Street Style - Seattle, WA - Annette

I just love this girl, and she takes this amazing photos in her cube that I just love.

Annette has this amazingly beautiful classical face that I adore. I mean, look at it, it would be the perfect subject for a beautiful Grecian sculpture of a goddess.
She also has totally awesome style, as witness by this totally sweet gifted polka dot shirt that she is clearly proud of.

NO!!!! THUMBS UP TO ****YOU**** ANNETTE!!!

August 31 - Vanessa

Why do they make the NY Times crossword so *gotdam* easy these days!!?? MORONS!!! ahhahha

Just had breakfast with my lovely, whilst still in my jammies, driving south this morning at 7am, the blush of the sunrise against the stark black of the leaves and tree branches was so beautiful, i thought, "why does anyone complain about their commute?"
On my way home, however, the temperature started to rise, so I thought, yeah, i'd better get dressed.

Headscarf - Husband's necktie
Earrings - Express
Teal Shirt - Macys
Brown shirt - Nordstrom
Bermudas - Thrifted
Leopard Flips - Gift from 1999? they have been gorilla glued back together many times.

Good Hair? Bad Hair? Why can't we accept our hair?

So I saw this commercial today, with the lovely Salma Hayek... She starts the commercial with this fabulous, polished, half up/half down hair style. But by the end of the commercial, after rolling through dairy fields, breaking into a 7-11, chasing down a milk truck... Ends up with her hair like this...

For those that don't know me well, this is the hair that I wake up with every morning.
It's as if in her desperation in trying to get her daughter some milk, her personality unfolds into this visceral, wild, cave-woman type entity that is best personified in hair like this.

I have dealt with hair-hate for some time. I used to work for a Dutch man that would constantly tell me how awful my hair looked in it's natural state, that when i applied and was accepted into a medical school in the Netherlands he said he would have his friend (a hairdresser) meet me at the airport to transform my coif into something more suitable. Because apparently the Dutch would rake me over the coals socially for having my hair look like nature intended.
I'm a pretty darned self-assured cookie. So i laughed this off. But I knew he wasn't really kidding. Sometimes just for kicks I would soak my hair in Vitamin E oil overnight and then painstakingly take 2 hours straightening it, and would walk into my clinic with shiny, straight hair. On those days it was like I walked off a cloud. "OH YOUR HAIR LOOKS SO GREAT!" "IT'S SO GLOWY IN THE SUN!"

I don't understand why curly textured hair is labeled: Bad, Wild, Crazy. And straight all of those opposites. Constantly in movies and TV the female protagonist will start off with curly, "wild" hair.... Such as Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City...

But then... as she becomes more savvy and sophisticated, the hair smooths into something like this...

In my mind the above hair just is several hours of my life wasted, yeah it's pretty... But also all the stuff you have to do to smooth your hair is so damaging! Why can't we just accept curly textured hair for what it is?

I was thinking about the Renaissance Era recently, and many of the lovely women that were portrayed in art of that era had these wavy, voluminous flowing locks...

At that time it seemed to me that this type of hair conveyed freedom and love and passion, like lovely wavy wisps cascading down the body. It's hair that you just want to flow, you may want to touch, you know the woman that wears it is happy and comfortable.

So I'm sure that there are many women that don't want to put away their flat irons and japanese straightening treatments, but I'd just like my hair texture to not be demonized. To stop being something that MUST BE CONTAINED. To stop being ALL of the "before" shots in hair product commercials. I like mine the way it is. 

(Yep, that's my hair on the Left.) AND I LOOOOOOVE IT!!! :-)

August 30 - Vanessa *Take Me As I Am*

Why no "Outfit Post" yesterday? Because I never got dressed!!!

I put workout clothes on at some point in the morning, since I intended on exercising while the kids were at camp (did not happen). I also did not wear makeup yesterday.
Then the rest of the day progressed as normal, and I just never changed into anything else, nor applied makeup at any point.
DH came home and decided to sweep me away on a dinner and drinks date, and I just stayed as I was. Workout Clothes/No Makeup. Just because he knows me he said, "Are you dressed?"
I said "YES!! WU-TANG!! TAKE ME AS I AM!!" and I think i threw a couple random gang signs in there for good measure. Then, because he is more wonderful than wonderful began showering me with compliments on my natural un-made-up glory.
So we went out with me in gym clothes, no makeup, hair standing on end - nothing different than when i woke up. I am truly a Lucky Lady.

Today's Outfit:
Skull Tank - Target
Teal Top - Nordstrom
Silver Belt - Meijer
Kilt - Old Navy
Boots - Mall

Pretty in Pink!! - JC

I think my mom would be happy to confirm that I spent most of my younger years protesting the color pink. I have always been a tom boy, wore my brother's clothes (even when they were way too big and looked ridiculous) and spent most of my college years in sweats (holla MSU ladies!!!). It really hasn't been until the last few years that I would even ponder donning this color that all women are supposed to love but usually is associate with princesses or barbies and if you're not 5 or younger, then you shouldn't trying to be either of the above mentioned things. Anywho, I was strolling through sommerset one day and decided to take a look around Betsey Johnson and there it was: a beautiful pink dress that looked almost like a cupcake. It was so fun, flirty, had tulle and a huge price tag. I just couldn't pull the trigger on this dress despite my love for it. It was actually a good thing- gave me time to wonder if I was experiencing temporary insanity- do I really want to buy a dress that represents everything I had been protesting for most of my life? The answer: yes. I didn't end up going back to Betsey until about a month later and there was only 1 left on the clearance rack- the pink one in my size. I actually wish I had more occasions to wear this dress- it is so lovely and fun. The other benefit- it makes my mom smile

Statement Necklace Challenge by Marionberry Style

I love to accept a challenge especially a Statement Necklace Challenge.
I believe the Statement that this Necklace is making is, "I have all of my necklaces on at one time."
This look was sort of inspired by Isabella Rossellini in "Death Becomes Her" (see below)

Go hard or Go home.

To see the other Statement Necklace Challengers (click here) I am clearly the Gold Medal Winner. :-)

Thrifting aka Playing Dress-Up with my Girl

I was just **JONESING** to thrift last night. I just wanted to go. So M and I piled in the car. I also kind of want to say this, I don't thrift necessarily because I am looking for low-priced clothing, although i cannot complain about that. There is just something about the thrill of the hunt, finding amazingly unique items that someone else wore and loved. It's a very romantic thing, I'm fully addicted.

M found this lovely "Melanie Griffith in Working Girl" dress. It's a lovely angstrom-thin polyester with a fun sheen to it that you usually see in 80s clothes. I kind of love it, but the material is so thin and chintzy, i just know it will last one wear. I would style it with a belt and prolly flat boots.

Another 80s gem M found, this burgundy dream of a polyester dress. Straight out of Dynasty, I love it. and the WHOLE CENTER PANEL IS SHEER. If you were feeling sassy you could pull apart those front panels and have a sheer V neck down to the belt line. (which i would never ever do). It's sort of that midweight jersey poly. Awesome giant shoulder pads, no zipper. it's pretty awesome, but I don't think I'd ever wear it.

This I LOVE LOVE LOVED. What more can you ask for? Thick Poly Pucci Print, Accordion Pleating, Giant Collar, a FRINGED belt. Ahhh, I think i lost consciousness for a second. Unfortunately, the sleeves and wrist cuffs were not made for a former Rower, and were like tourniquet tight. :-(

This was the Gold Medal Find of the night. OMG. I was losing my mind. First Question: WHY WAS THIS PIECE OF CLOTHING EVER MADE? WHO PUT THIS IN PRODUCTION? WHAT IS THE PRINT???? I have no idea! The material is serious plastic, kind of feels like a tarp. So outstanding. I instantly felt like Sharon Stone in "Casino" (see picture below), I totally need that Shag haircut. Seriously may be the most hilarious item of clothing I've ever worn, and for me, that says a lot.

This one is great. Total 1960s, great print. Cottony gauze day dress. I could picture some awesome MadMen-esque housewife wearing this while mopping the floors with cigarette in hand, 2 foot high elaborate hairdo going. It's a trapeze-fit, which i do not like on me. But it's fun, love the color and print.

Soooooo Tina Turner. **Rollin on the Riiiiivaahhhhhhhh!!** ahhah. M picked this out. This was a dress for someone, but obviously is not going to work as one for me. Fun to try on and do some Tina dance moves with.

M is wearing Mickey Mouse Mascot shoes that we found, and I of course purchased. How awesome!?

August 28 - Vanessa & Spätzle

Since I am a photographer, my children are the most photographed on Earth. More than Suri Cruise, Bradgelina's ANYONE. So usually when I break out the camera they run away. But sometimes, maybe out of curiosity, maybe out of charity for me, they will allow me to take a photo of them, uncontested. :-) Many thanks to Spätzle for the generous gift of his presence.

Yellow Shirt - Thrifted
Bermudas - Thrifted
Heels - Target
Spätzle - Priceless

Street Style - Primary Colours!

So great. Now THIS is how you dress for a party!!

The lovely Greta in Lilly Pulitzer, The gorgeous JC in BCBG, and The beautiful Jessica in French Connection, are showing us why it's best to just walk past all of those black cocktail gown and head straight for the color. Nothing makes your soul look and feel more vibrant and alive than this, it just extrapolates happiness from your heart into the universe by wearing color.

August 27 - Vanessa

The Start of Good Things to Come?
This is an asymmetrical T from JC, at first i thought it would be fun to try as a halter. and the length is almost dress-worthy, if you are on Jersey Shore, but honestly, it's a great tunic length. So I popped the arm hole over my bulbous head, and then i didn't have the rest of my body in it and it was just a mess, and i was a little bit stuck. LOL. Finally after getting it off, I put it on, as prescribed, it's super cute, almost "collegiate". hahahh.
These jeans I purchased in 1998!! hahahhah!!!! They are high waisted, they have that royal blue color that no one does anymore. and they are ringstitched denim, which also, no one does anymore. It's funny, the high waist it kind of coming back, and it also provides a nice silhouette under the tunic top.

Asymmetrical Yellow Top - Gift of JC
1998 Jeans - Express
Sandals - Payless (BOOM)
Art - Left by B.Jac. Right - B.Jac/Me collabo

Coming up Roses- Very Vintage! - JC

Ok, so I've said my peace about statement necklaces- love love love them and could wear them everyday. I still felt the need to share this- I love vintage jewelry like Nessa loves to thrift. (editor's note: this means you love it so much that it borders on obsession!!! LOL)

I own a decent collection of unique pieces and I will literally do my hair and make-up and toss on a nice outfit JUST to wear some of this stuff to the grocery store, post office or pick up carry out for dinner. I love my vintage jewerly and often incorporate it with some of my outfits at work. The funny part in all of this is that I do own some very sparkly David Yurman pieces and even some handmade jewelry from a special store in the Caribbean and I STILL get more compliments on my vintage. It doesn't actually surprise me at all- it's colorful, bold and has character. It's always fun to wonder who owned it before you and clearly they loved it because it's in such great shape years later. I feel like it's my personal duty to take care of it AND to actually not let it collect dust but to flaunt it like it deserves. Above is probably the next piece you'll see me wearing when i'm grabbing my Starbucks.

By, JC 

Style Evolution 2002 to 2012 JC and Me

How much do things change in 10 years?
It seems like a lifetime ago. If you would have asked me 10 years ago what i think my life would be like in 2012, i certainly don't think I would have predicted how things are now. ahhhaha. I think I would have said that I would have just been finishing my Astronaut-Surgeon training, and that I would be in the sunset of my Pro Beach Volleyball career, thus, obviously leaving more time for my professional photography hobby and guest appearances in "Chicago"on Broadway (as Roxy Heart).
My actual 2012 life is so much different than that, but actually probably just (even more possibly) as exciting and wild. And i love it so much.
Things that remain the same in 10 years = my dear love for my wonderful friends. JC and I have known each other for so long, and I just love to look at photos of us from the past. She is such an amazing woman that has had such a profound journey in life. I treasure her to my very core and am lucky to have her as a sister.

Killer Kaftan - JC

I could talk all day about fashion and love hearing about what men and women are wearing. I have to say, I find it very strange when people are wearing clothes or shoes for that matter that are uncomfortable or make their feet hurt and they just say, "sometimes you have to take one for the team for the sake of fashion". Uh, no you don't. I refuse to buy clothes or shoes for that matter that don't make me look AND feel great. I wear super tall heels all the time and you will never not even one time hear me complain about how my feet hurt. When I saw this Kaftan by Yara Yosif it was a parting of the seas, birds started chirping and I started smiliing- glamour AND comfort I thought to myself. This kaftan is gorgeous along with many others that Yara creates. I think you can still be sexy, elegant, beautiful without squeezing a size 2 body into a bandage dress. These kaftan's can really be worn for any occasion and the shoe options are unlimited. Ladies- let's redefine what beauty is and what it looks like! By, JC

Retail Therapy - The Cocktail Dress

So I have a couple of events to go to in September:

• Bloomfield Jewelry and Vintage Apparel Show (click here)
• Michigan Fashion Week! *missed the model call :-( jk. hahahh* (click here)
• And obviously.... most importantly... My BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided my wardrobe needed a little style injection so i went back to Neiman's to see what I could find. I like a cocktail dress of a certain kind. I have a trillion of them, but they are like Lay's Potato Chips, you just need more and more and more. Considering my luck with the Peplum Style earlier this week (click here), i decided to stick with my usual formula, which means: knee length, cap sleeve, fitted silhouette. **Disclaimer: hilarious body proportions ensue due to the angle of photography and that it is taken with my Blackberry.**

This is what I found:

Dress - Max & Cleo. Heels - Manolo Blahnik. Pretty cute, but slightly 80s in the floral print? I like the pockets but I don't think this is a game-changer.

Dress - Teri Jon. I LOVE the origami influences, the folds were so intricate and well placed with a flourish on the opposite hip that you unfortunately can't see.

Dress - Tahari. I obviously love this one, the fabric had a touch of lurex in it that gives it an amazing sheen. but see below...

It would be awesome if the belt was a bit lower and able to be tightened. It was loose against my rib cage, and that ain't doin me no favors. :-)

Dress - Etro. I mean it's a shift, but I don't love the neckline, nor the lack of sleeves. and the print is super boring for it being ETRO!! For good Etro print (click here)

Dress - Kay Unger. I loooove the colors, i love the color blocking. I like the neckline, because I just don't do an asymmetrical neckline, ever. (I need to wear a REAL BRA people) So this made me happy. The belt is very sparkly with swarovski-ish elements.

Dress - David Meister (aka my lover) I believe I own 20 of his dresses. The proportions are so right for my body. It makes me so happy. This is SO SCARFACE! I would love to wear it with a blunt blonde bob wig and chain smoke (just kidding) and act like a total B. Or is it more "Saturday Night Fever"? Anyone want to cha-cha/hustle? The dress is a high shine gold/bronze lame'. it's amazingly garish. love.

Dress - Andrew Marc NY. Shoes - Cole Haan. I love this full length exposed zipper. the front is pretty simple, but with this much going on in the back, i appreciate that.

Dress - Hilton Hollis. Shoes - Cole Haan. (the Manolos were hurting my feet)
THIS IS THE WINNER!!!!!!!!!
How great. I can't even handle the stitching and the seaming, the pairing of the pieces of fabric makes me want to pass out, it's just gorgeous and fits well. I've never heard of this designer, but I am so happy i stumbled upon this!

August 24 - Vanessa

A silk-satin evening gown for day? Why not.
Topped with a cotton T shirt, it takes it down a notch, right? haha, this dress also has a train. I wonder how that will play out while i'm grocery shopping today.
I've had this dress for awhile. I bought it to wear to a wedding, but then thought that it looked too much like a wedding dress itself, and of course I didn't want to upstage the bride. So I put it back in my closet and was a good girl and put on a shift.
The dress is amazing. I'm assuming 1920s/30s? it has a low asymmetrical back and a lot of construction in the bodice so that you don't have to wear any "underpinnings". Bonus! The color is lovely, esp years ago when i was very tan, it's such a lovely thick material, the shine of it is almost iridescent.
The T shirt fortunately has a neckline that lets that lovely cowl draping peek out.

T shirt - Express
Vintage Dress - Thrifted

Thrifting - Lindsey **GOLD MINE THRIFT FIND**

SO GREAT!!
Lindsey sent me this photo yesterday of this AMAZING 70s DENIM JUMPSUIT that she found at GoodWill. What a great find. AND.... What a great fit! She said she's going to have a 1970s party at her house just because she found this gem. Now, look at the power of clothing... To inspire a party where fun would be had by all. That is something to celebrate, I love it.
Also, i just have to say... even if it embarrasses her... This woman has had 3 CHILDREN!! She is a MULTI-MARATHON RUNNER!! And a TRIATHLETE!! I love it. Such an amazing inspirational beauty.

Have a Great Thrifting Find??? send me a pic at Readydressedgo@gmail.com

**Lovies**

The Birthday Party

Went to my dear friend's birthday celebration last night, and my kids were so incredibly upset that they couldn't go. M even applied eyebrow pencil, because she also appreciates the importance of a defined strong brow. LOL.
So this is what i came up with. I did have a great ensemble on yesterday, but by 530pm it was covered in mushy peas and peanut butter, so i had to change, and into something quick.

Vintage Dress - Thrifted
Gold Necklace - NYC street vendor
Yellow Belt - H&M
Boots - Nine West

Playful in Prints - JC

Anyone that knows my mom and has seen her quilts knows that she has a passion for bright colors- her quilts live out loud and so does she. I think bright colors are inspiring, they make you happy, they show your personality and they are downright fun. There is also something to be said for a unique print. This summer despite my lack of a tan or time in the sun, I have still donned tons of bright colors whether it's wearing a bright pink lipstick, sky high orange heels or just incorporating more color in my work wardrobe. Something else happened this summer- I discovered Etsy which has a ton of young designers trying to launch their brands. I am particularly fond of ethnic clothing and fell in love with this dress- it incorporates 2 of my favorite things: bright colors & bows. This dress can be handmade in your size which the fabric of your choosing but I thought this dress was perfect as is and love the idea of supporting a designer that is trying to establish themselves. I will hopefully be sporting this dress in the near future! Also, thanks mom for all of the color inspiration! by, JC

August 22 - Vanessa

Today is the birthday of one of my dearest most wonderful friends.
She is saying it's her 22nd, but that is very misleading because she truly looks like she could be turning 22, so the joke is lost in her bubbly, beautiful, happy visage. **Love you CP**
So I felt like wearing this today. You know I love color and brightness, and also i saw a street style photo of Eva Mendes yesterday (click here) where she has this band wrapped around her hair, and I thought, that's a great idea, I'll just use the belt that came with my purple dress that I'm wearing.
Also yesterday, I was reading Glamour magazine and they were talking about how to be a **STYLE STAR** and one of the rules was, "If you're ever getting dressed and something inside you says, 'This kinda maybe looks like a costume,' listen to that voice." LOLOL. I love costumey clothing, The voice inside my head will say "WEAR THAT COSTUMEY OUTFIT!!!"
So what would you call the costume I am in today?

Headwrap - Belt from Dress
Necklace - Gift from Aunt Annie
Purple Dress - Target
Teal V neck - Handpainted by me - Express
Belt - Target
Boots - Mall shoe store

Statement necklaces Steal the Show! - JC

Despite my love affair and obsession with fashion, I am often dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans or some other form of a simple outfit. A great way to dress up a classic outfit is to toss on a statement necklace. Now you can find them just about anywhere- thrifting, boutiques, etc. and despite all the glitz they can actually be pretty affordable. I was on Etsy the other night and there are a ton of beautiful crystal, beaded, turquoise, the list goes on necklaces that were affordable and very beautiful but sometimes you just need a little more edge. I found the necklace below and am honestly still undecided on whether it's ugly or cool but something about it speaks to me. I think this necklace would be amazing with a simple red or black strapless basic dress. Sometimes you just have to go for something a little funky. by, JC

August 21 - Vanessa

Borrowing from the Boys.
I'm always wearing my husband's clothes. I think in some way, it's a way to stay close to him. And when i'm thrifting, i just love when you can tell something was well-worn by the former owner. It has a sense of history and authenticity. And it's fun to style things in different ways, and be creative with such a traditionally masculine piece.

White Men's Dress Shirt - Polo Ralph Lauren (hubs)
Necklace - Express
Silver Skinny Belt - Meijer
Antique Pin (holding shirt closed) - Gift of Aunt Annie
Skirt (worn backwards) - Express
Espadrilles - Target

Shoe Crush!!

oh my goodness. CAN YOU STAND IT!!!
The shoe is by Nicholas Kirkwood, retails around $1,800 I would guess? I just love it, it is so incredibly ridiculous. Can you imagine wearing these and crossing the street, the ponytails on your shoes bouncing in the wind. So hilarious. Apparently, Mr. Kirkwood was inspired by the 1920s and Florence of Florence and the Machine. But I just see this as something so avant-garde and awesome, i would love to wear these.
PS- my daughter LOOOOOVES THEM!! "they are like Ariel!!"

August 20 - Vanessa

Ahhh, a new week. A new beginning. The rapture.
After many weeks fraught with innumerable challenges, this week feels like a rebirth, nothing awful on the plate, nothing hanging over my head. I'm so happy.
The Leopard print "skirt" is actually a dress (from JC), i just thought this kind of put my own spin on it, and transformed it into a new look. The dress is lovely with bell sleeves and a tie waist.
The boots are flat and functional and suede, extremely beat up (can't really tell from the photo), but I thought they would take this outfit down a notch, a dash of "man repeller" thrown in the recipe.
The waist is taken in by this ENORMOUS tortoiseshell belt that is def not in style anymore, but it kind of blends in with the black top, which has these super awesome GIANT poofy sleeves, and it's sheer.

Necklace - Express
Black Shirt - Express
Leopard Dress - gift from JC
Boots - random mall store

The Peplum Challenge

So everyone's talking about the Peplum waist. I see it on every runway, i love how it looks on other people, so flattering, so i had to try it myself. I went to Neiman Marcus today to see what I could find...

First off, I found this gorgeous Marchesa gown. It has the Peplum waist, which i was afraid, at my extreme height would not be placed properly on the body for my stature. You obviously want the Peplum to flare out below the *smallest* part of  your waist, and since the waist of most commercial dresses usually falls to high for me, i thought this would not work. Because if the *end* of the peplum flare falls at the smallest point of your waist (which i was sure would happen with me) then it will make your waist look thicker and that is obviously not what you want.

I feel like the peplum on this gown is working for me. I think it hits just right. I love this photo, it's so funny to me at this angle i look so short, and if you know me, you know that is not true.

The only thing about this Marchesa dress is that the convex seaming for the hip/butt area fell about 4/6 inches to high for me. I would have to buy a size up and have it tailored.

This dress they did not have in my size, so i just tried it anyways. it's about 3 sizes too big, so i'm pinching it in the back, but I think this peplum is working perfectly, carving out the curve of the waist. This is a 100% silk Teri Jon gown. beautiful!

This dress is Laundry by Shelli Segal. I do not like a strapless, but it was the only other dress i found with a peplum (seriously shocking! sold out?). I think for me, this peplum is about an inch or two too high. It looks like it's just thickening my waist instead of defining it.

So the verdict is: Peplums are great and they are gorgeous when placed properly. I would probably have to buy a dress with one and *DEF* have it tailored for my body. And by the time i had all that done, the trend will be over. :-/

Street Style - Caroline - St. Pete's, Florida

In celebration of beautiful athletic women.
Look at these gorgeous, glowing ladies. They completed the Women's Half Marathon in St. Petersburg, FL this year. That's 13.1 miles, son. There's something just so wonderful about this photo, these girls have trained so hard for this race, they look fabulous, and they are happy and healthy and having the time of their lives.
The other day I was watching TV at the gym and was watching 2 or 3 shows about being a strong, empowered woman, One about bullying with Khloe Kardashian, another was the new version of "Hairspray" but during the commercial breaks i saw the same advertisements kind of prodding women to hate themselves saying things about how you're ugly unless you reduce your weight and that you are miserable unless you look a certain way. I've dealt with these issues myself in the past, NO MORE, obviously. But I just think all of us women need to bind together, love ourselves, and have fun with our wonderful bodies, and STOP HATING AND DEGRADING THEM. Love yourself, put your arms around yourself right now. Go out, do something fun, swim, run, dance, celebrate yourself.

August 18 - Vanessa

Ahhh, it's the weekend. Thank goodness. Time for my "teenage boy" clothes. I love bermudas and a T. This official jersey is from the Soccer (Football, for my european friends) Club of Stuttgart Germany. My husband got it there when he was employed as the power forward for that team. Viva La Debitel Tigers!!

Jersey - Husband's
Plaid Bermudas - Thrifted
Heels - Thrifted