A modiste

"Modiste" is a french word pronounced /mo-deest/. It describes someone who produces, designs, or deals in women's fashions. When a woman wanted the finest fabric, the best fit, and the latest style her money could buy, she would go to a modiste. The result would be an ensemble expertly crafted, made to exact measurements, with the perfect balance between fashion and suitibility achieved. A woman would know she looked her best and with the confidence that only a faultless set of clothes can give, she could bravely put in place the shining accessory that puts all baubles to shame. A smile.

When I look back at pictures of myself, I always laugh a little and groan a little at what I deemed appropriate to wear. I tried to follow the latest fashions but it didn't always work out as well as I could have hoped. Some of you may be perfectly satisfied with your wardrobe choices throughout the decades and I say bravo to you. I, on the other hand, am reminded by my past mistakes to never french roll my jeans, layer my socks so that I color-coordinate with every shade in my shirt, or sling a tiny leather backpack purse over my shoulder.

Many of you are on a tight budget when it comes to clothing and because of this the idea of a personal stylist may put you on wallet alert. You might be thinking of the stylists to the rich and famous (or even the stylists to the moderately well-off and locally well-known) who drop a few hundred dollars on one outfit and never bat an eye. But let me reassure you; that is not my scene at all. Let me tell you what I'm wearing right now. A short-sleeved green sweater from Banana Republic, dark-wash boot-cut Gloria Vanderbilt jeans, and a cream cropped-sleeve New York & Co. blazer. Sweater - $6.00, jeans - $12.00, blazer - $3.00 (and I cropped the sleeves myself, took 10 minutes). Total cost of outfit: $21.00. I can do this for you too. I know all the secrets to shopping on a dime here in Tulsa.

Fallishness

Fall is here. The trees are actually changing color. I didn't expect much from our foliage this fall because of the impossibly hot summer we suffered through. But driving through town yesterday I noticed a few bright spots glowing in the autumn sunlight. Everything about this time of year thrills me to my well-slippered toes. The spicy breezes, the faded rays of light that contrast so weirdly with the slate gray skies, the oranges, yellows, reds, browns, and purples so alive and so brilliant. And the clothes. 'Tis the season of darling jackets, sky-high boots, and chic hats (for the hat people, of which I am sadly not one). Light your pumpkin spice candles, sip your mulled cider, and window shop Utica Square in your favorite fall outfit.

In my profile I mentioned that I had a fourth child on the way. Well, he arrived six months ago and here is a pic of him at 4 days old.

Grad pic

me in mexico

I made an effort to be fashion-able throughout the years with more or less success. These are a few shots of times I feel I tried and failed. I actually don't really need pictures to remember these moments but I thought I'd share them with you. I wonder how many of you can bring to mind with little effort those fashion faux pas of your past. Tell me your stories of failure or triumph!