A Belted Print Dress With Cardigan

 thrifted:
dress $3.59 Merona
cardigan $6.99 gnu
necklace $3 Chico's
coat $3 Worthington
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purse $14.99 Koltov Collection via Ross

Hi Lo Cobalt Dress

 I am not a fan of the high low look for myself, but I ended up bringing this dress home anyway.  I wish it was the longer length in the front too.  It was a little big and I kept pulling up the top part all day.  I had planned on belting it with a yellow skinny belt, but that caused more problems pulling down the top so I left that off.  I thought of sewing the top shoulder straps to make the top part fit better, but then that would shorten the front and I definetely don't want that.
I ended up wearing the blazer buttoned up to make things look a little more fitted.  I liked the colors and pattern of this dress, but after wearing it I'm not sure if I'll keep it.  I just don't seem to be much of a dress person.  Maybe skirts if they're more ankle length and flowy.

I'm linking up with Patti for Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.  Come on over and meet some wonderful ladies and check out their lovely style.

Thrifted Items:

Dress $7.99 Cabi

Blazer $5 Worthington

Purse $5.60 Relic

Wedged Sandals $4.90 Fioni

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Gold Cuff $8.80 Forever 21

Necklace $5.59 ebay

Feeling Good In Cobalt

 I've been a little more tied up with work and this diet lately so I haven't had a chance to visit as many blogs or visit as frequently.  I hope to catch up soon.  I feel like more of my time than usual is consumed by cooking, planning, prepping and cleaning up after meals.  We have 3 meals per day and no snack.  We're used to having lunch and dinner and snack.  Sometimes John didn't even eat lunch.  I would starve! ha  I can sure tell that eliminating my night time snack is helpful to my weight.  After this Whole 30 is over I'm going to try my best to not go back to that habit.

My outfit this day is one I'm happy with.  I was glad to fit back into these jeans.  I like the fit of this blazer and the color.  I am donating both my red blazer and houndstooth blazer even though I've only worn them 2-3 times each.  I just didn't like the way they looked on me and decided I wasn't going to force myself to wear them.  I didn't pay that much for them and I'd rather wear something I feel good in.

  Thrifted Items:

Black Jeans $12.32 Calvin Klein

Black 3/4 length sleeve Tee $5 Talbots

Cobalt Blue Blazer $5 Worthington

Scarf $1

Black Booties $6.99 Franco Sarto

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Whole 30 Dinner Day 12:  Fried Fish, Parsnip/Carrot Mash, 1/2 Avocado, 1/2 Pink Grapefruit

 Whole 30 Breakfast Day 13:  Veggie Omelet, Baked Butternut Squash, Date

 Whole 30 Dinner Day 13:  Cashew Beef & Veggie Stir Fry, Pineapple

Argyle Cardigan

I slimmed down the legs on the gray slacks to make them more fitted and I like them much better than the wider ankle style they originally were.

 Necklace Blooper

 I tried the cardigan belted, but was just more comfortable with it loose so I wore sans belt.

 Thrifted Items:

Gray Pants $3.99 Worthington (Value Village)

Gray Top $4.80 Lea Nicole (Value Village)

Cardigan $6.50 St. John's Bay (Value Village)

Belt $1.99 (Goodwill)

Shoes ? Aerosoles

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Necklace $2.82 ebay

3 Days, 2 Disappointments

The brown outfit I was happy with, but the bottom two outfits I was not.  I was surprised to realize I did not like the look and fit of the houndstooth jacket and was very disappointed because I had so looked forward to wearing it. :( 
I am going to try it, as I'd planned, with another top and a sparkly necklace, but I still don't like the big, boxy look of it.  Not sure if I can belt it, but I will see.  The shoulder pads need taken out, but I would have to rip open the inside fabric and I've never done that before.  Hopefully I can work on getting that altered in an acceptable way over the next few days because I was going to wear it to work on Monday.

Linebacker :D

I'm just not liking the fit of these pants still.  I slimmed down the legs, but I think I'm going to try making them skinnier at the bottom.  If that doesn't make me like them better I'll just scrap them.  The jacket is nice, but I prefer it with sleeves and shirt sleeves pushed up. (it was too cold to wear like that now though) 

 Thrifted Items:

Outfit 1

Brown Jeans $6.99 Gloria Vanderbilt (Value Village)

Brown Sweater

Scarf

Loafers $2.50 Rockport (Goodwill)

Outfit 2

Pants $5 White House Black Market (Value Village)

Black Sweater $3.99 Sag Harbor (Goodwill)

Houndstooth Blazer $3.50 Malka Collections NY (Value Village

Scarf

Black Booties

Outfit 3

Gray Pants $3.99 Worthington (Value Village)

Red Sweater $6.63 Prophecy by Sag Harbor (Value Village)

Gray Blazer $5.99 Banana Republic (Goodwill)

Scarf $1 (Value Village)

Red Mule Shoes $4 Alfani (Goodwill)

Workday Outfit: Purple and Black...+ Food and Weight Journal

This is a first time wear for this purple cardigan and the pants.  This is really my least favorite length pant on me, but I needed a new size, these were priced right and so I'll wear them even though they're not my besties. :)  I do like the fit and color of them though...just would prefer they were a few inches longer for an ankle length.

Thrifted Items:

Pants $4.20 Worthington (Value Village)

Black T-Shirt $2.80 Cato (Value Village)

Purple Cardigan $4.20 (Value Village)

Necklace $1.50 (Value Village)

Bracelets

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Sandals $20 Marshall's

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What I Ate

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013

TUES Aug 27   Weight:  142.4	calories
coffee	120
waffle w/ 1 egg, 1 sausage, 1/2 T marg, sugar free syrup	350
bbq ribs, 1/2 mashed yam w/ syrup, 1 T marg	600
ice cream bar	100
1/2 c. chex mix	120
TOTAL CALORIES	1290

Workday Outfit: Bright Blue and Bronze

I have had this skirt for around 15 years, but have probably not worn it in 14 because I outgrew it.  I'm glad it finally fits again.  After putting this outfit on I was not sure if I actually wanted to still keep the skirt, but my employer complimented me on it and assured me that, in her opinion, it was a keeper.  I have two other ways planned to wear it, so I guess I will keep it for now and try the other looks sometime too.
I wore my new necklace to work this week both on Wednesday and Friday.

 This is a first time wear for these bronze heeled sandals.  They pick up the bronzy color in the skirt.

Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style.

Thrifted Items:

Blue Blazer $5 Worthington (Value Village)

Tan Short Sleeved Sweater

 Bronze Sandals $3 Kenneth Cole Reaction (Value Village)

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Necklace $6 = eBay

Gold Bangle Set $5.48 = Walmart

Blue Violet Ring $5?

Gold Watch $16.99 = Target

Workday Outfit: Column Dressing by Fifty Not Frumpy

I am really liking the look of pairing a simple t-shirt or tank top (in any color) with a blazer or other "topper".  I have learned this from one of my favorite bloggers, Susan, from Fifty not Frumpy.  I adore her classic and tasteful style.
Here and here are a couple of her posts displaying her beautiful stylings using this method.
I also love this post where she talks about Column Dressing (which is pairing the same color shirt and pant, but using a different color "topper" such as a blazer or jacket) to appear taller and slimmer.  I have used the column dressing technique in today's outfit.  
Go check out Susan's blog for more wonderful tips. 

 After seeing the photos I'd taken (above) I decided I did not like the scarf turned to the side and so ended up actually wearing it pulled to the front and tucked into the blazer.  I was much happier with this look.

Thrifted Items:

White Slacks $3 Daisy Fuentes (Value Village)

White V-Neck T-Shirt $1 Chico's (Value Village)

Bright Blue Blazer $5 Worthington (Value Village)

Scarf $2.99 (Goodwill)

Purse $5.99 Liz Claiborne 

Two-Toned Wedges - Hillard & Hanson