Sandy's a Bitch

Hello everyone.

I just can't do a real post today after watching 12 hours of coverage on the devastation happening in my home state.  I am a Jersey Girl and spent every summer going "down the shore" to visit my Grandparents who lived in Ocean City, NJ.  I used to rent houses with friends in Point Pleasant, LBI, and Cape May Point.  I had my first real "overnighter" with a boy at Sandy Hook.  To see the images of the entire beach coast, and know that everything I grew up loving is GONE is too heart-wrenching to get past.  Add to that the fact that our entire extended families are still there and ALL affected by this and it just doesn't make for happy blogging.

This is 15 in 1998 at Ocean City, NJ

I rode this carousel since I was a little girl; at Playland in Ocean City 1998

I know there are millions of people affected by this, and if you or your loved ones are--then God Bless.  I am praying for all of you.

Old Togs, New Tricks

Do you have that wardrobe item that you only ever wear one way?  I do.  I probably have a more than a few of those lurking in my closet, but this particular shirt is just the right length to wear with my standard summer bermuda shorts and so that is how I always wear it.  It is short sleeved, made of a soft poly fiber, has tons of colors and a great neckline and so I just never felt the need to do anything with it but wear it "as is".  OOOOHHHHH  As Is would make a great post title, no?  I digress.

10 had a soccer game yesterday morning and it was a little chilly out (80ish?) so I just grabbed the pants on top of the closet pile and they decided to beg to be worn with "the shirt".  I tried it on and hated it worn "as is" like I normally do, so I took Audrey's advice, and I tucked that bad boy in and threw on a cardigan.  Belt and Boots soon followed and a new outfit was born.

"the shirt"

When DH saw it, he said "you look great, but we're only going to a soccer game".   'Nuff said.

xo,
Alyssa

Baby Steps

At the beginning of October I made a mental challenge to go 3 whole months without buying any new clothes for myself.  Inspired by what I'm learning by trolling fashion blogs and playing on GCOGH I thought for SURE that it was going to be an absolute cinch. I am having so much fun in my closet.  Really, I am.  See how many things I can do with one dress? (one dress that I have only ever worn once, and wore like the first image in the set, no accessories at all)

I couldn't believe that a skirt over a dress could work, but it did!!!

Okay, so the reality is that I am finding it VERY difficult!  I am (apparently) a compulsive shopper.  I find it hard to turn away from a trend, and impossible not to buy something that is a good deal.

Case in point.  I went to Target to get a couple last minute Halloween things which should have totaled less than $20.  I left the store with over $150 of merchandise.  Among other things, my purchase included not one but TWO queen-sized, Thomas O'Brien sheet sets.  They were $15 and $13, and I was unable to leave the store without them.  They are of good quality and about 90% cheaper than they normally are.  Then I came home and hid them in my linen closet.  My husband isn't as appreciative of a good deal as I am.  He pays the bills.

Listen, I'm blessed with abundance in my life.  I want for nothing, and feel terribly lucky that this is so.  Why do I have this need for more stuff then?  Why do I think I always NEED that new shirt, or killer pair of shoes?  This challenge has really made me pause, reflect and so far, put back those clothing deals I used to believe I couldn't live without.  It is only October 26 and I haven't broken down yet.  Baby steps people, baby steps.

Of course, housewares and clothes for DH and my kids aren't included in the challenge so my lust for stuff is still being met.  Perhaps I need to redefine the parameters of the challenge?  Or I could just give myself a break and enjoy the luxury of not having to worry.  Hmmmm.  Food for thought.  Feel free to weigh in.

Love,
Alyssa

Dis-proportionate

I wore and outfit the other day to run errands.  I guess, obviously I wore an outfit as I'm not in the habit of streaking!  What I meant to say is that I wore an outfit that really didn't do much for me while running errands the other day.  Let me show you what I mean....

So, I LOVE the colors and patterns in this top...in fact it is one of the VERY few items that have come through my store that I paid "real" money for.  By that I mean I bought it before it went into final clearance because I knew it wouldn't last until then.  I was right on that front, we sold out of our stock within 2 weeks.  However....I really didn't consider how this top would look ON me.  

I am not a very tall woman...you can tell I barely top that armoire!  I'm only 5'3, wear between a 6 & 8 pant and I have a pretty big chest (D cup).  Those really aren't good proportions for this floaty top with elastic waistband as it adds a ton of bulk where I really don't need the help!  Were I proportioned differently, say a hell of a lot taller perhaps, my legs could balance out the poofy.  Pairing it with this length skirt was also not a good choice as my line is basically all straight and wide.  But, you know what?  It was 85 degrees out and I was only going to the grocery store and to pick the kids up at school.  I figured, even though it wasn't a totally rockin' outfit, at least I wasn't in yoga pants.  Small victories people, small victories.  

If I was going to attempt to visually lengthen my legs, and I worked a very short shift, I could perhaps make this top better for my frame with this bottom:

So, I still look big on top, but at least the slim bootcut narrows and lengthens overall.  Are you wondering why I would need to work a short shift?  Because these pants are really long and I have to wear 4 inch heels just to get them off the ground.  And, if you read yesterday's post, you know a little bit of what I have to do at work occasionally! ;o)

Kayley at Sidewalk Ready has a great post about proportions, go check it out.

http://sidewalkready.com/2012/10/top-heavy/

'till next time,

Alyssa

Workday Black and Blues

My post titles are really amazing, aren't they?  Insightful?  Captivating?  Makes you want to keep reading, huh?  LOL.  Sounds like I was beaten at work.

Consider this if you will.  Sometimes my work day begins with scrubbing toilets and ends on the sales floor working with my customers.  How does one choose and outfit that can withstand a good cleaning session AND translate to a relatively neat and on trend outfit?  Black and Blue of course.

 

Seriously though I work in retail and MY work outfits are different then your average office work attire.  Some might think that is a good thing, and would love the opportunity to wear jeans to work every day.  Some would be right, it is good and I love me some jeans.  But I also would love to wear pencil skirts, beautiful blouses and 4 inch pumps because those are the clothes I love the most.  Its just really hard to scrub a toilet when you're all gussied up.  

So when YOU are getting ready for work in the morning, in your lovely clothes and beautiful shoes (that you aren't standing in for 7 hours straight);  take a moment to think of me and be thankful you don't start your mornings with a toilet bowl brush.

Love,

Alyssa