Low Budget Diva

Clearance Sale at La Grand Dame

2011-09-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Big ol' sale over at La Grand Dame. Use the code CLEAROUT at checkout for half off the clearance price. Anna Scholz lace jacket is $30, silk dress is $125, James Jeans $105-ish, and the AMAZOING Monif C suit is only $38!

Swoon with me

2011-09-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Getting my swoon on with some Asos Curve items I can't afford.

Swoon Swoon Swoon by lowbudgetdiva featuring a reversible coat

ASOS reversible dress
402 NOK - asos.com

Forever21 scoop neck top
$7.80 - forever21.com

ASOS reversible coat
$165 - asos.com

ASOS metallic jeans
$64 - asos.com

Pretty in Pink---er, Lilac?

2011-09-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post some pics of this amazing vintage dress a friend gave me. The only pics of it, though, involve me singing karaoke! So there you go, friends. This dress was fully lined in an unforgiving acetate, but otherwise seemed like it would fit really well. So I cut out the lining, leaving the bits where the lining was reinforcing a dart or something, and keeping the interfacing at the neckline. I wore it with a navy slip since I wanted a funkier vibe, but it could be prettied up with a cream-colored slip. I think it would be fun to try a bunch of different colored slips under it, actually. I wore burgundy tights and my metallic Pour La Victoire brogues* with it. Sad I don't have a full-length shot!

*Which I got on Amazon Warehouse Deals for $30.

Some stylish comfort shoes over at Beyond the Rack today

2011-07-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

Beyond the Rack is one of those flash sale retailers. It's kind of killing me that the only size left in these is a 41, because they are adorable. Earthies, Sanita, Naturalizer, and a few other brands in this "comfort boutique" sale, where most styles are half off or more.

Vintage Shoes Love

2011-07-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

I found these at a consignment store near my house. They are canvas and tie around the ankles. A-MAY-ZOING.

This picture reminds of a question I am always meaning to ask: How do you all organize your precious jewels/cheap-as-hell accessories? I use this room divider/screen with a wicker placemat and a macrame-lookin' scarf organizer. It inevitably gets draped with towels, dresses, bras, etc., but it works fairly well.

Born Under Punches

2011-07-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm back!

"Don't you miss it, don't you miss it.
Some 'a you people just about missed it!
Last time to make plans!
Well I'm a tumbler...
I'm a government man."
"Born Under Punches", Talking Heads

Well, I am not a Tumblr, I don't think. Too much teen angst and random porn for this old lady. Still some great people doing cool stuff over there, but I missed my comments section!

comfortable conference outfit suggestion

2011-05-08T07:36:00.001-07:00

comfortable conference outfit suggestion by lowbudgetdiva featuring a knit cardigan

V neck blouse
$98 - nordstrom.com

Sejour knit cardigan
$49 - nordstrom.com

Jones New York Collection plus
$78 - zappos.com

Dansko wedge shoes
$115 - endless.com

Starting a tumblr

2011-03-14T22:03:00.000-07:00

I feel like I always want to come here and just post some random thing I like, but Blogger feels too formal for that, somehow. So I am going to try a tumblr and see how it goes. Please follow me so I can follow you:

http://lowbudgetdiva.tumblr.com/

Rusty Nail

2011-02-20T12:00:00.001-08:00

Rusty Nail by lowbudgetdiva featuring a woven leather handbag

This funky colored dress from Eshakti looks 60s, but the color feels 70s to me. Reminded me of a drink called a Rusty Nail, which I (quite possibly erroneously) associate with the 70s.

ETA: Apparently it was the 1930s. But that sorta works for this, too!

Mustard lover

2011-02-20T11:19:00.000-08:00

[insert usual info about how busy I am and wish I was posting more blah blah blah]

I played hooky one day recently and met a friend for lunch. I had just gotten this vintage jacket/shirt and dusted off the yellow jacket from Lucie Lu for one glorious day of springlike weather before we got hit with another snowpocalypse.

Pardon the ooky face: I had just come from picking my kid up at daycare and finding out she had pulled some other kid's hair...out of her head. Yeah. Turns out my little gal has a nasty illness and a fever and this was sort of her way of letting us know? Okay, noted!

Pixelated close-up:

Tee: Target
Jacket/shirt thingy: Vintage via Everyday People
Outer jacket: Lucie Lu (Sold Out)
Skirt: Custom order from InTheThickOfIt
Brown tights: ?
Boots: Target Kachiri
Scarf: Vintage, thrifted long ago

Etsy Seller Alert: KMStitchery

2010-12-16T18:44:00.000-08:00

Howdy Folks. I will skip the customary apologies for not posting. I am just finishing up my two grad courses, working two jobs, and sharing custody of my three-year-old daughter. Things are...busy. I will be starting another job in a few weeks, but at least I will only have one class (my last!) next term!

Anyway, in lieu of posting anything about myself, I just wanted to feature this Etsy seller I met at a green gifts fair. She's called KMStitchery, and she upcycles overstock tees and screenprints them with feminist icons. Her models are M and L, but she sells tops in up to an XXL and (currently) 1X. I think it just depends on what she can get her hands on. Anyway, her icons are awesome--Sylvia Plath, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, and on and on. When my shopping hiatus is over, I will definitely be picking one up. Possibly this one of Susan B. Anthony.

Groupon: American Apparel

2010-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

I am not sure if this is the Groupon deal in every city today, but I checked a couple and they all had it.

The deal is $25 for a $50 gift certificate to American Apparel, a great value if you are in the market for some of their winter leggings, or one of those circle scarves. They have been stepping up their 2- and 3X offerings of late, too! FYI, I wear either the L or XL leggings comfortably.

And of course I prefer if you sign up using my unique referral code, but that's entirely optional. ;)

ETA: Today they are offering a Nordstrom Rack deal. Get it!

Chicago

2010-11-16T20:28:00.000-08:00

Just spent a fantastic weekend visiting friends in Chicago. I was pretty true to my no retail shopping, though I did pick up some replacement leggings at ye olde American Apparel. Those definitely count as winter staples that I can't really forgo.

I also got to pick up my custom-made skirt from Etsy seller and blogger (and all around cool peeps) IntheThickofIt.
She took that picture of the skirt, and brightened it to get the details. The real color is a dark blue:

Worn with a thrifted Target tee shirt (it's grey with red stripes, but you can't tell here), my brand new AA leggings, a vintage four-ply cashmere cardigan (toooooastyyyy) and Pour La Victoire metallic oxfords. And a leopard print coat. The skirt is such good quality, and a good value. I provided my own fabric and she only charged me $25 for labor. And the hem is handstitched! I recommend you check out her stuff.

I also got another 1940s vintage dress! It was $13 at Crossroads and I couldn't believe they had it and that it FIT. It will be featured in a future post. And I got a couple of pretty outrageous animal print items at the Village Thrift that should make an appearance here some day soon.

Shopping Hiatus (of sorts)

2010-11-09T21:53:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking of doing this for a long time, and it's time to bite the bullet. Now that the holiday shopping season has begun (which is enough to make me ill in itself--it's supposed to start AFTER Thanksgiving), it's time for me to stop shopping retail. After my most recent frustration with Asos, and more than one occasion where there was a package at my door and I couldn't for the life of me remember what I had ordered, it seemed like a good time to stop. Also, I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the extreme waste that good ol' American shopaholicism really is. I mean, the world cotton production can't keep up with demand. WTF? That just feels wrong to me.

I'll still be shopping, but I will only buy from the thrift store, Etsy, or online sales of secondhand stuff. I will probably make an exception for cold weather staples, because I am in dire need of some cute winter boots that are actually functional. If you have favorite Etsy or Ebay shops, or upcycling ideas, send them my way! My friend Cynara sent me some awesome links for making fabric necklaces--great way to use stained tshirts!

5 things that exemplify my style

2010-11-07T18:43:00.000-08:00

Following the latest meme, I wanted to share the five things that define my style. I got the idea from seeing Buttercup's Frocks' and We Are Large, People's iterations.

1. Horizontal stripes, nautical and otherwise.

2. Print mixing

3. Dresses. I know this is vague, but I really wear a lot of them.

4. Belted cardigans. I don't like to admit this one, because I am actually moving away from this look a little, but the proof is there.

5. And of course...

BOOTS!!!

Oops, not that Boots! But that is what my nearly-three year old calls me. I honestly think she may have come up with that because of my boot addiction. I could post a thousand pictures of me in boots, but I know you know how into them I am.

What are your items/looks/things that define your style?

All Hallow's Eve

2010-10-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

I look so creeped out in the second picture. Let's pretend it's because it's Halloween. It was probably more because I was in the parking lot of my workplace and was worried that someone would see me snapping my pics!

I am pretty pleased with this unexpected pattern mixing experiment here. The tile print on the dress and the leopard print on the coat are similar enough in contrast and size that I think they don't clash in a bad way, am I right? I find myself grabbing this NY&Co 3/4 sleeve swing coat more and more lately (bought last year sometime for something like $10!).

I slapped on some kitty ears after this to take my daughter trick-or-treating with some friends whose son is about her age. It was the first time for both of them and they had a blast. She was a kitty and her pal was Batman, and the grown folks had great fun eating all the candy (shhhhhh!).

Some blogs I love

2010-10-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am prompted to do this post by the discovery of Big Girl Small Budget. Tiny Town. I really love this woman's fearless style, self-imposed challenges, and fierce accessory choices. I could learn a thing or two about necklaces from her.

Of course I am a religious follower of my friend Samira's blog, M. O. D. Style, which showcases many of her spot-on, Cali-casual with a few punk, luxe twists outfits, as well as occasional spotlights on designers, style blogs, and looks she loves. All from the perspective of a mother of two.
Rebecca
I totally dig the DIY, slightly nerdy chic of Rebecca over at We Are Large, People. Not only does she have great style, she always goes the extra mile to show you how you can make or buy the look. Bloomie at 30 Dresses in 30 Days is always fearless and fabulous, Deena at Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes, Too brings a British punk sensibility to her looks, and she always seems to know the big stories before anyone else (like when Marc Jacobs announced he would be designing a plus-size line!!!). And of course Xtina at Musings of a Fatshionista always keeps it high fashion and editorial. And I frequently discover more obscure plus-size vendors through her.

Bloomie
There are several more, but none of them are updating much lately. But stick 'em in your RSS anyway (heh, never noticed how that could be punny until now):

An Olive A Day
Fatshion Plate
Big Suit

What else should I be reading?

ASOS New US Site

2010-10-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

The new Asos US site has launched, just in time for their mid-season clearance sales!

I am sort of sad that they have a US-oriented site, honestly, because I had finally gotten the hang of how their sizing translates for me, and now they only have US sizes listed, so I have to translate back into UK sizes. Sigh. I know, for example, that the UK 20 is not a US 16, but is more like a perfect 18. That's just the vagaries of sizing, I suppose, but I have to remember that even though they are telling me to order a US 18, I know that I really need the 16. Phew. Any way, I hope you all get a chance to take advantage of their double whammy of free shipping both ways and clearance sale. I am giving this tile-print dress and this work-friendly blouse a try. I was hoping this dress would go on even deeper clearance, but that remains to be seen.

Oh, and Asos, if you are listening, could you please put this owl sweater on sale for me? Kthxbai.

And a little musical tribute to Mr. Solomon Burke, who died this weekend in Amsterdam. RIP, Solomon.

Shades of Orangish Red and Black

2010-10-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah, I wore that shizz again. I love this damn dress. It's unfortunate that it's such a distinctive pattern, though, because I don't feel I can wear it more than every week or two. Velvet blazer is thrifted Old Navy, t-shirt dress you can't really see under the Tucker dress is from Asos Curve, scarf from the Gap.

In a related color palette, this is something I wore to a friend's wedding. She was married at an old (functioning) movie theater, complete with popcorn and sodas for the guests. It was in the afternoon, but it is October, it was tough figuring out what would be appropriate to wear. Someone was wearing these (which I secretly covet), so turns out I worried for nothing. It was come as you are.

Nevertheless, I had a bit of a "I have nothing to wear!" moment that I was talked down from via gmail chat by my friend Cynara. She scanned my Flickr photos and pulled this together for me. Emergency digital stylist! Love it. Black blazer, suede wedge heels, and swiss dot nylons are from Target, dress is Dorothy Perkins. Phony pearls from H&M. There was a cute, mini-cat eye thing happening with my eye makeup, but of course I cried that off at the ceremony in a flash.

"And so you're back/From Outer Space...."

2010-09-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

So I managed to squeeze in a few purchases in the last couple months. I took a chance on a couple of the Tucker for Target pieces on the recommendation of a friend who said they were pretty roomy. I am very pleased with them. The first one I paired with a sweater and belt I thrifted that are also from Target, American Apparel leggings, and the Target Kachiri boots that are the best deal going. $40-odd bucks for leather, Frye Campus look-alikes? Yes, please.

The second one I wore with a tunic/dress thingy that has made appearances here before (from SWAK Designs) and a orange faux-snakeskin belt from the Target thrift store. Finished off with the famous $19 J. Crew Boots.

This was nothing special, but a comfy weekend outfit that features those same awesome Target boots. Top is SWAK Designs (their stuff is cheap, but once in a while they get something really cute in stock), thrifted cardigan, Asos Curve jeans.

And finally, I got this LL Bean top with a gift card. I have been wanting a spring/fall weight nautical type of top, and this has the perfect neckline and sleeve length for the job. I also got one in cream/navy stripe. It's cut for a longer torso than mine, but I think with a wash or two it will shrink up to just the right length. Secondhand Torrid skirt, vintage hat, Target shoes, scarf from Ricki's, a Canadian chain.

I am back!

2010-09-29T19:22:00.000-07:00

Apparently, going on a shopping hiatus means no posts. Heh. Sorry about that folks.

Since I last wrote here, my life more or less exploded, though, so lack of shopping was the least of my problems. I am going to try to get back on this shit right quick...

Two things, tangentially related

2010-08-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacobs is developing a plus-size line!!!!

Also, I am on a shopping embargo, so will be launching a challenge soon wherein I have to wear everything in my closet before repeating stuff, followed by the ten items or less (really it should be fewer, I think) challenge. This should distract me from shopping for a while and then I can save up for a single piece from MJ's line. Heh.

Stay tuned; as soon as I finish unpacking all my clothes in my new space, I will be up and running again. I may also do a little post on my new neighborhood and all the cool shopping there is nearby...oops, that's probably a bad idea, come to think of it. :p

6 items or less?

2010-07-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sheena of the Uniform Project

I am thinking of trying to do the "6 items or less clothing diet", or whatever it's called. I will give myself much looser restrictions and probably will need more like 10 items, but I what I really want to know from you all is what to call it. I chafe at the word "diet" for a number of reasons, but I do like the idea of forcing one's self to be creative with a limited palette. I found the outfits posted by a lot of the "Sixers", as they call themselves, to be a bit uninspired (much more impressive to me is the Uniform Project, where there is but one item that is used in seemingly infinite ways), but I think if I up to ten and regard tanks and camis as undergarments, I could do some cool stuff. Any thoughts, oh anonymous friends of the cyber realm?

Here's a possible set of 10 items. I am not completely happy with it, but tell me what you think:

Eshakti Lust of the Moment

2010-07-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

Not that I can really afford any of this, but here are some of my favorite looks from Eshakti right now. I am particularly fond of the seahorse dress. And the bubble skirt with the feathers on it. And OMG THE HUMMINGBIRD CORSET DRESS! How to justify a $70 dress, though? If they still have it when financial aid comes through, we'll see...

Current Eshakti Picks by lowbudgetdiva on Polyvore.com

Sailing boats cotton print dress - eShakti.com
$65 - eshakti.com
More dresses »

Cotton poplin trench dress - eShakti.com
$55 - eshakti.com
More dresses »

Hummingbird embellished skirt - eShakti.com
$55 - eshakti.com
More skirts »

Pop of red-eShakti.com
$70 - eshakti.com

Sea horses - ruffled poplin dress - eShakti.com
$65 - eshakti.com

Vintage romance-eShakti.com
$53 - eshakti.com

Sing the blues-eShakti.com
$50 - eshakti.com

Here's a little clip from my favorite singing duo, Louis Prima and Keely Smith.

Equestrian Grunge?

2010-07-19T07:56:00.000-07:00

My neighbor totally sneaked up on me when I was taking this pic and I was embarrassed! Luckily she didn't seem to notice the camera propped up on its little gorillapod on my steps. What she thought I was doing standing in the yard facing the house, I will never know. Hehe.

This dress was in my sell/trade/donate pile until the other day when I did a sales post on Livejournal, and I decided I wasn't quite ready to part with yet. Wearing this type of belt to work feels a little conspicuous to me for some reason, but when I look at the picture I am not sure why I think that. Strange, that.

Oh, and I keep forgetting to post videos of what I am listening to, so here you go!

Loving this dress

2010-07-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

It was a little too hot for boots, but the shortness sort of necessitated something, I thought.

Technically, it's not lace, but mesh with embroidery. That's fine with me, though. There is an underlayer that is a very thin rayon knit that has a great drape to it. I can't wait to wear this in winter with really thick black tights!

Dress: Asos Curve
Boots: J. Crew
Necklace: Target, similar to this
Ring: gifted, looks like this

Retro for Work

2010-07-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

My mom took this pics for me when I came home from work and she was leaving after babysitting my daughter. We thought the tree backdrop would make it very junior prom, yes? I have been into dressing up a little for work, even though every time I do someone remarks on it. It's funny: I dress partly for myself, partly for others, but when people notice the effort, I often feel self-conscious about it!

One of my neighbors works on a photography project for our neighborhood and asked if she could take one of me. I was Tuesday's photo of the day! I actually really like one of the outtakes she didn't use, one of my mom and I:

Dress: Dorothy Perkins, professionally altered, bought secondhand
Cardigan: Nordstrom Rack ($5)
Shoes: Target
Bag: Thrifted
Glasses: ZenniOptical.com
Bracelet: thrifted
Ring: Gifted

Rebel without a cause/clue

2010-06-29T18:24:00.000-07:00

Don't mind me, just combining my favorite Replacements' line with the title of the movie I am going to see in the park just now.

This outfit is very much a tribute to one of my style gurus, Cynara. She wore a drapey top and cargo pants and I really did pop out to the thrift store the next day to find some cargo pants. Top is from the Asos Curve line, and has sheer panels on the sides. Very comfy.

Pants: Thrifted Old Navy
Top: Asos Curve
Shoes: Thrifted Nine West
Necklace: Vintage flapper beads

This is all I could muster for a particularly steamy day last week. I wish the shorts were rolled up shorter, but that's what posting these pics does, helps me see what could be done better

Top: Thrifted, Target Pure Energy line
Shorts: Avenue, a couple years ago
Shoe: Softspots form the thrift store!
Weird pose: Failed attempt to obscure my banged up knee

Plus-sized Pregnant

2010-06-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

(No, not pregnant now! Must always quash rumors at the get-go.)

I was showing a friend these pregnancy shots I took when I was up the duff. She suggested I post them here, just for the sake of fat pregnancy visibility if nothing else (since in my view there is very little fashion going on here).

So, you know, I wasn't Miss Stylish every day of my pregnancy, but I waded through it okay. Also, I should mention that these were all taken pretty late in my pregnancy, and before month 6 or so, I didn't feel like I looked pregnant. I know this is a common complaint of fat women, even though there are always exceptions. But by the end, as you can see in the more wintry ensemble, there was no mistaking it, I was totally PG. What is funny to me looking at that picture now is that in that last shot I am not wearing any maternity wear, and in the others I am. I wore layers underneath low-cut things to build ease into an outfit. For example, that lacy part that you can barely make out is a top from Velvet (the anthro brand), and it rested on top of the bump. The dress had a low v-neck and dolman sleeves and lots of stretch and drape, so it was more forgiving than any of the figure-hugging maternity stuff I had. And the boots were the first truly wide calf boots I ever purchased, because there was extra room in the calf and a zipper, so there was a lot of wiggle room. That kind of improvising became more important as pregnancy progressed, but it took me until week 36 or whatever to get there.

Some recent outfits

2010-06-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

I haven't been shopping (other than at the thrift store) for ages. We are pretty broke at the moment, so I have been making do, remixing stuff that I already have, and...well, mostly not really dressing very fancy. I have conflicting impulses toward minimalism and "ooh, shiny!", as many of us do, I suspect. I look in the closet and some days I just don't see anything there, when in reality clothes are spilling out. I have a feeling I will be doing some drastic wardrobe overhaul in the near future...

I wore this to a birthday dinner party last night.

I wore this to work the other day.

I made both the ring and the brooch (in the first outfit), in separate crafting frenzies, and the devoted reader will note that I have worn this skirt twice before. I DON'T CARE: I love it. I actually took several inches off the top to change the shape and length of it, and I am pretty happy with the result. No more rolling the waistband--yay!

I have not been giving very good face on these shots lately, for which I beg your forgiveness. I am without the assistance of a competent photo shoot manager at the moment, and my self-timer does not have the best eye for composition. I have, however, overhauled the look of the site, so I hope you like the results!

Working Girl

2010-06-05T17:43:00.001-07:00

I started a new job this week, the same week my husband was gone on a work trip to China! I was all overprepared: I had all my outfits for the week planned in advance, mostly since I didn't want a wardrobe crisis while single-parenting, but also because I am a little rusty with the whole "work appropriate" dressing concept. So this is the outfit I wore on the second day:

Sorry it's crazy blurry, but I let the spouse take our camera on his trip. I suppose panoramic landscape shots of remote corners of China are more important than my work outfits--GAWD! This is my first shot with my webcam.

On my first day, I wore something really boring and conservative since I really wasn't sure how others would be dressed. By the end of the week I was wearing skinny jeans and a long tunic/short dress. As my new supervisor is fond of saying, "It's really not that deep." Hah! I really overthought that shit.

My favorite thing about this outfit is the cheapness of it. Skirt was free from an online sale, shoes and necklace were from consignment places where I traded stuff in, so they were free, top was free from a swap, belt was $3.24 from Target, the jacket was about $10 from an online sale, and my new glasses were $20 from Zenni Optical. With a prescription. No, really. So, yeah, about the cheapest outfit ever, and quite serviceable.

What do you wear to work? Or what do you wear when you are not momming it up?

Oh, I keep forgetting to add a video! I am going to see these guys open for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros tonight:

Oh, hi there!

2010-05-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been so absent here, but life has taken over (and here I thought things would be less stressful when school got out!).

We went to Chicago a couple of weeks ago, went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier (two things I would never have done in visits to Chicago avant bebe), ate a lot of great food, and nearly died of exhaustion from all the driving. It was a good time!

Still remixing this skirt a lot, this time there was a cropped, short sleeve red cardigan involved, which unforch did not make the photo, the fabulous ruffle flats from Target, and a couple of tank tops that got all matchy matchy with the skirt.

Nothing terribly fabulous here, but at least you get to see the fabulous Janelle Monae-esque Pour La Victoire bronze oxfords I scored for $38 (-$25 gift certificate= $13!!!). And the pants obviously need a hem, but I love them (Asos Curve skinny jeans). Trench is Ricki's (Canada), army green tunic is from shop-translated.com, striped dress is Old Navy.

As soon as I am off the BRAT diet (doctor's orders--cruelly, this seems to mean that I will not be eating any brats over Memorial Day weekend, which just doesn't seem right), I will post my Asos Curve review. I am kind of glad I waited a while, so I could wear stuff a few times and tell you how it holds up over time. I feel like so many product review posts are written in the euphoric moments when the item first arrives, and that tells me very little about a garment.

Fatshion Recap, I am in one

2010-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

Musings of a Fatshionista has her latest Fatshion Recap post, and I am in it! I am at the beginning since it's alphabetical by first name, but be sure to scroll all the way through. It's really in the aggregate that the recap reveals its awesomeness, to get all academicalish on your asses for a minute.

Catch me on the remix

2010-05-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am breaking some sort of fashion blogging rule by doing this, but I am posting the same item in two outfits in a row! Maybe no one actually gives a shit, maybe that's just residual misgivings from schooldays about wearing the same clothes two days in a row. I am not ashamed to admit that I wore this top (actually a dress) to sleep last night and went out in public in it today! I wanted to do a little pattern mixing, nothing too wild, and I have been loving the way some of my favorite bloggers are mixing up nautical stripes and other patterns.

These shoes are a recent acquisition, but I bought them on a sales post over at the the Fatshionista Livejournal community. The sales posts over there have been a godsend to me for finding unique plus-size clothes, be they unique vintage finds, cheap and trendy pieces, or the rare, high quality wardrobe staple. It's a great place to sell your own stuff that has outstayed its welcome in your closet. Kind of like a Buffalo Exchange for big gals!

The vest is from Addition Elle, a Canadian plus-size chain, which I visited with the uber-stylish Cynara when I was in Winnipeg last summer. I once heard the vest described as the "sexiest fishing vest ever". Har har.

Finally, I wanted to share a photo that demonstrates why I have categorized my blog the way I have. When I first started this blog, someone asked me why moms would need a distinct style blog from any other woman/person. I have to ask: how many of you go to select a pair of shoes for your outfit and come across this:

*gasp*
Apparently, my shoes are also really really awesome cars...for Legos. And they like to be decorated with smiley face stickers. Heh.

Slowly goes

2010-05-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Hey there friends and interwebs acquaintances, I apologize for the lack of posts this past week. The hubster was schmoozing potential employers all around Europe and I was stuck momming it up by myself all week. I will try to get back on the horsey ASAP. I still owe ya a gander at my tulle DIY skirt and will definitely be reviewing some stuff I got during a big ol' sale at ASOS. I am particularly excited to try these two slouchy pieces:

Stay tuned!

Home Ec

2010-04-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

I picked up this skirt at Saver's the other day, and I am really loving it. I love the fabric, which is this olive green batik with hints of mint green and coral. It is definitely homemade and made for someone a little smaller, so I think there may be some alterations in order, but I like the fabric and cut a lot and the best part is this whole outfit, excluding shoes, cost about $10. Woohoo!

And a little something from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (who I get to see with Dawes in June--YAY!):

My favorite jeans

2010-04-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last post.

I just want to pimp my favorite jeans for a minute. I have these in two washes. They are the Cate trouser jean from Svoboda, a plus-size premium denim company. I can't find these on their site now, which makes me think that maybe they are discontinuing them. But they are available on Myshape and a few other places. I know Svoboda maintains an ebay store where they consistently sell their overstock at 50% retail. I scored the lighter wash pair in a clearance sale for a store for which I also had a $25 gift code, so I paid $10 for this $140 pair. Score! I think I got the darker wash pair from their ebay shop, and they have held up amazingly well.

The top outfit is from today. I am wearing my very unfancy New Balance sneakers since I went for a 5 mile walk while pushing a stroller.

What I am listening to today (obsessively):

Styling and Momming at Target

2010-04-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a funny: I tried on the shoes pictured above at Target today (sooo cute, soooo impractical), and had the delightful experience of picking many, tiny raisins off the floor while wearing them. That sums up the would-be stylish mom's dilemma nicely, don't you think?
I ended up buying the Eugenia Kim for Target hat below for $7.48:
For some reason, all the Eugenia Kim hats were on clearance, despite the fact that the collection doesn't launch until Sunday? Strange, but I am not complaining. The hats are cute and well made; the woven ones were too small on me, but I have a large head. The Cynthia Vincent shoes, which also supposedly haven't launched yet were well made and seemed to run a little big. The one above has multiple velcro straps, which also makes them very customizable. They were around $25, which is a pretty good price point for the quality, in my opinion.

Big Mamas to Be

2010-04-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

I keep putting off this post, but I figure I should do it soon before some of these links die.

Plus-size maternity clothes are hard to come by. When I was pregnant, I didn't have too much trouble because I could wear XLs and XXLs from Gap, Old Navy, and Motherhood, but if I had been even a tiny bit bigger, that wouldn't have been an option. So, if you are in the 14-18 range, you will likely fit into the higher sizes at those stores. Old Navy sizing is so generous that I would even conjecture that you can wear misses' XXL if you are a 22/24. I really like this khaki shirt dress from Gap, on sale for under $30 right now.

I think maternity dressing has both very personal and very universal aspects. On the one hand, everyone's body changes differently and at different rates, but on the other, I don't know any mothers who don't complain about fit issues that have just baffled them. There aren't too many style guides devoted exclusively to maternity style. In fact, the only one I can think of off the top off my head, Expecting Style by Lauren Sara feels both very dated and sort of a plug for her own clothing line. I'm not even convinced that you need a maternity style guide. And yet here we are!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnerobot/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

I think you kind of want a uniform when you are pregnant, so once you figure out what works for you, you can focus on what matters: hunting down a chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting, sleeping, and going pee a lot. Seriously, though, what you are wearing is often the last thing you want to stress about when pregnant. I suggest packing away things as they grow too tight, and making a fortnightly/monthly reassessment of what you need. Hold on to anything long and stretchy, and stretchy cardigans, since they will last the whole way through.

This would probably be my wardrobe if I was pregnant now:

Items in this set:

Plus Size Secret Fit Belly(tm) Poplin Tab Cuff Convertible Maternity..., $45
JCPenney : women : maternity, $33
Maternity blue wrap cardigan, 28 GBP
JCPenney : women : maternity : jeans, $20
JCPenney : women : maternity : dresses + skirts##, $20

I feel like most of these pieces are pretty much interchangeable, which would give you lot more mileage. You need one of those belly bands so you can wear lots of pants that you can no longer zip, plus they gather in extra material, too, if you have maternity stuff that doesn't quite fit yet. These are all really simple--crisp white top, nautical top, another print, a couple of plain tops, then various lengths of shorts/pants, a wrap dress (many of us can get away with wearing a non-maternity one), and a sweater. I would also have some yoga pants, even if you don't do yoga (although I heartily recommend it--so relaxing!). The Dorothy Perkins' stuff comes in sizes up to UK 22, about a US 20. If I had money to burn, I would also grab a few more basics:

Items in this set:
Women's Plus Size Clothes: Maternity Plus Full-Panel Perfect Khakis:..., $33
Sheer Jersey Shirred Knee-Length Full Skirt, $28
JCPenney : women : maternity, $20
Plus Size Short Sleeve V-neck Maternity T Shirt | Motherhood Plus..., $15
Maternity khaki empire tie top, 14 GBP

I don't have that American Apparel skirt, but I have one like it from Land's End. They are so stretchy and versatile. I think it would be a great pregnancy skirt.

Any other suggestions? I don't really have any plans on getting knocked up soon, but I am glad I know a few more places to shop now than I did before!

Dark and Stormy

2010-04-13T09:34:00.001-07:00

We had some big storms here last night, and it's all gloomy today. It's my favorite time of year for clothes since you can still pull out the winter palate some days, but others it's summery enough for brighter stuff, or open-toe shoes and such. I don't know WTF (Why the Face?), but I am much happier than I appear.

Almost this whole outfit is from the Salvation Army As-Is store. I know I have talked about it before, but it's more or less like a Target bargain basement. Lately I have seen things from the Gaultier and Rodarte for Target lines, as well as samples for stuff they ended up not selling. I know many cities have a store like this, but I think because the Minneapolis store is so close to Target HQ, they get a wider range of stuff, including samples from their plus-size lines (score!).

This dress had cap sleeves, but I used my seam ripper to remove them because they were a bit tight and also I am not a huge fan of cap sleeves. I feel like this dress will be a very versatile wardrobe item. I like the billowiness of it, and I look forward to experimenting with manipulating the shape in different ways. Likewise with the cardigan. My friend Samira alerted me to the Stylelikeu profile on Hunter Thompson, who is a draping master, and I am truly inspired by his style. Another queen of draping and playing with volume is Christina at Musings of a Fatshionista, who, if you aren't already reading, you really should be, she's a pioneer. Recently she took her AA circle scarf and turned it into a floor-length skirt. Love it!

Dress, Jersey cardigan, Leggings, Purse: Thrifted at Sally Army
Boots: Aiden style from Diba (which, p.s., try to find some of these if you are of wide calf--they fit my 17.5-inchers!)

Worker's Playtime

2010-04-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have had this top for a while, but I started to kind of hate it. It had elastic underneath the bust, which I have recently decided is not my best look, unless I am pregnant (which I am not at the moment, even though their have been some maternity themed posts of late (and will be again! Stay tuned!)). On a recent weekend trip, I decided to bring along some mending instead of my usual never-to-be-finished knitting project, and tossed this top in the bag, too. I whipped out the seam ripper and took that pesky bit of elastic out. It changed the whole shape of the shirt, gave me more bust room, and even added some length! Plus now I can still cinch it in, but at the spot that I deem best instead of where the elastic sits. Yay! The "jacket" over it is a tunic that I have nearly gotten rid of numerous times, only to find a new use for it. I was inspired to wear it belted as a jacket by a recent post at Corazones Rojos.

The shoes we can thank little Miss V for, as she walked in from the bedroom wearing them (and walking better than I usually do in heels!), and said, "You want mommy to wear those" (pronouns: we're working on them). I don't normally take sartorial advice form the under three set, but this time I kinda thought she was on to something.

Slub-knit striped top, Dorothy Perkins
Military-ish tunic: Shop Translated (Now on sale for $22.50!)
Twill skinny pants: Tripp, via Buffalo Exchange
Belt: Clothes swap
Wooden wedges: Thrifted (Target)

Old Navy Maternity!

2010-04-07T12:36:00.000-07:00

So far it's only eight, really basic pieces, but it's a step, and one more stop in the limited rounds for plus-size maternity online: Old Navy is now selling plus-size maternity clothes!

I would be all over these blue twill shorts if I was preggo in the summertime. And this dress in the regrettably named colorway "Watermelon" looks cozy.

If Wishes Were Horses

2010-04-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

I am a little short on funds at the moment, so I am not really buying a lot of new stuff. I am, however, pining myself silly over a few things...

ASOS | ASOS CURVE Fitted Waist Dress at ASOS, $48
ASOS | ASOS CURVE Gold Button Detail Dress at ASOS, $48
ASOS | ASOS CURVE Roll Sleeve T-Shirt Dress at ASOS, $43
American Crafts - Scrapbook papers, $1.59

I am thinking I can apply some military-ish buttons to something like on the blue dress?

Mad Imports Opal Raffia Clutch by Terra Trendz
Nimli - Mad Imports Carmen, $85
Nimli - Mad Imports Marielle, $75

I have been a fan of these cute handmade raffia clutches since I first saw them a year or two back. And they are fair trade! The sales ensure continued employment for craftswomen in Madagascar.

Linea Pelle Dylan Medium Tote, $415
Kenneth Cole New York High Patential, $300
Women's Apparel: Harley studded handbag: most wanted | Banana Republic, $230
Women's handbags: Lucky Brand Abbey Road - Bourbon, $180
Lucky Brand Saddle Up, $160

Any one of these bags would be something I would save up for. I especially love the Kenneth Cole navy leather bag.

How's that for a random post? Still working on posting my diy tulle skirt. Should be up soon...

Resurrection

2010-04-04T12:46:00.001-07:00

We have no Easter tradition in my household, what with one of us being a Jew and the other a godless heathen (oh, wait, we're both godless heathens!), so we headed to the Falls for a little walk instead.

I did manage to drop my camera, temporarily break it, and then fix it (resurrection!), then drop it again, lose it, and finally become reunited with it, thanks to the husband. Hooray!

Tee: Am App
Plaid: Secondhand
Denim: Thrifted
Skirt: secondhand
Boots: J. Crew
Scarf: Forever 21

My Review of 2-piece colorblock plus size swimsuit by Resorts Plus®

2010-04-01T05:16:00.001-07:00

Originally submitted at WomanWithin

Try this skort style to flatter hip and thighs. You’ll also love the slimming white trim. We have the best price and fit in plus size swimwear.

H-back top
front keyhole
elastic under bust for shaping
27” long

Cute concept, failed execution

By Lowbudgetdiva from Minneapolis, MN on 4/1/2010

Waist: Feels too big

Pros: High Quality

Cons: Poor Fit, Irregular Cut

Describe Yourself: Practical

I really wish they would use plus-size models for their swimwear because the shorts on this suit are way baggier and longer than they are in the picture. It comes off as false advertising, because it seems like a totally different suit. The colors and design are cute, though.

(legalese)

Gettin' Crafty

2010-03-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the absolute worst day. I had a crazed driver tailgate me for blocks then screech past me on a residential street, weaving all over the place. Then some woman in the parking lot of Walgreen's nearly ran over my kid and then came screaming at me to watch out for my kid and then threatened to hit me. "You're lucky you're holding that baby," she screamed. Oh, and we attempted to get a splinter out of the kid's hand, only to traumatize the hell out of her (many traumatizing experiences that day). Finally, we went to get our taxes done, and the news was what you call Not Good.

But at least I looked kind of cute.

I found this skirt (size L) at Savers for $5 a while back. I cut the top third off, folded down the top edge over a length of elastic, and voila! a skirt that fits me. I especially love the little metal studs along the navy strips:

Seriously: how could I not try to make a skirt with that detail work?

My husband hates these, so therefore I want to wear them on the daily:

Top: secondhand Bitten by SJP, $5
Cardigan: Thrifted at Arc Value Village, $2
Skirt: Thrifted at Savers, $5
Shoes: Thrifted in Wisconsin, $5
Accessories: Vintage and/or thrifted

Lazy Days

2010-03-24T07:21:00.000-07:00

The whole oversized clothes thing is hard for me to get into. Like I said in the previous post, too many episodes of WNTW. But recently, I have seen so many big girls rocking the hell out of it that I figured it was time to give it a try. When trying out a new look, I like to make use of my local thrift store so the financial impact of any misstep is minimal. ;)

The bonus here was that the this shirt is "iron free", as am I (well, really we DO have an iron, but I never use it)*. So it's perfect for momming it up in the front yard or down at the neighborhood cafe/playground/"aquarium". It's hard to tell, but the shirt is not white, but a very pale pink.

Shirt: Thrifted in the men's department at Savers
Leggings: Thrifted at Salvation Army
Shoes: Thrifted at Savers

Total outfit cost: approx. $20. Nina Garcia would approve (maybe not, but whatever).

*Funnily, I can now see that "iron free" doesn't mean wrinkle free. Heh.

Closet Case

2010-03-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

So, I started reading Nina Garcia's most recent book, The Style Strategy: A Less-is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart. It's a bit of fluff, and there isn't much in it I don't already know from Tim Gunn and countless episodes of What Not to Wear. And while I've become increasingly impatient with people whose idea of tightening one's belt means spending $100 on a new bag instead of $1000, I do appreciate her emphasis on showing restraint in both style sensibility and spending. She highlights a number of style innovations that arose from necessity, and even embraces consignment shopping. She has a somewhat narrow sense of what's stylish, but she is no snob when it comes to labels, at least.

One of the great things about me reading this book right now is that she's really into cleaning out the unnecessary junk from your closet and taking stock of what you have and what you need. So I started a little spring cleaning project, one that was long overdue. Observe:

That, my friends, is not pretty, and it's no way to show your clothes a bit of respect. That is what grad school and full-time mommery do to you, especially if you are already inclined toward slatternly behavior.

So I did some culling and tossing and donating (and hopefully a little selling!), and now it looks like this:

Best makeover I have ever had.

Oh, and it turns out the closet is now perfect for peekaboo:

Francophilia and other style influences.

2010-03-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

I have been reading a lot of fatshion blogs in the past year, and I derive so much inspiration from what I see there. While some of the more popular ones are also some of my favorites (and you can find them all in the links at the right), I've been influenced quite a bit by the French Le Blog de Big Beauty. Big Beauty, aka Stephanie Zwicky, a French comedienne, model, and now designer (please please please sell the line in the US?!) has expertly translated the classic "put together"--but not too put together--look I always associate with French style. And she rocks the nautical like nobody's business. Some of my favorite nautical looks of hers are here and here.

I am under no illusion that I am pulling that off here, but it just happened that both top and bottom of this outfit was French in origin and reminded me of some of Stephanie's looks. The pants are from the same label that is producing her clothing line. The shoes are a much more vibrant sort of fuchsia pink than they look here. The lighting has been a challenge here lately with all the gray weather.

Nautical cotton sweater--vintage Pierre Cardin, thrifted for $6
Banded-bottom capris--Taillisime from La Redoute, via OneStopPlus. $25 with discounts.
Shoes--Henri Beguelin, thrifted for $8 (I looked these up and apparently they retail for $495! They are handcrafted in Italy)

Plus-size Swimwear and Maternity Swimwear

2010-03-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

I do a lot of swimming with my kiddo at the local Y. I have been making do with a couple of sub-par suits so far, always with the idea that some day I will invest in a really decent suit. So far that hasn't happened, but here are some that I have been looking at.

I gotta say, I hate that they don't use plus-size models for these suits, but I do adore the nautical preppiness of this suit (although I would probably wear it with a different bottom since I don't really care for the shorts). There's also this classic ruched style, which would be hot on a big girl. These two cute options are both from Woman Within, who has a $20 off $60 offer until March 15 with code WW42146. Be forewarned, though, that there is a lot of "slimming" rhetoric in their swimwear section. I find it offensive, but the stuff is cute, so what can ya do?

Junonia is an plus-size activewear store that sells some pretty hardcore athletic suits, like this one that comes in five colors.

Land's End has probably the biggest selection of plus-size suits, but I have had som ebad experiences with them. They run small, and anything with slimming panels and such are way too constricting for my taste. If you get that kind of suit, size up. Land's End does have this little number, though, which has interesting colors and breaks every "rule" there is about fat girls and swim suits, so of course I love it.

For the pregnant plus-size mamas out there, the options for swimwear (and for any maternity wear!) are slim pickings, but I dug up a few (pricey) options for you.

This two-piece halter suit goes up to a 3X. This one is as close to a classic black maillot that you'll find in plus maternity swimwear. These two both come from the site Maternity4Less, which has a better selection of plus-sized maternity clothes than I have seen most places. A lot of their suits go up to a 4X. Motherhood carries exactly three plus sized swimsuits, and they only go up to a 3X.

Depending on how you are shaped while pregnant, it might also be an option to just size up one or two sizes. If you don't get that basketball effect going on (I didn't really have that until the last few weeks maybe), the bubble belly construction of these suits might not be necessary. If you get one of these long-ish swim dresses and a brief or boyshort a size or two up from your usual, the extra fabric in these pieces will probably give you enough coverage. Or, hell, you could just go all out and get a bikini, but I wouldn't recommend it for the D-cup and up. Your breasts are so tender as it is while pregnant that I can't imagine bouncing around with an unsupportive bra on!

Where are YOU finding cute, quality swimwear these days?

More suits:

More swimsuits by lowbudgetdiva featuring Old Navy swimwear

Items in this set:
Plus size trendy swimsuits, swimwear from Monif C. - Monif C, $120
Plus size trendy swimsuits, swimwear from Monif C. - Monif C, $180
Miraclesuit 'Rock the Croc - Dos Santos' One Piece (Plus), $145
Merona® Plus Bandeau Shirred One Piece Swimsuit - Red : Target, $45
Old Navy Womens Plus Printed Halter Swimsuits, $40

In Search of the Femmberjack

2010-03-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

My friend Cynara introduced me to the concept of the Femmberjack, a sort of girly take on the grunge look. I kind of avoided the whole grunge thing the first time around (unless you count dating the scruffy boys who embraced the whole Seattle vibe), so I figured why not throw a little workshirt action in the mix this time around?

I acquired the shirt at a clothing swap (thanks, Leah!) ("Roebucks" brand), bought the skirt from an online sales post in Livejournal (it's originally Torrid), and thrifted the Gap denim jacket (below) at Savers. And I can't seem to stop wearing my boots. Hopefully it will warm up soon enough and I can put on more appropriate footwear.

Flounce and Frippery

2010-03-05T14:54:00.000-08:00

Wheeee, my new Eshakti dress is here!

I am so happy with this dress. It seems as though the word frippery needs to be applied here, somehow. I don't love the fit of the bodice on this. The bust is a little too small and the torso is a little loose (which I am hiding with the belt), overall it's cute, the colors are more subdued than they look on the website, and I just love a flouncy skirt!

Leggings from American Apparel, denim jacket is thrifted, I made the scarf, and the navy blue cardi and navy blue beaded necklace you can't see are both thrifted.

Coming soon: pics of the tulle skirt I made, inspired by this one from Chan Luu:

L. L. Bean

2010-02-27T12:47:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, I can't think of L. L. Bean without thinking of the episode of Sex and the City where Carrie et al are talking about who they fantasize about while masturbating. They goad Charlotte into telling them who she thinks about, she says it's just one man, and Carrie asks, "L.L.Bean?" but really it's Trey, which makes everybody sad. So L.L. Bean makes me sad, or something. But they do a great job of making preppy basics and nautical stuff. And, most importantly, they make them in sizes up to 3X! Those sailboat prints on the ends could be great on a very dramatic big girl, and those two middle numbers are basically perfect classic pieces.

Gotta have faith

2010-02-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

...Faith 21, that is. I finally girded my loins for the flourescent lighting, insanely lout music, and teeming masses of women a decade or two younger than me and took myself to the Faith 21 section of Forever 21 at the Mall of America. It was hard, but I was glad I did, because I got this brightly striped dress that I am loving like mad.

I wore it with a boatneck tee from American Apparel underneath because it's too cold to really be wearing a paper thin cheapy dress here. Also featured are my oxford shoes that I bought off ebay that were described as "Vintage 90s". Oh dear me, I am ancient.

I also went to Old Navy because I had a $25 gift card, thanks to diligent ad clicking on Mypoints.com. They let you earn points for visiting sites, and more points if you buy something. I mostly just buy stuff I was going to get anyway (like diapers!) and let the points accrue. I was able to pick up this dress for $15/free, and a couple of other things, too! I highly recommend this dress (here), with the caveat that it seems to run a size or two bigger than stated. I was swimming in the XXL, and not in a biggie tee cute way, in a baggy shoulders on a boatneck top way.

American Apparel leggings, Target hat, belt and sweater, J. Crew boots. Pardon my unintentional hipster pose.

Eshakti: Killing me with cuteness

2010-02-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

Oh, Eshakti, how you torment me with your adorable clothes.

I have purchased several things from this company in the past, to mixed results. I usually like the way the item looks, but the quality of fabric and the fit is not always great. Still, they do standard sizes up to 26W, and will custom-size anything on the site for $10 more. That's pretty good. So if you are looking for something anthropologie-esque, but cheaper (and lower quality), or just anthro-esque in your size if you are size 14+, Eshakti's your man (or whatever).

Right now, I am in love with this tiered, cors et-style dress. They run out of stuff fast, which I learned when I lusted after a dress that looked just like this but in a printed denim, and a yellow and white ticking fabric:

I also love this banded waist dress, this low-cowl, tulip-shaped dress looks promising for someone who wants to amp up the curvalicious factor, and this polka-dot top just slays me. Somehow I feel like it evokes this Spanish, pop-art, Almodovar film aesthetic that I am really into right now.

Anyone else jonesin' for some Eshakti?

Dirty Mother

2010-02-20T17:07:00.001-08:00

Last weekend I had a hankering for something sweet and boozy, but was too cold and lazy to leave the house in hunt of it. I had a bottle of Kahlua and a bottle of brandy left over from a very ambitious holiday baking season, and recalled that at Christmas I mixed the two in a hot cocoa to kick-ass effect.* Too lazy to make hot cocoa, and remembering that my sister had told me she made a great White Russian with this raw Jersey-cow-only milk (yes, we're that kind of foodies) and some fancy prairie vodka. And so was born what I thought was an original cocktail: Brandy, Kahlua, and (very creamy) milk. Turns out, this is already a drink . A brandy and Kahlua is called a Dirty Mother. Add milk and it becomes a Dirty White Mother. I shit you not.

So I will share my delectable drink with you here:

The Dirty White Mother

3 parts brandy (I used E&J, but you can swank it up or dress it down as you will)
1 part Kahlua, or whatever coffee liqueur is handy
Milk or cream

Mix brandy and coffee liqueur in an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes. Stir. Pour milk on top to fill.

This would probably be just as good strained into a martini glass!

*I have since learned that this drink is called a Ski Lift.

Babies 'R Us Expedition

2010-02-20T06:44:00.001-08:00

Skirt: H&M via Re/Dress in NYC
Blue top that is actually a dress: Eshakti
Grey cardi: The Limited, via Crossroads Trading Co. aaaaages ago
Wool ribbed tights: Marcmarcs via Ebay
Boots: Diba
Necklace: Target
Lipstick: Chanel, "Pink Accent"

What I wore to be that crazy woman wearing leather boots in the snow. And to make a rare trip to Babies 'R Us a couple of weeks ago (YIKES). Potholes from hell! I always laugh when I go there because they really play on your fears of being a bad mommy with their insane contraptions and geegaws. Ethically-harvested hardwood potty seat, anyone?

Pancakes

2010-02-18T12:32:00.000-08:00

I wore this to a benefit pancake breakfast last weekend:

Top: Dorothy Perkins
Pants: Tripp twill skinny pants via Buffalo Exchange
Sweater: Target
Shoes: Simple eco-sneaks

I rarely post pictures of myself in sneakers, but let's face it: I wear them a lot more than I used to. These eco-friendly cousins of the ubiquitous Converse version are my usual pair, but I also love my weird suede and canvas beige New Balance sneakers.

While I was out wearing this, I was approached by someone who recognized me from my outfit posts on the Fatshionista! Livejournal community. This is the second time that has happened to me, and both times it was within blocks of my house. Flattering or creepy? Both? I am not gonna lie, I was totally flattered. It made me want to make good on a suggestion an online friend made that I get my husband a tshirt that says, "My Wife is a Fashion Icon" (context: we were discussing seeing Iman in a Bowie shirt on Project Runway Canada). Not sure he'd wear it, though.

The chambray dress

2010-02-12T12:57:00.001-08:00

So elsewhere when I posted this dress someone remarked that she couldn't look at it without think of Super Mario's brother, Luigi. She does have a point there...

Dress: Target via the magical Salvation Army, $10
Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft, purchased secondhand, $5
Leggings:American Apparel via ebay, $9
Boots: J. Crew via Jeremy's in Berkeley, remixed, $19
Beret: Target, via the magical Salvation Army, $3
Earrings: H&M, $3

*I will posting some backlog outfits over the next few days, so bear with me if you have seen these before somewhere...

Old Navy Maternity Sale

2010-02-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

Old Navy has all their maternity stuff on sale right now, and free shipping on maternity and kids' stuff with code ONGIVE50. I am loving this striped dress, available in XL and XXL and in the fill range of sizes in solid colors. Would look cute on the non-pregnant as well!

And speaking of Scottish things...

2010-02-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Rest in peace, Alexander McQueen. You brought a show to the catwalk that indicted England for the Highland Clearances, and you made me want to wear some crazy-ass shit. And you were a blue collar kid who made his high art dreams come true. You are gone far, far too soon.

Gabourey Sidibe on Craig Ferguson

2010-02-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

Apropos of nothing, but I adore her, and I adore Scottish accents, and she really has the best interview repartee I have ever seen from a young actress. Enjoy!

An outfit

2010-02-10T20:20:00.001-08:00

I wore this today to the aquarium at the mall with my very crabby two-year-old.

This is the epitome of what I have been wearing this winter. Boots? Check. Ambiguous tunic/dress type of dealy-do? Check. Wool sweater and a jaunty cap? Check and check. Belt optional.

I'm in love with this hat that I found in Austin while visiting my awesome friend Rudy. It looked good on both of us, but he graciously allowed me to purchase it. I usually don't like caps, but this one has the cutest little brim:

The dress/tunic (it has pockets!) is a color that I always am drawn to, but feel like it washes me out, especially in winter, so I like to pair it with darker colors. I am quite fond of finding ways to wear colors that are not "good" on me. How about you? Do you like to be "bad" and wear another season's colors?

Outfit details:

Dress: Gap via Re/Dress Consignment store in NYC
Sweater: Target via the magical Salvation Army, aka Target's year-round garage sale
Leggings, Belt and Earrings: Target
Boots: J. Crew via Jeremy's in Berkeley, CA
Hat: 1940s jockey cap via Protoype Vintage in Austin, TX

Long time no see

2010-02-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hi all (if there's more than one person reading this!),

I am going to make a stab at reviving this blog with a slightly different format. I will still proffer my style tips, but it will be more general in nature and include lots of outfit shots! I will start with a backlog of outfits and fill in new content as I come up with things.

Long time no see (for blog) by lowbudgetdiva

Items in this set:
eShakti Silk dress comes in sizes 0 to 26W and custom sizes, $60
Women's Mossimo® Kady Boots - Cognac : Target, suitable for wider calves, $30
Judith Jack - Amarillo Marcasite/14K Gold Vermeil Brooch (Antique..., $135
(3-Pack) Cotton Spandex Jersey Legging, American Apparel, $78

There will still be plenty of info about maternity and nursing clothes and fashion that might be particularly useful for the plus-size-wearing mama, but the focus will be more on showing some of the style solutions I have come up with in my day-to-day. I hope you find something you like!

"Go-to" Outfits 1: Tunic, leggings and flats

2009-04-13T07:02:00.002-07:00

Every mom, and really every woman, needs her "go-to" outfits. When you are a new mom, and you feel like nothing you wore pre-pregnancy fits, but you can't bear the thought of putting on your maternity clothes again, this concept becomes that much more vital.

I just want to share a couple of my favorite combinations, all of which are plus-friendly, all of which will give you a finished look that works in multiple venues. Here is the first outfit in this series...

Tunic, leggings, and flats. Easy, easy, easy, this combo has the added bonus of being relatively cheap, if you want it to be. My favorite thing about leggings and tunics is they are relatively seasonless. It took me a while to come around to leggings, having worn them in the 80s (with the stirrups? yup), but they are the most forgiving fashion trend ever (if done well).

The trick to doing this well is to get a tunic that is mid-thigh or longer (a short dress also works), and leggings that go all the way to the ankle. It keeps the leg looking long, but doesn't reveal too much around the booty. I recommend wearing flats with a rubber sole; they're just that much easier to walk in. You could also try converse-style sneakers, especially if your tunic is made of a more-casual material like cotton jersey. Speaking of which, the more cotton in the legging, the better.

Those spandex jammies tend to hug the leg in a less flattering way, plus it's like wearing pantyhose, which I avoid like the plague if at all possible.

For the tunic, the key is to get something that drapes over the stomach, but isn't so billowy that it looks like a tent. Because I have a large bust, I try for something that is fitted there and then falls away from the body. The thinner the fabric the better. You want it to come off as light and airy. I also find that a nice print on top, or a funky necklace can add a personal touch to this look. I stick to plain, dark neutral leggings (okay, black), but if you feel like you can rock a printed one, go to town.

Some great tunic options here (keep in mind that, because a lot of these styles are meant to be oversized, you can always look a size or two down from your regular size):

This one from Old Navy is cheap and comfy looking, but still very cute. This one from SWAK is styled like a traditional Indian Kurta. This one is made by a women's cooperative in India and goes to a 4X (and they have lots of goodies in plus sizes, worth a look if you are of the boho persuasion). This Gap dress goes to size 20, and is on sale at their website. I love this buffalo plaid one from missphit!

For leggings try:

Target

Roaman's

American Apparel: I wear their XL leggings and wear a 16W pant. I think someone who wears an 18W or possibly even 20W would fit these.

Try any department store that sells a lot of plus sizes--Sears, JC Penney, Kohl's, Wal-Mart, etc.

ETA: check out my polvore set of plus-size tunics!

2009-04-13T07:02:00.001-07:00

Nursing...in style?

2009-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

Finding plus-size nursing clothes and bras is next to imposssible. But you can figure something out if you get creative. Keep in mind when you are searching a site that nursing bras are frequently listed under the maternity section. I found that wearing a camisole under a tshirt worked as a makeshift nursing top. You just yank up the cami and yank down the tee. It's a lot cheaper than a nursing top and works nearly as well. Bonus: get a cami with a shelf bra and wear it with your bra for added lift.

Here are a few sites where you can find nursing bras:

Motherwear. There plus-size section is actually pretty large, but they only go up to a 3X. I thought this style shirt was nice, this tunic (I will be singing the praises of the tunic for the plus mom later) looks pretty good, this cami is rather pretty, this embroidered tunic looks great for summer days in the park, and this 3/4-sleeve wrap top would be particularly flattering. For bras, the pickings are slim. They have four styles and go up to a 46H. Not of the styles are available in the full range of sizes, though, and they only offer one underwire option. My experience has been that soft cup styles do not provide enough support for me at a range of sizes from 40F-44DDD.

Bravado Designs. They offer nursing tanks (which have a built-in bra) and bras; their largest size is equivalent to a 46G. I own this one, and it is very comfy. The problem is that it's not the most, er, uplifting.Also try searching for Bravado bras on Google as they are sold on a lot of sites and the prices vary dramatically.

BiggerBras.com. Click on "style" on this site and choose maternity and nursing. This site has a wide array of bras, and includes a time-saving feature where you scroll over the picture and it tells you all available sizes. I spotted sizes up to 48H, and there may be higher sizes. They seemed to be having a big sale when I looked, so definitely check them out. Carry Goddess, Anita, Fancee Free and more.

Some more sites for nursing bras:

Decent Exposures. This is a strange little company out of Seattle that sells bras, underwear, nursing bras, and things like unitards. It's like a totally unhipster version of American Apparel. A lot of there stuff is made from organic cotton, and many items come in sizes up to 6X. I haven't ordered from them before, so I can't really speak to quality or sizing, but they seem to have very good customer service policies, so may be worth a try. Their nursing "UnBra" doesn't look that supportive, but it comes in sizes up to 54L, is made of organic cotton, and comes in a huge range of colors.

Pickles and Ice Cream. Most heinous name for maternity and nursing wear site ever, but carry at least one bra in a 50L. Direct link to that bra is here. They also sell bra extenders.

Ann's Bra Shop. Small but good selection of larger sizes.

MomShop.com. Terrible interface, but a few good bras.

For the crafty among you, there is always the option of converting your regular bra into a nursing bra. (Thanks to a member of Livejournal community Fatshionista for the link!) I discovered some of these sites by persuing Plus-Size-Pregnancy's Nursing Bra page. This page offers a wealth of nursing info for plus-size moms, but a lot of the links are out of date. Still worth a look, though.

Anyone have some nursingwear sites you want to add?

Finding Jeans That Fit (your lifestyle, budget, style)

2009-03-31T12:50:00.000-07:00

Finding a great pair of jeans is a quest that challenges most women, not just moms, plus-size women, or any other way you want to slice up the female demographic. I find that my jeans collection is like a living, breathing entity: ever evolving, constantly being reevaluated for comfort, function, and style. Right now I have in my possession the following pairs:

Old Navy bootcut sweetheart rise, dark wash, size 14 L
Old Navy skinny high rise, dark wash, size 16 R (like these but with a high waist)
Banana Republic straight leg, dark wash, size 16 R
Old Navy skinny sweetheart rise, RED, size 14 R (kinda like these, but not as cute)
Z Cavaricci skinny mid-rise, antique wash (kind of a grey wash), size 16 R (similar to these)
Mossimo for Target bootcut, dark, size 18

You might notice that the sizes are all over the place, and that I have a pair of long inseams.The funny part: the BR jeans are a bit tight, and the Mossimo ones dig in at the waist. The ON 14s are snug when I first take them out of the dryer, but are almost too loose after a couple of hours! So, clearly sizing is not to be trusted.

Further complicating things for me, my body shape changed dramatically after having a baby. I went from more or less an hourglass to something our good friends over at Igigi call a Figure Eight which I take to mean I have a sorta-defined waist and my hips are mostly the same width from high hip to low. Which means my pants are always falling down. This is a problem when I take my little girl to the library story hour and have to lunge across the floor to prevent imminent injury by flying projectiles of various kinds, or when I have to stoop to pick things up that my daughter has removed from our grocery cart to the floor. I have come to appreciate the allure of mom jeans after a few dozen public hike-ups. Not that I am willing to go there, just, y'know, they seem to stay on and stuff.

Conventional wisdom says you should try on dozens of pairs until you find ones that fit. Well, that is a great thing to do if you have the time (and energy!), and also if you are fortunate to wear a size that is readily available in stores. Another option, if you can afford the initial price tag, is to order a bunch of styles online and try them all on at home. This works best if you order from a place that offers flat-rate shipping and has a bricks and mortar store where you can return the items that don't work (or work, but you can buy cheaper elsewhere, like ebay), or sites that offer free shipping both ways.

One great site that offers free shipping both ways is MyShape.com. You have to create an account with them, which involves giving them your measurements (and we're talking wrist circumference, knee to floor length, you name it), but in exchange you get $15 off your first order with the code WELCOME15, the aforementioned free shipping, and customized shopping based on what they have in your size. I got the Z Cavs this way, which are my best fitting jeans. They also offera limited selection of Svoboda premium denim, which are difficult to find in stores; this is the only place I know of that sells them who also offers free shipping. If you have another source, please let me know!

Another decent possibility is to order from the Old Navy/Gap/BR mega machine, where you pay 7 bucks for all you can eat, er, buy. The only trouble you might run into in this case is that most of the plus-size items on ON's site say they are "return by mail only," which means you will be paying $6 for the return shipping. Boo. Gap and Banana items don't have this issue, but they only go up to 20 and 16, respectively. They do seem to have a semi-permanent "free shipping when you include an item from Piperlime" offer, so if you are in the market for some shoes, you can save this way. Some pairs that look promising include the bell bottoms from Gap and the classic rise boot-cut jeans from Old Navy. Gap's Curvy Boot Cuts might work for those with a more defined waist, but I generally steer clear of anything in Old Navy's low rise jeans because I like to keep my butt inside my pants when possible.

Levi's has a similar return policy to Old Navy and Gap, but the difference is you can return most items to a Levi's store. Just remember that this does not include the jeans section of a department store that sells Levi's, but a Levi's-only store. They offer a small selection of plus-size jeans. Anyone who is familiar with their styles, please comment on the quality and cut. Sears sells many of the plus Levi's, and is a great place to look for sales.

I made this polvore set of some cute pairs out there.

Anyone else have great jeans sources?

First Contact

2009-03-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

Playground Wear - by lowbudgetdiva on Polyvore.com

Welcome to Big Mamas, a blog for plus-sized fashion for moms!

In my obsessive scouring of the internet for plus-size fashion blogs, I observe a noticeable absence: style for plus-size moms. I don't think your style should be dictated by having children, but neither do I think you can ignore the challenges of wearing heels or silk blouses on the playground. So an element of practicality is in order for a lot of us. I see this issue addressed well in blogs for straight-sized moms, and some of these blogs even occasionally feature special entries on plus sizes. Which is all great, but it leaves me wanting more.

Out of this void springs my new blog. Here you will find tips on where to shop, how to find the best fit, suggestions on styles that are well-suited to the lifestyle of the hip, plus-size mom with a messy kid in tow. I aim to offer a mix of stock photos from online retailers, collages I create in Polyvore, and live photos of myself and willing volunteers. This last is important to me because I think that for plus women, even more than for many (but not all) straight-sized women, it is essential to see how a garment looks on a real body, and one close (or, at least, closer) to one's own size. Not only does this give you an idea of how you might reasonably expect to look in an item, but it also goes a long way to correct the fashion world's dysmorphic vision of how a woman should look. But that's a soapbox for another day.

That brings me to the last thing this blog is about: presenting images of plus-sized women, and widening our perspective on what is beautiful, stylish, and, really just "normal." The oft-quoted statistic that the "average U.S. woman...wears a size 14" could be combined with figures about women's sizes at various stages of their lives. A recent study showed that women over 36 have, on average, measurements larger than a size 14. It would be interesting to see what impact motherhood has on a woman's shape.

What you will not find on my blog is any discussion of weight loss, updates on the hottest trends, or parenting advice or opinions about various parenting styles. These topics are amply covered elsewhere, and don't interest me much. I might mention trends, but I feel as a woman over thirty that grabbing onto each new thing is not really on my radar anymore. I tend toward a mix of classic and fashion forward, borrowing from trends only if they seem like a fit to my lifestyle.

I hope you find something of interest here!