<p>We have been weaning D1 off of the gravy train since graduation last spring. She had to build a work wardrobe on her own rather quickly and has picked up some inexpensive Jessica Simpson shoes at TJ Maxx/Marshall’s and really likes them. I will only buy her good foundation/basic/classic pieces and she has to supplement. Has been very interesting! 
She LOVES Nordstrom Rack when she visits from OOS!</p>
<p>I should have mentioned that I actually found her a long quilted Burberry winter coat at Nordstrom Rack last year for Christmas! No such luck this year!</p>
<p>sewhappy, I envy you. That would work for me, except that I have had dark brown hair since I was in third grade. I started out as a blond, and I could pull that off, except that off if 50% of my hair weren’t still dark.</p>
<p>NMinn, fall of 2008 through 2009 was when I had unbelievable luck with NR deals. This year - not so much. Apparently, the manufacturers scaled back spooked by the recession, and luxury shoppers are feeling a little merrier this holiday season, so not much ended on the clearance racks. The best Burberry items flew out of the Nordstom’s doors the minute they went on sale!</p>
<p>My dress has arrived! It is totally gorgeous. I’m in love with animal prints. 
I still need to find “the shoes”, but if the Bravern fails to deliver, I will go with my safest fallback - 3" heel leather boots or my trusted D&G shoes (the ones I once wore to walk a couple of miles :eek:).</p>
<p>And speaking of Jessica Simpson, her clothing and shoe empire is doing well:</p>
<p>[Jessica</a> Simpson, Inc. Could Surpass $1 Billion - The Famous - omg! on Yahoo](<a href=“http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/thefamous/jessica-simpson-inc-could-surpass-1-billion/178?nc]Jessica”>http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/thefamous/jessica-simpson-inc-could-surpass-1-billion/178?nc)</p>
<p>My dress has arrived too! And guess what. It’s great. Oddly, the same fit that I liked in my Prada dress, tight through the rib cage and the skirt beginning right where it needs to give my middle aged middle a little disguise. The neck and sleeve details are great - a little frayed bit of black material. Even the sort of cheesy zipper looks OK.</p>
<p>All for $138.</p>
<p>The only issue is that it’s short for someone who is 54:(. Shows a little more leg than I like. But the size 4 I got is just a wee small. Probably I’d wear a 6, if I didn’t have to take this with me to Atlanta tomorrow. (What I do for the blog.) In which case I"m sure it’d hit me lower on my leg. I’m 5’5" and weigh 125, if anyone is looking for sizing info.</p>
<p>Go Jessie. No wonder she’s making money. Someone’s doing a good job in her organization. </p>
<p>And BB, I am so glad you like your dress. I love it. You’re in animal. I’m in copper sequins. Who says this time of life is for covering up one’s neck:).</p>
<p>Lol, Alumother! Have fun in Atlanta. I’m sure you will look fabulous. My dress (size 40 Italian) is just the right size for a person with the abovementioned H&W, although I would have liked a slightly wider sleeve openings. I guess Italian ladies of that size are not supposed to have Rosie’s hands and arms (I mean the Riveter lady, not the actor). A little bit of thread, a needle and some tweaking will fix this minor glitch.</p>
<p>“Who says this time of life is for covering up one’s neck” I agree! (Oddly enough, my current outfit comprises a turtleneck cashmere dress. And boots :))</p>
<p>This just flashed by me on Yahoo news:</p>
<p>[Edible</a> dresses](<a href=“http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/edible-dresses-2420301/#photoViewer=1]Edible”>http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/edible-dresses-2420301/#photoViewer=1)</p>
<p>Aren’t these pieces of art lovely? :)</p>
<p>I was in NYC today mostly cooling my heels and shopping. (I dropped off a visa application at 11 am and had to pick it up at 4 pm.) One window had an outfit that was quite memorable. Starting at the top. Silvery wrap. Beige/neutral strapless sweater in a very heavy knit with a diagonal hem to about mid-thigh at its longest. Long silver skirt in silk or sateen. Silver combat boots. It looked very comfy!</p>
<p>There was a long line for Uggs, but I liked the looks of the boots at Campers better. I hate buying shoes and I was pretty sure they would be expensive so I didn’t go into either store. The Campers store though had a cool design. Basically an undulating wall of wicker with plastic chairs buried in it.</p>
<p>I went to Ulta and found hair mascara. But they also had the same brand (not a brand I recognized) in something that looked like a lipstick. I felt a bit skeevy applying it to my part, but after I blended it, it worked. It actually didn’t wash out. (I’m sure I don’t apply a lot of pressure to my part area when I wash.)</p>
<p>I saw an ad in New York Magazine today, it was for high waisted jeans. Said something about that being the new look. Is anyone else aware of high waist pants coming back in?</p>
<p>Mathmom - I was in NYC on the 8th also and I know what you mean by “cooling your heals” - it was quite chilly! I am endlessly bewildered by winter footwear but have found that no matter the shoe/boot my feet are at least happy so long as they are in smartwool socks. Just love them. </p>
<p>Has anyone received the holiday Title IX catalog ? I’m obsessed with it - could easily spend over $1,000 if I got every single item I liked . . .</p>
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<p>I hope not. I’m very short-waisted and high waisted pants come all the way up to my bust line. Not a good look. I’m beginning to see that there are a lot of trends I just can’t wear anymore (or I shouldn’t have worn the first time around but was too naive to realize it). Sigh.</p>
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<p>Me, too! Plus, after bearing three children with an average birth weight of 10 lbs, my waist is not exaclty tiny. If pants have to fit around my waist, I’ll have to go up at least one size if not two.</p>
<p>Well, the low-around-the-hips trend was tough on me. Sick of wearing belts. Have you seen Diane Keaton in Morning Glory? She looks terrific in high-waisted pants and if you observe closely you’ll see she is no longer quite as svelte any more. I wonder if the high waist look - if worn right - actually slims the middle. I don’t like a waistline that hits exactly in the center of my torso. I don’t think that’s flattering for anyone really.</p>
<p>I’m long-waisted, but high-waist pants look terrible on me, as they make my rear end look twice as big. Lower-waist pants (although not super-low) have been a godsend.</p>
<p>I think the high-waisted pants might benefit about 5% of the population. Those with flatter stomachs, a flatter behind and tiny waist. Other than that, I can’t see it working! And I’m not going back!!! The thought of sitting down in a pair of those makes me gasp for breath!</p>
<p>I’m with you, abasket! I like my pants’ waistband to hit right below my belly button. I think this trend will die faster than gladiator shooties. I’m definitely going to vote against it with my wallet.</p>
<p>And, if one is “well endowed,” the high waist can make one look very matronly</p>
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<p>I think we can say that about most fashions. And I am not in that 5%.</p>
<p>I am having the best laugh!</p>
<p>We are armed and ready to shoot this trend to h***!! </p>
<p>DO NOT mess with the women of the DY forum.</p>
<p>^^^^ You bet we are!!! LOL!</p>