Compass & Coffee Spoons

Mobile thoughts: clothes shopping

I really should have chosen a career that either allowed me to wear scrubs or jeans everyday. They don't mention how annoying shopping for career clothes can be. I'm sure Stacy London & Clinton Kelly would have problems with that, but hey, it's hard work finding clothes. I went shopping yesterday and bought a few things but they'll probably go back. I already have a pair of pants from Filene's Basement in my work bag going back. I realized on Friday when I had to dress for a client meeting that I don't have a fall/winter suit that I like. I dont have many suits period and even fewer that I actually like. You'd think that a black suit would be easy. It's not. I like to think it's because I wear a 18 w but I'm sure it would be a problem even at another size. All I want are a few comfortable outfits that make me feel good and a few pairs of comfy cute shoes. Is that too much to ask? I'll tell you what...I normally pay anywhere from $40 to $100 for pants and about the same for shoes. I'd easily be willing to pay 2-3 times that if I knew I was getting quality and fit. Problem is that half the time you're buying walmart quality made in China crap where you're paying for branding. And who knows how they'll actually fit once you start wearing them. SO frustrating!

Butt Naked

My dresser is, thankfully. Though, so am I in a way, or will be...I'll explain, but first the dresser.

I'm nearly there. The existing finish is finis. (Well, except in the part where the drawers close that I thought didn't show...yeah, surprise!) I had planned on staining it this past weekend, but I was too pooped out and didn't get up early enough on Saturday. So, that will come.

My other obsession is finding a way to clothe myself. This is an exceedingly difficult task, seeing as everything is made to fit aliens. Or something. i.e. NOT ME. The two main things I need are: shoes that don't cripple me when I walk (or even just sit) and a raincoat. Seems simple, right? No. I've ordered almost every trench coat available in plus sizes, and I was beginning to give up hope. I returned three to Nordstrom on Saturday. Today, I got a few more in the mail, and at least these weren't completely awful. Still, I'm not writing poems to them and don't feel they're cool enough to post here.

Similarly, I've been obsessively looking for shoes. I don't understand why it's so hard. I don't buy cute high heeled strappy things to begin with, and yet, they're all inadequate. I bought two pairs at Ecco on Saturday, and now I'm probably going to have to return them. Thank God they offer a 30-day Comfort return policy.

So, that's why I too may be naked, if something doesn't change.

New Collection at Holland Cox

Valerie's at it again, with a great selection of bags for Spring!

 

Fantastic Handmade Handbags

I don't think I ever blogged about my friend Valerie's fabulous handbags. Valerie is the owner of a company Holland Cox, which she named after her grandmother. She creates bags from original designs and has an impeccable eye for great fabric combinations. I think this Fall's new colorways are some of the best! I own a few already, and just ordered another (and have another one that I'm still deciding on). The craftsmanship on them are as perfect as the colors, believe me. For example, if I were to sew a bag, it would look "homemade" in a cute, kindergarten kind of way. That is SO not the case here!

She creates limited quantities of her bags, so that each is unique and unlikely to be seen carried by someone else on the Metro. You can find different styles and colors at a cool bricks and mortar showroom Dekka on U Street in DC, a collaborative effort with several local indie designers, as well as on her web site. She is also the writer at one of my regularly-checked out blogs, Insatiable Need.

Here are a few of my fall favorites:

     

    

     

Check them out! (And buy!)

I Hate What I'm Wearing

I went to the gym this morning, which meant I packed my clothes this morning to put on after my shower. And, I picked a sun dress I bought before my college reunion. Cute, great pattern, and I figured with the heat today it would be great. That was before I put it on. I swear the thing shrunk about 2 inches in the wash. Now, I'm going to be self-conscious all day, and it already has some self consciousness inducing elements to it, mostly due to the bareness of the upper area and a top built for the pre-reduction surgery Pamela Anderson (really--who ARE they making these for?). Because it's poofy, I can't tell where it's hitting on my backside. My strategy is to spend most of my time sitting, with the little cotton bolero buttoned up to cover what the Lane Bryant salesperson called my "sexy." "Sexy" and "Economic Analysis" do not go together. I'm going to the theatre tonight, and I plan to also use said sitting strategy there.  I briefly considered going to Filene's Basement or Talbot's to buy something else, but who has the time (or the extra dough to blow on something I don't really want anyway).

The dress in question, from Lane Bryant...

 

Denim Disappointment

One word: Ugh. I got my shipment from Avenue with my Seven Seven dark rinse straight leg jeans. I had such high hopes. I shouldn't have been so naive! They did what many a pants have done before them--fit well in the hips/thighs, but gaped wildly around the waist. According to Avenue's instructions, I ordered a larger size than normal, so now I'm wondering if I went down a size...I don't think that will help that much. Sigh. All I want is a pair of nice-fitting dark wash jeans!

I was given false hope last week when I saw Calvin Klein Jeans is now making plus sizes. I loved a pair of jeans I had when I was smaller, so I was pretty jazzed. I saw them in Macy's and was super excited, but I tried both styles (bootcut and flare), and both of these gaped so much in the back of my waist, I could of used that area to carry my lunch or something.

I suppose if finding a pair of jeans is my biggest problem, I should be so lucky, but why must it be so dang difficult?!