11
May 13

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

Once a month, I host a “crafternoon” event for some of my friends. It is a social, crafty gathering, where we get together, make stuff and chat. It’s pretty awesome… but I’m not biased or anything. This is what I wore for a laid back Saturday!

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

Denim shirt – Pure Energy, via Target, 4 (“present” from Chris)
T-shirt – Avenue, 26/28
Skirt – Evans, UK 30
Ring – Cato
Sandals – Clarks, “Caslynn Paula“, 11M

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

I’ve always been a creative person, but in the last few years “responsibilities” get in the way of hobbies. It isn’t that I don’t have time – I do, but it’s easier to put off things that don’t pay the rent, you know? Or prioritize sleep, getting outside, visiting friends, etc.

So what if Chris won’t get his handknit socks for another year… To be fair – he knows that it takes about two years, which is how long it took me to knit and send a pair to the friend who introduced us. But really, who needs handknit socks in Texas anyway?

I’ll finish them… someday.

Being around other creative people inspires me, so this once a month get-together is perfect – visiting with friends and crafts! The added bonus is productivity – the more time I spent around other creative people, the more I get done. Win, win!

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

This outfit was chosen for comfort. Summer is creeping up on us, but it’s still cool in the morning, warmer in the the afternoon and definitely unpredictable. I love maxi dresses and skirts because they are perfect for anything! Except for the fact that I’m a klutz.

Today I tripped over a shelf in CVS, after getting my skirt caught and then I drove around with my skirt hanging out of the car door. A neighbor informed me of that when I went to get the mail. At least it wasn’t raining, right?

Despite my tendency to trip (which let’s be real – happens anyway), maxi’s are comfortable and versatile. Especially skirts like this one in a jersey knit. It’s like fancy pajamas. Unfortunately, knits aren’t a great medium for pleats. I have a poor track record with washing them… and then the pleats fall out. What’s up with that?

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

I ditched 11 pairs of shoes this spring for various offenses. Many of them were just too old, worn out and hurt my feet. Just because they still look cute does not mean my feet have to suffer! It took me a few outings to remember why I started investing in good shoes. Blisters aren’t worth it!

After my purge, I noticed that I was lacking in the sandal department. Since summer in Texas lasts from now until December, I wear them a lot! I remembered to have Chris take a picture of my new summer sandals (also featured in my last post, just hidden) – the “Caslynn Paula” from Clarks, in black. Which are surprisingly comfortable (they have a fancy “ortho” sole), well made, easy to walk in and cute.

Normally, I don’t do well with tall shoes, but I haven’t had any issues with these. The tripping mentioned above was actually done in flats. I’m special like that. They come in black, nude and grey. I wish they had a tan/cognac because I would have snapped those up too. They retail for $109, which is pricey but I got mine for 20% off and they are worth every penny. I’d trade 4 pairs of Target sandals for a pair of these any day!

OOTD: Crafternoon Delight

P.S. I got Chris to take these by promising I’d post them tonight (which basically never happens, and he makes fun of me). BAM! Done.

Have you made any summer purchases? What’s your favorite summer footwear?


08
May 13

Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 – Neon

Time for another Outside My Comfort Zone! This challenge features 11 (!!!) bloggers, brought together by Rachel, of Happyness Magnet.

This week, Steph was in charge of the theme and she choose neon.

Outside-My-Comfort-Zone

You know that saying… “Go big or go home?” That sums up this week’s challenge for me. And I knew this jacket had to be part of it.

Neon is something I’ve grown to love. We weren’t always friends. At first, there was something about the eye searing color and glowing in the dark that put me off, but I came to realize that those qualities are pretty awesome.

Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 - Neon

Jacket – Cult of California, 5
Shirt – ASOS Curve, US 22
Tank – Old Navy, XL
Jeggings – Old Navy, 28
Necklace – Cara Coture, via ideeli
Sandals – Clarks, “Caslynn Paula“, 11M

Other than a handful of accessories, the neon pieces in my wardrobe are exclusively from Cult of California. This jacket was given to me by the designer, Jen, as a part of a review last year but jackets, humidity and 100+ temperatures don’t really mix.

This is something I wouldn’t have thought to buy for myself. I love the moto jacket but I would have gone for the black. Jen brought me over to the “dark” (neon) side with this, because since then, I’ve picked up the two cheetah tops, and a set of “Bent Prism” active wear, all from Cult of California, in this particular shade of day-glow green.

And when I wear this jacket out, I’d definitely buy a replacement.

Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 - Neon
Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 - Neon

The neon moto is a big statement piece, so I played down everything else – a black top, with chiffon hem for texture, denim, this Cara Coture necklace from ideeli and my favorite pair of summer sandals from Clarks that you can’t see – sorry!

My nails were a metallic navy from last week (Essie “Aruba Blue”), so I touched them up and added a coat of “Alpha Nail” from Nail Pattern Boldness. It is a gorgeous “blue to purple shifting duochrome” and my teenage self would have died for a bottle. The necklace matched perfectly. It was meant to be!

I can blame thank Plump for my new indie polish addiction.

Here is how I challenged myself this week:

  1. Day glow, during a bright, spring day – Enough said.
  2. Wearing pants – I still say that I hate pants… but I think this pair and I are friends.
  3. Not the ideal outfit for the outing- Ended up wearing this to… the movie theater. Yeah, I was that person.
  4. Minimal accessories – necklace & glasses. (I still think glasses don’t count!)
  5. Different makeup – light, daytime smokey eye (to the best of my ability a.k.a. not much) and nude lipgloss.

Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 - Neon
Outside My Comfort Zone: 6 - Neon

Some of you might have heard, but as of Friday, the funding from Cult of California has been pulled. Jen still has hope for her line but needs our help!

Jen has brought some really amazing, unique designs to the table in the past year and I’d hate to see it disappear now. Fashion forward, boundary pushing, plus size clothing up to size 28/30? Cute, comfortable plus size active wear that you won’t find anywhere else? And her pending swimwear line for release this summer? I can’t wait. On top of this, it’s all made in the USA.

Plus size fashion needs more indie designers with fresh ideas – not less! I am all about using my money to support things I love, voting with my dollars, particularly companies that make clothing for my body (and withholding when they don’t) – and this is no exception.

If you’ve been coveting anything from Cult of California, now is the time to show your support and shop! What’s calling to you?

Check out the other ladies participating in “Outside My Comfort Zone”:

Stephanie: Seeing Sp0ts
Gail: Gaily Gumdrops
Rachel: Happyness Magnet
Leah: Just Me Leah
Crystal: Tales from the Fat Side
Mary: Mary’s Big Closet
Becky: Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat
Emma: Plus Size Millard
Becky: Mrs Bebe Blog
Rachel: A Dress is for Life

Are you rocking neon this year? Do you prefer it in large or small doses?

Do you vote with your dollars?


24
Apr 13

Outside My Comfort Zone: 5 – Mixed Pastels

It’s time for another round of Outside My Comfort Zone, a challenge started by Rachel, of Happyness Magnet. This week our challenge is pretty simple – mixing at least two pastels.

Outside-My-Comfort-Zone

But wait. You’re asking why I’ve skipped from 2 to 5? Taking pictures is easy. Writing? Not so much. That’s a challenge in itself. Lately, I’m trying a new thing called “GETTING SHIT DONE”. Too often I stop myself from starting or finishing a project because I can’t do it “perfectly” or to some arbitrary standards/specifications that I’ve set. It’s pretty ridiculous but happens nonetheless.

First step in moving outside my comfort zone this week? Not doing (posting) things “in order”.

Outside My Comfort Zone: 5 - Mixing Pastels

Shirt – H&M+, 3x
Cardigan – Merona, 2x
Skirt – ASOS Curve, UK 24
Shoes – Clarks, “Valley Moon”, size 9.5W
Bracelet – a gift

Trouble with this week’s challenge is that pastels and I don’t get along. But that’s part of the point, right? Saccharine, candy colors can be cute, but they don’t do it for me. And they stain easily (dangerous). I’m drawn to the bold and bright. It’s hard to take a look in my closet and find that I don’t really own anything pastel. Is that possible?

If was shopping, I’d test out the mint/peach trend that’s “in” for spring, but shopping from your closet has its perks. Like more money in my bank account and less clutter in our living space. Win, win.

Without any obvious choices for this challenge, I decided to opt for this peachy top with black lace from H&M+, and this light grey skirt from ASOS Curve. I see the top as more of a neutral color, that is very (almost too) close to my skin tone but I guess it works as a pastel too. The saving grace is the lace detailing, which adds a little contrast.

For my second pastel, I went with nail polish. This is ‘Riots Not Diets’ from Plump Polish, it is a glitter polish (gold/pink/black) in a seafoamy base. This is 3-4 light coats so I could get enough glitter on each nail.

Outside My Comfort Zone: 5 - Mixing Pastels

Outside My Comfort Zone: 5 - Mixing Pastels

I’m also sporting my new glasses from Coastal. The Derek Cardigan – omgeverybodyhasthem – super hipster, cat eye glasses. I’ve been wanting them for ages and after I got my prescription done, for $16 I couldn’t say no.

Here is how I challenged myself:

  1. Posted on time – I’m a procrastinator and perfectionist, what can I say.
  2. Light colors on top and bottom – weird for me, risked the inevitable stains.
  3. Didn’t buy anything – resisted the temptation to buy something new (again, story of my life).
  4. Minimal accessories – just the bracelet. Do glasses count if I need them to see?

Outside My Comfort Zone: 5 - Mixing Pastels

Light colored clothing is out of my comfort zone for a reason. Before leaving the house I got makeup (which seems permanent) and tea on this outfit… luckily in places easily hidden by the cardigan, after turning the skirt backwards. Ha!

Check out the other ladies participating in “Outside My Comfort Zone”:

Stephanie: Seeing Sp0ts
Gail: Gaily Gumdrops
Rachel: Happyness Magnet
Leah: Just Me Leah
Crystal: Tales from the Fat Side
Mary: Mary’s Big Closet
Becky: Does My Blog Make Me Look Fat
Emma: Plus Size Millard
Becky: Mrs Bebe Blog
Rachel: A Dress is for Life

Are you wearing pastels this season? What’s your favorite?


11
Apr 13

Big purchase

My young, idealistic self never wanted to own a car. No joke. It was part of my whole “no debt, no credit, only cash” philosophy and didn’t fit my vision for “urban living”. And really, I didn’t want the responsibility or expense of maintaining a vehicle.

I wanted to live in the city, near everything I needed. I wanted to rely on my own two feet, a bike or public transportation and more or less did. Until I moved to Texas, I never owned a car. I always borrowed one from family, until my grandfather signed over the title of the vehicle that brought me 2300 miles to Texas.

Big purchase

Dress – Eshakti, 28
Cardigan – Old Navy, XXL
Jelly flats – Mel via ideeli, size 10
Bracelet – Style & Co., Macy’s
Necklace – Etsy

The 20 year old minivan (yes, you read right) was fun while it lasted. Nostalgic even, since a minivan was the first car I drove. The days of carting my siblings and their friends around. The stuck side door that you had to slam shut if you did get it open – it was fun to watch the macho kids try that one. That one time at work when two SUVs parked too close on both sides with no room to spare, and I was able to climb through the back and over the seats, instead of waiting for one of those jerks to come move their car. The night my friend and I took the car during a sleepover (when we shouldn’t have, sorry Mom!) and drove over to her house to grab something. We caught her so-called “friends” toilet papering her parent’s house and scared the crap out of them. Good times.

Driving a minivan might not be an ideal mode of transportation when you’re in your late 20s and childless, but it worked. I liked sitting higher up. It didn’t move fast but got the job done. It had a lot of room for “stuff”. It was also fairly inconspicuous. I do drive fast on occasion and (knock on wood) never got a ticket while driving a minivan. That is one thing (that I feel like) I’m going to miss.

Our new car is a 2014 Subaru Forester. It’s a lot peppier than a minivan.

Ideally, I would have taken these in a field somewhere before sunset, looking like I popped right out of a car commercial… but alas, we had some celebratory sushi (or doomsday “you just signed up for a lot of debt” meal) and snapped these after.

Big purchase

The finance lady took our picture we signed… my expression says it all.

New car!

Chris with the new car

Oddly enough, I really miss public transit. Living in Houston is tough without a car. I thought living in the East Bay was bad enough, but here (especially the suburbs) it is almost non-existent. It was nice to go to San Francisco on BART for school or fun, and not have to worry about parking or getting around. Except a few times I almost missed the last train and got stuck in the city… oops.

This dress is from Eshakti and is one of the few decent things I’ve purchased from them since my bad experience(s) last year. I’ve tried custom sizing several times with catastrophic results, so I was really glad when they expanded the standard sizing. Things are still a little wonky, but much better than before and things I can fix.

We’ve only had the car a few weeks and I’ve definitely put it to work. I don’t commute but we’ve gone on a few field trips – like the beach and a weekend in Dallas with friends (and yarn)! There will definitely be a whole lot of shopping from my closet as I get used to paying a car note and insurance… ha!

Have you made any big changes or decisions lately?