Summer's Bloom

I've decided that wearing pink makes me happy. My mood and self-esteem is significantly higher when I'm wearing it - the glow on my face in these (and other) outfit pictures attests to this. Oddly enough, I've never really been drawn to pink before. Conclusion? Wear more pink. Buy more pink.

Wrap dress - Gap / Camisole - Anthropologie / Shoes - Nine West

This wrap dress is the same style as the dotted one I wore a few weeks ago. I was so happy with the fit that I was thrilled to find they made the dress is this infectiously cheery pink version as well. "Summer Azalea" is the name of the color - beyond perfect. Even just the sound of the name evokes a state of summery bliss.

Azaleas (image via)

I thought I could wear the dress without a camisole, and for evenings out, I perhaps still could. But for daytime, I totes still need one. (I attempted to go the first half of the day without. Uffda.) This is a bummer since the camisole creates unflattering bunching underneath the otherwise clean lines of the dress. A print might conceal this; a light-colored solid cannot. I keep hearing ladies tell me about those mock camisoles (aka "cami secret" or winkee) that attach to your bra; I might have to break down and try them myself!

In other news, I'm recommitting myself to Weight Watchers. For real, this (umpteenth) time. I've gained a lot of weight this year, and possibly even more the last few weeks. Thanks to thoughtful dressing (which I'd do no matter what my size) and careful posing, perhaps this hasn't always been noticeable in my pictures. But it's gotten to a point that it's become difficult to revel in the kind of silhouettes I so love to wear. The crazy thing is that I've been a WW member this whole time, neither going to meetings nor even really visiting the website, but I haven't brought myself to cancel (again) because I really didn't want to admit defeat - even though I've clearly been defeated. We eat well overall - local, fresh produce and grass-feed meats, and a near avoidance of any processed foods, but we just eat too much. And exercise? Non-existent. However much I want to practice the curvy-girl mantra of embracing the size I am, I can't deny that, especially as I approach my mid-thirties, I know my heath is at risk. I'm simply not as healthy (or happy) as I need to be...

Handbag - Coach (gifted)

So, I'm hoping this public declaration of my intentions (and reasons) will help me forge ahead. I've already tracked both today AND yesterday, and despite the scary total number of points I've accumulated in only two days, I know that I'm regaining control. So here we go!

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - Ruche

Stay tuned for the winner of the $50 Kiyonna gift card tomorrow!

Bermuda's Triangle

I don't know what I'd do without accessories. In light of my recent quandary regarding summer dressing (one many of you told me you share), I've come to realize that accessories are the best, easiest and sometimes most surprising way to add interest to an outfit. Whether a belt (my personal fave, and a definite workhorse in my wardrobe), shoes or jewelry, you can make what might be a simple outfit just a little more sophisticated. And when the temps are too high to think about much of anything at all, sometimes that's all anyone could ask for!

Purple mesh double layer top - The Limited / Beige bermuda shorts - Lane Bryant / Animal print belt - Lane Bryant Outlet / Sandals - Payless / Handbag - Urban Outfitters

Today was my first day back to work after a blissfully long five day holiday weekend. I've been pretty stressed out from our upcoming move, too, not to mention my second-week weigh-in at Weight Watchers, so I really, especially, desperately needed something easy to wear today. I went for my comfortable bermuda shorts (my ideal length, by the way), but I've never had much success dressing these babies up. I pulled out this shirt, thinking back to a similar (but considerably dressier) outfit I wore a few moons ago, and decided I would go again for the belt - one with a pattern or texture. Animal print? Perfect. Elevated casual, here I come!

I didn't want to go too crazy with jewelry - something simple and on the small end of the spectrum. I've been wearing this BR charm necklace quite a bit precisely for that reason, so I didn't hesitate to go for it again.

Earrings,  ring & necklace - Banana Republic

How did the weigh-in go, you might wonder? Not great, but I've become somewhat numb to my super slow progress. What really took the cake (no pun intended) is that, thanks to PMS, the dread of going back to work, and other tetchy things, I got completely choked up to the point of tears while talking about my history of poor body image in the meeting. Awesome. I don't usually put myself out there like that - I feel much too vulnerable and assume I must be boring the pants out of everyone anyway. Well, that's the point about those meetings, isn't it? You aren't alone... I still feel a little muddled by the whole morning, and though encouraging words underlined the importance of baby steps when it comes to weight loss and lifestyle changes, I confess I'm not exactly confident in that fact. (It's my third time around.) And then of course I stumble upon Sal's post from today about happiness and love of self, and I again get teary-eyed and even confused. My question is and always remains... If I love my body as it is, then what motivation will I have to lose the weight I need to fit into my favorite pencil skirts again truly be healthier? It's a catch 22 that I continually find myself caught in. I don't have a good answer.

But maybe you do?