Oak nyc maxi dress (small) | on sale at Oak
Birkenstock Birko-flor sandals
James Perse mini canvas tote (NEW COLORS just added!!!)
Frazier & Wing Elliot Dress (from the designer to review) | Medium
So funny – yesterday Rebecca mentioned in a comment that sometimes her comments on other blogs are better than what she writes on her own blog. Then as I was responding to Claire’s comment on my own post (You are Stronger than you Think), I realized how true that can be; sometimes responding to another’s thoughts can help clarify your own.
I didn’t really FEEL it until I wrote it down, but then, it hit me like a ton of bricks:
I accept my body. It is what it is.
The issue was with perception : how we see ourselves is often different than how others perceive us. Of course we know that is true, but ultimately what I was trying to say in my post, in a not so concise way, is that I’m finished placing value judgements on my body. When I say I have flabby arms, I simply mean that they have a bit of extra fat on them. Same with my saddlebags and thighs. And my calves are objectively wide – 16″ around. Those things are neither positive or negative, they just ARE.
And that is a happy place to be. Acceptance without judgement. We need more of that, now, and we must start with ourselves.
Anyway, about the outfits – my husband surprised me and asked if I wanted to go to my FAVORITE vegetarian indian restaurant for dinner and of course I said yes. But I had to throw something on quickly. I have no shortage of things I can “throw on,” but this Oak dress is one of the very best, I can’t stop recommending that you buy it, if you haven’t yet. I was freezing in the restaurant though, I should have brought my chan luu scarf with me.
And, because I simply can’t help but share RIGHT NOW, the last picture (taken hastily) is a Frazier & Wing dress the designer Heather sent to me this week to review. By now you probably know that as soon as anything arrives in the mail I stop whatever I’m doing and try it on, hence the dress over jeans look (from Monday’s outfit), which I rather like BTW. I will have more pictures and a review next week (+ a discount code), but man, I love this dress so much 🙂
Happy hump day!
I’m heading to Portland this weekend and am trying to fit in a studio visit to Frazier + Wing to check out the collection…will let you know if I make it and will share my thoughts!
Also I am hoping that somehow they will make me look as great as Molly Wizenberg from Orangette looks modeling them on the site…
That Frazier & Wing dress though…. holy cow that’s beautiful – and I usually don’t bat an eye at white clothes because I prefer darker colors. It looks great on you!
oh yes!! i think this dress would be lovely on you – and better for colorado weather than texas right now 😉
it’s so beautifully made…
it is beautiful isn’t it?? i asked for white because i too am wary of white, but i’ve always wanted a white dress. it’s perfect, honestly, and while i’m a little scared of staining it, i’m not going to let that stop me from wearing it. maybe not while cooking tho
Dresses over pants/jeans, always and forever!
Love that black dress, and it fits you way better than it fits the model in the link.
And YESSSSSSS JP released the small tote in my beloved charcoal. Looks like I’ll have a matched set…
Love both outfits! Adding Frazier & Wing to my list to look into. Does the Oak dress fit pretty oversized for a small? Trying to decide if a Small or an XS would work for me. Perfect throw on black dress for summer and into fall with layering options.
Ooops, should have said “mini” in charcoal…
yes, it’s still pretty oversized on me, but i wouldn’t want smaller…
i can totally see you in a frazier & wing dress 😉 over jeans too !!
I have the Oak dress in L and I am larger than an L, so yes, DEF oversize fit. (I have a 43″ bust and was really worried about fitting – but it’s great for me). Of course, Grechen can fill you in on how the S fits 😉
Love the Frazier & Wing dress, but they don’t size for me, so…..
i thought of you when i saw that!! i’m so tempted…
I love this quote: “I accept my body. It is what it is.”
In 2016, I struggled a lot with the stress weight I had gained over the previous few years. It took until I accepted my body for me to start working out again and then I lost a good chunk of the weight pretty quickly! Funny how things work out like that. Finding clothes that fit my “new” body including workout clothes was huge in letting myself accept my body as it was. Now, I’m baffled by the fact that I weigh so much more than I did when I was previously the size I am now, but it’s all the muscle I’ve built up from Pure Barre.
omg, major love for EVERYTHING Frazier and Wing. I would honestly wear every single item currently for sale. Quick: how does the medium fit? I would normally go for a S but am concerned about armpits! 😉
Totally vouching for that Oak dress. I find he it to be perfectly baggy.
i can measure for you when i get home…but the medium fits me really well – although it is a little snug in the upper arm area. the thing i love about it THE MOST is that it fits at the shoulders/chest and the sleeves are slim and with a regular shoulder (not dolman or raglan or whatever) so it helps the dress look not quite so oversized on me. it is quite a-line – something i’m not used to. and i may or may not get it hemmed…
YES. this for me too. i wasn’t quite where i am now in terms of body acceptance, but when i started pure barre 5 years ago i was definitely ready to be happy with my body and appreciate it for what i does for me every day. that just by itself helped me get in the mindset to be ready to treat my body better, and i lost weight.
oh, and i also struggle with numbers on the scale. they don’t really matter, but it’s still shocking to see that i weigh more than i think i do! it’s muscle i know, and i wouldn’t trade that for anything. my thigh muscles more than anything are so much more defined. they’re wonders to behold though! especially during thigh work 🙂
yay for pure barre!!!
I’m glad I said something that resonated! “It is what it is” is a really good position of body acceptance when you’re taking care of what you’ve got! It deserves our care and love and does a lot for us.
Really like the Oak NYC dress. I am tackling some debt next month (and months thereafter, sigh) but I’ve given myself permission to do a little shopping this month to fill wardrobe gaps and address my changing body.
The Oak dress seems like the perfect dress. So easy and casually elegant.
I am glad that you are no longer judging your body with harsh words and thoughts.
That’s why there are aprons. 😉 I’ve finally learned that I can avoid trashing everything I wear while cooking by actually wearing an apron.
Like I said above, I’m making a studio visit this weekend for Frazier & Wing, and as someone else with a 43″ bust want to see if they fit or not.
I bought it! That Frazier & Wing dress is super tempting…i will wait for your review next week!
My jaw dropped when I saw the Frazier & Wing Elliot Dress. I love it! Reminds me of the ES Eva dress, only a little more flattering. The Eva dress was one I went back and forth on forever, but ultimately decided it was just too darn wide (and long) for my short frame. I knew I would get swallowed up in it. Also, I live in a casual, small college town and could not see myself strutting around in the Eva. The Elliot, on the other hand, is just a little more fitted and a little more casual. I love it in the gold color! Might have to save my pennies with this dress in mind.
Thanks for letting us peek at the dress pre-review! I truly enjoy coming to your site; I am always introduced to new brands, designers and exciting ways to pair items. For what it’s worth, I am in my late 20’s but totally jive with your style. You look to “Accidental Icon” for inspo and I look to you! Thanks again.
excellent point. i think i might actually have one around somewhere but i never remember to wear it 😉 obviously.
Cute hair! Thanks for being you”
I love this Grechen! And that white dress. Also, my calves are objectively 15 and 1/3 inches. 😉
Ooo!!! Love the white dress…I’m going to check them out, for sure. I’ve been wearing my Oak dress to work a lot because it’s so hot (for me) and the dress is comfy. I’ve been accessorizing it with a wider belt at my hips, slouchy style. Thanks for the recommendation, oh so long ago!
5 years?!? WOW! You’re my exercise hero!!!