What I Wore This Week: Some Shorts and Things

 

 

 

 

 

You know, I’m just going to admit that I’m not going to get as dressed up this summer as I did last summer, and it’s going to be fine.  I thought this was going to be the summer of the dress (and it still might be) but it actually turning out to be the summer of the ribbed tank top. I think we’re all going to survive that just fine though.

Last summer Eli went to preschool all through the summer and just having to stand in a hallway with twenty two other moms three times a week made me more inclined to pile on necklaces.  This summer I’m just working on feeling better and there’s not going to be any school or standing in hallways with other moms and there will be more tank tops, fewer necklaces.

{Target Merona cardigan, Target t shirt, J. Crew Factory Bermudas (now on super sale!), Kork Ease Ava Wedges}

I had some kind of weird block against v neck cardigans, but I needed a navy cardigan and this one was on sale for $16! And now I wear it constantly. It’s perfect. Also, I love these shoes.  When I was deciding between the yellow Boden wedges and the red Toms and these, I tried to picture which ones I’d wear with outfits as I had them on, and it was always these, and they are indeed perfect.  Just high enough to be sassy and make your legs look good but not so high I feel like I’m one sidewalk crack away from a broken ankle.

{Gap Ribbed tanks, Garnet Hill Flamenco Skirt (no longer available but this is similar), Havainas}

This looked cuter in person than it does in this picture. I want to try it with a white tucked in tee, heels, and a necklace, but again, I never feel like getting that dressed up these days. Maybe next week.

These Gap tanks are so sucky inny! They are the bees knees. Also, people keep asking me if two tanks makes me hot, but not that I’ve noticed, particularly. I run cold though.

{Target Merona shirt, Target Merona skirt, J. Crew wedges}

There’s finally some good stuff at Target. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this button down.  I had to hunt it down during three separate trips, but I have been looking for a button down for SO LONG and this is perfection. It fits in the arms and the shoulders and it buttons over my boobs!  I love the color, I love the pattern, it goes with so many things, love.

I sort of wish that this skirt didn’t have a paper bag waist, but at the same time it does keep it really casual. I can see throwing this on with tanks all summer long. It’s part linen so I hope it’s not a wrinkled disaster out of the washing machine.  I kind of want to go back for the navy one since I’ve been looking for a navy skirt for a year now.

{Target Merona V Neck Cardigan, Old Navy Tank, J. Crew Factory Bermudas, Havaianas}

This tank, in petite? It’s PERFECTION for under things. Get five.  But make sure to get the petite size if you’re short.

{Banana Republic tank, AE Artist Crops, Havaianas}

This tank was on the chopping block because I always thought it was slightly too big and unflattering BUT it turns out that if I’m not at my exact lowest weight possible these jeans give me the tiniest bit of muffin top, which  makes this tank perfect because it just sort of floats right over everything.  I actually have always loved it and paid way too much $$$ for it, and now I think it looks really cute with big sunglasses and my gold watch and these jeans, so keep. Yeah!

What I Wore This Week: Getting Rid of Stuff

So here’s what I did.

I took everything out of my closet and my drawers and my storage bins and I only put back the stuff I LOVED, that I wear all the time, that fits perfectly and that goes with everything else.  All the stuff I couldn’t quite figure out, I piled in three giant stacks on my dresser.  I’m slowly making myself go through those piles to see if I can make any of those things work, and if I can’t, out they go.

It’s actually kind of frustrating because 1. It seems so wasteful.  It’s so much stuff and 2. I’d rather just be wearing the cute stuff I like that’s hanging in my closet.  But hopefully I’m learning a lesson about what I like to wear and what stuff I’ve moved on from.  It took me awhile to learn that I need to buy Medium or Petite Shirts or the proportions are off, so that’s some of the problem.  And my style has changed so that it’s no longer my mission to own every poofy skirt ever made.  I have all these damn poofy skirts so I’m still trying to make the poofy skirts work, but this next week will be my last effort, because no matter what I do they just feel…juvenile and odd.  So we’ll see.

{Old Navy sweater, some random Cami, Old Navy Trouser Jeans, Kork Ease Wedges}

See? This sweater – I love the color but something about it just didn’t work. I wore it for a few hours and felt unhappy and ended up changing out of it. I don’t know if it’s where it hits me or the giant chevrons over my boobs or the neckline or what but it’s just unflattering and weird. I wanted it to work, but it just doesn’t. I got rid of it. The old me would have thought “This is fine! This outfit is cute on paper and it’s reasonably attractive! Just keep it!” But the new me knows what great looks like and I want THAT.

{Gap Sweater, Tank, Old Navy Trouser Jeans, Kork Ease Wedges}

This is what I changed into, and I was much happier with it. I still think there’s scope for even better because these jeans and these shoes were made for each other and are very flattering together, but the navy sweater is a little boring, but it was already way more flattering and felt more like me.

{Target sweatshirt, Gap tee, AE Artist Crops, Havaianas}

This shirt was on the chopping block because I was worried it was a little too “mom sweatshirt” but look how cute it looks with these crops! It’s really comfortable and I got a lot of compliments on it.  Keep.

{Gap ribbed tanks (in petite), Old Navy skirt, Kork Ease wedges}

See, I loved this.  What’s the difference between this and the slightly too large t-shirts and poofy skirts of last year? I’m still figuring that out.

{Gap skirt, Target tee, Target cardigan, Kork Ease Wedges, Target necklace}

And then there’s this. I can see it my head and it’s so cute but in person I look….churchy? I don’t know. Is it just me? I can’t tell if it’s the length of the skirt or the style or if it’s too big or if those are the wrong shoes but I am not at all convinced that this skirt can be saved, I think it might have to go.

As annoying as this process is, I am really hopeful that when I’m done that I will have less clothing but I will like what I do  have more, and that I will have a better idea of the kinds of things that I like to wear and that look good on me, and how to buy clothes that fit correctly.  We shall see.

Books I Read This Month: April

So the worst thing about this whole “I wish I was dead” thing was that I couldn’t read. Also, I had no appetite and I didn’t want to shop for anything. When you take away my three great loves in life, WHAT IS LEFT? Sad Elizabeth, that’s what. Anyway, here’s what I read before words on a page made no sense to me.

47. Rapture Practice.  I liked this. I wish it had been more in depth, but I thought it was a very fair look at this situation (super duper strict christian parents who won’t even let their kids go to the movies and their gay son who…wants to go to the movies and also you know, kiss boys.) and I think that fairness is really hard to achieve.  You honestly felt for everyone in the situation.  The parents were just doing what they thought was right and necessary, and their son just wanted to be himself and didn’t agree.  It was sad, actually. Very sad. I would have liked more follow up, though. He doesn’t get very far in the telling of the story and we’re left wondering what happens after he comes out and where things ended up with his parents.

48. Drinking and Tweeting, And Other Brandi Blunders. You know, I have to say, I enjoyed this book, if only because this woman will say ANYTHING, and normally these books are kind of a waste of time where everyone is obviously under a gag order and just gives you boring hints you can’t figure out.  I had no idea this lady was a Real Housewife of anything, and this was certainly not the most erudite thing I’ve ever read, and woah does Leeann Rimes not come across well, but it was entertaining and I thought…for the most part quite humble and honest. The main problem I had with this book is that every time I picture Eddie Cibrian (her ex husband who cheated on her a billion times and married Leeann Rimes) I think of Mario Lopez.  I seriously had to google the man a hundred times just so I could get the correct image in my head.  Whatever.  That’s not her fault.

49. Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3). I loved this book except I hated the ending.  I don’t want to spoil it, but I am not a fan of the way that played out. (P.S. TEAM WILL).

50. Black Butler.  You all are going to laugh at me.  So have you ever heard of ASMR? I hadn’t either until Sarah at Semi Desperate Housewife (best tag line on the internet!) mentioned it.  And now I am OBSESSED with it. But basically you get this weird…tingly relaxed feeling from certain sounds plus certain visual stimulation.  There are about ten thousand You Tube videos of it, the most famous example is Bob Ross, that painter guy.  Anyway. If you have it, you’ll know. If you don’t, you’ll think it’s super weird.  My point is that this girl does my FAVORITE ASMR videos of all time and she is obsessed with Black Butler, so I had to read it, especially because she also loves Buffy, etc. I liked it, it was fine, but I think I just don’t like reading things in comic book format. Something about it is too choppy for how I read.

51. The Interestings.  Normally I am not a huge Meg Wolitzer fan, but this wasn’t terrible! I did make me hate myself because seriously, the word I have used to describe it over and over again is “interesting.” It was a very interesting read.  Whatever. I liked it.

52.  The Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, Number Two). Ok, obviously I read this one before I read Number Three.  I liked it. Cassandra Clare delivers what she says she’s going to deliver and it’s entertaining and nice and romantic.  This was a little bit of a stall job but I think the middle book in a series almost always is.

53. The Clockwork Angel.  (The Infernal Devices Number One.) This was the first one I read.  I just want to make sure you’re on your toes.  I have to say I didn’t want to read this series because my heart belong to Clary and Jace BUT I liked it ALMOST as much as the Mortal Instruments.  I really really enjoyed it.

54.  Eleanor & Park.  Ok, so.  This was my favorite thing I read all month.  This is a book I would buy, just so I can have a copy around.  This is a book I send to people who I think NEED to read it. It is just really really good.

It is not an EASY read. I had to take emotional breaks.  But it is just so…it’s just really great.  I was dubious when I read the description and it’s just really almost perfect. It took my heart and bashed it into a million pieces and I loved it while it was doing it.  This is how YAF was meant to be done. I’d put this on any Top Ten List of Anything in a heartbeat.  This is the entire reason why I read YAF.  And I can’t wait to read Rainbow Rowell’s next book.  If you read it and you hate it, I will understand, but I don’t think you will.  There’s just too much heart in it to hate it.

55. Benediction.  Holy crap what a sad wonderful beautiful amazing extraordinary quiet lovely book. I’d read Kent Haruf write the phone book.

I also read half of Anthony Kiedis’s autobiography, and all I can say is that I am surprised there are any drugs left in the world for other people to take.  Damn. The man has done a lot of drugs. Also, you may not know this, but Anthony Kiedis is on my list. I find the man super duper other worldly hot. It’s true. Drugs and all. And I am not even lying when I tell you I once considered getting that arm tattoo  he has, but on my ankle.  Aw, college Elizabeth.  You were so very hilarious.

What I Wore This Week Before Things Went All To Hell

PS. I am not 100% yet, but I am feeling better. I am going to spend three days doing nothing but lying around, watering tomatoes, and watching Justified, and hopefully I recuperate the heck up.  Thank you to everyone who sent me emails, and texts, and dm’s. Every time I felt alone, I was reminded instantly that nope, I am not alone.

Anyway, the fact that I am using a computer? Things are looking up, compadres.

I have also heard rumors that after Google Reader gets shit canned, Picasa is next on the docket. Does anyone have any photo organizing software they recommend just in case this dire vision is true?

Well, it turns out I only have two pictures, and looking at them depressed me because I felt so much  better in those pictures and then it all got so dire! But I shall post them.

{Vintage…caftan?, Loft crops, J. Crew wedges}

One of my favorite pieces of clothing of all time. I only wear it about once a year, but I just love it. So weird and magical and seventies esque.

{Women’s Tee Dress: Old Navy, J. Crew wedges}

This dress could be more triangular, but eh. You can throw it on over a swimsuit and sit in your backyard and be comfy in it all afternoon and still look nice. So, win.

Stay tuned for the books I read in April. I am sure you’re breathless with anticipation.

 

 

 

 

Quick FYI About the Blathering If You’re Not On Twitter…

We reduced the number of tickets available this morning, as of this writing there are only 8 spots left. So if you want to go, now is the time! I really really hope to see you there.  You can register here. 

 

Bullet Points

1. So the withdrawal is back, it’s just as terrible as it was in the first two weeks, I seriously cannot believe this is happening, and my husband just left for his brother’s destination wedding in the Dominican Republic for five days.  I have unbelievable neighbors and friends and a BFF who gets the BFF of the Year Award and is coming tonight to take my kids home with her for four days.  I keep bursting into tears and I seriously cannot believe this is still happening, its six months later and this morning I had one of my worst mornings yet.

2. So I am throwing in the towel and going back to the doctor (tomorrow morning) to ask him to put me on something else, (probably Prozac) which is what he wanted to do to begin with. I am no longer afraid of being on an SSRI or of gaining weight, I just want this nightmare to end.  I am, however, terrified that the Prozac won’t work or it will give me weird side effects, so please feel free to tell me how much you loved Prozac or how it helped you with your anti depressant withdrawal symptoms. I am desperate over here, and I can’t google anymore, because it’s really not reassuring.

3. This is a nightmare. An absolute nightmare.  Something about the fact that I cannot even take care of my own kids is hitting me HARD.  Please cross your fingers with everything you have that this new plan works. I simply cannot do this anymore.  Katie knows the sentence “Mama has a headache.” The first thing Eli asks when my neighbor picks him up is “Does my mom feel better?” OHHHHH awful. That feels AWFUL.

4. I don’t even know what to put here. I’ve been up since 5 AM having white knuckle anxiety and nausea?  And it lasted for four hours? And I’ll probably have to do it again tomorrow morning and I can’t even think about that right now? I am worn out done with this.

5. I just want my life back. I just want to have joy in the things in I love again. I just want to eat a bagel! I am just so done with this.  I mean literally, it’s all back. Loss of appetite, nausea, panic attacks, anxiety, lightheadness, confusion, headache, dizziness, diarrhea.  I haven’t eaten in 24 hours.  And it’s been SIX months.  I feel like I’m losing my damn mind.

6. Mostly I’m just posting this so everyone can please tell me how wonderful Prozac was/is, and if they experienced anything like this and if it helped.

7. I do have a doctor’s appt with my favorite doctor in the world on Thursday morning. I am confident he will help me. I just have to make it 24 more hours.

8. Thank you for listening to my endless complaining about this.

9. I am trying to have hope.

10. It’s going to be ok. It’s going to be ok. It’s going to be ok.

What I Wore This Week: Giving Old Navy One More Chance

Last week was lost in a blur of Zofran and dead camera remote batteries, so let’s just move on, shall we?

{Loft tee, J. Crew Factory Bermudas, Havaianas}

This outfit is nothing special, and I could have piled a bunch of stuff on it just because, but it was the weekend, and you know, this is real life.  I do not wear fourteen necklaces while I clean out my garage. I put this picture  in here anyway, though, because in some ways, it’s a victory.  It’s almost the same as something you would have found me wearing two years ago, except – it all fits me correctly, it’s deliberate (and fun) colors that I chose because I liked them and not because I was randomly buying shorts at Old Navy and they only had my size in army green, and it’s just a better version of the clothes I used to thoughtlessly throw on.  And I feel a hundred times better wearing it.

{Gap Floral Sateen Dress, Franco Sarto Wedges}

This dress is SO cute and flattering in person.  It’s nothing special on the rack or in the picture online, and I don’t know that it photographs particularly well, but I wore it to brunch and got about a thousand compliments on it.  It’s cut very nicely. It runs small, btw.

{Target Xhilaration Short Sleeved Knit dress, Franco Sarto Wedges}

This dress is a tidge bit “what a 12 year old wear as a swim suit cover up” but it was cheap and it’s flattering.  I plan to wear a lot of black dresses and flip flops and big hats and big sunglasses this summer, so this fit the bill.

{Old Navy V Neck Jersey Dress, Target belt, Havaianas}

I am giving Old Navy one more chance because I need casual summer dresses.  Desperately.  They are the staple of my summer wardrobe, and no one else makes a dress that’s basically a t shirt but is actually a dress like Old Navy.  I took a chance on this one because I LOVE the color even though elastic waists can be dubious on me, and I really like it.  We’ll see if it falls apart/fades upon first washing/pills tremendously and if it does I swear to god, for serious, no more Old Navy. But look how cute and comfy it is! Sigh.

{Target cardigan, Loft tee, J. Crew bermudas, Havaianas}

This was shockingly flattering.  Cardigan + fitted tee + bermuda shorts.  Who knew.

{Gap Blazer, Banana Republic shirt, J. Crew bermuda shorts, J. Crew wedges}

One of my wardrobe goals is to be able to wear everything in my closet at least three ways. I am REALLY bad at wearing blouse type shirts, but this is Way To Wear This Shirt Number Two. Gold star, me. Also, jackets.  They are the secret to life.

{Old Navy Scoop Neck Tie Waist Dress, Target necklace, Ebay Necklace, Anthro jacket, Target belt, Hive & Honey heels}

This dress felt a little boring when I took an Instagram pic of it this morning, so I piled on a bunch of stuff.  I think you could easily just take off all that hoo ha and wear a big hat and big sunglasses, but some really fabulous flip flops would help.  Sounds like a mission.