Denim Week 2: Moto-Mouth

I've been wanting a flannel for the last two years, but I couldn't find one that properly fit my bust without leaving the dreaded gaps.  

Finally, I found this plaid top from Wet Seal.  The fit in the bust is good (not perfect), and I love the color mix of burgundy with a hint of teal.

Shirt:  Wet Seal (Available here)
Jacket:  Gap (Similar here)

Pants:  New York & Company

I became a fan of the company Wet Seal after seeing the amazing way that they lived up to their diversity statement and welcomed the awesome Karrie Brown from my hometown into their family.  I wanted to support the company, but I found the styles too "juniors" for my lifestyle and personal taste.  I decided to give their web site another look recently, and I was pleasantly surprised to find several pieces that I loved.

Purse:  Target (Available here)

Bracelets:  New York & Company (Similar here) & Express

I wore a ton of flannel plaids during my high school grunge phase, but I hadn't worn one since.  Today, I'm not quite as into the grunge look, but I think a flannel plaid button-down is a great casual addition to my wardrobe.

The family and I were running around last weekend. It was unseasonably warm, so I was able to skip a coat.  I paired my comfy pants with easy booties and my denim moto jacket.  

Boots:  Payless (old)

Would you wear a denim moto jacket?  Are you a fan of flannel plaids?

For this jacket in another look, see here and here.
For these pants in other outfits, see here and here.

Singin' the Blues: Casual Rock-n-Roll

Singin' the Blues Week continues with a denim and cobalt blue faux leather look.

Jeans:  Torrid (Available here)

Tee:  Torrid (Available here)

I added my Blondie tee to my Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid for a comfy casual look with a cool rock-n-roll vibe.

I recently picked up these jeans with the 26" inseam.  When I originally bought this style of jeans, they didn't carry the short length.  I couldn't hem the jeans because of the zippers, so I was trying to make do.  I finally broke down and nabbed this pair - the length works much better!

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Similar here)

Ring:  The Limited
Clutch:  The Limited (Available here)

The cobalt moto jacket adds a fun pop of color to this laid back look.

Boots:  Payless (old)

Are you a fan of moto jackets?  Have you tried the Stiletto skinny jeans from Torrid?

For this jacket in other colors, see here, here, here, here, here, and here.

It's My Birthday, and I Can Wear What I Want To!!

So, today was a great day.  It was my birthday, and I was in a really good mood.

The weather was positively dreary though!  Grey, rainy, and chilly.

Dress:  Sophie Theallat for The Limited (Similar here)

Belt:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

The man and I were going out to dinner to celebrate my birthday, and I really wanted to wear this outfit.  The weather was not cooperating, but I decided to wear it anyway.

We went out for a nice Italian dinner, so what could be better than a dress that makes me feel like Sophia Loren?

Shoes:  Vera by Vera Wang (Kohl's - sold out on-line)

I like the juxtaposition of the ladylike dress with the moto jacket.  Some would say that these two pieces don't go, but this gal likes her sweet mixed with a little spice.  Leather and lace is a new classic in my book.

Clutch:  Target (old)

As I looked around the restaurant, all I saw were jeans and other casual clothes.  I suddenly felt a little overdressed, but I'd rather be a little overdressed for an occasion than under-dressed. 

After dinner, we picked up the kids from the grandparents and went to DQ to enjoy dessert as a family.  I was DEFINITELY overdressed for Dairy Queen, but as the man and kids loudly and embarrassingly sang me "Happy Birthday," my wardrobe choices hardly seemed to matter.  I felt special and silly and had fun with my family.  Also, the new pumpkin pie Blizzard...not too shabby.

Bow ring:  The Limited

Moto jacket:  The Limited

Who cares if this outfit was not exactly weather or event appropriate?

It's my birthday, and I can wear what I want!    :-D

For this moto jacket in other looks, see here, here, here, here, and here.

P.S. I altered this dress to suit my needs.  The dress was too long, but hemming meant losing the pretty scallop hem detail.  I opted to have only the lining hemmed to keep the lace and to show more leg.  I love that the flash of skin at the hem echoes the neckline.  The shortened lining creates a longer leg line that I find more flattering for my petite frame.  I am all about making clothes work for my body and for my personal aesthetic.  Alterations are a great way to make that happen.   After all, we should ALL be able to wear what we want EVERY DAY!!

Lace and Colorblocking

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Jacket:  Target Petites (Available here and in regular sizes here)

Today's look is a recent work look.  I always seem to add black jackets to this dress, but I really do love a black and white look!

Overall, I really like this outfit.  It has a simple color palette, but the textures and subtle prints add a lot of visual interest.

Dress:  The Limited

Boots:  Payless (old)

I tend to gravitate strongly towards neutrals in the fall and winter (especially my forever friend, black), but I also don't want to get bored with my clothes.  

Ring:  Torrid (Available here)

Long earrings:  Torrid (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)
Stud earrings:  The Limited

Adding special details keeps me from getting too bored.

Tights:  The Limited (old) (Similar here)
Tote:  The Limited

I wish these tights fit better though.  :-/

Most of my tights come from The Limited and fit very similarly; however, this pair is too big (hence the sagging towards bottom of the tights).

Belt:  The Limited (Similar here)

To see this dress in other looks, see here, here, and here.

Revenge of the Nerds

Sorry that I missed this week's "Cassential Links."  I had a ton of great links ready for posting on Saturday, and I accidentally deleted them.  I will make it up with an extended version next week.

I wore this outfit with my studded ballet flats to a birthday party for my nephew, but I love the way the heels give this casual look a more sophisticated vibe. 

Jacket:  Gap (Available here)

I recently found this t-shirt on Target.com and I couldn't resist... The idea that a geek* like me could be chic is something that seemed very incongruous to me as a child.  

T-shirt:  Target (Available here)

I love that "nerd" culture has become popular in recent years - I'm hopeful that it isn't just a fad, but a move towards an expansion and shift in the larger culture towards honoring more diverse ways of being, acting, and looking. 

Obviously, the idea of being a "nerd" or "geek" is not a new social creation; however, and I hope I'm not overreaching, it seems that the stereotype of what we are like or supposed to be like is changing in a way that doesn't force people into a box in the same way.

As those often thought of as less than cool have claimed the terms, "nerd," "geek," and "dork" for themselves, these labels have become a badge of honor for many.  While nerds still often appear in popular culture in stereotypical ways (disappointingly, often in shows for children), sitcoms like "Big Bang Theory" and reality TV like "King of the Nerds," have made more realistic and relatable "geeks" a staple of mainstream culture.  

Pants:  Target (old)
Heels:  Target (Available here)

Clutch:  Target

No matter "who" you were in high school, we've probably all felt uncool at one time or another.  That feeling doesn't necessarily change after high school.  All through our lives, we are expected to conform to various groups and many of us find it difficult and/or inauthentic to do so.

I have always been a more cerebral and academic kind of girl.  I was also lower working class and dressed differently (both because of income and choice) than most of my like-minded class mates.  

I'm an overweight, petite woman who is in love with all things fashion.  I can't afford to wear high-end designers.  In many ways, I don't fit into the fashion world with which I am so obsessed.  

I'm a mother whose kids play soccer, but I don't look or act like the other "soccer moms." 

I work in a conservative, professional environment, and I have three tattoos and plan on getting at least a few more.  

I'm a feminist, and I love to wear short skirts, high heels, and paint my fingernails.

Bracelets:  Target, The Limited

I am a geek, and I am more than okay with that.  8-D

For these pants in another look, see here.

*The terms "nerd," "geek," "dork," etc. are all used interchangeably in this discussion.

Adventures in Traveling: Indiana, Ohio, and Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few weeks.  I had intended of scheduling a week's worth of blogs to post during my trip, but then things got crazy!

My partner and I had a wonderful trip last week, where we spent nine days road tripping out east.  I love a great road trip.  The man and I tend to be relaxed travelers, often deciding our direction as we are traveling. 

While we had a basic idea of our travel plans, only a trip to Philadelphia was set in stone. 

On Day 1, we began our journey out east, stopping only minimally to log a lot of highway miles.  

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited
Top: Forever 21+
Necklace:  Target (old)

Our first stop was Montgomery Steakhouse in Spiceland, Indiana.  As a vegetarian in love with a carnivore, restaurant choices are often compromised.  This steakhouse thankfully had a great selection of non-meat items.  I chose the spaghetti marinara and salad.

We got back on the road, and before I knew it, we were in Ohio.  We pulled over on the interstate, and I got a pic in front of the state sign.  Yep, I'm silly like that!  :-)

Coated denim jeans:  Target
Shoes:  Target

 We stopped for the night right over the Pennsylvania border.

The next morning, we got back on the road, heading towards New York City.  We noticed the signs for Hershey, PA and decided to make a minor detour to the Land of Chocolate.

Dress:  Forever 21+
Purse:  Target

The first thing you notice is the lovely aroma of chocolate overtaking your senses when you walk in.  Unfortunately, that was one of the better aspects of our short stay at Chocolate World.

Hershey's had a makeshift factory where you could make your own chocolate bar and packaging.  They offer a museum, a trolley tour, lots of [overpriced] food options, and of course, a huge chocolate-centered gift shop.  There is also an amusement park and a hotel, where I've heard you can get chocolate baths, which does sound enticing!

The experience was fun for a quick detour, but overall, it seems more like a tourist trap than an authentic experience.

Of course, we couldn't leave Hershey without trying some of the wares.  We each had a cupcake, which proved to be too much for both of us. 

Can't remember the names of the cupcakes, but mine was Caramello-flavored and my sweetie's sweet was chocolate raspberry

The cupcakes were good, but definitely no where near the best I've ever had.  I actually found them a little disappointing as the outer perimeter and icing were dried out.  That said, the chocolate flavor was tasty, and the inside of the cupcakes quite moist.

Bracelet:  The Limited

My favorite part of Hershey's was the old advertising posters.  I love the artwork on a lot of older advertising.  I find that advertising gives us a lot of cues into the cultural mindset of a particular time period, which I find fascinating.  The images chosen to advertise products tell us a tremendous amount about the norms and values of a particular culture at a particular place in history.  I leave you to your own interpretations of these...

More trip pics coming tomorrow!!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!

Today, as is a normal Sunday ritual, the family and I went out to one of our favorite Mexican restaurant.  Seriously, I could eat Mexican food virtually everyday and be extremely happy.  With it being Cinco de Mayo, the place was hoppin', service was great, and the food was delicious.

Dress:  Forever 21+ (Sold out on-line; May be available in stores)

When getting ready, I wasn't feeling very well, and I just wanted to wear something comfortable.  I chose a jersey maxi dress and my blue moto jacket, which has become my new fashion obsession.

Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

Purse:  Target (Available here)

I paired the look with studded flats and a make-up free face save the red lipstick (I really wish I could find the right shade of red).  Since I was feeling a little blah, I wanted a little added color for my face, but seriously, how does one find the right shade of red lipstick for their skin tone?  Every time I think I've found it, I put it on and realize that it wasn't the right choice.

Thankfully, dinner made me feel much better - think my blood sugar was just off some.

Shoes:  Target (Available here)
Bracelets:  Express, Claire's Zoppini (old)

Hope you all had a wonderful day and a fabulous weekend!!!

For this jacket in another look, see here.

Neon Edge

After a week of black and white, I am ready for some color!! 

Dress:  Eloquii by The Limited (Available here)
Jacket:  Forenza by The Limited (Available here)

Today's look combines three bold colors - hot pink, neon yellow, and cobalt blue.  In a pants look, I think this would be too much color, but I think this outfit works because there's enough skin showing to offset all the color.

Heels:  Target (Available here)

This look is spring-y but still manages to have a bit of an edgy, rock-n-roll vibe due to the moto jacket and fringe dress.

Necklaces (worn as bracelets):  The Limited

Today's look almost didn't happen.  I'm a little too small for Eloquii, so even though I loved this dress, I wasn't going to buy it.  After waiting and hoping that The Limited would carry the same style, I decided to give this Eloquii dress a try.  It's a little big so I was considering alterations, but I kind of like the relaxed, shift shape (I did get it hemmed).

I saw this jacket at The Limited when it first came out, but I didn't think it could be altered due to the zippers on the wrist.  I decided to give it a try when it went on clearance, and I'm so glad I did!  I lost most of the zippers, but I'm willing to overlook that because I love the color and style so much.

No matter what your body size/shape, most clothes will not fit perfectly off the rack. When you're petite and curvy, this is all the more true.  It would be wonderful if more mainstream clothing manufacturers catered to "specialty" sizes, but in the meantime, I am all about making the clothes work for me!

I've entered this look in a summer color challenge through Lucky Magazine and Dasani.