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Cute as a button

Every once in a while I'll see an actress in some TV show and fall madly deeply in love with her fashion style.  This week, it's been Mary Louise Parker.  Her outfits are adorable!  I've been watching her character develop on Weeds, and she has that kind on nonchalant charm that I so admire in her acting, but what's more, she has an amazing style.  In other words, she wears what I like to wear, and what I wish I *could* afford to wear, if I had more money, and not so many credit card bills.  *sigh*

Her clothes on the show are a nice mix of retro-ish with a suburban chique added in. And also on other days she wears edgy, hip hop like earring and clothes, almost like she's ready to go club hopping, lots of leather and metal.  Here's one blouse I love:

   

       source: img.listal.com

The lavender hue looks really good set against her pale skin and her super dark hair. Which just goes to prove that the best outfits are all about contrast :)






annelicious.wordpress.com

In the black and white one above, we see her wearing one of those delightful reto-ish blouses that has the diamond shaped neckline. I love the way those blouses look on most women (including myself) and they are flattering for any size chest.

The one on the right is a little more risque, but lovely as ever.  I love the casual way in which it reveals yet conceals at the same time, and the sexiness of it (I have never been afraid to show a little side boob, and neither is she :)                         

                                                             source:poponthepop.com                      

Now, in this one below, she's wearing a cute ruffle cardigan, with a light tank top and two necklaces, and I find the whole outfit incredibly charming and slightly retro-ish.  Just the perfect mix of comfy and elegant.
     
Source: tvloop.com/weeds


The one over here is more into mixing retro wtih modern (the corset and plaid material with the leather bottom.)

 I think the combination is quite cute, and she's obviously made to look like a pin up girl for the show, severely airbrushed, still charming.

source: filmschoolrejects.com

And there is of course this one:

Another cute combination of lacy tank top (that purple eggplant color looks really good in contrast to the light skin and black hair, and the pale pink/lavender cardigan also is most flattering.)  Also the hair style is appropriate, mostly a mess but also the culs fall in a stylish way.  I have no comment to make on the other woman's chetah leopard cardigan that lets her boobs pop out like mellons :) 
Source: tvloop.com/weeds

I think one of the things that the fashion designers do really well wtih her outfits on the show, is to match the perfect color outfits against her skin tone. (as we have seen above with the eggplant purple tank top) Another perfect example of this:

source: eonline.com
We can see in the picture above how flattering that green color is against her skin.  Well, she probably had to try on A LOT of different colored cardigans until they found that one.  Her skin tone is very pale, and that is not an easy color to find clothes for.  Some of the shades that would NOT work for her?  Let's see, light orange would make her look weird, gray would make her fade out, any kind of yellow that's not bright would make her look sick, reds that are subdued also would not look good on her, and also light blues.  Light brown would also make her look boring.  As would any shade of yellowish green. Any shade of ivory white would completely wash her out. The thing with skin tones is you have to pay attention to what works and what doesn't.  And that, of course, takes research, and a love for clothes.  Thankfully, I got those covered :)

Sewing pretty things

Ok, so I've got this things for remodeling old slips...the kinds you find in thrift stores or on sale at Kohl's.  I sew all sorts of pretty things on them (ribbons, lace, shreds of other materials) and give them new life.
And because it's now almost spring, I'm all about new life :)

On this black slip, I added a suede border with pretty antiques roses on it, along with two different kind of ribbons, and two layers of lace.  Also, I modified the neckline and added some ribbon and a pretty rose to it:

Shall I mention where such  wonderful attire shall be worn?  Why, DANCING, of course.  Where else do I always strut my slips and dresses?  Not at work, that's for sure, I don't think my boss would appreciate it.  Although I must mention they are most appropriate for wear during your daily activities, and can be worn with tights or jeans underneath. 

    

Above all, I love the vintage vibe you can give to almost any old slip (since they already have lace on them), and how pretty of an outfit they made *instantly*, whether layered underneath another dress, or on top a tank top, or jeans.  Their beauty, my dears, is that they are delightfully versatile.  Ta, ta!