Mismatched Plaid -- YEA or NAY?

Readers, last week while I was walking my dogs I captured the back of what I thought was a very unusual plaid coat. 

The Worst Way a Man Can Dress (Is Like a Woman)

Readers, why must our clothing be gendered?

Let's Talk Blog Photography! or "To Smile or Not to Smile?"

Readers, I'd originally intended today's post to be "Men in Skirts: YEA or NAY," but we're past that sort of thing, don't you think? 

Instead, I'd like to discuss photography.  I believe there are two kinds of people: those who smile in photos and those who don't.

The Declutterer's Dilemma: When to Donate? When to Sell?

The more I ditch, the more I realize this is not just about a book here, an old scarf there.  I would honestly like to be rid of more than half the things I own!

Should We Dress Better?

Are we a "nation of slobs"?

Introducing MPB's "Rules to Live By"

Friends, for more than a dozen years I was a volunteer peer counselor for an LGBT counseling organization called Identity House, and for a number of years after that worked as a life/health coach, until I realized that it might be time to focus on some neglected parts of my own life.  Shortly after, I bought my first sewing machine and, well, you know the rest.

I don't do any formal counseling these days, but I thought it might be interesting if, since we do occasionally discuss topics unrelated to sewing/fabric/patterns/Cathy, I might introduce something new: MPB's "Rules to Live By."  You may or may not agree with the ones I choose, but most will be familiar to you.  Either way, I hope they'll generate discussion!

Boys Dressing as Girls for Halloween or "Toddler Drag: Cause for Alarm?"

The other day, MPB reader Karen emailed me a personal story she thought I might share here, even suggesting the title, "A Boy's First Skirt."

Honest Feedback

Consider the following:

1) Sometimes our projects don't turn out the way we'd hoped.

2) Often people can be satisfied with less than perfect results.

3) Sometimes what looks perfect to us doesn't look that way to others.

These statements all relate to the topic of online feedback.  I've read a number of comments here lately about the kind (and quantity) of feedback some sewing bloggers get: too much, too positive given the quality of their work.  I don't know the blogs in question (hopefully not mine), but I get the gist of what they're saying -- don't you?

More Bad Taste

After re-reading what I wrote yesterday about bad taste, as well as your excellent comments, I wanted to add some additional thoughts and clarifications.

Things I Don't Get, Vol. 5: Stone-faced Models

Friends, tomorrow is the big day — at least according to fashion-maven/blogger Claudine, who told me so on Saturday.  August 14th is the day big, fat September Vogue hits the newsstands, and if I'm wrong I am going to feel like an idiot.

What is it with gay men and women's fashion?

Readers, in life, some questions are eternal.  Why are we here?  Are there dogs in heaven? Whatever happened to Deanna Durbin?

Don't Tell Me How To Dress!

Men have them, women have them.  I speak of the highly contentious concept of "figure flaws."

Or do we?

How, exactly, can a figure be flawed?  We're not talking factory seconds here, we're talking about bodies, our own bodies, and every one is different; we come in all shapes and sizes.

New vs. Old

Friends, there are two kinds of people: those who prefer to buy new and those who prefer to buy old.

I was in suburban New Jersey this weekend at Michael's parents, and let me tell you -- as if you didn't already know -- the suburbs are full of people who prefer new.  New cars, new houses, new appliances, new stores -- new, new, new.

Peter opines on "Bill Cunningham New York"

This has been a somewhat heavy week topic-wise here at MPB, I recognize. 

Rather than plan, I just take my inspiration from whatever I happen to be doing or thinking at the moment and then, in roughly an hour or so, turn it into a blog post.  If my thoughts are sometimes scrambled or unclear,  I look to you, my readers -- many of whom have thought about these issues in far greater depth than I -- to contribute your wisdom in a comment, for which I am always grateful (and always read even if I don't often respond).  Anyway, I hope those who prefer lighter fare will bear with me for one more day.

Do You Sew Like You Live?

Readers, I've always been intrigued by the apocryphal saying, The way you do anything is the way you everything.  I don't even remember where I first heard it but it stuck with me.

The Ugly Truth

 

Readers, think about it: when's the last time somebody really unattractive became famous?  Newt Gingrich?  He's been around awhile.  John Belushi?  He's been dead for decades.

It may be hard to believe, but in the early Nineteen-Thirties, comic actress Marie Dressler, already over sixty and with the face of an English Bulldog, was THE number one Hollywood box office attraction, which she remained until her death at sixty-five.  Watch an old movie of hers like Min and Bill or Dinner at Eight and you'll immediately understand why.  She was a powerhouse.

The Demise of Dainty

Friends, whatever happened to dainty?

I am talking about the word dainty, used not to describe a porcelain tea set, but rather to describe women and all things female.

On Male Beauty

Readers, do you subscribe to the belief that a man can be too good-looking?

Are you sophisticated?

Reading blog comments in response to recent posts about summer comfort and contemporary style, I noticed that most of you are relieved to be able to wear what feels comfortable to you.

Recipe for a Happy Life

Friends, let's not talk about sewing today.

I've been thinking a lot about the Alexander McQueen exhibit I saw on Tuesday, and why certain professions seem to create so much apparent unhappiness -- or attract those with a strong propensity for it.