My favorites from Chanel's 2015 Runway & Couture shows ...

Straight from Wikipedia ... Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971) was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand. She is the only fashion designer listed on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. Along with Paul Poiret, Chanel was credited with liberating women from the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" and popularizing the acceptance of a sportive, casual chic as the feminine standard in the post-World War I era. A prolific fashion creator, Chanel's influence extended beyond couture clothing. Her design aesthetic was realized in jewelry, handbags, and fragrance. Her signature scent, Chanel No. 5, has become an iconic product.

I've watched every movie ever made about Coco Chanel and I have long admired the style of the clothes and accessories she designed. Today, Karl Lagerfeld is the designer for Chanel, and his recent stuff isn't bad.

For the longest time, I couldn't understand haute couture. I love fashion, but I didn't "get" the outrageousness of the fashion shows or the high prices of the clothes. In reality, who can afford $3,000 for a handbag or a pair of shoes? Seriously.

Then, Meryl Streep explained it to me, here.

Then I got it.

So, you're probably asking how I got here, today, writing about it on my blog .

The "IT" bag. VOGUE had a little online survey of which of ten handbags would be the "IT" bag for 2015. I picked the Chanel flap bag with all the funky embellishments. IF I was going to buy a Chanel bag for the season, THIS is the one I would purchase.

The advertising slogan for this bag is quite likable. "Carry some wisdom into spring: All you need in life is peace, love, understanding, and Chanel." But, with a price tag of $3,800, this chickadee won't be sporting Chanel's Flap Bag. She'll be looking for the style of the bag at a lower end, like Macy's or Nordstrom. The flap bag is not a new design. I have a nice leather flap bag from Eddie Bauer in my handbag collection that dates back to the 1990s. It is a classic design. What Chanel has done with it here is they've made it fresh again. And, I'm betting you'll see flap bags everywhere this year.

Just watch.

2015 Runway Collection
This modern take on the classic Chanel "look" includes that adorable Flap Bag! I liked that all of the models in this series of designs are wearing shimmering gold stockings and gold shoes with black wingtips. It accents the clothes and keeps the focus on the clothes.

Lagerfeld likes black. And, he uses it well throughout the Runway collection. I especially like the modern skirt suit and the skirt & pants/leggings. I would wear these clothes. I'd wear those shoes, too. No high heels was a welcome sight!

So modern, yet so classic.

Leggings and skirts. Is this a trend? 

Chanel 2015 Couture Collection

 Cute suit, but does she look angry to you? 

Is it the makeup or the model?

This looks more like it, don't you think? The Chanel suit in a soft pink and that little knitted hat? Love it! It works with those black boots, too.

The skirt will trickle down. Young women can bare their belly button, but, a little higher on the waist works for us more "mature" ladies.  It's the black belt that makes the skirt so likeable. It's a great visual element.

I just like the whole look. It's so Karl Lagerfeld.

I like that every model is wearing those black booties. No sky high heels. OMG! Comfortable shoes from haute couture? No way! What a concept!

The cut of the top is so classic Chanel. It appears again in this collection and I'm betting it will appear off the runway come spring/summer.

I like how the black belt is used with the floral skirt. It works here as well as it worked with the pink skirt from earlier in the collection. Doesn't detract from the colors. Adds a great design element.

This was a big surprise.
So Barbie-esque.
Pink.
Bow at the waist.
Sparkles elongating the figure.
And, then, that fluffy pink hat just really tops it off!

I can see a young lady at her prom, dressed in Chanel!

I just like everything about this dress.
I do not like that eye makeup.

This is too cutesy for past 25, but the pieces are adorable. I love ruffles and Peter Pan collars and the pale color and print strike a charming contrast to those black boots and that "I'm mad" eye makeup.

Again, the use of black as a design element. Well done.
And, there's that blouse again. We'll be seeing that come spring. I'm sure of it.

Karl Lagerfeld is the master of reinvention, having repeatedly transformed himself as well as his labels. He is currently the  creative director of Chanel, Fendi and his eponymous label. He has previously designed for Chloe and created a range for H&M. In 2014, Mattel released the Karl Lagerfeld Barbie which sold out immediately.  She is coveted among collectors.

I love fashion, which might explain why I am so enamoured of fashion dolls. They can wear all the things I cannot. I wore sky high heels, short skirts and long hair when I was a young woman. But, as life dictates, things change. And, all of that has changed for me. As Lagerfeld lost weight so he could wear the clothes of a certain designer he fancied, I've had to find new designers who create clothes that I want to wear.  Us boomers are still a market AND we have more money than the 18-to-34 demographic. Whether I'd spend it on the Chanel Flap Bag is a horse of a different color. I could change my mind, you know ...

My new year (so far) in pictures ...

Viele Road, early morning. It rained the night before which makes the green grass shimmer like emeralds. Lucky for me, a heron decided he wanted to be in the picture!

My Soroptimist club hosted a poster contest for high school juniors and seniors. The purpose was to increase the awareness of human trafficking, an awful abomination against people. The students were delightful, the winners were ecstatic with their cash awards, and the kids all appeared to have a great time.

I had these two skeins of sock yarn. I tried three times to crochet a sock, but, it wasn't working. So, I started making little granny squares. Don't know what I'm going to do with them. Yet. But, I'll come up with something. I just love the colors of this variegated yarn!

Coming back to work, I took a ride along Anapu Road. It's much more scenic than the main thoroughfares. Then, I spotted this guy. Looking so alone and forlorn. I was glad I had my camera with me.

I've been "playing" with "To The Fair" Poppy Parker lately. She was the W Club upgrade doll two years ago and she's really quite stunning. I combed her hair out, so it's loose and it gives her a much softer appearance. I'm getting into redressing my girls, too. This is my zen.

Around here ...

BEING AN ARTIST ...
In my quest to become an artist, I jump at any chance to use a paint brush. My darling husband carved this block of wood to resemble a snow man (including his hat!) and I spent a few evenings painting him. I've got these cheap acrylic paints I picked up from Pearl last year, before they closed, so, I gave them a try. It took four coats of the white to get the smooth white effect of snow, and it took 5 coats of black to get the hat to look like I wanted. His nose was also created by dh and painted orange by me. The little green scarf was a quick crochet!



TEACHING ...

In my job, I follow a script to talk to fourth and fifth grade students about living in the Everglades and about water management. There's not much room for changes, but this year has been challenging. I haven't figured out (yet) how our program meets the new "Common Core Standards," but I'm working on it. My motto? As long as the teachers are happy, I'm happy!

DESIGNING ...

Still working with my darling daughter, the entrepreneur, and creating some fun things for use on social media. A lot of folks in my generation pooh-pooh social media, but, I think it's here to stay. As a user, I think it's a lot of fun and a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.

DISCOVERING ...

Many of the elementary schools I visit have butterfly gardens. The past ten years has seen a  huge, countywide movement to restore habitats for Florida's wildlife. Recently, I discovered a caterpillar that looks like a pile of bird poop on a tree branch. It's a swallowtail  caterpillar and, had it not been pointed out to me, I would never have seen it, much less recognized it! Once again, Mother Nature has an amazing way to keep the planet going!

Only 7 shopping days left until Christmas!

Catching up ...

There's something about that phrase, "Catching up ..." that I find very appealing. How do you do it? Do you ever achieve your goal? Whatever time you take to "catch up" is time you cannot spend doing something else, so aren't you, then, always behind? After all, you cannot spend a minute (or a dollar) twice. Would the linguists call this a conundrum?

Dictionary.com gives three definitions for the phrase when used as a noun:
1.  an effort to reach or pass a norm, especially after a period of delay.
2.  an effort to catch up with or surpass a competitor, as in a sports contest.
3.  an instance of catching up.

I'm thinking number one fits my thinking best. There has been a great period of delay in keeping up with my blog here, so I feel like I need to "catch up." But, do I really? Can I just tell you what I've been doing that I didn't have time to write?

Okay, then. I went to the Integrity Toys Convention in Orlando at the beginning of November.

I had an absolutely wonderful time! Three glorious days and nights hanging out with 499 other doll people. A doll collector can't ask for more than that! I was lucky that some of my best doll friends were there to share the experience and we made lots of wonderful memories. We also bought and received gifts of dolls, dolls, dolls! It was simply heaven!

I had a terrific time when I got home, too! So many dolls to debox, including these here! I am particularly thrilled with the Poppy Parker dolls offered at the convention. The table centerpiece doll was a gift for the table hosts (like me!). The gift doll is adorable. And, I bought the two convention dolls. (I almost didn't buy "Wild Thing," then had a change of heart. Now, I am super glad I got her!)

When I returned, I spent a lot of time doing stuff around the house. My darling husband has a new hobby (you can read a little about it here), so I've been trying to maintain our humble abode while he's doing his thing. Lord knows he's picked up the slack for me often enough; it's such a little thing to try to help him find more time for this new passion of his. He's really good at it, too!

Work. Oh. My. Yes. I have often written the drafts for my blog late in the day at the office, then finished them at home in the evening before publishing. But, November was a very busy month for me, so there wasn't much time for writing! I was visiting fourth and fifth grade students almost every day, talking about the Everglades and trying to inspire the next generation to conserve and preserve our fragile environment. However, it didn't leave me much time for anything else, so I was running to keep up until Thanksgiving.

Here it is, December 5, and I haven't put the Thanksgiving decorations away yet, much less, put up a Christmas tree. I think I'll be catching up on that this weekend.

So, back to "catching up" ... I don't think you can. I think you have to live in the moment and enjoy what you have when you have it. We hear about folks losing everything to fire and flood and other catastrophic acts of Mother Nature, and any one of us could be the next in line. I say screw catching up. I'm here now, and, that's all that really counts.

It's 20 days until Christmas and there's lots to do.

I better get busy.

Now that I'm caught up ...




hahahaahaa hahahaa haa!

Hubby has a new hobby!

 My darling husband loves woodworking. He built our kitchen cabinets, the island in the office with cubbies for paper and books and such, and a shed for our generator, just in case we're hit by a hurricane and have no power. Recently, he found something new to do with wood and it's been a delight to watch the artist in him unfold, like a butterfly from a chrysalis. It began with blocks of wood and YouTube videos.

He bought some serious looking tools. I never saw tools like these and I had no idea what he could do with them!

This is the first wine stopper dh made. The wood block in the pic is how it looked like before he turned it! Very impressive if you ask me! Now, when I get home from work, he's usually in his shop, turning wood. And, the weekends? Right after he drinks his morning cup of joe, he disappears to his shop. I finally went out there with my camera to find out what the attraction was. And, he was happy to show me! :)

There is something hypnotic about the wood turning on the lathe and watching the shavings peel away as he guides the tool. I think I understand why he's addicted to it. It's like crocheting ... there's a rhythm to it and it pulls you in and you just want to keep doing it.

He made  a candlestick which I like very much. It sits by the front door now, ready to hold a Christmas candle! And, I've put in a request for a pepper mill. He's been watching the YouTube videos about turning bowls, and I'm excited that he would attempt something so ambitious. Please stay tuned for more projects!

When my darling husband is in his shop turning wood, Miss Minka Kitty keeps me company. She oversees life around the house from her perch by the fireplace. Unless I go into the Barbie room. Then she wants to hang out with the dolls!

What a life, huh?

September sweeps ...

Oh. My. September is nearly done.

We have created a lovely show at Art Gallery 21 at the Woman's Club of Wilton Manors: the art of Nia Nakis. And, what an absolutely delightful human being she is! A lovely group of her friends and students have visited the gallery and they've all agreed with me about what a gifted artist she is! AND, she's sold a couple of pieces, which is always fabulous for an artist! You still have time to see Nia's show if you're in the neighborhood. It doesn't close until Friday, October 10.

I recently visited a passive park out west next to U.S. 27 ... Chapel Trail Park Nature Preserve in Pembroke Pines. Walked all the way out the boardwalk and took photos to share with my students this year. I think it's important to show them what's out there; places where they can go and experience the Everglades for themselves.

I've been doing a little design work for my darling daughter, the social media maven with the Master's Degree! This is a sample of the things we've created together ... (SoFi is pronounced like the name, Sophie) and I'm enjoying the entire process! It's been a fun way to, once again, dabble in some graphic design and to work with my girl. I'm so proud of her, my little entrepreneur!

My day job's kept me jumping, too! Research projects, prepping for school visits and wrapping up the budget for 2014-2015. Danbo will attest to that, too! He's been hounding me to clear my desk!

And, let us not forget that 30 days from today I will be with dolly friends, old and new, at the 2014 Integrity Toys Convention in Orlando, Florida where I and 499 likeminded folks will play for three glorious days with all those gorgeous Integrity girls!


C'mon, October!

Around here ...

September. It's still hot here in south Florida, but the light is changing. That's how I know that those "crisp autumn days" are approaching. Nope. No colored leaves here. And, no, the temperature changes are infinitesimal ... maybe one degree cooler than August, so we're talking 89 or 90 instead of 91 or 92. Still, the light is changing, so I know fall is in the air.

I like the beginning of the school year. It gives me an excuse to deliver pencil bouquets to the teachers in my 12 elementary schools along with a newsletter reminding them about our environmental programs. The kids are all decked out in their new uniforms with freshly cut hair and polished shoes! It's a time of great hope that THIS year will be the best one ever!

Art Gallery 21 will open its 2014-2015 season next week, so I've been busy preparing for the first show with artist Nia Nakis. She uses acrylics on canvas to create vibrant images of Florida and the Mediterranean area where she was born. It's her first one-woman show and I'm very excited for her!

I'm anxiously counting the days until I leave for Orlando and my second Integrity Toys Convention! Last year I traveled alone to Los Angeles and had a fantastic time, but, this year, I have several doll friends who will be in Orlando with me, so that will make it even more special I'm sure! I've applied to be a table host, but they're not notifying people until later this month, so I'm eagerly waiting on that, too! I wish there was somewhere on the internet where you could post a sign that says, "PICK ME! PICK ME!"

People who aren't doll collectors don't understand why we love doll conventions. In addition to the IT Convention, there's the National Barbie Doll Collector's Convention and the United Federation of Doll Collectors Convention, and there are conventions in Japan and Paris that, if I had the resources, I would gladly attend.  I'm certain it's because we doll collectors form our own tribe and there is no need for explanations about what many perceive as an eccentric hobby. When you meet another doll person, there are so many things that are simply understood via osmosis. It's truly the most wonderful experience one can have and I highly recommend it!

We had another Super Moon this month, and that was awesome to see! It's like something out of a movie right outside your front door!

As you'll see, the days between now and the New Year will fly by fast! Halloween's just around the corner, then, Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to go by at warp speed. Hang onto your hat and have a good time! Wishing you all a glorious September!