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