Lament

I learned early this morning that my good friend Stephanie had passed on a victim of a massive heart attack.

She was 38.

She was just about my age.

And now she's gone. But you know what? I cherish the words we shared, the thoughts we tried to link to and the support, despite her almost overwhelming difficulties, that she gave to me. She wanted me to go on and I know, out there, she still does.

Stephanie, I will always love you, girl. You are a wonderful soul and you will always be my friend. She and I spoke tonight, her soul was the breeze and she answered my longings. She will always be there.

Godspeed you to Heaven, my lovely friend, for you deserve no less!

Layering

Of late I have been researching more and more on the layered effect. That is, taking a sleeveless tank with a low neckline and combining it with a short sleeve top. It creates a really nice effect, though of course, I need more 'real estate' to help the effect, nevertheless it is a great look, simple and elegant.

This is something like what I mean.

The keys I have found are to create contrast, for example note the green while the under layer is a simple gray. You want to keep the contrast in order to look really sharp, but the best news is, you really don't need to spend a lot to get the same effect. It's also stylish and gets you noticed.

Floral prints work too, just don't wear both at the same time. If you have a floral or patterned top, combine it with a plain color that works best with your skin tone or helps to draw out the best colors in the top. Also, make sure that the hem of the bottom shirt does not exceed the hem of the top. This would look awkward, unless of course, you are trying to create an effect in which case it's OK. :)

The thing about fashion is that everyone starts somewhere and moves with it. You don't need to be a diva and you don't have to follow every trend. Find something that you love and that works for you and you have it made. I really like this effect and it can look really good and feminine with little money spent.

Many times what is old becomes new again and fashion trends change. Just look at prior seasons attire (old catalogs, Google searches, etc.). For example, one shoulder exposed was big back in the eighties and it's starting to come back around now. It's always been there and you can always dig through your old clothes that you just couldn't throw away, and with a little work you're back at it. I fully expect that banana clips will come back too (not that I have one but growing up seeing them everywhere sort of endeared them to me). If I grew up in the era of the mini no doubt I would...nah wait I love minis too. I guess I invalidated my own argument. :)

But seriously, the truth is that you make your own statements about who you are. This outfit is a lot like me, a little daring and risque, a lot of it just is a simple comfort statement. I am confident that your decisions and confidence will create a new look for yourself. Mix and match and find what works best for you. I am finding my way, finding out more about who I am and I who I want to become.

Sisters, until next time, vive la fashionne! :)