WEARING:
TEXTILE Elizabeth & James skirt (from LastCall – 40% off online through tomorrow)
LnA Deep-v tee
Melissa Sin Sandals (no longer available)
Jas M.B. Bag (only black available online – ALL other styles on sale at Barney’s Co-Op)

I’m feeling like crap today. I think after all the rain we’ve had in Austin the trees & flowers thought it was Spring again so my allergies started acting up. But I went to my PureBarre class this morning, so I thought I could at least get dressed and snap an outfit picture

I got this skirt a while ago at LastCall for a steal, but then had to have it hemmed, so it ended up not being such a steal (hate that!). But I do still love the skirt, it’s so easy to wear, has great pockets, and is super-comfortable. I guess it’s a tad big, but I think it’s supposed to be; it WAS designed by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen. And I pulled out my deep-v tee by LnA to see if I could find a bra already in my drawer to wear it with, and I think I’m okay with my Hanky Panky lace bralette. I love this tee, but haven’t worn it in years because the v-neck is SO low. And I want to pick up a couple more colors while LnA still has their Refinery29 Reserve deal, so I pulled it out of hiding.

Oh, and in case you hadn’t seen yet, I launched The Marketplace yesterday and there are already several great pieces for sale. I hope it is useful to you guys, both buyers & sellers! Let me know if you have any comments about it.

(you can click on the image for a larger version)

WEARING:
Elizabeth & James skirt (via LastCall.com a month or so ago. It’s not available anymore, but they are offering 30% off everything now)
James Perse casual tee
Jil Sander sandals (secondhand from MOSS)
Lizzie Fortunato necklace
Jas MB Bag (via Barney’s Co-Op – not available online)

I was looking through old posts this morning and thought it was time to do an ‘in my bag’ post; especially since I’m no longer carrying my big blue Comme des Garcons wallet. I know, *gasp*!! I subbed it out for a Jerome Dreyfuss pouch I got from Hampden with their Refinery29 Reserve and so far I’m happy. I needed to pare down a bit (my wallet was getting really heavy) and wanted to try something new. And honestly, even though it’s held up nicely, my large CdG wallet is really beginning to show it’s age – I thought I’d give it a rest for a while. Never fear, though, I still have my trusty butterfly pouch by CdG and a “very black” pouch coming today (also thanks to Refinery29 Reserve, this time via bird). I will always have a little CdG in my bag

Also in my bag:
small elephant print BAGGU bag with stuff to go back to Forever21 in it
Manimal recycled leather necklace turned into a business card case
iPhone
2 lip “things” from my side pocket: Laura Mercier SPF (not very moisturizing IMO) & YSL (I have a zillion others in my makeup pouch and in my wallet pouch)

Usually I also carry my iPad in my bag, but I was using it to take pictures (so I could use Diptic for the AWESOME photo collage). This bag holds A TON and never feels heavy. That’s only one of the trillion things I love about it.

And since I never do this, but I have had it done to me (miss sophie!), I’m tagging some of my blogger friends to show me what’s in THEIR bags. So Sharon, Sydney, Miss Sophie, Elissa, and Linda, you’re IT; show us what’s in your bags!!

And readers, what’s in your bag? How many lip glosses are you carrying RIGHT NOW? (me, just 5)

WEARING:
Ella Moss dress
Splendid cardigan
Dannijo necklace
Prada sport sandals (secondhand)
Jas MB bag

I’ve had this dress for a while (got it with a Refinery29 Reserve several months ago – speaking of Refinery29 Reserves, did you guys get the Rachel Pally one that started yesterday?? I did!!! Can’t resist cheap(er) Rachel Pally…) but don’t wear it very often because it’s VERY snug in the hips. When I bought it, I was about 10 pounds smaller; thank goodness for long cardigans

Speaking of long cardigans, and weight, I’m 4 classes in to the living hell that is pure barre and I love it! It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done (that includes Bikram) and I have NEVER felt burn like that before, but that means it’s working, right? I’m also back to cutting out all the “white stuff” from my diet, which is what I did last year to lose 30 pounds, so at least I’m back on the right track. I feel good anyway, and that’s the most important thing.

Living hell aside, if you’re looking for a new workout, try pure barre – it’s pretty amazing. But sooooooo hard. You really feel like you did something when you’re finished though, and once I get to where I can complete all the repetitions for all the movements, I’ll REALLY feel like I’ve accomplished something

WEARING:
Loup Bustier maxi dress – purchased with a Refinery29 Reserve deal
Demy Lee sweater – also purchased with a Refinery29 Reserve deal
Prada sport sandals (secondhand)
Jas M.B. Bag
Locket from Catbird

I’m always on the lookout for cropped jackets, sweaters or tops to go over dresses & wear with skirts. Ask Sharon. The problem is that NOTHING is ever cropped on me, even if the style is cropped, because I have such a short waist. So, I’m always disappointed. BUT Imagine my surprise & delight when this Demy Lee sweater arrived from Eaton Trading Company (the one that I got with the Refinery29 Reserve last week) and it is PERFECT.

Now, I have a dilemma. bird has the same sweater available in nude, and I did purchase the Refinery29 Reserve deal for them recently. Do I buy a second sweater using that reserve? #firstworldproblems

I always want to buy multiples of things I love, but never seem to. In this case, I may just do it…the sweater is just too good. And since it never gets REALLY cold here, I could wear it nearly all year around. Sold!

Do you buy multiples of things you love?

Have a great weekend!!!

WEARING:
Lanston dress
Splendid Cardigan
Jas M.B bag
Lizzie Fortunato necklace
Prada sport sandals (secondhand)

So…I got my haircut again yesterday. Obviously. I went in wanting it shorter because it’s getting hot here, and the cut is nearly exactly what I wanted (similar to this model’s cut on Rebecca Minkoff), but my bangs aren’t long enough yet to really achieve the look. AND, I’m not sure it’s a great cut for me. I like it, but I think I’ll like it more in about two weeks, when it’s grown out a bit. It will also take some getting used to; I’m still kind of shocked when I walk by a mirror. This cut definitely requires me to do more with my makeup, since my face is “out there” as it were – nothing to hide behind!! So I played up my eyes today, and used some blush. Anyway, hair grows. I’m generally pretty adventurous with my hair, but haven’t been the past couple of years, so I’m making up for it now

WEARING:
James Perse strapless dress (SOO old – wish he’d do this one again!)
Forever21 jacket (not online, in the plus-size department)
Prada sport sandals (secondhand from MOSS)
Jas MB bag
Candace Ang necklace

First, I want everyone to know how much your comments/support/etc. meant to me on last week’s “weight” post. I feel so much better now; I think the weight of the world fell down on me right before I wrote that post, and I was probably still suffering from too much frozen yogurt with cheesecake bites in it (!!) from the night before. Honestly, Melissa’s comment with the link to Justine Musk’s blog post on changing your life really had an impact on me; I even signed up for Pure Barre classes twice a week for the next two weeks…(read the post).

I just need to start making THE RIGHT decisions when it comes to my body and stop getting angry at myself when I don’t (I’d win first prize in a contest to see who could get mad and stay mad at themselves the longest. no joke). I also need to stop eating frozen yogurt before bed. Anyway, I’m glad I wrote that post, and I’m glad so many of you responded. Too many bloggers just talk about weight loss and body image on the surface, or preach about how to get it right, but they never share their personal experiences and struggles. I just wanted to keep it real

And yes, you read correctly above, I am wearing a jacket from Forever21, and it’s a size 2x. Which doesn’t bother me at all. I’m a little frustrated that I finally gave in to the allure of fast fashion and bought something from Forever21, but this jacket is SO CLOSE to an Isabel Marant jacket I’ve had on my lust list forever, so I had to do it. I mean…for $22…I had to. And it seems to be very well made, so I think it will serve me well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!!

WEARING:
Current Elliot boyfriend jeans
Joie linen top
Dannijo necklace
Jil Sander sandals (secondhand via MOSS)
Jas M.B. bag (not available)

I’ll warn you, this is a heavy post. Or a ridiculous post, depending on how you see it. But I’ll start by being really shallow and telling you how crazy I am about my new Jil Sander patent orange sandals

Onto heavier stuff…I’ve been on a serious shopping/buying bender lately. I’ve tried to even the outlay by selling a lot as well, but I feel bad about it because I don’t want to be adding a lot of things to my wardrobe now. I know exactly why I’m doing it – I’ve gained back about 12 pounds since losing 30 last Summer and being at a comfortable weight last year around my birthday. I’m buying things to cover myself up and hide my body again (hello? cardigans…), in spite of the rising temperatures. And I HATE it. Even losing the weight I did made such a big difference: my cholesterol went down, I lost my saddlebags (mostly), and my arms were less flabby. Gaining back 12 of those pounds is SO depressing. And just re-confirms my belief that as I have all of my life until now, I’ll struggle to lose weight and keep it off. Honestly, I don’t think I can ever get down to the healthy weight I want to be. Which is not even that low, it’s certainly not my “ideal” weight, it’s just where I KNOW I will be comfortable and feel “free.” I just need to lose 35 pounds from here and I’ll be deliriously happy.

(because I write a lot more…)

But every time I think about it, I am overwhelmed and paralyzed with fear. The fear that I won’t be able to keep it off (as usual); that I’ll be so happy and proud of myself for losing the weight, and free from my constant feeling of discontent with my body, and THEN IT WILL COME BACK. Like it has over the last several months. It always comes back.

I’m going to be 40 this year. I don’t want to be disappointed in my body/weight anymore. But I really don’t know how to fix it. Sure, I can just lose weight and keep it off. Sure. No problem. I can also just learn to be happy with the body I have, but I’ve tried that. And it doesn’t work long term. I remember how it feels to be thinner (never thin) and more in control, and I loved it. I hate what I am now. I hate that my priority is not my health. I’m disappointed in myself that I’m NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING when it comes to my Body, my Temple.

Ok. Rant over. Moving on. I did not write that for sympathy, or to get comments like “you look great! what are you talking about?” I don’t want to hear it. I KNOW I look okay on the outside, but that’s not even what matters. It does, but only because the way I feel on the inside clouds & influences the way I feel about how I LOOK on the outside. How ironic is it that I longed for the time when I wouldn’t care anymore what anyone else thought of me, and now that it’s here, I can’t enjoy it. I don’t care if everyone else thinks I look “great” or whatever, I don’t FEEL great, and that’s the ONLY thing that matters. And for the record, I’m going to stop saying that (“oh, you look great!”) to people when they confide in me that they’re not feeling that great about their body – it doesn’t help. I will sympathize with what they’re feeling, not make them feel worse by essentially telling them they’re full of shit. Which is what you do when you tell someone they look great when they don’t feel great…

Since I didn’t just write that for sympathy or reassuring comments, why did I write it? Because I had to get it out. And because FOR MYSELF, I do not believe I can be healthy while carrying around extra weight. Even adding back 12 pounds is causing my knees to hurt again, my ankles are sore, and I know my cholesterol is inching back up & up with every pound. That probably isn’t true for everyone, every body is different, and there may be lots of healthy overweight people. I am NOT one of them. And I’m tired of all the posts/articles written on body image being super-sweet and positive, focusing (and blaming) only on the outside influencers of how we feel about our bodies instead of the internal ones. Sure, maybe the internal feelings of discontent have been shaped over time by outside influences, but at this point in my life, that isn’t valid anymore. As a nearly-40-year-old woman, I need to step out from behind that curtain and own up to making my body healthy. I don’t care about being model-thin or looking perfectly proportionate, I just want to look in the mirror and feel good about how I look.

The end.

WEARING:
James Perse skirt
LnA tank
T by Alexander Wang cardigan
Prada sport sandals (second hand)
Jas M.B. perforated Hobo

So, here are a couple of new things for your viewing pleasure…I got the James Perse skirt (on sale) after I originally bought the striped one with the Shopbop coupon code (not on sale) and didn’t love the placement of the lighter stripe. The one I’m wearing is just the black version with the long side slit. I love it, even though I’m too nervous to wear it without a cardigan to cover my behind

And the Jas M.B. bag isn’t available online anywhere yet, but I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it at Barney’s Co-Op. It’s hard to tell from my outfit picture, but the leather is perforated, which to be honest, is my favorite part of the bag. It also has two vertical zippers on both sides of the bag to satisfy my “outside pockets” requirement, and two compartments inside the bag so small stuff doesn’t get lost at the bottom. As with all Jas bags, it comes with an extra strap so I can carry it messenger style if I want, and of course, it’s handmade in England. With love, I’m sure.

Here’s a close-up instagram pic:

How was your weekend? Any good purchases?

WEARING:
T by Alexander Wang asymmetrical hem dress (sold out)
ORGANIC by John Patrick cardigan (made of surplus cloth, purchased via Gilt)
Tibi sandals (via Gilt)
Jas M.B. bag (here’s a different color on sale at the Outnet)

I know I should have worn heels with this outfit, but I really didn’t want to. Heels would have made me look longer & leaner, but I’m just running around today, and in my world, that calls for flat sandals.

On another note, Jas M.B. is having an anniversary “sale” on their website: 30% off with code ANNI1 through 4/30. Jas bags don’t get nearly the credit they deserve. And honestly, that’s okay by me! More for me My two wings traveler totes (I’m carrying my quilted black version above) are the most practical bags I own. I brought this one to Italy with me and couldn’t have been happier. In pictures, they may look weird, but they’re perfect. Believe me. Jas thinks of everything when he designs bags; comfort, style & practicality always go hand in hand. AND all the bags are made in England. I’m a huge fan. In fact, I’m going to pick my third Jas bag up today from Barney’s Co-op. It’s perforated leather, hobo style gorgeousness. I’ve done some bag-selling lately, so I’m breaking even. This bag is not even available online, it may even be a special order for the Co-Op in Austin. *excited* Pictures tomorrow!

Anyway, back to the question: heels or flats? Do you decide which to wear based on your day? or your outfit?

WEARING:
Etoile Isabel Marant skirt
James Perse tee
Inhabit Cotton cardigan
Tibi sandals (via Gilt)
Jas M.B. bag (links to a similar, but larger version)

I love this outfit. I really have nothing else to say about it. Other than, if you haven’t seen the Net-a-Porter magazine this week, you should take a look. It’s fascinating. And it appears the secret to French women’s style is that they’re arrogant. NOT MY WORDS; Roland Mouret’s I believe. They are SO confident that they can pull off anything and make you believe they didn’t even have to think about it. But they did.