Wear It 4/29/2011

This outfit started out with me deciding I didn't feel like shaving my legs or wearing heels. From there I selected a long black skirt and this t-shirt. I remembered reading that to make a long skirt look less "hippie" you should pair it with a fitted blazer. So I grabbed this white cotton blazer by Theory which I scored at the Goodwill a few weeks ago. The result was I looked like a middle aged lady who tried to dress up for Wills and Kate's big day*. So off came the skirt and on came jeans. Thus endeth the story of where I try to get fashion advice from books.


* Also my thighs were rubbing together uncomfortably. They were the hardest hit victims of the great Easter candy weight gain of 2011. Donations for their recovery can be sent care of this blog.

Jacket: Theory (via Goodwill)
T-shirt and Necklace: J. Crew
Jeans: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Indigo/Clarks
Watch: Gift from the Easter Bunny

One hand in my pocket

Besides the obvious reasons, I could never be a model because I only have two to three poses in my repertoire, to wit: hand(s) in pocket, hand(s) on hip(s), hand(s) limply by side(s).

I got this shirt on sale at TJ Maxx when I was in my "blouse" phase. It is sort of middle age ladyesque but I think it looks a little more modern when paired with jeans. It is also a little small but so are all my clothes this week (damn you Easter bunny and your delicious candy).

Jeans: Old Navy ($7 on clearance)
Blouse: Ellen Tracy via TJ Maxx
Shoes: RJ Girl

Wear It 4/27/2011

Today I took all the time I saved by not putting any effort into my outfit into trying to jazz up the photo. I probably should have shaved my legs instead.

T-shirt and Cardigan: Old Navy
Skirt and Shoes: Target
Belt: Tweeds or C&W (yes it that old)

Close up of belt's cool tortoise shell buckle.

Probably the only food post you'll see here

My friend Julie turned me on to the notion of roasting vegetables and I am hooked. A few weeks ago I finally got around to trying her recipe for roasted broccoli and I am pretty much addicted. So much so that I have VOLUNTARILY gone to the supermarket on three occasions just to pick up supplies.

Even if you don't like vegetables or broccoli - give this a try. I promise it will be worth it. This is my lazy mash up based on Julie and the Amateur Gourmet's recipes.

Preheat the oven to 425

Take a lot of broccoli (I use 1 to 2 bunches for just me), cut into bite size bits.

Put the broccoli on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or foil. Toss with 2-3 tbs of olive oil, kosher or sea salt and pepper. Add some sliced peeled garlic cloves.

Bake in the oven 20 to 25 minutes, until some of the bits turn brown.

When it's done, take it out of the oven and add some fresh lemon juice.

Enjoy.

The amateur gourmet recipe.

Julie's variations.

Wear It 4/26/2011

This photo is a public service announcement: if you spend the weekend eating chocolate and drinking wine you will gain 5lbs and become pasty and bloated. Consider yourselves warned.

Skirt: Talbots
Shirt: Bass outlet ($12 -score!)
Belt: Betsy Johnson
Watch: Gift from the Easter Bunny
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Wear It 4/22/2011

I know I said I wanted to take better pictures but we'll have to table that goal until I am no longer dying*. In spite of my pending death, I decided to have some fun today and play with "color blocking" as the blogger kids call it. Color blocking is just combining colors you might not think went together - such as red and coral. For a much better illustrations check out Jessica, B. Jones, and Amy. These ladies know how to do it right.

Skirt: J. Crew via eBay (believe it or not I did not sleep in the skirt, it just wrinkles easily. But for $6 I can't complain too much. Just a little.)
Shirt: Old Navy
Sweater: J. Crew
Shoes: Target


* excuse the hyperbole, I just have a disguising rash covering my face and spreading into my body. Disfiguring but probably not fatal.

Wear It 4/21/2011

As I was driving to work this morning, I thought "I should really make more of an effort with my photos." Clearly this will not cut it. Maybe tomorrow....

Today's outfit features pants I bought for $1.47 at Old Navy last week. Very expensive compared to the .97 cent pants I also purchased, but a deal nonetheless. Oddly, these same pants in grey and brown were $12.99.

I really wanted to wear a white button down today, but it turns out that the two that I have are both plus sized and even with a belt they looked comically big. So I settled for this shirt which, while also XXL, I think is okay with the belt. I realize that the pants are a little too short to wear with 4" heels but as I will be sitting all day - I doubt many people will notice.

Pants: Old Navy
Shirt: Gap
Shoes: Target
Jacket: ? via Amazon
Belt: Banana Republic via Goodwill

It's a Bird It's a Plane ...

Say hello to my new BFF, Striped Blazer. Striped Blazer says hello and gives you chocolate because she is just that awesome. I have wanted a horizontal striped blazer since I was 11 years old and first saw the movie "Laura" on television. 30 years later I finally found one and could not be more excited. I feel like a super-hero in this jacket (hence the pose). I wore Striped Blazer on Friday and I think I liked that combination better but I am volunteering at a housing clinic tonight and didn't think jeans were appropriate.

Blazer: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx (similar here and here)
Tank: Gap
Pants: J.C. Penny (part of a suit)
Shoes: Bass
Necklace: Thrifted
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Zip MAB

Wear It 4/19/2011

Thanks to everyone who made styling suggestions for this skirt (and a special thanks to the person who gave away this bad boy - keep cleaning your closet!) Since I am apparently without solid colored shirts (NTS - fix this stat), I ended up playing it very safe with a simple black cotton sweater and black pumps. I love this skirt and expect to get a lot of wear out of it this spring. I have been on the fence about these shoes but I am glad I kept them. What do you think?

Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: J. Crew via Goodwill
Shoes: Camper
Necklace: Banana Republic (I think)

Style Me

Just found this adorable J. Crew pencil skirt at Goodwill ($5). I purchased it without any thought about what I have to wear with it. What would you pair with it?

32 Flavors of Shoes - Mossimo "Pilar" via Target

One of my friends at the Purse Forum turned me on to these shoes and I am a bit obsessed. Although I tend to avoid open toe shoes because of my perpetual lack of a pedicure, I made an exception (and got a pedicure) for these guys. In spite of the heel they are super comfortable (as much as, IMO, the DV by Dolce Vita Pali on which they are based). If you have a high instep (like me) it will take a little time to get the straps stretched out but otherwise these are a great summer shoe.

wear it 4/15/11 classy bathroom shot

I was so excited about this outfit that I dedicated a disproportionate portion of Friday afternoon figuring out how to post a photo from my phone.

In spite of the bad photo - I think the awesomeness shines through.

Blazer: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx
Jeans: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx
T-shirt: Gap
Shoes: Urban Outfitters (see here)*

* warning these shoes run very very large. I am usually a size 7 and ended up buying a size 6 (a 6.5 would have been fine but they don't make them).

Wear It 4/14/2011

I am having a very poor body image week and thought that this outfit would help. It didn't. But because it took me approximately forever to get this dress zipped up, I am stuck in it until mr. deathstar can release me from it this evening.

Dress: Poleci (via TJ Maxx)
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tights: Spanx
Shoes: RJ Girl*
Necklace: via eBay


* why are so many of my shoes from a "girl" brand? One can only assume these shoes are not appropriate for children. Is it a hint that a 40 something woman should not buy them? Or am I supposed to buy them and feel youthful and girlish?

Wear It 4/13/2011

Today's outfit truly embodies one of the Stuff Fast goals - wearing what I have (whether I like it or not). While this is a fine transitional outfit - it is not "me." Shop and learn.

Jacket and Jeans: Chadwicks
T-shirt: Gap
Boots: TSUBO

Wear It 4/11/2011

I thought it was supposed to be a nice warm day so I rather enthusiastically pulled out my new white pants and this sheer silk blouse and ran out the door. Turns out it is warm but also cloudy and rainy. Doh!

Pants: Banana Republic via Goodwill
Blouse: J. Crew

I'm rather excited about my new shoes. I have been looking for a spring version of my favorite black wedges and I think I found them. They were a lot more $ than I typically spend on shoes but I think the cost per wear will work out in their favor.



Shoes: Doc. Martens

There ought to be a law

banning people who have had less than 2 hours of sleep from dressing themselves. Although I love this dress, I don't love the fact that I will be spending all day pulling it down. I don't even get to hide behind a desk for most of the day as I'll be in a training session with bleacher style seats. Better keep the trench on.

Dress: Tucker for Target
Cardigan: J. Crew
Trench: Target
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Tights: ? at Target

Wear It 4/6/2011

I was quite excited to go through my bag of "dead to me" clothes and find this skirt from 2004. At first I thought I might try to shorten it since the style might seem dated. But once I put it on with heels I decided that it works fine in its original state (at least for now).

What do you think - dated or cute?

I have no idea what shirt I used to pair with this skirt but whatever it was has long since left my closet. For its re-entry I selected a fitted coral/red sweater I picked up for $4 at Old Navy a few weeks ago. I also finally got to wear my new orange pumps for the first time.

Skirt: Anthropologie (circa 2004)
Sweater: Old Navy
Belt: Banana Republic (via Goodwill)
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: DIY (broach from the $1 bin at the consignment store + chain)

Remember the 80's?

My closet sure does. Even though all these items were technically bought in this decade, I am fairly certain I wore something quite similar in 1988.

As I put this on I KNEW it was not a great outfit, I was too tired and cranky to change. It will be a rainy dark day in the Northeast and if I keep the lights in my office off I expect I will blend into the background.

I'm posting it as a reminder to myself not to try this combination again and as a cautionary tale to my readers about the dangers of dressing while tired and grumpy.

Shirt: Francesca's
Sweater: J. Crew (men's)
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Bass
Necklace: eBay

Thrifting adventure

One of my favorite cures for the Monday blues is to sneak out of work for 30 minutes and walk to the local Goodwill. Today I found this adorable blazer for 50% off. It is a sample for Forever21 (who knew they did Samples) and seems better made than most of their mass produced stuff. It is also WAY too tight but I have high hopes that it will fit when I finish losing weight. Even if it doesn't I'll probably still wear it. That's how cute it is.

Wear It 4/4/2011

It is hard to photograph the cuteness of this dress so you will just have to trust me. This dress was one of my first purchases when I started losing weight. After months of waiting, it finally fits! I hope my size doesn't change too much with the last 13lbs because this dress is perfect. Although it is a heavy cotton, I think it will still work in the summer with bare legs and sandals.

Dress: Boden
Tights: ?
Boots: Palladium





Bracelet: eBay

Wear It 4/1/2011

I have been wanting a pair of red pants for quite some time and was very excited to find these at the thrift store this week. After consulting with my on-line fashion advisers I decided to pair them with stripes for their first day out of the closet. After trying various combinations, I unearthed this fabulous t-shirt and I knew they wanted to be together.

The cardigan was a necessity due to the fact that it is snowing outside. In April. Snow.

Don't ask me how I managed to get these pants so wrinkled after 20 minutes on my body. I swear they were pressed when I put them on.


Pants: Thrifted
T-shirt: Urban Outfitters
Cardigan: Gap
Shoes: Kelsi Dagger



P.S. I will be holding a fund raiser to raise funds to help that straggly mess on top of my head that purports to be my hair. Please give generously. On behalf of those who need to see me every day, thank you for your support.