Motherhood is a Challenge and Work Sucks ...

Hello, hello, hello!

So I've been forced to really grasp how much life doesn't give a crap about your feelings or your stress level. In fact, I think it pushes and pushes until you're on the verge of snapping then it may provide a little relief or just drop kick you straight over the edge, "300" style.

Yes, I'm complaining. Yes, I know other people have it worse. But ya know, first world problems and all that. So what's the matter, you ask.

Well....

I have a three month old and my boyfriend, her father, can't handle poop, pee, vomit, spit up, breast-milk, and sometimes freaks out if she drools. She's teething, she can't help it. Not to mention we have two cats. One of which's favorite past time is licking himself ... ALL THE TIME!!! So there have been many 3 am cat vomit parties. And no, there is no sleeping through a cat making that awful noise and the terror that it might be on you. Guess who gets to clean it up? Oh yea. Such a lucky girl, I am.

And the house. We just bought this house and I'm already starting to slack on my cleaning. Why? Well first off see above paragraph and then note the following: long-haired cats, full time job, and extremely helpful boyfriend. I'm pretty sure there is a beacon that lures my boyfriend into the kitchen as soon as I finish cleaning and tells him he must cook something. If I ever find that damn thing it's toast!

That reminds me of a funny story. I think Brooklynn was about a month and a half to two months old. I finally got her to sleep for the night and was chatting with Cory in the kitchen, while he was cooking. I believe the beacon had struck that night as well. Anyway, he's making toast and burnt it. Well Brooklynn is sleeping in our room, in the basement. From down there you can hear a pin drop in the kitchen. You can hear everything! So Cory pulls out his toast and starts buttering it. GOOD LORD! You don't realize how loud toast is until you have a sleeping infant. I can hear her stirring on the monitor and Cory freezes, peeks over his shoulder at me and I'm glaring at him hardcore. A giggle escapes him as he rapidly scrapes butter on the rest of his toast. He's so lucky she didn't wake up. I would have stabbed him with my fork. I can just picture that conversation with the police.
"What motivated you to stab him?"
"Uh ... he was buttering his toast too loudly." Seems legit, right?

But back to the point of this post. Life is a pain in the ass. It keeps handing you piles of shit and I feel like I'm wading in it now. I mean my home life isn't so bad. It's just the usual stressful things bills, baby, cleaning, ya know. Work, that's a different beast. Everything that's going on is too much to type out, so I'll try to keep it short.

Had a sit-down with the owner, trying to take some initiative and tell him I'm interested in taking on more responsibilities. Went in confident and came out crushed. In the span of less than 10 minutes, I was told he doesn't like my personality, my voice, thinks people are not happy to speak with me, have no ambition, basically I suck all around. His suggestions for fixing it was to pay more attention to him (yes he said it just like that) and go to my supervisor everyday and ask to help her.

Now my supervisor and I had a great relationship until recently. I still haven't a clue what I did, but all of a sudden I'm getting dirty looks, attitude and everything I do is wrong and annoying. Before you go thinking that maybe I stepped on her toes by going to the owner for our talk, I didn't. My supervisor and I had discussed many things and she let it be known that the owner was the one doling out responsibilities. Plus, I had talked with him before my maternity leave and he gave me 'pointers' on my work. Since he hadn't said anything about my work, I assumed I'd gotten better and we even seemed to be getting along better, so that was most of my reasoning for wanting to talk to him. Boy was I ever wrong!

So today I had a wonderful morning and was in a great mood! I was determined that I wasn't going to let anyone ruin it. Yeah... that only lasted a couple hours. I instantly got right to work as soon as I walked in the door. My supervisor seemed to be in a good mood, she was laughing with my other coworkers and yet every time I walked into her office she gave me a look like I was bothering her. I'd quickly say what I needed to say and leave. It got to the point where I stopped smiling when she'd pass by and then I stopped even looking at her altogether. She even went in my coworkers office and chatted with her about her kids for several minutes. When she came to tell me she was leaving, I barely spoke. I'm tired of being treated like shit when all I ever do is try to help them. Now I'm afraid to even go into her office and offer her help.

What's more, I was supposed to have gotten my yearly evaluation before I left for maternity leave in February. Didn't. Came back. She said she was going to do it in a week or so. I understood, she was getting caught up and all that. Still haven't had it and it's June. I've come to the conclusion that they don't want to give me a raise, so she doesn't want to give me my yearly and have to explain why I'm not getting one. And/or they are contemplating getting rid of me. I've done nothing to warrant being fired though. Maybe they're just waiting for me to screw up so they can fire me. I don't know. It's gotten so bad in just a couple weeks that I've started applying at other places and I truly loved this job, but I dread coming to work every day. I wasn't even this miserable at Walmart!

I wish my Etsy shop would pick back up. Then maybe I could quit.

So yea, that's my complaints for the day.

Until next time
Shay

People I'd Like to Punch in the Face ... Again

Part 2

1. If pregnancy was a person, that bitch would definitely have been punched in the face by now. And before you freak out, I'm obviously not talking about the kid. It's like talking about Aunt Flow or you know what? I think you got it.  

2. The next person to joyfully point out the fact that I now waddle. 

3. People that say things like, "totes adorbs". Sets my gag reflex off.

4. People that joke about me not being able to drink. Oh yes that's super hilarious and I haven't heard a million of them already. Just wait 'til I tell you my new joke. The punchline is amazing ... 

5. Parenting advice? Sure, I'd love to turn my kid into a selfish, disrespectful, materialistic, brat like yours. 

6. Customers: "I spend a lot of money here! If you don't do this, I will take my business elsewhere!" You are not the only person who spends a lot of money here. You not coming back would't even make a dent in the books, but it would make us all very happy. Have a great day!

7. Fifty Shades of Grey. Ok so, props to the author for making beaucoup bucks on horrendous writing and even worse, glorifying abusive relationships. Deserves both a punch in the face and a World's Luckiest Author award. 

8. Not to get all political, but all of these Black Lives Matter protesters. Look around you! If they matter so much why are they standing in the middle of busy freeways?? I just don't understand what that is supposed to achieve. Killing people, looting, rioting what does that prove? That your lives are more important than others? That you're superior? I respect those that stand up for what they believe in. I'm not saying you're totally wrong. I'm saying you're going about it all wrong and for that you deserve a punch in the face. Get it together people. We're all human!

Alright that's all I can muster for today. Until next time. 

Stay classy my friends.

Shay

People I Would Like to Punch in the Face

Part 1


1. The people that stop right in front of you in the grocery aisle to chat it up, taking up the entire aisle, forcing you to either interrupt their ill-timed walk down memory lane or turn around and take the long way around. Want to chat? Fine. Move your fat ass out of the way first.

2. Whoever invented recorded cold calls. Some of them are starting to sound impressively real. Still not OK.

3. People that park on the line taking up two spaces like they are some bomb-ass-boss, which they are highly unlikely to actually be.

4. Animal, children, and people abusers. Obviously.

5. People who decided on time-zone changes. You got the right idea Arizona!

6. Pushy salesmen that take the 'don't take no for an answer' routine WAY too far. If I'm forced to give you false contact info just so you'll leave me alone, you might wanna consider toning it down a little. My boyfriend and I got stalked in Slumberland yesterday by a salesman. It was like she thought we were somehow going to fit one of those overpriced mattresses in my tiny purse and walk out! We were both so overwhelmed we had to leave!

7. Micro-managers. I think I can manage answering the phone without your help. After all I've been successfully pulling it off for 6 months.

8. My boyfriend on many occasions. "Of course we have time for you to finish your beer before we go meet the realtor in 5 minutes across town." "Oh please? Can I really be your DD for the next 9 months?" "Would you like to just marry your 6 buckets of agates?" "Shut up. Do you want me to come over there and cuddle you?" (Yes that is an actual threat in my household when he's being a whiny baby on the couch.) The good news is we love each other and I have not actually punched him in the face ... yet.

9. People who can't take a joke. Seriously my family had to teach one of my little sisters that not everything is offensive. She would get so offended and hurt by every little joke you made. She cried a lot. Eventually she learned the concept of jokes and sarcasm.

10. Drunk fighters. I hate going out with these people. It's like a catch 22. You want to punch them in the face for being an intoxicated idiot but at the same time you don't because you know they're just being an intoxicated idiot.

11. People that are offended by everything! If I decorate my yard with Christmas, Halloween, etc decorations I expect you to mind your own damn business. You can appreciate my creative skills regardless of the holiday. I don't go around telling you what you can and cannot put up in your house or place of business. If a business wants to show some holiday spirit, so what? And what's so bad about being offended anyway? OK so you didn't like it. It's not going to kill you. You aren't going to die from some offensive disease. Being offended does not give you cooties.

12. Sad Facebook posters. You know, the people who post something depressing every few minutes, so it looks like their entire life is one giant funeral. So depressing.

13. Both Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump. I can not believe this is what America has come to.

14. Obsessive Snapchat junkies that send a million duck-face poses with highly uninteresting captions like, "hi!" "Just got up." "Going to work." "At work." "Leaving work."...

15. Druggies that are so high that they talk in slow motion and suddenly know the meaning of life and proceed to explain it to you. It is always the most illogical and ludicrous things you've probably ever heard but hey, "I'm totally more productive man." (It's usually pretty funny but often very annoying.)



Thanks for playing along!

Shay

Harley Quinn's Portrayal in Suicide Squad

Let me start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed Margot Robbie's performance. I've been waiting so long for Suicide Squad to come out and it was mainly due to the excitement of seeing a movie portrayal of Harley Quinn. She 100% made that movie. I think the rest of it sort of fell pretty flat of expectations to be honest. That being said, there were some questionable plot points. Here is your spoiler warning! If you have not watched the movie do not read on from here.

Before I get into it, I'd like you to know that I have not actually read all of the comics. Therefore my knowledge is limited by that. Don't get mad if I get something wrong but please do correct me. Thanks.

So the comics and the movie are similar in that Harley falls in love with the Joker while working as a psychiatrist. What gets me about the movie is that they imply that it was the Joker who physically harms her creating the crazy Harley Quinn we all know and love. However, I didn't get that impression through the comics. This puts a different twist on her love for the Joker making it seem a bit more artificial. My question is was it not believable enough that she could have just fallen in love with him and let her crazy out? Just a thought.

I never did watch the Superman vs. Batman movie. I'm just not a Superman fan. Don't shoot! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I'm curious if there was something in that movie that led to the fact that they had Superman dead in the beginning of Suicide Squad. I may not be a fan but I can't imagine why DC would kill off such an iconic character. Making him go home? Maybe. Dead? Not so much. I don't know it sort of bugged me. I felt like I missed something big and I probably did having not watched Superman vs Batman. What do you think?

Overall, I'd have to say that I enjoyed the movie. I think that they could have dug a little deeper as far as plot goes. I feel like they started putting together all of these scenes with cool background music and then went, "Crap! Forgot about the plot. Probably should add that." Seemed bare minimum. I mean seriously is no one going to question what the hell El Diablo just turned into? Did they know he could do that because it did not seem like he knew they knew. I mean didn't he say something like, "...show you what I really am."? That might have been a little confusing but you get my point.

Anyways what did you think of the movie? Love it? Hate it?

My Harley Quinn inspired bag. Pattern available too! Click!

Am I Just Being a Pregosaurus????

Seriously. I need to know if I have the right to be pissed or am I just being a pregosaurus.

Here goes ...

I've been at my job for around 6 months or so. I've had no complaints yet so I figured I was doing things just fine. Well last week I was pulled into the owners office and he asked me if I'd had a review yet. I said, "no." He goes on to say he had a few things he would like to address.

The only thing he wanted to complain about was my ability to answer the phone. He said I was unprofessional and sounded bland. I was more than a little shocked considering it'd been 6 months. Why was this just now being brought to my attention? That aside, he continued on with his pointers and explanations even going so far as to 'joke' about replacing me. As if that were any laughing matter in my position. I decided getting angry wasn't going to do me any good, so I took his advice and began implementing the changes into my call routine.

Then today, he calls. I answer with the peppiest spiel I can muster and he mimics me awkwardly. I ignored it (After all how are you supposed to respond to a grown man mimicking you?) and said, "Good morning." He asked to be transferred and I said, "just one moment." like he requested. To my surprise I hear my coworker answering questions about the way I had handled his call. She said, "No I think she sounded just fine. Well our company name is a bit of a mouth full." And so on from there.

You should know I also got two compliments from two different callers on Friday. I'm starting to think that this may have something to do with my pregnancy. This began within a day of me telling my supervisor about it. I still have yet to officially tell the owner but we live in a very small town so I'm sure he's heard something through the grapevine, if my supervisor hasn't already told him.

My supervisor had made me feel really comfortable about my pregnancy working for this company. I was really even starting to regret my thoughts of maybe not coming back after birth. Then the next day, I begin to get complaints from the owner. Right now I'm just taking it one day at a time but sometimes it almost feels like he's baiting me. I'm not really sure what to think, but I can tell you I no longer love my job like I did.

On the other hand, he's been known to go through phases of crabbiness and complaints about anything and everything, so maybe that's what's happening here.

So what do you think?
Am I just being a pregosaurus? Leave a comment letting me know and if you have a similar story I'd love to read it!

Thanks
Shay

More Than Just a Facepalm ... I Mean Who Doesn't Know Who The Flash Is???

Aw love! It is a most amazing adventure with twists and turns. Such a lovely experience. Especially those moments you look at your significant other and realize just how much love you have for them. Then there are those times where you look at them and wonder how you're going to teach this alien the ways of your people. This is one of those such times. 

Not this past March but the previous one, I went to dinner with my boyfriend and several of his friends for his 30th birthday celebration. They begin passing out gifts. One couple got him a shirt. 

Out comes this:

I'm sure you're familiar with this emblem. Well apparently this couple was not because I hear this, "I know you like lightening bolts so we thought you'd like this." 

My brain didn't really register the fact that this entire group didn't know who The Flash was until people were vaguely questioning and commenting on it. None of which had to do with said comic hero. I stared in horror at this group whispering to myself, "But it's The Flash. Who doesn't know who The Flash is?" 

Before you ask, no. Not even my own boyfriend knew who it was! I mean really? I know he's not as famous as Iron Man is these days but he's got some notoriety right? 

I began drinking heavily after that.

Sadly this wasn't the last time something like this happened. It was just before going to one of the Avengers movies with a friend that this happened again. Only this time my dear, sweet, love of my life had to be told that Hulk and Thor were two very different characters. Sometimes I really wonder if he's secretly from another planet and that's why he doesn't know these simple things. 

Do you have a moment like that? Share it in the comments below!

Thanks for dropping in. 

Shay

GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!

You may have noticed that the giveaway has ended. I am happy to announce a randomly chosen winner has been selected and emailed.

If your name is Lori, please check your email for instructions on claiming your prize! Congratulations and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Another opportunity to win something handmade by me will happen in the future. At this time I'm unsure when that will be, but check back often for another chance! What would you like to see as a giveaway? Let me know, it could happen. 

Check out my shop. Holidays are just around the corner and personalized gifts are always a hit! Get something made special for the special someone in your life. 

Thank you all!

Shay

What Makes A Geek Girl?

Earlier I was doing a bit of research on some advertising options for my comic inspired bags. I came across several articles talking about 'geek girls' and 'fake geek girls'. After reading a couple of them, I was left with one question. What is it that makes a geek girl a geek girl?

It really seems like it should be an easy answer, right? When you picture a geek, you have something in particular in mind don't you? The trouble is, your version of a geek and my version are probably very different.

For example: I wouldn't really label myself as a geek. I obsessively binge watched Doctor Who on Netflix, I own an amazing amount of Batman themed stuff, I know my comic book characters, read all the Harry Potter books, dressed up like Belatrix for a book store party, enjoy the Star Wars series, and took AP courses in high school. Of course, there is a lot more from where that came from, but there are also plenty of things that would disqualify me from the traditional sense of the phrase. For instance: I don't like video games, I've never actually read a comic book, I have yet to watch any old Who, I get all 'girly' dressed up sometimes, and several other things that most people would consider very 'ungeeky'. So what does that really mean for me? I think it all depends on how you view yourself.

Another interesting concept I read was about the 'fake geek girl'. The article explained that this is when she labels herself a geek to attract a boy. I suppose that really all depends on the guy you're trying to get. I feel like that really only attracts a male geek. That's all fine and dandy if that's what you're looking for, but if you're faking it then you can't get upset when he wants to play video games all the time or any of the other geeky things you signed up for. I say this because you've read my long list of geek and ungeek things and don't classify myself as such. Would you? Taking the next step further, what kind of man would you assume I would attract, especially given my Batman and Doctor Who obsession?

Funny thing is, he's probably nothing like what you might be thinking. I got myself a small town, country man who didn't know Doctor Who existed until about two week's ago and then complained the entire time. My friend and I had to explain that Thor and Hulk are very different characters. He's never finished a book. All of these things make him very very 'ungeeky' in the traditional sense of the word. However, he has a big obsession with other things. Guns, hunting, and other outdoor things are his geek obsessions.

Basically, everyone can be a geek in some way shape or form. It really all depends on how you define the word. I think my main point is who cares? Geek or not it's not going to define you unless you let it and further more, it's not going to find you love either. So pretending to be a geek seems pointless to me because at the end of the day it really only counts if you have something real in common.

To me the whole debate about 'real geeks' and 'fake geeks' is all useless. Like what you like and be real about it. No point in hiding it or faking it.

Anyway, that's all I have to say on that subject. What do you think?

Check ya later
Shay

GIVEAWAY!

Hello lovelies!

Today is the beginning of my very first giveaway! I'm pretty excited.

 One lucky winner will receive a set of 4 hand crocheted washcloths in their choice of color. The winner will be chosen on Nov. 9th and announced on Nov. 10th. Winner will then be contacted via e-mail to provide their choice of color and shipping details. Must be US resident.

Made with cotton blend yarn for both sturdy and soft cloths. 
Approx. 8 in. squares

Plenty of ways to enter! Use the form below for your entries. You could be the lucky winner of a set of washcloths made just for you!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Share on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest so your friends can join in too!

Good luck!

Shay

Not So Subtle Secret Snapshots

I thought I would share a personal story with you about a particular event that happened to me recently. Before I do, try saying that title ten times fast! ha! However fun it is to say, it's also extremely accurate.

Ok, so a little background first. I work in a small business office as a secretary. We sell industrial auto parts and have several other locations throughout a couple of states. One office is only about an hour drive away, so we're in touch frequently.

The other day a man walks in at about 9 AM, after being in the shop with the guys and getting what he needs. It is now my turn to type up his packing slip and send him on his merry way. Well, that didn't work out as smoothly as it normally would have.
First, he insists he knows me from a work Christmas party, of which I have never attended. Not because I don't like the people I work with, I just don't want to go. Then tells me his wife works in the store nearby. I've talked to her many times on the phone.
Next, he tells me that I have to call his office to get a credit card number to pay for it. Why he hadn't had this all squared away before he came to see me. I don't know. In any case, I call and there is no answer (several times!). By this point, I am super frustrated because he keeps telling me, "Just keep calling." Did I mention it was 9 AM???
While I am sitting on the phone, I see in the corner of my eye his phone lift and point in my direction as if taking a photo. Generally I am a playful, fun-loving person, but not when the first thing I had to deal with in the morning is a pain in the butt customer. That being said, my reaction was anything but friendly.

So accurate...

I looked at him in confusion and disapproval and asked, "Are you seriously taking a picture of me??" I should mention I was also having a pretty bad hair day. Curly hair gets like that easily.
He gave me a silly grin, nodded his head and continued as if I hadn't just looked horror-stricken. "I'm sending it to my wife," he says.
I wanted so badly to scream, "Why? You creep." However, the fact that I was on the phone, one of my bosses was in the office right next door, and I honestly had no idea how to respond to that, meant I kept my mouth shut. Well verbally anyway. I mean what do you say? Or do, for that matter?
Most people take secret snapshots when the subject is interesting or funny in some way. I was simply on the phone, trying to get his stuff taken care of. Absolutely nothing fascinating about that. The least he could have done was ask me! I don't think it would have been any less creepy, but I would have at least had the option of saying no.
Once my boss heard my accusation, he made him leave and settled the bill with his office himself. I appreciated that.
I didn't really do or say much about this at the time. Over reaction or justified?
The things that happen to me... Sheesh. Believe me when I say that this was only the icing on the crap cake of inappropriate things to happen to me within the span of a week or so.


So there is my story. Anyone else have a not so subtle secret snapshot story?

Until next time,
Shay

16 Things to Dress it up Halloween Style

It's that time of year! Time to bring out that box of spooky decorations from the basement, no need to dust them off (just adds to the effect) and dress up the house, yard or even yourself. If your box is looking a little bare this year, how about checking out some of these fun, unique, handmade items. 

'Dress it up Halloween Style' by shayjackson877

Fun Halloween things to deck out your yard, house or even yourself.

Halloween Decorations | Hall... wfrancisdesign $31.49	Halloween Shirt - SALE - Hap... DentzDenim $19	Nightmare Before Christmas -... WhimsicalMarke... $50	Bat Sweater Guard Brooch- Ha... AbbiesAnchor $16
Halloween decor. Halloween d... HappyPlywood $34	Gothic - Halloween Throw Pil... WickedCrusade $30	Halloween Bottle Labels, dow... MarysMontage $2.5	Spooky Jack o lantern, Hallo... TurquoiseBun $15
Primitive Book of Spells Hal... ColdCreekPrimi... $29.99	Wide Brim Halloween Witch Ha... HandiCraftKate $285	Jack Skellington wooden perp... KlotoTeam $22	Headless Horseman Halloween ... thecarvingcomp... $54.97
Poison Apple Halloween candl... WitchCityWicks $18	Lil "Little" Black... TimeFliesClock... $29.95	Limited Edition- Sexy Hallow... AquamarCouture $38	Halloween, Mean Girls inspir... perksofaurora $16

Powered By Handmadeology

Which one's your favorite? It's hard to pick just one! Give these hardworking Etsy artists some love and share your favorites.

Follow to see new collections coming soon. See ya next time!
Shay

New Fabric Choices and New Writing Goal Reached!

So this is an odd combo of topics, but I'm very excited to share both with you!

Yay! I got some super fun new fabric.

These fabrics will be used for future Crochet Clutch linings. I'm super excited about it! New ones shown are Mario Brothers, Bow ties, TARDIS explosion, and galaxy print. Create your custom order here. Ready to ship clutches will be done and posted to shop soon. Keep an eyes out. Like on FB and Twitter to get updates on new items and coupon codes.












Alright! This is very exciting for me. I've worked on many different stories over the years, but this is the first time I have actually stuck with it. For a lot of you die-hard writers out there, you may understand what I'm talking about or you may not. (my guess is, you get it.)

In the beginning of the year (Feb. something or another) I set out to write my very first novel. I gave myself a goal of 75K words and just reached my goal yesterday. I probably would have hit that mark a month or so ago if it weren't for taking some time to set up my etsy shop.

Here is the kicker, I may have reached my goal, but my novel is far from finished. I still have a few more chapters to wrap up the ending. For those of you who write, endings are hard! Right? Or is that just me?

What's more, when I am finally finished, editing begins! I don't know about others, but I hate editing. Yuck! Oh well, at least there is still a chance I may have it done before the year is up. I guess that depends on how well this ending pours out of me.

Anyways, I thought I would share my super excitement. If you're a writer and you're not already signed up, you should consider Scribophile. Best writing tool I've ever come across.

Thanks for swinging by!
See ya tomorrow for Bag of the Week!
Shay

My Confusion and Gag Reflex with 2015 Fashion Trends

I'm going to start off by saying that I am in no way a fashion expert. However, I do know that if you're walking down the road and people are tilting their head to the side with scrunched up brows it's probably because you're wearing something weird. That in itself is perfectly fine. I mean that's how we've come so far in the fashion industry is taking risks. What comes after the initial reaction is key though. Smirks, laughs, shakes of the head and even coughs are generally a bad sign. On the flip side, there are few indicators of positive feedback. You might catch a nod and some whispering, but the latter is not always a good thing.

Now to get closer the the point of this post. I was poking around some websites and came across Elle's 2015 Fall Trend Report. Check it out here for a peak at what I'm talking about.

Let's just go over each one and I'll express my confusion towards people's decisions.

First off we have bling. Whenever I hear the word bling, I think of rap videos and Flavor Flav's giant stupid clock obsession, but hey that's just me. In all seriousness, they are referring to oversized, sparkly, gaudy jewelry. Fine, I can handle seeing that. All in all, it's tolerable and not too overbearing.

Shoes! I am in love with shoes. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to my absolute love of high heels. That being said, this next trend makes me gag. It gets worse and worse each time I look at it. Apparently lady loafers are the It shoe for this fall. No! I can not express to you how much I dislike this trend. However! Some of them are not as bad as others.

         These are adorable! And they're crochet to boot. Pattern here.

All of these make me queasy. Just no...

Carwash pleats ... I can honestly say I haven't seen one person walking around in a skirt like this. It's quite literally how it sounds. You know those flaps you drive through at the carwash? Imagine that style skirt and there you have it. It sounds silly, but it's not so bad really. 

Oh! Another shoe! Stomps ... Ok there really isn't anything special about these. Not much to say about basic, relatively plain, boots. I can get behind a simple trend like that. Consider me in. 

The next is difficult to describe. Happy hemlines. 

It's basically a pencil skirt that added a little party to it's life. 

Yeah, that's what I'm going with. I don't like it though.

Ah ... The next ... another shoe ... furry feet. I'm finding it difficult to find words for how truly cringe worthy this trend is. 

 I think it speaks for itself ... wow ... I really did not know that was a thing. And what a horrible thing it is. 

Cuffs. So now you can have furry feet and wrist/arms! Nope...

Gloves. You know like those fancy elbow length gloves people wear with dresses. Not really new and inspiring, but a trend nonetheless. 

The next one made me giggle. Not because it's funny, but because of the title the author went with. "50 Suits of Grey".  And the short paragraph in which you can get the distinct feeling they are so over 50 Shades references, but were forced into it. The trend itself is straight forward, nothing ground breaking there. 

Uh ... I expected the high-waisted pants scene to make an appearance. I can't seem to go to any store now without this trend being shoved down my throat. I just got used to skinny jeans! But this is more a problem of body type for me. See I have a big butt and thighs. (Gasp!) This leads to that bubble feature on the lower back that's hard to avoid with a style like this. Not something I'm willing to put up with. 

The next is not a trend per se, but it is for the runway. Male models on Women's runways. Cool, that's all I gotta say. 

Ha! Short skirts. That is so not new. Not even going to bother talking about how normal that is. 

Super long sleeves? This is a little strange. Apparently the trend is to hide your hands in super long, baggy sleeves. The pictures make me laugh. Check it out. 

Then there's the opposite, one sleeve items. I prefer that to looking like I'm wearing a giant's clothing. 

Oh! OH! OH!! Plaid! Yay plaid! I absolutely love plaid. I used to have plaid sneakers in high school that I wore until they were nothing but holes and cracked rubber. After, I couldn't find another pair so I sadly had to settle for plain ones. I used to wear my dad's old flannel shirts too. The pictures they show aren't very flattering for the plaid look, but I'm still game. 

Skinny scarves. I used to wear those too. First time was just to cover up a hickey, but then I grew to like it. I stuck with that one for a bit until I lost the only one I had. 

What I fondly refer to as 'hooker boots' are in this season. No argument from me. I recently found a pair at a rummage sale. All black, side zipper, looked like they'd never been worn. Guess how much?? 50 cents! Guess that lady didn't know about the upcoming trend. 

Funky tights ... They've been around since the skinny jeans popped up and some of them are cute. Others make me shake my head and mutter, people buy that??

This next one I had to stare at the picture for a moment to really take it all in. Dickie turtlenecks. It sounds like it should be a sweater, but it's not. It's just the neck part. I don't think I understand this one. It's like a scarf, but not. Oh, it's a really small infinity scarf. Stupid, plus it makes your neck look really long. 

Victorian styling of just about any article of clothing is a big thing on the runway. This is one of those things that can only be judged by individual pieces rather than the whole as a trend. Most of the things Elle pictures is not flattering in my opinion. However, I am fond of the era and the overall idea of the style. It's all about execution though. 

And there we have it. Fall fashion trends according to Elle. I'm very happy that most of the things seen on runways never make it to stores regular people shop at. There have been many times that I have seen runway designs and I've been genuinely scared for future clothes shopping expeditions. 

Hope you enjoyed my attempt at discussing fashion. Do you agree or disagree with me?