With these shoes:

And I haven’t been able to wear them, because we had a freak snowstorm this morning. Might be able to tomorrow, but they require stockings or trouser socks, and it’s going to be wicked cold.

Yes, they were spendy, but I think they’re gonna be worth it. Yay!

I know the Super-Smart Lawyer saw Cheri, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend; did anyone else? I hadn’t expected to like it that much (the S-S L seemed to be meh on it), but I really did. I went through a big Colette phase, back in college, so maybe it’s because I was reading more into the film than was really there?

It’s got very brittle, very facile themes, and equally facile characters. I think the film did a good job at portraying just how empty the characters were.

But even without liking it, you had to like the costumes. Oh. My. Lord. The costumes were incredible. And the main characters weren’t hard to look at either,:

So I still can’t quite afford a haircut, and by now, my hair is so long I am considering just letting it grow, maybe trying a new, longer style. But right now, it looks ghastly.

I was pondering wearing a snood for that inbetween stage; you know, that medieval/Orthodox Jew/food service worker headgear that gathers your loose ends into one neat package.

What do you think?

The Knicks Spouse and the Son were off to the game on Saturday, so of course I decided to head to a club event where I could dress up in some fabulous couture and drink way too much wine. Before we headed out, however, Liz Maverick and Leanna Hieber came over for last-minute garb adjustment and some photos:

And later, we all assembled for a smoochy photo.

I had a really good time, it was fun playing dress-up. My coat was one of my grandmother’s, which explains the exceedingly nipped-in waist (remove a rib, Megan? Sure!). At least I could get into it.

Today I am wearing red snakeskin boots and black velvet pants. Not so much to prove that Shoulder Guy was wrong when he said I looked like a mom in her 40s (meaning to insult me, natch), but because it is cold in the house and I am too cheap to raise the heat just for me. And I’m about to go slog out in the rain, so red snakeskin seem like the way to go. Black velvet is always cozy.

In related news, one of my young-ish relatives (20s) said I had distinct way of dressing. If ‘distinct’ means odd, then I think I do.

CindyS tagged me for the book meme:

Grab the nearest book. Open the book to page 56. Find the fifth sentence. Post the text of the next two to five sentences in your journal/blog along with these instructions. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual one: pick the closest. Tag five other people to do the same.

It’s Fashion and Women’s Attitudes In The Nineteenth Century by C. Willett Cunnington:

“The Gothic principle of disguise of mind and body was the new mode.
The classical form of the dress with its vertical emphasis of line had already become blurred by Gothic types of ornamentation;”

Okay, then onto some other stuff. Yesterday, I interviewed Clinton Kelly and Carmindy, both from TLC’s What Not To Wear, for my freelance job. First off, both were really nice, just as they are on TV. I totally wanted to hang out with Clinton, he was sharp and snarky and charming. He said the four trends for winter are:

purple
plaid
vests
ruffles

And when I made a face at the ruffles thing, he said it’s one of his style mantras that women of any age can wear any trend, as long as they pair it with classic pieces.

Next up was Carmindy, who told me I had “beautiful skin and gorgeous eyes.” She recommended primer as the one product women could use to instantly make a difference on their skin.

Anything else we need to discuss?

First of all, a caveat: I am incredibly crabby today. See the post below for why.

But second? Second, I DO NOT WISH TO LOOK LIKE A GOTHIC CLOWN this fall. And yet, the makeup companies are launching tons of dark, dark “smoldering” colors for lips and eyes that will make me look like a daguerrotype. PLUS, I DID that look the first time around! I used to wear super-dark lipstick, smoky eyes, blah, blah, blah. People with darker skin can handle those rich colors, but me? I look like Morticia Addams, without the cool-ass dress. And the knock’emdead figure.

And I know myself. I love dark colors, I will get sucked in, and end up buying something that’s called something like ‘witch’s blood’ or ‘burnished crow’s wing’ (oh, for goodness’ sake, one of the MAC descrips is “burnished eggplant.” Kill me now) and then I will wear it, and then what? I WILL LOOK LIKE A CLOWN!

I am not fond of clowns.

Megan

PS: Did you know there is a word–coulrophobia–meaning abnormal or exaggerated fear of clowns?
PPS: I image-googled “fall 2008 makeup” and this is the first picture that appeared. I rest my case.

First off, don’t let my in(s)anity keep you from ordering Carolyn’s book, here.

But here’s the deal: My grandmother, whom I’ve mentioned here before, had excellent taste in clothes. She only wore four colors: Black, white, hot pink and navy. She and my grandfather had to attend a lot of fancy dress affairs, thanks to his job (he was in retail), so she had a massive wardrobe. MASSIVE.

I have almost a dozen of her and my aunt’s gowns, from Geoffrey Beene to Christian Dior to things she whipped up herself. She was an excellent seamstress, and had five kids, so couture wasn’t always in the cards.

But she was also anorexic (I have two other female relatives with bulimia and morbid obesity. Is it any wonder I’m so messed up?). She weighed *maybe* 110 pounds her whole life, and was proud that she was back to her usual weight within a week of having kids (twins included!). By the time she died, she was a little more than 80 pounds.

So when I try on her gowns–keeping in mind the last time I saw 110 pounds was in fourth grade or something–why am I so incredibly bummed I can’t fit into all of them? I can fit into some, but there’s one that just won’t zip without some serious elbow grease, and the Spouse and I didn’t think it was worth possibly wrecking the gown just to see me bundled into it.

I’ve been in a black cloud since that last one wouldn’t zip. What the hell? I can fit into most, thanks to generous hip allowance and a small waist, but not all. Shouldn’t I be okay with that? Why do I have to be so neurotic? Of course, it doesn’t help that I haven’t worked out consistently since April, and my arms are bugging me. When September comes, I am SO going back to the gym. Then I’ll wear a b&w Dior gown to pick my son up from school. That’ll show ‘em.

Sometimes I think I’m just fine, and then sometimes I really I am just a big hot mess.

. . . doesn’t mean you get to wear black shoes with your entirely brown outfit

(with navy blue ankle socks. *shudder*).