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.

A Different Grape

 Sweater - NY & Co (thrifted); Skirt - Anne Klein (thifted); Shoes - gift; Necklace and Earrings - Macys; Ring and Bracelet - Premiere

I usually stay away from pinks in the makeup department because of my coloring, but I have a lipstick that I got in my 'free gift with purchase' at the Clinique counter called 'A Different Grape' which I just love.  It's a great mulberry/raspberry color, just like this cardi, and I wear the lipstick any time I wear this color.  See..it looks really good. 

Mixing this skirt with the green polka dot shirt made me think that other bright stand out colors would look great with this skirt, too.  Next maybe orange....or electric blue....or 'hot yellow'...the possibilities are endless.

Inspiration

 Earrings and Necklace - Steinmart; Shirt - Ann Taylor (thrifted); Skirt - Old Navy (thrifted); Shoes - Madden (thrifted); Belt - NY & Co (thrifted); Bandles - Macy's; Necklace and Earrings - Steinmart

This is probably one of my favorite outfits in quite a long time.  I love these colors together.  And, oddly enough, I got my inspiration from these earrings. 

I've had these earrings for year but never really thought about them much or looked at them too closeley.  They are hematite chandelier with jewel tone accents (sorry, hard to see in the picture), and as I was putting away another pair of earrings the night before this picture was taken, I noticed that I really liked how the mauve and teal looked together.  Voila, outfit inspiration.

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.

New 'Do

Skirt - Macy's (FREE); Shirt - thrifted; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (thrifted); Belt - NY&Co; Cardi - NY&CO (thrifted); Ring - Steinmart; Earrings - Chicos; Necklace - Premiere

While my new cut felt drastic to me, it doesn't look that different in this photo. The major difference, aside from 4 inches in length, is the feel. No more fuzzy ends, more thickness...it just feels healthier. And, I was able to get my hair in a condition I was willing to go to work in without touching a heating tool or stylig product (other than my hair dryer). That is a big bonus and saved me about 15 minutes. For a non-morning person that is HUGE. However, a few weeks into this haircut, and I'm ready to go shorter.....

As for the clothes....this picture doesn't do this outfit justice. I fell in love with the thrifted $2.00 tank top because of its floral pattern in muted tones. And I loved the contrast of the black and white striped back (probably should have gotten a back shot). But lately my handsome little boy had a great desire to become a part of the picture process. Hubs and I sneak into the dining room while he's enthralled in Mickey Mouse Club House and try to quickly pose and snap before the boy rushes in and stands next to me with a smile and a head tilt and a hand on his hip. Its freakin' adorable, but makes for rushed blog shots. Hubs is Graphic Designer, but there's only so much photoshopping-of-boy-out-of-picture that he is willing to do for MY hobby.

Hot Yellow

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

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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.

Pajamas in the Workplace

Dress - Merona (thrifted); Boots - Marshalls; Sweater - NY & Co (thrifted); Necklace - Target;

Ring - Steinmart; Earrings - Premiere; Belt - Thrifted

When I bought this dress, I couldn't figure out whether it was a nightgown or a dress. I was thrilled at the delicious ambiguity. It's soft and loose, yet clingy. It's delicate and feminine, yet super duper comfy. I felt like I was in Jammies all day, which made it the perfect Friday dress. My office mates and I walked to the BW3 that shares our parking lot for some discount wings for lunch and while the guy at the front dest told the male customer in front of me, they didn't have anything open for lunch, when I stepped up to the desk, he told my breasts that he'd find something for me.

When you are a female engineer, you get used to being terribly outnumbered by men...in school and then in work. And no offense to the amazing and well adjusted male engineers out there that I am sure exist, most of the ones that I have worked alongside are a bit awkward. I'm used to my boobs getting talked to. I learned early on that it's not a form of harrassment....it's a man not used to having conversations with voluptuous women.

So when the girls were being stared at by a total stranger, I took advantage of the situation and got my co-workers a table. It is right? Probably not. And if I used their power for evil, on a regular basis, I'd feel guilty. But since I spend nearly every day pretending that I don't have them, I felt they were due for some recognition.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up with a basket of Wings

Disappointing

Cardi - Steinmart; Shirt - NY & Co; Skirt - JC Penny; Shoes - TJ Maxx;

Necklace - JC Penny; Earrings - Chico's; Ring - Macy's

This shirt is one of the most disappointing items in my closet. I had such hopes for it. I loved the ruffles, the dusty rose color, the interesting collar. But I wore it ONCE and the seams started fraying and by the end of the day, there was a huge, shredded, gaping hole under my left armpit. I had to throw it away when I got home. So very, very disappointing. If only I had worn it closer to purchasing it, I might have had warrant to take it back to NY & Co and get my money back. But I bought this shirt during their clearance sale at Christmas time so hopes of restitution are dashed. At least it was on clearance.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Dusty Blue

Shirt - Steinmart; Sweater - Thrifted; Skirt - Old Navy; Boots - Marshalls; Tights - NY & Co;

I am in LOVE with long sweaters lately. I've thrifted two recently, this dusty blue number being the second, and I just can't get enough. I even find myself putting them on over my jammies at night to snuggle on the couch with the kids before bedtime. And making pancakes with them on in the morning...or taking the dog out so that others can see them too. There is something so comforting about them, and yet so stylish, especially when I match with a belt and some boots.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Farewell, Old Friend

Pants - Jones New York (steinmart); Shirt - JC Penny; Belt - Steinmart; Sweater - TJ Maxx;

Shoes - Nine West (thirfted); Necklace - Thrifted; Earrings - Premiere

This outfit was thrown together totally last minute as I saw this shirt that I bought last summer when I was rearranging my closet and wanted to wear it. I love everything about how this outfit looked and felt. This shirt was such a pleasant surprise. I would never have paired red, magenta and brown before purchasing this, and was drawn to the ugliness of the pattern. It's really quite beautiful.

The old friend, however, is the pants. These pants are brown with gold sparkles are highwaisted, wide legged and all sorts of amazing. But they are also wool and very itchy, so after this picture was taken, I retired them into my winter clothes bin to be resurrected next October. I'll miss you, sweet pants.

. Rating - Two Thumbs Up Always love it when I follow up a crappy outfit with a faboo one!

Imitation is Flattery

Shirt and Bracelet - Steinmart; Cardi - Thrifted; Skirt and tights - Old Navy;

Boots - Marshall's; Belt - JC Penny

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First off, a round of applause to my first guest blogger, Lara Talena. It was so much fun playing dress up at your house. Thanks for letting me be bossy and pull you out of your comfort zone while forcing you into belts and jackets and skirts and prints and colors and....okay, I'm getting carried away. But honestly, she went from saying 'This shirt with that skirt?' to 'Yes Ma'am' by the end, so either she was getting into it, or I'm bossier than I think :-)
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Now, about this outfit. While I did not at all intend to imitate anyone, when I looked at the picture, I immediately thought of Kendi. While I'm not nearly as cute and skinny, this outfit had a color palette that I could picture Kendi in, and the pose and boots with a skirt and dark long hair all screamed Kendi to me. Kendi, if you read this, please be flattered and not offended :-) And in addition to looking good, I felt good all day..everything was warm, but not too heavy and super comfortable. I came home and took a nap in it after work even.

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Speaking of offended....I asked Husby if he'd take my picture this morning, he emphatically responded 'Now THIS outfit, you look great in' in a way which made me feel a little bit good about today and a whole lot bad and worried about everything else I've worn this year. I know every outfit can't be a home run, but pu-lease!! I love you anyway Husby.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Stylish Librarian

Shirt - Thrifted; Vest - August Silk (Macy's - FREE); Skirt - Chico's (FREE from MOM);

Shoes - Madden (Thrifted); Belt - NY & Co; Necklace - Target

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Husby wasn't fond of this outfit. He said, the skirt and vest matched, but the shirt just looked weird. The shirt was my favorite part. Husby and I don't always agree.

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The OHW in this outfit is the shirt. I got it quite a while ago, and wore it with a brown cardi, but wasn't really sure what else I could pair it with, since it's a bit snug around the belly. I'm really happy with how this turned out. And the sweater tank being worn as a vest has given me ideas of other things I can do with this one. This is the first time wearing the Chico's skirt. It's kind of an odd sweater material, but the color is a great oatmeal neutral. I'm going to try to wear this as much as I can before the weather gets so warm that it starts to bother my thighs.

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I've also been trying to experiment more with my hair. I started growing my hair out in the first place because I was tired of looking the same every day. But now that I have long hair, I fix it the same way nearly every day. A lady in the bathroom at work told me I looked like a stylish librarian. I can handle that.

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Rating - One Thumb Up, One Thumb Sideways

Raspberry Beret

Shirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Sweater - Express (thrifted); Skirt - JC Penny;

Pumps - Nine West (thrifted); Jewelry - Me

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this sweater. I found it in a thrift shop and normally run away from pink (something about growing up in a pepto bismol room), but I couldn't resist the rich raspberry color. I felt so feminine and gorgeous all day.

And these shoes....these $8 metallic thrifted shoes have gotten more wear in the 6 months that I've owned them than most of the shoes in my closet have their entire shoe-lives. What can I wear them with? What CAN"T I wear them with :-)

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

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I hadn't shopped at NY & Co since it changed name from Lerner NY (mostly because that's around the time I became plus sized and didn't think they could fit me), but I've noticed that I have many thrifted items from there, so I recently took a look. I am in LOVE!! The colors, their belt collection.....I could have done some serious damage. Good thing I had Sophie with me to keep me honest-ish :-) Yes I bought a cardi and a few clearance belts.

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So with the new year comes a new resolution. Since I started blogging in July, this will be my first year blogging from the beginning of the year. My goal is to not duplicate any outfits for 365 days, without doing any shopping. I know, I've said I would stop shopping before, but I found that it was something I couldn't do completely cold turkey. I weaned myself down immensely this past year, but I'm heading into 2011 a bit more determined and with a little more insight into myself.

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I shop to get away from my life, to spend some time not being mommy, student or wife. I knew that. But shopping doesn't have to involve buying. I buy for another reason. I buy because with each new purchase it's another opportunity to bring something into my wardrobe which will make me feel better about myself. This shirt, that belt, that pair of shoes...yes, they make me feel great when I put them on the first time, but it fades and I'm still left with me. I need to like me more - mostly on the outside. But my dislike on the outside is internalizing and it's not healthy. Instead of making good choices and actively trying to make myself look/feel better, I just buy more clothes to cover up my body. And I need to stop.

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So, I thank all of my readers, who give me feedback positive or negative, cause I'm learning how to feel good in what I already have.

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And I thank my Husby for dealing with my crazy on a daily basis, for being my most honest critic, and being my most staunch supporter in making me feel beautiful every day.

Lauren Conrad

Tank - Lauren Conrad (thrifted); Cardi - Old Navy; Pants - TJ Maxx;

Shoes - Payless; Jewelry - Premiere

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I've never seen an episode of The Hills. I hate Heidi and Spencer, though, from other things I've seen them on and read. So I'll admit, they sucked any curiosity I had about The Hills which might lead me to check out an episode or two right out of my system. I know that Lauren Conrad was on this show, and that she's done some commercials (and is a HORRIBLE actress), but had no clue she had a clothing line. When I found this adorable tank (and another one that I'm sure will be making an appearance soon) I had to buy it. The color matches my eyes, and I love the pale purple/pink flowers throughtout which happen to match the cardi which I already owned. It's very feminine and delicate and ruffley and I love it. And it helped that they were on clearance at Plato's closet and I got both for less than $5. I'm doing my good deal dance over here.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

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And I won't be around much this next week. I'm on vacation and that involves tons of time with my littles and very little time on my computer. No offense. They are cuter.

Good Girl Gone Bad

Jacket and Skirt - Steinmart; Shirt - TJ Maxx; Boots - Payless; Belt and Scarf - Thrifted; Earrings - Bakers
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This was another Jessica inspired outfit from Surely Sonsy. However, as with most imitations, mine didn't nearly measure up to hers. I really liked the leather jacket with the super feminine skirt, so I paired my black leather with my heather gray pleated beauty. But with all of my outfit being black and gray, I needed to add the champagne pink scarf to lighten things up. Outfit would have been better if: my jacket was cropped; or my skirt was more fitted. I felt a little overpowered and like I was hiding my body, which I don't like to really do anymore. That being said, overall I liked the outfit once I ditched the jacket and would definitely like to try this look again. I definitely have to give a shout out to Jessica again for giving me another way to style my many scarves. The double loop knotted in back will definitely appear again.

Tiny Bubbles

Cardi - Old Navy (thrifted); Blouse - Apt. 9 (thrifted); Skirt - JC Penny;

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

I have been waiting for months to pull these boots out from under the bed. Thank you, Mother Nature, for actually making fall feel fall-y. I'm not much of a pink person, but I couldn't pass up this blouse. The pattern, which I think looks like little bubbles, is the gorgeous mauvy color, with chocolate brown and tan and little crystal buttons and balloon sleeves, and I was in heaven. This sweater was also a great find. I had been looking for the perfect brown cardi for what seemed like forever when this elbow-sleeved, double button wrap sweater fell into my lap at a thrift store. I see this one being a fall staple for me, and I can finally retire the brown cardi with the sleeves that stretch out horribly that I've hated but couldn't part with because you have to have a brown cardi in your closet. I loved this outfit and got quite a few compliments, so I'd say this one is a winner.

Sheer Power

Cardi - Steinmart; Shirt - Old Navy (thrifted); Pants - Steinmart;

Pink Ballet Flats - Old Navy; Belt - Steinmart; Bracelet,

Earrings and Necklace - Premiere

I left the house feeling cute and so happy about how I styled this odd colored blouse which has been staring at me in my closet for months. It is so very sheer that you can see my bra, the tank I was wearing and the Kyonna body shaper that I wear for my back pain that I am embarrased to wear it without a sweater. The color is an odd purpley pink and it has gold pinstripe lines through it. I bought it because it was unique, but I haven't worn it because it was so unique I couldn't figure out what to wear with it. As I said, I was pretty happy about the outfit, but as the day wore on, my glee diminished. I blame it on the pants. They were a size 14 and I was able to zip them up no problems. Yay, I am now a 14. But they kept rolling down my belly, which was even more obvious with the super sheer shirt over them. I felt like a cow by the time I made it to school. I have a few pounds to go before I pull these pants out again.

Pinky Tuscadero

Dress - Old Navy; Cardigan - Steinmart;

Necklace - Handmade by Vendor at a local festival;

Earrings - Macy's; Ballet Flats - Old Navy

The end of dress week (which probably should have been called 'Maternity Week' finds me in another maternity gem that I just couldn't retire. Mostly because of the awesome color, but the fact that it makes my busom look nice is just a bonus. However, after I discarded the sweater in the 90 degree heat outside, I felt VERY self concsious because of my still slightly poochy tummy. I have lost a total of 3.5 inches in my waist, but I think I won't truly feel comfortable in this dress sans cardi until I lose a few more. Looks like this dress will have to be layered for a while. I think I can handle that.

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This day, Friday, August 6, was the one week mark eating GI. And I lost a total of 7 pounds. In ONE WEEK. Super happy about that. And it wasn't that hard to keep up with. I did, however need a day to eat whatever I wanted cause I was getting kind of tired of cottage cheese and yogurt. And I needed a bit of chocolate. So I'm back on the horse now and can't wait to see where week two takes me!!