Old Navy, I Like the Things You Do

I'd like to give a major shout out to Old Navy. Old Navy was always one of those stores that did not get much attention from me. Maybe it's because of it's terrible, cringe-worthy ads, but, I was always under the impression that the clothes there just weren't all that great. In the last couple of years I've started popping in now and then and I've discovered a plethora of adorable clothes.

You might not find amazing fashion forward pieces that totally blow your mind but, if you're in the market for cute, reasonably priced basics, Old Navy is a great option. Every wardrobe needs a good foundation of basics. Basics add maturity and dimension to outfits and can make a good outfit really chic. Mixing in some great basics to your show stopping pieces is just like adding salt and flour to your sugar and butter when baking cookies. You just have to do it or it doesn't turn out right.

The place where I have to give Old Navy the biggest props is in their sizing. Not only do they have a plus size range but, their regular size goes up to a 20 and the sizes are quite generous. It's really awesome of them to offer so many options. Both this dress and the chambray shirt, for example, were from the regular line and neither has any fit issues. I usually have to size up with button up shirts because I find the sleeves too tight and the buttons always gap at my chest. Not the case here. Great fit all the way around. I know I'm always on the quest for perfect button up shirts, something that doesn't gap or feel to tight but is fitted and shapely. That's a tough order to fill and this one does just that.

The dress is so comfortable and versatile. I can see a hundred spring/summer outfits as well as fall outfits since the color is light yet slightly grayed. I can already tell you these are going to be two of my favorite pieces this year. So, let's all give some love to Old Navy for being so awesome!

Style Imitating Art Time: Superhero Edition!

I know, right?

SIA couldn't be cooler this week. This is a mixed media piece by Alex Gross featuring Captain America painted over a vintage photograph. Amahzing.

Despite the fact that I am not a nerd at all I have a major lady boner for superhero movies. Of course, my favorites are the Batman movies, any Batman movie. But, I am really into the Avenger movies too. They are exactly what a superhero movie should be. Humorous, action-packed, touches of romance, visually simulating, and full of man candy. Whenever Husband drags me to the newest movie I pretend to put up a fight but really, I can't wait to watch a twenty foot Robert Downing Jr./Chris Hemsworth/Chris Evans prance around on the screen for me. They are very well made movies that don't take themselves too seriously. As opposed to Christopher Nolan turning a comic about a man dressing up as a spandex bat into parables about the fears of modern society and although I love them, it's a little pretentious. I'm just saying.

That's my round about way of saying I was pretty excited to put together a Captain America look for SIA. And I'm sure I'm missing some higher meaning that this piece is converying but, I don't care. Too Excited.

Sweater - Target, Top - Target, Skirt - Target, Tights - Walmart, Socks - Target, Boots - Target, Belt - Asos, Lips - Mac in So Chaud

I was inspired by the typical superhero mask to create a dramatic eye look. I used Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk, the dark blue shade in Cover Girl's Tropical Fusion Quad, and the white shade in Bare Minerals The Star Treatment palette as a highlight. I also contoured and highlighted my bone structure to give myself...well any appearance of  bone structure.

Sometimes I Just Don't Know What to Call These Things

Do any of you know what sciatica is? Well, if you don't, lucky you. It's inflammation of the sciatic nerve that causes a lot of pain. Your sciatic nerve starts on your lower spine, or in other words, your butt, and travels along your leg. I got sciatica from my pregnancies and every once in a while it still flares up. I'm pretty sure it's hereditary because the same thing happens to my mom.

This dress is so comfortable. It's a nice A-line that camouflages but, doesn't add extra volume and the swiss dot detailing on top is sweet.

The blouse is billowy with an adorable owl pattern and it is the first thing I ever saw from Dorothy Perkins. I knew she and I would get along at first sight.

Some days, my sciatic nerve will throb all day long and I can literally trace my nerve down my thigh, around my knee, down my shin, and into my foot. Other days, it will go from 0 to dropping me to my knees in a half a second. I'm not kidding. I'll be walking along all normal like and out of nowhere, my whole leg will seize up from stabbing, screaming pain. The only thing that has saved me from falling flat on my face thus far is the convenience of well placed furniture.

Yesterday my husband came home from work to find me down the basement sitting in a pile of laundry. All he had to say was, "Sciatic nerve?" The pile of laundry had been the closest thing to me when my leg seized up and it was all I could do to lower myself on to the soft, stinky pile. I had been stuck down there for a half hour, browsing the internet on my phone, to afraid to walk up the steep, rickety basement stairs.

Lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Peach Petal

Sciatica is like an annoying friend that likes to pop up and pull nasty pranks on you. Everyone gets a good laugh at your expense and you have to let a little bit of your dignity go. It's definitely not the worst thing in the world and sometimes it's a really good excuse to be lazy. But, seriously, I am waiting for the day it makes me fall and smash my face on the floor in front of everyone I know.

This is what I did in this outfit. Arm wrestled my sister in Cousin's.

Let's Give 'em the Old Pizazz!

Let's talk clothes, people.

There is something about this dress that is hard to put into words. When I first saw it online I thought, "meh." But, after looking at it a few times and featuring it in my first Friday Favorites post it just got under my skin. I would not say it is a beautiful dress but, it has a certain charm that makes me stop and study it for a while, trying to make sense of it. Which is more powerful than the draw of a traditionally pretty dress. It reminds me of Audrey Hepburn's character in Funny Face before she gets discovered. It's parts could be considered plain yet the overall effect is enchanting. 

The quality of the material is great. The skirt is soft and more opaque than I expected as the description online said  it was sheer. Compared to other polyester clothes I have, that I bought at discount stores, it is much better quality. The fit is flattering, as well. The waist nips in appropriately and the skirt flares away from the body to hide a tummy but, doesn't add any bulk.

Some clothes you wear for comfort and practicality, some clothes you wear because of the drama they create, and some clothes you wear because they make you feel more like yourself. As if the clothes are capturing all the thoughts milling around in your head and projecting them out for the world to see. That is what I am always looking for and that is what this dress does for me.

***REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT REPEATED OUTFIT ALERT***

CHAMBRAY SHIRT

Welcome to a new feature on the blog where I defy the fashion police and show you when I repeat an article of clothing on this here blog. When I post a new outfit, if I have featured a part of the outfit before, you, the glorious reader, will get to see how I pulled it off! But I, the humble blogger, maintain the right to not feature shoes and accessories if I wear them regularly. Which, I'm sure does not break your heart.

For My Family

I'm choosing not to do a Friday Favorites post in respect for some sad news my family received today. It doesn't seem right to talk about material things and silly, happy bits when people I know are going through a lot of pain right now.

Some of you may remember Nick Wilcox, the man who went missing in Milwaukee on New Years Eve. Well, Nick was my step-dad's cousin. The Wilcoxs and the Mettilles have been friends for years so, both sides of my family were in grief when he went missing. My parents were regulars in the search parties and at the beginning of March we went to a fundraising event to raise money to keep the search going. It was such a surreal experience to see this family going through the unthinkable.

Last night Nick's body was found in the Milwaukee River.

There is something about the Wilcox family that radiates happiness, like they have a joy gene in their DNA or something. They are such happy, good people that it becomes infectious and every one around them falls under the spell of their boisterous laughter and quick smiles. From stories I hear of Nick, I can tell he was a Wilcox through and through. I am personally grateful to the Wilcox family because of my step-dad, Ronnie. He came to our family in a time when we really needed him and even though blood says he is not our real father, love says otherwise.The idea that this has happened to a family that has so much goodness to offer the world is just not fair. When I see how much hurt Ronnie and his family and friends are in my heart breaks. I just can't help but ask, "why?"

I pray that everyone that has been touched by this finds some solace to help them through and I also encourage everyone to give their loved ones a hug today in honor of Nick and his family and just because you can.

Style Imitating Art Time!

Yellow Roses in a Vase, Gustave Calliebotte

Sweater - Gap, Shirt - Torrid, Dress - eShakti, Shoes - DSW, Lipstick - Bed Head Girls Just Want It in Hope

What do flowers, impressionist paintings, and great outfits have in common? Layers. Layers of petals, layers of colors, and layers of clothes. Clearly, an outfit inspired by an impressionist painting of flowers needed to have layers. I was also inspired by the multitude of colors from the painting and I pulled out three of my favorites to incorporate into my outfit. I chose this amazing eShakti dress because of the color but, also because of the tulip shape. I love how the skirt looks like it is blooming from the layers of the shirt and cardigan.

This is my favorite button up shirt, my favorite dress, my favorite lightweight cardigan, and my favorite color scheme (obviously it's the same color scheme as my dinning room) but, I have never but these things together like this before and I just don't know why. This is probably my favorite outfit I've featured on this blog to date. It's just so me. I guess when you use beautiful things to inspire your clothes beautiful things happen.

This Torrid shirt is so soft and works with so much. It really is a wardrobe staple.

These were my Valentine's Day gift from my husband and even though I can't wear them outside yet, their awesomeness was busting it's way through my closet to get onto a blog post.

Five for Friday After Midnight, Which Makes it Saturday.

I am letting out a big sigh right now. I am not starting out strong on this Five for Friday thing after skipping a week and now posting this week's after midnight. Oops. But, I've never really been one for routines or schedules. I try to be but, at the end of the day I'm still the disorganized mess I've always been.

I could use the dentist as an excuse as I have been in and out of the dentist's office all week and just today (or yesterday as it is after midnight) I had a tooth pulled. Still, I know that is a flimsy excuse. So, I won't even try.

Let's get on with it!

I saw this stool at Target today and we had a little flirtatious moment. I've been looking for the perfect stool to pair with my antique red velvet tufted arm chair in my bedroom and my heart wanted something equally feminine and yet nothing seemed right. When I saw this stool, I realized I had been going in the wrong direction. The tailoring and simple black and white pattern would contrast to the girlishness of my bedroom without clashing and sends a subtle message of, "hey, a man sleeps in this bedroom too." 

Clara Bow. Should one ever have to say anything more than that?

I am drooling over all the pins at HungryDesigns and this one is competing in a tight race to be my favorite. I have a million fond memories of paper dolls and folding those little tabs over my flimsy little friend. Add the fact that the name of the pin has me singing, "Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. Never had to have a chaperone, no sir! I'm there to keep my eye on her. Caring, sharing, every little thing that we are wearing," and I am sold. Please come back from vacation quickly, HungryDesigns!

This necklace speaks entirely for itself. You definitely need to do yourself a favor and check out the other amazing pieces at ByBeep on Etsy.

Le sigh. Another knock out dress from Modcloth.

Happy weekend, everyone!