Fanny Packs: Bad Idea

Men have briefcases and most recently "man bags," and women have totes and purses. There is no need for anyone, at anytime to don a fanny pack to carry whatever they deem is small enough to stuff into the fanny pack, but not big enough to require a purse or bag. Fanny packs rest on the most unattractive part of one's body, bringing unwanted attention to a large protruding object resting on what probably already is a large protruding object. Fanny packs create a two-for-one special, and in this case, a one-for-one is far too much.

One might guess an encounter with a fanny pack bearing person has sparked this post and one is correct. In addition to standing up after a large group dinner and donning the fanny pack, the fanny pack person was wearing a gold lame sweater, tucked into brown knit elastic topped pants. The look got my attention, but what caused one's eyes to open wide and food to almost lodge in one's throat was the addition of what appeared to be a belt at where the natural waist should have been, had there been a waist at all. The addition of the fanny pack caused the wearer to lean forward, thrusting the fanny out even more, and creating an even larger shelf on which to rest the most unattractive pack possible.

Fanny packs are acceptable when hiking deep in the woods where only elk and bear will see one's attire. Any where else they are inappropriate unless in a body cast, or recovering from surgery of both arms. Disney World and Disney Land are not even acceptable applications of the fanny pack, but are far better choices then work events in Chicagoland.

So there you have it -- intense criticism of fanny packs. If you have one, do not donate it, burn it. Nothing says old, out of date and out of touch more then a fanny pack, except mom jeans, and that is yet another topic for another day.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Hurrah for Holly-days

It was a beautiful day for a party; the sun was shining, the air was warm, people were still out in shirt sleeves and an occasional pair of shorts. It could be May or October, but it was November 4th. Wasn't it too early for a holiday open house? Of course not. The family owned design gallery that has provided many ideas and items to make this house a home was the host of the open house, and I'm always ready to be a guest. The store had been closed for two days as multiple Christmas trees with stunning ornaments, vases filled with boughs, holly, and feathers, and silver, crystal, pottery and stunning textiles were perfectly placed to promote a holiday buying frenzy. The smells of the season greeted visitors entering the store and after a mere hour of shopping, I left with a few items, most of them for me, which is always the case when one goes Christmas shopping early and without the list of desired item.

The perfect black bag now lives in my purse closet, on call for the next event that requires a chic embellishment. It is a beautifully made black silk bag, from the 2004 Designer of the Year, Mary Frances. "Since 1990, Mary Frances, a San Francisco Bay area designer, has been creating “works of art” with her unique blend of elegance and whimsy." And one will soon rest on my left shoulder.

It is probably the most beautiful bag I have seen recently. It is a "statement piece," and it will begin gathering compliments the first time I use it. Each side of the bag is unique, one side embellished with stones and fur, and the other a tad plainer, yet still beautiful. It will go with anything from the purple suit with black mink trim I bought a few weeks ago, to a tailored suit or even jeans. It can best be described as "gold faceted cabochon set on golden silk embellished with black, gold and bronze beadwork, textured black trimmings, mesh pearl drop beads with golden finials, golden rosette and barrel beads. Black leather side and corner panels." It has a woven shoulder strap of black silk and a magnetic flap closure. Now you know exactly what it looks like.

It is large enough for a phone, cash, credit cards, a camera, check book and pen, and the cosmetics no one should leave home without. Watch for it soon. You'll absolutely love it.