Tim Gunn's 10 Essential Elements: Must-Have Basic Wardrobe Pieces for Any Woman

Inspiration low, so I'm posting other things relevant to my interests.

1. Basic Black Dress - The basic black dress has been around for a long time. It is often called the "Little Black Dress", and it's true that shorter skirts on the basic black dress, when they hit you in the right place, can be more flattering than a long black dress.
2. Trench Coat - The trench coat is one of the pieces that is both classic and currently a hot fashion item. Most any store sells this piece now. It is great for fall and you can pick it up in a wide range of lengths.
3. Dress Pants - Although it doesn't say black, this is probably what you want to look for. Black is flattering on all figures and goes with everything.
4. Classic Shirt - The white shirt is a definite classic. But it can also come in many different styles to make it look trendy and not dated or like a man's piece of clothing. Find one that accentuates your best attributes and minimizes trouble spots. For example, if you have wide shoulders, stay away from large collars.
5. Jeans - Everyone has a pair of jeans, but does everyone have a pair of jeans that make them look great? The wider leg, low-rise jean style has been popular (and still is) but a narrower leg is coming back along with a higher waist, which eliminates the unflattering "muffin top" look.
6. Any Occasion Top - Find something you look great in that can look respectable under a jacket but bring on the fun after hours.
7. Skirt - If you need dress pants then you also need a skirt. A skirt is womanly and can be flirty or businesslike. Nowadays women do not wear many skirts or dresses, which makes a lot of them fall into a rut of dressing sloppily or like men. See number 8.
8. Day Dress - Women also are not wearing as many dresses anymore. It was certainly liberating to go from the '50s when women wore dresses every day to wearing more practical pants for gardening, exercising, and so forth. But the dress does not have to be abandoned altogether. They can be very flattering, and there is nothing wrong with "dressing up" for daytime.
9. Jacket - A jacket does not have to be masculine. Find one with a proper, fitted shape. Women's jackets should follow the silhouette of a woman's body and accent the hourglass curve at her waist. It is also a perfect piece to put with the skirt or dress pants, and white shirt. Or make it casual with a pair of jeans.
10. Sweatsuit Alternative - As mentioned before, women wear fewer skirts and dresses these days. But some women have taken casual to the extreme and spend days on end in sweatsuits. It is possible to be casual and comfortable without looking like a slob. Find a comfortable material (that's why this doesn't say jeans again – denim is not as comfortable as a nice soft cotton) that you would want to wear every day. It could be khakis, cords, a cotton dress, or much more.

Read more: http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/tim_gunns_10_essential_elements#ixzz0VO7efsHs

WAHT DISNEY PRINCESS AM I

Cinderella

One of your parents is dead.
You are expected to do a lot of chores.
You love to dress up.
You love animals.
You are waiting patiently for your Prince Charming.
Your mom is really strict.
You have sisters who seem kind of jealous of you.
You’re afraid to speak your mind sometimes.
You have left your shoes at a friend’s house before.
You have blonde hair.
Total: 4

Belle

You’ve kissed someone your friends didn’t like.
You’ve been lost in the forest.
You love to read.
You are not shy at all, and not afraid to speak your mind.
One of your family members is a bit weird.
You have done volunteer work.
You have a wild imagination.
You love to take care of people in need.
You’ve had guys like you only because they think you’re pretty.
You’ve rejected at least one person when they’ve asked you out.
Total: 6

Jasmine

Your dad is very rich/important.
You are very clever.
You’ve been with someone way different from you.
You’re unique and different from everyone else.
You’d never marry someone just because they were rich.
You have set a lot of goals for yourself.
You don’t have a lot of friends.
You’re independent.
You are wealthy.
Your parents try to control your life.
Total: 3

Ariel

Your parents expect a lot from you.
You really try to follow the rules, but it’s hard for you.
You’re a bit of a trouble maker.
You’re the youngest in your family or in the last two.
You have a lot of sisters (three or more).
You collect something.
You have/had long hair.
You have/had a pet fish.
You’re extremely curious.
You believe everything people tell you/you’re a bit gullible.
Total: 4

Snow White

You know that you’re beautiful.
Sometimes it seems like your mom is jealous of you.
You’ve almost been killed.
You have at least seven good friends.
You’ve had food poisoning.
You have/had short hair.
You get along with almost everyone.
All of your friends are different.
You love to have a good time.
You’re happier when you’re out of the house than in.
Total: 4

Mulan

You can be a tomboy sometimes.
People wish you could be a bit more girly.
You’ve pretended to be someone you’re not.
You’ve had a physical fight with someone.
You have/had considered running away from home.
Your parents try to plan your life out.
A lot of your friends are boys.
You sometimes find yourself in bad situations.
You love your family so much that you’d do anything to protect them.
Total: 5

Aurora

You live/have lived with someone other than your parents.
You almost died at a very young age.
You are gentle, loving and/or thoughtful.
You have a decent singing voice.
You like to sleep in late on the weekends.
You spend most of your time outside, or try to do so.
You’re adopted.
You’re very romantic.
Pink is one of your favorite colors. (It's actually a good color on me)
Total: 3

Pocahontas

You love to walk around and explore big cities.
You are more spiritual than religious.
You’ve been in an interracial relationship.
One of your family members is dead (mum, dad, sister, brother, grandma, grandpa).
Your parents are very protective of you.
Someone you know has been in war.
You love nature.
You have/had black hair.
You would love to move somewhere exotic and beautiful.
You’re very adventurous.
Total: 5

Dearest Cousin

I'm too nice to come out and say this to you directly, so it's going into this obscure little receptacle in a dark corner of the internet.

You are the worst conversationalist ever. Really. It defies any metaphorical explanation. I'd probably get more out of talking to myself. You start every single "convo" with the same greeting, the same damn question. A few times I've said, "Hello, and yes I'm fine" before you got a chance to ask and you didn't seem aware of it. As your relative, I believe I have the right to complain about your conversational shortcomings. I'm aware that you're going through a lot now, but usually someone who is going through a lot, especially being someone I've known all my life, I would have thought you'd be more inclined to spill. But no, maybe I'm too young and insignificant, and you'd rather chat with my sister, who is closer to you in age. Fine. But if that's really the case, then don't waste your trivial, repetitive small talk on me. I'm sick and tired of it. I'm the small-talk recipient for lots of people, and I don't need it from you.

I often have to wait at least five minutes for a one-word reply from you. You said, "I saw Paranormal Activity today." I asked, "How was it?" You said, "Scary."
That's it. "Scary."

Well knock me over with a flea.

I should expect bland, one-word answers from you by now, but I can't stop hoping that one day I'll get some complete sentence responses. Why do you bother talking to me when we're not really even having a legitimate conversation? What's the point? Here's my advice for you:

Get a hobby.

You spend too much time sitting around, doing Facebook quizzes (which spam my homepage), watching TV, and calling my family and talking in much the same way you do with me on Facebook. I'm sorry, but talking to you in any form is painful. You're a sweet person most of the time, but your idea of conversation is excruciatingly lacking. When you're not working, this is what you do. Your social life consists of walking around the mall or going and getting drunk at bars with friends.

If you want to meet more people, and maybe even a new guy, you need to get out of the house and get involved in something. Find another job, join some kind of group, do something. I know I could say the same for myself in some respects, but I'm not the boring conversationalist. You are. You need to find better ways to pass your time. Try new things, find ways to improve yourself.

But enough of the "Hi Katie how are you" thing every day. I've answered that question way too many times. My answer is always the same. Be a little more creative. You'd have much more to say if your life were actually busier.

I think really, the reason you prefer my sister to me is because you two are more alike. Not necessarily because of age, but because you're both lacking certain maturity. Amazingly, I think my sister is more mature than you in ways. She's also more vocal and interesting to converse with (but then, she IS my sister).

Dear cousin, I love you very much, and you know I understand that you've had a lot of things you've had to deal with in the last few years, from your father's sudden, untimely death, to his belligerent relations, to your divorce. The divorce could have been avoided if you hadn't gotten married in the first place; if you'd thought things over and realized that, gee, after eight years of this lukewarm (at best) relationship, maybe marriage isn't the best idea. You two never communicate. Shouldn't that be a red light right there? One year of not-so-wedded-bliss and all that money for nothing. It's depressing.

Try thinking for yourself a little more.

H1N!!!!!1

So my mom called and told me I should get the H1N1 vaccine. I'd been meaning to pass on it, because my immune system kicks ass, but since my mom is concerned, I'm willing to go through with it. According to her, it's airborne and a person 10 ft away could infect you without even coughing. I'm not one to give in to media hype, especially concerning a virus, but my mother's word takes priority over all else (at least in the case of life or death) and since I'd hate to upset her by saying "no, I did not get the vaccine", I guess I've got no choice. Our campus is very low on the vaccine, but if it's available I guess I'll get it.

OT: The chapters in my meteorology textbook are insanely long. I was reading chapter 11 earlier (on tropical storms and hurricanes), and my god it is never-ending. I've been doing a crap load of reading this semester, but I guess that's to be expected when you're taking 18 hours.

procrastination

I’ve never watched Twilight
I have drunk alcohol
I have tried smoking
I read a lot
I’ve been in a car crash
I’ve thought someone was in my house at night
I would change over 5 things about my body
I know all the words to ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’
I’ve lied to my best friend
I’ve pretended to like something to fit in
I’ve dyed my hair
I’ve wished a family member ill
I’ve hit someone
I have read all the Harry Potters
I know all the words to Mean Girls
I am an atheist
I’ve pretended to like something in order to talk to a boy
I’ve been abroad
I don’t want to be a photographer
I own skinny jeans
I like tea
I hardly ever wear makeup
I wish I could sing
I am happy with my body
I’m not very outspoken
I wish I was older
I’ve done an all nighter
I’ve woken up and couldn’t remember the night before
I have a scar that i don’t know where it's from
I really like buying stationery
I have had the same phone for over a year
I have broken something in a shop
I like coffee
I collect something
I wish I wasn’t so restricted
I’ve stolen sweets
I’ve cried so much its hurt
I have tried to lose weight
I have tried to call with my remote control
I like tinned fruit
I’m addicted to the internet
I like compliments
I’m easily persuaded
I think my friends hate me at times
Or all the time
I own more than one pair of trainers
I prefer morning to night
Lord of the Rings IS cool
I like someone
They don’t like me
I show emotion too much
I can't be without my phone

I don't know what to do anymore.

I'm so angry, about lots of things right now.

Incompetent sellers on Amazon.com. Irresponsible cousins who don't fucking THINK before they do something big, like GETTING MARRIED. And then divorce a year later. How stupid can you be? People who take ten minutes to make a left hand turn. Having only 20 minutes to cover seven chapters in detail about the Dark Ages for the midterm. My room being an icebox, even when the heat is turned up. People not giving a shit about me, even though I do my best to be nice and listen when they have something to say. People who say "Sure, let's do blahblahblah sometime" and NEVER get back to me on it. Ever. This happens to me so much and I don't know what to do anymore. You wonder why I don't like to call people and ask them if they want to do something? Because they either say no or say "sure, some other time" and then never speak to me again. Because, you know, they have sooo many fucking friends that they can't possibly remember a 2 minute chat with little ol' me, or they're just sooo busy, or they're too high in the social hierarchy to acknowledge me and my pathetic attempt at being a NORMAL university student, and actually getting together with people and hanging out.

Because, for me, that's just too fucking much to ask.

My housemates are slobs, I'm ready to strangle their cat, and my room is FREEZING; I don't care if I said that already. My hands are numb from the cold. I can pile on the blankets and I'm still cold.

And the people I talk to couldn't give the slightest shit about me. I'm a temporary distraction, someone to talk to for lack of anything better to do. That's it. I'm "there", much like a lamp or a feather duster. I'm not worth anyone's friendship.

More talking about myself

I don't like putting myself on a pedestal, but it's hard not to when, every day, I find more and more things that set me apart from my peers. I don't think I'm "special", or better than anyone else. That's not it at all. It's more a type of alienation or isolation. That feeling of loneliness despite being surrounded by thousands of people.
The thing is, though, that I don't feel lonely all the time, when I'm alone. I enjoy solitude, maybe sometimes too much. It's comfortable.

The same goes for relationships (or in my case, lack of). I have crushes like every other girl, but I'm content with being single. People don't understand that I'm happy on my own, and don't need some guy to complete my life. If I meet someone who defies all my conceptions of the male species, then so be it. But until then, I have no interest in dating. Absolutely none. My lack of affection and sentiment towards others has drawn criticism. I've been told I'm "cold" and "unemotional".

This is bullshit, especially since these critics barely knew me. Some of us expect constant attention from others. They want close physical proximity almost all the time and they can't function by themselves. I know people who can't even watch TV by themselves. This strikes me as odd, but I know better than to inquire into this and hurt anyone's feelings.

What I'm trying to say is, unless you've known me all my life, you have no right to call me cold and unemotional. I have as much emotional capacity as anyone else; I just express it differently. If you don't understand it and hate that you don't understand it, I'm sorry. I don't understand you either. But I don't expect YOU to change, and I won't change either unless I feel that there is truly something I need to change that will benefit both myself and others. We all have our own ways of living, of functioning, of taking the path of least resistance to get through each day. We learn in kindergarten that we're all different.

I think it's time we all started applying that, don't you?

It's funny. I have tons of acquaintances, and few close friends. I can carry on a conversation just fine with people I barely know, but when it comes to developing actual friendships, I'm completely lost. I get along with my classmates, we share funny stories, and yet it never goes beyond that. My concern for being rejected trumps making connections with people. If only I knew how to assert myself and be more confident, I could probably have tons of friends. Instead, I have more acquaintances than I can count. Is it really just me?

So you might think I'm depressed all the time, but really, I just have a bleak sense of humor. I try to be pleasant when I feel like shit, but it's hard, and usually people treat me like a leper covered with oozing sores when I smile and giggle and act perky like a "normal" person.

I am the way I am, and if you don't like the way I am, that's your problem. I'm cynical, sarcastic, grumpy, I laugh at random times and I'm usually the only one. If I have to hear another Glee song I will rip someone's head off. I think Homecoming Week is lame. Steve from Ghost Hunters is my phobia twin. I should be doing homework right now.

Martyrs

By chance I came across a trailer on YouTube of a French horror film called Martyrs, which came out in 2008. Based on the comments on the trailer, it was brutal, disturbing, and brilliant. No one had posted the entire movie on YouTube, so I searched free movie watching sites, came across one, and found Martyrs. It was the dubbed version; I would have preferred subtitles but I wasn't about to scour the internet for the subtitled version. Anyway, I settled down and watched it.

I still can't think of how to describe it. It was horrifying, intriguing, and surreal. I didn't expect to be too shocked by the events that unfolded before me, but my jaw actually dropped a couple of times. Yes, there is a lot of violence and gore, but it isn't the shameless, pointless kind. There aren't entrails flying in all directions. The underlying plot of this film is a bit hazy, but I got the general idea that there was this strange, unheard-of organization that chooses people who will suffer unimaginable amounts of pain and agony, in the hopes of communicating with them and learning whether or not there is an afterlife. This plot doesn't reveal itself until more than halfway through the film. The first half was frightening and disturbing, but didn't make much sense, aside from Lucie going Scarface on the family responsible for her hellish childhood.

The fate of Anna near the end is extremely shocking.

I have a lot of unanswered questions after watching this, but it was definitely an eye opener (and a jaw-dropper). What sets this apart from typical slashers is the fact that the director really seemed to be aiming to show the darkest side of humanity, but also the side that is terrifyingly indifferent and entirely self-absorbed. Lucie's own personal suffering, both physical and mental, turns her into a ruthless killer, and in the end, poor Anna is tortured in the worst way imaginable and used as a "seer" into another world, for the selfish interests of others. The director made a bad choice in mashing the underlying plot into the last quarter of the film, but I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys gore and being very, very disturbed.

I experienced a lot of emotions while watching Martyrs. Horror, revulsion, hope, anger, devastation, confusion. I will remember it for a long time.