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Adventures in maternity jeans shopping

This afternoon I entered a trendy maternity store, confident that I would find maternity jeans that made me look as hip, fit and fashionable as any of the women I have seen in Fit Pregnancy. But read that the correct way – I want MATERNITY jeans and not MOM jeans. The latter are generally found at places like Walmart and Saan stores, whether hanging on the rack or worn by the customers. The former come at a price…dollars and cents, yes, but also an emotional one – a toll as draining as that exacted on a swimsuit shopping excursion. Just a note, though this may be foreshadowing: the women in the pictures, even though pregnant, are models.

Long, lean and lithe…three words that have nothing to do with me…bet you this woman doesn’t have to hack off two feet of fabric and get them re-hemmed.

So, I carried an armful of Sevens, Citizens and Paige maternity jeans into the way-too-small-for-a-pregnant-woman dressing room (with a cold concrete floor…they ought to think about area rugs in there), and set about on my task.

I couldn’t find any maternity jeans with belt loops, but rather the attached belly bands that stretch over the tummy. Those styles were definitely what I went looking for as at 14 weeks now (s/he’s the size of a lemon)…

…I rather dislike tight waistbands and have been living in stretchy Lululemon for a few months.

I never knew how handy and amazing belt loops were until the moment when I found myself huffing and puffing, attempting to pull on jeans that were not too small, but rather had a very difficult-to-maneuver sturdy and thick elastic waist band.

 I came close to falling out of the tiny dressing room through the curtain as I struggled and hopped, danced and swore. I loved the jeans, thought they looked great on my legs and might look okay on…if I could only get them up.

After five or more minutes of listening to this grunting and sighing and watching the dressing room curtain poke out with an elbow, a knee, a foot or my head, the saleswoman politely asked if she could help. One glance at my thonged bottom in the mirror and I knew I couldn’t ask her to do that…so I said no thanks, and discarded the Sevens. It was just too difficult for my weak Arthritic hands to get a good grip on that band and hike them up, and even if I could get Konrad’s help in the morning, I couldn’t imagine how I would get out of the embarrassment of not being able to pull them up myself after one of my numerous daily pee breaks.

Next were the Citizens and these were much better – rather than a thick waistband that I couldn’t get a grip on, the Kelly bootcut jeans had a sort of silky, stretchy, wider top that I could scrunch up and get a good grip on to pull up.

Um, just so you know, this isn’t me in the picture. No kidding, I know, you’re shocked.

 

In the small changing room mirror they looked quite nice from the front, so I decided to venture out to the three-way mirror. I was absolutely aghast to see my bum in jeans for the first time in months.

When did it get so wide? Why did they have to leave such a big space between the pockets on the bum, thereby widening it even more? Was this a trick mirror? And from the side, why does my ass protrude as far out as my belly??? It didn’t help when the saleswoman offered, “At least you’re proportionate…”

Anyway, these ones would do, especially with the longer cuts of sweaters now to help cover up some of the expanse of ass.

I also tried on and liked Paige Denim’s Melrose straight leg jeans too, in a lovely dark denim – same easier waistband.

 

Then I tried on a no-name brand and they fit okay as well, and didn’t have to be hemmed the usual two feet.

The Citizens cost $199 and the Paige ones $240, so I decided to go with the no-names at $35 and come home and find the others on ebay, so I am searching and waiting and bidding now.

Whew. This must have been practice for labour.

10…9…8…

Soon, very soon, this site will be changing. For the better!

The podcast I’ve been talking up will launch, the business cards I’ve been handing out will lead you to a place that matches the look and feel of those pretty cards, and I will have a place to direct all of my considerable energy!

I had the great pleasure of meeting Shelagh Rogers, host of CBC Radio’s Sounds Like Canada tonight, and I gave her one of these cards…I really hope she’ll pop in and take a look. As I said to Shelagh, I was for too long a television reporter and show without a host, and so I decided to create my own show. You’ll soon see what it looks like.

The truth of the matter is that this is also a product of another dream – that I could create my own professional reality that perfectly meshed with my physical reality. As a broadcast and print journalist living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I have struggled to get to where the story is when it is happening. I have had to admit that while I might have the head for it, I just don’t have the feet for news.

So for me to create a job and an online property of my own, a place on the web I could call home, a spot in the media (new media), using my skills of idea generation, research, writing, interviewing and on-air presentation, combined with marketing and communications, sales, and the love of style, trends and entrepreneurs, well…not to sound PollyAnna-ish…but it will be a dream come true.

So please, stay tuned. You’ll be seeing a lot more than this, very soon.

Tamara

My favourite things for fall

I am a total fall girl – sweaters, jeans, boots, wraps. Love them all. I could happily wear cashmere 24/7 for the next 6 months.

I am all about the belted sweater this season. The full leg jean, the boot, cape with gloves and fab handbag slung over the arm. Silk dress and sweater over top, tights with boots.

Here’s what I’m a yearnin’ and a burnin’ for from a few of my favourite designers…

Gerard Darel – more than a few lovelies to choose from…

Knit alpaca wool dress, with Big buckle belt.

And the utter, breathtaking piece de resistance that had me saying, “Gerard Darel, I love you…” out loud, to my computer, while my husband looked at me quizzically…Knitted alpaca woolcoat (le sigh), Boot cut seventies indigo jean (le swoon), “Working Girl” Havana bag (le purr)…

Loeffler Randall has some wonderful pieces – Brenda from Toronto sent me a link to a FAB red cape but I can’t find it…can you send that again? I did find this – the Butterfly Jacket, $465 at Active Endeavors.

I have loved Tory Burch’s tunics, kaftans and ballet flats in the past but right now as the fall chill creeps in I am all about the cashmere. Here’s her Deneuve Sweater, $295 at Bloomies.

I could also snuggle into this warm, cozy and stylish wool Shannon Cardigan, $595. I love the length, the cable knit, the toggles.

And finally, Vince. His funnel neck shift dress, on the left below, could well be my winter staple, with tights and boots. At $235, it’s not crazy unaffordable either. Next to it is the cashmere Audrey dress, $290. So sweet. And then under those two is the Cardigan Sweater Coat, for $320.

Do you know what I secretly love about the shape of these dresses – not the primary reason but one nonetheless? I didn’t exactly get into bikini shape this summer, and fall’s soups, stews and general comfort food might add a few lumps and bumps here and there – fall sweaters, sweater dresses and long sweater coats are perfect for disguising figure flaws. They would also be great wardrobe additions if one were, say, in the early stages of a pregnancy when you weren’t quite showing yet but were feeling all kinds of bloaty. I’m just saying.

I am thinking that the very best footwear for the fall season would be one of these:

Fly London’s “Diana”, for $215 CDN. I have a pair of boots from this company and they are so comfy…

The standard favourite from “…the oldest continuously operating shoe company in the United States (Founded in 1863)”, Frye’s Campus style…

or Fluevog’s Big Ruth at $309 CDN.

As you can see from my collection of fall faves, I am feeling the fall cool in my bones. But I actually love this season the very best. Cashmere, wool, wrapping yourself in something warm and cozy as you sip tea and watch the leaves change…this is my favourite time of year.

It’s coming soon…

It’s like I am in my last month of a very, very long pregnancy…and I can’t wait to push this thing out and start raising it already. My back aches, my boobs are swollen (well, that’s not true)…anyway, the metaphor is fitting.

Consider this a 3-D ultrasound – a peek at what I am about to bring into the world. Soon, delivery…then – we begin.

The perfect perch for perfecting your pout

Too much alliteration? Let’s move beyond that, and discuss…chairs for your makeup table.

This one place that is yours and yours alone, ladies, (let’s see boyfriend or husband try to steal this throne of all things feminine for his own!) deserves to be decked out in an utterly girly way. How else to designate a zone as estrogen-only?

Requisite table, mirror and chandelier aside, I’d like to share my nominations for the perfect perch. The following are my favourites:

1. Pastel-coloured studded leather stool – found at K Interiors in Vancouver when I was out doing research for a story, I actually wrote the article about this stool that appears on their web site.

This little beauty (also available in pink) caught my eye as just the absolute perfect touch for a corner that is all about a girl. It was surprising supportive and stuffed to be hard, not Shabby Chic poofy and soft in any way. You couldn’t comfortably spend hours and hours on this perch but then again, you shouldn’t spend that long on your face, anyway.

2 . Ghost Chairs – designed by Philippe Starck and produced by Kartell.

The Louis Ghost Chair in transparent crystal

The Louis Ghost Chair in black

The Victoria Ghost Chairs – transparent crystal and transparent colour.

I have been captivated by these chairs for a long time – with their perfect blend of iconic and historic shape, and bold and brave execution. To me, they’re ethereal and futuristic, while paying homage to the past. With practical consideration, they do look more beautiful as a piece of art than an actual utilitarian piece of furniture – my ever-practical husband reminded me how my butt would look sitting in it in my underwear, and my hair salon has the Louis Ghost chair under their hairdryer – it’s not comfortable for the long haul. But seated at a table where we use cosmetics to enhance our natural face and features, I don’t mind that this chair might be more style than substance. Use it for a half-hour and just enjoy its prettiness for the rest of the day. Somehow, isn’t that so fitting for the makeup table?

3. Eames Molded Plastic chair

I was a fan of how the Eames molded plastic chair LOOKED as well as its design history (also referred to as Eiffel chairs and originally designed in 1948, these were the first industrially manufactured plastic chairs) but my three minutes of testing time in furniture stores always left me wondering if this chair was going to be comfortable for the long haul. I have been able to more extensively test them out at the Ace Hotel in Seattle – we got married there in February and I was able to put in a lot more bum time on the Eames molded plastic rocking chair. I absolutely love it, and find it to be one of the more comfortable chairs I have had the pleasure of sitting in.

What I really like about these chairs is that they are timeless – they look good practically anywhere, and in any kind of decor. This is the kind of chair that could have a permanent home at your makeup table but then be well used as an extra chair when you’re having a get-together.

4. Panton chair

Verner Panton’s famous chair, seen in galleries, cafes and homes makes me all dreamy. In this chair, I see flowing, graceful movement. I see a ballerina, or a woman with flair, style and grace. I see the strongest sense of balance in a most delicate package.

Our friends have six of these at their dining room table and while they look stunning in a group, I think that one simple Panton chair by a makeup table would be a wonderful statement. (And by the way, this might just be THE most comfortable chair I have ever sat in…)

5. An upholstered stool or chair

I first read about Natalie Hansen and her DIY project posted on The Steamed Artichoke Studio blog at Design*Sponge, one of my favourite design blogs.

I love her original choice of chair and the fabric she chose to re-do it in, but I also love her sense of adventure! I was drawn to this stool a long time ago, and it’s my dream to some day finish one, or a chair, similarly. Far from the mass-produced pieces I showed above, the uniqueness and flair of a piece like this would make it an object of your affection, and pride, for a long time.

As for what chair I have by my makeup table…well, none. I live in a loft, you see, and there’s just no space! Besides, I am not sure I could ever choose between the wonderful five examples above…I will definitely have to choose one day – something to daydream about while I put on my face standing over the bathroom sink.

Celebrity fashion lines – the Olsen Twins’ ‘Elizabeth and James’

The Olsen twins’ new line Elizabeth & James is now available at Neiman Marcus. The line joins their other clothing ventures including a line for girls aged 4-14 that is sold in Walmart and their couture label The Row.

Here’s what this ensemble will cost you:

James Blazer $395.00

Long Muscle Tee $95.00

Stirrup Leggings $220.00

For a total of  $710 before you’ve even thought about accessories, handbag or shoes.

Woah there…and this isn’t even their couture line? Have the Olsen twins’ millions (billions?) gone to their heads? Do they honestly think the average woman will be able to afford to drop over $700 on one outfit, even if the pieces can be mixed and matched? And do they realize they seem to be designing only for girls like themselves – 5′, 90lb Starbucks-toting nymphs? I am really seeing that fashion lines like this are only for those on “the inside” of the inner, upper circle…the too rich and too skinny few.

Some of the pieces are cute and potentially wearable, if not affordable. But all in all, I’m not convinced that this isn’t all something we’ve seen before, and again and again. To say nothing of the fact that…well, let’s just conclude with two words: stirrup leggings. Really???

Modern Gear TV has returned!

Hello there lovelies, Modern Gear TV has returned from a fabulous summer. We’re back, baby, and soon to be better than ever.

VERY soon we will start uploading video stories about style, trends and gear to make you look good and live well. The look and feel of the site will be changing, and you’ll be able to come back on a regular basis for fresh goods. Yee haw!

Just a quick break!

ModernGear TV is on holiday in Europe! We will return to regular blogging and start video podcasting in early July. Stay tuned!

A silver summer

All that glitters IS NOT gold!

Silver shoes are shining on the feet of well-dressed women from Vancouver to Toronto, LA to New York. Just a few of my favourites:

The Gershom model by Nine West, $69.00 at Piperlime.com.

The Nadia by Boutique 58, $130 at Piperlime.

The Grand Central from Tribeca by Kenneth Cole, $60.00. HA! I just read a Faking Good Breeding blog post that mentions these as “reminiscent of stripper shoes”.

The fabulous Audrey D’Orsay Ballet by Hollywould, $215

Silver is making and appearance in other, more interesting and unusual areas. I recently started testing the new Eveline Charles skincare line, (a VERY favourable review and a video podcast with Eveline are in the works). The most unique product in the line, and quite possibly the most effective as far as I can tell so far, is the new Nano Silver Cleanser.

Normally I exercise caution when a product makes claims of greatness – I test a lot of bath and beauty products and cosmetics to write about them, and I’ve been fooled before and ended up with huge pimples, flaking dryness, and bright red tightness. In the case of the Nano Silver Cleanser, I actually am quite convinced of the product’s effectiveness. It promises and provides a deep clean which they say removes more makeup, oil, bacteria and fungi than any other cleanser. EC also says that this cleanser:

• kills bacteria
• fights acne
• exfoliates
• provides natural UV protection
• and more

After using it for just a while, I can tell this is a product unlike any I have ever used. Whether it’s this cleanser or the other products in her new line produced in France, I am buying what they’re selling!

Think silver is an unusual ingredient in a skincare product? I thought it might be a gimmick too, until I did a little research about it. Here’s an interesting excerpt from Fraunhofer magazine , 2004.

“In the olden days, kings and queens ate from silver plates and drank from silver goblets as a demonstration of their wealth, power and refinement. But that wasn’t the only reason. The precious metal also protected the members of the royal household against disease, because silver has an antimicrobial effect. The antiseptic properties of silver have been known for 3,000 years.”

Lululemon is also introducing silver into everybody’s favourite gear. I’m not able to get the video to load from their page right now, but the home page introduces their new Silverescent fabric – nylon fabric with silver yarn woven in, as a bacteria (and hence odour) fighter. I’m waiting to hear back from my Lululemon contact, and will also be doing a story on this new secret ingredient soon.