Style Board and Piggy Bank
I am one of those women who will never look truly polished. I am doomed to a life of wrinkled shirts, scuffed shoes, and mind-of-its-own hair. I have tried to fight against this with structured 50s sundresses and expensive handbags, only to realize at brunch I have forgotten to shave my underarms and my lipstick has melted into the lining of my bag. Such is my lot.
When I recently landed a new job at one of Manhattan’s most fancypants addresses, I realized my own pants were in dire need of an update. The last time I did any serious shopping was three years ago in St. Paul, Minnesota, when I lived across the street from a great vintage shop. My mom bluntly informed me that this fact was plainly evident.
The prospect of breathing new life into your wardrobe can be daunting (just look at those exhausted makeover subjects on What Not to Wear) and the last thing I wanted was to arrive home after a day of shopping, several hundred dollars poorer and carrying a purple velour jumpsuit and a pair of sunglasses. I needed a plan.
I sat down with a stack of magazines and tore out every page that appealed to me. Sometimes I got a little off distracted with my copies of Martha Stewart (”ooooh, I love this vintage stove!”) but it was still helpful to lay out all the images I found compelling and look for patterns. And then there it was before me, clear as a Noxzema girl’s skin: I wanted pink lips, dresses with a softer silhouette, smart-looking flats, stripes, dark jeans, and ankle boots. I could go forth, knowing I would not be led astray by patent leather platforms, goucho pants, or shapeless but oh-so-soft cashmere sweaters on sale at Club Monaco. It’s a fun trip back to grade school putting together one of these collages, and I am heartened to know I am not the only quasi-adult who makes them.
If you’re not going out for a big spree (and really, how often can any of us do that?), you’re probably saving up for that fanciful pair of warm-weather shoes to put a spring in your step on the morning commute. If you’re anything like me, though, thoughts of “saving up” tend to fly right out of your brain when tempted by smaller treats like truffle butter, scented candles, and personal french presses. People like us — the object-specific saving-impaired — need a piggy bank. You could get a lovely Wilbur-esque piggy bank, but that would be sort of counter-productive, now wouldn’t it? Instead, I like to put a container on my bureau with a picture taped on it to remind me what I’m saving up for. Then at the end of the evening when I’m taking off my eyeliner, I can drop my spare change in. It may be a while before I get those t-straps…
Miss Fae: That piggy bank is a bit terrifying. I’m not sure how this vegetarian would feel about stuffing such a life like (scared white) pig with editorial pennies.
Have you seen this blog entry about truffle butter? It makes my mouth water.
Those are some dashing shoes, by the way.3 years ago
Janice: I’ve also been pining over these Chi Mihara shoes since 1st sight! That is such a clever/dangerous way to motivate yourself.3 years ago
Belle: I will copy your piggy bank at once! It is so great!3 years ago
Stitchy Fingers: What a great piggy bank idea. Having the picture of what you want staring at you all the time is probably a great incentive.
I’ve enjoyed reading and watching what you’ve had on your blog.3 years ago
agnes k: You are a smart cookie. I experienced the same–in reverse–when I turned in my chic Manhattan-Ad-Agency persona for the starched world of corporate couture. In fact–I have a bunch of wrap dresses I should pass on. I used to think that its “what’s on the inside that counts” but once I started lint-rolling away the dog hair and wearing fake (GROSS) nails, I got a big promotion. So now my “inside that counts” mentality is for the weekend only (ala the knee high muck boots I wore at my wedding) and I don the corporate camoflage at work. That said, I have a dime-sized zit on my chin (which I compulsively “operated” on after a few cocktails–why do I keep making the same mistakes?)And my huge dry cleaning bill does nothing to help with that.3 years ago
Alison R.: Those white t-straps sandals are the shoes of my soul! what a marvelous idea to put a picture of it on the piggy bank…though if it were me, i would just stuff it with every $20 I could find (who needs food or a place to live when you can have shoes?) and buy them ASAP. Also,a note for agnes k., if you want to give away any wrap dresses, I’ll happily take them!
3 years ago
agnes k: Alison:
We may have a deal if you can work your make-up magic on this chin of mine…3 years ago
Chelsie: You are an inspiration. Now, I am on a somewhat similar journey. Thanks for this!3 years ago
Luisa: Congratulations on the new job! And at Conde Nast, no less. Fantastic!3 years ago
Tam: Well done! I did this a few years ago while saving up for a trip to Paris. I printed out a photo of the Eiffel Tower and taped it onto the vase. I had a nice little stash by the time we were off! I just found your home online via the globeandmail.com mention and am so glad I did! Congrats on your new job!
PS I did something called the Style Statement (google it along with Carrie and Danielle and you’ll find who did it for me) and that helped me define my personal style and has been as powerful a tool as the collaging. I actually wrote an article about this for the Globe and Mail.3 years ago
melanie: i love that piggy bank…in college my friend had a purse fund piggy bank similar to this (which we stole money out of for beer…shhh) i should start my own. i just posted my own revamped style/inspiration board
http://melanieelaine.blogspot.com/2007/04/studio-inspiration-board.html
every so often when my magazine rack starts to overflow i sit down and start to cut out anything that fancies me. I then will either post it on my board, or in my hand-bound inspirational journal…it cuts down on clutter and the images i adore from my favorite magazines are not wasted in forgotten piles somewhere in my tiny nyc apartment!!!3 years ago
Alli Lou: Greetings! I found you through your recent piece on mornings at elasticwaist and want to compliment you on your blog here; you have all sorts of fun goodies on here and a lovely layout to boot!
Also, I very much like the idea of having boxes or jars with the photo of what you’re saving for. I had taken to writing a list of things I wanted to save for, but that turned out to be more depressing than helpful. What a grand idea you had there! Thanks, and hope to see more great stuff on here
3 years ago
Sarah: Thanks, Alli Lou! Yeah, I could see how a list of stuff one wanted could start to get kind of depressing (that made me laugh out loud, though), but the picture keeps things nice and visual. I hope you keep coming back!3 years ago
Romina: I have a pair of these Chie Mihara shoes, size 8 which I only wore once and realized they’re too big for me. So, I would love to sell them at less than what I paid to someone who appreciates them. Let me know if interested.3 years ago
Sarah: Any takers? Unfortunately, I wear an 8 1/2.3 years ago
Paula: I love the piggy bank idea… now I have to go buy some cool vases! Love it!3 years ago
Becca Mer: hey there,
I just wanted to say that I love your little blog! its fabulous and you are a wonderful inspiration! I watched your take “back the morning” skit and have been trying it out all week! well, really for the past three days, but who’s counting… so far so good ya?
cheers and good luck to you!3 years ago
KarrieTamsin: I set up a by knot of soups that inquire terrific, and can be made in big batches and frozen.
Is there any interest?1 year ago