Shape It Up

Sorry for the delay but wait no more the next post is here!

The thing about the holidays is that there are a TON of social events, which gives the opportunity for lots of outfits. The problem with me is that I keep forgetting to take pics. I had this awesome Olivia Pallermo inspired outfit on Saturday when I went ice skating (side bar, if you ever want to feel old, go ice skating!) and I totally forgot to get a good pic.

I'm constantly using Pinterest for work ideas. I mean lets face it, you can only style black slacks so many ways. I'm definitely looking for new ways to style skirts because I think it takes the right outfit to make a skirt look really classy at work, especially for the curvy ladies. I changed this one up a bit to fit my colors, my style, and items that are already in my closet, a little bit better but I think I pulled off the over all styling and shape of the outfit. You be the judge.

Dress: Jennifer Lopez for Kohl's
Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Belt: New York and Company
Scarf: Who knows....
Tights: HUE via TJ Maxx
Boots: JC Penney

Cham-who? Chambray!

Can someone please tell me the difference between "Chambray" and "Denim"?? They look the same to me, but regardless the Chambray trend is everywhere. It's definitely a trend I wanted to try. I usually see it in a monochromatic scheme.

Ralph Lauren runway does it right but on me it would be "Yeah Right". I'm only for monochromatic when its all black.

I decided to go for it.

The curvy one is me!

This look was easy, comfy, and pretty cute if you ask me.

Shirt: Daddy's closet (the next time you have the opportunity, men's closets hold a lot of comfy, fashionable, and cute clothes)
Leggings: INC (Macy's)
Tank: Under Armour
Boot Socks: Target
Boots: Kohl's

I definitely would suggest trying this outfit. I don't think you can go wrong. The secret for us curvy girls is to get an oversized shirt to make it more comfy and flattering with the leggings.

Good luck!

Coming Soon: The Gift

So I am totally revamping  my blog which is extra exciting. I'm constantly looking on Pinterest for outfit ideas for work, play, and what ever else. I kind of live in the Women's Fashion category. I have been blessed with the gift of styling, basically I can take a normal outfit and make it work for different body types. With this gift I end up being everyones personal shopper. I can't lie, its a pretty fun gig.

During my exploration on Pinterest, I'm always seeing cute outfits on real people but there is one issue. They ALL have the same body type...tall, thin, modelesque. Don't get me wrong, thats all well and good but I have boobs and butt and I need those cute outfits to translate. I can do it for me and I'd like to share that with others. So part of my blog revamp will be focusing on these outfits. I'm pumped!

I've already started to put some things together already so look for new stuff this week!!!

Shopaholics Anonymous

Sometimes I like to shop. Hahaha.

Over the weekend I spent a little QT with my debit card (Suze Orman would be proud...no credit cards were used!) and I picked up some awesome things.

As I was browsing the watch case, I said to my friend "I almost bought this awesome Michael Kors watch with a clear band and I'm really regretting the fact that I didn't" and then BEHOLD! A beauty appeared in the case....

It definitely was glowing. Then I looked at the price...I can't even tell you how much of a steal it was because the cops will come get me for the deal that I got. Needless to say it took all of my energy not to wear it right out of the store.

I also made a very educated purchase. Recently, as you may have noticed, I've been spending a lot of extra time reading. I really enjoy it and usually just stick to blogs, magazines, and online articles. Lately, I've had a list of books that I want to read. So I decided that I wanted to get an ereader. I did my research and decided that the Kindle Touch suited my needs the best.

I can't wait to take this thing to the pool, the beach (because I go to the beach that much), in the car...everywhere!

I've decided to try and spend at least one hour a night without the tv or computer just devoted to reading. I'm currently reading "Straight Talk, No Chaser"...A dating self-help book by Steve Harvey and the sequel to "Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man" (aka the most useful book I have ever read). I also want to read that book "Shades of Grey" that everyone keeps talking about. I'm just going to be a little reading fool. I'm open to all book suggestions!

Hope you guys have a great week!

Fourteen

I'm alive! I know, I didn't blog much at all last week. Work has been INSANE. The company I'm working for is in a very huge growth period and there is TONS to do. I'm doing like 3 people's jobs at once. I also spent the weekend winding down in Charlotte with two of my best friends, which I needed for the weekend. So please accept my apology and don't write me off yet.

Last week, I wrote a blog over at Spark about the horrible plateau that is currently happening in my body. (You can read it here). After doing some research and listening to other people's comments I've decided that I have two problems...I'm not eating enough and my body is holding on to all the food I put in to compensate. So I'm working on it and hopefully I'll start back losing soon.

Since I've started losing weight I've been restricted to stretchy pants. I do not have a pair of jeans or slacks in my closet right now that fits. NOT A PAIR. That isn't a complaint, but it makes getting this fashionista dressed every morning a pain and all my outfits are starting to look alike...NOT CHIC.

Over the weekend I went on a pants quest. I went to the GAP because in the past it's been easy for me to find pants. The sales lady was very helpful (and won serious brownie points when she complimented my progress).  I haven't really bought pants in awhile so I wasn't sure what size I was. All my 16's at home were just a tad big (and end up sagging by the end of the day) but I didn't think I was quite slim enough to be a 14. So I asked to have both. Turns out, I probably need a 15...but since that's not available I had to decide what to do. I tried on the 14's kind of thinking that they wouldn't make it past my hips but LOW AND BEHOLD the heavens opened up and they made it over the top AND buttoned!! WOOOOO! They are mostly made of spandex because they are jeggings but I DON'T CARE!

I rocked them to work yesterday...

Yay for NSV's!!! (Non Scale Victories!)

Obsession

There are always things that I discover and become obsessed with pretty quickly (and then a few weeks later I forget about them and move on to new obsessions). Here are some things that I'm obsessed with this week

1. Frye Melissa Button Boots

These were my amazing Christmas present from my mom (I didn't think I was going to get them because of the price) so imagine my surprise when my mom ordered them for me the day after Christmas. They were on backorder so I just got them in the mail last week. Needless to say I've already worn them 3 times. Oh and did I mention they feel like butta!

2. Strawberries

This is the second week in a row that I've bought them and can I say they are good with everything! I've been putting them on salads, putting them in smoothies, eating them for dessert. I'm definitely obsessed!

3. Almonds

This one is funny because growing up I always used to lie about being allergic to nuts because I didn't like them. The other day someone at work had almonds and was being extra pushy about offering them in a meeting. I tried them and instantly fell in love! I bought some in bulk and divided them up into little baggies. They have been the perfect mid-day snack and I don't know how I lived 25 years without them.

4. My own running abilities

Okay I'm not THAT into myself but I amazed myself yesterday on the treadmill. I traveled (I say that because I ran some and walked some) 3.5 miles. What amazed me was that I ran for 39 minutes total...about 2.5 miles. Now, some may read that and be like "pfft...nothing to brag about" but the most I had run before yesterday was 25 minutes...so to make it that long for me is a HUGE deal. Can I call myself a runner now?

5. ZARA

I used to shop at Zara before I gained too much weight to fit in their largest size (and had to move to the dreaded LB for clothes). Now that I'm slimming up, there are some stores that are reopened to my shopping trips. Saturday while I was at the mall I decided that I would just go in and see what I could find. To my surprise there were a ton of things that fit me! I got an awesome striped tee, a kelly green cardi, and a black off the shoulder tee that zips in the back. Wooo!!! I'll try to pretend that my closet isn't overflowing right now...

So what are you obsessed with this week?



Grocery Store Matchmaking

Part of my life YFF means that I am single (well its complicated but that's a whole different blog post). Atlanta is an interesting place to date. Apparently the ratio of (elligible...you know single and straight) men to women is 12:1...so that makes finding eligible prospects a daunting task to say the least. In college dating was easy. Step 1: Go to a bar and find hot guy Step 2: Take shots with said hot guy and commence make out sesh Step 3: Hang out with hot guy sober and realize he's immature Step 4: Repeat step 1 through 3 with new hot guy. [note: I have never done this, I just heard that's how it works]

Anyway, now that the college days are over and done with, there are new ways to meet elligible (more likeable) bachelor's. I applaud my best friend, who recently met a guy while she was out to lunch with her sister. Their waiter was a certified hottie so she hit on him, got his number, and they've been texting ever since. Talk about taking charge!

For some reason, I have this grand idea that the grocery store is the perfect place to meet men. I have even gone so far as to strategically plan which store I go to to find a man in the produce aisle. I've been close to having this almost happen. The first time I found a bachelor type in the bread aisle. I decided that I was going to secretly follow him and start up a conversation about Mrs. Butterworth vs. Aunt Jemima. When I got to the end of the aisle behind him, he was greeted by Ms. Perky Girlfriend, who had gone to grab tampons. FAIL. The second time, I was picking up a few quick items for a work pot-luck and a group of firefighters were grabbing dinner subs from the sandwich counter. There was one in particular who naturally was a hunk of burning love. I kept running into him in every aisle but never got up the nerve to say anything. NOT WINNING. 

But there is an art to finding a single man perusing the cartons with the unbroken eggs.

1. Check out his grocery cart. A single man has basics and basics only. Steak, milk, cheese, toilet paper, and beer (brownie points for dog treats). A taken man has an identical cart to yours...fruit at the bottom yogurt, Lean Cuisines, and Kashi Granola bars all mean that girlfriend sent him to the store with a list.
2. He looks clueless. A poor single guy looks like one of those little lab rats in a maze trying to find the end so he can get his prize. He's reading the aisle directories and beating a path up and down every other aisle in search of beef jerky.
3. Nab him in the beer aisle. Somehow, all men know everything there is to know about every kind of beer there is (I guess its the same way women have infinite knowledge of designer handbags). Ask him what he reccomends since you are watching the (insert current sporting even here...NFL playoffs right not for my non-sports savvy readers) with a few friends and martinis and sports don't mix.

See, this perfect scenario is bound to happen. Okay so what's the secret? Where is the best place to meet men? 

This is Number One

Yay! My first official blog post! Woot! I hope someone reads it (other than me ofcourse). I kept a blog for a little bit in college and I've written a steady blog for the last six months over at Sparkpeople. (view my page and read my blogs here). That blog is mostly about weightloss and little bit about life.

My goal is for this blog is to be a little bit about everything. Fashion, life as a single 20-something, career, health and fitness, and other relevant life stuff.

Anyway enough with the jib-jab...on to my first post...

It's Saturday!!!  The weekends are a relatively new concept for me because as long as I've had a job its been in a retail store (or waiting tables). My current job (as a Merchandise Planner for a local Sports Retailer) has opened my eyes to Monday through Friday work weeks! Welcome to corporate America! The only thing that I dislike about weekends is that they go by way to fast.

I don't really have anything special planned this weekend except visiting my favorite place, THE MALL. There are some fashion trends that I'm dying to take part in so I've got a little shopping list in mind.

Cobalt Blue:
I already own a pair of Cobalt Blue denim. I've worn them once but I love this color and I love this trend. I'm thinking something I can wear more than once a month...like flats

I wear a lot of flats to work because I spend a lot of time walking my stores and remerchandising so the more the merrier. Also, these can be worn with just about any color pant which is great. How cute with dark denim or black skinnies and a yellow cardigan?

Boot Socks:

I didn't think that I would love this trend when I first saw it. But it's really started to grow on me mainly because I doubled my boot collection this past fall (I avoided boots before because I have insanley large calves) and also because these things keep your feet so WARM. Since losing weight, I have this new found issue of always being cold and this really helped with my cold toes-ies. I need a pair of gray ones and another wild color.

Any outfit that makes me look this good:

I've wanted to get a hat (and pull it off) for a while, I love the preppy look of the white button up paired with the edgy leather jacket. And since I'm a celeb in my own mind the cool-kid sunglasses are a must.

I also need a new pair of black leggings, a neon skinny belt, and a cute sweater or two. Now the question remains...can I do this all for under $150??


Beyonce photo from Teen Vogue: http://www.teenvogue.com/style/blogs/fashion/2011/02/beyonces-shopping-chic-look.html
Cobalt Blue Flats from Wedding Bee: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/blue-wedding-shoes-flats
Boot Socks from Free People: http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-boots/gratitude-tall-boot/



Have a YFF weekend!