Pinning a “Bout”

In honor of Barrington’s  Homecoming Weekend, I thought I would post regarding how to Pin a Boutonniere…or “Bout” as I’ve come to hear they’re referred to as, or says Jim Fabbrini, so I’ll go with that.  Plus,  it’s best not to stab your date in the heart…and don’t ask how I know that.

Center the boutonniere on the gentleman’s left lapel so both are parallel. Hold boutonniere with left hand and pin with right hand. (1)

Gather fabric of lapel and push pin through lapel and through stem of boutonniere. Go through two layers of fabric, the lapel and the jacket front. That is the secret for pinning the boutonniere securely. Illustration shows pin on the underside of the jacket front.

(2)

Weave the pin from the inside of the jacket out to the lapel. For safety, tuck the tip of the pin into the fabric of the lapel. Notice in the illustration, only the pearl end of the pin is visible from the front. (3) This gives a sophisticated, finished look.  And, with the pin tip hidden, you won’t hurt someone when you hug them.

Source:  Attlee Weddings and Portraits

Now all the lovely young ladies, pinning a “bout” on their gentleman callers, will know how to properly handle this task, without stabbing them in the heart!   (My advice is to Save that for later, ladies).

Have a great weekend, and Make Good Choices.

xoxo,

T.

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• Pinning a “Bout” (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)

Secrets of a Fabulous Woman who Flaunt it!

I couldn’t help but purchase the book…Frumpy to Fabulous:  Flaunting it…Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style…only because the book was pink..and had the word Fabulous in its title, and it was quite the title..and that day, I  felt quite frumpy, and was wondering how to feel more fabulous.    So, I perused through the book (which happily I found at the Goodwill store, for $1.69, and buying books at the Goodwill store is worthy of its own blog…Great place to book shop!!)…and while it didn’t have as many pics as I’d like, especially for a person looking to feel Fabulous (because I’m more of a “visual” person, which is why I always like to have lots of pictures in my blog), but something jumped out at me:  7 Secrets of a Fabulous Woman who Flaunts It.  I mean, what’s not to like about that?  I was totally interested, and here it is:

From the book:  Frumpy to Fabulous:  Flaunting it: Your Ultimate Guide to Effortless Style!  (My comments are in italics)

1.  Strengthen your inner core – Not your muscles.  Flaunting it requires confidence, self-possession and complete comfort in your own skin.  I truly believe that confidence will take a person much farther than good looks.  Even “confidence” that is only a rouse.  People always say they wish they had my confidence…I am Not confident…I just laugh a lot, and try not to take myself, or anyone else too seriously.  I can barely pull off looking pretty decent, more than 2-3 times per year, tops!  I just try to look put together, and hopefully not repeating my outfits around the same people, and without cookie stains on my clothes.  :)  I like to think I have nice hair (or at least I used to) and sometimes that’s  half the battle.

2.  Have a defined signature style – Know your signature style.  Define your signature style.  I think I’ve done a decent job developing my own style in the past few years.  I love to wear black, because it’s a neutral and goes with everything, and doesn’t show as many stains.  I probably used to be much more “Traditional and Conservative” than I am now.  My work wardrobe basically consisted of Liz Claiborne, Jones of New York and Anne Klein II.  Not so much anymore.  I think many people who used to be more conservative, have also come more into their own as far as style goes.  Plus, the older we get, the more we have a better understanding of what looks good…and what doesn’t.

3.  Utilize Experts – Be clear about the limits of your own knowledge.  Women who are Fabulous, don’t “wing it”.  I love that.  Nordstrom has Personal Shoppers and Stylists.  I know I’ve been instrumental with many women (and men) in helping define their styles and finding what makes them feel their best.  I am in no way an “expert”, but I have a pretty good sense of what people can pull off, what looks sensational, and what they need to avoid.

4.  Be Organized An organized closet is one that is easy to work with.  I’ve blogged about this many times, and if you happen to have missed it (as I’ve found out that many, many, many of my loyal blog followers, and some of my very best friends, don’t read this blog as loyally as I had thought).

5.  Have outfits for every occasion – Own a well-rounded wardrobe that mirrors their lifestyles, personal styles, personalities and goals.  Have a “go to” outfit for special occasions; interviews; chances to impress; funerals (sadly), and make sure these items are clean, pressed and have in tip-top shape!

6.  Timelessness not Trendiness – smart women focus on style and its impact, not fashion trends.  Be Timeless.  Audrey Hepburn;  Jennifer Aniston; Jackie O; Princess Diana; Kate Middleton; Gwyneth Paltrow…These are Fashion icons, whose looks always appears timeless.

7.  Be a Woman of Consequence – a woman with a purpose.  She uses her image as a tool to facilitate her success in all areas of her life.  I think it’s about being the very best we can be, and trying to put forth your best effort.

More Tips

1. Hemlines – Take a look at the skirts pictured. The first style is primarily for younger women with great legs. My best recommendation for skirt and dress hemlines is somewhere between the top and bottom of your kneecap. Once your skirt length starts hovering around the mid-calf area that’s when it ventures into the frumpy zone. The same is true for cropped pants, so beware! This look will make your legs appear shorter and heavier so steer towards lengths that end at the slimmest part of your leg and see how fabulous you look!

2. Fit – Trade in your big, baggy tee shirts and opt for something that skims the body and shows your shape. Yes, I say this all the time but it’s so true. Big and baggy may be comfortable, but body-skimming can be just as comfy without visually adding pounds or creating a sloppy appearance.

3. Neatness – Take a look at your outfit and determine how neat it is. Does your shirt need to be ironed? Are there holes in your sweatpants? Have your shoes or jacket seen better days? These all add up to work against you and keep you in the frumpy zone.

4. Unfinished Business – If you throw on a top and pants and head out the door chances are your look is unfinished, meaning you’ve left off the finishing touches. What accessories could you add to give polish? Sometimes just a belt, a watch and a pair of earrings are all it takes to transform your look from frumpy to fabulous.

5. Go the extra mile – What else could you add to your look to take it up a notch? Try a chic trench coat, a pretty cardigan or a scarf to give it that third layer that sends the message that you’re confident as well as chic and you know how to look fabulous!

Your assignment: When you get dressed have a checklist using the tips above. If your look doesn’t pass muster take the necessary steps to get it up to par and see how not only your image is boosted, but your confidence will be too!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7121856

More Looks I find Fabulous

Be Fabulous!

xoxo,

T.

Michael Kors Style Tips!

I love Michael Kors…You can incorporate some or all of his tips into your wardrobe!

Michael’s Do’s and Don’t of Fall Fashion

1.  Go Neutral, darling –  DO return to classic camel. It’s a chic alternative to black that works around the clock.  DON’T do the same shade head to toe. Mix in other neutral to give things some life.

2.  Have Fun with Accessories-   DO wear simple outfits with bright accessories that keep your look versatile.  DON’T skimp on investing in the best quality so what you buy will last for years.

3.  Get Inspired by 50′s Fashion –   DON’T be afraid of curves. It’s all about an hourglass silhouette.  Belt your waist!

4.  Try Tailored Pieces – Invest in a classic pants suit.  You can dress it up, or dress it down.

5.  Buy One Long Skirt –   DO experiment with a body-con shape as an alternative to jeans.  DON’T pile on too many voluminous layers in longer lengths, or you’ll look like you’re standing in a hole.

6.  Give clogs a change (not sure I’m agreeing with this one).  These are cute colors.

7.  Own one piece of Rose-Gold Jewelry – the new “It” Jewelry.  Don’t mix rose-gold with silver.  Not a good match.

8.  Incorporate one Purple Piece - DON’T pile on purple head to toe or you’ll suffer from Barney syndrome. Always anchor the color with a neutral.

9.  Wear Camouflage in Moderation – (again, not sure I”m agreeing with this…perhaps No camouflage).  Actually, I do recall wearing a pair of camouflage pants in college…which, if they’d still fit, I could pair them with a v-neck t-shirt and metallic flip-flops.

10.  Buy More Boots – 100% Agreed!  Match your boots to your personal style…

With the Bears game behind us, Thankfully, all I can say is:

Go Bronco’s!

Have a great and always safe weekend.

xoxo,

T.

and Sadly…this can indeed be true.  Perhaps Alcohol has something to do with this?  Just a thought.

Related articles

• Fall Fashion Tips From Michael Kors (fabsugar.com)
• Michael Kors Style Tips! (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)

A Thing of Beauty…Bears 41 Colts 21

Way to go Bears…what a Fabulous way to start off the season.  Beautiful Day.  Fantastic Game.  It does NOT get better than that!!

Chicago Bears 41

Indianapolis Colts 21

Well played, Boys!!

Mr. Forte, you are worth every penny.

Outta Luck, Andrew…Perhaps Jay can share the number of his life coach?

We love Brandon Marshall!  What a great addition to our team.

Not sure if the Ref is telling Jay the old…”A Packer Fan walks into a bar”, joke…but I do love seeing Mr. Cutler, Smile.

From all the Chicago Bears fans…Thank You!  And yes, the season is young, but thankfully so am I.

Bring on the Packers!  Loving their loss to the 49-ers, btw…Sorry, Sharon, Wade and Tulcy!

Winning the Home Opener gives the fans HOPE.  Thank you for making my day!!

“T”‘s  Tip of the Week

A Cleansing Soak
Once a week for 20 minutes, sit in a hot bath that contains a handful of Epsom salts, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, and a half cup of baking soda. This combo draws out toxins, lowers stress-related hormones, and balances your pH levels.

xoxo,

A Very Loyal Fan

T.

This is the team Doctor talking to Andrew “outta” Luck.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

I don’t like football…actually, I love football…and those who know me, understand that September – February (hopefully my Bears will be playing through Super Bowl Sunday), I’m all about Football.  I know the game, enjoying watching it and love to talk about the game and share my thoughts on how they should be doing it better.   Not sure if  it’s because I grew up with 4 boys in the house (and my lovely sister, Megan, of course) but I truly get giddy on Sunday Nights when I hear Faith Hill start singing, “Alright Sunday Night Where are you…Hey Jack, it’s a fact, the show’s back in town…”  I do know, however, that not every woman (or even every man) understands the game.  I found this cheeky article  about things Women (or people who don’t understand the game) should know, and since we are emerging into Football season, I thought I’d share it, so in case you catch yourself watching a game, and enjoying it, you’ll actually know a bit more about it!

Before I share that article, if you don’t think the NFL is Big Business, take a look at what the Top 5 Football teams are worth:

1. Dallas Cowboys ($2.1 billion)

2. New England Patriots ($1.64 billion)

3. Washington Redskins ($1.6 billion)

4. New York Giants ($1.47 billion)

5. Houston Texans ($1.31 billion)

8.  Chicago Bears ($1.2 billion)

My Bears come in at #8 at a cool, $1.2 billion…With a $65M profit, did they really have to do a 3-year contract with RC Cola (and yes, RC Cola still makes soda, but not Diet Coke nor Diet Pepsi, sadly, which means I must drink Heineken at Bears games)?  And they can’t afford to have real half-time entertainment, but we’re subjected to a punt, kick and pass, “sponsored” by some car company?  Please…Give us a marching band, or a Chicago-based band, for crying out loud!  How about Styx or Off Broadway?  Or perhaps, Chicago?  And it wouldn’t hurt to  dial-up the music with some snappier tunes to get the crowd riled and motivated to cheer on the team…and snappy music can also motivate the team!    And seeing as I’m probably “past my prime” to be a sideline NFL reporter (actually, I’m not, but no one has hired me for that position), I most certainly can go to work for the Bears to give the fans (the best fans ever, btw), a better NFL experience.

10 Things Every Woman (Or anyone really) should know about Football

(Source:  Marie Claire Magazine)

ON THE FIELD

1. GET TO THE POINT. Know the basics. A touchdown is six points. An extra point is worth one (but teams can go for a two-point conversion, where they get another play to make it in the end zone, rather than kicking an extra point). A field goal is worth three points. And a safety (when a player with the ball is tackled in his own end zone) is worth two points.

2. THIN YELLOW LINE. The little yellow line indicates how far the team has to go to get a first down. And it works through the magic of television — the players cannot see it, nor can you see it while you are sitting at the game.  They have also started indicating when a play is in the Red Zone — that means when the offense has possession of the ball at the 20-yard line or closer. It means there’s a good chance that the offense is going to score soon. And no, the players can’t see the red part either…nor can those sitting in the stands.

3. TRUE OR FALSE START? A false start is when a member of the offense moves before the play actually starts. Offsides is when a player on the defense moves before the play starts.

4. DOWN BUT NOT OUT. Say you hear the announcer say that it’s “2nd and 10.” This means that it’s the second down and the offense has 10 yards to go in order to get a first down. There are four downs in total, so if it’s 4th and 10, the offense will probably punt the ball. If it’s 4th and inches, they might go for the first down. The risk is that if they don’t get it, the other team gets the ball right then and there.

5. FLAG ON THE PLAY. A yellow flag on the play indicates that the referee is calling a foul on the play. We all have to wait on the edge of our seats to find out which player did what and when. If you see the coaches throw down a red flag, this is called a “coach’s challenge,” and it means that the team charged with the foul disagrees with the ref’s call. If the coach tosses a red flag, the play is reviewed by the refs and if they reverse it — great: All is fine and the team is happy! If the play is reviewed and not reversed, the team that threw the red flag is charged with a time-out. Keep in mind that coaches can only throw a red flag in the first 28 minutes of each half. (In the last two minutes of each half, any questionable plays are automatically reviewed by the refs.)

OFF THE FIELD

1. PLAY TO THE CROWD. If you’re at a bar or tailgate with a group of die-hard fans, now is not the time to ask questions like: “What does ‘FG attempt’ mean?” or “Can they see that yellow line on the field?” But the beginning of the season is the perfect time to sit back, have fun, and enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the NFL. Commit to watching this season and absorb all of the drama.

2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Take a few minutes to do some quick preseason homework. Check out the usual suspects for all of the nation’s sports headlines. There are also great sites that focus on other elements of sports, besides stats. Visit gogameface.com or femmefan.com.  They all cover sports from a girl’s-eye view. Plus, the NFL puts on “Football 101: Workshops for Women” in cities all over the country.

3. FANTASY ISLAND. Try joining a You Pick ‘Em or Salary Cap fantasy league.    They provide a fun, not-too-time-consuming way to get involved and stay on top of the games every weekend. Apparently a company “I do business with” has a fantasy league, but girl’s aren’t allowed.  I find that rude and unbecoming”.

4. PREGAME FESTIVITIES. If you like entertaining as much as I do, make Sundays a regular gathering for you and your football-loving friends. Plan some fun pregame festivities, like a Madden video game tournament, or create your own temporary tattoos that declare your love of your team (or disdain toward the opposing team). For your game-day menu, go beyond chili and wings and create a menu inspired by the city your team is playing. Philly cheesesteaks…Chicago deep-dish pizza…Dallas BBQ…New Orleans muffulettas. You’ll bring a whole new meaning to “devouring the competition”!  My friend Donna has a Super Bowl party each year, and serves foods from each city playing in the big game!  Here’s a copy of the article featuring her as Cook of the Week!

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120123/entlife/701239857/

5. SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS. Many people think that women love anything pink. Even pink jerseys. Me? I prefer to wear my team’s true colors. If you love pink, go for it. But if you don’t, look for cute, sporty clothes like Alyssa Milano’s Touch collection, NFL’s line with Reebok, or 5th & Ocean vintage tees…or some small indie spots with cute apparel, like Football Chicks Are Hot or perhaps our “I Watch Sports Like a Girl” tees. Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to wear your heart — and your team spirit — on your sleeve!

As I’ve mentioned before, but it Bears repeating (pun intended)…I don’t wear football jersey’s (or any jersey’s for that matter), as I don’t like looking like a Linebacker (no offense to Brian Urlacher)…and I have yet to find one that is even remotely flattering, so I like to wear my team colors.  Blue and Orange.  Here are some cute outfits, in navy, orange, but not necessarily together, that could be good options.

Go Bears !

Navy twin set with white jeans

I actually wore something very similar to this last year, with either a white scoop neck tee, or a white blouse…but I also was rockin’ the cheetah flats.

The above dress should be worn to a Pre Season game, with metallic flip flops…not strappy pumps!

These almost look like Dockers…I may pair this orange sweater with a pair of jeans or walking shorts (weather permitting, of course).

These shoes, while darling, are NOT appropriate to wear to a Bears game…

Have a Fantastic Weekend…And Go Bronco’s!!

Patrick is #15.

xoxo,

T.

Related Posts:

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/are-you-ready-for-some-fashion-for-the-guys/

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/bears-ballyhoo/

http://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/are-you-ready-for-some-football-2/

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• Are You Ready for Some Football? (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• Why Jay Cutler’s Immaturity Is Chicago Bears’ Greatest Obstacle in Title Quest (bleacherreport.com)

Are We Well Suited?

Yes, I’ve posted this saying many times before.  I like to think of it as driving my point.

Men’s Suits…love, love, love them…and love men in Suits.  What can “kill” the look of a man in a suit, is when the suit happens to be “poorly fitting”.  A great tailor can right this wrong. And yes, when your weight happens to fluctuate 20-30 LBs, that shows on your clothes (as it does for both men and women, and sadly I know this first hand).  If you start off with a great fitting suit from the get go, a tailor can do just a few adjustments to keep you looking sharp!

Here are 7 ways to see if your suit fits

1. Shoulder pads end with your shoulders.

2. Your flat hand should slip easily into your suit under the lapels when the top (or middle) button is fastened. If you put a fist in, the suit should pull at the button.

3. The top button of a two-button suit — or the middle button of a three-button suit — should not fall below your navel.

4. With your arms at your sides, your knuckles should be even with the bottom of your jacket.

5. Jacket sleeves should fall where the base of your thumb meets your wrist.

6. Between a quarter and a half-inch of shirt cuff should be visible.

7. One inch of break.

Source:  Esquire Magazine

Are you well suited?

The Perfect Suit for the Modern Man

Lastly…a quick reminder..as a rule, suits should be subtle in their patterns. If you can make out a pattern from more than ten feet away, it may be too bold. It is appropriate to wear suits with or without ties. When not wearing a tie, make bolder choices with your shirts. You do not want to look like you simply took off your tie. It is perfectly fine to wear a patterned suit with a pattern shirt and tie, just be sure the shirt is subtle (whether striped or checked).

And here is a preview of what Fall has to offer for Ties:

Men’s Suits…most certainly suits any man!

xoxo,

T.

And yes, it’s not Monday, but I still think this is one of the funniest ecards around!

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• Are We Well Suited? (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)