New Nest

Hello Everyone! Dropping you a line to let you know I've moved!

I've finished consolidating my blogs, and we now live at

http://rorschachcoffee.typepad.com/

Hope to see you there!

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Blog Consolidation

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to inform you that I will be moving and consolidating both of my blogs soon. I've decided that with my limited amount of time, and my varied interests, that it would be better for me to change platforms. I am exploring my options at this point in time, and I will probably be going with a TypePad blog, as I enjoy their format and themes.

I love fashion, food, writing, and my family - so it's going to be nice to have them all in one place. I will feel slightly less schizophrenic that way. :)

I will post when I have completed the transition, and inform you of the new URL! I hope that you will follow me there, and I will make a new Bloglovin' account for the blog when I move. Thanks for your support and patience with my infrequent blogging. I will be much better about posting in the future!

Paulette

No more feeling like two people!

(Photo by Sophia Arvizu)

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An Elegant Black Friday

The few times that I have gotten to go inside a truly beautiful store, I savor the experience. Being from the Midwest, in a smallish city mostly populated with big-box general merchandisers, the experience of being in a real department store is one that I savor. It feels like something out of a movie. I tend to go around with my mouth agape at all the pretty things!

My in-laws live in Kansas City, and we decided to forgo the early Black Friday crowds and instead go downtown to the beautiful Country Club Plaza and Crown Center. My MIL recently retired from management in Hallmark, and she has been dying to take me to Halls. The fabulous things she wears almost always come from there, and she and my sister-in-law love to hit their sale racks. Apparently the sales at Halls are famous. I was about to see why!

While the price-tags on most of the merchandise were WAY out of my price range, I enjoyed seeing how the other half lives. Women were picking up $2500 sweaters and draping them over their arms like I do at a thrift store. Since I have caviar taste on a ramen noodle budget,  I hit the clearance racks! With 66% off most of the fall merchandise, we were able to make out pretty well for not much money. We scored great deals from brands like Rag & Bone, Vince Camuto, and Free People. In fact, Halls boasts an impressive array of designers. 

I coveted this Rachel Zoe vest, but decided at the last minute it wasn't in my budget.

But the best part was the atmosphere. Beautiful decorations, lights everywhere, and the LIVE Christmas music being played while we shopped was amazing. The store wasn't crowded, and the salespeople were very friendly and helpful with outfit pairings and service. While I've been to New York and Vegas, I usually avoid the high end stores, and just window shop. I know I will be disappointed by the price tags, plus I have visions of the scene from "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts is snubbed by the salesgirls. I usually covet the Versace and Dior from the safety of my living room sofa, and try to duplicate what I see with bargains from TJ Maxx, Target, and local vintage stores. 

I felt very comfortable at Halls, and I would very much recommend a visit when you go to KC. If you want that big-city department store experience, Halls delivers with Midwestern friendliness and charm.

I can't wait to go back! It was a wonderful afternoon of shopping and female bonding with my family.

All photos courtesy of  blog.halls.com  

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Mustard and Plum

    

Mustard and Plum are two of my favorite colors. I really like how they contrast one another.

This look would be good for work, or for a lunchtime date. These shoes are so much fun - I love the fringe trim on the back - they remind me of horses' tails! On a side note - Bakers has the best tights for fuller figures - they are very stretchy and opaque, and last forever!

 Cardigan, T-shirt, and Belt: Target

Skirt: Calvin Klein (Purchased 1 year ago at TJ Maxx)

Tights: Bakers

Shoes and Bag: Shoedazzle

Earrings: Target

Photos taken by Ryan Hughes with a Canon EOS Rebel 

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Bombshell of the Month: Mindy Kaling

Photo by: Michael Buckner

I first became familiar with Miss Kaling when she played the bubbly, wise-cracking Kelly Kapoor on The Office.  Now, this raven-haired beauty has her own show, and she makes us laugh with her regular-girl antics on a weekly basis. While she plays hilarious and real to perfection, Mindy also shows that she has a glamorous side when she dresses for events. I have never seen her at a red-carpet affair where she looked less than beautiful. She looks like a modern-day Goddess in this ecru, hourglass hugging gown. So pretty!

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Grown-Up Gothic

Grown-Up Gothic by zaftigfashion featuring miu miu



One of the things I love about the new fashion rules is how we no longer follow old-fashioned edicts about color and season. Nowadays, we wear black with brown all the time - and it looks fabulous. Neutral goes with neutral, goes with neutral. I especially love gray and cognac together. Wear white in the winter - it looks gorgeous. Wear silver and gold together. It's ok! Have fun with fashion. I want this skirt. If I find a not-so-expensive version, I will snatch it up in a heartbeat.

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Bombshell of the Month: Khloe Kardashian

Khloe is my favorite Kardashian, and here is why:

She's unafraid to be her funny, goofy self - which shows way more confidence than her sisters, in my opinion. 

She really loves her husband. 

She hasn't let Hollywood pressure get to her. She owns her curves, and dresses them well.

Sure, she's part of a family that thrives on notoriety - but she seems like she has a level head, all things considered.

I hope she has lots of babies. Because I think she'll actually be a great mom.

Here's to you Khloe - you may be in the shadow of your siblings sometimes, but thanks for being as real as you can be. 

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Fall Festival

It's time to break out the boots, sweaters, and scarves! In honor of the coming weekend, and the many fall celebrations that line the calendar, here is some outfit inspiration. 

The equestrian-style high boot is still a wardrobe staple from last year, and skinny jeans that fit comfortably make this outfit easy to throw on at a moment's notice. Layering is the best way to approach dressing for the season. Especially here in Missouri, the temperatures can fluctuate very quickly, so I love this lightweight sleeveless shirt underneath the cozy sweater. And of course, a hat makes weekend hairstyling a snap! Have a cup of cider, do some shopping, and enjoy this season while it lasts!

Fall Festival by zaftigfashion featuring yellow gold jewelry

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New Romantic/Baroque

Perhaps it's my obsession with dead composers, but dressing like an 18th century courtesan has always been something I've been intrigued by. I was Marie-Antoinette for Halloween when I was 19  - powdered hair and all.  However, one does not go traipsing around town in a panniered gown and not get stared at - in a bad way. So you have to make concessions!

New Romantic by zaftigfashion featuring gold plated jewelry

 One of the things I love about the new Baroque trend is the mixture of hard and soft. I love the elements of punk mixed in with the lace. It's sexy and fresh. Curvy girls, remember a mid-rise in your skinny jeans, and don't be afraid to play with color. Did I mention I love pussy bows? 

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Who Do You Want To Be?

I was just snooping around on one of my favorite blogs: Kim France's GIRLS OF A CERTAIN AGE, when I saw her latest post. Her friend, Andrea Linnet, has a new book out called I Want To Be Her! How Friends and Strangers Helped Shape My Style.

I promptly pre-ordered it on my Kindle, because the illustrations look really cool, and I think the subject matter is fun. I also started thinking about some of my personal style icons -  famous and not, who influenced me. I have a lot, so I'll narrow it down to the ones who I copy on a routine basis. Hey, there is no plagiarism in clothing, right?!

ALI MACGRAW in LOVE STORY

I saw this movie with my Mom when I was a teen. She has always had a thing for sappy romances, and would make me play the theme song to this movie over and over on the piano for her.Dramatic crescendoes and all. But have a look at these clothes!  That red meeting-the-parents dress is just gorgeous with its slight bishop sleeves and swishy hem. Plus her hair is always gorgeous and shiny.

 

                                                                                   

Whenever Fall comes, I want to dress like this. I crave it like a madness. Peacoats and belted trenches are just timeless and classic. Plaid, oxfords and lots of navy. You can almost smell the autumn air in this picture, can't you?

KATHERINE HEPBURN

Katherine was such a trailblazer - her feisty personality and her ability to cut a path through the days of the casting couch and "act like a man" paved the way for the feminist movement. While I love her in her iconic high-waisted pants, this column of a dress evokes her ethereal beauty. I love accordion pleats - the way they look and feel, especially when placed on a bias-cut dress. 

And here are those pants. While Katherine was very slender, this look can work very well on a curvy figure. Just make sure the high-waisted pants hit you at the narrowest part of the waist, and have the top be tucked in or form fitting.You want to avoid camel-toe at all costs! Katherine would never have a camel-toe. No way.

RANDOM GIRL GOING UP THE STEPS TO MEYER LIBRARY

1994

I have no picture of this girl, because that would just be creepy. But I remember her like it was yesterday. (Also creepy.) She owned her naturally curly mane of hair, and it fluttered down her back like a pre-Raphaelite waterfall. This was when I was still forcing mine into submission. Denial kills. I was 19 and in my hippie-chic, sloppy t-shirt phase, and it wasn't pretty.  

          

This girl had the easy style we could call New French Bohemian - or messy thrift-store chic. The closest I can get to explaining that to you is Jessa on "Girls."  I haven't managed to make it work for me, yet. But, I want to wear the crazy flowered pants. Yes I do.

FLORENCE WELCH

Talk about style; Flo is all of these women rolled into one package. One minute, she is Belle Epoque beautiful, as if Jane Avril and Isadora Duncan morphed into a modern day incarnation. The next, she's playful and cute. While I don't have her legs, I share her flair for drama. If it were up to me, I'd come to work in costume every day. The thing about Florence is, her style is just enough notches beneath Lady GaGa Drama so as to still be wearable. Love everything about Florence. Everything. 

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Hat Day

Even though I am a fairly shy person, I realize that part of being a fashion blogger is posting pictures of what you are wearing. Most of the time you will see models on Zaftig, but I DO really love the outfit I have on today. The dress is vintage from Decades Boutique, and I got this floppy hat from New York and Company last season. It's great to cover up my wild curly hair when I don't feel like messing with it, but want to look put-together. (Even hairstylists have bad hair days!)

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Bombshell of the Month: Lena Dunham

Don't let the sometimes frumpy outfits this Indie darling wears on "Girls" fool you. This lady has sass, and she knows how to put her best foot forward. I love the pink heels with the green dress - just like everything else Lena does, it screams: "Conventions be damned! I'm going to be myself."

Keep it up, Lena!

Lena Dunham in Wes Gordon

 Met Gala

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Vintage Card Case

It's always nice to find a new use for an old object. While out thrift-shopping, you may run across vintage cigarette cases. These are the perfect size to carry business cards, or your ID and credit cards for a night out. They fit in even the smallest handbag, and are a sure conversation starter. I found this mother-of-pearl and brass compact at Della's on Historic C-Street. 

Now there's no excuse for me to be without my business cards!

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Fashion + Technology = Great Bedfellows

As I was browsing through the September issue of InStyle, I ran across a tidbit which got my attention immediately. It was a blurb about a new App: Cloth for the iPhone.  The app helps with fashion mixology - in YOUR own closet!  Basically, you take a mirror snap of you in your favorite outfits, and the it catalogs the looks and makes suggestions on different outfits, within your existing inventory!  It's like having a high-tech best friend to help you decide what to wear when you're in a rush and don't have time to think about it.

You can also share your photos with your friends, on the website, and of course to all of your favorite social media outlets.  You can also categorize your outfits by purpose - such as date night, interview, and weekend mocha run. I think this app is especially beneficial for color mixology - something many of us struggle with.

I downloaded Cloth today, and I've been enjoying playing around with it and beginning to catalog my closet. Technology is so great...apps like Instagram and Pixlr-omatic have revolutionized blogging and photo-sharing.  Now apps like Cloth can help us be more thrifty, and get the most mileage from our favorite clothes. Pretty nifty, huh?

All images from Clothapp.com

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Makeup Love

I love the Pantone palette. It has been a boon to me while decorating my house, choosing colors for my wardrobe, and now it's an eyeshadow palette! It's also aesthetically pleasing, with its smooth white cover and perfectly flat profile - easy to slide in next to your laptop or carry-on while traveling.

I picked this little treat up during my last trip to Sephora - a place that has ended up with WAY too much of  my money over the past few years. This is their Summer palette, but there are plenty of colors that can go into Fall. Some of the more vibrant shades look best applied with a wet brush. I like accenting my brow bone with the softer shades, and adding a bright flash of color in the inner corner of my eyes.  I can't wait to see if there will be a new palette every season!

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New Curves for Autumn

Hello bombshells - I owe you an apology. I have not been a blogging fashionista lately. It was a busy summer, and I am hard at work on a novel in my spare time, with a December deadline - but no excuses! Fall fashion is nigh, and without further ado, here are the trends I have gleaned from the glossies. The Fall fashion issues of your favorite magazines not only serve as inspiration, but GREAT exercise equipment. Just plop one on the scale and you'll see what I mean...

Color Watch:
PURPLE and GOLD

  

      

These colors are everywhere. From Katy Perry's aubergine streaks, to the golden apparitions walking the Dolce and Gabbana runway, opulence is back. Pretty much anything in jewel tones is a go-to colorway for autumn. If you're color shy, try adding  bright purple shoes to basic black, or layering on the gold bangles and a statement necklace.  This trend is a nice break from the neon hues of summer.



Pattern of the Season:
TAPESTRY

Taking a cue from Medieval times, tapestry is the newest-looking old pattern we have seen: at least since the late nineties. (Remembering a tapestry vest I had in college.)To keep this pattern from becoming overwhelming and wearing YOU, add it in small doses: a vintage tapestry handbag (this one is mine, thrifted) or a skirt with tapestry accents.



Fashion Theme:
WESTERN

Western and California Boho chic is the all-encompassing look for fall. I'm a BIG fan of this look - when I'm not in something tailored, I'm usually in something airy. Your favorite Maxi dress can go into Fall with the addition of a belted cardigan and boots. Cowboy boots are the definitive shoe purchase you should make this season. You can wear them with everything, and they come in so many colors you can find a pair for any outfit!  I just purchased these from ShoeDazzle:

If you haven't checked out their site yet, you should! A friend told me about them, and they will customize a Showroom to fit your own particular shoe fetish. It's fun, and their prices are GREAT.


Silhouette Staple for Curvy Ladies:
THE PENCIL SKIRT

Hallelujah! Thanks to the 1960's inspired resurgence of tailored fashion, this denizen of sexy and streamlined is back in business! Great with a ruffled blouse, a sweater, or a strappy tank top, this little skirt can go from the office to cocktails with just a change of shoes and jewelry. Just make sure to buy a pair of Spanx to hold the jiggle as you wiggle in all the right places. ;)

I am so ready for crisp Autumn mornings, with a warm cup of coffee in my hands, cozy sweaters, and tights in a rainbow of colors. Fall is my favorite season, and with this year's fashion trends, it's sure to be a colorful one!

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Bombshell of the Month: Christina Hendricks

                         

Where do you begin when describing perfection?  If ever anyone embodied the feminine archetype that Marilyn Monroe represented, it would be Ms. Hendricks. From the way she walks across the room as Joan on "Mad Men," to her breathy, kittenish voice, she is Venus incarnate. 

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Decades

One of my favorite things to do with my mad money is to take a Saturday afternoon and spend it with Jina at Decades Boutique; playing dress-up and coming home with at least one new favorite to add to my wardrobe. I recently interviewed Jina for Zaftig, and had an opportunity to photograph Alex in one of the fabulous dresses that Jina has in stock. One of the best things about shopping at Decades is Jina's encyclopedic knowledge of vintage fashion, as well as her perfect instincts about what will look best on her customers!  Here is our Q&A with one of our favorite Zaftig girls!

                                                                                                                                           

What made you decide to open Decades?

"From childhood I quickly discovered an appreciation for the art, design and textiles of vintage clothing. More than that I realized the therapy- in the form of fashion -that this world of historic beauty offered me. I learned, unlike new clothing, that I could not put on a piece of vintage clothing without smiling. I was a piece of history revived. This, in and of itself, was attractive to me. This business is in my blood. And when I discovered, at age 24, that I could do what I love and offer a house of vintage treasures to Springfield, I had to jump on the opportunity. The miracle of it all was I did it all without having to accumulate any debt. I literally felt like God led me to the right place, at the right time, and all I had to do was show up. It really was one of the miracles of my life, and I can't explain in short what the experience of opening Decades was like for me - from the very start."                                        

  When did you first discover your love of vintage clothing?

"Simply stated, always. I have memories, being super young - I'm talking 5 years old at best,  collecting vintage clutches, hats, and gloves. By age 9 or 10 I had a a fine collection of these items as well as a turquoise 1950s ballerina costume: sequin, tulle and all the layers... it was the most exquisite thing I had laid eyes on, and it was all mine. You can imagine the innocence of a child adoring and admiring such an item. I was never like 'a kid in a candy store,'  rather, a kid in an antique store, for eye-candy of the vintage and antique world fascinated me - far beyond sweets of any kind."

On Alex:

Dress: "Tasty Sherbet"

Decades Boutique

Hair and Makeup: Alchemy...a Salon

 Which era or genre of vintage do you love the most?

"Naturally, I love all of the 'Decades'. There is beauty to be found in each one. It seems every time I pick up a piece of clothing from my endless piles of back-stock, I fall in love with each decade all over again. My most current love is the 20s and 30s art deco movement. I am absolutely moved with the glamour and grace of each piece."

What is your favorite part of the day at Decades? 

"Honestly, there is nothing in the world as fulfilling as knowing you're helping a woman feel beautiful..and not just on the outside. To me, fashion is there to enhance and accentuate what a woman already has, and THAT is what shines through her eyes from within. The best part of my job is making each woman feel the worth that she has and leave Decades feeling like a princess!"

Look how much fun vintage can be!

Which piece of clothing should EVERY curvy woman have in her closet?

"Absolutely the silhouette of the late 40s through the 50s is amazing. With the fullness of the skirt, the hips, thighs and lower abdomen are all made to appear beautiful. I'd say, grab a circular skirt and tuck in a blouse, and voila! Dress it down with cute flats, or dress it up with a pair of heels. Make clothing work for you and your lifestyle."

Do you believe in fashion “rules," or are rules made to be broken?

"Rules are guidelines for the conservative.. at least when considering fashion. Knowing your body and how to flatter your figure is where the real focus should be.  To me every woman is a canvas and how she styles her body is a reflection of who she is inside. 'Rules' are something that are put into place to keep us 'safe'. A woman who knows herself, and her limits, doesn't have to play it safe with fashion.  Fashion is fun, and always flexible!"  

                                        

***

"I would just add that I would love to meet some of the curvy women who are directed to, or stumble upon this blog. For everyone that visits the blog and is inspired to visit Decades, I will give them 25% off any purchase from now until the end of July." - Jina

It was a fantastic day of fashion, beauty, and glamour with Jina and Decades! Look for future blog posts featuring the fashion expertise of Jina, along with photos of REAL vintage on our Zaftig girls! Happy shopping!

  *All photos: Paulette Hughes, Canon EOS on Historic Commercial Street

  *Makeup: Sa'dia Luallen, Alchemy...a Salon

  *Hair: Paulette Hughes, Alchemy...a Salon

  *All featured clothing and shoes from Decades Boutique, 213 West Commercial, Springfield MO

  *Model: Alex

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Vintage Style Vixens

It's no secret that there is love here for the beautiful ladies of the silver screen. Here are some of our favorite vamps from the past - and some of the iconic styles they were famous for.

Theda Bara

This woman is terrific. She was the first true femme fatale in film history. And just look at these clothes, if you can tear yourself away from her eyes!  Erte was inspired by her, and the entire Orientalist movement that Paul Poiret and many other designers from the early 20th century pulled from was influenced by this silent film star.  From flowing evening gowns on the runway, and the long maxi dresses that are so in fashion -  modern silhouettes were impacted by this era. Intense! 

Mae West

You have no idea how much I love this woman. She was "sass" personified! From one-line zingers -  "I was Snow White...but I drifted" to that perfect hourglass figure, you just can't deny that Mae was one of the first curvy icons. She climbed to the top of an industry that celebrated the lean and sylph-like flapper body, and made history.  She is the poster-child for what a corset can do for you.

Rita Hayworth

So...do you want to know what the perfect Little Black Dress looks like? Do you want to know the heady power of something left to the imagination? Go HERE.  It's what every burlesque dancer is going for when she does a glove-peel.   Proof that restraint in dressing isn't always a bad thing. ;)

Jane Russell

How do I describe Jane Russell without sounding like a teenage boy? Her scandalous image for "The Outlaw" fueled more controversy and raised more eyebrows than almost any movie star in history. She would only be outdone by Farrah Fawcett and her famous shag and um...other attributes, over 30 years later. In fact, Ms. Russell deserves another image:

. 

This swimsuit is the perfect cut for a curvy girl, especially if she is busty, like Jane, who was a 38D! I have one very similar, in red, that I purchased HERE. I feel much more fetching in that suit than any bikini!

Marilyn

Simply Sublime.

Goodnight, vintage vixens! Plan your outfits with intention. Whether it means getting up a half-hour earlier, or planning your look the night before, you will feel so much more confident and poised if you put some thought into your dressing! 

PS - I just discovered the Brazilian group, Ceu. I am enjoying Malemolencia. I think our ladies would approve. 

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