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. 

Interview Clothing Tips

1) Sodalite earrings, $20, local Scottish- Irish fair
2) Silver heart necklace, gift
3) White chiffon bust tank, $10, Express
4) Teal button up, $20, New York &Company
5) Black blazer, $55, Tahari via Dillard's
6) Black slacks, $40, New York and Company
7) Knee high stacked heel leather boots, $60, JCPenney
8) Leather belt, $20, JCPenney?
9) Fauxligator business tote, $30, Target

An interview for a job is all about putting your best foot forward. Out here, land of the formal jeans, a suit is nearly unheard of, let alone worn.  Most people only own the suit for formal business meetings and to pull apart.  I tend to wear mine as a suit more often than not, mostly because I get cold really easily and tend to keep a black blazer handy for that.
At any rate, for an interview, even if it's not one you where hafta wear a suit, is about looking good and sounding like you already have the job.  Jeans are out.  I don't care if they're your formal jeans, don't wear 'em to the interview.  Low cut, skin tight, or revealing are all kinds of out, unless you're applying for a job with the local gentleman's club.  Polish those shoes.  Iron EVERYTHING  (ok, maybe not the bra and underwear. Understated jewelry, if you wear it: leave the huge, intricate bib necklace at home.  Cover that decolletage, all of it. Make sure your suit isn't still vent stitched.  While most website advocate white, a colored (as in, one solid, contrasting but not neon, color, leave the paisley at home) will stick in their memory.  If it has belt loops, wear a good, simple leather belt, whether you need it or not.  Run a lint roller over it.  Do that twice.  While a black suit is good, any dark colored, matching suit will work  (well, maybe not brown.)

Not People of Walmart

1) Paper/ cotton hat, $13, Dillard's
2) Graphic scarf, $10, Old Navy
3) Grey short sleeve sweater, $5, Maurice's
4) Brahmin red hobo purse, $180 (not a typo), Dillard's
5) Denim capris, $5, eBay
6) Grey rock star boots, $60, Kenneth Cole Reaction

What do others wear to Walmart? On a good day, pajamas.  On a bad day, they end up here. What do I wear to Walmart?  See above.  I needed comfortable, and I refuse to wear pajamas in public unless I'm THAT sick.
I realize that's a freakishly expensive purse.  It was birthday gift to myself a couple years ago.  I wear that purse pretty much EVERY day, because I'm too lazy to change purses for every outfit.  It's true leather and seems Jen proof, which is no small feat.  With all that, I'm willing to accept the price, given that it is a very sturdy purse that goes with everything I wear.
Also, I bought the capris with pretty much the express purpose of being tucked into boots without effort.  Tuck the capris into knee high socks, and no fighting with jeans and ankles!

Got It? Flaunt It

Most women concentrate solely on the parts of themselves they want to change.  They refuse to see their soccer player legs, their awesome shoulders, their spectacular boobs, and concentrate on why their arms are fat, their belly's flabby, or their [x] is [y].  I really don't like that.  A body is to be celebrated, whatever shape it's in.  The modern media has turned the average woman's body into something to be hated, something to be fixed and not loved.  I may not be able to turn that around on my own, but I can help y'all celebrate what you do love about your bodies.  Most articles on "celebrating" one's body parts rely on showing it off via skintight or nonexistent clothing, which I abhor.  If I wanted to see more Skankyhos wandering around, I'd go back to where I grew up.  Instead, I'll focus on how to showcase it without dressing like you belong on a street corner.
Face
You love your face.  Those cheeks, those eyes, those lips, whathaveyou, it's farking awesome.

• Wear your hair up, or in a very short cut.  With no hair to hide it, your face is front and center, ready for the world's adulation. (And if they don't love it, fuck'em.)
• Play with makeup, subtly, to make your favorite features standout.  Love your eyes? Mascara.  Love your lips? Chapstick and lip gloss (lipstick if you have the giveadamn to bother.) Love your cheeks? A subtle dash of blush.
• Wear scarves tied at the neck, higher necklaces with lower necklines, and/ or stand out earrings to call attention to what's right next to it: your gorgeous mug.

Neck
Your neck is long and gorgeous or suits your body just right.  Others may see theirs as a oddly vulnerable column on the body, you see yours as a proof God does exist.

• Necklaces. Scarves.   Tie it near the neck and keep 'em short.
• Low cut, but not revealing necklines will draw the eye to that area.

 Shoulders
Your shoulders inspired Solomon and Shakespeare. Structural or well rounded, there isn't a woman out there that should be ashamed of her shoulders.  Even if you're heavyset, your shoulders are smooth and frame you out well.

• Tanks and sleeveless tops draw the eye to the shoulder's by showcasing them without necessarily needing a strapless bra or showing off bra straps.
• Shoulder detailing, such as lacing, lace, and crochet, show them off without putting them on complete display.

Boobs
Tiny A's, Gimongo Fs, sedate Bs or stunning C's, if you love 'em, flaunt 'em!

• Stay away from shirts so low cut that breathing threatens indecent exposure.  There are better ways.
• A sweetheart neckline, scoop neck, or v-neck in a formfitting, but not clingy, style will show them off without running the risk of Skankyho.
• I have yet to see a woman out of her teens that can pull off a tube top well without looking skanky.  No, not you either.  Put it down and walk away.

Arms You have guns bigger than my alma mater, or arms thinner than a hanger.  You love 'em.

• Short sleeves, cap sleeves,  sleeveless: it's actually ok to show off your arms by not covering them.
• Lace and crochet sleeves call attention without actually baring skin, for less casual occasions.

Back
You have a back to die for.  Muscles for days, smooth, or just plain awesome, it begs to be shown off.

• See above.  Put down the tube top.
• Racer back, lace back, crocheted, these will all show off your beautiful back without going the dangerous route of completely backless.
• Watch for shirt length. You want longer rather than shorter, or you run the risk of your shirt pulling up and exposing your back in a way that looks trashy.

Belly
You're pregnant, flat- bellied, or not quite flat bellied but proud anyways, and you'll be fucked if you'll keep it hidden.

• Clingy is not your friend.  You'll find lumps that aren't there with skintight.  Form-fitting, on the other hand, will make you look like the goddess you are.
• If you must wear a crop top, wear a full length tank beneath it.  No, I really don't care how good your abs are, wear a full length tank.  I'd really recommend staying away from the crop tops, though, and the tube tops.
• Detailing on the stomach will draw the eye there as well.  Just be careful that you don't look pregnant because of the detailing if you aren't.

Hips
You've got lips, and hips, and you know how to use them.

• Watch for whiskering and pulling at the crotch.  While they pull attention to the area, it's not flattering attention.
•  In reality, these babies will pretty much call attention to themselves.  Pockets and detailing will draw attention, but just let them do it on their own.

Butt
Baby got back and her milkshake.. yeah, I'll stop there.  You have an ass to be proud of.

•   Watch how your pants and jeans are cut.  You want them to cup your ass, but not strangle it.  You want your pockets to follow the curvature of your ass, not the other way around.
• Go for minor detailing on back pockets, not too ornate.  Overly ornate and you start approaching teenager territory.

Pelvic Area
  Just don't.  There's no way to showcase this without looking trashy.

Legs
They're a mile long, or shorter than a 3 week old kitten.  They're thinner than Gisele's or heavily muscled and look more like Mia Hamm's.  Either way, you love your legs.

• You'll contemplate short shorts and Daisy Dukes.  If you're legal, those aren't.  Put 'em back.
• Skinny jeans and cigarette pants show them off without everyone knowing what kind of underwear you wear.  I love 'em for just that reason.
• A skirt is your friend when you want the world to see your gams.  Just beware, much shorter than mid thigh can look dangerously skanky.
• If you wear leggings, your shirt/ dress needs to cover your ass.  This is not negotiable.  Leggings are not pants.
• Unless you're working out, put the yoga pants away.

Sailor Moccasins

 

1) Necklace (unseen), gift

2) tunic style shirt with crocheted shoulders, $0.01, Wet Seal

3) Jeans, $15, Old Navy

4) Sew- Your- Own Moccasins, $24, Michael's

For those who've been asking a casual cheapass look, this is it.  Shirt, jeans, necklace, flats.  No, those shoes don't have a rubberized bottom, just a thin layer of leather.  I've been hunting for decent minimalist moccasins where I don't pay an arm and a leg. A trip to the local  craft store and 3 hours later, I got them.  (Granted, one of those hours was me cussing and swearing because the manufacturer had been kind enough to glue in the insole I wanted to remove, but that's neither here nor there.)

Yes, that's my puppy deciding not to pose for the photo. Getting her to look at the camera and not lick my hands is an idea we're still working on.