Muted Tones and Womanhood | Outfit

Tomorrow I will be meeting up with some women who I have known since elementary and middle school. It's something we do a couple times a year to stay connected as we migrate to different towns and build different lifestyles. Each meal we spend together is a patchwork quilt of laughter and stories as we share bits of our lives and every time I am amazed at the group of us.

Each of us is entirely unique from the others. We're tomboys and girly girls, mothers and the happily childless, quick to laughter and quiet observers, creative and technical. And despite this, maybe because of this, friendship prevails. We are constantly bombarded with messages that we need to be a singular ideal of womanhood. But, how can we expect that when the nuances and the facets of women create such a strong and fluid mosaic?

Do we seek out identical, homogenized flowers planted in orderly rows? Not really. Because everything in life is improved by variety. Just because a lily exists it doesn't mean a rose is any less dazzling. Just because cinnamon is more common doesn't mean cardamon doesn't delight. Why are women, complex and varied human beings, expected to satisfy a checklist of desirable traits? That's nuts! Not one of us has more or less value because of the personality traits, habits, and body parts that make us up. We are good because we exist. We are better because we exist together.

Dress worn as a skirt: Modcloth (similar) | Shirt: Kohl's (similar in straight size, similar in plus| Blazer: Thrifted (similar in straight size, similar in plus) | Tights: Walmart (similar in straight size, similar in plus) | Belt: Target (similar in plus) | Boots: Modcloth (similar)

Fruit Print Skirt | Outfit

You guys. It's like my last post was a plea straight to Mother Nature herself because it is SIXTY DEGREES. This is not a drill. This is not a joke. It is SIXTY DEGREES in Wisconsin in MARCH.

But, today is not a day for writing. It's a day for living the things that are pretty words to come. So, my kids and I have some exploring to do and I mean, seriously. What are you doing here? Go play!

Sweater: Kohls (similar in straight size, similar in plus) | Skirt: Vintage (similar vintage finds in various sizes here, here, here, and here) | Shoes: Bait Footwear (similar) | Bow: Amazon | Lips: Colourpop's Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Scrooge

Navy Plaid and Blush | Outfit

Spring has sprung! Well, not really because we just had a blizzard. But, spring doesn't really happen in Wisconsin the way it happens in the rest of the world. As temperatures rise and everyone else is experiencing the reawakening of the world with blossoms and sunshine, our first signs of spring are heaps of dirty snow that refuse to melt and soggy, brown, litter covered grass. The beginning of spring, for us, is more like the death rattle of winter and we're left dealing with the corpse.

That's why spring is much more of a mindset in Wisconsin. Spring is here when our coats start to feel like they're smothering us and we cannot bare the thought of pulling on our grubby, salt stained boots one more time. No matter how cold and wet it is. It's when we decide to grit our teeth and dig our hearty, Midwestern heels in and firmly tell winter, "no more." If we can't have blossoms and sunshine then we'll just pretend. We'll wear cheery clothes and shorts in 30 degree weather because we just...can't...take it...anymore. So, huzzah. It's spring. Because we say so.

Cardigan: thrifted (similar) | Shirt: JCP (similar in plus) | Skirt: thirfted (similar, similar in straight sizes) (similar, similar in plus) | Shoes: Payless | Belt: Target (similar in plus) | Bag: Modcloth (similar)

Horse Print Dress | Shaped by Style

I'm over at Shaped by Style today with my very first outfit post about this amazing vintage horse print dress! Go check it out!

Jibri | Inspired

I stumbled upon the plus size designer Jibri while browsing the hallowed bits and bites of instagram and I basically didn't stop stalking them for days. I was in love. If I had to chose one brand of clothing to wear forever and never let another designer touch my pale, pale skin again, it would be Jibri. The clothing is colorful, sophisticated, splattered in prints, vintage inspired with a modern twist, and the cuts, the cuts! The drama they employ in their oversized crops, balloon sleeves, and draping! I am hemorrhaging wonder and awe over here.

Have swim suit cover ups ever existed that were so beautiful? The answer is yes but not since the divine Grace Kelly sauntered across the movie screen in High Society.

This little mustard, teal, and green number up here is essentially my ideal outfit, hair included. The proportions of the thick waistband paired with the oversized top and full skirt give the outfit this great nipped in, structured look that just flows right into free movement. The effect is stunning and works well to combine casual and dramatic, feminine flair.

And this little dollop of delightfulness here takes me to the moon and back. It's so cool and quirky. That head to toe print is perfect in a black and white color scheme and that little wine colored hat at the top? Oh, yeah. You know I'm into that. This whole outfit says I love my body, I love my style, and I'm going to strut it all I want because it's good. We all need some of that in our lives. 

I am the "throw myself on the nearest object and sob dramatically" type of sad that I will never be able to actually afford these most amazing clothes; which I am sure they are worth the cost and if I could put a mortgage payment toward getting an outfit or two...but you know...food...shelter...those things...

Which is why Jibri will forever linger in my Inspired section and never make it to an Outfit post. But, it's OK because the mere existence of these photos allows me to ask myself what I can do. I can sew a mean skirt. Maybe I can I sew a beautiful crop top with balloon sleeves too but I never would have discovered that. I can look critically at brands I can afford like LC Lauren Conrad, ELLE, and Old Navy to find elements that have a similar feeling. And I can scour thrift stores and the virtual aisles of Facebook BST's, Ebay, and resale apps like Poshmark to score a deal. It's rare but it happens. So, I am so grateful to have these amazing pieces grace the boards of my pinterest account even though that is as far as it will ever go. It's enough that we're here in this world together.

Links a la Mode

I know, I’m late because I wasn't even aware until today, but I’ve been featured on Independent Fashion Bloggers’ Links a la Mode! Please check out the other awesome post below!
Links à la Mode, February 18

• Al Balsam Life: Diana Vreeland on Love
• Alive as Always: No-Bake Cheesecake in a Jar | 3 Ways
• Attire Club: A Look at the Men of 2016 Grammy Awards
• Christie Moeller: How to Fix a Boucle Snag
• DressCode:HighFashion: Fashion Trend Overview S/S 16
• Everyday Starlet: Top 5 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
• Fashion Moriarty: 5 Floral Shirts for Valentine’s Day
• I’m a Norbyah: Prints | More is More
• Lady Goodman: The Imminent Rise of Direct to Consumer Shows
• Les Assorties: Vernez | A Platform Calling Out Aspiring Fashion Editors
• Modavracha: How to Use an Editorial Calendar to Improve Your Blog Content
• Mox and Socks: Meet Mox, My Incredible Dog
• Petite Silver Vixen: 15 Reasons to Wear a Beret!
• Prime Butterfly: Macy’s Celebrates Black History Month
• Rain of Peonies: Shorts in Winter | Pourquoi Pas? good but 11 photos
• Rolala Loves: Why I don’t Celebrate Valentine’s Day & Choose Love Everyday
• Savage Gazelle: 10 Essentials For a Chic Winter Wardrobe
• Style Context: NYFW F/W 2016 | Lovely Gowns at Leanne Marshall
• The Classy Junk: How to Use Pinterest to Create a Personal Valentine’s Day Look
• We Are Ready Made: Keta Gutmane

SPONSOR: Shopbop Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, BCBG Dresses, Private Party Tops, MISA, Moon River, Ace of Something, Fringe Jackets, Wildfox Tees, Micro Satchels, Men's Ted Baker

Electric Blue Pleats | Outfit

I was wandering the dimly lit aisles of St. Vinnie's in search of an embroidered cardigan when my hands slipped over a waterfall of electric blue knife pleats that spilled into a pool chevron. Because thrifting is all about exploration, I pulled the garment off the rack to discover a 60's style secretary dress that was oh, so lovely. The shape of the dress on the hanger said "size 6." The tag said "size 12." The elastic waistband and super stretchy fabric said "go for it."

It's so important to not limit yourself to the number on the tag because if it fits on your body and you like the way it looks, it's your size. That's a good rule to follow whether you're at a thrift store or the mall. As there is always a chance you could stumble upon a dress that fits from size 6 to 16 seamlessly.

Dress: Vintage, (similar vintage finds here, and here) similar in 2-16, similar in XS-XXL, similar in 1X-3X, similar in 16-24 | Tights: similar in S-L, similar in 1X-6X | Belt: Target, similar in S-XL, similar in 14-24 | | Scarf: Thrifted, similar | Boots: Modcloth, similar | Lips: Colourpop's Liquid Lipstick in Bumble