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Saturday, February 29, 2020

Friday, February 28, 2020

Catch of The Day - 2/28



Today's Catch of the Day has several notables: 

First a Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Boatneck Sweater it is described as "Relaxed fit, Intended to hit at the hip, 21" body length, Ribbed boatneck/shoulders and Short sleeves with ribbed cuffs." This weekend it is 30% off the $89.50 regular price and will likely have further reduction spoon. . 

Next Talbots' POPPY BOW FLATS - DOT PRINT - They are so cute and comfortable. I love polka dots. Keep a watch - I am sure Talbots will have then on sale soon. 

Also the pants are from Talbots' REFINED BI-STRETCH STRAIGHT-LEG PANTS.  Wow do these fit beautifully. There is just enough stretch to fit in all the right places and the side zip/flat front is so feminine. I got them on sale, however, they are listed as a favorite so will be back. Almost worth it at regular prices.  

The final item to mention is  spero Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick Trophy Wife Colour. This is the best lipstick ever. It glides on, is mat in color, and stay forever.  Don't worry - washes off.  If you do not like the mat texture then add a lip gloss. The perfect color and name - "Trophy Wife"




Thursday, February 27, 2020

Identity Politics

According to Wikipedia, the term identity politics in common usage refers to a tendency of people sharing a particular racial, religious, ethnic, social, or cultural identity to form exclusive political alliances, instead of engaging in traditional broad-based party politics. They promote their particular interests without regard for interests of a larger political group.  


The Bill of Rights guarantees that the government can never deprive people in the U.S. of certain fundamental rights including freedom of religion, free speech and the due process of law. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that everyone in the United States has the right to practice his or her own religion, or no religion at all. 

As the ACLU states under the topic WHAT IS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM EXACTLY? -   "Our country's founders -- who were of different religious backgrounds themselves -- knew the best way to protect religious liberty was to keep the government out of religion. So they created the First Amendment -- to guaranteed the separation of church and state. "

I am not religious  and fall under the "No religion at all" column.  It is my opinion that every person has a granted right to worship and believe as they may. That granted right ends when they seek to impose their belief on me by rule of law. Witness, proselytize, preach, and teach all you want. However, I am free to listen, not-listen, join, not-join.   

Fundamentalists, under the agenda of  "Identity politics", have influenced the Trump administration’s plan, reported in the New York Times, that would assert that trans people have no legal right in federal law to define their gender as different from their biological sex. Gender is determined by sex and thus is set immutably at conception. The administration’s plan would deny the dysphoria of transgender people. There would be no legal path for us to leave behind our born sex or to present differently in public facilities. And we would no longer be able to claim protection against discrimination on the basis of gender identity under Title IX of the federal civil-rights law.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their creator, and which governments are created to protect. 

My sense of “gender identity”, and the rights linked to it, defines my “self-identification”.  It is personal.  Society has devised rules to protect women and children from the harm caused by men.  Society need to devise a means to protect all from policies and laws that religion would like to impose that are in opposition to broad-based politics.

If we do not speak up, we will see our progress, rights, and freedoms eroded.  





The wall that we really need!
 .  

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Veit Alex





Wow, a beautiful person! I cannot find out much other than she is a "Male Womanswear Model". If you Google her there are many amazing photographs.  What a dream job/life.  Let us know if you find more.



Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Feminine Deferential - Body Shape (Apple)


The Facts About Figures: The Apple Shape



My Note - This is great advice for the figure many of us are blessed with.   


Apple shapes, rejoice! We're here right now to chat about how you, yes you can dress your shape and play up your most favorite features. Before we get started, let's get one thing straightened out—inverted triangles and apple are somewhat synonymous. Both shapes are known for their broader shoulders, but typically, true apple shapes carry a little more in their midsection while inverted triangles do not. No matter what features you want to flaunt (or conceal), we've got you covered with this 5-step guide for dressing your apple-shape figure.


SO WHAT’S AN APPLE SHAPE, ANYWAY?
You are generally well-proportioned
Your shoulders are broader than your hips
You are not necessarily as curvy through your hips
You don’t have a well-defined waistline (If you do, you’re likely an hourglass!)

GUIDELINES FOR DRESSING THE APPLE SHAPE
When it comes to styling the apple shape, life is sweet! Apple and inverted triangle shapes look best when playing up their full bust, their amazing legs and/or their arms. In general, silhouettes that don’t rely on a traditionally structured waistline are your hardest working pieces.

1. START AT THE TOP!
Must-Have Tops For Apple and Inverted Triangle Figures

Good news! The world’s most comfy tops also happen to look amazing on the classic apple frame. Your power pieces include:

Breezy A-line silhouettes
Flowy tunics
Relaxed, boyfriend button-ups
V-neck anything
Looking for more structure? Choose a substantial fabric that will streamline your look from your bust through your hips. Fabrics like raw silk, linen, tweed, gabardine and thicker cotton (avoid jersey—it can be thin!) will all do the trick.

So, what about sleeve length?
This is where rules go out the window. If you love your arms and shoulders and are proud of those push-ups, go strapless or sleeveless! If you prefer to cover up, try a more fitted sleeve to help balance your fuller bust and midsection.If you’re on the curvy side, elongate your neck with plunging (or shallow) V-neck or scoop-necks. More of a “downplay” kind of girl? Look for a higher neckline in a dark shade like black or navy.

2. THEN, ADD LAYERS
The Best Jackets For Apple and Inverted Triangle-Shaped Figures
As is true with every shape, where your jacket hem hits will make all the difference. Apple shapes look great in any vest, coat or jacket that hits at the hip or upper thigh. A-line coats or straight, knee-length trench styles (without the waist belt) will be super flattering, and you can pull off a poncho like it’s your job.

3. SAY YES, TO THE DRESS(ES)
Perfect Dresses For The Apple Shape
If you love a great dress—you’re in luck! Strapless styles look great on you. Maxi styles with a lower neckline are super flattering, and a wrap dress can be your secret weapon (avoid “wardrobe malfunction” moments by wearing a cami underneath). If you like your legs, go mini all the time. If not, then knee-length shift and sheath styles look great too! A-line styles are great for curvy apples. And when in doubt, diagonal stripes and darker colors are always slimming.

4. LAST—BUT NOT LEAST
The Apple-Shapes Favorite Jeans & Pants
Take your pick! Skinny jeans and leggings look great on your shape, especially when paired with a breezy tunic, oversize sweater or generous button-down. Flares with heels are great for elongating your silhouette. If you have long legs, feel free to wear boot cut or flared pants with flats. Remember that the hem should either come to the top of your heel, or all the way to the ground.

Classic trouser fit, cropped, ankle… you can pretty much pull them all off! As a good rule of thumb, if your top is very breezy, you’ll want to grab a more structured or skinny pant to balance your look.

5. DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES
Outfit Toppers For Apple and Inverted Triangle Shapes
Love bracelets? Statement rings? Oversize earrings? You’re in luck! Necklaces too, but since dressing for any shape is all about balancing proportions, you’ll want to make sure to draw the eye up and down with a longer length, or keep it light and delicate.

One Last Thought On Body Shapes
Everybody and every  body is different. If you’re not an apple shape through and through, think of mixing and matching shapes to find the right fit for you. These dressing guidelines are best used as a starting point!



Monday, February 24, 2020

Gender Is Over

C.J.



From the Blog - Raising My Rainbow

Thanks to Velma for sending this along 

My name is C.J. and I’m 13 years old. I am a member of the LGBTQ community. My gender identity is male and my gender expression is female. That means that I’m awesome. Just kidding. It means that I was identified male at birth and I like my male body and I prefer male pronouns, but the way I dress and the things I like are considered feminine (whatever that means). Another way to describe me is gender nonconforming or gender creative.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve liked all the stuff in the “pink aisles.” I’ve always known I’m different. I’ve always known that I’m not a “typical boy.” And, I’ve never really cared that I’m different. There is no part of me – not even a single part – that wants to be a “typical boy.” The thought of having to play baseball or wear boys’ clothes makes me cringe with sadness. It makes me feel like I’d be forced to do something I don’t want to do. Kids shouldn’t be forced to be something or someone who they aren’t. Kids should be able to be themselves.

When people call me a girl or misgender me I don’t really care. To me, gender is over. Gender is so last year. But when someone tells you their preferred pronouns, you should use those pronouns. Just like when they tell you their name and you use it.

When I was little, like five or six years old, I wanted to be a girl. I never felt like I was a girl or like I was supposed to be a girl. That means that I’m not transgender. I don’t feel like I’m in the wrong body. I feel like I’m in the right body. I’m just me.

I know transgender people who have transitioned. I’m happy for people who transition because it means they are being their authentic self, but transitioning isn’t for me.

My advice for younger kids like me is that it’s going to be okay. Just be yourself. People will learn to like you the way you are. You aren’t weird, you’re just different. And being different is awesome!

My parents have always been supportive. They’ve always let me be who I am. My advice to parents who have a kid like me is they should let their kid be who they were born to be. It’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with your child. You need to learn to accept it, because you aren’t going to be able to change it. And, if you try to change it, you’re just making your child upset. You’re probably making yourself upset, too. And, your child might grow up to not love themselves. Everyone should love themselves.

I hate it when people say that my parents are forcing me to be the way I am. It’s seriously so stupid. How could my parents be forcing me to do things that I really, truly want to do? That makes no sense. I am being me. One hundred percent. And, at this point, I don’t care who sees me being me.

I haven’t always felt that way. I’ve been bullied, badly, but I’ve always come out stronger. Bullies aren’t going to get me to stop being me.

I think it’s important for people – including bullies and haters – to see me because people need to see there are kids like me out there. Gender creative kids need to see other kids like themselves. The more people see people like me, the less “different” we are and the more they accept people like me. Besides, I’m not ashamed of who I am.

Some of my favorite things are doing makeup, hanging out with friends and watching Queer Eye with my family. When I grow up I want to be a makeup artist and maybe a stylist. I love making people feel beautiful.

Read more...


Sunday, February 23, 2020

Political Cartoons 2-23




Draining the swamp - Trump Style








Saturday, February 22, 2020

Friday, February 21, 2020

Trip Photos - February '20













Casual travel day at Berry Hill Resort and walking around the VCU Campus. 





Wednesday, February 19, 2020

I Love A Success Story - Hari Nef





Harif Nef : a Day at fashion week with the transgender model - VOGUE PARIS



Hari Nef: ‘Identity is a dead end. It’s a snoozefest’




The transgender model and Transparent actor says she is an accidental activist. Her career has marked a shift in trans awareness – but she hates the thought of gender defining her.


Hari Nef 
Hari Nef is a 24-year-old American actor, model and activist, and is the first transgender model to be signed to a major modelling agency (IMG), and the first to land a glossy British cover (Elle).

“I was not the right girl. I was the lucky one in the right place at the right time. But people have been blazing this path for me for more than 50 years,” she says. She describes herself, and her peers, as the new generation – “because when we talk about previous generations, we’re referring to people only five or 10 years ago”.
Nef is not the first trans model (Barneys’ SS14 campaign cast 17 transgender models, and Andreja Pejić transitioned mid-career) but her signing has marked a cultural shift in trans-visibility. In 2014, when Nef was still in college, Laverne Cox became the first trans actor to be nominated for an Emmy for Orange is the New Black; the following year, Caitlyn Jenner came out.

Read more....






Monday, February 17, 2020

Speaking Engagement Tomorrow



Tuesday is my speaking engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond Va. I have been looking for the perfect professional look and finally choose the above. I am sure there will be a photographer and will post photos as soon. I am honored to be be recognized as an engineer, entrepreneur and woman in my chosen field.

I will keep everyone posted as to how it goes. Tuesday and Wednesday this week there will likely not be a post due to my travel schedule.  Wish me luck.









  

Sunday, February 16, 2020

Political Cartoons 2-16







Two "Trials of the Century" with similar results.
I was surprised this connection took so long. 








Friday, February 14, 2020

Child Being Raise Gender-Fluid

We’re Trying To Raise Our Child Gender-Fluid. Here’s What We’ve Learned In The Process.



Author and Her Child






BY: Mary Kearl Guest Writer
Date:  11/19/2019


As a woman who was raised decidedly in the “pink” side of the gender binary, with bows, ruffled socks, dresses, ballet classes and gymnastics, I know what I’m trying to do now as a mother is different than what my own parents did and what many others are still doing. Every parent’s journey in deciding how they want to raise their kids will be different and should be respected.

My parenting choice to attempt to raise my toddler free from the pink and blue gender binary wasn’t necessarily a result of one thing, but rather a conscious choice I’ve been trying to figure out over time. What I know today is that my husband and I want my child to have as many options in life as possible. 

The first conscious decision I made, along with my husband, was to wait to find out the biological sex, not gender—as one of my doctors reminded me, gender is an identity one adopts over time—until I gave birth. During my pregnancy this involved reminding several healthcare providers not to inform me. As a result, baby’s first nine months of existence inside my womb were full of those possibilities, and, as it was, after my 40+ hours of labor, my husband and I were in so much shock when our 8-pound newborn finally made an appearance that it took a few minutes to ask the midwife what the biological sex was when we realized that the umbilical cord was blocking the genital area.

Those first few minutes are probably the only my child will have free from any expectations of how to look, behave and feel. Because once the nurses found out the biological sex, they began saying things that reflect how our society treats biological females and males differently, even from day one. They’re the kind of things I have probably said in the past, without thinking. That’s how common it all is. “Oh, your girl is so beautiful.” “What a big, strong boy you have.” But now that it was my child, I wanted to start thinking about the words I (and others around me) use and all the other ways we create (or reinforce) gender norms without realizing it. 

The very first time I actively had a conversation about this newfound thinking was while I was still in the hospital. A nurse was assisting me with my catheter in the bathroom, while my husband and parents were in the delivery room, and I overheard my husband using gendered language to refer to our newborn. While still on pain meds and bleeding heavily enough that I was being monitored, I was experiencing a moment of clarity. 

When I stepped out into the room, I asked him to examine the words he’d said, what feeling or emotion was he trying to communicate? After all, aren’t phrases like “my beautiful princess” or “my handsome little man” placeholders for expressing love and pride? From that moment on, he’s used “mi vida” (“my life”) to convey that same feeling of pure joy and unconditional love that he felt in those first moments of holding our baby. Once we had that conversation, it opened up many more honest ones since, where we’ve discussed how to handle everything from the words others use to the (sometimes gendered) gifts they offer our baby.

... (read More at Huffpost)

When I see my child dart off ahead of me, stepping with purpose down the dirt road outside the home where we’re staying, I don’t see a girl or boy running, I see a small person so full of life — possibility. And I hope that always stays the same.


Thursday, February 13, 2020

Serious Name Dropping



Sorry about the shameless name dropping.  There are two takeaways from this fashion layout. The jeans continue my love affair with this season's straight leg jeans.  These are Levi's 501 and fit beautifully with the button fly front. My legs are not by any view thin, but the straight leg do provide a trim look. They also add some leg length to my short frame. The longer your legs the better they are going to look.   Tall girls - count you blessings. 


We The Free /  FreePeople Tag 
Also Macy's had the super cute FreePeople t-shirt shown on sale last week. Freepeople is a label found at many stores and overall the quality/fit is OK. This knit t-shirt, mostly sold out, was available in several colors and with some effort can still be found. A note on fit - FreePeople tops runs small. There is some irony with the brand "FreePeople"; made in China.  Oh well...

Irony abounds also with New Hampshire's License plate motto; "Live Free or Die" They are hand-stamped by inmates serving time in New Hampshire's prisons. 








Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Men Are Wearing Stilettos—If They Can Find Their Size





BY: Alaina Demopoulos
Style Write

Shaobo Han put on his first pair of heels at age 11. The pair wasn’t Han’s, exactly—he’d stolen them from his mother, to practice “prancing around the house when no one was around.” Han thought that boys weren’t supposed to wear heels, so he made sure to play with them in private.

“I have other male-presenting friends who have the same memory of trying on their mother’s clothes,” Han told The Daily Beast. “It’s fascinating that a collective memory exists. Even though nobody taught us how to wear heels, we all tried on our own.”

Years later, Han went to Forever21 to buy his first real pair of heels for $40. “I was lucky that my shoe size is a men’s eight, which is a women’s 10,” said Han. “Other people aren’t as fortunate. If they have larger feet than mine, it’s almost impossible to find something that fits.”

If a boy had larger feet, he could find stilettos at a drag store, but that resource would drastically limit any say he’d have in his own style. “Those shops cater to performers, so the shoes are much more outrageous,” Han said. At drag outlets you can find studded stilettos, leopard print pumps—but no subdued, day-to-day heels.

...

Women with larger feet have long been crafty when it comes to finding spike heels that fit. Regardless of their figure, they might shop a plus-size store such as Lane Bryant or Torrid, both of which carry up to a women’s size 13.

Last week, luxury Italian designer Francesco Russo launched a genderless line of stilettos available in Italian size 35 to 45. “It’s not a polemic, it’s not a political,” the designer told Vogue. “It’s simply how society is moving forward. I think it’s in our duty as people to produce product to respond to the world.”



Read the whole article at the Daily Beast


Tuesday, February 11, 2020

I love a success Story - The Wachowskis

Lilly Wachowski Talks Trans Visibility in Rare Public Appearance: "We Have to Break the F***ing Door Down"


 From The Hollywood Reporter
AUGUST 02, 2019 by Chris Gardner


Lilly Wachowski


“My sister Lana and I have largely avoided the press,” Wachowski explained in the essay, referencing her transgender sibling and longtime creative collaborator on such films as the Matrix trilogy, Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending and the series Sense8. “I find talking about my art frustratingly tedious and talking about myself a wholly mortifying experience. I knew at some point I would have to come out publicly. You know, when you’re living as a transgender person it’s...kind of difficult to hide. I just wanted — needed some time to get my head right, to feel comfortable.”

A month later, on April 2, 2016, Wachowski walked the blue carpet at the 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, and though it was a quick run-up to the occasion — she told The Hollywood Reporter at the time it felt like a Band-Aid had been ripped off — she made the decision to be there in part to support Sense8’s nomination (and eventual win) but also out of service. “I wanted to do it in such a way that I could help as many people as I could.”

That spirit of visibility and selfless generosity for the sake of a greater good brought Wachowski back into the spotlight Thursday evening, albeit one with a softer glow, on the second floor of the TV Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood. The event: a panel discussion titled “The Power of TV: Trans Visibility in Storytelling” presented by the TV Academy Foundation and Walt Disney Television. (In 2017, the TV Academy Foundation introduced a new series of public programs titled "The Power of TV" to examine TV's ability to shape culture and create positive social change.)

Read the whole article...


From left: Alex Blue Davis, Lilly Wachowski, Steven Canals, Brian Michael Smith, Disney's David Ambroz, executive director of corporate citizenship and social responsibility, TV Academy's Madeline Di Nonno, Alexandra Billings, and GLAAD's Nick Adams pose together ahead of the panel "The Power of TV: Trans Visibility in Storytelling," presented by the TV Academy Foundation and Walt Disney Television at the Academy's Saban Media Center on Aug. 1, 2019, in North Hollywood, Calif.

Monday, February 10, 2020

Normalize

To make normal.

Billy Porter's Oscars ensemble makes golden statement on red carpet



Billy Porter certainly delivered on his promise of a bold outfit for the 2020 Oscars.


The “Pose” star and fashion favorite, 50, hit the red carpet at Sunday’s awards show at LA’s Dolby Theatre in a custom Giles Deacon Couture look consisting of a gold feathered top and graphic printed ball skirt. Matching gilded lace-up heels by Jimmy Choo and Atelier Swarovski jewelry completed his outfit.

Last week, Porter was overheard teasing the look at a party, saying, “I have something cooking for the Oscars. It’s a surprise. I can’t tell any of you. Just you wait.” 

This seemingly phoenix-inspired ensemble comes exactly one year after the actor made his Oscars debut in a now-iconic black velvet tuxedo gown by Christian Siriano. He recently announced his plan to bring back the dress for his upcoming appearance on “Sesame Street,” prompting a few critics to clutch their pearls.


Porter clapped back, telling Page Six, “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. The really interesting thing for me is that that’s what it’s all about when it comes to LGBTQ people — the first thing everyone wants to talk about is how we having sex.”

Although 2019 was the year the “Kinky Boots” star rocketed to style superstardom, he’s been making headlines with his sartorial choices in 2020 so far, too; he swanned into January’s Golden Globes wearing a white feathered suit by Alex Vinash, and captivated the crowd with a sparkly remote-controlled hat on the Grammys red carpet.

Friday, February 7, 2020

Catch Of The Day - Coral Sweater




Coral seems to be a big color for spring.  I love the color because it makes my grey hair pop. This is an open weave and the slouched look on the shoulders hangs just right down the body. This will pair perfectly with any jeans - blue denim or white. It could easily be dressy with a white pair of slacks and heels.  The Coral heels are the Coach (Waverly) with a few sizes left on sale. 


Dinner at Cafe Via Flora
Palm Beach on my Birthday

The sweater is Venus and is new, listed as simply " OPEN KNIT SWEATER".  The current non-discount price is $39.00 (still very reasonable).  Perhaps wait for the sale, however, recently their super great look tops have been selling out. 


I know I am getting a head-start on a spring look, but let's plan ahead for those casual escapes coming up. I am also thinking of how great this will look with white shorts.  Enjoy...  




Thursday, February 6, 2020