Historical Fashion: Raffia Dress from the Late 1940's

Tiffany and I paid a visit to Luxor Vintage Clothing on our last shopping excursion in January to Carytown. While searching through the racks I came across one of the most interesting dresses I have ever laid eyes on. When I saw it, I knew I had to photograph it to share with my lovely readers.

#FBFF: Blogger Awards

We are all winners but in the spirit of Fashion Beauty Friend Friday I have chosen nominees:

1. Creative Juices - most creative > the citizen rosebud BellaQ has amazing style. I have never seen such pattern and texture mixing skilz ever before. She puts things together that I would never consider - and they ROCK! She is really nice too!

Wednesday Webbies: Blog Analytics Continued

Part Two
Last week we looked at Google Analytics and Bounce Rate. This week we will touch on the all-important CONTENT. This will not be a post on how to create great content. Instead lets look at our Analytics reports to see which content is getting the most attention and where the reader went on the site. It makes sense to me that the pages read the most cover topics that interest people. So to make my blog better I should post things more along those lines. I also want to see what my reader did AFTER they visited that particular piece of Content. Did they read another blog post? Did they exit my site to another link on my page or did they just Bounce? 

30for30 Recap: Days 12 thru 21

I have relegated my 30for30 outfits to their own page but the pictures are small so I thought you all may like to see them bigger. This post will be the recap of those last photos that didn't get a post dedicated to them.
Also, thanks to Fabienne of House in the Clouds  who gave me a Stylish Blogger Award. My seven things about me are sprinkled throughout the pictures and links for my ten (7) nominees are listed at the end. 

12

Three Hour Skirt From Leftover Fabric

I bought this piece of fabric last Spring to make a dress for a Memorial Day cookout. I loved it so much I bought more than I needed so I would have enough to make something else. 

Saturday I knew what this fabric should become.

Blog Event: Plaid it Forward Celebration

Today is the big day! A week ago, I wore some loud plaid pants for Day 8 of my 30for30 Journey and decided to host a blog event featuring other bloggers wearing their plaid to celebrate making it past the halfway mark. 
Don't have plaid?  Get yours online and be sure to check for Amazon clothing coupons first.

Also included in this post is my Fashion Beauty Friend Friday answers.

 



Hers and His Plaid Jacket (ok - so  I borrowed it from him)

Wednesday Webbies: Blog Analytics Dissected Series

Part One
Since the IFB Conference, there has been much buzzing about blog stats and analytics, bounce rates, exit rates, visits and average time on site, etc., and what does it all mean. I have been tracking my stats practically since I started, admittedly not that long ago. I decided it may be helpful to share what I know, research what I don't and share that too. 
Thus begins "Wednesday Webbies" here on Fashion Recon, which will last until I run out of things to say about it or you guys just don't want to read about it anymore. 
I use Google Analytics to track and report on my blog. It is very informative and pretty easy to read. For purposes of this series of posts, I will reference my own reports in Google Analytics and explain what it means to the "world at large" and what it means to me as a blogger. Which of these matters most for you is an entirely personal choice when looking at your own analytics.

The Difference a Haircut Makes: Hair Stylist Jo Brandon Feature

When you find a good stylist > 1) Stick with them 2) SHARE! I have driven two hours to a good stylist. Partially because I have "scissor-trust" issues but also because there are many mediocre stylists intermingled with very talented stylists. Ferreting out the good from the so-so is risky! Hair is an accessory but very different from a scarf. If the scarf doesn't work, you change it. If your hair doesn't work, you have no choice but to wait until it is grown out enough for a re-do to the hairdo. Why take chances? So that is the point of my post today. 
I began watching Jo work about 5 yrs ago. I have long hair and she is most "known" for the magic she performs with short hair. My friend John was in need of hair help. He had been wearing the same style for years and needed a change. I have been taking my son Jonathan to Jo for a while and she always does an excellent job. I trusted her with my own hair as well, in spite of her "short hair" reputation. It was perfect! I also recommended her to another friend of mine. He started going to her too and also loves the results of her work. 
This is Jo. What follows is the results of her accomplished hand and her answers to some interview questions I posed to her.

Welcome to the Re-Designed and Renamed Blog!

Good Sunday evening to you all. I hope you didn't get confused and think you were at the wrong place. 
As mentioned in Friday's post, I had considered a redesign of this blog for a couple months or more. So here we are! I decided to rename this baby too. Vogue Inspired Fashion for the Real World was too much of a mouthful. Not only that, I have strayed away from that as my blog has grown and developed. I still look to Vogue for inspiration, but not exclusively. Much of my inspiration comes from the Fashion Muse, which is my own inner sense of style and character I express via clothes, shoes and accessories. 
Here is a sneak peek at my Mystery Item for the 30X30 Journey:

I'm not completely finished yet as there are pages I plan to add, but the basic design is complete. If I am on your blogroll (and I hope I am!) please update my name to reflect my changes. I appreciate it!

I would love to hear what you think of the new name and design in the comments below. Don't hold back!!

30X30 Journey: Day 10 and 11 Plus FBFF

I have seriously been considering a "redesign" of my blog for about 2 months now. Listening to the Livestream of IFB Con yesterday during Vahni's panel moderation convinced me to do it. So tomorrow and Sunday while I am "on call" for my day job I plan to work on that. Hopefully come Monday I will be ready to go with a new template.
I have spent some time with my web analytics reports and definitely don't like what I see. I have heard others buzzing around wondering "what do all the web stats really mean anyway?" I have a post planned to address that topic for next week. Stay tuned. 
In the interim for today, we have Day 10 & 11 of my 30for30 Journey and Fashion Beauty Friend Friday to enjoy.

30X30 Journey: Day 9 Bumblebee and Yellow Jacket Inspired Style

Dreaming of Spring> What do you do with a black sweaterdress to wake it up? Here's what:

Wait> There's more! Because this is still pretty sleepy...

30X30 Journey: Day 8 Plaid It Forward Event and Hand-Knit Scarf

I needed to wear something fun after my bout with the Closet Blues yesterday.   Some readers expressed excitement about my plaid pants. I got excited about them today and decided they were my "fashion du jour". Plus, I am hosting my first Blog Event! 

30X30 Journey: Day 7 Over Fashion

Fashnlvr has been possessed by the Closet Blues! (Excuse me while I whine for 5 seconds.) Monday hit and I am so not feeling this 30for30 deal! I am sick of taking photos everyday! No<wait> I am sick of the pressure of photos everyday. And I miss my clothes!!!!! :(
Ok, whine over.
Today I decided to wear my Ann Taylor red angora sweater with grey cigarette pants from Express.

I was rushed taking photos during my lunch hour and I think my expression reflects my lack of enthusiasm. Sorry fellow remixers - 30for30 pains are showing.

Balance: 30X30 Day 5 & 6 With a Tie Bowed

WARNING: Post Of Unusual Proportion!
In creating an outfit, like most things in life, balance matters. Just enough color, just enough accessorizing and just enough pizazz or one is headed for a Fashion Don't. 
Day 5 in this challenge is built upon a Tie. A man's tie, bowed. 

Balance is crucial. 

Winter 30X30: Days 3 & 4 Plus My First Friend Friday!!

Finally, I am part of the Friend Friday Group! I snuck in just under the wire last night. I have been meaning to join this group for a while now, and each week I get lost in the world of work, family, fashion blogging and photoshoots. Not this time!
Also, incorporated today are my outfits for Day 3 and 4 of the Winter 30X30 Challenge so this is a Post of Unusual Proportion. 
Day 3

My long purple coat came out to play! Thank goodness I have a "thing" about coats and jackets!

Thrifted Finds: Ciao Consignment and a Chocolate Dress

30X30 Hi-Jacked!!
I have been wanting to share this post with you but then the 30X30 happened! So I am suspending today's outfit post until tomorrow when I will post Day 3 and 4 of the 30X30.


January 23rd Tiffany and I hit the street and went out consignment/thrift shopping in Carytown. It is something we both adore and somewhat like a Treasure Hunt as one never knows what gems will be found. The thrill of the chase gets our blood pumping. 

Our last stop was in Ciao, which sells a mix of old, new and consigned items.

30X30 Journey: Berry Grey Over The Knee Boots

Today is Day Two of the 30X30 Winter Challenge. I wasn't going to post the pictures I took today until tomorrow but they turned out so well I was compelled.
We experienced uncommonly warm weather in the Commonwealth today. 

Most of the clothing I chose for my 30X30 is geared toward colder weather. Mother Nature decided to challenge me as well. Eeek!!

30X30 Journey: Plaid Jumper Blues

Today begins my journey of the Winter 30 for 30 Challenge. I really struggled to choose items from my closet that I would be happy remixing for the next 30 days. I am SO thankful that accessories do not count in the item restriction. Today's outfit is the beginning - 

Outerwear is not restricted during the 30 for 30 so I will probably rely heavily on my coat collection.