Dumb Ideas to Update your Winter Wardrobe...

Jan's decided to really up her game in 2008. And even though she is middle-aged, she's hell-bent on looking and thinking "young."


Last night, she cuddled up (alone) with the latest edition of Blueprint. Martha Stewart's new magazine aimed at 25-39 year olds. Focus: fashion.


The cover was amazing--just as the holiday issue cover was. Very hip and cool. And the feature "refresh your winter wardrobe" really got her attention. Perhaps there is a way to give new life to linty cardigans and worn jeans. Maybe they would show her some affordable accessories to jazz up her grocery store and carpooling duds. But no-o-o-o-o.


Instead of giving practical advice, the geniuses at Blueprint decided to tell Jan a bunch of far-fetched ideas that she doesn't have the time, patience, or money to pursue. For example:

Take this coat, for example.




To refresh it, Jan simply needs to:

1. Request a Peter Pan collar. Basically, you want rounded -- not pointed -- tips (approximate cost: $25-$30).
2. Shorten the sleeves to three-quarter length ($25-$30).
3. Hem the bottom to knee-length ($40).
4. Narrow the body along the side seams ($30 and up).
5. Add a sash through the side seam. It should run behind the lining and tie in the front so the excess fabric in the back drapes like a cape ($15). Oh, and BTW, the sash featured is $20 a yard.

Umm...That's $165 to tweak a coat! Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new one? We love the sash, but isn't there an easier way to get this look?

Here's another winner. Take your kitten-heeled pumps to the "cobbler" and turn them into wedge heels! Isn't that the best? They even include a "Cobbler How-To." Just a few"easy" steps:

1. Remove existing heels.
2. Add platform wedge.
3. Cover wedge in leather or suede. Approximate cost: $65-$80


4. Walk away in really ugly shoes that looks like the elves made it in the Keebler tree.

For more really dumb ideas, go here.

Boy, Jan can really pick a winner, can't she?

Yesterday, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia announced it will stop publishing Blueprint magazine after the January-February issue. Big surprise.