Corporate Week

Photots Taken by My Tripod

When:  Wednesday, January 11, 2012

What:  Dress - Sealed With A Kiss; Cardigan - Lane Bryant; Skinny Belt - Lane Bryant; Tights - Kmart; Boots - Trusol; Necklace - Gift from friend; Earrings - ??

Where - Corporate orientation, grocery store, and then home for the usual help with my son's homework, make dinner, and chill on the couch (add some laundry in there too)...



I started my new job this week.  My new nursing job!  But all this week I am at their corporate headquarters, learning how to use their computer system, watching PowerPoint after PowerPoint after PowerPoint of rules, regulations, and procedures...  Next week I get to be on the floor!  But for now I am in a classroom, and I am supposed to be wearing "business casual".  So here was my look for the day!  I actually got a compliment from a total stranger in the cafeteria.  We were walking passed each other and she said "I love your outfit".  That was cool!

This necklace was given to me by a friend a few years ago.  She had taken a vacation to Florida and bought it from a woman who made and sold jewelry on the beach!  A girl can never go wrong with a simple pair of hoop earrings.  And the cuff is a favorite piece of mine that you can see me wear all the time.  Definitely a staple.

I took these pictures really quick in my kitchen.  We had a full schedule tonight but it's been too long since I have posted an OOTD post and I wanted to get one in!

Speaking of kitchen...  I made this great recipe from Skinnytaste.com - meatball and spaghetti soup!  This one was a huge hit with the entire family.  I took pictures of it too - so look for an upcoming post about it!

The Gift

Pictures Taken by My Tripod

When: Wednesday, December 7, 2011

What:  Dress - Blu Sage; Tights - Fashion Bug; Booties - Nine West; Belt - taken from a shirt; Necklace - Lane Bryant; Cuff - Fashion Bug; Earrings - Lane Bryant

Where: Work, got my hairs trimmed, Cub Scouts with my son, and a little online shopping.

This dress was a gift to me from my mother-in-law.  When I first received it I didn't wear it much as I thought it didn't do much for my figure because it didn't have a structured shape.  But I always liked the pattern, length, and neckline.  Since I discovered the wonderful world of using a belt, I knew that was exactly what needed to happen for this dress!  And the rest is history.  I really like wearing this dress now!

The simple hoop earrings were a purchase from LB many years ago.  You can't go wrong with a simple set of earrings sometimes.  The necklace was also purchased from LB too.  (Probably not at the same time, but I've had this necklace for a while now too.)  It's made from a shell, at least I think so.  And if not, they did an excellent job making it look like one.  Again I'm wearing my trusty cuff!  I love this silver cuff!  Such a great buy!  Also wore my Nine West booties again.  They are just too easy to slip on and never make my feet hurt. 

So you can kind of tell from the pic that these tights are actually footless tights.  When I purchased them I didn't even realize.  But I have come to like the versatility they can bring me.  (Also - I am in love with the colored tights at the moment...  Sadly, all I have is black, brown, and these grey ones....  Hmmm...  gotta go shopping soon it sounds like!)

I had my hair trimmed yesterday.  I needed it badly!  I can't believe how fast it grows.  I know it looked alright getting longer, I just like it a bit shorter and more defined layers. 

I also got a little online shopping done for Christmas.  It was a customized order and I am hoping I didn't wait too long to order it!!!  Someone might have to wait till after Christmas to get their gift.  But hey - maybe spreading out the gift opened just a bit longer is a good thing right?

How much online shopping do you do for Christmas?  Honestly, I would say 85% of the gifts our family gives come from online.  It's just too convenient!

Other ways I have rocked my Nine West booties:

Ketchup & Mustard? Kind of...

Phtotos Taken by My Tripod

When:  Tuesday, November 30, 2011

What:  Cardigan - Carolyn Taylor; Ruffled Blouse - Lane Bryant; Trouser Jeans - Lane Bryant; Skinny Belt - Lane Bryant; Flats - Studio 1940; Cuff - Fashion Bug; Necklace - Premier Designs

Where:  Work and home to be Miss Suzie Home-Maker

I love this outfit.  I don't know why?  Maybe it's the red and the ruffled detail of the shirt?  Maybe it's the shoes (another old pair I am having a hard time letting go) or maybe it's my new(ish) animal print belt?  Either way, I just feel great and put together when I wear it!

This silver cuff is another go-to of mine.  The only problem is that it makes my wrist slightly green after wearing it all day.  If I keep it in the same spot, you can't notice.  Anyone have any suggestions for that?  I was thinking of trying clear nail polish?  The second picture makes me smile a bit...  HELLO?  BOOBS!  HAHA!  I actually bought this shirt last fall and wore it to a casual NYE party.  Good times!  Again, the shoes...  LOVE THEM.  Can't stop wearing them.  They are so old...  I really should be in the market for a new pair of yellow shoes...  I have a lot of Premier Design jewelry (necklace) because I hosted a party a few years ago and I got a ton for free! 

I say I played Miss Suzie Home-Maker when I came home because I had a ton to get done!  Came home, helped my second grader with his homework, cooked and iced sugar cookies (with his help) for the Cub Scout den meeting, cleaned up the kitchen, made dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, and then started my studies.  Phew - and I started my studies at 6:30!  Sometimes you just gotta go-Go-GO!

Here are all the ways I have worn my animal print belt!

Turkey Day

Photos Taken by Matt M.

When:  Thursday, November 24, 2011 (THANKSGIVING!)

What:  Brown short sleeve cardigan; Brown Cami; Green & Brown Love Your Size, Love Your Style silky skirt; Brown SWAK Havana belt; Brown tights; Brown heels; Gold, Copper & Brown beaded necklace; Silver & Orange bracelet; Brown & Silver cuff watch.

Where:  Thanksgiving at the in-laws!

This year we went to Matt's parents for Thanksgiving.  We always do an every-other year thing with Thanksgiving and Easter, as we have found this is the easiest way to keep everyone mostly happy!  (The hardest part is remembering where we were the year before which usually means we are searching old emails to help determine!)  Diane, my mother-in-law made dinner this year and it was absolutely delicious!  Oh my gosh - I ate so much that about an hour after dinner I had fallen asleep on Matt's shoulder while sitting on the couch!  My favorite parts of dinner was corn pudding and the sweet potatoes (guess that's a little bit of the old vegetarian coming out in me?)  I MUST get her recipe for corn pudding.  Matt told me it's actually an old recipe that has been passed down his Dad's side of the family - so I'll definitely have to keep that tradition going!

This skirt I just recently purchased online from Kmart's Love Your Style, Love Your Size collection.  You can get one too here (and it's on sale for $9.99 right now!  HECK YEAH!)  It's an absolutely great skirt and I would highly recommend it!  The belt came from Sealed with a Kiss Designs (here).  That website has many things I would love to own, but at the moment my budget doesn't really allow me to buy much more.  My shoes are actually from Payless and are probably about 8 years old!  I have had them forever and because they are some of my favorite I don't wear them too often as I want them to last as long as possible!  I'm not exactly sure where the necklace came from one...  But it's another oldie but goodie of mine.

It was a wonderful day and I truly am grateful to have such awesome in-laws - all of them, from my new parents to Matt's aunts, uncles, and cousins!  I hope everyone had such a great day too!

  

Hippie Chic

Photos Taken by My Tripod

When:  Tuesday, November 22, 2011

What:  Royal Blue cardigan; Peachy-Orange embroidered top; Olive Green linen pants; Black skinny belt; Silver & Black paisley flats; various arm and neck love.

Where:  Work and then home to make dinner and work on my blog!

WOW!  Only a couple days in and I already have some comments!  How exciting!  Thanks so much for the early love!  This outfit is a go-to for me.  Easy, comfortable linen pants and a more structured top half that makes me look like I'm put together still.

 

It rained again yesterday...  So these pictures are once again (obviously) inside.  I think I like the bar pics better than the living room pictures though.  What do you think?

So I played around with Picnik to make a collage of the details.  I think this looks nicer than individual photos.  Oh the joys of having a blog and working out the details!  My watch and bracelets were my attempt at a wrist party.  (Is that what they call it?)  And the skinny belt, or any belt for that matter, is quickly becoming my favorite accessory.  I love the way it can define my waist!  The necklaces are both from a jewelry party I attended about 4 years ago.  Premier Design was the name, but I'm not sure if they are still around?

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving, I wanted to wish everyone safe travels and a wonderful day with family and friends!  It's now time for me to eat dinner and relax with my men before the holiday officially begins!

Black & Brown - OH MY!

Photos Taken by My Tripod

When:  Monday, November 21, 2011

What:  Black & Brown printed shirt dress; Brown long sleeve t-shirt; Brown tights; Black knee-high boots; Amber & Silver turtle necklace.

Where:  Work, dinner out with the boys, and Ronnie's 2nd-grade conferences at school.

For my first "official" & "true" outfit post I went with the sometimes forbidden black and brown combo.  (I know I'm such a rebel...  Or am I?)  If you talk to my fashionably challenged husband (love you hon), yes, I am making a total mistake with my color choices here.  Yet when browsing blogs and stores one will find quite the mix of one complete outfit that boasts both black and brown, at the SAME TIME!

As you can see I am no longer in my living room.  I was actually trying to muster up the courage all day to head outside to take my pics, but the rain kept me inside!

This turtle necklace was actually my very first ebay purchase many, many, many years ago.  It's one of my most cherished pieces (my son's nickname is Turtle) and I get compliments on it all the time.

When I think about it, this dress is very old.  I'm thinking it was at least 3 to 4 years when I bought this at Lane Bryant?  It's actually a dress that I didn't wear too often when I first purchased it.  But this past 6 months or so I have been wearing the heck out of it.

Finally, THESE BOOTS!  Obviously I'm a plus size girl...  Finding boots that fit up to my knees, around my big 'ole calves is pretty much impossible...  Then one day returning boots that didn't fit around my calves, I found these!  I purchased them from Kohl's earlier in the Fall.  When I got them, they were 40% off PLUS I used a 30% discount coupon (I love Kohls - I shop there a lot as you'll come to notice).  They are made by Trusol Tara.  They are really comfortable and are super easy to slip on and off.  I wish they were leather....  But I didn't really pay a leather price, so I can't complain too much.

So there we go.  My "first" official fashion post to my new blog!  How did I do?  I am thinking the more I do this, the better I'll get...  I hope so anyway! 

And if anyone was wondering, Ronnie's school conference went well yesterday!  Gotta work on a few things, but nothing too major!

T-Shirt Dress Take 2

My first few posts are going to be mini posts. I will be sharing what the Internet already knows, my pics from Chictopia. In the future, I will be giving a much more detailed look at the clothes I am wearing for the day.

Photo Taken by My Tripod

When: Thursday, November 10, 2011

What: Navy t-shirt dress with corded belt; Green cardigan with ruffled detail; Brown tights; Brown sweater boots; Silver multi-strand necklace; Silver cuff.

Where: Work and out to dinner with my men (with the usual homework in between).

This was my second attempt at this dress, this time with tights. I am (again) wearing a green cardigan but this one is much shorter. I LOVE this outfit. One of my favorites! It's just a fun look! Can't you tell how happy I am in the pic?

Grandpa's Reception

My first few posts are going to be mini posts. I will be sharing what the Internet already knows, my pics from Chictopia. In the future, I will be giving a much more detailed look at the clothes I am wearing for the day.

Picture Taken by Matt M.

When: Sunday, November 6, 2011

What: Deep Purple jersey dress; Brown Havana belt; Brown tights; Brown backed-lace boots; Green necklace; Silver cuff.

Where: I wore this cute outfit to my Grandfather's wedding reception. A while back him and his new wife were married out of town so they had a get together for everyone in town once they got back.

This is one of my favorite outfits. The colors, the belt, the boots, the necklace. I love it all! Not only is it stylish, but the dress and boots are ultra comfortable, making it oh so easy to wear!

Grey with Black All Over

My first few posts are going to be mini posts. I will be sharing what the Internet already knows, my pics from Chictopia. In the future, I will be giving a much more detailed look at the clothes I am wearing for the day.

Photo Taken By My Tripod

When: Thursday, November 3, 2011

What: Black drop-waist dress; Heather Grey sweater cardigan; Black tights; Black heeled oxfords; Silver turtle cuff; Black and Grey beaded necklace.

Where: Work and then more homework with my son and studies for my state boards.

Both this dress and sweater are SUPER OLD. I was trying to bring the two together and wear in a new way - a sort of expanding my closet with the old thing. I liked how this turned out. It was really comfy on the dreary day that was November 3 too!

It's Kind Of Funny...

My first few posts are going to be mini posts. I will be sharing what the Internet already knows, my pics from Chictopia. In the future, I will be giving a much more detailed look at the clothes I am wearing for the day.

Picture Taken by My Tripod

When: Tuesday, October 25, 2011

What: Purple cowl neck short-sleeve sweater; Blue flare denim jeans; Silver and black paisley flats; Silver chandelier earrings.

Where: Work and then home to do homework with Ronnie and then work on my studies for the state boards.

The title of this outfit came to me because I had just recently organized my closet. My favorite colors are brown and green, so you would think my closet would be filled with the two colors. To my surprise, most of my tops are a violet shade. Kind of funny how that works out sometimes!

Also, I LOVE cowl necks. I just think they a simple way to look stylish and put together. I own two different cowl neck sweaters and both get a lot of action!

Fall Is My Favorite!

My first few posts are going to be mini posts.  I will be sharing what the Internet already knows, my pics from Chictopia.  In the future, I will be giving a much more detailed look at the clothes I am wearing for the day.

Picture Taken by My Tripod

When:  Thursday, October 13, 2011

What:  Purple banded t-shirt; Brown pointelle vest; Blue flare denim jeans; Brown ankle boots with buckle: Silver multi-strand necklace.

Where:  Work and then home to do homework with my 7 year old (it's kind of crazy how much homework this second grader has compared to when I was in second grade) and then my study time for the state boards.

My first attempt at the tripod....  Awful lighting...  Bad angle...  But hey - it's my first time!  It can only get better right?!?