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)

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)

• 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.

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.

Read Wil Wheaton’s blog for greater clarity on the issue.

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)

• 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.

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

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?

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.