Holy Brightness, Batman!

Cardi - Old Navy; Tank - Steinmart; Pants - Style & Co (Macy's - FREE); Shoes - Vera Wang (Kohls); Belt - Thrifted; Necklace - Steinmart

.

When I had to retire my emerald green cardigan because of wear and fading, I searched high and low for a replacement. This old navy cardi was the closest that I could come up with, but when I got it home and started pairing it with things, it's really more limey than emerald. With the weather just starting to warm up, but our city ensconced in rain, I tried to bring some sunshine into my life with this lime/teal combo. My coworkers had to wear sunglasses to be around me.

These Vera Wang pumps are part of a new trend in my life. They are an item that I had in a bag to give to Goodwill cause I hadn't worn them in years. I pulled them out of that Goodwill bag so many times to wear them, that I've decided to keep them. A similar thing happened to the yellow floral cardigan that I wore yesterday for Easter at the In-laws. I packed it in the Goodwill bag because I had only worn it once and just couldn't figure out how to style it. But thanks to my favorite bloggers and their color inspirations, when I was going through the bag to itemize them for the tax man, I rescued it with a 'What was I thinking?'. I guess one woman's garbage can be her own treasure after all :-)

Rating - Two Thumbs Up (if you aren't blinded)

Recycled Ties

Shirt - Steinmart; Sweater - Jones New York (Macy's); Skirt - Kohls; Belt - ME (husby's old ties);

Tights - NY & Co, Shoes - Moda (thrifted); Bracelets - Macy's; Necklace - Premiere

I felt like just standing in the skirt didn't nearly do it justice, so I twirled. The skirt and sweater are both OHW's today. The sweater I bought years ago, before open-front asymetrical sweaters were as widely available or worn, and I've never quite felt that I was stylish enough to do it justice. After re-finding it deep in the bowels of my winter-wear, I am in love. The skirt, however is just awkward. The shape is okay, if it was shorter...the length is okay, if more form fitting. The material is very silky, so wearing it in the summer seems impractical (sweaty + silk = YUCK), but it's so lightweight that it's not really warm in the winter. Overall, awkward. I'll give it another try, maybe in the spring without tights and with some sandals.....

.

The belt, I crafted myself, out of my husband's old ties. I saw something like this on an etsy site and thought it was a novel idea. I love obi-style belts because they are both flattering and add a bit of interest with their three dimensionality. I was having trouble finding one in my price range. So, I went through husby's old ties, and took the two ugliest and sewed them together to give it a try. I learned that navy and olive actually make a good looking belt, and that stiff polyester ties are much more useful in this capacity, since silk ties bend too easily. I spent most of the day smoothing the tie back to its original shape cause it was a mushy mess after sitting down. I went to my Mom to see if she had any of Dad's old ties laying around, and she'd already given them to GoodWill. I asked around work and got some of the same responses. So, if anyone has any old polyseter - or equally stiff material - men's neckties lying around that they'd be interesting in sending my way (the louder the print, the better) let me know. I'd love to try this again!

Rating - Two Thumbs Sideways

Photo Inspiration

Cardi - Old Navy; Pants - Steinmart; Shirt - Kohls;

Necklaces, Earrings and Bracelets- Premiere; Shoes - Payless

This outfit was inspired by J Crew. I was surfing their site, checking out their new looks and there were peach gloves and a teal scarf together and I loved it. This was the closest I could come to the colors - different saturations, but the idea is the same. I felt simultaneously springy and weather appropriate. I wouldn't say that this is even in my top 10 outfits, but I was proud of myself for attempting this color combo after seeing it online.

.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Vacation Binge

Sweater - Kohls; Skirt - Macy's; Boots - Marshalls;

Necklace & Cuff - Premiere; Pin - Amazon

.

This skirt is the purple twin of the green one seen last week. Yeah, I got it in two of the three colors available. How can you pass up colorful, cute, well fitting skirts?? Plus it was also a free skirt. The boots are burgundy. Yes, I bought boots, but I was on vacation and in Memphis so I thought I could do a little Christmas shopping for me. You know, when on vacation you often break your food diet rules....how about shopping diet rules? I didn't go crazy or anything. They were $20.

.

And since Stinky got some face time yesterday, I thought I'd pick up my other stretch mark creator. Here is Smeliot.

Yep, I'm in love.

Penny for Your Thoughts

Cardi - Kohl's; Shirt, Skirt and Belt - JC Penny; Shoes - Madden (thrifted); Earrings - Steinmart; Necklace - Premiere

I'm in love with JC Penny. At least the bottom half of me is. Being a nearly plus sized woman, I struggle. And like with men, you can't find EVERYTHING in one store (although I came pretty close with Husby). For tops, my favorite shopping is Macy's Style & C0. line. It's almost like their clothes are specifically made for a woman with real curves and a smallish busom. For skirts, it's definitely JC Penny. The Worthington line is ideal for an apple shaped woman with long legs who is looking for the illusion of slim ensconced in class. Sometimes I miss the days when I was skinny and could shop in any store and find things that worked, but I love my style now more than I ever did then, so I think I love my compartmentalized shopping, too.
And I wanted to get a close up of these shoes. I've been looking for a while for a comfy, but stylish brown pump, and was so excited when I found these babies at Plato's Closet for $8. They have a slight platform and a snakeskin print with a sheen to them that makes them really unique. AND they are SUPER COMFY!!