Dollybelle's Peepshow

Flirty Thursday: Pretty Romantic Blouses

 

Nothing says "date-night-cutie" better than the perfect flirty blouse. Simple to pair with jewelry. Looks great with any cut of jeans. And you can wear a jacket that isn't the "fall-back" bolero. I love this romantic peasant blouse from Sundance Catalog.

 

Gorgeous peach Zac Posen. I just want to live the life that matches this blouse. Always.

Rebecca Taylor is my favorite designer for pretty blouses. This Falling Roses print is sooo romantic.

Sweet and sexy beaded feather chiffon blouse by Rebecca Taylor.

 

Another Rebecca Taylor blouse of perfection.

This is Anthropologie. Their stuff is always cute. I espescially like this soft, dreamy sky blue georgette blouse.

I had to try not to hyperventillate when I saw this blouse. Anna Sui does romantic blouses to perfection. This flapper inspired blouse is one of my favorites on planet Earth.

Another pretty Rebecca Taylor. She really knows her way around a rose print.

Again, do I need to say it? Rebecca Taylor. Say it with me. Feels good just being a small part of the fashion magic.

Gorgeous Leifsdotter Anthropologie. The beige makes me a tad nervous, but the floral is so stunning, I bet it looks amazing on.

For links and photo credits click here.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Self Love Style

 

I know a lot about clothes. Fashioning the perfect wardrobe has been a part of my life since Barbie got naked with Ken in the “Friendship.” (Yes I had the Barbie airplane and believe me when I tell you that Babs is definitely a member of the Mile High Club...)

I made my all the clothing for my dolls. Bob Mackie was my idol when I was little. (side note: Since I have an abiding love for all of Mackie's muses,  Cher, Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Mitzi Gaynor I do believe there is a gay man trapped somewhere deep within...that is another post for another day...) Another fun fact: “Minnelli” is in my spell checker. Wondering if Microsoft Word is also gay….

Doll clothes segued into making high school fashions from my mom’s curtains, to Fashion Design School, Costume Design School, Color theory, Betsey Johnson, Window and Mannequin Design, and this whole happy bundle culminated into my career of being a wardrobe stylist for commercials, print and film. Phew.

(Above is an adorable shot of Kayla Carlin from a shoot I styled, that was photographed by Fancy Farm Girl Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon. Dreams do come true! *giggle*)

At some point along the way, I stopped caring about fashion. No, that’s not right. I still care, it’s just that my entire outlook about it has changed because I changed my focus to the pursuit of well being.

Now that I have been on this pursuit for almost a decade, I am back to loving fashion, more specifically ”style”, but with a whole bunch of well-being mixed in.

What do I mean by that? Well, when I think about “fashion” I think of being a slave to trend, spending way too much on the latest thing, trying to look like a sixteen year old model, and self-flagellation.

On the other hand, “style” is a part of well-being. When you feel comfortable in your clothing, you look your relaxed and confident best. You have things that are flattering, carefully selected and timeless. Plus you have a few signature pieces that don’t necessarily define you, but they can cement the “unique-you” part of your style.

The gorgeousness that comes from being uniquely you is where it is at. And it doesn’t have to be expensive.

But it does begin with a practice of self-love and nurturing.

So start there.

You may need to update your wardrobe. Toss out some dated stuff. Invest in a few new things. But before you even crack open your wallet, check in with your self.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I willing to accept my figure and embrace a few flaws so that I can take the first step to finding my signature style?

2. Am I willing to have fun with clothing?

3. Am I willing accept previous fashion mistakes and let them go to the goodwill bag?

 Before you go online and drop a ton of money on the new you, begin with the very first step in developing your own style. Fierce and abiding self-love.

Loving Bob Mackie will come later.

Sweet Treat Tuesday: Glamour Breakfast

Breakfast is my favorite meal! If you are one of those people who habitually skips it, I encourage you to reconsider this rut. Part of well-being is feeding your body with beautiful foods. Dare I say you can go nuts with calories here too because you will burn them off, no prob.

Eating a good breakfast sets the tone for the rest of your day. Nurture yourself everyday with this lovely meal.

Find something you love to eat and cherish the best meal of the day!

Here is some inspriation for you!

Ladylike Granola parfait and a french press.

I just discovered Angela Liddon's blog Oh She Glows. She has wonderful vegan recipes and a great story about her struggle with weight and an eating disoder. She is adorable and inspriring. I am dying to make her Strawberry Short Stack! Looks super delish no?

Sweetheart's breakfast.

Keep it simple and delicious with scrambled eggs on whole grain toast!

Gorgeous French-style Breakfast.

Toast and Jam. Classic comfort breakfast.

Credit for all images can be viewed here.

Candyman Monday: Dudes With Style

Nothing sexier than a man who knows how to dress. I know these guys probably have someone helping them pick stuff out, but you can't buy charm, attitude and the swagger that comes from feeling good in your body and clothing.

James Franco always gets it right. He looks great in clothes. Even when he is wearing just a tee shirt and jeans he looks natural and impecable.

Same with Jude Law. This is of course the classic tee shirt and jeans combo, hard to get wrong right? And yet, this look is harder than you think to pull off. I mean, look at his belt? How many guys can jock that? Here are the trade secrets to this look:

-Have a nice bod. (ok, ok. I know. Obvious. And not that helpful. So let's go to the next one.)

-Tee shirt should be fitted and not too boxy. Especially the sleeves. Sorry. If you want a sexy tee look, boxy Hanes is not going to cut it.

-Softer, thinner cotton looks best. Bulky cottons look, well...bulky.

David Beckham looks tight in a suit. An he has the cocky/gentle paradox thing going on. Always helps.

Johhny Depp takes some bold risks. He doesn't give a s#!t if you like it, and of course, that is why we do! He is the master of accessories. A hard thing for most guys to pull off. I always say, keep it simple. But his sense of personal style is so strong and solid, he need not worry about going overboard. I mean, look at the roles he plays! Anything he wears in real life is tame by comaprison.

David Arquette. Stay with me here. I know sometimes he gets it really wrong, but here is why I love him. Because he is fearless and above all playful. And fun and playful with fashion is something men rarely seem to embrace. So kudos to David for jocking plaid overalls and a stripe shirt.

Kwame Kwei-Armah has classic British Style. First rule for men who wear glasses. Spend the extra cash and get really nice frames. No skimping. If you wear glasses, you will most likely be wearing them day in and day out. People look at your eyes when they talk to you. You must choose nice, flattering frames.

I love it when Jon Hamm goes a little wacky with his plaids. He is classicly handsome. I think it would be slightly predictable for him to err on the cautious side. Plus he looks good in anything. He can pull it off. So why not surprise us with a bold plaid! I love it!

No one wears edgy tattoo-guy style better than Carey Hart. His style is always fun, fashion forward, and very suited to him. But here is something that he does amazingly well. He always compliments his wife's style while staying grounded in his own. (His wife is singer Pink in case ys didn't know...)David Beckham does this really well too. And they both have style icon wives. So hard to do.

This is for my friend Erin. Brody style rocks.

Gavin Rossdale looks great in clothes. And you can tell he really loves fashion. Love the dualing pinstripes!

Flirty Thursday: VW Road Trip

My darling and me.

One last road trip before the chilly weather comes. Let's pack it up with all our favorite snacks, and a cozy sleeping bag. We'll go at our own pace, smooching at all the red lights.

I'll wear my Sunday frock and you can drive. We'll crank up the tunes and watch the scenery roll by.

You and me, together!

 

We can hit the beach, dunk our toes in, shake away the sand, and off we go.

 

I love our adventures together. You make my life exciting! I love who I am with you.

We can have a picnic among the trees with the yellow leaves.

Off we go again! Another adventure awaits!

I love our life together! Just you and me.

You can view all the photo credits here, on Pinterest.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Kiss it Goodbye

 

Letting go of something important can be one of the most painful experiences. We willingly hold onto things because we are afraid to feel the feelings of discomfort, change or the unknown.

I have held on to beliefs, jobs, and relationships way past their expiration dates. Long past when they felt healthy, inspiring or good for me. The reason was,  I had no skills at recognizing my true feelings, and acknowledging the truth of the reality. I always seemed to cling to the “possibility” of change in the situation or the belief that other person might change.

I assure you, the pain of trying to change or outlast a tired relationship, or job is a ticking time bomb to your psyche and thrivent well-being.

I never felt comfortable simply tossing to the wind something in which I had put so much time and investment. Instead I unconsciously wasted years of my precious energy in exchange for the comfort of avoidance.

Before I could feel okay about walking away, I had to get good at one thing in order to have the courage to make necessary and significant changes and face the scary unknown.

Clarity. I needed to get good at recognizing my honest feelings and getting clear on what I really truly wanted from my life.

Before I met my husband, I was in a relationship with a good man. He had lots of wonderful qualities, but there were aspects of our relationship that at best were co-dependant, and at worst downright dysfunctional.

I kept clinging to the “potential” of the relationship. I knew that he was capable of so much more than what he was living up to.

I had placed so much of my expectation on him, our relationship, and the way I wanted it all to unfold, that I had lost all sense of the reality of what it really was. Two people who wanted different things.

At the time, I didn’t understand that it really wasn’t any of my business what he did or didn’t do with his life situation. It wasn’t up to me to manifest his life.

I had carelessly made it my business to govern someone else and their choices, not realizing that those were not my choices to make. And worse, I avoided my own life choices to oversee his. He never asked me to do this. Moreover, he didn't want me to fix him.

All it did was create conflict, resentment and perpetuated our co-dependency.

I would agonize over the quality of the relationship. I had lots of “if only he would ___, then I could be happy,” moments. Always a dreadful mistake to pin your happiness on the behavior of someone else.

It wasn’t until I was in a “last straw” situation that I woke up to the fact that there is only one person on the planet responsible for my life and happiness. Me.

So I dropped the rope.

I chose to cut the last frazzled bit of remaining tether, and decided to take care of my own needs.

I chose to face the fear of being alone, the discomfort of having to take full responsibility for my own reality and ya know what?

When I let go of the “victim” stance I had invested in, and so dearly loved, I was blown away by one particular feeling. Empowerment.

And I liked it.

Letting go means you soberly, clearly look at a difficult situation with the eyes of unemotional truth. And most importantly, know this: Letting go will clear the cobwebs away to reveal your vision of what you really want.

Once you know what you want, you can take the baby steps you need to support those wants.

No one is saying it is easy. But staying in a destructive soul destroying situation of any kind without a lifeboat, or the light of a clear vision at the end of a tunnel, is choosing to stay willingly blind. Avoiding the reality will be more painful in the end.

And, are you willing to sell your one precious life so desperately short? I hope not, because you have so much more to offer and share.

When I chose to face the truth of the relationship, and ultimately kiss it goodbye, I made room for exactly what I wanted. Me, thriving, loving my life fully, and sharing that vibrance with people.

Amazing how that works.

Sweet Treat Tuesday: Handbag Primer

The world of ladylike handbags can be so confusing. What on Earth is a girl to do? Here is a primer of handbag styles. All styles are acceptable for teas and luncheons and girl-type gatherings.

And yes. There will be a quiz.

*note. If you want to make maximum splash, save these styles for all girl functions. Your delicious attempts at fabulousness will be wasted on 99.9% of the male population.

PS. As you can see, I am partial to clutches.

Stunning Jimmy Choo leopard clutch bag.

Judith Leiber evening clutch bag.

Gorgeous ostritch feather clutch bag.

Ladylike aqua knob topped clutch.

Juicy Couture Wristlet.

Seabreeze Studio handmade wristlet.

Jimmy Choo Petal Pink Hobo.

Chevron Print Hobo Bag.

Gorgeous pink Birkin Bag named after Jane Birkin.

Hermes Kelly Bag. Named for Grace Kelly.

Jimmy Choo cross body bag.

Vintage bakset bag.

Nantucket Basket Bag.

Miu Miu Basket Bag.

Tree Bucket Tote.

Quilted Pink Bucket Tote.

Juicy Couture Satchel Bag.

Enid Collins Vintage Tote.

Enid Collins Vintage Box Bag.

You can view all the photo and artist credits here on Pinterest.

 

Candyman Monday: Eighties Goth Rockers

I've got a real soft spot for Goth Rockers. Especially the pretty boy dudes from the eighties. I am proud to say that I saw each and every one of these bands in the eighties, except Adam Ant. I wasn't a goth chick per se. More like a platinum blond metal chick hybrid...But I just loved the music when I was younger and loved how cocky the guys were all dressed up with their big aqua net hair and puffy man blouses.

Perhaps it was a case of "you had to be there." But it was sublime.

Charlie Sexton has otherworldly awesome beauty. Mmmm Hmmmmm.

Gene Loves Jezebel were kinda schticky, but super fun.

Who didn't love Adam Ant?

Doe eyed Ian McCulloch looking so adorable.

I love this pic! When I saw his show in the eighties he was rail thin and really knew how to shake it!

Wasn't Andrew Eldritch mysterious? Sisters of Mercy styled hard.

Love and Rockets.

Richard Butler from the Psychedelic Furs.

The mystic and magical style of the Cult.

Flirty Thursday: Sparkle Sweet Shop

Welcome to my dream shop. Everything sparkles and glitters and catches moonbeams while I trip the light fantastic. Delicate, ethereal, magical. This is what I wear when I flirt with my muse everynight in dreamland.

 

PS. All images are from Pinterest. Please email me if you want a link and credit for your images.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Vulnerability

 

 

Vulnerability.

I don’t know about you, but when I see how many talented, and creative people there are out there I get so overwhelmed and part of me dies a little.

 Well, that may be an over exaggeration, but sometimes I can’t help get a little panicky when I see people out there with what appears to be gorgeous glamorous careers, blogs that get a million hits a month, and the ability to appear seamless in their daily online presence and fabulous outfit documentation photos galore.

 And then I read that some of them have kids, and full time jobs, and travel worldwide on a regular basis, and...and...and...well..

“How the heck do they do it?!!”

Then I realize I have just committed one of the cardinal sins of wellbeing. Comparing yourself to others. Doh! Oopsie! Did it again.

I remember one of my many mantras, “You can’t compare your interior to someone else’s exterior.”

I take a breath, feel a little calmer then proceed.

Here is the deal. When you start going down that road of thinking that someone else’s life is better than yours, luckier than yours, or just plain easier than yours, you start making horrible snap judgments, assuming that their success isn’t based on good old fashioned hard work. You assume it is luck. It is not. We are only seeing the product of hours and hours of hard work. If something looks easy it just means they are doing it really well.

Most people work their hind ends off to grasp at the brass ring, and they overcome huge obstacles in doing so. Oh, sure there will always be people who get crazy lucky. But luck only gets ya so far.

Most successful people work at it and work hard. They make sacrifices, and they don’t do it alone.

The thing to keep in mind is, it is your job to be YOUR best self, not match the best self of someone else.

 Once you realize this it opens up a lot of consciousness and compassion. And gratitude.

But since I am not the type of person to ever leave you hanging without a safety net, I have a few tips about how to proceed when you get that “poor me, I am never going to amount to anything feeling.”

1. Breathe.

Ok, I know how you feel. It pisses me off too when people tell me this, especially in the moment and it seems like they are saying being condescending. But there is nothing wrong with telling yourself that. Just stick it in your bonnet like a buzzing bee and keep it there, because it is your number one tool. (And if someone tells you to breathe, then politely and graciously smile and say “Thank you. I believe I will.”

2. Make a list.

I love lists. They calm me immensely. Even my mile long to-do list calms me because I can cease trying to keep all those picky things I need to do in my head and put them on paper instead. I don’t have to do everything all at once, but by golly, if I write it down it eventually gets done.

3. Acknowledge that sometimes when other people’s awesomeness blows you out of the water that it makes you feel a little bit vulnerable.

Here is my tried and true secret. Instead of begrudging others their awesomeness, fall into it. And by that I mean just love it. By opening up your heart to that kind of beauty and letting it touch your vulnerable place, you actually expand. Try it. When someone flashes you their huge engagement ring, or has just sold their novel and has a three-book deal, look at their face, see their joy, experience their shining beautiful moment and let it touch you too. Let yourself be vulnerable to their beauty and ya know what? You will feel more powerful than ever. Because choosing love and connection over resistance and fear is the essence that unites us all.

That and pretty soon you will be the one standing in front of someone gushing about your latest awesome thing, and that person will see you with the same kind of vulnerability that you have. And if that person opens up to you with the same kind of delicious awe that you have in your tool box, it makes your success that much sweeter because you shared it with someone that it mattered to.

Sometimes I think that is the point of vulnerability. It is a test, to see if we are paying attention to our deepest self, or if we are identifying with the tiny snarky imp that inhabits us too.

4. Love yourself a little more.

When you give yourself permission to be imperfect, permission to fail, to suck at something, to try something new, to cry, to be afraid, to be less than awesome, you are giving yourself permission to be a part of the imperfect, human race. And we are all awesome in our humanity, perfect or not.