If you want to learn to knit, or improve your knitting, I found that supplementing a book with videos helps immensely. There are a ton of videos online so that you can watch someone doing what you want to do (e.g. casting on, switching yarn color, etc) while using a book for reference so that you learn the technique and terms.
1. Big Book of Knitting by Katharina Buss, English Edition 1999 - a book I peruse
I've referenced this book multiple times during my on-and-off obsession with becoming a better knitter. This book contains the basics, including advanced concepts (i.e.stitches). Diagrams and pictures are included, but the instructions are not the clearest.
This may be because the original edition was in German and Americans need better instructions. Or, more importantly, for someone to point out what not to do and common errors when trying a new stitch.
Below are some lessons learned from my knitting ventures:
Ribbed Stitch - The book does not tell you this, but when you switch from a purl to knit stitch, you need to make sure the yarn is behind the lead needle. And, when you switch from a knit to a purl stitch, the yarn needs to be in front of the lead needed.
Blocking - When you knit, an item tends to curl in so Blocking an item basically means straightening or flattening an item so that it does not curl. Make sure that the item is thoroughly wet. I was afraid of ruining my item so would only halfheartedly dampen an item before blocking. (Caveat - if you use expensive yarns, which I do not, thoroughly wetting an item may ruin an item, so check the label.)
My cousin Christina uses pin to pin the wet item flat and leaves it overnight until the item drives. And voila - straightened item! Or, so she says since this has never worked for me...
I forgo the pins - partly because I am impatient and only know how to knit scarves, so that's a lot of pinning that I need to do. So instead, I steam block and flatten a section of my scarf, put a pillowcase over it, wet the pillowcase pretty thoroughly with a spray bottle, and then iron over the pillowcase steaming the item underneath the pillow case.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Girl Walks into a Bar..., Rachel Dratch, 2012
I could not imagine anyone not wanting to be friends with Rachel Dratch after reading her memoir Girl Walks into a Bar...: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle. She is funny, gracious and candid without the biting wit or dark side that many comediennes seem to have.
There are many positive messages in her story, including the surprise of finding out that she is pregnant a month before her
forty-forth birthday.
Incredibly honest about the situation, Dratch admits that she was not sure if the father would be involved as they were in a cross-country, non-committed relationship.
Dratch's candidness throughout her memoir makes you realize what a cool person she is and what a great outlook she has on life.
30 Rock
The memoir starts off with Dratch being recast in the television series 30 Rock as Hollywood tends to perceive her as a "woodland creature" or lesbian, versus a starlet, which the 30 Rock role required.
Despite the very public setback in her career, Dratch makes a point to defend the decision made by Tiny Fey (who also wrote a great memoir, Bossypants), the creator, star and producer of the show.
A very gracious and class act considering the barrage of negative questions that she endured as well as the lack of roles she was able to find after the incident.
Overnight Success in Ten Years!
A sub-title of one of her chapters, "Overnight Success in Ten Years!" provides a sense of the time she spent honing her craft before becoming one of the best and making it onto Saturday Night Live.
She refers to herself as Two-Time Dratch based on the number of times she never got called back on her first auditions, but would on her subsequent effort.
Her stories about Saturday Night Live, the origins of the character Debby Downer, the work week and then the celebrations afterward provide an insightful view and she even includes a handy Unofficial Guide to Being on SNL.
Part of Dratch's positive outlook on life ties into the biggnest rule of improv called "Yes And." According to Dratch, "Basically, this means that whatever your scene partner says to you, you agree and then add to it... "Yes And" would serve me well, not only on stage but offstage too."
Dating Crusade
With her career stalled, Dratch decides to focus on dating and provides humorous tales of the men she meets and dates, and the men she meets and thinks she's going to date before she walks into a bar and meets the man who would become her baby daddy.
Their relationship flourishes as she abides by the "Yes And" improve rule. "[I]t was all because I had said yes...and didn't listen to some dumb rules in my head about convention and what you should do."
An (Obnoxious) Boston note: Dratch grew up in Lexington, MA, and attended Dartmouth. Another Dartmouth alum from the Boston area and female comedienne with a recently released memoir is The Office's Mindy Kaling.
Kaling's memoir is titled Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and although an enjoyable read, I thought Girl Walks into a Bar... and Tina Fey's Bossypants were more enjoyable.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An excerpt from a conversation between friend and comedienne Amy Poehler and Dratch about her book:
 | |
| An odd pose.. |
Incredibly honest about the situation, Dratch admits that she was not sure if the father would be involved as they were in a cross-country, non-committed relationship.
Dratch's candidness throughout her memoir makes you realize what a cool person she is and what a great outlook she has on life.
30 Rock
The memoir starts off with Dratch being recast in the television series 30 Rock as Hollywood tends to perceive her as a "woodland creature" or lesbian, versus a starlet, which the 30 Rock role required.
Despite the very public setback in her career, Dratch makes a point to defend the decision made by Tiny Fey (who also wrote a great memoir, Bossypants), the creator, star and producer of the show.
A very gracious and class act considering the barrage of negative questions that she endured as well as the lack of roles she was able to find after the incident.
Overnight Success in Ten Years!
A sub-title of one of her chapters, "Overnight Success in Ten Years!" provides a sense of the time she spent honing her craft before becoming one of the best and making it onto Saturday Night Live.
She refers to herself as Two-Time Dratch based on the number of times she never got called back on her first auditions, but would on her subsequent effort.
Her stories about Saturday Night Live, the origins of the character Debby Downer, the work week and then the celebrations afterward provide an insightful view and she even includes a handy Unofficial Guide to Being on SNL.
Part of Dratch's positive outlook on life ties into the biggnest rule of improv called "Yes And." According to Dratch, "Basically, this means that whatever your scene partner says to you, you agree and then add to it... "Yes And" would serve me well, not only on stage but offstage too."
With her career stalled, Dratch decides to focus on dating and provides humorous tales of the men she meets and dates, and the men she meets and thinks she's going to date before she walks into a bar and meets the man who would become her baby daddy.Their relationship flourishes as she abides by the "Yes And" improve rule. "[I]t was all because I had said yes...and didn't listen to some dumb rules in my head about convention and what you should do."
An (Obnoxious) Boston note: Dratch grew up in Lexington, MA, and attended Dartmouth. Another Dartmouth alum from the Boston area and female comedienne with a recently released memoir is The Office's Mindy Kaling.
Kaling's memoir is titled Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and although an enjoyable read, I thought Girl Walks into a Bar... and Tina Fey's Bossypants were more enjoyable.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An excerpt from a conversation between friend and comedienne Amy Poehler and Dratch about her book:
Rachel: I wasn’t
like, “Oh, I’m going to write a book,” it was more that I wasn’t really
working much and I’d be pissed if I was wasting my time. I usually only
start to write after rock-bottom periods, so I was sort of forced into
it. And then about a year after that, the whole pregnancy happened, with
all the crazy circumstances, so then it was this is now the real wacky
story.
Amy: You started writing the book before you got pregnant?
Rachel:
Yeah. So all the dating stories, I had written all those before I knew
where the story was going. I wrote those as a single lady writing weird
stories.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Shogun by James Clavell, 1975
Having fallen under the spell of Japan - the country, its people and its traditions - I have started Shogun by James Clavell. At over 1,000 pages, this is no small undertaking and a commitment that will last throughout the summer.
The
book is filled with details on the history and culture of Japan and
tells of the tale of the rise of the real-life Shogun Tokugawa, who
unified Japan.
The novel delves into the political, religious and cultural landscape of 16th Century Japan when instability was on the rise with war imminent amongst the daimyo factions.
Adding to the instability was the influence of the Portuguese priests who were not only spreading Catholicism, but also enabling the lucrative trading routes between Japan and China.
Having visited Macao in 2011, I wish I had known about the history surrounding the Portuguese influence on Asia (particularly Macao, the Portuguese trading port) during my visit.
Despite how compelling Shogun is, I decided to take a respite after 300 pages, so this will be continued...
Shogun, Part (and Attempt) #2 a few weeks later in July
Like The Odyssey, Shogun is an enthralling epic adventure with battles, intricate plots and deception based on Japan's conflict-ridden history of feudalism, which was eventually stamped out by the peaceful rule of an all-empowering Emperor under the real-life Tokugawa.
In Shogun, the central character Toranga is based on Tokugawa, who claims and befriends the shipwrecked British pilot Blackthorne, whose point of view the story is told from. Toranga is an impressive character who patiently orchestrates and implements the many plots that leads to his eventual success over the other daimyos.
The adventures and political maneuverings are too vast to summarize, but the web of complexity in defeating the daimyos who have rallied together to declare war on Toranga are much more impressive than the complex plots of modern day spy novels made easier with the advent of technological gadgets.
Japan 500 Years Ago and Today
Blackthorne's observations of 16th Century Japan hold true five centuries later and parallel my observations during my trip to Japan in May of this year.
Even today, patrons are expected to remove their shoes when entering a
restaurant, and there are socks for flip flops or wooden shoes sold at
dollar stores.
Streets are amazingly clean and litter-free, even the streets of Tokyo, which millions of people traverse daily.
Blackthorne, also known as Anjin-san ("anjin" meaning pilot and "san" being a sign of respect), did not take baths since the western world thought water carried diseases and illnesses.
Sticklers for cleanliness, Blackthorne's Japanese captors force him to take baths and it ends up being the one component of Japanese culture that he quickly adjusts to.
Public mineral baths are still common place, offered at many resorts and despite being required to go in completely naked, incredibly relaxing. According to Blackthorne, "A bath is truly the gift of God."
Another differing aspect of western and eastern culture is diet. The Japanese are appalled that Anjin-san eats peasant.
His response: "Your food's just as strange...the raw squid - white slimy, almost tasteless chewy meat with nothing but soya [sic] sauce to wash it down? Or the chopped octopus tentacles, again raw, with cold rice and seaweed?" Even today, such a simple dish can be found all over the place in Japan.
An aspect of Japanese tradition that Shogun
highlighted is the role of the samurai in Japan's caste system.
Samurais were not just warriors, but also the ruling class with many
privileges.
Only samurais were allowed to have names while non-samurais were known and called by what they did. Also, only the children of samurais were allowed to go to school.
Japanese Mentality and Zen-ness
As Blackthorne becomes immersed in Japanese culture, he begins to understand Japan and its people at a deeper level. Their actions and formalities, even nonsensical ones, are to save face and not offend anyone, even one's enemies.
Consideration for others over oneself is tantamount even in a depraved environment like prison. Blackthorne notes the consideration that others have for those who are sharing a common space. Even today in Tokyo's packed metro, people are incredibly considerate and refrain from talking, and if they happen to be talking, they speak in hush voices.
Having such quietness turns out to be incredibly soothing and something I miss upon returning to the States, where everyone is so loud and it's difficult to be able to think once you leave your house.
Mariko, a female samurai who becomes Blackthorne's translator and eventual love interest, explains this to some extent when talking to Blackthorne, or Anjin-san:
"You see, Anjin-san," she tells him when he started joking about the lack of privacy everywhere considering that people are always around and walls are made from paper, "here you have to learn to create your own privacy. We're taught from childhood to disappear within ourselves, to grow impenetrable walls behind which we live. If we couldn't, we'd all certainly go mad and kill each other ourselves."
"What walls?"
"Oh, we've a limitless maze to hide in, Anjin-san. Rituals and customs, taboos of all kinds, oh yes.
Even our language has nuances you don't have which allow us to avoid, politely, any questions if we don't want to answer it."
"But how do you close your ears, Mariko-san? That's impossible."
"Oh, very easy, with training. Of course, training begins as soon as a child can talk, so very soon it's second nature to us - how else would we survive? First you begin by cleansing your mind of people, to put yourself on a different plan. Sunset watching is a great help or listening to the rain - Anjin-san, have you noticed the different sounds of rain?
If you really listen, then then the present vanishes, neh? Listening to blossoms falling and to rocks growing are exceptionally good exercises. Of course, you're not suppose to see the things, they're only signs, messages to your hara, your center, to remind you of the transcience of life, to help you gain wa, harmony, Anjin-san, perfect harmony, which is the most sought-after quality in all Japanese life, all art, all...
"I will whisper a secret to you: Don't be fooled by our smiles and gentleness, our ceremonial and our bowing and sweetnesses and attentions. Beneath them all we can be a million ri away, safe and alone. For that's what we seek - oblivion..."
A quote from Mariko provides another view into the mentality of the Japanese people:
"Love is a Christian word, Anjin-san. Love is a Christian thought, a Christian ideal. We have no word for 'love' as I understand you to mean it. Duty, loyalty, honor, respect, desire, those words and thoughts are what we have have, all that we need."
Karma
As an island nation, Japan has suffered and continues to suffer through many natural disasters from earthquakes to tidal waves to tsunamis. These non-preventable, unpredictable and catastrophic events also factor into the mentality of the island nation.
"...I seem to understand now what you mean nand Lord Toranga meant about karma and the stupidity of worrying about what is. A lot seems clearer. I don't know why - perhaps it's because I've never been so terrified, maybe that's cleaned my head, but I seem to think clearer.
It's - well, like Old Gardener['s death]. Yes, that was all my fault and I'm truly sorry, but that was a mistake, not a deliberate choice on my part. It is. So nothing can be done about it. A moment ago we were all almost dead. So all that worry and heartache was a waste, wasn't it? Karma. Yes, I know karma now. Do you understand?"
"Yes." She translated to Toranga.
"He says, 'Good, Anjin-san. Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones, Anjin-san. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don't give way to the seven, you're patient, then you'll soon understand all manner of things and be in harmony with Eternity."
The
book is filled with details on the history and culture of Japan and
tells of the tale of the rise of the real-life Shogun Tokugawa, who
unified Japan.The novel delves into the political, religious and cultural landscape of 16th Century Japan when instability was on the rise with war imminent amongst the daimyo factions.
Adding to the instability was the influence of the Portuguese priests who were not only spreading Catholicism, but also enabling the lucrative trading routes between Japan and China.
Having visited Macao in 2011, I wish I had known about the history surrounding the Portuguese influence on Asia (particularly Macao, the Portuguese trading port) during my visit.
Despite how compelling Shogun is, I decided to take a respite after 300 pages, so this will be continued...
Shogun, Part (and Attempt) #2 a few weeks later in July
Like The Odyssey, Shogun is an enthralling epic adventure with battles, intricate plots and deception based on Japan's conflict-ridden history of feudalism, which was eventually stamped out by the peaceful rule of an all-empowering Emperor under the real-life Tokugawa.
In Shogun, the central character Toranga is based on Tokugawa, who claims and befriends the shipwrecked British pilot Blackthorne, whose point of view the story is told from. Toranga is an impressive character who patiently orchestrates and implements the many plots that leads to his eventual success over the other daimyos.
The adventures and political maneuverings are too vast to summarize, but the web of complexity in defeating the daimyos who have rallied together to declare war on Toranga are much more impressive than the complex plots of modern day spy novels made easier with the advent of technological gadgets.
Japan 500 Years Ago and Today
Blackthorne's observations of 16th Century Japan hold true five centuries later and parallel my observations during my trip to Japan in May of this year.
 |
| Traditional outfits in modern day Kyoto, 2012. |
Streets are amazingly clean and litter-free, even the streets of Tokyo, which millions of people traverse daily.
Blackthorne, also known as Anjin-san ("anjin" meaning pilot and "san" being a sign of respect), did not take baths since the western world thought water carried diseases and illnesses.
Sticklers for cleanliness, Blackthorne's Japanese captors force him to take baths and it ends up being the one component of Japanese culture that he quickly adjusts to.
Public mineral baths are still common place, offered at many resorts and despite being required to go in completely naked, incredibly relaxing. According to Blackthorne, "A bath is truly the gift of God."
Another differing aspect of western and eastern culture is diet. The Japanese are appalled that Anjin-san eats peasant.
His response: "Your food's just as strange...the raw squid - white slimy, almost tasteless chewy meat with nothing but soya [sic] sauce to wash it down? Or the chopped octopus tentacles, again raw, with cold rice and seaweed?" Even today, such a simple dish can be found all over the place in Japan.
 |
| From a local restaurant in Matsumoto of the Japan Alps. |
Only samurais were allowed to have names while non-samurais were known and called by what they did. Also, only the children of samurais were allowed to go to school.
Japanese Mentality and Zen-ness
As Blackthorne becomes immersed in Japanese culture, he begins to understand Japan and its people at a deeper level. Their actions and formalities, even nonsensical ones, are to save face and not offend anyone, even one's enemies.
Consideration for others over oneself is tantamount even in a depraved environment like prison. Blackthorne notes the consideration that others have for those who are sharing a common space. Even today in Tokyo's packed metro, people are incredibly considerate and refrain from talking, and if they happen to be talking, they speak in hush voices.
Having such quietness turns out to be incredibly soothing and something I miss upon returning to the States, where everyone is so loud and it's difficult to be able to think once you leave your house.
Mariko, a female samurai who becomes Blackthorne's translator and eventual love interest, explains this to some extent when talking to Blackthorne, or Anjin-san:
"You see, Anjin-san," she tells him when he started joking about the lack of privacy everywhere considering that people are always around and walls are made from paper, "here you have to learn to create your own privacy. We're taught from childhood to disappear within ourselves, to grow impenetrable walls behind which we live. If we couldn't, we'd all certainly go mad and kill each other ourselves."
"What walls?"
 |
| Paper walls? How about windows. From my ryokin in Takayama. |
"Oh, we've a limitless maze to hide in, Anjin-san. Rituals and customs, taboos of all kinds, oh yes.
Even our language has nuances you don't have which allow us to avoid, politely, any questions if we don't want to answer it."
"But how do you close your ears, Mariko-san? That's impossible."
"Oh, very easy, with training. Of course, training begins as soon as a child can talk, so very soon it's second nature to us - how else would we survive? First you begin by cleansing your mind of people, to put yourself on a different plan. Sunset watching is a great help or listening to the rain - Anjin-san, have you noticed the different sounds of rain?
If you really listen, then then the present vanishes, neh? Listening to blossoms falling and to rocks growing are exceptionally good exercises. Of course, you're not suppose to see the things, they're only signs, messages to your hara, your center, to remind you of the transcience of life, to help you gain wa, harmony, Anjin-san, perfect harmony, which is the most sought-after quality in all Japanese life, all art, all...
 |
| Rock garden at RyoanjiTemple in Kyoto.... So zen. |
"I will whisper a secret to you: Don't be fooled by our smiles and gentleness, our ceremonial and our bowing and sweetnesses and attentions. Beneath them all we can be a million ri away, safe and alone. For that's what we seek - oblivion..."
A quote from Mariko provides another view into the mentality of the Japanese people:
"Love is a Christian word, Anjin-san. Love is a Christian thought, a Christian ideal. We have no word for 'love' as I understand you to mean it. Duty, loyalty, honor, respect, desire, those words and thoughts are what we have have, all that we need."
Karma
As an island nation, Japan has suffered and continues to suffer through many natural disasters from earthquakes to tidal waves to tsunamis. These non-preventable, unpredictable and catastrophic events also factor into the mentality of the island nation.
"...I seem to understand now what you mean nand Lord Toranga meant about karma and the stupidity of worrying about what is. A lot seems clearer. I don't know why - perhaps it's because I've never been so terrified, maybe that's cleaned my head, but I seem to think clearer.
It's - well, like Old Gardener['s death]. Yes, that was all my fault and I'm truly sorry, but that was a mistake, not a deliberate choice on my part. It is. So nothing can be done about it. A moment ago we were all almost dead. So all that worry and heartache was a waste, wasn't it? Karma. Yes, I know karma now. Do you understand?"
"Yes." She translated to Toranga.
"He says, 'Good, Anjin-san. Karma is the beginning of knowledge. Next is patience. Patience is very important. The strong are the patient ones, Anjin-san. Patience means holding back your inclination to the seven emotions: hate, adoration, joy, anxiety, anger, grief, fear. If you don't give way to the seven, you're patient, then you'll soon understand all manner of things and be in harmony with Eternity."
Monday, May 28, 2012
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner, 2010
Author of #1 New York Time Bestselling books such as In Her Shoes, Jennifer Weiner's novels seem to revolve around female characters who are undergoing moments of crisis.
Fly Away Home is no different. Crises involved in this story are triggered by a scandal created by a philandering politician.
His dedicated wife is left stunned. In the meantime, her daughters are also going through crises of their own.
It ends up that the "perfect" daughter is not leading as perfect a life as thought and the black sheep daughter continues to struggle to be understood by her family.
With somewhat generic characters and story lines, the book reads quickly and is a good beach read.
Predictable to the end, which emphasizes that it's never too late (or easy, as the way these things happen in novels and movies) to make changes, there is not much else of note about this book.
His dedicated wife is left stunned. In the meantime, her daughters are also going through crises of their own.
It ends up that the "perfect" daughter is not leading as perfect a life as thought and the black sheep daughter continues to struggle to be understood by her family.
With somewhat generic characters and story lines, the book reads quickly and is a good beach read.
Predictable to the end, which emphasizes that it's never too late (or easy, as the way these things happen in novels and movies) to make changes, there is not much else of note about this book.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
After Dark by Haruki Murakami, 2007
In preparation for my pending trip to Japan, I wanted to read something by a Japanese author, and one of the most well-known is Haruki Murakami.
After Dark's pages are filled with his short, lyrical prose about intersecting vignettes surrounding a girl's desire to escape for the night and spend it in Tokyo.
The novel begins a few minutes before midnight with Mari Asai reading at a Denny's in Tokyo.
An acquaintance recognizes her and kicks off her night of unexpected events that include a love hotel where rooms are typically rented by the hour, Chinese gangs, troubled women, a company man who works late into the night to avoid seeing his family, and a sister trapped in sleep (and a TV).
Each character seems to be running away and hiding from something, which makes the late night and early morning a fitting backdrop.
The majority of the stories are filled with meaningful human interactions and insight into people's loneliness, fears and search for sometimes something as simple as safely.
As these human emotions unfold, there is a parallel surrealist story surrounding Mari's sister, who Murakami always refers to by her full name: Eri Asai.
Adding to the surreal element is the narrator perspectives that are outside the bounds of the standard first, second or third perspectives.
A trademark Murakami talent, he is able to combine fantastical elements into a very real, human story without any disconnect while the reader moves from one element to the other.
When in Japan, there happened to be a Denny's across the street from our hotel in Ginza. Of course, having read After Dark, I had to make a pilgrimage and stop by for a lovely American-style breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and coffee.
The novel begins a few minutes before midnight with Mari Asai reading at a Denny's in Tokyo.
An acquaintance recognizes her and kicks off her night of unexpected events that include a love hotel where rooms are typically rented by the hour, Chinese gangs, troubled women, a company man who works late into the night to avoid seeing his family, and a sister trapped in sleep (and a TV).
Each character seems to be running away and hiding from something, which makes the late night and early morning a fitting backdrop.
The majority of the stories are filled with meaningful human interactions and insight into people's loneliness, fears and search for sometimes something as simple as safely.
 |
| Across the street from our hotel in Ginza. |
Adding to the surreal element is the narrator perspectives that are outside the bounds of the standard first, second or third perspectives.
A trademark Murakami talent, he is able to combine fantastical elements into a very real, human story without any disconnect while the reader moves from one element to the other.
When in Japan, there happened to be a Denny's across the street from our hotel in Ginza. Of course, having read After Dark, I had to make a pilgrimage and stop by for a lovely American-style breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and coffee.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
I Have Nothing to Wear! by Jill Martin and Dana Ravich
The fitting subtitle for this book is: A Painless 12-Step Program to Declutter Your Life So You Never Have to Say This Again!
Wearing something that is not your style results in an identify disconnect, not being comfortable in your own skin by virtue of what you are wearing.
This book is an instruction manual that every women should read to learn the basics of style and building a wardrobe that will make you feel great about yourself.
Jill Martin and Dana Ravich break down something as complex as personal style into a handful of steps that will impact your approach to your wardrobe.
Filled with graphics and white space, I Have Nothing to Wear! makes for a quick, easy read for any woman who finds herself muttering these words as she looks at her closet full of clothes.
Style
There are six basic styles. I always thought of myself as preppy and classic. Not a fashionista since I tend to avoid trends.
The six basic styles are:
1. classic girl - structured basics that will stand the test of time
2. bohemian girl - soft and flowing, neutral colors such as white, denim, metallic, and tan/brown
3. preppy girl - structured basics, but more casual and louder
4. fashionista - latest trends that work for her body
5. surfer chick - comfortable casual pieces with minimal jewelry, bright colors
6. soccer mom - functional, comfortable clothes, solids and dark colors
While reading I Have Nothing to Wear!, I realized that I really did not know my own style.
I am a fashionista mixed, oddly enough, with a soccer mom (even though I do not have kids...), with a bit of a classic girl.
This explains why I have always sworn by comfortable clothes and shoes, but have always been drawn to heels and slinky black tops, yet avoided them since I thought I was just trying to be trendy.
Before recognizing my true style, I created wardrobe confusion by trying to dress in something that I thought I was (i.e. preppy) or that looked good on other people.
Knowing my true style, I know now that if I wear a piece outside of my core style (i.e. a bohemian peasant top), that I need to pair it with something that is part of my core style (i.e. a great fitting, comfortable pair of jeans) so that I will feel like my true self, versus trying to be someone else.
And for those high heels that used to sit in the back of my closet, I wear them almost every day now.
Catharsis: Don't Settle, Be a 10
Once you have reached style awareness, you need to go through your closet to ensure that every piece is a 10 to start the declutter process.
A 10 is something that meets the following criteria:
* Flatters your figure
* Shows your personality
* Is in keeping with your style
* Is in perfect condition
* Feels comfortable on your skin
A 10 makes you feel great and confident, and gives you a little swagger. Something that you would not mind being seen in if you ran into an ex or an ex's sister.
Rounds: Change is a Slow Process
Now it is time to make sure your closet is filled with 10s. If your closet is filled with 10s, you will end up wearing 10s and therefore, feeling great about yourself.
Like anything else, change is a slow process that needs to be gradually incorproated before it becomes permanent. As you go through your closet - and do this in phases to make things manageable - categorize each item into: Keep, Maybe or Toss.
For Maybes, remove them from your closet and keep them on a chair or table, so that it becomes a waiting area for when you have more time to try on the item to determine if it is a Keep or Toss item.
If an item ends up in Maybe every other week, remember that you should not settle and if you are not sure whether an item is a 10, it means that it is not a 10. This same advice applies to men as well as clothes...
Other Basics That No One Ever Taught Us
The book also provides excellent tips on organizing a closet that goes beyond keeping items folded and hung, and introduces practical concepts to help visualize your outfits when deciding what to wear.
It also lists the ten basic items (dark denim jeans, black blazer, little black dress, black skirt, white button-down, black pumps, metallic strappy sandals, black midsize purse, metallic clutch, and wrap) that serve as the foundation of your closet, as well as how the items can be pieced together for work, play and fun.
My Take Away
It is hard not to suffer from style confusion when shopping with friends or seeing a great outfit on someone else, but if you know your style and stick to your style, the confusion goes away.
For me, I know that my 10s tend to be from the Gap (the pants fit me well), items that complement my legs, and tops that are fitted and black, and accentuates my neck and shoulders.
Like personal finance, style is not taught in school but something people are supposed to figure out on their own. Yet, both topics are important and things everyone woman (and man) should know.
Wearing something that is not your style results in an identify disconnect, not being comfortable in your own skin by virtue of what you are wearing.
This book is an instruction manual that every women should read to learn the basics of style and building a wardrobe that will make you feel great about yourself.Jill Martin and Dana Ravich break down something as complex as personal style into a handful of steps that will impact your approach to your wardrobe.
Filled with graphics and white space, I Have Nothing to Wear! makes for a quick, easy read for any woman who finds herself muttering these words as she looks at her closet full of clothes.
Style
There are six basic styles. I always thought of myself as preppy and classic. Not a fashionista since I tend to avoid trends.
The six basic styles are:
1. classic girl - structured basics that will stand the test of time
2. bohemian girl - soft and flowing, neutral colors such as white, denim, metallic, and tan/brown
3. preppy girl - structured basics, but more casual and louder
4. fashionista - latest trends that work for her body
5. surfer chick - comfortable casual pieces with minimal jewelry, bright colors
6. soccer mom - functional, comfortable clothes, solids and dark colors
 |
| Fashionista Audrey Hepburn. A fashionista "will always be chic, and she will almost always be dressed in black." |
I am a fashionista mixed, oddly enough, with a soccer mom (even though I do not have kids...), with a bit of a classic girl.
This explains why I have always sworn by comfortable clothes and shoes, but have always been drawn to heels and slinky black tops, yet avoided them since I thought I was just trying to be trendy.
Before recognizing my true style, I created wardrobe confusion by trying to dress in something that I thought I was (i.e. preppy) or that looked good on other people.
Knowing my true style, I know now that if I wear a piece outside of my core style (i.e. a bohemian peasant top), that I need to pair it with something that is part of my core style (i.e. a great fitting, comfortable pair of jeans) so that I will feel like my true self, versus trying to be someone else.
And for those high heels that used to sit in the back of my closet, I wear them almost every day now.
Catharsis: Don't Settle, Be a 10
Once you have reached style awareness, you need to go through your closet to ensure that every piece is a 10 to start the declutter process.
A 10 is something that meets the following criteria:
* Flatters your figure
* Shows your personality
* Is in keeping with your style
* Is in perfect condition
* Feels comfortable on your skin
A 10 makes you feel great and confident, and gives you a little swagger. Something that you would not mind being seen in if you ran into an ex or an ex's sister.
Rounds: Change is a Slow Process
Now it is time to make sure your closet is filled with 10s. If your closet is filled with 10s, you will end up wearing 10s and therefore, feeling great about yourself.
Like anything else, change is a slow process that needs to be gradually incorproated before it becomes permanent. As you go through your closet - and do this in phases to make things manageable - categorize each item into: Keep, Maybe or Toss.
For Maybes, remove them from your closet and keep them on a chair or table, so that it becomes a waiting area for when you have more time to try on the item to determine if it is a Keep or Toss item.
If an item ends up in Maybe every other week, remember that you should not settle and if you are not sure whether an item is a 10, it means that it is not a 10. This same advice applies to men as well as clothes...
Other Basics That No One Ever Taught Us
The book also provides excellent tips on organizing a closet that goes beyond keeping items folded and hung, and introduces practical concepts to help visualize your outfits when deciding what to wear.
It also lists the ten basic items (dark denim jeans, black blazer, little black dress, black skirt, white button-down, black pumps, metallic strappy sandals, black midsize purse, metallic clutch, and wrap) that serve as the foundation of your closet, as well as how the items can be pieced together for work, play and fun.
My Take Away
It is hard not to suffer from style confusion when shopping with friends or seeing a great outfit on someone else, but if you know your style and stick to your style, the confusion goes away.
For me, I know that my 10s tend to be from the Gap (the pants fit me well), items that complement my legs, and tops that are fitted and black, and accentuates my neck and shoulders.
Like personal finance, style is not taught in school but something people are supposed to figure out on their own. Yet, both topics are important and things everyone woman (and man) should know.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Massie, 2001
Packed with 574 pages of research, Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman
is an edifying read that provided me with an education of 18th Century
Russia and European politics and diplomacy that escaped me during my
History and Social Sciences classes in junior high and high school.
Noted by The New York Times as one of the 100 nonfiction notable books of 2011, Catherine the Great is the epic story of one of Russia's greatest empresses.
At times, the political policy accounts made for slow reading, but the accounts of Catherine's rise to power, expansion of her empire and impact of the French revolution read like a thriller.
The Early Years
Born Sophie in Germany in 1729, she was renamed Catherine when she converted to Orthodox to marry the future Tsar of Russia, a distant cousin.
The marriage, and Catherine's life in Russia, was heavily controlled by Empress Elizabeth, Peter the Great's daughter and Russia's then ruler. At Elizabeth's orders, Catherine's father was not invited to her wedding and her mother was sent away after the wedding.
Catherine's marriage to Peter III was an unhappy marriage. The future Tsar was known as an imbecile, with unsophisticated and sophomoric interests and manners.
At sixteen, Catherine knew that she was a political pawn and brought to Russia to produce an heir to ensure the stability of Elizabeth's continued reign.
Accepting her destiny, Catherine learned the Russian language and customs, and became a dutiful wife under the constant, watchful eye of Elizabeth.
The Payoff
Catherine's patience and diligence to prove herself to the Russian court and people paid off in 1762.
After Elizabeth's death, a coup instigated by Catherine's "favorourites" and her husband's murder under the watch of trusted soldiers, Catherine was coronated the Empress of Russia in 1762.
During her reign, Catherine expanded her empire by forging strategic alliances with foreign powers, corresponded with European philosophers who thought of Russia as backwards, and amassed an impressive collection of European artwork, including works by Rembrandt.
The Biographer
Robert Massie is a Pulitzer Prize winning biographer who specializes in Russian Tsar biographies and history.
With the details and insight he provides, he conveys the nuances and complexity of Russian and world affairs during Catherine's reign. Because of this, Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman is a highly educational and fascinating read.
At times, the political policy accounts made for slow reading, but the accounts of Catherine's rise to power, expansion of her empire and impact of the French revolution read like a thriller.
The Early Years
Born Sophie in Germany in 1729, she was renamed Catherine when she converted to Orthodox to marry the future Tsar of Russia, a distant cousin.
The marriage, and Catherine's life in Russia, was heavily controlled by Empress Elizabeth, Peter the Great's daughter and Russia's then ruler. At Elizabeth's orders, Catherine's father was not invited to her wedding and her mother was sent away after the wedding.
Catherine's marriage to Peter III was an unhappy marriage. The future Tsar was known as an imbecile, with unsophisticated and sophomoric interests and manners.
At sixteen, Catherine knew that she was a political pawn and brought to Russia to produce an heir to ensure the stability of Elizabeth's continued reign.
Accepting her destiny, Catherine learned the Russian language and customs, and became a dutiful wife under the constant, watchful eye of Elizabeth.
 |
| Portrait of Catherine the Great. |
The Payoff
Catherine's patience and diligence to prove herself to the Russian court and people paid off in 1762.
After Elizabeth's death, a coup instigated by Catherine's "favorourites" and her husband's murder under the watch of trusted soldiers, Catherine was coronated the Empress of Russia in 1762.
During her reign, Catherine expanded her empire by forging strategic alliances with foreign powers, corresponded with European philosophers who thought of Russia as backwards, and amassed an impressive collection of European artwork, including works by Rembrandt.
The Biographer
Robert Massie is a Pulitzer Prize winning biographer who specializes in Russian Tsar biographies and history.
With the details and insight he provides, he conveys the nuances and complexity of Russian and world affairs during Catherine's reign. Because of this, Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman is a highly educational and fascinating read.
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