Stylish with Substance

To not let Fashion define me, but to make my personal style show off my personal definitions. I will be well-rounded and above all, loveable.

Some new people in my life don't love the moi that is "Ella Mode", etc. That is a big part of me, but it is not me. Sure, these people should go shut up and mind their own businesses, but whatever their issues, these people are now permanant in my life. They can't see beyond this pretty (I say) part of me because they cannot understand this type of woman.

No apologies from me! I am a normal woman. I'm not the one with the problem.

However there are parts of me that I do want to bring as much to the forefront as my love for style, like my love for animals. Truthfully, the "Ella Mode" in me causes a few issues here and there in my romantic relationship, so I know I can't let my life revolve around these obsessions and addictions - the addiction is harmful to me personally and potentially both of us financially.

Even though right now, Geek Chic moi is sort of obsessed with simulation city games, but I've set it up to be a cheap hobby. One that takes focus from thinking about shopping, and gives me back some pleasure and reward I lack from not shopping. (You know human psychology and shopping!!!) I'm not even counting down the days 'til my next paycheck and I have my playing time spent in check too!

This is one of my interests change phases, just like my personal style goes through slight changes every few months. I'm trying to think of dressing less fancy sometimes, less designer or less... Hmmm. Arm crook handbag, all fabulista kind of thang? Yeah. I have a new classic COACH crossbody with vintage sensibilities, and I love that it looks laid back but does not shy from its COACH quality. (Oh and by the way, it was a $35 find at an antique mall - even though not vintage, what a score.)

I won't be someone who will swear off expensive bags, and I won't be someone who buys pleather handbags. Never should one apologize for hating on the pleather!! Fake-leather purses fall apart so fast, whereas the shoes seem to last just fine. Leather shoes are better and healthier for feet, but budget will dictate. And a girl, this girl?, needs more new shoes than new bags. Still, there's a moretorium on spending, especially with clothes, not so much with home goods and beauty supplies.

Now as for the shoes I will wear; I love heels.  They make me happy. No apologies here, why should there be? These are my feet, no one else's. And I take care of my feet. All shoes will have arch supports and Foot Petals. Some people just can't understand how comfortable heels can be made to feel!

Still I wear them too much in unsuitable places because I don't live a "heels" lifestyle. I vow to not wear heels to the grocery store or any long shopping trips, but I love all my cute shoes and need to use 'em. That said, I also vow to try to focus on slightly more sensible, chic sandals this summer. Mostly one go-to pair that is the best mix of chic with wearability.

Still, as usual. No sweats to the grocery store, etc. Don't worry, I could never be too casual a girl. Jeans and a basic tee? On my man, not me, give me a belt and some pizazz - but when I get home it's pajama time. There's even a song for it, but I digress. I always have "outfits" just like Carrie Bradshaw. However, when I'm sick enough, sweats to the drugstore, all the way - but only there and back. Don't like it? Someday, if I'm rich enough, it'll be "Armani" sweats or at least Juicy Couture. Do you like that better? I don't care, I'll be fluish, anyway!!

Bottom line, I will be me. Not a label. Not a slave. Not an image. Not someone else's idea of a woman, wife, etc. A complicated, imperfect, lovely person who always looks good, and never looks as fat as she really is naked, although I love myself naked too, and often looks a little bit taller than the height chart reads - just a little bit - because I love what I am.

So there. I just keep this vow to myself quietly and to the blog. To always be not only the girly-girl (last time I checked I am female, why not be girly) but the guy's girl I am to only those who know me best. I think love lasts healthier this way. Just watch 1990's Troop Beverly Hills for an example. There, you have fun homework. Now if you want to, you might be inspired to work on some aspect of yourself - but most importantly, live an "I'm not sorry" life!

Louis Vuitton opened a new fabulous store in London, and RDujour showed some fabulous photos, ineed.

1: Are you a bag head, too?

Bonus, 2 & 3: Walls of purses!!! Ahhhh.

View more photos / news at RDujour.

The Cut

It seems that many fans of certain popstars have abandoned those old loves and turned into zombies, I mean monsters, of Lady Gaga. Also, to me, it seems that there are hardly any fans of sensational voice, Christina Aguilera, still around.

Has anyone publicly stood up for "Xtina"? It's said that the songstress copies lady Gaga, but what about Rihanna?

One could say Rihanna either copies Gaga as well or she just has similar styles (couldn't they all?). Rihanna's own stylist, Mariel Haenn, vowed that Christina copies the Barbados popstar, and not the Lady. Of course, as Rihanna's own stylist, she knows the styling well, but is likely biased.

I say it could all be coincidence. They're popstars and they all dress in a form, or an extreme, of popstar/rockstar garb.

Even "civilians" follow trends, and that means many could dress alike. Aren't the spikes, leather, booty shorts, etc. just a trend that they put to extremes?

So I plead, can't we all get along and follow musicians for talent or just that other old reason, some good beats?

New posts below.

... And their continuous server issues of late screwed us out of money. Why on Earth pay for that kind of service??!

You might notice things are not yet all neat and tidy and new, of course. Months of posts are being imported, but it's seeming to take a long time.

I wanted to post this update for current re-visitors who may feel confused. Posting will resume more steadily again soon.

If you're looking for an old post, it may be here if from 2009 or earlier, so please conduct a blog search. Recent posts should re-arrive soon.

*Note* Most pages (and Twitter links etc.) may show an old OnSugar URL until early Tuesday.

If you wish to know what that old host...

OK I just had to share this possibly unrelated photo I edited... Below I fit it in to the theme, I think ... right?

Princesses are never satisfied...

Inspired by my Charlotte, who's passed onward.

And oh I needed to get some satisfaction! And I've got it. Mostly.

Now* we're putting our money into organizing/decorating our home, building up credit/paying off debt, and saving for a car down payment and then monthly car bills. And after those things are settled, maybe, just maybe, we can complete our family. (With a furbaby, in our case.) ... Currently dreaming of other (non clothes) things because buying shoes (like I did last week during a DSW Memorial Day sale), and then looking at the empty shoe boxes makes me want to fill my heart and cart with more shoes. Too addictive - trying not to look at fashions (that I don't already own, that I can always do, of course). ... Just trying to live my life for love right now, too! *(OK recently there was that horrible/wonderful thing of the COACH discount event, and more recently the completely horrible eBay economy continuing or else said event would cost $0. Le Sigh.)