Monday, September 24, 2012

Two steps forward.

I really do have more going on in my life than shopping and cooking.  It just seems these are time  munchers.  I spend an awful lot of time thinking about things I need to purchase, or would like to purchase, either for myself or others.  I also spend a fair amount of time thinking about food and what to make for dinner. 

I get frustrated over not having the right thing to wear, or cook ~ recurring themes here in this blog, I know.  I’ve started a list of things that I would like to buy and everyday there is a new item added to the list.  What’s happening now is that there are food preparation items taking the place of clothing! My lists are starting to intermingle…maybe even inbreed! What happens when my underwear hooks up with that omelet pan I’m checking out?

This past week, because I had really whined about doing all the cooking around this place, hubs said he would make a big pot of chili.  I had spent the entire morning planning out the menu for the week and making out the grocery list.  I was happy to turn over a meal.  More than happy.  I thought “Someone has finally heard me! I really don’t want to be the only one!” I was stoked, grateful and sure, gleeful over it. He noticed!

Fast forward to later that day ~ groceries put away, chili is being stirred, ready for serving.  Digging around in the fridge, hubs says “So, were you making these crescent rolls for tonight?”  I laughed and said “Really? When in 35 years have I ever served crescent rolls with chili? That doesn’t even sound good!”
 
He said “When in 35 years have I ever paid attention?”

And, there ya go.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Couple things

I had a very nice conversation with someone this week who I was surprised to hear felt almost exactly like I do about collarless shirts, only for different reasons.  She was a customer in the Gallery Shop and was trying on jewelry.  She explained to me she likes to wear v-necks and boat necks to show off her fabulous collection of necklaces but also because, although petite, she felt like she was wide across the top of her shoulders.  Now, I didn't see that at all but she felt pretty strongly about it so I wasn't going to try to convince her otherwise. 

I did share with her that I also prefer collarless but because I have a short neck.  She said I did and then placed her finger on my upper chest and said "Here's your center.  Yours is a bit lower than mine, so you can wear a slightly deeper V." I just nodded like I knew what she meant. 

I don't.

But I found the conversation really interesting and I especially started to catch on to a little of what she saw that I didn't as I watched while she tried on necklaces of various sizes and lengths.  She knew exactly what she wanted and what would look right.   I asked her what she thought about the basic white shirt.  She replied she didn't know as she's never had one "I think they always mean one of those white button down collared things and I can't wear those." 

I started to question whether I need a white shirt after all and was more confused than ever.  However, I like white.  I think I need white, so I am obtaining white.  You can see a white blouse I am considering here:  http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72302&vid=1&pid=329636&scid=329636012 

or this one http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=72302&vid=1&pid=251984&scid=251984052

I prefer the second one but am not convinced on the polyester.  These may strike you as more casual than I meant originally and they are.   Part of this process has been to figure out my style, what I feel good in. It just works better with my wardrobe;  I like the looser, "peasant" look but I am not into embroidery too much and I usually don't care for lacey.  Although, there is a blouse in a store that is ALL lace and off white.  I thought it would be a great piece to add to the mix, actually.  It does have a collar however and I haven't even tried it on. 

Part of the whole discovery of who Cindi is has been accepting that I have not always presented Cindi. So I have invested some time in seeking out items on the internet that fit into my style.  I have gone through my closet with a fine tooth comb.  It's a wonder I am able to get dressed at all, really.  As I went through pages and pages of white blouses on site after site, I thought of just getting a dang white, button down collar shirt to point at and say "This is what EVERYone must have, and I have one".  I could take people in to my closet and show them as I'm pretty sure I'd never wear it.

Point is, I have realized at this late, great age that I have shopped for years by what's on the racks and what the "office policy" or more accurately, office politics, said I should wear.  Those days are behind me! It takes a little longer to ferret out what I want, but, I'm getting good at it.  I am comfortable sharing with you who I am and clothes help write my speech.    







Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I ran outta time!

I have had a busy few days and am a bit behind of where I like to be in my week. That may sound like I am an organized person, but those who know, know I ain’t.


First, there is the shopping thing. I didn’t get to that because I was busy hugging on grandchildren. But, I have returned home and will get to it this weekend.

Secondly, and this is a riot if I do say so myself…I have a Fantasy Football team. It’s silliness really because some of you may know that I swore off the NFL last year. Why, then, do I have a team? It’s a long story but let’s just say family coercion and now I get to watch my son in law lead a bunch of women in the fine art of Fantasy Football. Oh, and hubs. He has a team, too, but is as clueless as I am at this point. Soon, however, he’ll be leaving me in the dust of the chalk line as he gets it far better than I. And its only week one. We did spend well over an hour last night talking strategy and that kind of unexplored thought. While I would love to say I am in the middle, I am in last place.

Finally, we have been busy at work. A First Friday shared with an opening of a new exhibit. Always fun, always energetic. Said goodbye to one of my favorite exhibits yet with the close of the paper and book show. I wish more of you had taken the opportunity to see it, but, I am not in to arm twisting and threats. Just stay tuned as there is always something good.

For now, this is my update.  But, I'll have more in a few days!

Monday, September 3, 2012

A tale of two skirts

So, I have a little confession to make.  You remember I have been going through my closet quite a bit of late and getting rid of things I will never wear again or are just in the wrong color, cut, whatever.  I’ve got a pretty nice closet.  Generous in size and not so bad in shoe space and overhead storage.  I like it.  We put wire shelves in and they curve around the corners.  Convenient.  Clothes just slide right on around those corners on plastic hangers but they can get a little bunched up there if you aren’t paying attention.

In one of those corners, on two hangers, I discovered two skirts I have never worn.  I bet I bought these two skirts 7 years ago.  One is denim and one is khaki.  I like them.  I have no idea if people wear denim skirts or not, and I don’t really care.  I will wear this one.  I see myself in it already and know where I’ll be going and maybe even what I’ll be thinking.  The khaki one, too, although it’s a bit harder imagining the accessories I’ll wear with the khaki. 

I’m not going to get in to why I never wore these skirts; it’d be a long, difficult and boring story ~ a story I rise above.  Just trust me when I say, I was unable to wear them at a point in my life. 

So, the discovery of these two skirts changes things just a bit.  I don’t feel pressure to find the pencil skirt of my dreams so much as I have this denim skirt.  I am more compelled to look for the perfect boots.  Did you know I’m going to buy boots? Yes I am.  I can’t decide between black or brown and I may even get both! I know I need the black pencil skirt; I’ll keep looking, but I am serious about boots, people. (I just realized they need to be black so I can wear them with the black pencil skirt)

Here’s something else on my list.  A red wool blazer/jacket coat thing.  Not a dressy blazer and not really a coat.  I have it in my head. I know precisely what I want.  I will wear it with my denim skirt, I swear I will.  And my boots. 

One more thing I learned this week is I needed to rethink the white blouse.  I had in my head that my white blouse was suppose to be a collared blouse with long sleeves and cuffs.  You know, a white blouse.  It dawned on me this week that the white blouse I need does not have a collar! Remember how I reported I accept my short neck? Why would I try to wear a collar? The reason why the white blouse of my past is uncomfortably stiff is because it had a stinkin’ collar! This came to me in one of those cloud opening, sun beam radiating, angel singing, kind of moments.  And Nicole Richey on QVC. But, I know what kind of white blouse to look for now and I bet I find it within a week.