The last time I got a new frame, I was becoming a little burned out on my usual purchase: plastic, statement-y frames in black, tortoise, or purple. I decided on a nondescript, semi-frameless metallic pink pair, which I chose with the full intent of people looking at my eyes instead of my glasses. I still love 'em, but lately, I've been longing to put a little wow on my face. I still have a beautiful pair of seafoam-green vintage cat eye frames that my step-grandma gave me. (She has always had the most impeccable taste!) They have rhinestones and a little star in each corner... and also unfortunate puppy teeth-marks on the lenses, which we had replaced with my own prescription when I was fifteen.
I haven't been able to wear contact lenses since I was in high school, due to a corneal ulcer I had around that time. Fortunately, I don't really even miss them most of the time, except for in cosplaying situations. I usually just take off the glasses for photos, but rock along in my own signature framed way the rest of the time.
So, I'll be keeping the nondescript pink frames as a spare, most likely getting a second replacement of the lenses in those vintage cat-eyes (surely my prescription has changed in thirteen years anyway) and there are my new black and white checkered sunglasses to update with my prescription. I've been itching for a new statement frame, though, and I've come up eligible with my vision insurance, so why not indulge?
Frankly, I think I've already got my heart set on this pair:
Pretty sure my vision insurance doesn't fully subsidize Versace, but that pair is my second-favorite after the purple Love pair with those adorable hearts in the corners! I also think those Tiffany frames just kill with those tiny keys on the earpieces! I die! How could anyone NOT envy a lady in some stylish glasses?
Which pair do you crave the hardest? If money were no object, what would your fantasy eyeglass frame be?
I'm probably being too hard on myself. I've got my jewelry weeded down to a small box, and all my belts and scarves (and now these collars) still fit in one drawer, my hosiery in another, and my undergarments in a 3rd, so things could be downsized more, but I don't think that's too bad for starters. After the weather FINALLY warms up and I can have my yard sale, and we haul off my old bed and desk, my possessions will finally be pared down to a level I can stand.
What's your accessory poison?
So, I spent the weekend indoors, sneezing my head off and reading Life Magazine's biography on Audrey Hepburn. My friend Nicole did talk me into going out for a few hours on Friday to the local karaoke bar, where I knocked back a Woodchuck and like 3 enormous glasses of water, somehow nailed Bohemian Rhapsody on karaoke even though this is one hellacious cold, and then called it a night.
Of course I had to dress a little like my muse for the evening:
I thrifted everything but the pants/leggings/whatever, which are Simply Vera from Kohl's, and the pearls, which were a gift from my step-grandma. I'm far from a dead ringer, especially given that I'm 5 inches shorter than Audrey and outweigh her by a good 30 pounds, but this was a fun and comfortable outfit that felt somewhat classy. In other words, completely at home in a hipster bar, not so much in a dive.
Side note: I think I want to buy some clip-on bangs, because styling the real deal is SUCH a pain in the neck. But I have quite the five-head, and sometimes I get tired of looking at it. How do y'all feel about these?
Moi. Straight-up diva, yo. (Got the hat at Dillard's!)
1) We already love them for occasions.
The Kentucky Derby. Easter. Fancy-dress parties. People freakin' love hats. People are just so far in the closet about their love of hats, they can probably see Narnia.
MY GOD YES.
Isabella, the ultimate hat-wearing diva of our time.
2) Why should the trilby wearing douchebros have all the fun?
Gentlemen, I submit to you a small collection of acceptable, sexy, non-douchey (unless the wearer is a douche) manly fedora-ish hats:
Gentlemen: to try a brimmed hat, but afraid of looking like a douche? Go for a true fedora or a derby, rather than a trilby (Their brims are bigger, and they're usually accented with a little feather.) Or try a porkpie, top hat, or bowler. Or the standard driving hat, which is also generally a winner.
Indy residents, you are so lucky, you are soooo so lucky to have such a talented fashion community in your midst. One of the fashion community's best, Maggie, talks here about the magazine's successful launch, and about interviewing powerhouse local designer Nikki Blaine.
One can view the entire magazine at Pattern's Web site, but if you really want a stellar publication right on your coffee table, pick up a glossy copy at any of the following establishments: Barnes & Noble, Indy Reads Books on Massachusetts Avenue, the IMA gift shop, Retro 101 mobile boutique (like a food truck but with CLOTHES which is so much cooler!), and Books a Million.
*squeal* Why YES, I'm excited! Very excited! Pardon me while I scamper off to read Pattern Magazine!
Okay, I know that Indiana has a rep for being all wheatfields, cornfields, cows, misogyny, and boring nights with nothing to do but do weed or meth and have a lot of sex. I managed to avoid all those things growing up, but, having observed the pioneering status of my old high school as one of the first to offer a nursery (Ostensibly for the teachers, but yeah... right.) it's safe to say a lot of teens weren't so resourceful.
I could see how the "nothing to do" stereotype may be true in some little towns (I mean, the town I grew up in was 30 miles from the nearest place we could BUY SOCKS, for god's sake) but if you're anywhere near Indy, Evansville, or Bloomington this weekend, and you're bored, it's your own gersh-dern fault.
Here's the goods!
Women In Art Market at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis. Saturday, March 23, 10 am to 5 pm Eastern time. Support amazing indigenous women who create beautful art. Over 40 regional artists will be showing off their baskets, jewelry, textile art, painting, photography.... y'know what? I'm utterly depressed that I can't make it to this. So PLEASE go if you can!
TedXBloomington in Bloomington (well, duh) Friday, March 22, 9 am to 6 pm Eastern time. From the freakin' website:
This year's TEDxBloomington conference theme, JumpIN! puts the spotlight on presenters who've taken Ideas Worth Spreading and moved to improve their communities and the world. INnovators, INsights, INtrigue and more all await you in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on March 22, 2013! We trust you'll find plenty of INspiration from a wide variety of presenters from Chicago to Tampa, from Silicon Valley to New York City ... as well as a variety of voices from right here IN Bloomington! Each presenter and performer has his or her own twist on the theme, so expect surprises!
Come one, come all to the greatest show on earth! Step up and see a night a freaks, geeks, weirdos, and more at Harley Dren and Co.'s Circus Sideshow Spectacular. There will be fire, burlesque, bearded ladies, suspension, hooping, juggling, glass walking, belly dancing, and so much more!
DJs FOR THE NIGHT:
JIN-XS
COPPER TOP
KRAZY KAROLINE
DIABLO
SIDESHOW FREAKS AND GEEKS:
Jezebel Sinfell
Miz Viola Michele
Barbacoa Jones as Snappy the Clown
Vivian Lashes
Maella Cai Vane
Bo Peepshow
Tea
Orlean Velveteen
Tom Foolhery
Bunny Barebuns
Souxie Snapdragon
Cory Dory
Harley Dren
AND MORE
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES BY:
Sacred Circles
Phantom Watson of Subculture Suspension Arts with a flesh hook horrortainment special
21+
Cover: $10
Music starts at 9pm
Performers start at 9:30pm
Visit society and the wicked backlife of Indianapolis in this tour. Visited are haunted theatres, businesses and other areas where the living chose to become dead and walk forever. This tour lasts 1:45-2 hrs. and begins on the north side of Monument Circle. Tickets: $18, adults; $13, children and seniors (65+). Reservations required.
Come join Rusty Redenbacher, Mr. Kinetik, The Native Sun, Echomaker, MC Sparkplug and DJ Ganzarelli for a night you sure don't want to miss. The Official CD release of the Rusty Redenbacher's new album "Lower".
Tickets $10 + a free copy of the new album "Lower".
Tickets available at the door or at:
http://lower.eventbrite.com/
Sponsored by Tri-State Art Guild and the Friends of Angel Mounds. Exhibit hours: Tues. – Sat., 9am – 5pm, Sun., 1 – 5pm. Call 270-826-6674 or 812-401-3076 for exhibit information or visit www.tri-stateartguild.org. Exhibit is FREE and open to the public. Not open on Mondays. This event goes from March 17th - April 26th, 2013.
