Monthly Archives: April 2012

Kmart Festival Dress – OMG – It Fits!

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 This week there was a going away party at the Burning Man Headquarters because one of my favorite people ever and the Communications Manager and Regional Network Manager, Andie Grace is moving on.  She was my boss when I was the Wedding Coordinator for Burning Man for several years and I will miss her terribly. Although it was 68 degrees in San Francisco that day I knew it would be warm at the party so I wore my new sundress.

A couple of weeks ago I decided that I should check out kmart’s plus size clothes, just ’cause.  I ordered this Festival Dress in a Size 26-28 (my size)  for $18.74 with an extra 15% off, and it is 100% cotton, what a bargain.  I had no  hope of it fitting and then it came and when I tried it on it did not fit, but while I was putting it back in the bag and felt a drawstring which untied and then tried again – and OMG it fits and it is precious.  I cannot remember the last time I was so happy with a piece of clothing.  It was made for Burning Man or a hot day in the city.  It also comes in a print and if you wear this sort of thing it is a must have.  You might also want to check out the rest of the Love Your Style Love Your Size line.  I am pleasantly surprised by kmart plus sizes…affinity

Necklace: I made this is 2009, Precious Metal Clay and Colored Pencil
Bra: White strapless Goddess bra, fabric spray painted green for project
Bracelet: Handmade gift at Burning Man 2006
Earrings: Dichroic Glass from Etsy

Just for your amusement I have added a photo of the project that the bra was spray painted for, I made a life size paper mache of Tara: the Tibetian Goddess of Compassion.  I don’t paper mache anymore but I thought this might make you smile.
photo of me and Tara: Julian Cash

photo: George Post

I Love My Raincoat

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I think this morning might have been the last little rain that we are going to have so I wanted to tell you about my Mycra Pac size XL raincoat (I am a size 26-28).  I fell in love with one in a store but they generally run over $200, so I stalked them on ebay until I found one for $100.  They are reversible, they run very large, I really wanted an animal print and I always feel dressed up when I wear it, what more could I ask for?…affinity

P.S. I hear there is an outlet store but I have never been there:  Mycra Pac Designer Wear Outlet 535 Center St · Moraga, California

June 2013 Update: Since I wrote this post In Full Swing in Oakland CA has started carrying these fabulous coats.

Reunion!

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Last night some of my colleagues from The Wyatt Company in the 90s, Denise Spencer and Deborah Rochelle, gave me a little retirement party, which morphed into a reunion. I was thrilled to see everyone. There were about 15 of us who worked together for 4 years with no turnover (during THAT recession) so we got very close and they taught me all I know about ERISA.  The party was at Denise & Paul’s fabulous Sausalito  condo, overlooking the Bay.  Aside from great hugs and the camaraderie of old friends the highlight of my evening was when one of my colleagues told me I had been the best colleague he had ever worked with.  Eight more working days until retirement...affinity

This dress is my go-to dress for afternoon parties, daytime events, dinner out on vacation.  Not really dressy but dressy enough.  I have loved it.

Dress: Big on Batik: Size 3-4 or XL, since it is over 5 years old they do not really make anything quite like this any more, but they do carry some 8Xs and a variety of styles.

I also wanted to include a recipe for the favorite Carrot Salad which I took to the party.  It is a little spicy and a little sweet, my favorite combination:  Spiced and Roasted Multi-Colored Organic Carrots

I Love my Sister!

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My sister Sharon fell in love with the Betsey Johnson Love Sweater when she saw it on my blog, so I sent her one.  What could be more fun than having a matching sweater with your sister, and one that says LOVE at that, and doesn’t she look precious in it.  I am going to Oregon to see my sister and her husband Ed for 4th of July.  You might have to see a photo at that time of the two sisters wearing their matching sweaters. You think?,,,affinity  

photo: Ed Parkes

Torrid 4X Belt – How Does it Fit?

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I bought this polka dot black bow belt in a size 4X from Torrid a couple of weeks ago and I love it.  I am always looking for a belt with a little more style.  It fits snugly on my size 28 waist, the elastic parts fold where they should and it is very comfortable.  The little piece of sheer ribbon with the polka dots is not going to hold up and will have to be cut off, but that is okay.

I wear a belt almost every day, so I will be in the look-out and would love to hear about any that have worked for you…affinity

Twelve Days to Retirement…But Who’s Counting?

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I have twelve working days until I retire, after working for more than 47 years.  So I want to show you my work drag while I am still wearing it.  I bought these pants at the Avenue store in Palm Desert, CA.  I like to shop on the desert when I am there because they have lighter weight clothing which feels great to me. This jacket is a couple of years old and is from In Full Swing, a clothing store in Oakland, CA owned by one of my closest friends.  I especially love this jacket because I love text in any language, but especially Chinese.  My husband and I have been to China a couple of times and I could never find anything in my size, so I always think of this as my Chinese jacket.  The Count Down Begins…Twelve…affinity

Jacket: Painted Pony – Size 3X – Great Fit
Slacks: Avenue – Size 28 – Good length & love the belt loops
Turtleneck: L.L. Bean – Size 3X

Burner Fashion – All over the Map!

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Heather Hale
Dress: LucieLu
Tights: AdditionElle
Shoe: Aldo 

Sarah Griffith – Oregon

Heather – Vancouver, Canada

These are some women I met a couple of weeks ago at the Burning Man Regional Summit. My husband and I have been volunteer registrars for the last six years. The Regional Summit is a leadership conference that allows Burning Man community leaders to stay in touch and learn from one another.  This is what I wore to the Summit.  I said I would bring you a little fashion from the Summit and here it is.  What I loved most is the variety. There was a little funk, and little everyday wear and a little verve.  I cannot even tell you how happy it makes me to be a part of this event and meet people from all over the world.

The photos of Kameron Hammon from Utah and her fabulous outfit were lost.  Hopefully she will send some new photos to me at affinitymingle@gmail.com …affinity

Coral – The Universal Color?

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I love the look of a cropped, lightweight cardigan over my everyday wardrobe.  I have worn it to work, then out for the evening and to lunch with the girls.  It brightens up my look (my husband likes it when I wear something besides black) with a sweater that is light enough to leave on all day.  And did you know that coral is considered a universal color and looks good on everyone?  Do you agree with that?…affinity

Sweater: Torrid – Size 4X
Bracelets – Torrid – Size 4X
Cami – Avenue – Size 26 – 28

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!

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OMG!  I am so excited to have a Betsey Johnson sweater that I just had to show it to you right away! I love Betsey Johnson and it would never have occurred to me that even an “oversized” sweater would ever fit my size 26-28 torso, and then to find LOVE… since I am a child of the sixties, thank you Tracy of Chubble Bubble (who IS Domino Dollhouse) for showing me it could work! You made my week!…affinity

If you want to try one of Betsey Johnson’s oversized sweaters, try here!

Desperately Seeking Knee High Boots!

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I love boots and I REALLY want a pair of knee high boots.  I see them everywhere, in my Burning Man community and everyday in downtown San Francisco.  But I am a funny girl, I actually get overwhelmed if I have on clothes that are too heavy or dense.  So I am not sure knee high boots will even work for me or that I could wear them for an entire day.

You can wear boots year round in San Francisco because the average temperature is 64 degrees, thus they are a fashion basic. A couple of months ago I popped into my local Torrid store and they had boots that fit but they were huge in the ankle. I have fat calves, smallish ankles, bummer ;(.

So I kept looking, and then Jessica Kane posted a note about these British, wide calf boots.  Let’s see, I want a low heel, knee high, small ankle, black, and their Duo Malmo seems to come pretty close, and has a squarish toe so that is a plus, but they are pricey at $220 US. They are gorgeous but the reviews indicate that they too may have wide ankles, but the bigger issue is that my husband and I have a deal at our house that I will not order boots by mail, because in the 20 years we have been together I have never been successful.  I bet I have sent back 10 pairs of boots.  And if I did have to return them I am sure it would be pricey, the site says…”Please note that the cost of returning goods to DUO is borne by you“.

So what do you think, should I give them a go, talk my husband into giving me a dispensation to order one more pair of boots by mail, or pass and just love the boots I have?…affinity