Today is a sad day of remembrance, and there are plenty of well-written tributes to what today means. I was in New York City that day, and it is etched forever in my memory. But I don’t feel as though it is appropriate for me to go on and on about what it meant, because you guys know already (and see above, plenty of well-written tributes).
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So today I’m gonna talk about something totally frivolous: Fall fashion. Specifically, the turn in beauty towards darker colors. This morning, I met a friend for coffee, and he had a birthday present for me (aww!). It was an OPI nail polish shade I’d twittered about, their line of matte shades. This one is Lincoln Park After Dark, which I also have on my toes (the regular glossy version, and it’s kinda chipped, but I am wearing socks for the first time in ages ’cause it’s cold, so you can’t see).
Last fall, fashion mags and blogs were talking about black lipstick, a trend I TOTALLY would have jumped on 20 years ago. Not so much now. Not many people rocked the trend in real life, makes sense given how perfect the rest of you has to look to make it look okay, but once again, they’re saying black lipgloss is in style.
I love the return of fall–and today in New York, it’s really fall-like, kinda rainy and dreary and cold (hence the socks. I hate wearing socks). Sweaters, and pumpkins, and dark, intense colors (the same friend said once I like to wear “dark bruise” colors, I think). I won’t be wearing black lipstick, but I am definitely putting away some of my brighter colors in favor of the dark. 
What is the most outrageous beauty trend you’ve tried–or been tempted to try? What’s your favorite thing about fall?
PS: If you are in the New York City area and want to attend a special book event at SiriusXM on Monday, here are the deets: SiriusXM will be taping a “Book Radio Presents” special with our three hosts— Pia Lindström, Maggie Linton and Kim Alexander—and leading women’s fiction authors Jennifer Weiner, Julie Buxbaum and Lucinda Rosenfeld. Blogger Ron Hogan will join us for a roundtable discussion, interview, Q & A and reading with these three leading contemporary women authors to talk about live, love, the meaning of best friends/friendship and other themes from their books. Doors open 1:30 pm, we will tape the interview/broadcast from 2:00 – 3:00 pm, and then have a reception from 3:00 – 4:00 pm. Please RSVP to Hillary Schupf, Hillary.schupf@siriusxm.com and bring photo ID for security desk.
Oooh. I have the shiny Lincoln Park After Dark. It’s pretty. I’m not sure how I feel about the matte shades yet. The dry look kinda gives me goosebumps.
Super-dark lipshades remind me of my mis-spent youth, and somehow the closer I get to the Out end of the tunnel the less I want to emphasize the coming winter of my life. A rose in snow loses its romanticism if the rose is somewhat less than dewy, lol.
But I LOVE Autumn. Handwashed all my sweaters yesterday in anticipation. And I’m jealous, you get to do Fall in NYC.
I spent six weeks in NYC this summer and could not force myself to go to Ground Zero. I just couldn’t do it.
The Flag People are out in force in my neighborhood today and it made me sad that the simple act of remembering and honoring is so politicized. It made me wonder what the mood is in NYC today?
I spent the morning sitting on my porch with a cup of Earl Gray, looking out over my woods and my pasture and thinking about that morning eight years ago. I was off work that day too. I was outside enjoying my garden when my neighbor walked down the hill with the most awful expression on her face. She asked if I’d seen the news and I admitted I had not even turned the television on that morning. I came inside and watched until I couldn’t. I went back outside to sit and be with my dogs and my land. It comforted me then and it did this morning as well. I can’t tell you why.
Now that nail polish is FABULOUS!! I would never do the black lipstick, but that nail polish with the right outfit I would do in a heartbeat.
When I look back at some of the things I wore in high school and college I absolutely CRINGE!! Platform shoes and bell bottoms anyone? Blue eye shadow and BIG HAIR?? I look at those pictures now and think “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?”
Loove the nail polish. I finally got around to buying nail polish remover so if I knew where to find cool stuff like that, I could buy some. For my toes. Here in my part of Calif, sandals are pretty much year around.
I was in Arlington on 9/11, the county where the Pentagon is. My husband was at The Library of Congress in DC, right across from the Capital.
We were asked to stay at work while we watched people stream into Arlington over the DC bridges and could see the smoke from the Pentagon.
The psychiatrist in our program was called to the ER in anticipation of wounded who never came.
When I finally left work at 4 pm and drove home, the streets were deserted. I mean deserted. NOBODY was out and no cars but mine were around.
Sorry, the black nail polish just isn’t my thing. We’re having a Fall day today, though, and I love the smell of the cool air.
I put the nail polish on, and it really looks cool. And Louisa, I *definitely* wore some nutty things back in the day.
I have the shiny Lincoln Park polish, but am not sure about the matte–how does it apply? Does it chip fast? (my new OPI fall polish color is a browny-red called Can You Tapas This, I’m loving it). And I never could do the black lipstick–I am terrible at applying dark lipstick!
I just bought a new pair of autumn boots and 2 dresses, yay. This is my favorite season.
The matte applies thick, and dries quickly, but also chips super-quick. My right index is already half-gone, and the middle and pinkies are showing wear. Left hand is golden.
I am wearing long sleeves today, too!
I’m trying to feel Fall-ish but it’s 100 degrees outside. I confess I bought my first bag of Brach’s mallowcreme pumpkins already. Bad Jane.
Carolyn, Sephora has OPI nail polish, or any beauty supply store will have it. Your toes deserve OPI! 🙂
Amanda, am going to try the Tapas! Sounds yummy.
I bought a plum colored zip up fleece sweater today to let myself fall into fall. It’s warm and sporty and I love it. I hope to fall into fall and forget about my broken heart.
Dear Riskys,
I’m being completely self serving here. A man who broke up with me over a year ago to date another woman has just come back into my life. He moved closer to me. Now I am at a loss. I’m lonely, but think he’s going to break my heart again. I still love him. Five years is a long time to day. I would love some encouraging words that I can get through this and not go back to him. I don’t think he is a Wentworth.
Jane Austen, only you can listen to your own heart. Think of your “namesake” who, in that era had the guts to follow her heart and NOT marry.
Loneliness can tempt us to settle for less than we deserve. Take a deep breath. Believe that the right man is there for you. If it is this man, then maybe he has to work hard to prove it, not just expect you to be back just because he’s close by again.
But listen to what that gut of yours is telling you and NEVER sell yourself short. You deserve happiness and you will have it. Just believe it!!
Dear Jane Austen,
I like the line from the film Bridget Jones’ Diary:
Daniel Cleaver: Come on Bridget, we belong together – you, me, poor little skirt. If I can’t make it with you then I can’t make it with anyone.
Bridget: That’s not a good enough offer for me.
You’ll find the guy who likes who just the way you are, hang in there.
Hugs,
Jane
A last report regarding the polish: It chips like CRAZY. One day and it’s already half-gone. I haz a sad.