Rainbows!

Sweater and Jeans - Simply Be, Shoes - Payless.

I've been listening to a lot of musicals on Spotify lately. Can you tell that I wear my nerdom proudly? My three favorites have always been Godspell, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Little Shop of Horrors. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Curvy Rainbow Stripes

                                                                                               My socks look a lot like the packaging for Lifesavers. Evidently, I decided I needed a rainbow day, because I ended up carrying up my pink purse as well (since I was too lazy to shift my stuff to a more coordinated one). These socks are from Sock Dreams and they fit my large calves perfectly. Curvy Stripes is right!

Sock Dreams Socks for Christmas

Cardigan and shirt - Avenue, Pants - Walmart, Socks - Sock Dreams, Shoes - Target.

Socks socks socks. I like them nice and pretty and somewhat fancy. And I like to have knee-high socks that are able to fit up over my curvy legs (I'm glaring at you, big box stores). So, for Christmas, when my little Mama asked me what I wanted, after thinking, I decided that I want several pairs of socks from Sock Dreams. They even have a plus-size section (along with every other section in the known world)! So my knee-highs will comfortably fit up around my knees without strangling my legs. Also, they ship free and ultra fast (1-2 days from Oregon to Virginia!).

Do you have a certain present that you've asked for this year? Or do you get gift cards from your family? Or is it always a big surprise what you get?

EBEW: Green Flowers

I would love to sit down clothing designers and ask them just how much room they think the average woman has between her neck, shoulders, and breasts. Because last time I checked, most average women are not swan-necked, wide-shouldered, and low-breasted. I really like this shirt, but you won't see me wear it that often on my blog. It's came from Fashion Bug on major sale and it's a size 1X. Fashion Bug is not generally a store you think of as indulging in vanity sizing, but this is a huge 1X. And it comes down very low on the chest. I'm not against a little cleav, but it's also really big across the shoulders. Last time I checked, I wasn't in Flashdance, so I don't think it's too much to ask for a shirt that covers my bra straps when it has freaking sleeves. Hence the tank top underneath. It also has a tendency to poof out around my tummy for that flattering vaguely preggers look.

Ehhhh.

You might be saying, "Hey, with all those flaws, why do you even keep it?" Because the pattern is so preeeettty. Duh. And it has flutter sleeves, which are my kryptonite. It is almost impossible for me to resist a top with flutter sleeves if it's all cute. They make me feel like a princess!

Sockes.

More fancy Sock Dream socks! So cute and crocheted/chevroned. Also, today is Every Body Every Wear Green Day! Go me for remembering! Go check out everyone else who remembered!

Top - Fashion Bug, Tank - Hanes, Pants - Denim 24/7, Socks - Sock Dreams, Shoes - Target, Jewelry - present.

Plus-size calves love Sock Dreams

I love the idea of OTK socks (over-the-knee). But my calves are 19 inches at their widest point. Target socks don't fit that. At all. Sock Dreams, however, has a whole plus-size section. AND they tell you how wide the socks stretch. They do play a little fast and loose with the term "plus size", but you can find some great OTKs if you look. Their socks are more expensive than a big box store...but they fit! (And they're much nicer/better made than what you would buy at Target/Walmart.) These are thigh-highs which stretch to 24 inches, but over my leggings that just won't fly. The most tempting thing about Sock Dreams, though, is that they have basic free shipping and that it's super quick. I ordered these on the 19th and got them on the 21st. I live in VA and they ship from Portland!

Long-sleeved tee - Mossimo, Sweater - Avenue, Leggings - Walmart, Socks - O Marled, Boots - Viva La Diva, Necklace - Handmade.

Loves and Hates

I think I might start sorting out my style by the kind of clothes I love (and can/do wear) as opposed to what I hate.

1. I love t-shirts, of course. Everyone loves t-shirts, even if it's a secret trashy love that they don't post on their blogs. But I think I'm starting to love embellished t-shirts more. I got these super-cute t-shirts from Target that are painted and beaded and WERE ON SALE FOR $3.74 EACH that are my new favorite t-shirts in the whole world. I also lean towards short or 3/4 length sleeves, mostly because I have short little arms and long sleeves are often too long. Plus, long sleeves can get too hot if you're working hard.

2. I love the idea of jeans, and I even love jeans themselves. What I don't love is the what that jeans look on me. I am very curvy. I've got the whole hourglass thing going on, which is great most of the time. But when your hips are significantly larger than your waist, you run into trouble with jeans. They gap at the waist, or slink down, requiring some tight cinching with a belt, and I don't like being cut in two just so I can wear jeans and not flash people my panties. And I know that some great designers are addressing this problem with specially designed "curvy" jeans, but I'm not in a position to pay more than 20 or so dollars for some damn jeans. Grrrr.

3. So...skirts! I've been resisting skirts (and dresses) because I've never felt like a girly girl. I don't feel like a tomboy, either. I just sort of feel like me. I tend to wear leggings or footless tights under my skirts because I do a lot of bending and stretching at work in the shelves at the library. I've finally come to the conclusion that I can still be kickass and all modified/steampunky while wearing skirts.

4. No, they are not blazers! I believe in layering, due to the whole short-sleeved issue. I know it seems ridiculous to want to avoid being hot and then to layer, but stay with me here. It's cold at the desk, warmer in my cubicle and varies from floor to floor in the library. As for the blazer deniability issue; blazers button in the front, hit at the waist, and are very boring and lame. Most of my jackets don't button, they are all rockin', and most hit around my hips.

5. Sock Dreams! I love with a fierce passion. Leggings, arm warmers (or severed sleeves as my brother-in-law calls them), thigh-highs, sock garters...it's a plethora of wonderfulness!

6. I hate high heels. I have wide feet, and I'm on them a good portion of the day. I like my flats (with comfortable insoles added), and you can't talk me out of them. I'm looking for a good pair of boots, but they need to have very low heels. My sister can (and does) wear all the high heels in the family, while my mom is a happy medium.