By day, a mild mannered Zinnia Rain is in kindergarten and a part-time fashion blogger.  But at night? 

There is layered cake ...   ... layered parfaits ... ... and layered salads. And lest we forget, there is also layered lasagna ... ... and the ever popular 7 Layer Bean dip But this blog is not about food. It's about clothes.  Lets Go! FM: "Sometimes you wear layers for fashion, and sometime you wear layers for warmth.  For example, a long sleeved shirt over a short-sleeved dress would be an example of fashion." But when we searched for the above online, we had little success. "They so don't get this!" screamed the Fashion Maven, as would any true artist who feels thwarted in her vision ** (**FM's secretary took a bit of hyperbolic license with her tone--not to say her words--in the above description.) However, intrepid as ever, FM decided to take matters into her own hands and took time from her busy schedule to model said-style. We decided to change our search to "long sleeved shirt under a short-sleeved dress....

Chapter 1--Easy Fashion Tips for Mothers One avid reader asks: "What should a mother wear right after she gives birth?" The Fashion Maven's response, like, without even thinking: "A bra, because it would look very motherly after you have given birth."   (Aaannnd we're off.) Chapter 2--Harder Fashion Tips for Mothers Q: Is it okay for papa's to dress like mothers? FM:  "No, but sometimes if the man wants to look look like a woman, and he he has long hair,  he can put his hair in a bun or a pony tail and dress like a woman."  (This rules FM's humble secretary out.) One mother who shall remain nameless (but she lives with the Fashion Maven), asks: "Sometimes I notice when I'm picking out my kid's clothes in the morning, I choose clothes that matches her's. Is it okay to match or should I not match? FM: "Match! You should match, because then you would more look like a family me...

The stylish author and her fashion-impaired papa hard at work. 1) If you are drying dishes with someone, take turns. Because if you do not, they will want to do your turn, and you will want to do their turn.  2) Always make sure--if there is water in the bottom of a cup--you should dry that up. Because if you don't, when you drink the water, it will be a little bit hot. If you have some bowls that need to be dried, you should stack them when you dry them. 3) Same with plates. You should stack them and dry them. 4) Question: What are good colors for a kitchen?      Answer: Gold and yellow , because if you don't put gold and yellow in your kitchen, it won't look very kitchen-ee. 5) If you want to organize your refrigerator, you should, if you have eggs, you should put them where there is lots of room. If you don't, when you open your refrigerator, they will fall out, and you get to clean it up.  6)   One very sexy reader* asks: W...

Dear FM, Doug has been concerned that this business man attire might be intimidating for daily wear and maybe too formal...he wants to express his innate sophistication but does not want to outshine Yoshi. What a dilemma ! Can you help? Elizabeth Prosapio RAVEN  Fashion Maven's sage, almost Zen response: "Maybe put a tie on Yoshi as well."  Regarding Doug's choice, FM says she likes the tie because "I have a shirt just like it, and it's purple too." And since we are the topic of animal fashion, the following is a chapter Fashion Maven dictated about two weeks ago. For those of you who have put scant little time into mulling over this important topic, take note. The Style of Pets (Subtitle: "If Our Pets make Fashion Faux Paws, Do They Not Bleed?) Chapter 1 Most people are unaware of how important good fashion sense is when it comes to our pets. So if you are ready, lets go. Take Dachshunds, for example. Their lo...

Dear Fashion Maven,  We really need some help here. First of all, I'm wondering if it's alright to wear the same sweater all winter long? You see, it's very cold these days and there's really only one sweater I feel cozy and warm in. It's plain enough I was thinking perhaps people wouldn't notice I have it on day after day?  Justin is also wondering, can he wear this nice felt hat with a waffle? I told him I thought he might need a button up shirt, but you're the expert, and we can't wait to hear what you think.  In gratitude,  Gabrielle and Justin  The Fashion Maven's secretary is scribing this blog entry from sunny Albuquerque, but he just FaceTimed with the elusive FM, and this is what she advised the poor lost souls pictured above (and I quote ... er, more or less):  " Of course it's okay if she wears the same cozy sweater every day." ** ** Secretary's hyperbolic addendum: "Day in and day out, year...