Origami

I've been extremely moved by the outpouring of love and support from all of you since my post last week. There aren't enough words to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your stories, advice and thoughtfulness. You are all tremendously kind souls, and I’m so grateful this blog has allowed me to connect with you!

A return to blogging has led to digging through the mountain of old, unposted outfit pictures in Picasa still waiting to be shared. I don't want to let all those perfectly good outfits go to waste, but I know there will be something depressing about reliving sweaters and jackets while I’m actually fighting off 90 degree heat and humidity in an oft-worn maxi dress, sandals and minimal make-up. However, summer dressing has always been traditionally boring as HECK in my current/soon-to-be-former job, so I thought it would be a good time to revisit those out-of-season but perfectly good photo sessions and rejuvenate the content on this ol’ blog. I’m also thinking about how I can take advantage of my upcoming “vacation” and shake things up a bit sartorially. It might just take my mind off all the what-the-hell-comes-next stress I’m experiencing!

In the meantime, I thought I'd first feature a more recent outfit thanks to the glory that is Gwynnie Bee. Like so much of the blogosphere and its environs (or so I must assume), I finally joined Gwynnie Bee. I'm sure many of you have already read another blogger's experience about it and know how it works, or you might already be a member yourself, so I'll simply link to the mechanics of it for now. As for me, I can’t seem to shut up about it – mostly to my sister (who I finally convinced to join) or poor Bob who witnesses my package arrivals and the squeals of glee that come from the amazement of getting to try something from Anna Scholtz or Igigi for fractions of the cost. And not only do I get to try it on, I get to wear it out, take the tags off, wrinkle it, put perfume on. AND THEN RETURN IT. No guilt! No buyer's remorse! It's a genius concept, really. Netflix for clothing, indeed! So much of my shopping addiction comes from that unadulterated bliss of getting something NEW, despite how often it does or does not get worn in the future. Gwynnie Bee has released me from being tied-down, committed, invested in certain items of clothing. (Friends, I think I just admitted that I'm a clothing slut...)  It's also the perfect answer to the lack of modern, high-quality plus-sized clothing available in brick and mortar stores, and the age-old pain of having to try things on in the store even if you DO find them. And then spending sometimes stupid amounts of money on not only the clothing but often shipping. And then facing a possible return... ugh, don't get me started. Gwynnie Bee has single-handedly confronted and solved all of that, not to mention the fact that I can finally sustain an acceptable clothing budget (something I've never been able to say before). If you happen to not have joined yet, DO IT. You even get to try your first month for free! (If you join via my personal link and/or mention my name or blog, I’ll get a free month!) And then tell all your friends and family to do it, too. (Then YOU’LL get a free month.) This is not a sponsored post, my friends. As a bonafide clothes slut horse, I'm just over the moon that a service like this exists for plus sizes.

Earrings - Ruche (last year) / Ring - Trina Turk for Banana Republic (n/a) /
Belt - The Limited (old) / Nails - Where's My Chauffeur? (Essie via Ulta)

I joined GB in January, so I hadn't been in blogging mode for most of the GB pieces that have already come and gone from of my closet, but this origami top from ASOS CURVE became an instant favorite (worn 3 times in one week!) and I knew I had to blog it at some point. It's a finicky top, to be sure, but I'm happy to say that I've made it work. I mean, it is HUGE. Indeed, most of the reviews on Gwynnie Bee will tell you how big and unflattering it is and to not even bother. But I've found this to be the case for most of the tops in the ASOS CURVE line. Do a quick browse of their tops and you'll easily see that those Brits seem to favor their oversized, flowy styles. Between the fabulous models they have WERQing their pieces, and their often perfect styling of them, there is definitely inspiration to be found, however. The trick to this particular top is to belt it as featured on the model. It's still somewhat fussy, yes, but if you accept that it should fit more like a tunic (as, oddly, the straight-sized version is called), and that the origami folds are actually a really great feature of the top that you can exploit, it can be a fabulous piece. Skinnies are practically a necessity, of course. In fact, I liked how big it was because it magically covered up all the bulges of my midsection while still making me look shapely, modern and fun. I do still wish it was one size smaller (the smallest size GB or ASOS offered in this top was a 16), but I improved the fit by securing it at my shoulders so it could still hang loosely without sagging in the front. I liked this outfit so much that I thought briefly of buying the top, but I couldn't really justify it as the one hit wonder it seems to be - even if I play that hit over and over again. I may request it from GB again in the future, though! Hell, I might be the only one who likes it anyway. =)

Cardigan - LOFT (old) / Origami top - ASOS via Gwynnie Bee / Black skinnies - Old Navy /
Handbag - Coach (gifted) / Wedges - LOFT (old)

I should mention that, as I attempt to get back into the blogging grove and deal with my departure from my job (and everything else that means), posting may be a bit spotty. Please bear with me! I really am back. =)

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