An Outfit for the Cost of a Shirt

1) Gold amethyst earrings, gift
2) Costume jewelry pendant, $5, consignment store
3) Red silk blouse, $4, Banana Republic via Goodwill
4) Floral cardigan, $15, Express
5) Navy wide leg pants, $10, Ann Taylor via Goodwill
6) Purple platform pumps, $6, Bamboo via Shasa

I still love those damn pants.  I really need to take in the waist before they fall off at the office, but they're fucking awesome.
This outfit is further proof of why, for the most part, I refuse to pay full price for my clothing.  Full price, this outfit could have easily run $275, excluding the earrings.  I got it for all for $40, because I'm willing to wear other people's giveaways.  I see no shame in recycling clothing.  I wore thrifted clothes almost exclusively as a kid and, while they weren't the popular brand o the week, they weren't obviously preworn either.

The Tree Speaks

 

1) Sodalite earrings, $20, local fair

2) Dot scarf, $5, Old Navy

3) Green lace cami, $3, Charlotte Russe

4) Green cashmere sweater, $10, eBay

5) Tan pants, $5, Harold's via Goodwill

6) Knee high black leather boots, $60, JCPenny

Yes, the Texan is actually wearing a sweater.  Yes, it's 50 someodd degrees out there.  In my defense, it was in the 30s this morning, which is frigid here.  

Can you tell I was born and raised here?  I spent a winter in Pennsylvania as a kidlet, and at the tender age of 3 or 4, I decided that there was no way in hell I'd live somewhere winter tries to kill you when you breathe. I have kept that promise to this day. Winter tried to kill me at my college graduation, too, come to think of it.  I think I pissed it off by swearing to stay out of it's reach.

These pants look and feel kinda like khakis and pinstripe slacks had a bastard love child, complete with the beyond faint, bordering on nonexistent, darker tan pinstripe.  They're relatively comfortable (more so in the summer), but look just professional enough I can get away with them during the week.

I warned you that I wear these boots a lot in the autumn and winter.  They are my flip flop equivalent in winter: sock on, stuff foot in boot, zip, and run out the door.  No wrestling with laces, tucking in pant legs, or any of that mess.

(By the way, Doc Marten 60 eyes are apparently sized in guy sizes.  I found out the hard way and now own a pair of 3 year old knee high Docs that are too big.  Great in the winter with thick socks, not so much any time else.)

As to the title, I have a very difficult time wearing brown on bottom and green on top without feeling like I dressed up as the lame version of a tree.

Purple Majesty

 1) Celtic knot amethyst earrings, $20, local fair
2) Scarf, $0.50, Goodwill
3) Purple button up, $20, Express
4) Pin stripe trousers, $30, Express
5) Purple ballet flats, $5, Charlotte Russe

Yes, I know.  "It's Friday, why aren't you casual?!" 
Because I'm new and I love this job.  I'd really rather not fuck it up 3 days in by wearing the wrong clothes.  I generally try to play it safe and dress more formally until I know the office dress better than "business casual."  In today's climate, that could mean anything from a golf polo and good jeans to pants and a button up to a suit with a good tee.  I strike the middle ground and go with business slacks and a less casual tee.

Pretty in Pink

1) silver earrings, $2, Kohl's
2)Silver heart necklace, $1, Claire's
3) back cami, $3, A'gaci Too
4) Pink bell sleeve sweater, $1, Ann Taylor via eBay
5) Plaid slacks, $2, Banana Republic via eBay
6) Spiky ankle boots, $26, Steve Madden via Ross
Tada!  This is my second day at the new job.  For such an inexpensive outfit, it actually looks really put together and nice.

Suits Me

Wearing that same suit again.  No need for a photo shoot.
One thing I will say is that every person needs a suit of some sort.  Skirt suit, dress suit, pantsuit, any combination of the above. You will get your money's worth out of it. Not just for funerals, interviews, and business formal attire.  Split it up and wear the components separately, too. BAM! Not just a suit, but a blazer and slacks/ skirt/ dress.  I would honestly recommend the pants or skirt over the dress, just because the dress severely limits wearability.
I would also recommend you suit being one of the things you spend a  bit more money on.  I'm not talking "go out and blow a paycheck on it," but I am saying you'll look better if you don't buy the trash in the juniors department.  Here's what you should look for:
Blazer

• A lining.  Jackets without linings tend to either be very casual, crappily made, or hang funny, none of which you want to be the impression you give.
• Avoid shine, intentional or not.  Some cheap fabrics tend to have a sheen to them, making them look even cheaper. Avoid those.
• Obvious shoulderpads or trendy detailing.  You want this jacket to be something you can wear for many more years than just this season.  Huge shoulderpads make you look like an 80s reject, and trends mark it as a one time use jacket.
• A dark color.  It doesn't hafta be black, but black, navy, or charcoal are your best bets for versatility.
• Buttons that stop just under the tits and button all the way down.  They should also close. without pulling. This is the best fit for a professional blazer.  It doesn't need to button all the way down, but it should definitely button just under the  chest for the most professional look.
• Fit is everything.  If it pulls ANYWHERE, put it back and grab the next size up.  You can (and should) always get it tailored to match your body, but very rarely can you let a blazer out and still look good
• Check the seams and buttons.  Are the seams well sewn and straight?  Are there loose threads?  Do the buttons look ready to pop off any second?    Check for quality.  If it's crappy sewing, it's a crappy suit.

Pants/ skirt

• Match the color to the blazer.  There are different colors of everything, even black.  You want them to match exactly, which is why I really, REALLY recommend you buy them as a set.
• Check seams, buttons, hooks, and zippers. Crappy closures mean crappy clothes.
• Check the length.  A skirt should be long enough can sit in it without looking like a street walker.  I'd say stick with knee length or just past the knee, as ankle length tends to look nunnish or dowdy.  For pants, they should be long enough to break across your shoes and hang to within half an inch of the ground in the back.  You don't want high waters, and you don't want to drag your hems out.
• Check the slit on the skirt.  You should be able to walk fairly easily with a natural gait without it being slit up to There.  If you can't, or if it is. put it back.
• Check the pockets. and make sure you can't see the outline when you wear the pants or skirt.
• Check the waist and belt loops.  If it has belt loops, you'll always hafta wear a belt with it. If it has no waistband, make sure it doesn't dig into your waist.

Stormy Colors

1) Grey tee, $7, Old Navy
2) Grey cami, gift
3) Jeans, $15, Old Navy
4) Purple moccasins, gift  (I have no idea where he found the purple ones)
5) Hamsa hand necklace, $4, Claire's
6) Amethyst earrings, $20, local fair
I received these shoes as a gift from my father in law several years ago.  He meant them as homemade house shoes, and they had insoles in them.  I removed the insoles and threw them in the back of my closet, as I don't normally wear house shoes (or shoes, when given the option.)  I found them a couple months ago and decided they'd be great barefoot shoes.  They are.  I love these things.  I may eventually go through with some purple suede lacing and replace the shoelaces, but they're great as is.
You may have noticed I tend to wear camis underneath the shirt I'm wearing most of the time.  This is usually more for modesty's sake than anything else.  I have a rather large chest for my frame, and shirts tend to show more cleavage than I want.  I correct that with a lacy tank that covers the cleavage without outright destroying the view, so to speak.  There are also a couple tees I own that are a little sheer for my tastes (read: you can see some skin tone behind the thin shirt.)  Again, I use  camis to correct for that.

Victorian Vampire

1) Cameo earrings, $5, Claire's
2) Vampire teeth, $12, Spirit Halloween store
3) Anatomically correct heart necklace, gift
4) Red velvet blazer, $20, Lucky via eBay
5) Black vest, $1.59, Goodwill
6) White tank, $10, Express
7) Black cigarette pants, $10, Express via eBay
8) Knee high leather boots, $60, JCPenney
9) Hat, $10, Spirit Halloween /store

Victorian vampire, at your service.  Most of this I already had in my closet, save for the teeth, hat, and vest.  It's a simple costume, but like every non skanky costume, it's too damn hot for a West Texas Halloween.  Especially that velvet blazer.  If I'm not careful, I'm gonna cook in that thing.
If you noticed that my face is paler than usual, that would be corrupt.  That's the magic of make-up, not grease paint.

That vest was originally a western style vest, with a collar, blue ribbon embellishment, pointed front tails, and buttoned up to the neck. I took a seam ripper to it, and the scissors, and made it into a vest I'd wear outside of Halloween.

Almost Pajama Pants

 

1) Cameo amethyst necklace, $20, local fair

2) Red lacy cami (under blouse), $5, Goodwill

3) Pink blouse, $3.59, Express via Goodwill

4) Navy wide leg slacks, $7, Ann Taylor via Goodwill

5) Navy with pink polka dot heels, $20, Payless

6) Hoop earrings, $6, Claire's

This is one of my fall back outfits, for days when I need to look good and be confident that what I'm wearing only amplifies what I have, while not being skanky.  As I had a job fair today (freaking lousy job fair), I wanted to make sure I looked good.
The pants are freakishly comfortable for slacks.  I could damn near wear these things for pajamas, they're so comfy.  But they look good and look professional.  These slacks and my wide leg jeans have convinced that wide leg pants are the best thing on the face of the earth, and to hell with the skinny jean trend!
While these heels are on the high side (3.5" without a platform), they are actually fairly comfortable and easy to walk in.  This is in large part to fitting really well (no rubbing or blistering) and being well balanced, for a stiletto.  My weight is relatively evenly distributed through the points of contact with the ground.  That one thing I've noticed about Payless:  If you get the house brand (Fioni), it's well made, solid construction, easy to wear and CHEAP.

Attack of the Ape Sweater!

1) Blue floral cardigan, $5, Target via Goodwill
2) Navy tee, $5, Old Navy
3) Jeans, $15, Old Navy
4) Ankle moccasins (not shown), (can't remember),  Minnetonka via ebay

I'm generally not big on cropped sweaters.  Back in high school, I called them "ape sweaters," because they reminded me of something a monkey might wear.  I'm still not a fan of the half sweater.  Every once in a blue moon, I find one where the shortness isn't distasteful, like this one.  I'd've loved it even better if it'd been hip length and long sleeved, but I still really like it.
As you can see, my midriff is trying to go into winter hibernation mode.  I'm fighting it, but I'm also aware that this is a native cycle my body's done my whole life.  Put on extra insulation in autumn, shed it come spring.  I will note that while I'm fighting it, I'm also still happy with my normal "winter body."  Vanity is what makes me want to keep my "summer body." 
I want you to be happy with your body as well.  None of this "stupid winter flub" or "I want a bigger booty."  I want you to accept your body as is.  Accepting it doesn't mean denying any changes that you want to make, it means loving it for what it is and what it can do NOW, not 6 months from now.

Picking Through the Trash

1) Headband, $1, Claire's
2) Scarf,  $0.50, Goodwill
3) Turquoise cotton sweater, $5, Walmart
4) Jeans, $30, Old Navy
5) Flat ankle moc boots, $20, Minnetonka via eBay

Are you surprised by the Walmart sweater?  I kinda am, too.  Most of what they sell is utter crap: tacky, oversized, hideous, or badly made.  Every once in a blue moon you'll find a rare treasure, like this sweater.  It's all a matter of picking through the wreckage to find something good.
In general, that's what you hafta do with many of my clothing sources. Ebay, Goodwill, consignment shops, junk shops all have one thing in common: you hafta sift through a lot of old lady polyester, scrubs, and stained tees to find something even remotely worth having.  Then you hafta pick through that and try it on (f you can.)
For me, shopping is the thrill of the hunt.  Unless I have something VERY specific in mind, I find it best to go in with a vague idea and see what I can find.  I can comb an entire shop and come up with 10 things to try on, only to find out in the dressing room that none of it's going home with me.  I'm used to that.  If you're used to knowing exactly what you want and paying an arm and 3 legs for it, try a change of pace.  You might find a hidden gem among the busted lamps, fuzzy tvs, and 80s prom dresses.

I Heart These Jeans

1) Anatomically correct heart necklace, gift
2) Long sleeve v neck tee, $5, Target via Goodwill
3) Jeans, $30, Old Navy

That necklace is one of my favorites.  My husband gave it to me for the first Valentine's Day we were married. Most people think it's just a fun pendant unless they look at it closely.
These jeans also had a defective button for the waist.  I put them on when I got home and the button broke off in my hand.  Then it sat in my sewing bin for 3 years until I got around to getting a sturdy button in the right size.  Because of that simple, forced upgrade, I now have fancy schmancy designer looking jeans without spending all that money.

Rules? What Rules?

I know, not what you wanted to see.  I also know that at least a handful of y'all follow my blog so you DON'T get featured a a fashion disaster like this gentleman.
That said, the beauty of know all the fashion laws is knowing when you can break them with impunity.  If you play it safe all the time, it's pretty boring.  It's kinda like cooking with only salt and pepper and only meals you know.  Eventually, something's gotta give and you crave difference.
Yes, there is a fine line between "damn, I'm hot" and "damn, I'm a hot mess,"  but you gotta walk that line occasionally.  Yes, you will flop and you'll know not to do that again.  More often than not, you'll find a damn awesome outfit or piece of clothing you wouldn't have ever thought to do without the experimentation.
I encourage you to experiment.  Find your own bounds.  Find what you'll never, ever do, and then step past it, just to make sure.  Detest your belly?  I dare you to put on a crop top (in the privacy of your own home) and laugh at yourself.  Always wear long sleeves?  Wear short sleeves, just once.  Always wear loose fitting, flowing clothing?  Go into a store and try on the tightest things (that fit) they have.
Give yourself permission to laugh.  Give your self permission to look at it as though your body were someone else's and say "that's not bad!"  Give yourself permission to change.

Da Bears

1) Chicago Bears jersey, $40, Reebok Outlet
2) Navy v neck tee (under the jersey), $5, Old Navy
3) Jeans, $20, Old Navy
4) Jaya shoes, $30, Vibram Fivefingers via Travel Country
5) Silver hoops, $10, Claire's

Why, yes, I am a Bears fan.  Couldja tell?  I know I broke a half dozen fashion "laws" with the jersey alone, but I really don't give a flying fuck in a high wind.  It's when you know the laws that it's perfectly okay to break them for the sake of awesomeness.  When I got the jersey (hell, yeah, I support Urlacher), I had the choice of jumbo, huge, or "it's a dress!"  I went with huge and claim it's tunic sized.  (Before you ask, no, they didn't have ANY of the jerseys for chicks.  I was pissed.  Chicks are fans too, dammit!)
And jeans, because I wasn't wearing this damn thing as a mini dress.

Blue Suede Shoes

1) Tortoiseshell sunglasses I forgot to actually put on my eyes, $20, HEB
2) Turquoise and silver bird necklace, $10, consignment shop
3) Blue polka dot tee, $3.49, Goodwill
4) White miniskirt, $2.99, GAP via Goodwill
5) "Wood" and blue suede peep toes, $25, Steve Madden via eBay
6) Beaded bracelet, $0.50, Claire's
 
The ground was actually still really soft in this picture, which is unusual for my part of Texas.  Usually, the ground is like bedrock with a small layer of sand to cover it.  I was trying to find a 3 point stance so the ground wouldn't sink beneath me and swallow me whole.
Yes, I actually own a mini skirt, emphasis on "a."  I'm usually really active and don't give much thought to ladylike posturing, so I've hesitated for a long time in buying a mini, figuring the world really didn't need to see my underwear more than it did when I was a small child.  I bought this one because it as a cheap experiment.  I can safely say I really won't wear this where there's a chance I'll want/ need to sit on a floor, play with a kid, or climb a tree. (All three of those happen in my life more than you would think.)  For going out to dinner and such, it's fine.  I can bend over without scaring werewolves, so we're good.  It's actually not as high as it looks, I was taking a step, so that's it's height when it rides up.
I bought these shoes as my first pair of "navy without polka dots" shoes. They're definitely in line with the mini, as walking much in them really isn't an option. I may eventually give them away, as I don't care for shoes that start to pinch and rub after a while.

Photos of Interest

You know that goal photo you keep around?  That one of some blonde beach babe or ski bunny or otherwise "encouraging" physique?  I know some of you keep it on the fridge.  I know others of you keep it somewhere else (if you're like me, you never actually downloaded the image.)  Unless it's a relatively recent photo of yourself (less than 5 years and no major life changes old), get rid of it. 
I know, it's supposed to encourage you to eat healthy, workout, whathaveyou, but it's discouraging to eat right and exercise and know you'll never get that Playboy bunny's figure.  You know why you won't get her figure? Because you aren't her.  You don't have her genetics, her bone structure, or her personal trainer. (You do?  That explains that missing model.)  You are you, uniquely you.
Don't get me wrong.  Goals are great.  Goals are awesome.  Goals get us from slob on the couch to where we want to go.  Basing your goal on a young woman that's never had a kid, has a personal chef and trainer, has a hair wrangler, or has never been heavy makes no sense.  She won't have your stretch marks, scars, or bones.  Don't go thinking you can swap it out for a more "realistic" photo either.  Unless it's a recent photo of you, it's not a goal photo.
I hate goal pics.  I truly do.  They make you aim for something that isn't there.
What should you have instead of a goal photo?  Well, there's two ways to go about it.
One is an old "before" photo of yourself, to remind you have far you've come.  This comes with a razor's edge, though, if you have made inaccurate associations with those days or that form.  If it'll only cause you to stare in the mirror and call yourself names, it's not a good idea.  If it'll only cause you to avoid the fridge because you don't want to see yourself like that, bad idea.
The other idea is a simple phrase to remind yourself of the goal.  "Will this get me there?"  "Does this help me?"  Stuff like that.  Spell it out on the fridge.  Write it on the mirror in dry erase. Get those cardboard letters and spell it out in your garage (or wherever you workout.)  Make it positive and make it resonate for you.  I've heard of people framing fortune cookie messages because they resonated so well

Not Goin Anywhere

1) Swirly print tank, $3.49, Goodwill
2) Jeans

Yes, I'm barefoot.  Nope, no jewelry either.  I'm home and not planning on going anywhere, so no point in putting on the airs that I might be. 

What You Love, Part 1

If you woke up tomorrow with only the parts of your body you truly loved, you be missing some pieces.  I know I'd be missing my stomach and my heels.  Be honest with yourself.  If you suddenly lost the pieces of your body you don't love, what would you have left?  We're assuming internal organs go away if the outer covering goes away.  I know for some of you out there, all that'd be left is a pair of floating eyes and maybe  some toenails.  For others, you'd be a ghost with nothing left.
I want you to focus on what would be missing and figure out something positive about it.  I don't mean false positive, like "well, my thighs aren't as thick as tree trunks."  I mean real positive, like "my belly may be big, but the skin is smooth" or "my calves may be toothpicks, but they still work and get me from point A to point B." 
I want you to do this for every single thing that would be missing.  Write it down, tuck it away.  On days you don't feel so great about yourself, pull it out and read it.  You'll be amazed at how much reminding yourself that your body doesn't completely suck does for your self confidence.

Puppy Power!

1) Bead and chain necklace, $0.50, Claire's
2) Abstract swirly tee, $3.49, Target via Goodwill
3) Sequin waist maxi skirt, $20, BCBG via eBay
4) Jaya shoes, $30, Vibram FiveFingers via eBay

(Note: The Jayas in the link are not the same model as mine.  Mine were designed for indoors surfaces with a mostly leather sole and thin leather upper.  Same cut and style, though.  The new one is just designed to be more outdoor friendly.)
Every time I wear this skirt, I wonder why I don't wear it more often.  It's ridiculously comfortable, and VERY tomboy friendly.  I can do almost every movement and motion I can do in jeans.  It's also one of the very few maxi skirts I've EVER found without a drawstring and/ or  elastic waist, which is why I was willing to deal with the sequins and beadwork at the waist.  I may eventually rip it out, but for now, I kinda like it. 
For those unaware, I have a death warrant out for elastic waisted anything.  I wore it most of my childhood (Go, tiny toothpick kid!) and still despise it to this day.  I also associate with old people's clothes.  I don't care if it's a relatively adult looking design, or if it's integral to the design, the instant I find elastic in the waist, it goes back on the rack.
My puppy also played nice and behaved for this series of photos, actually showing herself this time!  (If you hafta know, she's wearing a blue harness from the cheapo Petsmart line.)

Bodylove and a New Turn

This one's geared to you. Yes, you.  The person sitting in front of the computer screen reading these words. You.  You see, I've been watching you. (No, not that way, I'm not a damned world stalker.) Whenever I crawl up on my high and mighty horse about loving yourself and your body, you mentally sigh and click away, because it's obviously not a true fashion post and you love your body just fine, thankyouverymuch. No, don't you click away now.  Stay with me.
I originally started this blog as a true fashion blog on how to be cheap and look good.  That's still the main focus, even if I can never give you exact links to what I'm wearing because it's not of this season (or decade, for that matter, sometimes.)  Listening to a few friends rant got me thinking.  You see fashion blogs all over the damn place about fixing things and making Trend o' the Moment work on your body. (Or, to be fair to the ones that royally piss me off, how to make your body work for the clothes.)  There are more bodylove blogs cropping up, but most are tumblrs.  I had yet to see anyone write about loving your body and showing it off each season without looking like a skankyho.
That's where this blog is headed.  I intend for it to be a meld of bodylove, selflove, and fashion, eventually.  Don't fret, you'll still get your (mostly) daily updates of me posing in front of the camera ("aren't you DONE yet, timer?")  You'll still get your seasonal updates on what hot, fresh, and new.  But there will also be injection of loving yourself first and not trying to mold yourself to whatever the latest schtick for clothes hangers or pregnant women or heavy armed or wasp waisted women is. 
There is a way to love yourself and love fashion at the same time, much the same as a good relationship requires at least a bit of self love.  Everyone has a way of doing it differently.  Everyone has that one fallback piece that makes 'em look awesome on a day they don't particularly love their body.  It takes baby steps. Very few women can look in the mirror bucknaked on day 1 and go "Hot DAMN, I'm looking fucking awesome!"  (If you can, congratulations!)
Each day, there will likely be two posts (or more) from here on out.  One of me clowning for the camera, one of me proselytizing about loving yourself or showing you how to do it or some other bodylove post.  I want you to love YOU, not you 20 lb from now, not you 40 lb ago, not you 6 months from now.  You and your body TODAY.  If you're having a bad day and just not feeling the body love, don't fret, everyone gets 'em.  Just let those be the minority, and let you loving you and your body for its awesomeness be the standard position.

Red Angel

1) Mother of pearl wing earrings, $5, Claire's
2) Red silk blouse, $4, Banana Republic via Goodwill
3) Jeans, $20, Lucky via eBay
4) red satin flats, Target

I actually really love this shirt.  I know I don't wear it very often, but that's because it sits in the pile of clothes to be handwashed half the time.
That's unfortunately one of the pitfalls of wearing natural fabrics, is that they all seem to want special attention and care (except my beloved jersey fabrics.)  I tend to do more handwashing in the winter because most of my sweaters are wool or cashmere, and therefore can't take the abuse of the washer without shrinking to barbiedoll sized.  I may be tiny, but I'm not THAT tiny, y'all.