So it is with a very heavy heart I write this. I found youlookfab in either 2007 or 2008,
while I was on my externship in The Bronx. I moved to Seattle in 2008, still
following the blog and lurking in the forum. It was a time of big change for
me. I finally got a good job, lost a significant amount of weight and was ready
for a new me. I started commenting in the forum. I did not post a pic until
2009. I remember my first outfit, it was leather legging, a white loose t-shirt
dress, True Religion denim jacket with rhinestone buttons and Stewart Weitzman
heeled mule clogs. It got a Killer from Angie. It took another year for me to
show my face. But it was fun. You’ve seen the whackadoodle, trendy, and
provactive.
I know I haven’t been the perfectly polite forum member at
times, probably even a bit abrasive. But you have been wonderfully tolerant of
my foibles.
I thought with all the changes in my life, that my dating
life would also fall into place. It hasn’t. I’ve given up on that. But more
pressing, my father is getting older, a lot older. I am an only child, my
mother died about twelve years ago. I am finding I need to focus my priorities
elsewhere. I want to take my dad back to Australia to see his family before he
is too old to handle the long flight. To show him Uluru, which he has never
seen. I need to spend more time with him, a lot more time. I want to see the
snows of Kilimanjaro before they only exist in a Hemingway story. To see the
Galapagos. Take up the offer of my college friend and go back to Paris and
visit him and go on a French wine tour. Something has to give. Unfortunately,
it is fashion and this amazing place.
I decided my last hurrah would be the fantastic over-the-top
Shoptember Inge-fest meet-up. To see, and converse with forum members from all
over the world. I was so touched when there was a line of people wanting to hug
me at dinner Friday night. I was very glad I was able to help Angie in some of
the events. The weekend flew by, so much talking and laughing. I’ve made some
fantastic memories. But that is true of every meet-up I’ve ever been to. I’m
grateful for each real-life encounter.
I am not deleting my account, nor my blog. I will however no
longer being posting outfits and interacting on the forum. If you want to stay
in contact, please PM me. I am most active on Facebook; my posts are mostly bus
stories (which I have been told are very entertaining), random musings, wine
reviews and photos. I am much snarkier and there is some swearing. I do not
post religious things and the most political I get are some posts on global
warming. Email, I am not as consistent communicator. I also am on Twitter, but
am not truly active and generally limit it to very short bus quips.
I will remain open to meeting any and all of you again. If
you ever come to Seattle, I will happily take you out for our amazing seafood
and Washington state wine. I may even give you some Theo chocolate. If you want
to go hiking, of course I am always up for that.
You all have been an amazing group of women. I hope that this is not forever, but
for now adieu.
So with that, I give you my final outfit for the Shoptember
Inge-fest Meet-up cocktail party. Piers Atkinson cherry headpiece, DVF drapey
dress and jeweled heel Miu Miu ankle boots.
Stay Fab!