The Hidden Closet

Have you ever been so busy, dressing up was a chore? Or lamented, "I have nothing to wear!" despite a closet full of clothes? Then morph into the classics. Get your clue from Nancy Drew!!

Our titian-haired sleuth has remained a timeless classic since the 1930s. The Nancy Drew Mysteries, Nancy Drew Files, and Nancy Drew Notebooks continue to be read by millions of readers worldwide. Her secret? A universal desire to do what's right coupled with a keen, probing mind. And her fashion sense? Strictly classic. It has served her well time after time.

Take the case, "Nancy Drew," the movie starring Emma Roberts hitting the silver screen this summer. Here we have our amateur detective leaving River Heights to solve the Dehlia Draycott mystery in fashion-conscious, "what's hot, what's not" Los Angeles. She "retro"actively does the job, delves deep into the mystery, unaffected by the entrenched "in" crowd of Hollywood High. Sweet!!!

So here's a Tudy Tip: whether you're out solving "The Mystery of the 99 Steps," unlocking "The Secrets of the Old Clock," deciphering "The E-Mail Message," or just "Dressed To Steal" the show, clue into Drew and consider the case of "The Hidden Closet" closed!

For no closet should ever be without them: classic jean jackets, belted trench coats, white or vibrant, colored cotton shirts, fabulous-fitting (neutral, colored, faded, or tailored) jeans, slacks and capris. Keep the basics and watch the spin-offs you create. You'll always be in style. It'll always be vintage YOU!

So, what are your favorite fashion staples? What works for you time after time? Forget the trends. What's in YOUR closet?

For Patrice!

Finally read some of the Geronimo Stilton adventures! Wonder when I'll ever finish all of them! But now I know why my friend, Patrice, likes them - they're so colorful! Literally! Makes it fun and easy to read! Of course, my favorite character is Thea! She is SUCH a colorful character!

Keep on reading!

Your Favorite Books?

My friend, Patrice, told me her favorite books are the Geronimo Stilton adventure books. Haven't read them yet but I promise I will. Meowry isn't too happy about it (and you'll find out why) but she'll get over it! What are YOUR favorite books? Please share them with me!

Meow!

Meowry asked me to talk about the "Lionboy" books. Why, you ask? Because Zizou Corder's (that's the nome de plume of a mother and daughter team!) "Lionboy," "Lionboy, The Chase," and "Lionboy, The Truth" are all about a young boy, Charlie Ashanti, who speaks Cat! Charlie and his cats take you on a wild-lion-ride of an adventure to Paris, Venice and Africa! And that's why its one of my, and Meowry's, favorite books.

Who is Meowry, you ask? Well, she's my cat, and you'll meet her very soon!

Aaargh!

Ahoy there, mateys! Did you know two of the most infamous "Pirates of the Caribbean" were women? Anne Bonny and Mary Read sailed the Caribbean seas with Captain "Calico" Jack from 1719 to 1720. According to the books, "Pirateology" by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and "Pirates" by John Mathews, Anne Bonny and Mary Read were every bit the swashbuckling, sword-yielding bucaneers of legends past. And they dressed the part! No tight corsets, petticoats or bustled skirts for these ladies. No, they wore canvas trousers, fearnought jackets and sashes to cradle that ever-faithful cutlass! Anne Bonny and Mary Read were practical. They dressed like men but did it with style. They were savvy icons early on.

So would I choose a pirate's life for me? Yo, ho, ho, NO .... let's not even go there!

But would I choose a pirate's style for me? Aye, aye, me ladies! Treasure that thought!

Thank You!

To Andie, Alyssa, Bea C., Bea T., Divine, Elise, Gabby, Greg, Ingga, Jenny, JoAnn, Joe, Maudlin, Maya, Nica, Patrice, Pia, Pinky, Pita, Remi, Steph, Temika, Trisha and all the "Anonymous" ones - thanks!

Watch and Wear

Should you ever judge a person by what they wear? I know you shouldn't, but I knew right from the start there was something wrong with Mrs. Jeepers just from the clothes she wore. In "The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids" series, "Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots," couldn't you just tell? I mean, a starched white blouse with a high collar and a glowing, green brooch the size of a chicken egg? Creepy!

And remember Count Olaf in Brett Helquist's (aka Lemony Snicket), "A Series Of Unfortunate Events?" Even before he spoke, I knew he was trouble. Just check out the clothes he wore. I would never have entrusted the Baudeliere orphans to a man who dressed like that. Frankly, his jacket was a dead giveaway.

So maybe, just maybe, you can judge a person by the clothes they wear. At least you can in books! I think it's a good sense to develop about characters. What do you think?