The Power of New Clothes

I have been thinking about this a lot today, mostly because I finally bought myself a couple of new tops yesterday, but new clothes seem to have an impact on my self image... and it seems to be a really common thing.

 

I don't really buy myself any clothes, mostly because I think I am a bit of scrooge when it comes to money and I always talk myself out of it as an unneeded expense (always been a budgeter, and just never made it work), and also because I am trying to lose weight I have always said I would have a shopping spree when I reached goal... well, as you all know, I am yet to reach goal. I have just never quite made it.

 

In fact, the last time I actually had a bit of a shopping spree was back in 2008... I never realised that until now!  I am still wearing those clothes (well, the ones that still fit!)... I went shopping before my big trip to Europe, as I needed clothes I could layer and I had lost about 15kg.  I took my sister with me and I had so much fun. It was a bonding experience for us both, and having her there with her honesty and love is a great way to buy clothes... who else is going to tell you that you honestly look like shit but a sister?! hahahaha!!

 

What made me realise all of this is that I am actually really excited about wearing one of the new tops I bought yesterday... in fact I have been thinking about it all day.  I also know that when I do wear it that it will make me feel good about myself and I will feel happy and confident within myself. Looking back, it's what happens every time I buy new clothes, or wear something new.

 

So, why am I still wearing things that are 5 years old? If it makes me feel good, gives me self confidence and a lift in my step why do I wear things that make me feel fat and frumpy? Is it really something that I should just hold out for?

 

I have to admit... At least once a week I think about what it would be to always look chic or stylish... but in all honesty, I wouldn't even know where to start... although I wouldn't mind a new pair of boots. haha!

 

So... what about you? Does this sound similar to you or are you someone I should take shopping with me?

 

My new top I am planning on wearing tomorrow. From BeMe

 

Wedding Outfit

So, remember a while ago I asked you all to vote on a dress and shrug for an upcoming wedding?  Well, that wedding is this coming weekend, and I ended up making 2 shrugs!!  I thought I would put up a couple of pics of the dress with teh 2 shrugs for you all.

The shrugs are the same pattern, but different colours.  I decided to make the second shrug as I just don't really like the first one!!

This is the one I am going to wear with the dress:

Doesnt look so great on the hanger, but you get an idea.

This second photo is with the original shrug:

 I think it just looks a bit muted or something...

But here are the shoes I got too!

I like these as they are heels, but because they have the wedge in them they will be a lot more stable for this girl who doesn't wear heels!!

Today I also went shopping for a new bra to wear with the dress... you know, something to make them look a little nicer! haha!! I couldn't find one really (putting on weight means big boobs that you can't find bras for!!!!), but I did buy a new 'gut sucker' as I call them, but this one is a dress kind of one where it sits lower in the front so that you can wear what bra you want.

Hopefully I will get a nice pic of B and I this weekend, we don't tend to take photos and never seem to be in them together! haha!!

A Bit of Fun: POLL!

Hi All!

I was thinking tonight that it might be nice to have a bit of fun in regards to my reward dress that I am planning on wearing to the wedding!

I have had a couple of friends say to wear the blue dress and a couple more to say wear the red, so what one do you think is better?  Or would suit me?  (You can see some more pics of me in the About Me tab at the top).

Online Surveys & Market Research

Also, I have been thinking about knitting myself a little shrug to go over the top of the dress, but I am not sure which one, so I have put together a couple here.  if there is one that jumps out at you, please vote for it.  The other question I have, is what colour?  So, if you could just post a quick comment below telling me which one you voted for and the colour, that would be great!!

Online Surveys & Market Research

I'm a Spoon!

The other night I was thinking about what clothes should I be wearing, in a "Trinny & Susannah should come and save me" fashion sense, and I decided to do a bit of googling.

I managed to find a calculator at Shop Your Shape as my judgement cannot be trusted when it comes to my perception of my body.  The result it brought back was that I am a spoon.

As a Spoon Body type (sometimes called figure 8), your hips are larger than your bust and you have a defined waist. Your hips have a “shelf” appearance, you are prone to gaining weight in your tummy and have a tendency towards love-handles. While you may gain weight in your upper thighs and upper arms, your lower legs and arms are shapely and your best assets.

This is pretty spot on for me... My hips are like a shelf - and while it probably seems a little strange, it's just nice to know that this is normal... My hips are a PITA, it's hard to find something that flatters, but also makes them a little slimmer, and I don't even want to talk about trying to find something to fit!

Luckily for me there are a few sites out there that can help me work it out!  While I am in no way shape or form a fashionista, I am hoping that I can pull some tips in what to look for in clothes. Apparently, this is what I need to look for:

The key to dressing a Spoon body type is to draw attention to your upper body while deemphasizing your tummy and hips to create a more balanced appearance and create the illusion of an hourglass figure. Your legs are one of your best asset, so feel free to play with skirt lengths and show them off! To create the most curvaceous effect mix and match our suggested separates.

 The only downside I can find to the Shop Your Shape size is that they don't have more examples, the reason for this is that they pointed out the most gorgeous dress, that simply put I WANT! It's from ModCloth, which I had heard of before, but now I think I may become a customer as they have some amazing stuff! The picture on the right is the dress suggested and I am just so in love!!  Admittedly, Shop Your Shape does have a "virtual shopper", so I have signed up for that and I will be interested in seeing what it sends back to me.

I mentioned before that I am not usually into fashion, the reason I have been looking into all of this is mostly because as I have put on weight recently, there is now a lack of clothes that fit me in my wardrobe, so I thought I would make some!  Basically, what I have done is made myself a couple of A+ Skirts by Make It Perfect in a cord fabric (pinwale) so that I could have something comfy and cute in the Canberra winter.  Initially I made one in black and one in green, but I love them so much that I yesterday I bought some red and blue fabric.  I am not usually so bright in my clothing choices, but they actually make me feel quite fun and confident in them... especially with tights and boots!  I might actually post up some pictures of me wearing them (if anyone is interested! lol).  I had made a few of these skirts for summer, but I was curious how they would go in a heavier fabric - and I think they are awesome!!