Margaret Logan Style

My beloved Portland. Bustling streets, ocean vistas, cobblestone alleyways and fabulous little shops people the world over have fallen in love with, where are you? Where have you gone?

After a brief foray in town this morning, it really seems like Portland is throwing in the towel. And I still can’t believe it.

Stiletto is closing. Just the Portland store, of course. Its big sister in Portsmouth still marches on in that buzzing little enclave that is now a full fledged bedroom community of its even bigger sister, Boston.

Au Naturals is gone, with apparently Local 188 moving in. Prime retail spots on Exchange Street now feature second hand stores and low brow t-shirt shops. This is all trumped by the fact that a Head Shop is now located just a dash across the street from Helene m. And this is just what I noticed today. It doesn’t begin to highlight the loss and economic deprivation the Old Port has suffered in even the last six months.

The weekenders, the folks off the boats and the tourists must love the way our town has evolved over the last year. I can safely say the locals are appalled.

My brother-in-law Jerry once said to me, as we struggled to win a game of doubles against some gloating sisters of mine, “Margs, tough times don’t last. Tough people do.”

And so it should go with our fair (and I thought resilient) city. Portland is better than this.

Mrs. O ~ what a delightful and well done site, dedicated entirely to the fashion forays and the stylish endeavors of our first lady, Michelle Obama. The tagline reads, “Mrs. O: Follow the fashion of Mrs. O: What and Whom She’s Wearing.”

My favorite posting is, “Elegance Epitomized.” She is so lovely, and the photo seems so genuine.

Such a fun peek into the ultimate world of high profile…enjoy and be inspired!

Let me just bask for a moment in this liberating, wondrous feeling…

Comfort. Freedom. Confidence. Complete composure.

I bought a new bra today, and the world is a better place. The girls are happy. I am happy. My back is sending me a thank you note and my good posture has returned.

Lest you think I am being a tad dramatic, try wearing an ill-fitting bra with absolutely no support and, come to find out, one that’s two sizes too big (don’t ask) for over four months, and then let’s talk. It wasn’t pretty, and it certainly wasn’t comfortable. No wonder I’ve been such a grump.

We all know how important this particular garment is in our everyday lives, what a critical purchase it is. Oprah did a whole show on it for goodness sake, and I don’t know about you, but I was positively transfixed and in complete solidarity.

I marched right out and bought a Wacoal under wire that set me back $65. It was a worthy investment and fit really well. But then I never got around to getting another one (it was $65 after all) and wearing and washing the same bra everyday for over a year brought that poor thing to its knees. Ahem. Let’s leave it at that.

And then I fell completely off the wagon. I decided to give the old under wire a rest, and went searching for a new bra to fit the comfort bill. At Target. And I found one. Cute as a deuce in blush pink and a no-never-mind purchase at $14.99. Sure, there was no understanding and knowing gal on hand to fit me, but how could I go wrong at that price?

That was my first red flag. Ladies, never break the cardinal rule of shopping, especially when it comes to brassieres: you get what you pay for. And trust me, they are worth every penny.

Secondly, although I knew better, I bailed on Lady Grace in favor of cheap and easy. I must admit, the idea of picking up a new bra while stocking up on paper towels, sun block and laundry detergent was just too good to resist. Oh, the wear and tear of the dark side…it is a dismal place.

But today was a new day. With good old common sense and determination back in tow, I braved lunch time traffic at Pantera Plaza (so what that I created my own parking space ~ things were beyond desperate) and marched myself right into Lady Grace for a new lease on life.

And, god bless them, Lady Grace did not disappoint. Undergarment expert Nicole took me straight back to a fitting room, measured me and had a fabulous first option for me to try on within moments. Then she brought me several more options and gave me my space to suss out what worked best for me.

I bought two of the first bra I tried on, wore one of them out of the store, and then promptly called everyone I know to shout it from the rooftops ~ I bought a new bra. That fit! It was a brilliant moment of liberation, relief and pure bliss.

And for all of you who still think Lady Grace is for the over 60 set (like my sister), get over it. I did, and couldn’t be happier with my Lunaire seemless soft cup.

I love that this dress by Nanette Lepore is called the Vanity Dress, for it really does require a healthy dose of confidence to pull off. The designer has taken a simple black merino wool shell and amped it up with a significant neckline adorned in silk ruffles and rosettes, beads and chains. This is serious hardware, and so Chanel!

Skip the pashmina and forget your kitten heels. This frock calls for seriously high heels (Louboutins, anyone?), Coco Red lips and cab fare home, just in case. This is not a dress for young girls, wall flowers or shy, retiring types. If you’re sporting this fabulous number, whether it’s for a sophisticated night out or work after hours, you are all woman. You know who you are. You know what you like. And you know that you look damn good while doing it.

Amen, sister.

Nanette Lepore Vanity Dress, $268. Available at Chantal., 195 Middle Street in Portland, Maine.

I met my pal Portia the other day for tea at Eve’s in the Portland Harbor Hotel. Of course, it was pouring out ~ we were up against another dismal day, faced with somehow adding a little sunshine when there was absolutely none to be had.

I was a few minutes early, and so I decided to maximize the moment by jotting down some notes. When I took a moment to pause and glance up, in walked Portia, looking just right. Like a coveted ray of sunshine. Immediately I broke into smile.

Now, Portia is always a vision. She is genuine, she is svelte, and she has an innate sense of style that is truly her own. She tries things. She test drives. She’s not afraid of color or pattern, and yet somehow she is never overdone. But today was special. Today was just right.

She took a chance and threw on a pair of pants that would tend to trip up the most fashion savvy of women, kept the rest simple and looked stunning. Denim jacket tied around her waist, hot pink scarf to ward off the chill, not to mention pick up the pink stripe in her fabulous Lilly Pulitzer pants (picked up at In The Pink during its closing sale) and a big smile. A simple white tee, black patent Jack Rogers and a stunning pearl cuff (a necklace from her own collection) tied it all together with ease.

I immediately jumped up and gave her a big hug. “Portia, you look fabulous! Thank you so much for wearing those pants!”

She made my day, she really did. For all that wonderful color on such a gray day, for taking a chance on those pants instead of relegating them to the Good Will pile, and for that smile. What a way to embrace the rain.