The Day I Met Sissy Spastik

So maybe some of you noticed that last Saturday I did not publish a blog post.  The truth is I was feeling rather uninspired and a bit down in general.  Perhaps it was a case of the early winter blues; change can sometimes be difficult.  That was, until Sunday night when someone showed me just how inspiring change and transformation can truly be. 

As I mentioned, it was a Sunday night and I just had to get out of the house so I ended up going to a dance party hosted by one of the most amazing drag queens in the city named, Sissy Spastik.  She said to me, "I love your leopard coat, is it vintage?" (I told you amazing things can happen when you wear leopard print!!!). From there we struck up a conversation and she showed me some truly beautiful and artistic photo-shoots she has been in and wonderfully innovative and expressive outfits she has created.  She personifies exactly what I love about fashion.  She pushes boundaries, has fun with it and uses it as a form of expression and art. We became Facebook friends and it was a smart move because all week long she has been inspiring me.  Here are a few of the golden nuggets I have picked up from her.

The first is this quote: "When it comes down to it, it really doesn't matter if someone doesn't like or approve of my aesthetic, or my style of drag, because I'm still going to do what I do and can't nobody tell me otherwise. Life is too short to be consumed by worrying about those that do not get you, accept you, approve of you. BE YOU, DO YOU & NEVER APOLOGIZE! I'm Sissy Spastik and I approve this message. #tellitlikeitis #beyoudoyou #loveyourself "

The second is this YouTube video: http://seniorplanet.org/dont-dress-your-age-six-inspiring-women-say-no-to-drab/.  As women, so much of our identity is intertwined with our appearance.  Getting older can be scary and there are not an expansive amount of public figures we can look to that are doing it with style, pizazz and sass.  These real life women are brave, beautiful and inspiring in the way they have lived and are living life.  They are defining their age not letting their age define them.  LOVE IT! 

Finally, is this article Sissy was featured in. http://columbiachronicle.com/sissy-spastik-untucks/  She is a true inspiration in the way she has found her voice, her personal style, and overcome adversity.  We can all take a cue from people around us who are breaking down barriers and being true to themselves and who they are.  Inspiration can come from anyone and anywhere we just have to get out there and be open to it.  Sissy reminded me that your life is your greatest work of art.  What masterpiece will you create?

Have you been inspired by something lately in fashion or otherwise?  I would love to hear about it!

Layered Lovelies

So the other day I stumbled upon one of the few French movies I have enjoyed, titled, Haute Cuisine, about a gorgeous French woman who gets asked to become the French President's personal chef.  I won't say much more than that in case you watch it but she essentially is cooking in heels, dresses, fabulous jewelry and generally looking quite fashionable yet, simple and classy, in a way I have seen many French women pull off impeccably.  One of her signature styles in the movie was layered necklaces.  She would tie knots in long strands of things to make them short, layer colors and textures together and use her necklaces to not only tie in her earrings but contrast and pop against her sweaters.  Below you can see some some shots of her from the movie wearing this layered necklace look.  In the second pic look closely, she is wearing her grey pearls with a gold chain.  LOVE IT!  It ties in gold and silver together while doing something unexpected texturally, giving the pearls a dash of modern while not taking away from their soft beauty because she kept the chain light and small.  I think my favorite part of this look is you can have fun with it and experiment.  What do you think?  Will you try this?  Maybe for one of the upcoming holidays?

See The Light (In the Darkest Denim)

In the past year I have pretty much abandoned my blue jeans and started to wear black jeans on a much more regular basis.  I have taken to wearing black jeans like a fish to water and I'm not looking back.

I think that black jeans look edgy, sophisticated and a little more polished than blue denim.  They are so easy to wear and obviously, being black, go with pretty much everything.  Pair it with a soft pastel sweater for an unexpected tough and feminine mix.  With a flannel shirt (big this season have you noticed?) blue jeans can end up making you look a bit like you stepped off a farm.  Black jeans with flannel have an urban cool feeling.  Dressing up?  Black jeans and a black, red, or sparkly top, with layered necklaces that pop, is perfect for a holiday party.  Traveling?  Black jeans don't show dirt easily.  Are you worried about wearing black with brown?  Don't be.  Black and brown together look timeless and chic.  Just be careful the brown is not a super dark brown.  Being able to see a distinction between top and bottom and or shoes, is a good thing.  I prefer chestnuts, tans and taupes with black as opposed to deep chocolate.

I love our black HUE jean leggings featured in the pic above.  They have back pockets to put your phone in and are so so comfortable (think Thanksgiving: no need to unbutton when they just stretch!).

So, in case you have not noticed I love black jeans and think everyone, man or woman, can greatly benefit from having a pair in their wardrobe.  What do you think?  Do you currently own a pair that you wear often?  If not have I helped you see the light found in the darkest denim?