Links for a lazy weekend IV: When the light bulb goes off, and other stories

As I was reading the article about whitening creams on the Fashionista, I thought, I should write one of these, too! But I read on and realized that this article can't be topped. Finally, someone has taken on the subject of dark spots, why all the cosmetics companies are releasing lines designed to deal with them, and how they work. Also, it explains why my expensive Chanel Le Blanc serum, cream, and cleanser have been doing zip, zilch, nada to clear up the giant sun spot on my left cheekbone.  And why I should just buy another bottle NuFountain Vitamin C serum instead.

Don't they?

We've all been subjected to numerous photographs of "arm parties"--that stacked bracelet craze that's been around for a couple of years now. And frankly, a lot of the time, the stack looks kind of tatty. I don't know whether people want their bracelets to tell a story, but I see stories that look like "OK, here's my watch even though I really use my phone to tell time, and a beaded friendship bracelet that my daughter made for me, and a bangle that my husband gave me when we were dating, and a set of three costume bangles, and a double wrap leather bracelet." And they're all higgledy-piggly, and look a little sweaty.

So here's District of Chic showing us How It's Done.

It doesn't hurt that there are two Hermès bangles in the mix. Or that she's carrying a Chanel flap.

In other news, I am entranced with a lot of the new styles that are coming out for fall. I'm at a stage in life where I occasionally need to wear a dress. And not an empire-waisted, one-shoulder dress six inches above my knee accessorized with platform sandals, the whole outfit designed to make me look like an adolescent giraffe. At least, that would be the end result if I were seventeen years old.

Therefore, I'm absolutely in love with the stuff I've seen coming out for fall. I had to dig around a bit on line to find it, since the stylists for the catalogs are doing their bewildering best to cobble together outfits that look like the sort of thing I'd throw on if my house were on fire, and J. Crew, I'm looking at you.

Here's a thought: don't. Unless you really, really want to look like a fashion blogger.

And don't think I'm not aware of your lapses in that respect, NORDSTROM. Blame your catalog stylists for the fact that I went to the Anniversary Sale on the first day ... and didn't buy anything but makeup.

Anyway, I'm in love with the longer lengths I've been seeing for fall. Ditto the paucity of platform shoes, which have started to look really dated even to me--and I cling to my favorite styles like a terrier with a bone. I'm pleased to see that waistlines appear to have headed south from the supposedly-flattering empire waist that has bedeviled me (and my Balcony) for the past several years. And I love the peplums. Although these are not great for those of us with Hips. However, they are helpful for those of us who have developed Elephant Ass, adding much-needed fullness to our meager side view. 

Not to toot my own horn ad nauseum, but you can see the stuff I've been admiring on my Pinterest board.

I mean, honestly--what's not to love?

Meanwhile, I'm sort of on a spending moratorium until I have time to hit the stores and check this stuff out in person.

In parting, I'd like to wish you all a wonderful weekend, as we wind our way into August and the end of summer. Get outside, eat watermelon, have a drink or two on the porch, find a large body of water and gaze at it. And you'll never guess what I'm doing this weekend, so I'll tell you. I'm dragging Mr. Buxom to a dance studio in Chicago to learn Balboa swing dancing. Check it out:

I mean, seriously. Look at those shoes. How could I not want to do this?

Links for a lazy weekend III: the you're not getting older, you're getting better edition

So ... is everyone ready to watch hundreds of youthful athletes do amazing things with their perfectly trained bodies? I'm not usually one for TV sports, but I do plan to watch some of the Olympics. While drinking a bottle or two of beer. Light beer, she added hastily. And getting off the sofa once in the while to head to the gym.

I may be old enough to be these athletes' mother, but I refuse to become decrepit any sooner than I have to.

Right. In other news, Advanced Style is covering Lanvin's decision to use older models in their Fall, 2012 campaign. Here's a post about 62-year-old Tziporah Salamon and 82-year-old Jackie Tajah Murdock. Just think: I'm only seven years and 50 pounds away from becoming a model!

Now let's talk Pinterest. Because I'm sure you've spent the least several days wondering where the hell has Poppy wandered off to this time? Well, God forbid I introduce you to yet another internet rabbit hole, so I won't tell you how much time I've been spending on Pinterest.

Nor will I attempt to get you to sign up. Or to follow me. Even though I have carefully put  my juiciest, most stylish, and visually arresting boards right up top where you can find them very easily.

Not to mention that if you click through a lot of my pins, you'll find some very interesting content on other blogs.

So, no pressure. But do check out Diane Von Furstenberg's board for Fall, 2012. It's a combination of an inspiration board and a preview of her fall line, and it's beautifully done. 

Word of warning, though. I don't know whether you've noticed, but internet has been known to make me buy things. Which--I know. Of course it does. It would be foolish to deny it. The evidence is all over this blog.

Well, Pinterest is no different. And guess what dear Manolo pinned?

Reader, I bought them.

What with the Olympics, and the Royal Jubilee, and me being a prize-winning Anglophile and a member of the English-Speaking Union--how could I resist?

So I guess this weekend will involve watching the Olympics, tearing myself away from Pinterest to head to the gym--and waiting for my new ballerina flats to show up.

Meanwhile, whatever your country, stay patriotic!