Lollol!!!

When do you leave?

The pants look wonderful. Wish I had some like them!

@cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA), I could fix you up! As I am wont to do when I like something, I have 2 pair of the pants in navy and one pair in black!

@mtnrdredux_gw, I have time for it to wear off, thank goodness. I scrubbed with soap and water and *nothing* came off on the cloth! When I went out to get the mail, one of my neighbors stopped to chat. She kept looking at me funny. I think she was trying to figure out if I were jaundiced. 😂

Better people think you’re in kidney failure than had a mishap with self tanner, lol. Bbstx, please do not set your clothes on fire! Polyester is a petroleum product and can catch fire while you’re trying to melt an edge. 😳

Your trip is making me nervous!

Do you have a zigzag sewing machine you are comfortable using? if so then cut it off. Press up about 1/4 ” then use a zigzag stitch, multiple stitch zigzag or even a wobble stitch or better an overcast stitch if you know what that is to stitch the hem in place. Don’t stretch the fabric while you stitch or it will pucker. If you arent comfortable with that then just zigzag where you want the hem to be and cut it off below the stitching. It shouldnt ravel if it is a knit. While gluing or fray checking the hem might work it won’t be as good as it won’t stretch with the fabric.

You might try cutting it longer than you want to experiment with it to see what works best. First thing to try is to cut the hem off then stretch the fabric to see if it will curl up. If it does then that may be all you need to do.

Thanks, @Annie Deighnaugh. My sewing machine is very basic, but it does have a zigzag stitch. Good point about glue and fray check not stretching with the fabric. I’ve never used either on a knit, just woven material.

Working on the cami is the top of my list tomorrow while I hiding in the house waiting for my face to fade.

@Kswl, generally I want to burn everything in my suitcase when I return home. Because I am a light packer, I get really really tired of seeing the same thing over and over.

Sewing lycra on a conventional machine is tricky due to the stretch. A serger would have a better outcome. Is it possible for you to fold over the current hem a few times and then, hand sew the hem so it works temporarily? When you return home, your seamstress could fix it properly.

I was interested in Mtn's face tanning product until I saw your Jergen's photo. Thanks for the early morning laugh! I hope it wears off soon.

@Allison0704, I haven’t had the wherewithal to look at my face in a mirror this morning! Nevertheless, I may try the towelettes Mtn and RC recommend.

@ratherbesewing, good idea but there is too much to take up. It really needs to be cut off. I’m willing to ruin one to see what works.

IME, one towlette application never gave me a tan, let alone a debacle. No one ever commented in such a way, and in fact most people don't notice it per se. If I get around to it maybe I will do a test to show you its effects.

Popping back in to say, when I've used the towels I end up with a little warmth/slght color. No one would mistake for a tan neccessarily. I also struggle with some rosacea and I find tanning products to be helpful. When I remember, I use a few tanning drops in my moisturizer:

Similar effect to the tannng towels which, of course, are the best for travel.

How does it look today? If still an issue, you can try a light exfoliating cleanser or something.

I end up with a little warmth/sllght color. No one would mistake for a tan neccessarily.

Exactly, well put. Maybe it would be different if one applied in in succession, but one towelette =/ tan

The color on my face today isn’t too bad. I’ve decided that my forehead looks the worst. That is probably because it is dry and soaked up all of the lotion. I think by tomorrow it will be pretty much faded. That is why I like the Jergens for my legs. It doesn’t last long.

Do y’all buy your towelettes from AMZ?

RC, I have some drops - different brand. The instructions said to use 1 to 12 drops in your moisturizer. I used 6. Not good. Another oompa loompa fail.

I buy my towels from either Sephora or Ulta typically. As for the drops, I only use 1-2 drops in my little blob of moisturizer.

My salon has them in a big goldfish jar near reception.

I love your willingness to experiment with the various tanning products.☀️ I’d end up with a facial rash that might cause them to refuse me entry into the country.

HA! I’m hoping I am testing sufficiently far in advance to tend to any rashes!

The pants look great. These days you can find/buy most styles. Even when skinny jeans were "hot", you could still find straight and boot cut jeans. I wear what looks best on my body and not what is trending.

Also, have you looked at what people out there are wearing? Lots of tight and ill fitting outfits on people of all ages ... your pants are a classic style.

Your travel pants are fine and I just want to say have a great trip!

Oh, yes. I’ve looked at what other people are wearing. It’s all over the map.

Thanks, KW. I’ve got a while yet. I plan waaaay ahead. Getting ready for a trip some eons ago, I finally figured out that I did best getting packed with lots of lead time. It keeps me calm on departure day and I enjoy my trip a lot more. I’m not one of those who comes skidding up to the airplane door just seconds before they shut it.

Update on the cami - It’s in the trash! I cut off a small amount and tested. It did not fray or ravel, so I cut off more - way too much more. I did not allow for the apparent rebound of the spandex. After test-wearing it for several hours, it ended up at my waist. 🙄 I made a trip to the nearest Soma (3+ hours round trip) and bought a cami with adjustable straps. It is a little shorter than the one I had. That coupled with shortening the straps gives me a length that works!

I think with pants, we are reaching the same freedom as we have with skirt length: wear what you like— it’s all current enough.

Travel outfit. The scarf is a cashmere blend from The Met.

Latest iteration of all that I am taking. It is based on The Vivienne Files 4x4 template. The only item that doesn’t go with everything else is the green shirt. It does not go with the olive green linen pants. I’m on the fence about the blue linen dress. There will be scarves, too, but that is TBD.

Fashion is wearing what’s in, while style is wearing what looks good on you.

OOh, i like that.

I heard a body-positive influencer the other day who said, if something doesn't fit, chill. "The clothes are supposed to fit you, not the other way around." I don't know if our generation could ever internalize that, but she is right.

@bbstx the color of that trench is perfection.

I agree with your fashion/style philosophy, @Kswl. The women I admire most for the way they dress fit your definition of style.

I also agree with the quote and comment that you posted, @mtnrdredux_gw. Maybe our daughters can make it happen.

An essay from Substack just hit my email. It was about a young woman who had bought clothes until she was deep in debt.

In the essay, she quoted Judy Garland: [It is better] to be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.

@mtnrdredux_gw @rubyclaire, the face Tan Towels came in. I’ve already applied one to my face. I have a funeral to go to on Thursday. Hope I don’t have to wear a sack over my head. 😁

Lol I literally came to this thread because I was wondering about that

You will be glowing - in a way appropriate to the occasion of course. Do report in tomorrow!

You will be glowing - in a way appropriate to the occasion of course

😂😂😂

I just thought of something and it isn’t covered on the package or the materials. How often do I reapply - assuming all goes well?

Depends on your goal. I have never used it for tanning per se. I can only vouch for the subtle pick me up one application provides. .

I’ll see how much ”glow” I get from this one and go from there. I wouldn’t mind if it made the roseacea less noticeable.

I don’t think I have ever used any face tanner more than about once a week.

Let's hope you don’t end up being whispered about like Lady Bracknell, of whom it was said ”I hear her hair has turned quite gold from grief,” casting doubt on her attachment to the deceased. 🙄

I do love a good opportunity for an IOBE reference!

Hilarious, Kswl! Wilde was a master of the farce!

I thought I looked a bit orange in the bathroom mirror. But then I looked in DH’s mirrror and I’m just sun-kissed. Can’t wait to see what I look like in daylight!

This will be interesting to see. What brand did you use? What shade?

Tan Towels. Shade: Face

oh yes right the colors are for the body towelettes

I ordered a Nars lipstick because Sue B said it was the color of lips— and it was. Do you remember that, Sue? It should have been called Lips.

Ha! Yes! Dolce Vita, something like that? I decided at some point that it was too pink for me, but maybe I should try again bc I cannot seem to find the Perfect Lipcolor. Esp one that lasts more than 30 minutes. I was using the Chanel double-sided lipcolor/gloss but even that isn’t quite right; the colors all seem to be too pink or too orange. (Which I usually realize when I’m already out and peek in my car mirror.) Or too dark. I need a trip to Sephora.

My lips went from being influenced by you (Sue) to being influenced by Bbstx. I now use a Covergirl lip stain and clear topcoat that lasts a very long time, looks just like my own lips and is insanely inexpensive. The two pieces (stain and gloss) come as a set for under $10 . I keep a set in every purse I own.

I love love love the Covergirl stain and gloss!! But the color I really like is L’Oreal Pink Peony, which isn’t really all that pink. For me, it is the perfect browny pink. Now if I could just find that color in the Covergirl product.

Took a good look at my face in the (overcast, gray) daylight. Granted, it is a bit more color than my natural face and what I am accustomed to seeing, but I’m pleased. Next time, I need to remember to swipe the towelette between my lip and my nose and get closer to my lower lip.

I'm glad to hear it! I try to get even coverage, but because it is subtle anyway I don't obsess. (BTW I only do one pass over my face, even though there is still product left on the towlette). I also remind myself that, when one gets sun IRL, it can often be a bit uneven/imperfect as well ...depending on activity, the angle of the sun, hat, glasses etc etc

I so agree about uneven sun IRL!

I’m pretty sure I went over my face more than once, especially my hairline.

YMMV

I got excited reading about new brown-pink lip colors ... but they are all too dark for me ... or maybe too rosy to be more precise. My holy grail lip product was also recommended here (thank you, Rubyclaire) -- Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm. The colors chou chou (pale pink) and nana (cool beige) are my go-to's. I always get compliments when I wear them (and lip compliments are rare ime). There is one major downside: The balm doesnt last long-- it is .21 oz which is comparable to my others ... but after a few weeks, I can't get much on the applicator. It is irritating -- but I stick with it because I love the color, feel and taste.

RE face tanning -- I just started using this: Dolce Glow

I like it. It definitely gives a nice tan. Not orange. My face is still slightly tan from vacay last month. This seems to just deepen it a bit which makes my face match my body better. The tan on my face fades so much faster than my body.