![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 7 to 31 of 46. Go back in thread:
Posted by kalyb on June 6, 2003, at 12:51:34
In reply to Pillows » Willow, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 11:22:08
> I'm rambling again. This place has become sort of an on-line diary for me. You forget that you might be putting other people to sleep!
Ramble all you like, Gracie - I enjoy reading :)
European size pillows? now that has me stumped. The standard size pillow here in the UK is about 26" x 16" - not that big! It's not easy to find any other size. Not to mention, you'd never find any other size pillow case or sham.
I loved all the big pillows I saw at friends' houses in the US. Especially those long, long ones which were sooo nice to wrap oneself around at night. We just don't have that kind of thing here. People's beds seemed loaded with pillows, such a difference from the standard 2 per person, standard size as above. I'd love one of those long pillows to cuddle at night. *mental note* next trip to USA, I bring one home!!
decorating... yeah I dream about that too. When I had my own apartment it was decorated by the landlord just before I moved in - he'd not have agreed to me redoing it so soon, despite the fact that it wasn't really to my taste. So I lived with it for 5 years, I maybe could have justified redoing it after about 3 years but didn't have the money never mind the motivation any longer.
Now I just have one room in my friend's house, not decorated at all, but crammed with a lot of the stuff I had in my apartment, most of it still in boxes, not enough room to swing a cat. I dream about having another apartment and deliberately not filling it with stuff next time. I want cool smooth laminate wood floors, futons with nice throws, rugs, plain plain stuff with maybe a wall or two of a vibrant colour like a bright blue to lift the blandness... I'm not afraid of colour. The decor in my old flat favoured the chintzy... :(
Oh, and I want cushions everywhere... I keep seeing gorgeous cushion covers of Indian and Asian styles with gold thread embroidery and beadwork, in deep jewel colours. I want millions of these....
Then add a mini rainforest of big green tropical plants in the corner....
:)
Kalyb xx
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 14:02:03
In reply to Re: Pillows, posted by kalyb on June 6, 2003, at 12:51:34
Kaly-You mean they don't have European-size pillows in Europe? How funny is that! According to the catalog I'm looking at, Euro-size is 26"x26" square.
If you don't want to wait until your next trip to the states, "The Company Store" accepts international orders. And guess what - they have body pillows! And every other size pillow along with all kinds of bedding. You can shop online at www.thecompanystore.com, or go there to order a catalog.
Here's what they say about international orders:
Call Customer Service for rates on international delivery, please specify surface or air mail. All catalog prices and delivery and service charges are quoted in U.S. funds. All applicable duty, customs charges or taxes are paid by the customer.Sweet dreams!
-Gracie
Posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 15:29:58
In reply to Gearing up for the single life, posted by whiterabbit on June 5, 2003, at 21:45:22
Gracie,
My inner fantasy is to be a total minimalist. When people have compared my houses to my mother's they're always shocked at the difference (she is a combination of country living magazine and this old house).
As I've gotten older my decorating "style" almost borders on stark. It's for that reason that I love mid-century modern designer furnishings - mixed with an Ikea piece here and there - and primitive Asian pieces thrown in for good measure (Charles and Ray Eames also added Asian pieces to their mix - I didn't know this until a few years ago, but I felt a little bit better knowing that my medley hadn't crossed the boundary from eclectic to absolutely absurd).
Do you have an Ikea in your area? Some of their pieces can seem a bit . . . cheap - but others are designed to nearly mimic some of the great modern classics. Clean lines and NO patterns. "Sigh of relief" furnishings.
Candles, eh?
I wonder if ADD/ADHD people should really be called Aesthetically Design Driven? I've never had a house without dimmers on every switch. I'm always trying to create a two-page shelter magazine spread (my last house finally made a magazine and I still consider it one of my life's greatest "material" pleasures). The lighting of a room is everything to me. I'm a member of AAA (i.e. Ambience, ambience, ambience).
Interestingly (or narcisstically?) enough (since this is all about me, me, me - sorry!) - it was the time during my first divorce that I switched gears (stripped gears?) from traditional to starkly modern.
Clutter drives me mad - yet, I do still have pockets of it here and there.
I have fantasies about ridding myself of every last piece of junk that's hidden away - but the emotional energy and drive to carry through any task seems to escape me these days.
I'm so glad to read this post of yours about moving forward.
"Furnishing" your new life is, I think, a big part of the healing process. After many years of accumulating random "stuff" with another human being, you can define what and who it is you've evolved into via the landscape you choose to live against.
My ex-husband ended up with most of the furniture and I took things like cameras, VCRs, appliances. I didn't want any of the decorating vestiges of my former "life" following me into my new existence.
Good, good for you. It's been so rewarding to watch your progress these last few months. If Einstein is synonymous with "e = mc2," in my mind, you represent this equation: "grace = hope."
Hey, I thought others might like this website (copied and pasted below). I've been obsessed with the universe lately . . . perhaps because I want to move past my little world of pain. This powers of ten program had me transfixed yesterday.
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/index.htmlLee
Posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 15:32:18
In reply to Re: Gearing up for the single life » whiterabbit, posted by Snoozy on June 5, 2003, at 23:34:06
Oh my gosh, I read this after I wrote my post or I would have said it there . . . you have defined my dilemma as well! I will be copying and pasting this to my "Notes" section in Outlook.
Thanks, Snoozy!!
My core problem is this: I'm an obsessive compulsive minimalist. I'm not obsessive about the minimalism - I tend to hoard stuff, but I like a minimalist look. So you see the problem!
Posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 15:35:28
In reply to Re: Gearing up for the single life » whiterabbit, posted by fallsfall on June 6, 2003, at 7:46:28
Hmmmm, seems like there's a club of us who experience this same "thing."
I always remember my mother saying (still does) "the real problem is too many possessions."
I equate less visual clutter with less mental clutter - and I can stand (temporarily) my own clutter, but I abhor anyone else's (self-centered b**** that I am).
I have an urge to go clean a drawer or the "junk" room.
Posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 16:00:29
In reply to Pillows » Willow, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 11:22:08
Gracie said: "I've been going through piles of my old decorating magazines, tearing out the interesting stuff and throwing the rest away. Even this small thing is kind of liberating."
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have folders full of torn photos from Metropolitan Home, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, etc.
I've worked for design publications since I was twenty-four and I absolutely love magazines - particularly shelter pubs. There is a great magazine you might like to peruse sometime. It's called "Dwell" (if you haven't seen it already).
For a time, I worked for a similar publication (until it folded) and I subscribed to Dwell for prospecting purposes. I let the subscription lag, but it showed up again as part of our membership to MOCA.
I designed my last house based on different pictures I had clipped from magazines and I kept each photo (mounted, in sections labeled for each room) in a three ring binder as some kind of "proof" (ADD and OCD to the max). Proof of what, I don't know! I did show it to the people who bought my house but I kept it for any future houses. When I sold that house I realized I hadn't fallen out of love with it yet. It was rather symbolic that I sold my dream house to move across the country to join my soul mate.
Gracie, for some reason, your posts and this thread have made me feel so much better today. I've been feeling so dead. Uninspired.
If you were here I would give you the biggest hug. See? Grace . . . hope . . . inspiration.
I have always toyed with the idea of taking interior design classes at UCLA. Interior design truly is my passion - as evidenced here. Well, writing is my first passion. Now that my "baby" is leaving his well-decorated "nest" I suppose I should consider the idea of pursuing something I really love. I'm so burnt out on my career. I absolutely hate it.
p.s. regarding furnishings/decorating - I was going to this rather sleazy flea market that's open every day during the winter months. One day I saw this light fixture laying on a blanket. I immediately recognized it as being a designer piece, and sure enough - it was "signed." I paid the guy $25 for it and came home and did a little research and found out it's considered to be one of the hallmarks in lighting design - listed with designers like Tiffany, etc. It's still being produced today but this was one of the early ones.
I sent the local modern auction company some photos and they offered to take it on consignmnt in their next auction, expecting it to bring between $600 - $800.
I decided to keep it, although at the time I was selling a lot of stuff on ebay w/ tremendous profits - i.e. a little jug I paid a quarter for ended up selling for $330 and I was more into the thrill of ridiculous profits. I was having a hard time separating myself from that "hobby" and as is the case with most of my obsessions, I hit the wall in complete exhaustion. I'm so glad I kept the lamp and didn't sell it in some OCD frenzy!
Point is (besides telling this long story) is that sometimes estate sales/flea markets can be great sources for minimalist pieces, i.e. chairs/paintings/small tables, etc.
Oh yeah, here is the link to Dwell magazine:
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 17:34:05
In reply to Re: Gearing up for the single life » whiterabbit, posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 15:29:58
For someone with ADD, you've accomplished a great deal. What magazine was your last house in? I would love to see it.
The book I'm reading on ADD pointed out something I found to be hugely interesting...that we don't have the same mental buffers to our environment so we're more sensitive to light, sound, colors
and textures - the author said a lot of ADDers say they can "feel their clothes". I said ohmyGod
that's me!! I canNOT wear undergarments with lace, anything with wool, and I cut the tags out of my clothes because they bother me. I always shudder when I see a picture of a woman in thong
swimsuits or underwear...I don't care how sexy it's supposed to be, how could anyone STAND to wear such a thing! (Not that anybody would want to see my fat butt in a thong anyway.)So I guess that's the deal with the candles too...
I can't believe they make unscented candles, what fun is that? Same thing with laundry soap, fabric softener (I love my Downey ball)and dryer sheets-
I don't go by price or how clean it gets your clothes when I buy that stuff - I go by smell! (Another habit that drove my husband up the wall..."Why do you always buy these expensive brands?!") Well I guess I won't have to worry about THAT anymore, will I?I've never attempted to decorate in a particular style but I seem to be leaning more toward a country-type look, which surprises me because I never liked "country style"...it always made me think of cross-stitch samplers and lots of little crafty wooden things and pictures of ducks and geese painted on everything. I also don't like "cutesy" stuff like Mary Engelbreit, although I think she's very talented. I do have a favorite decorator, I haven't thought about her in awhile but I think her name is Nancy Braithwaite(sp?)from, I believe, Atlanta. She uses a lot of big pieces, oversized furniture, calm colors, not a lot of knick-knacks or patterns or delicate pieces. All of her rooms just look SO comfortable.
Well we're turning PSB into the decorating hour!
Dr. Bob probably won't mind as long as we don't fight over decorating styles. ("Well, Gracie, I happen to LIKE ceramic geese, so p*** off!")
LOL - Gracie
Posted by Snoozy on June 6, 2003, at 18:31:19
In reply to Re: Gearing up for the single life » leeran, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 17:34:05
I was going to add some more to the interiors discussion, but when I read this, I just had to say something.
> The book I'm reading on ADD pointed out something I found to be hugely interesting...that we don't have the same mental buffers to our environment so we're more sensitive to light, sound, colors
> and textures - the author said a lot of ADDers say they can "feel their clothes". I said ohmyGod
> that's me!! I canNOT wear undergarments with lace, anything with wool, and I cut the tags out of my clothes because they bother me. I always shudder when I see a picture of a woman in thong
> swimsuits or underwear...I don't care how sexy it's supposed to be, how could anyone STAND to wear such a thing! (Not that anybody would want to see my fat butt in a thong anyway.)
>I can only wear cotton undergarments, and at this very moment I am deliberately wearing my shirt inside-out because I haven't gotten around to getting out the seam ripper for the tags! And you couldn't pay me to wear a thong!
And now that I think about it, I wonder if this explains something else. My whole life I have been uncomfortable in clothing that "fits". I usually buy things that are a little big on me. If I wear something that everyone says fits - well, have you ever seen a cat or dog that has been dressed up and the way they take off and squirm out of their little "outfit" as soon as they can? That's how I feel! Or it feels like one of those hideously scratchy and uncomfortable "Sunday" or "Easter" dresses from childhood. One of the greatest recent innovations is cotton clothes with a bit of Lycra in them! I love those things.
And the other senses - my eyes are so sensitive to light that I feel I must be a displaced mole person. I've almost always had a very acute sense of smell (I was going nuts over the Memorial Day weekend because I couldn't get away from the barbecue smells. I ended up sitting inside with the windows closed and pulling my shirt over my nose!!)
I am actually scheduled to be tested for ADD - next week I think. Wow, it is so cool to hear other people have the same feelings!!
Posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 18:58:43
In reply to Re: cut from the same cloth! » whiterabbit, posted by Snoozy on June 6, 2003, at 18:31:19
"I am actually scheduled to be tested for ADD - next week I think."
The Amen Clinic has an interesting online ADD/ADHD test in case you're interested.
Posted by Snoozy on June 6, 2003, at 19:09:36
In reply to Re: Pillows » whiterabbit, posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 16:00:29
I'm really enjoying this thread too.
I was needing to buy new pillows and I found an article that says firm for side sleepers, medium for back and soft for stomach. But my life can't be that easy. In reality I'm a side sleeper, but I want and it would be better for me to sleep on my back. So I've got one of everything it seems. I also have 2 big square bolster pillows (futon material actually) that are very firm and they're great for reading in bed. And this may interest you. This sheet set I bought several years ago, part of the design is that the pillowcases have buttons on the side of them - like an oxford shirt type of thing. So just put the pillow in and button it up. They look pretty great too. My regular pillowcases - when I sleep not only does the pillow come out, but most of the time the case ends up with the seam in the middle of the pillow. So I have these sort of pillow "horns" around my head!
It's really a great idea to tear out pictures of things you like - professional interior decorators tell their clients to do this. Even if you don't know just what it is that appeals to you in a photo, when you put all of these things together you can sometimes see a pattern or direction. And it can be interesting to look back and see how your tastes have changed (or haven't).
And painting walls a color, like kalyb was talking about is just great. I lived with white walls for all of my life until just recently. In the last year I've painted 2 rooms a color - one's a bit intense and the other's very soft. (And I do live in an apartment.) I think you can get a bigger bang for your buck with wall color than any other decorating or furnishing. With a good color, you could have very little artwork on the walls and the room would still feel finished. And the right color does have a subtle effect on mood, I find. And you can just do an "accent" wall. I did one for $30 (wall and-a-half really). If, down the line, you want a different feeling, it's much easier/cheaper to repaint rather than get into new furniture, etc.
And Gracie, I have to thank you for some inspiration. I have a bunch of stuff that's 10 years old that I have no use for, just filling up boxes in my closet. I've had them open for probably 2 months but just couldn't bring myself to get rid of them. Well, earlier this evening, out they went!!!! Yay! Thank you!!
Posted by fallsfall on June 6, 2003, at 19:22:20
In reply to Re: Gearing up for the single life » fallsfall, posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 15:35:28
> Hmmmm, seems like there's a club of us who experience this same "thing."
>
> I always remember my mother saying (still does) "the real problem is too many possessions."
>
> I equate less visual clutter with less mental clutter - and I can stand (temporarily) my own clutter, but I abhor anyone else's (self-centered b**** that I am).
>
> I have an urge to go clean a drawer or the "junk" room.
>I have a drawer AND a junk room. Wanna come over?
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 19:33:14
In reply to Re: cut from the same cloth! » whiterabbit, posted by Snoozy on June 6, 2003, at 18:31:19
I'm WITH you, girl. I can't stand form-fitting clothes and tight? No way. I've been able to get by at work because it's okay to wear scrubs in the medical profession - I would never last in a career that required you to dress up every day.
At home I get away with VERY soft, well-worn jeans and over-sized shirts and sweaters, no collars or belts and nothing tucked in -you know, the slob look. I'd wear flannel pajamas all the time if I could. No wonder my husband is leaving me...well, sc*** him.Anyway, I was talking to my sister the other day and she had just been devastated to learn that our dad never wore any of the expensive high-end clothes that she had been giving him for Christmas and birthdays all these years. (I guess he never told her because he didn't want to hurt her feelings.) The ONLY thing he'll wear is clothing made by Ralph Lauren. For a minute I was confused...I knew it couldn't be a snobbish thing because Dad isn't like that at all. When my sister asked him WHY, he just told her that he knows it fits so he doesn't have to try anything on in the store, which he hates. Also, it's high-quality stuff and I guess it all kind of goes together so he doesn't have to think too much when he gets dressed in the morning. For Dad, convenience and simplicity is the name of the game and he can afford it, so why not? I guess it's not quite as drastic as Einstein's wardrobe of the same 12 suits, but the thinking is similar.
I thought ohmygosh, wouldn't it be nice to have a clothing line just for us ADDers! (I'm always thinking up goofy stuff like that.) Everything would be nice and soft and loose, easy to care for, color-coordinated and tagless, all seams covered. No shoulder pads or fussy crap. I look at the outfits put together by Chic Simple and I just snort...they don't look simple at all to me!
What's simple about sandals with big plastic flowers or chain belts? Forget it.I do like clothes by J.Jill, I wish I could afford more of it.
AOL has started again with the little pop-up window that says, "Do you wish to stay online?"
It's driving me nuts. I think I'll change my internet service when I move outta here.
-Gracie
Posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 20:43:56
In reply to Re: Pillows » whiterabbit, posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 16:00:29
You should do it, Lee. I always thought of taking interior design classes myself but a)I was afraid of spending a lot of money and not finishing the classes like usual and b)I never felt particularly gifted at interior design and I believe you really need an innate talent for that sort of thing to be great at it, otherwise you're relying on "formulas" instead of a good eye. Also, I don't have the people skills (read: patience)to do something like that for a profession. Maybe in the next life.
On the other hand, I've been dreaming forever about doing hand-crafted children's furniture in sets...coming up with different patterns of the same theme to paint on furniture and accessories.
I'd have a "coral reef" theme, a "jungle" theme, and who knows what. They might go for it in those stores where the rich people shop, and it would be fun. Maybe when I get this pesky divorce business out of the way, I can do something with that...
Dream On Gracie
Posted by Snoozy on June 7, 2003, at 0:19:44
In reply to Holy cow another money-making idea! » Snoozy, posted by whiterabbit on June 6, 2003, at 19:33:14
That's so funny about your dad. It makes perfect sense though. If he thinks he hates trying on clothes in the store, imagine if he had to try on a bra or swimsuit under fluorescent lights!
> I thought ohmygosh, wouldn't it be nice to have a clothing line just for us ADDers! (I'm always thinking up goofy stuff like that.) Everything would be nice and soft and loose, easy to care for, color-coordinated and tagless, all seams covered. No shoulder pads or fussy crap.And pockets! Pockets on all of the pants!!
And we'll need to get some genetic engineering scientists. My dream for many years (other than comfortable pants with pockets) has been to engineer a cotton that is genetically black instead of white, so that my black cotton clothes don't fade so badly because they won't be white cotton dyed black.
I look at the outfits put together by Chic Simple and I just snort...they don't look simple at all to me!
> What's simple about sandals with big plastic flowers or chain belts? Forget it.
>
Well, you never know - those chain belts could come in handy if you're stuck in a snow drift or a sand dune. And fashion is all about being practical :)Oooh boy, don't get me started on sandals!! They're like thongs for the feet. Wait a minute - they literally are!
And why just limit ourselves to a clothing line? I envision a whole ADD lifestyle "brand" with household goods and accessories.
> I do like clothes by J.Jill, I wish I could afford more of it.
>I was shopping with a friend a few months ago, and we went into one. While she was trying stuff on, I found this pair of pants - the fabric was so soft, I had never felt anything like it, and they were on clearance for $10.
> AOL has started again with the little pop-up window that says, "Do you wish to stay online?"
> It's driving me nuts. I think I'll change my internet service when I move outta here.
> -Gracie
I had AOL for so many years, and I even had to complain about it to my therapist sometimes :) At the end of January, I got a new ISP. And in March, I went off of Xanax after nearly 10 years. Coincidence?Because I had a second phone line, I went with cable access. So instead of AOL making me call my therapist in frustration (lol) I dumped the second line and I've got high-speed access for 1 or 2 dollars more a month. Trimuph!! Well, until the cable company comes into the neighborhood and knocks out my connection without notice.
Posted by Snoozy on June 7, 2003, at 0:49:16
In reply to Re: cut from the same cloth!, posted by leeran on June 6, 2003, at 18:58:43
This is great - thank you! When I thought of ADD, I always thought of a kid in my family - you just watch for a minute and go "ADHD". It's really surprising what it actually encompasses.
>
> The Amen Clinic has an interesting online ADD/ADHD test in case you're interested.
>
> http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/
Posted by noa on June 7, 2003, at 16:27:36
In reply to Re: Holy cow another money-making idea! » whiterabbit, posted by Snoozy on June 7, 2003, at 0:19:44
Yes, simple, comfy clothes, with pockets. And no tags--I especially like that part as I am always noticing the irritating little tags. I've taken a lot of them off!
Posted by noa on June 7, 2003, at 16:32:39
In reply to Re: Holy cow another money-making idea! » whiterabbit, posted by Snoozy on June 7, 2003, at 0:19:44
The "simple" concept--I noticed this erroneously applied to food too. Yesterday I saw a garden show on TV that had a cooking segment. The host was going on about how simple it turned out to be to make asparagus tempura--he had always thought it was so hard, but it was so simple, etc. Well, you should have seen this recipe--there were all these steps and they have to be done in a certain time frame, and the tempura has to be eaten very fresh out of the fryer, so you have to make it after your guests arrive, and the oil has to be a specific temperature, etc. etc. I could not believe this guy actually used the word "simple" to describe it. He could have said a whole lot of other things to describe it that are true, but simple? No way.
Posted by whiterabbit on June 7, 2003, at 18:09:19
In reply to Re: Holy cow another money-making idea!, posted by noa on June 7, 2003, at 16:27:36
I saw an ad for a clothing collection that looked pretty much like our dream ADD wardrobe - very soft and roomy and comfortable-looking in nice colors, mix-and-match pieces. The ad says: The foundation for an easy wardrobe. Simple shapes.
Clean lines. Fabrics that move and breathe. In a neutral palette.I thought well look at that, ask and you shall recieve. But then I went to the website and dang it, I can't afford that stuff. My sister could spend $110 on a tee-shirt without blinking, but if I bought something like that I would be afraid of messing it up so I'd never wear it. What good is that. Oh well, back to square one...
-Gracie
PS. If anyone else wants to take a look, go to
www.eileenfisher.com
Posted by wendy b. on June 7, 2003, at 22:51:11
In reply to For a minute I got excited, posted by whiterabbit on June 7, 2003, at 18:09:19
> PS. If anyone else wants to take a look, go to
> www.eileenfisher.com... oh, god, i hate the fact that eileen fisher clothes are so expensive! the clothing is beautiful, though, so you COULD justify it by telling yourself (after the divorce, no one else to ever have to justify anything to... this is BIG!!) you'd hang onto it forever... and you would, too, the natural-fiber fabrics hold up over decades: i know this to be true -- i got a vest from my bro for x-mas one year, and then i found the matching skirt in the town where i live, so i bought that for myself. they are still hanging in the closet (a little big on me now, but that's ok!), fabric is a good as when they were new. then the styles: they are such clean lines, no frilly s__, no loud colors (all are muted and earth tones), no flowers, no zippers, etc. BUT i DID have to cut out some of the labels! -- yeah, i bought a couple more items, but the shop in my town sells the clothes when the eileen fisher stores and the retailers haven't moved them out on schedule, so they're "old" fashions, so to speak, but of course, still beautiful clothes.
drool, drool,
gracie, you're a treat to read,
i know things suck right now, but
life will be good again,
i promise,
wendy
Posted by noa on June 8, 2003, at 10:46:33
In reply to Re: For a minute I got excited » whiterabbit, posted by wendy b. on June 7, 2003, at 22:51:11
I love a lot of Eileen Fisher clothing, but you are right that it is so expensive. I also like that her clothes are fashionable but aren't going to go out of style any time soon. I recently complemented a co-worker on her pant suit and she told me it is really old--and it's Eileen Fisher. It was so classic looking and has stayed in style even though it was old. She was starting to worry because she felt that the pants were getting threadbare and dreaded the day when they would wear out.
I was at a store recently with a friend who shops expensive (I rarely go shopping with her because we are not that compatible financially as shoppers). I saw some E.F. clothes that I was drooling over but didn't even consider trying on because of the price. They were actually on sale, but even the drastically reduced prices are out of my budget. My friend tried to convince me to try them because she thought the price was reasonable (she buys much more expensive things all the time) and worth it because of quality. Well, perhaps they are worth it because of quality, but there is the little problem of not actually being able to afford it. LOL.
The only fault I find with Fisher's clothes is all the linen, which isn't very practical. Ironing is not part of my repetoire! I do own some linen items, and have them cleaned and pressed at the cleaners, but having a lot of linen clothes isn't practical for me.
Posted by Snoozy on June 8, 2003, at 13:10:32
In reply to Re: For a minute I got excited, posted by noa on June 8, 2003, at 10:46:33
Every year I end up asking myself this, but why oh why is linen, the fabric that needs more ironing than anything on earth, the summer fabric? You'd think we'd have some good un-natural alternatives!
>
> The only fault I find with Fisher's clothes is all the linen, which isn't very practical. Ironing is not part of my repetoire! I do own some linen items, and have them cleaned and pressed at the cleaners, but having a lot of linen clothes isn't practical for me.
>
>
Posted by whiterabbit on June 8, 2003, at 14:12:43
In reply to Re: For a minute I got excited » whiterabbit, posted by wendy b. on June 7, 2003, at 22:51:11
Thanks Wendy, I enjoy reading the posts here from ya'll and it's SUCH a relief to be honest with people who understand. I chased away most of my friends during the years that I was so depressed and screwed up (I didn't want to talk to ANYBODY by the time I got home from work, I was just so
peopled-out) and the few friends I have left now,
I just try to hang out with them and have a little fun, I don't really discuss my mental state to any degree. And my soon-to-be-ex-husband,
he quit caring a long time ago. I'd try to talk about it but his eyes would just glaze over, so I quit talking.Anyway. Sometimes - not so much anymore but sometimes - I start to panic. I start thinking like, "My God, I have to take care of my own car now, I don't know anything about cars! Will I be safe in my own place? I probably won't be safe, a woman living alone is a target is this city! And I'll be lonely, I'll probably just dissolve from loneliness. I can't even balance my checkbook, I'll be out on the street in no time..."
I'm getting a little better at stopping myself...
"Gracie SHUT UP. Turn that off right now. Think of something useful instead of scaring yourself,
why don't you." Like furniture. And clothes!As long as I'm on this outwiththeoldinwiththenew
kick, I might as well include my wardrobe. I'm sure I can weed out bags of stuff that I almost never wear. Man wouldn't it be great to replace it all with an Eileen Fisher Essentials
collection? I imagine I would have a lot less "fat days" - you know, when you're trying to get dressed in the morning and you start to get frantic because everything makes you look huge.I went ahead and ordered a catalog from her website, maybe she has sales. Of course, you would still be paying $90 for a tee-shirt, and I don't do ironing (another reason I don't wear collars - besides the fact that I don't like clothing around my neck. And turtlenecks - ack!).
Oh well, maybe when I get my life on track I can start saving up for Eileen Fisher. (I'm looking at the ad again...sigh. What great colors!) It just makes me think that in these clothes, you would always look pulled-together and very cool in an artsy sort of way. If I ever wanted to "project an image" of myself, I guess that would be it!
Okay...that's better. That's a much more productive way to think rather than dwelling on my impending doom as a single woman.
Smiling bravely -
Gracie
Posted by Dinah on June 8, 2003, at 15:27:37
In reply to Eileen Fisher clothes, posted by whiterabbit on June 8, 2003, at 14:12:43
Oooh, I love turtlenecks. Just because they really do work that way. I can stick my chin in them, let my hair fall over my face, and become almost invisible. (OK, I am probably quite conspicuous to others but it *feels* invisible).
I love linen but don't iron. And I've purged my closet of anything uncomfortable because I just don't wear them. So cotton mainly - soft cotton. I love J Jill, although I don't suppose I can afford that any longer. Not only are a lot of the clothes comfy, but they have great dusty muted colors. If I like something I buy it in a lot of colors and basically wear the same thing every day. Winter clothes are my favorite. I have some J Jill turtlenecks in cotton with a bit of silk that feel heavenly. Mmmmmm.....
Posted by leeran on June 8, 2003, at 16:11:26
In reply to Re: Eileen Fisher clothes » whiterabbit, posted by Dinah on June 8, 2003, at 15:27:37
I have an Eileen Fisher gray knit sheath (?) or maybe it's a jumper - or maybe just a sleeveless dress with a long matching sweater that I bought at the Eileen Fisher store in Soho. Way too expensive, but very classic styling.
I later found the matching slacks on sale here in California. I always feel very country club/grown-up when I wear that ensemble - but out here, it's rarely cold enough.
Eileen Fisher is pretty pricey and there is NO WAY I will commit to linen. I wear linen five seconds and look like a bag lady (whoever said linen looks "fresh" must have been talking about it in terms of mannequin wear).
When I started losing my waist with perimenopause I fell in love with Chicos clothing. I have worn the h*ll out of travelers collection pieces (actually had to buy a second pair of pants because I literally wore the first pair out). There's a Chicos outlet in Ontario, CA - and supposedly one in Camarillo, CA and the bargains are unbelievable. One time I had a $25 coupon (when you get "involved" with Chicos you get in their "Passport Club" and they send catalogs, coupons, birthday gift certificates, etc. Anyway, I had this $25 gift certificate and went to the outlet mall and ended up spending $1.37 and got $275.00 worth of clothes (at the outlet stores they mark down some racks at 75% off of the lowest prices - usually things have been marked down a couple of times, plus, you get a 5% discount when you're a "Passport" member).
Here's the website: www.chicos.com
Great clothes for comfort.
I more or less "bought" my waist back with Adderall and major liposuction - but on those days when I feel like clothes P*SS me off (yes, I have ADD and the way clothes FEEL is a major issue with me as well) I always fall back on the Chicos stuff.
Posted by noa on June 8, 2003, at 18:29:57
In reply to Re: Eileen Fisher clothes, posted by leeran on June 8, 2003, at 16:11:26
Several of my friends are chico's regulars. But they don't make my size, unfortunately.
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