Brooches, and how to enjoy them.

Let me wax poetic about the brooch. Brooches are an awesome and frequently cheap way to accessorize, especially if you don't love wearing lots of jewelry. Rings and bracelets irritate me, earrings and necklaces are fun but not always what I'm in the mood for. But a brooch? It is super easy.

It all started back in 2007 when I bought a black flowered wooden brooch at a boutique where nothing else fit me. You know, fat girls always have great accessories and all. Anyways, I realized after I started incorporating this pin into my wardrobe that it made my otherwise predictable ensemble of jeans, shirt, cardigan somewhat kickier.

So, over Christmas break I had the chance to shop with my sister in law (Hi Mags!) at this awesome, huge vintage/antiques (what is the difference? I don't know!) store called The Knitting Mill in Chattanooga, TN. I would highly recommend it for anyone in the area! Anyways, I came home with many spoils, two of which were awesome vintage brooches that I will now show you.



This beauty cost me $8, and I love it!


Details:
Black sweater shirt: Target merona 14/16
Jeans: Avenue divine denim "the straight" size 20 (I usually wear a 22 at all other stores)
Shoes: Payless, AGES ago, size 11
Brooch: I believe you have been introduced.

Light blue/gold enamel: Also only $8!




Details:
brown tank/shirt: Old Navy XL (from a few years ago when everything was swing cut, this thing is like a circle skirt with straps, I swear)
cardigan: target merona xxl
jeans: same as above
shoes: same as above

So now, I'll bet you are wondering only one thing:
How can you get started in the brooch-wearing club? Easy! Just follow this 4 step plan.

1) Get a brooch. Thrift stores, vintage malls, open air markets, etc. are a great place for this, they always have tons of jewelry that is often $1 each or some such nonsense.
2) Hold the brooch in your right hand if you are right handed. Or left hand. Really, either hand will work.
3) Pick a side to wear your brooch. I always wear mine on my left, it just looks better to me.
4) Put the brooch about an inch or two below your collarbone, right where you bra cup meets your bra strap. Pinch through all the layers you are wearing if, perhaps, you are sporting a cardigan and shirt underneath. This will help anchor the brooch.
5) Be your sassy self, now broochified!

I think I probably include a brooch in my wardrobe at least twice a week, from my collection that now numbers around 10 brooches. I LOVE BROOCHES. Brooch.

OOTD: Playing with the idea of "shapeless"

(crossposted to fatshionista.livejournal.com)

Lately I've been thinking about the idea of "shapeless" and experimenting with baggy, flowy, and otherwise not-cinched-in-or-belted looks. This dress was a sales post dress, and normally I wear it belted with great success. Also, it looks like it is really long (like knee length) in the pics but I feel like it is shorter in wearable life!



Details:
Dress: Sales post, vintage
Tights: Target Merona collection 1x/2x, light grey
Shoes: Frye size 11
Bag: From a market in Brazil
flower brooch: from a jcrew bridesmaid's dress

Your model is 45/40(empire)/48(jeans waist)/53, 5'9" 240ishish

Outfit of the day: Mobile Chowdown Edition

After my Advent of Dresses posts, I was honestly getting kind of sick of dresses. And cardigans. So I've decided to deliberately put together outfits that don't include a cardigan. But here's one more dress :)!

This dress is too short to wear by itself, but paired with leggings I feel more comfortable.



Details:
Black long sleeved turtleneck dress: Old Navy XL, years old
Black coat: Target XXL, last winter
Black leggings: Duo maternity 2x, from sales post
Black boots: Target Kady size 11
Black dog: Waffles, pom/schipperke mix
necklace: gift from husband on wedding day, it's a tiny copper book that opens like a locket

No, not pregnant. But maternity leggings are COMFY!

Final: Advent of Dresses, Days 13-15

(crossposted to fatshionista.livejournal.com)

Hello lovelies. I ended up only making it through 15 days of dresses before I stopped taking pictures of them, then went on holiday break. So I bring you the final installment of the Advent of Dresses.

Day 13: The first dress I bought as an adult!




Details:
Dress: Old Navy, probably about 7 years old!, size xl
Cardigan (spot is on camera, it's not a well-placed but blurry brooch :) - Target, xxl, last year
Boots: Target Kady size 11

I keep hanging onto this dress despite the fact that it has alot of pink in it, and I don't really like pink. It's just so damn comfortable, and made of a very light cotton that doesn't wrinkle. I can't find anything like it. I'm thinking of dyeing it some day to revitalize it, but for now I don't want to ruin it so I'm keeping it as is.

Day 14: The butter yellow muumuu from a thrift store


I know you've all seen this dress before. I love it! It really is a testament to "TRY EVERYTHING ON!" because this super trendy thrift store that I go to - I just assumed that nothing there would fit me. This dress changed my perspective. I have since then found other awesome dresses at the same store, and at other thrift stores.

Details:
Dress: thrifted
belt: target xxl
Boots: guess which? :)

Closeup of belt:


I paired it with a brown cardi because I was in a hurry, I really don't like it. My navy one from the day before looks better but I had just worn it, so I steered away.



Day 15: Dress from thrush.etsy.com



I finally paired this with a more substantial black sash, and I like the effect. I also enjoy having a dress with sleeves so I can forego the cardigan for a day. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love me some cardigans, but I am starting to get a little tired of wearing one daily.

Details:
Dress: Thrush.etsy.com
sash: from a renfest
boots: Target kady size 11
I love this pic of me - of all the weird contortions I did to try to get shots of myself, by myself, I like how this shows the ruffled neckline, and also the delicate black slip underneath. My hair looks awesome, and the glasses match super well. All in all, a great shot of me, if I do say so myself :)


-----

I think the Advent of Dresses was a really fun project! I was really glad to wear and rewear some old dresses and think about accessories and companion pieces like cardigans differently for the month. I definitely didn't get to all of my dresses, so keep your eyes peeled (isn't that such a gross saying?) for more new dresses from me in the coming month! Thanks so much for looking!