When Meryl Met Nora

Thought I'd just pop up on your screen today with a quickie.

When I've been holed up these past few weeks, I've been mostly listening to audiobooks.  And sleeping!  The sleeping was mainly by courtesy of audiobooks which seemed to relax me soooo much that I drifted in and out of much-needed sleep on several days, missing whole chunks of the story. 

My absolute favourite was Heartburn, written by Nora Ephron (When Harry met Sally) and read by the amazing Meryl Streep.  Perfection!  I knew Meryl was good but only when focusing purely on her voice did I discover just how good.  She brought the story alive.  It was like having Meryl in the room, telling me about her failed marriage.

I imagined that we'd probably be sharing a bottle of wine.  I pictured myself in the scene from It's Complicated (how I love that film *) when she is confiding to her girlfriends that's she's having an affair with her ex.   Well, her ex was Alec Baldwin ...

Yes, for 5hrs 30mins I was Meryl's confidante, her mate, and I loved it!

But back to reality, Pout - I'm sure I must have seen the film version of Heartburn after its release in 1986.  But it doesn't really matter as despite Meryl and Jack undoubtedly putting up a good show back then, I'm sure this book was still better than the film.
It was ever thus.

I am so thankful that Meryl did meet Nora and brought her story alive.

A la perchoine.

* I have no idea how to put video on to this blog (maybe some kind soul can guide me), so here's the entry level link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O09NjpB4AI.

I'm going to attempt to put a better link on my google+, but please do not hold your breath!

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Mixing Pattern and Being Nora Review

Now I'm not good at mixing patterns.  There's a lot of mixing happening on the street, some are quite bold, some subtle.  Either way, they get it to work. 

I feel a bit uncomfortable mixing it up.  I think it's because in doing so I have to forget a fundamental rule that's prevailed through most of my life.  One pattern only in an outfit.   I know where I stand with rules.  Give me free-format and I waiver.  So pattern mixing just hasn't been my bag.

Last night I stopped the dithering and, dressing to meet with friends at home, I found myself boldly going where no Pout has not gone before.  I came up with this ...

An old Next grey patterned stretchy jersey jacket, an even older embellished grey patterned top, grey/taupe glass beads.  

I kept to the same tones. It seemed a bit cluttered but I think I just about pulled it off!?

Do you have any tips to share?   What are you like at pattern mixing?  A big no-no or do you love throwing yourself into some form of controlled pattern mayhem?

I've been "thinking Nora", reference the post here, for the last week.  Let's see where I've been.

Well, I've mixed patterns, as evidenced above.

I've worn a smart-end jacket with jeans

And a more casual jacket with linen cut-offs.

I've tried a "posh" blouse with a more casual look of cardi and jeans.

I've made more effort to mix the jewellery round a bit (I tend to stick to the same pieces for weeks!).

And, all importantly, I've worn heels with jeans and cut-offs!

These are all things I noticed Nora did and I didn't.  Until now!

I have felt that I've dressed a little more stylishly than usual.  I've been pleased with all the looks.  I've felt very comfortable with the outfits chosen.  And the process has been easier because I sort of channelled Nora without thinking too much about it.  And these outfits were the result. 

So, the idea of playing the "Being ..." is a keeper in Pout World! 

Now who am I going to have a bash at Being ... next?

A la perchoine.



Being ... Nora

Previously I've found it helps kick-start a look I'm after by cribbing off someone else who already rocks it,

More on that later*!

But it's not a matter of slavishly copying their look, more like taking elements that work for me and gaining confidence to "do my own thing" in due course.

I've set myself a challenge this year.   To wear heels with jeans.  Blazer with jeans.  To wear them well.  Because I struggle with that combo.
So who do I crib off?  Who do I source?

Well, the lovely Nora at Jacket Society here totally gets the look.  So I'm looking no further than her for inspiration.
I'll "channel Nora" for the whole jeans/heels/blazer look. 

I surreptitiously started my baby-steps journey on Friday with a casual jeans/heels vibe here.

It felt good.  Now I'm ready for the next baby step ... a jacket with the jeans and heels.

I started with my old M&S jeggings.

I'm wearing my taupe Adesso heels - you'll see them lots this summer!

I added a nice light ecru blouse from Next here and a chunky string of pearls

 ... which I have had since 1973 - how's that for hoarding?!!!!

And topped these with my recent purchase, the M&S Linen blazer here which I hunted down here and which entered into the beauty parade here!

Et voila! I'm pretty pleased with my channelling efforts so far !

Now, remember, I'm not in any way attempting to parrot the lovely Nora's style and panache, she's a natural and I am not.  But what I am doing is channelling her when dressing.  Asking myself "How would Nora work this?"

And here's Nora, working those super jackets.

I just couldn't get close to how this beautiful, slim and stylish lady carries off the look! 

Please do visit this very classy, very clever lady's blog.   I'm think you'll like what you see.

* And now it's Asterisk Time!

One Saturday morning about 15 years ago I chanced upon a picture of Dani Behr and fell for her jeans and heels look.



This very picture, found this morning through the magic of internet.

"I've got most of those things myself but have never thought to put them together like that", thought I.  And I was a long-haired blonde at the time too! It was a long time ago ...  

All I was missing was the cardi.  And the car.
I settled on just shopping for the cardi and magically I found a fine-rib cream cardi at M&S that afternoon.  I put the look together (complete with rolled up jeans!) and went out that night, confident. Being Dani.  

Over the years I've lost the whole jeans/heels/jacket vibe but Nora has inspired me to start all over again.
And this time, I'm Being ... Nora!

Do you find inspiration from photos or people?

Or, as usual, is it just me?!

A la perchoine