Appreciating

The Eye of Starfish

Holiday shopping often goes off the rails for me. It all starts very rationally with a plan and a list in November and then typically in mid-December (approximately 10 days before Christmas) something snaps and I start wildly buying gifts for myself along with “back-up gifts” (alternate sizes, selections) for others. And then when everything … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing | 5 Comments

Sometimes It’s Best to Take a Beat

Last week, I was looking for something cozy that would take me to work and an after-work concert at the Kennedy Center — with a walk in-between. I found this great boiled jacket in my very own closet. Last seen by you in 2017. Let me interrupt this post to tell you that when we … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing, Finishing | 6 Comments

Another Third Piece

Directorate, do you remember previous discussions of The Third Piece? Not to be confused with The Third Man — which is a masterpiece and which you should make time to see over the holidays if you have not already seen it. I digress. The Third Piece is the thing (generally a garment) you add to … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing | 5 Comments

The Knit Speaks for Itself

Directrice scholars will remember that some years ago, this blog published a series of posts titled Sweaters of Substance, explaining how a sweater of substantial weight and style could substitute for a jacket in a business casual environment. If you’ve forgotten, it’s here, here, here, here, and here.

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing, Finishing | 5 Comments

Summer Flush, Part 2

Where does the time go? I was supposed to finish the summer clothes in mid-September and then move on to our favorite of all the seasons: Sweater Weather. Instead, I’ve been dithering and am now showing you sleeveless summer-weight dresses in October — which must be causing seasonal dissonance. Except for my readers Down Under! … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing, Finishing | 1 Comment

March of the Art Jewelry, Part II

Directorate!  Forgive my absence? Turns out that wrapping up a career takes longer than I expected. But now it’s done: transition memos written, notices of withdrawal filed, goodbye emails sent, personal effects removed. I’ll publish two posts this week (to whet the appetite) and then next week, it’s VACATION DIRECTRICE ON LOCATION IN ECUADOR. If … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Finishing, Miscellany | 9 Comments

Normal Up

  Twice in the past few weeks, I’ve had to present a conservative — i.e., traditional — appearance. I had to dig deep, Directorate, to enter the spirit of things.   There is one twee detail: long ivory ties at the neck. I did not care for that, so I drew the ties tight, knotted … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing | 5 Comments

Flowers for Spring

  Directorate, given the way we dress now, I still have pre-pandemic inventory to share. That means my commentary will be heavy on theory and light on shopping links because the pre-pandemic inventory is three or four years old and no longer in stores.   The vivid print combines International Klein Blue, cornflower blue, black, … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing | 7 Comments

Party Dresses Just In Case

Hello Directorate! I’ve had some difficulty over the last two weekends aligning my schedule, The Photographer’s schedule, a presentable appearance, and the golden hour. I have a list of ideas for posts, but no photos. And thus, I am showing you some seasonally inappropriate dresses that we photographed last fall. A charming surprise was revealed … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing | 11 Comments

I Felt the Need for Sleeves

  To prepare himself for Top Gun: Maverick, The Photographer watched the original Top Gun — against the advice of counsel (that would be me) and discovered that it was unwatchable. I only popped into the TV room occasionally to check his agonies but was reminded of one indelible line, “I feel the need . … Read more

Posted in Appreciating, Dressing, Refreshing, Restyling and Remaking | 7 Comments