Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Once in a While


Like most curvy girls, I think, I have a hard time getting dressed in the summer. I rely on layers and long pants and high heels to help balance out my proportions, but in high heat and humidly, those pieces are just not realistic options. I'm definitely a girl who prefers to have her arms and thighs covered as much as possible - shoot, I'd wear a denim jacket over every summer dress I own if midwestern humidity wasn't so suffocating.... Also, it's just a basic fact that, during the summer, I have considerably fewer (if any at all) events for which I need to dress up. So, casual becomes a rule rather than exception. For a girl whose wardrobe is built around pencil skirts, cardigans, interesting layers and high heels, this just doesn't work! And this, I think, is the main reason you haven't seen a post from me in a while...

Green dress - Lane Bryant / "Instant Sleeves" in Taupe - LucieLu

But once in a while I get the urge to try a little harder and allow myself to feel a little prettier for no reason at all. (Though, isn't a desire to feel pretty reason enough?) Certainly, I have expanded my collection of flats and wedges for the summer, which don't work well with my long pants, but are perfect for skimmers and summers dresses. And these "Instant Sleeves" from LucieLu are, in my opinion, simply genius. They offer modest coverage without taking away an outfit's silhouette, and they are thin enough that you don't have to worry about fainting from heat exhaustion as you might under heavy denim. I own one in every color they offer (currently black, dove, heather grey, mocha and the taupe color I'm wearing here), and I'll keep buying any new color they introduce! On my wishlist - navy, cream and white. (Ya hear me, LucieLu??)

Handbag - Urban Outfitters / Strappy sandals - Payless

I do like this color palette, though, especially since I seem to match my scenery. =) And a flowy dress with waist-cinching details doesn't hurt either...

Ring - Banana Rebuplic (gifted) / Earrings - Banana Republic / Semi-precious charms necklace - Banana Republic

I fully admit that I had to look up the difference between "a while" and "awhile" for this post. Yikes...

Disclosure: Lucie Lu did not ask me to review their "Instant Sleeves" or in any way influence my desire to post this mini-reivew. I'm simply a HUGE fan. =)

15 comments:

  1. I love it! I feel the same way about summer, and my outfits take on a pretty formulaic and (dare I say it?) boring form! The instant sleeves would certainly help add a new dimension and interest to my summer outfits!

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  2. On another note, could we see the back of your hair? I just chopped my off and I'm having a hard time getting it to do anything except hang in there... :)

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  3. haha! i've been asked before and I've really been meaning to get around to it. I'll try to do a sepearte post about it! =) having short hair does complicate summery updoes, doesn't it!?  
    but in the meantime... i use a handful of mini claw clips (from Goody or such), section my hair into a 5 sections - top, side left, side right, nape left, nape right - twist and pin them down. for the top section i rat it a bit more than the rest of my hair and pin it a little higher than normal to get a little poof. dirty hair and hairspray helps a bit, too!

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  4. You are absolutely beautiful! Don't let summer and the heat and wearing less "stuff" take that away from you. That dress is a gorgeous cut and color on you, I love it! And I love the instant sleeves, I could use something like that in my office!

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  5. aw, thanks melissa! you're sweet!  and yes, these things are perfect for those icy offices out there! 

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  6. Capris and tank tops tend to be my summer uniform for the same reasons you've listed. I'm somewhat thankful that my office is usually freeeezing so that makes using a cardi or jacket an option for me.  Spanks get pretty darn hot as do any other layers so I feel your pain!

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  7. You look stunning but you always do.
    I also understand the problems with summer dressing for work as I have a similar shape to you and try not to have too much cleavage showing  seems to be my problem, that and the upper arms.

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  8. You should call this your green goddess dress because it fits you AMAZINGLY. For the first time I'm coming 'round here, this was an amazing first glance.

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  9. I adore the dress, girl! And the color is beautiful on you. I'm definitely going to have to try the instant sleeves, because my arms are the body part I'm most self-conscious about!

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  10. And I was just saying yesterday I was missing your posts! My google reader is all sorts of backed up!
    This is an adorable dress! I like the taupe with that shade of green :)

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  11. I like your blog a lot!

    I've been considering the instant sleeves for a little while, and this post just put me over the edge. I just ordered a pair in black.

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  12. I absolutely LOVE this!  I personally don't think I own enough green things, and you're pulling this off beautifully!  Can't wait to get my instant sleeves (or arms? :P) this week!!!  I also feel your pain in having trouble with what to wear in the summer too, though... This is why I'm SOOOO excited to have these instant sleeves!  Yay! 

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  13. I think I need you to help me figure out something cute but classy like this for Kirsten's wedding!!  Will you help?!?!?!

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Thank you so much for commenting! Reading what you have to say truly makes my day!