Remember all the hype and rage for the maxi dress trend? Have you acquired a few of them and now are unsure about how to transition them for fall?  An excellent way to recycle your summer wardrobe for fall weather is to utilize some layers! Think outside stuffy cardigans and get creative! Here I took inspiration from the military and safari looks that appeared on the runway for both fall and spring. Layering a one pocket tee over this green maxi dress, I wanted to toughen up the look by adding combat boots and a chunky necklace. A cargo vest also looks great over a maxi dress, just remember to define your curves by cinching your waist with a skinny belt. I got this great vintage tee at Goodwill for a little over a dollar, and with its oversize, stretched-out shape and lived-in color, it's an excellent layering piece when I want to look a little more masculine. Scour your local thrift store for layering tees this Labor Day, and save some money by bringing those summer dresses into fall.
Nanette Lepore, Spring 2010 RTW Collection
Image Retrieved from www.style.com 

This is a big event in Dayton, while the fashion show was a few weeks ago the weekend itself is still a great time and support the local arts!

1. Our boat, ya know, the one we just got in May? It's been in the shop with a blown engine for the last two months. :-(

2. In the boat's defense (remember, her name is FILOMENA?), she was used, belonged to my friend's father for many years, and probably something like this was bound to happen.

3. Anyway, FILOMENA has the potential to be all fixed up today(with a re-built engine, thanks to hubby's co-worker). Fingers and toes CROSSED!

4. Just in time for a three-day Looong Labor Day Weekend. WOO-HOO!

5. AND, the Air Show is in town! The Blue Angels look kick-Ass from a boat!

SEE YOU ON TUESDAY!

Jeans are synonymous with American style, and while they can make your legs and posterior look great, it can be quite bland to see only denim adorning the lower half. A trend that I urge you to try is the colored or printed pant. When choosing an outfit, a person will usually try to find a fun and exciting top to pair with a neutral pant or a pair of jeans, but introducing a fun pair of colorful pants into your wardrobe can spice up your look in an unexpected way. I found these electrifying pants at Goodwill and fell in love with the color and the fit. Wanting to keep my look simple, I chose to stay with a white top and black accessories. There are plenty of colored pants in any thrift store, but be sure you try them on to make sure they are flattering for your figure and skin tone. As always, try to pair your vintage pieces with more modern accessories, to prevent a thrifty faux-pas. My top was only $4.99 at H&M, and these great shoes I snagged on clearance at DSW. Rachel Roy, Resort 2011 CollectionImage Retrieved from www.style.com 

I just read a few days ago that Macedonia Commons is still expanding!  Good news for those fans of Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Dots, Rue 21, Five Below (what’s this??) and a few others to be released.  They join the already established Kohl’s and the like at Macedonia Commons.  Unfortunately none are directly Ohio based  but will be employing Ohioans in the long run.

Route 8′s construction is finally looking like it’s near complete, but the new construction begins on the closest shopping center.  Years ago that was barely a question near the ski resorts where to go to either find food or lodging, but now there is quite the selection.

With the creation of store openings and new jobs President Obama will have much to talk about at his visit on Wednesday to Cleveland.

My birthday is this week which of course means lots of birthday presents!  I received this fabulous Vince leather jacket in the Forest color and absolutely love it.  It reminds me a lot of the Rick Owens leather jackets.  It is paper thin, super soft, and looks great both open and zipped up.  I already have a few black leather jackets and I love the forest color because it is still a neutral but more unique than basic black.  It is more like an army green with a grey tinge which will work perfectly with this season’s military trend.  However, this piece is far from being a one season trend item.  I plan on working the military look by wearing it with my J Brand fitted cargos but I will also wear it with jeans, over dresses, and countless other ways.  It is available all over the internet and at Saks Fifth Avenue at Beachwood Place for $995.  It is expensive but a great and versatile leather jacket will last forever and only get better with age (and wear).

I read a lot of books on my Kindle for iPhone. I've been asked how I can adjust to the small print, but I don't think it's much different than reading a paperback.

I've also been asked how I could possibly forgo a traditional book.

There are definitely pros and cons I've found with an eReader.

PROS:

*The book is downloaded in one minute flat! No travel or waiting involved. You can also read sample pages before purchase.

*You can read it anywhere. In waiting rooms, on planes, etc. and I always have it with me, because it's also my phone (not true of other kinds of eReaders).

*You can read it in bed. No book light is necessary and no worries about disturbing anyone next to you -if you have someone next to you *cough*.

CONS:

*You can't flip back to re-read your favorite pages easily. In fact I think it's nearly impossible. Plus the pages are numbered funny.

* You can't fully appreciate a beautiful cover or smell that book smell.

* Sometimes there are formatting issues: typos, mismatched lines etc.


SO THERE YOU HAVE IT!

By the way, if it's a book I just need to own, of course I'd buy a hardback copy for my bookshelf!
Oh, and it still can't beat an afternoon browsing at the bookstore!

So I think there's room in my life (and in the publishing world) for BOTH!

Questions, comments, you could care less? =0

So this is kinda outta this world, not from Ohio but someone pointed it out to me.  What do you think of it?

New Batgirl costume?  Over styled?  What if the model had a different color hair?

This treasure found here, Jeremy Scott Style Batwing Dress.

I know it's hard to tell in the picture b/c of the glare. But it's a pic of a door from my NYC trip last month.
Take a guess who's door it might be? You earn 10 points if you're right ;--)

Have you guessed yet?

Okay, I'll just tell you. ;-)

The week I went to NY was the week I was making my agent decision. My fabulous girlfriends told me I HAD TO go to the NY agent's building since we were there and all (the other agent who offered was not in NY), and stand in the lobby.

So we did.

This is Elizabeth's agency door.

Silly, I know, but I just came across it in my photos and it made me smile ;--)

I have never purchased anything from Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. line but this jacket is very tempting. It just looks so comfortable but also super chic. I love a shawl collar and this jacket does it perfectly. It is a fabulous statement jacket for fall/winter but it is still very easy to wear. I am a big coat person (how can you not be when you have Cleveland winters to contend with?!?) and this would be a great addition to any collection. The shape of it is gorgeous and it can be worn open or closed which is a big plus in my book. It is available at Shopbop’s website and while you are there you must check out all of the great new fall/winter items. It is one of my go-to websites because shipping is fast (and free), the return policy is great (and easy), and tons of new items are added daily. The jacket is $445 which is very reasonable for a designer coat. Happy shopping!

It's the end of August (How did THAT happen) so I thought I'd mention things I loved.

1) Trader Joe's Better 'N Peanut Butter. And you know how I feel about my peanut butter. *Thank you Suzie Q for sending it me and making me fall in love*
2)My nights with Mockingjay and a glass of wine (I am still reading it and taking my sweet 'ol time, so no spoilers, please).

3) The Instant Button set I ordered. Yep. Feeling like a fatty boom-ba-latty? You can move the button over just a little to make your jeans less uncomfortable (and vice versa, if a pair is too big-ha!). Don't judge! 4) State quarter books with my son. It's fun and educational. And now he's constantly checking the couch cushions for coins.5) My six-year-old discovering calculators. He takes his everywhere with him (yes, a math geek in the making) adding up things as he goes. Too funny!

(reminscent.com, giftsbykaz.com, mentalfloss.com)

What are you sweet on this month?

Look what we found, a local craft show featuring items made in Ohio!  We are still waiting for calls to be returned on a possible list of vendors that will be at the show – once we know that it will be updated.

From the Hale Farm and Village website:

Hale Farm & Village is pleased to announce the newest addition to our extensive programming series, Made in Ohio!

Craft Festival on September 4, 2010
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
rain or shine

Now Seeking Vendors!
Free vendor space this year only
- 10×10 spaces (please bring your own tent)
- limited electric spaces available
- products must be made in Ohio
- no food vendors, please

The other day my son yelled out:

made you look
made you look
now you're in the baby book

It made me smile. And I thought, My how times have changed, yet still remain the same.
His version was definitely more PC. We used to say:

Made you look,
You dirty crook,
Stole your mother's pocket book.

The next day we were about to play a game and were deciding who goes first. So he began:

Eeny meeny miney mo
catch a tiger by the toe
if he hollers let him go eeny meeny miney mo
my mother told your mother to pick the very best one
red, white, and blue
And I pick YOU.


Of course, he drew out the syllables so the last one landed on him. Ha!

It got me thinking, of course, about what we used to say. Again, less PC. It was:

Eeny meeny miney mo
catch a monkey by the toe
if he hollers let him go eeny meeny miney mo
my mother told your mother to pick the very best one
So out you go,
You dirty old dishrag YOU!


I'm sure I can go on and on with the similarities and the differences!

And don't even get me staring on all the jump rope versions ( Joey and Molly sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G...).

What do YOU remember?

(dishrag.com)

From local Avon Lake/Cleveland company comes my friday favorites brooches…Vintage Brooch Co. I don’t generally choose antique jewelry over modern but I do love the elegant modernized touch they’ve had added to them.

All images from Vintage Brooch Co.’s etsy page where you may also arrange to purchase these lovely brooches and other beautiful trinkets!

At the risk of talking more about edits and having this happen:

I'll just say: HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Tell me what YOU have going on!

Looking for an outfit with lots of attitude? Need a sexy yet stylish look for your night out? Denim has made a huge resurgence in popularity in recent seasons, and this fall will be appearing in a new silhouette: the pencil skirt. Refrain from pairing your denim skirts with cowboy boots and flannel, as those items couldn't be further from the mood of this season's denim. Instead, throw on some platform heels, a sexy blouse or even a leather jacket. Denim is hot and edgy right now, so don't frump it up with separates associated with your grandpa's farm. Think 90's grunge mixed with the 80's power woman and you'll be right on track! I found this incredible curve-hugging denim dress at Goodwill and couldn't wait to wear it. The sexy silhouette and distressed wash reminded me of this Diesel Black Gold number from the Fall 2010 collection. Paired with complementary necklace and boots, I was perfectly polished and courageously retro for my night out on the town.
Diesel Black Gold, Fall 2010 RTW Collection
Image Retrieved from www.style.com

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CONTEMPORARY TRUNK SHOW – THREE GREAT LINES: SPLENDID, 7 FOR ALL MANKIND AND ELLA MOSS!

Meet Shelly from Pivit Showroom, see what’s new from her three great lines, and register to win a free gift card to Knuth’s!

FALL WEATHER IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER – LET US HELP GET YOU READY!

Thursday August 26th, 11:00 – 6:00 Jefferson Square, Westlake

Friday August 27th, 11:00 – 4:00 Landerwood Plaza, Pepper Pike

WHEW! Super busy week. Here's what's happening on the writing front:


Make you own:HERE!

Mark your calendar and get your tickets early!!