Since the first moment I was able to dress myself, my sister has mocked me for outfits that are “too sweet”, “ugh! matchy-matchy” and overall just overly girly.

While I admit to wearing ribbons well into my freshman year of college (ponytails, half-up styles-you name it, I ribbon-ed it!), I have since toughened up and left all that powdery-pink business in ’04.

I go on binges of all-black outfits. I rock fingerless gloves like a regular Harley Hottie. Aviators have trumped oversized Jackie O’s as my ultimate sunglasses staple. Hell, I’m so edgy these days, one could call me Pet-ina Wentz (ooo, but you know what, he does wear eyeliner– so Pete is actually fine).

Well, there I was-a reformed girly-girl- dressed in some funky-hipster ensemble, when this thing so pretty and frilly called out to my inner-princess.

I gripped my skinny scarf tightly and prayed that this was just a fleeting moment of weakness. I thought I could handle a few ruffles and a little lace. But o, had I underestimated the power of Ms. Yoana Baraschi.

FlowerPower

What's new PussyCat?

Bedecked with bows and rosettes, Yoana Baraschi designs are super feminine. But they are also so over-the-top, that they’re bold and a little fierce. It’s as if Yoana is displaying femininity at its most saturated point. She’s allowing her wearers to revel in being all woman, all the time!

Unlike the preppy girliness inherent to Palm Beach Queen Lily Pulitzer, Yoana’s designs are grown-up and tres sexy. They recall a time when the “delicate sex” adorned their womanly curves in alluring colors and feminine silhouettes. In the days of Marilyn, Rita H. and Dorothy D., ruffles and lace, crochet and silk were not fashion over-kill, but instead were fabolous embellishments.

PinkLadies

Hello, Mello Yello

Well, thanks to Yoana’s celebration of all things feminine and unabashedly pretty, I am piling the pearls and ribbons back on and declaring, “I am woman, hear me giggle!”  (How feminine is that roar really?)