Friday, October 23, 2009

FASHIONISTA FRIDAY

shopping The attire for the evening was Sunday Best.

It was Parent’s Weekend at Daughter #2’s university. She pledged to a sorority this year and that meant that Parent’s Weekend was more than just tailgating and going to the football game. There were functions to attend. The first was the New Member Banquet. And the attire was Sunday Best.

I’m sorry to say but it’s been awhile since my butt has found a place in the pew. Note to self: Get back to church. But even so, we live in South Florida where churches tend to be a little more casual so you can head straight to the beach after services. It’s not that I didn’t know what Sunday Best meant. It’s just that I didn’t have a lot of it and what I did have was terribly outdated. A shopping trip was in order.

Of course I waited until the last minute to attend to this matter. If it weren’t for the last minute, I would never get anything done. The night before we were to leave, I made plans with Daughter #1 to meet me for some shopping fun. If you are fashion challenged, like me, this is where you need to pay close attention: Bring a fashion consultant.

I should probably point out that while I don’t think I have bad taste, no one thinks that they have bad taste, I do have a hard time stepping out of my fashion box. This results in my wardrobe resembling a closet full of uniforms. I tend to go for layers, solid colors and timeless pieces that I can wear for 10 years before replacing.

When I arrived at the store, D1 was already there with her arms full. She quickly tried to usher me into the fitting room. I attempted to look over what she had selected first but she insisted that we just go straight into the dressing room.

Once inside, there was really only one thing there that I might have chosen myself. But knowing that I really need to step out of my box and she was so excited, I indulged her by trying on the dresses. Much to my surprise, I liked them all. She had not only found dresses that were stylish like I might know but also were a size smaller. Yahoo! She even managed to find items that were within my budget. This was fun.

Oddly enough, the only dress that I didn’t really care for was the one that I would have selected if I had been doing the choosing. I eventually selected one dress for the banquet and another because I couldn’t walk away from the price. We quickly made jewelry and shoe decisions and were on our way.

There was just one other purchase that had to be made on the way. SPANX. If you don’t know what they are, do the research. It is a must. Just say NO to panty lines …..SERIOUSLY. I opted for the Target version known as ASSETS. They are made by the same company but missing the tinkle hole in the “ya know”. (Like that wouldn’t be a disaster in itself anyway) My ASSETS worked like a charm for my assets. *wink* There is one thing you need to remember: Buy a size smaller than the chart on the back of the package indicates.

For the fashion challenged like me, let’s review:

1. Always take your fashion consultant with you. If you don’t have a fashion consultant, mine is available free of charge. You just have to pay for her airfare. She loves to travel.

2. Never be afraid to try something you wouldn’t choose for yourself.

3. Always consider Spanx/Assets to enhance your…well….ass..ets.

When I stepped out for the evening, I felt great. Confident that I looked tasteful, fashionable and thanks to ASSETS, a little slimmer. Even if My Harley Stud did think that I looked a bit like a flight attendant. JACKASS!

“Would you care for a headset? That will be $5.00. Thank you for flying SMB Airlines.”

31 comments:

Jan said...

Believe it or not, I am married to my fashion consultant. Beloved has been working with retailers for 30 years, and he knows his stuff. He also knows what I like and almost always finds things for me that are flattering, pretty and the kinds of clothes I feel comfortable with.

So? Pictures?? You can't tell us all about it and then not post pictures!!

Unknown said...

Thank God for fashion consultant daughters! Mine says I choose "granny jeans" and I must say, I sure looked better in the boot leg one she selected.

Debbie said...

My daughter does the same thing but always buys me things 2 sizes too small! I still have 3 blouses she bought from L.L. Bean two years ago I have been trying to lose enough weight to get into! Spanx? Assets? This is all new to me...I need to get out more....of course if I did that, I probably wouldn't be dressed correctly so maybe I'll just stay home in my jeans and clothes I have been wearing for 10 years! Cute post and I am with Jan...where are the pictures? You're such a tease! How do we know you didn't just make this story up?? *Wink*

Linda said...

ELPH tells me I lean towards 'frumpy' (read; I look like my mother) when I buy dresses so it's very important for me to bring a fashion consultant. Otherwise it's t-shirts, jeans & cowboy boots.

Deb said...

I had a fight with a pair of spanx one time. The spanx won and I went to the company Christmas party without them! Spanx are like a torture device! Seriously!

Anonymous said...

now you're stylin' sister :)

have fun

gp

Theta Mom said...

Always helps to have another opinion. :) Thanks for the follow back on twitter! Looking forward to blogging with you, too. :)

Anonymous said...

I think the only time I have asked for a serious opinion when dress buying was when I chose the dress I wore to my daughter's wedding. AND, I took the advice of the friend and bought the one she liked on me. It was a hit! Otherwise, I never ask for clothing advice, especially not Hubby's advice. He has HORRIBLE taste in women's fashions, you know, lace, flowers, that sort of look.. UGH.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
(so show us what you bought!!)

Fragrant Liar said...

HAHA. And where are the pictures of you in your Spanxadelia? Well, with clothes over it, natch.

Pseudo said...

Loved the post SMB. Your daughter must have been so proud and happy to outfit her mama. I can picture my daughter loving a chance to dress me up.

Photos please...

cheatymoon said...

Awesome post! And...and...and...? You forgot to upload the photos!!!!

xo Have a lovely weekend...

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Sorry, friends, I was remiss in my photographic duties that entire weekend. I've already posted what little pics I did take from the ballgame and around campus. I didn't even get my camera out that night. I don't know what I was thinking. Well, that's just it. I wasn't thinking. There was a photographer there taking pics at each table. If I get my hands on one of those, I will share. :-)

Jan-How awesome is that! Be is your fashion consultant. Now that's a job I would never give MHS.

Jane-They do have a way of keeping us young, don't they. Even if it just appears that way.

Debbie-I can identify with that. I have a lot of clothes that are waiting for me to lose weight.

Linda-A girl's gotta be comfy too.

LoneStarQueen-LOL @ your fight with Spanx. I think that is how it is supposed to be but I bought according to the chart and they were really quite comfortable....which I'm told is not supposed to happen.

Manker-You should've seen me.

ThetaMom-I think I'll take along my second opinion from now on.

Snappy-I always knew that you were the strong, confident type.

Liar-LMAO @ the idea of posting a picture of me in the Spanx. haha

Pseudo-Maybe one day we can shop with our daughters together. Now wouldn't that be fun!

Movie-I didn't forgot to load, I forgot to take them. *sigh*

Mike said...

MHS should spanx your assets for calling him a Jackass!!! hahaha!

injaynesworld said...

How fun to have a daughter that age to go shopping with. I usually just take a fashion magazine and then point to pictures while the unfortunate soul who asked if she could help me desperately tries to make the clothes that look great on the tall, young models in the magazine work on my (somewhat) shorter, (somewhat) older body.

Liz Mays said...

I completely relate to this!!!! My daughter helped me pick everything out for Type-A because I have no sense of what's cool apparently. And she did a great job as well!

I suggest that everyone have a daughter and then use her to her full potential (like we are), right?

So glad the Sunday Best event went splendidly! And I didn't know about Assets but I do have some Spanx. It makes for two different bodies, huh?

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Oh, I hope you all had fun! I'm with Jan: pictures!
Love your new photo at the top.

Anonymous said...

J wants G to give her the credit card so she can take ME shopping for a cool wardrobe. I like the card idea but given her choice of stuff, her version of cool worries me.

Deanna Bland Hiott PhD, MSN, RN said...

You are so funny! Thanks for the awesome tips. I am definitely fashion challenged. Scrubs or overalls....hmmm, that's sad; but it's a no brainer...and who has a brain to spare? Not me!!! :D

tera said...

I agree! We need pictures!

Sounds like you had fun. I love/hate shopping. The trick with me is get me half soused then I like more stuff and I'm more open to trying new things. :)

Lori said...

I was hoping to see pictures of you!!! My daughters are my fashion consultants too so it really is a bummer they all live far away. They love taking every chance I will give them at dressing me up, doing my hair and make up...lol.

midlife slices said...

Picture?? Did I overlook the picture of you in your new outfit?? don't say it's because you don't have one because all you have to do is put it back on and take a picture. I'll just sit here and wait.......

mo.stoneskin said...

"Always take your fashion consultant with you"

Is this applicable to men who a) don't have a fashion consultant, b) don't know anything about clothing and c) are blessed with a wife who buys clothes for them (the man) 'cos they (the man) get so grouchy and irritable when shopping that it is not worth taking them (the man of course)?

Hit 40 said...

A flight attendant? Was he hoping to join the mile high club at the SMB house?

Your daughters are adorable. I remember that they also cook and consult on dieting for you. I would understand if you never let them go!!

K Dubs said...

I love SPANX!! They're awesome. And I hear you on the timeless pieces - I have a bunch from when I had money to spend on clothes, and they are what get me through sometimes. I could never afford any of them now, that's for sure!
Glad you had a good time, both shopping and at the weekend!

Cristin said...

Oh I would be in so much trouble if I were expected do appear in my Sunday Best... my anyday best is a quick shower and hopefully no poop smeared on my pants.

Reader Wil said...

Ha, ha....! I love your post! Please show your outfit in your next entry! I bet you look great!
BTW I am back from France!

Pearl said...

I have been a Big Fan of Assets since they came out and once gave a pair to a girlfriend for Christmas.

Sounds weird, I know, but we're great friends and can get away with foundation garments as gifts.

:-)

She's still thanking me!

Pearl

Mike said...

You have gained like 20 followers since you quit blogging!!! Must be nice to be loved!!!

Rebecca said...

Completely Jealous. You live in South Florida??? Wow. At the ripe age of 21, I had never, ever left the land-lock state of Missouri. So when spring break rolled around at the community college, I thought it was high time to see the ocean for my very first time. I grabbed a couple of friends and drove straight down to Miami Beach. Most. Beautiful. Beach. Ever!

I so totally want to go back.

Crazy Charm said...

I love assets. I have the undies that go all the way up to your bra. I wear them with dresses and love them!

TONY LETTS said...

my wife is a fashion nut. She'd love to be a personal shopper