“Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

Red Pepper and Feta Dip

· 1 Red Pepper (remove the core and all the seeds and cut into chunks)

· ½ a block of cream cheese

· Tub of crumbled feta cheese

· Greek style yogurt

· Extra virgin olive oil

· Red pepper flakes

· Garlic power

· Ground cumin

· Salt and pepper

Blend up the red pepper in the food processor adding EVOO until it’s pretty much puréed. Add cream cheese and yogurt until you get the consistency you want. Add spices to taste. Stir in feta cheese and chill until ready to eat.

*Note: I’m pretty sure this is what I did. I cook on the fly most of the time, so I just kept adding things until it tasted good. So, I say go for it and as Miss Frizzle would say, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

Pearls (1st installment)

“Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned: And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls."

(Job 28:18)

I recently watched the 1944 film Cover Girl, staring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly, with my mother and my sister. It wasn't a great movie, but had its cute moments and who doesn't love a good old fashioned musical, especially a Gene Kelly musical.

In this film the characters are waiting to strike it big in the entertainment business. Every week they go out to the same restaurant and each orders a huge bowl of oysters. None of them like oysters much less eat them. They are purely looking for the pearl. They sit at the bar and open every oyster with the hope of the pearl.

This got me thinking. Why are we so fascinated with this piece of glorified dirt? Basically a pearl is a piece of sand that got caught inside of an oyster/mollusk and, because it is irritating to the mollusk, the mollusk forms a pearl sac of external mantle tissue cells and secretes the calcium carbonate and conchiolin to cover the irritant.

So, basically we are taking something that is a self-preservation function for one animal and giving it worth and value.

Don’t get me wrong, I love pearls. I believe they are truly one of the most timeless pieces of adornment we, as humans, have held onto. Lets take a moment and trace the pearl back in time.

There are at least nine mentions of pearls in the Bible (Old and New Testaments). The Qur'an also talks about pearls being of great worth; Hindu scriptures speak of the sacred Nine Pearls; as well as many other religious books from many other religions. Pearl is also used as a first and last name in many cultures as well as the name of towns and cities all over the world (including the Pearl River which runs through Mississippi and Louisiana).

As far back as the Roman Empire (and really even before that), people have loved to decorate themselves with pearls. We are going to skip to the 16^th century. (Please read http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pearl/time.html for a great history of pearls).

Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, was famous for wearing pearls because they were the sign of purity. She loved pearls and whether pearls meant purity and virginity before she wore them or not is a mystery to me, but she defiantly gave the gem quite a reputation.

This is an update of a former post. I asked a few friends a few questions about their personal fashion and these are their responses:

KATERI

What are you wearing? Khakis that are too long and safety pinned at waist, lightweight Indian style tunic shirt, black zip-up sweatshirt, ratty Converse, and a silver Korean pendant.
Favorite place to shop? Value Thrift, Helen White free box
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? I love the artist Frida Kahlo. You wear whatever you have arranged in a manner that suits you. She was careful and deliberate about what she put on, almost as if she herself were an art piece.
How should clothing make you feel? What you put on your body is important. Being comfortable and dressing in a manner that echoes a sense of self-respect can never hurt.
What is your major/job? Art major
How old are you? 21

VICTORIA

What are you wearing? Leotard and biker shorts from modern class tonight.
Favorite place to shop? Consignment with both vintage and modern clothing, thrift stores like Salvation Army or Thriftko that are just really cheap.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? I really like the way rock bands dress. And my sister, too. My personal style... Free, a little funky, but if I dress up it's very classic.
How should clothing make you feel? Comfortable, attractive, confident, fun!
What is your major/job? Student (musical major)/Homemaker/Mother
How old are you? 23

CHARLIE LAUREN

What are you wearing? black ragged skinny jeans with a green TWLOHA shirt and a black and grey striped cardigan
Favorite place to shop? Hot Topic, Forever 21, and any consignment stores
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? emo rocker
How should clothing make you feel? comfortable in your own skin
What is your major/job? art/ photographer
How old are you? 19

ELLEN

What are you wearing? A polyester, no-sleeve, empire waist, hot pink/white/black graphic print dress, with black leggings. I had black heels on but I kicked them off because I like being barefoot when I'm chillin.
Favorite place to shop? Target, Kohl's, Gap, Old Navy, THE ORANGE PEEL.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? It varies from day to day...cute and colorful to sophisticated and classy to straight up from da hood.
How should clothing make you feel? Like a birthday present. The wrapping paper looks so good that you're dying to know the person inside
What is your major/job? As of now... art.
How old are you? 19, admitting to... well, 19... at dinner parties.

CARLY

What are you wearing? Navy blue wide leg trousers, a ballet pink top with a lace top half and a rayon/silk bottom, an orange sherbet colored cardigan and cream colored flats.
Favorite place to shop? Crew, American Eagle, Gap, Anthropologie, and Marshalls.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Classic with some unique arty pieces.
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make you feel comfortable and be a reflection of who you are. Dressing well is about knowing yourself and being confident in who that is.
What is your major/job? Arts Administration
How old are you? 20 :)

KYLE

What are you wearing? Khaki pants w/ seams on the inside (no extra pockets), Faith Christian School hoodie (white v-neck t-shirt underneath), IPATH skater shoes.
Favorite place to shop? Goodwill, Walmart.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? If i'm in school: anything I can get away with and be comfortable at the same time. Out of school: I dress for the occasion - no strict guidelines.
How should clothing make you feel? Like you don't need to worry when people are watching you.
What is your major/job? Uncertain of major yet (something to do with the mission field). I do pretty much everything you can do at Chick-fil-a.
How old are you? 16 (17)

MORGAN

What are you wearing? orange shorts, green hoodie and brown boots w fur! Lol just had bball.
Favorite place to shop? pacsun
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? I really don't know what my style is, lol lil bit of everything.
How should clothing make you feel? It should make you feel like a better you!
What is your major/job? I work at a vets office and I horse barn!

EMILY

What are you wearing? I am wearing a red/blue plaid shirt with a navy blue cardigan over it along with skinny blue jeans and Minnetonka moccasins... oh and aviators.
Favorite place to shop? J.Crew, Anthropologie, The Gap, Urban, Free People, modcloth, etc...
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? My personal style is definitely whatever is comfy and in my closest. I tend towards earth tones with an occasional pop of color.
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make you feel good about yourself... and comfy, I can't over emphasize being comfortable in what you wear.
What is your major/job? I am a visual art major and graphic designer.
How old are you? I am 21 years old.

GINNY

i mean, come on, leggings+ basketball shorts+ green knee high socks+various layers of shirts/dresses=NOT FASHIONABLE!! and yet i still wear it all!

ALEX

What are you wearing? Blue sweater from gap, khaki-colored levi pants, vans lace-up shoes
Favorite place to shop? I shop mostly at Goodwill, Target, Old Navy and when I can afford it--Urban Outfitters
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Being on a university campus, inspiration comes to me from all over. I generally pick up on styles that I like, following a mostly urban motif.
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make you feel comfortable and important, unique
What is your major/job? I am a grad student/ teacher at UVa in Charlottesville, VA
How old are you? Im 23

ADDIE

What are you wearing? French undergarments (:D), pink Express top and gray waist-length sweater, gray skirt from Wet Seal, gray ombre tights from Belk, silver/black Rocket Dog flats. A long mother-of-pearl necklace from Canada.
Favorite place to shop? Anthropologie, Express, consignment shops, Urban Outfitters, random interesting boutiques , modcloth.com, etsy.com, Piperlime.com, Nine West, Steve Madden. Forgot to mention the shoe fetish.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? other cultures, particularly the French, past eras-- pick and choose
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make me feel-- comfortable, myself, confident
What is your major/job? Creative writing major
How old are you? 23!

SHANNA

What are you wearing? Old torn pant jeans, teal undershirt, grey AE cardigan, grey crocheted beanie, wedding band, and bare feet.
Favorite place to shop? Thrift stores, American Eagle, Wal-mart on occasion.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Not sure. I don't strive to be one certain way. I draw inspiration from everything I see and wear what I like without trying to pay much attention to trends. If I wear something that is in style it is because it was on the rack or in my closet and I like it, same goes for something that is completely out of style.
How should clothing make you feel? however you want. It should be able to change day from day, if you want to feel empowered one day, and cute the next day you should be able to. But the key to it all is comfort and confidence.
What is your major/job? I am a photographer, jewelry designer, and wife.
How old are you? I am 23

LEAH

What are you wearing? White wife beater and boxers. (haha my pajamas.)
Favorite place to shop? H&M and Express.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Comfortable but still trendy.
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make you feel whatever you want: Sassy, sexy, chic, comfortable -- mostly it's a reflection of you.
What is your major/job? My major is Psychology and I am a waitress.
How old are you? 23.

ANNIE

What are you wearing? Long Johns, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tee shirt, fuzzy moccasin slippers and bath robe with stars and moons
Favorite place to shop? American Eagle, H&M, Target, thrift stores and I like to admire things from Urban Outfitters and occasionally buy things
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Laid back, comfy, classic, simple with a little bit of indie style mixed in. I love the way Zooey Deschanel, Anna Friel in Pushing Daisies and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Alexa Chung and Jessica Alba dress
How should clothing make you feel? Like yourself
What is your major/job? Art Education
How old are you? 19

PAUL-ANDREW

What are you wearing? old navy sweatpant shorts, and op yellow t=shirt, white baseball cap.
Favorite place to shop? I most like to shop at american eagle and goodwill
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? my style is casual
How should clothing make you feel? Clothes should make you feel comfortable, and express something about who you are.
What is your major/job? I work in a restaurant as a chef

MEREDITH

What are you wearing? I'm wearing my dance clothes: I can't I have rehearsal tee, tank top under, black capris and sweatpants over complete with uggs =D
Favorite place to shop? H&M, American Eagle, Express
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? I like to think of my style as classic with a hint of chic and trendy. I like accenting with high heels or necklaces or a purse! I like to check out how the girls from One Tree Hill are dressed and occasionally mirror that.
How should clothing make you feel? Clothing should make you feel comfortable, confident and accentuate the greater aspects of one's body type. But most importantly make you feel like you!
What is your major/job? I'm have a degree in dance
How old are you? I'm 22!

SCOTT

What are you wearing? Grey Sweat Pants and a navy blue American Eagle shirt (just threw it on after work)
Favorite place to shop? American Eagle, Target (Mossimo, Converse), Goodwill
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? slightly Alternative Prep with European influences? Regency Era, Silhouettes, long lines
How should clothing make you feel? Like they're you. I don't like dressing in something because it's the "thing"
What is your major/job? Theatre Performance
How old are you? 21

ANN ELIESE

What are you wearing? my favorite paint-stained jeans, a boy's white tee that I've cut the neckline out of, a pink sweatshirt (the one I got from you)...and no shoes now, but I was wearing pink/orange plaid slip-ons earlier today.
Favorite place to shop? I usually end up at the Orange Peel, Old Navy, or Target
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? My muse is comfort, and my style is eclectic. I bounce between outfits no one else would not realize they are wearing, and imitating the fashions of those around me.
How should clothing make you feel? I think clothing should keep you from feeling naked. Seriously. Put on the clothes you think you need to wear, and then don't think twice about it once you're out your door.
What is your major/job? I'm a theatre production student, with focus on design, and I work as a barista
How old are you? I'm 22!

ASHLEY ELIAZABETH

What are you wearing? Long-sleeve white t-shirt under my APO shirt (woot!) with grey soffe shorts. I feel that I must now add that I am, in fact, wearing white socks with pink and purple bugs and green dots.
Where is your favorite place to shop? (The Gap, Ebay, Goodwill, etc...) Target, Goodwill.
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? I would agree with Ann Eliese...my muse is comfort. My style is varied, but mostly sporty.
How should clothing make you feel? Like you!!!!
What is your major/job? I am a general theatre major and I work as a lifeguard.
How old are you? I am 19...20 on Saturday. :)

ALEXANDRA

What are you wearing? a robe my gramma gave me, a silk undershirt, and my boyfriend's huge sweatpants. But let's talk about something a little nicer- yesterday I wore a pair of rockstar jeans from H+M (a size too big so they're super comfy), polka-dot longjohns, a silk undershirt from WinterSilks, a plaid tunic-length lumberjack shirt from PacSun (yikes!, how old am i??), and a corny black button-up sweater from Eddie Bauer. And on the feet- ridiculously fly shorty cowboy boots- red/brown with blue leatherwork on the toe and heel. Lucky Brand.
Where is your favorite place to shop? H+M, Target (for basics), Ebay, Walmart online (they have better stuff than in the store-- check out their high heeled rainboots!), BCBG Outlet, goofy teen-type stores like Forever 21 and Wet Seal, department store shoe sections but only when they're having mad sales. And let's be honest. I shop thrift stores and "stuff a bag for a dollar" stores on a weekly basis. Another somewhat non-traditional shopping thing that I do is have semi-annual Clothing Swaps with my similarly-sized friends. It's like shopping but more social, and definitely easier on the wallet.
How should clothing make you feel? Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Comfort is huge- I like some manly-kinda fashions sometimes because they are way more FUNCTIONAL than womens clothing. On the other hand, humor is fun in fashion, vintage, femme, trendy, natural influences; but a flattering fit is most important. A lot of times, I am trying to get something out of my outfit. Like, if i'm at a jazz gig, I wear a vampy hottie vintage thing to put me in the mood. If I'm at home doing booking and business stuff on the computer, I often wear (don't laugh) a preppy blazer and some professional-looking wool pants... I get dressed up a little bit to help me stay focused.
What is your major/job? I'm a freelance vocalist and singer-songwriter. Google me on Itunes! ;)

How old are you? I'm 26

Find me on Polyvore

What are you wearing?

I am working on an idea...

Everyone knows that I am very interested in fashion and fashion history. I have spent much time researching the history of fashion and have some to one particular conclusion about what fashion has brought us this millennium. It seems to me that nowadays, people can wear almost anything they want and (with enough confidence) get away with looking not only passable, but really great. Maybe even be a trend-setter. I would like to be able to post the information I get from this experiment on my Blog (http://coreystruestory.blogspot.com/).


So, what I would like from you is a little information. I would like you to either explain your favorite outfit/ what you are wearing right now or send me a picture, and then answer a few questions.

QUESTIONS:
What are you wearing?
Where is your favorite place to shop? (The Gap, Ebay, Goodwill, etc...)
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style?
How should clothing make you feel?
What is your major/job?
How old are you? (optional)

Example: (answered by me, at 2 am... don't expect fashion brilliance)
What are you wearing? PJ pants with gingerbread men and candy canes; over sized, ripped Quicksilver hoodie; slipper booties; glasses
Where is your favorite place to shop? Vintage or the Limited
Who is your fashion muse/how would you describe your personal style? Classic with a touch of indie
How should clothing make you feel? Like yourself
What is your major/job? Theatre, production major
How old are you? 23

Thank you so much! Here's to Coco!