All Dressed Up, With Nowhere To Go...

New Year's Eve is not my holiday. The fundamental problem is I don't particularly like staying up late. But there are secondary problems too.  My local friends are often out of town, and my friends in the city are at all night dance parties which sound exhausting.  My mother hates for me to be out driving. So as you would expect with this attitude, I rarely have somewhere to go. However, as you may have seen with my sequin post, I still use NYE as an excuse to buy something (s) sequined.  So just like last year, I depressingly dressed up my dress form to go to a mythical soirée.  I chose this amazing sequined skirt from Forever 21. I think it's really unique and detailed for $25 (and channels of all this '20s  deco glamour in the run-up to the Gatsby release) To focus the attention on the amazing detail of the skirt, a v-neck T in a neutral which matches the skirt perfectly. For accessories, I went with a delicate charm necklace in a matte metal finish and an chain mail crossbody bag with oversize bow (much more practical than a clutch--especially if you're a dress form with no arms!)

Old Navy T / F21+ Sequined Scalloped Skirt / ModCloth Bag / Urban Outfitters Necklace

On the upside, I have an outfit idea I really like at the ready for any evening occasion in 2013. Happy New Year!

Musings: Ombré Nails

All the cool girls in the blogosphere seem to be rocking ombré nails (see my French style terms post for more on the term). So of course I had to get in on the act. Here are a few of the lovely examples I've seen:

Symphony

Mode Bay Area has some good how-to tips as well.

After the jump, more inspiration and my first attempt.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Portland, OR: Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Before we get to the fun parts of Cinco de Mayo, we have to first talk a little bit about the holiday. Let's start off by talking about what Cinco de Mayo is not. It is not the Mexican Fourth of July (Independence Day).  Mexico's Independence Day is September 16, and celebrates the beginning of their War for Independence from Spain in 1810. So if the Fifth of May doesn't celebrate Mexican Independence, what does it commemorate? The Mexican Army's 1862 victory over French Imperial Troops at the Battle of Pueblo, of course.  I recommend heading on over to the Wiki article for a bit more background. TIME magazine comments on the significance of this battle, "Mexico was still occupied by the French a year later, but the Puebla victory came to symbolize unity and pride for what seemed like a Mexican David defeating a French Goliath" (from the article, "Top 10 Drunken Holidays").

The Battle of Puebla, May 5, 1862

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the Mexican State of Pueblo, but otherwise it is an American Holiday. It is a day on which those of Mexican Decent and Gringos alike can celebrate the contributions of Mexican Culture to the United States; whether that be through music, food, dance,  or yes, downing a few cervezas y margaritas. 

After the jump, lots more about  Cinco de Mayo.

New Store Alert: Forever 21 in Davis!

There's a new Forever 21 in the University Mall in Davis! Read all about it in the Enterprise's article. I hope it does well, the students better patronize it. It fills up the old Gottschalks' space so it's HUGE. 38, 4 square feet to be exact. I am so excited to have another clothing store locally. Notable sections include Men's, shoes, lingerie, and accessories.

Click though for more pics.

Musings: French Style Terms

Clearly, I'm really into French. And fashion. That being said, I've recently noticed some gratuitous use of French out there in the online shopping world. We start our French lesson over at Forever 21.

Matelassé (adj): quilted (often as pertaining to handbags or bedding)

When I showed this to Edwin, my fellow french minor BFF, he said, "WTF is matelassé?" When a French minor asks that question, it means that that's an excessive use of French. These are faux leather quilted handbags, and should be described as such.

Pick up a few new words after the jump!

Musings: Belly Flops!

Moorea Bikini Bottom

Unfortunate design choice from the generally very savvy Athleta. Perhaps it would be improved if it was a reverse ombré with the green at the bottom? Gap had a similar ruffle problem last season. Of course, in the arena lady parts fashion faux pas, nothing beats this dress.

And in children's swimwear news...

While Athleta's fail was amusing, Abercrombie Kid's 'Ashley' push up bikini tops for girls as young 8 is unconscionable.   On the other hand, I'm not surprised at all. Abercrombie is perpetually in poor taste (to put it mildly)  I headed on over to their girls' swimwear section, where they pulled the top after a failed renaming attempt. Aside from the grown-up style bikinis, I noticed that there were no one pieces or tankinis. Not a one. In this age of skin cancer awareness, that is surprising! As a plus size girl, I may be particularly partial to one piece maillots, however, I think they are important to any girl's (of any age) swim wardrobe.

After the jump, a few suits from Gap Kids & Old Navy that I think are adorable, stylish AND age appropriate: