Ask Allie: About Me!
Yesterday’s post brought a lot of you readers out of lurking and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I didn’t write it hoping for comments… I considered not writing it at all because I feared I would look boo-boo kitty, and I was more angry than sad about the whole shebang. But I am glad I posted, because many of you left comments, sent me messages through my feedback form, emailed me, and got around to asking some questions about me that were on your mind:
Hi Allie, you never seem to wear pants. Is this a religious thing?
I never realized that I don’t wear pants until today, and I used to be such a fan of pants I joked I would get married in them. Skirts were difficult – special undergarments, couldn’t sit on the ground easily, couldn’t wear my trusty black city boots. But as I have gotten older, I feel that this body is better suited for skirts. I have a soft stomach, round rear, very curvy legs. Pants that fit often stretch out on me over the day and look a bit dumpy come 5pm; slimmer styles don’t fit over my large calves; my petite frame looks better with tops tucked in, and pants seem to draw attention to my midsection more so than skirts.
Today I am wearing a pair of pants I picked up at the DC Sip and Swap the other week. They are slightly high-waisted, wide waistband, sailor-inspired trousers that looked very retro this morning (I felt tres Katherine Hepburn), but now look schlumpy. So my lack of pants isn’t due to religion, but due to my figure. Gotta flatter what you got!
What skincare do you use? I’m your age and have no clue where to start.
I have yet to find any product that makes me a loyal follower, so my regimine changes each time I empty a tube or pot.
Right now I use either Neutrogena Cleansing Wipes
or Clarisonic Nourishing Care Cleanser
(and sometimes I use the Clarisonic Mia
, sometimes not) at night. I then use the CVS brand of Roc Retinol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
, and then over it the CVS Anti-Wrinkle & Firming Advanced Night Cream (this is their version of Olay or Roc, can’t recall).
In the morning, I use Thayer’s Rose Witch Hazel
to clean my face, then use the Olay Total Effects Line and Dark Circle Minimizing Brush
– this has a very faint color on its own which is awesome for summer low-makeup looks. I put it of course on my eyes, but also under my nostrils and around my lips (I read somewhere that Evelyn Lauder always put eye cream around her lips to prevent wrinkles). Then over the whole face it’s some random moisturizer with SPF. Right now it’s DDF
because I have a trial size.
This combination right now is pretty good – the day moisturizer is almost empty so I will need a replacement and will probably look for a lighter formula to work with all the oil and sweat of July and August. The Clarisonic face wash is meh – it doesn’t do a very good job of taking off eye makeup and doesn’t work well without the brush. I won’t buy the Neutrogena wipes again (bought for Bonnaroo) because I feel it is too much landfill waste, though they do work phenomenally well. So I am on the hunt for a decent face wash as well that can handle waterproof liquid liner and the occasional waterproof mascara without drying out my face.
So um yeah… this is why I am not a beauty blogger. I know I should be better… getting there…
Allie you were in a sorority? Which one?
I went to the University of Maryland College Park (go Terps!) where I was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Not only was I in a sorority, but I was the social chairperson for one year (I guess a few of you aren’t shocked). Many people stereotype those who join a sorority, find them to be superficial, stupid, etc. When I rushed, half my head was shaved and you couldn’t get me out of my Doc Martens
if you tried. Being in a sorority had its ups and downs, but if I hadn’t joined I probably would have dropped out of college my sophomore year. It made a big school feel much smaller, my GPA went up, and I met some brilliant, creative and good people – some who I am still friends with to this very day.
What do you do for a living? I can’t tell from your posts!
Well then I have done my job on here quite well! My job knows I blog and some coworkers read it, but this blog has nothing to do with the wonderful place where I work or what I do for them on a daily basis. I work in web communications for a company who works with the government. I am proud of where I work and the people I work with, and for that reason, I won’t be sharing much else about them.
Do you get any of your clothes for free?
Sometimes. When I do, I let you know. I will write a pretty detailed review of the product when it arrives. I may not always write “C/O” every time after because I don’t think it’s really relevant, the item is just a part of my wardrobe. I wear what I like, not what is given to me for free. I don’t think it matters if I scored it for 99 cents on eBay, paid $200 for it at Nordstrom, or a company was kind enough to send it to me. I will always link to an item I wear whenever possible, and if a company sent it to me free but they no longer sell that specific item, I will link to their main website.
How tall are you? You don’t look really short in your photos.
I am 5’3”. Not terribly short, but pretty darn short when trying to buy jeans or when standing next to my 6’5” husband!
I am sorry I haven’t been able to answer all of your emails and feedback messages. Do know I read them and I try to get back to you as soon as I can! Thank you all for your amazing support and friendship!
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I liked you already but got especially excited to know you could rock a Lyre! 😉
This was great to get to know you. I hope I might meet you one day!
Hi Allie! I’ve been following your blog for a few months and truly enjoy reading someone who is a “real” person like me. I have a suggestion on the cleanser, which I have used for about 25 years … good ol’ Cetaphil. I have even had success with store brand equivalents. It is great for sensitive skin, and you can remove it as you wish – tissues, washcloth, splashing with water. Very basic, but has worked well for me over the years as my skin has changed.
Sounds great, will check it out. Thank you!
Product suggestion for daytime SPF: Neutrogena dry touch sunblock (spf 30). After it dries it really is matte and does not add to the oiliness. It is not very moisturizing but it works well for me (I have normal- oily acne prone skin). I have not had a breakout since I started using is though beware that you do have to let it dry (it can “ball up” if you rub your face too soon after applying). Plus it is affordable and good UVA/ UVB protection!
I love this post!
Well you know I love Maggy London! 🙂
You are too sweet!
What fun, Allie!
True confessions time: “My Wardrobe Today” was my very first fashion blog. I don’t even remember how I found you – it had to have been five years ago or a bit longer – and it was like a huge beautiful amazingly fun light bulb going off over my cyber-head. I’ve read you just about daily since then, while other fashion blogs have done the come-and-go thing (with a couple of other exceptions, of course) in my daily life.
And one of these days, no matter what you say, I’m going to get you into a vintage Maggy London! A silk sheath from the 80s, I think – you would so rock that look 🙂
Aw thanks Grace!
Aww! It’s so nice to hear a bit about you! I love you to death as a fashion blogger, obviously, but I am always stoked when you do more personal blogger type posts, too–you just seem like such a nice, fun person. /gushing