Tips for Moving Past a "Cheat" and Chambray Does Valentine's Day

Hope your Super Bowl was happy! Hopefully if you decided to stick to eating thin last night, you were able to accomplish your goal, but if you didn't, here's some things to keep in mind.

1. You didn't cheat. Cheating implies that your healthy lifestyle has rules. Breaking rules makes you bad, and you're not bad for veering from your path. Think of it as not accomplishing a goal. Sometimes failing at something can be positive. When you fall short of a goal, you can learn a lesson from it and then move on and try again. And achieving after you've failed once, makes it so much sweeter.

2. That was yesterday. Today is today. Let it go. If you're angry at yourself, it's time to forgive and forget. Don't let that nasty voice berate you. You didn't murder someone. You ate a few too many chicken wings. No one got hurt. Well...the chicken did. But otherwise...everyone has all of their fingers and toes still. Focus on today and let yesterday go.

3. It was one day. You didn't gain the weight you wanted to lose in a day. You won't lose it in a day. And you won't gain it back in one day. One day is just a day. Keep it in perspective and keep pressing on. Unless you ate 3,500 calories more than you burned yesterday (unlikely) you likely didn't affect your weight.

4. You can do it. Don't give up over a bad night. You can do this. If I can, you can. So just keep going.

Now, onto some FASHION. I put together three more Chambray shirt outfits. These are romantic looks for a Valentine's Day date or any other occasion where you want to look flirty and sweet.

How to Wear a Chambray Shirt 1: Pretty in Pearl

1. Start with your chambray shirt! (Shirt, AE Boyfriend Chambray Shirt)

2. Tuck it into a suede skirt with a contrast elastic waistband or a faux leather one with a similar look. (Skirt, ShopRuche Central Park Pleated Skirt)

3. Pair it with black opaque tights. (Tights, Hue Women's Super Control Tights) 

4. Slip on black tall boots for a sleek look. (Black boots, Cole Haan Women's Adler Tall Boot in Black ) 

5. Add a pearl clutch with a splash of black. Vintage or current, you decide! (Purse, ALDO Exroiane Clutch)

6. Layer on the pearls in different lengths and hues. (Pearls, Vintage Chanel, Kate Spade Ready Set Pearl, J. Crew Pearl Twisted Hammock Necklace)

How to Wear a Chambray Shirt 2: A Rose by Any Name

1. Start off with a pretty lace dress with a flattering fit. I like this flirty skater style with the high neck and the sleeves. (Dress, Alice + Olivia Jayna Metallic Cotton Blend Lace Dress)

2. Slip your chambray shirt over top.

3. Add a pair of tights with a rose print. (Tights, Forever 21 Dainty Rose Sheer Tights) 

4. Pin on a pretty rose brooch. People don't wear enough brooches! They can really change an outfit (Brooch, Etsy no longer available)

5. Pick a pair of boots with a feminine flourish. I love these fold overs with the roses, but you could wear dressier boots in camel if you wanted. I might actually snag this pair for myself. They're under $40! (Boots, Wild Diva Whisky Fold Over Boot)

6. Finish with a rose purse, vintage or otherwise (Handbag, Michael Negrin Leather Handbag)

How to Wear a Chambray Shirt 2: Ballerina Beautiful

1. Start with your chambray shirt, of course!

2. Tuck it into a luxe tulle skirt. I love this one with its pinky taupe color and sequins. (Skirt, Coast Cordelia Skirt)

3. Layer on a corset belt, or another very wide style belt. (Belt, Alaïa Laser-cut leather corset belt)

4. Add some unexpected boots. I picked black cowboys, but something else a little funky and chunky will work. (Boots, Sendra Boots)

5. Slip on a black geometric statement necklace. I picked this funky little number that is sadly no longer available, but I've seen pieces like it other places.

6. Pick a sweet pair of studs. Don't overdo it with your earrings because of the statement necklace. I thought these stars were cute. (Earrings, Emanuele Bicocchi Star Clip Earrings)

7. Complete the look with a slouchy hobo in black velvet, corduroy or another bag with a wonderful texture. (Anthropologie Gustine Hobo)

And that's it! Three feminine looks with your chambray shirt! Got a favorite? Let me know in the "Comments" section. 

Join me tomorrow for a review of the Subscription Service ShoeDazzle and continuing coverage of what I just decided is called "Cheat Week" even though I dont' like the word cheat ;)

Have a fashionable day!

This Week's Obsessions: Typography Fashion

So this week we had some excitement at our house. We had a water damaged wall repaired and the bathroom repainted, so everything was turned upside down for a few days. We were bedroom and bathroom displaced, and it felt so odd to be in different parts of the house doing everything. It made me think about how important a routine is to sticking to something consistently. This is especially true with weight loss.

If you're trying to lose weight and struggling, try to get into a regular habit of when you eat. Plan out your meals and your snacks at the beginning of the week and stick to a schedule. I have found that when I approach food more regularly by eating at around the same time and planning what I will eat or at least how I will divide my calories ahead of time, it becomes natural.

It's hard to adjust to anything when you don't do it consistently, but when you get on a routine it becomes second nature.

Maybe it was the fact that everything was all shook up this week, but for some reason, I couldn't get those cute nails I commented on in that photo of Miley Cyrus earlier this week out of my head. So I did some fashion searching and online window shopping. Hence--this week's theme is words, letters and typography! Without further ado--here are my weekly obsession.


1. Dress of the Week

Moschino, 2013

I love the font and the simplicity of the two-color look and with the scarf it is flawless.

2. Skirt of the Week

 Poem Writing Skirt, Chez Margot Vintage, Etsy, $30

This lovely piece is handmade. I love the font and the idea of writing out the numbers. This one might have to go in my wardrobe.

3. Top of the Week

V-neck T-Shirt, Hello Minky, Etsy, $28.95

This is one of many beautiful t-shirts in this shop on Etsy. I love the mix of typefaces.

4. Shoes of the Week

I Love You Ballet Flats, TopShop, 2010

WILL.BE.STALKING.EBAY.FOR.THESE. I am in love with these shoes. How could you not be? They're sweet sunny yellow and printed with the sweetest words you can hear.

5.Accessory of the Week

Brighton Beach Scarf, Kate Spade, $128

I love the typography with the carnival theme inspired by Brighton Beach. Also, it seems that so many typography pieces are black and white. This scarf looks lovely tied. It's a bit of a splurge, though.

6. Jewelry of the Week

Custom Initial Necklace, Crankyhayes, Etsy, $24

The vintage look of these is sweet. I don't know if I'd get my initial or my son's if I were going to buy one. Or maybe a Q. I always feel bad for Q. It's always stuck with U and never gets any alone time.

7. Beauty of the Week

Newsprint Nail Decals, NailSpin, Etsy, $5

I know you can do this newsprint deal on your own without decals...except if I try it, I'll have one beautiful hand and one that looks like I did it with my eyes shut. Decals would be the way for me! There are actually a lot of really unusual decals in this shop. Worth a look-see.

So that's that...my typography fashion obsessions of the week. I will be back Sunday with what I ate this week and some tips. See you next time =)

8 Cute Pairs of Mid-Rise Jeans to Prevent a Muffin Top

SURPRISE! I said I wasn't going to post tonight but I decided to do a sneaky late night Wednesday post. 

Muffin tops are pretty awesome when they're on muffins. Not so much when they're on the ladies, am I right? Lots of women are prone to muffin toppage. I know I am. I've lost a lot of weight in my midsection, but I'm still a little saggy and I have loose skin from the weight loss. Even very thin women can have trouble in this area if they've had children, so what do you about it?

Well, muffin tops happen when your jeans fit too low and push your stomach up. So basically you need jeans that sit higher on the waist. A lot of fashion experts will recommend high-waist jeans, but it's difficult to find those that aren't...well, mom jeans. Don't get me wrong. I'm a mom, and I love being one. But I don't want my jeans to give it away!

So mid-rise for me is the way to go. Today, I spent some time looking around for cute mid-rise jeans, and here are my top picks--all $100 or less (most are much less)!

1. Misses Skinny

 

Skinny jeans are a big thing, and these Big Star Alex Mid Rise Skinny Jeans from 6pm.com are great. I love the dark wash with the lighter knees.They're reasonably priced too at $34.99. The picture's kinda tiny, but head over to the site. You'll love them. 6PM has free shipping too! 

2. Plus 

These are one of several super cute pairs of mid rise James Jeans for Plus on super sale at Ideeli, the Daily Deals site. These jeans sell for over $175, and they are on a daily seal sale for under $25. If you want to check them out, you need to register here and then here's the link for the entire sales, so you can see all of the James Jeans looks.

3. Petites

I'm a shortie so I'm used to taking my jeans to the tailor, but every now and then it's nice to find a pair that just fits the first try. The Levi's Women's Petite Mid Rise Skinny Jean is mid rise and petite, so it's a winning combination. These are between $40 and $45 depending on the color at Amazon.

4. Misses Boot

 

 I know skinny is in, but I still love boot cuts. The Mavi Jeans Ashley Mid-Rise Slim Boots are the perfect combination of mid-rise and boot, and they're $36.99 at 6pm.com.

5. Plus 

 

A big mistake that I made as a plus was wearing my jeans to baggie. Picking styles that hug your curves is often more slimming that trying to hide in a boxy fit. These Levi's Women's Plus-Size Mid Rise Triple Needle Stitch Skinny Jeans hug the curves and have a touch of elastane for stretch. They're $43 to $50 at Amazon right now.

6. Misses Skinny Stretch

J. Brand is THE brand among celebrities now and I found these awesome J Brand afterlife stretch mid-rise skinny jeans on Bluefly for $99. They're stretch skinnies, so they still have a comfy fit but with that silhouette that's all the rage right now.

7. Vintage 4/6 

Okay, vintage lovers. These mid rise jeans are Levi's Red Lines. Collectible jeans, we're talking here. As of the time of this writing, these jeans are $95 and are 85% off, making them $14.25. For serious. Buy these if they fit you. BUY THEM. Just make sure you enter "SWEETDEALS" when you checkout to get the discount. Also you need to register to here before you can find the jeans here.

 

8.  Misses Flares 

I like the Lucky Brand Women's "Sweet N Low" Slight Flare Mid Rise Jeans because they have the classic flare shape but it's not full on bell bottom. I'll wear bells...but not for every day jeans. Just my taste! These jeans are $49 on Amazon. I think that's a pretty good price for Lucky!

So there you have it...my 8 picks for mid-rise jeans or how to hide a muffin top with jeans!

P.S. Thanks to reader and friend, Jennifer for the idea for this post! If anyone else wants me to cover something fashion or weight loss or some awesome fashion and weight loss hybrid topic, leave me a message in the Comments or hit me up on the Facebook page.

See you Friday for Favorite Things Friday.