Sunday, November 15, 2009

Fashion Police


Today I wore a new fabric rose that I made. I not only love it, but I am kind of obsessed with these Anthropology inspired accessories. I have made them in every color for myself, and may even give a few as gifts this Christmas. It was with great pride that I pinned a medium sized cream and pale pink blossom to my brown cord jacket. It made me smile...for a moment. Then I began to think about all of the comments I would receive at church. "What is that?" and "what's up with that thing on your jacket?" ran through my mind. I took one more quick look in the mirror, drew in a deep breath and walked out the door.

Don't get me wrong, I go to one of the most accepting and loving churches on the planet. It doesn't matter if you stink, are dirty or come to service in your PJ's, you are welcomed in with a hug and open hearts. We are family who love one another deeply. It is just that people are not use to some of the things I choose to wear.

I have always been a bit of a fashion dare devil. One of those kids who pared mismatched prints with polka dots in elementary school. The girl in Jr High who was stacking Swatch watches, not only up my arm, but also in my hair. In High School it was a journey into all things Hippie, followed by a head first dive into Grunge in college. Even living in California, my fashion sense was not always accepted. I am not saying I am a great visionary ahead of her time. I simply love clothes and have worn what I like no matter what the norm. But somehow, amid the thousands of other clothes junkies I didn't stick out quite so much.

In a area where jeans are a socially acceptable option for weddings and camo is for more than just hunting, I tend to stand out a little more. I guess I can't blame people, you have to really go out of your way to know the latest options in fashion. We are not inundated by media bombardment, enticing us to purchase the newest looks. Kids do not segregate themselves based on who is wearing what. In fact, half of the school year is spent covered up by winter coats and snow boots. So if people don't know what a Capelet is or why I would wear somthing that resembles the love child of a sweater and a poncho, it is ok.

I just really wish my own son hadn't said "Hey Mom, why do you have that thing on your coat?"

Iced Pumpkin Cookies(Hot out of my hubby's test kitchen)

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1cups white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves,ginger and salt; set aside.
2.In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4.To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

5 comments:

  1. So now I know what I am getting for Christmas! And if red is an option, you know I'll take that! HEE!

    Last week to church, Chloe wore a green print tank shirt with a white shirt underneath, a denim mini skirt, grey & black stripped socks up to her knees and black boots. It was a fashion marvel - I guess you can take that any way you choose. She actually asked, "Mom, do I look cool?" I smiled genuinely and replied as any Mom would - "Of course you do!" ...I guess she has her Tita's fashion prowess!

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  2. Dare to be...YOU! You do it so well and that's why you are SO very loved my friend. I too went through many fashion morphs...starting with insisting on wearing pants under my dresses when I was in kindergarten. I did the all black mod scene from 8th - 10th grade then a complete 360 into hippie-ville. I was even a member of the environmentalist club of America! Gotta love the freedom to express yourself through fashion, decorating, cooking, art etc. It's what gives us artsy types joy in life!

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  3. hahahaha! i love it. and i totally understand--i felt like that for the almost two years we lived in virginia. and i've always been the one who gets these comments: "oh mel, you look so cute. only YOU could get away with wearing something like that." hmmm...never quite sure how to take that one, lol!

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  4. Sunshine, I just discovered your blog. What a wonderful surprise! The three stories I've read are creative and well-written... very fun!! Thanks for sharing. I feel I know you a lot better already!

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  5. Oh darling Sunshine, I have never had any fashion sense but I do know that whatever you have on always WORKS! When I saw your beautiful rose on your brown cord jacket over your slightly ruffled shirt this Sunday I thought...wow, I wonder if I could make a rose like that? I was so excited to see on facebook that you had made it yourself! I love your style, you are a breath of fresh air in this scenically gifted yet fashion-sense challenged corner of Oregon.

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