Fa-fa-fashion

I used to read fashion magazines. In fact, I was obsessed with them. It started in 4th grade with Teen Magazine and ended a few years ago with In Style.

Then I realized they were selling me a fantasy package. I will never be like those models, and I'm ok with that. 

I've got my own sense of style. I love accessories. I love mad men-esque dresses

Or this

Or this

I can rock grungy fashion

I even do summer casual.

I don't need a fashion icon. I am one.

Dr Marten's Boots

I have been a Doc Martens fan since my teen years.

It started with me being a punk rock girl.

If Joe Strummer wore them, I could wear them.

Then the young ones came along, and this song made history.

http://youtu.be/nu3McjajsNE

I'm in my 40's now, and I still rock out, in my doc martens.

Christ The Lord is Risen Today

The Little Man isn't so little anymore. He's 11, in 5th grade and finishing up elementary school. It's amazing how fast time flies with raising children. 

This year, we had a much more low key Easter. Quite honestly, it snuck up on me. Lent started with the Big Man in the hospital, 

and ended with my mother hospitalized.

 In between, we've had lots of cold and snow, and more stress than I thought humanely possible. 

Easter is a chance for new life. It's a do-over. In church yesterday, instead of preaching solely on Jesus' resurrection, the pastor put a different spin on it. 

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:9-11 NLT)

We have been given new life.

Yesterday was a chance to pause and reflect on our new life in the resurrection.

It was a beautiful, warm spring day. Warm enough to wear a sundress. 

Warm enough to hunt eggs in shorts.

Warm enough to bask in the sun.

Welcome, new life

Ootd orange is the new black

I admit that I have some favorite color combinations. Most of my wardrobe is black. I've got black pants, black sweaters, black shoes, purses...you get the idea. Once in a while I add a pop of color. 

One of my favorite colors to add is orange. I think it's because it's so outside of my comfort zone, I try to wear it regularly. This is my orange is the new black outfit, although my husband calls it my pumpkin. Either way, I like it.

The black pants are from Dress Barn, the turtleneck is from CJ Banks and the sweater is from JC Penny. Not shown, 9 West ankle boots and matching orange socks from Target. My chunky orange necklace is from a store in NJ that I bought years ago.

Rich Girl

For over a decade, I lived in the bastion of Ivy League preppiness in Princeton, NJ. 

Actually, it really wasn't the students who perpetuated that myth as much as the adults who lived in the community year round. Despite my punk rock musical tastes, I actually like more classic clothes. It wasn't always the case, but the older I get, the less trendy I am. 

One of my favorite stores since my late 20's has been Talbots. I always felt instantly elegant once I walked through the red doors on Nassau St. 

While I've never been a lady who lunches, I did (and still do) have to look good. I like clothes that are machine washable, timeless and can mix and match. My local talbots in Sioux Falls recently closed, and imp not going to lie-I shed a few tears. 

My recent beat the polar vortex outfit is from there. 

The Little Man is in the sign language group at school and we're performing at a local church.

 It was brutally cold out, but that doesn't mean I've got to look bad. This outfit-case in point.  

I have a pair of camel side zip trousers, along with a brown turtleneck and a really awesome sweater with embroidered flowers. I love the fact that all three pieces work we'll together, as well as separates. The statement necklace is from Target, and I've got on a great pair of Etienne Aigner shoe-booties. Warm and stylish. Keeping that Princeton vibe alive!

Jumble, Jumble

Up until now, I've managed to avoid the chevron trend. It's not that I don't like chevron (because I do), its just that I try not to be trendy. I'm not being contrary or mean, it's just I don't look good in most trendy outfits. 

I found the perfect chevron maxi that didn't make me look, we'll, maxi. I picked up this dress when we were in Salt Lake City last month. 

It's colorful, summery and fun. 

Plus it matches a favorite necklace too.

And my new mint green bobby pins (from my Birchbox) match too. 

Perfect dressing for a heat wave.

Grazing in the Grass

We have finally transitioned from winter (we got 5 inches of snow on Monday!) to almost 70 predicted for today. I needed to wear something springy to set the mood. Today's outfit fits that mood perfectly!

I love my floral print Merona skirt from Target. I love Target, period, but one thing I don't like is the lack of plus size clothing that rocks. This one they did right. Bonus-I got it on the clearance rack, which always makes me a happy girl!

I also found the sage green Worthington shell on the sale rack (back when they had them at JC Penneys) and decided to change it up from the suit I usually pair it with.

Add a pair of flats (boo hoo no more heels for me!) and a light jacket and I'm ready to conquer the world. Or the car pool.

Ruffles and Flourishes

One of my favorite stores is Anthropologie. Unfortunately, we don't have one in South Dakota, so I am forced to drool over their luscious website (http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp). Such torture.

I did get a chance to visit their store when we visited New Jersey. I fell in love with a few things including a pitcher, a skirt & a statement necklace. Someday...

One of their trademark pieces is the ruffled blouse. I love them, but not the price tag. It's a big ouch. There are tutorials out there to make them, but right now sewing isn't happening around my house.

I found a lovely green knock off shirt. I paired it with awesome black trousers. I wore it to go to a hospice conference, where I learned lots and lots.

I felt like I stepped off the website into real life.

Ruffle and flourish love.

Good Year for the Roses

Being curvy, there are some limited fashion choices when it comes to wardrobe essentials. I struggle with blouses that button down the front. They never seem to fit just right.

However, I found a grey and black floral jones New York blouse that fits perfectly.
It's pretty and feminine.

Trousers can be tricky. I've got a big rear end. I don't like anything clingy or form fitting, so I usually try on about 30 different pairs of pants before I find ones that fit.

Sometimes, I get lucky on both accounts.

I've also wanted to try a top knot bun, and Jessica from What I Wore (http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/post/47696488092/big-top-knot-for-medium-length-hair) featured a great, easy to follow tutorial.

It's a good year for the roses.

Yellow

For most of my adult life, I have worn mostly neutrals: black, navy, brown, gray, white. Color, I didn't think was my friend. Mostly because when you're plus sized, fashion advice leans more toward black is slimming etc, I've shied away from them.

But I saw this yellow maxi skirt.

I knew I could rock it.

But...it's, it's its a COLOR!

(Gasp!)

Baby steps.

I paired it with a white long sleeved tee from target and a short sleeved navy cardigan from Ralph Lauren, so I'm adding color s-l-o-o-o-o-w-l-y.

Passion for Fashion-Sunday Best

My friend Crystal has a weekly feature on her blog called Sunday Best. Unfortunately her WHOLE family was sick last week and she couldn't post...so I am so excited to have a chance to share my all time favorite outfit here at Beauty by Crystal.





Leave some comment love for her!

I'm Stealing the Towels

It's summer, so it's definitely beach/pool time in my book. That means, for me at least, trying to look fab while carrying our picnic basket, towels, books, toys and all else. I was in one of my favorite stores last week, Simply Perfect (http://www.simplyperfectstore.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=172) and saw a cute solution: a decorated towel skirt.
Hallelujah!
Then I saw the price tag.
$25.
Huh.
I could MAKE that.
And, you can too!
You need:

A beach towel
Eyelet edging
Rick rack
Velcro closures
Patches or bling or both

Pin eyelet edging to one side of the towel and sew as a decorative edge. On the "right" side, pin Rick rack and sew. Bling out your towel (I'm particularly fond of fabric rosettes right now). Attach Velcro at the top to keep your skirt closed.
Be fabulous.