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DJ/Radio Producer-turned-Lawyer attempts to dress like a grown-up. Sometimes I comically fail. And I occasionally post fun stuff, like music videos, book-club reviews, or photos of beauty or oddity.
FYI: I was doing this entire blog from my Android phone, snatching moments out of my busy life for quick photos. But I hate auto-correct with a purple passion, so now I'm using the computer for most of the work. I am still using my phone for the photos, though. My photo sizes may be erratic, and the quality isn't stellar. I am not a professional blogger, and do not have time for lots of scenic poses with a great camera. I don't even own a great camera! However, I DO appreciate your continued feedback, even in the absence of photographic artistry.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Date night

The traditional "dinner and a movie" kind. One thing I dislike about summer is the overuse of A/C ... I was a bit chilly in the restaurant for dinner in my summer top, which was perfectly comfortable outdoors:



But at least the top covered my bloated belly from a big meal! As I was waddling into the movie theater for "Captain America", I decided I didn't want to freeze throught the show.



Didn't help a whole lot. But the movie was great! Of course, the only reason I had the jacket with me was because I was too lazy to take it out of the car... goooo lazy!

I feel naked without earrings now, so I grabbed my big danglys. I didn't like the matching necklace with the top, but I felt the need for a little something added... so used it as a bracelet again:



Top: Lane Bryant
Jacket: Kasper via consignment shop
Horrible jeans: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: farmer's market

Friday, July 29, 2011

Is this month over yet? Because I'm over it!

Pretty much everyone I've talked/posted with agrees... July '11 pretty much sucked all around. Come on... AUGUST! *pleeeeze be better*

Today's outfit wasn't stellar... but to be fair I thought I was going to work in a Red Cross shelter after a full day of semi-effective "lawyering" (or whatever those crazy kids call it these days).



Things I noticed about this top AFTER I got to the office:

1. The fabric is more sheer than I care for. I saw the black pants through the white fabric in the mirror at work. I could also kinda see my bra through it.

2. My brastraps kept popping out from under the tank straps. Not a good look.

3. It was pulling a bit across the bust. *sigh*



What most of these issues come down to is that I tried it on in the store wearing a different bra. A lighter-colored "nude" than the one today, with differently-shaped cups. Makes all the difference between trash and treasure... the correct undergarments.

For some reason, Hubby made me turn around for a back shot. The good thing about this bra is that it's one of the "back smoothing" models:



Too bad there isn't a "bingo-wing smoother"!

So what induced me to purchase this underwhelming piece? I fell for the pretties:



And I thought they would look particularly nice with my Christmas pretties from Hubby:



Maybe it will look better in August....

Top: VanHusen outlet
Jacket: via Tallman's in Painted Post, NY
Pants: Lane Bryant
Hair flower: Maurice's
Earrings: Premier Designs gift from Hubby

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Inspiring love

Today was the memorial service for my lovely friend who passed away on Saturday.

You know those couples that are so cutesy and affectionate they make you throw up in your mouth a little? Imagine that... but without the nausea... and you have my late friend and her husband. I am privileged to have seen such a couple in love in my life.

I planned my outfit around this, in tribute to their enviable union:



The service was held at our hangout pub in the afternoon. I was able to scoot out from the office early, but Hubby couldn't. The minister was dressed in all black, with an eagle bolo tie and sliver-studded belt, and the attendees were a diverse crowd... from their twenties into their sixties. She was walking love.

Since I had court this morning, then had to go into the office before ducking out... I planned a multi-purpose outfit:



Yep... still in Crocs because my feet are still killing me. At least they match the outfit.



Her favorite song was "Amazing Grace", and a live bagpiper played it as a tribute to her.

My eyes are puffy and sore, so I'm going to wrap this up:

Top: Ann Taylor outlet
Jacket: Talbot's (heavily altered)
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Premier Designs
Necklace: made by me

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Hump day

Stress... stress... stress....

Nothing gripping about my outfit today... but I don't think I've paired these accessories with this top, so I guess that's blog-worthy:



Yes, I'm taking a photo of myself the the cloudy mirror in a tall kitchen cabinet. That mirror and a folding chair have become my makeshift vanity. Hubby hogs the microscopic vanity in the bathroom most mornings... and it's easier on the feet to sit.



A closeup of the necklace:



And earrings:



Top: Liz and Co.
Jacket: Talbot's Petite
Pants: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: made by me

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Guess the diet is starting to work...

... I haven't been able to wear this top without keeping a sweater or jacket over it all day in months:



Oh me oh my! No clinging to my chub! this is actually yesterday's outfit, today's was a repeat of a recent one, so you're not missing anything. But at least my classy farmer-burn is visible:



Still not clinging to chub! This starvation is definitely having results, but I'm probably about to eat a million calories in Indian take-out tonight... I can only take so much. The last couple days have been pretty suck-tacular.

I did have to cover my fabulous lobster-arms for court:



I figured my anniversary necklace would be nice and light for the summer day:



I suppose it's a good reminder to wear when I'm irritated by my husband. I do adore him, even when he's being a bit of a PITA (pain-in-a$$).

Gold hoops that aren't a reminder of anything special complete the outfit.

Top: Ann Taylor outlet
Jacket: Kasper via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Lia Sophia
Necklace: random store in Ithaca, NY

Monday, July 25, 2011

Weekend mourning

As I think I've said before, I'm on the Red Cross Disaster Services team. Friday I got a call, could I help staff a cooling station Saturday? Of course.

It was for an Amish funeral. To backtrack, last week a drunk driver rammed into a vanfull of Amish on a farm tour, reviewing different farming techniques. Some of the passengers were killed, others badly injured. The funeral was Saturday.

The "English" members of the community really pitched in. For those who don't know, "English" means non-Amish. I started out at the fire hall, where people were bringing in donations of food and paper plates, cups, napkins, etc., and others were preparing food. It was really touching how much individuals kicked in with donations- not just businesses. I couldn't physically do much there, so I moved on to the cooling station.

As I drove to the location, I noticed sheriff, state police, fire, and ambulances all parked along the route. People were sitting outside to watch. There were charter buses, vans, and dozens of black buggies all parked near the site. When I got to the service site, I saw so many people sitting in the large covered barn that some were outside in the blazing sun. Everyone was in very heavy-looking black "plain" clothes. Some of the women were outside with babies, I assume they were fussing so needed to be moved from the service.

It was blazing hot, but at least not over 100F like the previous few days. We had one table set up for sandwiches and snacks, and coolers with water and Gatorade bottles. I set up my foldding chair, and got to work stocking and passing out cool drinks to the crowd.

I've never seen so many people dressed exactly alike at once. It's a bit disconcerting at first, but after a few minutes, the clothes were easy to ignore in favor of concentrating on individual faces. As a so-called "fashion blogger", it's intriguing to observe naked human faces (with nothing else even remotely naked) and, to a much lesser extent, figures without the disguise of individually flattering (or not) hairstyles, clothing, makeup, accessories that the rest of us use to highlight and conceal, to mark personal style and socioeconomic status.

It's difficult to imagine living without these markers... without the whole morning "what should I wear" rigamarole. Would it be dull? Or a relief from the pressure?

Anyway, here's my unspectacular outfit for the occasion:



I just bought the tee b/c I didn't have anything plain, light, and shoulder-covering for the task. Hubby hates these capris, so I think I will donate them. I washed the necklace I stupidly wore in a little dishsoap because it was coated with salty sweat and dust by the end of this exercise.



Yep, I forgot the important accessory: SUNSCREEN!

Later on Saturday, I learned that one of my local friends suddenly passed away. She's been living with a debilitating back injury for years, and I never got to spend as much time with her as I would have liked. She was an absolute love, she had such a beautiful spirit and attitude, and a kind word for everyone.

I hadn't seen her in two months, because I was down for my surgery, then slammed at work. I was supposed to go to her husband's birthday party two days before, but I left work early that day because my back went out. So I stayed home. I figured I could see her again soon.

I can't. Ever again.

Sunday was puffy-eyelid day.

Friday, July 22, 2011

I'm meltiiinnnnggggg...

It's been over 100F for the last couple days... and the county has been "saving energy" so we've all been roaassting. Hard to look professional OR get a whole lot accomplished.



But I try... I think a little too hard today. I went through a couple pair of earrings before settling on these:



I couldn't stand the idea of a necklace on my sticky neck. So I rigged one up as a bracelet instead:



Last time I wore this necklace, it was wrapped around another one. For the longest time, bracelets bugged me. But I seem to be getting more interested in them again... maybe it's time to boost my meager collection?

Top: Worthington from JC Penney
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Premier Designs
Bracelet: gift
Belt: from a pair of Lane Bryant pants that don't fit

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

My new "'do"!

Hmmm... maybe it isn't enough of a change:



Just kidding! Turns out: my stylist went into early labor. So I had to reschedule with someone else. OVER A MONTH from now. *sigh* it's not right to complain though, babies do what they will....

So I'm stuck with the ponytails and buns for awhile longer. Hot and hectic were the keywords for today. I'm messy and sweaty, but here's my outfit:



I'm still using crutches and cross-body bags, but I wanted something on the neckline:



And I went "matchy" with earrings... but they're sooo pretty:



I hate wearing a jacket while broiling, but at least the courtrooms usually have A/C. I can't wait until I get my arms back in shape (ok... I know they're *A* shape. Just not the one I want) so this actually looks good:



But at least I have my pretty barette to keep this frizzy rat's nest up:



Top: via Goodwill
Jacket: via Dunkleberger's in Stroudsburg, PA
Pants: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: Lia Sophia
Barette: gift

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Kissing it "Goodbye"

I've had my hair appointment set for weeks. Freeda has been nagging me to get a haircut for months. Today is the day set for my mane to meet it's fate:



My hair, for once, has no styling product in it, and was air-dried loose. In case donation becomes an option.

In the meantime... here's my outfit:



I'm trying to tell if my brastraps were uneven all day, or if the chestular mutation in this photo is an optical illusion. I hope so!

I didn't like the way my short necklaces looked with this top, and I didn't feel like dealing with cross-body bags and a long necklace as I gimp along on crutches. So I decided to use one as a bracelet instead:



I also wore the matching earrings.

Top and Pants: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: farmer's market

Friday, July 15, 2011

My other birthday prezzie...

...is this gorgeous slide my sister got for me:



The photo does not do this luminous bubble-glass justice. It is truly lovely.

I've been having a hard time finding just the thing in my wardrobe I could pair it with in the stinking-hot, pooled-sweat as my makeup races from my face to my neck heat. So I couldn't pull it out until today, when it was tolerable enough for this:



And it only fits onto my V-shaped collar, so that factor limits the necklines I can pair with this beauty. I really want to find some kind of neutral silver-colored dangle earrings... I've been wearing my white gold clamps almost all week because I'm missing this component. There's a vacancy in my jewelry box!

Top: VanHuesen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Marshall Field's
Necklace: gift

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Jungle Love... oh-wee-oh-wee-oh!

Technically, this isn't a zebra print. But it's "zebraesque" which is close enough for me:



But aren't zebras savannah animals? I'm pretty weak on African zoology... but I finally have a way to wear my red faux-snakeskin belt which hasn't fit around my expanded waist in years:



I wanted to wear this pretty red-and-silver necklace I got for Giftmas, but it's a bit long. It wasn't visible! So I wrappped it around my '80's-style bead-rope necklace:



I haven't decided if it works on me... maybe I'll shorten the necklace and make earrings out of the extra beads.

Top: Fred David Woman via Stein Mart
Pants: Lane Bryant

Weird! I had a sneezing fit, dropped the phone... and it posted before I was done with the source list!

Earrings: Marshall Field's
Rope Necklace: JC Penney
Thin necklace: gift from Baby Sis, I think
Belt: Banana Republic

Morris Day and the Time!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

I dont think I've done this before...

Put this necklace with this "frequent flyer" outfit, I meant:



I forgot to take a photo of the outfit without the jacket before I did the dishes in it, sitting down, as water kept running down my arms and soaking me. I wanted to do that because I'm not sure if I like the lay of the necklace with the top sans jacket. Oh well... fun with temporary disability!

I have a surprising amount of accessories that go with this cheapo polyester Goodwill top in these weird colors, it's pretty funny! Today's selection:



I was tempted to post some of the other coordinating accessories, but that would take the fun out of past and future posts. Who am I kidding? I'm really fed up with this day, and am too burned-out to go rooting through my Photobucket album for more photos.

On the upside: given my foot issues, I have a valid excuse to wear Crocs to the office and court ALL SUMMER LONG! Silver linings, people....

Top: Croft and Barrow via Goodwill
Jacket: Talbot's Petite
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Marshall Field's
Necklace: Fashion Bug

I'm black and blue...

From the beating I'm taking at work lately and the fit has really hitting the shan... so I figured I should dress as I felt- like a bruise:



I was going to take this jacket back to the tailor for adjustments because it's still a bit big... but got to go to night court instead.

Since I had night court again last night, this post is yesterday's outfit. Which Hubby gave me crap for because he thought the top was too tight. The part he didn't realize was that this knit stretches out quickly, so it only clings when it's first on. *sigh*:



I thought the angles in the hexagonal jewelry worked well with the pleated peplum of the jacket and the pleated trim on the top:



The pants are navy, the top black- in case the color distinction isn't showing clearly. I forgot to take a pic of the trim yesterday, so I used an old pic.





Top: Ann Taylor outlet
Jacket: Worthington from JC Penney
Pants: Lane Bryant
Necklace: gift
Earrings: Gold Mine in Bath, NY
Hair flower: Maurice's

Friday, July 8, 2011

Hubby picked this one...

... because my lower back won't be accidently exposed when I sit, which Hubby absolutely hates:



I picked it for this:



I'm not crazy about how the weight of the beads drags the neckline down. I need to figure out a fix for that issue. There's an odd hemline on the sides:



I went with brown pants to keep from looking too grim on this balmy summer Thursday. Is the look too "choppy"?

Top: via Stein Mart
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: gift from a friend

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Another new purchase (Wednesday's outfit)

Having new clothes to try out makes it easier to go back to work... like showing off the new clothes made back-to-school a bit less painful. I'm such a child sometimes!



My brand-new top already fits looser than when I bought it, and the same for the newish pants... yay! The highlight of my day yesterday was when my doctor said I looked like I've lost weight!



This top is a real departure for me, I have to put it down to the influence of Lovely, who went shopping with me when I went to MI to visit. The belt under the bust is so cute! I really miss having people to shop with... I've mostly been doing it alone since I moved here.

Since I'm hoping to shrink soonish *knocking on wood, crossing fingers, casting spells... whatever it takes*... I'm probably going to be wearing my newer "fat clothes" a lot so I get some use out of them!

I figured my white hair flower would be more fun than the black one:



Especially since I decided on my trusty black glass earrings.

Yesterday was an office day, so no jacket. I went to see Squeaky yesterday evening... poor girl is still recovering from her auto/pedestrian accident in the winter. Her parents are visiting her from India, so her mom made up a batch of this spicy tamarind rice with peanuts and cashews-- I could eat this every day. I was told someone always brings this to picnics... I'm supposing its the equivilent of devilled eggs. Someone always brings it... and they need to bring more for me!!!

Top: via Stein Mart
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Crocs. I still hurt.
Earrings: Corning Museum of Glass
Hair Flower: Maurice's
Necklace: JC Penney. It's my bead collar.