An open letter to sloppy bastards

I attended the second wedding of the summer over the weekend and have noticed an extremely disturbing trend regarding the casualization of male attire. This seems to be especially the case the further west you are of the Mississipi. In my years of business travel, I've long noticed that Eastern workplaces are still more formal than those out West. Generally I'm OK with that, but it really ruffles my feathers to see it appplied to occassions such as nuptials that will always call for a sense of decorum.

I've put together a list of my complaints. Gents, if this applies to you, hear me and hear me well!

• Shorts are NEVER, EVER, EVER appropriate for a wedding. But it's on the beach, you cry! Find a comfy pair of linen slacks, I retort.


• Wearing a $100-plus silk leisure shirt does not make up for the fact that you are wearing shorts to a wedding.


• Leather flip-flops do NOT count as dress shoes.


• You are entirely defeating the point of wearing a neatly pressed long-sleeved button down shirt if you refuse to tuck it in. Better to go with the silk leisure shirt if bunching at your waist concerns you.


• Crocs are only appropriate for the garden if you are over the age of 10.

This last wedding also saw a blatant female offender who was attired in a snow-white dress, the ultimate show of disrespect to the bride. She'd just had a baby and may not have had any other dresses that fit, but how hard is it to borrow a colorful belt or a shawl? Humph.

A joyous return

Hola compadres! I have returned from the relaxing, nature-communing rafting trip down the Colorado river from Colorado into Utah refreshed and renewed. Then today I received some wonderful news that has propelled me back into blogdom again.

Remember my first attempt at The Manolo's Build the Outfit? Well, I tried it again for his next contest. And this time, I won! The thrill of being chosen is at least as delightful as the free shoes I'll receive. Perhaps a second career as a Hollywood stylist is possible? At any rate, it was great fun.

I also want to extend my thanks to my dear dog Ripley for filling in while I was unable to form any worthwhile posts on my own.

Cross your fingers and toes

I entered a contest over at Manolo's shoe blog. Prize is my forever addiction (as opposed to Chelene's fix of the day, milkshakes) - a pair of shoes!

Here's my entry. Honest criticism is appreciated if you feel like indulging your inner Tim Gunn. I wanted to stand out from the other entries and I think I've done that. Think I maybe should have included some sort of hair accessory though.

Wish me luck!

Wedding Bell Blues

Not blues, actually. Greens.

Going to a wedding in Florida this weekend. This is the dress I'll be wearing. The best part? It has pockets!!!



Would love for someone to pick out some shoes to go with. The wedding itself is on the beach, with the reception afterwards at a beach hotel. I'm thinking black to go with the sash and halter.

Are the wedges I just bought not beachy enough? I'm thinking probably not. If I went with a shoe like that I'd go barefoot at the ceremony and only wear the shoes at the reception.