The Non-Date From Hell

Onion Rings

(I swear this is all I wanted.)

There are all kinds of people who are “accepted for who they are.”  Even Charles Manson had people who “accepted him for who he was.”  He continued to hang around these people who “accepted him for who he was,” in part, because he could treat them any way he chose to since they allowed him to do so.  Doesn’t mean it was right.  It just means he found people that let him treat them that way.  At what point do you say, “Hey, this is really WHO this person is and I know I deserve WAY better than this—especially when you’ve HAD way better than that before?”

I have gone out from time-to-time with gentlemen suitors on occasion that run the gamut of all nationalities, shapes, and sizes with ages ranging from 20’s through 60’s.  I mean, I don’t discriminate—if you’re nice, you’re nice.

But the men vs. women world can fascinate me at times and I’d LOVE for anyone to give me their honest opinions on this because I, for the life of me, can’t figure it out.  And, by all means, if you think there may be something wrong with my way of thinking—please feel free to let me know or explain your side of it to me.  I’m all ears and won’t take offense.

Three weeks ago, I had two different dates lined up with two different people:

A.  The first guy—I had formally met just the day before the date and is someone in his mid-20’s and from a foreign country.  He told me he remembered me from a whole year ago when I made a brief stop at a store he worked at part-time but I hadn’t really seen him since.  He told me every item of clothing I had worn that day when I came into the store and it triggered my memory.

Long story short—he called me the very next day and wanted to go for a run in a park that afternoon.  The weather was beautiful, people were all over the park, and I thought it was an awesome first-date type thing to do—with the exception that we decided to walk around the park because I get winded too quickly.  Seriously?  Run?!  Who are we kidding?  Let’s get real.

Two hours later we parted ways when he had to go to work and only 15 minutes later after he arrived at work he was kind enough to call to thank me for meeting him out.  A SIMPLE AND UNCOMPLICATED DATE, I TELL YOU!

B.  The second guy—I have known for a few years and is much older and in his mid-50’s.  I’ve been out with him several times before—off and on. It’s nothing serious and we’ve talked on the phone many times.  He always asks me what types of things I like.  Since he doesn’t like to “guess” what a woman likes—he’d prefer women tell him straight out.  So I’ve done this on several occasions.  I’ve also mentioned things I like or want to do even when he doesn’t ask me what I like.  He’s generally smart enough and pays attention.

BUT HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED IN A SPAN OF A WEEK WITH THE SECOND GUY:

Continue reading “The Non-Date From Hell”

Fashion USA Style

Street Style - Men

 JEFF
Recreational Therapist
(At a sports bar)

While out enjoying the World Cup games, there was no mistaking who this guy was cheering on.  I’m going to say the clothing speaks for itself.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, take a risk and wrap your country all around you from head to toe while out watching the games—or just because that’s how you want to dress every day.  Should be fun times for you.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  Your team can always feel the love when you show your support whether near or far.

Dapperly Dressed

Street Style - Men

CHRIS
Theatrical Technician
(At a fashion show)

I really like the styling of the belt here on this smartly dressed man.  The purple tie adds a bit of color and goes well with the whole ensemble.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, find new ways to dress up a pair of casual jeans and give your look somewhat of an edge.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  Wearing a colored tie or a belt in a new and different way always adds a bit of life to an outfit.

A Jacket Of All Trades

Street Style - Men

ZACHARY
Student/Designer
(At a fashion show)

This guy was totally prepared to be a fashion show spectator.  The funkiness of the jacket is what caught my eye.  He actually made this jacket himself.  So it’s no surprise that he got accepted into Central Saint Martins in London this coming fall!  Some of the most famous designers hail from CSM.  Kudos to him!

So, if you have nothing else to do today, make your own clothes, wear a bow tie, or give some brightly colored pants a whirl around the block.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  People take notice when you jazz up your look a bit.

For The Love Of Plaid

Street Style - Men

DOMINIC
Social Worker
(At a fashion show)

A color combination of blue and green a lot of people may not have tried, but it worked for this guy.  He totally had the look for it.  The plaid shirt stood out and the rugged brown shoes set it off.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, get creative with a plaid print in a fun color on the top or the bottom.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  Unexpected color combinations can sometimes work well together when you least expect it.

Funky Blues And Florals

Street Style - Men

WALZEL
Athletic Trainer
(At a fashion show)

How funky can you get at a fashion show?  Bold?  Risky?  Awww, yeah, no one can say he’s not a risk-taker with his style.  I love to see something new and different on the humans.  Why should we all look alike all the time?

So, if you have nothing else to do today, work some blues and florals into your life.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  Be bold and risky with your style every now and again and do something new and different that’s all your own.

A Fashion Show Adventure

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014

Well this was my first time being a spectator at a fashion show in person.  I have to say, it was super fun.  I went two nights in a row and saw different designers rockin’ their designs down the runway.  So awesome!

I got there early and started taking some pictures hoping to catch some interesting fashions on anyone.

Fashionistas at the fashion show
Little Fashionistas

Ava & Madelynn
Jackets, Dresses, Shoes—Justice

And look at these two little divas!  How adorbz are they?

The girl on the left is Ava (she’s 7 years old) and the girl on the right is her sister Madelynn (her birthday was the same day of the show and she just turned 9 years old).

I have to say—I thought I’d be snapping pictures of a lot more people in interesting outfits but these two girls had the most interesting outfits on of the evening.  Not that everyone else didn’t look nice—everyone was dressed rather well.  There just wasn’t anything spectacular, you know?  A lot of folks kind of looked similar to each other.  Nothing really stood out to me other than the girls.

Thanks for letting me take your fabulous picture, girls!

On Jami:  Top—Torrid; Jeans—Ashley Stuart; Shoes—Shoe Dazzle
On Me:  Top—Victoria’s Secret; Tie—Men’s Wearhouse; Belt—Charlotte Russe

Another fashion spectator diva at the show was Miss Jami who was so gracious to allow me to take her picture.

Fashion Show DJ
In a league all his own.

Now THIS did catch my attention!  The DJ was groovin’ the music super loud ALL night long!  I mean—nonstop!  And he never stood still.  He was dancing all over the place in that DJ booth.  His head almost fell off.  ROCK ON, dude!

But his flowered pajama bottoms are what caught my attention.  You go, boy!  Nobody is going to tell him what he can and cannot wear!

It was a pretty full house.  The fashion show didn’t quite sell out but it was plenty full of people.

Oh, and can I just say—the MEN are divine at these shows—or at least the show I went to.  And I’m talking about the finely dressed distinguished gentlemen sitting in the audience watching the show and/or in the photographer pit taking pictures.  Suits and ties and debonair, I tell you.

So, if you have nothing else to do today, scope out the next fashion show you can possibly attend—and GO and have a good time.

Take-Away Life Lesson:  It’s always good to have an extra set of earplugs on standby in case you’re around loud music for 3 hours straight.

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