I started this blog three years ago when the idea presented itself to me while on vacation in Maui: why not write a blog about style? Style in Yakima? Style in the Not Quite Palm Springs of Washington? I was determined to find some style in this high-desert town and I like to think that sometimes I did.
While on vacation again this past month I decided it was time to give it a rest. Not that I've found all the style that can be found in this town, but I just feel the blog has run it's course, done it's thing, sung it's little song and now it's time to say good-bye.
So. Did I answer my original question? Is there any style in Not Quite Palm Springs? Yes, I believe there is. Some women showed up in my blog again and again, no matter when I saw them, they looked put-together and right on target. I found style not only at big charity events and at the Country Club, but on First Friday nights downtown, on the girls in black at Zesta Cucina, on young things attending a play at the Warehouse. It's there if you look for it, and sometimes I had to look for a long time!
How important is fashion? It is not, in the full scope of things. I like to think of it as a hobby: kind of like pottery or poetry. I happen to be interested in it, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be. Frankly, there are many women out there who have wonderful personality traits, important careers, and valuable talents but have no style whatsoever. Big deal!
I do hope that I've gotten women in NQPS to think about what they wear a little more often, maybe try just a little harder to put things together in different and interesting ways. Maybe to throw out their khaki capris and their crocs? Nooooo! That's too much for anyone to hope!
Anyway, it's been fun. I've made a lot of friends along the way including lots of humans and seven chimps. I've had a great time with my tiny Nikon, snapping pictures of shoes and jackets and bags and everything in between.
So thanks for following! And remember, ladies of Not Quite Palm Springs: dress bloggably! You never know who may be watching.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Eve 2009
Leo Lee's tie--Chinese food! Happy New Year!
Renee wore a gorgeous scarf that a friend brought her from China: hot pink silk with intricate fringe and beautiful peacock feathers! Her basic black was the perfect background for such a singular work of art. And love the boots: suede with faux alligator cuffs.
Vickie looked beautiful in this beige shutter-pleated long gown of silk and voile--floor length and so elegant topped with the shawl.
Why can't I get this picture upright??? Sorry, you'll have to turn your heads to see Deb's new addition to the doggie bag collection! It's a tartan plaid scottie dog with black fur trim. Perfect!
Holiday Goodies
Furry boots? No, these are cool furry leg-warmers that you put over your regular boots to make them furry boots! They can be put over short ones or tall ones, doesn't matter. Loves. I lent these to Amber & never got them back. Oh well....
Little Bella in her Christmas dress! "Property of Santa" with a tartan ruffled skirt. She loves to get dressed up.
Elizabeth was wearing this jacket at a post-Christmas open house. Gorgeous, unique, and so eye-catching! Black boiled wool with silk roses winding around the collar and down the front and up one sleeve, blanket stitching all around, artsy buttons. It's by CoVelo which is a designer Gretchen carries, but Jan bought this one up in Ellensburg at "the cowgirl store." Anyone know the name? Great find.
Little Bella in her Christmas dress! "Property of Santa" with a tartan ruffled skirt. She loves to get dressed up.
Elizabeth was wearing this jacket at a post-Christmas open house. Gorgeous, unique, and so eye-catching! Black boiled wool with silk roses winding around the collar and down the front and up one sleeve, blanket stitching all around, artsy buttons. It's by CoVelo which is a designer Gretchen carries, but Jan bought this one up in Ellensburg at "the cowgirl store." Anyone know the name? Great find.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Prez Ball 09
Every year the Country Club throws a big ol' bash called the "President's Ball" which is ostensibly to honor the incoming president (this year it's Terry Powell! Yay! A woman!) and also any other old presidents who might still be hanging around.
But actually it's mainly a night for everyone to get all dressed up in their jewels & furs & what-not, to drink ice-cold martinis made in an ice-cold bar carved out of ice-cold ice, to eat a fabulous 6 course meal, and to dance the night away to a mediocre band. I came home with my toe bleeding. Someone always steps on me. Two years ago I actually had a toe broken on that dance floor. So if anyone knows where I can get steel-toe stilettos, please let me know.
This year was a year to cut back, we all know that. Many of us went shopping in our own closets and retrieved something we'd worn in years past. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
And there was black. So much black. A sea of blackness. A huge, black hole of black dresses and pantsuits and other black things. Plus it was cold outside. Icy-cold. As cold as that martini bar. So I think a lot of women went more casual, with more pants and jackets than usual, just to stay warm.
Ok, so there wasn't a ton of style to see, but here are a few highlights:
Terri, looking bright, shiny, & slinky in this cocktail dress that shimmered between black and silver. Great layered silver necklace & sequiny little evening bag, too.
Terri's Manolo Blanik's--fabulous, velvety, embroidered vintage pumps courtesy of E-Bay! Love it.
Cindi wore bright Christmas red in the Black Sea--a flowing, tiered chiffon. Loved her pearl & some-kind-of-stone (opal?) choker necklace & oversized earrings. From my favorite shop in town--the Gift Shop at Memorial! Smart.
But actually it's mainly a night for everyone to get all dressed up in their jewels & furs & what-not, to drink ice-cold martinis made in an ice-cold bar carved out of ice-cold ice, to eat a fabulous 6 course meal, and to dance the night away to a mediocre band. I came home with my toe bleeding. Someone always steps on me. Two years ago I actually had a toe broken on that dance floor. So if anyone knows where I can get steel-toe stilettos, please let me know.
This year was a year to cut back, we all know that. Many of us went shopping in our own closets and retrieved something we'd worn in years past. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
And there was black. So much black. A sea of blackness. A huge, black hole of black dresses and pantsuits and other black things. Plus it was cold outside. Icy-cold. As cold as that martini bar. So I think a lot of women went more casual, with more pants and jackets than usual, just to stay warm.
Ok, so there wasn't a ton of style to see, but here are a few highlights:
Terri, looking bright, shiny, & slinky in this cocktail dress that shimmered between black and silver. Great layered silver necklace & sequiny little evening bag, too.
Terri's Manolo Blanik's--fabulous, velvety, embroidered vintage pumps courtesy of E-Bay! Love it.
Cindi wore bright Christmas red in the Black Sea--a flowing, tiered chiffon. Loved her pearl & some-kind-of-stone (opal?) choker necklace & oversized earrings. From my favorite shop in town--the Gift Shop at Memorial! Smart.Sorry--here's that dang ugly carpet again! Sally had on the most elegant black satin D'Orsay pumps with gold embellishment. Manolo Blaniks again (these Schaake ladies have good taste) BUT she found them for half-price, how lucky is that? She said she bought them on a trip when she had forgotten her bag. I'm gonna try that next time I go somewhere....
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Camp Prime Time Auction
Lots of style to be found last night at the Camp Prime Time auction & dinner. Lots of money raised too! Camp Prime Time, for those of you who don't know, is a great camp near Clear Lake for kids with illnesses or disabilities and also for their families. We love supporting this camp: they do so much good for people right here in the valley, they use there dollars wisely, they involve tons of volunteers, and they make so many kids happy--kids who ordinarily don't have a lot to be happy about. It's a jewel of an organization that raises the quality of life to a new level here in Yakima. Go to http://www.campprimetime.org/ to learn more about it! And a big thank you to the winning bidders who paid $5100 for a week in our Maui condo. Whoo hooo! We were happy to participate and see so much money raised.
That being said, let's see what kind of style Camp Prime Time supporters had to offer....
She looked so great in this long lacy-knit cardigan with the ruffle all around and the tie front. Interesting pale yellow color, too. Add a matching cam, fabulous pointy-toe heels, and slim wool slacks: casual and comfortable, but very chic.
Barb was not shy about being blogged: "Oh, I can pose, Girlfriend!" she said to me when I asked her. She also recited the address and phone number of Garden Dance, which is where she got the ivory lace & tiered ruffle skirt. Now that's a loyal customer. Also love the hip-length jacket, the boots with tights, the leopard scarf tossed over her shoulder. She's got it all goin' on, and in a good way.
Someone told Hannah that all volunteers had to wear matching red Camp Prime Time t-shirts, but that didn't stop her from making it her own: she layered it over a black long-sleeved tissue tee, tucked it into a black and white striped dirndl skirt, and wrapped it up with a wide leather belt. She looks positively Parisian. (Note: Must be Hanna's shrimpy size to wear horizontal stripes.) Anyone who can eke some style out of a red t-shirt is definitely blog-worthy, I say.
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term "Doggy Bag" doesn't it? Deb, proud Mom of two terriers, didn't have to go looking for this Dooney & Bourke bag festooned with scotties and their toys. She said three of her friends called her when the bag made it's debut at Macy's. Another one actually bought her the bag as a gift but--too late! She'd already scarfed it up herself, of course. Shown here with coordinating scottie glasses and case. Love it! Arf arf.
I noticed these shoes while standing in line--well, who didn't notice these shoes??? They cannot be ignored! Sky-high stilettos, bondage-style skinny strappy-straps from toe to ankle, and actual zippers up the back. Yikes! Dangerous! But waaaaay wonderful...
She looked so great in this long lacy-knit cardigan with the ruffle all around and the tie front. Interesting pale yellow color, too. Add a matching cam, fabulous pointy-toe heels, and slim wool slacks: casual and comfortable, but very chic.
Barb was not shy about being blogged: "Oh, I can pose, Girlfriend!" she said to me when I asked her. She also recited the address and phone number of Garden Dance, which is where she got the ivory lace & tiered ruffle skirt. Now that's a loyal customer. Also love the hip-length jacket, the boots with tights, the leopard scarf tossed over her shoulder. She's got it all goin' on, and in a good way.
Someone told Hannah that all volunteers had to wear matching red Camp Prime Time t-shirts, but that didn't stop her from making it her own: she layered it over a black long-sleeved tissue tee, tucked it into a black and white striped dirndl skirt, and wrapped it up with a wide leather belt. She looks positively Parisian. (Note: Must be Hanna's shrimpy size to wear horizontal stripes.) Anyone who can eke some style out of a red t-shirt is definitely blog-worthy, I say.
Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the term "Doggy Bag" doesn't it? Deb, proud Mom of two terriers, didn't have to go looking for this Dooney & Bourke bag festooned with scotties and their toys. She said three of her friends called her when the bag made it's debut at Macy's. Another one actually bought her the bag as a gift but--too late! She'd already scarfed it up herself, of course. Shown here with coordinating scottie glasses and case. Love it! Arf arf.
I noticed these shoes while standing in line--well, who didn't notice these shoes??? They cannot be ignored! Sky-high stilettos, bondage-style skinny strappy-straps from toe to ankle, and actual zippers up the back. Yikes! Dangerous! But waaaaay wonderful...
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Garden Dance Jewelry Show
If you love jewelry, you'll want to see this jewelry trunk show at Garden Dance next Saturday, Nov. 28. It'll be there from 11-4 p.m.--it's all local artists like Ann Bowker, Diana Hillis, Kaia Sorem, Linda Simpson, and Lucy Valderhaug. They'll be there to take orders and answer questions. Original jewelry makes a wonderful Christmas present, 'sall I'm sayin'. Plus there will be apps & drinks. See you there!
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