Unfair fashion

I am not a blogger to talk about sweat shops or copycats. I don't ramble about stuff like that. I leave that to people who know more about it. You know what I find unfair?

I have rockin legs, but due to being a top heavy apple leggings and skinny jeans just don't work for me. Trust me I have tried. Over and over again. I so want to wear boots tucked into my jeans or leggings with a tunic but it just doesn't ever look right.   follow me on pinterest     barefootinboots



 It's sad that i have both leggins and skinny jeans in my closet. It's unfair that i see all that I see all the cute (small chested in most cases) girls on Pinterest wearing my outfits!

The inhumanity of this trend being unattainable for my body shape. I have a little butt and strong sleek calves. (My thighs could be more toned but they wouldn't jiggle in the leggings.)

Passionate Fashion - Eshakti.com Review

I was lucky enough to be approached by www.eshakti.com to choose an item to review.

After a lot of deliberation, I decided on a drapy black basic top. They have a LOT of cute dresses, but I am just not in the market for a dress right now.  Currently I am digging the flowy, drapy tops and the one I chose fit the bill. It has a chameleon like ability to be dressed up with black or sparkly pants and a black belt or dressed down as I chose to with jeans and a cropped jacket.

I love that the neckline on  this shirt adds some flare and design. This neckline, along with the drapy dolmain sleeve shape, makes this basic black shirt POP.

This shirt is super soft and comfortable. It is perfect for my current life and style. The people at eshakti.com were great to work with and I am so glad I got the chance to try their site out.

Jeans - Lee (thrifted)
Eshakti.com shirt
Jacket - (thrifted)
Booties- Simply Vera via Kohls (clearance)
Belt - Kenneth Cole via Marshall's

HEART breaker

I saw... I tried... I fell in love!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a coupon and it was on clearance...

 

DSW.com Steve Madden Carri

My husband said no....

We are on a tight budget with a little one and me not working....

I GET IT!!!


But here I am more than a week later MOURNING said shoe! It would have been $15.

The same shoe from the same store online would be $50 and that isn't counting shipping....


My heart HURTS!!!!!!!!!

HURTS!!!


Pathetic I know... but true.

Does this ever happen to you?

Hate or Heart?

Do you HATE or HEART............


Wayfarers?

What are your feelings on Wayfarers?


I must say that I HATE more than HEART them.. I don't think anyone looks cute in them.

Wardrobe Changes

So it is supposed to be.... drumroll.... almost 50 degrees in the next week!

I am excited to pull out some cuffed jeans... and to dress my baby in lighter clothes.

What Mom? I don't HAVE to wear long sleeves and long pants and layers alll my life? I thought that was part of this!

I mean my baby was born in October. She only knows bundling up.

 I can't WAIT to introduce her to grass and sun and warmth outside... in cute clothes!!

I have learned a lot about my clothing and minimalizing through being a mom.

I hope to talk more about that so stay tuned... and note I did NOT say minimalism. I am not there. I am just working my way through too much stuff, too many things, and too many interruptions to the life that I would rather lead.

Hot Mess of Fun! - Etsy Store

I am listing some items that I have made in my etsy store Barefoot Boutique.

So if you are interested head on over there. I have some jewelry and vintage clothing/accessories.

DIY hand warmers

I lived the color of these cropped tights but I couldn't find a way to wear them that suited my body style. What to do? Cut them off, make a thumb slit, and wear them as hand warmers of course!





See what else I did with them...

More Awesome Glitter Shoes

I just came across these shoes in the blog world. I NEED to try this!

Oh Oprah.. Thank You?

I must admit that I see a lot more TV since being a stay at home mom. I say see, because I don't really "watch" all of it but I do see it.

See more about these "must haves" here from the Oprah Show.

Oprah had some fashion items that I saw that made sense.

The Chickies.

These would be great for those times when you need a little extra cleavage coverage without the bulk of layers. Hmmm...... my brain is rolling here people... 

The Fluxus Scarf

Looked gorgeous but I want to try this instead!

Or the lounge tee & the wrap top!

"The Shirt"

Another cleavage coverage issue problem solver? I need to get my hands on one of these!


The Bootights

They also showed an Eddie Bauer jacket.. and while I like Eddie Bauer, I was not excited about the jacket. Sorry. Just my opinion.

They showed the Sorel "Cate the Great" boots.

I think I would try them but I would LOVE to try these more.

Sorel Suka II

or THESE the MOST!

Sorel Mackenzie Lace Tall

Can you tell I have a pair of two sizes too large men's icemens boots in a lovely olive green grossness?

Book Review - The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style vs How to Never Look Fat Again

I always have to have at LEAST one book to read. Normally I have more than one book started. I often have a novel for play and a "grown up" book to try to learn something. I think I have 6 books started right now?

Two or more on baby's first year, two on fashion, a stay at home mom book, and a diet recipe book. I also have several body after baby books and a few novels waiting in the wings.

I am by no means a professional but I have been reading since first grade and I spent many nights as a kid hiding my flashlight under a blanket reading until 3 am when I was told to go to bed at 10 pm. (I could get away with it in the summer, but in the winter my light reflected off the snow outside my window and my dad whose room was above mine would see the light and bust me.)

Let's compare the two fashion books I am reading right now.

"The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style" by Christine Schwab vs "How to Never Look Fat Again" by Charla Krupp

I started reading The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style a couple weeks ago. I had trouble getting into it and put it down. 

I took it up again a couple days ago and was able to get into it (with skipping through). I think that this was definitely a borrow from the library read rather than a buy. I had trouble with the fact that it seemed like the author was saying if it doesn't look perfect cover it. (In the section on necks, she tells the reader to examine their neck closely and "if it looks wrinkled cover it". and similarly in a section on shoes she writes "Don't expose a foot that has broken veins, calluses, bunions, or squished or twisted toes. Leave the sandals on the shelf and buy a covered shoe.") If you are confident with your body as it is and you are just looking for tips on what to use to work around your "problem areas" then it might be fine. It might also be a helpful read if you aren't confident with your "problem areas" and you want to know how to cover them. I don't think it is right to make people feel as though they NEED to cover up what isn't perfect before going out in public. No one is perfect and no one should be made to feel like they need to be! (For more on body issues check out Sal at Already Pretty!)

This book contained sections on skin, health, mind, and makeup as well but I must admit that I skipped over a lot of that. I love fashion most the rest of it less. (Hey, I'm being honest here.)

I can't say I didn't learn anything from this book because I always learn something. There were some good tips and tricks. I just didn't agree with the way the author went about some of the writing.

Grading: So So... Read again-No... Buy-Definitely not

I really enjoyed the "How to Never Look Fat Again" book (and I haven't even finished it!). This is a book that I would recommend checking out from the library or even purchasing.

Love: Images of a "High Fat" outfit vs a "No Fat" outfit on the same person (REAL PEOPLE not skinny models)

Like: Specifics for each body part
          What to have in your closet to magnify your assets
          What to avoid to look "No Fat"
           More extreme options than clothing for a person who might be interested.
           Etc....

This book gives good examples and explanations for what it is talking about. It shows good comparisons in the images that it uses. This book has given me a lot to think about during my next closet cleaning. This book is something to refer to again and again when you are looking at the new trends coming out or when you are looking to add to your wardrobe. Are you unsure what is the best denim for your body? Are you interested in making your arms look thinner? Do you want to make your "badonkadonk" look smaller? Do you have too much bust for the average clothing? Other problems this book addresses: wide face, thick neck, broad shoulders, arm flap, big bust, muffin top, back fat, buddha belly, wide hips & thighs, big booty, heavy calves, and wide feet & ankles.

I haven't even gotten farther than the big booty and I am in love.

More things addressed in this book: Summer clothing, winter clothing, workout wear, the evening, and an overall view.

Do any of these things apply to you? I don't think any of us can say that we don't identify with at least ONE of these areas. I know that I have been impressed with the information and educated on arm flap, big bust, muffin top, back fat, buddha belly, AND wide thighs. I can't WAIT to see what they say about wide feet. And summer AND winter. More please!

I love that "How to Never Look Fat Again" reinforced a lot of things that I "just knew" with reasons for why an item or outfit is or isn't good for someone's body type and added to my knowledge and understanding of different body shapes and issues. I like how the book gives specific ideas for petites and size 14 and up.

Grading: Liked A Lot... Read Again- Probably... Buy- Possibly-Probably

I know that I am not the target market for The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style but I like to read books for two reasons: to learn and to get away from everyday life. I think I have read almost every fashion book that my local libraries have to offer. (I will have to start requesting them online from other Minnesota libraries as I don't plan to buy them. Especially without seeing them first.)

I would LOVE to work as a personal shopper or something similar in the fashion industry at some point and reading these books gives me more knowledge towards that goal.

Do you have any fashion books that you love and can't live without? Please tell me so I can look into them!

Need to be per "sueded"

I LOVE boots right now.
I love the look of these but I am not sure suede is the right choice for everyday boots.

Dirty laundry "noted" boots




Dirtylaundryfootwear.com

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DIY - Plain Jane Jacket to Ombre Awesomeness

I used to wear this jacket from time to time but I never felt the love for it. I decided it was time to try to spice it up before I threw it out as I like the way it fits me. Girls with a large chest can have a difficult time finding jackets that fit well.

I threw it in a bucket of steaming hot water and some navy blue dye.

I stirred it up a few times, made sure it was set up, and left it sit.

Later that night, when I realized it was still in the dye, I took it out, rinsed it good, and threw it in the washer.

In an effort to keep the size and shape, I hung the jacket to dry and in the morning, this is what I had.

I wish that it was a little more ombre. It looked a little better before I washed it. There was more of an ombre effect from the dye bleeding up the fabric. It was also a little more striking before washing. The oatmeal color at the top of the jacket was cleaner looking than the blue that is there after it was washed.

What do you think?

These Boot (covers) are made for... Looks - DIY

   Do you like these boots? Want to make something similar?

I started with two different boots (one from each pair worn at the same time no less. I am CRAZY!), a pair of fake leather pants, some elastic, some thread, and my sewing machine.

The boots I started with:

Short Black Booties

Tall black boots with a wear mark

What I ended up with:

Tucked in to create another option.

I put the pants on, measured the height I wanted the faux boots to be, added an extra 1"-2" for a seam allowance, and cut.

I folded the pants down and then over again to create a pocket for the elastic to go through, and sewed it in place (leave a 1" opening to run the elastic through).

I measured the elastic around where I wanted it to be on my leg and made it a little bit smaller (to hold in place).

I ran the elastic through the pocket created for it, and sewed the ends of the elastic together. I then sewed the last opening for the elastic shut.

What I would rather have:

I love the look of foldover boots.. what can I say!

Seen here

Seen here

Seen here

J. Crew - Who Knew?

Ok.. I should have known. The name you see plastered on the site is Jenna. Maybe it isn't me, but it should be, but a Jenna will know fashion right?

I would love to go to J. Crew and see if their sizing works for me. Being a large sized large breasted but not a plus sized girl is difficult. I don't fit in Lane Bryant sized clothes. They are too big but I am borderline too big for a lot of normal sized stores. Why is that? Where is the in between? Also.. will someone please tell me where the size 10.5 went in the shoe stores? Did it get eaten? Or stolen? What the h*ll happened to it? End rant... back to sizing issues. I LOVE the clothes at Express, the Limited, and the like. I do NOT fit in their largest sizes.. or at least not often. Sometimes when the cut is meant to be baggy it works for me but not often.

Does anyone wear J. Crew? Do you know how it fits? If it weren't a danger to my empty bank account, (Why is it that I can't go into a store without purchasing something?)  I would stop into the nearest store and try things on. I walked past it in the mall I was in yesterday. Any store with sequins steals my heart right now!

I would be interested in trying...

Vintage cotton V-neck tee

Vintage Cotton Vneck Tee

Tissue V-neck classic tee

 

Perfect-fit tank with built-in bra

Haya zip cardigan

And none of those choices have sequins!!! I am shocked as well! I am on a basics kick. Or basics with a flare and we can all admit that as much as we love sequins, they are a bear in the care department. I like to be able to wear things and if I have to hand wash or dry clean them it isn't going to happen right away or often so that in itself will limit my wearing. That is why I try to carefully select my sequins.

The word tissue tends to scare me in a tshirt. Especially postbaby. To me tissue clings to all the rolls that I don't want exposed. This is NOT a bakery people. You don't want to see that and I don't want to show it to you. Do you wear tissue tees? Do you shop at J. Crew?