Last Pre-Moving Day May 11, 2008

I can’t tell you how happy I am that today is our very last day in the apartment. When we finally leave, I may get nostalgic for the loud upstairs neighbors, the echoing shared hallway, and the creepy drunk guys my next door neighbor seems to attract like a magnet. But, then again, maybe not…

We’ve still got a bit of packing to do–mostly rearranging things, I think. Yesterday afternoon we decided to get a head start with re-painting the living room back to white. This was certainly no easy feat given that we were repainting the walls white over a kind of darkish blue. Needless to say, I’m a tad sore and not really in the mood to get much of anything done today. Still, the thought that, after today, I will never again have to endure my abominable neighbors is like a natural Red Bull for the soul.

No real outfit news today. Over the past week, I have taken to sleeping in this old slip I found in a Salvation Army store almost ten years ago. Instead of taking the effort to change into an actual outfit, I have elected to wander around the apartment in my slip like an old lush from the sixties. Should be fun.

Major Appliance-buying outfit May 10, 2008

Hi, guys! So, the last few days have been very crazy with all of the packing and everything, but I’m super-psyched to tell you that yesterday we finally signed all the paper work and closed on our very own house! Yay! It’s a very cool thing, though I’m not totally sure that the fact that the husband and I really, really own something has completely sinked in.

Today we’re off to buy a washer and dryer, our very first major appliance! It’s a really big step that solidifies our transition from unattached apartment-dwellers to real, semi-responsible homeowners. Here’s my outfit for today’s major appliance hunt:

I have just woken up and haven’t actually bothered to brush my hair or put on any war paint. Such is my devotion to my craft…

I’ve had the khakis for a few years now and you may notice that they have battle scars from multiple furniture staining and room painting excursions. I still wear them outside because I think they have kind of a likeable, worn-in character about them. On top, I’m wearing my little gray puff-sleeved thing from H&M over a shirred white tank top from Old Navy. I’ve got a real jones on for layering right now. And yes, I do plan on putting on some shoes at some point, probably a sandal or something.

In bra news, on Thursday night I ordered that Le Mystere bra I’ve been talking about as well as a Coolmax Sports Bra. Do yourself a favor and click on the link–HerRoom.com has an awesome demo video of the Coolmax Sports Bra in action. You’ll find yourself wondering, “Is that bra made out of fairy guts? Because there is no damn way that it controls bouncing that much.” I had to get it. Especially since I’ve started considering upgrading my morning walk with the puppy to a morning jog with the puppy.

I’m really excited about getting these bras. Now that I’ve decided to really commit to finding bras that are appropriate for me, I’ve started to notice how my current selection is too small, rides up in the back, and tends to put a lot of strain in my shoulders. Women always say that finding their proper bra size changed their lives. I’ve upgraded a cup size and changed my band size–looks like I was way off-base when it comes to sizing up my boobies. I don’t expect the new bras to change my life (unless they can help my pick the winning lottery numbers) but I am certainly looking forward to being able to stand up straighter and have fewer neck/shoulder pains. That would be awesome.

Crocs-a-go-go May 5, 2008

Comfy shoes are really important in my line of work. I’m not doing a lot of walking, but my clients usually live in areas where the county doesn’t spend much time maintaining the sidewalks, so sporting heels or even certain styles of boots is not really a good idea.

It seems that there are two kinds of people in this world: those that wear (or would be willing to wear) Crocs… and those that hate Crocs with a fiery passion. There seems to be very little middle-ground here.

Those that revile Crocs often talk disparagingly about the clunky appearance of the shoes, the oddness of the rubber-ish material, the foot sweat, and the awkwardness of finding that you are wearing the same shoes as your 3-year-old nephew. All very valid points. Those that love Crocs praise the durability of the shoe, the easy clean-up, the variety of styles, and (above all) the absolute comfort of those soft, rubbery buggers. Again, all very valid points.

For the longest time, I hated Crocs. I refused to wear them because they just looked so damn weird. I mean, why the hell was I going to wear shoes with holes in them? But then one day, I got in my head to look for some new, comfy flip-flops and came upon these little beauties at my local sporting goods store…

And with that, I was hooked. I must say that I was immediately impressed by how cushy-comfy these guys felt. The weird little raised dots (“circulation nubs”) took some getting used to, but now I kind of like them. I’ve had these for about a year and they are as good as when I wore them home from the sporting goods store. And, you know, they really do look cute when paired with a casual outfit. I mean it. I’m all for comfort and practicality, but I wouldn’t be wearing these things if they made my feet and/or outfit look like crap. So believe me when I say they look nice. Are they as cute as a pair of Mary Janes, though? Maybe not…

Which brings me to my next Crocs purchase. I actually found these little babies on eBay. The seller had them marked as a “rare” style so I snapped them up quickly only to find that I could get them on Crocs.com, Amazon.com, and Zappos.com. I’m sure they meant “rare” as in… Oh, I don’t know.

Anyway, these are pretty cute and (of course) comfy. They do tend to make my feet look a bit wide, but I don’t find that overly concerning. I figure that women are already under so much pressure to have thin bodies that I don’t have any spare time to spend on worrying about having thin feet. My only issue with these shoes is that sometimes the little button-things where the strap attaches can dig a bit into the underside of your foot. But for some reason that doesn’t always happen, so I guess it’s not a really big deal.

I guess the only thing that consistently annoys me about these shoes is the foot sweat that comes with wearing rubber shoes with no ventilation. I combat the problem by slipping them on and off several times a day, which is very easy to do. I tried sprinkling some deodorant powder inside, but the stuff kind of gets everywhere. I say “no thanks” to looking as if I hitched a ride in a concrete mixer. Plus the powder makes walking a little more difficult (at least at first) because it creates a bit of slipperiness in the shoe.

Anyway, here’s how these look on me. Notice the wideness of my feet. It’s something I’ve learned to accept. I think it’s a little effed up that I’m so used to shoving my feet into hard little, misshappen shells that the actual shape of my feet seems unattractive to me.

 Anyway, I’m in the market for a new pair of black Mary Jane-type Crocs to complete my arsenal. I was considering just getting the black version of the above style, but then I found these and I think that I might have changed my tune…

They have the comfy Crocs sole that I have come to love, but look much more like a “real” shoe than other Crocs. They don’t have that Mary Jane look, but I think that a little variety might be good. And maybe these won’t make that weird little farting noise that the Mary Jane-type ones can sometimes make when I have a little sweat going on. I don’t know.

* All pics courtesy of the awesome folks at Zappos.com.

Spring Outfit Search May 5, 2008

Today is an all-office day, so you would think that I might try to wear something a bit more fancy than another t-shirt and jeans combo, however that was not to be. Apologies for the lack of pic–rest assured that it looks pretty much the same as this outfit, but with shorter sleeves.

I do have some valid excuses, though. Well, semi-valid. I did let myself sleep about ten minutes too long, so I ended up taking the dog on our daily walk just a little bit late. By the time I got back in the apartment, it was too late for me to change into a prettier outfit, so the original t-shirt/jeans combo stayed.

On days when I don’t have anything to do but stay at the office, time seems to go by very, very slowly. So much of my job involves being out in the community with moms, preparing for visits with moms, and doing paper work about what happened during my visits with moms. The only problem with this is when my moms either cancel on me or don’t show up to our visits. Right now things are pretty dull at work (at least for me.) I note with some resentment that all the other new hires seem to be building up their client bases whereas mine is looking pretty pathetic right now. Not that this is intentional or anything, but it’s hard not to feel frustrated.

According to my calculations, I’ve got about fifteen minutes of actual, honest work to do today. After that, my plan is to surf the web looking for the perfect casual spring shoe, fantasize about how we’ll decorate the new house, and troll around Etsy for cool handmade clothes. One slight problem with this situation is that, covet though I may, I will probably have to wait about a month or so to make any fun clothing purchases. I allow myself one splurge for each paycheck and this week I’ll be buying the Le Mystere bras that I’ve been blogging about.

Still, depending on how finances come out I may be able to buy a new outfit from Old Navy, a trusty old friend of mine. I’ve been looking into exploring different stores, but Old Navy has always been one of my staple brands. I’ve been a very, very good girl this last week and a half or so–mostly because I’m too paranoid to buy anything online because we’re moving so soon. So as it turns out, I might actually have a bit of extra money once payday rolls around this week. I plan to buy the Le Mystere bras and also possibly this cute little outfit retailing at about $50…

I do like cardigan-type things very much. Ditto on subtle puff-sleeves. I think the combination is kind of sweet and retro. I plan on wearing this with a cute tank underneath or maybe even a cute button-up shirt. And the polka dots are adorable. I think that my wardrobe is sorely lacking in polka dots.

Although you know I love my A-line skirts, pencil skirts are also comfortable and cute. Plus it’s nice because one doesn’t have to worry about random gusts of wind embarassing the hell out of you. This linen skirt should be a sweet addition to my wardrobe.

Now to find some cute spring shoes…

A Three-Way Tie on Bras April 30, 2008

So I’ve narrowed down my bra options to a few strong competitors. Each bra seems to have its own positive attributes, so I’m still weighing my options as far as fit and style go. The most relevant factor will most likely be price, however.

Here they are, in no particular order…

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Candidate A: The Playtex 18-hour Comfort Shaping Softcup

Though I’ve never been an 18-hour girl, I suppose that these bras must have something going for them if they continue to be so popular after all these years. This may not be the sexiest bra I’ve ever seen, but it certainly isn’t unattractive at all. I may need to get used to the amount of coverage it provides… But, then again, my bras have been too small for the last few years, so this might be a welcome change of pace. The price point is very good on this one–about $23 online. One concern is that it’s a softcup bra. As in, no underwire–I’m wondering if that will be ok for me. I have no experience with softcup bras, really, so I’m not sure if the lack of underwire would make a significant difference. I read a review that said that the softcup was generally more comfortable, but didn’t provide the same kind of shaping. Hmmm…

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Candidate B: The Bali Seductive Curves Seamless Underwire Bra

Another nice one. This one is a little bit more flattering than the first bra and seems like it might accomodate my scoop-neck and v-neck shirts a bit better. Reviewers generally seem to like it. And it’s got an underwire, which I guess is a good thing. Another good thing about this bra is the price. In fact, it’s about the same price as the first bra.

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Candidate C: Le Mystere Dream Tisha Seamless Underwire Bra

And here we have the best bra of all (at least it seems that way.) Oprah once reccomended this bra for full-busted women and now the manufacturer touts it as Oprah’s fave bra ever. It’s much better-looking than the first two and (I would guess) better-constructed. However, the price is significantly higher–about 70 bucks per bra, to be exact. So that means if I could get two bras (my plan) for about $140, which is a lot more cringe-worthy than two bras for about $60. The price is a little steep, though I could be saving money over time if this bra has greater longevity than the other two.

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I should probably just get some right-sized bras that I can afford right now so I can just go ahead abandon my current ill-fitting ones. The husband and I will soon be moving into our very first, real, grown-up home and so money is a little tight with all the sudden expenses. Thus, price is really the deciding factor.

But, then again, we’ve got less than two weeks left at our current crappy apartment and I probably wouldn’t order anything online right now in case we’re not there to receive the shipment. Soooo…. that means I would have to wait until next pay day (when we will be in our house–YAY!) to order anything. That also means that I’ll most likely be able to afford two of the more expensive bra.

Oh, choices. What’s really funny about all this is that I’ll probably end up getting the less-expensive bras because I’m so paranoid about unexpected costs. Go figure.

Another boring outfit April 29, 2008

It’s not a bad outfit, really. It’s just not a really good one, either. It’s been pretty cold outside these last few days and my main focus has been to wear something that won’t leave me shivering. I suppose that I could have slapped on a pair of thermal tights (and may do so tomorrow morning) but I really didn’t think about it today.

Perhaps my feelings about this outfit is tempered by the fact that, underneath, I’m wearing a less-than-satisfactory bra. As a larger busted woman, I find it really difficult to find a decent bra. I used to think that going to Victoria’s Secret and the like was the answer, but I just can’t afford to spend $40 on a bra.

So, I turned to eBay. Perhaps not the best place to shop for undergarments, but these are desperate times and, hey, 30 bucks for six bras is hardly a deal one could pass up. I have to say that the fit isn’t bad, really, and I suppose that I can live with the non-luxe fabric. The jury is still out as to whether or not I am satisfied with the support it provides. Ditto on the silhouette.

Forgive the lack of pics regarding the bra situation. While I’m willing to post pictures of my fashion choices (good and not-so-good) I already feel as if my boobies are the focus of enough attention and speculation without <pun> exposing them </pun> to the blogosphere. I’m sure more in-depth and illustrative posts about my bra situation might up the readership on this blog, I just don’t think I’m ready to make that leap yet.

Brown and Gray Milkmaid April 27, 2008

For some reason, this outfit makes me think of ye olde Renaissance faire. Maybe it’s the flowiness of the skirt (ah, the joy of a flowy A-line) or the subtle bit of “puff” on the short sleeves, but it’s an outfit that almost takes on the style sensibilities of Disney’s Snow White.

Almost. I downgraded my outfit from “princess-y” to “milkmaid-y” because of my choice in colors. The brown and gray are a bit on the dull side, but I think that the more muted color combo gives the outfit a bit of credibility for day-to-day wear and/or errand-running. I’m not sure a brighter color scheme would have really worked as well.

I did end up pairing the outfit with some sparkly blue sandals for just a little bit of pop but, alas, had to retreat back into my apartment and change when I realized that spring hadn’t yet fully sprung in my neck of the woods.

Although it may seem to be at first, rest assured that this is not just a gratuitous boob shot, but rather a close-up to illustrate the nice shirred details on this top and the tank top I wore underneath. I’m starting to really like little details.

Apple of My Eye April 26, 2008

I got this super sweet vintage apple necklace at Citizen Fox’s Etsy store. I’m usually not one to wear much jewelry, but something about a pretty, handmade necklace just sends me to the moon. I got it about two weeks ago and now I’m wearing it pretty much every day regardless of whether or not the red matches my outfit. Somehow (at least in my opinion) the necklace is so cute and charming that it just sort of “goes.”

I just ordered a beautiful monogram charm necklace from Citizen Fox and should receive it very soon. It’s kind of a custom job since I requested a modification on the piece, but the necklace is still not pricey at all. That’s what I really love about Etsy. Not only are you connected to a lot of awesome independent artists, it’s also a wonderful place to get custom items for good prices. Ever since spying the Carrie necklace on Sex and the City, I’ve wanted something that looked as if it were made just for me. While I’m not too keen on having my name hanging around my neck, I surely wouldn’t mind something like this.

Cupcake-y April 25, 2008

Today’s outfit was a big departure for me. For work, I generally wear some sort of bland t-shirt and jeans combo–thus the main purpose of this blog. At first I did dress up a little bit, but when I realized that I could actually get away with wearing jeans to work, I quickly reverted to my old ways.

Today I chose to mix it up a little as part of my new commitment to try and dress a little better. The combination of pink, brown, and pale yellow reminds me of a box of cupcakes.

Today was just a sit-around-the-office day, so I’m not quite sure how well something like this might hold up in the field when I’m doing home visits with clients. I could see it being a little annoying getting in and out of the car, getting on the floor to play with the babies, and generally doing the usual stuff.

During my lunch break, I also discovered that light, cotton-y A-line skirts like these do tend to “bloom” a little bit when a stiff breeze blows through. Generally, I’m less of a Marilyn, more of a Jackie, so I didn’t recover from this little surprise with very much grace. Suffice it to say, on breezy days I’ll be keeping hold tightly of my skirts from now on.

Torn Between Two Farmers April 25, 2008

Looks like my brother-in-law’s wedding is going to be a more casual affair than I thought, however I still have my sights set on getting a new dress from Etsy. It’s pretty much impossible for me to find a dress off the rack, so it was like a miracle to find all the custom dressmakers who have set up shop on Etsy.

As soon as the budget permits, I plan on splurging a little on a custom-made dress from the fabulous Sveta Darling. I say splurging, but handing over less than a hundred bucks for a hand-tailored dress is a pretty awesome deal (I think). Sveta Darling’s designs are really cool, though a few of them might look slightly ridiculous on me–I’m kinda short but rather busty and the high collars on some of her dresses might make my torso transform into just a giant set of boobs. Better to stay with universally flattering scoop necks and v-necks, I say.

I have narrowed down my search to two worthy candidates. Just like the competition between Clinton and Obama, this one might just be a photo-finish…

First, we have France Farmer Will Have Her Revenge, a fetching little number with a bold, sexy sillhouette…

And I just love the lace detailing. And the little green belt. One problem: I’m not sure that I have the body to pull off a dress like this. There, I said it.

Next up, we have a variation on the first dress, this one called Frances Farmer Sheds Blood. The front is pretty much the same, so here’s a view of the back.

Notice that this one has more of an A-line fit that might be a little easier for semi-shy girls like me to wear. Of course, red isn’t really my color, so I’d probably ask to have the dress made with the blue material of the original Frances Farmer dress.

Part of me wants to have a dress in my arsenal that’s good for those occasions when one really wants to dress to impress–thus the basis of France Farmer Will Have Her Revenge. But then, how often do I have those? Still, that 50’s-style silhouette is really irresistible. 

On the other hand, I think that Frances Farmer Sheds Blood (provided I can get it in the blue material) may be more useful on a semi-daily basis with a cardigan or something worn over. I’m a huge fan of the A-line skirt for daily wear.

Oh, choices.