Saturday's highlight: Shiny meets Tanya!

Tanya and I finally got to meet yesterday in real life. She joined my DH and I, along with another couple, to go to brunch and then to a science-related event down in her neck of the woods.

Despite Tanya getting over a cold and me coming down with a cold (*), we had a blast. Tanya even gave us all a tour of her lab, which was fascinating.

This was a casual, academic event so we didn't pull out all the fashion stops. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos because my camera battery died. But you can imagine:

- Tanya wore bootcut jeans, a lovely blue turtleneck cable sweater that perfectly matched her lovely blue eyes, purple suede wedges, and an absolutely KILLER black leather jacket that I'm still drooling over.

- I wore this jacket (it was cold yesterday!):
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....t08018.jpg

... Over this blouse with same necklace, only with a blue long-sleeved BR cardigan that was warmer, and my dark-wash skinnies with bronze flats (no heels because we did a fair amount of walking):

http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....t08006.jpg

The real-life Tanya is quite a delightful, intelligent person and I hope we get together soon - this time without the rest of the gang so we can chat more girl-stuff.... I am still pondering over the grey vs white rats thing, incidentally... and hopefully we can get Nicole to join us too!

(*) the footnote is: Tanya, I got plenty of sleep last night and woke up feeling fine - my immune system has seemed to kick out the oncoming cold!! (Cross fingers for me)

Second highlight of the day (minor in comparison to meeting Tanya:

Despite feeling run-down with a cold coming on, DH and I had a commitment in the late evening to stop by an art opening. The artist and I were chatting and I said to her, "Art is like food and sustenance for me and DH... we can't go a week without it. And yet, I can't draw a straight line myself and have zero artistic talent."

She replied, "I disagree. You are clearly an artist. Just look at this outfit you are wearing - how you combined things. You do have talent - you are walking art."

My mouth dropped down to the floor. I still can't believe someone would say that about me.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Shiny - I am so glad you posted about this - I was wondering how your meeting turned out!
It is a lovely comment to be walking art - and I am astounded at your great clothing combinations. Also I appreciate all the time and thought you put into posts and replies on YLF. I often sit there hoping you are a very fast typist!

Tanya

Shiny, I am SOOO glad you are feeling better! Your immune system must be amazing! So good that you do not have to go through all I went through with the cold.

I was so happy to finally meet Shiny in person! She is absolutely gorgeous, has beautiful green-ish eyes, great haircut and can rock skinnies like nobody's business! Not to mention how warm and wonderful of a person she is. I am usually a bit shy with people I do not know but instantly felt comfortable.

I have had so much fun and I do hope we meet soon again, and it would be lovely if Nicole could join us too!

Shiny, that's a lovely compliment that artist gave you and happen to completely agree with him.

shiny

I'm an incredibly fast typist but a horrible self-editor so I often make typos!

My mom insisted all us kids take typing class in summer school during high school. Very smart mom I have. Today, as long as it's a real keyboard and not a cell phone or iphone, I can type as fast as I talk.

Just ask Tanya and Nicole - they will tell you I talk incredibly fast... I'm a motor mouth.

Kyle

Sigh...if only you fab lovely ladies lived in Phoenix. I will live vicariously...

A note about Shiny's artistic sensibility. One of the reasons I am drawn to fashion is as a creative outlet. Just as I love to decorate my home. Just as I love to mix and match fabrics for quilting. And just as I love to write and work with graphic design. I don't do art or physical graphic design myself, but I often have a vision or concept that I can convey to others.

I think many of us here may share this same sensibility. I know that Ana quilts. And I know that Laura is a writer. Shiny has mentioned marketing, but I am not certain if that is your career.

All of us here know that fashion is more than skin deep. On some level, like other forms of art, it can feed the soul. And it makes us feel good!

Yep, marketing is my career - started out as copywriter but did learn a little graphic design skills along the way (mostly layout out pages for publishing). I have worked all throughout my career with some fabulously creative graphic designers.

I can't decorate my way out of a paperbag!!! Our house desparately needs a paint job - the entire house - and DH says "pick the colors" and he'll do all the work (he loves painting). But I choke on that simple task. I can dress myself but I can't pick paint colors, or furniture, or curtains, or fabrics for throw pillows.... I'm completely, 100% intimidated in this direction!!!!

Part of it is
1) Making a costly mistake I will have to live with for a long, long time (case in point: the sofas I bought in 1990, which are still in great condition but I wish I'd been wise enough to choose a different fabric color)

2) I'm probably a "mood" decorator, just as I'm a mood dresser! I can't commit. One minute I am in love with modern - the next minute I'm in love with antiques. Eclectic would be great -but requires a huge amount of skill to pull off. And ...

3) I have zero confidence about decorating. I've made far too many mistakes in the past. I give up.

If anyone wants to come over and give me free decorating advice... just let me know!

Sihaya

Funny, I am a lousy decorator as well and would love someone to do for my house what Angie helped do for my wardrobe! Shiny and Tanya - thank you for sharing your story - what a lovely thing to see springing out of this forum.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

At last!! I have been WAITING for the Bostonians to meet. I’m thrilled you’ve made the connection. I’m sure everyone got on like a house on fire!

I wish I could meet you both too. I’m confident I shall at some point. Here’s to the beginning of new friendships in the flesh! And clothing swaps and style reports too I hope. SO FAB!

That’s an interesting point, Kyle. There is loads of creative talent on this forum. I see it coming through is so many ways. Cooking is another example. Greg and I love to decorate together. It’s an ongoing project that we share. Luckily we have the same aesthetic taste. Could be tricky otherwise! We thoroughly enjoy bringing back treasures for our home from other parts of the world. It’s brilliant that we are both house proud.

A lovely and well deserved compliment for lovely Shiny. A big feather in your cap for our super human YLF typist!

Amanda

Active Member

Shiny and Tanya -- so glad you got to meet in person -- and I hope that you get to have the Boston Tea Party with Nicole soon. So fun!

Becky

What a fun meeting! And the compliment about your being artistic is completely deserved!

julijuli

I think it's so great that you were able to meet and do something fun together! That artist was right on target when she said that you are an artist with clothing - I definitely see that in your outfits.

Dani

Sounds like a lovely evening. I'm glad you two were able to connect in person! I'm glad I at least get to "know" you both through the forum

Shiny, what a great compliment from the artist! You are indeed a walking work of art

Patience

Oh, I'm so glad to hear about you and Tanya meeting. I love getting together with Ana and Sarah, and I still live vicariously to hear about the Bostonian YLF group.

Shiny, what a wonderful compliment and well-deserved.

Laura

How fab that this forum is creating real-life friendships! There's something magical going on here

Ana

Yeah! This is so exciting!

I know everyone else has already said it, but you definitely deserved the compliment, Shiny. You always look fantastic!

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