In My Stylish Yet Affordable Boots

WIWW: 28th September 2011. Birthday Edition!

So, here I am, celebrating (I use that word loosely) the tenth anniversary of my 29th birthday, on a Wednesday. I don't have a lot to say about this outfit, just that I wanted to pick out something that seemed a bit festive and more dressed up than the leggings I probably otherwise would've worn today.

 

Sweater dress: OldNavy.com
Corduroy blazer: Fashion Bug
Tights (black, footless): Avenue.com
Tank (also black, to fill in the neckline of the dress): Mossimo, via Target
Boots: LaneBryant.com
Scarf: Ann Taylor Loft
Watch: L.A.M.B.
Earrings: Kohls.com
Bracelet: Jennifer Lopez Collection, via Kohls.com

The thing that's really brightening my office, though, is this:
 
Birthday flowers from The Husband. They arrived yesterday, and overnight, they all opened up into this glorious bouquet. Just the pick-me-up I need, on a day where I didn't get my coffee!

Thirteen Things About The Husband

We had quite a busy weekend, so I didn't get an opportunity to post this yesterday, on our thirteenth wedding anniversary. But I didn't want to let it go by without ANY comment, so without further ado, here are thirteen things about The Husband:

1. He kills the spiders. And whatever other creepy-crawlies show up. Not always without grumbling over my disturbing him, but he DOES do it.

2. He grills a mean steak. I've eaten a lot of restaurant steaks, and I've had very few better than how he seasons & grills 'em.

3. He eats what I cook. Even if I put mushrooms in it.

4. He thinks breakfast for dinner is weird, and is baffled by my adoration for cereal at any time of day. Out of respect for his abhorrence, though, I only make myself scrambled eggs & bacon for dinner on nights he's not home.

5. He's a hardcore extrovert. Luckily, I grew up in a house with an extrovert, so my introvert self manages to (mostly) cope.

6. He completely supported me finishing my undergrad degree, and subsequently, my decision to go to graduate school, even though both things were a total time sink that took a lot of my time and attention, and put a lot of constraints on our free time.

7. He tells me I'm pretty, or sexy, or looking good.

8. He reads to me, and does the voices. Really well.

9. When it comes down to it, he's far more adventurous than I am.

10. Sometimes, he lets me have the remote.

11. He tolerates my shoes. And bags.

12. He gives really good hugs.

13. He loves me, and thinks I'm awesome, just the way I am.

Happy (slightly belated) anniversary, Darlin'!

WIW Thursday: 15th September 2011

(just for jaycee, because she asked ;-) )

In a shockingly abrupt end to summer, I woke up this morning to find it was 43F outside! It's about that time, to break out sweaters and boots and my favorites of fall - wool, tweed, corduroy. But since this is still transition time, I haven't gone all the way over to fall clothes:

Sweater, tank, jeans: OldNavy.com
Shoes: Bella Vita
Bracelets: Amrita Singh
Earrings: Catherines
Watch: L.A.M.B.
Scarf: I have no idea; I don't remember where or when this came from. I have a vast collection of scarves, some of which date back to the late '80s and high school.

Why This Works: The dark wash jeans and dark purple tank, combined with the neutral booties, are all a nod to fall, while the bright scarf and light neutral cocoon cardi don't tip this over into the heavier feel of late fall and winter clothes. A fine-gauge sweater is a great transition piece, as it provides more coverage and warmth as the days cool, but doesn't add bulk.

I'm actually still deciding whether I think the cocoon cardi, specifically, works for me. While I like the concept, I'm concerned that this may be adding more width to me than I'd like. What do you think?

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In news unrelated to clothing, tonight I'll be walking in our local Light the Night walk, for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I've been raising money for the past several weeks, and can't tell you how much I appreciate all of my donors. This is such an important cause, as there are approximately 137,000 people diagnosed with blood cancers (which include leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma) each year, which accounts for approximately 9% of the new cancer diagnoses in a year. Approximately 54,000 people die of one of these blood cancers each year, which also accounts for around 9.5% of all cancer deaths. As my regular readers know, one of those deaths in 2010 was my mom. Supporting this cause is deeply personal.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society provides funding for research, patient access to clinical trials, and patient education and advocacy services. Please consider supporting LLS via a donation, volunteer work, or participating in one of their fundraising programs. Or, if none of those float your boat, you can shop a small variety of Lands End products and 20% of your purchase will go to support LLS (and, this month only, you can use code LLS for free shipping!).

More musings on style, size, and self-esteem (now with Awesome!)

More than two years ago now, I posted my thoughts on looking good as a plus-sized woman. A couple of social media-related happenings, combined with a conversation with a friend about body image, are now prompting more musings on this topic.

This past week, I received Lane Bryant's latest catalog, with a cover image of five topless models in their new T3 jeans. Other than these models being somewhat curvier than straight-size models, it didn't look much different to me than a lot of other advertising or magazine layouts. However, I've noticed a lot of criticism on LB's Twitter feed and Facebook page. From the laughable comment that the image is "pornographic", to statements that "my husband doesn't need to see that" and "it's too titillating", the ones that really struck me were women who began to lament that they don't see women who look like that shopping or working at LB, and that they wish they themselves looked like the models.

I understand the urge to be discouraged when you don't look like the ads or the magazines. I can tell you every single one of my physical flaws - too busty, wide shoulders, short-waisted, too much belly, flatter-than-flat rear end, pointy elbows, big feet, heavy thighs, round face, huge pores, too many freckles...and on and on and on. But I don't use those as a means to beat myself up. Instead, that list is a catalogue of the things I have to work WITH when I dress myself or choose hair or makeup styles. It's who I am, as much as the stuff I can tell you are physical assets - long legs, graceful hands, clear brown eyes, nicely-shaped toes, well-shaped brows that require only minimal grooming, a genuine smile. I don't expect to look like the women in ads or magazines, because I'M NOT THEM. I'M ME. There's no use comparing my bigger waistline or their curvier rears - there is no way for me to ever be them. But there's an easy way to be me. A very long time ago, I made a choice. I choose to be confident in who I am and what I look like, because, well, plastic surgery is expensive and painful, and at the end, I'd still have a list of flaws anyway. Right at the top would be "insecure", which is a vastly less attractive quality than a flabby belly, no?

Which brings me to the second item making the rounds of social media: Waking Up Full of Awesome. I love this post. It puts into words that conscious choice I made - I choose to be happy, and to like myself, and to do things that make my mind and body both stronger and healthier.

I have my moments of self-doubt, of self-pity, of negative self-talk; I'm not even remotely perfect. But I don't let those moments rule me. I've made my choice. I'm awesome.