Inspired by Miss Piggy on Fashion Friday

Before I start today's post, have you guys heard about the AdoraOm "New Year, New You" Makeover Contest?  You could win a makeover, workout clothes and lunch with the AdoraOm team - and I know from experience that they're terrific ladies who are excellent lunching companions.  You find out all the details for entering at their website or their Facebook page.

OK, onto today's post.

Miss Piggy has been a fashion icon of mine for as long as I can remember.  She certainly inspired me on Halloween a few years ago.

When we went to see her wardrobe collection at the El Capitan last week, it wasn't too surprising that one of her outfits sparked my fashion creativity.  I loved her houndstooth suit.

Ooh la la... Piggy wore this suit while working at French Vogue.

She even had my haircut while she wore it.  (Or I had hers.  It's not clear.)

Lately, it's helped me to dress for work in the morning before I begin my daily schedule - even though my work is freelance, and I could be in my jammies all day if I wanted.  When I snazz it up, it's like I'm making a commitment to being focused and productive in my day.  When I saw Piggy's suit, I realized I wanted to work a similar piece from my own wardrobe into my daily wear a little more.  So today I'm wearing this more casual - but still put-together - tribute to Piggy's suit.

Blazer by Lane Bryant
Tank shell by JM Collection
Slim-cut jeans by Style&Co
Resin and ribbon necklace by Avenue
Chiffon flower brooch came with the blazer
Boat shoes by Sperry

  
There are no pearls a la piggy in my wardrobe, but I thought I'd pay tribute to her black-and-pink with the ribbon/resin necklace.

One thing I like especially is the shape of the outfit.  The jacket is a little blocky, but because it's an open cut, the body-hugging shell underneath reveals a little more curve.  And the slim-cut jeans taper the look, so I'm not one big rectangle.  (Likewise, the loafers - new favorites of mine - don't overwhelm the shape, but don't disappear, either.)

This are actually my first pair of slim-cut pants, outside of workout pants, in... I don't know how long, but probably more than 20 years.  I found them by spending a few hours trying on every single kind of brand and style and cut at Macy's.  It is surprising just how differently each pair fits... but this one fits me like a glove.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't really want to go back to boot cuts again.  Macy's seems to be out of slim-cut jeans right now, aside from their new "butt lifting technology" ones.  I haven't tried those before. 

So, what fictional character inspires your wardrobe?  (Or what real person, for that matter?)  I have another inspirational character, but I'll save her for another Fashion Friday.

**

In other news, I'm feeling better than I was yesterday.  The blues seem to have passed, and I'm sure my weekly therapy session helped - as did the support from all of you.

We leave early tomorrow morning for a family gathering.  Traveling is always stressful when you're on a plan for healthy living... mostly because you have to be flexible and there isn't always an easy plan in place.  Fortunately, we've stocked up on some healthy snacks to take with us, we have activities scheduled, and I have kind relatives looking out for me.  I'll let you know how everything goes when I'm back again on Monday.  Until then, let's take care of each other - and ourselves.  Have a great weekend!

Multimedia Monday - checking in and checking out

Phew.  I think I finally came up for air.  Hi, everybody.

Between freelancing and preparing for another Supper Club event, I ended up so busy that I couldn't swing my usual daily posts.

The good news is that despite my total absence here since last Tuesday, I had a terrific health week.  (More on that in my weigh-in post, coming soon.)

Here are my Short Cuts for the week:

• I finally watched Splice, which I added to our DVR during HBO Free Preview Weekend. Is there anything more fun than a premium cable channel free preview?  I was mesmerized by the film, which was a surprisingly intimate character exploration, not a sci-fi horror as it was advertised.  (Much like the film I mentioned last week, I understand why the marketing team did this, but I'm bummed that it missed its audience.)
• It's nice to have our regular shows back.  I've been enjoying How I Met Your Mother especially.  The use of flash-forward (the wedding, the labor, the goat, etc) is an excellent way to entice audiences to keep coming back.  It definitely works on me, anyway.  I'd like to use that structure in an upcoming project, myself.
• It's weird not to have new 30 Rock until mid-season.  I miss it.  But it's nice to have reruns in syndication for the first time.
• This week's Saturday Night Live was the best I've seen in years.  Which brings me to today's topic.

Melissa McCarthy.

Here's my favorite sketch from Saturday.  In this sketch, she sexually harasses a coworker.  With balloons.





It was hard to pick a favorite.  She was so different in, and so committed to, each of them.  Knocks each one out of the park.  Blows almost every other guest host away.   

More proof that this is her hour: she's on the cover of Hollywood Reporter this week.  When was the last time a plus-sized woman graced that cover?  Roseanne?

It's not just that she totally stole the biggest female-starring comedy from the higher-billed actresses this summer.  It's not just that she won an Emmy for best actress in a comedy. Or even that she's plus-sized and in her forties. It's that she seems totally comfortable in her skin while doing all of it.

On top of all that, she just announced she'll be starting her own clothing line.  Count me in, Melissa.  Count me in.

Not to mention the fact rumor has it that in an upcoming film, Melissa may be paired romantically with my other favorite SNL host (who happens to be my preferred flavor of eye candy), Jon Hamm.  I. Can't. Wait.

But the thing that makes me most excited about her growing stardom is her new production company.  Because I dream of casting her in the script I've been writing (on and off) for five years - called Yoga For Fat Girls.  She would be a perfect Maggie.  And if I can just finish this thing, maybe someday, she will be.

Fashion Friday... hostess edition

I blinked and looked away after writing this entry's title.  And when I looked back, I thought it read "hotness edition."  Well, I guess.  I felt kind of hot in my new dress, an uber-sale score from Lane Bryant. 

Dress by Lane Bryant is - whoa - a size 18/20
Cardigan by Lane Bryant many years ago
Wooden necklace by a local cheap-ass accessory shop

I wore it to Supper Club 600 Italy, with a sweater that is far too baggy.  I have discovered that I am now without black cardigans.  I used to have five.  Now, nary fits me.  I guess I know what my next purchase will need to be.

Since we've been painting and undergoing other home improvement ventures this week, I didn't put together a single outfit since Supper Club.  I have felt extremely schlubby.  So this morning, seeing the distant twinkle of tunnel's end, I put together an outfit that makes me feel great.  It'll arrive on a Fashion Friday sometime soon.

Isn't it interesting how much a change of clothes can equal a change of mood? 

Take, for instance, a fancy affair.  When you put on your dressy duds, your thoughts and actions might become a touch more sophisticated.  (I know mine do.  Tea dress + teacup = subconsciously raised pinkie.)  Or when you come home from a long work day, and throw off your clothes and snuggle up in something cozy and loose?  Don't you immediately feel more relaxed?  Or, like me today, when you put together something that is thoughtful and artful, does your mind feel more put-together? 

It may seem like a superficial change, but if you're feeling down for any reason, consider dressing up.  Sometimes change can work by osmosis - from the outside, in.

I'm off to enjoy the last of my time with Dad before he flies back to Michigan tomorrow.  Have a beautiful weekend, and while you do, don't forget to take care of you!

Fashion Friday... at the Gym?

It's a beautiful September morning, and I am feeling good after another hard workout at Slimmons last night.  I'm not sure what was different, but I actually felt much stronger yesterday.  Maybe the 8-pound free weights I've been building up to are having an effect on my body... or maybe I ate just the right nutritive balance... or maybe my body was happy after all of the water I drank yesterday.

Or maybe it was the fact that four separate people told me last night that I was looking great.  It's been happening a lot more often lately.  At the beginning of my journey, the relatively quick pace of weight loss (and having been a social hermit for the first few months of it) meant that I got a lot of comments all at once.  Over time, as people have gotten used to my weight loss (plus seeing friends more often, and the loss happening more slowly) there have been few mentions of it in person.  Lately, though - especially when I'm in my workout clothes - people have really mentioned it.

I know my proportions have shifted a lot, even while the weight itself is slower-moving than it used to be... but I think some of it must be the way I'm dressing.

Some of you probably read the title of this entry and rolled your eyes.  "The gym is for working out.  The gym is not for looking cute."  And you're right.  I sweat like crazy and look ridiculous when I'm done.  But a few months ago, I used to do it wearing sloppy shirts and wide, wide-legged palazzo pants.

In this photo with Rena, Alexa, Richard & Tom, I'm wearing some of the baggy pants in question.

Richard, style maverick that he is, teased me relentlessly about my baggy clothes.  And thanks to some work for both Tom and myself, I finally had the budget for a few new pieces. I headed out to Target and grabbed a couple of new fitted tank tops and leggings.  (Just in time, too. I wore one of the old baggy pieces last night and I spent the whole night trying to keep them from falling off.)  Once I started wearing the fitted pieces, I started getting a lot more comments about how different I look.

In leggier leggings, with Rochelle

So, yes. The right clothes are important for the gym, too.  They wick away sweat, and they support your body.  They can even look - yes - cute.

With my ladies, Patty & Alexa (plus Patty's little lady Holly), after a very sweaty workout.

Lately to add to the cuteness factor, I've been accessorizing with vintage scarves worn as bandannas.  They're a really cheap and chic way to keep hair and sweat out of your eyes.  I recommend snagging a few at an estate sale or a vintage shop, or even at eBay or Etsy.  They sometimes sell them together as lots, like this one currently running - 47 of them, currently at $9.99.

I'm still a bit scant in the workout clothes department, so today's imaginary outfit is what I'd buy to fill it out a little more.

Vintage scarf via eBay
Sports bra by Champion via Target
Compression leggings by Old Navy
Compression Tank by Marika Miracles for Cacique
My actual shoes - which are terrific - New Balance 993

Woo-hoo! My post is up on the right day, and posted in the morning, even!  I'm off to do some work, followed by preparation for all the home improvements we're doing over the weekend.  I hope that those of you in the States enjoy your long weekend, and I hope that all of you will take care of you!

Fashion Friday at the Drive-In!

Ach, I'm running behind again!  It's Tuesday... and although I missed posting on Fashion Friday, I wanted to conclude with the third part of my B-Movie BBQ series. (Have you seen Part I and Part II yet?)

Here's what I wore to the latest Supper Club 600:

The wind did terrible things to my hair!
Retro camp shirt by Torrid
Black jersey dress by Target
Blown-glass cherry earrings by Anthropologie
Bakelite cherry necklace by
Bat bracelet by Lisa at Inspired Adornments

   
  
I was excited to finally wear the camp shirt for the first time.  I bought it online years ago, but it was one of those terribly mis-sized pieces, and fit nothing like the other shirts by the company.  I finally fit into it perfectly, except for the sleeves, which were cinched in far too small for the size.  (It seemed like they hadn't used a fit model.)  My mother-in-law (our tireless volunteer tailor) snipped the sleeves' bands, they were almost too big! 

The shirt has such cute little details - the cheesecake print, the star buttons, and especially the monogram, which is "LS" for the designer, "Lip Service."  In certain online circles I'm actually known as "LS," so it felt like it was made especially for me.

An up-side of inviting creative friends to parties is that occasionally, those creative friends will bring a creative surprise for you.  In this case, my jewelry-designing friend Lisa brought me a horror-themed bracelet for the occasion, since she knew I had themed the event around B-movie horror.  It's adorable, and it's going to get a heck of a lot of use, especially around the Halloween season.  There's a brass plate on the back which is embossed with the word "spooky" - spooky like an abandoned drive-in lot...

OK, maybe an abandoned drive-in lot is not that spooky when I'm smiling.
Tom looked pretty Friday-Fashionable himself, in his retro shirt by Vintage Silk.
(I swear to you, we did not plan our outfits together.)

I'll be back later today with a weigh-in post for Tuesday... and I'm hoping to get back to my regular post schedule starting tomorrow.  Take care of you!

Fashion Fortune-Telling!

Happy Friday, everyone!

It's been a busy and productive week... so think it's time for a little fun!  I came up with a game to play with all of you.

In looking for inspiration for today's outfit, I realized how much style can influence how people feel and act - both from the wearer's perspective and the watcher's perspective. The right combination can make you feel confident, or mischievous, or sexy.  And if you feel that way in your clothes, there's a good chance that those around you will see it too... and your fortune could change, as a result.

So I decided that for today's Fashion Friday column, YOU would be the fashion stylist... and I would be the fortune-teller!

Here's the deal: I offer up several possible wardrobe pieces, for an outfit built around one dress.  And you tell me what combination you would pair.  And I will read your chosen outfit like tarot cards or tea leaves... and tell your (for-entertainment-purposes-only) fortune.

Centerpiece dress: pleated chambray by EShakti
A: Cropped tweed jacket by Jessical London
B:Yellow Shrug by Igigi
C: Moto jacket by alight
D: Diane von Furstenberg Busby Day Scarf
E: Mr. Sophisticated necklace by Etsy artist SweetBlissBistro
F: Orchid and pearl necklace by Etsy artist Lillidoll
G: Cashmere scarf by Nordsrom
H: Chrysanthemum earrings by Etsy artist SilverLotusDesigns
I:Scroll earrings by Etsy artist KarinAllie
J: Emerald glass earrings by Etsy artist lcatlla
K: Phillips-head earrings by Etsy artist smhapenrod
L: Dansko boots
M: Christin Michaels wedges

I hope that you will have fun with this. I know I'll have fun looking in my crystal fashion ball.  Heh. And don't forget to keep checking back as I add the outfits with the fortunes here on the entry!

Teresa's outfit:

When you wear this outfit, Teresa, you will be KICKING ASS and TAKING DAMES.  You're a tough around the edges and you're just coming into your full powers. In the near future, you find yourself in a surprising conversation with someone who may intimidate you.  You'll be bold and strong, but it's your little sophisticated observations (much like your little sophisticated earrings) that will wow them in that chance encounter.  (Well, that and your boots.) 
P.S. - you would look so hot in this, Teresa! I love it!

Kimberly's outfit:

Kimberly, in this outfit, you are ALL THAT AND A BAG OF RUBBER CHICKENS.  Graceful and whimsical at the same time.  Which is just how you carry yourself in your soon-to-occur confrontation with a banana peel.  You'll clock some serious air-time as you slip, but you'll tour-jete out of it and come off looking far better than the banana did.  Just please, please take care to avoid the number 7... I don't know what it signifies, but it's going to be a doozy.

Audra's outfit

Audra, in these threads... you are FANCY-LOOSE and FOOT-FREE.  The boys will wolf-whistle and the girls will wolf-pack around you.  But there's a darker side to this outfit. All I can say is that something dreadful is going to happen to your feet.  I dare not even speak of it, because after it happens, I'm not sure we can be friends anymore.

Jennie's outfit

Jen, when you go out, you go all out.  And when you go out in these clothes, you're DEFINITELY PUTTING OUT.  Oh, I know. The sophisticated touches all say "demure."  "Elegant." It's layer upon layer of class.  And you know what's usually hiding just beneath that much class?  One hot mama, on the take.  Your mister better brace himself! Do you need a babysitter?

Cindy's outfit

Cindy, the flowers are in bloom... and in this outfit, YOU ARE BLOOMING LIKE AN ONION AT OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE.  You may chance to rekindle a friendship with a long-lost bosom pal soon, and what she has to tell you about her memories of you will delight you.  Also, it's too hazy to tell yet, but it's possible that the world's most satisfying dinner has your name on it... and soon.

Rena's outfit

Rena, in this outfit you are twinkling like a firework. You will make them go AH, AH, AH.  (And OH, OH, OH.)  The "them" in question is a series of handsome gentlemen.  They will be drawn to your inner sparkle - and your outer va-voom.  As long as you don't go line-dancing with them (as untold dangers lurk at the cowboy bar) the outcome looks incredibly swell.

Leanne's outfit

Leanne, your BOOTS ARE MADE FOR SWANKIN'.  And that's just what you'll do.  You'll show everyone in your new town that a buttoned-up professional lady can kick up her heels with the best of 'em.  Be wary of furry things, though.  They have a way with dismantling footwear.

Joanne's outfit

Joanne, I see your TRUE COLORS are beautiful like a rainbow.  Which stands to reason, because there I see a man in your future.  No, not your husband.  (Though of course he's there, too.)  I see a beautiful, sequined, rainbow of a man, who just can't contain himself when he sees you, bursting into hugs and kisses and serenades. 

Katie's outfit

Katie, you had better watch your back, because the ladies in your life are going to be GREEN WITH ENVY of your Von Furstenberg scarf... and how well you rock it.  (I will be the first in line to envy you... this outfit is the closest so far to the one I'd have picked, myself.)  But you, m'dear, will be green with the green stuff.  I see a windfall in your future.
Also a pratfall, but I won't say a word about that to anyone.

Marla's outfit

The elegant wrap, the sophisticated earrings, the ladylike shoes... Marla, you are FULLY-GROWN and you FULLY PWNED.  There will be a moment... I can't tell when, but it seems like it might be soon... where you take a look at where you've been and how far you've come.  And when you're there... don't look down.  Seriously.  Don't look down.  I'm warning you.

Phew! I've finished everything I can finish today, but if you would still like to play, please leave your outfit choices as a comment, and I'll put your fortune up as soon as I'm able!

In the meanwhile... have a beautiful weekend, everyone, and as always, take care of you!

BOOBS.

Made you look!

But, actually, boobs really are the topic of today's Fashion Friday column.  If you're opposed to the discussion of sweater puppies, you best be on your way.  (Otherwise, please know that this discussion will be safe-for-work.)

Sweater puppies.
photo via videobash

I developed pretty young, which wasn't necessarily fun for me, since it meant I'd have yet another measurement nudging me out of the girls' clothes department.  I even remember overhearing another girl in my sixth-grade class say - pejoratively - that "if Heidi cut off her boobs, they'd make two holes in the floor."  Later in life, having a sizable rack might've been something I would appreciate... but at the time, I felt nothing but shame.

Sizable rack.
photo via WallDesigns

As I gained weight, my breasts ended up looking not-so-large in comparison to the rest of me.  In college, a couple of crude guys in acting class were talking about our classmates' assets - whose were big, and who were lacking.  I remember piping up that they'd forgotten mine... to which one of them replied "well, you're big so your tits don't count."  Thanks, sport. You stay classy!

That is one beautiful tit.
Image via DailyMail

I eventually came to appreciate my body, and have felt partial to my breasts ever since.  Until... well... until now.

Exercise and healthy eating has done all kinds of wonderful things for me.  It has also... well... it has also wreaked all kinds of havoc upon my breasts.  What was buoyant now sinks.  And I thought I was stuck with this for life.

What I didn't realize was that as my clothing size changed, so did my bra size.  Why wouldn't I have thought of this?  I don't know, but man, until as recently as a month ago, I was still wearing some of the bras I was wearing last year.

That all changed when my friend Alexa, the lovely Curvy Nerd, dragged me to Intimacy, a lingerie store in Culver City.

"It's amazing," she said, "it changed my life."

"You're crazy," I said, "but I love an adventure."  So the two of us, and my visiting friend Rena, headed over to the store.

When we arrived at the storefront, I became anxious.  Hanging in the window were a large array of beautiful, delicate... tiny... bras.  I have boobs that are neither delicate nor tiny, and in the past, there had to be a very large amount of structure (wire, foam, armor...) to support me.  But Alexa assured me that they had bras for all sizes.

I met with my sizing specialist, who explained that they sized ladies visually, without a measuring tape.  She took one look at my boobs and then left.  Which seemed embarrassing, but then she came back with an armful of bras, which she helped me shimmy into.

It turns out that the bra band I thought I should be wearing was TEN INCHES LARGER than the bra band I needed to be wearing.  And that when I'm wearing the right-sized bra - and one that's well-made - there's no drooping, and I can actually wear delicate lace.  Who knew?

To demonstrate the difference between the bra I was wearing, and the bra I purchased at Intimacy, I took some photos this morning, while wearing a light jersey tank from Lane Bryant.

Old and droopy on the left. New and perky on the right.
Tom noticed that I was smiling much more in the better bra.

  

Again, old on left, new on right.

  

So... if you're feeling a little droopy these days, by all means head out to a bra sizing with specialists.  There are Intimacy stores in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, San Diego, Scottsdale, and Washington D.C. 

And if you're not near an Intimacy store, I highly recommend seeking out a bra specialty store (not, like, a Lane Bryant or a Victoria's Secret, but a real specialty store.)  Wearing the right bra can mean the difference between good posture and bad posture... or confidence and embarrassment.

I'm off for now, but I'll be back next week with more fun and joyful ways to take care of you and I.  Until then, I hope you'll keep doing good things for you!

A Burton-inspired Fashion Friday!

One of the hottest tickets in Los Angeles right now is the Tim Burton exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. When our friend Rena was visiting, she was very kind to gift us with those hot tickets, so we could join her at the museum.  And, being Burton fans, we dressed for the occasion!

The lovely Rena is wearing a poppy-covered sundress via Dress Barn,
plus a vintage beaded bag, and strappy sandals by Life Stride.

   

I am wearing a secretary swing dress and striped cardigan by Torrid, a flower headband by
Etsy artists Lou and Lee, raven-tree locket via Halloweentown, and purse by Kate Spade.

  

To show the detail of our outfits, I had to crop out the fun Burton art... but you should see that, too!

The coolest floppy-blowing-machines ever.  Is there a name for those floppy-blowing-machines?

   

Tom looked dapper for the occasion, too.

  

Rena snuck a shot of me admiring a topiary from Edward Scissorhands, which Burton created himself.

   

Alas, cameras were not allowed in the museum itself, so we didn't take our own shots inside.  Instead, I'll share with you a few of the pieces from the exhibit, plus some beautiful photographs of the exhibit, taken by Zilla Magazine - and there are more where that came from if you follow the link.

It's interesting to see his repeating themes, lines, and colors.
Painting by Burton.

I was particularly fascinated by his hand-drawn sketches,
which are shaded, hatched, texturized so uniquely.
Pen illustration for Vincent, by Burton.

It was amazing to see concept art translated into the actual costumes and props.
Concept art for Edward Scissorhands, by Burton.

Rena and I must've stared at Collen Atwood's Scissorhands costume (at the back above) for ten minutes.
Photo by Zilla Magazine.

Even the entryway to the exhibit was fanciful, and totally Burtonesque.
Photo by Zilla Magazine.

There was black-light section, which featured a neon carousel Burton designed and built recently.
I happened to notice it was based on an idea he'd illustrated many years before, also part of the collection.

If you're anywhere near Los Angeles - and a fan of Burton, of art, of an artist's developing style... of film, of creativity, of strong perspectives and uniqueness of line, and style and color and... yeah.  Yeah.  You should go.

And when you do, you should rock your own Burton-inspired outfit.  What would you wear to LACMA for the occasion?

OK, I'm out for the weekend.  I hope all of you have fun plans... and that those fun plans include taking good care of yourselves.  Until Monday!

Not-So-Ugly Duckling Fashion

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not so much a shoe-girl.

Don't get me wrong - I like it when I can find good-looking, comfortable shoes that compliment my outfits.  But I have extraordinarily wide feet, and that means my options are incredibly limited.  My weight (I assume, because I've never been thin) has also meant that heels aren't comfortable for me.

As a result, I have never, ever in my life built an outfit around a pair of shoes.  And I've never really wanted to.

That is, until I first saw Kobi Levi's imaginative creations.  Have you seen his shoes?  He's an Israeli designer who has elevated shoe design to a unique new level of artistry.  Here are some examples of his work.

Chewing Gum

  

Slingshot

   

Slide

   

Olive Oyl

   


  
     

Blonde Ambition

   



Isn't he a riot?  He made me look at shoes in ways I've never looked at shoes before.  So I thought I'd do the unthinkable... and theme an outfit around shoes.  His shoes.  His swan shoes, specifically, from his bird series.

Incidentally... I'd like to dedicate this outfit to Tom, Lisa, Chris, and Erik, for being my partners in swandom.

Shoes - which we can't buy - by Kobe Levi
Overlapping necklace via Overstock.com
Bakelite bracelet, vintage, alas not for sale
Bakelite earrings, available from Vanilla Wafer Brown
Orange bag from a previous Kate Spade season
Dress by Sealed With a Kiss

   
Since I've been asked about accessories recently, I thought I'd share a few thoughts on putting this outfit together.

• The shoes, which are white, black and orange, are the focal point... but I wanted to bring attention to them by adding a few pops of orange, in the bracelet/earrings and bag.  
• I love a touch of vintage flair so I went with two pieces made of Bakelite, my favorite collectible retro plastic.  
• Because the orange is so vivid, and the shoes so unusual, I wanted the other elements to be streamlined and modern... put-together, but not stealing focus.  
• The necklace is simple but a touch unusual - it doesn't compete with the bakelite, yet compliments it (and works well with the neckline of the dress.)  
• I'm a big fan of black-dress-as-canvas: your pop of color will stand out that much more vividly on a simple black template.  Consider the purple and yellow of my outfit at Eat Real Fest last weekend:

Pardon the re-use of the photo!
Scarf by H&M
Belt by Curvy Girl Clothing
Headband & dress by Target

   


Can I just say... YAY FOR HAIRCUTS. I'm way overdue and I'm heading into my favorite salon ever, Fandango in Silverlake, for a cut today. So hopefully my new 60-pound-milestone progress photo (and shots from this weekend) will have me looking WAY less shaggy.

All right!  That's the week, folks. I hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend - and if you're local and don't have plans, there's still time to squeak into our Supper Club 600 on Saturday - just give me a heads-up.  I'll be back Monday to keep bringing the fun into this journey toward good health.  And you... keep taking care of you!

It's a BAD-CHOICE Fashion Friday!

It came to my attention recently that acid-wash jeans are coming back.

I had a gut-level response.  It was pretty strong.  It said: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO."

I found out through the lovely Monique, who blogs at Curves and Chaos.  She's a smart fashionista, and she makes some brave and bold choices I admire.   And she's on board for this trend!

Image posted by Curves and Choas

Monique, I love you, but I just don't think I can muster it for this one.  The last time distress-washed denim came around, I was... shall we say... not yet stylish enough.  I have photo proof but I didn't have a chance to dig it up and scan it.  Look forward to future pics of the silliest I've ever looked.


 And what is next? Surf pants?

Image via VisualNews

VisualNews has a very fun article, called "Who Shot the Couch," with other bad-choice fashion photos including the biggest collar ever, and Flame-resistant sleepwear for the whole family.  I highly recommend you check it out.

And who knows... there's probably someone out there who thinks that what I wore on the Fourth of July was BAD-CHOICE Fashion Monday.  They say plus-sized girls shouldn't wear stripes...

Chevron stripe dress by Old Navy
Hairband is ribbon purchased at a fabric store
Earrings by an Etsy artist who is no longer selling, alas
Bangle bracelets by Torrid
Flats by Walking Cradles

But me, I like stripes.  And I'm no fashion police.  If you dig of the acid-wash (or the couch-fabric, for that matter) you have free rein!  There are those out there who say heels are the only way to go, and I'm a fashion victim in my flats.  As Audra commented here recently, there's a difference between fashion and style.  To each their own... that's style.  I may not be someone who follows every fashion trend, but I think I've found a way to express myself through my clothes.  Or at least, I'm having fun trying.  And isn't that the point?

How about you?  Fashion or style?  Acid-wash jeans?

It looks to be a beautiful weekend.  I'm hoping to kick the cabin fever to the curb... so tomorrow we're off to the Eat Real Fest, followed by a visit with some friends.  We do, however, plan to stay away from the 405 in Los Angeles.  Hope you locals avoid Carmageddon, too!  I'll be back with more on Monday, and 'til then, take care of you!

Make it pink AND blue on Fashion Friday!

What's the best part of Sleeping Beauty? (Other than that moment Philip slips behind Aurora to dance wth her, and Aurora realizes she's no longer dancing with an owl?) It's the epic battle... between fairies. Over dress fabric.  Make it pink! Make it blue!





But today I ended up with outfits themed around pink AND blue - accidentally!

 The first outfit is an imaginary outfit was inspired by a brand new plus-sized fashion website, called Clique to Know.  It seems to be cut from the same cloth (see what I did there?) as other haute-designer bargain sites like Bluefly and Net-a-Porter - offering deeply discounted fashions from high-fashion designers.

I've never been much for high fashion - aside from marveling at the artwork on runways.  I've never understood why someone would find it necessary to purchase - for instance - a jersey dress for four or five times the price of what I pay for my jersey dresses.  Mine cost about $20 or $30.  And they have lasted me for a long time.  And they're pretty, and I look nice in them.  Why pay $300 for a jersey dress that is not much higher quality?  Hence my confusion about Rachel Pally's line.  Are her dresses lovely?  Sure.  But are they that much lovelier, that much better quality, than what I'm wearing right now, which I got for all of $26?  Maybe I'd feel differently if I tried one on, wore it for awhile.  Maybe I'd fall completely in love.  Have you tried any of Pally's clothes? Am I missing the boat here? Please let me know!

For now, though, any Rachel Pally dress - even on a discount site - is going to end up in my imaginary outfit closet, not my real closet.  This one was my favorite piece available yesterday on Clique To Know. (Alas, these sales are flash-quick, so it's already gone today, with another sale in its place.)

Dress by Rachel Pally via Clique To Know
Sandals by Nicole Devious via Zappos
Wrap by Nordstrom
Straw tote by Fossil via Zappos
Earrings by Etsy seller Jujudesigns

I just happened to pair pink and blue in my own outfit this week, before I even saw the Pally dress!

Dress by EShakti
Scarf by
Sweater by Torrid, recently trimmed with ribbon by my mother-in-law Jean
Necklace, a gift from my lovely friend Rochelle. (Thanks, Ro!)

Lately, though, I'm finding that the best beauty accessories are the ones that are hard to find.

Such as kitten hair-combs.

And kitten neck-scarves.

It's a beautiful holiday weekend, and I'm off to celebrate it with Tom and Rena!  Enjoy your own celebrations - and I'll be back with you on the 4th with my take on a favorite patriotic recipe of my mother's.  Til then, happy Independence, and take care of you!