We talked about the resurgence of cargo pocket pants in Spring as a nod to 90’s fashion. My feelings about cargo pocket pants are mixed as I like some styles and not others. I still like them best in dressy silky fabrications, cropped to the knee, and paired with heels. They look more like dress pants when worn that way and I’m all over it.

But back to casual wear! I also like the newer skinny cargo silhouette. Its tapered, usually made of cotton spandex, and looks great worn both dressed up or dressed down – much like a pair of skinny jeans.

Skinny cargos look fab dressed up with cage heels, booties or pumps. Or dressed down with relaxed looking shoes like casual strappy wedges and flat gladiator sandals. Either way, if you are tired of wearing skinny jeans, you might like to give the skinny cargo a whirl – just to change things up. Not all styles are super tapered like you see in the pictures. If proportions are a concern, opt for a slightly straighter leg and extra hem scrunch to balance out the top and bottom parts of your body.

I MUCH prefer casual skinny cargos to casual baggy cargos. To me, they look refreshed, sleek and more feminine. But I won’t be hunting down a pair just yet because I desperately want a pair of dressy slouch pants instead.

How about you? Do you like the new skinny cargo? Will these make a good casual pants alternative to jeans for your lifestyle?

For me this is the easiest poll to date. Team Necklace all the way. The last time I wore earrings was on my wedding day, 13 years ago (vintage pearl earrings borrowed from Mum).

I have never been a big earrings wearer, even though my ears were pieced at a very young age. When I was wearing earrings I wore tiny studs, and you guessed it – they were pearl studs most of the time.

When I started wearing specs all day the whole earrings thing no longer worked for my look. I have a small head, small face and dainty features. Once the specs were on there was no room for earrings. Even studs looked overpowering. So I have completely eliminated earrings from my style. Even when I leave off the specs for super fancy occasions, I prefer to wear a necklace than earrings.

But I adore earring style on others. Anything from the smallest diamond stud to the most dramatic chandeliers. Fabulous earrings can look killer, especially when the neckline of a formal dress demands it.

Are you Team Earrings or Team Necklace? Tell us why and you have to pick a side. No batting for both Teams!

“Premium price” means different things to different people according to their budget and their personal perceptions of value. But a simple universal definition is that the price is significantly more than you would typically pay for a particular wardrobe item.

I can think of many reasons to pay extra for certain wardrobe items. Superior fabric, unique design, an out of the ordinary colour, sublime fit, longevity and better-end quality all spring to mind.

When it comes to shoes, comfort is a big, big issue and that’s why my pockets are extra deep for footwear. To some degree this is desperation. I won’t compromise comfort or aesthetics and unfortunately that comes at a high price for my fussy feet.

I have to admit that sometimes a purchase experience conjures up so much positive emotion that I am happy to pay a premium. Like the time I bought two Anne Fontaine shirts in Paris, or when I recently purchased a pair of Prada boots in Milan. Of course, both of these examples have many of the other characteristics above — design, quality and fit — but there was also something enjoyable about the process that made it easier to part with the premium. Greg and I were having fun on vacation and these beautiful items are mementos of that, reminding me of our experience every time I wear them.

Do any of these reasons resonate with you? Do you ever pay a premium, and if so, why?

I recently stumbled across an article on the wackiest beauty products ever and I thought it would be fun to share. Here they are:

1. Press-on eyeshadow: In the spirit of keeping an open mind, it could be fab for rock concerts, fancy-dress parties and theater costumes. I wonder how well it works?
2. Tooth gems: Certainly one way to add a little sparkle to your life.
3. Foot tanning machine: I don’t understand this one. My lower legs and feet (along with my face and forearms) tan before other parts of my body. Remember my two toned feet? I could better understand a thigh tanning machine.
4. Twilight makeup: Again, great for costumes and fancy-dress parties.
5. Detox footpads: Very skeptical about this type of thing.
6. Breastmilk soap: Interesting…..
7. Bacon flavored lip balm: As a person who does not eat mammals – no thank you.
8. Eau de Play-Dough: Hah! Great name. I did love the smell of play dough when I was little, but doubt I’d sport it as a perfume today. I’m sticking with Kenzo Flower.
9. Sheep placenta face cream: Really?
10. Mood nail polish: This nail polish changes colour when your body changes temperature. Probably the most fun product on this list.

And if you are using any of these products, please set me straight in the comments. It is quite possible that I need to have a more open mind.