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

My New Boyfriend... Jeans

The Pacific Northwest has apparently decided to skip spring and go straight from rainy winter to sunny but muggy summer.  Anticipating a few beach and lake days in my near future, I hit up Target a few days ago looking at their swimsuit selection.  I was unsurprisingly disappointed, but cheered myself up a bit by poking around the clearance section. The boyfriend jeans popped out at me and looked so comfortable that I couldn't help myself.  After trying on swimsuit top after swimsuit top I threw on these jeans in the dressing room and fell in love.  The slightly slouchy fit, the cuffs in all the right places, and the perfect amount of hug around my tush, color me heartstruck. I found the scarf on another clearance rack in the same trip and I loved the bold print and colors.  

Comfortable shoes, easy jeans, a tank, and a breezy scarf made an effortless outfit which was perfect for running around on a really warm day.  My family and I hit up the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry as well as a Portland favorite, Pine State Biscuits.  Experiments, science shopping, biscuits, sunshine, and a lot of walking.  

Lend me your ear...

Boyfriend Jeans: Target $21.00

Gray Tank: Handed down 

Blue Scarf: Target $7.50

Gray Shoes: Toms $44 (Gifted)

Sunglasses: Ross $5.00

Purse: Bagallini (Gifted)

Total Cost to Me:  $33.50

Belts are your Friend

I recently bought a pair of shorts featured in an entry (here).  They came with a cute neon pink belt.  Though the belt does basically nothing to hold up the shorts, I thought it could be a cute addition to dresses.  I know a lot of bigger girls think they can't belt things because it will make them look fat, and I find that disappointing.  It's just the opposite! Adding a belt gives an outfit shape.  It draws the eyes in creating the illusion of (or highlighting) a tiny waist.  What girl doesn't want an hourglass, real or created?  

When I got brave enough to try belting a dress for the first time I did it under a cardigan and it looked great.  It had almost the same effect as belting it over the sweater but it was slightly understated.  The eye was drawn in at my waist and the sweater covered up the belly I thought I was highlighting.  Now, I've gotten a little more brave.  I loved the color combination of the pink and green.  And that awkward end of the belt? Knot it, loop it, whatever tickles your fancy.

(Penny wanted to compliment my outfit...)

Dress: Goodwill (Originally from Target) $6.99
Cardigan: Fashion Bug $13.00 (ish, I bought it a while ago)

Shoes: Ross: $12.99

Belt: Free

Total Cost: $32.98

Life's a Beach

My family and I took a trip to the beach today.  Dad wanted to get out of the house and all three of his kids were together, so we loaded up and headed out.  We drove out to Canon Beach and made our way down to Depoe Bay for some delicious clam chowder, some gorgeous views, and lots of climbing on rocks.  I do that in dresses!
Speaking of which:

I tried to get a good picture of the dress standing up, but the wind was blowing it every which way.  It was great for the beach though, comfortable, pretty, and easily moved in.  I ran around with the dog, hiked around the trails, and climbed all kinds of rocks in that frock! The only wardrobe mishap was that as I was trying to climb a rock my shoes got wet, and a wave splashed up and got the hem of my dress, which was the direct cause of my sad face.

Jacket: Old Navy $29.95
Dress: Ross $9.99 (gifted)
Shoes: Toms $54 (gifted)
Sunglasses: Ross $4.99

Total cost to me: $34.94

Pink. It's like red but not quite.

Name that tune?

So, I have a confession.  I shop at Walmart.  My mom told me shorts were on sale this week and that they had a bunch of different colors and styles for less than $20.  I was cautious but hopeful.  Walmart clothes are  often cheap, flimsy, and ill fitting. However, once in a blue moon I find something that is affordable and comfortable.  I picked up my grandma since she lives nearby, and we hit the racks.  This was our result.  I like the length on the shorts.  They are not baggy or frumpy, but they cover the part of my thighs that make me feel less than sexy.  The tank looked cute with the shorts, and later I discovered it also looked nice with cropped slim black pants and a denim jacket.  The shoes are just Toms brand glitters in black.

Tank: Walmart $7.00 (clearance)
Shorts: Walmart $14.97

Shoes: Toms $54 (gifted)

Total cost to me: $19.97

Simple Summer

I've been playing mini golf madness with my dad, and that's the title of our favorite course. In other news, springtime hit the Pacific Northwest!

Apologies for the tree in my face.

I like that these shorts are material like slacks. They're easy to dress up for pretty weekend wear with a blousy top or down for an afternoon lunch date with the denim and cotton.

Jacket: Old Navy $29.95
Shirt: Hand me down $0.00
Shorts: Torrid $12.56 on clearance
Shoes: Ross $14.99 gifted

Total cost to me: $32.51

Cheap, but not easy.

My goal for this blog is to show some tips for frugal shopping as well as fashion and figure flattery for us big girls in the world. Whether you're a size 6 or a size 16, an 18 or 28 you can find clothes that flatter and feel fantastic for cheap. With a little patience, a few bucks, and some good instincts you can build great outfits on a budget.

A little background. I grew up pretty broke. We got basic tees, jeans, and one pair of sneakers. I grew up on Walmart, hand me downs, and goodwill. I put myself through college and into a ton of debt. I am now a teacher and living on a modest but sufficient salary.  I love shopping and I love fashion, but I can't go nuts. I shop around. I look for deals. I thrift shop like a boss. I splurge on pay day and take full advantage of hand me downs.

So I guess that's my intro. I am Sam, and I am fat, frugal, and fabulous.