Too Short for Comfort

Sweater - Macy's (FREE); Shirt and Earrings - Steinmart; Skirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Teal tights - Old Navy; Black Chevron Tights - Pea in the Pod (maternity); Belt - thrifted; Shoes - Vera Wang

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The OHW here is the sweater. I've had difficulty styling this sweater because of the waistline. It's one of those really blousy with elastic at the bottom type sweaters that I used to gravitate to because I thought they hid a lot, but they really just made me look like I had no shape. I LOVE this sweater's colors and neck and the gathers at the top of the shoulders. But that darn waist....I felt like I had luck with tucking it in, and I think it looks good in these pictures, but all the extra material kept clumping inside the skirt. It was really awkward. And it didn't help that the skirt was obscenely short. Not when standing, but whenever I sat you could see the line on my tights where the chevron's stopped and the control top began.

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Am I willing to give up on the sweater or the skirt?? Not yet. I think I'll be much more comfortable with the skirt if I can add a trim to it..I was thinking some fun Navy lace. And the sweater...well, I'll just have to try it with some other skirts and bottoms and find a way that it works. It's just too pretty to pass on just yet.

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And I just determined that the best tights ever are maternity tights. The legs are about the same as any other, and the material is the same, but the best part is that the waist line went all the way up to my boobs. No annoying tight roll working its way down my belly. I'm in love.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up (before I left the house... my thumb was halfmast by lunch)

Constructive Criticism

I love constructive criticism. If you see a way that my outfit could be made better or fixed, please share it with me. And don't feel sorry about it. If you aren't being mean, you shouldn't have to apologize. I started the blog to help me figure out what things looked good on my body and to help me figure out new ways to rework my wardrobe. Having the advice of my stylish, darling lovelies only makes the journey better.

THANK YOU!! And keep it coming!!

Tried and True

Shirt - thrifted; Sweater - BCBG (TJ Maxx);

Skirt - Old Navy; Belt and Ring - Steinmart;

Shoes and Pin - Thrifted; Necklace - Premeire

Whenever I have a bad outfit day, I tend to go to a tried and true combo for the next outfit. Since I'm in OHW month, I didn't have a 'Go To' outfit that I hadn't used all of the items a bunch. So....I settled for a tried and true color combo. You can't go wrong with the classic red, white and black.

The OHW of this outfit is the sweater. I bought it for my family Christmas picture of 2008 and hated how I felt in it. The neck was so widely opened that it kept falling off my shoulders and exposing my bra strap. But it was sparkly and red and I couldn't bear to part with it, even though it hadn't seen the light of day. It's very thin, so it didn't occur to me to wear it as a sweater over another shirt. This challenge forced me to think outside of the box, and I'm happy with how this outfit turned out. The striped shirt is an item that I don't think has ever been worn, simply because it was forgotten.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

And the best part of my day was when a random stranger in the bathroom complimented my shoes, saying that they were 'Like a suit for your feet.' Couldn't have said it better myself.

Can You Tell Me How to Get?

Sweater Dress - From Mom; Vest - Steinmart; Tights - We Love Colors;

Boots, Scarf and Hat - Thrifted; Earrings - Premeire

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The hat was not a part of the outfit, but I wore it out in the snow and it did a number on my hair, so it became part of it for the rest of the evening. The scarf, vest and boots are all OHWs today. I was told by a co-worker that I was wearing too many colors, and that I looked like I belonged on Sesame Street. I laughed it off, but the truth was that it bothered me a bit. In fact, the conservative engineers that I work with often make comments about my attire, and they are not very often positive. If I didn't have such good self esteem, I'd start dressing as boring as they do. But I like my wardrobe, and I like my choices and outfits, even the ones that don't work. Most of the time I laugh when they joke and jibe, but every once in a while, the insecure little kid that was made fun of for wearing her big sisters' hand-me downs feels the poke a bit too sharply. I was self conscious all day. One day I will truly be able to not let it bother me, but today I am human.

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On another note, this was my first time wearing this sweater dress my mom gave me, and sadly it's not going to remain in my closet. It's a bit too thick and bulky up top and the neck kinda made me feel like I was being choked all day. This dress is being retired not because of lack of imagination, but because of the discomfort I suffered all day wearing it.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Down

Sunshine Yellow

Shirt - Inc (Macy's FREE); Pants - Style & Co (Macy's FREE); Scarf as belt - Jones NY (TJ Maxx);

Ballet Flats - Jessica Simpson (thrifted); Bracelet - Premeire; Necklace - Street Vendor

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The necklace is the OHW here. Normally I wouldn't let myself get off so easily on a challenge, if it weren't for the fact that I've had this necklace for years and have been actively trying to find ways to wear it. So far, it's only been worn with my emerald green maxi dress in the summer. I'm pretty proud of myself for finally figuring out that this scarf has the yellow in it. Duh!! The necklace and scarf gave me the added bit of color I needed to brighten up this navy and gray ensemble. Plus, the whole thing was pretty comfy and casual, which is sometimes nice when you have a 10 hour work day followed by a 3 hour class.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Wrapped Up in Cheetah

Skirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Sweater - Thrifted; Belt - Baby Phat - Thrifted;

Shirt - FREE (from Mom); Bangles and Ring - Steinmart; Shoes - Thrifted

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The skirt here is the one hit wonder. Every time I've tried to wear it, I've paired it with a black shirt, which just bored me. Then, my mom gave me this gold number and an idea sparked. I was happy with this outfit when I left, but there were some issues. First, the skirt is a wrap skirt, so it's got extra fabric in the front which makes me look bigger. Not a problem if I wear a more form fitting shirt on the top, but this blousy number only accentuated the problem. Can't see it in the pic above, but if you took a side view, whoa Nelly. I'm not giving up on the skirt, though. Next time, I think I'll try using the black wrap shirt I always want to pull, but adding lots of color with accessories and see how that goes.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways

Glittery Diva

Sequined T - Macys (FREE); Pants - Style & Co (via Macy's - FREE); Cardi - Style & Co;

Bracelet and Necklace - Premeire; Ring - Steinmart; Shoes - Steve Madden (thrifted)

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I felt like this outfit looked much better in the mirror than it did in the photos. But that's part of what the photos are for. If I could go back and rework, I'd button the sweater and put the belt over the top to give me a bit more shape. I'd hem the pants or cuff them to make them ankle length, cause here they just look too short. And finally, I'd add some brighter shoes or accessories to brighten it up. A little too bland and dark. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The only OHW in this outfit is the bracelet, and I consider that cheating. I was just too excited to wear my new FREE items that I had to put them together.
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Rating - One Thumb Up (Husby - really liked the sparkly shirt), One Thumb Down (me)