Friday, March 30, 2012

Beautiful Ruffle Jacket at Macy's

I did my last round of pre-Pesach shopping yesterday and I discovered this beautiful jacket by INC International Concepts at Macy's.  It is tznua by itself when fully zipped. The tailoring is impeccable and the shoulders have a very cute ruffle detail that I'm really into at the moment. It also looks great over another sweater, so this jacket could serve multiple purposes as either part of your Shabbat or work outfit or as a coat when you're running around town.  It also happens to be machine washable!!! The fit is true-to-size. When I saw it, I thought it would cost at least $200. Nope! The regular retail price is $99.50, but I found it on clearance for about $50 at Macy's in Downtown DC.  The website has it for $73.99.  I believe it's a great deal either way.

I think this jacket would work best with a pencil skirt that goes just below the knee. When styled that way, it looks chic and very expensive. It may look less fashion-forward if worn with a long or a-line skirt.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

A Thank You to My Mother

My mother has always told me I am perfect just the way I am. I cannot recall a time she made a negative comment about any aspect of my natural appearance, whether it be my looks, my clothes, my weight, or my makeup (or lack thereof).

I never felt pressured lose weight when my pediatrician recommended it because my mother had me convinced 150 lbs was skinny for a teenager. She thought I was just as skinny when I was 30 lbs lighter 10 years later.

When I started wearing makeup in high school she would always tell me I didn't need it because my face was naturally beautiful. I didn't have clear skin, but she never saw those imperfections, and to this day I'm often convinced other people cannot see them either.

I thank my mother for always telling me I'm beautiful when I've needed to know it the most -- always. I've needed to hear this from her when I was dressed like a clown for my 5th grade play, at graduations, under the weather, under the chuppah, 7 months pregnant, and every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in between.

Mothers, please tell your daughters that they are beautiful because they are. Your daughters do not need anything to mask their G-d-given beauty. They only need your support, praise, and love. And mothers, you are beautiful, too.

Friday, March 16, 2012

First Ladies - They're Just Like Us!

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, made an official visit to the US this week and spent a bit of time with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.  Ms. Cameron and FL Obama made big stirs with all of their fashionable clothing choice becaause they are both big fashion icons in their respective countries.

But who would have thought they would both be wearing tsniusdik clothing at the same time during the Official White House Welcoming Ceremony on March 14, 2012?  Samantha Cameron wore a 42" long Roksanda Illincic dress that retails for $1,330.  (Please note that the link says the dress is "above the knee," but I found at Browns Fashion London that the dress is 42". The dress is now sold out there, so I cannot link to this source, but as you can see from the picture below, it covers Ms. Cameron's knee.)

I was never able to find any links for Michelle Obama's Zac Posen suit, but it was likely custom made.  Please note that Michelle Obama is 5'11" tall, so the tiny bit of knee showing on her likely wouldn't show on many of this blog's readers. I'm not sure if her suit blazer zips all the way up, but when you custom order her suit, you can request whatever zipper you want (or whatever length skirt you want, too).