Just Right!

I have sort of an issue with variety. I'm not really into it. Or, I should really say, I only like variety when it comes in a very narrow range.

I have about seven black skirts, fifty-three pink lipglosses, fourteen brown eyeshadows...you get the picture.

But all of these slight variations either serve different purposes or was a part of a quest to find something mythically perfect. Like Mr. Right or an ethical lobbyist.

just kidding! please don't stop taking me to lunch.

In my ongoing quest for the perfect neutral nail polish, there have been many casualties.

Bubble Bath by OPI: Giada's fave is a little too white on me to be perfect.

Ballet Slippers by Essie: Ditto.

Mademoiselle by Essie: Too pink.

Ador-a-ball by Essie: Too sheer.

Pinking of You by OPI: One coat is too sheer, two coats are too pink.

Please note that I do like all of these, they just aren't PERFECT.

However, I think I have a contender for "just right." Deborah Lippman's Sarah Smile.

I was given a bottle as a Christmas present and I think it has just the right about of opaquity (opaqueness? I am just making up my own language here, just call me e.e., or c. h. barbie) and the right amount of pinky whiteness. It sets off my skintone well and looks sophisticated and girly at the same time.

I just wish that I coordinated enough to have applied it and not ruined my manicure in the span of an hour.

Tiny Dancer

When I was younger, I took ballet lessons and loved it. From the moment my mom stitched the elastic to my first pair of tiny Capezios, I was hooked. I went faithfully to The Nutcracker every Christmas season and I pranced around on my tippy toes as often as possible.

However, there came a point at which my parents sat me down and we had a frank discussion about how I simply wasn't good enough at ballet to get into Julliard or make a career out of it and I stopped taking dance lessons.

I started first grade with a heavy heart.

Seriously, I can't even touch my toes, there was no way in hell I was going to actually be a good dancer.

And it's all too bad, because I am obsessed with the fashions of ballet. I love the look of knotted buns in my hair, those filmy little skirts, footless tights, the rocking combination of baby pink and black, the fact that leg warmers can be worn without irony...everything.

And I have to say that I think Vera Wang did the trend right this spring...

Love the volume tempered with airyness to create a look without adding bulk.

Here, I love the sheerness of the layers and the cut of the tank, over a grownup version of footless tights.

How cool does the haphazard looking, yet strategically placed sweater look over a lightweight dress?

The more I see, the more I can't wait until spring gets here. I'm planning on picking up some lightweight tops and trying to stalk the dancers from Washington School of Ballet on my bus to ask them where they picked up their duds.

Maybe I'll even enroll in an adult class...do you think my mom would be willing to break out the sewing kit one more time?

photos of Vera Wang Spring 2007 Runway show courtesy of elle.com