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	<title>Freckled Past</title>
	<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com</link>
	<description>Unique gift ideas and thoughtful reflections on how to enjoy what you have and find what you need without sacrificing what you want.</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:25:01 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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	<item>
		<title>Mmm, New Yarn</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This summer has been a slow one for yarn acquisition. In June, I splurged on €30 of wool from Phildar in France, but since then I’ve just been relishing in what I have. Perhaps now that I’ve been knitting a few months my standards have gone up or maybe I’ve just been too busy to shop. Whatever the reason, it was a treat to become the proud owner of two new hanks from Hedgehog Fibres. I can’t stop touching the stunningly soft Silk Worsted in Swamp and can’t wait to knit up the Silk/Merino Worsted in Opalite. The Opalite will be a hat for sure, but the Swamp Silk may become something a bit more creative. 
Months ago, I would have debated buying Hedgehog Fibres yarn because of the $30/hank price tag, but now they’re just $23 per 100 grams of knittable love! But after I held and photographed Carol’s Silk Worsted and Sock-weight Cashmere/Merino, my fate was sealed. Of course, with delicious hues like Underworld and Lobster, who can resist?!<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=freckledpast.wordpress.com&blog=5032710&post=2150&subd=freckledpast&ref=&feed=1" />]]></description>
		<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/mmm-new-yarn/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>TV Dinner in Style</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Bring the dinner table to you with this pair of Test Pattern TV Trays ($31.98). This cultural icon withstood the test of time to join you for a TV dinner at home. Measuring 19" x 13", each of the trays has an edge to keep your food on the table, not on the floor. The trays stand 25.5" tall.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=freckledpast.wordpress.com&blog=5032710&post=2138&subd=freckledpast&ref=&feed=1" />]]></description>
		<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/tv-dinner-in-style/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Little Black Dresses</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The ultimate little black dress (LBD) is the one wardrobe essential that just about every woman has. Dallas-based stylist Valerie Elizabeth is trying to show just how helpful a little black dress can be when putting together outfits on a budget without sacrificing style in her ‘Little Black Dress Experiment’. She chose to sport a Valerie Shift Dress by Ellie Grace and each day a different MICHELE watch. I can imagine wearing one piece every day so long as my washer and dryer were in top form, but I wouldn’t have nearly enough watches. I look forward to watching what else Ms. Elizabeth does with her LBD this month.
For me, I went overboard and have several LBDs, but there are only two that really get worn event-after-event. Not surprisingly, the two favorites have been in my closet for about a decade. They beat out the others because of their simplicity, versatility, and comfort. Simplicity because the lines are clean and there are little to no frills. I have one LBD that has pleats at the bottom and a sweatheart neckline. It makes for a cute party dress, but overall lacks the je ne sais quoi to make it a perennial favorite. My two favorite LBDs have no pleats, bows, sashes, or designs. The lack of frills makes them more versatile, so I could wear either with quiet jewelry and a black blazer to attend a business meeting or funeral or toss on a colorful pashmina and strand of pearls for a wedding. Versatility also comes in the form of fit since most women do not stay the exact same weight and shape, having clothes that fit and flatter in spite of a ‘feeling fat’ day is a huge benefit. Comfort comes into play with that since it’s easy to enjoy an event or be more involved in a function when you’re comfortable. There is one last thing that is not a requirement, but I certainly enjoy about one of my LBDs and that is washability. One is machine wash (gentle cycle on cold, hang dry) and the other is dry clean only.
I know that you are probably eager to find out what two LBDs have captured my heart, so I’ll tell you the brands - Ralph Lauren and Kookaï. Since the pieces were purchased at different times over eight years ago in Washington, D.C. &#38; Paris respectively, it is doubtful the same design is still available, but the designers are still making great dresses so it’s worth a look. My other LBDs that are fabulous, but not simple, versatile, or comfortable enough to be favorites are from Dolce &#38; Gabbana, Janeville, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Gap. Of course, a LBD doesn’t have to be black, dark navy can be just as suitable and even more flattering for some. 
Here are some little black dresses that are in stores and online now:
J.Crew’s Stretch Wool Rose Shift Dress ($168)
Tiana B.’s Black Drape-front Dress ($44.99)
Donna Ricco’s Ruched Empire Stretch Satin Dress ($148)
Maggy London’s Crepe Sheath Dress ($98)
BCBG Max Azria’s Matte Jersey Wrap Dress ($98)
Lauren by Ralph Lauren’s Matte Jersey Dress ($124)
Tahari by Arthur S. Levine’s Crepe Sheath Dress ($108)<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=freckledpast.wordpress.com&blog=5032710&post=2146&subd=freckledpast&ref=&feed=1" />]]></description>
		<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/little-black-dresses/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>My One and Only&#8230; Fleece</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, I confessed my clothes horse tendencies and that more isn’t always better. I also asked you to share your favorite ‘go to’ item of clothing (or accessory, if you’d prefer). For me, that item has become a zip-up navy blue fleece by Armor-lux. It has a fitted cut flattering my figure, bright red lining for my love of color, and cozy softness. So far, so good - no pilling or issues.
I was in France on holiday expecting warm weather and found my lightweight cardigan unsuitable for the Breton weather (a lot like Irish weather as it happens). Finding some time, I searched the shops for something warmer. I saw many MANY such items, but knew that it was silly to get something I wouldn’t wear again considering the price of things (and the limited space in my luggage/closet) so I set my sights on something I knew would suit a need I had in general.
I entered one store and saw the perfect fleece…in dark pumpkin orange. I can wear some shades of orange, but not dark pumpkin. The shopkeeper must have known that too because she brought me to another rack which held the same fleece in a navy/red combination. Ta-da! The price tag read €65, a hefty price in some respects, but not if the item lasted for years to come. It is now the thing I grab as I am running out the door. I love it so much that I barely touch my fleece-lined raincoat now (don’t worry, it will be my favorite again come autumn) and carry an umbrella for the rain. For over a year, I had been wanting a more fitted zip-up cardigan that was washable, warm, cheery yet neutral, and lasting - now I have it.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=freckledpast.wordpress.com&blog=5032710&post=2068&subd=freckledpast&ref=&feed=1" />]]></description>
		<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/my-one-and-only-fleece/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Less is More, More or Less</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Having a tough to fit figure in my youth, finding clothes that fit perfectly and flattered and suited my age/gender could be a formidable challenge. And as I grew up, I didn’t always change sizes so more clothes joined the other clothes in an effort to dress for my age. Next thing you know it’s [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=freckledpast.wordpress.com&blog=5032710&post=2057&subd=freckledpast&ref=&feed=1" />]]></description>
		<link>http://freckledpast.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/less-is-more-more-or-less/</link>
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