I believe in everyone.

Button down shirt: Avenue ($10)
Layering tank: Old Navy ($3)
Dress: Old Navy ($4)
Belt: From another dress
Shoes: American Eagle via Ross ($12? $16?)


I got this dress on clearance a while ago in a brick and mortar Old Navy store. I used to avoid shopping there because I assumed nothing would fit, but lately whenever I go in I can usually find some things I can wear, such as this dress (in XL, not even XXL!) and sweaters and things. And even though I've probably gained ten pounds since I bought it, it still fits. And it has pockets!

The layering tee is also off the shelf at Old Navy, it's an XXL. They were doing a great sale this weekend and I bought several things - for me!

What worked: I was comfortable for the most part, and I really like how this ended up working. This is probably the most layering I've ever done - I was wearing purple bike shorts also that you can't see to protect from chub rub and to keep me from flashing everybody as I sat on the gym floor. Despite all the layers I didn't have to adjust it much.

What didn't: The dress kept riding up as I walked. It wasn't awful, but it bothered me. The belt got on my nerves a little bit, also - you can see that it is a bit skewed in this picture. I kept fiddling with it all day. Also I was SO FRICKIN' COLD. I was going to wear my grey roper boots with this but didn't want to fiddle with them this morning, but the boots at least would have kept my ankles from freezing.

♫: Joanna Newsom - '81

What do teachers make?

Five on Friday - Black Friday edition

1. Socks are a classic gift, but they don't have to be boring. Fiona reviews several products from Sock Dreams with the plus sized lady in mind.

2. JIBRI is having a Black Friday sale - 50% off EVERYTHING, from midnight until noon EST! This is HUGE, because Jibri items are high quality but soooo expensive. Just use the code Black10 at checkout!
Jibri Online
Jibri's Etsy

3. After taking advantage of all the Black Friday sales, help support your local economy by participating in Small Business Saturday.

4. Don't know what to get? College Fashion has some suggestions of great basic pieces to build a wardrobe in British vs American style

5. Why not treat yourself? Check out Own your own beauty: 12 Tips for letting go of Perfectionism.

Boutiques.com

After reading this post on Adored Austin, I decided to head over to Boutiques.com and create my very own profile. It categorized my style as being somewhat punk and somewhat street and offered these runway photos as examples. I don't think they're too accurate as to where I am now, but they're accurate as far as the style I wish I had.

I can't afford most of the stuff that they offer as suggestions in my boutique, though I do like the majority of the items, the Free People stuff especially. It's pretty cool to have a computerized personal shopper. Is there a site that does this for plus sizes?

8 track Friday - November mix

too little too late

Sweater and tank: Merona by Target ($?? they were on clearance)
Trousers: Gloria Vanderbilt via Ross (Free with gift card)
Shoes: Sketchers (gift)
Necklace: Claire's (also on clearance)


This is an outfit from last week, not super fancy but very comfortable.

I was on a field trip with the Girl Scouts on Saturday when I found out my father passed away. He'd been battling cancer for a while, though, so it wasn't a big surprise. I will probably do a longer post about it later.

♫: Ramona Falls - Russia

Five on Friday

1. "Degenerate" Art condemned and buried by Nazis unearthed in Berlin.

2. The 50s Housewife Experiment - a woman decides to live as a 50s housewife for two weeks, cooking from 50s cookbooks and following style advice from 50s magazines.

3. DIY Archaeology from Seventh Generation. I have things dating from my pre-teen years piled up at my mother's house, so I might have to do a little of this myself.

4. Get $20 when you sign up for Gilt.

5. Send a GLSEN Safe Space kit to a local school. Help schools better deal with the bullying against LGBT teens.

Have a nice weekend!

I hated you, I loved you too

Cardigan: Avenue ($20)
Shirt: Old Navy ($5)
Skirt: Target ($5)
Tights: We Love Colors ($15)
Shoes: Urban Outfitters ($50)
Necklace: Ich Bin on Etsy ($7)
Bracelet: Target ($1)

I promise I've been wearing other things besides this sweater and these shoes, I just haven't been posting because I've been feeling particularly awful about myself and debating on whether or not this blog is even a good idea. On the days I don't plan an outfit I think is post-worthy, I usually fall back on the old uniform of ill-fitting khakis and a t-shirt, though, and the whole point of this is to try to get me to put more effort into my look.

When I was putting this together, I was literally thinking to myself, "What would a nerd wear?" This kind of easy skirt and tee outfit reminds me very much of Tania, though I don't think she would go for these colors (and the only reason I bought the skirt in the first place was because of a post eons ago about building a wardrobe at academichic). The shirt is kind of a weird length and the skirt has a weird top, so belting it just didn't look right. In the end I just let it go and threw the sweater on over it, not feeling so great about it overall.

Plus these tights, my "good" tights, started bagging, and the chub rub was awful. I know a lot of bloggers who sing the praises of We Love Colors, but I haven't been having a good experience with their products

When I got to work, though, one of my co-workers said she loved my style! She said I'm kind of "girly-punk," and one of my other co-workers added, "sort of boho." I didn't know I really was showing any kind of style!

I guess I should keep the blog after all.

♫: Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights

8 track Friday - After the full moon

I still like doing "Five on Friday," but I also love music, if you can't tell, so I think every other Friday I'm going to do an 8 track mix that either I made or I really like. Be sure to share your mixes with me if you make one!

To be so sweet was her only mistake

Cardigan: Avenue
Shirt: Old Navy
Trousers: Dots
Oxfords: Urban Outfitters
T-rex Necklace: Hot Topic
Bracelet/Watch: Walmart

I was excited to find this necklace at Hot Topic. I have been lusting after this Tatty Devine necklace for years, and when I saw the small plastic version, it was a fair enough approximation to satisfy me.

I'm not normally a bright colors person, but I've been really into yellow lately. Before I bought this shirt, I'd already bought two yellow belts from Coldwater Creek that I have yet to wear.

So this is me, branching out a little, with my starry oxfords and dino accessories. I am funky at heart, and doing my best to look a little funkier in person.

Today's song: Hooverphonic - Jackie Cane