Girly Girl

Shirt - Ralph Lauren (Macy's - FREE); Tank - Macy's; Skirt - Macy's (FREE); Belt - NY & Co; Shoes - Clarks; Necklace - Premiere

Except for a short period in my life, where Curt Cobain was big and men's flannel shirts and Chuck's were my closet staples (who DIDN'T go through a phase in High School?), I've always been very feminine in the way that I dress. I've always been into makeup.  But I've never considered myself a 'girly girl'.  Feminine, sexy, but not girly.  I hate pastels, I hang mostly with guys, I'm an engineer for Goodness Sake!  However something about this pretty uber-girly floral that made me use my rewards dollars to make it my own.  And I couldn't help but pair it with the pink tank and green skirt.  Husby told me I looked like a flower.  And surprisingly, I was okay with that.

Fit to Be Tied

Dress - Merona (thrifted); Cardi - NY & Co (thrifted); Bracelets - Thrifted; Earrings - NY & Co; Sandals - Clarks

I loved the bright floral print of this dress, mostly because I can go so many ways with color and have a different outfit each time. Last worn with baby blue, this halter dress, which I figured was not work appropriate, found me quite comfortable in the office.  Sweater removed, I was nice and cool on my walk to campus for class.  The only thing I don't like about the dress is that the cinched waist is courtesy of a belt of the same materials that feeds through the waist and adds no contrast when a card is worn with it.  I think next time I'll try covering the tie with a wide belt.

Smocks are NOT Just for Painters

 Shirt - TJ Maxx; Vest - Thrifted; Pants - Macy's; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (TJ Maxx); Necklace and Earrings - Steinmart; Ring - NY & Co

I don't really have that much to say about this outfit aside from it was super comfy and I loved the way this smock shirt flows and covers a bunch while still being feminine.  It even has pockets to store my paintbrushes or sticky fingers and paperclips.  I love dresses with pockets...I super love Tunics with pockets!

Donna Reed

Shirt and Skirt - Thrifted; Ring - Steinmart; Shoes - TJ Maxx; Bracelet - Old Navy; Necklace and Earrings - Premiere

I felt so fashion forward when I got dressed this morning when I put this skirt and shirt together.  The pop of green with the black & white.  The tiny black embroidered flowers on the skirt with the polka dots on the shirt.  And I got so many compliments on it, I knew Kasmira would be proud of me, even if my pattern mixing choices were excpetionally 'safe'.  I'm growing :-) The silhouette made me feel very feminine and the look was classic Donna Reed  No, I did not scrub any toilets, or even don yellow rubber gloves the entire day.

Shirt - TJ Maxx; Skirt - Old Navy; Shoes - Thrifted; Belt - Calvin Klein

I was in love with this shirt from the moment I saw it.  And was so disappointed when it ripped down the seams of the back as I leaned forward at my desk to type.  Shredding of the sheer material is more like it.  I was so sad.  But I am determined to turn this into a positive.  The sheer tie front is still in tact and my closet is filled with vests of many variety.  Let's see what I can come up with....

Floral Affair

Dress - Dress Barn; Cardi - Old Navy; Necklace - Premiere; Shoes - Payless

Purple and green are two of my favorite colors....so whenever I find things that pair them together, I get really excited. I LOVE this little number from Dress Barn, and also love my cardi, but after seeing these pictures, the un-cinched cardi over the dress with same-material belt don't do my silhouette justice. This outfit may be making a repeat performance soon with a better execution.

Shirt and Shoes - thrifted; Skirt - Old Navy - Thrifted; Earrings and Necklace - Dress Barn; Bracelets - Macys and thrifted

It never occurred to me that olive and teal would look so good together until this shirt. And I LOVE IT!! Then, of cours a few days after wearing this outfit, Kasmira did a post on 'Tealive' posting her 5 outfits of recent history wearing the same combo. So maybe I didn't stumble across it, and was really subconciously inspired by Kasmira (as I cyber stalk her on her blog daily). Either way, it's great and I love it and I'm sure I will be pairing these together a bunch, especially in the fall. (Thanks Kasmira!)

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.

Ode to a Grecian Urn

Dress and Boots - Thrifted; Sweater and Leggings - Steinmart; Belt - TJ Maxx; Necklace - ME; Ring - Steinmart; Cuff - Premiere

There are two color combinations that I try to stay away from; red, white and blue, and red, white and black. One evokes images of fireworks and the other newspapers. Regardless how trendy my red, white and blue attire, I still feel like the schoolteacher with american flag vest or redneck with flag bandana on. Red, white and black, however makes me feel EVERYONE else. It makes me feel like the old me. The me whose idea of being wacky was adding a bit of red to my black and white outfit. The me whose wardrobe consisted of 95% white and black. But I was losing track of what white and black was - Classic. I can wear the color combinations of the general public and still feel like me. I don't have to sacrifice my style. I loved this outfit and what it stood for. Plus, it was super comfy.

Shirt and Pants - Steinmart; Shoes - TJ Maxx; Belt - NY & Co; Ring - Steinmart; Belt - NY & Co; Earrings - Chico's; Necklace and Bracelet - Premiere

I have a serious problem. I went to a jewelry party last night and knew the name of nearly every item that the girls had on or the rep showed us. Without looking at the catalog. I apparently have an obsession with premiere jewelry. It was easy to restrain myself last night as I realized that everything I wanted, I already own.

I love this shirt for its conservative, yet sexy look. Everything of importance is covered, but the sheer sleeves and peek-a-boo shoulders are spicy. I love the flowy sleeves which give it a bit of a Grecian feel. Husby said that my outfit was plum-tastic.

Happy Mother's Day!

Shirt and Pants - TJ Maxx; Cardi and Earrings- Steinmart; Shoes - Old Navy; Belt - Thrifted;

Necklace - Premiere; Owl Ring - Bakers

I generally shy away from the Junior's Department. Firstly, I'm plus sized, and Junior's Clothes typically run smaller, meaning an XL would make me look more like a wrapped sausage than a woman. And secondly, because I have had two children which have left me with an excess of skin and fat in the belly region that Junior's shirts are often too short to cover up. This floral sheer gem is technically Junior's and passed the belly test on both ends. I love how the flowers are so bright and varied that I can dress it many ways. This day I went dark, but I could easily go pink or lilac or even yellow with ease on a more springy day. Although technically Spring, the record rainfall in my town this month has really got me down and it's tough to pull off the brights just yet.

You'd better pay attention. Mr. Owl is watching you. Dress - Liz Lange Maternity (thrifted); Belt - Steinmart; Necklace, Earrings and Ring - Various Anniversary gifts from Husby

I LOVE these jewelry items from Husby. They are bold, yet neutral. They are statement and classy. The only part I regret is that I feel that the shells are only appropriate in the spring and summer. Maybe I'll get over that. But for now, I'm just happy that their season has returned. The dress is a maternity dress that I just cannot retire, because of the gorgeous color. And since I discovered that my 70's hooker clogs of the previous post match it exactly this resolve is further reinforced. Happy Day in extreme maternity comfort.

Things that suck in the transition of pregnant to mother, that No ONE bothered to tell me:
1. You are no longer able to proudly display your big fat belly.
2. You feel guilty about everything non vegetable that you put in your mouth.
3. Feeling the kicks. God, I miss feeling the kicks still. It's like you lose a part of you.
4. You lose the comfy excess and stretchyness of Maternity Clothes. You don't realize how much you hate zippers and buttons until you spend 5 months in expandawaist maternity pants.
5. You have to worry whenever you sneeze if it's going to be a sninkle. (tinkle + sneeze)
6. Freaky crazy big, milk engorged, painful breasts. Then, you fall in love with them, right before you stop nursing and lose them.
7. Post freaky crazy big, milk engorged breasts that you now need to fold up into a braziere.
8. Three other things that I can't remember because my babies ate my brain cells.

But GOD, I love those beautiful babies. Happy Mother's Day!

Redemption

Cardi, Skirt and Tights - Old Navy; Tank - Macy's;

Shoes - Coach (TJ Maxx); Earrings and Necklaces - Premiere;

Ring - Macys; Pin - Craft Show

Redemption comes in shades of purple. I love how this outfit turned out and especially love that I could work in both tights and my favorite pair of frivolous shoes. I didn't need purple suede wedge loafers. Who does? But a pair of $300 shoes that I found on a clearance rack for under $30 was too good to pass up. I figured that I'd find a way to work them in. And I have, repeatedly. Rating - Two Thumbs Up.
Goosie's got her groove back.

Crystal Blue Persuasion

Pants and Tank - Steinmart; Cardi - TJ maxx; Necklace - Macy's; Bracelets and Earrings - Premiere; Floral Magnetic Pin - Steinmart; Shoes - Moda (Thrifted)
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Using the pumps from yesterday and a navy cardigan, day two of the Navy challenge turned out even better than expected. Despite Husby saying he didn't like my outfit. I loved it. Every part of it. And was so sad when I had to leave work after only 6 hours to go to school, cause this was the kind of outfit which could keep me going all day. Thanks Jessica of SS for the yellow-blue idea.

Sweater Weather

Dress - thrifted; Leggings - Steinmart; Pumps - Stuart Weitzman (thrifted); Necklace - Express; Belt - JC Penny; Bangle - Old Navy; Earrings - Chicos

In the dim lighting of the bedroom, I swear these pumps were more blue. They matched exactly. Then, when I got to work, they were teal, and the dress was blue. My embarrassment didn't last long, cause I was freezing cold and wore a bulky gray long sweater over it the whole day. REALLY liked how that turned out, but didn't get a picture of it. I felt cute and spunky and funky and fun all day with the splashes of color. Love this dress and can't wait to figure out other weather-appropriate ways to wear it.

Eggplant Parmesan

Shirt - Cha Cha Venti (Steinmart); Pants - Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes - Madden Girl (thrifted);

Necklace - Premiere; Earrings - Chico's

I can't even begin to tell you how sexy, yet classy I felt today. It's amazing what the hint of one shoulder can do. I love this blouse becuase it's made of a light gauzy material with a huge cowl neck and under-tank which allow it to be worn three ways: traditional cowl hanging in the front, one shoulder sleek and sexy, and off of both shoulders. Since I was heading to work, I opted to bear the shoulder sans tatoo. Engineers, especially older ones, tend to scoff at body art. I loved the shirt so much that I bought it in eggplant and olive, so look for more neck possiblities in the future. Also, the skirt is kinda bloused here to hide the lines of the waistband of these pants, but could be left much longer with leggings and some knee high boots. Ooh, I'm getting excited! But that may have to wait a bit since the previously forecasted week of low 70's has been amended to a week of high 80's. Tank weather will be here a little longer.

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I putzed around more than usual between shower and dressing since my 10 month old woke up and I wanted to snuggle a bit. When I went in to brush my hair, I realized that my unbrushed coiff was mostly dry and wavy all over. I may have to do this non-brushing thing more often, cause it took two minutes to get ready and I got sooooo many compliments on my hair today.

Veruca Salt

Shirt - TJ Maxx; Cardi - TJ Maxx; Pants - Steinmart; Belt - TJ Maxx;

Shoes - Thrifted; Bracelets and Earrings - ME

A co-worker told me I reminded her of Veruca Salt today. She assured me it was because I was dressed all in blue and not because I was large and round. These gorgeous floral flats are my favorite part. Got them for $10 from Plato's Closet, which I think is my new favorite shoe place. Macys.com said that printed flats are the hot trend this fall. Looks like I'm trendy. The pants were also once full length, but after one 'Wash Cold and Tumble Dry Low' as directed, they ended up as such. Luckily, I have really long legs and look good in ankle length pants!!

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Liking the hair a little better today....but not much. I guess I'll get used to it before I grow the bangs out some more.

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On the diet front.....I'm holding steady at 10 pounds down. After one week with my 'special friend' in town and one week super sick and eating whatever sounded good (which was mostly carbs), I haven't gained anything which makes me happy. Now lets get back on the horse to make me even happier :-)

Tutti Frutti

Shirt - Steinmart; Skirt and belt - JC Penny; Shoes - Madden Girl (via TJ Maxx);

Bracelets, Earrings and Necklace - Premiere Designs (via local sales rep)

I picked up this very colorful orange, teal and green necklace and earring combo at a jewelry party this weekend and couldn't wait to try it out. It's so summery and colorful, and it's just feminine enough to really dazzle with this orange button down I've been trying to incorporate into my wardrobe for years (it's been sitting in a closet - only worn once). Add my colorful floral print Madden Girl peep-toe Mary Janes and this is an ensemble that's fun, and flirty while still being professional. And most of all, I think it's very flattering on my figure. I've felt like a million bucks all day. This is one of those outfits that gives you confidence in spades. Day one - a success!!