Dear...

Dear Stranger,

I know it is not Christmas, but considering the fact that while in such a hurry to get to the upcoming train, you kicked my 4 year old off the stairs, where she counted the remainder of them all with her bum, pushed me to the side while I was STILL on the stairs WITH the stroller, and then even swore at me for being on YOUR way ( even though you were BEHIND me), I am completely happy with the grinch-rewarding smile from us and a few people around when you got pulled over by the security and we got YOUR sit on the train. I'm sure wherever you were running to became much less important. Too bad good realizations come a minute too late, don't you think?

Feels good to be normal again

It's been some time since the last post. Writer's block. Just the other way around. There was so much to say in my heart , that it was near to impossible to put it all on paper ( or computer) .So I ended up saying nothing, and keeping it all to myself. With time, I will tell.

However, today, walking outside, I realized that today is the day, when I am ready to write. Something new and something different that I haven't felt in a while: It feels good to be normal again. Normal from the eyes of my world. Where I don't have to cringe in guilt at the coffee shop, where there is no need for a strictly at the knee or below length or covered shoulder only,

where three kids ( or ANY number of kids) is a wonder and miracle, where marriage is an exception, and where the relationships matter because there is no obligation , but only pure hearts desire. To be in the world filled with people, and street carts, and news paper stands and business talk, and museum updates, and new exhibitions, and concerts and shows to the extend that there is no possible way to see them all. Where at the greeting from the warm sun, the restaurants and cafe's spread out on the side walks , with beautifully set tables and fancy cloth napkins; where eating out is not a "fun", but regularity; where parks are filled with picnics and bike riders. The world that has life. It feels good to be a part of it again.

PS Disclaimer. To my dear LDS friends - please, do not take this offensively. I know that what you do works for you beautifully. And may that bring happiness to you always. You love your life. And I do mine.

Yes, you CAN wear a skinny

For all of you "wishers", but "doubters" or "non- believers" : forget your expectations, and dive into a new adventure. YES, you CAN wear a skinny. There are some strategies, like to EVERYTHING. But you CAN ( and should) , enjoy the fashion. And here is how.

Rule number one (I think this is the most important rule) : the fit.

A proper fitting pair of skinnies can make just as much difference as the ill-fitting can from the other side. JBrand is a fantastic fitting jean ( agreed and confirmed by many stylists and widely enjoyed by celebrities) . It may look like nothing special on the shelf ( or online) , but if you haven't tried one on ( or SEVERAL, as different washes fit differently), you are mission out on, possibly your pot of gold) . Apart from a great cut and fit, they also offer a "blue label" for curvier body types. It is a WONDERFUL addition to their collection. Again, the fit wins.

When selecting a skinny jean, go for a 1/2 size larger ( if in between sizes) and for a "stretchable" wash if fitting right on. You want them to be slightly loose to give your just a little slide ( that will make you feel skinny and give the equal illusion of -10 lbs off your frame)

Second is : length

Believe it or not, but the length can be crucial in the visual appeal. While the super-skinny super models can get away with the skin-tight jean ( or legging) running all the way to the heel, it may not be the best option for the simple mortals like everyone else in the world.

IF you prefer the longer jean : go for a 14 inch opening at the bottom. That will balance out the hip.

Other then that, go for a cropped jean. Ending a little higher, and while "cutting" ( theoretically) the line, it also gives a visual illusion of slimmer ( read :longer), leg. Those , that have muscular calf - try rolling just a pinch the bottom of the cropped jean. The color contrast, the roll, and length will visually trim the line.

Rule number three: Top.

It is easy to disguise everything you want with the right kind of clothing. If you are unsure or new to skinnies, try the longer and slightly ( but not too much) looser fitting tops, hitting at the hip, or just bellow. The cardigans are ideal: you can leave them unbuttoned, for even more slimmed look. Try a belted cardigan : drawing attention up, will visually elongate a frame. Also, by having a cardigan open, wearing a contrasting color to the jeans, will slimmer the frame down.

And then the last , but not least : the shoes. This department deserves a post of their own, so stay tuned. So far... just in case you go shopping today... I'll tell you this :

go for flats, kitten heels, or spring boots to elongate the line.

Happy shopping!

The Artist

So, remember this art piece? I loaded a picture of the real thing on my phone. Besides posting on this blog, I showed to a few other friends and co-dancers. The responses are different. Some see eyes, others wings, then leaves, some tell stories of a personality being covered by expectations ( how about that one?!) or the true nature actually being false from the "sun-shining one" ( like that one too).

My personal opinion : I like the concept, and I like the choice of colors ( although they appear a little neon-ic at the first glance). I like the monochrome of purples, combination of yellow and green, and the shades of turquoise . I think there is and interesting concept between purple and blue ovals and circles, and then green yellow lines. I DO wonder why. Really do. This art makes me think. LIke Tiffany said - I can stare at it for hours.

Now the artist.

The artist is ... my one-year old. Yep. I didn't even think that she was capable of anything like that. All those Mozart stories were awesome, but it is MOZART. I THOUGHT that she was extra quiet, but when I saw that she was busy drawing, I figured that I better go get some soap and cloth and be ready for a clean up from the beautifully painted white walls ( by some reason they are always the BEST canvas for young artists), as I was SURE she would make her way there eventually. I was wrong. She waddled in the kitchen with her artwork in hand, stretched her arm up, and announced "nyama-nyam!"( which at the moment means not only "eat", but also "give it to me", or "here you go") . Handed the thing to me, and walked away, while I was standing there mesmerized. I would not believe that SHE did it , if she was not ALONE with no brothers/sisters/or anyone around her that afternoon. As a matter of fact, I WONDER if having those guys around her and bugging the $%^& out of her, is what MADE the layers on the art piece in the first place.

So, anyway. Here we go. What do I do with this now?

What would YOU do?