Sometimes You Can't Fight Fate

The main object of this blog, essentially, is to share my fashion predictions with readers who are curious about upcoming fashion. While I don't claim to be a psychic (no tarot cards or palm reading for me!), I have found myself countless times seeing looks I had been searching for 6 months prior showing up in fashion magazines or in my favorite stores. So I thought it would be appropriate for my first post to be about a prediction that came true - as shown in this fabulous snippet from the H&M Fall/Winter 2011 women's collection lookbook. 

First and foremost, let me just say that I'm VERY excited about the vibrant and rich colors that seem to be popping up for this fall. Those colors paired with a more formal fabric, such as silk (i.e. the burgundy blouse on the far left) make for a striking combination! And add to that the creams, browns, and taupes in suede or corduroy, and you've got a killer fall/winter look that will knock everyones socks off! And let it also be said that a girl can never go wrong with some ever-sensible (and oh-so-cute) black leather ankle boots!

Now, back to the reason I'm featuring this photo in my post. It all began on a bright spring day (yesterday) on my on-a-mission lunch break. What was I on a mission for? A dress for my engagement picture session, which is a mere 11 days away (eek!). As some of you may know, being sure of your personal fashion sense can sometimes be more of a curse than a blessing. It can, at times, make finding something you will love for a specific occasion Mission: Impossible. So I thought that, after having given my usual stores-of-choice first chance at providing that perfect outfit and being sorely disappointed, I'd try a small local boutique that is aimed at a much more mature age group than myself. Surprisingly, I found quite a few dresses that I just HAD to try on, and while some turned out to be duds (there's always bound to be a few) I did find one that made the cut!

I made a bee-line up to the checkout, chatted with the clerk for a few minutes, and just happened to glance at the wall behind her and saw this absolutely FABulous cream quilted puffer-vest. But not just any puffer-vest.. oh no.. this particular vest has the most absurdly fantastic fur collar I've ever seen. The fur starts at the base as a light tan/cream, graduates to a darker brown through the midsection, and the tips are a vivid magenta that is, without exaggeration, to die for! I felt myself get the all-too-familiar clammy hands that I get when I see something I MUST have but know I shouldn't buy. (Oh how I wish to have unlimited shopping funds!)

The clerk, unaware of my dilemma, wished me a good day and told me to "Come back soon!"

Laughing nervously, I shot back a "Only if I decide to be naughty and buy that vest!" I'm proud of myself at this point, however, because I had resisted the tempting vest. I continue walking towards the door when, lo-and-behold.. there is a hat. THE hat. The hat I must have now that I've seen it. I pick it up. I feel the tantalizingly soft angora/wool blend that is 'the' hat. I'll come back later, I tell myself. I'll think about it and come back if I decide I can't live without this hat. And the vest. Can't forget the vest.

I walk, a little more hesitantly, out the door of the boutique and jump into my car. I turn the key while a war wages in my head. The car turns on. I turn the key again. The car turns off. I find myself, almost in a dream-like state, getting back out of my car, going back into that fabulously evil boutique, and purchasing both the vest AND the tide-turning hat.

And the key to this story? That hat, which was purchased with no previous intention to buy such a hat, is nearly identical to the hats featured in the photo above. Coincidence? Possibly. Or.. maybe I AM psychic!

And for now.. back to the looking glass.