Karin Jacobson Leather Cuff Winner

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Daily Outfit: 2/8/10

Black rayon dress, thrifted

Black silk skirt, thrifted
Black boots, Diesel Go-go
Green chalk turquoise necklace, from a street vendor in SF
Flame orange scarf, stolen from my mom
Pyramid stud earrings, Urban Outfitters

So I bought this amazing necklace on my trip to see Audi last spring, and on the day I bought it I was wearing black and flame orange. My colors for that trip were black, white, and flame orange, so there was a lot of that going around. Anyhoodle, I decided to throw the necklace on the moment I bought it and LOVED how it looked in that unexpected triad. I garnered about 10 compliments from total strangers that day, so I recreated the look when I got back home. And although I have worn the necklace with other colors, this is somehow the way I love it best.

The silk skirt was a thrift purchase from my St. Louis jaunt, so this is quite the national ensemble. I am yet to wear it alone, but it makes a fantastic slip and adds subtle inches to ankle-length hems that I'd prefer to be floor-length.

I love the neckline on the dress - which is originally from Eddie Bauer, if you can believe that - but had to hold it closed with both a safety pin AND a piece of fashion tape. Wrap dresses are tough for the small of boob.


Why no smile? Because HM and I just spent half an hour shoveling my stuck car out of the alley. Yes, in this outfit. BAH.

Guest Post at Hello Beauty!

I definitely got the better end of this bargain: In exchange for her amazing series of guest posts, Makeup 101, Sonja asked me to write something up for Hello Beauty! about my experiences learning to use makeup at the ripe old age of 33. Please stop by and read the post!

How to Make Your Legs Look a Mile Long

Even when my winter weight is clinging to my bootay and tender midsection, I can generally count on my legs to remain lean. So, on days when it's above zero, I do my best to accentuate those gams. Nothing makes me feel quite as powerful and strong as an outfit that makes my legs look a mile long. Especially because my legs are NOT a mile long and I get such a charge out of the optical illusion. I am fake-tall! Check me OUT.

Here are some of the tricks I use for artificial leg-elongation. Take a peek and see which ones might work for your body type and personal style.

SHORT HEMLINES

When more leg is exposed, it's easier for the observing eye to comprehend the entire figure. And even if you are long in the torso and short in the leg, wearing a shorter skirt or dress will create the illusion of long, lean gams. I'm a big fan of miniskirts, especially in winter when they can be paired with tights for a more cute/demure and less sassy/sexy look. But even if you aren't comfortable with a true mini, scope out some above-the-knee lengths and see what works.

TIGHTS AND SHOES
IN THE SAME COLOR RANGE

Since a high hem isn't always desirable or comfortable, here's a trick that works even with slightly longer skirts and dresses. If you wear tights and shoes that are the same color or very close in color value, the eye travels all the way down the leg to the floor without stopping.

BOOTS/LEGGINGS/PANTS
IN THE SAME COLOR RANGE

If you're a pant or legging tucker and looking for a way to elongate your legs while wearing tall boots, simply wear dark boots and very dark jeans, pants, or leggings. Black/black and brown/brown are the obvious choices, but here I've paired black and a dark charcoal gray to decent effect. It's the same concept as the tights/shoes: A long, unbroken line all the way down to the ground.

PLATFORM SHOES

I'd wager that 75% of my shoes have some sort of platform. I mean, why not? If you like the look and can walk in a platform, give your height an actual, factual boost and elongate your legs while you're at it!

Platforms can be paired with pants and still give you mile-long legs, especially if we're talking boots and pants in the same color range.


Same basic idea as the tall boot/legging/pant pairing, but with the added bonus of actual height increase. A platform heel or wedge - something with an incline that tilts your calf - will provide optimum leg elongation, but even a flat platform helps a wee bit.

HIGH WAISTS

Now this one is ALL optical illusion. Pulling the eye up higher than your natural waist gives the impression of superlong gams, even with a longer hemline. If the observer thinks your waist is up near your armpits, the assumption is that your legs start just below your armpits. Cool huh? And a wee bit weird. This holds true for certain styles of high-waisted pants, too.

This image is a bit dark, but hopefully you'll get the generall impression. Yes, my torso is shortened up a good deal by this look, but the payoff is in the legs!

High waistlines are the least universal of all of these suggestions. Apple-shaped women, petite women, and extremely tall women generally hate this style of bottom, and it's so stylized that many women shy away from it regardless of figure flattery. But I wanted to include it because, as a medium-sized pear of average height, it is a favorite look of mine ... and I'd bet it works for some of youse as well.

Many of these tricks may seem cool- and cold-weather contingent, and that's certainly true of any tights-based look. But if you're comfortable doing a shorter hem with a bare leg, go to! Platforms sandals are just as effective as platform shoes and boots. And high waists can be worn year-round.

Now, I know what you're gonna say: "Where are the nude pumps, Sal?" The nude pumps are in every other guide to leg elongation in the history of time. I love the idea of some cute sandals that match your skin tone and create the same to-the-floor sightline as same-colored shoes and tights. But I don't own any nude pumps, don't generally love the look of 'em, and don't often recommend practices I haven't implemented personally. So know that bare legs and nude pumps* are a great tool for long leg lines ... but also know that you don't have to go that route. (I doubt I ever will.)

So what other tricks do you employ to make your legs look miles long? Any warm weather recommendations? Have you tried any of the methods I've mentioned above? Which of them would work for YOUR body type, and which would be disastrous? Are you comfortable in mini skirts? How about high-waisted bottoms?


*As always, "nude" means "matching to YOUR skin tone." If you've got brown or yellowish or super-pale ivory skin, be sure to match to your own specific brand of "nude."

Top image courtesy helgasms!

Sunday Shoes: Turquoise Bow-back Pumps

I've had these cuties for about six months but they made their wearing debut only recently. And although I'm dying to show them off in a non-pants-based ensemble, I'll admit that I'm a little stymied as to how to wear them with a skirt. They were an $18 impulse buy, and offered in gray/black, too ... but I have 18 bajillion pairs of black shoes and thought I should go for color. But now I have teal and yellow shoes! And while the bow is what drew me to them, it's kitschy enough that it gives me pause when I consider wearing them with some of my more retro-influenced outfits.

I'm definitely not giving up on them just yet, but I'm curious: How would YOU wear these pumps with skirts? What colors would you include?

Recomended Reading: Favorite Daily Reads

Lisa popped this into the suggestion box a while back:

This JUST occurred to me as I was going through your Lovely Links post for this week. You always find such interesting body-positive reads. How about giving us a sneak peek at what's in your Google Reader, i.e. top blogs, websites, etc. that you subscribe to?

Many, many, many of my Lovely Links come from YOU! I get almost daily e-mails from readers with tips on articles or sites I should be checking out, and you folks are always spot-on. The vast majority of my body positive links are reader-submitted, so credit for the link roundups is definitely shared.

But on an average day, I peek in on about 100 blogs and comment on at least 80 of them. I draw tons of inspiration from them all, and nab tips and links from nearly every daily read, so this is a tough one for me to answer. I love cruising around the blogosphere and seeing what EVERYONE is up to. But here are a few of the blogs I look forward to reading every day.


BODY POSITIVITY
We Are the Real Deal - a multi-voiced examination of all things weight, health, and self-image. These ladies are straight shooters, and although the back-and-forth with commenters can get heated, it's always fascinating.

The Demoiselles - plenty of thought-provoking musings on size and weight, proportion and body image, but tempered with a healthy dose of style advice. Be sure to check out their amazing Getting Healthy side project, too.

Venus Vision - healthy living, media examinations, ruminations on personal style and beauty, book reviews, and tons more. This site covers the gamut.

You'd Be So Pretty If ... - Dara is smart and accessible, never preachy.


STYLE ADVICE
You Look Fab - I've sung Angie's praises many times, but I shall sing them again! No one else makes learning about the inner workings of style so easy and sooooo fun.

Inside Out Style - Imogen's scientific approach to understanding proportion, flattery, and style can't be beat.

Daddy Likey - Winona is one of those rare human beings who can tell you never to ever, ever, ever wear those yellow pants again while simultaneously making you feel gorgeous, beloved, and totally accepted. I have no idea how she does it.


LOOKBOOKS
Fashion for Nerds - Again, you might be sick of hearing me sing Audi's praises, but that is too damned bad. She is a constant source of inspiration to me.

Academichic - Another non-surprise, I'm sure, but I just adore these ladies. Their outfits are incredibly creative, but also simple and accessible.

By Hillary - I don't think I've seen Hillary wear ANYTHING that I wouldn't wear myself. Her wardrobe is fantastic, but her creativity in assembling amazing ensembles is the star of her blog.

... Love Maegan - This gorgeous gal inspires me with her amazing DIYs, sexy-rocker influenced ensembles, and unending supply of sass.

The Hidden Seed - Who ISN'T in love with Elsita? Even though her style is far more romantic than mine, I just adore seeing what she wears.

Futurelint - Christine reminds me that there's bold and then there's BOLD. Her fearlessness is a reminder to step outside my comfort zone once in a while. Plus she's a fellow Twin Citian, I've met her, and she's 100% awesome.

Orchids in Buttonholes - Watch what one creative lass can do with an enviable but extremely pared-down wardrobe.

No Signposts in the Sea - OK, OK, I just started reading The Waves' blog last week, but I'm putting her in here, dammit! There's a lot of copycat style passing for chicness out there, and in a world that often pushes conformism I'm enchanted by this gal's undeniable originality.


WHERE I LURK
Keiko Lynn - Mad-rampant girl-crush. The end.

Sea of Shoes - I can't help it. I'm mesmerized by Jane's style, her stunning collection of shoes and clothing, and her dazzling photos.

Vixen Vintage - Solannah is a knockout with impeccable taste. And talk about photogenic – whew!


DESIGN
Trend de la Creme - Jill's roundups of bizarre products and cutting-edge trends are endlessly amusing.

Whorange - Tula cracks me up. And has such an amazing eye for the quirky, fantastical, and enchanting in design, both modern and retro.

Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing - I don't sew, but I love Gertie. LOVE.

Creature Comforts - Gorgeous photography, craft objects, and general visual inspiration.

Melissa Loves - Home decor, style, accessories, and gorgeous art hand-picked by the sweetest web friend I've never met.


RANDOM FUN
Yum & Yuk - I pretty much want to re-post EVERYTHING that Shorty posts. No lie.

Deanna Raybourn - She's a truly talented author of addictive mystery novels, but Deanna focuses her blog on whatever catches her fancy. Everything from Jane Austen to bacon to puppy obedience school.

Even Cleveland: Stephanie will get a theme going, and find products, videos, quotes, imagery, and art that all tie in seamlessly.


Hope you'll consider adding a few of these to your daily reading, if they're not in there already!

Groove Your Body to ... BK-One

It's Saturday night! Why not groove your body to "Gittit" by BK-One featuring Brother Ali and Slug? I mean, right, Twin Cities?

Casual Outfit Roundup: Week of January 31

Gray cardi, J. Jill

Black t-shirt dress, American Apparel
Sequin leggings, Alloy
Foldover booties, Aldo
Black scarf, a gift
Onyx earrings, lulidesigns
Black leather cuff, Karin Jacobson (win one just like it here)

Another Weird Friday ensemble! And boy did those sequin leggings draw the comments. One of my coworkers even claimed I'd blinded him or some such nonsense.


I read Audi's scarf-tying tutorial on the morning I wore this, and immediately ran to the bathroom to try out her first knot. It was cozy and chic and I plan to implement it again and again!

Pink sweater dress, Anthropologie
Gray tank dress, American Apparel
Gray leggings, Target
Tan boots, Diesel Go-go
Labradorite necklace, MeganKathleen

I told you I bought two of these dresses. At $25 a pop, I figured, why not? I had intended to style this one with a dark purply-magenta tank dress but it looked SO weird. The gray is better since it basically just serves to make the middle of the dress opaque.

Totally unintentional, but check out how the buttons and boots are the same color. Woot.


I was obsessed with labradorite for a while, and kept buying crappy stones to try to make my own pieces. When I invested in this necklace, I realized that it's worth it to plunk down some cash. You just don't get that shimmery-blue look in cheaper stones.

White long-sleeved tee, Old Navy
Gray oversized sweater, Gap
Black leggings, Target
Black boots, Tsubo Kison
Circles with holes necklace, Puffluna

Am I a little obsessed with my oversized sweaters? Probably. But they're so ridiculously comfy that I have trouble resisting their siren song on my busy weekend days.

Lovely Links: February 5

Tiia, whose personal style is fantastically inspiring, wrote a very thought-provoking post about the politics of clothing. Is it just to ban burqas? Can the government regulate style? Could a burqa be a signature piece? All FANTASTIC questions.

Annie has done it again: Make your own thumbtack-studded wedges with her tutorial.

Somehow I missed that Mary of Fit This Girl started an outfit log blog over at Clothed in Kindness. LOVE it!

Is showing eight naked supermodels really going to expand the definition of beauty? Since they're all tall, slender, and hourglassy? (Thanks, Jamie.)

So happy to have discovered overcaffeinated. Talk about a lady with clean, classic-yet-modern style!

Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune, speaks out about the growing influence of fashion blogs in today's world.

More great Gertie: Thoughts on plus-sized sewing from a fellow blogger. Don't skip the comments section, kittens.

For MN residents interested in more Sexy Secretary discussion, there is an exhibit at the Goldstein and some associated lectures to check out. (Cheers to Ann T for the heads up!)

Never, ever, ever enough funky tights.

Possibly the best shoe-related story ever told. And it's about BEATLE BOOTS.

Apple-shaped women rejoice! Marianna at Absolutely Apple will provide endless style inspiration.

And from the Department of Random: Single-serve Nutella? Bless. (Via Femme Rationale.)

Guest Post at Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing

Gorgeous Gertie was kind enough to give me a guest post slot today! I'm chatting with her readers about making vintage pieces work for everyday wear. Please take a peek.

Gertie will be guest posting here on Already Pretty soon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Suggestion Box

Time again to open up the suggestion box! Any suggestions for advice-y, how-to, tutorial type things you'd like to see me blather about? Or really anything you'd like to see more of or less of?

I'd love to know what you're most interested in, so lay those suggestions on me. OH! If you've left a suggestion before - for the box, or in the comments of another post - and I've overlooked your request, please, please, please let me know. I try to get to them all, but some fall through the cracks ...

Finally, if you have an idea for a post to contribute to New Favorite Thing, or would rather e-mail than comment, drop me a note!

Daily Outfit: 2/4/10

Brown houndstooth dress, vintage sale in some lady's driveway
Red tank dress, American Apparel
Brown textured tights, no idea
Brown obi, thrifted at ARC's Value Village
Red suede pumps, Tsubo Amset
Red jade necklace, Bellina

I already had a brown obi, but when I found this one at Value Village a few weeks ago, for a whopping $3, I couldn't pass it up. My old one is a pretty cheap-feeling strip of leather that's the same width all along the length. This one widens in the front, and is SO soft and supple. It was super comfy all day, too.


I've been hauling out a lot of very old Etsy purchases lately, including this necklace. So fun and cheerful.


The little star-like pattern on these brown tights makes me endlessly happy. And Husband Mike wanted me to show you the funky soles of these red suede Tsubos.


I'm wearing red today, but will be wearing it tomorrow, too, for Go Red for Women day!!

Reality in Style - Discount and Sizing Update

Hey all. The folks at Reality in Style heard your comments, and are making some big changes - like RIGHT NOW - on both pricing and sizing. Click to read the full scoop.

Love Thyself

An anonymous commenter had this request:

How about a post on learning to love (or a least accept) physical features that you don't like and can't change? Big nose, bad hair, weak chin; features that can't be hidden or made more attractive by careful dressing.

And I thought IMMEDIATELY of a scene from "Roxanne." Do you remember the one I’m thinking of? YouTube didn’t have a clip, unfortunately, but here’s the gist: Charlie/Cyrano decides that perhaps cosmetics can help downplay his truly huge nose. He goes to the local Five & Dime for some makeup counter assistance, and the woman there attempts some “shading,” which pretty much just makes his nose look huge and dirty. She tries her best, but there’s just nothing to be done.

And we’ve all got stuff like that. The way I see it, our physical traits fall into four buckets:

• Things we love
• Things we see as valuable
• Things we don’t love, but can minimize or hide
• Things we don’t love and can’t mask in any way

I love my ladylike wrists and ankles, my little waist, and my wild, unruly hair.
I see my muscular thighs and broad, sure feet as valuable.
I don’t love my excessive body hair and cellulite, but I can minimize or hide them.
I don’t love my keratosis pilaris, and when it’s sweltering outside, I can’t mask it in any way.

I’ve come to have some measure of affection for my little spare tire of a belly, and just keep telling myself that ALL knees are kinda weird looking, so I can make peace with those things. But I’ve got these freaky looking red and white bumps all over my upper arms – a body part that isn’t my favorite to begin with – and since I refuse to wear three-quarter-length sleeves every damned day no matter the temperature, the world gets an eyeful during the summer months. There’s no cure for this skin condition. There’s no humorous up-side to it. It’s annoying and unsightly and I just plain hate it.

So, instead of getting overly ooey-gooey on yas, I’m going to keep that in mind as I write about ways to love the unlovable parts of your own body.

• Life is balance. Just as the things you love and accept about your body define you, so do the things you hate. You are unique because of that mixture. And unique can be tough, but there’s no denying that it’s also good.
  
  
• You may never know what they are, but there are biological reasons for your traits. Every biology class I’ve ever taken has reminded me that Sickle Cell Anemia hasn’t been genetically eliminated in Sub-Saharan Africa because carriers of a single Sickle Cell allele are Malaria-resistant. What if my keratosis pilaris is keeping me from getting a brain tumor and scientists just don’t know it yet?
  
  
• Your physical appearance links you to your family. Even if you didn’t WANT your grandpa’s big schnoz or your Aunt Imelda’s frizzy curls, it’s pretty wonderful that you can carry a little bit of your family around with you wherever you go.
  
  
• Remember that EVERYONE has things they hate. Heidi Klum, Michelle Obama, Jillian Michaels, Rachel Bilson, that flawless-looking girl who brews up your morning latte. There is no "perfect" in this world, and there is most definitely no "perfect body." You are not alone.
  
  
• Everything is relative. YOU may think your nose is big, your chin is weak, your hair is bad … but not everyone will see it that way. Husband Mike likes to call purple things pink and blue things purple, reminding me that each eye perceives the world in a slightly different manner. Bodies are no different, and what annoys you may enchant others. HM is an ass man, and while I tend to have a bit of a complex about the junk in my trunk, he loves it. A dear friend laments her ample rack as overwhelming her tiny frame, but I all I can see is the gorgeous, full breasts I’ll never have. You may not be able to see yourself through the eyes of others, but you can bear in mind that you are likely your own harshest critic.

Think hard about WHY you hate certain aspects of your physical self. Did someone insult you once, or call you out for some distinctive trait? Have fashion mags given you a complex with endless articles about firming up your arms and abs? Or do you dislike these traits in other people as much as you dislike them in yourself?

Self-love isn’t about brushing the bits you hate under the rug. There is no rug. You’re either all in, or you’re simply not done learning to love yourself yet. Loving what we hate is incredibly challenging, and sometimes actual love is impossible. But acceptance will do. Even if none of my ideas ring true for you, give some thought to actions and thought patterns that might move you closer to accepting your whole self with affection. The work might be hard, but the payoff will be so very, very worth it. Just think of all the extra energy you'd have if you stopped burning it off loathing your big nose, bad hair, weak chin! You could take over the damned world, kitten.


Image courtesy mamocalillo.

Reality in Style Review: UPDATED

Wanna know more about this sassy twist-front dress and find out how you can get 25% off one of your own? Click on through, for a review.

UPDATED: Just got new info on sizing and pricing for this brand. Click to read the full scoop.