Shopbop Giveaway (CONTEST CLOSED)

Click here for your chance to win a gift card to Shopbop.com!

Casual Friday

Lotsa oldies but goodies in today's ensemble!

The purse is my Banana Republic bag that I bought many years ago.  I recently acquired the same one in black from a reader,  but this brown one is more... casual/boho and I find it works best for my Casual Friday outfits.

The top is from Language Los Angeles - bought it last spring during the Nordstrom sale and I adore it because it's super thin knit, yet opaque.  Today is surprisingly cool in DC and perfect for such a top.  Jeans are the straight jeans from NYDJ, brown croco heels from Sofft, turquoise bead necklaces from H&M, silver hoops and cuff.  Hair is still damp in this photo and it's as standard as standard can be with the makeup.

A reader asked me about my silver cuff.  I bought it in 1997.  I was in college, but had to move home because my scholarship ran out.  I was working at a fraternity and sorority merchandise store off campus, but wasn't making enough.  I stopped in Express for some retail therapy (back then 90% of my wardrobe was from Express) and my favorite salesperson Steph (who I have recently reunited with on Facebook - how crazy!)  asked me how work was.  And I told her.  And she told me to apply for a job.  A week later I was sitting in the Center Court of Laurel Mall with the District Manager of that Express, telling her why I should be their next Assistant Manager-in-Training.  I remember what I wore - a black pinstriped sheath out of suiting fabric, and some super chunky black slides from Steve Madden (it was the '90s!  This look was hot!).  I felt the interview went well and to celebrate, I went into Hecht's to buy myself a present.  I saw this silver cuff, it was on sale for $35.  I bought it.

And I got the job.  That was the beginning of my retail life - I ended up with Express for over five years, working my way up from part time assistant in training to full time management to becoming a visual merchandiser for the one of the busiest locations in the region. After that I got the idea for Wardrobe Oxygen and a couple years later started my blogs.

Maybe the silver cuff was my good luck charm which got me the job.  I do know that it was my first piece of jewelery that I didn't lose or break within a year.  I have had it for 13 years - it has traveled around the globe with me, been worn for some of the biggest events in my life.  I think every baby that has been born into my family or one of my friend's families has played with it.  It has gotten a bit bent and scratched over the years, but it is lightweight, contoured to my wrist and like a part of me now.  Since having it, my jewelery tastes have adjusted to fit with the cuff - modern, big, full of impact.  I think my wardrobe has also changed to work with it.  May be a which comes first - chicken or egg sort of thing, but over the past 13 years I have seen my wardrobe get much cleaner lines, solid colors, very crisp and often modern.  When I do like details, I see that I go for the hippie/boho sort of look, which also works with the silver cuff.

So that is the story of the silver cuff!

Simplifying the Boyfriend Jeans Look

I don’t subscribe to many magazines any more. I used to get over a dozen in the mail every month, but started letting my subscriptions lag when I stopped to think about all the paper and waste. So many magazines have great Websites, blogs, and such that I can get the information I desire online. I decided to keep my subscriptions to magazines that I found myself keeping for reference, or wanting to pass on to friends because I found the issues so beneficial or entertaining. Gone were the fashion porn mags – Vogue, Elle, W. Same with the magazines that encouraged me to spend money – I’m talking to you Lucky and Allure!

What survived were magazines that really give a good look into my life – Mothering Magazine for the crunchy spawn-creator side of me, Rolling Stone for the music-fan side of me, Bust for the music fan/crunchy/feminist yet pop culture-loving side of me, Bazaar for the fashionista side of me, and Real Simple for the practical life-side of me. Oh, and National Geographic, which is a Christmas gift that my mom gives us every year.

I adore Bazaar magazine because I find them to really blend haute couture and street wear quite well. I can look through their pages and not only know what is new on the runways, but get practical inspiration for my personal wardrobe. I appreciate that they break down trends by age, and they don’t stop at women in their ‘40s. My husband even enjoys Bazaar, and will often discuss with me the articles he reads and the trends for the upcoming season.

And I adore Real Simple. I used to get Real Simple many years ago but found it too old, too obvious, too bland. In my opinion, Real Simple was for soccer moms and people who scrapbook. Since then, I have gotten married, I remodeled my home and now really see it as a home and not just a place to sleep and store my shoe collection. I have a child, and with it I have less time and patience for overly-complicated clothes, recipes, cleaning methods or pretty much anything. Friends constantly tell me about great ideas or buys they got thanks to their latest issue of Real Simple so when I got the opportunity to subscribe for only $5 (thank you Amazon!) I decided to add it to my small collection.

I quickly became a fan. Real Simple is a great magazine – it writes about most any topic, but with the general theme of simplicity and ease. Real Simple does a great job of adding style to this simplicity – it doesn’t get suckered into trends, but sees the ability to have beauty with a simple and budget-friendly life. Gosh, sounds a lot like Wardrobe Oxygen!

Yep, that was until a friend Tweeted about how Real Simple was offering advice on how to cuff jeans.

A couple years ago, Katie Holmes was photographed running around town in a pair of weathered jeans, cuffed above the ankle bone. Next thing you know, every Gap and Abecrombie in every mall in America is carrying the Boyfriend Jean – a pair of jeans that are slightly relaxed in fit, slightly distressed, and already equipped with messy little cuffs at the hem, making the jeans cropped.

These jeans can look pretty cute, especially when paired with the other Boyfriend-inspired clothes – Boyfriend blazers, Boyfriend sweaters, Boyfriend cardigans. It’s slouchy and gives a feminine touch to a tomboy look. It’s a good look on the models that sport this look in the store windows and pages of the fashion porn magazines that I stopped receiving in my mailbox.

These jeans rarely look good on real women. And real women are the folks who read Real Simple. By offering tips on how to cuff your jeans, Real Simple promoting a trend that is not a good one for a good 80% of the female population. This is a trend that is hard to wear if you are curvy, pear shaped, have short legs, athletic legs. It’s a look that works with only a very small assortment of footwear, and tops. It’s a look that if done with the wrong jeans and if paired with the wrong top can make one look as though she is dressed for an ‘80s theme party and not trying to look stylish and current.

Many times I speak of the True Fashionista. The True Fashionista already knows how to cuff her jeans, she knows what to pair with Boyfriend jeans so she doesn’t look like a fashion victim. She knows her body, and knows whether she has the gams to carry off the look. And the True Fashionista doesn’t read Real Simple for fashion advice.

If you aren’t sure if you can carry off this look, you probably can’t. I am not trying to be mean – I personally don’t, can’t and won’t wear the Boyfriend jean because I am a petite woman with curves and I know that this style will do nothing but accentuate the negative and diminish the positive.

If you are wondering what jeans to wear in this crazy current sea of skinny/jegging/Boyfriend/carpenter/painter/paperbag/rigid denim, my suggestion is to keep it simple. Dark, straight (or slight bootcut to balance out hips), little embellishment. Keep the length to elongate the legs, keep the rise medium – no muffin top, no mom jeans. This type of jean is universally flattering and has been considered stylish and chic for years. If you want to latch onto a current trend, I find its best to do it with a novelty top or a pair of shoes – you get more bang for your buck while still flattering your figure and maintaining personal style.

Real Simple, I still love you! I just think you need to remember your motto (life made easier, every day) before posting such tragic fashion trends.

Friday through Wednesday

Sorry for being MIA - work has been super busy.  I have taken a couple of pictures so I can give you a recap of the past... gosh almost a week!

 Casual Friday, I wore my white gauzy peasant top from Old Navy, my Seven jeans (which are now fitting a bit loose), my Allison Dayton Jewelry necklace, brown croco T-strap heels from Sofft.  Yep, it's a popular choice for Casual Friday!

Saturday evening we went to the local theater to see our good friend perform in a play.  It was a steamy night, the theater has not-so-reliable air conditioning, and then an after party at the friend's house so a sundress was the way to go.

 I wore my blue print maxi dress that I got at Ross for Bonnaroo, my two turquoise bead necklaces from H&M (restrung to make them longer and add the occasional random bead), silver cuff, black flip flops.  Tres casual, but the local arts center is a very casual place.  Our friend was fantastic, the show was awesome, and we had a great time celebrating with him and other friends afterward.

Monday, I wore my Jones New York top with my white low-slung flare trousers from Gap.  And well, those pants are being donated or upcycled into something else.  I had three pairs last year - 2 in 16 (1 petite and 1 regular) and one pair 14 regular.  This year the petite ones were WAY too short so I have been wearing mainly the 16 regulars, and sometimes the 14 regulars if with a long top that will hide the muffin top.  Well the 16s are too big.  By time I got to work the pants looked all baggy and dumpy.  By time I got home, I was able to slide off the pants without unbuttoning. 

I have only lost a few pounds with Weight Watchers, but it obviously is making an impact, especially with my pants.  My favorite jeans don't look as cute, these pants are unwearable, and my denim trousers are starting to look better/not so short and tight.  Pretty exciting!  As for upcycling, I was looking at the pants and thinking... there's enough fabric in these pants to make 4-8 napkins.  It's cotton twill, I was thinking of getting some ribbon and sewing them on them and then hemming the sides for some fun little casual napkins.  If the fabric was wider, I would make dishtowels, but we are always in need of casual cloth napkins as that we don't use paper towels or napkins!

Anyway, yesterday I wore my blue print wrap dress from Ann Taylor, with my red heels from Sofft.  Hair is second day, straightened with dryer and round brush and then smoothed with BioSilk.  Pretty standard lipstick, added some color with Burt's Bees lip shimmer in Fig.

Instead of my standard silver cuff, I am wearing a blue enamel and gold bracelet my dad brought home from France in the '80s.  Very typical tourist piece (each plaque has a famous Parisian landmark) but I adore it, and I think it fits the look of the dress and shoes.

Today was a very early day, so I dressed in the dark, feeling in the closet for things that would match.  Black jersey top from Max Studio, black trousers from NY&Co, black peeptoe wedges from Anne Klein, and my turquoise chunky necklace from Target.  Hair was wash and condition, add some Frederick Fekkai's Luscious Curls and let it air dry.  Tomorrow is another early day, so probably another No Photo/Dress in the Dark sort of outfit.  Will be back to normal on Friday!

And wanted to let you know that next Tuesday I will be taking off work to attend the Lilith Fair!  Is anyone else going?  Would be cool to meet up.  I will be writing a review of the festival here on the blog!

Thursday

I forgot to charge the camera, and my husband thought it would be funny to take a picture from an even HIGHER height than before.  Har har.  Well the battery is charging now so better pictures will be happening in the near future!

Navy pima scoop tee from Banana Republic, berry colored cashmere blend cardigan from Gap, white low-slung flare chinos from Gap (these are the 14s - they are slim but they aren't skin tight any more - hooray!).  Navy bead necklace from J. Crew, and on my feet are orange leather flip flops from Born (pants still too short for taller shoes). And of course, my silver cuff bracelet!

Hair is second day, I just hit the bands and large sections with my curling iron and then a bit of BioSilk to tame frizz.

Makeup is Almay Smart Shade Anti-aging Makeup in Light/Medium, Cargo Matte Beach Blush in Tenerife, Stila Lip Glaze in Fruit Cake, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Smoke, Tarte Indelible Wink in Eggplant, and DiorShow mascara in black.

I hit the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale hard.  Really hard.   I got a ginormous box with three pairs of shoes and a bunch of clothes.  And yeah, they are all going back.  There is only one thing I am keeping and it was a total random purchase but I utterly adore it.

This.  And yep, it's not on sale, and yep it's a ridiculous price.  But man, in person it's even prettier than it is on the site.  It is the most fabulous orange color - I remember Banana Republic had a bunch of stuff this color a few years ago and they called it Chinese Orange.  It's a really supple patent leather, no stiffness, and thick and doesn't get all goofy with fingerprints.  I have been wanting a cross-body bag for a while.  I want something smaller so I can take it to concerts and stuff, but also use for work when I have my ginormous office-issued laptop bag.  This does it.  And if you don't know this already, gosh I love the color orange.  It is my favorite color, and has been for years.  I thought I would kill the love after having orange as my primary wedding color, but no I am still a big fan.

So some of the other things I love but ended up returning:
- These shoes in Sand Patent.  Omigod they are FANTASTIC!  You know I love Sofft, well these are another winner.  The only problem with them is my foot - I have super short pinky toes and my pinky toe was dangling out of the shoe and it looked a bit ridiculous.  But the nude color isn't weird, the metal hardware isn't too blingy, this is actually quite an elegant shoe and would add a modern touch to work or playwear.  I may consider trying them in a size smaller to see if they would work with my pinky toe, they are so utterly glam and comfortable too.
- These shoes in Black Patent.  The zipper was pretty tough on my pair, but the zipper did stay up.  If I did decide to order again, I would go down a half of a size (ran a bit big) and go with the gray color as that the black had very shiny obvious gold hardware and I don't wear gold as much as I do silver.  I chose to not reorder because I have funky chunky heeled gray shoes already.  But these too are super comfortable.  I love companies that make stylish and trendy styles that don't kill your feet.  Every pair of Sofft shoes I own have totally been worth the money, I wear them at least once a week, they hold up great, no pain even if worn all day.
- This dress by Tahari.  Brilliantly made.  The seaming is really slimming, the ponte is a nice weight yet it is fully lined, the beading on the bodice is subtle but elegant.  Too bad it doesn't come in petite - the 16 is way too big everywhere, and I think the 14 will still not be a good fit as that this dress does run long in the bodice as well as hem.  But if you are taller, this is a smart choice for work or for a nice event.  A LBD that isn't boring.
- This tunic in black.  If I didn't have a postpartum tummy, I would totally keep this.  It is not a tunic on me, it is a dress.  Even when slouching, it still makes for a dress on my body.  It's a nice fabric, the grommets on the shoulders make it look more expensive than it is.  Not opaque, not cheapy, and would be a stunning dress with leggings or tights come fall, if you like your tummy or have a different figure where your tummy problems aren't at the lower part of the abdomen.

Ask Allie - Cardigans for All?

Hey Allie,

I recently discovered your blog and fell in love. There is something I need some help with - a cardigan/wrap that doesn't make me look bulky or shorter than I already am. I'm 5'4" on a good day and around 130 lbs, but with short legs and a long torso. I've found that the classic crew neck button down doesn't do me or my waistline any service (D cup with a high waist). I've searched numerous stores in vain but haven't found a style that suits me. I did find one - picture the currently popular drapey cover but shorter and a built in belt of the same fabric (only not good quality and didn't fit quite right). Help!

You are not the only one to have this problem with cardigans. I don’t know why so many “must-have” lists encourage women to buy a cardigan. As I walk around our Nation’s Capital, I see almost every woman wearing a cardigan, and most women do NOT look good in them.

A Classic Cardigan – one with a crew/jewel neck, buttons down the front, long sleeves and a banded hem can be found at most any retailer for most any pricepoint. They are toted as being the must-have to take a sundress and make it appropriate for work or a house of worship, the perfect thing to make a tee or tank and jeans an outfit, a way to extend your summer wardrobe into the cooler months. The thing is the Classic Cardigan has a neckline that shortens one’s neck, a band that usually hits at the widest part of a figure, seaming at the armhole that will make even the leanest arm look meaty. Add to this a row of buttons down the front which draws attention to a large bust or tummy, you have all the ingredients for a style disaster.

What is one to do, if she is not a long and lean Classic Cardigan-friendly figure?

The Soft Jacket – I have a black collarless ponte-knit jacket I got at the Banana Republic outlet a couple of years ago. It has large black buttons, bracelet-length sleeves, hits right at my waist. The neckline is wider than that of the Classic Cardigan, the heavier fabric gives more shape, but the knit is still comfy and kind to my curves. I wear it open to create a vertical line down the body which slims. I have paired this with a white ribbed tank and jeans, a sleeveless sundress and peeptoes, and even with ponte-knit pants from a different retailer to make a soft-structured suit for work.

Ponte (also known as Ponte de Roma) is a heavyweight, densely-knitted stretchy fabric that washes well and can be dressed up and down. These days I see ponte knits at retailers ranging from Target to Nieman Marcus. The fabric is very friendly to women with curves as that it will show your shape without clinging or adding too much bulk. Other fabrics that work well are stretch wool, boucle, and even heavier-gauge sweater knits.

Photo courtesy of Erica B's DIY Style (and yes, she made this jacket!!)

The thing with a soft jacket is that it has more defined shoulders, a heavier weight fabric and all over more structure to the garment so that it is seen as a separate item, and not an added layer to your figure. One would think a heavier weight would add bulk to the bust, but in fact it will then lie away from your body, showing the curvature of your waist. The heavier fabric will create definition between your neck and collarbone and the garment, which will also create the necessary slimming definition.

The Boyfriend Cardigan – As a petite busty woman, I really expected to hate this look. A long, lean knit is only going to bunch up on my rear and make me look shorter, right? Wrong. The boyfriend cardigan can be quite flattering to a short and curvy frame.

Photo of Rachel Bilson courtesy of LikeMag

“Boyfriend” is a popular term the past couple of seasons – we have seen Boyfriend jackets, cardigans, sweaters and jeans. Essentially this means an item that looks as though you stole it from your boyfriend’s closet. Items that are a bit slouchier, a bit more relaxed, often times weathered. When it comes to cardigans, a Boyfriend style is one that is longer and usually has a v-neck (think varsity sweater). Unlike a varsity sweater, boyfriend cardigans are usually out of a softer knit like merino, cashmere, silk knit or Shetland wool.

Such a sweater can easily look dowdy if you attempt to wear it like a regular cardigan. This is not a good style to just throw on with a tee and jeans, or over your work blouse and trousers. However, it can be nicely paired with dresses and skirts that have straight or a-line silhouettes, and can look quite smart. With a simple shift dress or shell with pencil skirt, left open a Boyfriend cardigan maintains the long lean shape of the outfit; add a leather belt to the waist (with the cardigan still unbuttoned) and you add definition to a small waist or create a waistline on a more straight figure. Paired with slim jeans or trousers and boots, it creates a casual cool look perfect for the weekend.

Wrap it Up – You mentioned a belted cardigan, and I have to agree that this simple added feature can add much flattering style to a sweater. I am a big fan of wrap-style and self-belted cardigans. This past winter I got two cardigans from Nordstrom’s Caslon line that had a ruffle at the cuffs and along the collar and a wide self-belt. I could wrap the cardigan across the front and cinch with the self-belt and it would show my shape while offering warmth.

Image courtesy of workchic

Ballet-style wrap sweaters are a great option as well – they look great over a simple dress or with a shell and trousers, and flatter curves and a large bust. And you can always go SJP and use a brooch to make a standard cardigan into a wrap!

Change up the Classic – I own three Classic Cardigans, even though I am one who finds these sweaters terribly unflattering. How do these work for my petite yet curvy frame? I changed up at least one trademark of the silhouette.

With one, it is of a heavier-weight knit. This gives it more structure, similar to a soft jacket. With the other two, they are longer – not quite as long as a Boyfriend cardigan, but they don’t have the band at the bottom and hang at mid-hip instead of high hip where a band will hide my waist. Other alterations can make a great difference – switch long sleeves for short puffed ones, standard buttons for frog closures, add ruffles to the collar (Lands End has a great one with this feature).

Pair a crewneck sweater with a scoop neck top or dress in the same color for a nice twist to the twinset – keep the cardigan unbuttoned and this altered neckline will be surprisingly flattering.  When possible, I buy a tank or scoop shell in the same color as a cardigan and from the same brand.  I make sure to launder the same way and the same amount of times so they remain a matched pair.

Photo courtesy of First Lady of Style

Add a belt – Take a cue from Michelle Obama: you can add a skinny leather belt, a wider elasticized belt, even a wide strip of grosgrain fabric. If you leave the cardigan unbuttoned, you can maintain that vertical line down the body which will lengthen and slim.

What styles of cardigans have you found that are flattering to your specific figure?

Maxi Dresses Are Not Made For Speedwalking

 It happens to everyone, even runway models who are paid to walk...

I walk fast.  If you are married to a person who is over a foot taller than you, you learn how to walk quickly.

At work, I am often on Webinars and conference calls and online trainings where I have to type, "BRB!" into a chat and dash to the bathroom once I have another person who can take over my role.   Because of this, I can pee faster than any man.  Get it done, get back to work.

Today I had to get to work super early, like it's dark out and the husband and dogs and baby are still asleep early.  Get dressed in the dark early.  Feel around in the closet... hey that's my Merona maxi dress.  One-step dressing.  Done.  I put on the maxi dress, feel through the drawers in my jewelery armoire and find my two silver bead long necklaces from H&M and my silver cuff and I am dressed. 

I haven't worn the maxi dress to work before because I really don't think it's work-appropriate.  Somehow if the dress was knee-length I think it would be nice for work with a pair of heeled sandals and maybe a cardigan.  But a maxi dress... it seems to festive and tropical.  Today, I was tired, didn't feel like wearing Spanx and knew my trusty black pants were in the hamper so I decided to go with the maxi dress.

About 20 minutes ago, I totally ate some office carpet when dashing to the bathroom.  Awesome.  Glad that the office near my maxi-crash was empty so I did not have an audience.

Not only are maxi dresses not work appropriate, they are also a workplace safety risk.  I think this was fate reminding me to adhere to my personal style laws at all times.  Break them, and receive punishment!

Tuesday

Camera battery needs to be recharged, so full-length pictures came out all weird and blurry.

This is my dress from Muse that I bought last year.  They have similar dresses, same cut but different prints available at Nordstrom and also recently at Overstock (and remember to first visit Ebates first to get money back if you shop at either location!).  With it I am wearing my silver cuff, silver chain with my wedding band, silver hoops from Ralph Lauren.

Hair is second day, I took big sections around my curling iron to smooth, and a touch of BioSilk to keep frizz at bay.  It has been raining almost every night the past few days, leaving the days very... thick.  Tres muggy, tres frizzy.

Classic makeup, the only change-up is I used my Tarte Indelible Wink eyeliner in eggplant along the top lash line.  I love this liner for day wear - it's a very dark gray-tinted purple that makes my brown eyes look more brown, and isn't as intense as black.

Weight Watchers Update

So I got weighed last week - Week 4. I didn't gain, I didn't lose. And I actually find that to be a victory.

Usually on weekends I go for a long walk/hike each day. On Sundays we usually walk to the farmer's market, which is 10 minutes away, walk around, walk back and THEN go for an hour-long walk together as a family. I then try to fit in extra walking – park farther away at the Metro, walk around the block at lunch, get in a quick walk with Emerson before bed. This week I didn't do any of that.

I also ate pasta. We didn't get around to getting good groceries so we were eating that which was in the house, and that meant pasta. One night I made linguini (and not the Ronzoni stuff which is low points) with pesto (from my neighbor). For dinner I had that with some frozen spinach, and I didn’t measure. The next day I knew I would have meetings all day at work and no time for lunch, and had no frozen meals so I grabbed the leftover pasta, which must have been at least 2 cups worth and ate it for breakfast AND lunch. Oh, and another night we ate Gordon’s breaded fish filets for dinner, I had two.

And, I am supposed to get my period this weekend.

So to have all that against me and be flat, I feel pretty good.

And pretty motivated to get on track again this week.

After my meeting last night I hit the grocery store so I wouldn’t end up resorting to pasta and freezer-burned randomness. It was funny, I saw two other women from the meeting and my mom also went with me. A couple things I get to have on hand for easy quick low-point meals:

- Laughing Cow cheese, Egg Beaters
- Thomas’ Bagel Thins and their Light High Fiber English Muffins
- Tons of fresh produce that’s fun to munch on – cherries, strawberries, blueberries, apples, baby carrots, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, kale
- Hellman’s Low Fat Mayonnaise (lower points than the Light), and Breakstone’s Fat Free Sour Cream (the only brand that tastes like something when fat free)
- Fiber One cereal – the classic stuff. Smash it in a Ziploc bag and use in place of breading
- Vegetables that make a meal – spaghetti squash, artichokes, Brussels sprouts, etc.
- Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and Weight Watchers Strawberry Smoothie frozen bars
- Progresso soups – many are 0 and 1 pt. Per serving and great to have in the drawer at work in case I forget lunch or crave a meal at 3pm
- Fiber One bars – I like the chewy chocolate chip ones and they are the size of a regular bar and only 2 points and super delish
- Jolly Time microwave popcorn – 2.5 points for one whole bag
- Fresh ginger, all types of onions, garlic, pepperoncinis, lemon and lime juice, soy sauce, a variety of vinegars, wasabi powder, various dried spices, all sorts of “free” flavorings
- Olivio spray, Olive-oil based no-stick, and regular no-stick
- Pickles – love Bubbie’s but when I can’t find I go with Clausen (can’t stand the flavor of the ones that don’t have to be refrigerated)
- Canned beans – garbanzo, kidney, black… always good to have on hand for so many recipes (and they are Emerson’s favorite food)
- Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine meals just for work lunches. They are high in sodium and small so not really great as meal replacement but fab when I have to work through lunch. I prefer the sandwiches, flatbreads and pizzas to entrees – I feel as though I am getting more

So some delish things from the past couple of weeks:
- We got some tuna from the farmer’s market. I marinated it in a mixture of soy sauce, fresh shredded ginger, a touch of lime juice, a bit of black pepper, some wasabi powder and only a splash of safflower oil. We then put on the grill and it was insanely good. I have now made a salad dressing of this marinade, just added water to dilute a bit and I have it in the fridge. For a snack today I had it on some farmer’s market tomatoes.
- Our neighbor grew these little white squashes in her garden, they are like the size of an orange and all oblong in shape. Well my husband sliced them in thick discs like tomato slices, dipped in Eggbeaters, then in crushed FiberOne cereal that was mixed with Old Bay seasoning, and then put in a pan that was well coated with no-stick. Cooked either side until crispy. They were amazingly delish, like fried green tomatoes. We made a dipping sauce from a bit of fat-free sour cream, a bit of mayo, some Old Bay, a touch of Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Mix and season to desired taste.
- Muir Glen Organic’s large can of tomato sauce is 1 pt. And not full of weird fake crap. It’s just tomatoes and so delish. To jazz it up, I will first take a large pan and with no-stick sautee up some onion, garlic, finely chopped kale (though you could do spinach), shred a bit of carrot, add some crushed red pepper, maybe some green pepper if I have it. When all is soft and lovely I then add the can of the tomato sauce. Sometimes I will also add Boca crumbles to make it a meaty sauce (Boca crumbles is only 1 pt. per serving). So it’s really packed with veggies, low points and still delish. I will have this with the Ronzoni Healthy harvest pasta, which is only 3 pts. Per serving.
- My new favorite breakfast is only 3 pts. I stick a Thomas’ Bagel Thin into the toaster. Cook up ¼ cup of Eggbeaters in the microwave. When the bagel is finshed, used a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese like cream cheese and spread on the bagel. When Eggbeaters is cooked in the microwave it cooks into a perfect lump that fits great on a sandwich. Put it on the bagel, add a splash or two of hot sauce and it’s utterly lovely and feels decadent. Had it this morning with a few strawberries and coffee and it was as great as something at a nice café.
- Low point ranch dressing that tastes good?  Yeppers, it exists, check out this post.  Also check out the comments - I have actually adjusted by using variations of low-fat buttermilk, buttermilk powder with water, mixed with the may and sour cream.

Thursday

I must remember to lift my chin for photos.  

I must remember to lift my chin for photos.  

I must remember to lift my chin for photos.

I still love this top from Jones New York.  You know it may not be what one would choose for my figure - it hides any narrowness to my waist, it has a high neck, and it has wide armholes which make my upper arms look even wider.  But the print is fantastic, and in the hot DC summers, it is AWESOME to have such a lightweight top (cotton voile) that is work- and play-friendly!  The top says dry clean only, but I washed it on gentle, let it air dry and did a quick swipe with the iron to keep the interfacing inside the armholes and nat have it look as though I pulled it out from the hamper and it was good to go.

I was going to wear it with my brown trousers from Semantiks, but those pants... are too big.  I have only worn them twice.  I don't know if it is removing weight (my WW leader says you don't lose weight because that sounds as though you want to find it again.  Instead you REMOVE weight), or because my body is eternally changing and morphing post-pregnancy.  Anyway, they look as though they are a size too big and sag in the crotch area and look dumpy.  Sigh.

So I am totally breaking work dress code and wearing my straight-legged jeans from NYDJ.  I totally heart these jeans - the higher rise prevents muffin top and doesn't dig into me when I sit.  The stretch doesn't look goofy - the denim has a great tight weave and deep dark rinse which makes them look far more refined than many stretchy jeans.  The jeans are supposed to take 10 pounds off, but they don't really suck in a ton.  I personally am happy for that because control garments like Spanx make me look like a stuffed sausage and TMI, but give me major gas if worn for a long period of time.  These jeans from NYDJ hold a bit in, but are comfy to wear all day.  And I am one of "those people" who throws her jeans in the dryer.  You wouldn't be able to tell with these jeans, they are just as dark as they were the day I bought them.  So since they are a nice crisp dark indigo, I feel they are a bit more work-worthy than say my distressed bootcuts from Seven.

Top - Jones New York
Jeans - Not Your Daughter's Jeans (NYDJ)
Necklace and Bracelet - Ann Taylor
Shoes - Sofft

Hair was washed and conditioned with Pureology, added Frederic Fekkai's Luscious Curls, scrunched and let air dry.  Still damp in these photos.  Makeup is my standard - Almay Smart Shade makeup in Light/Medium, Tarte bronzer, Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis, DiorShow mascara, Bare Escentuals Buxom lip gloss in Dolly.

Wednesday

Husband: Hey, want me to take your picture for your blog?

Me: Thanks Beeb, that would be great!  I have been such a slacker with photos...

Husband: They say you look thinner if you take pictures from above...

Ha ha, very funny.

Here I am with Emerson before heading out to the car, it's fun when my husband and Emerson drive me to the Metro, I get a bit of extra family time in before the day starts.

Lets not even discuss the hair.  This morning the type of rain was that crazy mist that seems to be coming from every direction and an umbrella is almost pointless.  I didn't even try to do my hair, just took a curling iron to the bangs so they weren't still separated down the middle.  Yeah you can see how well that worked... :)

Top - Lands End
Denim Trousers - Gap
Shoes - Sofft
Necklace - Target
Silver cuff... always!

I am still really liking my Almay foundation.  This is just spot usage of the foundation, a light dusting of Tarte bronzer, my Revlon ColorStay shadow quad in Neutral Khakis and DiorShow mascara.  Super quick and done with an active toddler by my side.  I have learned to keep some makeup brushes I don't love or use often clean and at the ready for Emerson - I will give her one and she will rub it on her face and say, "awwww!"  It's super cute.  Also the drawer of my dressing table, I keep the front left side full of random things I have floating around the bedroom and bathroom that she can play with like a sturdy bangle bracelet, an old cap to foaming face wash, an empty cardboard box from her teething oil.  Then she can reach in and pull it out and feel very cool and make little piles and be distracted enough so I can get my makeup done without ending up looking like Alice Cooper.

Ask Allie - Cheap Closet Staples, Cocktail Attire When Over 50

Dear Allie:

I don't have an unlimited budget for clothes. Where can I get some cheap closet staples? I need to do a closet redo STAT!

Allie, I follow My Wardrobe Today but there is no way I can afford places like Ann Taylor and Nordstrom. How do you afford those places, and do you know where I can get similar things for cheaper?

I am one who often believes you get what you pay for it. Buy a pair of cheap black pants from Wal Mart, expect them to turn greenish after one washing, shrink, bunch at the crotch and collect lint faster than a Swiffer.

However I have found some wardrobe staples at unexpected places. I mentioned here about my clearance rack black matte jersey wrap dress I found at Old Navy – this dress has given me years of great wear – it is made well, it is a classic style that looks great at work or a night out. I find matte jersey is a great fabric to buy at lower-end stores – it usually looks pretty expensive even if the item is a low price.

Target is a fantastic place for dresses. One can often find simple sheaths or cheery sundresses for half the price of similar items at other retailers. Target's Merona brand has really improved over the past year; the silhouettes are classic, the manufacturing can rival more expensive brands. I bought a maxi dress from Merona this summer that fits great, is made very well and gets tons of compliments. They always have wonderful dresses appropriate for work, a summer wedding or date night that will still be stylish in a few seasons.

I love scouring the sale racks at my favorite retailers. I have acquired several pieces of matching suiting from Ann Taylor from different sale racks over different seasons. A suit that would cost $400 full price I have been able to get for $100 because I troll the sale racks. If you know your shape won’t change, don’t be afraid to buy winter items in summer and vice versa. One can really acquire quality pieces for cheap when you shop off-season items that are on clearance.

I don’t believe any store is cut and dry in regards to cheap quality and high quality. You can spend a fortune on something from a chi chi boutique and have it fall apart, and like my $19.99 Old Navy dress, you can spend very little in a store known for bargains and have it be a wardrobe classic for years.

Don’t scrimp on quality with wardrobe staples, for staples are items that should be able to last longer than a single season. But don’t think you can only find quality at high-end retailers. For a list of my wardrobe staples, click here.

Allie, I am a 56-year old woman.  I have a few events coming up on my calendar where I need cocktail attire.  Where should I shop for cocktail dresses for a woman over 50?  Thanks.

I don’t believe that when you hit a certain age you can’t shop at certain stores. I don’t mean that a grandmother should be buying clothes at Forever 21 and a teen should be shopping at Chico’s, but don’t rule out a brand purely because of the number on your driver’s license.

I am assuming by adding your age, you are looking for something that doesn’t show too much skin, isn’t too trendy, but is still elegant, flattering, and stylish. If so, you are looking for what most women desire and you will actually have a lot of luck online.

Department stores like Nordstrom and Macy’s are great for online shopping because they have such an extensive collection of dresses. They will categorize the dresses for you so you won’t accidentally buy a dress in cotton when you wanted something more appropriate for after 5. Department stores often have customer reviews which can also assist in the shopping experience.

For more niche of retailers, I have found success at Ann Taylor, Talbots, J. Crew (yes, you need to check them out – they are no longer frat row attire!), Chadwicks (hit or miss, the reviews come in handy), Shabby Apple, and Eileen Fisher. And don’t forget to check Overstock.com where popular department store brands can be found for great prices.

As for what to buy, a solid color is always elegant.  Don't feel that you need to stick to muted pastels or boring black just because of your age.  Jewel tones are flattering to almost every skin tone and can make a very simple silhouette look far more stylish, unique, and festive.  Keep the embellishments to a minimum - crocheted and beaded overlay and jackets, chiffon layered pants, sequin flower brooches, etc. scream Mother of the Bride and kill any sense of style.  An occasional crystal pin or button accent can be lovely, but keep the dress details to a minimum and add glitz with accessories like a bracelet or dangly earrings.

Consider your best body feature and look to highlight it.  A portrait, "popped collar", v-neck or slightly off the shoulder style (or a wrap) will cover upper arms while elongating your neck and showing off a lovely collarbone; if you have great arms but don't love your decollete a cap-sleeve dress with higher neck that is accented by a great necklace can look just as elegant for cocktail affairs.   Rouching and gathering is a woman's best friend and can do a fantastic job of adding glam to a gown while also whittling a tummy or arms.  If you have great gams, don't hide them under a dowdy long hemline - age doesn't mean you can't wear a shorter dress that ends right at the top or bottom of the kneecaps.

When accessorizing, keep your pieces elegant yet modern.  Ditch the shoulderbag for a clutch, switch out the leather pumps for something a bit more delicate, consider a stronger statement in your bracelet than in your earrings or necklace, and only have one piece of jewelry be the statement.  These little changes will add class, style, and elegance to any cocktail dress!

Ask Allie - What to Wear to a Music Festival?

Hi Allie, I know you recently went to the Bonnaroo Music Festival in the US. I am going to the Oxegen Festival. I was wondering what you suggest I wear to it?

Dear Allie,

Are you going to Bonnaroo again this year? I am going too! What do you suggest I pack?

Dear Allie:

My boyfriend got us tickets to Outside Lands (it’s a fest in CA). What sort of clothes should I wear to such an event? I haven’t been to a fest of this size before. Thank you so much!

Image courtesy of the NY Daily News

Ah, the music festival. A life-changing event for anyone, no matter how large of a music fan. Music festivals are all-day or multi-day events full of music, art, food, and sights you may never seen before. I have been to a few one-day festivals and have now attended the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee for three years. Bonnaroo is four days, and I have done general admission, which is camping sans electricity or proper bathrooms (hello porta-potties!)and a lot of walking in extreme heat. As a slightly high-maintenance woman, I feared my first music festival, but found that with the right wardrobe and supplies, anyone can be comfortable AND stylish at such an event.

Surviving the Heat
Most music festivals are during the hottest months of the year. This is great for those in school – no need to skip classes to see your favorite artist. However it’s pretty tough to spend 12+ hours in high heat for multiple days. It is important to dress and pack correctly so that you protect your skin, your energy, and your health during a festival.

I highly recommend wearing 100% cotton (not jersey) dresses. Pure cotton will float away from your body with the slightest breeze and will dry quickly when wet from sweat or a Super Soaker. In the summer, it’s not hard to find adorable cotton sundresses at most any retailer. For this year’s Bonnaroo I scored several sundresses for under $20 each at Ross, and also saw plenty of dresses that would be perfect at Old Navy and Target. Don’t take your designer duds – no matter what you do, clothes can get dirty. Not only is there the potential for mud (even if it’s dry, there can and will be mud), there will be messy carnival food, large crowds of people bumping into you and possibly spilling their food/drink, and folks trying to get into the spirit with water guns, glitter, glo-sticks and other various things that can be tossed into a crowd. If you do find a great score at a discount place, be sure to secure the straps. A friend and I both had a strap break on a sundress while at the festival this year (and be at the ready with a mini sewing kit and some safety pins just in case of any wardrobe emergency).

No matter your size, many women experience that which we lovingly call, “chub rub”. Many women have curvy thighs, and when walking long distances and sweating, you can get a rash on the inside of your legs. I have found the best thing to combat this is a pair of bike shorts under my sundress. In 2007, I bought two pairs of moisture-wicking black bike shorts from Kmart for $9.99 each and have used them ever since. They do a great job of preventing chafing, and also offer modesty so I can easily sit cross-legged on the ground during a show. I know many women who prefer using BodyGlide (or use it along with the shorts). BodyGlide can be applied like a stick deodorant and will help prevent chafing, even if you sweat.

When there is heat, there usually is sun. A music festival is not the place to work on your tan. You won’t realize how much sun you have gotten until you end up with a nasty burn that evening. I have found that even when I wear SPF 30 sunscreen, I will come home from a festival with plenty of color. This year I used SPF 30 on my body and 55 on my face, and carried both with me all day for easy reapplication. Aerosol sunscreen is a great choice for such an event because you can reach your back, you don’t have to run it in with grubby hands, and that type of container is less likely to leak in your bag. I also take a stick or tube of higher SPF sunscreen with me to the shows to apply to the face and any sun-sensitive places (shoulders, back of neck, tops of feet) on a regular basis. It’s also wise to get a lipbalm with SPF – your lips will get dry from the heat, and they are quite susceptible to sunburn.

Image courtesy of the Nashville Beauty Blog - the Blogger at Bonnaroo 2009

With so many cute hats in fashion right now, it’s silly to not wear one to a music festival. A basic straw cowboy hat is always stylish at such an event, and will do a good job of keeping your neck and nose protected. Fedoras and porkpie hats are trendy now – they aren’t really good at protecting you from the sun, but will offer protection to your scalp. The best choice is a floppy hat with a large brim – I have a crushable straw one that I have had for over a decade. I can roll it up and stick it in my bag when I am indoors or it gets dark, and easily pull it out for when it’s sunny. I have found great sun hats at Title 9, Athleta, Lands End and Macy’s. I also recommend checking out Etsy – you can find some really unique and cute sunhats there – check out these adorable numbers from Bonniesknitting!

Another great item to pack for sun protection is a bandana (or two!). A bandanna can be tied around your neck to protect it from the sun, it can be tied over your head like a kerchief to protect the scalp and tip-top of your forehead, and it can be dunked in cold water and used to cool you off in a jiffy. I tie a bandanna to the zipper of my bag to have at the ready – it’s also great to mop sweat off your brow. If you don’t like the look of bandannas, any cotton scarf will do. This year I took a candy-colored cotton voile scarf from Lands End’s Canvas line and it worked just as well (and laundered just as well) as a classic bandanna.

You MUST stay hydrated! Don’t expect a water bottle or two from a vendor to suffice. It’s easy to get dehydrated and not even notice. Next thing you are feeling dizzy or worse. Even though they are not chic, I carry a backpack that has a hydration pack inside it. I have one from Kelty that I bought several years ago – it is very small and fits right between my shoulder blades, but has room to hold 50 ounces of water along with my essentials. If you can’t imagine carrying a Camelbak-type bag, I recommend having a large aluminum or Nalgene-type bottle that you can hook to your bag and can be filled quite often from water stations. If you have to carry your bottle in your hand the entire time, it very well may be discarded for being a nuisance. I don’t want to be all TMI, but if you haven’t had to hit a porta-potty in a bit, it’s a good chance that you aren’t drinking enough. And know for every alcoholic beverage you consume, that much more water you need to consume to stay properly hydrated.

Be smart – find shade between shows, be it under a tree, from the shadow of a tent, or even if you decide to head back to your tent or hotel for a quick break. You really need to pace yourself – prioritize the performances you wish to see, so if you’re feeling a bit woozy, tired, or overheated you can take a break. Beer gardens, movie tents and vendor tents are great places to duck in and get some shade. In 2007 I almost passed out from the heat, and this year a person I knew died from the heat at a music festival. I would hate this to happen to any of you, so please stay cool, stay hydrated, and pace yourself.

Surviving the Lack of Plumbing
Porta-Potties
Be you attending a one-day fest or a multi-day camping adventure, you will likely be dealing with porta-potties. No one enjoys them, but they are a fact of life. Here’s a few things that can make your bathroom experience quick and less painful:

• Don’t expect each porta-potty to have toilet paper. Bring your own. I see many people who enter porta-potties with a whole roll of T.P. I personally don’t like that option because then there is something you need to hold while in there. I will fill a sandwich baggie with pre-torn piles of toilet paper. Then before I enter a porta-potty I will tuck the little pile of TP into my bra strap or pocket. Nothing to have to hold, and I am prepared in case the porta-potty isn’t well equipped.
• Not only will portable toilets be sans toilet paper, they will also be disgusting. I carry a second sandwich baggie with Clorox wipes. I take one in with me (tucked in the other bra strap or pocket) and wipe down the seat before attempting to do anything in there. I am a petite woman, and there is no way I can properly hover over a porta-potty and not make a mess. It is far easier to clean the seat than try to not touch it. Also, it is a “pay it forward” sort of act for the woman in line after you who may not have thought to bring sanitizing wipes!
• If you can, head to the porta-potties with a friend. Then she can hold both of your bags while you are in there, and then you can reciprocate the favor. If you don’t have this option, it’s great to have a cross-body bag or backpack that you can put on the front of your person and keep from touching any surfaces.
• Bring hand sanitizer! I prefer sanitizing wipes to the liquid in this case, so I can use it to scrub off stuff instead of rubbing it in. I wait until I am out and out of way of the line before attempting to use this. Some porta-potties come with sanitizer, but you can’t rely on that.
• If you will be at a multi-day event, I recommend a third sandwich baggie with personal cleansing wipes in it. In case your carnival food doesn’t sit well with you, or just if you want to do a wipe down to feel refreshed and less sweaty. Be sure to mark the bags so you know which baggie is Clorox and which is Cottonelle!
• If you are going to be at a festival at night, it’s a good idea to clip a headlamp or LED light to your bag so you can see what you are doing. Some porta-potties are perfectly set up near outdoor lighting, but many times, especially in camp sites, they will be located in a dark corner of the grounds. My husband picked up a cheap LED head lamp for me (small light on an elastic band) from some Big Box retailer – I never stick it on my head, but I have slung it around my neck when walking in dark locations, have held it in my hand to light my path, and have switched it to the red light and attached to my backpack so my friends can find and follow me in a crowd.

Porta-potties are another reason why dresses are a great option for attire. To have to wiggle off sweaty jeans or shorts in a rush can be awkward, difficult, and can give you more opportunity to accidently bump into a surface in there. Also jeans and pants can drag on the floor. Every woman I know agrees that dresses and skirts are FAR more porta-potty friendly, especially in the heat!

Bathing
If you are staying in general camping, running water may not exist, or if in the case of the Bonnaroo Music Festival, it may be ice-cold well water running from spigots in a metal trailer. It’s pretty much a given that you won’t be spic n’ span at a fest, but you can still be comfortable and relatively stink-free.

If you have running water (troughs, spigots, etc.):

• My sister thought of the brilliant idea of bringing a child’s play bucket – the type one uses at the beach. In it, put your soap, shampoo, washcloth, etc. Then you can place it on the floor or hang it off a hook or fence and have all your necessities at arm’s reach and not getting gross. Sometimes the floors at these water stations can have several inches of water, so your regular shower caddy with open sides won’t always be a good bet.
• You can’t get fully naked (unless you are very daring), so I have found it best to wear a bikini or a bra-tank or bikini top with a skirt or pareo when you go bathing. Be sure to wear shoes with good grip because it can get slick and muddy at the water stations.
• Though I am a stickler for high-quality shampoo and conditioner for my highlighted hair, at a fest I go with a travel-sized bottle of 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner. It’s easier.
• For cleaning the body, I take a bar of Ivory soap. I can then use it to clean my whole body and even clean clothes if need be. My husband prefers a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap because he will even use it as his shampoo. Either way you look at it, a multi-tasking product makes the most sense. I find a washcloth to be easier than a shower poof or just my hands – easier to scrub grubby feet and to get sticky sunscreen off shoulders.
• I also pack one of those small, lightweight microfiber hair towels. It’s usually too hot to bother with drying my body, and these towels dry fast, will sop up moisture from your hair without having to rub, and can make a really great turban or tuck into your bag or bucket when finished.
• If you know the water station will have spigots with threads on them (like a spigot off your house), it’s a great idea to take an old hose, cut a couple feet off the female end and take it to have a DIY shower. One can often find old hoses for offer on Freecycle. Home improvement stores also carry short hoses specifically for washing machines that have finished ends – this is a nice alternative and also means you can attach a nozzle to control water flow.

If you have shower stations (shower trailers, pay showers):

• Don’t expect the luxury of even the cheapest motel – these showers are small and cheap. At Bonnaroo they have pay showers sponsored by Garnier Fructis. For $7 you get a teeny plastic stall (think RV bathroom – we’re talking a space not wider than your shoulders) and a very thin shower curtain that has been torn and trashed by previous users. The floor of your shower stall is littered with leftover packets of sample shampoos and balls of hair. These stalls will be lined up along the wall of the trailer, there rarely are mirrors or a changing area.
• Wear shoes in the shower. Not only can you scrub them clean, but you keep your tootsies safe from fungus and other grodiness.
• The bucket again can come in handy, it can be placed on the floor, a shelf, even over the shower head if you are tall enough.
• Bring a bigger towel, and hang it over the shower curtain for some modesty.
• Wear something that is super easy to get off and back on when you are damp. Again this is where a cotton sundress comes in handy.

Other ways of staying clean:

• Outdoor stores sell personal cleansing cloths that are thicker and larger in size than ones you can find at Target. However either type is wonderful to wipe down with after a sweaty, sticky day.
• Outdoor stores also have what’s called solar showers. Pretty much these are bags you can fill with water and hang from a tree, a hook, or even buy a tent created just for a solar shower. Just be sure that it’s not set up in a way that the runoff will spill into a neighbor’s campsite.

Surviving a Day Away from your Home/Hotel/Campsite
The way to have a successful day at a festival is to be fully prepared. Yes you want to look stylish, but there’s no point in looking cute if you have blisters, sunburn, and no camera to take a picture of your fine self.

As previously mentioned, my day bag of choice is a very small backpack with a hydration bladder in it. What I fill it with:

• My three baggies for the porta potties
• Two hair elastics
• A few safety pins of varying size
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunglasses with case and little cloth to clean them
• Camera, in a plastic bag (protect from condensation from the hydration bladder, and also if it rains, someone spills a beer on my bag, etc.)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Face sunscreen with high SPF
• Body sunscreen (aerosol) with high sunscreen (or if a friend has a bigger bag and I know I will be with them the whole time, they can carry it)
• Cell phone with the numbers of every darn person I know at the festival PLUS the number for the nearby tow truck or taxi company (usually comes with your tickets)
• Booklet/map provided with the festival
• Cash in small bills (never more than $40 unless I know I will be buying a souvenir)
• Sharpie (you never know when you may bump into a celebrity and want their autograph!)
• Business cards (I have ones from VistaPrint which are cheap, have my name, my cell, my email, my Website. Great to trade with new friends you make, and can always make notes on the back with your Sharpie)
• A snack (Clif bars, granola bars, cheese and crackers packet, baggie of granola – something that will give you long-running energy and will hold up to the heat. Lines may be long at vendors, you may run out of money, you never know and it’s nice to have a snack just in case)
• Bandanna or cotton scarf, tied to the exterior

I highly recommend you get a bag you don’t mind wearing for long periods of time and you can wear while dancing. Cross-body bags can be great if they are small, but can but a pain if they keep banging into your thigh while rocking out at your favorite show. A regular purse will not be comfortable on your shoulder for long periods of time. Look for a sleek and smaller cross-body bag or a backpack. Fill it with everything before you go to see how it feels on your body and try walking around and dancing. You don’t want to put your bag on the ground for fear of mud and thieves.

What I leave back at camp, locked safely in my car:

• iPod
• Wallet
• Rest of money
• Chargers for cell and camera
• Anything else of value

Festivals are a great place to meet very friendly, like-minded people, but they also attract jerks and thieves. Protect yourself by not carrying everything in your bag, having a bag you don’t mind carrying at all times, and putting all your valuables into your car out of sight. If you drove a car there, keep a key to your car safety pinned into your bag or clothes, and leave the rest of the keyring in the car. Also hide a second car key at camp or give it to a friend in case your bag is stolen.

Treat Your Tootsies Well
Finally, one of the most important things for a good long day at a festival is proper footwear. This is not the time to try out your cute new gladiator sandals or to wear your $1 Old Navy flip flops. You want a pair of shoes that will treat your tootsies well for hours upon hours on end of standing on hard ground and asphalt, cushion you over walking on rocky terrain, can handle a sloshed beer or a mudpuddle, and have traction.

When I say traction, I don’t just mean on the bottom of the shoe. This is why flip flops are not the best option. Have you ever tried to run in a pair of soaking wet flip flops? It’s a recipe for disaster and a sprained ankle. I have been to festivals where it has rained; even a 20-minute sunshower can create ridiculous mud which will literally suck flip flops right off your feet.

A great choice are athletic sandals like Tevas, Merrells, or Chacos. These will stay on no matter the conditions and won’t leave you with a blisterful pair of feet. Many people like lightweight canvas shoes like Chuck Taylors or TOMS; I have a special place in my heart for Sanuks – a company with a good heart that makes super comfy “Vans”-like shoes with a sole as cushy as your favorite flops.

 Photo courtesy of The Girl's Girl

I have worn my brown leather DUO boots (the Bern) to many a concert and festival – they are shearling lined (keeps me cool) and I have added a waterproofing spray to the exterior. They have a low heel, good traction, an additional cushioning insert and let me tromp through most anything feeling secure. I despise despise DESPISE Crocs, but I have to say they are the perfect festival shoe – they cushion your feet, let them breathe so they don’t get sweaty and stinky, will stay on in even the muckiest of mud, and can easily be rinsed off at the end of the day. They also give a bit of protection to the foot if a beer bottle is dropped on you or you have to enter an especially soggy porta-potty or water station.

Whatever your footwear, be sure they are broken in prior to heading to the festival. Nothing will cramp your good time more than painful, chafed, blisted, cramped toes.

So, What Should I Pack?
If you are staying onsite or at a hotel nearby, I recommend two outfits for each day. If it’s hot or rainy, you will want to change into dry clothes. And when I mean a separate change of clothes, I include underwear in this. Pack two pairs of underwear for each day (if your clothes are sweaty, so will be your undergarments), and bring a bra that you can switch into while the other is hanging up to dry.

Picture courtesy of BallerinaGrape

On top of this, I recommend some clothes to keep you warm when the sun goes down. I don’t recommend jeans (see above re: porta potties, also jeans suck to put on when you are achy or sunburned). If you are wearing a dress, pairing it with a pair of full-length leggings or some floaty linen pants is a great idea. I often just change into a maxi dress or a completely different outfit with a long skirt. Also if you bring a hoodie, it’s usually enough and then you can tie it around your waist or on your bag when you warm up from dancing.

Pack more than one pair of shoes. Even if you have broken in your shoes, they can very well give you some pain after wearing them for 12+ hours at a time. It’s healthy to switch your shoes each day anyhow. I also like to pack a simple pair of basic flip flops for when at camp or for the drive there and back.

Bring two pairs of sunglasses – you never know if you may lose a pair and it would suck to go without.

Pack a survival kit. Safety pins, a small sewing kit, extra hair elastics and Bobby pins or clamp barrettes, Shout wipes or a Tide to Go pen, Immodium AD and Pepto Bismol, pain reliever of your choice, something with electrolytes (Propel, Gatorade, I really like u hydration tablets, which aren’t full of all the fake stuff and sugar of many other electrolyte tabs and they taste really great), if you are within a week or so of your period pack some feminine hygiene products just in case, an extra pair of contacts or glasses, first-aid basics (band-aids, something to clean a wound), extra car key, insurance and AAA card, a hidden $50 that you won’t spend at the festival in case you need a jump, tow, taxi, etc.

Pack some clothes that are fun. When the sun goes down, the party gets crazy at music festivals. Bring your face glitter, your neon pink lip gloss, your angel wings or tutu. You may not feel brave enough to don them, but festivals have a way of bringing out the party girl in most any woman!

But I’m not a Dirty Hippie/Hipster/I’m a Music Newbie!

 Photo courtesy of Music Festival Junkies

If you Google photos of people who have attended music festivals, you may think that all of them are young and cool, or else decked out in tie-dye and hemp. Neither is true, festivals are great because they attract every type of person. I have returned to Bonnaroo so many times because it is a festival that offers pretty much every genre of music.

No need to buy a whole new wardrobe of peasant skirts and rope sandals, or fedoras and Ray Bans. I buy sundresses for music festivals because they are comfortable, and they can also be worn again on summer weekend days. When doing your summer shopping, instead of buying clothes just for this event, see if you can find things that will do double-duty. Instead of buying a dry clean only frock, look for one that can be washed in the machine. Instead of polyester, look for cotton. In place of safe black, consider a cheery print.

Keep in mind that a festival is a laid-back environment. No need for a ton of accessories, coordinated pieces, perfectly polished ensembles. Simple is better, you will get sweaty, you will get dusty and you will want to dance. I leave at home my wedding set and the only jewelry I bring is a turquoise necklace my husband brought back from his yoga teacher training in Mexico, and a pair of silver hoops.

If you are the type of woman who can’t leave your home without at least five pieces of makeup, you may want to adjust your routine for this event. Makeup doesn’t hold up too well in 100-degree heat, and you won’t have regular access to a mirror for touch-ups. That doesn’t mean you need a bare face. At Bonnaroo I wear waterproof mascara, bronzing powder dusted on my cheeks, and Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. I carry Urban Decay’s De-Slick to combat shine. If you have a bad zit, it’s fine to try to touch it up with some concealer and pressed powder, but a fully “done” face will only leave you with a mess and a smear.

And if you are not familiar with most of the artists, well all the better! Some of my favorite bands in 2010 are ones I never heard of three years ago. They became faves because I saw them perform at a music festival. Festivals are great places to learn about new music, and find your personal music style without being biased by corporate radio, TV, or friends. At a festival, every artist will have an audience of raving fans, so there isn’t any bias, you can’t choose wrong. Go ahead and see a performance or two by yourself – you will make instant friends with the other excited people in the audience!

What to leave at home:
Heels, tight miniskirts, tight jeans, hairspray, flat iron, anything that is dry clean only or delicate or can’t handle getting wet, expensive jewelry, designer anything, your favorite purse, anything that won’t be comfortable enough to dance in or sit in on the ground.

Also leave at home any snark, eye-rolling or criticism. Seriously, you will see EVERY type of person at a festival. Many people travel from fest to fest because they are huge fans of music, but also because festivals are a place where they can feel accepted. That woman in the chain mail bikini and Indian headdress may actually be upper management at a stuffy corporation during the week, the “dirty hippie” may be her college’s fashionista come fall semester. Relish in the fact that you are able to go somewhere where you can be totally relaxed, not stressed over hemlines or heel heights. Be comfortable, feel attractive in your own way, and wear the best accessory out there – a big happy smile.

And be sure to come back and share your experiences at your next fest!