Back to Work Style

Ok, it's been a few months of working at home, maybe more than a few, and it's finally time to head back to the office.  This can bring on some mixed emotions.  Be patient with yourself and take comfort in the fact that we're all going through these same emotions and we're right there with you.

You may be sad to leave home and return to the stress of traffic and office drama, or you may be so tired of being home and ready to head back to work, but let's face it after so many months you've likely gotten out of the routine of dressing for work or you may have put on a few pounds (I know I have) and you're wondering what will fit.  I know this is a common occurrence because the resale sites have been filled with posts labeled "Gained Quarantine Weight: Everything Must Go!"  While it's fine to part with a few things, please don't sell your favorite clothes just yet.

If you're out of the habit, not to worry, it will all come back to you.  I remember a friend who had the most difficult pregnancy and wound up on total bed rest for six months.  When she finally did come back out into the world her make-up was awful--wrong color foundation (evidently 6 months indoors had made her very pale), too much blush and mascara--it was just a big mess, and naturally none of her clothes fit quite right.  

No one said anything, because no one was judging.  (By the way, just because you make an observation doesn't mean you're making a judgement.)  We loved her and we knew she'd been through a lot and she'd find her way again.  Within a month, she found her groove again and we all will too.  Just to ease a little of that back-to-work apprehension, today we're going to cover a few tips for how to dress when you've gained a few pounds--your make-up,on the other hand is all you; I can't help with that.

1.  Form Fitting.  Your first instinct when you gain a few pounds is usually to hide that weight with loose, boxy layers.  NO!  Don't do it.  Loose clothes, a boxy fit, or lots of layers will only make you look even bigger.  It's also usually pretty obvious you're trying to hide, so just don't.  Instead, opt for something with some shape.  If you're carrying your weight in one place--for women it's usually the tummy or the hips + bum--there are some ways to minimize those areas.  If you're carrying weight in the hips, thighs, and bum choose a wrap dress or a swing skirt (knee length) with a midi waist to hid the trouble zone while highlighting your waist at its narrowest point.  This is also great for hiding tummy weight.

2.  Jackets.If you are uncomfortable with your arms, and let's face it, a lot of us are, grab a light cardigan or blazer, or choose a top with three quarter sleeves.  But jackets aren't just for hiding the arms.

Another great plus to wearing a cardigan or blazer is that it creates a defined waist without clinging to your shape.  Pair it with a printed blouse for even more camouflaging power.

I'm partial to a snake skin print like this flowy blouse from Shein.  Flowy--not boxy here.  It doesn't cling, but I'm not drowning in it.  And, it blouses, meaning poofs out a little at the tummy for camo.

3.  Pencil Skirts.  A pencil skirt can elongate your silhouette, creating a slimming effect, especially when you wear it at the narrowest part of your waist.  Be sure to pair it with strapless heels.  That ankle strap tends to cut you off and make you look shorter, and that's the opposite of what we want here.  And don't reject the idea that if all else fails, shapewear is not cheating.  Yes, I am wearing shapewear with this skirt--no shame in my game.

Whatever you wear as you head back to work, wear it with confidence and know that there plenty of us out there, standing shoulder to shoulder with you.

Shopping Info: Snake print top from Shein--similar top, PU Skirt is from Femme Luxe

The Hours of the Evening

As I sat down to write this post, I was distracted by the lovely churring song of the tree frogs living in the rain barrel next to our garden.  It's just one of the perks of having a rain barrel, and I could listen to them all evening.  This is typical of a summer evening here on my farm and it was an evening just like this that I went out to take a few photos in blueberry gingham in the evening light.

The sun was just sinking below the hills, turning all the green leaves to gold as it went, just as it is this evening.  The wind stirred the branches, whispering hush to all the little creatures who should be getting home to their dinner and bed.

I suppose I should do the same, but it's just too tempting to stay a while longer lost in my thoughts.  That's what summer is for after all.  It is a time of having the freedom to do nothing at all but dream and wonder at the world.

I could go on this way, lost in thought, wandering in the forest stillness, if not for a sound that stirs me back to the moment.  It is not the wind this time, or the tree frogs' serenade.  It's a single word called out and carried to me on the breeze from high up on the very top of the hill.  "Mom," the voice calls.  I smile and call back for my girls to join me.

And then I hear them picking their way through the woods, talking and laughing and waving to me when they see me standing and waiting for them.  "It's late," they say, "Aren't you ready to come in?"  I smile at them and wrap an arm around each of their shoulders and we walk back up the hill together

Shopping Info:  Blue and White Gingham dress by ModCloth from ThredUp.  Use my link to sign up and save $10 off your first order.  Espadrilles from SheIn

Optimistic Effect

Are you a glass half empty or half full kind of person? For most of my life I was definitely a pessimist, always the negative Nancy looking for the rain to ruin the parade, and ever listening for the sound of the other shoe falling. Now I can safely say I am no longer a pessimist—but I'm not an optimist either.  I don't want to be in one extreme or the other.  Now I have found a balanced middle ground and I am a firmly positive realist. What changed?

Pessimism is caused by fear. Many times that fear is backed by experience with disappointment and failure. It is the worry/fear that things won't go well and you will be hurt by them. In order to avoid pain (disappointment is a kind of pain) we start out by waiting for the worst. If it happens, we feel no disappointment, we might even feel gratified that we've avoided pain in this way. If the worst doesn't happen....well, it probably will next time, so better to be prepared, right? Wrong.

I'm not going to talk too much about optimism, because while extreme optimism might delve into sheer denial, even a little pessimism is a poison to your soul. Pessimism doesn't prevent pain, it prevents joy. It doesn't stop you from disappointment, it keeps you from gratitude. It very often happens that the walls we build to protect ourselves become a prison. If you find yourself walled in by negative thinking, how do you get out?

Remember that glass we talked about earlier? If the optimist says the glass is half full, and the pessimist says the glass is half empty, the positive realist says, “There's water in my glass and I'm grateful for it. Let's have another round.” 

It's not a bad thing to look ahead and see what might go wrong, but then plan accordingly! Don't just sit there frozen with fear and depression, and let it happen, and don't let it rob you of your joy and hopefulness.  And then of course, no matter how much you plan, things still might go wrong, but rather than focusing on those things, focus on what went right and what you could improve on for next time.  

So, your wedding wasn't a perfect dream.  The flower girl punched the ring bearer and the minister didn't rehearse so he screwed up your vows—there's a chance you didn't even make vows, no one could tell what the heck he was talking about!—that's being realistic. But, hey, the cake was great, your stunning dress fit like a glove and you get to spend the rest of your life with the person you love—that's being positive.

You might have been born with a certain inclination towards a negative attitude, but ultimately you choose how you view the world, how you interpret events. So, why not choose to see the world as it is, be thankful for all that's good, try to change all that's bad, and learn to accept the rest.  Doing so, will change your life to being something you enjoy living.

Shopping Info: Optimistic Effect Dress from ModCloth, Hat from: SHEIN

4 Tips for Fashion Blogging

Occasionally I get asked for tips on blogging.  I find it really flattering when people ask me, because it means that they think I actually know what I'm doing.  Yay!  I don't, just so you know.  So, while I can't exactly give you tips like a pro, but I can give you a few tips for what I do with my blog. 

Today's post is one last sunflower post, the last one from last year's photo shoot in the sunflower fields.   I've been rationing them so they would last all through the winter until the flowers start blooming again, and here we are, summer already.  And that brings us to........(fanfare plays!)

Tip 1.  Choose a location.  This typically works well when you've lived in a place for a couple of years.  You can see how certain locations look at different times of year and plan accordingly.  I chose this location because I knew that this field is open to the public and generally looks quite nice each year around this time.

Tip 2.  Timing.  I take photos at dawn, sunset--known to photographers as the golden hours because they create the best lighting for photos--, or on cloudy days.  The simple fact is that I have one of those faces which is cute in the right light and pretty awful in the wrong light.  It happens, I accept that.  

But, the thing is, most of us have this issue, so unless you're prepared to take along professional lighting equipment or you're just a genius at Photoshop, it's best to work with the lighting that will work best with you.  If you can't make it out during those hours and the clouds are no where in site, choose a spot in the shade instead.  Direct sun is so harsh, it doesn't make for great photos.

Tip 3.  Have options.  I like to take a minimum of three outfits with me to any given location.  The most I've taken was probably eight.  The reason is that you never know if you'll have great lighting, how crowded a location may be, or how the background will work with the colors in your outfits, so take some different styles and colors.  If things are going well you'll have tons of great shots.  If they're not, you'll still probably walk away with at least one nice set of photos.

Tip 4.  Do you need help?  The answer is no, you don't, but it's nice.  You can take your own photos with just a tripod, a remote control timer, and a quiet location with a little privacy.  The good thing about taking your own photos is that you might feel more relaxed in front of the camera--I know I do.  The downside is that it can be really tricky to set up your shots and get everything just right when you're not behind the camera.  On the other hand, having a friend or family member help out can be really fun and you'll be able to get more creative shots in less time.  And that's it.  You now know as much about fashion blogging as I do.  So what are you waiting for?!

Shopping Info:  Charter School Cardigan from ModCloth, Love Journey Dress from AmorDress, Flats from Charlotte Russe

The Sound of Falling

Let's pretend, just for today, that summer's over and autumn is here.

Let's pretend the leaves have changed to bright hues and that crisp chill is already in the air.

It's time for Back to School, 

and warm fires, 

Lots of warm layers and cheery prints,

and curling up with a mug of cocoa and a good read

Shopping Info: Undeniably Inspired Top from ModCloth, Suspender Skirt from SheIn

Pretty in Vintage Pink

Continuing my collab with GownTown, today's post is another vintage pink lovely. I have been waiting ages to try this dress and cape style and when I saw it in pale pink from GownTown I knew this 1950sCloak Two-Piece Cocktail Dress in pale pink was my dress and this was my time. 

Can't you just see yourself in the 1950s going to a dance on Saturday night in this gorgeous gown? The matching celluloid mirror and comb set with floral detail, the hairspray—so much hairspray—the gown, the heels, the pearls. So, so, chic!

The skirt is full so you can add a petticoat (I think a pale coral or even baby blue would add a great contrast) for a more authentic vintage silhouette or leave it as is like I have done.

I think what I love most about this gown and cape is how they are equally lovely together or just the dress alone. It gives you some options if you want to go vintage or more modern.

I was drawn to pink, you know me, but there are 13 colors to choose from and some have a printed dress or cape for something even more bold and unique.

Another great feature to this dress is that the material has some stretch so you get the perfect fit in the bodice.  The fabric is a rayon/cotton/spandex blend.  It's also a nice weight and a quality dress.

Normally I wear a size XS in US sizes, but after reading GownTown's sizing recommendations I sized up to Small and it fits perfectly. I am so pleased.

 In keeping with my vintage theme this week I am once again donning a beehive hairstyle, white peep toe pumps, and my classic pearl necklace and earrings. I'm not kidding when I say that I'm going to keep working on this beehive hairstyle. I will perfect it!

Shopping Info: GownTownWomen's 1950s Cloak Two-Piece Cocktail Dress, Natuloth FreshwaterPearl Earrings, Heels from ThredUp