I went to my favorite eyeglasses shop in Austin, Stars in Your Eyes, and I found some fantastic frames. Now, I’m completely torn between which pair of glasses I should get. Can you help me choose?
Pair #1 (Too bad I’m blinking, but I think you can still see how they look.) Etnia Barcelona, Nimes model
Pair #2 Etnia Barcelona, Delhi model
Pair #3 Lafont Réédition
Thanks for helping me pick!
Yours in library love,
Karen Holt
Librarian Lifestyle Editor
The first-ever IFLAcamp, sponsored by the New Professionals Special Interest Group, was held this year as an IFLA satellite meeting in beautiful Hämeenlinna, Finland. IFLAcamp featured an unconference format. For those of you, like me, who have never experienced an unconference before, this format provides the opportunity for an exhilarating, PowerPoint-free exchange of ideas and knowledge.
Some of the topics that were discussed at IFLAcamp included Website Optimization, Library as Business Incubator, eBooks, Bridging the Physical and the Digital, and New Library Professionals as Managers. All the discussions I attended were very insightful and provided a great opportunity to learn from colleagues around the world as they shared their projects and experiences.
Now onto more important questions…like what do you wear to an unconference to strike the perfect balance between professional and casual? Librarian Lifestyle was on the scene photographing the latest in new librarian fashion from around the world.
Sanita Maleja, University of Latvia
Mace Ojala, Cycling for Libraries Unconference Organizer, Finland
Damon McGhee, University of Illinois, USA
Katia Shklyar, Sello Library, Espoo, Finland
Antti Impivaara, Turku City Library, Finland
Katie Mills, University of Western Australia and Pussadee Nonthacumjane, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Sören Niehäuser, Hochschule Ruhr West – University of Applied Science, Germany
Sebastian Wilke, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
Christian Gutknecht, University of Zurich, Main Library, Switzerland and Dace Udre, New Professionals Section of the Library Association of Latvia
Kseniya Timofeeva, Kaliningrad Library System and Tanya Tupota, Kaliningrad Library System, Russia
Are you a new professional planning on attending IFLA 2013? Don’t miss IFLAcamp! The New Professionals Special Interest Group will be hosting the second annual IFLA Camp in the Singapore-area, and it is not to be missed. You can keep up on the latest in new librarian happenings by following the New Professionals Special Interest Group on Facebook and Twitter.
By Karen Holt. Karen is a librarian at the University of Texas at Austin and she is the Editor of Librarian Lifestyle. Karen is interested in all things international, and she tweets @karenholt.
This week we’re headed to Cycling for Libraries and of course, the first thing we did to prepare for the ride was to find the cutest cycling clothes and accessories around. Here are some of our favorites.
April’s Picks (aka Not being a sporty girl, but wanting to look like Sporty Spice…)
Shopping for padded drawers is new for me. I was hoping that they would add a little junk in the trunk and I’d look like JLo. Turns out they made my butt look even flatter (which I seriously didn’t think could happen). Plus, as an added bonus, it feels like you are wearing a diaper. Knowing that I would really appreciate that padding after 12 days of 35 miles each, how was I going to make these cute?
Leave it to a fashionable, professional triathlete to figure out how to make it work – she added an adorable skirt! Check out Skirt Sports. I laughed when I read that this skirt would get you whistles, but I did get my first cycling cat call while wearing it the first time.
Bling out your bike with LED wheel valve lights. Check out the pink. I need to do some serious night riding now!
First off, how can you go wrong with that name like We Flashy, second these are really cute designs for guys and gals. It’s “reflective clothing for modern times” and they work the reflective material right into the pattern of the adorable clothes. I’m in love with this polka dot pullover.
Being a big fan of the handbag, I couldn’t just get any bag for my bike. Po Campo combines style and function. The ladies from Chicago know how to make a cute versatile bag. It can be used on the bike, to carry your yoga bag, or even as a diaper bag.
The clutch is perfect, it goes from the handlebars to the bars seamlessly.
Po Campo is offering a 15% discount to our readers – just enter PoCampo15 when checking out at pocampo.com
Another accessory that is must, but is usually not very attractive is your helmet. Yakkay is making helmets into hats. Pick the color of your helmet and then pick the cover you want. Then, you can change the look by changing the cover. My favorite is the Tokyo Flower and Karen is a fan of the Tokyo Blue Stripe. We both want to check out the 60s shaped hat, you know the one that looks like a horse riding helmet. These could be perfect or so wrong.
Karen’s Picks:
From bells to bags, I love accessories! Since we started training for Cycling for Libraries, I’ve been doing lots of research to find the cutest accessories around, and here are some of my favorites.
With all of the things you need to buy for your bike, who doesn’t love getting a good deal? Chain Love offers primo pieces of cycling gear on their site for ridiculously low prices. Sign up for Instant Alerts so that you always know what the deal is.
I find the most adorable and unique things at museum shops, and these all weather bike lights from Stockholm’s Moderna Museet are no exception. Functional and adorable, they come in 4 cute color ways.
These horns, also from the Moderna Museet, are a blast. Cute and retro, they are sure to help you make any pedestrian or cyclist aware of your presence.
Electra makes some of my favorite bicycle bells. They have some really fun abstract designs and I love the simplicity and the pink color of this I Heart My Bike bell.
Helmet design has come a long way in the last 5 years and there are some great designs out there for women. I’ve become a big fan of the Bern helmet and I love their color combos.
(Who doesn’t look great turquoise!)
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the cute helmets for kids. I just got this adorable Nutcase helmet for my daughter. She hates hats, but she loves her cute helmet and refuses to take it off. Nutcase also makes some fun helmets for adults. The best part is that on the back it says “I love my brain.” I can’t think of anything more fitting.
April already mentioned these, but I just wanted to say that Po Campo bike bags are the best! Seriously, if there is one accessory you buy (apart from a helmet and lights), get one of these bags. They fit easily onto your bike rack, so you don’t have to worry about what to do with your bag, and when you’re done with your ride, you have a cute bag to carry around. I just picked up this cute satchel at Rocket Electrics in Austin. (They have last year’s styles if you’re looking for Po Campo vintage.) Also, you can use our discount code if you buy at PoCampo.com. Enter the code PoCampo15 to get 15% off.
Me, my Bianchi, and my Po Campo bag.
Interested in seeing more great cycling clothes and accessories? Check out these sites!
By April Kessler and Karen Holt. April and Karen are librarians at The University of Texas at Austin and they departing tomorrow for Cycling for Libraries in the Baltics. They tweet @bizologie and @karenholt respectively, and you can follow their biking adventures on Librarian Lifestyle and Bizologie.
The subject of what shoes to bring to conferences, and what not to, has been on my mind lately since this is conference season for a lot of us. I just got back from the 2012 ALA convention in Anaheim, CA and while I didn’t have to go too far from the convention center and surrounding hotels, I did get in a lot of walking.
Before I left for the conference I dithered about what shoes to bring. Did I need a dressy pair? How about sneakers? Were the Birkenstocks too flat, too frumpy, just too Birkenstocky? Heels or flats? Black, nude, brown? How much room in my carry-on luggage did I have for x-number of shoes?
I packed and unpacked different pairs of shoes until right before I left for the airport, and even then questioned my choices. (As for clothes, no problem – just threw in mix ‘n match T-shirts, denim skirts, one pair of black pants, cardigans, and voila!)
I ended up with these:
And these:
(I also packed cheapo flip-flops, and sneakers, but I never did wear them.)
The Cole Haan wedge shoes were comfy and easy to walk in, for the first day. I ended up wearing them for 3-1/2 days and by the time I got home I just wanted to burn them. The Clark wedges were fine, but not for extended walking.
Why, oh why, didn’t I bring these?
and/or these?
By the last morning of the conference, I was craving comfort and cursing myself for leaving my less stylish (OK dowdy) shoes at home. The trek through the airport wasn’t so delightful either.
Will I ever learn? I know I’ll be facing the same dilemma the next time I pack for a trip.
How about you?
(Alexandra Simons is the History/Political Science/Gov Docs librarian at the University of Houston. She has a hard time finding shoes that fit. She has spent too much money at Nordstrom and Zappos.)
If you are familiar with Ari Seth Cohen’s blog Advanced Style, you’ve already seen the photographs and interviews he’s done with older women (and some men) who have loads of style, panache, elegance, and wit. Most of the photographs were taken in New York City, which does seem to have an abundance of fabulous dames. (He’s also got some recent shots of Italians, and plans to branch out to other areas.)
If you haven’t seen the blog, the book Advanced Style is a great introduction to the concept of having style throughout your life. Ranging from flat-out elegant (think Grace Kelly, Lena Horne, Lauren Bacall) to wild and colorful (think Betsey Johnson), these women really know who they are. In a society that worships youth, it’s really inspiring to see women dress and age on their own terms. One of Cohen’s subjects, Ilona Royce Smithkin says, “If you try to imitate too much, you will look like nothing. Never compare. You are you!” Another quote, from Lubi, is “Some might see it as gray hair, age, genetics, stress, etc. I see if differently. I see it as platinum elegance.” Oh, me too!
There is also a terrific interview at the end of the book between Dita von Teese (elegant cabaret artiste) and Ilona Royce Smithkin. Their discussion about fashion and style bridges the age gap, with both of them talking about personal style and how it influences their lives.
My all-time favorite book is Auntie Mame, a character who epitomizes the idea of individual style and flair at any age Really one of the most fun books ever written (I’m not so wild about the movie versions). I’m also a huge fan of RuPaul, who personifies “eleganza” and fabulousness. I am still working on my own style, and trying to be less conservative and have more flair. Or at least a bit more elegance.
I hope you’ll pick up a copy of Advanced Style and/or check out the blog. I think you’ll love it! I leave you with one of my favorite shots of my grandmother Lee, in her late 70s, on a cruise in 1960.
Welcome to Librarian Lifestyle’s Style Profile Series! Each month, we highlight a fashionable information professional and study their style philosophy. This month, our series features University of Texas Business Librarian, Librarian Lifestyle contributor, and Bizologie Co-Founder and blogger, April Kessler.
Great style seems to come naturally for April Kessler, the Business Librarian at The University of Texas. Her design sense extends from her diverse collection of dresses to her beautiful mid-century modern home furnishings. In the following interview, April gives us an insight on how she puts it all together.
Peggy or Joan?
How would you characterize your style?
I like to think of it as classic with a little retro flair. I do like bold color and I like to wear solids, but I try to mix in a few prints. Love the Mad Men style of the 50s/60s, and I’m a cross between Peggy and Joan.
What’s your favorite, or go-to, clothing item in your closet?
A dress is always my go-to so I don’t have to figure out separates. My favorite is a black and white faux wrap dress. I splurged on this dress, but it’s machine washable and I’ve had it for 5 years. Worth every penny — looks brand new. I can wear it in the fall with boots or in the summer with pumps.
What’s your secret for transitioning seamlessly from day to night?
I wear dressy jeans and a cute top on Friday so I can just swap out the dress shoes for flip-flops and hit the town for Happy Hour.
Do you have any style icons?
I would love to have access to Reese Witherspoon’s closet. Her red carpet looks are always classic and she also looks adorable and put together in her casual wear.
Does your profession have any influence on your workplace style? How do you maintain your sense of style in the library?
The cardigan is a staple for me, but that is because I’m always cold. I learned early that you dress for the job you want not for the job you have. So even as a student I was wearing nice, professional outfits to work.
What spring and summer trends are you looking forward to?
Color blocking is always a favorite of mine, so I’m glad to see it as trend. Stripes are great. I usually like bold colors, but I’m giving pastels a try this season.
Black and white, accented with a fun, green belt
Are there any librarian style “stereotypes” that you purposely avoid (i.e., cardigans, cat sweaters, Danskos, etc.)?
Well, I love my cardigans, and everything I put on instantly has a little dog hair on it, but you’ll never catch me in a cat sweater. No appliques of any kind really. I love the idea of glasses as accessories, but I still only wear my contacts.
Max, one of the (adorable) sources of the dog hair
Where do you like to shop, both locally and online?
I love a good deal, so I hit up the outlet malls, Target, and DSW. I have tried buying shoes online without much success. Still keep trying though. My new favorite online store is eShakti. They will make you a custom dress for around $60. That is hard to beat and the styles are so me.
A custom eShakti creation
Do you have any personal style rules that you live/dress by?
My one personal style rule as I age is: If I wore the style the first time it was trendy, I’m not allowed to wear it again. So you won’t catch me in the neon trend this spring. I rocked it hard during the 80s and now it’s time for me to put it away.
April’s Closet
Many thanks to April for the insight into her closet and style tenets. Check back next month for our next Librarian Lifestyle Style Profile!
By Arianne Thigpen. Arianne is the Reference/Serials Librarian at Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas. She received her MSIS from The University of Texas at Austin. Her interests include reading, style, cooking, fitness and nutrition, classic films, and emerging information technology. She tweets @arilib_atx.
Well, that got your attention, didn’t it? Instead of talking about the delightfulness of this popular erotic tale (which I admit I haven’t read), this entry is all about going gray, as in hair color. It’s a fairly taboo subject, too, come to think of it.
A couple of years ago I decided to stop coloring my hair, mainly because of the upkeep, but more so because I wondered how it would look. Would it be salt and pepper gray? Pure white? A mix of colors? Would the texture be straight or frizzy? How long would it take to grow out? I also began to notice older women with gray hair at library conferences. There were lots of different colors, textures, and styles, from very chic to blah.
While I’ve never walked up to anyone and asked about why they decided to go natural (maybe I should), I often wonder about they came to that conclusion. People have volunteered their own opinions about hair color, though. Some say they will color their hair for as long as they can, i.e., “My students will think I’m old if I go gray.” “I’m not ready to give up and let myself go.” Others say they’re fine with going natural, and embrace it with new hairstyles, or just cut it short and call it a day.
If you do decide to go natural (or keep coloring your hair), as you get older be aware that changes in hormonal levels due to menopause, diet, or illness can result in:
If you already have a good stylist, ask her/him about the best ways to keep your hair looking good. A professional cut is important, but doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you see a style you like on someone, ask them where they got their hair cut, or look online at hairstyles that appeal to you, and show them to a stylist. If you are basically a low-maintenance person when it comes to hair, there are lots of wash & wear styles you can try, and of course, if you don’t like a particular style, you can always try something new! As for me, I’m really glad I decided to quit coloring my hair and let nature take its course. I was born with auburn hair that grew darker as I got older, but my hair now has red, gold, and gray all mixed together, and it will probably be all white in a few years. I also have lots of it, so I get it trimmed and textured every few weeks.
Graying hair can make you look washed out, so if you do wear makeup, you might want to adjust and brighten your look. I’m a fan of Bobbi Brown cosmetics because many of her products are aimed at women with older skin. Go to the makeup counter at a department store and ask for help and a makeover if they can do it. It’s fun and doesn’t cost you anything until you decide to purchase all or some of the stuff they recommend. (I usually go for the more expensive blush and eye shadow because they tend to last a lot longer than most drugstore products, but I stick with Maybelline and Revlon for mascara and powder.) If you don’t wear makeup, try a skin care regimen specifically formulated for older and more delicate skin. What worked in your 20s and 30s may not work for you now.
In closing, the most important thing is to have confidence in, and own your look. Whether you decide to go natural or keep coloring your hair, try to keep a positive outlook in mind and body.
I’d love to hear what you have to say on this subject!
Here are some links you might find helpful and interesting. I especially love Advanced Style – these women and men are fabulous.
Submitted by Alex Simons
Librarian Lifestyle was on hiatus last week as we were attending the Texas Library Association conference in Houston. The conference is the third largest librarian conference in the United States and there were lots of stylish librarians in attendance.
Stripes, bright colors, peplums, skinny jeans, florals, and polka dots. Texas librarians (and our author and publisher friends) are wearing it all! We documented how librarians are rocking those spring trends.
Nate McKee, Learning Commons Manager, University of Houston
Oinetté Flake, Mary Deniece Smith, and LaTonya Hadnot, Dallas ISD Librarians
Sherry Thomas, YA Author, and Donna Bray, Co-Publisher, Balzer + Bray/Harper Collins
Megan Treseder, Azle Memorial Library
Allison Faulk, Melissa Rubio, and Theresa Quintanilla, Lone Star College
Jamie Jenson, Pink Elementary Library, Frisco ISD
Rachel Hawkins, Author
Lindsey Schell, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Ebook Library
Marie Wise, Project Manager, William J. Hill Texas Artisans and Artists Archive, Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Ashlynn Wicke, Reference & Instruction Librarian, University of Houston – Clear Lake
Alex Simons, History/Political Science/Gov Docs Librarian at the University of Houston
April Kessler, Business Librarian, University of Texas at Austin
Laura Young, Research Analyst, Austin Ventures
Photographs by Karen Holt, Librarian Lifestyle Editor-in-Chief
Conference season is right around the corner and the burning question is …. what shoes are you going to wear?
Over the next three weeks, Librarian Lifestyle is going to feature a variety of shoes for your every need, whether it’s attending committee meetings, teaching instruction classes, or going to an interview.
This week’s feature is flats for spring. I work on a large campus, so I’m always looking for the holy grail…cute, comfy shoes that I can walk in for two miles. I think that these flats will pass the test!
(Most of these shoes come in different color ways. I’ve featured these shoes in summer’s trendiest colors, because I love to wear a pop a color on my feet.)
I love the little cutouts on these.
Born Carnie Flat $94.95
Great color for spring!
DV by Dolce Vita $78.95
Look cute and do good at the same time.
Tom’s Alessandra Ballet Flat $78.95
Edgy.
Vince Camuto Ferguson Flats $97.95
Geox makes shoes with breathable soles, perfect for those hot spring days.
Geox Donna Lola 47 $125.00
Green is the new black.
Miz Mooz Dulce Green $99.95
So feminine and adorable
Polpo Bacio 61 $125.00
I love red stripes.
Puma Lily Ballet Flat $74.95
Naya River Flats $125.00
Saving the best for last! 
I love how fun these are.
Poetic License You Rebel $79.00
Written by Karen Holt, shoe lover and Librarian Lifestyle Editor-in-Chief. Karen is a librarian at the University of Texas at Austin and she tweets @karenholt and @librarianlifest.
