New 'Do

Skirt - Macy's (FREE); Shirt - thrifted; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (thrifted); Belt - NY&Co; Cardi - NY&CO (thrifted); Ring - Steinmart; Earrings - Chicos; Necklace - Premiere

While my new cut felt drastic to me, it doesn't look that different in this photo. The major difference, aside from 4 inches in length, is the feel. No more fuzzy ends, more thickness...it just feels healthier. And, I was able to get my hair in a condition I was willing to go to work in without touching a heating tool or stylig product (other than my hair dryer). That is a big bonus and saved me about 15 minutes. For a non-morning person that is HUGE. However, a few weeks into this haircut, and I'm ready to go shorter.....

As for the clothes....this picture doesn't do this outfit justice. I fell in love with the thrifted $2.00 tank top because of its floral pattern in muted tones. And I loved the contrast of the black and white striped back (probably should have gotten a back shot). But lately my handsome little boy had a great desire to become a part of the picture process. Hubs and I sneak into the dining room while he's enthralled in Mickey Mouse Club House and try to quickly pose and snap before the boy rushes in and stands next to me with a smile and a head tilt and a hand on his hip. Its freakin' adorable, but makes for rushed blog shots. Hubs is Graphic Designer, but there's only so much photoshopping-of-boy-out-of-picture that he is willing to do for MY hobby.

Indecent Exposure

Dress - Target; Shoes and Bangles - Thrifted; Earrings - Steinmart; Necklace - Premiere; Ring - NY&CO

Figures, the day before I chop off my hair it looks great.

I normally try to shy away skirts/dresses that are above my knees, but the reality is above-the-knee is really in right now. As long as I don't go too far, and use Jergens Natural Glow lotion to add a little color to them, I've been getting more comfy with showing off my knees and their immediate neighbors to the north. The tiers, ruffles and gathers on this dress make it quite flattering and I just love the color. Lately I've been thinking how awesome this dress would look with my Gap demin jacket over it, my blue tights and my tan knee boots...maybe this dress won't get put away for the fall/winter :-)

Ladies Day Out

Shirt - Macy's (FREE); Skirt - Dots; Pumps - Thrifted; Bracelets - Macy's; Necklace and Earrings - Premiere; Glasses - Banana Republic via Giovanetti Eye Care

I saw this shirt online a while ago and thought little of it. I don't know if the model was too skinny or if it was the way she was standing, but it just looked bleh. When my mom convinced me to try it on during a recent ladies day out, I was floored at how adorable it looked. I love the lacey feminine details and the muted floral pallette. Thanks MOM! And Macy's rewards bucks making it free made it even cuter!

And the skirt....I've tried several times to look at Dots because of the inexpensive cost, but was not impressed. Fabrics seemed cheap; Clothes poorly slapped together. I gave them another try this spring when I was looking for shorts. I was struggling because every regular store, like Old Navy and Target, made shorts that were the equivalent of but-moo-moos when you passed size 12. They lacked shape and just hung like bags. So I tried Dots, remembering they had a plus sized section. What I found was surprisingly good quality, excellent fit and a good variety of stylish options for the plus sized. True, the plus sections was super small and much more expensive than the skinny side, but it was choc full of gems and reasonable priced. I found 3 pairs of shorts and a brown pencil skirt with adorable ruching down the sides.

Maybe I've figured out their plan. Skinny women can shop anywhere, so cut corners where you can and make em cheap.... But plus sized women want fit and fashion and will pay a bit more...within reason, that is.

From Paris, with Love

Skirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Shirt - Loft (thrifted); Shoes, Bangle, Necklace and Belt - Thrifted

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While I own a crap-ton of items from Plato's Closet, this is the first time I've created an outfit entirely out of items from my hand-me-down Mecca. The skirt I totally love because of its 50's feel and the fact that it is covered in little pictures of women having coffee at outdoor cafe's in what I can only assume is Paris. ADORABLE!!! Add that it has a stretchy waist and will (hopefully) shrink with me as I lose weight, and it's quickly skyrocketing to the top of my skirt list. And this outfit is probably my favorite combo of red-white and blue yet.

Yeah, gonna try that weight loss thing again. Wish me luck. If I don't lose some lbs, my back pain will never get any better and it's starting to really interfere with my everyday life. Cross your fingers for me ladies!

Anchors Aweigh

Dress - INC (Macy's); Belt - Target; Shoes - Payless; Necklace - Steinmart

I'm loving the idea of wearing items as they were not intended. This 'dress' is really a maxi skirt. But look at me...I pulled it up and cinched it and voila! I have a tube dress. I'll have to admit, this idea wasn't mine. But my execution is something I'm quite proud of :-)

You may notice, that my hair is looking a bit rough. I haven't cut my hair since my son was born, nearly 2 years ago...I realized that I was getting a bit scraggly, so I recently got it chopped. Just a preview of things to come....

Rainforest Cafe

Dress - Thrifted; Shoes - hand me down from friend; Cardi and Belt - Steinmart; Earrings and Necklace - gift from Husby; Cuff - Premiere (also gift from Husby)

I kind of feel like this dress can't make up it's mind. It's shaped like spring/summer, but colored very, very autumn. I love this mustardy yellow, though...and I've worn in both seasons. Maybe it has made up its mind. Maybe it just transcends. I will have to say, though, that I like the dress on me better in the cooler months, when I can wear it with tights and boots. The length on my bare pale legs is not my fave.

B-52 Bomber

Shoes, Belt and Dress - Thrifted; Earrings - Premiere When I woke up this morning, my hair was kind of standing up all over. I kind of looked like a lion. But somehow that made me think of rolling my hair in the above pictured 'do. It turned out better than I had envisioned, and I felt like a 40's pinup girl. Like I should be painted on the front of a WWII bomber. Too bad the belt literally fell apart throughout the day - the faux leather began crumbling off of it. That's what you get with thrifting. Sometimes you find amazing gems that become wardrobe staples (like the shoes). Sometimes they fall apart after one wear. At least it was only a dollar.

Feedback Wanted!

Dress - TJ Maxx; Shoes - Payless; Bracelet - Premiere; Necklace and Earrings - Me

This dress is one of those items I just can't quite decide on. I remember it fondly, having worn it on my first anniversary, but at the same time, I was also asked if I was prego in it... The pattern is cool, but also kinda dirty looking (covered in vagaygays??)....And in order to wear it where it belongs, with the crossed lines under my post-babies larger boobies, my bra shows. I fought with this dress all day to keep it up...I think I'm talking myself out of it more and more as this post continues. Will it survive?? What do you think??

Hot Yellow

Shirt - Macy's (free); Pants - Macy's; Shoes - thrifted; Earrings and Bracelets - Premiere

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When I showed this shirt to Hubs, he had the same thought that I did...Our friend the hot artist Lynzie. I fell in love with the shirt, much like the girl, when I first met it. However, the shirt was super duper expensive...around $60 more than I would even consider spending on a shirt. So when it was clearanced and I had Macy's rewards dollars which made it free to me, it came home. Hubs has affectionately dubbed the color 'Hot Yellow' and said that Lynzie and I are the only two people he knows that can pull off the color. I'll take that as a compliment.