Oh how we love this girl!
It will take some time for things to fully return to "normal" for us but that's OK. We are home and safe and in the end that's all I could ask God for. He is faithful. He is generous. He is good all the time.
Getting dressed for Mass today was a bit challenging. I have been in yoga pants, sweats and flannel shirts for the last four days. Not feeling very feminine either. So today I forced myself to step out of the post-hospital "blues", put on some mascara and give it a whirl. I actually wore foundational garments. I know...I am insane. I really wanted to wear this sweater dress since it was still cold. It requires a foundation...believe me...I did your eyes a favor.
Any time a meno-pausal woman puts on a sweater, it had better be at least 30 degrees outside or else the hot flash train will be riding into the station every twenty minutes. Since the resent cold snap has lingered today, I knew that the timing was right for this sweater dress.
Yes, you may question my sanity.
Yes, this is the ONLY photographic evidence of me dancing on a table.
I am not sure I did the right thing with the accessories. I keep thinking it need a POP of color but was out of energy and ideas when I got to that point. What would you do with this dress? I am open to any and all suggestions.
The outfit is as follows:
Grey Knit Sweater Dress : Pre-holiday Clearance at Macy's (love their coupons!)
Textured Grey/Black tights : Lane Bryant
Black Wedge Boots : DSW (four years ago) I really need new ones but have trouble because I have a rather large calf. Anyone else know where I can find some fabulous boots that accommodate a largerthananygirlshouldhave calf muscle?? Let me know.
Foundational Garments : the miracle of Spanx
Necklace and Earrings : Lane Bryant (at least two years ago)
So there's my outfit. I know. Absolutely ready for my Vogue shoot wouldn't you say? HA! I think not. As for the CurlyHeaded Wonder, she went casual today. She is homebound for the near future and won't be able to go to church until next week. Today we went plaid and stripes, a favorite combo of mine.
Smile : A gift from God!
Jeans : Macy's "Charter Club"
Sweater : Gap (a birthday gift from Grandma G)
Toothpaste stain on Sweater : Courtesy of Daddy.
Plaid Blouse : Clearance at LL Bean
So take a photo and join us won't you? Head on over to FineLinenandPurple and link up. Then you can head over here to Lily Among the Thorns with My Style, Your Style Link up or Watch What I'm Wearing, celebrating modesty and fashion. It's a party!
I love the dress and how you accessorized! Pops of color are great, but I really like the the black.
ReplyDeleteYou both look MAHVELOUS Dahling!!!! Way to style it up! You ROCK!
ReplyDeleteLOVE that you're on the picnic table!!!
ReplyDeleteYou all have been in our prayers. You look great great great!
I forced the dress up today too :)
I wish I could come give you a giant bear hug!!! I spent this weekend with enormously swollen eyes because I stumbled onto your blog and read your story. My husband thinks I am a little bit insane because when he asked with much concern why I was so upset I couldn't even answer because if I opened my mouth no words would come out--only sobs! I can't tell you how much I appreciate how very REAL you are. I remember your story from a letter in the church bulletin just before we moved from NoVa to Chicagoland in June of 2008. I wish I would have known you. I have so much more to say but I think I will just tell you that the "sparkly
ReplyDeleteiridescence" of your beads is a PERFECT substitute for a pop of color!!! :). Know that you are in my prayers....
You look amazing! I just LOVE that outfit. Courtney has the most beautiful smile & curls.
ReplyDeleteBTW: if you ever hear back from your readers about the boots, please let me know...I've been trying to find a pair for years but have a large calf problem, too!
I am AMAZED at how Courtney (and her mom) can look SO healthy and happy after all you've been through.
ReplyDeleteYou make me feel like I'd better dig out better duds and some mascara!
Actually, since today was the start of Catholic Schools Week, and we had open house, I did dig out nicer duds, but I skipped the mascara. Oops. Wore pearl earrings though.
So happy you're all home.
There's a way to search the DSW website for wide-calf boots. Otherwise, I recommend reading reviews. My old ones were Borns, and all the Zappos reviewers recommended them for wider calves.
ReplyDeleteI think the accessories look wonderful against the dark gray. You could probably pair just about anything with that dress, but the length of that necklace under the collar is pretty perfect.
Courtney's layers look cozy and cute!
Mary, I just love, love, love seeing you smile and dance on a table after all you have been through this week! You look so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are on the picnic table. I think the outfit looks wonderful, but your smile is the thing that really brightens the picture.
ReplyDeleteOk, totally love the sweater dress, and the tights and boots...ok...love the whole ensemble. And I'm totally loving Courtney's sweater from Grandma G. They both have great taste!! And that little toothpaste stain from dad just adds that extra little oomph...
ReplyDeleteAww I love both your outfits. Sweater dresses happen to be one of my faves. :) And yay for picnic table poses!
ReplyDeleteJamie
Joy of Truth
You both look lovely! You are a ball of energy, I see! Thank you so much for linking up and for your sweet comment! I hope you keep coming back! :)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Rubi
www.lilyamongthornsblog.blogspot.com
Mary, you look amazing! That dress is wonderful and ain't no shame in rocking the spanx underneath! I agree that color would be fun but the accessories you chose are very classy. That necklace is perfect for that dress. And Courtney looks pretty fab herself :) Prayers for all of you this week!
ReplyDeleteLove the dress! If I were going to tweak (since you asked), I might have had a shorter necklace in a non-blue in the v-neck. (OK, I'd have worn a scarf, you know me!) OR I would have looked for a contrasting color earring. And I might have gone with a contrasting tight just for amusement (like a lighter gray herringbone, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI have some zip-up Naturalizer boots (that also have stretch panels so they look like knock-off Stuart Weitzmans) that I found specifically for a wide calf on Zappos. They have a nice search engine that can narrow things down. And boots are starting to be on sale.
But those are tweaks, the best part of the photos is the patented Mary smile.
Laura
Ooh love that dress and those tights - super flattering!
ReplyDeleteYour WIWS is definitely my favorite!
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit! And I love that you're standing on the table! Great poses! :) God bless you and your family!
ReplyDeleteI have had good luck with a certain style of "slouchy" boots that are meant to bunch up a little around the ankle. (Like this one: http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/80/587/P14701659.jpg) That way, even if the calf doesn't quite fit, there is just a little more bunch at the ankle and the boot hits slightly lower on the leg.
You are in our prayers. You both look amazing! I especially love your sweater dress and the mixed patterns Courtney is wearing!
ReplyDeleteI'm praying for you & sweet Courtney. Glad you are home !
ReplyDeleteJust popping back in to let you know I left a well-deserved blog award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://threeblessingsacademy.blogspot.com/2013/01/blog-of-year-2012-award.html
Ohmygosh, you are SO cute. That dress is beautiful, btw- kind of reminds me of the one I wore this week! I love Courtney's stripes, of course- very bold :-)
ReplyDeleteI like what you did, but if you want an easy pop of color, maybe some bright tights. They're easy to wear w/ a boot/knee-length dress since you don't have to worry about them being too flashy :-)
You're so cute! I love that sweater dress.
ReplyDeleteLadies once again you rock my world. You are awesome with your encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteI have taken notes about the colored tights and the pops of red and pink. ALl fabulous ideas. Thanks.
I also went to look for boots on Zappos. Wow! So many choices. I can't wait!!
Blessings and grace to you all!!
Mary, I am delurking to say I absolutely love this outfit. Personally, I would keep the dress, tights and boots in the same color you have now, because it creates an uninterrupted column of color which is very elongating and slimming. I am not considered overweight per the charts, but I am short with wide hips, and I notice that a column of one color helps me look leaner and longer.
ReplyDeleteTo answer the question about wide calf boots...I have a pair of boots by aerosoles where they have two zippers on each boot. My boots are their less expensive A2 brand. You can zip up one zipper, and leave the second one partially open to give you more room. I never tried this but I think it would look ok. I don't work for the company, just passing this along. scroll down to "extended calf." http://www.aerosoles.com/eng/our-technology/index.cfm
To answer your fashion question: I think a nice pair of eggplant colored tights or leggings would really do what you're looking for.
ReplyDeleteI know you've only been linking up a few weeks but I've just been really drawn to your posts each week. I found myself searching through the links for yours today :-) Your journey with Courtney is so inspirational!