this week i love

This Week I Love …

by Sal on May 7, 2012 · 31 comments

I mean, first off, this woman absolutely OOZES talent. She’s what, 22 now, and the proud owner of multiple Grammys? She’s passionate, ambitious, fearless, and absolutely mesmerizing in performance. Her songs are heart-wrenching, her voice is absolutely hypnotic, and her self-confidence is utterly inspiring.

Secondly, I absolutely adore her personal style. Classic, pared-down, and heavy on the retro influence? Yes, please! She’s worn a couple of Barbara Tfank gowns that stopped me dead in my tracks, I’d like to crawl inside her gorgeous hair to LIVE, and although she’s a little color-shy she certainly knows how to pick gorgeous and flattering silhouettes. I would quite happily swap closets with her.

Now. Body image. Adele has made some disparaging remarks about her peer group’s dressing and body management choices that tarnish her star a bit, if you ask me. But when it comes to her comments on her own figure, weight, and body, she seems to be utterly sincere when she tells reporters that, no, she doesn’t feel like she should drop a few stone to conform to some arbitrary beauty ideal. She says she doesn’t even think about it. Maybe she’s exaggerating, but here’s hoping she’s not. Because her unflagging confidence and her refusal to change herself in the face of fame-related pressures make her an anomaly and a potential role model.

At least, that’s what I think. Are you a fan of Adele? Her music? Her style? Her views on weight and body image?

Top image courtesy myplay, second image courtesy dailyvenusdiva.

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on April 25, 2012 · 39 comments

… printed pants.

I can’t quite believe I’m loving ANY pants. After years of just loathing them and feeling insecure and awful in them, I’ve finally found a few pairs that look marvelous and feel fab. And many of those pairs are printed, which is even MORE surprising. I first saw printed pants emerge a couple of years ago, and immediately started scouring my thrift stores. Sure enough, printed pants abounded, but not in the slim styles and contemporary prints I was craving. Luckily, the shops are lousy with ‘em:

7 for All Mankind Garden Party – $189

There are two reasons I will likely never own these: They’re low-rise, and they’re really expensive. But holy moly, do I ever want to crawl inside that print and LIVE. Teal and magenta mixed with a soft, subtle olive make for an energetic yet versatile print. Maybe I could get over the low rise thing …

ASOS Cropped Pants in Paisley Print – $72.72

If you’re looking for a summer-specific pair, these crops are a great bet. They’re 100% cotton, and feature a bright, white background that makes them ideal for hot-weather ensembles.

DKNY Floral Slim Pants – $225

Oh, the lust I feel for these pants. Doesn’t that print look awfully Marimekko to you? That’s why I love it, of course. Well, and the fact that the print includes red, white, and blue yet doesn’t scream “Fourth of July.” A splurge to be sure, but oh so lovely.

Tripp NYC Tartan Skinny Pants – $27.27

If florals and paisley make you cringe, there are plenty of other options, including bold plaids. This pair comes in red, blue, and this vibrant yellow, and can be easily punked up (as shown) or taken in a preppy direction.

Warehouse Circle Printed Pants - $72.72

If bright colors and skinny leg styles aren’t your scene, consider these flowy, neutral widelegs. These have a mid-rise, unlike many of the available options, and a casual self-tie. They’re a little on the beachy side, but with the right sweater or tunic, could be dressed up for the office.

My feeling is that printed pants will look chic and contemporary in modern, exaggerated silhouettes – mainly skinny, but also superwide – and paired with sleek tops in solid colors or complementary prints. I’m a fan of prints that include a black background, but white and brights can work, too, so long as the print isn’t too traditional or twee. Crops will likely look best at ankle or clamdigger length, and in slimmer silhouettes minus any pleating.

Also I realize in retrospect that some of those printed pairs I found in my thrift haunts could’ve been altered to skinny legs and fitting waistlines. And probably for less than virtually all of the pairs listed here! Another route to consider, if you like the look but are on a tight budget.

What are your thoughts on printed pants? Will you try this trend?

(Top photo is of a pair from Talbots that I own. Similar style here.)

**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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This Week I Love …

by Sal on April 13, 2012 · 8 comments

… Fab.com.

Sample sale sites are grand. They are. But half the time you STILL can’t afford the designer stuff they’ve rustled up and marked down, and everything else is either picked-over or of questionable quality.

But Fab.com isn’t exactly a sample sale site. This marvelous little corner of the Internet offers daily sales on artisan-designed jewelry, clothing, accessories, home goods, edibles, artwork, and vintage items at up to 70% off retail. Many of the designers also have Etsy shops, and I’ve seen a few of my favorite vendors pop up on the Fab radar, but others hail from all over the world. Many of my local Twin Cities artisan friends have been featured and say the site has been a great help to their businesses. Contributing vendors create everything from handcrafted leather bags to blown glass jewelry to handknit scarves to hilarious screenprinted tees to quilts made of recycled saris.

IT IS SO COOL.

If you’re not already a member of the site, click here to sign up. You’ll love it. Promise.

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on March 28, 2012 · 30 comments

… bright bags.

For years I carried the same black leather handbag every day. I still have it, and it’s still my staple black bag. But the more I explore the outfit-completing properties of handbags, the more I find myself drawn to bright, punchy colors. Like these:

My neutral bags get loads of use, too, but there’s something fun and funky about throwing a bright bag into the mix.

What about you? Do you stick to neutral handbags, or do you have a few bold, bright ones that work their way into the mix, too?

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on March 13, 2012 · 13 comments

… dichroic glass studs.

I bought my first pair of these over the summer. I’d only just lopped my hair off and was fumbling about looking for new earring options. I glimpsed a pair at the Powderhorn Art Fair and was absolutely mesmerized by how they seemed to glow from within. Snapped ‘em up, and have bought several Etsy pairs since.

Apparently, dichroic glass contains multiple micro-layers of metals or oxides, and has a particular transmitted color and a completely different reflected color. Hence the glow. It’s really lovely stuff. Behold:

NaTuRaLLyMYsTiCaL – $18

Amazon – $12

admiralglass – $18

Amazon – $12

Halesia Designs Studio – $10

White Sands Glass – $9

I feel like these are my ideal studs. They’re small and subtle, but since they’ve got that gorgeous luminosity, they’re also interesting and fun. They’re cheaper than most semiprecious gems and due to their construction typically include two or more rich colors. I’m in love. Seriously.

Are you a dichroic glass fan? Ever seen it up close? Do you ever wear stud earrings? Think this style would suit you?

**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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This Week I Love …

by Sal on February 16, 2012 · 24 comments

… all things purple.

The purple family of colors encompasses so many of my favorite shades: Orchid, royal, lavender, dusty, and more. I have often declared that red is my favorite color, and it IS … but it appears that I actually own far more purple items than I do red! It’s a versatile family of shades that plays beautifully with many other colors, and I’m just digging it these days.

Here are a few purple items that I’m lusting after as we speak:

Dana LeBlanc Julie necklace – $68

I have three of Dana’s necklaces – all of them in this chunky three-strand style – and I continually lust after more. They walk that fine line between “statement” and “ladylike” so perfectly, and this marled purple Julie necklace has been on my wishlist for months.

Athleta Hawi Hoodie Dress – $29.99

I wear my little collection of Athleta dresses constantly, and have been eyeing many of the new styles since fall. The hemline on this little number might do horrible things to my proportions, but I can’t help myself. I want it. The surplice neckline, cozy hood, and gorgeous orchid shade conspire to eclipse all reason. (Also available in plus sizes!)

French Sole Ballet Flat – $55

Gorgeous, no? Such a rich shade of purple suede you just about want to eat it. The rose detail at the toe is so elegant, and FS/NY flats are known for their great quality.

Gap 1969 Midweight Legging Jeans – $69.95

What? I would TOTALLY rock these, and so would you. I’ve got a couple of pairs of Gap legging jeans and just adore them. Finding it hard to resist this vibrant purple pair …

Dichroic glass studs – $9

I’ve become a huge fan of dichroic glass stud earrings since cutting my hair. They’re subtle and classy, but glow beautifully in light which makes them seem a bit ethereal and extremely cool. I own a pair from White Sands Glass that I adore, and this rich purple pair looks just lovely.

Fossil Modern Cargo Convertible Flap – $158

I love that this versatile bag is done up in such a sumptuous shade of purple. The structured style and vibrant color give it a marvelous combination of sophistication and cheek.

Liz Claiborne New York Pleated Skirt – $23.18

This skirt might be a bit lightweight to wear in the middle of February, but land sakes, it is ADORABLE. This flared, box-pleated style of skirt is my absolute favorite in the world: It’s marvelously flattering on the waist and such a joy to wear. Plus this version has pockets. Available in US size 2 – 28.

Do you believe in the power of purple? What’s your favorite shade? Any of these pieces tickle your fancy?

**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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This Week I Love …

by Sal on February 3, 2012 · 37 comments

… lifting weights.

Yeah, this photo cracks me up, too. That is my very own 15-pound dumbell and I do occasionally lift weights at home, but I seldom feel compelled to put on full gym regalia to do so. And even less frequently choose to do so in my dining room. This was taken for a Lucy workout gear giveaway a few months back, and provides photographic proof that I do, in fact, lift. But it’s undeniably humorous. And wow, check out our mint plant going nuts in the background. Anyone need some mint?

Whoa. Tangent.

It’s the dead of winter and that means the Workout Doldrums have settled in. In Februarys past, I’ve slacked off on my weight routine, saying to myself, “Ah, screw it. I’ll worry about tone come spring when my muscles will actually be visible. Why bother right now?” But since I conned Karen into giving me some arm-toning tips, I’ve been much more engaged in my workout and I’ve actually stuck to my weights all winter.

And I’m SO GLAD. I adore biking (when I can do it), I’m loving my great winter walking experiment, and am pretty proud of my planking prowess. But there is something so satisfying about lifting weights. It feels amazing. It feels like I am, quite literally, warehousing personal power for later use. And my little routine involves 12 and 15 pound dumbells, a Bosu ball, and a yoga ball. No bench, no fussing with machines, simple but challenging. I have no fear of the man-populated weight room and can use or figure out any machine in my gym, but it has been really rewarding to cook up a custom weight routine and play with it to such great effect.

I might have mentioned this 900,000 times already, but allow me mention number 900,001: Weight lifting is a fantastic way for women to improve bone density. Even if you are running your little hiney off, adding some weight training to your routine is wise. Even if you’re at your ideal weight, doing a few bicep curls will help you down the line. This article pulls a few annoying tricks, but it’s written by a pro trainer and explains in no uncertain terms why lifting won’t cause you to bulk up like the Hulk. (We’ve got a Strong, Sexy & Stylish podcast on this very topic coming up soon!)

I’ve been lifting weights for more than 10 years, and plan to stop … hopefully never.

Do you lift? What’s your routine like? Ever worked with a trainer? If you’re unsure about weights for your own workout, what are your concerns? Questions? I can try to get Karen over here to answer any technical queries you may have!

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This Week I Love …

by Sal on January 20, 2012 · 32 comments

… dusters.

OK, OK, I know that this is yet another fashion term I’m using loosely. From what I can gather, an actual “duster” is an ankle-length canvas coat worn by equestrians to protect their clothing from trail dust. I don’t own any of those. Or any horses. But what I do own – and adore – are long coats and sweaters worn as toppers that create dramatic, long lines. Like these:

Vintage Betsey Johnson Duster Cardigan – $109

Gap Long Open Front Cardigan – $49.95

White + Warren Long Cashmere Duster – $195

Bobeau Plus-sized Shadow Stripe Long Cardigan – $28.90 (Nordstrom)

Moon Duster Maxi – $88

Jones New York Cardigan Coat – $239

Sheer silk duster – $47.40

Clearly, dusters run the gamut in terms of styles, fibers, and prices. They can definitely recall the 90s, but can also be styled in more classic and contemporary ways.

Do you wear dusters? Cardigans, coats, or both? How do you style yours?

**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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