It’s true. I’m a dress lover. I hoard them. 

It’s just SO easy to throw on a dress and accessorize, rather than pair a shirt with a skirt or pants. I’m lazy. And sometimes fashion-challenged. So dresses just work for me. And a dress that looks like a shirt and a skirt? Even better. If it ain’t broke, right?

Happy Friday!

Cardigan: Old Navy
Dress: Old Navy (old)
Belt: Target
Wedges: Payless
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelet: Kohl’s (I think)
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: American Beauty Eyeshadow in “Double Cream”
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Makeup Forever Smoky Lash Mascara in “Black” (sample)
Blush: Just Pure Minerals Blush in “Rose” (Etsy)
Lips: can’t remember, sorry!

You can thank my husband for that title. Apparently I look like the perfect 50s wife (aka: June Cleaver) in this dress. “Not that that’s a bad thing,” he says.

I really love the fit and flare style (like this one). I got tons of compliments at work that night, too, so I must be doing something right.  It’s all about the fit. And the flare. :)

By the way, I’ve had this dress for over 7 years. Yes, that’s right, 7 years. I wore it to a co-worker’s wedding back in 2005 and when I see pictures from that day, I want to run away in horror. The dress came with a thin ribbon belt, which I wore, I wore my hair up, and I accessorized with pearls. I literally looked like someone straight out of the 50s. And not in a good way. 

Unfortunately, I still fit in this dress today, but I re-worked the look of it with a different belt, a cropped cardigan, and no pearls. So much better. It’s amazing what a few little changes can do. 

I’m hoping to not fit in this dress soon. Not because I don’t like it, but because I want to be smaller. I’m down 5 lbs. in the last few days, so yay me. :) 

Cardigan: TJ Maxx (old)
Dress: Dress Barn (really old)
Belt: Target
Wedges: Payless
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelets: Forever 21
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Too Faced Naked Collection Eye Palette in “Satin Sheets”
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Rimmel Scandal-Eyes Mascara in “Black”
Blush: NARS Blush in “Orgasm”
Lips: Salma Hayek Nuance Lipstick in “Dusty Rose”

Anyone else love this show as much as I do? I lurve it. Like seriously. 

Last night’s finale was so good. A bit predictable, but still really good. I hate Megan Hilty’s character, but I think I’m supposed to hate her. 

I have loved Debra Messing since her “Will & Grace” days. I can recite pretty much every episode verbatim. Well, maybe not verbatim, but I really did love that show. I love how her character in “Smash” is slightly “Grace” without being completely typecasted. I also love how her wardrobe in the show is sophisticated/comfortable. Lots of long cardigans, long necklaces, black on black, etc. That’s what I went for with this outfit.

How’d I do?

Cardigan: TJ Maxx (old)
Tank/Shell: Jennifer Lopez (Kohl’s)
Pants: Sonoma (Kohl’s)
Flats: Target (old)
Necklaces: family heirloom and Forever 21
Bracelet: Pandora
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: American Beauty Eyeshadow in “Double Cream” (light shade only)
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Maybelline Falsies Mascara in “Black”
Blush: Just Pure Minerals Blush in “Rose” (Etsy)
Lips: Estee Lauder Hydra Lustre Lipstick in “Dune Rose”

Ah yes, the swing top. Another article of clothing that hides a multitude of sins. :) It’s right up there with maxi dresses. 

It’s flowy, comfortable, and makes my legs look thinner by comparison. Perfect. It’s amazing what you can find on the TJ Maxx clearance racks!

Happy Monday! (an oxymoron if I’ve ever heard one) :)

Tunic: S Point (TJ Maxx)
Blazer: Lauren Conrad (Kohl’s)
Leggings: Sweet Nothings - Get the Skinny Shapewear Leggings (Walmart)
Flats: American Eagle (Payless)
Necklace: H&M
Bracelets: Forever 21
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 in “Foxy,” “Bootycall,” and “Snakebite”
Eyeliner: Almay Liquid Liner in “Brown Topaz”
Mascara: Maybelline Falsies Mascara in “Black”
Blush: Tarte Amazonian clay 12-hour Blush in “Exposed”
Lips: Luscious Lip Tints in “Hibiscus” (Robyn’s Nest Boutique)

Sometimes I think I have the reverse of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I get by, day after day, thinking everything is okay, when in reality, I am SEVERELY overweight. I know logically that I’m overweight, but I look in the mirror when I’m dressed for work, and my makeup is done, and my outfit is what I planned it to be, and I don’t feel quite as bad. I think I trick myself into believing I look okay by dressing up. It makes me feel better, but I’m not fooling anyone but myself. Looking good is one thing. Feeling good and actually being healthy are a whole ‘nother issue.

I don’t know if I hide it (mostly) well or if people are just nice to me, because no one believes me when I tell them I have about 70 pounds to lose. And that’s just to be at a healthier weight. I should probably lose more like 80 pounds to really be where I should be. The thought is just so daunting. It was daunting when I only had 50-60 lbs. to lose, but 70-80 — that’s just downright scary.

Despite the post I wrote way back in January, when I thought I had my head together about finally losing this weight, I am officially the heaviest I’ve been in over 5 years. :( I’m horrified. What have I done?

I know you guys are probably sick of reading about my weight woes, but this is a living breathing diary of sorts, and I need to express my feelings as I feel them. I need to hold myself accountable.  I need to remember how bad it feels to be in this place. 

So, thanks for reading. :)

Do bright colors make you happy? Do they make ME appear happy? I think there’s something to be said for wearing bright colors, as long as you find ones that suit you. Although I really don’t believe that certain people can’t wear certain colors. I think if you love it, wear it. :) If it makes you happy, do it!

I never thought I’d love bright green, but I can honestly say that I really like it! The other colors compliment it so well and although I’m casual, I feel put together. Even in flip-flops. :)

My favorite color is blue, but I almost never wear it. Hmm…

What colors make you happy?

Have a great weekend!

Shirt: Apt. 9 (Kohl’s)
Jeans: Calvin Klein - boyfriend (Lord & Taylor)
Flip-Flops: Old Navy
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelet: Forever 21
Watch: Relic “Stella”
I didn’t write down my makeup that day, so sorry!

I can’t stress enough how much I love maxi dresses. They require little to no styling, which is great in and of itself, but there are lots of other reasons I love them. I can wear it alone for a casual day or throw on a cardi and I’m ready for work. Plus, they hide all the stuff I don’t want people to see. And the biggest bonus? It feels like I’m wearing PJs. Seriously. SO comfortable! 

My only real issue about maxi dresses and/or maxi skirts is that I often have a hard time deciding which shoes to wear. If I’m going casual, I would just wear sandals or flip-flops. That’s a no-brainer. But for work, it’s a little bit trickier, since I can’t wear open-toed shoes. I feel like flats make the dress seem frumpy, but heels make the dress fall a little shorter than I’d like. Considering the fact that you can hardly see the shoes with an extra long maxi dress, I usually end up wearing flats, just for comfort alone.

How do you style maxi dresses and/or skirts? 

Dress: Elle (Kohl’s)
Cardi: Target (old)
Flats: American Eagle (Payless - old)
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelet: Pandora
Earrings: Sally Beauty Supply
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked Palette 2 Eyeshadow in “Verve”
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Makeup Forever Smoky Lash Mascara in “Black” (sample)
Blush: Just Pure Minerals Blush in “Rose” (Etsy)
Lips: Salma Hayak Nuance Lipstick in “Dusty Rose”

Despite the fact that I ate nothing but lean proteins, fairly low carbs, and lots of green veggies all week (with the exception of allowing myself to eat 1 pack of M&Ms at work and some yummies at a birthday party), I have gained a pound this week. What gives? I eat unhealthy, I gain. I eat healthy, I gain. It is extremely unmotivating to live like this. I should be able to enjoy myself once in awhile at a party or wherever, without worrying about gaining weight. Especially if I’m on track all the other days.

Weight Watchers has always worked well for me, but in recent months, it’s just not cutting it. Obviously.

I’m currently waiting for my delivery of a pre-planned, pre-portioned protein diet. I have NEVER been one to go that route, but nothing else is working. I need to take the guesswork out and I NEED to get healthy. Stat.

I’m a little worried about being miserably hungry, but everything takes hard work, and nothing good is ever easy. Someone remind me of that when I’m crying in my protein shake.

In other news, here’s an outfit I wore to work recently. Hope you all have a great Monday!

Shirt: Sonoma (Kohl’s)
Skirt: Lane Bryant (really old)
Flats: Lands’ End (old)
Belt: Walmart (old)
Necklace: Walmart (old)
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Too Faced Naked Eye Collection in “Pillow Talk” and “In the Buff”
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Makeup Forever Smoky Lash Mascara in “Black” (sample)
Blush: Bare Minerals Blush in “Hint”
Lips: MAC Lipstick in “Viva Glam V”
Nails: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in “Brisk Blue” 

I recently got this dress at Kohl’s (of course) and when I got it home, I noticed it said it was in the “Swim” category on the tag. Um, what? It’s not sheer, it’s not made of swimsuit material, and nothing about it screams swim to me. Odd.

Dress: Apt. 9 (Kohl’s)
Cardi: Kohl’s
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelet: Pandora
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Wet ‘N Wild “Sweet As Candy” Trio (without the dark shade)
Eyeliner: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in “Icy Black”
Mascara: Clarins Instant Definition Mascara in “Intense Black”
Blush: Bare Minerals Blush in “Hint”
Lips: Loreal Colour Riche Balm in “Tender Mauve”
Nails: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in “Brisk Blue” 

Please excuse the headless pix, but between the unbelievably bad hair day I had, combined with bad shadowing, I looked positively ridiculous. I actually can’t believe I went out like that. If you worked with me that day, you were unfortunate enough to witness said bad hair day. 

Anywayyyy, here’s what I wore. You’re welcome.

Dress/Tunic: Kohl’s (old)
Cardi: Old Navy (old)
Leggings: NY & Co. (old)
Belt: old
Flats: Merona (Target - old)
Necklace: family heirloom
Bracelet: Pandora
Watch: Relic “Stella”
Eyeshadow: Maybelline Eyeshadow Single in “Silken Taupe”
Eyeliner: Stila Smudge Sticks Eyeliner in “Stingray”
Mascara: Maybelline Falsies Mascara in “Black”
Blush: Bare Minerals Blush in “Hint”
Lips: Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick in “Crystal Pink”
Nails: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in “Brisk Blue”