What Clothes!

My previous post featured a website that offers an amazing array of artful and well-made clothing that I have come to adore.  Since I last wrote, I have indulged myself with purchases from Kristena West who is in Santa Barbara, and I cannot express sufficiently how my life has changed.

The experience has been transformative for me. Let me share what I have discovered.

Dressing is a pleasure. Moving my body in clothes that do not bind, that flow, that feel wonderful against my skin is a tactile experience I treasure. I like to move around and sit any way I like. I like to feel artful and playful when I teach. I like to celebrate my spirit rather than notice the pain in my feet, or a tight waist, or wonder if I look fat in what I am wearing.

It occurs to me that dressing for the free and lithe spirit of the feminine in me is so different than dressing for society. As a California coast woman, it is not unusual for me to be reminded that I am not a conformist in most ways. (I do, however, conform when I drive. I wish others would.) As an Angeleno, I have been continually reminded that I could be thinner, more fit, younger looking, and more desirable.

Leaving Los Angeles, which was hard, has been revelatory. Even free-wheeling west coasters get stuck in conformity; just a different one.

Let me be clear. I am not giving up my more body-conscious clothes, nor am I giving in to every cookie or bagel. I still stay as fit as I can — given I spend most of my time teaching, researching, or writing — and I eat pretty smartly. But I am older, and not as inclined to be a gym devotee. I prefer to read and spend more time in solitude than when I was younger.

Age is an amazing teacher. Out of necessity, we make alterations in our life-styles that have a dramatic effect on our sense of who we are. I choose to age with grace and wit. No, I am not a size 5 anymore. I can’t wear high-heels for very long and I certainly cannot walk blocks in uncomfortable shoes, lest the bit of arthritis in my hips act up. I can’t do heavy aerobics, lest I get an asthma attack. After 14 years, I still have hot-flashes, regardless of what regimen I try. But there are new adventures as an older woman and I am having the time of my life.

Kristena West is on to something. I am going to post her website urls here.

http://www.kristenawest.com/class/class.html

http://www.sunheartclothing.com/index.html

I hope you will peruse her sites and discover what womanhood can be for those of us who have less time ahead than behind.

Thank you, Kristena West for opening my mind, my heart, and my spirit. I am forever in your debt for reminding me that I can dress for myself, my soul, and my comfort, in clothing that allows me to feel free and beautiful.

As the song in Gigi says, “I’m glad that I’m not young anymore.”

Tryin’ to be stylin’

Vanessa

I have discovered a line of clothing that is unique, fun, artful, and made in California. It is callled Sunheart Clothing.

The owner is a designer herself and she sells other lines in addition to her own.

I strongly suggest you take a look at her website:

http://www.sunheartclothing.com/index.html

You can custom order, or purchase items already made. She has great discounts.

I have bought a few of her items and have been thrilled. Unique, dazzling, and figure friendly. Oh, and did I mention incredibly comfortable?

Tryin' to be stylin'

Vanessa

Years ago, I was in a production of Grease. I played Sandy, and this incredibly talented woman, Sharonlee McLean, played Rizzo.  Sharonlee is a gifted and well-trained actress with a voice that shakes the rooftops. She is also gifted in another art form that pertains to this blog.

If you like wearable art and are prone to collect hats and scarfs (I am) then you need to know about Sharonlee’s Garbogeknits.

Sharonlee knits her amazing creations while at rehearsals, watching tv, or any sort of activity that allows her to be inspired. I admit to having purchased many of her items even though I live in Atlanta. I don’t care. They rock.

Sharonlee’s prices are very reasonable, she ships quickly, and adds in little trinkets with her wonderfully creative wrapping.

You must check it out. I can testify to the quality, beauty, and artfulness. I cannot count how many times people have asked me about the hats and scarves I wear that she designed.

Here is the link. Please take a look. Sharonlee will probably be embarrassed when she finds out I have praised her in public.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/garbogeknits

Tryin’ to be stylin’

Vanessa

Well it has happened. There is now a way for all of us women to order customized clothing for a very reasonable price. The Emerald City for fashionistas is called eShakti. http://www.eshakti.com/default.aspx.

I discovered this haven from our librarian at Georgia State, Nedda Ahmed. Nedda is brilliant, funny, humble, and a gifted researcher.  I treasure her perspective. This looks like a real find. Thanks, Nedda.

Take a look. You can change sleeves, length, color, and you can send your precise measurements. The turn-over time is fast.

I am researching to see where the items are made. Since I will be job hunting, and am in a real mood to pare down my closets, a few well-constructed dresses that fit my lifestyle and whatever climate I will be living in sounds like a great idea.

Tryin’ to be stylin’,

Vanessa

Before I entered the world of PhD-dom, I used to get my nails professionally done. During the 80s and 90s, it was a regular practice. During the economically turbulent 2000s, I only occasionally visited a professional. I would manage on my own, and I do a reasonable job.

However, now I am out of comps fog and am paying attention to pop culture again. (Pretty funny, since part of my PhD work is in pop culture.)

There is a product I had to try: gel nails, or shellack.

What I discovered is a nail polish that does not chip, flake, or crack. It dries in seconds with the help of either UV or LED light. It is truly an amazing product. I have gone to a professional five times now. They do great work. However, the frugal part of me wants to try to do it myself. So, I have purchased the materials to do it myself. My plan is to visit a salon for special occasions. The rest of the time,

I will make do with my less than stellar nail artistry.

I have also tried the product on my toes. What a delight to have polish stay on and not need to dry. I can put shoes back on immediately and not worry about smudges. Let me add that the shine stays for weeks. You can go three weeks or even a month if you want to. ( I actually did go a month to save money.)

For those of you who have gotten professional manicures, pedicures, or acrylic nails, you might want to try this. It is less expensive and if your nails are strong (mine are not) you might want to discontinue the acrylics. Just a thought.

The prices are a bit more than a regular manicure, but not as much as acrylics.

Of course, I will try my own hand at this.

Tryin’ to be stylin’.

Vanessa

My friend Celest Benn, who has a great website and business told me about these shoes: Poetic Licence. I admit, I am smitten. They are adorable, playful, inventive, and a shoe fetishist’s fantasy.