wild wild west

I'm in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland this week. See you soon x

Bright is Alright

Yesterday, dear readers, your truly bravely stumbled out of her apartment on my pair of 5" neon green Alice + Olivia for Payless slingback platforms (There they are at right. I paid full price and now they're on sale - curses!). I hadn't worn them before, you see, and it stopped raining for about 10 minutes, so I eagerly slipped them on for some errand running I had to accomplish.

Everyone was staring, not only because I was 6'5" in them (no kidding!), but because the sheer retina-burning brightness of the shoes certainly stood out from the black boots and sensible brown flats that everyone else seemed to be wearing. I received compliments from a 9-year-old girl and an 80-year-old man. Kinda creepy, but flattering nonetheless.

Maybe it's because I'm a child of the eighties, but I still have a certain weakness for neon colors. Where I used to wear two neon t-shirts, though, and roll up the sleeves so that the color underneath could be seen, now I'll just accessorize with a pair of shoes or some strategically place piece of jewelry. I still think these bright colors can be fashionable and they bring back a touch of my youth, minus the legwarmers and black Reebok hightops.

If shoes are your thing (and if they aren't they should be - my goodness!), it's easy to find a brightly colored pair that's appropriate for a variety of occasions. I know I'm going to sound like your mom when I say this, but Aerosoles makes really comfortable shoes that are - yes - stylish. They're not all about those yucky elastic slip-ons anymore.

I think the pair to the left, called "Picnic" are a great pair of vibrantly colored slingbacks that are perfect for a casual Friday, a Saturday morning brunch, or a Sunday evening soirée. They come in a variety of colors, but I absolutely love this orange faux-leather option. Paired with khaki, olive green, or just basic white, they're sure to make a statement. Plus they're on sale for $59.25. Plus they come in sizes 5 1/2 through 12. Done.

If you'd rather wear your brightness on your arm, then go for R.J. Graziano's "Bright Idea" bangles, which are available from - of all places - the Home Shopping Network! I didn't even know HSN sold stuff like that. Probably it's a good thing that I don't get that station; I'd never turn it off!

Anyway, about the bangles... They're acrylic and have this translucent thing going on, which I love. I'd pair two together. I especially like the combination of purple and yellow, worn with a brown dress maybe. It sounds a little out there, but try and you'll see. With something this fabulous, you can keep the rest of the jewelry to a minimum. And at $27.95 each, they're certainly not cheap, so let them be the focus of your outfit!

Now guys, don't think I've forgotten about you. I don't recommend any neon man-jewelry, or even shoes, really. (Can neon, patent-leather tennis shoes please go away for a while? Please?) Guys have it a little easier, actually. If you want to wear neon, I say go all the way and pick up a tee or two from American Apparel's Highlighter series.

Seriously, just go for it. Throw on a pair of dark wash jeans, some Converse Jack Purcell's and you're out the door. This is especially relevant if you're looking to pick up chicks. Why? Because everyone will be asking about your shirt. I'm not in the business of giving dating advice here, dear readers, but trust me on this one. No guy in a neon tee shirt will go unnoticed for too long. On the other hand, however, if you're heading out for a job interview, it's probably best to stay away from such colors. Just sayin'...

Ahhh...I'm feeling younger already, just thinking about picking up a few neon-hued pieces for summer. I think I'll keep the bright green on my feet, though, and not around my face. That color seems best reserved for those of a deeper complexion. I, on the other hand, tend to look a little seasick. But vibrant orange, shining yellow, hot pink - these are my friends. I shall wear them well.

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

The "W.E.I.O." Challenge

Well folks, expect to see a lot more photographic eye-candy and hopefully more interesting post matter in the near future because I've had an epiphany. While sitting in the bathtub the other day, an idea so grand that I was nearly inclined to look for a light bulb popping on above my noggin struck me. What is said idea, you ask? Allow me to elaborate:

I have a lot of clothes. As often as I go through my plethora of wearables and try to weed out some of the lesser worn articles, I still can't help but remark that I have managed to collect, for lack of a better word, quite a collection. Even worse, I still don't feel like I have enough. Sad, but true.

Worse than that even, is the fact that nine times out of ten, I take forever and a day to get ready to go anywhere. Why, you ask? Because I can't find a thing to wear. Much to my chagrin (and even more so to Dean's), on those days I usually end up putting on the same old tried and true t-shirt and jeans. Bor-ing. (Not to mention I always make a mess of the rejected outfits in the process.) So I have devised a plan to put an end to this endlessly annoying habit. Without further ado:

The "Wear Everything I Own" Challenge (W.E.I.O.)

Yes ladies and gents, I'm going to attempt to wear every article of clothing I own. (Not at the same time sillies.) Never again will I be able to say "Oh, I like that, but I've never worn it/rarely wear it."

Basically, the purpose of the challenge is to:

• force me to incorporate articles of clothing that I never/rarely wear into an outfit I like.
• help me to be a little more creative and bold with my ensembles.
• break me of my indecisiveness when getting dressed.
• motivate me to appreciate and utilize what I already have, instead of constantly wishing I had more.

The rules and guidelines of my challenge:

1. Make a list of all articles of clothing. This includes:
• every pair of pants.
• every top.
• every dress.
• every skirt.
• every pair of shoes.
• every piece of jewelery.
• all miscellaneous accessories (tights, leggings, scarves, hats, etc).

2. Each day, create a new outfit incorporating a new article of clothing, then check off said article of clothing on the list. Basic items, like tights, basic tees, and other accessories can be used more than once, but not excessively. The point of the challenge is to break away from the habit of wearing "favorites" all the time.

3. Most importantly, do not take more than one hour to get dressed and ready to walk out the door. And have a good attitude about it as well. The words "I look like crap" shall not escape my lips!

4. Take a picture of the daily ensemble to post.

Finally, it would be spectacular to have others join me in my quest! If you're interested in joining in on the W.E.I.O. challenge, grab a badge, and repost this if you'd like! I'd love to share your pictures, as well as mine, as we delve excitedly into fun project!





<br/><a href='http://thehappyhippie.blogspot.com/2007/09/weio-challenge.html'><img src='http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/1356337798_acf8de3607_o.jpg'/></a><br/>




<br/><a href='http://thehappyhippie.blogspot.com/2007/09/weio-challenge.html'><img src='http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1314/1355445999_d2379ff85b_o.jpg'/></a><br/>

T3’s Ticket to Fabulous Honeymoon Hair!

Calling all Brides-to-be! T3's got your ticket to fabulous hair! Beach getaways bring on more than romance – they bring on frizz! That’s why, T3, designers of professional hair styling tools and products, has teamed up with acclaimed hairstylist, Orlando Pita, to give brides everything needed for Hot Honeymoon Hair.

T3 has a really cool promotion going on called Honeymoon Hair - brides to be enter to win a 2-day trip to New York City, a private hair consultation/makeover with Orlando Pita, T3 tools (a line of pink styling tools) and products, cash and a Sephora shopping spree! Brides can enter at www.honeymoonhair.com! The contest has already begun and ends June 13th. Jump for more tips on fabulous hair from Orlando!

Day 1 of W.E.I.O.

If it weren't for the fact that I really like this outfit and I'm jonesing to get going on the W.E.I.O. challenge, I wouldn't have even bothered to upload this pic. I waited too long to take it and had to do so indoors, hence the bad lighting.

vintage button-up: thrifted
sweater vest: thrifted
skinny jeans: Target
slip-on argyle sneakers: Payless
vinyl bag: thrifted

I bought the sweater vest (or as Dean calls it, my "swest") a few months ago, but until yesterday it was too hot to wear it. It actually ended up being a tad too toasty indoors for the "swest," but I toughed it out. The weather is supposed to be cooling off quite soon, I couldn't be more thrilled. My fall wardrobe has been itching to come out of hiding. :]

evintage Blog Tag - Slips!

1) Show us your favorite vintage slip in your inventory -
Zoinks, there are so many that I love - I have 14 pages of Slips currently for sale! There's a great selection, many came from the estate of the same lady, who loved lingerie in pretty colors.
My current very favorite slip is this pale blue-green by Aristocraft. It has beautiful lace around the bottom.



And then here are some more pretties that I can't resist showing off.




2) Lace trim or chiffon trim? Whats your favorite?
The lacier the better!

3)Colors or neutrals, whats your preference?
I love the pretty colors of slips, but to be honest, the ones I wear myself are usually ivory or black.

4)Favorite label in vintage lingerie? (Vintage Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Movie Star, Barbizon?.)
I love Van Raalte slips. They are always beautiful designs, pretty colors and easy to spot quality. As soon as you touch a Van Raalte, you know it's one before you even spot the label.

5)Full slip or half?
For myself I'd say full slips under dresses. Mainly because a full slip means less around the waist and I get bothered by elastic around my waist.

6)Slips worn as dresses in public?..yea or nay?
Sure. I've never worn a slip as a dress myself, but I have worn opaque half slips as skirts on many occasions in the Summer. I lreally like the look of an older silk or rayon slip worn as a dress. As long as it's done nicely, and not trashy.


Check out the eVintage Blog Tag every Wednesday. Follow the links to read the posts from all of the participating blogs. I was tagged by Vintage Joy and now I'm tagging Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict

20 Celebrity Mental Breakdowns

It’s not uncommon that some of our society’s most brilliant and alluring individuals are often plagued with horrific personal and mental issues. In fact, sometimes these very sicknesses are connected to the individual’s shining moments – a genius and panache that come during moments of extreme highs. But unfortunately, what comes up must come down. And many times those people who seem so self-controlled, self-motivated, and self-confident are also the most haunted and self-destructive. Here’s a list of 20 celebrities who know all-too-much about mental illnesses and the terrifying mood swings that accompany a sick mind.

1. Britney Spears: Britney Spears’ struggles with mental illness started to exhibit themselves most obviously after her divorce from Kevin Federline and the birth of her two sons. While Spears has yet to go public with a formal diagnosis from her doctor, she has been committed to a mental hospital, has been caught on camera shaving off her hair in a Los Angeles salon, and has had custody of her children revoked. Currently, Spears is still going through treatment and trying to regain the rights to her children. Her father Jamie Spears has been put in charge of her legal and monetary affairs, and while she seems to be keeping a lower profile these days, it’s unclear whether she is getting better at all.


2. Rosie O’Donnell: With all the attention focused on Britney Spears’ antics these days, Rosie O’Donnell has sought to take some of the heat off the young starlet by speaking out about her own struggles with mental illness, saying she should be the poster child for metal disease. Recently she told a TV talk show host, “I have been on anti-depressants since Columbine.” O’Donnell has said that she believes she is bi-polar, an assumption that might be buffered by her quick temper and recent firing from The View, said to be because of her difficult personality.


3. Marilyn Monroe: This legendary actress grew up in a world of mental illness. Her maternal grandparents and her mother all suffered from insanity. Her grandfather killed himself and her mother spent most of her adult life in a mental institution, where she died in the 1980s. Monroe kept a cheerful appearance in public, but in private she struggled mightily with depression. Her genetics and the fact that Monroe grew up in a series of foster homes didn’t give her much of a fighting chance against mental ills, and in 1962 Monroe was found dead of a supposed prescription drug overdose.


4. Tim Burton: The eccentric filmmaker Tim Burton’s mental health has been under debate for many years, with many people assuming he was autistic. It turns out, however, that Burton suffers from bipolar disorder, an illness that afflicts many celebrities. People with bipolar disorder have violent mood swings characterized by extreme highs and crippling lows. Bipolar is also the correct term to describe what used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar people are often said to be more creative, which may help explain Burton’s wildly imaginative films like Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.


5. Mike Wallace: 60 Minutes newsman Mike Wallace is known for his hard-hitting news stories and his tough exterior. But in 1984, after one of Wallace’s news reports about the Vietnam War resulted in a $120 million lawsuit, Wallace descended into a deep depression that was misdiagnosed and mistreated for several years. Wallace has since gotten much better and is a public advocate for those suffering from depression. He talks about his experience taking a plethora of drugs in an attempt to treat his illness and he even tried to commit suicide once by overdosing on pills. Today Wallace continues to heal and spends much time talking about depression, even testifying before the Senate about the disease.


6. Patty Duke: Patty Duke, the all-American TV star, earned an Oscar at the ripe age of 16 for her portrayal of Hellen Keller. But living in a household where she was sexually abused and allowed to drink from a young age, Duke’s emotional problems began to arise. She began to have violent mood swings – dangerous highs and lows, which she later chronicled in a book and TV movie, both titled “Call Me Anna”. She said her first experience with the disease came at the age of 9 in the form of a panic attack, and she then struggled with depression and anxiety during her adolescence. While acting on her hit series “The Patty Duke Show”, Duke’s illness raged forth in a manner that could no longer be ignored. Her managers and childhood guardians got her medical attention, and she became drugged out on the wrong medicines that were ineffective at treating her bipolar disease. Over the years, Duke experienced many hospitalizations and therapies before finally finding the right combination with Lithium. She now lives a happy life and is in control of her illness.


7. Francis Ford Coppola: Acclaimed movie director Francis Ford Coppola has been the brain behind legendary movies such as “The Godfather” Series and “Apocalypse Now” and he’s the father to another notable director, Sophia Coppola. But despite winning 5 Oscars and earning 36 other award nominations, behind the scenes Coppola also struggles with bipolar disease, which possibly explains why he is thought of as one of Hollywood’s most unpredictable and tempestuous directors. But it’s not uncommon for the disease to afflict such accomplished individuals, such as Coppola. Bipolar disorder is often called The CEO’s Disease because it’s common among many famous and not-so-famous leaders.


8. Brooke Shields: Brooke Shields has been a leading lady in Hollywood since a child and has survived a high-profile marriage to tennis star Andre Agassi. Now on her second marriage, Shields recently wrote a book called “Down Came the Rain”, which chronicled her struggles with post-partum depression after the birth of her child Rowan. Shields describes in her book about how she heard destructive voices in her head, found it impossible to bond with her baby upon returning from the hospital and had no will to care for her daughter. Shields says she thought of suicide and felt like a failure. Shields tried anti-depressants. They worked and brought her to a place where she could bond with her baby. Though she was criticized heavily by her Scientologist friend Tom Cruise over her decision to medicate, Shields credits it with bringing her out of the fog. She now has a second daughter named Grier.


9. Roseanne Barr: Comedienne Rosanne Barr was a TV sensation in the 1990s, starring in her self-named series in which she portrayed a dry, mid-western housewife with ease. But Barr is also one of the more controversial and polarizing figures of her time, as her crassness and blunt way of speaking turned many fans away. Her life has had its fair share of drama: she claims she was sexually abused as a child and her highly-publicized marriage to Tom Arnold ended in bitterness with her claiming domestic abuse. Roseanne also claims that she has multiple personality disorder, also known as dissociative personality disorder. While Barr wrote on her blog that she was relieved of many of the disease’s symptoms while on a trip to Israel, she also previously told Larry King in 2001 that she has been known to “regress” during times of great stress and that the disease makes her do “crazy things that you don’t know you do or want to do.” Barr also has been hospitalized for the disorder in the past.


10. Carrie Fisher: Carrie Fisher is the daughter of Hollywood star Debbie Reynolds and she is best known for playing the role of Princess Leia in “Star Wars”. But despite her privileged pedigree and successful career, Fisher battled depression and bipolar disorder for years. Not knowing what was wrong with her, Fisher turned to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. Even though a doctor suggested that she was manic and that she try Lithium when she was 24, Fisher didn’t believe him. It was only when she overdosed on drugs at the age of 28 that she began to listen to doctors more intently. Though Fisher says she’s experienced trouble with Lithium and has regressed in treatment, it eventually helped her calm her demons. Fisher wrote “Postcards from the Edge”, a bestselling book about her disease. She has also been recognized by many mental health associations for her work at raising awareness about the disorder.


11. Jim Carrey: Jim Carrey grew up in an eccentric family, where everyone had to pitch in for rent. When his father lost his job, the family sank into poverty and everyone had to work, a situation that forced Carrey to drop out of high school. Now, Carrey is a riotously funny actor who’s made tens of millions of dollars acting crazy in front of the camera. Turns out part of that craziness can be attributed to the fact that he has long suffered from depression and has admittedly taken Prozac during bad spells. During a 60 Minutes interview, Carrey admitted to being on the drug for “a long time” before finding God and abandoning the medication for a strong ritual of spirituality. “I had to get off at some point because I realized everything is OK,” he said. Today, Carrey is dating Jenny McCarthy and together the two of them are raising McCarthy’s autistic son.


12. Sinead O’Connor: Controversial Irish singer Sinead O’Connor made her fortune off her unique voice and buzz-cut hairdo. She also made headlines for ripping up a picture of the pope on a “Saturday Night Live” appearance. But it turned out that there was an explanation for her combative behavior and often-times attitude of anger toward the world – she was suffering from bipolar disorder and depression. O’Connor says that she started having very persistent thoughts about suicide at the age of 23 that clouded everything else in her life. She finally took herself to a hospital for the third time seeking psychiatric treatment. Though her previous therapies and admissions had never brought forth a diagnosis, this time it stuck and O’Connor was revealed to have bipolar disorder. She was prescribed medication, which she said has helped her enormously. She now lives outside Dublin and is the mother to four children.


13. Hugh Laurie: “House” star Hugh Laurie plays a mentally disturbed doctor on TV, but in his real life Laurie has struggled with depression for many years, having received a clinical diagnosis for the disorder. While he continues to receive psychiatric treatment, he also has said that the disorder is not helped by the fact that he has to live in L.A., thousands of miles away from his family in London, while shooting his series. Laurie said that he first realized something was wrong with him while at a demolition derby where he felt “bored” by the exploding cars.


14. Linda Hamilton: Linda Hamilton plays a tough lady in “The Terminator”, but in her private life she suffered anxiety attacks and a crippling depression from bipolar disorder. Hamilton, who says her father had also self-diagnosed himself with bipolar, said she was an overeater as a young woman trying to deal with depression. She drifted from food to drugs and alcohol, saying she was an alcoholic and wild child for some time. When Hamilton found success in Hollywood, her disease worsened and though she has been in some form of treatment since the age of 22 she was prone to frantic moods and wild outbursts. After the birth of her child, she succumbed to an even deeper depression and paranoid thoughts about his safety and suicidal thoughts of her own. Once diagnosed, she tried to treat her illness with diet and exercise, but eventually went on medication and says today she has found some balance.


15. Maurice Benard: Similar to the path that Carrie Fisher took, Benard also suffers from bipolar disorder and also has had several psychotic experiences on his journey through treatment. Benard, who stars as Sonny on the soap opera “General Hospital”, recently went on the Oprah show to discuss his harrowing experience with bipolar disorder. He was diagnosed in his 20s and went on to meet and marry a woman, who knew about the disease. Benard says his lowest moment came during a night when his wife’s nieces were sleeping over and he, in a drunken and manic rage, threatened to kill all of them. Since that night, he says, he’s never stopped taking his medication again. But Benard says there were signs of his depression even before his diagnosis when he used to drink heavily as a teenager. He still works on “General Hospital” and has been recognized by many for coming forward with his story.


16. Jean-Claude Van Damme: Martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme is best known for his ripped physique and action-packed movies. But perhaps the catalyst for his obsession with martial arts and physical training came from a depression that has plagued him since he was a child. Van Damme says as a young man he would work out endlessly to combat feelings of depression and self-loathing and that a day away from the gym was a day in the dumps. In 1993, he began using cocaine seriously to self-medicate, but three years later he checked himself into rehab. After a near-suicide attempt, Van Damme sought treatment and was diagnosed as bipolar. He now takes medication, which he says has turned his raging inward storm into a calm “lake.”


17. Ben Stiller: Comedic actor Ben Stiller followed his parents’ footsteps in becoming an actor, but he also followed them in other ways. Both of his parents and Stiller have spoken out about depression. In 2001, Stiller spoke out about his own diagnosis of being bipolar, saying he has not been “the most easygoing guy.” Stiller is being treated for the disorder, and says there is a “rich history” of it in his family.


18. Owen Wilson: Funny man Owen Wilson seemed to be living the life of a high-rolling Hollywood bachelor, starring in the hottest flicks and dating some of the most beautiful women, such as Kate Hudson. But in the summer of 2007, this image came to a screeching halt after it was reported that Wilson tried to commit suicide by slicing his wrists and taking a bunch of pills. The suicide attempt was attributed to many things – like his break-up with Hudson – but sources indicated that the troubles went much deeper. Wilson, who has a history of drug and alcohol abuse and spent time in rehab in 2000, was said to still be using illicit substances regularly and trying to treat a deep depression through self-medication. Friends said he had sunk into a deep depression weeks before the suicide attempt, and he is now said to be taking anti-depressants. He has since rebounded from the ordeal and appears to be doing better.


19. Winona Ryder: Doe-eyed Winona Ryder became a tabloid hit in 2001 when she was caught shoplifting quite a bit of contraband from a Saks Fifth Avenue store. She stood trial for the crime, pleading not guilty. During her arrest, however, Ryder was also caught with many prescription drugs on her person for which she didn’t have prescriptions. Since that incident, Ryder has spoken about her struggles with anxiety attacks and depression, saying that she has tried hospitalizations, medication, and therapy and said she sometimes feels “broken and confused.” Ryder continues treatments, is in a relationship, and has starred in a few movies in the past few years.


20. George Michael: 80s music sensation George Michael has had a glamorous life with some tawdry details. In 1998, Michael, who is gay, was in a public restroom with a cop who later arrested the singer for lewd behavior. In 2006, Michael was arrested for possession of drugs, investigated for driving under the influence, and arrested again for drugs in three separate incidents. He has admitted to problems with drugs and to suffering from depression.

Caution: Dangerous Curves Ahead

As you know, dear readers, Levi's is currently conducting a denim drive in select markets. Drop off your pants, get a discount at the Levi's Store, and Goodwill is the recipient of all donated denim. Love it! And in D.C. there are two locations: Georgetown and Tyson's Corner, the former of which hosted some Goodwill staff as part of a special event for they were holding a couple of weeks ago. While there yours truly, the DC Goodwill Fashionista, was allowed to select two outfits to be this week's Goodwill Good Buy of the Week. Like the cowgirl painted on the store wall to the right says, "Yee-Ha!"

It was a tough choice, I have to tell you, to decide upon the pieces. Usually I'm going for a unique item or two among a store comprised almost entirely of one-offs, a task for which I find myself well suited. This time I had a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles laid out before me. The selection was huge. My choices were piling up before me. And then I hit upon these...

Levi's new Curvy Boot Eco Jeans. Um, perfection? Maybe. Let me explain. The Curvy Boot Jeans are a new fit that Levi's is introducing and it's specifically designed to flatter girls with a smaller waist and - ahem - a bit of a rear end. Think J-Lo. But, like, Selena-era J-Lo.

You won't find these jeans in any store, however. Oh no, dear readers. The pair I have is one of only 51 styled as part of a Limited Edition Collection of Levi's "Designer for a Day" auction. Catherine Pino won the opportunity to design that pocket you see to the left (along with the rest of the jeans, of course), and these are the only pair left anywhere that you can buy with that signature pattern!

They're a size 12R (the inseam's about 32") and let me tell you, I saw women from a size 0 to a size 20 wearing them and it was like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants or something. The jeans magically fit every body. They're in a medium dark rinse and have a wide hem at the bottom of the leg, which I think makes them both flattering and just a bit dressier than your average pair of denim.

But wait, there's more! It's not like I totally slacked off on the rest of the outfits. The men's jeans are also Eco, the Eco Vintage Straight 539 Jeans, to be exact. What does that mean? Well, like the women's jeans, that means they're made out of 98% organic cotton and 2% Lycra. And yes, they use a lower case "e" for Eco, but it just looks weird to me. So there.

Both pairs of jeans are complemented by great summery shirts: a white cotton spaghetti-strap camisole with macramé detail on the front for the gals; and a blue plaid short-sleeved cotton snap-front (pearlized snaps, no less!) short for the guys. Both are in a size large and all of the clothing items in todays Good Buy are brand new with tags.

The bag, however, is classic Goodwill: a vintage woven leather satchel from Banana Republic Safari & Travel Company. What? Huh? Yes, dear readers, this bag pre-dates the buyout by the Gap in 1983 of the original Banana Republic. It's a vestige of another era - probably the late 70s - when Banana Republic's shopper were headed to the plains of Africa or the outback of Australia. Who knows where this bag has been? It's in great shape, though. Very chic.

So here's the thing: this week we're switching it up a bit. All of these items will be available not on the DC Goodwill eBay store, but on shopgoodwill.com, another great online site bringing you merchandise from Goodwill stores in D.C. and all over the country. They'll be posted later this afternoon, so you better get ready.

Oh, and don't forget...to Show Us Your Denim! There's still a few days left to enter the competition and submit pics of jeans or other denim clothing you've found at Goodwill and made your own. Entries can be sent to me, the DCGF, at fashion@dcgoodwill.org. And the prize might be right in front of you, in the picture above. Like, underneath the plaid shirt...that hint of blue... Hmm....

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

Prescriptives Daily Pop Quiz May 16, 2008

****Congratulations to todays winners, Alex and Sonia! It was indeed a necklace that Slim used to prove Jupiter's paternity. Thanks everyone!****

In the movie Enough, JLo plays a mother who devotes herself to protecting her life and the life of her daughter. In desperation, she must ask her estranged father for money, what does Slim (JLo) give her birth father to prove their relationship?



Leave your answer in the comments section, please!

Game Rules Here.

Sponsored by Prescriptives!

Take Your Jeans Off!

...For a good cause, that is. Beginning today and lasting through May 1st, shoppers in select markets can drop off their gently used jeans at a participating Levi's retail store and receive 20% off a new pair of jeans. Nice!

If you're in one of the following areas, you're in luck:

-Lexington, Soho and 14th Street in New York City, NY

-Union Square in San Francisco, CA, and Valley Fair in San Jose, CA

-Michigan Avenue, Bucktown, Evanston and Woodfield in the Chicago, IL, area

-Santa Monica, Del Amo, Topanga, Victoria Gardens, Irvine and Santa Barbara in the Los Angeles, CA, area

-Georgetown, Tysons Corner, Harborplace, Annapolis and Towson in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area

And what, exactly, will Levi's do with all of that fabulous donated denim? Why, pass it along to Goodwill, of course! It's a win-win partnership. Need more info or store locations? Check out Goodwill Industries International's website for additional details.

Now here's the fun part. This promotion has inspired us here at Goodwill of Greater Washington to sponsor a "Show Us Your Denim" contest.

That's right, dear readers, it's YOUR opportunity to show off how you've taken a pair of jeans, a denim skirt or jacket that you've found at Goodwill retail store and hemmed, embroidered, deconstructed, bedazzled, or otherwise modified it to make it your own unique piece of clothing!

So, you're saying to yourself, I have this fabulous denim garment I've made my own...how do I let you know about it? Well that's easy: just send an email to fashion@dcgoodwill.org with 2-3 pictures as attachments (attachments, please, not pasted into the body of the email!). We'll review all submissions here at the office and select the top entries, which will then be voted on YOU, the readers, to determine the best one! And the prize is...well, the prize is really good. That's all I can say for right now.

All entries must be received by Friday, May 2nd. The voting will occur during Goodwill Industries Week, May 5th - 8th, and the winner will be announced on Friday, May 9th. How exciting!

Questions? Comments? Use the email address above. So start shopping and snapping pics...and "Show Us Your Denim!"

Goodwill’s fashion blog provides detailed knowledge and insight on vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories that are valuable to fashion shoppers. The facts and opinions shared present readers with entertaining, exciting and value based information on vintage and contemporary fashion and shopping trends.

Look Book - Carl

Thanks to SJ+Hat we were introduced to Melbourne-based fashion designer Carl , whose clothing line recently has been snapped up by American Neiman Marcus. In Sydney, his items are stocked at Duck Egg Blue.

His spring/summer 07/08 collection presents clean lines in silk and satin, and complements his super minimalistic website.

Check out the complete look book in pdf-file here.

Prescriptives Daily Pop Quiz May 20, 2008

"Stepmom" starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon and Ed Harris is a classic Mom Movie! Julia Roberts plays Isabel, the adorable new wife trying to juggle her job with her new family. What is Isabel's career?



Leave your answer in the comments section, please!

Game Rules Here.

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