Lifestyle
What was Agatha Christie’s favorite plant? We take a guess.
Once I’m studying a ebook, I typically surprise in regards to the internal lifetime of its creator. What books did they learn once they have been youngsters? Is their work impressed by anybody? Did they’ve any houseplants?
This comedian imagines solutions to the latter query. For instance, if Agatha Christie had a favourite houseplant, it could be the Monstera. The “Swiss cheese” plant might have break up leaves, however they will develop massive sufficient to cover a lifeless physique. In the meantime, feline fan Haruki Murakami might get pleasure from rising catnip, whereas Joan Didion maybe favored wallflowers. Learn on for much more just-for-fun plant theorizing.
“Agatha Christie, Monstera: a plant so massive you possibly can conceal a physique in it!”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Franz Kafka, oak leaf: satisfies probably the most sudden and unnatural cravings…”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Haruki Murakami, catnip: a helpful plant for attracting misplaced cats within the neighborhood.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Leo Tolstoy: any dying plant: pleased vegetation are all alike, each sad plant is sad in its personal manner.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Joan Didion, wallflower: the one within the nook listening to your conversations — and taking notes.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Toni Morrison, dandelion: finds it much more lovely as a result of everybody thinks its a weed.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Windmill palms: Appreciates their magnificence, however privately suspects they’re giants.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Edgar Allan Poe, the Venus flytrap: undeniably, he’s understanding some points!”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“William Shakespeare, Belladonna: a.ok.a lethal nightshade, he respects is aptitude for drama.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
“Thomas Pynchon: It was unimaginable to search out out Thomas Pynchon’s favourite plant.”
(Kelsey Davenport / For The Instances )
Kelsey Davenport is a designer and illustrator residing in Los Angeles. Comply with @latimesplants on Instagram.
When you get dressed for the day and look at yourself in the mirror, is self-criticism the outfit that always seems to fit best?
Los Angeles-based stylist Sophie Strauss, a self-described “stylist for regular people,” wants to change that. She helps her clients find clothes that make them feel confident, comfortable and stylish. One step to getting there is to reframe how they talk about their clothes in relation to their bodies, she says.
People often assume that it’s their fault that their clothes don’t look good on them, says Strauss. But that’s not true. “You’re not failing the shirt. The shirt is failing you.”
So if you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk in the dressing room, take a moment to flip the narrative around, says Strauss. Here are positive and constructive ways to tackle common style complaints.
“I have nothing to wear!”
To start your fashion refresh, take inventory of the clothes you own and identify what makes you feel good.
juanma hache/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
juanma hache/Getty Images
People often say this when they feel stuck or bored with their style, says Strauss. But instead of immediately buying a new outfit, look at this as an opportunity to reexamine your wardrobe.
Try on all the clothes in your closet to identify pieces that make you feel good — or simply forgot about, like that sparkly 80s number in the back of your closet. You might be surprised by just how much you have to work with.
Then get creative. Tuck, tie, cuff, roll, belt, layer, cinch. Try wearing a maxi skirt as a dress, then belting it around your waistline. Style your button-down shirts as a layering piece. Strauss says people forget all the ways you can alter clothing to play with its look and feel.
“This outfit isn’t flattering”
If you don’t think an outfit looks “flattering” on you, don’t blame your body, blame the clothing. That can help you find pieces that make you feel more comfortable.
Igor Alecsander/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Igor Alecsander/Getty Images
Comments like “this isn’t flattering” or “this outfit isn’t doing me any favors” are usually code that your clothing isn’t slimming or age-appropriate, says Strauss. And that puts the fault on your body, not the clothing.
So put that onus back on the outfit. Start by saying, “I don’t like this.” Then, unpack why that might be — and get specific. Is the neckline choking you? Is the fabric too itchy? You may realize your outfit isn’t “doing you any favors” because the garment is tight or the material is uncomfortable. And maybe that means swapping out that garment for something you do like.
“I could never pull off that look”
If you’re worried about taking a fashion risk, take baby steps. Practice wearing garments you love (but are nervous about) to low-stakes locales, like the grocery store.
GabrielPevide/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
GabrielPevide/Getty Images
A woman is walking down the street in an all-white getup. You think to yourself, dang, I wish I could pull off the monochrome look.
Anyone can take fashion risks. It just takes confidence, and that’s something you can build, says Strauss. Find low-stakes opportunities to wear a garment you love but feel nervous about. Rock that glittery new top at the grocery store or that groovy pink wig at your favorite cafe. The more you practice wearing it out, the less scary it’ll feel.
“My outfit isn’t unique enough”
Personal style is about being intentional, not about being the most interesting looking person on the street.
Westend61/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Westend61/Getty Images
“There seems to be this misconception that personal style is a race to be the most unique person on the street,” says Strauss.
But personal style is about making the right choices for yourself. If you feel most comfortable running errands in a T-shirt and jeans, you’re doing it right. If you want to wear a feather-trimmed hot pink blazer to feel like the special person you are on your birthday, that’s OK too.
“Help! I feel like this doesn’t match”
There is no rule book on personal style. If it looks good to you, it doesn’t matter if it “matches.”
SeventyFour/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
SeventyFour/Getty Images
Strauss says clients will often come to her looking for concrete guidelines on how to dress. Do these shoes match with this outfit? Am I supposed to wear a belt with these pants?
If you feel any kind of pressure about the right and wrong ways to dress, that’s not style — that’s marketing, says Strauss. Personal style doesn’t have a rule book.
“Style is the expression of your preferences and personality through your clothes,” she says. That means no one else but you can decide if the shoes match your outfit or if your pants need a belt – so rock what feels good to you.
This episode of Life Kit was produced by Clare Marie Schneider. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. The visual producer is Beck Harlan.
Want more Life Kit? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get expert advice on topics like money, relationships, health and more. Click here to subscribe now.
‘Saturday Night’ feeds on the energy, and insanity, of the first ever ‘SNL’ broadcast This expertly cast film captures the rehearsals and the logistics that lead up to opening night. It’s a nonstop joy ride — and a testament to the adage that the show must go on.
Market Domination – Yahoo Finance
The Best CrossFit Gear for Your Home Gym, Tested by Fitness Editors
‘Oh, Canada’ Review: Paul Schrader Dissects an Dying Director's Mortality in Soulful, Reflective Drama
US Justice Dept Sues Virginia for Violating Federal Election Law
HP Newest All-in-One Desktop, 21.5″ FHD Display, 32GB RAM, 1TB Storage (512GB SSD with P500 500GB External SSD), Intel Dual-Core Processor, Webcam, HDMI, Bluetooth, Mouse and Keyboard, Windows 11
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Mayorkas grabs high-end sushi from DC Nobu directly after quick stop in Hurricane Helene-hit North Carolina
Zelenskyy meets Scholz in Berlin despite NATO meeting cancellation
How one woman is seeking atonement this year during Yom Kippur
How a Fox News host’s misleading question about migrant children morphed into a Trump talking point
Hunter Biden legal saga is ‘real war’ that 'preoccupied' outgoing president, new Woodward book claims
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25439572/VRG_TEC_Textless.jpg "Charter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year")
Technology1 week agoCharter will offer Peacock for free with some cable subscriptions next year
-
World1 week agoUkrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World1 week agoWikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology1 week agoBeware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health6 days agoHealth, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Virginia1 week agoStatus for Daniels and Green still uncertain for this week against Virginia Tech; Reuben done for season
-
Sports7 days agoFreddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News6 days agoLebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment