Who's That Girl? {Celebrity Inspiration}

So. Let me be frank here. I'm a little bit angsty. Like. Sometimes I can be an absolute CF. I take myself pretty seriously, and I would like to say I am organized, poised, and efficient. I am wonderful at logistics, I cook wholesome dinners most nights, I always strive to say the "right" thing and so help me, I will be THE BEST friend in the whole wide world (or die trying). But I can be a true mess. So, while I don't always love Jessica Day from New Girl, I can relate to her a little. And let's face it...her bangs are AWESOME! When I "accidentally" cut my own fringe, I was really channeling Jess (and subsequently, Zooey Descahnel). For Halloween this year I took B-Dog, in his skeleton jammies, and we went to watch Mr. BD and his marching band during their last rehearsal. I wanted to dress up, but wanted to do something low-key, something I could wear to work. And from that was born my Jess costume. She can seriously rock a cardigan, a-line dress and flats, so that was easy to recreate from my closet. 

I had a whole collage of previous Halloween costumes to share with you, but I never got the opportunity, so overlook the fact that this is from almost a MONTH ago. Sorry. Enjoy these random prints of Jess as an apology.

Are you as equally obsessed with Jess? No? Then who?

Fall in love with {FALL}

It's midway through October. The weather is starting to turn and it's still dark when I wake up. That change slipped in unnoticed and has really been throwing me for a loop. The air has been off in the apartment for several weeks and the windows have been open. Sleeping at night with an additional quilt has been gorgeous. I wake up and all I can think about is how badly I just want to wiggle myself back down under the blankets and sleep for the rest of the morning, but I can't. Which usually leaves me running late and totally unprepared to rush out the door to make it to work on time. I've been groggily fumbling through my work days for the past week, feeling uninspired and unmotivated. And hungry. So hungry. I decided it was the right time to remind myself why fall is my favorite season and give myself the boost I've been needing.

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Etsy

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And scarves. And tights. Coats. Boots. Hot tea. Soups. Stews. Running in the cold. Gloves. Apple cider. Holiday movies and Christmas music. Candlelight Christmas Eve services. Heaters. Fireplaces. Holiday trips.

When I realized how much I was struggling this week to get myself together and stop eating garlic sticks for breakfast I made myself some hot tea, I cracked the window open in the conference room at work and I just lavished in the moment. Sometimes your body just doesn't understand how much your heart truly loves the change in seasons. At times like that it's important to pamper yourself and take it in stride. I plan on sitting in sunbeams on the floor in my living room, wearing as many layers as I can, making soup every single night, and drinking herbal tea after a hot shower before crawling into bed. 

Does the change in seasons confuse your body as well? How are you handling this transition to fall?

One Item + Three Ways {Antonio Melani Lace Top}

First Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | Dorothy Perkins Black Leather Look and Ponte Wrap Skirt | Chelsea Crew Maxin Leather Pumps | Pearl Earrings (Gifted) 

Second Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | Old Navy The Rockstar Jeggings | Clarks Ingalls Dealaware Boots | Asian Floral Clay Earrings, theshagbag via Etsy 

Third Outfit | Antonio Melani Lace Top | AB Studios A-line LBD with Skinny Belt | Clarks Ingalls Dealaware Boots | Charter Club Diamond Earrings (Gifted) 

I decided I would be ironic and wear my favorite blue shirt to work this past Monday for having the Monday Blues. I thought, "I can make a witty yet refreshing post and everyone will go crazy over it and I'll rule the world!", but when I saw the pictures from my mini photo shoot with Mr. BD at the end of the day, I was not impressed with the quality of the pictures. I was, however, impressed with my ability to create a completely new look from items I wear separately very often. It's not a new concept to blog about One Item, Three Ways but I sure haven't tried it so I thought I'd give it a shot. 

This top is classic, good quality, and on-trend for fall with the cobalt blue. It truly suits my fashion personality with the lace fringe trim along the sleeves and tiny, delicate buttons down the front. It is the kind of piece that needs no accessories, but is hard to pair with anything other than white or black. Any blouse can be utilized as the central item of a series of outfits with very little effort. My suggestion is, find a blouse in a color that compliments your complexion (for me, it is any jewel toned color) with unique elements (texture, cut, and embellishments) that can be layered or tucked for versatility. 

Do you have a versatile item that always completes an outfit?

Part of the Process {Finding Role Models}

I promise, this isn't a rant post. 

I was going through some folders at work today. I am the kind of person who scribbles notes all over the place. I have post-its and pads, pieces of scratch paper, envelopes I've jotted stuff on the back of. My dad does that. It used to infuriate me to find his notes scribbled on the back of my things, but now I get his methodology. Anyway, I found notes from a staff meeting back in April and stuck to that page of notes were four or five stickies. The top-most sticky was a list of names. Robyn Lawley. Tara Lynn. Emme Aronson. Lizzie Miller. Chloe Marshall. If you have done any research regarding plus-size fashion or payed attention at all to what is happening in the world, you will recognize some of these names. If you don't, these women are some of the most famous models and icons for the plus-size fashion industry. 

I consider my self-esteem a continuous work in progress, a project. Anyone who has started a project from a place of ignorance knows the first step is finding some great examples of a similar finished product. My examples are the women above. I don't know how you feel about plus-size models. Some people think they are too large for mainstream advertising. Some people think they aren't diverse enough in size to actually represent the demographic they are charged with speaking for. I, however, think they are the first step in a long pilgrimage for large women, women in general, and society as a whole. But that is another story.

These women are my role models. You may be thinking "Of all the women in the world, this girl thinks plus-size models are worthy of that title?" But let me finish. Yeah, these women represent an industry centered around consumerism. Yeah, sometimes models and fashion and advertising can all seem a little trivial. In the grand scheme of things, what does fashion really contribute to the betterment of society? But when you judge these women solely on the job they do with their physical bodies, you are diminishing their vision, their cunning, and their determination. They are an inspiration to any woman who has ever felt she is worth less than the value of a thinner woman. Or any woman who has agonized over losing 20 pounds just to feel better about herself. These women have a score of accomplishments that speak on their qualifications and their commitment to the bigger picture. Robyn Lawley was the first plus-size model to be shot for Australian Vogue. She was also the first plus-size model to appear in a campaign with Ralph Lauren. Chloe Marshall was runner up for Miss England in 2008. Lizzie Miller was that gorgeous doughy belly featured in Glamour. 

So. The moral of this story? If you are just beginning this journey toward self-love and acceptance, find some role models. Let the wisdom from their experiences be your template. Don't strive to be them, but allow them to inspire your best finished product.