6th grade seemed to be a bad year for me fashion wise - didn't have the right slouch socks to peg my pants into. I wore silver (metallic) snake-skin high top sneakers that I got for $2 mind you, because no one else in their right mind would have worn them...people asked me if I was going to the moon, and I would just laugh and say "yep!"...and then I was the stylist for our 6th grade play- for a punk band...I thought denim minis, and boots, and then a tank top with a mesh football jersey over it, cinched with a belt would be great, right? Well it was -for the play...when I wore it to school the following week, the "record scratch awkward moment" when everyone in the cafeteria turned and stared...and then laughed, was the worst. I still remember that embarrassment thinking that I will have to "edit" my sense of style sometimes- especially when thinking costumes=everyday wear...because I never want to be that embarrassed again!

My tall Fluevog derby swirl boots with angel soles. It says right on the sole, they repel oil, dirt and Satan! ; ) These boots are so beat up - but a few years ago I panicked, as they don't make them anymore- and purchased a back up pair off eBay...so when these are really falling apart, I will never have to give them up! The first pair is 15 years old and still as comfortable and sturdy as the day I bought them...they are just scuffed and scarred with my life experiences! But if they lasted 15 years and are still going, certainly I can be 80, and still wearing my second pair!

I would have to say Diane Von Furstenberg. You can't not look good in her style-and really, her work is a whole level of sophistication on its own. I can't say this would necessarily suit my lifestyle the best but if we're talking dreaming, yeah I'd like to have some DVF in my closet; ) Maybe more my "speed" would be Alexander McQueen or John Galliano or JP Gaultier? I could wear their stuff just about every day and love it!

I really admire Madonna and Gwen Stefani with their ability to be unique and unusual and yet look stylish- and even start trends...that says something when people emulate you and your stuff translates to the street, from the stage, without looking totally ridiculous...of course I also admire the celebs that don't buy into images too much either- and wear jeans and tees to events, or don't have stylists...I like "natural", comfortable style...I guess that is what I like about Madonna and Gwen- I'm pretty sure they do much of it themselves-other people have very little influence-and it is still done well.

Best= shoes and boots. I get so angry that I don't know how to make shoes and boots too! I desperately want to take a cobbling class- but it is pricey and requires a week's stay at a "camp" kind of far from here...otherwise a really cool long winter jacket from "storm" the watch company, back when they made clothes too. Worst=MC Hammer/genie style pants -black with gold suns. Thank goodness I only bought one pair-but even I knew they were terrible back then! That was 7th grade-clearly I was still struggling with finding my style...but I got over them really fast!!! And thankfully, that style has really not been re-made! I would certainly not do it again. ; )

Anything from the 20's-that free-spirited, wild style of the flappers, plus everyone still dressed up every day even for no reason...it seemed like people were really having fun then...it seems that rebellion brought about some very unique fashion changes...and set the stage for the 60's and beyond.

I think Asian culture has a lot of influence in fashion- so ancient and yet so modern...they were very connected to nature and the earth. I think that kind of Zen thinking is coming around more. Plus, the mandarin collar is one of my personal faves-and it just looks so perfect!

Ha-ha. I watch a lot of This Old House, and other garden or hom oriented shows, as we like to work a lot on our house and garden. We have so many unique and creative ideas, and we do them all ourselves-including planning an eco/green home, for fun. Plus, I gotta admit, I love Oprah. Oh-and my secret, sick indulgence-the wife-swapping mom shows...I know, it's terrible, right?