Forever Young at Heart: Here's to geriatric starlets, friendship necklaces and Disney fashion

I recently saw the documentary Iris with a good friend who loves fashion as much as I do.  If you haven’t seen it yet, please do.  Iris Apfel is a 90 something fashionista, who calls herself a geriatric starlet, with a love for accessories and a collection to swoon and lust over.  Iris does not bow to anyone else’s style rules.  Her style is playful, whimsical, and entirely her own.  She wears what she wants and she looks great for any age.  I don’t think I stopped smiling once through the whole movie, and I, along with the sold out audience, clapped with joy at the end- such a well done film.  One of my favorite Iris Apfel quotes is: “I never had a fondness for gems or the extravagance of Harry Winston or Van Cleef & Arpels. I’ve always liked the more flamboyant, imaginative things. I lusted after costume jewelry. My husband was a very lucky man.”  Ha ha.  Honey, I hope you are reading this.  Imagine all the money I save you by buying costume jewelry rather than costly gems. ;)

Iris is a woman after my own heart.  I, too, have a style all my own.  People often say to me that they wish they could pull off what I’m wearing, or that only I can pull that off.  I am not sure if that is a compliment, but after hearing it many times throughout my life, I decided to take it as one.  Today I wore a dress that is fairly conservative for me, i.e. solid color, no print.  I met some folks I will be working with and several of them made comments about the flower in my hair, my dress, etc.  One of the gals said, “You have a Barbie look.”  She then said she meant that in a good way.  I assured her I took it in a good way, and I wanted to add, “Sugar, just you wait. This is tame by my standards.”  I decided to wait and let them figure that out over time, say in the next week or two. 

The outfit in the photo above is inspired by my love of all things Disney and by BFFs.  Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s has a Minnie Mouse line right now.  The shorts and blouse are from that cute line. If I was going to Disney Land, I would wear a black bow, to make it even more Minnie like, but for wearing around town in Portland, that may be a bit much, even for me.  The shoes were an impulse purchase today.  I met a friend at the shoe department at Nordstrom because is there really a better place than the shoe department at Nordstrom?   That is strictly a rhetorical question. My plan was to not buy anything but just to look.  My just look resolution was no match for these Vans from their Disney Young at Heart line. I had to have them, but I wondered to myself if I am able to pull off Disney princesses?  Fortunately, my friend Wendy was with me and she gave me the green light without hesitation.  She has the Donald Duck pair and we both agreed you are never too old for Donald, Mickey, Minnie, or the princesses.  This is one of the many reasons we are friends.  My outfit doesn’t really need a lot of jewelry.  However, Wendy stopped to show me an emoticon necklace from Kate Spade that made her think of me.  Omigosh!  Must have!  We each got a necklace, making them friendship necklaces.  You are absolutely never too old for friendship bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc.  Wendy’s charm says Tickled Pink on the back and mine says Saucy.  Perfect!  I felt like a little girl on a playground giving and receiving a friendship bracelet to/from her BFF. 

There you have it.  I love Disney, my friends, and fashion that is playful.  What do you love to wear?  Whatever it is you like, may you forever feel young at heart!

Love y’all,

Rebecca

Photo credits: Harper Putna except for Iris Apfel