What I wore to get back in the dating scene, twice

I have a confession. Previous to last week, I hadn't been on a date in over a year. I just suck at dating;there's so much pressure, not only to look good but to appear as a more interesting version of yourself. Do I work out? Yes, I do when I'm motivated and have the time. Do I love to workout? Do I spring out of bed every morning ready to squat thrust my way through the day? No, no I do not. Do I cook? Enough to maintain my nutritional requirements if not my palate. Do I bake artisan breads and lovely simmer amazing homemade sauces? Eh, not so much. How about politics? Do I scour CNN and Wonkette and Huffington Post and am ready for a thoroughly incisive debate on the issues of the day? Weeeel, I watch the Daily Show and Colbert Report every so often. And I was quite amused to read this tumblr. 


My point being, it's hard out there for a non-pimp(ess), so I've taken the path of least resistance and removed myself from the dating pool for awhile. So when I was getting ready for a weekend with not just one dinner, but two, I was completely freaked out. COMPLETELY. FREAKED.OUT. I pretty much had this reaction in the mirror to every outfit:

Luckily I was able to get over myself for the most part and had a lovely time with both gents. I think I may have even been charming at one point. I can't remember all the details, I was trying really hard not to say anything stupid. Starting with Saturday's outfit, I got the top at Target in an XL, it was a little snug so I probably should have gone with a XXL. Paired with and old open cardigan and my favorite jeans, I felt pretty good that night, if a little cold. I realized later looking at the pics the shoes were not a good fit, but oh well, they were still cute, even if they didn't work perfectly.

closeup of blouse print

Blouse: Target / cardigan: Deb's '08/jeans:Old Navy sweetheart cut, '07/ shoes: Naturalizer via  Amazon

For outfit of the 2nd date, I went a little fancier, which was good because the restaurant was pretty swanky, but not the best choice for the weather. Holy shitballs it was cold....and rainy...and windy. However, the hostess at the restaurant said I looked adorable and even asked to know where I got the dress, so I was feeling pretty good. The dress is from Domino Dollhouse, a really cute online store that has a lot of options for younger fashionistas or those who enjoy retro styles (some of their dresses are simply amazing). The sweater is an old one from Ross, and the shoes were an outlet find for 7 dollars.

Dress:Domino Dollhouse /  sweater: Ross / shoes:NineWest via outlet /  jewelry: Target/ belt: Cato

All in all, I'm glad I decided to jump back into the dating pool, even if sometimes I feel like I need water wings to keep swimming safely. :)
-J.D

Back to work on Cyber Monday

Oh, the long weekend was lovely, but back to work I went on Monday. Since I'm not one to wrestle with a crowd, I bowed out of Black Friday this year, as I did last year and will probably do next year. I don't wanna get my ass pepper sprayed, though the reality of my clumsiness tells me if I ever have an incident with pepper spray it will probably happen something like this:

So I spent most of yesterday web surfing the crazy deals instead of working and of course found a bunch of items that had to find their way to my closet post haste. Including cigarrette pants! Which I have never tried but I love the retro, Audrey Hepburn-esqe look of. So look for those in an upcoming daily outfit.  


*Fyi, it looks like both Lane Bryant and Fashion Bug have extended their 50% and 40% sales until tonight. And One Stop Plus is going with 'cyber week', with a 25% discount and free shipping.*


Yesterdays outfit was partially previously mentioned in this review post for the Forever 21 rust colored dress. I paired it with an dark greenish blue cardigan from Target with 3/4 sleeves and what may become some of my favorite shoes ever! I've been searching for green shoes that were stylish, work appropriate and comfortable and having the hardest time(Google 'green heels' sometime and you'll see some real monstrosities, trust) until I found these 'South Role' pair from Aerosoles, purchased via Amazon. The jewelry is from Forever 21.
-J.D

Dress: and jewelry: Forever 21 / cardigan: Target '10 / shoes: Aerosole via Amazon

 Makeup close ups: I chose a subtle wash of green shadow; at my age you can't really pull off sparkly leprechaun shades anymore. Nude lipstick and coral blush completed the look.

Flight of Fancy

I am loving the new bird print styles that are trending right now. British retailers,  such as Asos and Dorothy Perkins, appear to offer the most variety of this trend, but here's hoping American stores jump on the band wagon soon. I have seen a couple of options at a local Target that aren't pulling up on the website, a navy chiffon ruffled neck tank with a print similar to the dress at top left, and another top in the plus section that's a dead ringer for the peasant blouse at top right. I've scoured the internet for plus size options, and these are my favorites. The pretty blue dress couldn't be noted in Polyvore, but it's from Domino Dollhouse, it's on sale, and it's on it's way to my house right now! Woo hoo!
-J.D

What I wore to eat turkey and demolish a pumpkin pie

I love Thanksgiving; it really does have the best noshing(screw Christmas and Easter with their baked ham! I want turkey and stuffing!). Even though we didn't have homemade this year, there were still plenty of good eating(I did miss the sweet potato casserole  and green beans with bacon, but there's always next year). 
I was also thankful that even though I didn't get to see my whole family, I'm very lucky to still have a warm place to be where I have loved ones to enjoy the day with. Didn't hurt that I found out my what my Christmas present was early this year and I am supremely excited. There may even have been a celebratory jig on the car ride home...which I wouldn't recommend at 65 MPH, just sayin'. 
-J.D

Plaid shirt and shoes-Target '10 / sweater: Torrid '10 / jeans: Ross '11/ jewelry:Walmart '0?

I made food! That was easy! And didn't suck! - Orange Chicken

 I love food blogs. Food Gawker is one of my favorite sites to peruse when I want to pretend I will make the time to attempt a culinary masterpiece. Alas, I'm a terrible cook for the most part; soggy side dishes and congealed sauces are my trademark. So when I find something that is easy enough even I can't screw it up, I want to be able to remember it!  Unfortunately I still haven't got the hang of proper food journaling and photography, so I just have a picture of the end product. The original recipe for the chicken was from Spark Recipes, a terrific site to search and find some great healthy meals. I changed it a little bit to suit my own taste, but here's the original.           -J.D

                                        
                                                     Orange Chicken

My food styling abilities leave something to be desired, recipe after the cut...

                                                                            

What I wore to wait until the last minute to buy food for Thanksgiving

So this year my mother decided since my sister and her children couldn't be with us and it was going to be just the three of us, she just was not in the mood to cook. I was tasked with finding a dinner package of a pre-made meal we could just open and dig in. Sounds simple enough, except of course I am the world's worst procrastinator so I had to go to four restaurants on Thanksgiving eve, in an increasing state of distress and beg people to sell me food. Very dignified, lemme tell ya. 


At the very least I think I looked cute, if a little frazzled. I've had this red top forever, and it's been washed so much the cotton is very soft. The balloon sleeves are the best, they balance out my upper arms and don't bind around my biceps. The tie back is also a nice feature to give the top shape without having to incorporate a belt.
The jeans are a comfy, super cheap pair I found at Ross (they were only  4.99 dollars because of irregularities...basically the button is on the wrong side, but I can deal with it for under 5 bucks!). The necklace and earrings are from Forever 21, and sadly I think my little owl is starting to tarnish and will need to be replaced soon. 
-J.D

Top: Cato's '08 / cropped jeans: Ross '11 / shoes:Target '08 / jewelry: Forever 21 

These boots were made for squeakin'

I love boots. I love them so much I continually rationalize I actually need 5 pairs of them in Texas, when 9 months out of the year wearing boots will more likely than not result in walking in sweat from the knees down. Which is an ever so lovely feeling, don't cha know. Thankfully(but not really) most boots don't fit my 17'' calves, so I can't actually rationalize buying something I can only zip to the ankles. On the flip side, when I do find a pair in a store that fit, I feel compelled to buy them RIGHT THIS MINUTE. Lest they disappear in poof of air and return to the plumptious fat fairy land from whence they came.

Such is the case with these comfy but rumpled, noisy pair from Target '09. They have a thick elastic panel in the back that stretches and are pull on, so no zippers to pinch my skin(this is a legit fear, I have scars, people). But of course being Target, they certainly aren't leather and the material makes a muffled squeaky noise when I walk.  Actually, this entire outfit is Target now that I think of it, including a tunic that is (gasp!) maternity. Yes maternity wear; I figure if anyone is uncouth enough to check the label I probably shouldn't be worried about what they think of childless me wearing clothes for mommies.

-J.D

tunic/black skirt/boots/earrings: Target '09 / necklace& flower pin:local store