Global Race for the Cure

Today, I ran 3.1 miles to cure breast cancer. Today, I moved with 50,000 other people down the streets of Washington for a better world. Today, I made a difference. As Hellen Keller said, "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”


And in the words of Mariann Williamson:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Today, 50,000 of us in DC and many more around the world played big, let our lights shine, laced up our sneakers and did something. It was great!

Houston, we have a problem.

I've been looking for a maxi dress in a fabulous print. So my search lead me to the House of Dereon. Yes, I know and no, I was not high. I was, however, desperate. So, I find myself on Beyonce's fleur-de-lis ridden website and initially, I'm pleasantly surprised. I encounter a couple of fairly cute maxi dresses.

And then I make the mistake of scrolling too far down the page. I encounter this:

And then, this:

Whaaaa? Huh?

Umm wow. I am thoroughly at a loss. The denim conjures up old school thoughts of Salt N Peppa and Lean on Me extras; it's really more '80s rap star Halloween costume than haute couture. The second, I can't even think of a rationale behind it. Hip hop I Dream of Jeannie? Wrong, just wrong.

I love Beyonce, but even I cannot justify this madness. If fact, I'm kind of mad about it. Despite living in the Washington DC metro area, I am Houstonian at heart. To paraphrase the cute New Yorker Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada (must see!) when he speaks of his love for Paris, "I live in Alexandria, but Houston is my hometown." I put on for my city. With this madness, Beyonce apparently does not. Houston, we have a problem. Or two.

Who is Maria?

First, let me congratulate Judge Sonia Sotomayor on her nomination to the Supreme Court by President Obama.

Second, Governor Huckabee (do you refer to former governors as "Governor"?), what the heck? Here's what he said, I go off below.

Huckabee Statement on Sotomayor

"The appointment of Maria Sotomayor for the Supreme Court is the clearest indication yet that President Obama's campaign promises to be a centrist and think in a bi-partisan way were mere rhetoric. Sotomayor comes from the far left and will likely leave us with something akin to the "Extreme Court" that could mark a major shift. The notion that appellate court decisions are to be interpreted by the "feelings" of the judge is a direct affront of the basic premise of our judicial system that is supposed to apply the law without personal emotion. If she is confirmed, then we need to take the blindfold off Lady Justice."

I am not even going to touch the substance of his comments. I cannot. I am too confused to even get to that point. Why is he calling her "Maria"? Is he trying to be cute? Is he just ignorant? Does he really not know that her first name is not Maria? If that is the case, did he just luckily guess the name "Maria", which happens to be Judge Sotomayor's middle name? Does't that seem too lucky to be possible?

Now, I don't want to jump to racism or the allegation that someone is once again trying to deny minorities their individuality (akin to calling all black men "boy" without regard to their names), but something seriously seems amiss here.

If you have a more salient explanation, I'm all ears.

Girl Crush?

Is it possible to have a girl crush on the First Lady? Or, if its the First Lady do these great feelings of adoration that I am experiencing go unnamed because they are inherent in the position of First Lady? The outfit she wore to the spoken word event at the White House is just fabulousness. I'm particularly in love with the top. First Lady Michelle, I covet your top.

I dare you to find another First Lady with such daring and developed personal style. I don't think you can. Sigh.....I think I'm in love.

Photo courtesy of Concrete Loop.

Afternoon Tea

Spring has sprung! One of my favorite spring traditions is the afternoon tea. What's not to love? Lovely ladies all dressed up in big hats, adorable dresses and dainty gloves are the hallmarks of this great spring fete. Last weekend, I attended an afternoon tea in Prince George's County, MD. Despite the drive to what I believe is the other side of the world, it was a great afternoon! We dined on finger sandwiches, were entertained by a talented teenage dance troupe, and best of all, there was a hat parade!

I, of course, labored for weeks over what I would wear to the tea. What hat? What dress? Gloves or no gloves? Should the hat match the dress, or simply coordinate? So many questions, only one fabulous outfit!!! Well, I finally decided on a simple palette with exciting accents. See my outfit below. I like that the focal points are at the very top of and bottom of the outfit, and there's elegant simplicity in between.





Also, we mustn't forget the closeup of the shoes! I think that they "make" the outfit! And, yes, I have lavender toes. :-)

Outfit rundown (current season unless otherwise noted)

Hat: Fine Millinery Collection by August Accessories, available at Macy's

Dress: Banana Republic

Cardigan: Express (Spring 2005)

Shoes: Beverly Feldman (purchased at Off Fifth two years ago, season unknown)

Just for the Recessionistas....

New York and Company is offering a coupon for $20 off a $60 purchase, click here to get your's. As I've gotten older, I've become less and less of a NY&Co fan, but I actually quite like the shirt dress on the coupon (shown above). Depending on the price, it may be worth checking out. I think the yellow is quite fetching!

BRAVA! Now, let's go further...

Per the New York Times, today a federal judge ordered the FDA to make Plan B (emergency contraception) available to 17 year women without a prescription. The order overturns a 2006 Bush administration requirement that had previously set the age to receive the emergency contraception at 18 years.

Of course, reproductive rights advocates heralded the decision and conservative pundits decried it. I simply say, here we have a drug that if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse can prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Fewer unplanned pregnancies = fewer abortions. I would think that "fewer abortions = good" would be something about which we can all agree.

I'm Lovin' It!!

So, I've been away for a while thanks to work (they saw the law makes for a jealous mistress and they would be correct), but now I'm back in full effect. But in addition to me being back in full effect, so is spring fashion. I am loving it! Unfortunately, I do not think my husband and my checking account are loving my obsession with the beauties out there this spring, and since I can't bring them all home to me, I figure I'll share my obsessions with you. Here are a few of the things that are calling out to me in a major way. Consider them le creme de le creme of all that spring has to offer.

J. Crew's Slub Silk Penelope Dress

J. Crew's Printed Silk Chiffon Whitney Long Dress

DVF Palma Dress in Patchwork

DVF Deana Dress in Patchwork

Alice + Olivia Bead Trim Dress

Plenty by Tracy Reese Bungalow Dress

What a glorious spring!

D. Wade, the "Speedy" of Basketball?

Taking a cue from overly oppressive office dress codes everywhere, the NBA has decided that, it too, should further delve into the business of stifling employee expression and creativity. We office drones thought we were the ones subject to draconian laws regulating our belts, bracelets, and bows; but alas, professional basketball players join us as victims of such senseless suppression.

The NBA, in its infinite wisdom, has banned D. Wade's band-aid. Yes, you read that correctly, his band-aid. Apparently, D. Wade, in the view of the NBA, committed an offense more commonly seen on novice fashionistas: he over-accessorized. Who knew the NBA was the fashion police? I've never seen David Stern in Vogue.

Yet, according to the NBA, not only did Mr. Wade commit the favored faux pas of the beads and bangles set, but he is also accused of committing the sin of logo bags everywhere: he "self-promoted." Apparently D.Wade has more in common with the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag than he ever imagined. Yet, if he's smart he hopes to have just one-half of the Speedy bag's relevance on the fiftieth anniversary of his debut. For that matter, likely too does David Stern. ;-)

NBA bans Wade’s Band-Aid
Feb 28, 3:44 am EST
YAHOO.Sports.

ATLANTA (TICKER) —No more Band-Wade.
Prior to the Miami Heat’s 91-83 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, the NBA banned Heat superstar Dwyane Wade from donning the Band-Aid on his left cheek that quickly had become a fashion statement.

Wade, the league’s leading scorer, originally wore the Band-Aid to seal a cut beneath his left eye. In the following days, including during NBA All-Star Weekend, Wade slapped his name, nickname “Flash” and even the American flag on the Band-Aid, though the wound had healed.
The NBA, doing its best impression of the NFL, wanted to stop the self-promotion.

“We spoke to (the Heat),” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “A player can wear a Band-Aid for healthcare purposes, but it shouldn’t have any name or identifications on it.”

The league aims for conformity at the arena, where players are forced to abide by a strict dress code before and after the game. Citing Frank, the newspaper said that Wade and the Heat weren’t in danger of any penalty but needed a quick reminder.

“We offered clarity to them,” Frank told the Sun-Sentinel. “You can’t wear an identifiable Band-Aid. We don’t expect it to be an issue, so there will be no need for a penalty.”
Two years ago, the NBA banned full-length tights under uniforms, which players had used as a fashion statement rather than for their intended medical use. The same now can be said for Wade’s rather unique facial accessory.

This just goes to show you: fashion is a metaphor for life.

The Look for Less

I don't know many people that haven't been affected by the recession. Our nation is facing tough times and belts are being collectively tightened. I've had to cut back on shopping and I'm trying to maintain the level of style I like, while maintaining the bank balance that I like. So, I've had to be creative and try to create high-end looks for less.

I've been coveting this DVF sweater which retails $595.00 -- clearly out of the budget of a Recessionista (per Head to Toe With Heidi this is the name for a fashionista on a budget).

But then, the fabulous Gigi of Gigi's Gone Shopping hipped me to Old Navy's Button Front Sweater Coat and I had the answer to my prayers. The Old Navy sweater was only $39.50, less than one-tenth of the DVF version, and I had money left over for shoes! Thanks Gigi!

Please excuse my half-in, half-out left foot in the photo above, I am recovering from foot surgery and I can't wear heels yet.

Now, if only there were an Old Navy version of the Puff-Sleeve Silk Wrap Dress.....Le sigh.

Gigi's also has some other great look for less finds: check her out!

Capitol Hill Style Expose on ChickDowntown

Unfortunately, my first fashion related post has to be a negative one. Savvy shoppers beware, some have had extremely negative experiences with discount website ChickDowntown. See Capitol Hill Style's expose. Its a crazy world out there - fashionistas beware!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!!!!

Its Fat Tuesday!!!!


And yet, I've not decided what I am giving up for Lent. I suppose I better figure it out quickly since it starts tomorrow. I've considered several options: giving up elevators as I did last year (I work on the twelfth floor), giving up shopping as I did a few years back (the recession may have taken care of that for me this year), giving up wine or caffeine (this would cause me to lose my job which would cause the previous shopping fast as well), but nothing is standing out. I considered the Daniel Fast and the Carbon Fast, but I'm just not sold. I want to do something that will (a) affect my life/be difficult, (b) cause me to focus on God during the times I am feeling deprived and (c) be of consequence to the world.

I have the night to think about it. I am leaning towards combining the Carbon Fast with giving up elevators since they mesh well. I'll sleep on it.

Taste

Few things are more important and more rare these days than taste. Yes, simple taste. It's really quite a shame how many people lack taste. An example of poor taste would be saying that someone is going to die....and using such a statement for political gain. I often wonder if people really think about the things they say and the import of their words. If they do, how could someone say something like this? There is truly no accounting for taste, particularly when it's poor.



I understand the politics is a dirty game. I even understand that the things politicians say when they are being "politicians" greatly differ from what they would say in their personal lives. Yet, I cannot fathom how one convinces him or herself that its okay to speak death upon another person.



Now maybe its because of my Southern sensibilities, or maybe it's because although I love politics, I'm no politician; but I see no excuse or explanation for Sen. Bunning's statements. I only pray that Justice Ginsberg outlasts Sen. Bunning's predictions -- and not just because I admire her more than she could ever understand and I appreciate her place on the bench. Rather, I pray she outlasts Sen. Bunning's harsh forecast because, heaven forbid she not, I imagine he'll have a much weightier worriment on his conscience than exhibiting poor taste.

Me

I'm a Texas girl who has been living in the DC area for the last five years. I came here for law school and stayed for life school. I like the DC area well enough, except for the cold. I don't do cold (New Englanders save your "I'll show you cold" comments -- not interested). I like to shop, read, and compete (it doesn't really matter in or at what). I LOVE politics. My blog will touch on all of these things, all with Southern sensibilities, Blue Dog ideals and urban flair. Enjoy!