Birthday suit

Well, today is my birthday! I am 34 years old, & for the first time I feel like my age sounds kinda old. When I look at a kid I think is in middle school, & he's drinking a beer, I know that I am getting older (that, or he has a really good fake ID). I still feel young, & I even feel like I look young, so I'm just going to continue to believe that I am young despite the fact that I may actually be 1/3 of the way through my life. Numbers, shnumbers, age is a state of mind anyway, isn't it?  I'm pretty much still in college, if that's the case.  Regardless, another year older another year wiser, I've decided to take this opportunity to explore the idea of birthday suits.  Don't worry, despite my title, I'm not going to post photos of myself or anyone else in a birthday suit, this is a fashion blog after all, not a nudist blog.

If you think about it, birthday suit implies clothed rather than the naked assumption most make with the term.  It does feel a little indulgent to just talk clothes, but it is my party & I can talk clothes if I want to.  I am going to point out the obvious here & say that even the fashion aloof still wear clothes everyday (except for the nudists), so they must care about fashion whether they like it or not.  In fact it is one of the few hobbies that everyone, who wears clothes, has in common.  Not everyone plays golf or does needlepoint or makes model airplanes, but almost everyone shops for clothes whether it is something they enjoy, or not (except my husband, he is not allowed to pick his own clothes).  Even those who don't shop for themselves make a conscious decision what to put on their body each & every morning (yep, even my husband, but he has been very well trained).  So before we do anything else in the morning we are making a decision as to how we will present ourselves to the world before we even step foot outside of our bedroom.  In business, in dating, in anything really, we always talk about first impressions & how important they are.  Well, clothing plays a huge role in this no matter who you are, where you live, or what you do for living.  I've always said that fashion is an extension of who I am & that it is my lifeblood.  Well, guess what?  It is the same for you, whether you like it or not, although I'm assuming you do since you are reading a fashion blog.  So this whole first impression, extension of who you are, birthday suit philosophy, gives clothes & getting dressed in the morning a whole new meaning.   Yet we all know the feeling of standing in our real birthday suits in front of the closet door, scratching our head, saying "what do I wear today?"!!!

In fashion design school we were taught to seek inspiration from just about anything from graffiti to Renaissance art to nature to space to different eras.  Each collection we created came from a group of images we gathered & compiled to create a board which inspired our collection.  This board helped us design silhouettes, pick textures, fabrics, notions, & colors.  Just about anything that went into the line came from some small piece of inspiration found on that board.  This is essential to the design process for any designer who works on any line from Old Navy to Valentino.  Why can't we use this process to dress ourselves each morning?  Rather than trying to pick clothes that match or that "came" together (ie. they were shown in concert on the mannequin) perhaps try to pick clothes that reveal who you are & what message you want to give to the world that day.  Become your own walking inspiration board.  This paradigm shift may result in ensembles that resemble a 4 year old's first attempt at dressing themselves, & if so you may opt to mimic the mannequin that day, but there could be some surprising new combinations that come out of your own wardrobe.  

My Birthday challenge to you: try inspiring an outfit rather than matching it & you may just feel yourself walking into your day feeling inspired & chic!!!!  Love yourself & show it in your daily "birthday suit".  This is what inspired me today:

Now guess what I am wearing?  Or steal my Birthday inspiration board for your outfit mixing purposes.

Off to the lake with my Hubby, son, & puppy for some birthday boating fun!
XOXO

Stylishly yours,
DKG

PS-  I'll post the outfit tomorrow, just for fun!  It IS birthday month after all (I am a Leo)!

Marry-Me-in-McCall

Recently we attended one of those feel-good weddings when you just KNOW the bride & groom are meant to be.  I always love a good party, but a marriage seems especially merry when the couple exudes endless love, intense attraction, & hopeless romanticism.  Once the invitation leaves the mailman's hands & hits my "happy mail" pile I immediately conspire on my outfit for the wedded's weekend of events (it's a sickness, I know).  Typically, I rush online & find myself the perfect gown for the ball, but being in the thick of my 7-Tin-7 week I just didn't have the time or energy to create my weekends worth of ensembles via Bloomies, Nordies, Niemans (& then try-on, & send-back, etc.), so here I am, once again, from my own wardrobe.  Perhaps my 7-Tin-7 philosophy should be a new (& economic) staple in my outfit planning process.

Rendez-vous on the Road

Tank:  JCrew
Shorts:  JBrand
Bag:  Betsey Johnson
Flops:  Rainbow (my most comfy flops!!!)

Necklaces:  JCrew

Lakeside Love

Dress:  Vix
Similar Dress
Hat:  Urban Outfitters
Shades:  Prada
Flops:  Rainbow (have I mentioned, my most comfy flops!!!)

Rehearsal Romance

Eyes:  Laura Mercier
Lips:  MAC Cremesheen Lipstick LICKABLE

Bracelet:  Forever 21
Clutch:  Mar Y Sol Billie Raffia Ruffle Clutch
Dress:  JCrew

Shoes:  Betsy Johnson
Toes:  Zoya 'Elodie' 

Wedded Bliss

Belt:  Hot Topic Turquoise Yellow Pyramid Stud Belt

Shoes:  Stuart Weitzman

Dress:  Diane Von Furstenburg
Bag:  Furla
Earrings:  gifted
Shades:  Prada
Bracelets:  Forever 21
Watch:  Invicta

...and they live happily ever after!

Stylishly in love,
DKG

7-Tin-7: Blocks of Color for Benefit

Check out my 7-Trends-in-7-Days challenge on my Midsummer Night's Dream... of Fall post.

Day 7:  Gala to benefit the Idaho Shakespeare Festival
The Trend:  Color Blocking
Color blocking is the fine art of mismatching monochromatic items within an ensemble so much so, they match.  Sounds brilliantly confusing, huh!  On the contrary this is one of the most brilliant trends to experiment with this season or next.  Without question you already own enough in your closet to color block yourself into style. Even if you live in NYC where black is the new white, brown, or red, use it!  Black counts too.  If you don't dare go as Crayola crazy as I did here, pair something gray with something black with something white & throw on some red shoes, you are officially color blocked.  I love the 2-toned items we are starting to see, a new & welcomed take on the stripe obsession.  Pair your 2 tones with 2 more & you are color blocked.  At the very most, find your favorite color flavor of the season & grab some pumps to pair with countless ensembles you are sure to drum up within your own wardrobe.  I guarantee you can put together outfits appropriate for a casual family gathering to a night out with the girls in those same colorfully brilliant pumps (so make 'em comfy).  Here I wore a breezy  A+O dress (!!! it's getting hot in here!!!) & some purple pumps I think I bought for a wedding & had literally never worn, yet received more compliments on than any other shoe I've donned regularly (WOW! major perk of the challenge).  I put on a few bangles, a lovely cocktail ring, carried a bright clutch, & called myself color blocked for an evening of serious-sweltering-loot-raising-loveliness!

Dress:  Alice + Olivia
Clutch:  Mar Y Sol Billie Raffia Ruffle Clutch

My years as a dancer!

Shades:  Tom Ford Yvette
Lips:  MAC Cremesheen Lipstick LICKABLE
Earrings:  can't remember

Bangles:  Forever 21, Kate Spade
Cocktail Ring:  uggghhh, can't remember

Shoes:  Gianni Bini (never rec'd so many compliments in 1 night!!!)

Color Blocking is "HOT" (like 99 degrees)!


<Covet Corner>
Similar dresses:
 Halston Heritage Womens Sarong Knot Cocktail Dress
 Bcbgeneration women's Pleated Tube Dress
Similar Shoes:
Butter Women's City Pump

Stylishly yours,
DKG

7-Tin-7: Loafers, Lace, & Leather

Check out my 7-Trends-in-7-Days challenge on my Midsummer Night's Dream... of Fall post.

Day 2:  Grandpa's Memorial Service
The Trend: Loafers
My Grandfather passed away this past December.  He was a healthy 95 and died while dreaming.  Although the oldest of 3, he outlived everyone in his family & all of his friends.  I think he lived that long because he never took himself too seriously, kept his mind very active, & had a glass of scotch every night.  The portion of his life that I witnessed was full of love & laughter.  His memorial service happened to fall within my 7-Tin-7 week & rather than ignore it on this blog I feel that it deserves to be acknowledged because his life was so beautifully lived, something I strive for everyday.  Gramps loved brightly colored plaid pants & loafers so it is only appropriate that I honor him with part 1 of this post by featuring loafers as a hot trend.  He would be so proud!  I fully plan to expand upon this trend in my own closet with a pair or two of flat loafers & at least 1 pair of the ever-so-cool heeled loafers (I am COVETING a turquoise pair at Anthropologie).  But you know the rules of my challenge, so here are my Kate Spades that I have worn into the ground, but for good reason they are casual-cool, comfortable, & go with everything!  So put on an old pair of loafers or invest in a new pair & when you come across the attendant at the gas station or the cashier at the grocery store tell them: "you are a good man Charlie Brown," for Grandpa.

T-shirt, Sweater, & Belt:  JCrew
Shorts:  Theory

Watch:  Michele

Lips:  MAC Wonder Woman gloss, Brick liner 

The flag at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery

Day 2:  Dinner at the pool
The Trend:  Lace
This is not the best example of the lace frocks that graced the runway, but I simply could not resist the 3-L's in my title for this post.  Here you see my afternoon attire to the pool with the ladies & the kids.  I love this cover-up for is subtle see through sexiness & its beautifully embroidered jaquard lattice.  I paired it with a 50's style ruched halter swim suit & a fedora.  Take note of my favorite Tory Burch flops.  The wedged height makes me feel like I'm in heels (I always say that I was born in heels) but with the comfort of flip flops.  Way to go Tory, your shoes are well worth the investment!  Once the days of pool-side happy hour have come to a close, find a lacey frock & wear it ever so stylishly, perhaps with a pair of Tory's heels.

Cover-up:  Anthropologie
Suit:  Anthropologie
Fedora: JCrew
Flops:  Tory Burch

Day 2:  Ray Johnston Band concert to benefit First Candle
The Trend:  Leather
Day 2 started off with a lot of love & emotion and the end of the day was no exception.  The Ray Johnston Band was formed by Ray Johnston, a professional basketball star turned 5-time cancer survivor, turned "live life to the fullest" musician.  He came to town to help raise money for First Candle, an organization dedicated to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) research & education, in honor of sweet baby Logan (see my post on danasangels for the heart-wrenching story).  The event was a celebration of life & a wonderful reminder to not take ANYTHING for granted.  So here we are with another great message for part 3 of this post...
You will probably not find it surprising that I am THRILLED to see loads of leather everywhere.  It has a denim-like timelessness but with that little bit of edge I love so much.  I love stepping a little outside of the box for events like a concert.  Here I paired my sweet TART leather dress with Converse sneakers & a denim shirt, the epitome of contrast in texture & casual coolness.  Grab some leather pants if you dare or find a sweater subtly trimmed in leather for fall, life is too short to not rock it everyday!

Dress:  TART
Shirt:  Banana Republic
Shoes:  Converse
Purse: Betsy Johnson
Watch: Michele

Lips:  MAC Wonder Woman, Brick liner
Dog:  Maya
Bangles:  Forever 21

The risks of blogg-ing while Mom-ing
Cute Little Boy:  Rowan

Stylishly (& humbly) yours,
DKG

Scarves for Mindy

One of my girlfriends in Boise is battling cancer (again!).  As with a lot of tragic diseases they seem to pick the least deserving suspects.  Mindy is one of the nicest, most thoughtful, caring women I know.  She always has a smile on her face & has one of the most infectious laughs (or giggles) I have ever heard.  When my husband and I lost a pregnancy at 23 1/2 weeks she was one of the first to show up at our door with a home cooked meal & a hug.  As giving and wonderful as she is, the other thing about Mindy is she never asks anyone for anything.  She is "help adverse", which really means she would rather give it than receive. So you can imagine my reaction when I received a response to an e.mail that said the following (after a few light-hearted remarks):  "I do have a question for you, my fashionable friend. I am getting better at tying head scarves...but all the ones around here I can find look like they were designed for my great-grandma (a not-so-fashionable short basque woman). Have you run across anything beautiful during your shopping excursions?"

Ummmm..... YES!   When given a task, especially a fashionable one, I take it very seriously!  With the help of my very generous girlfriends I bought every stylish scarf I could find on every web site & store I regularly peruse.  We gave her everything from Gap to Alexander McQueen, from Jcrew to Diane Von Furstenburg, from Aqua to Ferragamo.  As I was receiving my online orders & picking up more scarves around town I became very inspired by them.  They are so cheerful & beautiful & soft.  They come in so many sizes & fabrics & patterns.  I felt like buying "one for me, one for her."  Which I resisted with the exception of one I couldn't live without.  I've worn it a number of times & it immediately makes me think of Mindy.  It reminds me to live each day to the fullest, to appreciate my body, my health, my family, my friends.  It makes me smile & make eye contact with strangers because you just never know what they might be battling.  And, in my own little way I smile knowing that I am showing support for a dear friend even when I am not in her presence.

So many cancer fighters & survivors are just like Mindy in that they would rather give help than ask for it.  There are so many ways to show support for loved ones & strangers who battle these awful diseases, but I would like to propose a new one.  Rather than a ribbon or a bracelet, why not a colorful scarf?   You can pick the respective color of the type of cancer your beloved fights or find one that represents the personality of the brave souls who are fighting cancer.  You can wear it around you neck, on your head, as a belt or a headband.  Tie it on your purse or around your wrist.  It may be stylishly subtle, but just think how much more cheerful our world would be if everyone added a little color to their wear, meanwhile supporting all of the wonderful people who didn't choose to get cancer.  I gave Mindy the box of scarves with a card that said on the cover:  "Give a girl the right shoes & she can conquer the world. -Bette Midler".  I wrote on the inside "Give a girl the right scarves & she can conquer cancer. -Your Girlfriends".  So if you feel helpless or know a help adverse cancer victim like Mindy, throw on a scarf.  Until we rid our world of cancer at least you will feel like you are helping a girl conquer it.

Stylishly yours,
DKG

Mindy's box of scarves

My new "Mindy" scarf

Girlfriends

Twice a year one of my groups of girlfriends gets together for what we call "Girlfriends' Christmas" and "Girlfriends' Birthday".  It is a chance to exchange gifts & celebrate our friendship.  We rotate who hostesses which involves picking the theme, directing the gift exchange logistics, & throwing a killer party.  I was one of the hostesses of Girlfriend's Christmas 2010 themed "glamorous".  It was (literally) one big dance party, dance floor, DJ, costume trunk & all!  Anyway, the reason this entry finds its way onto my style blog is because these gals challenge the most diligent fashionistas in any major city!  

Look at them!

Now great style & rockin' bods isn't all these gals have to offer.  Among them we have an attorney, multiple medical professionals, business owners, top marketing execs, top sales execs at a Fortune 500 company, a former pro runner (who still runs 6 minute/mile marathons!),  tri-atheletes, and a few stay at home Moms (the hardest job if you ask me).  These ladies can kick ass on a mountain bike & can bomb the ski slopes like no ones business.  They work hard & play harder.  Once the trails, slopes, & kids have seen enough they throw on sequins, heels, skinny jeans, & a boa (remember the costume box mention) & rock the dance floor with a glass of bubbly.  I have lots of interests & get bored easily, but these ladies keep me laughing, running (!), & enjoying my own individuality.  They have supported me through loss & are always there with a bottle of wine after a long week.  They are quick to give a compliment & never judge.  Girlfriends like these are 1 in a billion & I consider myself very lucky in friendship.  While this is a blog about fashion I think the most important accessory of all is a true friend.  At the end of the day, girlfriends are the one thing that NEVER go out of style!

Sylishly yours.

DKG

My co-hosts  (notice our super sweet dessert display?!)

I couldn't help myself from the angel wings! 

Rockin' the prego bellies.

Carmal, my most recent closet revamp victim
in her Grandmother's mink stole.  Love vintage!