Thursday Latelies #2

Hopefully I will be able to actually link up this with 

Bex: A Style Diary 

but my computer access will be limited

(if any at all)

so lets hope

but not hold our breathes.

Thursday Latelies...
 

Edits/notes:

* So sorry I didn't notice that Remington was inappropriately cleaning himself in the background.  I stopped one take because I noticed Cyrus doing the same thing.  Everyone wants to be a star. See what happens when you let your guard down. 

* I always pictured Pleasant Grove, UT as a Pleasantville type place back before it BLEW UP with development.  I'm guessing that's where I got Pleasantville from.  I've never made that slip before.  Go figure I'd do it on camera.

Links:

The blog I found the heatless curls tip(s):

Angel Face Designs

The video she found & the tutorial I (we) watched:

The Lipstick Diaries on YouYube

Rod Works

Okay, here are some photos prior to this video shoot...

What my hair looked like prior to taking it out of the heatless curl updo...

Hair flow: Pretty Little Lion Design

See I can totally rock this hairdo on the 12 hour car ride to UT. 

I won't be seeing anyone I know so

the horror that will be my hair won't matter.

I hope.

*Pray's*:

Please don't let this be the time I run into

Ryan Reynolds.

Don't have a tripod...

Make one of your own.

~I'm not ghetto...I'm inventive.~

Then hope that the cats don't decide to check it out

as it is not that stable & bad things happen.

Like toppled camera's.

And books on toes.

And flipped out kitties.

What I Wore Wednesday: Week 2



Joining at The Pleated Poppy

Maybe. 

It may only be in spirit if I cannot access the Internet Wed/Thursday to actually link up.

Dress:

Dress: Ross

Tank: Target

Earrings: Old Navy

Belt: Kohl's

Ring: Old Navy

Bracelet: Target

 

Dress: Ross

Tank: Target

Earrings: Old Navy

Belt: Kohl's

Shoes: Dollhouse via TJ Maxx

Belt & jewelry:

Dress: Ross

Tank: Target

Necklace: The Noisy Cricket

Ring: Old Navy

Bracelet: Target

Belt: Kohl's

Shoes:

 Dollhouse from TJ Maxx

They're not really my "normal" style of shoes (aside from the wedge part) but I seem to be branching out shoe-wise.

Cardi:

Cardi: Target

Luggage:

Black & White Stripes & Polk A Dot: Kohl's (last year)

Purple tote bag: Gifted

Remington:

In his WIWW debut

Wondering why I'm playing with my camera

and not him. Again.

The dress I wore today (Tuesday).

I didn't have a lot of time to take photo's this morning.

I couldn't get the lighting right

or keep a steady hand, so what you see

is what you get.

Dress:

Dress: Ross

Hair flower:  Mommi-N-Me

Bracelet: Target

The dress is a lot better in person & prettier in detail.

Shoes: Report via Ross

Remington is biting my dress

& right after this shot

tried to take off running...

with my dress still in his mouth.

He has serious issues with me spending

time with the camera.

You can sort of see the bottom detail of the dress here.

My shoes are way more cute in person as well. 

Not the best fit for this dress but after the beating my feet took

yesterday in my new super cute wedges they

needed comfort over style or compatibility.

Luggage:

Black & White Stripes & Polk A Dot: Kohl's (last year)

Purple tote bag: Gifted

Yes, those are my partial packed bags for my trip.

Also, I see I need to wash my mirror as there are spots on it.

I wore the green cardigan from my last WIWW.  Which I wore

with purple then also.  Hum... seems I need to switch things

up when wearing that cardi. 

Or color.

Hopefully next week I'll have vacation shots to use for WIWW. 

I think a detox is needed!

Last week I decided I needed to do my own version of 30 Outfits 30 Days and instead of taking 30 items from my closet & making 30 outfits I'd make sure I wore something different for 30 days.  A new item each day.  I basically wear the same things each week.  There may be a day or two I'll change it up with something I found in my closet or probably something new I just bought (that will make it into the weekly mix of things). 

I, for one, need to stop spending money shopping.  Even if I got it for a really good deal.  Even if I REALLY want it.  Even if I am at an emotional low & need the therapy that shopping brings. 

NO MORE SHOPPING! 

At least for 30 days.

The ban would include clothing, jewelry, shoes & purses.  Oh, and scarves (they may not be wearable in 115 degree weather but they sure are on discount now-a-days).

That way I can look through my closet(s) and wear something I already have.   You know, that I already bought at a really good deal, while I was at an emotional low & did a little retail therapy.  I'd be forced to wear the things I see when I'm putting my worn week after week freshly laundered clothing away.  I'd actually have to wear the 4 (a guess not an actual count) different colored purple tank tops instead of just the one deep purple colored tank I love (as seen in last weeks WIWW:W1).

I may not have 30 pairs of bottoms to wear but I'm betting it's pretty darn close when I take into account dresses, skirts, capri's & jeans. 

It'll, also, make me work a bit harder in finding the perfect outfit so I'm not so lazy, which is why I think I get into a routine of wearing the same things.  Or into the habit to just go out and buy something new because I want to wear something different.  Buying new is always easier than figuring out something interesting in your closet.  At least that's pretty much been my philosophy.

I'm going on vacation this week and won't be back until July 6th and I figured when I get back would be a great time to start.  I haven't figured out how it will work on the weekends but I'm guessing they'll be exempt from the challenge as I only have a limited amount of "weekend" clothes or clothes that I can't wear to work.  I'm still processing the whole thing so I'll figure something out before I start.  Maybe after I do a full inventory of my closet(s) I'll notice I do, in fact, have enough clothes to do 30 consecutive days of a new piece of clothing for top and bottom for 30 days.

All I know is it couldn't have come at a better time.  In response to the blasted heat of the summer and the fact that my car does not have air conditioning and that I'm going on vacation for 7 days, I may have gone on a shopping spree this weekend.  I won't go into details, in case my sister is reading...I don't want to give her a heart attack or a major worry session about my finances, but lets just say I went to Old Navy, Ross and TJ Maxx.  Oh, and Kohl's but that was only after I returned some stuff to Old Navy.  

Here, follow my troubled logic here (and my troubled writing skills)...
See, I committed myself to a belt that could be worn with a few of the dresses I bought & with a few items I already had.  So I needed a belt & the one I bought from ON was too big.  I found a better one at Kohl's since ON didn't have the belt I wanted in my size (it was on clearance, as was the Kohl's belt).  I had a belt, sort of like the one I was looking for, but I apparently gave it away in one of my closet down sizes.  Reason #1 I have a hard time getting rid of stuff... I will need/want it later.  Anyway, the belt I got is a far better choice for me anyway.  How could I not go out and get a belt after that logic??

I now have 4 actual pairs of shorts in my closet.  Shorts.  Not capri's.  Not bermudas.  Not skinny jeans rolled up to show my ankles.  ACTUAL shorts.  That show leg.  And knee.  And my thighs.  I have avoided shorts that show thighs for a few years now (and all though high school.  Why I don't know because I had great legs back then.) but I just cannot take the heat anymore.  Don't worry, they are in no way shorty-shorts.  They are appropriate for both my age and leg fat.  I think.  I, at least, have talked myself into believing they look good and my thighs aren't horrendous eye sores to look at in them.  You'll have to let me know if I'm way off base or not.  Before you get scared... no, I did not buy 4 pairs of shorts this weekend.  I had 2 and now have 4.  Don't do the math.  Seriously, don't.  It'll half scare you if you do. 

As you can tell I'm not actually actively participating in The Shine Projects month of June's body image series.  Why?  I've been a major slacker lately and have not participated in the last 2 months SP's themes.  Lame, I know.  I get stumped and overwhelmed sometimes trying to figure out my way to participate and then just don't do anything.  Missing one week snowballs into the rest of the month as it all sort of goes together...as themes do.   

I sort of forgot the original point of this post.  It didn't really start out as what it ended up being.  Oh, well.  It is what it is. 

Here are 3 of my new purchases that I am LOVING!  (Seriously, don't judge me.  Some people are emotional eaters.  Or emotional cutters.  I'm an emotional shopper.  I know it.  I admit it.  And knowing is half the battle, right? 

Yes, I was a kid in the 80's... I can and WILL quote G.I. Joe. 

Man, this post is massive word vomit.  So sorry, I can't help myself today.  I'm blaming it on the fact that I worked in the office alone, by myself, all day and had a very small amount of human interaction.  Not that typing this is human interaction.  It is, however, interaction...of some sort...and I apparently NEED that right at this moment. 

If you stuck with this you are a true friend.  You also probably have too much time on your hands.  Having said that...LOVE YOU! 

Oh, and here are the photo's I promised a couple paragraphs ago...

My new coral purse.  Wanted from Ross

I Heart the rosette on it.  I think it's a key fob but don't really know.

A clue into how down with trends & the on key fashion knowledge I have.

New coral wallet to match my new purse.  Nine West from Ross.

My new wedges.  Dollhouse from TJ Maxx

5 inches, baby!

These are the puppies that are giving me new perspective today.  They made me channel my inner Amazon. 

 It's nice to stand with the tall people. 

Even if I had no one tall to stand with today.

This photo shoot was brought to you today by my boredom at lunch. 

When I was alone. 

All by myself. 

Bored.

Did I mention I was all alone?. 

Not Over You

If I wasn't already impatiently waiting for August 9th to arrive & bring us the release date of Gavin Degraw's new album "Sweeter", the release of the official "Not Over You" video would have sent me over the edge.

Does that mean I'm already over the edge?  Hum, probably.  Meh, oh well.  I am a professed rabid fan of Gavin, and although my subscription of his fan club has expired, I was a card carrying member of the before mentioned Gavin Degraw Fan Club & the Gavin Degraw web team, G-Force (before it disbanded). 

My point was not to point out my geekiness but to point out that Gavin has OFFICIALLY released the first video off "Sweeter"... "Not Over You".

ENJOY!

Tags: Big Morning Buzz Live, Carrie Keagan, Full Episodes, Reality TV Shows

Fill in the Blank #7

Joining at The Little Things We Do

1. The last thing I ate was  apple slices for breakfast.

2. The next thing I'd like to eat is  I’d love to eat a big fat juicy steak from Texas Roadhouse with sweet potatoes but that isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

3. The best things are usually not things but are people like family & friends.

4. Something that makes me supremely and utterly happy is  getting lovings from the cats.  I love it when they are being sweet & wanna snuggle & let me Elmira them while they purr & enjoy it.

5. Sports are  not my thing.

6. I miss  a LOT of things.  Mostly right now I miss having someone else to help shoulder everything.

7. Right now I am   in a bit of a funky mood, sleep deprived & very hungry.   A pretty bad combo for this girly.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! #12

So this week because of one beautiful & very talanted "Gussy" (or Maggie to those who know her) at Gussy Sews I am the winner of her Giveaway Days: Evy's Tree giveaway.  As the winner I got to pick ANY item from Evy’s Tree shop.

I chose...

The Navy Blue Simple

Pretty cute, right?!  A nice change from the normal run of the mill hoodies out there. 

Evy’s Tree shop takes 'regular' hoodies (or t-shirts) and spruces them up.  I chose one of her more "simple" designs but she has some more elaborate & colorful designs in her shop.  She even makes matching hoodies for mom's & daughters.  Such a sweet idea! 

What I really wanted was this....

The Black Night Brilla

but she didn't have my size in stock & ready to ship.  Super adorable, right?!

Both women were easy to deal with and I was contacted & had my "order" in within a couple hours.  My order is said to be wrapped & ready to ship.  Can't wait!! 

It's a major bummer that it's SUMMER in ARIZONA.  My pretty new hoodie won't see the light of day for a while.  Luckily, I will be able to wear it inside when it's cold though.  Work's A/C unit is a bit bipolar and is either uncomfortably hot & stuffy or articly freezing cold so a sweater, jacket or NEW HOODIE is always a welcome wardrobe addition.

P.S. Check out Gussy Sews shop: Gussy Sews!

Thursday Latelies #1

Introducing Thursday Latelies...

Joining at Bex...A Style Diary

Edits:

*By "Bix" I totally mean Bex.  I am so sorry for botching that.  I don't know what my glitch was but I DO actually know the name of the blog that I follow & love. See...Bex...A Style Diary
*The necklace isn't named Itty Bitty...that is another necklace I am loving elsewhere (I'm guessing).  It's called "Tiny Riveted Initials" by the Noisy Cricket. 

Proof possitive I should not be "vloging" (or blogging for that matter) when sleep deprived!

Also, this is what I look like in the video...

For some reason the video shows well on my camera but not when posted.  Heh, will work on that next time.

Next time I hope no not ramble as much and to keep it under 10 minutes.  So sorry for the over adundance of the use of "ummm" and "uhh..." & the spastic fidgeting.  While its totally normal I know it can be annoying & a bit difficult to sit through.

Links:
the Noisy Cricket

"Tiny Riveted Initials"

The Vintage Pearl
Lisa Leonard Designs
Amy Cornwell Designs

Orly: Bubbly Bombshell nail polish
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Death Cab for Cutie: Codes and Keys

"Under the Sycamore"

"You Are a Tourist"

Supernatural: Season 1

Via
Jensen Ackles & Jared Padalecki

What I Wore Wednesday: Week 1

Okay, so I'm joining my first link up for What I Wore Wednesday's at The Pleated Poppy. 

I'm not going to lie...I'm a little bit scared, but really when has that stopped me from posting before. 

I wore this outfit last Thursday.  I was pretty proud of myself for pairing peach with olive green.  It started out that I wanted to wear my new Old Navy shirt, then I found a necklace I got for Christmas that I wanted to wear but it has a green bead on it.  The green sort of popped against the peach so I decided to go with it and pair it with my green flips & sweater.

What I started with...

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle (thrifted)

Key necklace (Courage): The Giving Key

Brass necklace: gifted

A close up of my jewelry...

Key necklace (Courage): The Giving Key

Brass bird necklace: Gifted

Green & peach rings: Craft supplies from Michael's (clearance)

Sweater: Target

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle (Thrifted)

Flips: Charlotte Russe (similar)

I think this photo shows the colors better...

Today I wore this...

I really wanted to wear a purple dress (which is one dress I don't have to wear a tank with so its only one layering of clothing) but all I could think of was the stupid remarks that were made earlier this week.  Looking at myself in the dress all I could think was CHEST! so I changed into something that was less...boobalicious.  *SIGH*  At least I still got to wear purple.

Tanks: Target (purple tank similar, black cami)

Capri's: Old Navy (black)

sandals: Payless (purple)

 Jewelry pic...

Tiny riveted initials necklace: The Noisy Cricket

Albacore necklace: CookieLee

Pearl bracelet: Target

With cardigan...

Cardigan: Target

Working the camera, Tyra would be proud... 

Okay, not really.  Just trying to get some good shots with the cardi but it didn't really work but you get the gist.

Happy Wednesday!!

Getting to the breast of an issue

I penned this somewhere around the beginning of the year (March at the latest).  I've been too scared to share it or embarrassed would probably be more appropriate.  I've been working up the courage to hit publish.  Anything in red has been added right before publishing...

So I feel I need to get a little too personal; a little too TMI.  While it's well known to those close to me it is not something I just throw out into cyberspace willy-nilly. 

I am a bustier girl; voluptuous, I guess.  I can't believe I'm about to say this but...

I'm 5'4"; 150 LBS140 LBS(give or take 5 LBS any given day); currently a size 13 jeans in Junior sizes (I can't seem to make myself like "woman's" jeans) or a 10 in Old Navy sizing (Yay! It makes me feel better); I wear anywhere from a size small to ex-large in shirts and sometimes an ex-large doesn't even fit. 

Why you ask?  Because I'm a 32GG bra.  I know, I didn't know that size existed either until I had to buy it.  Most stores, bra/lingerie brands don't know (or maybe care) either.  It's impossible to find a  bra at this point.  Not even at Victoria Secret, Fredrick's, and any other cutesy lingerie store I can't think of at the moment because I can't shop there and never really have been able to.  


Up until last year the only place I could find a store that carried bras big enough to fit me was at Nordstrom's.  Then Dillard's joined in with selling the "bigger girl" bra brands & sizes.  It seems like every time a store has a bra in "my" size I gain weight and go up a cup size.  Which puts me right back to square one. 


I've been a 32 band size since at least high school.  Apparently, I don't really gain weight around my rib cage area.  The only thing that has changed is I started out on the tightest hooks and now I'm at the last hooks.  The larger the cup size the harder it is to find a bra that has a 32 inch band.  If I were able to wear a 36 - 40 inch or larger band I'd have a lot more options.  I know to most I sound like I'm complaining about something most woman would kill for but a) I am not most woman and b) if those women were in my position they'd have a different prospective as well, I think.


Not only can I not find lingerie and bras are near impossible to find, you can forget about finding a bathing suit.  I can't remember the last time I actually had a bathing suit that fit.  I've had a few that almost fit for about a half season but it's so not worth the amount of money to be able to wear a bathing suit a few times.  This month I bought a one piece bathing suit from Target but to make it "work" I wear an old bra underneath it to insure nobody gets hurt.  I haven't had a one piece that fit since Jr. High.  It's not the best but it's at least a bathing suit and it looks rather okay.

I've always been terrified about what would happen should I get pregnant.  I think I'd have to live in a moo-moo and use a wheel barrel as a bra...at least, until my belly got too big.  Then I think I'd be SOL! 


I've been told by people since I was about a 32DD that I should get a breast reduction. At the time I was about 110-120 LBS so my proportions were probably about the same difference as now.  I have never had surgery, and aside from living the first month of my life in the hospital, I've never had any major problems.  I am NO fan of needles and can get lightheaded even thinking too intently about them.  I've almost passed out during a conversation about needles...no joke, it's the absolute truth!  So needless to say, the thought of breast reduction surgery is not an easy one, not at all!


It's especially not an easy one after seeing one being done on some medical program.  It was so traumatizing!  It was about 13 years ago while I was engaged to my ex-husband; who loved medical stuff.  I went to sleep after watching a show on the Animal Planet about a family of wild dogs.  I hated those shows because they always named the damn animals and got you all personally invested in their lives & story and then they'd be killed.  I'd cry, of course.  The story of the wild dogs looked to have a happy ending, at least until right before the end credits rolled.  Seems the whole ENTIRE pack of wild dogs were wiped out by drought & famine that next summer.  So traumatized!!  But that is a whole other rant and issue of mine. 

Anyway, I woke up to the ex watching some medical show and he was all excited because I "needed to watch" this show.  I was horrified at what I was seeing.  Some plastic surgeon was in the middle of doing a breast reduction and was going all Muppet's Swedish Chef on some poor woman's breasts.  He was totally slicing & dicing all willy-nilly because "It didn't matter" that part was no longer needed.  Um...maybe not but it still deserved some respect.  Something that was a little less horrific to see.

I'm almost positive I'd qualify for the surgery.  I constantly have back/shoulder problems/pain.  I have groove marks on the tops of my shoulders where my bra straps have left permanent marks.  I swear for any weight I gain 90-95% of it goes to my chest.  I'm afraid should I ever get pregnant and I have a breast reduction I wouldn't be able to breast feed.  It was something else mentioned in the medical program from HELL. 

A lot of my insecurities and self esteem 'problems' come from the attention my chest gets me.  Most of which is totally unwanted and seemingly unavoidable.  Its always been a joke that men talk to women's breasts but it is absolutely true.  I learned a long time ago to speak up for myself and remind whoever where my face is.  Although, to be fair not all men are guilty of this, other women have done it as well.  People, strangers mostly, seem to think that since I'm so well endowed it's okay to ask me how big I am.  I'm fully open to people I know but having just met someone does not entitle them to my bra size.  Although, having told you all my size I sort of just blew that out of the water.  Whatev.

So that's my story.  My most biggest insecurity about myself.  Why I originally felt the need to share this I no longer remember.  Now I really don't know either except to get it off my chest (haha) so to speak. 

If any of you reading this have had a breast reduction or know someone who has I'd appreciate an email letting me know of your experience, thoughts & feelings on the procedure.  The more clothes I can't fit into the more I think about getting it done.  Having to dive back into the dating world sure makes the want for smaller breasts a nicer option as well.

You know, I take that back...I do know why I'm posting this now.  A couple back-handed compliments I received this week helped.  As well, as a comment about a dress I was wearing making my chest look BIGGER.  Um, I don't think it make my check look bigger...it just didn't camouflage it as well since it actually fit.  Comments like that aren't appreciated.  I know how big my chest is (actually better than most).  I know how big it looks in what I wear.  If I was worried about any of that I'd never leave the house because they will never look small or normal sized (whatever that is).  They will look BIG in whatever I wear, no matter what I wear. (rant over, sorry)

Spotlight: Hive & Honey Shoppe

Okay, I have another confession to make... I have a new girl crush.  I dare any of you to read her blog and NOT find yourself crushing just a little bit. 

Her name is Kaelah and she's The Queen Bee over at Little Chief Honeybee.  She's entertaining, fashionable and extremely crafty & artistic.  I've been reading her for a while, drooling over her fabulous outfits, hair (pink wig included), and hair accessories.  Her Etsy shop finally opened and I love it!

Little Cheif Honeybee/About

It's called Hive & Honey Shoppe and you can buy fabric fascinators. 

Hive & Honey Shoppe Packaging

includes: 10% discount card/code

Note from the Queen Bee herself Kaelah



My Hive & Honey Beauties...

(red) Sweet Heat Handmade Fabric Fascinator

(white) Satin Snowflake Handmade Fabric Fascinator

My idea of showing their true size.

Not really, it just sort of turned out that way. 

It really started out as the only way to keep them safe from Remington while checking them out

 & playing around with them.

He loves to steal hair pretties and takes off with them

to see how quickly he can eat them.

 

My big Satin Snowflake Handmade Fabric Fascinator

and my little pony tail.

Not the best combo but I will figure out

the perfect hairdo for this beauty.

I tried it with a fabric headband (which my head hates). 

I feel like I'm channeling Princess Leia here.

My Sweet Heat Handmade Fabric Fascinator

& my little pony tail. 

The combo works a bit better here.

Most items from Hive & Honey Shoppe will run you $14 or $15.  They are handmade and well crafted.  You can choose from a variety of backings and they seem pretty sturdy (and trust me I am not easy on hair things, I try but it isn't always easy).   

This is the second time I've worn my red fascinator.  Both times I've worn it with navy.  This weekend was more low key with a white tank over a navy spaghetti tank & jean shorts with navy flips. 

Today for work I wore a navy Old Navy shirt (shown here), capri jeans & navy flips.  Since I'm photoing myself there are no full outfit pics of how cute my outfit is.  I know, you are so disappointed.  Me, not so much... it means there's no self deprecating & hating each photo that is "usable". 

I tried to do my hair in a high bun but it didn't quite make it as high as I had planned.  No matter how I try to force it my hair is a bit afraid of heights.  At least, that's the only thing I can come up with as to why it's always so flat & such.

Oh yeah, I wore a white cardigan (Target) too.

 

This one is a bit blurry but you can see the detail of the fabricator a bit better.

Now GO GO GO check her out for yourself... Please.  Thank you!

Kaelah's Closet (shop: pre-loved clothing items)
KaelahBee (Twitter)
Little Cheif Honeybee (blog)
Hive & Honey Shoppe (etsy shop)

Kaelah/Berries & Wheat