Back in Business

So, friends. I'm about to get real honest here.  The last two years of my life have been a gigantic emotional rollercoaster.  A break up, a new relationship, a few new jobs, and lots and lots of mental health difficulties have landed me here.  I've been on top of the world at times, and in a black hole of hopeless sadness in others.  So here's what's going down. When I started this blog, I was doing very well on a weight loss journey.  I lost about 40 lbs.  Since then, I've stopped focusing on weight loss and have used food and staying in bed as a way to cope with my significant mental health issues.  Here I am.  I've found the 40 lbs I had lost, and found about 40 more to go on top of that.
On top of my normal insecurities and feelings of inadequacy caused by regular old depression and anxiety, I also have added to my repertoire feelings of being grotesque, ugly, worthless, lazy, and extremely, horrifically un-beautiful.
SO! I am going to be taking some time to focus on my self-esteem.  I'm setting a goal that at least once a week, I will put up a blog entry of my super cute, feel good outfit.  The feedback on this blog always made me feel beautiful, stylish, sexy, and smart.  Thanks for that, friends and family.  So without further emotional baggage, lets get to the real reason y'all came here.

I got some birthday moneys from my dad and grandma, and I decided to go buy a few pieces that would make me feel fucking fabulous.  Also to dye part of my hair pink.  My favorite part of this outfit are my over the knee grey boots from Torrid.  (Purchased on Clearance, of course!)

I've heard a million times that fat girls shouldn't wear leggings.  To that I give a hearty "fuck off!" I feel great in leggings.  My one piece of advice is to buy leggings made of a sturdy, thick cotton spandex blend that are not see through in any way, any time, any light.  Seriously.  Tights are not leggings.  Leggings are leggings. Also, just to be safe, wear undies that match your leggings. Add a slightly longer top that covers a good chunk of your bum, and some boots or ballet flats? You're good to go. Lookin classy, stylish, and comfortable.  Bonus, it's like wearing pajamas AND looking like you tried. 

 I'm also in LOVE with the embellished cardigan.  Just a little sparkle, a little edge, a little un-grandma to my normal cardigan-loving ways.  It was free.  

My dirty little secret: I'll admit, I paid almost retail for on piece of this outfit.  I have a $10 off coupon, so I bought a "full price" item with it.  I paid 28 bucks and I've never looked back.  I've gotten so much wear out of that purple shirt, it was well worth the cash.  My partner even steals it for job interviews and work.  

This run down may not be as frugal as some.  I'm always proud of my $15 outfits.  BUT, this whole thing is still pretty cheap when you include my bad ass boots.  I done did good. 

Cardigan: BOGO clearance at Torrid.  Free

Top: Lane Bryant. $28

Leggings: Walmart. $10

Boots: Bogo Clearance at Torrid. $27

Total Cost: $65

A Short Post

Summer is a tough time for me. High temperatures plus some low body image make for an interesting combination. I know a lot of women with fuller thighs are terrified of shorts and end up wearing baggy long shorts. I know the temptation. They cover cellulite and don't add excess material on legs for a too hot day. However, they make hips wider, legs shorter, and thighs bulkier. The solution? Flaunt them gams! It seems counterintuitive to some but shorter or fitted shorts are actually slimming. 

I spent most of this photo shoot trying to climb things. But my legs look awesome in these shorts. I picked them up at Torrid on clearance for around $12. They hit just above mid thigh, and fit close to my hips but not tight. The extra bit of skin showing elongates my (very short!) legs. If I added heels an a blouse my legs would look even longer, but I'm a sneakers girl at heart. More climbing! 

My sister the wonderful even snapped a cute pic of me sitting. Sitting!! And my legs still looked great. 

Shorts: Torrid $12

Tee: Old Navy $10

Vest: Lane Bryant $15? I bought it on clearance forever ago. 

Sneaks: Payless $16

Necklace: Gifted

Sunglasses: Fred Meyer $8

Total cost (accessories included!) $61

Casual Thursday

Today I tried to make my outfit casual, and comfortable in warm weather.  It was still too damn hot! 

But I loved the colors! Katee caught lots of awkward shots today. Like this one. 

Colored denim is awesome. Big girls can wear it. Don't be afraid of colored denim making your butt too big. Just keep the rest of the outfit neutral and simple. If bright red pants are too much, try a pretty plum color or a dark green for a more subtle look. 

The rundown:

Pants: Walmart $15 ish

Shirt: Goodwill $4.99

Tank: Old Navy $8.00

Shoes and cherry necklace: gifted

Headband: World Market $4.50

Total cost to me: $31.49

Goodwill Hunting

I'm playing a little bit of blog catch up today. I've started a great job working as a music director for a youth production of Shrek the Musical. It's a temporary job, but I'm loving it and it is keeping me pretty busy. That said, I've had a good reason to get dressed up during the week which doesn't always happen in summer. Thanks to Katee I've even gotten a few good pics of those outfits! Here's one. This green dress is one of my most recent goodwill finds for under $5! It is originally a they brand and its so dang comfortable. Jersey knit dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in the summer. 

The dress has lovely flutter sleeves and a slight fit and flare shape. I paired this all with neutrals and called it a simple summery outfit. 

This pic shows the shape better, and isn't that a beautiful painting? 

Dress: Goodwill $4.49

Shoes: Payless $14.99

Belt: I have no idea...

Jacket: Old Navy $29.95

Total Cost to me: $49.43

Horizontal Stripes

So many women say "I can't wear horizontal stripes.  I'm too fat." Do you know what I say to that?

Boo!

Horizontal stripes are completely wearable. Proof. 

Look at those mixed up stripes! And right across my chest, horizontal stripes!! 

I am a firm believer that women can wear whatever they want regardless of size. I have a BIKINI for gods sake. And you know what? It looks pretty awesome on me. It's all about trying things. Even if you think "no possible way!" I have tried on things I thought would be hideous that turned out to be flattering. I've tried things I thought would be beautiful only to find they made me look 7 moths pregnant. Experimentation is key, even experimenting with breaking the "rules."  You can wear horizontal stripes. You can wear prints. You can wear yellow. 

Bonus! Here is a picture with my most recent photographer, Katee. She is one of my former students and I'm working with her now in a summer show. We wore matching shoes by happy accident. 

The rundown:

Dress: Walmart $20 

Belt: free with the dress! Whoo!

Shoes: Goodwill $4.99 (brand new!)

Pearl necklace: gifted. 

Total cost to me: $24.99

Long Time No See!

It's been a while!

Living on my own presents challenges when it comes to blogging about my clothes.  I'm never really in a position to take good pictures on my own outfits and I feel strange asking strangers on the street to do it for me.  That would be weird, right?

So I took some photos of today's outfit using my webcam.  CLASS!

This is what we're workin with today.
Dress: Target $12.48
Belt: Came with another dress.
Necklace: Charming Charlie $10.00
Earrings: Goodwill $0.99

The dangers of white dresses.

I took this picture a few weeks so intending to blog. My siblings and I were just running around town shopping for my mom. I love maxi dresses because they make me feel so dang fancy and cute even though I'm basically wearing a nightgown. 

Then last night disaster struck. My favorite Chapstick, Burt's bees hibiscus tinted balm got left in my jacket pocket. Lipstick meet dryer meet black and white dress. Now I look like I committed a murder in that dress. We're waiting on the washing machine to see if my friend has met her end or not. 

Keep your fingers crossed for me, friends!

I love hair flowers too. The fastest way to make your hair look like you tried. My hair is in a 45 second messy bun. Add a flower and suddenly I look all sophisticated and stuff!

Striped maxi: Lane Bryant $44.00

Wedge sandals: Payless $16.00

Flower: Michael crafts $1.00

Total cost to me: $61.00