Hot Yellow

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

.

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.

Striking

Shirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Scarf used as belt- thrifted; Skirt- JC Penny;

Necklace and Bangles - Steinmart; Shoes - Madden (thrifted)

.

My boss sprung on me the desire for me to attend a community meeting as the face of my company and our client at about 3:00 at work. What I loved most about this outfit was that I felt no need to change between work and the meeting. I felt confident, classy, and just the right amount of sexy. I shone at the event, being one of the more outgoing 'working' the event and ended up making positive contact with many of the concerned members of the community. I guess the bartender in me will always make me approachable. I was told by a random stranger that I was striking. This is my new power suit. And with all of the clearance and thrifted items that it incorporates, I was clothed head to toe for under $30. YAY!!

.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up.

Agism Fashion

Dress - Christina V (Steinmart); Tights - JC Penny; Jacket - Gap;

Boots - Macy's; Necklace and Earrings - Premiere;

Leopard Print Bangles - Steinmart

I used to think that patterned sweater tights were only for little girls. I used to think that animal prints were reserved for Cougars. Sometimes I have to laugh at how small minded I used to be when it came to fashion.

.

I absolutely LOVE this outfit and how it came together. Especially this dress, which I was a little concerned about because of it's dark and heavy patterns, but sheer bottom and short sleeved, open weave sweater top. Perfect for fall with tights and jacket added. I felt like a million bucks and can't wait to wear this dress again!

Off the Wagon

Dress - Alfani (thrifted); Vest - One World (Steinmart); Shoes - Payless;

Belt - Steinmart; Earrings - a little boutique in columbus;

Bracelets - Me; Ring - Premiere

So, because I am so short waisted, I can shop in petites despite being 5'-9". I've had great luck with shirts and sweaters, but found out this day that dresses are a nono. While this did fit great in the top area, this petite dress was riding up on me in the leg department all day. I was super duper self conscious, probably because I wore white tights. Next time, it will be black.

.

And the title of the post is cause I'm hanging my head in shame. I was having a horribly stressful work/school day and I stopped at goodwill at lunch and did a little shopping. It was thrifted, and I kept it at $20, but I clearly fell off the wagon. As I climb back on I am going to attempt baby steps. Maybe I have to approach this the way I did quitting smoking. Take it day by day until I hit a week, then week by week until I hit a month...then it was easy cause I had gone so long. Sorry Husby. Sorry readers. Day one. Again.

Massage Your Troubles Away

Cardi - Old Navy; Shirt, Pants & Belt - Steinmart; Shoes - Rampage (Macy's); Earrings - Premiere; Bracelets - Steinmart

A closeup of the belt shows the favorite part of this outfit. The details are awesome, with animal prints and various sheens on the little links, and it added just the funk I needed to a potentially boring red white and black combo. I was trying to dress for chair massages that were being given at our office as a fund raiser for the United Way, and was limited to something warm for the weather, but thin and pliable on top so that Wendy could get to my shoulders easily, but with pants so that I could straddle the bar of the massage chair and not show the world my wares. I was actually really happy with how this outfit turned out, despite being a last minute throw-together.

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!!

2 Suits, 1 Week

Suit - Style & Co (Macy's); Shirt - Steinmart; Necklace - Premiere; Shoes - Steinmart

I had a meeting today with a client. A very important client. And a client whose Project Manager ALWAYS wears a jacket to our meetings. The last few meetings we have had with this client I was pregnant so I tried to dress as nice as I could, so I felt like I should make up for it today with a suit.

.

God, I felt boring today.

.

I tried to make things a little interesting by wearing a colorful shirt, some neck bling and my funkiest flats, my black & white snakeskin loafers, but I still felt boring.

.

But my hair looked fabulous, so I still felt great all day!

Zarebras

Shirt - Romeo & Juliet Coutoure (via Steinmart); Vest - Motherhood Maternity;

Skirt - Old Navy; Shoes - Rampage (via Macy's);

Necklaces and Earrings - Premiere; Beaded Cuff - Sears

Yes, this vest is also maternity....but you wouldn't know if I didn't tell you. I was finding vests like these all over Plato's Closet when I was killing time before a chiropractor appointment. I never thought of wearing this short vest with my highwaisted skirt, or tucking in this drop-waisted zebra print top, but I needed to get inventive to fulfill my vest week needs. Also, I love how my top half is a little rocker, but my bottom half is conservative secretary, down to my classic piped peep toe pumps. To finish things off, I let my hair do it's own thing and neither straightened nor curled. The barely-there, non-uniform wave that I was left with after my second pregnancy is a little hard for me to just 'let go', but since all of Hollywood is going natural, I'm trying to give it a try. Plus, it takes a hell of a lot less time on days like this one when I slept in....

.

Oh, and 'Zarebra' is what my daughter thought that horse-looking black and white striped zoo animal was until recently. I can't help but think of it and smile.

Hey Babe, Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Dress - Lane Bryant (thrifted); Shoes - Connie (thrifted); Necklace - thrifted;

Earrings - old Premiere; Bangles - Steinmart

Husby kind of caught me off guard with the camera this morning, so I don't like the pose or my smile, but I was running too late to take another shot. But trust me, this dress is very flattering. I love Lany Bryant's styles and overall classy look, I just have a slight problem with their estimation of a plus-sized bust. Mine is less than ample and, as with most Lany Bryant stuff I acquire, I had to pin the top together to keep it from showing my meager wares. But this dress has enough going on that it's not noticeable. The colors are fabulous, both on their own and with my complexion. And again a dress with POCKETS!! Happy, happy, joy, joy. Finsihed off with some cheetah print bangles, I feel like I can attack my day.