Feeling Hot. Or Not.

There is nothing I'd rather spend my Saturday evening doing than trying on clothes under fluorescent lights in Target while listening to various children scream or cry around the store. Especially when I'm pale and splotchy and flabby. You know how flattering fluorescent lights can be. A treat, really. I'm considering installing them in front of every mirror in my house.

Pregnancy hasn't been very bothersome so far - sure, the random nausea and hanging out with the toilet gets old, and, yes, I could probably do without the pain in *ahem* certain places, but honestly? It's not enough to make me want to do this again.

In the past week, though, my belly has grown to a point that makes about 80% of my wardrobe unwearable. Maybe that's dramatic. Whatever. On Thursday morning, I tried a dozen shirts on before settling on a plain brown American Apparel t-shirt with an open cardigan. Empire waist shirts? Make my belly look HUGE (something I'm not quite ready for as I still haven't told most of the teachers at school. I still have issues with thinking I'll have a miscarriage. Which are issues to talk about another time. Or not at all,  really, since it's depressing.) Don't even talk to me about button up blouses. I think our days are over for a few months.

My body is basically that of a curvy 12-year-old. I am small. As in, I didn't weigh enough to give blood until now. As in, XS petite bottoms and XXS petite tops in the women's non-junior's section. My chest has always been small, too. Everyone else in college was going to Victoria's Secret and coming back exclaiming, "I'm a C! What!? I've been wearing an A!!!" I went and they told me I was a 32A. (Which? Totally not. I tried one on and couldn't move or breathe. Basically a booby corset. AWFUL.) It's not that I don't have thighs, or hips, or a belly - oh, I do. Complete with cellulite and flab. Woo! I am just small.

I have enough trouble finding clothes that don't make me look like a teeny bopper without adding a Buddha belly in the mix. I bought a BeBand - which means I can wear my regular pants unbuttoned. But it gets old having to manuver that on and off my pants when I'm peeing approximately 32 thousand times a day. I have a few maternity shirts that my mom has snagged from Target clearance racks - but those leave enough fabric in the belly for a family of three. I have a pair of Gap maternity pants that I got at a consignment sale - and I LOVE them and their elastic band - but they're two sizes too big. And I can't bring myself to spend much money on clothes that I'll only wear less than five months!

I just feel sloppy all the time. I'm either pulling up my unbuttoned pants or wearing just a t-shirt to work or wearing jeans two sizes too big. Look up "hot mess" - you'll find a familiar face. I remember reading that when you're pregnant - you'll be willing to spend $50 for a plain old shirt if if makes you feel better about yourself. I balked.

But, I nearly bought an ugly pair of $30 khakis today at Target just because they sort of fit. Sort of.

And don't get me started on the boob situation. It's just a mess. Sure, it's fun to be bigger for once - but I have no idea what size I am. I bought a  bra a cup bigger a month ago, but I've already grown out of it. I measured and plugged in the info online and it told me I'm a size I couldn't find at Target. I also need to buy a bigger sports bra, but can't bring myself to buy one since I have two practically new ones I bought right before I got pregnant. Have I mentioned? I'm cheap. Possibly the root of these problems.

It was a failure of a maternity clothes day. I didn't have a Gap Family & Friends discount - so an hour spent researching and filling my basket was fruitless. Target's maternity selection was pathetic. I ended up only getting a $4 shirt at Target and as I checked out, talked myself into buying a vitaminWater as a treat for my clothing failures. Walking out to my car, I opened it up eagerly to find that it was completely frozen.

So I came home, shook the bottle like crazy, and drank ice-laced vitaminWater while I purchased far too many bras from Victoria's Secret in my Official New Internet-Calculated Size. At least if I have a bra that fits me, I'll feel halfway human, right? Next up: getting a gift certificate to a place that sells petite maternity clothes. Does that place even exist?

(Yes, I realize in the Grand Scheme of Things, feeling crappy about the way I look and not finding a bra at Target is unimportant. I realize I should be happy my baby is healthy. Be happy I am pregnant. I realize this, so please understand that I just need a space to let down my hair and scream into my pillow.)

Four Months. One Awesome Experience.

photo credit.

I did it!

I went four whole months without buying one new article of clothing. In fact, I ended up only going shopping for secondhand clothes twice, spending a total of $50. From October until February, I spent $50 on clothing. Booyah.

I Wear People's Old Clothes And You Should, Too!

Since I’m three weeks into my four months of second hand-only clothing purchases, I thought I’d share why I’m doing it, how it’s going, and my tips. I’m a huge fan of tips.

Why?

Think about all the energy and chemicals that go into producing cloth, sewing a shirt, packaging the shirt, and then marketing and advertising the shirt. Not to mention the fuel used at as the cotton is shipped to a production plant, then the cloth is shipped to a factory, then the shirts are shipped to a warehouse, and then out to stores. Whew!

Compare this to a second hand shirt which likely traveled from a person’s house to the second-hand store. Also, by reusing the shirt, it diverted from a landfill. Winner!

Plus, I have honestly enough clothes. I really do. (Uh, just don’t tell my husband I said that.) With a small closet and a dresser full of clothing – I’m not going naked any time soon. I examined the reasons I buy new clothes – for a specific occasion or because I’m bored with my clothes. I’m not a huge shopper, anyhow. (Malls give me hives. It used to be fun to ‘hang out’ there in middle or high school, but now I never go unless I have to get something specific to pick up. Like H2Ocean at Hot Topic. And let’s not talk about how much I stuck out like SORE THUMB at Hot Topic in my little floral skirt and purple-streak-less hair. I felt like shouting, “DON’T JUDGE ME! I HAVE NOSE RING! AND BELLY BUTTON RING! I’M REBELLIOUS, TOO!” See, that’s what malls do to me. I feel utterly un-cool at them. And overwhelmed. Moving on.)

So, How’s It Going?

AWESOME!

I mentioned that sometimes I buy clothes because I’m bored with my wardrobe. And then sometimes I don’t even wear the new clothes much. And then sometimes I realize I’m getting rid of things I HARDLY WORE. It’s a painful cycle of mistake clothes bought out boredom. Buying second-hand makes this a little less annoying, because at least if I get rid of something I hardly wore, I didn’t buy it brand new – wasting all of the resources (including MY MONEY) that went into the clothing.

It still makes me mad at myself, though.

I also tend to fall into that terrible trap of not wearing everything I own because I have too much of it. Paradoxically, when I have less clothes cluttering up my closet, I wear more things! It’s amazing!

Simpler = better, once again.

I satiated my clothes boredom by shopping at Plato’s Closet twice this month – a grand total of $50 for a pair of shoes and half a dozen shirts. Win.

Tips!

• Try not to rule out second-hand clothing because you think it’s OMG! SO NASTY! to wear other people’s clothing until you check out a consignment shop for yourself. There are plenty of higher-end consignment shops that even a person who would never THINK of stepping foot into a thrift store would adore.
• Be prepared for thrift stores that don’t have changing rooms. Sad, but true. I’ve been known to wear a skirt and leggings to try on pants – just hike up the skirt and wiggle into those jeans! Or try on shirts over a tight tank top. Or have a friend hold a sheet around me. I have no shame. But I’m fun in a thrift store!
• Scope out stores in nice suburbs or neighborhoods – the kinds of places where people might shudder at the thought of wearing Banana Republic clothes from last season. Their loss, your gain.
• Take your clothes to a consignment shop or second hand store and you might just make a little money. If all else fails: Goodwill! Never throw away what can be reused…or Mother Earth will smite you.
• For young adults: Plato’s Closet. Yeah, it’s for juniors – but I’ve found tons of insanely cute, name brand clothes in there. Just be prepared for feeling like a teenager.
• Wash it before you wear it. Yep. Do it.
• Clean out your closet! I cannot say it enough - simple is better. You will be happy. I promise you.
  

The Art of the $12 Outfit.

This is the kind of girl I am: When I was traveling last week, a girl came up to me at Jamba Juice in the airport and told me she liked my shoes.

My reply? "Thanks. They were only five dollars!"

Yes, that was my response to a stranger. I am obviously classy. (Do you also feel inclined to tell random people just how little you spent on an adorable piece of clothing? Let's be friends.)

So when I realized that my casual, comfy, but still work appropriate outfit today cost me a mere twelve dollars, I knew I had to share.

Shirt: Forever Twenty-One, via Plato's Closet, $5
Pants: The Limited, hand-me-down, $0
Hair: A hot mess.


Shoes: SO, via Plato's Closet, $7
Red Feet: WTF?


Earrings: Made my me, soon to be in my shop, $0
Hair: Messy buns rock.

I adore second-hand, consignment, and thrift stores. Not only are you getting an amazing deal, you're recycling (or would it be reusing? I get confused about the 3 R's).

Worth it Wednesday: Functionally Ugly.

Dude! I haven't done a Worth it Wednesday in, like, YEARS. (Or, okay, a month.)

Ahem.

Winter has found it's way to my neighborhood and has set up camp for, oh, four or five months. The house we're currently living in has wood and ceramic floors, which means my feets get COLD. Enter, the oh-so-ugly, but so-grea- I-won't-take-them-off-my-feet-ever:

WESENJAK SLIPPER MOCCASINS

Worth: Anywhere from $46-$11 (They're $11.01 on Sierra Trading Post right now!)

Works For: Cold tootsies. They're not to hot to wear in cool weather, but warm enough to wear in a very cold house.

What I Love: They're made of boiled wool, which is super natural. And the perfect amount of warmth - not so hot you're feet get sweaty (ew!), but your feet stay remarkably warm. Awesome. The sole is lightly padded (and gummed, whatever that means.) - so they're much lighter than shoes - perfect for lounging and putzing around in the kitchen or craft room.

What I Wish: Let's face it - these aren't much to look at. But they come from Austria, so I guess I can forgive their ugliness because ohmygoshmyfeetsaresocomfy!

Worth it Wednesday: Wearing Winter Well.*

Snow has been falling like crazy here in Cleveland, something about "lake effect," I've started wearing boots to walk to work, and it was 28 degrees this morning. Think it's safe to proclaim that winter is upon us! For the next few snows, I'll be delighting in the beauty and silence that accompanies snowfall. I enjoy winter...at first. Just wait until March...

My favorite part of season change is possibly the change in wardrobe. This fall, I discovered one of fashion's greatest gifts...

THE SWEATER DRESS!

Worth: The price obviously varies depending on the store and style I got a short sleeve sweater dress for $29.99 at Target. I also got a long sleeve sweater dress for $19.90 at H&M.

Works For: Fall and winter days - when you're sick of the same old pants-skirt-dress combos. I think they're fairly work appropriate, I wear the two of these to work.

What I Love: They are so versatile - worn with leggings, tall boots, lightweight turtleneck underneath, Mary Janes, heels, flats - there are so many combinations that enable you to wear the same article of clothing many, many times without anyone noticing use one article of clothing many different ways!

They are so warm and cozy, I seriously have worn that sweater dress over sweatpants and just felt wrapped in a lovely, warm hug. Mmm.

What I Wish: Sometimes they make me look a little chunky from behind, why is that!?

And here's another sweater dress I bought, from H&M, just to show you how awesome these dresses really are:

Don't mind the frizzy hair. I would have posted this picture except my tummy area looks unfortunate. I'm no Ev'Yan, that's for sure!
(Notice Mike's dirty running clothes on our divider in the first picture? The down trodden look? Class-ay. Apparently I can't take a picture of myself with out poking fun at it.)

* What? It felt like a day for title alliteration

Worth It Wednesdsay - Live. Ish.

Here's my shoe. Shoes with zippers? Always cool.

*Ignore rambling. And my video-induced lisp. And my continued rambling.

Worth it Wednesday: More Target Bashing.

The following is a part of a new feature here. Blogs and the internet greatly influence what I buy and where I shop. Buying something that ends up ineffective is one of my pet peeves - so getting a recommendation from someone honest and real is always a welcome occasion. I avoid being completely materialistic, but consumerism is part of life for most of us. Buying things that work and that you love avoids wasting money and products - I'm sure I'm not the only one who's bought a product that ended up not working and got shoved to the back of the cabinet, unused.

I want to spread the news about wonderful services and products to you all - and for you to do the same. Post this on your blog as well! I'd love to hear about what works for you.

I feel like we’re starting to get to know each other better. In all honesty, I feel pretty comfortable with you – if you lived in my neighborhood, I’d totally be okay with coming over to your house, hopping up on your counter and grabbing some Pringles out of your cupboard to snack on while I talked to you.

It’s this comfort that allows me to talk with you about my intimate garments. That’s right, ladies (or Ben (hi Ben!)– the only male here, oh, ever.), I’m talking about bras. For 23 years (or, 11 years. I wasn’t BORN wearing needing to wear a bra, after all. And if we’re being frank, I probably didn’t even need to start wearing one when I was 12. My younger sister did and I think my mom felt bad for me. Whatever. I’m not bitter or anything. Anymore.) Anyway, for 23 years, I shopped Target’s clearance racks for bras. They never quite felt right, always a little too stiff or didn’t fit well.

Then, one day, I decided to give the Queen of Underwear a call and asked Vicky what she had in the way of bras. And, Oh. My. God. My life has been changed.

VICTORIA’S SECRET IPEX BRA

Worth: $45 for the demi, which is what I have. [I got both mine on clearance, though, so they were more around $20-30 a piece.]

Works For: Anyone with boobies. Sizes 32A-38DD.

What I Love: Beside a perfect fit, the silky feel means it won’t ever show under a shirt. It feels WONDERFUL to wear. There’s not tugging or riding or shifting. Just pure amazingness. Plus, it’s the perfect amount of thickness, in my opinion – just thick enough to prevent, eh, exposure, but thin enough to not feel like you’re wearing armor. (Obviously this is super subjective. Some people LOVE a good push up bra. I am not one of those people, at least not daily!)

What I Wish: It’s so darn expensive! I only have two so far and rotate them all the time. But I’d rather have ONE of these bras than THREE Target rack clearance bras. For real, that is how wonderful they are. (I love Target, but sometimes it pays to get something quality. And coming from a frugal freak like me? You know it’s true. Promise.)

Now if only I could find a sports bra that lasted more than a few months...

Devils in Disguise

Unassumingly, yet insanely, painful.

It hardly matters whether they're one, two, or three inch heels. Or kitten heels, or even loafers! I'm left with raw, red little toes, over half a dozen blisters, and heels that require bandages.

Help.

My feet look awful and I can hardly stand to walk. I find every excuse to wear my [one] pair of flats. Is there some secret I'm missing? Some special shoe insert I don't have? Some magic spell I don't know?

When I asked a girlfriend, she shrugged and said, "They just hurt, but I wear them anyway."

Tell me there's another way!

Am I Turning into Clotheshorse?

After your awesome advice last week, I went out last weekend armed with my rules and ideas ready to spend some money.

I have lots of pictures, so have a look at the START of my new wardrobe. I still have to get some more cardigans (I only have TWO, and you guys really talked cardigans and jackets up. However, finding those in the summer seems to be difficult.) and skirts. Maybe a few more pairs of shoes, as well.

I got lots of neutral shirts to go with some dress pants. Score.

Something essentials tank with pleated front $4.99
Urban Outfitters top $7
Ann Taylor Loft (boring!) tshirt $3.99

Accessories can make an outfit. I have never been much of a shopaholic, so accessories are something I'm sorely lacking. I tried to make a small dent in this problem.

Behold, jewelry:

Bracelets $2.50/set
Earrings $5.99 or less

Headband! With a buckle! (And a chunky turquoise necklace per Heartbreaker's instructions.)
Ann Taylor Loft headband $1.99
Necklace $2.50

Note to self: Lips appear to blend into face. Maybe next up: find a lipstick. Or something to color my lips more than my Trader Joe's chapstick.

Tights - I've never really worn tights (just leggings or - ugh!- pantyhose), so this will be new for me. (I KNOW, I'm soooo not fashionable, you guys.)
Ann Taylor Loft tights $3.99 and 50 CENTS (!)

These are for you, Steph. I hope I did your awesome fashion sense justice with my purchases. :)

Ann Taylor heels for $24.99.


My new shoes! I love the shoes on the left: $6.99 and they're COMFORTABLE. (And shorter heels, very doable!)

Look who's professional now.

Ann Taylor Loft petite blazer $29.99. My most expensive purchase of the day.
Made turtleneck $9.99. Is it a short dress or a long shirt? I should have figured that out before I bought it, huh?

I took your advice and paired a skirt with something OTHER than a white shirt. Much better, I think. (These shoes? Cute, but the DEVIL. I got awful blisters.) Yes, I look quite preppy here. And like I'm taking myself FAR too seriously.

I wore a maroon/red cardigan (and my black rimmed glasses) to work with this. A little less-boring-that-normal work attire... I think I need a skinny belt! (I'd never have expected these words to escape my mouth.)

Look! No hems dragging here!

Living simply and trying to lessen my impact on the environment: is this a contradiction to my recent shopping trip? Am I an awful hypocrite?

Confession:
Part of me is filled with eco-guilt: I should have gone to Goodwill. I should have shopped ebay. I should have bought . The other part of me feels like 1) I have a job that requires professional clothing, 2) I'm going to wear these clothes a LONG time, and 3) We have little money. Very little. We already spend more than average on food, because we really value GOOD food (and supporting local restaurants! Yum!). So, as a social worker/grad student and a community service coordinator (read: measly pay), we have to choose our battles. And sometimes, that means buying affordable clothing. Right?

A Few Things

1. A million, billion thanks for all your wonderful advice. I poured over the comments, soaking up the wisdom, and imagining my pulled-together new look develop before my very eyes as I hit the stores with a new set of ideas and rules. I seriously STUDIED your advice. And I’m totally going to wear an adorable dress on Monday next week. I’m slowly getting used to this. And I spent the entire morning browsing shoe websites. Someone mentioned wearing “kitten heels,” which I wasn’t familiar with (I know! And I call myself a woman.), but I was elated to realize I’m wearing a pair right now! (Thanks, Google images.)

I realize how much more confident I will feel about myself when I’m able to consistently dress well. “My inside will match my outside,” as the What Not to Wear cliché goes.

{Pretty soon, you guys are going to be all, “Shut up!” and “Nooo waaay!” when I bust out in a cute new wardrobe.}

Seriously, THANK YOU.

2. I get to see my dear friend, Eileen, who lives in Texas, this weekend. Before moving to Malaysia in high school, I had the most amazing group of friends…and, amazingly, we’ve stayed really close for the past seven years. I love these girls. They’re the epitome of friendship and I’m very blessed to have them. [::End cheesiness::]

We’ll be enjoying dinner, drinks, and laughter on a restaurant’s patio overlooking the lake tomorrow night, then Saturday night my friend is having a housewarming/bonfire (that sounds odd). Throw in some DVRed Tim Gunn…I mean, Project Runway, a shopping trip with my sister advising me, and some family time, and it promises to be a fantastic weekend.

3. My almost-finished first week of work has been fantastic as far as first weeks go. My coworkers are unbelievably kind and good-natured, the work is going to be rewarding, and working on a college campus is turning out to be so fun! Next week I have two dinner dates, and have already met tons of fun, younger people who work here. I am so grateful. (Plus! I've already been invited to a co-worker book club and have heard whispers that I may have a chance to be hired on after this year!)

4. With our friend, Tipp, out of commission, I’ve taken the reins of her blog today to talk about men vs. women when it comes to blogging. Join the conversation about if the man (or woman) in YOUR life “gets” blogging.

5. Someday soon, I promise I'll get back to important issues. I know my cute cousins, work, and clothing are important, but I'm going to be rocking your world with some great environmental stuff. Watch out!

...Have a great afternoon, and excuse me while I go putz around on Old Navy's Women's Wear to Work!

The Answer, My Friend, Is Blowin' In the Wind

We don’t use a clothes dryer because we’re cheap. We can also claim that we want to reduce energy usage. ☺ Instead of using the dryer for our clothes, we bought an indoor clothesline from Ace Hardware and mounted it in our second bedroom/study/storage area. We also have one of those expandable drying racks. We either open the window or turn on the fan in the room. I've never had a problem with clothes drying inside, even in the winter! We can dry two loads of laundry between the line and rack. It takes about 10 minutes to hang up and a few minutes to take down. It’s really not too hard and since dryers use a TON of energy, it’s worth it. The trick is to take your clothes down before they're completely dry so they don't get that stiff cardboard feeling. Your clothes will as soft as from the dryer!