The Way We Do Things

I tend to get domestic right before bedtime. My parents can attest to this. 11 PM rolls around and suddenly I'm in the mood to do the dishes I was complaining about doing at 7. Sadly, for me, I didn't always have the freedom to do the dishes whenever I felt like it, I had to do them when my parents felt like it was time for me to do them...Which was usually at the "normal" time called "right after supper". ;)

All that to explain why at 11:30 PM I'm emptying the dishwasher that has held clean dishes in it since last night. And why I'll probably be washing the other dishes still in the sink after I post this blog. And why the pile of Aedan's toys and the blanket lying on the couch in my peripheral vision is driving me nuts even as I type.

For the record, I do not have OCD. I have been accused of this since being caught in college sorting my M&Ms by color before eating them. But I am not OCD. If I was, I would always sort my M&Ms and I would probably always eat them in the same color order, neither of which I do consistently, though I do like to eat the warm colors before the greens and blues.

I do however have "methods". Especially in my kitchen. Ok, perhaps only in my kitchen. ... No, pretty much all over the house. The toothpaste has a "spot". My hairbrush has a "spot". The washcloths are usually all folded so that the fold faces out when they're put away. I think it looks neater. When I clean up Aedan's toys, the tall ones go in back and the short ones are lined up in front. The blanket on the ocuch goes on a certain way and the pillow goes in a certain corner, "just so".

And the dishwasher is loaded and unloaded according to the best method for getting as much in it as absolutely possible. And, I will confess, if someone other than myself tries to do me a favor by filling the dishwasher or putting dishes away in the cabinets--thank you by the way, I appreciate the gesture--I always re-do it. I confess. I always do.

And I was planning on telling you more about this, but Aedan has just decided to start crying and by the time that's taken care of, it will be past midnight and I will no longer have time to write a blog about how I organize my kitchen cabinets.

So goodnight. :)

The Fashion Code

THE FASHION CODE

Would you wear jeans to your senior prom? A sweatshirt to your graduation? Of course not! Whether you’re punk or glam, a tom-boy or a princess, it’s important to know the etiquette of what to wear, and what not to wear, when you attend a special event. Different events have different dress “codes”. Know the code, and you will always know what to wear.

Why Are There Rules? Etiquette tells us what is appropriate and what is not. Dress etiquette has four major codes, formal, semi-formal, informal, and casual. These labels can be used in the invitation itself or hinted at through the event location and time of day. For example, a wedding held in the evening in a cathedral or country club would be formal and an afternoon wedding held outdoors would be casual.

Why Does it Matter? Special occasions wouldn’t be as special if the guests didn’t make an extra effort to look nice. Imagine you’re having a birthday party. You bought a new dress for the occasion, you painted your nails a complimentary shade, and you’re wearing a cute pair of wedge sandals to show them off. When your guests arrive in the same jeans they wore to school that morning, how do you feel? Taking a bit more time in your appearance shows respect for the host and lets them know you take the event seriously. After all, they took the time to invite you.

Formal Attire Preferred. Formal events are the rarest and the easiest to identify. Look for the clue on the invitation; often it will have “Black Tie”, “White Tie”, or “Formal Attire Preferred” written at the bottom. Evening weddings in formal venues, military or political functions, and high school proms are examples of formal events. When choosing what to wear, take your cue from the actresses who walk the red carpet at the Oscars. Floor length gowns, dressy heels, a small purse, and carefully styled hair are musts. If you are wearing a sleeveless or strapless dress and want a more glamorous look, wear long white gloves. Just remember to take them off before you eat!

Semi-Formal Events. “Semi” is a Latin prefix meaning “half”, so semi-formal events are ones that are still very dressy, but tuxedos and evening dresses are considered overdressed. Typically if an event does not include a request for formal attire or casual dress, then it is semi-formal. Another clue comes from the alternative name for semi-formal, “After Five”. If the event is held in the evening and it is not formal, you should wear semi-formal attire. Some examples of semi-formal events include weddings, holiday parties, school dances, and funerals. The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is a perfect example of a semi-formal event. The guests wore knee-length or longer dresses, skirts, or dress suits paired with nice shoes (heels not required), and many wore hats or fascinators which are delicate, slightly frivolous headpieces (usually made of flowers or feathers) attached to a thin headband. A small purse is also appropriate for carrying small items like lipstick and your keys. If you don’t like to wear dresses, a pant suit or dressy slacks and a blouse are proper alternatives.

Informal versus Casual: What’s the Difference? There is a lot of confusion about these two fashion codes since they both have several subcategories, which is why they are the hardest events to dress for. Most fashion experts agree that informal is similar to semi-formal, though a little less fancy. A good rule of thumb is to make your decision based on the event. If it is a wedding, go informal with a dress, suit, or a skirt and blouse. If it’s an evening event (not a wedding), wear your “Little Black Dress” (LBD) with a light wrap. If the special event is held during the day, on the beach, or in a barn, just to name a few, go for casual. The casual dress code can also be called “dressy casual” or “business casual” which means a blouse or nice sweater, dressy pants or skirt, and a cute pair of wedge sandals or ballet flats. A nice pair of jeans, preferably dark wash, may be worn if paired with a dressy top and shoes. However, never wear jeans to a wedding or a funeral as it is seen as disrespectful.

What About my Style? If dresses and skirts just aren’t your thing, or you’re concerned about looking like everyone else, use color to make a statement. Show your individuality with patterns, colors, and accessories. Add jewelry—either an eye-catching necklace with smaller earrings or a dazzling pair of earrings and a bare neck. If you like to go wild with eye shadow, choose a palette that compliments your eye color but doesn’t match your dress. The same rule applies to nail polish. Choose a shade that compliments your dress color or matches an accent color (a secondary color in your dress or a metallic gold or silver). A classic French manicure is always a good choice when you don’t know what color to use. Finish your look with a natural lip color. If you prefer a bold red or pink lip, choose natural eye shades that won’t compete for attention. Top off your look with a unique hat or fascinator and a small bag or clutch in a wild print or metallic fabric. The only rule with accessories is to be sure they finish your look, not compete with each other, and that they are appropriate for the party venue.

What Not to Wear. Tee shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and flip flops are not appropriate for the majority of special events, with the exception of some birthday parties and outdoor barbeques. It’s usually considered better to show up in a summery dress and sandals than to arrive in shorts and a tank top. When in doubt ask your host or hostess, or bring a change of clothes in a beach bag or large purse. For most semi-formal and informal parties, a little black dress (LBD) is considered appropriate combined with some colorful accessories, but choose a dress in a seasonal color or fun print when attending a wedding. Wearing black to a wedding, unless you’re a bridesmaid, is still considered a sign of disapproval. Avoid all white outfits as well since it’s seen as disrespectful of the bride. Even though flower girls, and now bridesmaids thanks to the Middleton sisters, can wear white, their dresses have been chosen by the bride and yours has not.

Be Fabulous! As the song says, “you’re never fully dressed without a smile!” Choose clothes and colors you love and that look good on you. People will notice! Pair your outfits with accessories that are tasteful, yet also fun and that show off your personality. Know the code and you will always be fabulous!