Literary Stylings

I do love a good linkup, and Gracey from Fashion for Giants has been running a great one called Literary Stylings where you post an outfit based on a book you're reading. I've been planning to link up for months and wear my homemade dress with The Help as inspiration. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten around to tailoring the dress more, and I'm not crazy about how it fits currently.

I bought this Banana Republic dress right around the time I was finishing up the book, and (this doesn't spoil anything, don't worry, if you still haven't read it but are planning to) the style reminded me of when Skeeter went on a shopping spree at an Emilio Pucci sale and reinvented her style to short, graphic-print dresses and long, straight hair.

Dress: Banana Republic; Belt: Hollister via E-Collectique; Shoes: New York & Company; Bracelet: H&M

...Wow, it's like a mall threw up on me—there's a little bit of everything in that outfit list. Also, why are all dresses so freakin' short? (Because I'm a giant.) I digress. I did wear this to work, but I think it'll be more work appropriate when I can wear it with tights and boots. The length worked well for my inspiration, though, and I really liked how this outfit turned out. I think it's appropriately Pucci-esque.

Anti-Fall Colors

Despite the fact that I look like I'm dressed for Easter, I liked this outfit. It's not fall yet! Then again, it's not spring either, but whatever. I'm not really anti-fall. I'm just trying to make the most of the final stretch of summer.

Top: New York & Company; Skirt: ASOS; Belt: Target; Necklaces: bridesmaid's gifts; Shoes: Kohl's

I Kept It

I decided to keep the JCP top I bought and return the pants. After taking in the sides to eliminate the excess fabric in the underarm area, I wore it the very next day to a wedding reception barbecue.

Top: JCPenney; Shorts: MICHAEL Michael Kors via T.J.Maxx; Sunglasses: Target; Sandals: Prabal Gurung for Target

I was lazy about it and didn't try it on again before I sewed, so it's a little bunchy, but much improved from what it was.

Linen Pants

This outfit is from June, but I never got around to posting it.

Tank: L.L.Bean; Pants: MICHAEL Michael Kors; Sandals: Target; Necklace: ?; Sunglasses: Express

I wore those linen pants again this weekend. I used to be pretty anti-linen because I'm pretty anti-ironing, but I can't deny that linen pants make me feel chic and breezy, like I'm on vacation.

On Me - Top: Old Navy; Sandals: Aldo; Necklace: ?
On Bridget - Top: Old Navy; Skirt: J.Crew Crew Cuts

Right after church, I switched to shorts because it was way too hot out even for linen pants. I'm not going to complain though, since I was the one who said I was not ready for summer to end yet. Well, it's finally here! And to think, back in June, when I took the first picture, it was chilly and rainy.

Sunglasses: Target; Shorts: Uniqlo

Pardon my windblown bangs.

Inspired by Selena and Gwyneth

Initially, my plan for Inspiration Monday was to wear all black to work, then put on my vest afterwards to run errands. Well, I was in a rush this morning and forgot the vest; and anyway, it got up to 90° today, so I don't even know if I'd want to put it on had I remembered to grab it. So full disclosure - I didn't wear this version of the outfit anywhere.

Top, Skirt & Belt: New York & Company; Shoes: Prabal Gurung for Target; Vest: Old Navy

But I did wear this version all day. My husband and I watched Iron Man and Iron Man 2 this week, and I think that may have subconsciously influenced my outfit. It's a little Pepper Potts-esque, at least in my own mind.

(Almost) A Week without Carbs

When I got back from vacation and a month of not tracking my points on Weight Watchers, my husband and I both jumped on the scale to see the damage. Last time I weighed myself in mid-July I was 183. Last Monday morning, I was 190. Yikes. That's a big jump in one month. I wanted to get back on track but knew that my typical pattern of eating well while at work then gorging at night and on weekends wasn't going to work.

I've never tried a no-carb or even low-carb diet before because it really didn't appeal to me, and I didn't think cutting out carbs made that big of a difference. But I needed to do something different, and I really wanted to get as far away from the 190s as quickly as possibly.

I didn't eliminate all carbs, but pretty close. Tuesday, I slipped up and had a few heaping spoonfuls of Bridget's macaroni and cheese, and I had granola on my yogurt on Monday. Otherwise, I was pretty good during the week even when the family and I went out to eat on Thursday. My husband almost ordered corn bread, though, and that would've killed me. Apparently, my telepathy worked, because he ordered potato salad instead, thankfully.

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

By Saturday morning, I was down 7.4 lb (!!!), but the real challenge was coming up when I was going to a wedding reception barbecue later that day and having my parents over Sunday.

Saturday

Sunday

At the party Saturday, I basically ate whatever I wanted within reason and managed to rack up an estimated daily allowance's worth of points in just a few hours. Sunday was back to business, but I did sneak one Megastuff Oreo. This morning was the moment of truth, and I weighed in at 183.2 lb, down 6.8 lb in a week. I'll take it! I don't expect to lose that much next week because I know you lose a lot when you first start a new diet, and then it tapers off, but it was a nice jumpstart.

While I had some serious cravings during the week for things like cupcakes, candy, and basically everything, and I even had a dream about eating cookies, I actually didn't go hungry. Being full, or at least satisfied, helped a lot. When I usually do Weight Watchers with all the carbs, I find I'm starving and torture myself with salads at lunch to stay within my daily points. I did have a couple salads this week, and I accidentally skipped lunch altogether on Friday, but I wouldn't say I was starving at all. Who would've thought? Oh yeah, anyone who knows anything about nutrition. Silly me.

I didn't exercise at all last week, but I do plan on getting back into my regular Zumba and yoga this week and see how it goes. I usually gain a little when I start working out again, which I know is a good thing because I'm building muscle, but I just wanted to see the numbers drop to get back on track first.

This weekend, we're headed to Nashville with some friends, and I know lots of wine drinking is going to happen, so hopefully I don't mess this up too bad and reverse everything.

Statement, Statement, Statement

Here's the Style Imitating Art piece for this week:

And my interpretation:

Lace Top: H&M; Tank Top: L.L.Bean; Jeans: DKNY Jeans; Shoes: Kohl's; Necklace: Old Navy?;
Bracelets: Target and Charming Charlie

I've been slowly making my way through Gossip Girl, and this outfit was loosely inspired by Vanessa Abrams with the stacked bangles and "statement" necklace. The term "statement" is so played out to me now, but I couldn't think of another way to describe it. It's the weekend.

Every time I watch that show, besides wanting all the clothes, I find myself wishing I could back to The Empire Hotel in NYC for their Gossip Girl themed cocktails. Maybe someday!