A frolic in Cambodia

Originally posted by ltl/fb
...Don't know if this will work for wool, but I do this to wear cheap metal jewelry that otherwise makes my neck itch.

Out of curiosity, does Gold turn anyone else's skin black? Even 22k does this to me and I have found only one other person that this happens to.

[Fugee]

Originally posted by SlaveNoMore
I was a [Met opera] season subscriber for 3 years. I highly recommend the dress circle. Most bang for your buck.

I learn something new every day.

Gwinky, I look forward to your review of Magic Flute. Maybe they'll air this on PBS.

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by TexLex
Out of curiosity, does Gold turn anyone else's skin black? Even 22k does this to me and I have found only one other person that this happens to.

From the JC Penny website:

Black Dermographism

Black Dermographism is the name for this smudging. The term literally means "Black Writing on the Skin." It occurs when the cosmetics contain chemical compounds harder than the jewelry metals they contact. The most common of these compounds are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide, and calamine. Zinc oxide is major white pigment used in face powder creams and lipstick. It has recently been replaced by titanium dioxide which can be equally hard on jewelry. Rouge and face powder often contain ferric oxide pigments, and calamine, a tinted zinc oxide, is found in some medicated cosmetics and lotions.

Particles from these cosmetics when left on the skin act like fine sandpaper. They abrade the softer jewelry metals -- gold, silver, platinum, or nickel. Such abrasion deposits a fine metallic powder from the jewelry metal on the skin. This powder looks black because the particles are too small to reflect light. The stain can be removed with soap and water.

To help do away with this problem women should remove rings while applying cosmetics. They should clean with soap and water those skin areas which touch jewelry.

The more precious the metal, the more discoloration produced on the skin, thus pure gold -- 24K -- readily smudges.

Some people do have sulfur in their sweat which produces a greenish-black stain when it contacts any metal jewelry. Such people should remove rings often and powder their fingers with an absorbent powder free of zinc oxide.

Sometimes, exposing the hands to salted nuts, crackers, or popcorn can cause such corrosion and discolor the skin.

Causes: Salt, Sulfur, and cosmetics. The latter, the worst offender. These also may stain rings or earrings.

I used to get similar reactions to copper and silver pieces.

Originally posted by Anne Elk
From the JC Penny website:

Hmmm - except I get it even if freshly washed and make-up free. I must be made of sulfur. That's so hot.

ETA - Cheap metals don't have any effect. Odd.

[Fugee]

Originally posted by TexLex
Out of curiosity, does Gold turn anyone else's skin black? Even 22k does this to me and I have found only one other person that this happens to.

Another explanation.

Originally posted by Fugee
Another explanation.

I am tarnished.

I guess I am just a freak - add in all the double-jointedness and I should be put in the circus side show.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?

Shirts: thank Sebby for this one, but Charles Tyrwhitt makes fantastic shirts that are almost always on sale for under $65. Better than that department store crap and pre-tailored to your measurements

Completely agree with you here. Tyrwhitt stuff is quite nice. Two of the three ties I still think are okay are Tyrwhitt. The other good choice for shirts is Lands End, at least for me. They fit me extremely well, and consistently, and they're well made. At least the shirts in the $35+ range. They're right up there with the moderate Tyrwhitt shirts.

Not that I need shirts. This has been the oddest part of the recommendations (which otherwise I have found very helpful). 5 shirts, BRC? 10, NFH?

I own 26-28 more-or-less dress shirts (including a few oxford cloth with button down collars). Of these, about 10 are white, maybe 12 are some sort of blue (solid, french, check, stripe, etc.) and five are some other color. About 18-20 I'd wear with a suit.

I just don't like going to the laundry that often.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by TexLex
Out of curiosity, does Gold turn anyone else's skin black? Even 22k does this to me and I have found only one other person that this happens to.

I think Mrs. Flinty tried to claim this abnormality when shopping for platinum jewelry. I said nice try, and took her to Zales.

eta: NTTAWWT

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by baltassoc
Not that I need shirts. This has been the oddest part of the recommendations (which otherwise I have found very helpful). 5 shirts, BRC? 10, NFH?

I own 26-28 more-or-less dress shirts (including a few oxford cloth with button down collars). Of these, about 10 are white, maybe 12 are some sort of blue (solid, french, check, stripe, etc.) and five are some other color. About 18-20 I'd wear with a suit.

I just don't like going to the laundry that often.

I believe I said at least 10 shirts. If not, that's what I meant. If you're going to wear 1/day you can have 5 at the cleaners and still have 5 in the closet. If you've got more than that - more power to you. Husband has about 15 now, but has retired several recently that will have to be replaced.

Oh, and don't forget socks. You can't have the whole package with crappy socks.

And I'm serious about the belt. Don't wear some cheezy cheap ass belt. It spoils the look. And make sure there aren't a ton of notches flopping over the belt loops.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I believe I said at least 10 shirts. If not, that's what I meant. If you're going to wear 1/day you can have 5 at the cleaners and still have 5 in the closet. If you've got more than that - more power to you. Husband has about 15 now, but has retired several recently that will have to be replaced.

Yeah, but with only 10, if you dont' get to the cleaners in time you end up with 5 at the cleaners and 5 dirty.

While on the whole I think women have a harder time dressing for work, I have to say I love that I can wear sweaters and don't have to wear shirts.

eta (in response to NFH's edit) and you can use any spare socks to make your package look bigger!

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Yeah, but with only 10, if you dont' get to the cleaners in time you end up with 5 at the cleaners and 5 dirty.

While on the whole I think women have a harder time dressing for work, I have to say I love that I can wear sweaters and don't have to wear shirts.

I believe I said at least 10. Twice. If not 3 times. Sweaters are OK as long as you're not running around working up a sweat. There's nothing worse than sweating in a sweater.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
I believe I said at least 10. Twice. If not 3 times. Sweaters are OK as long as you're not running around working up a sweat. There's nothing worse than sweating in a sweater.

Why would one work up a sweat at an office job? Silly girl.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Why would one work up a sweat at an office job? Silly girl.

remember, her job involves ladders.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
remember, her job involves ladders.

The question, "WHY would one work up a sweat at an office job" (as opposed to "how") remains.

Did you include short skirts (to go with the garters/hose) for her shopping list?

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by ltl/fb
Why would one work up a sweat at an office job? Silly girl.

I know. Most of the time I can point and smile and those litigation boxes just move themselves. But then, there are those other times when I need to get something from the 900 lb. box on the top shelf, in heels - it can be quite a workout.

On top of that, they kick off the AC at exactly 6 o'clock. Wouldn't want us to be comfortable or anything.