Outfit: April 8, 2011

Today is casual Friday at work and I think I went overboard on the casual part. These pants are too long, the shoes are bleh (but comfortable!), and my pants are falling down if I don't wear a belt. However, I took off my belt because it made my shirt look lumpy but who cares about that when it looks like my pants are eating my feet! Nom nom nom. Today I do not care because I am, like The Plumage, a bit defeated, tired, and stressed. Being a Legal Diva (heh,) wife, mother to a toddler, and getting our house ready to sell is a wee bit stressful. Just a little. And tiring. Did I mention the tiredness? A noontime cappuccino did not create loads of energy for me.

The Outfit
Sweater: Motherhood Maternity (Again, not pregnant. I think I need some cardigans)
Shirt: Banana Republic
Cords: Old Navy
Shoes: Mossimo

Where: work, The Co-Op, Lowes to buy this. I know. It's multiple shades of AWESOME!

Outfit: April 8, 2011

Wow, this week has been kind of brutal with the lack of sleep and toddler meltdowns. Today brought a huge grocery-store meltdown (not mine, though I was close) that was so epic, some strangers actually suggested to the clerk that he give me my groceries for free so that I could leave. True story. Luckily people are pretty sympathetic around here; I live in a rather liberal town.
Anyhow, today's outfit was all about comfort and a little bit of TGIF. Plus I'm giving some of my winter things one last whirl before springtime is truly upon us.

Cowlneck wool sweater-vest: TJ Maxx (I think)
Pink boatneck t-shirt: Old Navy
Jeans: Calvin Klein bootcut
Harness boots: White Mountain
Engraved bird bracelet: Kohl's

Where: car breakdown (luckily only in my driveway), music class, grocery store, work at home, playing outside, baking a cake, movie night with my little man.

Outfit #2: April 7, 2011

I know the proportions of this dress are slightly off on me, but I fell in love with the pleated and patterned skirt. I feel somewhere between Mod and traditional Scandinavian when I wear it... It came with a plain black tie belt but I always wear a different belt instead. I like the shade of this belt, but it refused to sit still and I kept adjusting it all night. I need to figure out some way to secure it better so it's not always sliding around.
And the boots. Man, oh man, do I love these boots. There are very few boots that actually fit me (apparently I have gigantic calves) but these do, and while they're not very practical for my daily life, I wear them every chance I get. They're a slightly unusual shade of grey so they rarely match exactly - but I don't even care. Also, it may be a little optimistic to wear bare legs since it snowed yesterday... but I'm done playing around with winter. It's time for spring regardless of what the thermometer says.

Turtleneck dress: Spense (TJMaxx)
Metallic belt: Macy's
Grey ruffled wedge boots: Kohl's
Bracelet: gift, Tiffany

Where: Thrifting and dinner with a girlfriend. (Thanks, D!)

Outfit #1: April 7, 2011

I'm feeling a little bit like I should go clamming in my outfit today. If my boots were rubber and not leather, I'd be all set!
Anyhow, believe it or not, I built this outfit around the lobster necklace, a birthday gift from my sister with which I am madly in love. Stripes seemed appropriately nautical and the rest followed from there. This is another remix; you've seen all of these items recently, just not in this combination.

You'll get another outfit tonight too, you lucky readers. I've got a sitter and I'm going out!

Striped t-shirt: Costco
Boyfriend cardigan: Old Navy
Skinny jeans: Gap
Boots: Target
Lobster necklace: gift from my sister
Multi-tone gold bracelets: gifts

Where: Working at home, obscene amounts of laundry, playing outside in the mud.

Outfit: April 7, 2011

Do you know what is great about getting your house ready to sell? NOTHING! Well, except that it forces you to go through your collection of crap you've been collecting over the years and PURGE, Baby, PURGE! (That was not an endorsement for drilling or Sarah Palin. I do not like either of them unless they involve...oh never mind.) Last night while my husband graded some poor college students' labs, I decided to tackle a bin of clothes in our basement. With a beer. Because beer helps the purge process.

So anyhow, I put anything that looked like there was no way in hell I could ever wear again into a bag to give away and I ended up filling up a large Babies 'R' Us bag. Tomorrow I have to leave a note to myself to bring it into work to give to someone's daughter. Yeah for recycling! And yeah for early onset memory loss! Speaking of memory loss, I found my first grey hair while getting my hair did. The aging process commences.

In the process of purging, I did a little binging. I rediscovered some items in my wardrobe which have been hidden for the last few years. After chugging my beer, I carried up my finds and planned my outfits for the next two days! It was like shopping but without getting the stink eye from my husband who does not understand that you can never have too many black shirts, black pants, shoes, etc. etc. So without further ado, I bring you the result of last night's binge and purge:

The Outfit
Black Swing Jacket: Motherhood Maternity (Again! Not! Pregnant!)
Green shirt: Banana Republic
Grey Skirt: T.J. Maxx from when I lived in Salt Lake City. So yeah, like from a wicked long time ago.
Navy Blue Tights: JC Penney
Pink Shoes: mossimo

Oh! And last night I finally got my hair did and got chunky bangs. I would show you but then there would go the whole anonymous thing and for now we are anonymous. Well, at least until someone wants to pay us big money for this gig.

Where: Work, picking up the little guy, Arby's (little guy does not get Arby's), looking at houses.

Outfit: April 6, 2011

I knew things were a little off-kilter today; this photo just proves it. Why do I look so... crooked?
Anyhow, for all the wonderful laziness of yesterday, today has proven to be barely controlled chaos. I guess some days are like that. Plus - it's snowing again. On April 6th. WTH, weather?

Lilac cardigan: Target
Striped boatneck t-shirt: French Connection
Navy bootcut jeans: Lauren Conrad
Harness boots: Target
Pink beaded necklace: Kohl's

Where: Actually nowhere. Due to circumstances beyond my control, Action Wednesday was abruptly replaced by Sleep-Deprived Toddler Meltdown Wednesday. So I've stayed close to home so far. And accomplished exactly nothing.

Outfit: April 6, 2011

This where I thank Suburban Plumage for inviting me to this blog. For a while, I have been wanting to dress better, more fun (funner), and hit the thrift stores but I haven't had the motivation or the courage. I read Mighty Girl religiously and have always been inspired by her style and ability to find the coolest stuff at flea markets and thrift stores. The difference: She lives in San Francisco and I live in an unfashionable small city in the Midwest.

This dress is a find at a thrift store. How happy was I when I learned it was half off at the register! One surprising thing about this dress is that despite the synthetic material, it is really soft and comfortable. For a Frumptastic girl, that is important. I did not try it on in the store so this morning I worried that it would not actually fit. Thankfully, it does and it is, dare I say, flattering. Now I am ready to head back and perhaps snatch another dress I saw on the rack. Let's hope it is still there!

Outfit:
Dress: thrifted
Leggings: unknown
Ballet shoes: mossimo

Where: work, hairdresser, and Lowes.

I have to say that I feel really confident in my dress. I am sitting up taller and actually smiling!! Who does that these days?

Outfit: April 5, 2011

So... yes, it's my birthday. And no, I have no big plans to celebrate... people seem shocked by that, but all I really wanted was a day with no obligations and no stress. So that's what I'm giving myself. I'm being lazy and doing only the work I feel like doing... for one day at least.
I wanted to wear my favorite dress/tunic today - but what do you know, it's cold, grey and rainy, and an orange chiffon dress wasn't quite right. Still, even if you're sitting at home on your birthday, you should have some sparkle, right? So I threw on this metallic t-shirt. I got this shirt a few years ago because I liked the banded neckline, but it's kind of... blousey. I need to figure out how to style it so it doesn't look like maternity wear. But for today, it's basically fancy pajamas and that's perfect.

Metallic banded-neck shirt: Dana Buchman (Kohl's)
Ruffled flyaway cardigan: Marshall's
Navy bootcut jeans: Lauren Conrad
Grey buckle boots: White Mountain
Aqua bubble ring (whoops, you can't see it!): Baked Beads

Where: Lazing around the house, out to lunch with my husband and son, staying in. Hooray!

Outfit: April 5, 2011

It's too cold to go outside so it is back to indoor hoots. What are hoots you ask? As Suburban Plumage thought, they are not something "porno." Instead, my iPhone auto correct changed my mistyping of "photos" to "hoots." For some bizarre reason, I took a liking to hoots and thus and therefore, all photos henceforth shall be known as hoots. So yeah.

We bring you back from this random tangent to discuss my outfit.

Shirt: Target
Pants: Banana Republic
Tank: Elle from Kohls
Shoes: mossimo
Goldfish in a Pond Baked Clay Necklace: Charm Lady Boutique at Etsy

After perusing her shop, I am thinking I want the Mod Foliage Pendant, Peacock Plum Resin Ring, and Typewriter Birdie Bubble Pendant.

I love how Etsy has made it so much easier for craftsmen, artisans, and various other creative folks to display and sell their goods.

Where: Work and veterinarian's office.

And finally...

Happy Birthday, Suburban Plumage!!! <3

Outfit: April 4, 2011

This is a weird day. It's raining and warm, and at one point, we had lightening. I am not used to this sixty some-odd degree weather. I couldn't figure out how to not wear five layers of sweaters and a big fuzzy Russian hat. So basically, I wore the almost identical outfit from last week BUT I am wearing one of my other eight pairs of black trousers and blue flats. And a necklace. Wow. Aren't I freakin' creative. OH! I almost forgot. I rolled up the pants a little to give them a warmish summery fun loving sort of feel. (Translation: they are too long with flats and I don't want them dragging on the wet ground.)

I did buy a fun dress at a vintage store on Friday on super sale. Let's all high five that! Said dress will appearing in a post near you very soon!

The Outfit
Blouse/tunic thing: Merona
Black trousers: Merona
Blue shoes: xhiliration
Seriously, Target? Please sponsor a wardrobe, I mean, outfit for me.
Necklace: All That Glitters
EVEN MY UNDERWEAR IS FROM TARGET!

Where: Work, lunch with friend, Co-Op

Outfit: April 4, 2011

So this outfit is a remix in every sense of the word - you've seen all these pieces in the past few weeks, just not all together. But I'm still sick today and so I reached for old, comfortable favorites. Taking my photo every day has made me realize there are some real workhorses in my wardrobe - this brown cardigan is certainly one of them! And these boots, which really need to go to the cobbler for new heels - but I can't spare them from the rotation until it warms up.

Brown cardigan: Target
Purple jersey dress: Target
Brown leggings: Old Navy
Harness boots: White Mountain
Scarf: TJ Maxx
Wings ring: Payless

Where: Tons of errands, work at home, hopefully a pre-birthday pedicure and then dinner at my aunt's.

The Outfit: April Fool's Day

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I would like to fool myself into thinking I'm not all that frumpy today but the evidence proves otherwise. I should have pulled the jacket down so it didn't bunch up around the, you guessed it, my boobages. Honestly, they don't look that large and in charge in real life but like I said, the pictures indicate otherwise. I am feeling blah today as it is April and still snowing. I realize I live in the snow belt, so to speak, but still. I want to kick Mother Nature. I'll refrain from violence for the time being.

The Outfit.
Black swing jacket: Motherhood Maternity (again no, I'm not pregnant but I really do like swing jackets and this is the only one I have)
Olive green shirt: Merona
Curvy Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Mossimo
Bad attitude: Frumptastic

Where: Work, Indian restaurant.

Here is well dressed man:

Outfit: March 31, 2011 - Sparkle Edition

First, let me say that Frumptastic made me do it.

Second, I have a miserable head cold and headache, and putting on sequins this morning was about the last thing I wanted to do. This is actually the second sequined outfit I put on; the first involved a sequin t-shirt and cord blazer, and just wasn't cutting it.

Third, I only had time to take one shot this morning. I'm not thrilled with the rumpling going on on my right shoulder, but what can you do?

I am all for sequins during the day. If it was a little warmer, I probably would have broken out my sequined flats as well. Today was a little trying - see above, re: headache - but any other day I would have found this pretty fun. Even if I do feel a little like a bumblebee in these wide horizontal stripes. I bought this shirt a few years ago but rarely wear it due to its awkward length... Over skinny jeans seems to be the right combo.

Roll-neck long-sleeve t-shirt: Mudd/Kohl's
Striped sequin tunic: H&M
Skinny jeans: Gap
Boots: Target
"Invisible" rhinestone necklace: bridesmaid gift from Frumptastic
Big black ring: Overstock.com

Where: Swim class, mattress shopping, lunch out, work at home, crazy amounts of laundry... who knows what else?

Outfit: March 31, 2011 - The Sparkle Edition

Recently I have been devouring numerous independent fashion blogs. Some of them are listed in our Inspiration links. It made me realize that I need to take some more risks and not be scared just because I am unhappy with my size and shape. Sally McGraw coincidentally had a great post today regarding one's happiness, health, and size. I think I might need to bookmark it as a reminder.

So today is all about SPARKLES! I am not seeing any clients today so I can be a little more daring in my outfit. Originally I wanted to wear a Banana Republic jean jacket but it was too short and did not look quite right. And it wouldn't button over my ample boobage. There I go again talking about my boobage! Hello, Post-Breastfeeding Boobage! You scare me a little! So instead I pulled out a slightly dressier cardigan to go over it. I think it works.

And speaking of size and happiness. I purchased these cords from Old Navy back in December when I was about 12 pounds heavier and nothing in my closet fit. They are now too big and when I wear a belt with them, it looks like I am wearing an adult diaper. Not that there is anything wrong with adult diapers. There are days where I might benefit from one after carrying a large baby. HIYOOOOO! I took off the belt for the photos and now I have to walk around holding on to my belt loop so I don't lose my trousers. Pants around ankles at work: not very professional.

The last picture is an "outtake" so to speak and yes, it does show my face in it but not totally. It made me laugh because it looks like I am doing the Robot which I totally am not. Maybe.

Sparkle Outfit:
Black scarf: Pashmina knockoff
Black cardigan: Miu Miu
Sequin sweater: The Limited
Tank: Banana republic
Pink cords: Old Navy
Boots: Nine West

Where: Work, maybe to the cafe downstairs but probably not. Oh, and the hair dresser to get my hair did. I am thinking growing it out but having chunky bangs. Wish me luck!

Outfit: March 30, 2011

Now that the weather is sunny, we can venture outside for our photography sessions. It is a brisk 39 degrees here but drop another 20 degrees because I am on the top of the parking garage and it is extra windy and cold. What I do for fashion.

Today we used the Hipstamatic App on my iPhone and I think it gives the photo an edge. The added bonus is that it hides the mystery stain on my pants. That is what you get for having a toddler! At least I know it is not spit up. Snot, possibly; spit up, no.

I bought the shirt this weekend at Target. I think where I failed in this outfit is not wearing it with more tailored pants. I think it would look better with either skinny pants or leggings. I do not know if I am ready to make that step yet as I am still wide waist deep in my weight loss struggle. That's a whole other story. Additionally, I need to shorten a lot of my pants. I've been putting it off for ages now and looking at this photo makes me realize that it needs to be done sooner rather than later. Did you know if you are 5 foot four and under that you are considered petite by Old Navy sizing?

Next weekend my friend is visiting and we decided to do a little thrift store shopping to see if we can come up with any fun places to spice up our wardrobes. I think I am ready to take more risks. I love the 1950's and 1960's style - think Mad Men and Joan - but nothing in my wardrobe fits the bill. I figure if I start looking and perhaps keep my eye on ModCloth, I can make my wardrobe evolve.

The outfit:
Grey Tunic: Merona
Pants: Banana Republic
Shoes: AE from Payless
Necklace: Superhero Designs
Watch: Swatch
Jade beaded bracelet: purchased in Taiwan

Where: Work, paper shredding facility, cobbler, co-op

Outfit: March 30, 2011

It's Wednesday, which is usually Action Day in our house. So no matter how wistfully I look at my dresses on a Wednesday, it has to be jeans. No question. This morning found me crawling in and out of a giant pit of foam blocks, desperately searching for my dignity... I'm thinking a dress wouldn't have cut it.

Blue wrap sweater: Ann Taylor
Brown tank: Old Navy
Jeans: Calvin Klein bootcut
Harness boots: White Mountain
Metallic brown scarf: can't remember

Where: Gymnastics class, furniture workshop, lunch out with family, dentist, playing outside in the mud, work at home.

Outfit: March 29, 2011

I've never worn rust with grey before. Huh. Other than that, I have very little to say about this outfit... I still have a little bit of toddler-birthday-festivity-hangover (despite not having one solitary drop of alcohol - although come to think of it, that may have helped!). So I was going for comfort. I also rarely wear these jeans without a long top... but the cardigan is long in most areas so I figured I was safe!

Flyaway cardigan: Max Studio
Rust v-neck t-shirt: Kohl's
Grey skinny jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Target
Necklace: Zinnia

Where: Waiting for repairman, pediatrician, lunch out, work at home, game night!

Outfit: March 29, 2011

Although it is a beautiful sunny day, the temperatures are hovering in the high 20's or low 30's. However, that did not prevent me from picking a springy color to brighten up my mood and outfit. I purchased this sweater and the pants at Target this weekend. I've been wanting a few shirts and sweaters with embellishments on them but I've been hesitant about making the jump. I found a happy medium: a sweater in a fun spring color and the embellishments (is that really the right word) are the same color. And no rhinestones were killed to make this sweater. I feel quiet comfortable in it and I think matched with simple black pants tones it down for me. It's not like I am THAT conservative by any stretch of the imagination when it comes to fashion but I worry about wearing anything that isn't mostly tailored and not froofy. Foofy? Fluffy? I think I now have eight pairs of black pants. Excessive? Perfect? Who cares?

Sweater: Target
Camisole: Elle (Kohls)
Pants: Target
Shoes: Target
(Despite the fact that my outfit is almost entirely made up of Target clothing, this post is not paid by Target although I would be happy to accept clothing, belts, appliances and some of their cute funky furniture if they wish to send it to me.)

Where: work, picking up the little man (my child, not my husband), home. I need to remember to change out of this outfit before dinner or else it will be ruined! Ruined I say!

Outfit: March 28, 2011

Today is my little man's birthday! And while it is not a costume party, today I am dressed as Pimp Yeti. I am not sure how I feel about the shirt-tucked-in look. Now I'm wishing I'd photographed it with the shirt untucked as well.

I found this shaggy, lined brown shrug for a whopping 98% off of its original price. And, having recently been inspired by a post at Blue Collar Catwalk, I grabbed it. I am working on trying to figure out how to style it. I figured I'd ease into things with a same-color shirt. But I'm imagining some much more dramatic pairings for the future!

Shaggy shrug: Anne Klein
V-neck t-shirt: Kohl's
Belt: thrifted
Jeans: Levi's "Curve ID" bootcut
Harness boots: White Mountain
Pimp medallion: Shopthelook.net
Giant gold ring: Shopthelook.net

Where: Birthday stuff! Work at home, family party. Also: recovering from yesterday's "kid" birthday party.

Outfit: March 28, 2011

I apologize for my absence last week but believe it or not, work freaking got in the way. Not only did it get in the way of me posting, it got in the way of me not dressing so frumptastically. You would think that being interviewed on television would make me more aware of wearing the best colors for me and actually putting on enough makeup so I didn't look like I lived under a rock. Oh no, let's find a nice bland color to go with your washed out complexion! WHEEE!!

I have a confession. I really wanted to wear another suit which looks better on me but my closet was so packed tight and in such bad condition, I could not find it. Believe me, I am hanging me head in shame which is kind of hard to do while typing and looking at the computer monitor.

So, what did I do about said disorganization? In the effort of getting our house ready to sell in a month (fingers, toes, legs, and arms crossed - again, hard to type with all that crossing), I cleaned out my closet! And guess what!? My beautiful dark charcoal grey suit dress was crumpled on the floor in a corner. Way to take care of your wardrobe, Frumptastic. Now my closet is all nice and neat and organized. AND, while I was in Target, I bought a few items to spice up my wardrobe.

Now to the outfit:

Black sweater: Motherhood Maternity (No, I am not pregnant, I just like the sweater and I'm fat)
Grey pants: Banana Republic (these are a fave I found lovingly crumpled on the closet floor)
Metallic Shoes: Mossimo (does anyone else have to buy ballet flats in a larger size than other shoes?)
Necklace: All That Glitters (I am thinking I need to make a run there for some more fun accessories)

Where: Work, perhaps the cobbler to pick up my husband's belt, not to Arby's where I want some chicken tenders)