Jeans makers: One size doesn’t fit all

Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 07 December 2010 15:35

“Women usually love what they buy, yet hate two-thirds of what is in their closets.” —Mignon McLaughlin, “The Neurotic's Notebook”

 

The average height and weight of an American woman is 5 feet, 3 inches and 164 pounds.

Sounds about right. So, can someone explain why the jeans distributed within a 60-mile radius of my house are either size 0 low-rise, skinny or size 12 ultra flare, extra long?

And take it from someone who’s “below average,” it’s better to skip the petite department. Judging by that section in the stores I’ve been in lately, the blueprints for constructing jeans for a “typical” petite woman must begin with a blue outline of Danny Devito.

If the length is right (which is unlikely) then the...

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Perspective gives reason for thanks

Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 23 November 2010 15:36

“Despite popular belief to the contrary, there is absolutely no power in intention. The seagull may intend to fly away, may decide to do so, may talk with the other seagulls about how wonderful it is to fly, but until the seagull flaps his wings and takes to the air, he is still on the dock…. Have you ever considered how we judge ourselves by our intentions while we judge others by their actions? Yet intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best from you. I ‘intended’ to bring you flowers, but I didn’t. I ‘meant’ to finish this work on time. I was ‘going’ to be there for your birthday…,” —Jones from “The Noticer”

 

A couple of weeks ago I went to a high school production of “The...

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Here’s a new approach to Christmas

Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 09 November 2010 15:42

“Christmas can (still) change the world. This year, Give Presence” —Advent Conspiracy

 

Somehow, in the midst of the overwhelming cynicism circling the holidays, my excitement for it never diminishes.

On Sept. 1, I start to nonchalantly gear up in my head. I label September as my favorite month of the year because, as much as I love summertime, I just can’t help it—fall has a bigger piece of my heart. It might be the red leaves, my fireplace, snuggling with a quilt and whoever happens to be on the couch (within reason), or huge crockpots of soup.

Fall is the gateway to Christmas. The name still sends the right kind of shivers down my spine. I love everything about it, from the threat of a Christmas Eve blizzard to the...

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Stir the creativity, it’s time to write

Written by Shelley Plett Tuesday, 26 October 2010 16:36

I can do this. WE can do this. However far behind you are, take comfort in knowing that there is somebody else out there in the same boat, and look for that next fun scene. And then the next. And if that doesn’t work, set someone on fire. In your book, of course.” —Sara Gruen, from a Nanowrimo pep talk for participants, 2007

 

A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to first listen to, and then meet one of my favorite authors. I went through the meet-and-greet line pretty quickly, satisfied with her signature in my copy of her book.

It only took me two weeks to think of what I should have asked.

Her name is Sara Gruen and she wrote “Water for Elephants,” an amazing story set around a fictitious traveling circus in the...

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