Why yes…I do have an athletic body type…that of a Bowler! :)

If Loving Fashion is a Crime, I’m Guilty as Charged!

And yet we have another age-old fashion question…how to dress for our body types and shapes?

It has taken me 3 months of compiling various articles from magazines, books (via Kindle on my iPad) and the internet to give a complete picture of What to Wear for one’s Body Shape…Because this blog is longer than the norm, I have provided a Cliff Notes version at the end of this blog.

Styling Rules do Not apply to everyone.   As a matter of fact, they should be customized to the individual.  What looks good on one person, can look not-so-terrific on another.  Since everyone comes in different body sizes and shapes, we can learn what to wear and what to avoid in order to best flatter our body shape.

You need to learn what your body type is.  Once you understand your body type, it’s easier to dress in ways that best flatter your figure.  I only wish there wasn’t this god-awful picture depicting “Apple”, “Athletic”, etc…could it be anymore unflattering?

Apple or Inverted Triangle Shape

Larger shoulders and or bust; excess weight often accumulates around the tummy.

Inverted triangle or apple-shaped women can showcase great legs and create an attractive silhouette by creating balance between a larger bust and shoulders and thinner legs. Clothing combinations that works well for this body type includes:

• Short skirts paired with slimming tunic tops
• V-neck tops worn with boot cut or slightly flared mid-rise jeans
• Blouses with a slightly nipped waist with flared skirts
• One button jackets with an above-the waist stance with wide leg trousers
• A-line solid color dresses

Dark and solid colors for tops work great for apple shapes because they create a more balanced appearance with their slimmer legs.

Pear or Triangle Shape

Narrower shoulders and upper torso; weight gain can be seen in hips, legs, and thighs.
Clothing for this body shape should balance out heavier legs and hip areas with a slimmer top half. Do this with clothing choices such as:

• Just-below-the-knee length plain colored skirts with patterned blouses
• Boot cut jeans paired with boat neck or scoop neck tops
• A-line skirts with three-quarter sleeve wrap blouses
• Straight leg trousers with jackets that hit slightly above the hip
• Wrap dresses in simple prints or solids

Pear body types can usually opt for darker colored bottoms and have fun exploring lots of print and design in terms of tops to create a proportionate appearance and draw eyes upward.

Rectangular or Straight Shape

Often a slim or athletic figure; this body type has fewer defined curves and extra weight does not show up in one prominent area.

Ladies with rectangular or ruler shaped bodies are considered lucky by many because they are often slender in build. The challenge for this body type is typically that women want to appear more curvy and feminine. Clothing options for straight body shapes to create curves include:

• Pencil skirts paired with belted jackets
• Blouses with ruching or other dimensional details with flared- leg jeans
• Cap neck or polo shirts worn with modern boot cut trousers or jeans
• Dresses with a fitted bodice or nipped waist and full skirt
• Layered ensembles

Rectangle body shapes can also wear item like shift dresses that can be constricting to curvier figures. Contrasting styles, such as bulky sweaters and slim jeans, can also work to break up the vertical lines of a ruler shaped figure.

Hourglass

Defined waist and curvy figure; extra weight shows up in both the bust and hip area.

With a defined waist and feminine curves, the hour-glass figure fits many styles of clothing without trouble. To show off a classic hourglass, consider the following clothing choices:

• Flared jeans with scoop neck tees
• Three-quarter length slitted skirts with v-neck wrap blouses
• Nipped waist jackets worn with straight leg trousers
• Halter style or classic dresses

The right clothing for different body shapes can truly help women bring out their best physical attributes. Have confidence no matter what your shape with clothes that fit and flatter!

And because this blog is extra long (LAP), I have provided the cliff notes version:

QUICK TIPS

1.   Wear the right clothes for your body shape and you’ll fill out and slim down areas, creating a proportional body shape with no heavy point that interrupts the eye.

2.   Choose the right cut and length to make a wide rear  (and thighs), boyish hips and a full torso look less noticeable.

3.   Your goal is to create a visually balanced yet feminine body – making it look like your bust and shoulders are at the same width as your hips.

4.   If your hips are greatly wider than the shoulders, then add more volume to your top half.

5.   If you have a straight waist, find clothes that will add dimensions to your upper and lower part, making your torso look narrower in comparison.

6.   Choose clothing that fits properly every time, from the dresses to business suits. Whether you have an angular or ultra curvy figure, are short or tall, clothing that is either baggy or too tight will not be flattering on any figure.

7.   Another tip that applies to all the different body shapes is: don’t buy an item of clothing just because it’s trendy. Not every trend works on every body type. Classic clothing for different body shapes can be purchased in more modern cuts, and you can accent your base wardrobe with a few pieces of trend clothing that are appropriate for your body

“Highlight the positive and delete the negative.” Donna Karan

Since I had over 700 views on Sunday alone, after that travesty that one may have called the Bears v Packers game (though admittedly,  did I have a great time at the game), I may write an addendum to my previous blog(s) re: Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach.  I think Jay Cutler needs an Offensive Line.  And the Bears could Also use a Life Coach!

Happy Dressing!  And that also goes for those Chicago Bears!

xoxo,

T.

A woman walked into a bar carrying a duck under her arm. “Get that pig out of here!” yelled the bartender. “That’s not a pig, stupid!” she replied, “That’s a duck!” “I know!” said the bartender, “I was talking to the duck!” 

 

 

Waiting outside in line to buy a Horizontal Striped Sweater? Or a Year of Chick Fil A?

Horizontal Stripes.  Hoarders.  eBay.  Crashed Website.  This was the mayhem that surrounded the launch of the line Missoni at Target.  I’m really not sure what all the fuss is.  People were lined up outside the Target stores to buy Missoni?  I can understand waiting in line to get a 36″ flat screen TV for $599 on Black Friday, or lining up to get Blackhawk’s Playoff Tickets,  or to shake hands with Everyone’s new favorite QB, Jay Cutler (or will be after Sunday’s Packer’s Game).   And this was the Same week that you could wait in line, overnight at a new Chick Fil A, to receive a Full Year worth of Meals.    But waiting in line to buy regular priced merchandise, and to be one of thousands wearing the same items as every one else?  Not so much.  I’ll take the chicken, please.  And much of the clothing is stripes…Horizontal Stripes.   And everything looks alike…from the boots, to the sweaters, to the socks, to the mugs, to the luggage.  I think there are 4 or 5 patterns (or so it would seem), and there are a few different colors they come in.  Yes, the items are cute, the items are retro, but are they worth lining up outside a Target…on a School Day, just to be one of the hundreds of thousands who will now be sporting Stripes?  Not in my world.

I received this article from my friend Gina, who asked my thoughts.  My thoughts, are I agree, with Gina, the items may be cute, but there is No way I would wait outside, at a Target to buy these.  This is the article from USA Today:

Those who managed to get their hands on Missoni at Target on Tuesday should consider themselves blessed.

By the time Tammy Mission of Danville made it to the store in Walnut Creek a day later, the signs still hung but only a shelf with shoes from the Italian luxury designer remained.

She snatched a pair up immediately.

“I can’t believe I didn’t put a reminder in my phone about the ‘Tuesday Missoni Invasion,’ ” she said. “When I went home and remembered what I missed, I wanted to cry.”

The 400-piece line made exclusively for the cheap-chic retailer features its trademark zigzag patterns for between $2.99 for stationary and $599.99 for patio furniture — a fraction of the price of the designer’s typical offerings, which run from $595 to $1,500.

A frenzy typically reserved for Black Friday or an Apple (AAPL) iPhone release saw people lined up outside stores on Tuesday and snatching up almost everything within hours of the doors being opened.

Online the demand was so great that Target’s Website crashed for several hours.

“It was so intense for us that it was like having a ‘Black Tuesday,’ ” said Felipe Chordas, store manager of Target in Walnut Creek. “In the women’s section there were three or four racks of clothing that was gone in a half-hour.

“When you have shirts that normally sell for $500 going for $100, this is the frenzy you’ll get,” he added.

By Wednesday, the lines were gone and the craze shifted to secondary markets, where the items are being sold for well over the original price. For example, an ad for a bicycle with the Missoni pattern on it appeared on Craigslist for $1,600, about four times what Target charged.

On eBay (EBAY), by Wednesday afternoon, there were more than 32,000 Missoni for Target items available.

With the economy in its current doldrums, Joanna Douglas, fashion and beauty editor for Yahoo (YHOO) Shine, said that the idea of having a high-end designer try to make a line for the masses is a trend that is likely to continue.

“I was really surprised how many people knew what the Missoni line was all about, but it’s nice to have a brand like this now available to the masses,” she said. “I can say I was right there at 6 a.m. with the rest of the country trying to get the pieces, and it was frustrating.”

Except for items available from people returning items, it is unclear how much more of the line will be available. Target originally planned to have it run through October.

“I think Target would be foolish not to bring more back because there’s so much money to be made here,” Douglas said. “But I think the fact that it is so limited is good because you know not too many people will have the same items.”

Source:  Associated Press

I look at this picture, and think there should be a captain, “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia”, or “My Nose, My  Nose, My Nose”.  This is screaming 1972.  And, again, I would Not wait in line, to buy anything regular-priced, especially if every Tom, Dick and Harry, or Tina, Dorothy and Harriett would be wearing it the following week.   There is something to be said about being an individual, and marching to the beat of your own drum, and not looking like everyone else.

Of course, there did end up being a different spin to this story.  People who bought up all the items at the stores, turned around and sold them on ebay.  This lit the fire in the belly of my friend Kim ,”People bought all of the Missoni collection at Target w/in hours. They didn’t limit quantities allowed and people bought carts full and went home and are attempting to sell them on eBay at a huge markup. I say we revolt and force them to eventually give their greedy purchases away”.   I agree with Kim, No one should profit from being able to Hoard these items, then sell them on eBay.  And  yet, people are buying them on eBay!  As of Friday, there were 51,210 Missoni items for Sale on eBay…and there were 38,000 items that were already Sold!   And when I said “hoard”, I’m not referring to those who bought a few items, then sold them on ebay.  I’m referring to those who went to Target, with the sole purpose, of filling their shopping carts, “hoarding” the merchandise, then immediately went home and listed them on ebay.  Hoarding with intention to profit.  That’s why Target should have limited purchases.

Some folks truly did go to Target, and bought the items with the intent of giving them as gifts or keeping them for themselves, but did end up getting caught  in the Frenzy.  My friend’s sister ran into a similar experience, and truly had bought items to give as gifts, but when she realized the Frenzy over what was happening, she decided to also try her hand at ebay.   “My sister was online at 4am getting 4 Missoni throws for $40….very slow Target system but still up…then she thought to stroll into her local Madison Target at 8am just in case.  She and another guy headed straight for the Missoni home decor, he scooped up all the pillows offering her if she wanted it, then they both acknowleged they were getting everything as “gifts.”  She sold the first of 6 throws on ebay for $180 (earth colors) and a purple striped throw went for $120 ten hours later.  She thinks the ebay bubble is bursting (lots of clothes not moving now on ebay)…but she is waiting for her next 4 to come in the mail before listing a couple of them.  She honestly started out getting them as gifts, and wasn’t hoarding shopping carts worth of goods.  She emailed my niece at college to say you can either have this Missoni throw I ordered for you, or I’ll put it on ebay and you can get what it goes for.  Guess what she picked?  ebay baby!”   Of course she did…because she can receive the cash, and wait a month to buy again the item she wants, and not pay outrageous prices on ebay, from people who did Hoard, and turned around and sold them.  I would like the record to reflect that in No Way am I referring to my friend’s sister as a Hoarder.

This is a classic case of Supply not meeting Demand.  And for those lucky enough to acquire these items, many felt they could turn around and sell for a tidy profit on ebay…and they did.   Unfortunately, for those waiting to receive their items purchased online, it appears that Target has cancelled Many of the orders that people confirmed, only to find out that at first there would be a delay in receiving, then to find out the order was cancelled completely.  And welcome to the year 2011, because there is now a website, dedicated to all the horror stories, of the people so displeased with Target, and the delay, or cancellation of their precious Missoni items:    http://racked.com/archives/2011/09/17/all-your-missoni-for-target-weborder-horror-stories.php

One customer felt that Target should go to eBay and buy back all the items that they aren’t able to fulfill.  Or , give the customers Target gift cards to make amends for the inconvenience.  My sense is Target is going to do neither.  Plus, as they say Any publicity is good publicity, and Target has certainly received a great deal of publicity over this.  And, clearly, we are still talking about it.  Or at least, I am.

If you like the Missoni line, and it makes you happy, then good for you.  I just hope you didn’t have to wait outside for hours in line at a Target, or have to buy them on ebay for more than double the cost, and I hope you don’t end up wearing the same horizontal-striped sweater as the person next to you at lunch.

I went online at Target.com and attempted to buy a gender-neutral, non-clothing item, to use as a prize, for the wittiest comment to this blog.  Every single item of Missoni, on target.com is OUT OF STOCK.  So, instead, I will award the best comment,  my favorite book, “The Everygirl’s Guide to Everything”…and if that doesn’t strike your fancy, and you are indeed the very lucky winner, You can, instead, get a copy of my favorite movie, Brian’s Song.  Your choice.  Afterall, you will be the winner of this very illustrious contest.

Let the comments begin.   Be an individual…and don’t hoard. And in the future a year’s worth of Chick Fil A would be a Much better reason to wait in line!

xoxo,

T.

Dialogue I thought I’d share re: Terry’s observation of Kerry Collins, the Colts back-up QB

Terry:  Who is that?  He looks old (grey beard with baseball hat, he looked 60)

Patrick:  He is old.  He’s 35

Ouch.

Monday Morning Reflections of a QB’s Life Coach…

I don’t know about you, but if I were Jay Cutler, I’d be Hopping Mad!  It’s ironic the first three letters of OFFensive Line are OFF.  I was under the impression our Bye Week was October 30th?  Jay Cutler showed up to play football, while the OL were nowhere to be seen.  Brian Urlacher,  Matt Forte and Lance Briggs, showed up to play.  The OL, did not.  Perhaps I should send them all a copy of the movie, The Blind Side?  Mr. Davis, Mr. Webb and Mr. Omiyale may I introduce your to Mr. Oher (and Sandra Bullock)?

Jay Cutler was Sacked 5 Times.  Make that 6 times.  3 in the last few minutes. Ugh!  He was  Rushed, Hurried, Knocked into, Pressured, Mocked and Harassed more times than I can count (or find the accurate numbers on Google).    The OL needs work, lots and lots of work.  And No, Jay Cutler was Not perfect.  He threw passes when he shouldn’t, to areas in which were poor choices, but he was rushed basically 90% of the time.   No one protected him.  And, as I have taken a more tough approach on our illustrious QB in recent weeks (you are welcome, Phyllis), I will also be the first to jump to his defense…I mean, someone has to, as it appears the Offensive Line won’t (or at least, did Not today).

These are some of my friend’s comments, lifted from Facebook..

Oh Bears!! Couldn’t you have surprised all the critics??? This is painful! (Kathy)

If I was Jay Cutler, I would be really mad at my offensive line. (Kim)

I’m not talking about football until NEXT Sunday. Geesh. (Bridget)

I’m about to loose my sh%^# if Cutler gets hit one more time…where is the protection. (Kristen)

The game was not pretty…However…Jay Cutler certainly was, in his post game interview…Not only did he wear a Suit, but he was smiling.  Golly…where did I hear That recommendation before?    And, again, he was Smiling!  (no Jack, that was not him Wincing in Pain).   And he acted like a gentleman, taking responsibility for his fumble, and Not placing blame on anyone else (as I may have done in this blog).  And after all that, Jay Cutler said only this, ”It was a long day out there,” Cutler said. “I had to throw a lot of balls before I wanted to. … The Saints were the better team today. They rushed me hard and forced our offense to do things we didn’t want to do.”  Spoken like a true Team Leader. Well Done Jay!

Note:  because I had to lift this picture off the internet, as I was Not in New Orleans, this picture of him post game, is Not of him smiling…but he did, indeed, smile.  And the suit, appears to be Navy, and the tie has Orange accents.  Wonder where he got That idea?

So…Bears Fans…Onto next week, for “America’s Game of the Week” (According to NBC), Bears v Greenbay! Put this game behind you, and Sack the Pack!  I will be there, with Patrick (though back in my seats, not the sweet seats of Opening Day), cheering them on!

Go Bears!

xoxo,

T.

Tomorrow’s blog is on the Madness surrounding Missoni, and on Friday all about Dressing for your body type!  Sorry the past 2 blogs have been hijacked to accommodate more pressing matters, but felt since Jay wore a great suit, this could pass for a fashion blog!

And I present to you pictures of Mr. Jay Cutler…Smiling!  And these were quite easy to find on Google…Honest to goodness, he Must be reading my blog, because Clearly, I am Not his Life Coach…yet.  :)

Related articles

• Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach…Part Deux! (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)

Salty Language is Always Unbecoming

I have hijacked today’s post of “What to wear for your body type”, and decided to pen a quick blog about Swearing.

What’s with all the swearing?   When did it become acceptable to drop the “F Bomb” in public, in front of women, and in front of children?  And while I hate confrontation, I have no problem telling someone to lay off the language, when there are children around…or even when I’m around.

I was at the Bears game on Sunday (and Fabulous game, btw.  Golly, it’s almost like Jay Cutler has used a Life Coach! )  The “Gentleman” behind me (and I use that term loosely) kept dropping the F-Bomb.  I had Patrick with me, and was not going to tolerate that boorish behavior.  So, I politely, and I stress politely, asked him to stop swearing.  I explained that I had my 14-year-old son me, and I didn’t care for his language.  Of course it helped that the Bears were playing like Champs, so I probably could have gotten his to do just about anything, as he was wildly over-served by 1240PM.    And of course I’m aware that a 14-year old probably hears much worse language than his dear old Mom, but I didn’t want him to have to hear it, if I could at all help it.  And you know what?  He acquiesced, and stopped swearing.  And he was fine about it.  The family to his left, also thanked me.   His cleaned up language didn’t take away from the Screaming Bears Victory, but it did make for a better family friendly environment.

Some of my very favorite people swear like longshoremen.  They do so, and don’t even realize it.  Some people swear to make a point.  Some do so because they think it’s funny.  Some do so as easy as they are breathing.  I think we all need to take a step back, and, once again, remember our manners.   Swearing is so not cool.  The Bears are.

There is actually an organization called the Cuss Control Academy, and here is what they say is wrong about Swearing:

Swearing Imposes a Personal Penalty

It gives a bad impression

It makes you unpleasant to be with

It endangers your relationships

It’s a tool for whiners and complainers

It reduces respect people have for you

It shows you don’t have control

It’s a sign of a bad attitude

It discloses a lack of character

It’s immature

It reflects ignorance

It sets a bad example

Swearing is Bad for Society

It contributes to the decline of civility

It represents the dumbing down of America

It offends more people than you think

It makes others uncomfortable

It is disrespectful of others

It turns discussions into arguments

It can be a sign of hostility

It can lead to violence

Swearing corrupts the English language

It’s abrasive, lazy language

It doesn’t communicate clearly

It neglects more meaningful words

It lacks imagination

It has lost its effectiveness

So there.  Perhaps more information than we needed…I just wanted the goon behind me to stop swearing, in front of Patrick, but it’s nice to now be so very much informed..and now on to more pressing matters…The Bears…and Fashion!

Next Week:  What to wear for your body type

xoxo,

T.

PS – Here’s a great tip I learned this week.  While out to dinner for my Anniversary (21-years, and yes, it’s a crime ) I had coffee after dinner, and it was super hot.  I love hot coffee, but my Keurig only makes it 192 degrees, and it cools off within 10 minutes.  The waiter told me the secret to keeping your coffee hot, is to Pour Boiling Water into your coffee cut before pouring in the coffee (and of course, dump out the boiling water).  I tried it this AM, and Voila…Hot Coffee!

Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach…Part Deux!

Apparently I am not the only person who has written that Jay Cutler Needs a life coach.  It would appear that Rick Telander, columnist for the Chicago Sun Times and I feel the same way…and according to Mr. Telander, he feels Mr. Cutler may have already consulted with one!  Here is an excerpt from Mr. Telander’s column:

After watching the Bears-Bills preseason game I am left with the impression that Jay Cutler must have found a life coach in Beverly Hills and employed him for a makeover.

 The Bears quarterback is lean, his double chin is only 1 1/4 chins, and most of all, he seems to have developed personal skills.He patted teammates on the back. He talked to somebody up in the press box on his head set. He made small chatter with Brian Urlacher.

He acted as if he cared . Maybe he doesn’t, and it’s all an act. But that unfortunate image of him as blase malingerer in the NFC title game last winter is one that he needs to shatter to pieces.Maybe a life coach explained that to him. Or maybe life itself is doing the trick. Whatever, Cutler’s mental and physical fitness are so important to the Bears’ future that it was comforting to see this small step. Even if the sacks have started again.

Source:  Sun Times:  http://www.suntimes.com/sports/telander/7040957-452/hall-of-famers-winter-gilmore-mullin-rodman-evoke-fond-memories.html

Of course I’m not insinuating that Mr. Cutler took my advice and hired a life coach, but perhaps getting sacked so many times has knocked some sense into his head.  And I’m not saying that Mr. Telander read my blog, then further elaborated on it, however I’m also not dismissing that fact.  “Jay Cutler needs a life coach” remains the most read post on my blog…and shocking as it may seem, it is beating “What a girl packs for college”, “Who’s your Paddy”, as well as “How to Not look old”.

As mentioned in previous blogs (twice),  I am not saying my life is perfect, so I may not be qualified, per se, to be Mr. Cutler’s Life Coach…but, what the heck,  I’m going to take a stab at it. 

What Jay Cutler Should Consider Changing in his Life:   (in My Humble Opinion)

1.  Smile.  For Pete’s Sakes, you have a $49M contract, and you can’t smile?  You are a quarterback for the Chicago Bears, and you can’t smile?  You get to play in the best sport’s city in the world, and you can’t smile?   Do you know how hard I had to peruse Google searching for a picture of you smiling?  Show off what you bought and which Pam Oliver brought to everyone’s attention when she gushed over your new teeth.  “Fox’s Oliver, ending her post game interview with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler  ”Pretty teeth, by the way.”  Whether athletes like it or not, they are role models when it comes to flossing .”

2.  Wear a suit for your post game interviews.  That plaid lumberjack shirt you wore last year was an embarrassment.  You make a decent living,  buy a nice suit.  Oh, and buy one that fits.  And feather in some Blue and Orange ties.  Wear a Dark Navy Suit, white shirt, Orange Tie.  That would be a nice touch.  I believe when Jay was televised wearing this shirt, the announcer even commented, “based on his choice of shirt, perhaps he didn’t realize he’d be on tv?”  Really bad shirt.  Wear a suit.

3.  Give back to the community.  Work with the underprivileged…Attend Charity Events.  Get involved in the community where you work.  It will humble you to see how very fortunate you are, and make you feel good about yourself, and what you can do to help others. You are a role model, whether you like it or not…being a role model to children is a privilege, act like it.

4.  Go to a Chicago Hot Spot after every home game - May I suggest Gibson’s (or Shaw’s, as ”there’s lots”  going on there, or Joe’s Stone Crab)…and bring your Offensive Line, and buy them a Huge Steak and lots of Stella Artois (or Crab Legs if you go to Shaw’s).  With a $49M contract you can splurge and buy everyone Chimay Ale ($141.99/case at Binny’s,and you can afford it).  Whether you win or lose, take your Offensive Line out to dinner, or a post-game snack.  Hob nob with the patrons in the restaurant.  Give autographs (only when asked, as offering them when someone doesn’t ask, could be considered poor form).  Trust me, you’ll end up with your own little groupies, and they’ll all start to buy your Jersey.  Wouldn’t it be nice to see Cutler jersey’s outnumber Urlacher jerseys?  Send your linemen home in a limo, so they don’t get pulled over for a DUI…that would undo all the good you are doing if they drove under the influence.   Show them you care, so they Block for you.  Jim McMahon was famous for buying his OL Rolex watches…The Punky QB had a good plan.  The punky QB won a Superbowl.

5.  Don’t date a Hollywood “Reality/Starlet“.  Puhlease.  Date a hometown Chicago Gal.  Midwest girls are the best in the land.  Raised with high morals and standards.  Your mother will be pleased.  A lot of people will be pleased.

6.  Polish up on some “duck wants into a bar” jokes.  Take it from me, People Love them!

7.  Buy a Chicago home…a nice one. ( I believe he has been renting a home in Lake Forest).  You have a $49M contract, buy a home.  Show us you are here to stay.

8.   Act like you care, and Chicago will care about you.  The City wants to love you!

9.  Polish up on your interviewing techniques…learn the gift of banter and fodder.  When you make a mistake, own up to it…”I had a horrible game…if I were you, I’d also be grilling me…but I’m gonna take it.  Bring it on.  We are going to work even harder this week”.    Indicate how lucky you are to play in Chicago,  you Love the Bears, you Love  the city,  and you Love the game.  If you say it enough, people may actually believe you.

10.  Butkus, Sayers, Payton, Singletary,  Harris (Al made me say this…actually he didn’t, I just adore him and his family)…Chicago Bears Legends.  Not only did they have superb athletic ability, they played with Heart, they played with Soul and are Solid Great Men (of course phenomenal talent as well).  You still see people sporting their jerseys out and about, and not just at Bears games.  Don’t you want to be amongst this illustrious group of Bear’s players?  You have the talent to be a Hall of Famer.  Don’t you want to join Brian Urlacher in the Next Generation of Bears Legends?  You have the talent.  Now you just need the heart.   I can see it now…Jay Cutler…Hall of Fame class 2025.

I would like the record to reflect that I happen to be a huge fan of Jay Cutler’s.  I just am getting sick and tired of explaining why I am, so if he would take these suggestions, it would make my life easier…as well as his.  I like Jay Cutler, and hope he’s here to stay!

Are you ready for some football?  I am!  Bring on the Falcons!

Go Bears!

xoxo,

T.

Related articles

• Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• The nicest thing ever said to me…:) (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• Are you ready for some Fashion?…For the Guys (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)

Are you ready for some Fashion?…For the Guys

What does a Guy wear to a football game?

You can tell it’s Football Season, since I will be peppering in football-related blogs throughout the season…And as I’ve done with “What a girl packs for college”…when I penned the equal opportunity blog for the Guys…I shall do the same with, “Are you ready for some Fashion”  regarding what a Girl should wear to a football game, with the Guys version of what Men should wear to a football game.

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/are-you-ready-for-some-fashion/

I present you with the equal opportunity blog, “Are you ready for some Fashion…for the Guys”.  And can do it in 3 words:

Your Team Jersey!

In a nutshell, if you are a guy, you can and should wear the Jersey of your team.   You can wear one from a current player, or that of a past player.  And had Lance Briggs, not have acted like a pompous, greedy jerk, I would have inserted his jersey in here as well.  Hey Lance, you signed a contract, be a man of your word, and live with it.  Don’t use the media to try to get more money from your team.  How do you think the players from the 70′s and 80′s feel when Your signing bonus, was basically the amount of money they made playing their entire career?  So alas, no Briggs jersey here.

And if you do not have a team jersey to wear, you can wear the colors of your team.  Blue and Orange.  But you probably have a jersey, or can borrow one from a friend.   Or perhaps you have a t-shirt or sweatshirt (and I love hoodies) of your favorite team (Bears).  If you look around Soldier Field, basically Every Guy is wearing a Bears Jersey (unless of course they’re rooting for the opposing team.  Ugh).

So there you have it…Wear a football jersey.  Your team’s jersey.  Easy.  Unlike women, who have to be sure we don’t look like a linebacker, and need to follow other NFL fashion-rules,  Men have it sooooooo easy when dressing for a football game!

Go Bears!

xoxo,

T.

ps…I am Still Not a fan of Ben Roethlisberger – he also could use a life coach

Coming on Friday…Jay Cutler Needs a Life Coach…Part Deux!

Fall Fashion Trends!

Fall is right around the corner…and that means Football Season…and Fall Fashions!  It is my absolute most favorite time of the year…Fall clothes are Always the most fun, and even when We are no longer in school, there’s nothing wrong with taking the kids back- to-school shopping, and shopping for ourselves as well.  And the icing on the cake, is we can relax in our fabulous new fall fashions while watching the NFL, and sporting the colors of our favorite team!  Go Bears!

 

Fall 2011 / TRENDS

We’re flipping over fall. Hungry for something slouchy, snake, 60s; all things ruffled, anything equestrian. Hitting the wild spots; loving the colors; mad for cutting edge pieces, French dressing, royal British style. Color!  Espresso-rich chocolate, intense shades of pale, earth tones miles beyond basic, piquant pops of bright.

Standouts:

misty dusty slate blue

leaf pop of yellow-green

cranberry warm saucy red

godiva dark roasted espresso

mustard bright golden-yellow

cobblestone the perfect taupe

olive comfy, cozy, classic

spice peppery paprika

concord the color purple

1.BIG EASY Pump up the volume. Supersize the silhouette. It’s all slouch all the time. Huge collars, dropped shoulders, deep sleeves, great lengths. Cozy boyfriend jackets, big toppers, wide-leg trousers, knits that go on forever.

2 .SNAKE BITES Reptile’s the hot trend in prints. Sexy. Exotic. All slither and cling. Rippling along the body. Peeking out from beneath a jacket. Done in a drifty dress, a killer pant, scads of slinky silk blouses, stretchy polos, mesh tees.

3. RIDING HIGH Equestrian style makes the cut. Lean. Sculpted. Nipped at the waist. Skinny at the leg. Find riding jackets, breech-slim pants, perfect white tunics, thoroughbred suiting, chain-link prints and lots of leather patches.

4. TRENDY HUES There’s a mad palette at play. Kind of sexy. Kind of fun. Solo or in combo. Earthy faves you crave [concord, cranberry, olive, spice] meet shades dark as espresso and supersaturated shots of turquoise, mustard, leaf.

5.WILD SPOTS Harness your animal magnetism. Skin is still in. Big time. Pick-up a little something peacock-feathered, faux-furred, tiger-striped; super-fem in cheetah, giraffe or ocelot for a killer cool wardrobe that’s spot on.

6. TRUE BRIT Inspired by Kate. Met and mastered. Demure with an edge. Cutaway, sculpted, yoked, pleated, ruffled, high-waisted, double-breasted, belted, cardi-styled, calf-length. Subdue-hued with a piquant pop of mustard.

7. MOD SQUAD Block stars. Snakeskin. Done with a nod to mod. Less 60s psychedelic, more 2011 chic. Python in a drift of a dress; palette-perfect colorblocks in mid-thigh cardis, curvy knits, a Mary Quant skirt, a vintage shift.

8. RUFFLE MANIA Thrill. Frill. Chill. Flirt in frothy little numbers that flip a look. Flyaway skirts with car wash panels and flapper tiers; cascades of ruffles ribknit, ruched, asymmetrical, placket-framed, cheetah-spotted, wire-edged in a multitude of luscious-musts.

9. CUTTING EDGE A power surge of killer pieces. A little street. A little racy. A little OMG! The details to-die. Faux fur vests, aviator and moto jackets; snake, gilt, leather, flyaway knits, mini lengths, skinny legs, beautiful bod tunics.

10. FRENCH DRESSING We’ll always have Paris. Epic. Iconic. Rooted in Chanel. Best bets ever. Houndstooth in her palette, homage to her necklaces, floppy corsage, chain link embroidery, never-ending leg, crisp white ruffles, pleats, tucks.

Source:  Etcetera  www.etcetera.com

NORDSTROM FALL 2011 FORECAST

1. CAPES & PONCHOS – of course Poncho’s were in my fashion dont’s…:)
2. BOLD COLOR MIXES – Love big, bold colors…especially in your favorite football team’s colors
3. STACKED HEELS – and they make your feet feel Much better than spikey heels…and you can walk and dance much longer
4. MIDI LENGTHS – make sure the skirt doesn’t hit the largest part of your calf
5. CHOCOLATE METALS – watches, bracelets, earrings!
6. THE BOW BLOUSE – reminds me of post-college!
7. THE SKINNY – the skinny jeans are NOT going away!
8. LEATHER SPORTSWEAR – Black Leather Skirt…the Must have basic!
9. THE HERITAGE JACKET – structured, military-styled
10. FAUX FUR – PETA will be pleased

I don’t know who invented the high heel, but all men owe him a lot.  ~Marilyn Monroe

Have a Happy Weekend!

coming up next week:

“I am Not the only person who thinks Jay Cutler Needs a Life Coach…and perhaps he’s already using one”?

note to file…”Jay Cutler needs a Life Coach” is Googled, according to my site stats, at Least 83 times a day…Clearly, I am one of many who believe this…

xoxo,

T.