fitforafemme.com

BECAUSE AYL SAID SO, PLS. TO PLAY THIS:

Confession: I wasn’t quite sure which pair of pink shoes I wanted to wear with this little outfit and decided to make a theme of it. Can we discuss how much I love this Theory denim jacket? I got it in pristine secondhand condition years ago. It’s as thin and light as a nice jersey cotton, perfectly fitted and something in between a crop and normal length. I think the wash is just right, too.

And MAC Rougette! I remembered that AYL wanted make-up details, and I’m no make-up artist or over-the-top fancy pants, but it can’t hurt to share my favorites with y’all, can it? Nah. While I’m no MAC whore, I do have a few picks that I like – staples like Russian Red, Viva Glam V for a nude with a kick and I used to swear by Studio Fix. Rougette is a gorgeous raspberry shade from the Limited Edition Mattene line that exists no more, but I’d bet the Cargo Plant Love line of lipsticks has a similar shade that wears just as creamily and prettily, albeit less long-wearing, like Gamba or Majella!

Scent: The origins and history of aoud are fascinating to me. Large evergreens native to southeast Asia contain agar, which is found in the heartwood of the trees. They occasionally become infected with mold and aoud is one of many names for the resin produced in the heartwood, in response to this attack or in order to prevent them. Go read more if you’re bored, it’s quite interesting.

Montale Steam Aoud, upon first impression, smells like something crudely swabbed onto your skin in cold, alarming amounts just before they stick you with a giant needle and draw so much blood out of you that you practically faint on the spot. NOT THAT I KNOW WHAT THAT’S LIKE OR ANYTHING. I’m just saying. Then it settles very, very slowly, becoming less severe and more mired in smoke and rose as big and dark and heavily suggestive as a fistful of damp, dark satin on a dirty stairwell. And arrogance, my god. Not at all suited for day, but pretty damn sensational overall. Notes: roses, oud, amber, agar motta, caraway.

Ta-da! Welcome to my first letter to a reader. Mrs. Fancy Pants wrote to say nice things, ask a few questions and make some suggestions. Here is my reply to her:

Dear Mrs. Fancy Pants:

I can’t tell you how flattered I was to see you and Fancy make appearances on my little blog! So happy! I’m really glad you enjoy it, and I always welcome Friday distractions.

Now, on to your fine points:

A. Arturo Chiang! Those sueded kittens came with me to Spain; I have a lovely halter dress with a delicate pink floral print on white, and they are perfect together in an overdone, well-matched Charlotte York of SATC way. (After all, some days are Charlotte days.) I love your idea of doing an occasional shoe entry, and trust, aside from a few crazy splurges, much of what I snag is some kind of fantastical bargain or thrift find or deeply discounted department store deal. Shoe lust is a mystical thing that has more than once threatened to smash my heart to smithereens.

To tide you over, a close-up:

B1. Oh, the perilous heights of sizing in the USA! Delia’s is a like a soothing little cove away from the fickle, crashing waves of the fashion industry, but its Junior Dept. sizing can toss a saucy 20- or 30-something to the sartorial sharks. Want to really freak out? Check out Delia’s more urban sister, Alloy. Trend I’m most looking forward to this Fall/Winter? SKINNY CORDUROYS. OMG, I melt just thinking of them.

B2. I digress, let’s get back to the sizing: The dress in that photo is a 5/6, and it’s hard to say, because it tied in the back (I cut those off and just belted it to make it more me), but I felt like I could have gone down a size for a better fit. I think your best bet is to take your own measurements (or let Fancy help you, because that’s sexier and LOTS more fun!) and plug them into their handy measurement calculator. I did, and they told me this:

You are a size 3/4 or small in shirts, 7/8 or medium in pants or skirts, and 7/8 or medium in dresses.

Crapshoot! I know a couple gals who visit Fit For A Femme that also shop there, so hopefully they’ll speak up with some sizing hints, too! (Hear that, ladies!? SPEAK UP! We need you!) OK, now I know this hasn’t got anything at all to do with anything, but Mrs. Fancy Pants asked and I just need to share this with the world (Trix can back me up on this shit):

Sangria de cava, ZOMG. Heaven, and here’s the easy way to get there. Get your hands on the Stirrings White Sangria mixer and a cheap or moderately priced bottle of sweet white wine – I like Viogniers best – and a bottle of Freixenet or whatever cava you prefer. Cut up whatever fresh summer fruits you have handy, and toss into your pretty pitcher like so: 1/4 mixer, 1/4 white wine, 1/2 cava. Let it sit, but only after you’ve cheated and poured yourself a glass before it’s all had the chance to mix and mingle!

Fashion, booze and love! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

When: Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008.

What: Pretty butterfly shift dress from Divided / H&M, peacock feather earrings that cannot be seen from a street vendor, Arturo Chiang pink suede sandals, bag by Old Navy (!!!), wooden bracelets and pink heart necklace from various local boutiques/thrift stores.

Confessions: I fucking hate Old Navy. I don’t mind it for the petite or for M, but I personally hate Old Navy. Every time I get suckered into the store by either of them, I look around in complete and utter vain and never see anything I actually want. Except maybe a pair of tights or, in this case, a random crocheted straw bag with little wooden beads and a matching wooden handle. Odd. I think it’s odd, anyway. Also, the Bay St. H&M, in Emeryville, makes me dizzy. Dizzy, dizzy, dizzy, and I hate going into it.