Just this week I confessed to the chronic pain I experience in my hip, and how I still try to remain happy. One of the ways I manage each day is by wearing comfortable shoes…but what about when I need to dress up? Like, just this week I have had three rather formal events to attend: a graduation dinner, a senior brunch, and graduation. Alongside all the grad festivities, there’s my son’s 8th grade recognition party. All these events pose a problem for the enthusiastic fashionista in me: dressing up with tennis shoes? Can it be done and how? In my mind, since I’ve been wearing tennis shoes each day, every day for about a year now, I now just wear them as if they’re any other shoe. This dress I’m wearing…I bought it for cocktail parties–in fact I wore it to my school’s Christmas party with a turtleneck underneath, fleeced tights, a long cardi, and over the knee boots. It is a great party dress! Here, I dressed up everything the same way I would for a party: smokey shadow, blingy accessories, a bright pink lip, yet when it came to my shoes, I chose my black Converse. Dressing up with tennis shoes in my opinion is a state of mind–if I feel dressed up, I will be dressed up. It goes back to another one of my mantras: if you think you are, you are! So, for the senior brunch, I wore a turquoise jumpsuit and my sleeveless white blazer with my sparkly Keds. For my son’s 8th grade recognition party I’ll be wearing my rehearsal dinner dress with a pair of khaki Supergas. And for graduation, I’ll pair a white dress with my Reebok classics. My shoes aren’t what dress me up; rather it’s my attitude that dresses me up!
Outfit Details:
- I picked up this dress from Forever 21. The sparkles really got to me as did the Star Trek like shoulders. I really couldn’t resist. It’s a little snug in spots, so I wear a pair of spanks underneath. I like how the back (not shown–sorry!) is also a “V.”
- Chucks are stable for me…I’m ready to get a white pair too. I just saw a student at the senior brunch who took off all the labels on a white pair, and it looked so cool. I will be copying him momentarily….thanks for the style inspo Benson!
- The earrings are from a random shop in Jardine’s Bazaar. They have all these little vintage like earrings. I picked up more than a few–totally not necessary, but I’m such a sucker when it comes to accessories! The necklace is part of a set of three from Forever 21. I just chose one so as not to over-bling myself! Hahha. And the clutch was picked up at the annual 4th of July Parade Picnic that we attend every summer. I head straight to the same booth each and every year and always score some goodies from this lady. And the sunniest were a random find on a trip to China. Little markets in China seem to have the quirkiest sunglasses like this silvery, leopard pair!
- My hair was freshly cut in these pics–I have finally gotten to the mullet. Not sure if I’m used to it and even like it, but I finally reached my hair goal. What do you think? Hahha! Maybe I really don’t want to know…. Wink wink.
Setting Details:
Stanley Market has all sorts of fun walls all over the place. For these outfit pics, Gigi and I were headed to the same place I first posed with this dress, but on the way we ran into this cute panda painted by Printhouse HK. He seemed to be winking at us, saying, “Hey! Stop here. Take some pics with me!”
Your dress is so pretty and sparkly and you look gorgeous in it! I really like it with your black Chuck’s and think they offer a bit of stylish quirkiness that totally works. Also that wall looks like it was made for your look – talk about a complimentary background! Love it all.
Thank you so much Jennie! I think because the hem is shorter on this dress that heels would look a little to racy. Plus, I love being quirky! Such a compliment!! 😀 Grin!!
And the panda, he’s shimmering with me don’t you think. Gigi and I really stumbled upon a good one for this look. It’s funny how sometimes that happens. I love my neighborhood!
Thanks for stopping by sweetie. Love, Ann
Gorgeous, gorgeous GORGEOUS!
I love this whole look…heels would have looked too boring.
As for the mullet…….I hate mine own and hack chunks off it as it starts to appear, BUT your curls look cool.
XXX
Sam
http://www.fakefabulous.com
Hi Sam,
Thank you!! Blushing over here. And now you see why I was wondering if I should have just saved these photos for something coming up. Wink wink.
I’m not so sure about my mullet either. On a good, greasy day it’s ok. But like today, when I just washed my hair, I’m all fuzz. Not so cool! I wonder what it’ll look like when I get home and out of the humidity. My hair changes with the climate a bit. I love your pixie. And the color of your hair is tdf!
Thanks for stopping by Sam.
Love, Ann
I am SO in awe (and not a little envious) of how absolutely cool you look with kicks, Annie. Who the hell else can pull of a LBD (little bling dress) with kicks??? Only you xoxo
Heehehe! Thank you Sheela! Big GRIN over here!! A x
I love the converse and have worn mine with many a fancy dress. Was actually contemplating could I get away with converse at the Gala tonight, but my dress is too long
Oh that’s when the Cons are perfect–under a long dress. Check out my look here: https://www.krembdelakremb.com/making-dreams-come-true/ You’ll see what I mean!!
I want to go to a Gala! Getting ready is the best part!! A x
LOVE LOVE LOVE! You totally pulled this look off! The entire look is so fun and cool!
XO
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzanneBell.com
Thank you Suzanne! BLUSH!! A x
I love the sneakers with the glitzy dress. I always enjoy an unexpected detail because it adds humor or just an aha!
I’m so sorry to hear about the chronic hip pain that you endure. You certainly appear to be a happy gal in spite of it . Your “blues” outfit and photos with that darling little fellow are a testimony to smiling through the pain. Have you tried a lot of ways to quell this pain? I’m assuming you’d like to avoid opiates… So many pitfalls!
I don’t want to go where your not comfortable but I’m interested. At 65 I have some pains of my own that are chronic. I’m doing a lot of physical activity to ward it off. ( Yoga, resistance bands, walking, biking, Zumba)
I did some backtracking on your past style postings and you and I have VERY similar taste. I’m glad to have found you!
I love that you are inquiring! I am an open book Judy. Unfortunately, you are able to do way more than me at this point. I haven’t been able to really exercise in over a year….that’s hard! And yes, there are days when I take my Ultracet–an opiate. But I am very aware of not becoming addicted, and I do notice when I’m taking that pain killer when it stops working. It’s then that I quit for a bit until the next very painful day, and luckily the Ultracet will take the edge off. I don’t mean to sound jealous, but I’m 44, and you can do so much more than me! I would love to do any of the items you listed. Hence, it’s time for the hip replacement! I will get two more opinions this summer in the States–one in my hometown, Spokane, and another one in Seattle. I’ll most likely use the doc that I found here in Hong Kong. He is very good. But to be honest, I am waiting for my head to heal first. Plus, I’d like to wait a year since my first operation–August 28, 2015–just in case a miracle happens, and it heals. Although I don’t think an arthritic hip just magically heals.
Anyway, yes, I try to keep positive. I love my family, I have a good life, and I embrace other hobbies like my love of style, fashion, clothing, and dressing.
One day I will go on a walk with them again. One day I hope to go on a hike with them. And one day maybe I’ll be able to try Zumba out!!!
What are your chronic pains? And I am so glad that we have similar tastes!! Neat to know you Judy.
Love, Ann
Thankyou for being so open. I’m sure that your frankness about your hip pain has been helpful where friends, family, work cooleagues and students(?) are concerned? Functioning well under chronic pain is really difficult! Having taught 8th grade civics for 37 years I know how tough it can be to interact meaningfully with the level of energy that 14 year olds have and that pretty much continues into the levels you deal with as a media specialist. Really Ann, you’re pretty amazing!
Have you tried any alternative medicines? You’re right in the hub of some amazing options like acupuncture and an aray of herbal remedies…
As for myself I have lots of arthritis in my neck, hands and hips. Yoga is especially good at keeping me moving and ibuprofen works well too. About a year after I retired I had a very lucky diagnoses of an unruptured cerebral aneurysm which is now “clipped” and no longer a threat. Getting through that surgery sort of sent me into high gear where getting and staying fit are concerned. YOU’LL GET THERE TOO ANN!!!
YIKES!! I’ll close for now. I’m sending good karma your way. So glad to be getting to know you!!