Saturday, September 28, 2013

Skinny is Just a Six Letter Word

Is there a word out there that defines you?  Is there a word out there that you strive to become?  Is there a word out there that exemplifies your most heartfelt desires?

There are a whole host of words out there; 470,000 entries in the unabridged (English) edition of Merriam-Webster's dictionary.  Because language is fluid and ever adapting, that number is by no means finite.

Some of these words could be considered lofty: generous, unselfish, benevolent, magnanimous, altruistic, munificent, charitable.  Some of them are not so: greedy, gluttonous, avaricious, grasping, covetous, voracious, piggish, indulgent, intemperate, materialistic, insatiable.

I would like to say that the word that resonates with me is one from the lofty list, and I am happy to add that it isn't from the lesser list either.  For me, the word that tops my thoughts is SKINNY.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you will remember a few posts from the past year which refer to parts of my issue.  For those who may be new(ish); This one is a bit tongue-in-cheek; this next one is the whole truth.

I thought I would bring up my word association for two reasons.  The first being that some very kind readers commented on my last post that I looked skinny (or skinnier).  I'd like to say thank you sincerely for that!  However, you could have commented "you look like a skinny crack whore" and I still would have taken it as a compliment, because my mind would have shut off after I read the word skinny.

Today's truth is that I AM a little skinnier, and for now I have jumped off the metaphorical mental Merry-Go-Round.  I did a significant amount of research on macro and micronutrients and the benefits of juicing/blending as well as making some small changes in my daily life.  Just like all those years ago when just giving up regular soda and stepping over baby gates made a difference, so too are the small changes I made this past couple of months.

Pineapple, peach, red kale, collard greens and Anutragrain

I bought myself a Blendtec blender (sort of like a Vitamix) and have been making a whole fruit/greens smoothie for breakfast every morning.  I change up the fruits and greens during the week so that I can get the most out of every drink.  I even make power "red" smoothies that include beets and ginger for powerful kidney and liver detoxification (which is helpful since I certainly haven't given up my wine!).  This one small change has added about 20 times the amount of vegetables (and thus micronutrients) I had previously been consuming and removed one of my major stumbling blocks.

I also began exercising regularly again.  I am 100% certain that this is the key that unlocks the door to change.  It regulates those damn hormones like nothing else does and changes the body composition better than just losing "weight".  I have no weight loss goal this time, either long term or short term.  I am just changing the way I live to be healthier than I was before.  Nothing ever changes if nothing ever changes so I made the choice to change. (Again)

Skinny is just a six letter word after all...it isn't a goal, or an ideal, or a better than me place to be.  It. Is. Just. A. Word.

XO,
Alyssa


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

It's Still Hot Here



As a side note...this maxi is hiked up to under my boobs and is still this long!!

This is one of the worst times to be an Arizonian (or whatever the heck they call us). Probably sucks in Texas too...and Florida.   The calendar tells me its Fall, but the weather is still screaming Summer.  What to do, what to do.

Sorry sweaters and boots, you are just going to have to wait patiently in my closet for your turn...because I refuse to roast.  Weather wins in AZ sadly, weather always wins.

I am loving seeing all the cool weather wear on other blogs though and dreaming of how I will style my new things once it drops some degrees in my neck of the woods!  

XO,
Alyssa

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Remembering the Rules

You know how you get "on a roll" with clothes sometimes and every outfit you create looks great?  I THOUGHT I was on one of those until I went through my photos this morning.  What I found instead was that I have forgotten a key rule for dressing my frame.  Observe....



Here we have a color combination that I love...pale aqua skinny jeans with black and silver.  Note the loose, blousy top, and tight bottom.  Comfy to be sure and it feels safe to wear because it easily hides all my less than stellar bits.  Example Two...



Hmm...it's a purple, blousy top and some skinny jeans.  I see so much of this look out there in the blogosphere but I have to tell you that as comfortable as it is for me to wear, when I look at these images I notice that this type of shirt does not really do my figure any justice.  I am big busted (I wear a 36DD) so the loose fabric hangs off of those bad boys and makes my whole top half look larger than it might actually be.

This is not to say I feel I should be wearing bandage dresses all the time to emphasize my Kardashianesque frame, but that I need to be vigilant about keeping my proportions in mind when I shop.  I have to stop letting what is prevalent in the stores, and beautiful on other people sway my purchasing decisions.

[And if I'm going to go for this look for the comfort factor perhaps limit it to once a week and not every dang day!  LOL.]

XO,
Alyssa

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

In the Pale



I love this color combination.  Pale, pastel pink with white and grey always look great together, but what (I think) gives this outfit its punch is the addition of tobacco and gold colored accessories.  In the old days, I would have always worn silver with grey...keeping the cool colors together.  Thank goodness I have grown a bit since then because I think the warmth of the gold goes a long way to offset the pale hues in the rest of the outfit.



Are you a stickler when it comes to the colors of your accessories?  Do you always wear silver with your grey and black and never switch it up?  I challenge you to make a change this week and see what it does for your outfits!

XO,
Alyssa