Oscars

I have to be honest, I so wanted to be obsessed by someones dress tonight and I just wasn’t. I can’t even pick a winner. These are some of my favorites. Some of the best were from the Vanity Fair after parties.

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Well… It was difficult to find a tv in the house that wasn’t on the playoff games but I managed. I have to be honest, I wasn’t blow away by last nights fashion.However, I was in leggings and a hoodie while watching so really shouldn’t be judging…. but I will anyway. Here are some of my faves and the one that stood out the most.

Even though I almost always end up wearing all black I do like all the colors that are popping up everywhere.

Winner of the night.

Emily Hampshire

Critics Choice

Critics Choice awards were last night and the bright colors were everywhere. Because of my son’s 15th Birthday and Super Bowl playoffs I didn’t get to watch the telecast but I scoured the internet photos of arrivals which is my priority anyway. Here are my favorites stand outs and the winner of the night for me.

Winner!

Olivia Wilde

I usually love all of her outfits and this is no exception. I love everything from the earrings to the shoes. I am sensing a retro trend for me because this again is retro chic.

Best Male again!

Christopher Abbot does it again.1st with his amazing navy blue corduroy suit at Golden Globes and now this green velvet ! Love it!

Golden Globes

Because I am feeling puffy and bloated and lazy from the holidays, what’s the best way to feel better? Watch beautiful skinny celebrities in beautiful designer dresses.

Seriously though, awards season is my super bowl, march madness, world series, pick a sport. Its mine. I have loved watching for as long as I can remember. I love tv and movies and fashion so the globes are my trifecta. Here are my top outfits and the hands down winner of the night.

Winner of the Night!

I am in love! This is Zoey Deutch in a yellow wool jumpsuit by Fendi Couture. I will dream about this. the color, the sleeves, its a jumpsuit! It is updated retro and it is amazing.

New Years Sparkle

I love the idea of dressing up. Having to go out in public is another issue but picking out fun things online for my imaginary plans is super fun!

I generally stay away from sequins because I feel too gaudy and over done. However there are a few exceptions where they would be acceptable for me. New Years Eve is one of my exceptions. I will be in sweats on the couch this year probably, but if I were to have big fancy plans, these are some sparkly choices I would make.

Free People

Free people

Free People

Nordstrom

Nordstrom

Santa Baby

Ahh… its almost here and instead of easing my anxiety by finishing all of my tasks and wrapping all my gifts, I am procrastinating and dreaming about what I would ask for in my letter to Santa this year. A girl can dream….

dyson hair dryer

birkenstock genuine shearling slide sandal dove grey

https://www.loefflerrandall.com/goldy-crl-darbr.htm

Zimmermann amari tiered maxi skirt

Ulla Johnson brown silk midi dress


Target Ninja 5.5qt Air Fryer

BuDha Girl Bracelet ( I love them all but I’m liking the beige with the snake end caps.)

BuDha Girl bracelet end caps

Wallflowered

“At a party I always want to look so good that no one talks to me. …unless they want to compliment my outfit.” -me

Its hard enough to work up the courage to rsvp yes. So now “What do I wear? that will make me feel good fit in and not scream out for attention.

Just because we are wallflowers doesn’t mean we can’t look good hiding behind the potted plants.

Here’s some current “wall” flower looks I’m loving right now. Click photo for web link.

What I actually wore in Italy.

Even though I over thought over packed, here are the things I actually wore in the 2 weeks and a few things I didn’t wear and should have left at home.

Things I should have left home: I did not need heels. I really only needed one pair of flip flops and one pair of flat sandals ( I brought 7 pairs of flat sandals, tennis shoes and pair of heels) It ended up being extremely hot and humid our entire trip so the 3 pairs of jeans I packed could have stayed home too!

Most loved and worn items on trip were: my denim jacket, scarves, white wide leg pants, white skirt and black tanks. I bought my first pair of Golden Goose sneakers the 1st day of trip in Venice and basically wore them everyday. One thing I wish I had packed more of were a few more pairs of no show socks!

Plane ride outfit to Italy! Only changed my outfit 4 times before I was forced to leave house. Black tank dress , Current Elliot dress , beige Nike sneakers (ebay), J.Crew denim jacket ( at least 10 years old).

First dinner out in Venice. Faithful the Brand dress. Old Ulla Johnson wedge sandals(therealreal)

Day 2 Venice sightseeing. h&m grey linen tank, Solid and Striped white midi skirt, old Tom Ford Sunnies, my new golden goose sneakers purchased in Venice the day before!

Bologna walking food tour! So hot!!!! Target grey racerback tank, Mother wide leg cropped white jeans, new Golden Goose sneakers, H&M scarf, LV black leather fanny pack.

Day 2 in Bologna strolling the food market. Ulla Johnson mini dress,( Ebay find from years ago that is still one of my all time favs) , GG sneakers. (I wore this outfit again in Amalfi)

Dinner in Bologna. Black Cami NYC silk and lace racerback tank, Zara pleated skirt, H&M scarf, Ancient Greek sandals( I stalked online until they went on sale), old Krewe sunnies

Day 1 Florence! Zara tank, Mother wide leg white jeans.

Shopping in Sienna. My husband caught me shopping through the window. Can you see him? (lol)Beautiful leather bags. I regret that I didn’t come home with that one! Spell and the Gypsy Collective maxi dress, J. Crew jean jacket.

Walking tour of Florence. old J.Crew jean jacket and amour t-shirt. Zara pleated black skirt. Birkenstock patent leather sandals

Dinner near the Ponte Vecchio bridge, Florence. Ulla Johnson black silk midi dress, Zara blue scarf.

Cinq u terre, Italy. Rebecca Taylor white midi dress, GG sneakers.

Just me all by myself at Trevi Fountain Rome! LOL Ulla Johnson blue gauze midi dress, GG sneakers.

Roof top dinner Rome. H&M paisley blouse, Mother wide leg cropped jeans, Ulla Johnson wedges. ( I only wore them again because I felt guilty for packing them and dinner was in our Hotel! (lol)

I did not know until after the trip that my husband had snapped this photo. This was my only swimsuit day so I’m glad I only packed one. Karla Colleto navy halter swimsuit, Solid and Striped midi skirt. Target straw hat, tkees black flip flops( I own these is 3 colors)

Capri, my husband caught me trying on my custom made capri leather sandals. So gad I did this. Not super expensive and a great take home souvenir. My only regret is not getting another pair! Solid and Striped skirt, Target black racer tank, H&M scarf I tied as a belt. Dirty old black Birkenstocks in photo are also mine.

Last night in Amalfi. Cami NYC black silk lace tank, COS green pleated skirt ( purchased while in Florence), Hermes slides

This is it don't get scared now....

1st day and my anxiety has never been higher. Well I’m sure thats not true. Ha! There have been many other times. One of the highest anxiety inducing things for me is Travel. My husband and I recently( September) spent 2 weeks traveling around Italy. He always says he should travel with a taser for me. Anyway, there are a multitude of things that caused anxiety for me surrounding this trip. The actual planning, locations, hotels, travel within the travel, etc.

Then there is the planning and scheduling for child/home/dog/care. Then comes the most important/anxiety inducing for me, the packing. What should I wear? I started my Pinterest searching almost before we planned the trip. There are a ridiculous amount of ideas about how to not dress like a tourist. This creates even more anxiety! What to pack?, how to pack it?, what to pack it in?, how I will look while carrying it?, Why didn’t I lose the 8 lbs I said I would lose?…The list is endless.

I realized that I can’t give any tips on how to pack well because the more I researched the more nervous I got. Thats great that you can wear the same black tank top with 4 pairs of pants but what if you spill or sweat or …..

Thats why I have to pack 5. I will leave that to the more adventurous and relaxed.

Favorite blog about packing I found was: Live Love Sara

My husband took this photo of me trying to decide which carry on bag to use. This was at height of my pre-travel anxiety attack. I had been awake since 3am making last minute changes.

This was the final luggage. We got to airport and I was already over the weight limit! oops! So much for careful packing!

But even with my anxiety, and after 2 long flights. We made it and got to spend 13 children free days together exploring a new country.

Holiday hosting gift ideas

its 6 pm and you just realize that you spent all week worrying about what to wear to the neighbors holiday party that starts at 6:30pm and completely forgot about a hosting gift. Hello panic attack! As if the Holiay’s aren’t stressful enough. I don’t make the rules I just try desperately not to break them. A last minute gift that always works, Grab a bottle of wine from the fridge and tie a ribbon on it. But if you want to be proactive or just happen to be in target while reading this then stock up on these other ideas I like for anyone from Teachers, Co-workers, and Neighbors.

Wine, Wine and more wine please!!!

I love this wine because of the fancy label and it tastes great and doesn’t break the bank

Another site I found about a year ago is Scout and Cellar. The claim to have less sugar and no additives which means less headaches. As some one who has consumed a large amount of their wine, I can say that this is true fro me and they are great tasting too!

I like to wrap a bottle with seasonal or pretty kitchen towels because everyone can use them or regift. Its a 2 for one and who can resist that? No One

bite me towel

Stacking dolls

towel

I LOVE these books and all things Amy Sedaris. These are true favorite of mine. I own both and I gift them frequently.

Amazon

Amazon

Anything with initials on it. I’ve noticed this is a big thing here in Texas. People here enjoy a good monogram on anything and everything!

Pouch

Candles: I have to be honest I’m not a huge lover of candles, I am always afraid I will forget to blow out and burn my house down. Call me crazy, and most people do.

Did I mention wine?

I also have a few recipes for candies, fudge and granola that I like to give out too but usually only to neighbors and friends. I feel bad giving someone I don’t know well a homemade food. I know that when I was a teacher I was always leary of home made food from parents. (My anxiety extends to food born illness as well)

So really just a few items I guess: Ha! If your coming to my house I guess you know now that wine and will never be turned away!

I'm not sure?

I’m not sure if I should even be doing this. I am having anxiety about my anxiety. I love fashion. I love putting things together. I love getting complimented on a outfit. I love the thrill of seeing something I like and hunting it down online. Fashion is my therapy. It controls the majority of my brain. I am constantly worried about what to wear to what. It really does consume most of my thoughts. When I do have down time I am scrolling instagram or websites for the latest and greatest. However just because I enjoy it doesn’t mean I should be broadcasting it publicly to others? I really worry that my opinion isn’t valid. Who really cares what I think? I’m a 40 something mother of 4. Does the world really need another blog about fashion? Why should anyone pay attention to me? What do I have to say that’s more important than anyone else? Is this all just annoying and self aggrandizing ?

I don’t know the answer to any of these and I still believe that this may all be too trivial but I know that it makes me feel good to find good clothes and bargains and if nothing else it is my way of following through on an idea. I try to teach my children to follow through and so I need to push through my fears and follow through so here goes. Today I will put myself out there for better or worse.

Just Post

My anxiety and insecurities have kept me from creating this site. Also the fact that I am a middle aged mom with zero computer technology skills. I have talked myself in and out of putting this out there for the last few months. I love fashion. I like finding new trends and mixing high and low together. I love the feeling of finding that special piece or confidence clothes can give you. I live to find the right outfit for the right event. I am obsessed with the idea of dressing “appropriately” for every event. Finding the right outfit helps give me confidence to face the world.

I have severe social anxiety. It comes in waves and stops you in your tracks. Fashion is my therapy. This site is my way of using my love of fashion to help bring me out of my shell without having to leave my couch. Terrifying as it is. So even though I meant to start in September and it is now December, here goes….. I mean who does not want fashion advice from this lady?!