the point of the project. Ladies dress modestly to help guys avoid sin. Here’s an old post I wrote on the topic.) Also, and I said this last summer too, conservative moms this summer risk looking immodest because traditional summer styles bare more thigh than the most modest modern styles do, for both shorts and swimwear.
What do you think?
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Just Linking: May 25th, 2007
Random stuff from around the blogosphere:
Late entry:Â Kleja, who lives, blogs, and creates great stuff to sell on etsy in Spokane, pictured in her new pants (but I’m looking at her shoes).
Business in Miami in July, via Omiru. More hot weather authority dressing for you southern gals. I love the shirtdress idea!
My innovative friend Jill, wearing my Grandma’s dress - it’s so Jackie O!
Speaking of fabulous, and right on target with our current discussion of combining black with colors, Gala darling’s post from the first Fabulous! Festival at the Bargain Queen is a don’t miss: a very thorough treatment on how to get away from an all-black wardrobe and branch out into wearing color (you know who you are ;)!). Also in Gala’s post, an explanation of the modified seasonal color system (where each of the four seasons is broken down into three sub-categories). BTW, don’t forget: The Festival’s here Monday!
Something I ran into while researching: this article on wearing hats via The Morning News. Any hat wearers around here?
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Friday Fashion Lab: Combining Black & Colors
Thank you to to Alyson for both inspiring and modeling this edition of Friday Fashion Lab at The Space Between My Peers. Alyson’s question:
What about the Trinny & Susannah concept that you shouldn’t wear black with color, only other neutrals like white and gray. I think I remember them saying that it “cheapens colorâ€. Is this always true?
Not being thoroughly familiar with the teachings of Trinny & Susannah, nonetheless I have bumped into this idea elsewhere. Here’s an excellent tip from Angie at youlookfab:
When wearing black with a colour, be sure to add another neutral tone to the ensemble – it looks less dated that way.
I think “dated” is an underlying concern with wearing black and colors together. I also think alot has to do with the strength and how much color is in the individual’s own personal coloring. Now, on to the pictures:
Hey, is there a symbol for applause? Because I think Alyson deserves it for a great Fashion Lab!
So what are your thoughts about black & color? For me, with my soft coloring, I think black + white + something warm & muted might be a good formula. But I personally do not think the hot pink + black looks dated at all on Alyson.
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Lands’ End Swimwear
I finally figured out a legal way to link to Lands’ End, since they keep turning me down for their affiliate program: Lands’ End Swimwear on Amazon.com!

Normally I’m not such a skirted swimsuit person, but in paisley this one is very tempting! Plus it would match my Reefs.
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How to Wear Brown and Red Without Looking Like a Blood Clot
I can think of two, maybe three, ways to wear brown and red together without looking like a blood clot:
- With khaki, which is actually a tint of brown.
- With white.
- Maybe with pink, the tint of red.
- Never alone with black.
- Okay, also in a print with other brights such as apple green, hot pink, or turquoise.
- For the extreme outdoors person only: with camo.
If you’re daring enough to try it with solid color separates, I do advise using the 60/30/10 rule and keeping either the red or the brown the 10% accent.
It kinda reminds me of the color scheme of this blog. Have you noticed the picture of me has a brown frame now?
This just in: Take 25% off Gapbody swim styles. Limited time only. In stores and online. Most of what you will find I am not recommending as modest swimwear. But this Gap Essential tankini, if combined with a pair of board shorts, could work and it illustrates the colors I’m talking about here.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ONLY: Get $6 Shipping at gap.com. Offer ends May 28.
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Let’s Party at the Fabulous! Festival
This week’s Fabulous! Festival of fashion, beauty, and style is up at Individual Chic. Next week the Festival will be here, so get those submissions coming in!
Here’s what’s up, via The Bargain Queen, the festival’s originator and official calendar-keeper:
Each week, a different blog hosts the carnival. Bloggers send a link to their best article for the week to the hosting blogger. The blogger who’s hosting it collates all the submissions into a big link round-up, so readers can find all the best content for the last week in one place.
Submissions are due this Friday, topic of your choice. Just enter your information on the BlogCarnival form (I promise, it’s really easy); the categories of posts to be included are: beauty, fashion, personal style, and shopping.
Come back Monday to read them all!









