Lovely Links: 5/25/12

by Sal on May 25, 2012 · 8 comments

This powerful essay on body image and denial is long, but well worth a read. (Cheers, Herbee.)

Cynthia is looking sharp in her cat-eye shades and colorblocked ensemble.

From the Better Late Than Never Department, here’s a link to the interview I gave on Fox 9 News about Vogue’s new initiative on working with models. (As you can imagine, some of what I said got cut. Most of it is still in there.)

A simple white sheath dress looks smashing with yellow and turquoise accents.

In addition to touching on fat shaming, racism, and body image, this post discusses the vulnerability inherent in and potential healing power of physical touch, saying, ”That is why touch is so scary. It forces you to be fully present in your own body, to come face to face with its longings and its deprivations, to confront bodily memories that an otherwise hyper-intellectual life can allow you to avoid on most days.”

So glad to see that Little Girl, Big Closet is posting again!

I’m thrilled to have contributed to Ash’s Beautiful Bodies project – click through to read my interview.

Stacy looks like such a rock star in her Debbie Harry-print peplum top. And yes, she made it herself. Oh, to have such skills.

“Women’s ‘underwear’ adverts are almost universally ‘lingerie’ adverts, things that paint us all as being all of teh sexeh – just because we’re wearing some pants. Underwear has been almost entirely removed from its function. Bras are advertised based on the cleavage they give, not on how comfortable they are. There is no room for ‘underwear’ to just be ‘necessary clothes that are allowed to be lovely’.”

I’m nearly convinced that black and white printed garments – like Chelsea’s graphic shrug – are the most versatile in the universe.

Ever have a day when you just don’t feel like you live up to your clothes?

The Style Crone combines an amazing vintage cone hat with a vintage-but-modern-feeling suit featuring a peplum jacket. Stellar.

“I think it is critical that we feminists engage with fitness and athletics in a way that takes these things seriously and recognizes their potential to change lives for the better.  It doesn’t have to be about hating yourself and your body, nor does it have to be about embracing fascist beauty standards.  It can also be about loving your body and wanting to take the best possible care of yourself.”

Mandi continues to merge vintage sensibilities and maternity style flawlessly.

If you’re wondering why finding a properly fitting bra can be so challenging, check out this post that covers the details of cup volume and band length. (Via K-Line.)

I fear orange and blue as they were my high school colors, but Lisa wears them together fantastically.

It can be tough, but learning to listen to your body is essential to self-care.

Eek’s outfit composites do such a fabulous job of showing how versatile various items can really be.

Just about everyone is having a Memorial Day sale this weekend, but I’m especially excited that plus size brand Igigi is doing a 30% off code through Tuesday! Use code MEMORIAL2012 for the deal. Yay!

Never thought I’d say this, but neon is a favorite trend of mine so I’m loving College Candy’s budget-friendly picks for neon fun.

The Good Men Project’s body image examination continues apace with some amazing contributions, including this one about a man, his fat, and a hatred of photos.

JoAnn uses a bowtie to embellish her dress neckline. Because she’s awesome like that.

The Citizen Rosebud’s list of 40+ style bloggers just keeps growing!

Ever wonder how to make your wardrobe classics look current, or even trendy? This post is for you.

Mine is all packed away until winter, but you southern hemi folks might be interested by CorpGoth’s post on the care and feeding of velvet.

And from the Department of Random: A bit dizzying, but I still love Ingrid Michaelson’s video for “Blood Brothers.”

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Clarisonic Mia Review

by Sal on May 25, 2012 · 40 comments

Back in March, I ponied up for a Clarisonic Mia on Carrie’s recommendation. Carrie is very smart with her money, so if she said a $150 face-cleaning gadget actually worked, I was inclined to believe her. The Mia is a little rotating brush attached to a handset. You turn it on, pass it gently across your forehead, T-zone, cheeks, upper lip, chin, and below-the-chin area for one minute to remove residue, dirt, and makeup. (Eye makeup is removed separately. Scrubby brush on eyelids = ouch.)

Although my experiences with the oil cleansing method were mainly positive, my skin remained a bit splotchy and I still dealt with the occasional breakout. So I nabbed a Mia on sale and dove right in.

AND I actually remembered to take some “before” photos! Here I am, completely makeup-free, before I began using the Mia back in March. As you can see, my cystic acne is under control, but I’ve got some chinstrap zits going on. And I’m a bit blotchy.

I didn’t want to abandon the oils, so I’ve been using the Mia only at night and with my oil blend as my cleanser. Since the brush head looks really ookey after I’m done with it, I clean it after each use. The instructions say to clean the brush head after a week of use, but I wear very minimal makeup and mine is discolored and loaded with residue after one use, so I just clean the thing. I don’t want to grind old makeup back into my skin each night.

It’s recommended that you purchase a new brush head every three months, and I’ve just ordered one so I’m yet to swap out and see if the system has some renewed efficacy with a fresh brush. But for now, here’s what I look like after three months of use.

As you can see, I’ve still got a few zits. That doesn’t surprise me in the least since my acne is triggered by hormones, stress, food, and countless other factors so no single product is going to cure it. But I’ll tell you this: The pimples I do get heal MUCH faster than the ones I got pre-Mia. It would typically take about 10 days for full healing before I started using this device. Now most pimples are gone within three days. A huge improvement. I also feel like my skin is a bit less splotchy and sensitive, and a bit softer to the touch.

I certainly plan to continue using it myself. I don’t feel like it has been a transformative purchase or that all my skin worries are over now that it has become a part of my cleansing routine. But it has improved my complexion in some important and beneficial ways so I’ll stick to it.

Would I recommend this product to others? Well, most of the ads I’ve seen appear to over-promise, claiming that regular use will bring younger-looking, healthier, gorgeous skin. I’m sure the Mia will do that for some folks, especially those who aren’t acne-prone and who haven’t been doing any regular deep cleansing before. And it’s certainly possible that the system would be more effective if I used a traditional cleanser instead of my oil blend.* I like it and will keep using it and would recommend it to folks who feel like regular cleansing and occasional exfoliation aren’t doing the trick to remove makeup and residue thoroughly. The Clarisonic Mia is good at evening tone and removing face gunk, that’s for certain. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is seeking an actual cure for acne, or who hopes to completely transform her skin with just this one product.

Who else has tried a Clairsonic cleansing system? Anyone had truly miraculous results? How long have you been using yours? Anyone had minimal or negative results using a Clarisonic Mia or other Clairsonic cleanser? How about the knockoffs – I know Oil of Olay sells one in drug stores. I’d love to hear about your own experiences!

*Everything I’ve read in user reviews says NOT to use the cleanser that comes free with the Mia. The system is supposed to work using any cleanser, so if you’ve got one you love, just keep using it.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details. This is NOT a paid review. I purchased this product with my own money and have never been contacted by Clairsonic under any circumstances.

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Insomniac Sale Picks: Drop-waist Dresses

by Sal on May 24, 2012 · 4 comments

*In this late-night feature – which will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week – I’ll gather up three fun items that are currently on sale online and share them with you! I would LOVE suggestions: Stylish wide-width pumps? Classic v-necked sweaters? Chandelier earrings? Petite dress slacks? What would you like to see featured?*

Cléo requested a few picks for drop-waist dresses, so here we go:

ASOS Drop Waist Shirt Dress – was $69.58, now $31.31

Of all the loose, flowy drop-waists I’ve seen, this one appears to be the loosest and flowiest! Add a long necklace or two and some funky heeled sandals, and you’ve got an eye-catching outfit. Available in sizes 2 – 14 in this coral, size 6 in bright green. (One caveat – this color is described by ASOS as “pink.” Looks more like coral or orange to me, but that could just be my monitor.)

rsvp Mia Dress – was $110, now $33

And, at the opposite end of the spectrum, here’s a drop-waist dress with a slim-fitting bodice. Look closely and you’ll see that this dress has some very elegant draping that climbs from the dropped waist up toward the bustline. Available in this dark olive and black in sizes S – L.

Athleta Downtown Dress – was $108, now $84.99

This style doesn’t have as severe a drop as the others, but it falls lower on the torso than most dresses. Available in this gray, dusty green, and dusty blue in XXS – XL.

Other not-currently-on-sale resources for drop-waist dresses (lots, since I’m not exactly thrilled with what I could find on sale):

  1. All Saints - This British designer has drop-waist dresses both loose and fitted.
  2. Etsy – Many are vintage, but some are handmade and brand new. My search turned up nearly 3,000 drop waist dresses.
  3. ASOS – 23 options, including the one above. ASOS also offers a couple of its drop-waist styles in petite.
  4. Nordstrom – Lots of stylish drop-waists, but few on sale and most in limited size runs.
  5. Dorothy Perkins – This navy dress and this lace one were among the best I found.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Dressed for: Colorful Coverage

by Sal on May 24, 2012 · 28 comments

Already Pretty outfit featuring Von Vonni convertible maxi dress, Tolani Tiles scarf, Steve Madden sandals

Convertible dress, Von Vonni via Fab.com - similar at Target
Scarf, Tolani Tiles
Sandals, Steve Madden (no longer available) – similar
Chain drop earrings, self-made - similar

Yup. I nabbed the convertible dress in short and maxi in the exact same color. I’m just mad for cobalt, what can I say?

Many of you pointed out that the bra-coverage issues inherent to this style of dress can be solved by wearing a matching tube top sold by the dress makers. I’ve ordered one and it’s on the way, but for this wearing, I covered my exposed back and bra with this gorgeous multicolored scarf.

Also, nothing makes for dramatic photos like a scarf and a maxi dress on a windy day.

Already Pretty outfit featuring Von Vonni convertible maxi dress, Tolani Tiles scarf, Steve Madden sandals

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Why Body Image Matters

by Sal on May 24, 2012 · 31 comments

There are a lot of worthy causes in the world. More than can possibly be listed, and every one of them serious and important and potentially life-altering. And we all have a limited amount of time and energy to dedicate to our causes and beliefs and battles, so we can’t all contribute to everything. Working towards a positive, peaceful, accepting body image may seem like such an insignificant goal, comparatively speaking. But here’s why I think that cultivating positive body image matters.

Because we cannot love others, help others, or support others if we hate ourselves. Because we cannot achieve to our fullest, realize our dreams, or conquer our fears if we hate ourselves. Because we cannot change who we are, grow stronger, or realize our potential if we hate ourselves. Because we cannot thrive and blossom if we hate ourselves. And hating ourselves includes hating our bodies. Our bodies are integral to our selves.

Because the world is full of messages about “good” and “bad” bodies. Because we are told that a certain weight, a certain set of proportions, a certain body type or shape will unlock happiness, and that we should do everything in our power to achieve those things. Because there are forces and industries that benefit when we hate our bodies. Because we should fight against anything that tells us we must conform or live in misery, that if we don’t conform we should hate ourselves. And hating ourselves includes hating our bodies. Our bodies are integral to our selves.

Because happiness is difficult in so many ways, and becomes even more so if we lunge at it from a place of self-loathing. Because understanding ourselves, loving others, and changing the world can seem utterly impossible if we linger in a place of self-loathing. Because many of the most rewarding experiences in life feel just beyond reach when we hate ourselves. And hating ourselves includes hating our bodies. Our bodies are integral to our selves.

Learning to love your body may seem small or selfish or pointless at times, especially when compared to fighting for larger causes and reaching out to help others. But to fashion yourself into a powerful, effective, whole being, you’ve got to come at life from a place of strength. Your body is your home. If you hate your home – if you flee from it, disrespect it, and wish it were fundamentally different – your strength will be diminished. Whether you want to help others or simply find your way to happiness in your own life, loving yourself is absolutely vital.

And loving yourself includes loving your body. Your body is integral to your self.

Image courtesy the amazing Christi Nielsen.

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Insomniac Sale Picks: Petite Wrap Cardigans

by Sal on May 23, 2012 · 4 comments

*In this late-night feature – which will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week – I’ll gather up three fun items that are currently on sale online and share them with you! I would LOVE suggestions: Stylish wide-width pumps? Classic v-necked sweaters? Chandelier earrings? Petite dress slacks? What would you like to see featured?*

Mierin requested a few picks for petite wrap cardigans, so here we go:

Pleated Wrap Top – was $58, now $23.93 (with 40% off at checkout)

This is a fairly long wrap style, so would likely look best worn with pants as opposed to skirts. The deep v neckline is just begging for a gorgeous pendant. Available in petite sizes XXS – L, in this mushroom brown, dusty red, indigo, and black. (Availability varies by color)

prAna Women’s Veeda Wrap – was $65, now $53.02

I’m taking a risk here, friends. This particular wrap sweater isn’t offered in petites. It comes in XS – XL and I am fairly certain that the stretchy fabric and tie-in-the-back style will allow for some personal adjustment, including folding and tucking to accomodate a petite frame. Available in this black in all sizes, white, teal, and coral in some sizes.

Striped One-button Cardigan – was $79.50, now $69.99

This ruffly cardigan is also a bit on the long side, judging from photos, so would likely work best with pants. It also reads a bit casual, so it’s a great weekend option. Available in petite sizes XXS – XL in this gray, S – M in coral stripe, and patchy sizes in solid black and purple.

Other not-currently-on-sale resources for petite wrap cardigans:

  1. eBay – This is a tough item to find in regular retail outlets, but eBay has more options. The link at left goes to search results that include the 54 petite wrap cardigans currently listed on eBay.
  2. Ann Taylor - In addition to the style above, Ann Taylor has several full-priced options and many of the eBay listings are Ann Taylor. This vendor is all about the wrap cardigans, it seems!
  3. Amazon – In her heart of hearts, Mierin wants a ballet style cardigan. Amazon is just about the only place I found that has some offerings, mainly from dance-centric companies like Danskin. Petite versions are slim, but hopefully some of the non-petite options will work. (This was a challenging request, Mierin!)

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Dressed for: Changing Everything

by Sal on May 23, 2012 · 13 comments

Already Pretty outfit featuring teal blazer, turquoise tank, red sash, purple pencil skirt, red suede pumps, leopard print bag

Teal blazer, thrifted - similar
Tank, Walgreens – similar (pool)
Skirt, Boden (shortened) – similar items
Belt, a sash from another dress – similar look
Necklace, thrifted – similar
Earrings, art fair - similar
Pumps, Tsubo Amset courtesy Tsubo (no longer available) – similar
Bag, Hype via LastCall

I stole this color combination from a Target ad. I can’t for the life of me find a version of it online, but it’s part of their Color Changes Everything campaign. I love color, and I love wearing color WITH color, but I find that I get stuck in color pairing ruts. The Target campaign shows outfits and decor ideas that are just loaded with fun and inspiring color combos. I plan to nick a few more from them in the coming months.

As a quick sidenote: This skirt photographs dark, but it’s a lovely vibrant purple. You can see it a bit better in these detail shots!

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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The Benefits and Pitfalls of Brand Loyalty

by Sal on May 23, 2012 · 45 comments

As I’ve mentioned before, I am brand loyal. I love Tsubos, I love Fluevogs, I love Prairie Underground long cloak hoodies, I love Karen Kane jeans and Desigual everything. As someone who knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to search for a perfect item, and how marvelous it can feel to find it, I am more than happy to trust certain manufacturers based on past experiences. Good experiences. It makes shopping easier when you rely on brand loyalty: Doing so narrows the field and increases your chances of quick success.

BUT! We all know there are pitfalls, too. The dark side of my own brand loyalty stems from something I’d call “love of routine” on a good day, and “laziness” on a bad day. Confining searches to known brands means overlooking potential new sources of great, affordable, flattering, interesting garments. As I’ve said before, I believe broadening search boundaries and casting off potential source discrimination can lead to great discoveries. And brand loyalty can work against that.

Furthermore, some brand loyalties are founded upon less-than-pragmatic ideas. The brands listed above may earn your loyalty over years, as you learn of their histories and design aesthetics, learn to love their attention to detail and unsurpassed quality. Or they may earn your loyalty because they carry cachet. You may be loyal to certain brands because your friends or family laud them, because they worked for you ages ago but no longer seem to yet you just can’t quit them, because they’re local and you’re wary of shopping online.

And yet the mere thought of opening your search for perfect black pants to the entire universe of brands is … dizzying. Why not stick to the shops and manufacturers that you know and love?

What are your thoughts on brand loyalty? Are there certain brands that you trust 100%? Brands that you’ve had constant success with over the years? Would you describe the attachment as emotional? (I feel emotional about some of my brands. I’d totally defend them in a bar fight.) Or are you willing to look any- and everywhere for what you want, brands be damned? Do you have other constraints like sizing or availability or ethical concerns that limit your loyalty? Do tell.

Image via luxefashion.us

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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