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Life of Colleen
Odds and sods, part 5
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2010-02-12
at 10:26 PM (Pacific)
Milligan: Someone's coming up the stairs, sir!
Bloodnok: What?! Quick, burn this on the fire.
Milligan: Right. What is it?
Bloodnok: A piece of coal.
Listening to:
I like it even better than the song it sampled (Tom Tom Club's Genius of Love).
Oh when you walk by every night
Talking sweet and looking fine
I get kind of hectic inside
Oh baby I'm so into you
Darling if you only knew
All the things that flow through my mind
But it's just a sweet sweet fantasy...
On the wardrobe front--I've been seeking a boatneck top for quite some time. The trick lies in finding one that's not overly casual.
Not really sold on the J.Crew version yet. It's unavailable in stores (rolls eyes), so naturally I checked the J.Crew Addict blogs. Mixed reviews; some complaints about fit, and about the raw edge in last year's 'Crew model. Hm. I'd prefer one with a higher, narrower neckline, like this:
The sole drawback here is the limited color selection--three to be exact (light grey, deep grey and black).
The beauty of a good boatneck is that it's practical. Done right, it can function as business-casual, as well as casual-casual, and few necklaces won't work with it. Or you can skip the necklace; few earrings wouldn't pop against such an uncluttered backdrop. Looks terrific with any hairstyle, pairs equally well with skirts or pants.
I'm not in a hurry to buy one, just looking around.
Much as I fancy myself a total screwtard with heels, I can handle small heels. I had a pair of vintage heels when I was around fifteen that I loved, and haven't been able to replace since. These are actually not too far off, even with the Cydwoq-y cutouts...it's the vibe of the heel itself, and of the long, pointy toes.
Plus, I have been look for something like a cross between a sandal and a pump, with a closed toe.Labels: cydwoq, jcrew, music, shoes, videos, wardrobe
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Happy Sunday!
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-12-20
at 6:48 PM (Pacific)
Hey, it's the Muni bus! uh huh....
A cheerful rendition of Nina Simone's classical tune (perhaps more famously covered by The Animals).
Trasparenze Gennifer merino wool tights review, continued
These stretch out half a size with wear. I now feel size 2 is correct for me; they were kinda like doll clothes, coming straight out of the package. You have to wear them once or twice.
Sometime I might check out the other shades--"dark khaki green," for example (Bosco) sounds useful--there is also a dark plum, fawn, and cream, as well as the Rubino red.
Finally got to see these in person (Bulo Shoes in the City carries them). I'm convinced now that Cydwoq shoes should not be bought online, unless it's a dire emergency. Like all things handmade, the shoes possess an intimate quality which doesn't translate too well to the Web.
The top leather is distressed-looking in real life, while the embossed lower leather isn't (and the pattern appears subtler too). These are the old pair of shoes I've been looking for. Though the footbed seems long and narrow, to me--I have those little Asian pancake feet--these run half a size small. So if I'd bought them online in my usual size, I'd be SOL.
Much as I've tried to avoid slapping up multiple music videos, I can't actually resist this one. Yabadabadai yoboboboboi, I wanna be your disco boy, I wanna dance with you, wanna hold you tight, wanna make you mine tonight...Labels: cydwoq, music, shoes, videos, wardrobe
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Odds and sods...
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-11-10
at 9:48 PM (Pacific)
Come to Mama! A built-in remedy, for Khrushchev and Kennedy--yes, I remember that song--I like these shoes, what with the little architectural windows.
Aubrey Organics Camomile Luxurious Shampoo review, updated.
I have since used this up, but don't plan to repurchase. Much prefer Blue Camomile:
Blue is thicker...I don't require weighty shampoo, but Luxurious was actually kind of hard to use, it was that watery. You had to pour and apply so carefully, to avoid wasting precious 'poo.
Blue smells better, as well: light and faintly sweet, rather than the almost medicinal scent of Luxurious. In fact, Blue has achieved this shampoo ho's (unusual) stamp of approval.
Neither lathers particularly well, being organic, but they do clean.
If the road to hell in software development begins with: "Wouldn't it be nice if...", in wardrobe development, it is: "There's a shop..."
This is a killer top. You may be thinking, meh, it's a cotton top...but it wasn't casually slapped together. Like the Art shoe above, a certain amount of thought went into its construction.
This top has a sort of draped, almost paper-like neckline (and cloth that evokes paper is one of my favorite things). The look is more timeless than the cowl neck I was contemplating before.
The cut around the bust is generous (yay!), without appearing baggy. Presumably the neckline would simply be more or less draped, depending on what size rack we are talking about.
The tiny "sleeves" make it seem more season-spanning than true sleevelessness, yet of course it would work in hot weather.
And...it's not cut straight, the way a dude would make it. It subtly undulates at the sides, just enough to be flattering, without being cheesy.Labels: aubrey organics, cydwoq, hair, shoes, wardrobe
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Wardrobe meanderings part 6
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-11-01
at 6:22 PM (Pacific)
 image courtesy bulo shoes
I'm starting to like these, even though they strike me as impractical. When it's cold enough to don tall boots, the last thing in the world you want is a row of holes in them. Yet there is something pleasantly architectural about them. You could always wear wool tights I suppose.
I got one of these...a non-pencil, yet narrow skirt.
I loved pencil skirts when I was a kid, but have been reluctant to wear them now. Not sure why; perhaps I've just seen too many of them (lost my interest in engineer boots for the same reason).
This character from television's Criminal Minds is...my new style icon. I know, I know, he dresses too fly for an FBI guy, and he is a dude after all, but I love his style.Labels: cydwoq, shoes, wardrobe
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Wardrobe meanderings part 5
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-10-31
at 2:55 PM (Pacific)
J.Crack update
I bought a men's cardigan on sale at the Corte Madera J.Crew, last time I went. It's no longer on the 'Crack website unfortunately, but it's a lovely black and dark grey, herringbone-patterned, merino wool cardigan. Something like this:
...but herringbone (am I the only one who finds the preponderance of solid colors robotic after a while?).
It was way cheaper than a women's cardigan would have been, and better. I washed it when I got home--I do that, for anything washable, to see right away how well it launders. And I detected not one fleck o' fuzz, nary a pill--as if a man would even notice? bemused
I don't actually want these shoes, but they're pretty decent looking.
Keener on Cydwoq oxfords:
 image courtesy bulo shoes
...but I'd want something in between the two. I've seen Cydwoq embossed leathers in person, and they are gorgeous, but not as versatile as plainer leather would be.
But then I haven't seen these "Recess" shoes in person; a bit hard to judge.
A mending tip
When mending a heathered item, in a place where it might show, use two threads--to match the two colors in the heather. Go over the hole once in the darker thread, then over that randomly in the lighter one.
Culled from Craigslist
Someone posted anonymously:
IMO they are adorable but be careful wearing boots over tights. I've had so many tights torn up by boots either because they are kind of ruggedly constructed inside or because the zipper snags when I cross my ankles. What I do now is tights, then cotton ankle socks then boots. Your tights will last longer.Labels: cydwoq, jcrew, shoes, wardrobe
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Wardrobe meanderings part 4
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-10-27
at 8:00 PM (Pacific)
 Tissue turtleneck, J.Crew
Thought I'd investigate "J.Crack," finally.
I suppose, on some level, I still thought of them as the mail-order catalogue company they once were--akin to Land's End, LL Bean and Eddie Bauer--before swapping out their wholesome WASP-y models for super-slim higher-fashion types. But the merchandise was still quite practical, from what I saw, with only a veneer of pleasant sartorial snobbery.
Take this turtleneck. Not a particularly sturdy t-neck, yet perhaps the ideal layering piece, precisely because of its thinner fabric and long skinny sleeves. It might well span the seasons better too.
The material was not Kleenex-tissue tissue, exactly; I tried on the above shade with what I thought the worst-case scenario bra (light-colored, with a ton of flowers on it), and the thing barely showed through. nods
 Biella cotton blend tights at sockdreams.com
Similarly utile are tights blended with natural and synthetic fibers. Natural fibers help feet breathe, while synthetics add stretch and smoothness.
Italians make the best tights and stockings. Pro-American as I am, I've never seen anything like Italian-made legwear; it's amazing stuff.
 But we still make better shoes...
Okay, a tough claim, given the quality of Italian-made shoes...but I've been wearing these boots (mine are all black leather). Oh, I love them. To the point I'm wondering if it's worth getting the same model in dark brown leather.Labels: cydwoq, jcrew, shoes, wardrobe
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Carla Bruni
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-08-23
at 9:52 PM (Pacific)
I came across this image--on craigslist, of all places. A pretty lady, for sure, but not why I saved the pic. What immediately struck me was that she was wearing flat shoes, with a narrow skirt...where everyone else presumably would wear heels.
This is a look I'm pondering...a pencil-type skirt with flats.Labels: shoes, wardrobe
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Stretching shoes
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-07-29
at 6:14 PM (Pacific)
Why didn't I try this earlier!?
Stretched one of my shoes last night. It is a process; since--logically--they sell you only one of these devices, it takes at least two nights to do a pair of shoes. And the stretched shoe needs further stretching (you can do this a few times apparently). But wow...what a difference already. These were shoes of the right length (meaning I couldn't go up even half a size) but too narrow for me. And now at least one of them almost fits.
I caved and got the "stretching spray" even though you can make one (rubbing alcohol and water) since it was, ah, cheap. I don't see it going bad, so there is the convenience factor.
There is also a "vamp stretcher" (pricier than the regular stretcher above)...and I was talking to a shoe repair guy, who told me the old shoe stretchers did both, but my feet are wide rather than high, so likely a vamp-stretcher would be a waste of money for me. (Conversely if your feet are high but narrow, the vamp-stretcher might be the better way to go.)Labels: shoes, wardrobe
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Wardrobe meanderings part 2
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-07-22
at 6:13 PM (Pacific)
Digging the cowl:
Having read the Fashion For Nerds analysis of cowl necks, I realized afresh how cool this style could be. I don't think you need tons and tons of them, just one or two in nice colors.
Current drool:
Though I'm undecided. Tall boots or short? It seldom gets cold enough around here to require tall boots, but often sufficiently chill to wear them as an option. Hmmm...
Unexpected:
I spotted one of these purses on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) today, only it wasn't U2, it was Elvis Costello. I was enchanted--these look nifty in person, with the clear image jumping out from the usual deluge of faceless handbags--and had to ask where the purse-carrier had gotten it. Turns out it is musicpurse.com; you can customize or choose from readymade album-cover designs.Labels: cydwoq, shoes, wardrobe
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Wardrobe meanderings
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-07-19
at 4:15 PM (Pacific)
I love this image. It's not a look I would ever copy, but that is the point. This ensemble works perfectly for this particular woman.
That's been my stock wardrobe advice (which no one ever listens to), for years. Wardrobe is seldom the thing itself. I could buy these items and wear them, but the look would be wrong for me. If this girl walked into a room, the air would brighten; the rose skirt is ideal for youth, and the dressy-casualness (sorry for the horrible hyphenation...casual-without-looking-like-a-slob-ness?) would work across a variety of social situations and weather.
Hence...I don't often look at another woman's clothes with the thought: That looks great, I want to buy something exactly like it. I tend to look at clothes as components. How is this component going to fit into my life? or is it?
I could use the blouse, actually; not the remainder.
I've done some study of shoes, lately. A shoe is an approximation; the odds are good it's not going to fit your foot until it's broken in. Hence the notion of stretching the shoe. You can pay a shoe repair place to do it, but I don't see anything wrong with doing it yourself.
I haven't tried it yet but can admit I look forward to doing so. I asked at a shoe shop; apparently the "shoe stretching" spray or liquid they sell you, amounts to rubbing alcohol and water. You could use a spray bottle and make some yourself. The readymade one is quite inexpensive though; it's your call.Labels: shoes, sundance catalog, wardrobe
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Troika 1
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-03-03
at 9:57 PM (Pacific)
Haven't I been waiting my entire lifetime for a cherry blossom cardigan? mumbles, clutches wallet furtively...
The same peculiar, watery guitar lines as "Another Time, Another Place"; both from 1980's Boy.
I know, I know...an engineer is fortunate if he can get his socks to match, much less his boots. :D But I'm seriously debating these boots. Frye has managed to continue manufacturing them in the U.S., giving at least some people here a decent job.
I should say Frye boots were the 70's - 80's fashion mag staple footwear; there is some sentimentality there for me as well.Labels: frye boots, music, shoes, troika, videos, wardrobe
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Troika
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-01-12
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
Is "Troika" superior to "Sheer Randomness" or even "Yadda Yadda"? I myself dislike obscurity in blogging; that's when you wind up with tales of someone else's boring personal life. At least a troika means three items. Wait and see I suppose.
You'll have to keep in mind, though I've heard these songs many times--because in those days, you'd buy the album, if you wanted to hear anything...then you'd play it from start to finish, since it was analog--I've barely seen the videos. It's funny, seeing them now.
Isn't Adam Clayton (aka Naomi Campbell's ex) dishy? He was always the most overlooked member of the band. I read it was his bass-playing which defined the sound of U2...because he hated being in the background, he made the bass notes higher, which forced the guitar higher than that.
Shoe porn alert! Bag and Shoe
Why can't these guys be on the West Coast? Preferably the Northern part of Cal? :D Not only do they carry the exact Cydwoqs I want, they're in the right colors too. The key is being able to try them on, in your size, and to have a variety to sample in the first place. Out here, Bulo Shoes in the City are good. But more would be merrier.
LL Bean Supima cotton tee shirt review/update:
Dang if these aren't the best tee shirts. Initially I balked at the higher cost, since I've worn Target's Mossimo shirts at half the price. But these are easily twice as versatile, and will no doubt wear at least twice as long. The sizes run a bit large--I got a medium, where I'd get large in the Mossimo tees--you don't get the "bust pulling" thing. The sole complaint I have is the body could be a skosh longer...though, if it is a trade-off, I prefer more fabric in the bust (seriously, modern shirts scrimp on fabric).Labels: cydwoq, music, shoes, supima cotton, troika, videos, wardrobe
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Cydwoq Sale Alert
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-01-11
at 11:17 AM (Pacific)
Ped Shoes
I'm not affiliated with them, have never bought anything from them, but they do have a bunch of Cydwoq shoes and boots marked down.Labels: cydwoq, sale, shoes
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Wardrobe analysis, 2009: Shoes
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2009-01-02
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
Aside from coats and heavy jackets, shoes are the most fundamental wardrobe staple...yadda yadda. I still haven't gotten mine, as I draw toward the close of my wardrobe project.
I do have my eye on some soon-to-be-end-of-the-season boots, to whit:
Only the ones I want are all black leather, not black paired with the burn-out design. I've nothing against the burn-out design; I tried it on in the "Handel" boot, and it's less funky and more versatile than it would seem.
Yet...the thing is this. I am getting shoes toward the end of my wardrobe development, not the beginning. It sounds counterintuitive; I'll guess most wardrobe gurus recommend you buy the shoes first, and jackets, then work the rest of the wardrobe around these key pieces.
However, I'm cheap. I would rather get some inexpensive footwear, like the Clarks "Tao" shoes I've been alternating for months:
...until I get enough clothes--enough pieces to compose the outfit I want, day after day, week after week, season after season, without having stuff I don't wear--once this sartorial nirvana has been attained, the "right" shoes will become obvious. Because they are the last puzzle piece, they have to fit in with the already-assembled bulk of the puzzle.
I've tried the Campus boots on; the calves just fit me, while the ankles are not tight. Form-fitting ankles would make these boots feel dated (when I was a kid in the 70's, go-go boots were high fashion; I owned a pair), but the snug calf feels good. The height is cool too...taller than a "shootie," but not a tall boot.
The little wooden heel is ideal for clods like me. (While I was at it, I tried one of their 2" skinny heel models, the Skate bootie...which looked terrific, but I was hopeless in the heels.)
I'm dying to try something like this, in fact:
Or these:
...with the shorter heel.
In that regard, it may be some time before I get my shoes, never mind the end-of-the-season boots. It's fine; I don't mind the Tao's. In fact I hate spending money on sandals, so I'm thinking of keeping something like the Tao in my rotation anyway.
images courtesy pedshoes.com, highartshoes.comLabels: cydwoq, shoes, wardrobe
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Shoe randomness
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-12-14
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
'Tis the season, with the bad drivers to prove it so. :) The thing is to drive more carefully now; the traffic is going to suck. I always get the thousand-year-old dude pulling in front of me (why? does it say "thousand-year-old-dude merge here" in front of my car?) and it's like...just accept it.
I got out to Rabat Shoes in Berkeley today to check out the shoes! I still haven't bought shoes. I've decided that's what I want for Christmas (we tend to give each other cash in my household). It was lovely seeing the Cydwoqs, but the selection is too limited. The atmosphere is nice, but I just need to see more Cydwoqs. They had the "Handel" boot there:
In person, it doesn't appear quite as funky, but the design is a skosh too un-conservative for what I have in mind. It's next to ideal as a casual boot. Even though they didn't have my size on hand (which is a peeve I have with them...with shoes in this price range, you need to try on your size, not have them bring it in from another store)--the shoe part was a bit too large--the boot upper fit like a dream. I'd forgotten but I had boots like that when I was a kid: snug-fitting with a zipper on the inside.
Handel wasn't a tall boot, nor was it a "shootie," but rather something in between. Which again could be ideal; warmer than a shootie, yet not as potentially sweaty as a tall boot, should the weather change mid-day.
I'm hoping to make it out to Bulo Shoes in the City tomorrow. At least on their site, they seem to have more choices.Labels: cydwoq, shoes, yadda yadda
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Cydwoq meanderings
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-10-29
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
I still need to buy my Cydwoqs. mumbles...
It's not the price that bothers me. I hardly ever buy shoes. The idea of purchasing a pair of shoes that will last year after year after year, pleases my cheapskate heart no end.
What cheeses me is finding places to try them on. There are stores around here that carry them...I tried Rabat of Berkeley and they had only Carry and the Command ankle boot. I didn't dare try on Command, because I knew I would want it, and it's probably not the most practical color (grey-green)--in this matter I insist on being annoyingly practical--I want dark shoes, don't wish to fret over every little scuff. Their Carry was nice--black, with a green "tear"--but (fortunately?) they didn't have it in my size.
It's not that I didn't like Carry; it looked great on me...I just want to be able to try on more options. Having choices is extremely important to consumers, as it is in life in general.
There is Bulo Shoes in the City. It's a hassle for me getting there...I don't live in the City anymore, don't miss it either...yet...what if they have tons of Cydwoqs? hmmm?
image courtesy www.buloshoes.comLabels: cydwoq, shoes
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P.S. An interview with Cydwoq founder Rafi Balouzian
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-10-28
at 10:05 PM (Pacific)
FN News - Arts & CraftsLabels: cydwoq, internet, shoes
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Internet: Shoetube!
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-10-01
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
 www.milieustyle.com
Shoetube
Yes, they have videos...and shoe-based blogs, and other shoe-related features. Even though the only shoes I've ever been crazy about are Cydwoqs. :)Labels: cydwoq, internet, shoes
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Cydwoq "Carry" shoe
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-09-23
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
I got to try this on, and would have bought it, had they had it in my size (Rabat Shoes in Berkeley).
The pic above layers Ped's olive-on-dark-green version with Gravity Pope's more prosaic black and brown...the Rabat Carry was better than either: black, with a dark green "tear." Black shoes go with just about anything, and the green tear added a dash of warmth, making the shoe more compatible with brown-based outfits. Of course the Gravity Pope black-and-brown would accomplish the same thing, but the green was more unexpected.
This shoe runs large. Usually I wear an 8, or 8-1/2 for narrower shoes (I have wide feet). But the 37-1/2 on hand was a bit too large for me. This shoe is ideal for wide feet and might not suit narrower ones.
Wearing it...very, very different from other shoes. The thing popping into my mind was a pair of genuine Dutch wooden shoes my sister and I used to play with...in terms of support...yet, lightweight and crisp rather than heavy.
The look of the shoe was entirely apart from anything I'd ever put on my feet. I knew I'd found my brand of shoes. I just...don't want to wear another incarnation of the same old shoe. I'd rather wear something distinctly American, something which sprang forth from someone's mind.
I still haven't settled 100% on the Carry, exactly...oh yeah, Rabat had an adorable grey-green Cydwoq "Command" boot on hand too, which I could have gotten in my size, but I really need an office shoe first, so decided to pass. I just wish there were more places carrying a wider range of Cydwoqs to try.Labels: cydwoq, shoes
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Made in the U.S.A. shoes
posted by Colleen Shirazi
2008-09-21
at 12:01 AM (Pacific)
Here are some shoes I've been looking at, all made here in the U.S.
I already decided on Cydwoqs, pretty much since my Shoegasm! post back in April. They're not cheap...okay, they're hella expensive*, so it's been a matter of distilling which shoes to try and where to buy them.
The Cydwoq site itself, naturally, has the widest selection, but shoes bought there are made to order, a sword cutting both ways.
On the one hand, you can choose exactly which colors and leathers you want for your shoes. On the other, returns are difficult; I think they'll try to get your shoes to work for you, but unless you've managed to try on the shoes in a b & m shop first, it's a bit hit or miss.
So, lacking the opportunity to try before buying, an etailer would appear to be the best bet. Of the ones I've found, Ped has the largest range of Cydwoqs (correct me if I'm wrong) outside of Canada's Gravity Pope.
I do check Ebay periodically, but the odds of them carrying the exact shoe I want in my size...meh...and Ebay isn't that cheap, and most of the sales are final.
Which Cydwoqs to get? Oh, that's not written in stone (hence the idea of PSD'ing them). And I am planning to head out to the few stores around here that carry them, first. Still I fancy "Carry" (top left, in two shades of dark green) and "Gate" (top center and right, in dark brown and crocodile-textured brown).
* Still they don't fall under "luxury pricing."Labels: cydwoq, shoes
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