A Fashion Fix!

Remember a couple of weeks ago I was worried about fashion?  And finances?  And worried about how to stay in fashion without putting a lot of money into buying clothes I hopefully would not be wearing for long?

I have found a solution.

Of course I have spent some money on the basics: cami’s, cardigans, basic black and blue slacks, a pair of jeans.  But as for dresses, suit separates and the more pricey items I have found Gwynnie Bee, Clothing Without Commitment.

It is seriously easy and PERFECT if you’re on a weight loss journey.  Their sizes run from 10 – 26 and the outfits are from brands you’re probably already wearing if you’re in the same budget range as I am ( items I’d typically buy at Macy’s like INC. and Style & Co., Lands End, Talbots, Alfani and Eloquii.) All you do is create an account and start on-line shopping by adding their items into your personal closet.  They will then start shipping you out items.

It’s like the library, if the library had book limits.  I’m on the three item plan right now.  They sent me three items the first week.  I kept one and sent two back. They then sent me two more items the same day I told them I was shipping my items back.  So, now I have three more items!  Make sense?

You pay a monthly fee for access to an unlimited wardrobe and unlimited free shipping. They offer a 30 day free trial period – there’s no reason not to try it!  Here’s Gwynnie Bee’s “How it Works” page to learn more: http://closet.gwynniebee.com/pages/how-it-works.html.

It shows up in great packaging with a sweet note:

You try it on and get photo bombed by your Diva daughter

And if you like it you keep it as long as you want and if not you just send it right back in the envelopes for UPS that they provide to you and they send you something else completely darling.

I suck at selfies. Seriously. Also, this was right after a workout. Excuse the locker room background and flushed cheeks.

Seriously, ladies, WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?  Check it out and tell them I sent you!  I think you’re going to LOVE Gwynnie Bee.

 

* I have not been compensated for this post! All opinions are my own.

Parents of the Year

 

It’s day 2,910 of parenting.

I’m NOT telling you why DOC and I are not winning parents of the year today.

Maybe day 2,911? Fingers crossed.

Hope your week is going great, friends!  Hang in there.

The Eleanor Project

All of this eating better, working out, running, getting muddy,  feeling embarrassed cleaning out my closets of my ‘fat clothes’, struggling with my new body and struggling with fashion…. ALL of it has been because of one reason.  I’m both embarrassed and proud to say why at the same time.

I don’t want to be the fat mom.

There.  I said it.  I didn’t want to be the fat mom at kindergarten registration.  I didn’t want to be the fat mom in the bleachers at their games.  I didn’t want kids to tease my precious angels about them having the fat mom.   Kids are mean enough, they didn’t need my size adding to any teasing they may receive.

I actually had a post-it taped up over my desk from the time The Boy turned 4 that said “KINDERGARTEN” as a reminder that he didn’t need me to add to any pressure he has.  He didn’t need me to be an embarrassment to him.

And I failed.  I was the fat mom in kindergarten.   But I volunteered, I worked hard, I was present, I tried my hardest to overcome my fatness in acts of love. But I was still the fat mom in the Boy’s kindergarten class.

But not for The Diva.  I will not fail for her.  I need her long legs running up ahead of mine on a walk to keep me moving, to keep me motivated and to keep me focused.

Along the way I realized what she needs more than a skinny mom is one who is a  better role model.  One that stops judging myself so harshly.  For me to teach her that all women are beautiful.  That mommy and her friends love one another because of what is in their hearts, not on their hips.  That mommy exercises and “gets stinky” (her words!)  because she wants to be healthy not to look like a model in a magazine.  Because every woman who is healthy and has love in her heart and lives with passion is beautiful.

I realized all of this through my friend’s new adventure, The Eleanor Project, several weeks ago.  My friends Jen and Terry created The Eleanor Project as a love letter to their friends and daughters to help with just this issue; to tell the story that all women are beautiful and have something beautiful to share with the world.  They were featured recently in a local magazine  with the article reposted on Eleanor’s facebook page.  The very first comment on the page said “Your page has literally helped me every. Single. Day.”  And this is true.  With articles about motherhood and body image I have been moved daily to either do better to myself or be armed to be better for The Diva.

I’m no longer worried about being an embarrassment to our kids.  I mean, yes, of course, I will embarrass them, with my singing or dancing or something else AWESOME… what’s the fun of being a parent of tweens if I DON’T, right? What I mean is I no longer worry that my presence will hurt them – I will shine for them no matter the size of my jeans.

What’s your motivation?  What has moved you into action recently?

Foodie Pen Pals!

Last month I decided to join a group of bloggers call the Foodie Penpals.  What a great idea!  You spend about $15 and send your Penpal a box of treats and you get a box from another person.  GREAT IDEA.  I just love where we live and all the local foods I can share with the world.  This is going to be great.

Well, I’m pretty much a failure at being a foodie Penpal.  I’m sure that Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean is going to kick me out and not allow me to sign up anymore.  I was late shipping my box AND I am four days late writing my reveal thank you to my penpal.  So to Carolyn, who I sent a box to (who has delicious sounding recipes over on her blog) and Rebecca , who I received a box from, and to Lindsay who puts the whole thing together – I’M SORRY!  It won’t happen again.  Don’t kick me out!

OK, so to Carolyn I sent a box from my two hometowns, Pittsburgh and Charlottesville.  She got some local Charlottesville jam, Virginia peanuts and chocolates from Feast! and from Pittsburgh she got IC Light beer (HA) and one of my favorite dips ever, the Cinnabun dessert dip,  from my cousin Shelly who owns Little Dippers Dip Mixes.  I really hope Carolyn enjoys this package from two places I love and forgives me for being so forgetful.

(Side Note: If you’re ever in Charlottesville, stop at Feast! or order one of their online gifts.  We do have some wonderful local options for wine, cheese, meats, jams and chutney.  A portion of each sale goes to the local Food Hub to help strengthen and secure our local food system. )

And now for the reveal.

The package arrived on a SNOW DAY!  What a wonderful treat to arrive on a snow day.  The Diva thought the package was for her.  ”Look! It’s MINE! It’s HELLO KITTY!”

Inside was just as magical.

Becca sent us Amish Microwave Popcorn (who knew?), HOMEMADE chocolate chip cookies (divine), homemade triple berry jam, Almond Pocky, Rosemary Olive Oil and Honey Teriyaki sauce that I can’t wait to try with some stir fry this weekend.  But wait, what’s that cute little wrapped package in the front?  Handmade earrings!?!  In my foodie box!?!  HECK YEAH.  Becca VanderWall, YOU ROCK!

Did Becca know I’ve been going through a fashion crisis lately?  Did she just know having something cute to wear would keep me from eating the whole box of cookies myself?  Whatever it was that had her add something so lovely for me, I think I love her for it.   THANKS BECCA!

If you want to be a PenPal sign up for the 4th of the month.  If you want to be friends with me, just remind me a whole bunch to do something. You know I’ll totally do it – eventually.  Eek.  I suck.  But, you guys still love me, right?

A whole new world

Well, this just isn’t going to do. Nothing looks right.  Nothing feels right. I’m not who I was and I look and feel like a different person and now I’m starting to see it in my closet and on my body.

I need a whole new wardrobe.  I still have about 80 pounds to lose, so I don’t want to buy a ton of things but I’m struggling with dressing for the weight and my age.  I’m 37 and have been in plus sized clothes for thirteen years.  This is the first time in 13 years I don’t have to shop at Lane Bryant and can shop in a regular store and frankly it is terrifying me.  When I shop I feel like I’m either finding stuff too young, too old, too frumpy and today’s “fashion” looks a little too ‘not me’.

I want to look like this:  http://pinterest.com/pin/82612974385666976/

I end up looking like this: http://pinterest.com/pin/82612974387071256/ …. not that there’s anything wrong with that for women of a certain age.

I just don’t have a CLUE what I’m doing.  How is a woman who is heading as fast as a bullet towards her 40′s supposed to dress?  Certainly not like what I’m seeing on the racks at the mall right now… right?

Because THAT is some scary shit.  As one of my sorority sisters said “My ass would announce itself when I entered a room in those pants on the right!”   If this is how women who “look like me” (I’m guessing this was advertised to my age group) are supposed to dress I think I’m going to have to stick with my basic black slacks or skirts, cardigans, and white tops.

I am afraid, however, that every woman is starting to dress alike.  I work on a University campus and I see about the same four outfits every day.  I blame Pinterest and Polyvore for this trend.  Personally, I’m not afraid to be unique in my fashion, or even boring in my fashion.  I just don’t want to look like a frumpy old lady and I don’t want to look like I’m trying to dress like an undergrad.  What is a girl to do?

Are we sure we aren’t ok with having uniforms for EVERYONE, not just elementary school kids? If that won’t work I think one of those Ambush Makeover people should come see me soon.  I used to think I’d be mortified if my friends submitted me for that horrible “What Not to Wear” show, now I think I’d beg you to sign me up.

On a related note, the mega millions jackpot is over 20 million.  Maybe I’ll just win that.  Hey, a girl can dream right?

Thankful

This week as part of the healthysELF Challenge we were asked to write a list of 20 things we’re thankful for.

I am so thankful for so much in my life but to write it seems like a ranking system or something… so… in no particular order.

This man who loves me, flaws and all, and who has been through some crazy adventures with me and we lived to tell about it.

These two people.  They are my world.  My heart.  My life.  I don’t remember who I was before them.  I’m sure she didn’t have as many wrinkles, had a cleaner house, had more time for friends, slept in longer with her love. But I know she wasn’t nearly 1/2 as happy.

The smiles of the Carter kids when they are with their cousins.

Her love. These 4 Carters would be lost without her.  (And her genes.  My mom is over 60.  Look at that skin!)

My relationship with God.  I’m so thankful I have Him and that I’ve found a place where I am great with my relationship with Him and that it looks different from your relationship with Him.  I’m thankful.

All of our family and friends we consider our family far and wide.
I have a brother, a sister-in-law and a sister who love me, most days .  They’re the only people on earth, besides the Boy and the Diva, who didn’t choose me to be stuck with for the rest of their lives.  God blessed the three of us, me, Terry and Becca, to be tied together for life.  I hope they are as happy with His choice as I am.

I’m thankful for my parents for raising me right – to be loyal, and honest and funny. I’m thankful for their love, that they put up with me through the teenage years, and for loving me through maxing out credit cards, and for giving me Terry and Becca to share my life with.  I love you both and I may not always show it, I’m glad you got me out of all the babies in heaven.

My parents came from huge families and DOC’s mom has a huge family.  We are so blessed with the love our families.

A workout partner who holds me accountable. I’m sure she’s thankful I posted one non-sweaty picture of us for once!

Coffee, Dark chocolate, Wine, Apple Cider, Really good crusty bread and Cheese.  And seafood.  And hot-wing sauce.   Dear Baby Jesus, I love hot-wings and blue cheese.  I’m OK never being Beyonce skinny if it means I don’t have to give up hot-wings and blue cheese.

For a job I love and great people to work with.  Seriously.  I don’t think anyone loves their job as much as me.

My timeline.  I’ve lived in seven states and worked at five colleges. I’ve had my heart broken.  I’ve fallen deeply in love.  I got bruised and bumped along the way in some very funny and some sad ways.  And at this point of my life I wouldn’t change any of it because it brought me to here.  Yes, it’s a country song, but God Bless the broken road that led me here.

That I’m an Alpha Sigma Alpha and met the greatest friends of my life by being a member of a strong sorority.

I am a part of Steeler Nation and the other three Carters are too.  Our lives revolve around football in the fall and we’re all ok with that.  The same as with Alpha Sigma Alpha, some of our families greatest friends have come into our lives because of our love of Pittsburgh, its sports teams, and its amazing, if unhealthy, obsession with food.

For finding healthy online communities to support me and pick me up when I want to lay on the couch and eat all those treasures listed above.  All of the motivation of getting fit for my family isn’t nearly enough.  I’m thankful for this healthysELF challenge, for Fit Approach and the SweatPink community and I’m thankful these ladies and the ones at  Another Mother Runner think I’m valuable enough to share my story.

WHEW!  That’s a whole lot of blessings.  I truly am thankful for all of you.  Every person that is a part of my timeline and my story, past, present and helping me to build our future.  I am one blessed woman.

How Rude

Recently I’ve seen pictures like this posted to people’s facebook pages.

Hmm?

No, I’d REALLY rather hear about the latest cute thing that your kid said… or see pictures of you drunk… or see you asking me to “like” something to show my support for some person I don’t know… or have you preaching to me the doctrine of your church… or have you telling me how you hate America and its leaders…. or see you making fun of your spouse in public emasculating him.

I’m proud of my kids. And my faith in the Lord I have a relationship with. And my marriage. And my work.

I’m damn proud of myself on the days I work out. And that I’ve lost more weight than your toddler weighs. So, sorry if my post about my workout upset you in some way. It’s motivation from my friends and family that helps keep me going on days when I really want to lay on the couch in my pajama bottoms and eat an entire bag of chips. I’d rather be judged by you for GOING to the gym than continue my unhealthy ways of the past and being judged by the world for that. I’d certainly rather be “fit shamed” than “fat shamed”. At least one is helping me to live longer and be a healthier role model for my daughter.

Here’s the thing. Facebook is AWESOME, you can “unfriend” people. Better yet you can do this: See that little tab on someone’s facebook page that says “Friend”. Go ahead and hover over that. See where it says “Show in News Feed”? Yep, go ahead and click right there. Now, you can ignore the person who is living a healthy life and you don’t want to see it and nobody will ever know the difference. You can know for sure, when you make judgments about others who are living a healthy lifestyle, I just did that to you.

Sparkle on, Spice Girls. Sparkle On.