Goin' Shopping

So baby and I went shopping yesterday, to help lift our tired-of-the-rain spirits, get baby his first pair of shoes, and make a lil' dent in the university finanical aid check that came this week (thanks, UMass-Amherst!). We started at JoAnn's as I'm itching to make a new skirt, but baby started screeching so we wheeled out of there in a hurry and went to Target, where my Anne Klein heels made obscene squeaking noises on the tile floor. Ventured over to the shoe department because of baby's aforementioned need and my desire for a hot pair of boots. I'd seen a link to some Issac Mizrahi kicks on The Blog of the Manolo and was itching to try them on.

Shoes have been a big deal to me lately. After having baby, my feet grew and so none of my shoes fit anymore. It wasn't such a problem this summer as sandals and Birkenstocks are pretty forgiving, but the rain hasn't been very Birk-friendly, so I've been combing Zappos for sales. And now Target.

I found the boots and noticed that they featured a "stretch upper." Now, my pre-Rhythmball calf would have pushed that upper to the limit. Who am I kidding -- it would have busted the teeth out of the zipper like kernels of corn off the cob. It put the "calf" in "calf." But now? No problem to zip those babies up! And they look amazing! I celebrated by adding a croc-stamped black stiletto pumps to the boots atop baby's stroller, then picked up a pair of trainers for DH so I could justify the expense, and a cute pair of lion-head slippers for baby.

Buoyed by my boot success, I stopped in a the women's wear section and a black suiting jacket caught my eye. I tried on the 20w and it was HUGE on me. Hardly daring to hope, I slipped on the 18w. Too big!!!! Not only could I button it but it positively gaped on me. I gaped back. :)

Tried on a 16 in the "non-fatty" department and it was too tight, but I could at least slip it on.

I don't have a scale because they make me crazy. My ever-loosening wardrobe has been evidence enough. And maybe the women's wear at Target is "sized for egos, not people" (my favoritest "Six Feet Under" line ever), but who cares! The 18 was too big!!! Thank you, Rhythmball, for being fun enough to keep me active, and useful enough to help me with my weight-loss goals.

Tar-zjay, weight loss, Rhythmball works!

Spring 2007 Fashion Report

Y'all probably have too much of a life to be TIVO-ing "Catwalk Nightcap" on Style, so I'm doing it for you. This is a show that features the runways of Olympus Fashion Week, currently being held in New York City. Here is my recap after two days' worth of runways:

Best designs: Carolina Herrera. Baby couldn't tear his eyes away, got up into a kneeling position and clapped. I think I agree with him, though Reem Acra's pretty sparkly and shiny.
Most hideous dress: Reem Acra featured some black gray burlap monstrosity with puffed sleeves. Poor girl looked like a cross-dressing linebacker at his mother's funeral.
Most hideous collection: Sass and Bide. Gack! Bonus points for one of the models nearly falling on her skinny ass while making her turn. (If you don't think I rewound that three times, well, you don't know me very well.) To top it all off, the designers themselves look like Edina and Patsy, not exactly the people I'd want to style me.

Trends
#1: Belts. Big belts, little belts, all cinched at the waist.
#2: Empire Waistlines. Time to look like the characters in Sense and Sensibility. Babydoll dresses are in, in, in.
#3: Straplessness. Or any other type of neckline that will require a strapless bra, or, in the case of some keyhole and other plunging designs, no bra at all.
#4: Floaty hemlines. Looks like dresses will flow away from the body, in a way that made even the most anemic model look hippy and thick-thighed.

Don't have a waist? Have to wear a bra? You've got seven months to get Rhythmballing before it'll be time to wear these fashions.

It's certainly strengthened my resolve, I'll tell you. I've ordered a size 18 dress to wear to Sean and Kristen's wedding the second week of October and at this rate, I'm hoping it'll be loose. And it will look BEAUTIFUL with the new gold-leather Enzo pumps I've ordered from Zappos. Woo-freakin'-hoo!

fashion week, skinny-ass models, project runway