Hounds Tooth Fashion

Having a graduate degree from the University of Alabama means that when I see a houndstooth pattern I think of the 'Bama football team (2010 National Champions!). It's not that I'm a big football fan. I can count on two fingers the number of football games I've seen from start to finish, but the houndstooth pattern was the signature of Coach Bear Bryant's hat. So, I often disregard coats and scarves featuring this classic pattern.

Then suddenly I began seeing houndstooth all over the place in the fashion world. This checked pattern has notched corners that suggests a dog's tooth. It is traditionally black and white. The French call it pied de pole (chicken's foot).

On the runway designers such as Alexander McQueen and Michael Kors featured houndstooth patterns. Some designers have moved away from the traditional black and white giving us red and black or blue and black patterns. Like stripes or animal print a little can go a long way. Accessories allow you to incorporate this fashion statement without investing in a dress or blouse that you may find too much. This Keffiyah (Head Scarf) is an exotic way to wear this pattern. Go for Michael Kors' houndstooth gloves for a visual punch.

French Nautical Stripes -- How To Wear Them

Horizontal striped tops are everywhere. They have been featured in Marie Claire magazine, the Air France in flight magazine, and on many runways. I sat in church this evening and saw at least five young women wearing blue and white stripes. They varied in style, width of the stripe, and cut of the top. Each person added her own identity even while they embarrassed this trend. The most impressive was the woman who wore a horizontal striped tank top under a thin, chartreuse colored wrap. The color reminded me of Absinthe and nights in French port. Très chic!

Many of us are hesitant about wearing horizontal stripes. When I shop in the big girl sections of stores I question why so many designers think I want horizontal stripes around my tummy and hips. No, I don't think so. If you have large chest horizontal stripes can create a unique psychedelic effect.

Here are some tips for captaining this look:

1. Keep it simple. Pair your striped top with simple pants or skirt. Don't be tempted to slip into sailor pants. Navy or black is the best choice to keep your look for being over done.


2. Go wide or skinny. This is the amazing thing about this type of top. A pair of simple (see above) wide leg jeans or skinny jeans balances the look.


3. Play with the stripes that work best on you. The stripes can vary from narrow to wide. You may love the wide stripes, but look better in the narrow stripes. If you are still unsure of wearing too many stripes just go for stripes on the sleeves.


4. Layer the look. Wear a striped tank under a solid color cardigan. You can also wear the tank under a blazer.

I found a great striped cardigan from C.J. Banks. The stop part has strips while the bottom is solid blue. This moves the eye up from the hips and tummy area. It's marvelous for those of us who are looking for a way to wear this look.

Killing The Love Of Reading

As I mentioned in a previous post I despise censorship. I have spoken against restricting free speech for years. The hard censorship of White House staff attempting to marginalize a news network or the soft censorship of librarians and teachers who don't order books that they find personally objectionable, regardless of the merit of the work.

Often this soft censorship masquerades as academic rigor. In the name of wanting to challenge students schools and school systems will remove books or restrict books that they deem not worthy of students. Yet, often teachers and administrators kill the love of reading. I speak to adults each day that tell me how a teacher made them hate reading. How does this happen?

One way is this insistence that students read "the classics." Donald R. Gallo addresses this issue in his article How Classics Create An Aliterate Society. He relates the trouble he had struggling with the assigned readings that were alleged to be good for him. "Why was I supposed to care about a Puritan woman who got pregnant from having sex with a minister?....One of my former college students defined a classic this way: a classic is a book that 'requires a teacher figure out a glimmer of what it says.'" Is that what we want? Students who need to rely on a teacher to engage with literature?

Gallo isn't alone. Kelly Gallagher documents how teachers are murdering the love of reading in Readicide: How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It. Read-i-cide n: The systematic killing of the love of reading, often exacerbated by the inane, mind-numbing practices found in schools.

Before you despair, there are teachers that are trying to actively engage their students in books that present important concepts and will capture their interest. The problem is that parents and administrators often prevent these teachers from reaching this goal. They will challenge the books teachers select. This has recently happened in Montgomery County, Kentucky. The Lexington-Herald Reader reports:

In the Montgomery County school system some contemporary, young-adult novels have been used in conjunction with classical works like The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf in some sophomore and senior accelerated English classes. Some parents don't like it. The school superintendent has had the books removed from the classroom, although they are available in the library.

Let me reiterate a point made in the article. The YA books are being taught in conjunction with the classics. Some parents are shocked at the language and situations in the YA books. These parents obviously haven't read either The Canterbury Tales or Beowulf or only read enough to pass their own class assignments. These classics are full of sex and violence. One blogger commented that students shouldn't be exposed to such topics as rape. Well, that definitely leaves out The Canterbury Tales. The YA books in question went before a review committee that recommended the books remain as part of the class readings. Superintendent Freeman removed them anyway.

Some have argued that the Lexile level isn't high enough for these YA books to be included in a college prepatory class. Lexile levels are not the holy grail of reading. The daunting classic Crime and Punishment has a Lexile level of 850. One of the removed books, Chris Crutcher's Deadline, has a Lexile level of 880. Hmmmm, that argument doesn't seem to have merit.

What about literary themes? In Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson students read about personal identity, suicide, overcoming social adversity, and conquering obstacles through perseverance. It's not just a feel good read. Anderson's character Tyler Miller faces the not just choices about becoming a better person, but what he has to leave behind to become that person. Tyler is on a quest that teens can relate to personally and relate to other literature.

The question is ultimately, 'Why were these books removed from the classroom?' When students are lucky enough to have a teacher that is intelligent enough to connect contemporary YA literature with classics society wins. Dr. Freeman, please return the books.

Handmade Gifts

The holidays are quickly approaching. If you are looking or Christmas or Hanukkah gift that is unique visit one of my favorite sites for handmade gifts--Things Theological. The Calico Critters pins make great gifts for tween girls or adults who like fun fashion.

The Remembrance Ribbons are the best deal in town. A custom made gift for $3, including shipping! When I've needed something custom made for a friend with breast cancer I spoke with the artist, Jane Davis, and she worked with me to create something unique. Her St. Agatha icon was perfect. My son loved his Hercules icon that he received a few years ago.

I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Real Friends Tame The Animals

Real friends don't let you go out in head to toe animal print. This can be hard with the Safari look showing up on multiple runways. Animal prints were especially seen at the 2010 collections of Tory Burch, Valentino, and Chloé. How do you balance this fashion statement with real life and without looking like a joke?

Take a good friend shopping with you. The friend that will stop you from buying the cheetah print leggings. The friend that will whisper in your ear, "Less is more." Because with animal print it's about using bits and pieces as highlights. Add a pair of BCBG MAXAZRIA Stella flats to your outfit for a step into the wild side. You won't have to worry about becoming a trophy on the fashion wall of shame. One of my favorite items is a leopard print cardigan. I keep my tank and slacks in the same color palette so that print adds pop without making my patrons' eyes bug out.

Try a pair of earrings, a bracelet, or a scarf. With handbags you may want to think about a band of print rather than an all over design. Snake skin texture is marvelous. It can be done in fun colors. The Helena de Natalio Snake-Print Clutch adds exotic excitement to any outfit.

Animal prints can be our fashion friends if we play nice, don't over do it, and have a trusted friend that will pull us back from the shiny, sparkly, python dress.

ChicBuds For Audiophiles

I love to listen to audio books. Fortunately my library has a subscription to to NetLibrary that allows me to feed my habit for free. I download audiobooks to my IPod and listen to them everywhere. I listen to John Sandford while cooking dinner. I listen to Undead and Unwed while doing laundry. I listen to a Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery while at work. I listen to....well, you get the point.

The biggest problem that I had while wearing my ear buds was the cord getting caught in drawers or on door knobs. Then I discovered Chicbuds (Watermelon on White seen here). The retractable cords shorten so the cord doesn't get caught and pull out of my IPod. I have problems with other ear buds popping out of my ears, but these stay because they are designed for the smaller ears of women. They aren't merely functional, but also attractive. ChicBuds are detailed with Swarovski Crystals. You aren't just sporting ear buds, but "ear candie."

They are popular with ladies of all ages. My son gave a pair of ChicBuds to a friend as a high school graduation present. She loved them. It wasn't just a polite, "Oh, thank-you." I ran into her at the store where she was sporting her ChicBuds. If you have a niece or daughter that is dying to get her ears pierced, but isn't allowed to take that step this is good option. She can add style and color to ears while having ear buds that are with adjustable cords.

Chic Scarves For Fall And Winter

If you want to add a splash of instant style to any outfit wrap a stylish scarf around your neck! My preference is for silk scarves with bright colors and bold patterns. Silk doesn't have the bulk of wool and don't look out of place indoors. They can also be worn with jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt or a classic black dress.

I have a huge collection of scarves that I've purchase around the world. My favorite source for silk scarves is SERRV International. SERRV is dedicated to eradicating poverty by providing opportunity and support to artisans around the world. One of my favorites is the Sukhi Scarf with its Bangla-inspired design. The bold colors add a punch of color. If you like the neon trend but aren't comfortable wearing large amounts of hot color this scarf is just right.