Keeping up with fashion trends

In my fantasy life I am decked out in all the latest fashions.

In reality, I'm wearing the same things I bought in 2005 and I'm trying to make myself look stylish and current.

The new Garnet Hill Catalog has tips sprinkled throughout called TREND WATCH. Love this! Quick little tips on how to be current and now. Yeah! Tell me what I need to know so I don't look like a dork.

Eileen Fisher dress @ GarnetHill.com

TIP #1 - Equestrian Style. As in super cool boots. I have really nice brown suede Cole Haan boots I bought a few years ago that I love. Excellent.

TIP #2 - The "feel good" factor. Fabrics that feel good like cashmere. Check. Got that too.

TIP #3 - Eco-conscious style. Hmmmm. Not buying anything new that was made eco-friendly. But I suppose wearing what you have IS eco conscious. So I'm good here. As long as it's not the blazer with shoulder pads from 1991.

TIP #4 - The cinched waist. I can do this. But oh, it's not nearly as comfortable as going uncinched. I have some belts to cinch outfits with - skinny, wide, suede, leather, patent you name it, I've got it. But I always find myself fussing with the belt and shirt all day. I tried wearing a skinny belt with a shirt last week and Elli gave it a thumbs down. "Doesn't look like you mom." she said. I guess I'll have to work on this one.

TIP #5 - Romantic ruffles. Yeah! I have a few shirts with ruffles. So we're good here too.

I feel much better now. I'm confident I can mix and match what I have to look somewhat stylish. Of course if anyone out there wants to send me some new duds to show off - I would be more than willing to accept.

There is no shame in asking. If you don't ask for it you won't get it. I know THAT for a fact.

My laptop that I use for work was a hand-me-down black MacBook that had seen better days. I used this Mac for 3+ years when finally I couldn't take it anymore. I marched into our IT guys office pleading for a new computer. He reached under his desk and handed me a brand new MacBook Pro. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? All I had to do this whole flippin' time was ask?  NO. WAY.  Of course, the computer was originally intended for someone else (they didn't like it.) I grabbed that sucker and ran before he had a chance to rethink what he just did and take it back.

So the moral of the story? Ask and sometimes yee shall receive!