June, 2011


18
Jun 11

OOTD: Pedicure

Last week my mother called and asked me a question, something along the lines of:

“Nicole, will you help me exercise my knee?”

A couple weeks ago she had knee surgery. I was a little confused at first because my siblings and dad were at home to help her out and she’s going to physical therapy… but I said yes. And then she clarified:

“I want to go shopping and stretch out my knee.”

The magic word! I guess that is my kind of “exercise” because I quickly agreed. I had few things to pick up for my trip and needed to go to some of the same stores. And I also booked us for a pedicure we’d been talking about for a few months. I had planned to treat her for Mother’s Day but we never got a day set. Better late than never?

OOTD: Pedicure

Shirt – ASOS Curve
Skirt – Utility skirt via Onestopplus
Flip flops – Old Navy
Necklace – F21
Bangles – Torrid

So, Thursday afternoon I got my first ever pedicure. Why oh why, have I never done this before?

For $30 a piece, my mother and I got treated to a sea salt rub, minty massage, hot stones, paraffin wax… other stuff I’m probably forgetting and of course, the manicure. It seemed like a deal and definitely felt worth it.

I’m not really one to “pamper” myself with hair appointments, manicures and whatnot. Sometimes seems necessary to seek a skilled professional (like when I chopped off my hair) but in general, they are more of a treat or left for special occasions. Plus it all adds up! This stuff isn’t cheap. I already cringe at getting my hair cut and dyed twice a year.

OOTD: Pedicure

OOTD: Pedicure OOTD: Pedicure

OOTD: Pedicure

I volunteered my youngest brother to take pictures for me later in the day. He isn’t really a fan of helping me out and doesn’t listen at ALL. At 15, I guess it is “embarrassing”. Which makes it more fun for me! But also exasperating because he doesn’t listen. When it is instructions that make the photo session shorter… you’d think he would! Instead I get a bunch of blurry shots, batman angles (diagonal pictures) and other weird stuff.

Unfortunately, by the end of the day… I did not look like I did walking out of the house that morning. But you know what? It is summer. It is hot and humid. So what if my make-up melted off, my hair went flat (it was wavy in the morning!) and my shirt developed a mind of its own – it grew 6-8 inches in length! Until fall, it is only going to get worse, not better. And I’m going to make the best of it!

OOTD: Pedicure
OOTD: Pedicure
OOTD: Pedicure

My brother “kindly” informed me that my outfit looked like crap. I’ve learned to not take fashion advice or criticism from my siblings, so no big deal. Most of my casual outfits consist of an Avenue sundress with no accessories but sometimes just like this – a skirt and simple t-shirt! I had my blue sequin flats on until the pedicure – didn’t want to mess it up on the first day.

How’s the saying go? Haters gonna hate.


15
Jun 11

OOTD: Sheer bliss

I’ve been going through my photo archives trying to clean things up and discovered quite a few sets of pictures that never got posted. Looking back at these makes me miss the cooler weather. Which just means that I miss all of the clothes I can’t wear when it is hot, humid and sticky.

Trail entrance

Overcast in April – it doesn’t look like this anymore! Everything is dead.

One problem I’ve discovered is that I no longer remember what went on while wearing these particular outfits or why/where I wore them. Time for a series of wordless OOTDs? Maybe…

OOTD: Sheer Bliss

Blouse – Evans, Fall 2010
Skirt – Vintage
Sandals – Evans, Summer 2010
Necklace – F21
Bangles – Torrid
Lipstick – Girl About Town, MAC

Sheer clothing has been around for a couple of seasons now and is still going strong. I love the versatility and even delicacy it brings to certain outfits. Sheer pieces aren’t just a “HEY! LOOK AT ME!” thing but can add texture, fabulous draping and makes for easy layering.

Not too long ago, I found most sheer stuff to be a little trashy (for the lack of a better word) or “night-time” look – at least when I tried it. I found that I loved the look on other people but not on me. Part of my dislike for sheers started with the fact that I hated to show my bra straps intentionally. Slipping off the shoulder on accident? No big deal. Under a sheer top, it looked tacky or out of place. Like the top I wore on INDD – the bra straps created another line (because the shoulder seam was really big and annoying) and ruined the “look”, so I went strapless.

As I experimented with different looks and pieces, I came to appreciate the value of sheer clothing. Bra straps? These days I don’t care. I have boobs and I like to wear a bra to hold them in place. I no longer have issues and if someone else does… well, they can deal with it. Having a few bright colored bras definitely helps coordinate things too!

OOTD: Sheer Bliss OOTD: Sheer Bliss

I picked up this blouse from Evans on sale in January – almost didn’t because of the pocket but I’m glad I did. It actually has a connected tank underneath – which I may or may not remove. I want to try layering it over a colored tank but I’m not sure how it would turn out. The fabric is a looser weave/lower quality than I expected but at least I got it on sale! It had a few snags and weird spots after wearing it a few times. Originally I planned on removing the pocket but after finding out how delicate it was, I didn’t want to take a chance damaging the top.

That being said, I still loved the cut and look of the top enough to buy it in black a few weeks later. Do I have problems? You’re just noticing?

I’ve been craving clothing in nude, tan, brown, etc. for the last few months but it is more difficult to find than I thought! With neutrals being “trendy”, you’d think plus size retailers would catch on a little quicker. Things are starting to trickle down but still not fast enough for my liking. Ditch the sublimation prints (shudder) and make some sheer pieces, thanks!

OOTD: Sheer Bliss OOTD: Sheer Bliss

Speaking of pockets – what is the deal with itty bitty, useless pockets? Wow, who would have thought I’d be criticizing a pocket – which are normally things of awesome but folks, I’ve found that all pockets are not created equal.

These miniature pockets have been popping up the last few seasons and drive me crazy. The placement never seems “right”. Most of the time they are too small for anything useful – maybe a quarter for the pay phone? Which probably costs a lot more than a quarter these days… and don’t most people have cell phones anyway? I like my pockets to be functional – thanks!

Earlier this year, my friend Alexys was kind enough to let me try out some of her MAC lipstick to find shades that I like. At the counter or in the store… I’m a little overwhelmed – too many colors and products! Not to mention – the florescent lighting at the department store counters is absolutely awful! After going through her stash, I tried on Girl About Town and loved it. Bright freaking pink. When it was still on my face 5-6 hours later (though could have used a touch up), I was sold – lipstick never lasts that long on me.

Over the years, bright pink and I have had a love/hate relationship. We’re off and on. These days, I don’t mind it. I’m looking forward to wearing this lipstick more over the summer – it looks a lot better in the sunshine but in April, it added a little brightness to the otherwise gloomy days!

Are you incorporating sheer pieces into your wardrobe? What are your favorites?

Are there personal fashion “rules” or “standards” you’ve held yourself to in the past and now turn your back on? What are they?


10
Jun 11

Camping!

Last weekend was supposed to be our first camping trip of the year but Mother Nature decided to send a storm our way… so we cancelled. This week, the weather looks great – sunny, mild temperatures and a little breezy, so we decided to take a last minute trip to the lake!

I’m trying to practice the art of having less stuff. This means the amount of junk I own in general (still working on that), what I carry with me (so my purse doesn’t weigh 20 lbs) and what I bring when I go somewhere. Hauling around all this crap is work! And less stuff makes life a little simpler.

There have been years where I’ve brought an absurd amount of clothing just for a 2-3 day trip and I’m determined to avoid it. Usually it is because I do my laundry last minute and pack it all in a bag. This time I decided to figure out the necessities and plan ahead.

You might have noticed but I am pasty white, ghost-like-Casper white. I can walk into the sun and be burned 5 minutes later white! Preventing that is probably the most important task – suntan lotion, hat, sunglasses and the sundress will help. And of course, I plan to swim and go on a jetski, so a swimsuit is essential! The sandals will help me get down to the beach without killing my feet. I think I’m set!

The rest is uninteresting – the basics, plus pajamas, a sweatshirt in case it gets chilly, shoes, etc. I’ve prepped some food and snacks for the beach – fruit, veggies and cheese. Plus my tent and sleeping bag. What else do you need?

Am I forgetting anything? Maybe I should pick up a book on my drive up… Hopefully I’ll return Sunday/Monday with pictures to share and only a mild sunburn! I’m not wishing for one but some things are just inevitable.

What are your plans for the weekend? Do you have any beach/camping essentials?


8
Jun 11

Can I opt out?

Have you ever ordered from companies owned by Redcats? Woman Within, Roaman’s, OneStopPlus, Jessica London, Avenue… and a couple of others.

Do you have this problem?

This is a week of catalogs – 18 total. Just last week, I recycled a big stack of them – 53 CATALOGS. This is insanity! Right? Then add in the Lane Bryant, Simply Be and Joe Browns plus all of the random catalogs that I’m now “on the list” for that I’ve never heard of or ordered from. Is there a way to opt out of this stuff!?!

I realize that the stock for these companies are always changing. The catalogs don’t. Once (maybe twice) a season. I get multiples. Then they slap a different cover on the same catalog and mail me more. I don’t mind getting mail or catalogs that have in-store coupons (like Lane Bryant) but this is getting out of control.

I do most of my shopping AND browsing on the internet. I very, very rarely go through the catalogs unless I’m really bored. I tear off the pages with my name/address and throw the catalogs in a pile for the recycling bin. Sometimes I use them as scrap paper in craft projects. I even saved them for a short time for that purpose but they come so frequently that I can pretty much count on one to come within a day or two. I also have 3-4 catalogs rolled up inside my boots to keep them upright.

But I’ve run out of ideas, so in the recycling bin they go.

It seems like a waste of paper and resources for these companies to keep sending me catalogs that I do not want. Every site I have ordered from, I have looked for a way to successfully opt out of receiving their catalogs with no luck.

When you do order something… guess what you get? Another 2-3 catalogs in your package! YAYYYYY! If I place a multiple item order, most of the time they come in separate packages which means… more catalogs!

According to their websites you OPT IN for catalogs and e-mails. This is a screenshot using OneStopPlus.com:

As you can see, I have one option checked – for Avenue e-mails. Ironically, they are one of the only companies who doesn’t send out a catalog but I do like getting their e-mails for coupons. My profile for every other company is blank – no boxes checked. Yet I still get catalogs like clockwork and this has been going on for years.

You want to know what is really funny? I moved three years ago. My parent’s STILL get these same catalogs (and volume) at their address, in my name.

Do any of you have this problem? I’d love to know if you look through/order from them or browse online. What do you do with the catalogs after? Recycle? Reuse? Toss them out? Let me know!

In the end, I’m tired of them filling up my mailbox and recycling bin. I might be writing a strongly worded letter very soon. It costs them money after all! Why send something that isn’t wanted?