Friday, January 14, 2011

Sweater Dress

Sweater Dress - Old Navy; Tee - Steinmart; Leggings - Gift; Shoes - Payless;
Belt - Steinmart; Cuff - Premiere
This sweater is the OHW today. I bought this sweater right after I had my son, wore it to my sister's church Christmas Program last year, and haven't worn it since. I couldn't think of anything to do with it to make it different. Once again, no imagination. And, I felt like it didn't do anything to flatter my apple figure. Just goes to show you how much my fellow bloggers like Kasmira, Jessica, Kinsey, Kendi, Underdog and Curvy (just to name a few) have really insprired me and opened my eyes in the past year. This isn't my favorite outfit, but I was warm and comfy all day and I got quite a few compliments on the belt (definitely my fave part of the ensemble). Of course, it was nice to come home, plop on the couch, and snuggle with my babies without having to change. There is definitely something to say for comfort. Will I get rid of my heels and skirts?? NEVER!!
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Rating - One Thumb Up (husby); One Thumb Sideways (me)

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

And the Hits Just Keep on Coming

Shirt - Old Navy (thrifted); Sweater - Gap (maternity); Pants - Target (circa 2001); Shoes - Steinmart; Bangle - Old Navy; Earrings - Chicos
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Boring. This outfit was super-de-duper boring. But so very comfortable. I could have put on some tights and heels and really spiffed up the deal, but I knew this was going to be a crazy work day for me and my knee was really hurting from wearing heels the day before (because I fell down the stairs with a huge basket of laundry and landed square on my left knee) and it was going to snow and I just wanted to be comfy. I was very happy, despite looking boring.
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The OHW (one hit wonder) in this outfit is the blouse. I have to be a little careful how I wear it because it is exceedingly short, even for a short-waisted leggy dame like myself. The first time was with a blazer and high waisted skirt.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways

Black & White and Read All Over

Cardi - TJ Maxx; Skirt - JC Penny; Shirt - Steinmart; Necklace and Bracelet - Macy's;
Earrings - Premeire; Shoes - Thrifted
This outfit was prepared around my shoes. Normally I wake up in the morning and I have an idea of an item that I would like to wear, then I build an outfit around it. This is the first time I wore these shoes to work and I found that they are a bit too small for me. I can still wear them on work days, but found that I should carry a pair of backup flats for walking to & from the car and on campus for class. I love the wingtips and the classic black and white style. Next time, I'm going to pair them with some bright accents. I've got a pair of green tights which would look like a dream with them.....
I've found myself getting really bored with the conventional radio stations in my city, so I've been listening to an Oldies's station which has a 'One Hit Wonder' feature. I started to think about my closet. I have many, many items in my closet which have only been worn once. So, this month, I'm trying to feature these 'One Hit Wonders'. Today, it's the shirt. This black wrap shirt with ruffled neckline and sleeves was worn on Christmas Eve, 2009. Then I put it away because I thought it was boring. I was merely lacking imagination. I love this classic look which kinda makes me feel like a 1940's dynamo. I need to find me a gumshoe to do some investigating with.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Bruised Ego

Tank - Lauren Conrad (thrifted); Sweater - TJ Maxx; Skirt - Target; Tights and Belt- NY & Co;
Shoes and Bracelet- Steinmart; Necklace and Earrings - Premiere; Pin - Local crafter
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My big sister always told me to never wear navy and black together cause I'd look like a bruise. I've never even tried it before. I also try to stay away from wearing red and blue together, cause I equate it to 4th of July attire. I'm really happy with how this turned out, however. And despite the roller coaster that I feel my weight has been for the last 3 years, this skirt has been in my closet since before I met my husband (at least 7 years). And this day, I was able to wear it again. That makes me pretty durn happy :-)
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

GI Goose

Tank - INC (Macy's); Pants - Macy's (gift); Shoes - Nine West (Thrifted);
Cardi and Belt- NY & Co.; Jewelry - Premiere
I loved how this outfit came together. The glitter of the cardi and belt, mixed with the camo tank....just a bit of edgy with the very feminine. This was a fabulous ad fitting way to end 2010, as this was my last outfit of the year.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Batwings

Sweater - Thrifted; Skirt - JC Penny; Tank - NY & Co (thrifted); Tights - JC Penny;
Boots, Ring and Necklace - Steinmart; Belt - TJ Maxx; Earrings - Premiere
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In retrospect, I should have gotten a picture of me with my arms out to fully show the ridiculosity of this sweater. I bought it months and months ago at a thrift store, but this is the first time I've been able to figure out how to wear it. And even this I wasn't very happy with. See, the sleeves are elasticized around the wrists, but then connect directly to the waistband of the sweater on the underside. I had to be sure not to walk too fast cause I'd get lift off from the wings this creates. Definitely not aerodynamically sound, but I guess that's not really a concern for me or I'd live in Speedos and wet suits. Honestly, the sleeves were so different, they are what drew me to the sweater....but I digress
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The main issue was the fact that the waistband hung really low and the wrap style of the sweater meant it was hanging way open and not really giving me any form. Also, it kept falling off of my shoulders. The only way it didn't drive me crazy was to pair with a high waisted skirt where I could wrap it how I wanted and hide the excess down below.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways
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Sooooo....this sweater is prompting my first ever giveaway. I just don't have the imagination to style this sweater (or the boobs to prperly fill it out), but I'd love to see how others out there could make this piece work. The sweater is an XL. If you want to give it a try, post a comment below showing your interest and we'll work out the best way to set up the transfer. Of course, you'll have to send pictures so that we can compare :-)

Greensleeves

Shirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Vest - Mossimo (thrifted); Skirt - Macy's;
Shoes - Payless; Earrings, Necklace and Pin - Premiere
I wanted a closeup of the accessories here, cause they kind of get lost in the bigger picture. However, the cut of the stones on both the earrings and neclace add lots of sparkle, which I wanted in this Christmas-Week outfit (I am a bit behind on my blogging). When I bought this green skirt, I wasn't exactly sure how to style it, but I'm coming up with lots of ideas for both it and it's purple twin. Hey, if you love something, buy it in multiple colors, I always say. I decided that Christmas was going to be red and green week, so the next two posts will also follow this theme. Since Husby will only photograph me on days I work, there will be no Christmas Eve outfit, and the New Year found me with the flu.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up