
The office costume party sort of sneaked up on me this year. But I'm not going to run out to the mall in a panic. Nope, that was the old me. I'm thinking that with my quirky background, surely I already own more Halloween-y things than the average chick. So I'm going to "shop my closet" for the perfect pirate get-up. And if I need anything else, I'll make it with my own widdle hands. I've spent the last couple of days doing research on (Googling) female pirates and the one with the best swag in my opinion is whatever character Penelope Cruz played in that movie. 
I'd like my attire to be something like that, but a little more fancy. I've already started decorating a crushed velvet hat I bought a few years back and I've added a felt flower blossom to a plain eye-patch. I have a tiered lolita skirt, striped bloomers and some big lace-y shirts (one of them will surely work, right?). I think if I pile on enough seaworthy jewelry and accessories after that, I'll be all set. What do you think? And more importantly, are you dressing up for Halloween this year. If so, who or what are you going to be?
Top left picture from Hostess with the Mostess
Halloween: The Saga
But On The Other Hand...
So Long, Crystal Renn
Well, we knew this day would come.
You ladies know we love to champion plus-size models here to be sure they get the love they might not get other places. So, it was obvious a few months ago that we might eventually have to say goodbye to Crystal Renn as a subject on our blog. Not as a person - she has the right to do whatever she wants with her body. But as a woman who used to show the world that curvy can be beautiful, she no longer fits the bill. Yes, she's virtually unrecognizable since her most recent weight loss. But it's not her it's us. We're just not here to shed light on everyday stick thin models. That's what those other style blogs are for. 
As EntertainmentWise.com wrote last week, such a dramatic change after years of Renn's talk (and a book!) about plus size beauty seems to promote the idea that "everyone wants to be thin, regardless of how many times they say 'I love my body the way it is.'" And we can't be part of that.
A Vintage Inspired Look
I just received some pictures of Mad Men's Christina Hendricks at the premiere of "I Don't Know How She Does It" in New York City. I think she's a curvy girl who knows how to wear vintage-inspired looks in a modern way. What do you think? Who are your fashion idols when it comes to this style?

Jewelry by Katerina Maxine
Labels: Christina Hendricks
Crazy Month!
What a weird and wacky month. East coast earthquakes, hurricanes, and power outages. If we haven't been blogging as much as usual, it's because we've sort of been through the wringer. On top of that, my little one started Kindergarten on Monday and turned five on Tuesday. (Happy Birthday, Pumpkin!) But you know what? We're making the best of it. Plugging away, barreling through, grinding it out, making headway. I don't know where we're going, but we're getting there! So expect lots of new and exciting posts for next week. As for you, August 2011. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
My New Favorite Body Cream

August is no time to get caught with dry skin, amirite? The higher temperatures mean we have to bare more, so we have to stay moisturized. Plus, it's just good grooming. I don't think I'm the only woman who has a choice of creams, lotions, salves, oils, and butters to slather on when she gets out of the shower. But recently my collection had been seriously lacking and I know from experience that having products you're excited about makes you more likely to actually use them. So I decided to buy one of the items I'd bookmarked on Etsy. It was the Whipped Satin Luxury Cream by PinkDandy. I had contacted the seller ahead of time to make sure the fragrance I wanted - OK Sugar - was available. She was friendly and very open to customizing my order in just about any way possible, which means a lot to a very picky person like me.
My order arrived a few days later, well-packaged and with a generous sample of a second body cream labelled "birthday cake". I dove right in to the full-size body cream and - what a treat! It was very thick, but also light and creamy. The scent was divine. It reminded me of Jones Cream Soda, but with the tiniest twist of lemon. Very crisp and summer-y. I will definitely be using this cream for the rest of the season and beyond. And as for the sample, it is entirely too yummy. Since the Birthday Cake scent layers well (see what I did there?) with the OK Sugar fragrance, I keep the sample on my desk at work for little touch ups throughout the day. Here's a picture of my little haul today at the office. 
Links A La Mode
Love Yourself Always and Forever.
Edited by Nubia of NubiasNonsense
Loving yourself might very well be the key of living a happy life. Love your strengths, your weaknesses, everything! Everyone who made a submission to Links à la mode should be very proud and content with themselves. You are all fashion bloggers with a voice and have something to share with others. Did you know that your post could make someone's day? Your DIY shorts might have been the highlight of a young girls day. Your inspirational post might have motivated someone who had the blues. These are all reasons to keep writing great content and when in doubt remember... YOU INFLUENCE PEOPLE.
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