The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

There’s a little fashionista in me…

by

Have I ever mentioned that my major in college was Fashion Merchandising?  Yeah, I barely remember too.

I have always loved clothes and from a pretty young age.  My mother used to take me shopping at the mall quite often after she got her bi-weekly paycheck from her part time job.  She trained me well.  I have many memories of our Burger King lunches (ick now!) before we headed to shopping utopia.   As I got older, in the back of my head somewhere I thought it would be fun to design clothes too but that never came to fruition.  I am somewhat artistic but not quite like that.  It definitely takes special talent.

So, I figured I would “sell” clothes instead.  And then I kinda ended up liking home furnishings more (which is also a fashion commodity) but I really do love them both.

Of course after becoming a mother of 3 I kinda let things slip a tad.  I mean, I still shop and buy clothes I like but they had become mostly jeans and knit tops from Target (and in a “blah”) way.  I’m not really one to put on the same yoga pants every day of the week, I do prefer jeans, but that doesn’t mean I do not own a pair or two.

All this to say, now that my kids are getting a bit older and more self sufficient and aren’t spitting up on me anymore, I feel like I can “dress up” a little more, again, even during the week! Amazing! Ha!

My closet is full of things bought anywhere from Nordstrom’s to Banana Republic to Marshall’s to Goodwill.  I do like to thrift shop and buy things at stores like T.J. Maxx but you do have to be willing to dig, which is okay by me.  I like the hunt.   🙂

Here are a few outfits I’m really liking lately.

Top: Ann Taylor
Jeans: Old Navy
Booties: Sears 
Beaded Necklace: Charming Charlie
Earrings: Target

Sweater “vest”: Goodwill (but Old Navy Brand)
Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Local boutique “Coconuts” brand
Scarf: gift
Turtleneck: Banana Republic (a long time ago…)
Sweater: Anthropologie
Skirt: Goodwill (but The Limited brand)
Blouse: Foley’s (a long time ago…)
Necklace: World Market
Bangles: can’t remember 
Shoes: T.J. Maxx (Aersoles brand, couple of seasons ago) 
Top: Goodwill (but Massimo brand from Target)
Jeans: T.J. Maxx (Lee Brand)
Scarf: World Market
Flats: Payless (I have a leopard print pair as well)

p.s. this is what a size 10-12, 165 pound woman looks like.  I wish they would show more people like me in fashion magazines since this is the more realistic size of women.  And I consider myself a healthy person.  I eat pretty well and exercise.  Do I wish I had those 15 non-running pounds off of me?  Sure but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to dress cute.  And I DO NOT want my daughter to think she has to look like those super skinny models in the media.  Okay, rant over… just sayin… 

p.p.s. my husband finds me super sexy and pats my butt a lot so it’s all good. 

p.p.p.s. I would like to thank the following people for making these photos possible – my husband for buying me a tripod, MamaTrack for suggesting I buy a remote for my camera and my 3-year old daughter for taking a good nap. 


Comments

  1. Thanks for this post. After three babies and not a lot is me time and changes to life I am having a hard time to get out of the jeans and tshirts and sneakers rut. You game me some inspiration to do so

  3. Love your outfits, especially the mustard yellow sweater from Anthropologie. (I am way into yellow these days).

    I also love that you’re comfortable with your body and how you look – can you picture me here, applauding you?? Because I am. Lately, I’m not feeling like me, I am too this, too that, not enough this or that – ugh. So, thank you. For the virtual kick up the behind.

  6. Yeah, they really do need to feature normal women! I don’t feel that we are plus sized, but in the modeling world an 8 is! Crazy! I love the thrift store finds. I wish I had more time to do that. I used to love thrifting!

  8. You look gorgeous, my dear! my faves are the skirt w/ anthro sweater and the sweater vest outfit!! and yes, i agree more models need to look like real women. i’m so worried for my own daughters about this—working on it…love this post and will you be my personal shopper???

  9. You are rockin’ these outfits! I love them all, but I think the skirt and the antro sweater are my favorites. Way to get out of the jeans and a boring shirt rut!

  14. You look great, Elaine! I love the way you put together your outfits. I always wish I accessorized more, but I’m pretty boring when it comes to that!

  15. I love, love, love outfit two and three. I don’t think I’ve ever been a fashionista. Not because I don’t like cute clothes (I do!), but because I don’t really like to shop.

  16. I so love your take on this. You are an inspiration to me to start taking more pictures of myself. Yay you! ‘

    You look great!

    MM

  17. You look so fabulous! I love all the outfits but my fav is the second outfit. It has “me” written all over it. Definitely my style.

  18. You are gorgeous! I love all the outfits. Love them.

    And I used to shop with my mom too. Girls just love to shop.

  21. These are great shots! (and you get extra points for having taken them yourself!)

    I want to come over and raid your closet. I promise I will only take the boots, the yellow sweater, teal shirt, and scarf. Okay, that is a lie – I would take all of it.

    …but what I like the best is your ps. Rock on!

  22. Absolutely gorgeous and the outfits are too! I wish I could put stuff together like that for myself. I’m not the best when it comes to shopping for myself but I’m greatat putting outfits together for my husband and my girls.

  23. Love this! Your outfits are gorgeous, but not as beautiful as you! My favorite one here is the second one, with the scarf. Love that one!
    I feel like I can’t put anything together anymore and I really miss that. I miss buying the cute clothes. They’ve been replaced by yoga pants and tees. I’ll blame the baby spit up for now. 😉