Next up:
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| Cardigan: Old Navy; Top and Belt: Kohl's; Skirt, Bracelet, and Boots: Target |
OK, so what do you think? Should I keep or donate this sweater?
The decision's up to you
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Keep or Donate: Sweater #38 - Black Cardigan
Results:
Keep. It's another cardigan in a solid color with 3/4-length sleeves. Hard to go wrong really.
Today is the Trend of the Month Link-Up: Black + White over at Marionberry Style, so I have a different sweater for you to vote on than originally planned. The cardigan I'm wearing today is, I believe, the piece of clothing I've had the longest. It's from 2004 (never forget/best year). Although I love my life now, 2004 was a time of freedom and fun, and I'll always look back on that year fondly. Anyway, to the outfit.
OK, so what do you think? Should I keep or donate this sweater?
OK, so what do you think? Should I keep or donate this sweater?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Keep or Donate: Sweater #37 - Green Cardigan
Results:
Donate. I know, I know, you guys don't like big, baggy sweaters on me. This is one of those sweaters that isn't necessarily flattering, but it's so comfy and cozy that it's going to be hard to cast it into the Donate bag (but I'll do it). It's a great sweater for lounging around on the weekend, which is pretty much what I was doing most of the day Saturday when I wore this. We went out for breakfast, cleaned, and watched a lot of TV. I've been trying to get my husband hooked on The Newsroom since he enjoyed The West Wing, both of which were created and written by Aaron Sorkin, but he's still not convinced after five episodes. It's fine - I never got fully into The West Wing either and only watched an episode here or there with him.
Next one:
The next couple sweaters are going to be from the Rent the Runway post I just did. I also wore this green cardigan on Christmas Eve. You can see it a little better on that post than in this one.
Target
The decision's up to you
Rent the Runway Experience
This is not a sponsored post. I've just been a member of Rent the Runway for years and finally got around to trying the service and wanted to share my positive experience with you guys.
In January, Rent the Runway emailed me a $50 off coupon for being a member for three years, and the coupon needed to be used by the end of the month. I figured, no problem, I could order something to wear to New York. The only catch was I'd have to worry about receiving it before my trip and mailing it back while on my trip if I wanted to go with the standard 4-day rental as opposed to the more expensive 8-day rental. Instead, I planned to order a dress for my birthday and go out to a fancy restaurant with my husband or something.
After some internal debate, I finally decided on Kate Spade's Crosswalk dress, which retailed for $478, but you can rent it for $75 (plus $5 insurance, plus $9.95 shipping, plus tax). With my coupon, it came to $42.19! Sold! Or rented, I mean! You have the option of ordering two sizes for no additional cost, so I went with a 12 and a 14 although I was pretty sure the 12 would be too small.
Cut to Wednesday, the day before the dress was supposed to arrive. Customer service called and emailed me to let me know that the 14 was no longer available since it was returned to them in a condition that was not up to their standards. I was bummed, but it is nice to know that they're not sending out trashed dresses. They offered me any dress on the site instead, regardless of the price. I sent them a couple similarly priced options as backup dresses, but then I figured I should splurge given this opportunity. I put this Matthew Williamson Malawi Tropics gown in a 14 long down as my #1 choice. This beauty retails for $2,750, and you can rent it for $400. Even the rental price is more than I would ever spend on a dress.
The dresses came packaged in a garment bag inside of a box, which also included a large padded mailer envelope with the postage paid to be used to send the dresses back. The garment bag does not need to be returned.
I wore the Malawi Tropics gown on Saturday out to dinner with my husband. I was making stupid facial expressions in both of these pictures since my husband was looming (and judging), so I cropped my face out of these first two.
Detail shot:
In an attempt to dress it down, I added a cardigan. I should've gone with a leather jacket, too - that would've been cooler. Hindsight.
This gown was soooo loooong. I debated ordering the regular-length version, and I probably should've so that I could've worn flats. As it were, my 4-inch heels were the only ones that would've been long enough to keep this from dragging on the ground. Still, I went with booties with about a 2-1/2 inch heel and was just careful all night.
As for the Crosswalk dress, which I wore for a family birthday dinner at my parents' house, the 12 fit! If I were to own the dress, I would buy a 14, but the 12 was doable. It was shorter in the waist than I expected, but it fits my good friend Chantal (just kidding) up there there same way, so I guess that's just how it looks on tall people.
Again, since I knew this was a casual affair, I tried to dress it down with a cardigan, a studded belt, and boots:
My only complaint is that the side zippers on both dresses were very difficult to zip up. However, that's mostly my fault because the bodices on both dresses were a little on the tight side. My ribs were extremely grateful when I unzipped the dresses after eating big meals both days. I would say the Malawi Tropics gown runs a tad small on top, and the Crosswalk dress runs a tad big. Both have plenty of room in the hips.
I would absolutely use Rent the Runway again, but next time, for an actual event.
In January, Rent the Runway emailed me a $50 off coupon for being a member for three years, and the coupon needed to be used by the end of the month. I figured, no problem, I could order something to wear to New York. The only catch was I'd have to worry about receiving it before my trip and mailing it back while on my trip if I wanted to go with the standard 4-day rental as opposed to the more expensive 8-day rental. Instead, I planned to order a dress for my birthday and go out to a fancy restaurant with my husband or something.
After some internal debate, I finally decided on Kate Spade's Crosswalk dress, which retailed for $478, but you can rent it for $75 (plus $5 insurance, plus $9.95 shipping, plus tax). With my coupon, it came to $42.19! Sold! Or rented, I mean! You have the option of ordering two sizes for no additional cost, so I went with a 12 and a 14 although I was pretty sure the 12 would be too small.
 |
| Oh hey Chantal from Top Model! |
Cut to Wednesday, the day before the dress was supposed to arrive. Customer service called and emailed me to let me know that the 14 was no longer available since it was returned to them in a condition that was not up to their standards. I was bummed, but it is nice to know that they're not sending out trashed dresses. They offered me any dress on the site instead, regardless of the price. I sent them a couple similarly priced options as backup dresses, but then I figured I should splurge given this opportunity. I put this Matthew Williamson Malawi Tropics gown in a 14 long down as my #1 choice. This beauty retails for $2,750, and you can rent it for $400. Even the rental price is more than I would ever spend on a dress.
The dresses came packaged in a garment bag inside of a box, which also included a large padded mailer envelope with the postage paid to be used to send the dresses back. The garment bag does not need to be returned.
I wore the Malawi Tropics gown on Saturday out to dinner with my husband. I was making stupid facial expressions in both of these pictures since my husband was looming (and judging), so I cropped my face out of these first two.
Detail shot:
In an attempt to dress it down, I added a cardigan. I should've gone with a leather jacket, too - that would've been cooler. Hindsight.
This gown was soooo loooong. I debated ordering the regular-length version, and I probably should've so that I could've worn flats. As it were, my 4-inch heels were the only ones that would've been long enough to keep this from dragging on the ground. Still, I went with booties with about a 2-1/2 inch heel and was just careful all night.
As for the Crosswalk dress, which I wore for a family birthday dinner at my parents' house, the 12 fit! If I were to own the dress, I would buy a 14, but the 12 was doable. It was shorter in the waist than I expected, but it fits my good friend Chantal (just kidding) up there there same way, so I guess that's just how it looks on tall people.
Again, since I knew this was a casual affair, I tried to dress it down with a cardigan, a studded belt, and boots:
My only complaint is that the side zippers on both dresses were very difficult to zip up. However, that's mostly my fault because the bodices on both dresses were a little on the tight side. My ribs were extremely grateful when I unzipped the dresses after eating big meals both days. I would say the Malawi Tropics gown runs a tad small on top, and the Crosswalk dress runs a tad big. Both have plenty of room in the hips.
I would absolutely use Rent the Runway again, but next time, for an actual event.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Keep or Donate: Sweater #36 - Cream Cardigan
Results:
Donate. This outfit may have been a little weird, but it's hearts! For Valentine's Day! I started off with a burgundy skirt, but then I opened my birthday gift from my in-laws and immediately wanted to change into this cute L.L.Bean skirt they got me. The scarf Bridget has draped over her was also part of the gift, as was a new pink sweater that I haven't worn yet. They also bought Bridget the pink, fluffy cloud dress that she's wearing in this picture. Her little friends at daycare seemed to enjoy it when I dropped her off. One pet her right away, another one hugged her, and all the teachers complimented her dress. It was cute.
Up for vote today:
Other ways I've worn this sweater can be found in these posts from December 2011, February 2012, November 2012, and December 2012.
Old Navy
The decision's up to you
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Keep or Donate: Sweater #35 - Sequin Vest
Results:
Donate. This was a close one. My husband and probably at least one other guy have said this sweater looks like a Princess Leia getup. Of course now I can't find a picture to represent that because everything is either her in the slave costume or in the white dress with the buns on her ears. So I don't know; I'll either have to take their word for it or rewatch the movies.
You've already seen this one in my Valentine's post, but here it is for voting purposes.
Next one:
You've already seen this one in my Valentine's post, but here it is for voting purposes.
Target
The decision's up to you
Friday, February 15, 2013
Health Screening Results
Last week, I took my annual healthy screening at work. They're not required, but they're encouraged, and we get a little bit of a monetary incentive if we participate. I always come out of these with basically the same results - completely healthy, nothing to worry about, except the weight thing. Here are the numbers:
*They gave us two different charts to compare our results to. One said I was worse than poor in body fat, and the other one said I was at the high end of normal. I'm choosing to believe the high end of normal one.
Each year, I forget how the body fat test is done, and I go in worrying that they're going to pinch my stomach fat with some tongs. Not the case luckily. That would be kind of mortifying considering these tests are done pretty out in the open in one corner of the cafeteria. Really, they just hand you something that looks like a large XBOX controller, and you have to hold it in front of you with your arms out straight for about 5 seconds, and somehow that measures your body fat.
Not surprised at all by the BMI number, I assured the lady who was taking my test (who didn't seem concerned in the least about my above-optimal number actually) that I just started up Weight Watchers and that I mostly have a problem with portion control and a sweet tooth. She gave me the friendly tip of using smaller plates for dinner, which I plan on doing from now on. That won't help my snacking problem, but it's something.
All in all, not too shabby. Now if I can curb my snacking and bump up my activity level, I'll be one healthy chick.
| My Number | Optimal Range | Result | |
| Blood Pressure | 102/76 | Less than 120/less than 80 | Normal |
| Body Fat | 32.5 | 21 - 32.9* | Normal* |
| Body Mass Index | 27.3 | 18.5 - 24.9 | Overweight |
| Total Cholesterol | 138 | Less than 200 | Normal |
| High Density Lipoprotein | 56 | Greater than 50 | Normal |
| Triglycerides | 74 | Less than 150 | Normal |
| Low Density Lipoprotein | 68 | Less than 100 | Normal |
| TC/HDL | 2.5 | 3.3 | 1/2 Average Risk |
| Fasting Glucose | 87 | Less than 100 | Normal |
Each year, I forget how the body fat test is done, and I go in worrying that they're going to pinch my stomach fat with some tongs. Not the case luckily. That would be kind of mortifying considering these tests are done pretty out in the open in one corner of the cafeteria. Really, they just hand you something that looks like a large XBOX controller, and you have to hold it in front of you with your arms out straight for about 5 seconds, and somehow that measures your body fat.
Not surprised at all by the BMI number, I assured the lady who was taking my test (who didn't seem concerned in the least about my above-optimal number actually) that I just started up Weight Watchers and that I mostly have a problem with portion control and a sweet tooth. She gave me the friendly tip of using smaller plates for dinner, which I plan on doing from now on. That won't help my snacking problem, but it's something.
All in all, not too shabby. Now if I can curb my snacking and bump up my activity level, I'll be one healthy chick.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
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