Tie a Day, Number 20

The tie I chose for today is one that I like. It is interesting in another important way- it is one of the few ties that I own that were manufactured in this century!

I was not completely sold on the shirt/tie combo, but I was feeling bold this morning and took a chance. The tie is made from high quality silk and has a really beautiful iridescent appearance. The design on the tie is nice, but to me the striking quality is the way the tie plays with light. This is not a flat, dull tie. The light and dark duality gives it a feeling of never knowing what you will get from this little number.

I felt like I couldn't wear a solid color shirt with this tie because it would overwhelm one color all by itself (although with a suit and a solid color shirt it would be great). The pinstripe shirt was a gamble, but as I mentioned, I thought I could handle it today. I also should mention that this tie goes with my favorite colors, black, grey, blue and purple.

Too bad I can't wear the tie again this year!

Tie a Day, Number 19

This morning I woke up excited for Friday and no ties! Awesome!

I searched for the one collared shirt that I have with a school emblem on it without any luck. I was really bummed, but my closet full of ties did not let me down. Bonus tie day!

I found a comfortable shirt that would not require a lot of ironing, and pants worthy of a Friday. The tie that popped of the rack worked with the colors, but the tie is not one of my favorites.

I was in for a surprise as I found that the tie came from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was not only surprised where the tie came from, but that the museum has been in the tie business for years! Shouldn't I have known that?

I really should pay more attention to the world around me. I have always just thought the tie was ugly.

Tie a Day, Number 18

My school will be holding its 4th annual blood drive today, so I dove into my closet looking for a tie with red in it. I found this classic Countess Mara tie. I had no idea that the little CM on my ties meant much of anything, but it seems that this is a well known and respected maker of ties.

This particular tie is at best, ok. The red is the background and the blue spots are leaves. It is hard to pick out exactly what the tan areas are supposed to be without getting really close. Those spots are animals, specifically, deer, rabbits and foxes.

The little loop in the back that normally holds the back part of the tie down with the front part has come detached on one side. I now use a small piece of scotch tape to hold it down so it doesn't flop all over the place. Classy!

The tie countdown continues (Or is it a count up?).

Don't forget to give the gift of life! I am down for double reds today.

Tie a Day, Number 17

You may not remember this, but in the 80's and early 90's paisley was very popular on ties. At least it was very popular with my father. I have many of these ties hiding in a dark corner of my closet like a nest of vipers waiting to remind me of the fashion of yesteryear.

This tie has a design that is acceptable, but it is a bit in the thin side. Also, I have to say that the tie is a bit wrinkled. I should have ironed it but my father always told me you don't iron silk ties. If that is true, how do you make a wrinkled tie flat again? I would turn the steam function off...

Does it even matter if I ironed it? Ironing won't take the ugly out of it. Wrinkles just underline the age of this serpent. Maybe it is best that I left the tie as it is.

Tie a Day, Number 16

Today's tie is one of my all time favorites! The tie has a repeating pattern of Calvin and Savannah sitting in a little car. Calvin was 4 years old at the time, and Savannah was only a year old (he is 11 now, and she is 7). Amy gave the tie to me in 2003, as a beginning of the school year present.

Needless to say, but I will do it anyway, I think this tie is beautiful. It has made me smile all day. People have stopped me to look at the tie and I am allowed to talk about my children. There isn't anything better than that.

I have two ties like this, the other tie has a younger Calvin that repeats all over the tie. But I don't have a tie with Sam on it. I think I might need to break down and buy one- I already know the picture I want to use. I can't have Sam feeling left out on the ties!

If every tie made me feel this good, I would wear ties every day of the week- including the weekends. And with nothing else on- even in the shower.

Tie a Day, Number 15

Today's tie is a black knit tie that has little multicolored dots spread across the tie in a diamond type pattern. The dots are pink, light blue, dark blue, and purple.

It is not a truly hideous 80's knit tie with a square bottom. It is tasteful, understated and is acceptable with the shirt I wore today. Not the ugliest tie in the world and not the best. The tie of the day is unremarkable- I almost feel sorry for it.

A tie for Mondays...

Tie a Day, Number 14

The other day I mentioned that I don't like floral patterns, but I really like today's tie! I went looking for a tie this morning and came back with a perfect match for my drab grey pants and shirt combo. I picked the shirt and tie out because I was tired, running late, and they required the least amount of ironing.

When I put the tie up to the clothes, it screamed, "Yes! You have kept me hidden for 20 years for this very moment. "

I couldn't argue against that, besides I would scare my family if I was caught talking to my ties.

And so begins the 2nd month of my mission. October is a long month- 16 more ties to come...