All About This Shirt

 

This is hands down my favorite shirt. And, it wasn't meant to be a shirt. It was a drop waist dress from JCrew Factory that I bought on super sale and had made into a shirt. Like I did here. In fact, this was my first go at turning dresses into shirts and it got me hooked on the idea because it turned out so well!

I've worn it during the work week with these and with jeans on casual Friday. I normally pair the shirt with leopard print shoes -- wedges or flats -- but, on Friday night I went with jeans and nude d'Orsay pumps. There's a reason why this blog features work-wear. My casual wear has taken a backseat since I started working and my weekend attire usually consists of gym clothes. So, when I put this outfit together, I was rather pleased with myself and I had to share it. It will be on repeat every weekend through the fall. And that makes me very happy.

Also, since I decided to forgo leopard print shoes, I had to incorporate it in some other way, so I pulled out this leopard cuff bracelet I picked up years ago at Banana Republic. 

Shirt: similar here, here, and here | Jeans: Joe's from Marshall's | Shoes: old, similar here | Bracelet: old, but almost identical here (and great for stacking since it's thinner) | Necklace: here.

Dots, Stripes, & Leopard

This is one of my all time favorite pattern combinations and when paired with these plum pants, getting up on a Monday morning just got a lot easier. OK, maybe not easier. Just more fashionable.

I picked this cardigan up from The Limited a couple years ago on a whim. It's become a closet staple. The shell is a Target find, and while I can't find it online, I think it is probably still available in stores.  I also have these pants in navy, seen here. They are really comfortable because of the stretch, but they aren't baggy by the end of the day. In fact, I was able to wear the navy a couple times before washing.

Here's to starting the week off on the right step!

Shirt: similar here, here, and here | Cardigan: similar here | Pants: here | Shoes: similar here

Oreos and Leopard

Those of you who know me, may know that I've been on a lactose free diet for 2.5 years. That means no real pizza, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, brownies, or cookies, just to name a few. Milk is a sneaky ingredient and ends up in a lot of prepared foods. Butter is worse. It's everywhere. But, I'm really good at doing what I'm told and when my breath test revealed my lactose intolerance was off the charts, I knew I didn't have a choice.

The lactose breath test was just one of many tests I've undergone in the past few years trying to diagnose and treat my stomach problems. I even started a blog a while back to document my journey including tests and diets. But, it wasn't much fun documenting my failures. I was diagnosed with IBS very early on in the process and that diagnosis stuck even though all known dietary changes and medications didn't relieve the symptoms. Although I don't care what my diagnosis is, I do want the diagnosis to lead to effective treatment. I'm still not there yet. But, I did receive a new diagnosis recently - gastroparesis. Basically, I don't digest food in a reasonable amount of time. So, it just sits and causes problems.

Unfortunately, the treatment for my new diagnosis is very similar to the ones we tried, unsuccessfully, for IBS. But, I'm hopeful my new doctor in DC will have more luck treating the symptoms since we have a more accurate diagnosis. Also, knowing what's really causing the problem is comforting.

Anyways, all of that was to say that I'm now on a gluten free + lactose free diet. I've been on it before with no success, and gluten free only before with limited success. This time, however, the diet changes are being accompanied with meditation designed to assist digestion. I'm not quite two weeks in, we're low on groceries, and I was craving something sweet. Well, I'm all out of dairy free/gluten free sweets, but my husband stays well stocked in Oreos. Which, by the way, is a pretty good dessert if you're only dairy free. So, since I was desperate, I decided to scrape the cream filling from the cookies.

I think that's an all new low. Even for me. And, I'm the girl who will make a run to the convenient store to buy M&Ms (pre-diet, of course; now I just grab Skittles).

My stomach problems, which generally consist of really bad bloating ("abdominal distension") and abdominal pain, influence my outfit choices on a daily basis. I'm always careful to select clothing that won't show my bloated stomach. Which is one of the reasons why I wear so many dresses.

Shift dress, however, aren't always the most stomach friendly because they tend to skim too closely for me. But, I couldn't resist this dress when I found it at Loft. I couldn't pass up a leopard print dress in tall. Paired with a blazer, I don't feel so self-conscious. So, it will be on rotation in the fall and in the winter (paired with tights).

Like I've said before, clothes should make you feel great about yourself. And while sometimes I resent not being able to wear anything I want because of my stomach, I feel much better when I wear something that makes me feel comfortable and confident. 

Dress: old, similar leopard here, and here and other patterned shift dresses here and here | Shoes: old, similar here, here, and here | Blazer: old, similar here (mine is also from Limited and is not in tall)

I Must Confess

This dress has me excited about the impending change of seasons. I'm also enjoying the cooler morning and evening temperatures we've been having, they make the early morning dog walks that much more enjoyable. 

Something about this wine color just says fall to me and when paired with ruffles, it is the perfect dress to get me in the mood for sweater weather! I'm also convinced that wine and leopard were made for each other, which is fine by me.

For the fall, I think I like this dress paired with a grey jacket, but will probably pair it with black when I throw on tights for the winter. My leopard wedges, however, will be on call for both seasons. 

What has you excited for fall? 

Dress: here | Shoes: old, similar here | Necklace: similar here | Jacket: old, similar here

Summer Tweed

 

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend. We hosted our very first house guest as a married couple (my mom), and for some reason that makes me feel like a real adult. Now, on to today's outfit post!

I always thought tweed was a cool weather fabric, but in the right color it can be a perfect way to add some texture to your summer work wardrobe. Also, as we transition into fall, I think tweed is one way to do so while still staying cool. Because, if you live somewhere like DC, it is still very much summer and will be for quite some time! 

I will also say that tweed can read matronly. And, although I want to look professional, I don't want to frumpy. (Which I find easier said than done!) Keeping a flattering, more form fitting silhouette will help counteract that. Pairing tweed with a bold pattern, pop of color, or fun jewelery (or in this case, all three) helps keep the look fresh. 

 This dress in navy is sold out in tall, but it is still available in pink. It does run a little small, and I noticed that it shrunk a little after being dry cleaned, so if you're in between sizes, size up. I also recommend this dress; it does run large in tall, so you might be able to get away with a regular, or size down. If you're not on the tall side, this dress is just too much fun! Like, it kicks tweed's matronly tendencies in the butt. This dress will cross seasons well.

Blazer: here (I recommend removing the shoulder pads) | Necklace: available in Francesca's Stores | Shoes: old, similar here and here | Purse: gift, but on sale here

Summer Beauty Products

Left: Olay In-Shower Body lotion // Top Right: Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry // Middle Right: Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets // Bottom Right: Clinique Chubby Stick in Chunky Cherry

Today, I thought I'd share some of my favorite beauty products for the summer. I don't use a lot of  products and I am quickly frustrated when products don't live up to their hype. But these are products I use on a daily basis. 

The Olay In-Shower Body Lotion is a total game changer. Hands down the best product on this list. I've never found a body lotion that provided sufficient moisture without leaving a residue or making me feel greasy. Plus, I found it difficult to remember to put on  lotion  as part of my morning routine. Applying it after the shower meant I had to allow for drying time before getting dressed. If you have a dog, you might understand the challenge this presents. Sadie thought my legs were very tasty and lapped up my lotion-covered legs. The in-shower body lotion means I don't have to remember or fight the dog to put on lotion. Not to mention, it does a great job moisturizing and smells wonderfully.  The downside: it's difficult to find. I used to buy it while grocery shopping at Kroger. But, since I moved to DC, I've started buying it online from Wal-Mart.

I have packets of these oil absorbing sheets stashed everywhere. I do mean everywhere. Read: my desk, my work bag, and my purse. I also keep extras on hand. These are great at absorbing excess oil while leaving your make-up in tact. I have oily skin so I keep these within reach year-round, but I do use them more during the summer. 

Clinique Chubby Sticks are my favorite. I have tried the "Intense" Clinique Chubby Stick in colors similar to the cherry and strawberry, but I didn't love them nearly as much as the original. I didn't notice a difference in moisturizing or staying power, so I'll be sticking with the standard in chunky cherry and super strawberry. They are not as bright on as they appear in the picture and you have significant control on the color based on how many coats you apply. I find that these two colors cover all my bases, regardless of what I'm wearing (from peach to purple to red). They're easy to apply (i.e. don't need a mirror), stays longer than traditional chapstick, and offers some needed moisture.

Let me know what you think if you give any of these products a try. I hope you lvoe them as much as I do. 

Do you have any products that you absolutely love? What are they? I'd love to hear about them! Also, please let me know if you're interested in more posts like this!

Pearls, Bows, and Pumps

Fit and flare is everywhere these days, and I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about the style. On the one hand, it's fun, flirty, and forgiving. But, I definitely think it can look juvenile or simply overwhelm my frame. 

I purchased this dress last fall for my now-husband and I's November engagement photos. I styled it with black tights and flats. But, I've been wearing it to work this summer. I've been pairing it with heels an wedges to give me just a little more height so the flare is more proportionate to my frame. I also accessorize with pieces designed to draw your attention to a different focal point so the skirt isn't the entire focal point. 

These pearls, which you know by now I wear with everything, are great for drawing the attention up and away from all the flare. But really, I'm always looking for an excuse to wear these pearls. 

The belt is a great way to dress the outfit up, for an event or summer wedding, while also downplaying the pleats and flare.  I definitely need to incorporate it into more outfits.

I promise I'll start posting transitional and fall outfits soon, I'm just holding onto the last few weeks of summer!

Dress: old, similar here | Shoes: old, similar here | Necklace: here currently sold out, but will probably be re-stocked. Also available here. Belt: Old, similar here