Beauty

Everyone should embrace beauty and incorporate it into their everyday lives.  Call it elegance, style or grace, but make it as critical to your existence as fresh air.  Take a big breath of beauty when you’re stressed.  Open a window and let beauty into the room--an azure sky, the delicate scent of fresh flowers, the lightness of the air after a summer rain. 

I took these lovely photographs while traveling in London and Paris. When you feel knotted or broken take a walk through these pictures, then seek out everyday beauty.  You'll find it all around you!

London 2012

Lime Tree Hotel - London 2012

Windsor Castle 2012

Shop Window - London 2012

Opera House - Paris 2009

Shop Window - Paris 2009

Paris 2009

Keepin’ it Clean

Sometimes you need advice from a know-it all-friend, like when you want to prevent funky armpit stains on your new white button down or remove vinaigrette splashed on your gorgeous silk blouse.  There are all kinds of questions about the care and feeding of a fabulous wardrobe, and here are a few answers from our buddies at In Style magazine.

• No, those yellow collars and armpit stains on your white button downs do not appear overnight.  They take time to develop, but prevention should be paramount from the first wearing.  Before every wash, spray the collars and armpits with undiluted lemon juice (bottled or fresh) or white vinegar, let sit for 15 minutes, then put the clothes in the washer.  The natural acids in lemon juice and vinegar dissolve the alkaline sweat residue that causes discoloration. 
• Got scuffs on your leather booties?  Rub them out with a crepe eraser (also good for getting rid of glue-y gunk).  If you need to refresh suede, grab an old toothbrush and use a little elbow grease.
• Use Windex to restore the glossy finish on patent leather.  It won’t streak!
• Don’t store your eyeglasses in a hot car or in direct sunlight.  Heat can warp the frames and considering how much you paid for those ultra cool Ray Bans, do you want them to go out that way?  When they’re not on your face, store them in their cases instead of on top of your head--body heat can stretch them out. too.
• If you accidentally splash vinaigrette on your silk blouse sprinkle baby powder or cornstarch on the spot, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then brush it off.  This sops up the oil without leaving a mark.  Rubbing with the spot with seltzer and a napkin can erase the dye on your top. 

New everything is expensive, and you may have some wonderful vintage pieces that require delicate treatment.  These tips can help you to keep your favorites fresh! 

A Penney for Your Thoughts

Boy, did I get a surprise when I checked out JC Penney recently. I haven’t been a Penney’s shopper for decades.  Didn’t even know that they’d changed their moniker to “JCP.”  My memory of its stores included style-free women’s clothing that was decidedly uncool. So, although I’d heard about Penney’s hip new TV campaign, it was the opening of a new store in a nearby mall that really piqued my curiosity. 

I walked into a clean, brightly lit store brimming with the cutest, most colorful fashions!  And everything’s affordable, with most dresses in the $25-35 price range. I found good quality and expanded sizes! 

Unique items from Nicole Miller, Lulu Guinness, Bisou Bisou, Allen B, and Mac + Jac fill the racks.  My favorite piece is a Nicole by Nicole Miller leather shoulder bag in royal blue, emerald green, or Sunkist orange.  Roomy enough for everyday use and less than $100!   

Here’s a partial list of the goodies I saw: 

• Adorable '60s-inspired A-line and sheath dresses
• Black lace pencil skirts (my favorite daytime style statement).
• Sexy black pleather dresses, jackets, and skirts (this is some fine faux skin).
• Classic wrap dresses (pick up one today--you’ll be gorgeous in it tomorrow).
• Strapless party dresses in gorgeous jewel tones (the 2012 holiday party season is just about over, but now’s the time to stock up for future occasions).
• Pine green suede tuxedo jacket with leather piping
• Super fun sequined tops and skirts (great for one more round of “Auld Lang Syne” and one more glass of champagne).
• Tweedy cuffed slim trousers (you know they’d be perfect with your favorite booties).

Budget-minded fashionistas should pay a visit!

Happy Holidays from Casual Friday!

There’s a kinda wide-eyed open-mouth wonder for many during the Christmas holiday season.  Breathtaking fantasy land shop windows, outrageously delicious smells, and twinkling lights on quiet nights can be mesmerizing.

Here’s the three-year-old me on Christmas.  Daddy is in the background.  Check out the look of absolute amazement.  Happily overwhelmed, unsure what fabulous gift to play with first.  The tea set?  The silken haired doll wearing a pink lace pinafore?  What about that shiny red tricycle--can I ride it now??

My holiday wish for all includes enchantment, joy, and peace within.  Embrace your loved ones.  Let your inner child come out and play.

A Leaf from the Family Tree--Lucille!

Aunt Cille in the 1940s

Meet Lucille Faison, my great aunt, my grandmother’s sister and best friend.  Aunt Cille was a woman of constant style and good taste.  She was born in Winston-Salem NC, and settled in Washington DC as a young woman. 

I loved sleeping over at her apartment when I was a kid.  She always had a tin of barbeque Fritos waiting for me; her apartment was cozy and immaculate; she had a box stuffed with office supplies that I could use to explore my creativity--staplers, colored paper, pens and pencils, notebooks, and rulers.  Santa even visited me at Aunt Cille‘s!  One Christmas Eve when I was a very sleepy six-year old I thought I saw Santa leaving gifts under her pink artificial tree!  Probably one of her boyfriends wearing a red suit.

My auntie was tall (5’10”) and slim, and would have been a runway sensation in today’s world.  She was an elegant party girl who loved beautiful clothes, but couldn’t find any that fit well.  In the 1930s African-Americans weren’t permitted to try on clothing in DC department stores, so she created the wardrobe that she wanted.  She window-shopped exclusive shops, studied the structure and detail of garments she admired then went home and made them.  Her closets and armoire were stuffed with tasteful day dresses, gorgeous evening dresses, and Sunday-perfect suits. 

In her heyday she was the “hostess with the most-ess,” a popular dinner companion and dancing partner.  Her dance card was always filled, and her house parties featured riotous laughter over the card table, lots of trash talk and tales, and rockin’ good music. 

She worked as a housekeeper for decades for a wealthy family and raised their three children, but never lost her dignity and style.  Every day she dressed for work as if she was going to a high-paying office job.  Her prowess with a sewing machine inspired my Mom to get better acquainted with our Sears Kenmore sewing machine.  

Here's my favorite quote from her, “Good times don’t owe me a thing.”  I’ll drink to that!  She had the time of her life during her lifetime with no regrets.  Thanks, Aunt Cille, for modeling the graceful life.

Enjoy these pics of sassy, sensational Cille.

Aunt Cille (L) and her sister (R) and their beaus

Sunday Stylin'!