Functional Art

A few months ago my dear friend Roelofje had a dinner party. To know her is to love her as she has a passion for gardening and cooking, as I do. She is also completely organized and an excellent seamstress, two things I am not but could aspire to be. Also she is from Holland, loves to travel and take photos. But enough about her. This is about me.

While her many guests were enjoying the party ambience I was helping myself to a tour of her house, because in addition to gardening and cooking, I love home decor. Did any of you not know this? And yes, I did have permission first. As I walked through the master bedroom I caught a glimpse of this artful piece hanging in the bath/dressing room.

This just caught my fancy because it was so colorful and, to me, looked like a piece of art. Upon closer inspection I realized it was her collection of hairpins hanging on what looks to be a Rubbermaid-type plastic-coated grid. Here is a closer view of one section that holds many of the sterling silver ones:

Roelofje wears her hair up in a hairpin everyday. We have bets as to what's actually contained in those hairpins. Does she have long waist-length hair? Does she pull out her hairpin and shake her hair with a come-hither look?

Sterling Silver Indonesia

Sterling Silver Ecuador

Antique Silver

Sterling Silver New Mexico

Spain

Turquoise and Jade

Hinged

The last pair are my favorites. They are gold hairpins made by a local jeweler for her anniversary, a gift from her husband John. Oh baby, I think she does let that hair down!

Tuck It

The NEW Semi Tuck

I used to deal with semi trucks, but today I thought I would address the semi tuck. Such is my life now that this is the most important topic to me this morning.

Semi tucking has gained immense popularity over the last few seasons. It’s when tops are partially tucked in front and un-tucked everywhere else, as illustrated in the outfits below. You can semi tuck all kinds of tops, from basic t-shirts and blouses, to button down shirts and knitted tops.


When this first became popular it was usually a button down shirt under a pull over sweater, with the shirt untucked in front. I must say it took me a while to get used to this. And even longer to sport it at the office. Such are my conservative fashion leanings. Even now, the image above of the orange top and red skirt looks just wrong to me. Like maybe an alcoholic beverage or three was consumed at lunch.

This season I’ve noticed a way of semi tucking that looks new to my eye. It can only be achieved with a top that buttons through the centre front because you leave one side un-tucked while the other is tucked back into your bottoms. That way you create a sharp difference between the left and right side of your outfit. The outfits below show case the new half tucked look.


I prefer the effect of the original semi tucked look because the hem of the top creates a more gradual curve on the body, and it goes better with my shorts and flip flops. This method looks more intentional and attractive I think. The sharp edge of the new semi tuck that creates “a flap”, looks like an afterthought. It’s as if you forgot to tuck in the other side of your shirt.

Perhaps this alternative way of semi-tucking will grow on me, but at the moment I’m not a fan. If you’re going to semi tuck, I vote create a gradually curving hemline instead of a sharp edge.

Do you like the new semi-tucked effect? Of the two methods, which do you prefer, and which do you sport, if either?

Window Rules

One Simple Rule For Windows:

That's all I have to say about that.