Daily Outfit: Blue Sweater & Red Boots
January 26th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I don’t like this blue sweater. At all. It’s not working. Yeah it may be time for it to move on to someone else. It’s just not long enough on me and makes me self-conscious. I end up pulling it down most of the day. I keep trying but nope. Not happening. So long blue sweater!
Love my new little bee charm necklace though! My name – Melissa – is Latin for honey bee and while I am deathly scared of getting stung by one (never have) I think they are amazing creations. Amazing creations from Melissa Majora (the Big Bee! HA!)! See what I did there? Doctor Who anyone?
Anyhow, changing topics, a local news station asked the question last night of whether you use Groupon or not. I am *addicted* to Groupon. I have tried so many great restaurants, experiences, and stores this way. I even started going to my stylist because of a Groupon – I just fell in love with her! My family bought Grand Canyon tour tickets for when we go to Las Vegas on Groupon. And we are dragging along others at full price. I think it’s great for local businesses – gives them some exposure. And allows buyers the opportunity for a bargain. A win-win!
Do you Groupon? What’s the best one you ever bought?
Blue cable sweater: Avenue (Jan 2011)
Plain White long-line tank: Target (July 2011)
Skinny/Slim leg dark wash jeans: Lane Bryant (March 2011)
Red Dr Martens boots – Holt: 6PM (December 2011)
Newsboy black wool hat: Dunno (2004, I think?)
Grouped Multichain necklace: Lane Bryant (August 2010)
Bee charm necklace: DIY by ME (January 2012)
Daily Outfit: Off The Shoulder
January 24th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I promise I’ll get to the outfit but first I shocked myself tonight and wanted to mention it. I discovered that short of booking the limo and paying off our ceremony (not much left to pay) we are DONE planning and paying for the wedding. Aside from the credit card bill that will be paid off next month at any rate. It’s bizarre being done. I even finished my bouquet tonight. The fiance still needs to buy his clothes and shoes (has his tie) though. And we still need to buy some more luggage. We both are *only* carry-on packers – it’s a pain in the ass checking backs and I hate it with a passion. But I do not think my bouquet will get through normal carry-on security and we may have stuff to bring back so a few things are getting checked. But I am still bringing the majority of it on my flight with me and making sure my bag is well labelled inside and out. I haven’t lost a bag yet and I’m not bound to start now! Oh and we booked non-stop flights. That should help. But boy it’s weird. This is going to happen. And we have just a little over 120 days left too. Yikes!
Now to avoid talking about the wedding too much on to the clothes! I am in love with this sweater! Massive big time love! And the sleeves are long enough as well! Too bad it’s a little tight and if I’m not careful it will show all of my lumps and bumps easily. This outfit was a breeze too. The pants and shoes were worn to work so all I had to do to get ready for date night was toss on the sweater & belt. Fantastic! Though I don’t think you will be seeing these pants any time soon. They are very thin and very light – perfect to wear to work in the summer. So that is probably where they will stay.
Oh and did you see that Capitol Couture (The Hunger Games movie fashion tie-in Tumblr) is up? If not go check it out now! My feelings won’t be hurt. 
I can not *wait* for this movie. Gee I sound like I’m 12!
Purple/gray off the shoulder/wide cowl neck long sleeve sweater: Torrid (January 2012)
Plain Black long-line tank: Target (July 2011)
Thin black slim leg dress slacks: Avenue (December 2011)
Black Double Buckle Belt: Torrid (Jan 2011)
Black bow flats: Payless (August 2011)
Metal net necklace with fringe of beads: Forever 21 (Sept 2011)
My Week in Photos
January 23rd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Errand week!
- If you haven’t seen this scene from The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon apologizes to Amy with a tiara go watch it now! Even if you are not a fan it’s too much fun! Best.Amy.scene.ever! Well I posted about this scene on Facebook the night it premiered. Then I sorted through tiaras at Etsy and posted about that. THEN my co-workers asked me about finding the tiara and if I had. Ultimately it was decided – after a long LONG discussion – that tiaras are awesome. Of course they are! A few days later I went to Hobby Lobby for flowers to finish up my bouquet and they had all wedding items for half off including tiaras. So I bought one! And promptly posted it on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Of course.
- I had to go to the dealership to get a recalled part replaced. It wasn’t a big deal and I only waited an hour. They had a fantastic coffee machine where I got chai latte! A big display of chrome hub caps on the wall though were beautiful and interesting enough to take photos of.
- Barnes and Noble for chai and some books – some wedding, some not.
- I made bentos! For those who now visit due to my fashion/style blogging this blog actually began as a bento blog years and years ago. I stopped doing bento (too much of a pain) and started buying more frozen crap in a box and fast food. I decided last week I am sick of that and made bentos for our lunches instead. It was a success! But boy am I rusty!
- Saw The Iron Lady with my future-mother-in-law. A little bit boring – it is a movie about a politician who is still alive – but I did like it.
- I also saw Underworld: Awakening. Too short! There were like 3 acts (maybe 4) and nothing really got resolved. It felt like a bridge movie.
- My brand new purse! This thing is actually super bright and teal colored! Got it at Charming Charlies.
- A BBQ chicken tender sandwich at Buffalo Wings & Rings. It’s a local place and quite good.
Daily Outfit: Date Shoes & Asymmetrical Cardigans
January 19th, 2012 § 2 Comments
I think in a few weeks I may do a 30 For 30 or similar type of challenge. I have a lot of clothes. More than I probably need and certainly more than I actually wear. And my cleaning of the closet showed me that I have a lot I need to either wear already or pass along to someone who wants to wear it instead. And to top it off I really can’t spend money right now. Really no. Las Vegas and a wedding calls so I need to save it for then. And I’m ever so slightly bored with my closet. So maybe it would help. I just know some kind of challenge forcing me to explore my closet more deeply will help.
At any rate I LOVE this asymmetrical cardigan. It has a snap in the shoulder so I can wear it both up…
…or down. And it looks great either way. Though with it up that is a whole lot of blue going on. Maybe a belt or scarf or something to break it up next time. I like this simple outfit though.
Plain Black long-line tank: Target (July 2011)
Blue asymmetrical t-shirt cardigan: Avenue (December 2011)
Skinny/Slim leg dark wash jeans: Lane Bryant (March 2011)
Black hidden wedge ankle strap “flats”: Payless (September 2007)
Multichain flower/sun burst offset crystal charm chocker: Torrid (2009 – though I can’t remember when exactly)
I told the mister a secret about these shoes the other day so now I’m going to share – way too much – here as well. I used to call these my date shoes when I was single. Not because they were fabulous or versatile or simple but because it seriously takes me like 15 or 20 minutes to put them on! Underneath my jeans is a shoe with an ankle strap similar to a mary jane. Except this ankle strap is difficult as hell to get into the buckle. Seriously! I have no idea why but I just can’t get it to do it. And if my ankles are swollen at all forget it. And while they are certainly comfortable to wear for awhile, and walk around in, the hidden wedge would strain my feet and start me hobbling if I had them on too long.
So I’d wear these on dates to ensure that nothing would happen! He called them chastity shoes, but yeah they were. And they worked perfectly I might add. Just remembering that it would take me an awkward 20 minutes of putting on shoes in front of someone if I took them off for any reason, even just to relax or get comfortable, insured that I never went home with anyone or had any one at my home. They were a nice reminder.
Consequently because they are so difficult to get on and off I don’t wear them much though I actually like how they look and I like how they feel.
My Protest: Stop SOPA!
January 18th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I’m not going to do a full protest as I’m just a little blog but I am protesting SOPA.
Read Wil Wheaton’s blog for greater clarity on the issue.
Daily Outfit: A Striped Asymmetrical Shirt
January 17th, 2012 § 2 Comments
Live bloggin’ yo. No really. I’m sitting in this outfit right this very second.
I posted this for 2 reasons:
- We got snow! Okay it was just a dusting but it gave me a reason to wear these boots legit like.
- A message board I visit had a very popular post complaining about the choices plus size women are given in the fashion department and how most are ugly. I agree. But I’ve talked about that before. There are gems among the retailers though and this outfit, I hope, proves this. That was my idea anyway.
I am in love with top. I bought it just last week from City Chic and yes its asymmetrical and the stripes run diagonal. What you can’t see, due to my super awesome suede jacket, is the full cut and the sleeves. This is one beautiful shirt. I love everything about it except one: the neckline is way too wide! I have no idea what to do about it without layering a shirt underneath. So I’m going to have to come up with other ways of wearing it. But come on, isn’t this an amazing shirt? I think it’s my new favorite!
I probably should have worn this with my black waterfall jacket instead but I had on too many layers already and didn’t even think about the black until after photos were done. Besides I think the black jacket with this will look much better with heels…oh yes, HEELS. I definitely need to do this with heels!
Asymmetrical black and white striped long sleeve tee: City Chic (January 2012)
Short-sleeved White button down tunic: Lane Bryant (Jan 2011)
Brown suede waterfall jacket: Marshall’s (May 2011)
Skinny/Slim leg dark wash jeans: Lane Bryant (March 2011)
Red Dr Martens boots – Holt: 6PM (December 2011)
Black & white plastic seashell necklace: DIY (June 2011)
My Week in Photos
January 16th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I notice I never take pictures of people. I wonder why that is.
- Last Tuesday was BEAUTIFUL and warm for January (mid-50s) so I took several additional photos of outfits I’ve been wearing in one marathon session. I am going to try keeping this up for the duration of the winter so that I don’t freeze my bum off but I still get decent outside shots. Rest assured I have worn all the outfits I picture just not necessarily when I take the photo. This was true last summer too as it was too hot to take photos outside and I live in a very dark basement apartment.
- I hit up the local Japanese grocery store in town. I adore Japanese food (sushi is probably my favorite food) and several years ago this blog was actually a bento and foodie blog. I stopped doing bento after a while as it was too time consuming. But I have now decided to move back into taking bento for my lunches. They are healthier and I eat much less and am much less hungry when I bring a properly prepared one. I am sure I will photography some here and there. I even got a new bento box though I still have all my old boxes and things.
- Grocery shopping. Eh. The line was long and I was bored. Besides I thought this turned out a pretty photo.
- Inside the car at the car wash…see above!
- I made some of the best chili with beans last week. I have to say I’m loving the foodie filter on Hipstamatic. It turns out perfectly colored food photos nearly every time with just the right amount of blur on the edges.
- We went out to eat at Old Chicago for Thai Pie pizza. Broccoli on pizza? Chili oil? Yup. And it’s the BEST!
- Wedding planning and car insurance shopping. Last week we even cashed in on Groupons for the family to go to the Grand Canyon. We are going to tie up a few other loose ends this week like reserving the restaurant. And as for car insurance that is what I am doing with my day. Sigh. My old company raised the rates and no way am I allowing them to stick it to me. So on the search. I will have car insurance by tonight. And maybe a new rental insurance agreement as well since that seems to be helpful in saving money and my policy is up for renewal.
Fill In the Blank Friday
January 13th, 2012 § 1 Comment
1. The last thing I ate was General Tso’s Chicken and Egg Drop Soup…yum!
2. The last song I listened to was “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson – I love him! Followed by “I Thought I saw Your Face Today” by She & Him – I love Zooey!
3. Using the letters in my name I can spell not a whole lot – Missy – miss, my, sims, ism, mi, sis, is, si
4. If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick red-orange! My favorite color by far!
5. If you were to look in my bag right now you’d find not much as I just cleaned it out, an organized wallet with $3 in cash (card society!), store cards, my mini “must have” bag (basically band-aids, tampons, eyeglass screwdriver, mirror, make-up, sewing kit, etc) and my wedding planning notebook.
6. When I finish filling in the blanks I’m going to rewatch this week’s new Big Bang Theory (“I’m a princess and this is my tiara!” holy crap rolling on the floor!) and then go to bed. 5 am comes awfully early.
7. My all time favorite song to dance to is “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins – very few songs make me wanna dance but this one makes me so freaking happy!!
To learn more about Fill In The Blank Friday or check out the other blogs participating visit The Little Things We Do
Daily Outfit: Red Stripes & Red Boots
January 12th, 2012 § 2 Comments
I love these boots. Love these boots. LOVE THESE BOOTS!
Did I mention I love these boots?
Yeah these are me. Totally me. I’ve had a love affair with Dr Martens since I was in middle school and could only get the knock offs. Years ago I decided to buy a real pair and never actually did. Why I don’t know. So fast forward to a few months ago when I was looking for winter boots and I stumble on these. I salivated seeing them. SERIOUSLY! I love red in general (my favorite color is actually red-orange) and these totally kick it up a notch. I hemmed and hawed and they went off sale before I could pull the trigger. But I watched and waited and sprung the trap the next time they dropped in price. Sweet!
Aren’t they just amazing?! Best boots ever!
The rest of this is slightly predictable, red boots or not. But I have the kind of figure where grandpa/boyfriend sweaters don’t look awful on me and actually rather flatter my non-existent waistline. All and all a predictable and boring lot – minus the super cute boots of course! – but at least it was warm.
Short-sleeved White button down tunic: Lane Bryant (Jan 2011)
Red & Gray striped double button cardigan: Avenue (December 2011)
Skinny/Slim leg dark wash jeans: Lane Bryant (March 2011)
Red Dr Martens boots – Holt: 6PM (December 2011)
Rhinestone skeleton key necklace: Charming Charlies (July 2011)
Large fishhook earrings with dangling crystals: Evans UK (April 2011)
Seriously what is up with this photo? My feet look like clown feet! They are only size 11s in men’s!
I’m only posting it so you can see what color the boots really are – not berry colored like in the photo above. Still awesome right?
Everybody Everywear: Black and White
January 10th, 2012 § 4 Comments
Honestly I know this challenge is a challenge for some people but not for me. If you’ve seen any of my outfits you would know that much I hope! So instead I challenged myself to wear something I don’t usually or have never worn. Hence this skirt and these boots. I love the boots, very much so, but they are rubber rain boots and with my surgeries these last 4 months I never wore them but once, right before, as they are difficult to get on with one hand. And now that I’ve had use of my both my hands it hasn’t been rainy or snowy enough to wear them. 
That’s not going to stop me though!
As for the skirt I thrifted it last month and this is its first appearance. It’s double-sided – you can see the black and white polka dots side peeking out the bottom as it has a ruffle – and I totally intend to wear it that way soon. But this side appealed to me today.
To change gears a bit this next month is going to be insane and I just need to blurt it out somewhere. We are getting married in Las Vegas in May and aside from our dress (my ensemble and his casual attire) and the company we have contracted with for the ceremony/photos everything else is up in the air including reservations for the reception restaurant (we know where I just haven’t started the process for the group reservation), hotel (not sure on this yet though we have some definite choices) and airfare accommodations (though we know we are flying Southwest we haven’t booked yet) as well as activities to do there. Except we are lining up the Grand Canyon trip information tonight. Basically what I’m saying is that in less than a month (probably by the end of this month) everything will be set in stone and paid for. Deep breathes. Deep breathes. I get anxious spending a lot of money all at once, especially on something like this.
But it should be so much fun!! I wanted to do an Elvis ceremony at Graceland (and have since I was a teenager) but it got vetoed so we are doing something else equally as cheesy (in my book anyway). My co-worker however is also getting married in Las Vegas – 2 weeks before me and she is doing the whole Elvis thing. I’ll just have to live vicariously through her wedding! And I found out yesterday that this same co-worker and a co-worker of my fiance’s are actually besties. He works at a massive company (around 5,000 employees) and I work at a rather small one (around 100-ish employees) so the fact that a close co-worker of his and mine are good friends just blows my mind. Giant small town I live in I tell ya. At any rate I’ll definitely share more details about my wedding once some things have been finalized – I’m just freaking out about doing it!
Black pullover long sleeve sweater: Thrifted (dunno…I think at least before 2007)
Black & white double-sided pull-on skirt: Thrifted (December 2011)
Plain Black Tights: Avenue (Jan 2011)
Black Aussie Dogs lace-up rainboots: 6PM (September 2011)
Long (all the same chain) Multi-chain necklace: Charming Charlies (July 2011)
Crystal bracelets: Torrid (April 2011)
Honestly this outfit began with another set of black heels/pumps but I wanted to be comfortable as the rest of the outfit is like wearing super comfortable pajamas. Then it shifted to my new Christmas black boots. Except they sent me the wrong size! The box is correct, the size is not and they don’t fit. I am very very sad about that I assure you and I will be seeing if they can send me the proper size. But my eyes fell upon these and since I hadn’t worn them in a while I knew these were perfect.
I hope the whole thing together doesn’t scream mid-1990s too much though.
My Week in Photos
January 9th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I did lots more than this – I just forgot to take photos. For example I went out to eat to 3 separate places, totally by accident, and didn’t take a photo of a single thing. Including an incredibly brunch at a local joint (Bailey’s for those in Omaha) – they make the BEST hollandaise sauce. THE BEST! Anyhow…
- I had my very last ever appointment with my orthopaedic surgeon and my carpal tunnel – I have been deemed cured. And check out the scars…they healed beautifully!!
- I worked on my bouquet some more. I have since taken it apart and redone it twice since this photo but this is the jist. I need more fake realistic flowers. I still have tons of brooches and clip on earrings to incorporate and it needs to be bigger.
- I spent Sunday afternoon cleaning out my closets and re-watching season 1 of Downtown Abbey to prepare for Season 2 which premiered last night. God I love this show. And as for cleaning out the closets I got lots of ideas for outfits. I’m amazingly inspired!
- Preview of one of my outfits I wore this weekend. The boots and sweater are both from my after Christmas shopping and I can’t wait to show this off! I am so in love with the boots it’s sick! Since tomorrow is Everybody Everywear I think I’ll post photos of this red based outfit on Thursday (but no promises!).
- Taking out the stitching on my new coat pockets. I think this is probably my least favorite part of buying a new wool or formal press item.
- Not shown: I went shopping and bought a few things. Guess you will have to wait and see what. Especially since that is it for my shopping for awhile. I have a wedding to pay for and I keep blowing my dough. I have to knock that crap off!
Fill In The Blank Friday
January 6th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
1. One of my favorite things to do when I have free time is read. I a big reader and it always relaxes me.
2. When I have free time I tend to waste it. I have either 3 or 4 days off every week and I definitely don’t use them to their full potential.
3. If I had an entire day completely to myself I would go shopping somewhere fabulous, eat lunch in one of my favorite places and read. Read a lot.
4. I would prefer to spend my free time (alone or with others…) alone. I’m a loner and an introvert. I am my own best friend and I’m very good with that!
5. Most of my free time happens and is gone before I realize it! Oy!
6. The best thing about free time is being able to recharge your batteries. Nothing else does it and lets you get ready for life.
7. The next time I have free time I should probably actually pick a new book to read. I’ve been jumping around trying to find something since I finished Steve Job’s biography the week before last. Nothing is sticking with me!
To learn more about Fill In The Blank Friday or check out the other blogs participating visit The Little Things We Do
Daily Outfit: Lace & Waterfall Fronts
January 5th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
It’s been so unseasonably warm lately! Yes I know I complained about the wind chill the other day and why I took my first outfit photo of the year inside but at the time – 8 am – it was that cold out and I was working the rest of the day so I wouldn’t have a chance to take a photo. But it did warm up considerably later on when it was most inconvenient to take photos of course. Matter of fact I wore this outfit yesterday WITHOUT a winter coat! And it’s supposed to be the same weather-wise again today! Wowza!
I get compliments on this shirt as well as the jacket each time I wear them and I’ve gotten lots of compliments on the shoes. Matter of fact I got 2 compliments on the entire ensemble while I was wearing it so something must be right about it. I flat-out adore this jacket. The cut, the feel, everything about it. I’m lucky I stumbled upon it especially for the $10 I paid!
Now to change topics to one last thing on my mind – Sims: Medieval. I got it for Christmas and though I haven’t been playing it non-stop I have put some time into it. I bring it up because for some reason it’s inspiring me. I’m motivated to do some heavy blog topics and do some major projects. I’m just surprised that a game would do that to me! Maybe I have finally found a way to loosen up! Has this – or something similar – ever happened to anyone else?
Brown suede waterfall jacket: Marshall’s (May 2011)
Black lace high collar button front shirt w/tank liner: City Chic (July 2011)
Skinny/Slim leg dark wash jeans: Lane Bryant (March 2011)
Criss-cross Black studded pumps: Avenue (Aug 2010)
Pink floral gem necklace: Torrid (April 2011)
Note to self: smile more! You are beautiful!
Oh and Happy Birthday Grandma – you would have been 89 if you were still alive today. God I miss you. So very much. Even 15 years later.
My Christmas Gift Card Purchases
January 4th, 2012 § 2 Comments
I like to take advantage of all the sales just after Christmas (who doesn’t want to save money?) and use up any gift cards I may have gotten. Especially since we still have another 3-ish months of winter left and sweaters and the like are dirt cheap right now.
I was gifted several gift cards and have now spent them all. Only one of these I have in my possession (and it fits great!) but the rest are still coming in the mail so I’m not sure about fit, etc yet but this is what I ordered:
First and foremost these Doc Martens. Oy boy! I’ve been lusting for awhile but they dropped in price significantly and I really needed winter boots. So happy about getting these so I hope I love them as much in person as I do on the screen!
But I also got all this:
The tweed coat was picked up at Target (in person) and the rest was purchased from Avenue (online). The Avenue items are arriving late this week and I’m most nervous about the boots and the pants fitting. I have meaty calves and boots don’t always fit how I would imagine them to. Likewise I’m tall and I have a butt so pants don’t always fit right either. Guess we shall see!
Daily Outfit: Warm Business Dress
January 3rd, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I got called in to work on my day off and as a result I had about 15 minutes in 0 degree (with wind chill) weather to take my photo. Since no one is paying me I stayed inside and snapped away. Who can blame me?!
I hate it though. The color is terrible and the details are completely lost. My apartment is a very dark – and DUSTY! – hell hole at 8 am! First photo of the year and already I’m not liking it. It doesn’t help that I am wearing black pinstripe pants and a black sweater. I tried to throw more light in the room but it didn’t work. Oh well. It was an extraordinary set of circumstances this morning. Let’s hope I don’t have to do too many of these as there just isn’t enough light in here (did I mention I live in a basement apartment? yeah…).
I’ve said before but I will share again that this is not normally what I wear to work. Normally I wear black slacks, black flats and a company issued polo. Boring but simple and easy. It’s my days off when I dress up. On the days I am asked to fill in on what would have otherwise been a day off for me there are usually lots of other things I have to do besides work so I dress in something fun and out of uniform. Besides I wear those polos too much anyway and the dress code allows me to get away with business attire if I so choose so it’s nice to justify some of my clothing purchases this way.
Short-sleeved White button down tunic: Lane Bryant (Jan 2011)
Black pullover long sleeve sweater: Thrifted (dunno…I think at least before 2007)
Pinstripe black wide leg dress slacks: Thrifted (August 2011)
Sparkly flats: Lane Bryant (Jan 2011)
Mesh metal tie necklace: Forever 21 (October 2011)
I didn’t pick out my jewelry until I was fully dressed and thought – well wouldn’t a tie be great with this. Ta da! A kitschy necklace sure but I love it! And it fell in exactly the right place. Interestingly enough it is the only piece not from Lane Bryant. While 2 of my pieces are thrifted they are Lane Bryant pieces. And the sweater is so old it has a different logo label and has no “season” label at all.
Sadly these sequined flats are about ready to give up the ghost. They are almost totally shot inside. Sigh. I like my sparkle! Great shot of my pinstripe pants though.
