A Few Tibi Try-Ons

I ventured out to The Hive this week in hopes of trying on loads of fall Tibi, only to find that they had sold out of a lot of their inventory already. The silver lining is that they are hosting a book talk (!!!) and styling event (!!!!) with Amy in two weeks and they are getting in tons of Tibi for this event. Because the universe is cruel, I will be moving Daughter Two into her new college apartment on the day of the styling appointments. Upon reflection, it seems as though I am constantly moving one of the three daughters into or out of some kind of dwelling. And upon further reflection, I am 99% positive that my parents never helped me move anywhere. This is confirmed by my brother who seems to be silently judging me every time we talk on the phone and I am reporting on the total nonsense I am wrapped up in with my adult children. He doesn’t have kids so it’s easy for him to judge; that said, I am too involved in my daughters’ lives and I know it. When one finds oneself contemplating reupholstering a headboard discovered on Facebook Marketplace for a college apartment hundreds of miles away and subsequently submitting an offer before realizing that the headboard will not fit into one’s Volvo, there’s a problem.

Anyway!

I was able to try on a few things this week.

We all know by now that it’s difficult for me to get worked up over a cardigan. A two piece skirt with a weird gap at my love handle??? Now we’re talking! A red leather trouser skirt? I’ll take it; and yes, I would like the installment payment plan please.

A cardigan? In wool? YAWN. But hand to God, I’m working on this. I sent a big bag of boring cardigans off to consignment last week to make room for an alternative that I will hopefully enjoy wearing and Tibi’s latest offering is surprisingly exciting. Usually wool makes me itch, but there was not a hive in sight with this one. I think the length, slim-ness, and V-neck are a dream combo and if you are in the market for a cardigan like I am, this is Very Very Good. I am wearing a small here and that’s the size I would buy.

So the Pat jeans. I’m undecided on these. It’s always hard for me to tell if I like jeans when they are miles too long on me. I would need the short length and I felt like I was in between two sizes. The 27 felt big and the 26 felt smaller than the intended fit. Also, I have jeans and I have trousers. I’m not sold that I’m in the market for a trouser jean. These felt a little too tailored and buttoned up for me. If I could wear them to work I could make a case, but alas.

I’m trying the navy Charlie with my beloved navy Stella cargo pants and I loved the monochrome effect. I would do a more interesting shoe and feel fabulous about wearing this to work. I cannot justify another button down shirt without selling several dozen that I currently own so it’s a pass for now, but obviously a beautiful shirt. I’m wearing a small here which is the size I would buy.

Very very nice! I loooooove the idea of a drapey jacket. It falls so nicely and does not overwhelm me the way that blazers often do. I felt put together in this, but not like I’m getting ready to trade stocks. I’m wearing an extra small and I would want to try the small.

In person, this tee seemed like the least special of the items I tried, but looking at the pictures now, I’m pretty into it. I’m wearing a size small which is what I would buy and it just looks cool, doesn’t it? I like the vibe and would wear it to work and dare somebody to say something (such a rebel!).

That said, I am up to my eyeballs in t-shirts, you guys.

If you’ve been reading diligently, you may have caught on to the fact that t-shirt making has become my whole personality this summer. Also bags. I’m not sure what came over me but I have been a PROLIFIC maker and crafter since June. Steven says I have to do something with all of this inventory, so I have since shifted all of my crafting energy into learning to build a website. That’s right - I still have to ask the internet how to do a screen shot every single time, but I am now a whiz at website creation. Who knew?

My brain is wired in such a way that I adore the first year at a new job. I love mastering something that once seemed impossible and can work for hours on new or difficult things without even noticing the time pass. Once I’ve mastered something, it’s like the seven year itch in a marriage. My eye starts wandering. Also, I’m an Aquarius so have unconventional taste and what I like to think of as an endearingly restless spirit. I’m also shy, so writing and creating in my basement are my jam. As a kid, I had imaginary friends and constantly wrote down stories in my journal about a rich high school girl named Gwendolyn, a name that seemed to me to be the height of sophistication. Most of the stories involved what she was wearing to school or on a date with her boyfriend, whose name escapes me. All of this to say, I’ll be selling a very small collection of things I’ve made + vintage I’ve collected on a website made by me, a 51 year old guidance counselor who is apparently at the height of her powers.

I have a personal Instagram account for the sole purpose of consuming media because I’m too anxious to share my real life there. I did, however, launch an Instagram just days ago for my little tiny collection online shop that is Coming Very Soon. Just in time for me to go back to my full time job! I love to be extra busy in September! Anyway, nothing bad has happened to me yet in Scary Instagram World so as much as it terrifies me, I would like to invite you to follow me there if you are interested in watching me launch this little engine that could. When I first published Almost Scarlett, I was shocked when anyone subscribed and I still haven’t told any of my friends that I write here (!!!!). It is incredibly gratifying to have developed a subscriber base but I would probably still be writing even without an audience. Ditto for my shop. It would be nice if anyone bought anything, but the thrill is honestly in the creation, if that makes sense to anyone.

Plus, now when I meet Amy in a few weeks I can let her know that I am also a Founder and Creative Director. So there’s that.

Anyway, come on over to @shopeleanormae if you are so inclined. I’m a natural at sales and publicity, aren’t I? 😂 😂 😂 Now if you will excuse me, I have a headboard to upholster and a reel to make.

Thank you for being here!

Notes:

1. I’m using occasional affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy something through a link I share. Thank you for your support!

2. If you are interested in shopping my closet, home, and office, check out my ShopMy. It’s an utterly fabulous work in progress, if I do say so myself.