Look what I found!

When I published this post, it erased my Valentine's Day post! Selectively, because the lovely readers' comments were not erased. No idea what happened.  Well, everyone's a critic. 

Meanwhile, here are some of my latest finds:
The gadget to the right is called a Model Bag, and was invented to make life easier backstage at fashion shows. It's clear plastic, about 10x11 inches, and slips over a dress or suit hanger and has pockets to hold the stuff that goes with an outfit. Not the shoes, but the stuff. Simple?  Duh.

And it might just be useful for certain outfits in your closet - the dress that requires a particular bra strap, the extra buttons for a jacket, the little belt that you only wear with the one thing and you can never find when you need it, the special tights, tags, labels... The fashion compulsives among us could add a card with notes about when it was worn, dry-cleaned. Or it could hold souvenirs of the special night you wore something.

I'm not suggesting that you rush out and spend another small fortune on dumb closet accessories, we all have too many gadgets that don't work or that worked once. I do like the idea of keeping the stuff with the outfit, but not pinned on to it, though, and I'm sure there are plastic bags or extra jewelry pouches or whatever around your house that could serve the same purpose.

And for events, weddings, confirmations, a special date, these bags could add a nice touch of "don't worry, it's all here." You can find the little charmer at the Manhattan Wardrobe site. They have regular site-wide promos and lots of other cool clothes-care gadgets there, too.

Also, while in Maui, I really overworked my long cotton scarf,
what with changes of temperature indoors and out - breezes, air conditioning - and so I just ordered a few new ones - these, to be precise - all cotton, lightweight, from Levi's, where there's a 30% off site-wide thing going on. The code is SPRING. Nice to find a cute casual scarf that's inexpensive and not synthetic.

I shamelessly ordered a leather utility vest, too. There's a Levi's not far from me, so if any of this stuff doesn't work out, the return will be easy. Somehow, though, when I'm in the store, I see quite different merch from what's on the web. I ordered up a size because the model looked like she was having a tough time getting it buttoned over her tummy (I sympathize). See, this is what happens when you complain too much about showing underfed photo-shopped models.... but I think I'll like the vest. Will remember to report.




And a lovely pair of spring shoes that I pre-ordered from City Soles last November on promo - well, I figured I had plenty of time to change my mind - finally arrived, and I am delighted with them! I'd love to have a smaller pic, for the sake of harmony, but Blogger is in a Mood. So here they are. Yes, they are Chie Mihara. Yes, they are dead comfortable. No, you may not borrow them. City Soles has great sales and great promos and a good selection of Chies and other goodies. Oh, dear.


22 comments:

  1. "But I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley.'' Another awesome post. Hawaii hasn't dulled your wit. Welcome back!

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  2. What a take on carpe diem, I didn't know the poem! Interesting that in the English translation they added the explanatory "quickly-fading" to roses, that is missing (although probably implicit) in French.

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  3. Yes, the poem was on the Bac exam forever, may still be, and sed to be part of the New York State French 2 curriculum. Much more elegant than href="www.http://www.bartleby.com/101/248.html">gather ye roses while ye may, to my thinking. And a waste to teach it to 15-year-olds!

    The translation was the best I could find, I guess the translator wanted to make the line scan.

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  4. I don't know this poem but do recall studying A E Housman's poems at school and they were all about people being underneath the ground. Lovers either died early or the poet was imagining being dead in years to come - pretty gloomy stuff which I remember admiring at the time despite the lack of excitement/diamonds!

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  5. I want to be a shopgirl at that shop! You made me laugh out loud - I had not heard this poem in awhile! Funny, I was reading ELizabeth Barrett Browning last night - have not read poetry in ages - time to do so more often! Happy V Day, Fred - hope you are all re-acclimatized to the big city after your brief time in Rainbow Country!

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  6. I think I missed the poem?

    Welcome back, WFF! How laid back are you from your trip? NYC must be a shock.

    Love those shoes! I need some oxfords with a lower heel, though. How will you wear that vest??

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  7. Hi, Lane, I'm going to try to reconstitute the post with the poem, but it's been very frustrating to work with Blogger, Blogsy, iPad, etc., so no promises.

    After a horrible roaring case of plantar fasciitis some years back, I no longer wear flat shoes. Even my sneakers and my rubber beach flip flops have at least a little wedge.

    If the vest fits - big if - I think it cries out for a striped tee worn under a dainty unlined silk chiffon floral sundress with empire waist, fair isle leggings and rubber boots. Or jeans/slim chinos and collarless button-up shirt...

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  8. "Fashion compulsives" may be my newest favorite phrase. Your "model bag " for every day use sounds interesting, for those who archive their closets . I remember pausing when I read the description of the trophy wife's walk in closet, complete with freshly laundered underwear filed in plastic bags in the "The Nanny Diaries". I was torn between being intrigued by the idea and horrified by the waste. And because I am a textile -phile, mildly concerned about the effects of plastic on fabric. Your shoes are fabulous. I like the soft contrast,and they are very runway chic, with out screaming "Chie" . Just protect them from rainy city streets.

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    1. hi, KnitYarns, I don't think I'd stuff a white silk cami with antique lace trim into that bag, but it does strike me as handy for holding tags, extra sequins (!), costume jewelry other than "statement" necklaces, and the deep deep purple DK tights that are always somewhere else when I want to wear my DK deep deep purple dress.

      Oh, those shoes will be pampered all right!

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  9. I have been trying to invent such a bag as the Model Bag! Well, you know using plastic bags with holes punched in them, not a winning scheme. I like to put my outfits together on hangers (top, skirt, sweater, necklace or whatever combo) and then I scramble for the proper tights, jewelry (don't like hanging necklace on hanger), scarf etc when trying to get dressed. So I wouldn't use for "archiving" but for "getting decently dressed in morning with all appropriate accessories and undergarments"!

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  10. Hi, Margaret! I'm thinking now that a few of these would be good for travel. too!

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    1. Yes, that would be great too, though I don't usually have trouble when I travel because I just pack each entire outfit, so not rummaging through dozens of scarves or tights or shoes.... but I definitely want to try those bags!

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    2. The model bags are out of stock on the link you provide but you can google "Margie's bags" which is what is shown as the proper name and the manufacturer's website will appear where you can order (and for less $)!

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  11. We are twins, Fred. I too have had a painful bout of plantar fasciitis! The pain, first thing in the morning was excruciating. Now all of my footwear has to accommodate insoles and I cannot risk walking barefoot for more than 10 seconds. Hope it'll clear up eventually. Really love your shoes.

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    1. Hi, Sulky, it was a great day when I graduated from large inserts to just a small arch support, and found a clear version that could be worn with sandals... I still stretch/flex my feet and calves before getting out of bed in the morning, taking no chances.

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  12. Darn. I must have missed your Valentine's poem. Wish my closet could accommodate such organization for every outfit to be bagged together. Always welcome another source for Chie Mihara shoes, yay. Off checking ...

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  13. Thank you so much for posting the wardrobe envelope. I've been looking for those for ages. I mean ages. Like got married & had a kid ages. I was in a dept store fashion show years ago and fascinated by the use of them.

    *mine* !

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    1. you're welcome, Gigi, but see Margaret's comments above!

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    2. Thanks, WFF. I would only use them when I choose outfits in advance. Put the accessories in the bags, on the hanger. I wouldn't store anything long term in tem. I also wouldn't use them for travel. I have other contraptions for that. lol

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    3. pps, saw the Margie's Bag direct order info. 15% off for first time orders.

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