Friday, April 17, 2009

Friday Miscellany

Jacket, Forever 21. Dress, Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Shoes, Delicious (with shoe clips made by me). Bracelet, Urban Outfitters. Hoops, Nine West. Bag, Express.


I made these shoe clips with a couple of salon clips and faux zinnias. I used red felt to back the clips (in case the clips should touch my bare skin, instead of only shoe) and I also sandwiched a circular piece of felt between the the clip and the flower. Gluing the felt circle to the top of the clip and then the flower to the felt resulted in a more stabile attachment of the flower. I did not take pictures of the process (the project was my first and something of an experiment) but, if you like, I can make another set of clips and record the steps.

I love the view of the flower-tipped toes from the side, but they look a little bozo-the-clown-ish from straight on. Next time I wear the shoes and clips, I’ll pair them with a briefer skirt. The giant flowers plus the voluminous skirt are a little overwhelming.

(You can see the shoes with no flower clips in my Noticed entry.)

This evening, I’ll go straight from work to a Drama Workshop event (with a run sandwiched in between). Here is my day-to-night, business-to-casual transition:


Dress, No Boundaries. Peeptoe flats, New York and Company.

(And yes, this dress is a little short for a woman of 33 years, but I don't care.)

I haven’t made a big deal of it, but this was “yellow week” and I wore a little yellow each day. Yellow is one of those colors that people find difficult to wear, but it’s a popular shade this spring. The fashion columnists will tell you that if you don’t look good in yellow, you are just choosing the wrong shade. Personally, I think that is mostly bunk. These are my tips for wearing almost any shade of yellow:

1. Pair it with bright lips or eyes. I’ve found that wearing fuchsia lipstick negates any sallowing properties of yellow clothing. Bright blue eyeshadow also does the trick for me. Today, I’ve worn red lipstick and an almost naked face to compliment my canary jacket (just like Reese Witherspoon in that yellow dress at the 2007 Golden Globes). Makeup helps your features compete with the brightness of yellow.

2. Also wear one of your best colors near your face. If you look great in blue-green, pair your yellow top with turquoise beads at the throat. If red is your color, wind a cherry hued scarf around your neck. Not only will the accent color perk up your complexion, but it will add some interest to your ensemble.

3. Move the yellow away from your face and neck. Yellow shoes are the easiest way to pull off yellow, but you can also wear yellow on your upper half by just allowing the sleeves or hem of your yellow garment to show.

How do you feel about yellow clothing? Are there any shades that are definitely “off limits?”

And finally, a recap of yellow week (I'm not asking you to vote because, personally, I have begun to find those "choose your favorite outift" polls tedious):

I tend to favor either muddy (mustard) or very clear (citron) shades of yellow. This jacket is the exception.

24 comments:

allison said...

That dress is not too short! You look hottt. :)

wenditos said...

love the shoes and the clips turned out really nice. I think I will make some....

Stephanie N. said...

Hey, I love those polls! I'm voting anyhow: today's business ensemble with the flower-clipped shoes. Love it!

I do have a hard time with yellow. What works best for me is separating it from my face with another color, as you have suggested. Better to separate it from all of my skin if possible, but especially from my face.

Daer0n said...

You look great! i love that no boundaries dress, and i agree it isn't too short! besides there is no labels that say how old you have to be to be able to wear short or long dresses, as long as you look great in them, and you do. I have to say, i do not like flats at all but i just fell in love with your red flats, they look so pretty on you, i love them, and just because they look so good on you i would be willing to buy myself a pair. So here you have converted someone that used to hate HATE flats into a flat lover, those are way too cute!

dmbdreamgirl08 said...

You look GREAT in the dress, and I have to agree it is not too short. There is no age limit on clothes! I would love it if you posted a how-to video for how you made the shoe clips.

YankeeClipper64 said...

Agree with ALL of the previous posters' comments (allison, weditos, Stephanie N., daer0n, and dmbdreamgirl08). This is a FANTASTIC outfit. Cleverly creative shoe-treatments and a GREAT after-work transition ensemble to boot! What a SUPER week! You're style is down right AMAZING! :)

Erin S. Carter, RD, CLT, LD said...

I saw wear whatever length you want as long as you can rock it and you definitely can! Your legs are amazing, not to be too skeezy commenting on body parts, just admire your look!
Also I love the shoe clips enough that I will actually make the ffort to try and make some myself now. Love your blog as always.

lost said...

was yellow week your choice?

Anne said...

Love the flowers on the shoes, makes a nice big statement about spring! Your style have such pizazz! I think there is no dress to short for you, you always look gorgeous.

You make me want to wear yellow but I have discovered all the yellow I have is one (1) mustard coloured long sleeved jersey top!! Whot?! Now I have to shop and I am so trying not to!!

http://wardrobeadventures.blogspot.com/

Kasmira said...

Stephanie N. - next time, a poll just for you!

daer0n - I'm not normally a flats fan, but this dress is so short that I'd look pretty skanky in heels. :) And if you like these flats, I think Target is currently carrying a similar pair (Merona Alyssa Buckled Peep-Toe Flats - Red).

slogoin' vws - yes, yellow week was my own choice. I'm editor-in-chief of WIW2D. :)

Unknown said...

Another great look. I love the color combo. I would be interested in you showing the shoe clips I like how it dresses up the shoe. You have nice legs you can rock the shorter dress.

Isis the Scientist said...

Beautiful shoes, Kasmira! I've been a long time stalker and have shown you a little love here.

Cheers,
Isis the Scientist

YankeeClipper64 said...

Kasmira, I thought the flats were a perfect choice only because you make EVERYTHING look fabulous...but when I read YOUR reason for choosing them, I thought "wow". --- You're a class-act, Sister...and STILL my fashion hero.

just my style said...

Hello!
I have been bitten and am intruiged by the fashion blog world. I have been a closet follwer of many fashion blogs for a while now and have been inspired to start my own. It seems like a great way to "push" your own personal fashion boundries while getting encouragement and critisism from fellow fashion bloggers, while forming new friendships. Anywhoo.... check it out if you like.

I love the shoes and the clips...That is an AWESOME idea!! It's probably something like the oldest idea in the book but hey I'm just learning!! :)

L said...

The shoe clips are wonderful! Love them.

*Diane* said...

I love your shoes!

Tara said...

I LOVE the No Boundaries dress. I have it in purple. I am on the short side, so it's not too short for me (even though I am 32).

Stephanie N. said...

Hey, Kasmira - I have been meaning to ask, are you going to do a round-up of what folks did for your March recession challenge? I enjoy seeing the results of everyone's experimentation!

P.S. I'm looking forward to a poll just for me. Hee-hee. ;-)

Londyn said...

You look amazing!!!! Love the shoes -- I may be heading to the arts and crafts store this afternoon... :)

myrubyslippers said...

adding the clip ons totally change the look of the shoe. it rocks and you look amazing! can you show us how you make them?

thank you for the tips. the only yellow i wear is a yellow cardigan over a dark blue dress, and a yellow batwing jumper top with skinny grey jeans.

Jessica said...

I'm in love with this dress. I need one exactly like it for wedding season, but alas... :(

It's beautiful and sophisticated

jennifer said...

Love the shoes. You've inspired me to make some for a pair of pumps I have. They fit well but sit up above my toes and have a weird gap. I think a little flower clip will fix that nicely.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

These tips are gold (ha). Did you see my new yellow belt (I'm keeping the Betsey Johnson)? I'm very excited about it. It's funny because yellow is pretty much death on me, so I never owned anything at all with yellow in it. But after I bought the orange skirt, I realized I could definitely work with yellow accents or yellow on the bottom.

Kim Gail said...

Really a fabulous and hot dress. I love yellow color.