Rantings of a Creole Princess

Older.Wiser.Gentler.Framily-er

I am blessed that I have three best friends, lots of great friends and a whole host of really, really good friends.  I have friends from waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in elementary school and people who's spirits I've fallen in love with instantly in more recent years.

But I only have one best girlfriend.  She knows the majority of my secrets and she knows when I'm dealing with something even though she knows that I'm not ready to talk about what I'm dealing with.  She waits patiently and she always knows exactly what to do and say.  You guys know her and you also know that we love as hard as we fight.  LOL!  Thankfully we haven't had a major blowout in years and we both think we've reached the point of no return as far as our blowups are concerned.  I doubt if we ever have another one cause we're older.wiser.gentler and more framily-er.  Oh...and we have Cole.  LOL!

Since she knows me so well she always gives me the absolute best-est gifts.  I love a long robe and it's very seldom I find a robe long to the floor on me and when I do I buy it because, again, I love a long to the floor robe.  All of the ones I currently own are for mild weather up North and that's about to change so she searched for a Summer weight one for me:

Isn't that MARVELOUS?????????????????  GO ME!  GO SHELLYBEAN!!!!!!!!!  IT'S ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!!

And the best thing about it?  

Oh yeah...the monogram!  Yall know I love a Mingogram.  LOL!

Thank you again.  I love you and I know you love me.  You're my favorite.  :)

Do you have a robe that hits the floor?  How tall are you?  Where did you get it?  Aren't they FABULOUS?

Jennifer Hudson is KILLING.IT!

She's got new music and this new jacket!  I want both!  Jennifer Hudson Shows Her ‘Dangerous’ Side

Thong Sandals

Up until recently, I've only owned one pair of thong sandals and I keep them in my truck for when I go get pedicures because I hate wearing those paper ones the nail salon provides.  I have never liked the feeling of things between my toes and it's extremely uncomfortable to me.

I was shopping recently and saw a pair of Birkenstock thong sandals.  On a whim, I decided to try them on.  They were sooooooooooooooo comfortable!  I didn't even feel the thong part at all once I tightened the buckle.  And...I loved the way they looked on my feet.

Birkenstock Women's Gizeh Cork Footbed Thong Sandal Mocha

GO ME!  I pick things out and bring them home. (In voice of muscle man who picks things up and puts them down.)

Have you ever owned Birkenstocks?  Do you have a problem with thong sandals?

Dear Family, Framily and Friends:

I am on the lookout for this $9.99 hat from Target in khaki and black.  I visited two Targets and couldn't find it.  If you see it at your Target, please send me a bat signal because I want them so and they aren't available to buy online.  It fits my peanut head perfectly and I love it so.

Thank you in advance.  

$300 Dress

Do you think paying $300 for a dress is too much?  Or do you find that to be about the norm these days?

Refund Please

I bought that shirt to wear to see Prince.  When I went to put it on, the thread at one of the holes holding up the gold thingy had come undone.  Surprisingly, there wasn't any of that color thread attached to the tag.  Shelly dug out a sewing kit and the closest we could come was a light pink thread. So I used that to reattach it.

Wasn't about to let this shirt wreck my Prince flow.

I washed it using the handwash cycle on my washing machine and a lingerie bag.  When I took it out of the washer to hang dry, I noticed the other side of the dang gold piece had detached as well.  

And I still don't have that color thread.  

I guess I was about to just call it a loss since I'd already rocked it and, on a whim, went to check out the reviews and well...let's just say that I'm about to roll over there and get a refund after reading the reviews and the response to the reviews.  REVIEWS

See...it wasn't just me...

Do you ever check reviews on clothing??????  Would you have returned this one without even checking the reviews?

 

 

Unpopular Opinion: Your daughter's shorts are too short.

My Daughter Was Dress-Coded for Wearing Shorts

I read that article with my face frowned up so badly I know I created at least 2 new wrinkles.  I blame Slate for that.

In rejecting an outfit, I have never, ever communicated to my child that her dress was a “distraction” to others or that she bore responsibility if someone reacted in any way—favorably, rudely, distracted, or otherwise—to her body. That schools are passing on this very message to her and other female students—and simultaneously communicating to boys that their learning environment is being compromised by the sight of girls' limbs or cleavage—is unhealthy and unsound at best, illegal at worst.

I must have reread that passage three times trying to find it in me to have the outrage that mother feels about her daughter being yanked for those shorts.  Well, I couldn't muster up a single seed.  Her faux outrage on the possibility of pretend rights being stepped on just made me roll my eyes.

Ma'am...your daughter's shorts are too short.  I don't know nothing about birthing no babies...but I know that baby's shorts are too short.  And when I say that, I'm not adding a single other thing to it.  I'm not saying she's going to mess around and get groped because we know the wrong type of male will grope a nun.  I'm not saying it means she's going to be promiscuous when she grows up because plenty of people have removed long, flowy pants to get their groove on.  All I'm saying, simply, is that your daughter's shorts are too short.  It's not a political statement.  It's not a sexist or feminist statement from where I'm coming from.  It's a decency statement.  I think it looks indecent when I see ANYONE with shorts on that short.  Where I'm from, we call them coochie cutters and it's always said with our lip curled on one side.  Buy her some longer shorts.  Simple.

What say YOU?  Do YOU think those shorts are too short?  Would you let YOUR preteen daughter wear them?  Do you think the mother is reaching, big time, in this article?  Or do you understand where she's coming from and feels like dress codes are placing unwanted body stigmas on girls?

On Rihanna and THAT Dress

I posted it and simply said...Rihanna won.

That dress there is absolutely STUNNING.

But then...other pictures surfaced and it became clear to me that whomever posted this picture first added shadows quickly so it would be appropriate to post online.  A piece of her arm is even missing which also goes to show how quickly the person did what they did to the pic.

Well...then other pics started popping up and um...erra...my opinion on the dress changed.

DRASTICALLY.

I just finished reading an article that states she made the most important feminist statement in pop culture history.

*BLINK*

Looked like she was just walking around butt azz nekkid like some lil fast tail azz girl who doesn't listen to her mama to me.

But hey...I'm old.

What did YOU think?  Be honest.  The paparazzi don't come 'round here.

Purse Compartments

Do you ever pass on a bag because of it's lack of compartments?

New Easter Outfits

At what age did you stop getting new Easter outfits for your kids?  Did you only get new church clothes or new play clothes for after church too?

Hats

I'm loving hats lately.  This is my latest one.  Paid $19.99 for it at Marshall's.  Pefect sunscreen.  

Do year wear hats?

The Boyfriend Jean

I tried on 86 pair of boyfriend jeans this past week and the only pair I like cost far more than I'm willing to pay.  The cut, on someone slim, with a butt, looks odd.  IN MY OPINION.  ON ME.  My butt just won't let me be great.

The picture is what I'm looking for.  The ones with a reasonable price tag were too short.  The ones I loved had a price tag three times as much.  UGH.

Who makes the pair you love to wear?

New Suit of Clothes

I need a new suit / business meeting outfit.  The only suits I currently own which fit me are white or off-white. And, truth be told, I am not all that crazy about suits.  I want something that looks awesome, of course, and business like.  Something I can throw on quickly for a meeting for an hour or so.  NOT with big clunky shoes though.  Never that.  

What's your favorite business attire that is not a suit?

Prom Question...

Would your daughter have a problem with your getting her a used prom dress?  Would you ever get your daughter a used dress for an event?

Slips

Do you own slips?

Do you wear them?

Where do you buy them?

Lupita

Which is YOUR favorite look on her?

Sexy Wedge

Quite possibly the sexiest wedges I've ever seen.

Poppy Barley: Made to Measure Boots

Hmmmmm...Poppy Barley

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM): Sandra Bullock Golden Globes

HotNESS!

Ralph Lauren Flag Sweater

When I was in high school...I wanted a Polo flag sweater.  I mean...I wanted it so badly I knew it would be life changing.  I begged and begged and begged for that dang sweater but my mother wasn't having it.  In her opinion...the sweater cost too damn much for someone without a job to own in hot azz Louisiana.

Dammit.

Humph.

One day I came home from school and there it was.  Sitting on my bed.  Looking FABULOUSLY AWESOME AND FLY!  I was the absolute happiest girl I knew.  With a sweater...in hot azz Louisiana walking around pretending I'm not hot as hell and all shiny 'bout the forehead with sweat.

GO ME!

Knowing what I know now of my parent's life and of my mother, specifically...I know she probably watched that damn sweater until it was as cheap as possible.  I know she probably didn't have it hidden anywhere to surprise me with later.  She probably put it on my bed the SECOND she came home with it, excited that she was able to get her baby girl what she wanted.

Knowing what I know now...and not looking at my parents through the eyes of a child...I know she probably sacrificed a lot to get me that damn sweater.  She probably always had it in the back of her mind how much I wanted it and promised herself she'd make sure I got it.

Knowing what I know now...it should come as no surprise that when I walked into the mall recently and saw a Ralph Lauren flag sweater...I burst into tears amid all the holiday shoppers.

Knowing what you know of me...I'm sure you're not surprised that I bought one and consider it a Christmas gift from my mommy.

Sheesh...Christmas man...

*sigh*

Anything you loved in the 80s coming back that you want?

Men's Boots. No.

Would YOUR man wear them?

CALLENGE! (Not to be confused for challenge...)

It has been a challenge for me lately to find dresses which are long enough.  Seems like dresses are shorter than ever these days.  Ugh.  Super ugh for a tall chick.

Are you having difficulties?

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM): Large Fancy Earrings

I have large, fancy earrings.  Faux stuff, of course.  I never, ever wear them.  Maybe once or twice.  I don't know why...I just don't.  Weird huh?  Do YOU rock large, fancy earrings when you get jazzy with it?

Must Have

I MUST HAVE a new pair of brown flat boots.  I don't need them but I MUST HAVE them.  I don't have a pair of flat brown boots and I pretty much exclusively wear flats now.  I don't have brown boots.

I MUST HAVE brown boots.

You have any MUST HAVES currently?  What are you looking for that you'll know you've found once you see it?

Redskins

I found this shirt and debated whether or not it was cool to own.  I bought it and wore it feeling some kinda way worrying about it.

It made me wonder if it was disrespectful to walk around with an Indian Chief's head embroidered into my shirt.

Tell me something...do YOU think the Washington Redskins should change their name?

Do we like the oversized coat?

Wide Calf Boots

I have a girlfriend who says, every.single.year...that this is going to be the year she finds some boots which fit over her calves. I've been shopping with her for boots and I just get comfy while she tries all the supposedly wide calf boots on.

A couple of months ago she called me out of breath.  "MONNIE!  I FOUND THEM!  I FOUND THEM!"

I was confused until she told me what she was talking about.  She'd finally found her boots and she loved, loved, loved them!  Where did she find them?  Naturalizer!  WHO KNEW???????

I think she now owns two new pair of Naturalizer boots and BAAAAAAAAAABY!  SHE.BE.STRUTTIN!  LOL!    

Do you have wide calves?  Where do you get your boots?  Have you ever had them altered to fit?  Did that work well?

 

Kate Middleton...

...BE SO CLEAN-T!  And she makes it look so easy!  Go 'head Kate!

Kate Middleton Fashion

New Coat?

Are you looking for a new coat this year?  Are you going to get a color other than black?

Wearing Maxi Dresses in the Fall

 

The other day I wore one of my maxi dresses with a tank top over it and a denim jacket.  It was sooooooo cute!

Now I'm thinking about pairing long sleeve t-shirts over a maxi dress and adding a belt.  I think that might be cute.  

Or a leather motorcycle vest.

The possibilities are completely endless layering maxi dresses for cooler weather.

How do you wear them?  Have you tried layering for Fall yet?  

o_0

She know she ain't cute.  LOL!  Shifting into Minimalism

Oh...and do NOT ask her where she's going to wear it cuz then it's going to get real, real funny!  #STILLLAUGHINGBOUTTHATONETIME

How to buy glasses when you're VAIN.AS.HELL!

Well...it's finally happened.  My eye doctor tells me that I need reading glasses.  *sigh*

This wouldn't be as traumatic if I only read at home but I'll be out and about looking some kinda crazy trying to read something on a menu or something and it's become bothersome to say the least.

I spent the better part of an hour trying to find a pair of frames to no avail.  I got some good ideas...but nothing jumped out at me.

Here are a few that were okay but just OKAY:

I really like the styles of this designer.  Lafont.  And I LOVE that their "name" is only on the inside of the frame and not emblazoned all along the side.  I want them to be stylish, of course, but not all BOING LOOKA ME WITH MY FANCY FRAMES!  I feel like I want my glasses to be simple in that aspect.

They are metal and have those nose things that I hate because they leave a print on my nose and I remember my father ALWAYS had a print on his nose and it brings back all kinds of weird memories when I see prints on sides of my nose like that when I wear sunglasses with those nose things and yes I know I have issues but yall already know I'm not working on them so there.

 

These were far more comfortable to me but I don't like the logo on the side.  They are plastic and don't have those nose things.  They felt like I was rocking a pair of sunglasses and after a few minutes I didn't even feel them on my face which is a good thing right?

So now I'm online looking at too much stuff like shape size of glasses for my face shape, etc. and getting overwhelmed.  Robby is, of course, no help.  He's all...the sooner you get them the sooner you can see again.

Old practical azz.  UGH!

How old were you when YOU had to get glasses if you wear them.  What shape is your face?  What shape are your glasses?  Are yours plastic or metal?  Do you have those nose thingys?  Any tips?  

 

 

Flannel Lined Down Robe

I would probably never leave the house come cold weather.  Men's Regular Flannel-lined Down Robe

THANKS SHELLY BEAN!

You have to REALLY know me and my routine to buy me clothes that will fit and that I would actually wear.

Tell the truth.  Can anybody buy clothes for you that YOU actually wear?

 

SIP:  YOU DON'T KNOW ME!

New Robe

I need a new everyday robe after a tragic bleaching incident.

I've been wearing The Robinator's robe cuz he doesn't really wear his robe until it gets cold.

He told me the other day that it's bout time I stop using his robe cuz he doesn't want any trouble.

Humph.

I've been thinking about how much I LOVE his robe.

It's big and the pockets are AWESOME.  The weight of it is really heavy and it just feels all velour-ey good and it's LONG on me!

I think I'm going to buy me a man's robe.

What do you think?  Odd?

Gabifresh would NEVER wear that!

I was shopping recently and walking up to a dressing room.  Outside of the dressing room was a woman looking at a teenager dressed in some tights with leather on the sides and a tunic-y kinda top which didn't really cover her behind.

The outfit didn't flatter her AT.ALL.  It only emphasized negative things.  The woman (I don't know if it was her mother) kept saying things like, "You like the way it fits?"  and "Are you sure that's the way it's supposed to look?" and "Well...if you like it..."

I stepped past them and went inside.  The debate continued.  The woman was being kind but not saying what I'm assuming she was thinking since I thought that the outfit wasn't cute AT.ALL on the young lady.  If she wanted to wear leggings...cool...but she needed to wear a tunic with an empire waist and long enough to cover her behind.  She looked "squoze up" around the boobage area so, instead of sleeveless...I'd suggest a flowy cap sleeve. In other words I'd say..."Gabifresh would NEVER wear that." and keep it moving hoping she gets it cuz yall know Gabi be DOING-T IT!

They bought the outfit and I'm assuming the young lady was happy.  The woman was pretty much resigned to being...well...okay I guess.

Here is my question for you...how would YOU have handled and really...can you even do and or say anything other than, okay without giving her a complex about her weight and body image?  How do you handle body image issues with a teenager you love and support?  I would think it would be a VERY blurry area to tread.  

What say you?

Sandra Bullock...

...is KILLING Venice.

That is all.

Sandra Bullock...

...should give me this dress.

What I wore to an afternoon wedding...

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

I would never wear jeans like this without a belt or with a t-shirt and heels.  I would wear ballet flats, of course, but if I'm going to wear heels with jeans I feel like my shirt needs to be nicer than a t-shirt.

And I'm a firm believer that if there are belt loops...a belt is required.

Prolly just me though and I'm okay with that.

What do YOU think?  Would you wear this outfit?

'Leeloo' Leather Trim Skinny Jeans (Black)

Stitched 9

Yall know Mimi G. and Adrienne are doing custom clothes now right?  You send in your own measurements and they make the fit for you so you don't have to buy something and then pay an arm and a leg to get it altered to fit you.

That's pretty hot.  

Check 'em out!  Stitched 9

When's the last time you had something custom made for you?

Workout Clothing

Where do you normally purchase your workout clothes?

Do you own cutoff shorts?

I think I NEED this fit however!

Yall KNOW this looks like 100% me!  Please don't tell me not to buy it.  PLEASE!

What are YOU wearing today?

I have on camo cargo shorts, my favorite walking sandals and an orange halter t-shirt.  I feel so cool and comfy it's unreal.

DID YALL SEE THIS???????????????

Review: Butterick 5884 | The Cape Sleeve Dress!

Target Wedding Dresses!

Target Wedding Dresses

What say YOU?

Red Carpet Action

When there is some red carpet action going on in the entertainment world...who do you look forward to seeing?

 

Solange's Fit: HOT.NESS.PERSONIFIED!