This is the Fall outfit I want, just a long white poplin shirt one of these two sweaters, good jeans, and flats and a purse to match. I know, I am so boring all from the Gap and Urban Outfitters.  I also buy from Anthropologie.  Great Jackets. I'm tall and fairly evenly curvy, but not skinny. I am a size 14. I've got to accentuate the waist and keep the lines long and straight. Long v necks make it all look longer and leaner. Straight, low or mid waist jeans give me a curve at my waist to hip and not hip to thing. Since I tend to wear such plain colors I try to have one bright or super rich color.  Much better.

And don't get worried about those wrap dresses, they look amazing on any figure at all!  Just have to wear something underneath to keep your boobs from falling out!

I’ve tried wrap dresses, they tend to make my wide hips look wider. Maybe it’s not so bad on a statuesque hourglass figure, but on a petite pear, it’s ghastly.
-BTW, my reference to Switzerland was regarding the decidely neutral colors of Shukr’s collections. If you’re wondering what the heck I mean by warm or cool, there shall be more on that later. I’ve got to get packing (headed to Philly)
work on my book, and dream up my next blog entry. Hint: There is a space or two on my dance card, gentlemen.

Have fun! May your dance card be full! Treq Salama

I want one..I mean the models.

- A Salafi in worship, a Sufi in society, a Secularist in government.

What’s a dance card?

A dance card was used in the late 19th and early 20th century, both at public dance halls, where single men could go and pay a dime a dance, and choose one of the ladies there who danced for a living. Such cards, I believe, were also used at formal functions, where gentlemen would sign up on the ladies dance card, for a chance to have one dance with her. I am not certain about this second fact, so I shall google and return with more accurate information.

http://www.drawrm.com/dance.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_card

http://members.aol.com/MMeckel2/index.html 

The second definition is more or less correct, and I’ve no intentions of dancing for pay- I’m not that good at it. That comment was an oblique reference to the fact that I am rather single, and since my grandma got married- on Sunday- Whee! I’m thinking about allowing some crazy guy into my life. Anyone got a fetish for semi-famous belly dancing female imams who play drums and write odd books?

Ha!

Yes. Does anyone have fetish for BB in “non-traditional” marriage who pretends to write odd books?

Now that always sounds creepy. Will it ever not?

I would reply but, unfortunately, I don't understand a word of your post.  What is "BB' and who is it that writes "odd book" and why are they odd?

Baraka, you worry me.  But are you trying to teel me that you know 

someone with a thing for cute belly dancing musician/writer/imams?

Fashion Mujahid: pardon the consumer cult reference, but I think that’s probably an easy sell:

“cute belly dancing musician/writer/imams?”

Just curious though, why do I worry you?

Ah, Baraka, it’s a harder sell that you would think- I’m black, progressive, and rather feisty.
And why pretend to write odd books? And what in Sam Hill do you mean by “non-traditional” marriage?

I “pretend” to write odd books in that I have about fifteen (hyperbole) half-books in the making. They are “odd” because, well, if ever you see one you might know why. I don’t think they’re odd. I went to school for this stuff! The stuff I write is very very very poly-mixed-non-linear-found_text stuff that embraces the conundrum that is blessed groundless life. Or at least that’s what I attempt.

Lately:

One part manifesto, one part auto/dialogue, one part anti-idolatry post-meaning text, one part “The tales of Baba Das Dills of the Many Hills Mostly”

Huh?

Exactly.

From this you can gather perhaps what is implied by “non-traditional” marriage, or at least the open-endedness of what my partner and I get into.

Ah love!

But my statement remains: this sounds like an easy sell!

“I’m black, progressive, and rather feisty.”

And don’t forget well versed in color combining!

Sounds deelish. Curious you wanted to “host” the potential singles forum.

;c)

I've heard of polyamory, and I can see how, with mature & well-adjusted folks and lots of clear communication, it could work.

Barak, I'd love to read some of your oddness. Sounds a little bit like some postcivilized folktales we came up with a few years ago. But probably more sophisticated.

I thought BB was for Baraka Bob, or was it buxom beauty? I'm out of touch with the personals codes, happily long-term monogamous with my own beautifully curvaceous woman, od-shaped like everyone in the world.

FM, thank you for acknowledging the beauty in difference. What odd books do you write? Hand drums or trap set?

hakim

I play hand drum, and I’d love to read Baraka Bob’s odd creations as well. I offered to host a singles section as I do have a few dear friends that I would love to find someone for.

I love hearing about people’s relationships! I’d love to meet you some day Hakim. Not sure about this Mecca trip, but… I guess in practice we are monogamous, though we are open to ideas so we just go along with life. We are happy as little birds in a nest! Nothing too crazy or anything. Marriage is bliss! Love is eternal possibility.

FashionM: I would’ve liked to help with the singles thing too. The wife and I are in the process of getting things in motion for two people. One in the city and one upstate. Perhaps this will happen? Seems like a great match though. I like to think I’m a good match maker, but then again I like to think I’m a good everything so…

You play hand drum? Is that like djembe? I hear a sabar drum troupe at Djeniba dance studio and though I was going to kill someone it was so sick! I am forever in search of that sound now.