Clothing

Fashion Terms for May

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Agile Manufacturing: Technology that uses modular production rather than the normal piece goods method.

Colorway: The variety of two to four choices of color in the same season, for the same print or solid, in each style.

Sourcing: The decision process of determining who, what and where of your textile and apparel products manufacture, or where each individual piece is made.

Zoot Suit: An avant guard style of the 1940’s for men which used high-waisted, pleated pants that narrow at the ankle.  Worn with a long coat shoulder pads and large lapels, a wide brimmed hat, and a key chain or watch chain coming out of the side pants pocket.

Turnip Pants: For bicycling, pants that could be turned down to make full length pants.  Popular in the 1890’s.

Teddybear Coat: Large coat of alpaca fabric worn by men, women and children in the 1920’s.  Today some large, synthetic coats that appear like sheep wool has also been referred to as a teddybear coat.

Cowl-neck: On a pullover garment with extra large rolled collar which forms a cowl neck.

Ankle socks: A short sock that only reaches the ankle. It can be turned down to the ankle too.  First used in the 1920’s in the US for sport matches for women.

Bell Sleeve: A sleeve that is narrow against the arm near the shoulder and upper arm, then flaring out to the wrist or elbow. To be in the shape of a bell.

Tuxedo Pump Shoe: A low heel pump shoe with a rounded toe made of patent leather for the most part.  It can also have grosgrain trim around the top of the shoe or in a decorative bow at the toes.

 

Journaling

May Journal Prompts

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Find this months journaling prompts below.

1. Has Spring started where you live?  If not what season is it.

2.Write what you know in your area that marks the start of Spring.  Is it a bird returning? A flower blooming? A festival?

3. What is your favorite room in your home?

4. What is your favorite item of clothing?

5. If time and money are no object, what vacation would you take?

6. What are your pet peeves?

7. Do you have a favorite comfort food?

8. Your favorite city on the planet is?.

9. What were the news headlines for this week?

10.  The old saying of “April showers bring May flowers” applies to this time of year.  What are your favorite flowers?  Why?

 

Clothing · Uncategorized

My Capsule Wardrobe, The Start

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So I went through my closet this past weekend.  I picked out a capsule wardrobe.  I combined all seasons together.  So I have long sleeves and sweaters but once I paired down they will be put away for the season.

Once I got my separate capsule wardrobe out from my regular clothes I realized not everything went together. I put this up to my weight gain of four dress sizes when I went on medication for my chronic migraines.  I needed clothes.  I needed anything that fit.  I needed anything that would cover my stomach.

I went from store to store in search of clothing that fit, that I liked and didn’t make me look like a grandma.  I remember my paternal grandmother.  When she was in her late 60’s she wore plus size clothing.  Frankly, it was awful.  She would wear these red and orange medallion pants with a stripped top.  Not because she was colorblind but she had difficultly finding clothing that fit and went together.  While the clothing industry has changed slightly, it is still difficult to find things.  Much of the plus size clothing I find is for office work.  I like to dress up, but don’t need a whole wardrobe of suits.  Much of the casual stuff is limited to tshirts and blue jeans.

Then take into consideration the time of year.  You have more choices in Fall and Winter than you do in Spring and Summer. Then where to shop, the type of stores.  When I mean the type of store I don’t mean plus size vs Misses size.  I mean teenager vs older woman vs career woman vs a little bit of everything.  Then take into account the sizes and the price point and you see there is really slim pickings.  Perhaps, the capsule wardrobe will help me with that.  I won’t feel like I have nothing to put on.

What do I wear now?  I buy things from LLBean Catalog, Eddie Bauer Catalog, Landsend Catalog, JJill, Chicos, Christopher and Banks, Dress Barn, Lane Bryant, Maurice’s and sometimes New York and Company.

Here is what I have chosen for my capsule wardrobe:

Blue Jeans (navy)

A button down shirt (Navy) short sleeve

Jean jacket ( Blue)

T-shirts short slv (Navy) (Black) (Grey) (Teal) (Green)

Cardigan (Navy) (Black) (Grey) (Teal) (Green)

Long Sleeve Tshirt (Navy)*(Grey)*

Blazer (Black)**

Dress Pants (Black)

V-neck light knit sweater (Black)*

Black Lace Shirt (Black)**

Casual Pants (Grey)

Tweed Skirt (Black)*

Spring Summer Dress (Green)

Leather Jacket (Brown)* **

Button down shirt (white)

Print shirt (Navy)

Print Skirt (Black)

*Winter item

**Need to purchase item

What do you think? Do you have a capsule wardrobe?  What is in it? Have you gotten rid of the other clothes or keeping them for a bit.  I’m keeping mine to see if I like this.  Let me know your story in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self

Update

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It’s been awhile since I have updated everyone on my life.  Honestly, it still feels out of control.  It’s like I almost don’t have my footing.

As I wrote before, I have just gotten over a severe case of pneumonia over two months ago.  It was horrible.  I still don’t feel as if I have recovered from it.  In the past two months I have gotten a lot of stomach bugs and one regular cold.  Ah Winter, the season that keeps on giving. I just haven’t felt right since. I was pretty rundown before the pneumonia.  However,  this feels different.  I think since I am still under a lot of stress my body just can’t take it.

I have had to miss so many appointments and cancel out on people in the last few months. I really hate doing that.  Appointments are so hard to come by. I tried to avoid  same day cancellations.  I try to at least get the provider their tip so they don’t lose out on money.  Fortunately, I only had one or two that I had to do that way.

I am trying very hard to get back to feeling better.  More water, eating better and trying to get out of the house.  I have also spent more time doing self care.  Going to bed early, getting a massage and other things. I still have a long way to go.

My son is still at the same point as he was at the last update.  He can only manage about 15 minutes in one normal class.  I have no idea what to do next. His therapist and I are challenging him to do one extra minute a day. So far he hasn’t done it. If he can do one extra minute a day, he will be up to an hour at the end of the year.

In addition to his mental health therapy I have started to take him to an eating disorder clinic.  It was the same one he went through last year. So I returned with him on an outpatient basis.  He goes to a dietician at night and family therapy in the afternoon. So far I’ve gotten him to eat a banana but not much else new.  Apple no, Tater Tots no, and other things?? At least he is crazy about Ramen.  He eats about 4 bowls a day.  The only problem is he eats noodles.  What I need help with is fruits and veggies of which he eats none.  I’m not 100% certain of the diagnosis of ARFID, as an eating disorder.  The also want me to start seeing and OT again.  They are going to try and get referrals for me for my son.  Another provider to visit?  I don’t know.  He saw an OT for over a year a few years ago. It didn’t do any good.  Would a different OT do anything?

He’s seeing a tutor twice a week on the weekends.  He isn’t in math class long enough to understand the teaching.  However, everything he turns in is late because we have to wait for the tutor. I have purchased a Life Science and History textbook to help him understand what he missed in the school year this summer.

I see my son getting left behind. I don’t know what to do.  He gets upset and goes through crying spells and anger at this anxiety. I don’t know what else to do.

I have gotten to go somewhere for fun twice in the last six months.  I went to a flower show which was cute.  Then I also saw a decorator home open for charity.  I think I need to get out more!

 

Clothing

The Very Basic Wardrobe List

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There have been so many posts, blogs and tv segments on your wardrobe.  There are capsule wardrobes, French influence wardrobe, monochrome wardrobes, and daily uniforms. I have always had a basic wardrobe list.  A good place to start to build any closet.  You can turn this into a capsule wardrobe or any other type of style you want.  What would you put in your basic wardrobe?

Here is my list:

Dark Jeans :I like that they look more dressed up.

Trench Coat: Classic style and practical.

Cardigan:

Button down shirt

Leather Jacket

Car coat

Suit

Pencil Skirt

Dress

T-shirt

I usually prefer one color.  For a long time it was black, then charcoal grey.  Currently, I seem to wear a lot of navy.  I think I would prefer all charcoal.  Unfortunately, there is not a lot of the things in that shade of grey. Do you have a basic foundation color?  What is it?    Have you tried a capsule wardrobe before? Let me know how it has gone.  I’ve been giving it some serious thought since I gained some significant weight from medication.  It’s so hard to find plus sized clothes that look good and I like.  Have you had any problems with clothing yourself?

Clothing

April Fashion Terms to Know

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It’s April and time for another installment of Fashion Terms to know.  I try to give definitions to common used and unique fashion items for your enjoyment.  You may think you know the definition but sometimes you may be surprised.  Enjoy!

Loom: A machine on which cloth is woven not knitted.  Yarns are raised and lowered to produce the desired weave.

Lycra: Trademarked by the DuPont company.  A filament spandex fiber.  Fabric is not 100% Lycra, used for stretch and recovery.

Macaroni: Not the pasta!  Pronounce Mack-a-roo-knee. Used to describe a fashionable man (the term used before Metrosexual) in the time of King George the third.  Refers to members of the Macaroni club formed in England.  The style of dress came later. Trademarks include tight clothing, colorful clothing, large boutonniere, enormous buckles and decorative buttons with a tricorn hat.  Remember the nursery rhyme “Yankee Doodle Dandy?”  A dandy is also another name for a Macaroni.  So when you get to the line “stuffed a feather in his hat and called him Macaroni.”  It’s not the pasta pronunciation but the clothing one!

Macrame: Two, three, four or more strands of cord, string or yarn knotted in groups to form patterns.  Popular in 1970’s to make clothing, and other accessories.

Made-To-Measure: Dress or suit made according to an individual’s measurement often with not fittings.

Magenta: Purplish-red color, first chemical dye to be used for dress fabrics.  Named after a town in Italy where it was developed.

Moire: A fabric finish that achieves a wave-like watered effect by heated rollers. A stiff fabric made with rayon, silk, acetate.  Used in evening fabrics.

Moleskin: A cotton fabric known for being durable and suede like in touch.  Made with a satin weave.

Pompadour Bag:  A drawstring bag in a round or oval shape that was common in the 1880’s and was made of velvet, satin or another fine fabric with floral embroidery and use of gold and silver thread.

Mackintosh Raincoat: Most commonly plastic yellow, a style of waterproof coat combined with a cape worn by Fire or police.  British slang also used for all raincoats.

Slicker: Also another type of raincoat commonly in a yellow hue.  It is made of oilskin or another rubber fabric and fastened with clips in the front.  First used by sailors and today commonly used in children’s coats.

Home

Five Things To Clean

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It’s a new month and I have five more things for you to clean as part of Spring Cleaning.  Here they are:

  1. Cabinets in kitchen.  Wipe them inside and out.  This is a great opportunity to add shelf liners, rid yourself of extra plastic bins and other extras or one offs.  Be sure to wash the silverware organizer.
  2. Clean the backsplash, walls, and light fixtures in the kitchen.
  3. The floor and baseboards in the kitchen.
  4. The counters, and any additional small appliances or furniture in the kitchen.
  5. The linen closet.

Keep in mind this is a great time to downsize and declutter too.