Visible Monday: Suede & Bricolage

Today, I am wearing my Uggs moccasins, Levi's boot cuts, and a long-sleeved tee--words that don't describe the outfit at left.  This is what I wore the first day of the semester and didn't publish then because the photo was too blurry.  The sweater is a Pendleton, worn with a burgundy suede skirt by Banks (both thrifted), grey tights and wedges, with a necklace I won months ago from Pam at Over50Feeling40.

I am headed into a week of heavy grading and have resurrected this look to illustrate a point about thrifting.  DH has been hard at work rebuilding a second antique organ.  A lifelong woodworker, he is fascinated that these foot pedaled organs operate on bellows and wood, all natural materials.  It puts his carpenter and problem solving skills to good use during the cooler winter months.  On this one, he salvaged a bellows system from our piano tuner and is in the process of modifying it to work with this organ. 

Saturday, we were thrifting when I caught him eying my book bag which I had been carrying as a purse. He admired the buttery leather of it and suggested I look for old leather purses he could dismantle for use on his bellows. I cringed. The chances were if I located a similarly buttery leather I would NOT want him to cut it up for the leather! He'd already had good luck locating the belts I'd suggested for some sort of interior straps, the tongs (spring steel), and a bit of brocade for the foot pedals, all from a thrift store.

Fearful of my book bag, I began to chew on the problem of an inexpensive source of good leather.  I love this suede skirt and its fit, but I love my book bag more.  At length, I told him about it and you can see it perched as a possibility atop the organ frame.  He needs the leather to reinforce the corners of the bellows.  It is not yet clear that he will use it, but I know that I paid only $4 for the skirt.  If he does use it, I will make elbow patches for a jacket or two from the scraps. How often do any of us re-envision the original purpose for a "thing"? To my way of thinking, that's creativity.

Sunday, I went fabric shopping with him, for the material for the bellows and the backing for the woodwork. I loved the photos of his hands handling these delicate fabrics, but gently tried to discourage the combinations of expensive satin and lace he kept coming up with. On Saturday, I had suggested skirt linings, but perfectionist that he is, money was no issue. Gently, gently, gently, I steered him towards the voile, which he was ultimately very happy with.

I noted though that a long line of women were standing in line to have cloth cut.  DH walked up to the counter, laid down his bolts, and a clerk fresh back from her lunch break, ignored the queue to cut what he wanted.  I teased him that he was being given preferential treatment.

Minutes later, we visited a craft store for a couple of pieces of woodwork and adhesives that he needed.  Here again, the clerks fell all over themselves asking if he needed any help.  "No, we don't have the contact cement.  Try a hardware store."  As he stood in line to pay for his items, an entire table of women in a class for cake decorating stopped what they were doing and in unison, their faces turned toward him!  Is a man in a craft store such an unusual thing?

Again I teased him.  Mock announcement:  "Male in Aisle Three!  Male in Aisle Three!"  But, I think that this raises an interesting question about customer service.  In both stores, my husband was given better customer service than I would have received.  I don't know if the reverse would have been true, if I was shopping in a hardware store for example.

But I'm wondering if any of my readers have noticed this tendency? Or, if they have a similar story to tell about bricolage, "to make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are at hand (regardless of their original purpose)"?

This post is part of Visible Monday, a weekly event open to all bloggers at Patti's NotDeadYetStyle.

The Window Shopping Project: The Blue Light Special

I cannot recall the last time I was in a Kmart before this window-shopping expedition, February 14.  It's not that I avoid it, but the parking lots often seem vast and empty.  The store itself is huge and windowless.  My closest Kmart is located in Olathe, KS, a 25 mile drive from where I live, in an area where the Hispanic population has exploded in the past decade.  Recent promotions by Selena Gomez and Sofia Vergara may cater to this market.

Kmart is the third largest discount store chain in the world, with stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Guam, which houses the world's largest Kmart. The stores in Australia and New Zealand have no relation to the American stores, except in name.

Reading up on Kmart, I was pleasantly reminded of the five and dime Kresge stores I once haunted as a child, longing for one of those quarter-sized turtles. Kresge opened the first Kmart in 1962, a few months before Walmart opened. However, it didn't change it's name until 1977. During the 1980s in an effort to change its image, Kmart introduced a new logo and began remodeling stores, as well as offering product lines by Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith. In 1998, Canadian stores were sold to Zellers. In 2002, Kmart filed for bankruptcy protection, closing 300 stores and laying off 34,000 workers. In 2003, it emerged from bankruptcy protection. In 2004, it announced its intention to purchase Sears, Roebuck and Company. Following this merger, some stores remodeled to orange and brown, though the store I visited maintained a blue and white interior. After the Christmas season 2011, it was announced that 100-120 Sears/Kmart stores will be closing.

On the day I visited, there were so many BOGO's that I was impressed that merchandise was being cleared, perhaps for spring merchandise. I was surprised to see small appliances, such as a sewing machine and exercise equipment. Eco-friendly shoes and boots were reasonably priced. It was in the underwear department that I began to suspect that I was not the target market! The junior department, which I can sometimes fit, featured distressed, but colorful capris. The women's department had animal print tunics and a swimsuit with a bit of a skirt that I wished were in my size. On the sale racks, a faux ostrich feather vest and a hot pink pea coat caught my eye. The "losable" gloves that I've photographed in all of the discount retailers I've visited could be had for $.86! None of the purses caught my eye, but overall I thought Kmart might be a good place to introduce some creative funk into one's wardrobe. I left empty-handed.

 Many of my readers may remember the blue light specials though I can't recall that I ever snagged one. They were a common sight at the height of Kmart's popularity and judging from the number of videos on YouTube, Mr. Bluelight is a cultural icon as well. Have any of my readers ever snagged one of these specials?

And will the store in your area survive the most recent round of closings?

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: Breakthroughs & Bloopers

Anyone who read Wednesday's blog, knows that it was a busy day for me.  I left for campus three hours early and had already had a couple of wardrobe setbacks.  I own three pair of black slacks.  Imagine my surprise to realize that the pair I had set out for the challenge was not the pair I'd intended to use.  When I wore them with the black heeled loafers they suddenly seemed too short.  I introduced a sweater vest with a feur d'elise pattern that day, first trying it under the too big shirt (parachute, anyone?) and then trying it OVER the shirt.  I actually wore it the second way.  But, I fudged slightly and changed the heels for a pair of flats that weren't in my challenge mix.  I've worn this vest to campus before without a single comment.  On this day, within 10 minutes of my arrival, I'd received 7-8 compliments on it!?  This is proof to me that styling can make a huge difference.  The heeled loafers are by George, the slacks by Caslon, the sweater vest by Sharon Young, the too big blouse by Chico's.

To add insult to injury, I realized after taking the photos that the slacks had been unzipped in the majority of the photos.  Aaaargh!

Thursday, I didn't get home from campus until it was dark out, but I introduced a blue silk blouse that fits much better than the grey/olive drab one.  In the morning, I had started out with the scarf tied to my book bag--a fine leather one that unzips on either side to accommodate my load of homework on any given day.  I had on a strand of blue/gray rocks.  This necklace has real weight and I had fiddled with it enough throughout the day, that it broke sending the rocks scattering everywhere.  For evening photos, I substituted the scarf and Monday's jacket was reworn for warmth.  I had driven home through 40 mph winds and my hair is decidedly worse for the wear.

The shoes are a Target brand.   The skirt and silk blouse are by Anne Taylor and the jacket by Boston Design.  All, including the broken necklace and Picasso scarf were thrifted.

This is what I'm wearing as I type this post.  Using the scarf as a belt is a bit of a breakthrough for me.  I've admired it on many other bloggers but never done it myself; the "Picasso" scarf is a cheapy, but has a variety of lovely colors that ties my entire capsule together.  With my western cut jeans, I can get away with the heeled loafers, but as it is Friday I've introduced a pair of socks.  Trousers socks are a major gap in my wardrobe.  I mostly borrow from DH, but he was excited enough about this lace pair to hang around and snap photos of my feet for me.

And finally, here is the hat, with the scarf added as a bow.  I've tried to wear it several times this week.  I either have a lot to learn about wearing hats or it is simply too little for my head (7 3/8 hat size).

This challenge has been good for me.  I've never been a Francophile, who believes that French women have the corner on chic.  But, this week, for the first time, I found myself thinking that they are onto something.  If one invests in good quality, well-fitting pieces, and focuses on a few items, rather than the abundance that currently exists in my closet, I could afford luxury.  I would invest in good shoes rather than the inexpensive ones I've worn this week.  I could afford necklaces that don't fall apart and I could afford a designer scarf.

My thanks to Jane for organizing this challenge!

And the Window Shopping Project, featuring KMart this week will go up tomorrow.

A Quickie: Day 2 of the Challenge

I had to retake my capsule wardrobe photos when I realized I had left out two items, so here is the belated evidence of what I'm confining myself to during this week of the Capsule Wardrobe Challenge.  It appears that I've reverted to my former "neutral" ways.  Note the hat in the middle though!

DH snapped this photo on my way out the door Tuesday morning.  It was joyous to have morning light to work with again.  To my eye, this blouse by Chico's is an olive drab, although it almost looks like a grey or even brass color in the photos.  The skirt is by Loft.  And the heels are an example of a Target shoe.  I'm on my second year of wearing them.

Visible Monday: Capsule Wardrobe edition

Today kicks off the Capsule Wardrobe challenge at Small Fabric of my Life.  This is the first time I have participated, but the rules as I understand it go something like this:

• Between Feb 20th and Feb 24th you need to choose 10 items from your wardrobe including skirts, dresses, tops, knitwear, shoes to mix and match.

• You can add five accessories such as scarves but hosiery, jewellery and underwear is not included.

• Outerwear is not included as it is still very cold.

I have chosen the following items:  one jacket, one charcoal grey pencil skirt, one pair black slacks, 3 blouses--one short-sleeved in blue and two long sleeved silk blouses, one sweater vest, and one pair of black jeans.   For shoes, I have a pair of grey suede wedges and black heeled loafers.

My accessories include my Picasso scarf, a hat (!), a black belt, and my black purse/book bag.  I had added  pieces of jewelry, but am belatedly realizing that these needn't count.  I can add one more accessory.

This mix will challenge my usual style in that I'll likely have to wear a silk blouse with jeans, formerly an unwritten rule AND I will need to wear heels with jeans, something many bloggers do, but that I don't.

This first look  combines 6 of these pieces.  The loafers are thrifted by George (Walmart brand).  The skirt is by Anne Taylor, and the blue blouse is by Loft.  The jacket is ruched in the sleeve and features a peplum I've never worn before; it is by Boston Design studio.  All items, to include the scarf and the hat were thrifted.

And this post is part of the Visible Monday round-up.  This weekly event, organized by Patti at Not Dead Yet Style, is a great way to get your feet wet as a style blogger and to meet other women doing the same.

The Window Shopping Project: Target

I mentioned last week that Target operates 14 stores in the KC metro area.  The closest one to me is over 20 miles away though I pass it twice a day on my commute to work.  I made 3 visits working on this post and found that a number of items not only snagged my eye, but tugged a bit at my pocketbook.  This blue knit pencil skirt was one.  You'll see several other items in the video below.  I kept returning because I wanted to pinpoint what it was that had this effect on me. 

The aisles are wide, but shorter than Walmart's aisles for one.  Displays are simple and at least in women's apparel the racks are arranged in "neighborhoods" so that one steps easily from juniors to misses to women's and maternity "departments."  The dressing room is tucked away in a private corner between the men's and women's departments.  There's no loud public address system or piped in music to interrupt one's revery while shopping. In "my" Target, there are no self-checkout aisles.

I've not purchased clothing for myself from Target though my girls like the options there.  I have purchased one pair of suede wedge pumps and last fall I sprang for two Gilligan & O'Malley bras a week before I won a giveaway from AsheMischief for a new Playtex.

Target is the second-largest retailer in the U.S. behind Walmart.  It grew out of the Minnesota based Dayton Dry  Goods Company beginning it's expansion in 1968 to St. Louis.  Dayton's strategy was to buy up department stores and to re-open as a discount retailer believing that it offered more upscale, trend-forward merchandise at lower costs.  I was interested to learn that Target attracts younger and more educated and affluent customers than Walmart.  The median shopper is 41 years old, with a household income roughly $63,000.  Seventy-six percent of their customers are female.  Eighty percent have attended college and 48% have completed college.  An astounding 97% of American consumers recognize the Target Bullseye logo. 

Target sells more gift cards than any other retailer in the United States though I don't think I've ever purchased one.  It was curious to discover that some of their gift card designs are patented and are also collectors items.  Have any of you seen the scratch and sniff card or the one that glows in the dark or the one that records a voice message?

They also offer a REDcard, either in debit or credit form, which grants shoppers a 5% savings in store and online as well as free shipping on all Target.com purchases.  One percent of the purchases registered to this card are donated to the eligible K-12 school of your choice.

I have worried that my project was too centered on the continental United States.  Target in recent years has expanded to India, Hawaii, and in 2013 it will open 100-150 stores in Canada.  And this year, it intends to open urban, multi-level stores in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.   I wonder if my readers have visited any of the existing multi-level stores in the Bronx or Brooklyn, San Diego, Seattle, Washington, D.C, Atlanta, Miami, or New Orleans.  I'm especially curious about the green roof stores in Chicago.   I know that some stores in my area are full-line groceries though I have avoided them because the parking is a nightmare.

Target, unlike Walmart, does not sell guns or tobacco.  During the holidays, you will not be solicited by a Salvation Army bell-ringer though Target ranks as one of the most philanthropic companies in the US.  I know that in my area, unused, returned or seasonal merchandise is donated to the Goodwill; I've purchased Target product there.  And in addition to Nascar sponsorships, it hosts free admissions to art museums in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Target has been open to some of the criticisms of other big box stores:  it contributes to suburban sprawl; it offers low prices for poor work conditions; it has sold products outlawed by the Environmental Protection Agency.  It was a Target pharmacist who refused to dispense the Plan B emergency contraceptive in 2005.  It has made political contributions that have been controversial in the LGBT community.

I didn't spend a penny on any of my trips, but there was a pair of canvas boat shoes, a swim suit, a striped dress, and a delicious chambray maternity shirt that did give me pause. 

The Blindness of Privilege: Saga of the Red Nightgown

In my first window shopping post for the month of February, I listed the items of clothing I've purchased at Walmart over the years.  One of those items was a red nightgown, which I described as "gigantic (2X)."  A concerned reader sent me a lengthy e-mail the following day, pointing out the not-so-subtle size-ism of my description.  The e-mail was so sensitively written that I later changed the wording of my post to simply read "red nightgown."

In my own thinking, this nightgown is infamous no matter how I describe it.  I was prompted to purchase it shortly after DH and I merged our two households of teenagers, his all male household and my all female household.  Our relaxed standards of modesty, coming from same sex households, met an abrupt end.  No more swigging milk straight from the jug in your underwear.  No more dashing straight from the shower to one's room in nothing more than a towel.  For me, the hardest change was not being able to sip my morning coffee in the over sized t-shirts I liked to wear to bed.  DH's hairy chest at the breakfast table was wonderful and disconcerting and new.

Our various immodesties became an issue one evening after a few too many beers.  In response, I marched into Walmart the next day and purchased the most modest nightgown I could find.  It was a thick red knit.  The sleeves were so long that it hung down over my hands.  It covered me from my shoulders to my ankles in swathes of fabric.  The size was less important than the fact that it covered everything thoroughly.  The fun was that DH had a red nightshirt very much like my gown.

There were no more spats about my immodesty.  In fact, I came to love this nightgown and wore it for nearly ten years until all of our young adult children left home. 

In fact, I was wearing it one night when we had such a downpour that the night crawlers were drummed out of the ground.  In great excitement, DH set me up with a pair of gum boots (Wellies) and armed with coffee cans we set out to collect worms for fish bait.  I was squatted down in the mud under a neighbor's window in a tug-of-war with a worm, when a voice called out "Who's there?"  DH identified us and our purpose, but I was embarrassed to be caught in my mud-splattered red nightgown.  Some of those worms were 18 inches long and as big around as your little finger!

The same weekend that I received my reader's e-mail, I happened across this blog post, which described the limits of human perception and at the same time made a beautiful point about privilege:  "I see my privilege as a debt that I benefit from but no one will ever make me pay."

Depending upon one's perspective, I am privileged as an American, as a Caucasian, as a heterosexual, as a tall slender body type, as middle-class, as a professional woman.  I recognize my privilege.  I work hard as an educator not to discriminate against any self-definition my students (or my readers for that matter) may be negotiating.  I am continually confronted with aspects of being I don't understand.

For a week, my eyes have physically bothered me.  They have bothered me to the point that I've been unable to comment on other blogs as often as I like.  I literally reach a point where I tear up.  I am of the belief that spiritual problems often manifest in the body (eg, stiff necks likely mean some sort of stubbornness.)  So, while Rags began out of my perception that women my age gradually become invisible (my focus in 2010) and that I was too fond of the color gray (my  "color" focus in 2011) and that I did not know how to shop retail (my focus in 2012), the blog has never overtly been about body image.

If you are still reading, I am curious about several things here:

• Do you have an item of clothing as storied as my ugly red nightgown?

• How aware are you of the various privileges you may enjoy as a function of your identity?  And what do you do about it?

• Have you ever changed a post when you realized you've inadvertently offended a reader, either with your photographs or your words?

Here's to clear-sightedness!

EveryBody EveryWear: Red & Pink

I've been an eager participant in many of the EveryBody, EveryWear monthly events, but this one sent me into a week long tizzy.  I've had a long standing mental rule that pink and orange and/or pink and red should simply not be paired together.  I think someone taught me this absurd rule in kindergarten, uh, over 50 years ago.   For a week instead of counting sheep, my normal beauty insomnia routine, I've been concocting the possibilities in my head.  I took 32 pictures of 11 different outfits on Monday, while I should have been grading papers, and this is the best of the bunch:

The jeans are stretch denim by Gloria Vanderbilt, the striped top by Talbots.  I thrifted the Swedish Comfort clogs and the scarf.  No belt, aaargh!

This look is more fun, but violates the EBEW rule of the month as it has no pink.

I just thrifted the blouse this past weekend for $2 at a store where DH bought a massage chair for $100. The accordion wool skirt is by Saks Fifth Avenue. The red tights were new last winter, We Love Colors, and the shoes are the Bandolinos I wore for the wedding in September. If I weren't busy grading papers and eating spaghetti by candlelight with DH AND my 6 year old grandson, grandma just might slip into something more comfortable.

Here's hoping your day is full of romance!   And if you'd like to see the outtakes from this photo shoot, visit my Tumblr.

 

The Window Shopping Project: Jason Wu for Target

My three daughters all celebrate birthdays within the first 35 days of the year.  Last Sunday, we celebrated with a brunch out and a day of thrift store shopping at mom's expense (vicarious thrifting anyone?).

It would be mid-afternoon before we located one of the handful of stores in the KC metro that stocked the new designer collaboration by Jason Wu and by then, it was pretty picked over.

My girls, perhaps to their credit, did not know who Jason Wu was.  I had known him primarily as the designer of Michelle Obama's inaugural ballgown and had seen the promos of this line, featuring a back cat, Milu.  To my eye, the clothing seemed simple and crisp, though the only item in the collection I thought I might purchase would have been a scarf.  By two in the afternoon, the collection was pretty picked over at this location, where the store was already in disarray due to a remodel.

K. imagines herself in this blouse, while P. holds up the separates I had taken for a dress in the promos.  We visited briefly with a young woman who had apparently visited Targets all over town (there are 14 in our area) and told us she had been up all night wrestling with her computer and the Target web site. 

My girls were far more interested in the shoe clearance.  While M. tried on the shoe above, P. bought a pair of these "booties" in black and K. purchased the boots on the right.

When the girls launched into a perusal of the clothing racks, I suggested we hit a second thrift store and without any complaint, we left--with NO Jason Wu.





Here's how momma looked by the end of the afternoon.  The top is by "BKE".   Jeans by Wrangler.  (thrifted).   Cowboy boots, Durange, gift from DH.

While I intend to explore this discount retailer in far more detail next week, I'm wondering how many of my readers like these designer collaborations Target sponsors.  I know I've had pieces of Isaac Mizrahi and Liberty of London and Alexander McQueen for Target I've purchased at thrift stores, but the clamor to be the first to snag inexpensive designer goods is lost on me.

Did any of my readers snag any Jason Wu?

Visible Monday: Pleats & Sweater Vests

I wore the same pleated skirt for three days running last week!  I like the way a this navy pleated skirt plays with my knees when I walk and I know that the sweater vests were inspired by someone who is running for President.  The photo on the left was snapped at the end of my work day and the one on the right at the beginning of my work day.

Have you ever thought about the way an outfit evolves over the course of a day? (or even a week?)  By the end of a day my hair was pulled back and just before the photo was snapped I had rolled my sleeves back down, but the look held up well over the course of a day in which my creative writing class explored words as sound and my teaching partner M. coached students on creating their own language.

The blouse is by Talbots and the sweater vest with tiny "pearls" by J. Crew.  The skirt is by Theo Miles.  And the loafers, Cole Haan.

In the second look, the blouse is pink gingham by Evan Piccone.  The sweater vest I'm certain is vintage; the label reads JES Original.

Prep, much?





In other news the grandson won the local Pine-box Derby, with help from grandpa and the new son-in-law.  The daughters and I arrived at our local Target AFTER the Jason Wu collection was pretty picked over.  And I watched the pertinent parts of the SuperBowl, the commercials and the half-time show, from my Twitter stream.

Has Madonna rescued middle-aged women from oblivion?  We're visible today at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.  Come strut your stuff!

The Window Shopping Project: Walmart

I live in a small town twenty minutes south of the KC metropolitan area. To some it is a bedroom community. To others, this county seat is home. 7500 souls live in the county seat. When I moved here in the late 1990s, our town boasted one of the smallest Walmart stores in the country. The aisles were narrow and crammed with merchandise. Inside the front door, one could help themselves to a free bag of popcorn, munching material as a customer meandered the aisles and visited with your neighbors. It was as much a community center as it was a place to shop.

Our town supported two grocery stores and had a lively old-fashioned town square. That changed when the doors of our 24 hour SuperCenter opened just off the highway. One grocery closed its doors and several franchise fast foot restaurants sprang up around it as the business center of town shifted. I have read the articles attesting to Walmart's founding, its remarkable growth, and the fortunes of the Walton family (it has funded the development of the Crystal Bridges facility I mentioned in Wednesday's post).

I have read critical articles discussing its business practices and had direct encounters with long term employees. I have seen the websites that poke fun of the unconscious way people dress to shop there. I know that the role of their greeters is changing. I shop there myself about once a month, primarily for office supplies (ie, printer cartridges). But over the years I have purchased some clothing there--watches, a gigant red nightgown, underwear, a pair of jeans, and flip-flops when they are marked down to a dollar at the end of the season. Last spring, I purchased a tube of Equate's version of  Jergen's Natural Glow. 

The pictures in my collage where snapped early on a Sunday afternoon, after church and before football. I went with a short list of items I wanted to price, thinking they might be of interest to Rags readers. In the top row of photos, you'll see items from the cosmetics department. I was surprised to find CKOne, a scent I wore for a while 20 years ago. I cringed at the prices for women's anti-aging products though I don't use any of these. I was pleased to see a fairly extensive display of Burts Bees products and at least 32 patterns of Sally Hansen's Salon Effects nail polish strips. I found the bottle of Valerian root I wanted to help promote my "beauty sleep." I found a watch very much like the classic Timex I replace every two years or so. I think the last time I purchased one of these Indiglo style watches, I paid $30. The imitations were just $7.88. Friendship bracelets sat in a basket atop the jewelry counter for .50.

I'll soon need to get over my furtive sense of snapping photos as I shop, but as I wandered through the women's clothing I wondered to what degree each Walmart tailors its clothing merchandise to the local customer base. At this Walmart, there was a generous supply of velvet running suits, leggings, sweat pants & shirts, as well as yoga pants by Danskin. There were stacks of the Faded Glory jeans, a brand I once purchased ($10.88)when I discovered I was without jeans during a chilly weekend at the Lake. There were novelty t-shirts and gear to represent K-State or KU, whichever of our state teams a shopper might support.

There were scarves and belts and caps and straw bags for those who are eager for spring to arrive.  There was a full range of shapewear and undies in all cuts and fabrics and colors.  For years, I have purchased my cotton modified bikinis for no more than a $1 a pair.  I suppose I could still find that price if I waited for a sale, but on this day only the "Faded Glory" brand offered 3 pair for $2. I liked the sock monkey slippers and the leopard ballerina flats at $3. might have tempted me had they been in the right size.

One thing that sets "my" Walmart apart from the one that may be in your area is a fabric department.  A customer can still purchase notions by the yard, as well as basic yard goods.  You can sit on a stool and browse patterns if you're so inclined.  Here, you can find fabric tape and glue.  Some of the patterns were not as expensive as I thought they'd become.

At "my" Walmart, you can purchase a gun and hunting or fishing license, but not tires.  You can purchase food (even custom order a cake), but I found no scales to weigh oneself.  You can have your hair cut or replace your eye-glasses.  You can put in laps for exercise.  You can ask the clerk in the electronics department to install the minutes on your prepaid phone and he or she will do it.  I suppose aspects of small town life continue to characterize this store.

One unique feature, which brought Shybiker to mind, was the dressing area.  Typically, an employee sits at the desk in this "unisex" dressing area.  You'll see stalls for women, the disabled and men all in this centralized area.  And while, most women might not give a second thought to trying on menswear in a women's room, other shoppers have a different set of challenges.  I'm curious how many of us would utilize a unisex dressing area.  And I'm curious to know or hear about your experiences at your neighborhood Walmart.  Is it a love/hate relationship?

America's Baden Baden

DH & I have been trying to find a long weekend to visit the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas since 2007 when it opened.  When we found ourselves in the unusual situation of having no children or grandchildren to entertain this Christmas, we packed our bags and headed out.  We had four potential sites to see:  the new Crystal Bridges Art Museum; the Presidential Library; the spas in Hot Springs; and possibly a diamond mine.

We'd made nary a reservation and after traveling 100s of miles on Christmas day, found Waffle House to be the only place open for a meal.  We booked a room for two nights and then did a bit of evening sightseeing, orienting to the city that straddles the Arkansas River.  It was wonderful because the weather was fair, the city was dressed up for the holidays, and the streets were quiet and empty.

We strolled across the bridge to the Clinton Library the morning of the 26th and spent several hours touring the exhibits (Lego sculptures, anyone?).  We lunched on Cajun food at the Flying Fish, then spent the afternoon exploring the National Park exhibit across the street from historic Central High School.  DH & I were born the year of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision.  We would still have been toddlers the year that federal troops escorted the Little Rock Nine to classes for the entirety of the 1957-1958 school year.  While the Clinton Library explored history that DH & I remember, the Central High facility opened our eyes to how hard won many civil rights in our country have been.  We rounded out our first afternoon by exploring a couple of thrift stores, driving by the State Capitol, as well as the Occupy Little Rock encampment.  Smoke puffed out of a smokestack in one of these tents on the rainy afternoon.

The following morning we visited Hot Springs, Arkansas.  At the turn of the last century, a lively spa culture thrived here.  Today the National Park Service maintains a row of seven bath houses, two of which remain in operation as baths.  Most of the photos in the video were taken at the Fordyce, which has been restored to its original glory.  At the Buckstaff, we inquired about a couples bath, but were told that in the interests of historical accuracy this was not a possibility.  The waiting list was so much longer for women that we opted not to take a bath.  The Quapaw Baths & Spa, by contrast offer a full range of mineral baths and massages.  Our time was so short that we window-shopped, toured the trails and a lookout point, filled a jug with the free mineral waters and headed back to our room for a soak in the hotel spa.

Our return trip took us through some of the bayous and hollows of Arkansas where the views were incredible.  To me, time seemed to move palpably slower.  In a women's room in Buena Vista, Arkansas, I bought the packet of Horny Goat Weed you see in the video--a .50 souvenir.  We're talking about a return trip this summer.  The Crystal Bridges Museum is so new that viewing any of the art required a reservation (Read what the New York Times had to say about this important new museum:here.)  Perhaps we'll take our grandsons to the one location in the states where the public can mine for diamonds and KEEP what they find.  Look what one lucky couple found.

One of my favorite forms of reading is historical travel writing.  Imagine my surprise to find that one of these favorite authors, Pico Iyer, who lives in Japan, had also visited Little Rock in the past year and noted its surprising charms.

My capsule wardrobe for the trip included two pair of jeans,  sweaters, 1 flannel shirt, a plaid blazer, my moccasins, my roper boots, and a swim suit.  This is how I looked AFTER we arrived home.

If anyone is interesting in a very doable capsule wardrobe challenge, check out The Small Fabric of My Life's event February 20-24.