pearls - The Seventh Sphinx

I suspect that extended exposure to couture shows has lowered my reluctance to go without a bra. I’ve feeling quite the opposite about that, if the clothes dictate it and the weather permits (if it is not too hot). [I’ve already established belonging to the sisterhood of the flat-chested.]

I have sometimes liked the look of a black bra/underthing with a sheer top (at least on others) but it wasn’t what I was feeling for this look, not wanting to break the frame of the lace or muddy the lovely cream color. And why not show the natural beauty of the nipple and breast? It feels to me very modern and sleek and at the same time vulnerable. And ultra-feminine. Think Galliano, think Valentino.

Sheer lace shirt from Vero Moda, Dollhouse shoes*, Lark & Wolff pleated corduroy skirt (thrifted), pearl drops from The Pearl Outlet, 8 strand freshwater pearl bracelet (eBay), Skagen watch. On the nails, Color Club polish in Warhol Pink. On the lips, OCC lip tar in Black Dahlia.

*I got these heels when I was 18 or something. Only a babe and already making such impractical, ostentatious fashion purchases.

Striped dress from American Apparel, sash from American Apparel, TOMS suede wedges, Skagen watch, Pearl Paradise studs, Solange Azagury-Partridge ring, eBay faux pearl bracelet, eBay fox ring (do we not love this ring? We love this ring). On the lips: Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang. On the nails: Sally Hansen Jaded.

It’s incredible how lopsided my lips and nostrils are. Even more incredible that I only notice in photos/video. Actually the entire right side of my face seems to have a slightly larger version of everything. This is standard, I know, nearly everyone has asymmetrical elements in their face and body. It is even a little disturbing when someone doesn’t, or when all of the asymmetry has been photoshopped away. Still. It looks so strange, this unmirrored version of myself. I don’t look like that.

Only of course, I do look like that. That is what I really look like. And to others I would look strange in a mirror, or possibly they wouldn’t notice either way.

I understand that I can fiddle with the lipstick to balance my lips out, but I honestly can’t even see it in the mirror, my face looks so familiar and normal to me. I keep trying to remember which side is which, which side is more rounded and which more flat on my top lip, but looking in the mirror I guess wrong about half the time. I suppose this is also a testament to my poor memory.

Start taking a bunch of pictures of yourself and you learn about all of these strange things you do with your face.

Here, for example, is this thing I do with my mouth evidently all of the time. I am forever making this kind of dubious face. And often lifting my already lopsided lip into a kind of sneerface. Not ideal, face. Not ideal.

[Side view. Sneerface omitted.]

And finally you see why I like this dress.

Tag: pearls

the sheer lace top

turquoise + stripes