Two satisfying shopping finds

Photo Of Ponte knit pencil skirt from Lane Bryant

I did a bit more clothes shopping this weekend, and I made a great find at Lane Bryant- the basic pencil skirt. I have been looking for this simple style in a basic color for a long, long time. It fit me perfectly in a size 18 (happy dance!) and even though I'm 5' 2", it hits me at the top of my knee.  Hooray! I also bought it in heather grey. I like them so much that I may go back and buy them again on faith in a smaller size. I also got two fitted t-shirts, in navy and berry red and a pair of black tights. I hope that they fit well. I can't stand being strangled by hosiery and usually wear stockings. Do you have a favorite brand for plus size tights?

My other purchase was at the grocery store. I tried Fruit 2 Day in Mango peach, and I really like it. I almost didn't buy it, because my husband said it's better to eat your fruit than drink it, but I grabbed it at the last minute. That is a fine philosophy in the summer, but soon I'll be finding nothing but apples and oranges at the store. I know that I'm exaggerating, but as the season goes on, it will feel that way unless I'm creative. Anyway, I was happy with this juice, because it has big chunks of fruit in it. It was really refreshing and ideal for after a workout. At 120 calories, I'm okay with it! Find nutrition information here . Other flavors are Strawberry orange, Cherry grape, Pomegranate blueberry (next on my grocery list) and Pineapple banana (which will never cross my lips; I hate bananas!), plus two special edition flavors yearly.

More Vintage dress temptations from Etsy

Vintage 1940s black bombshell lace Wiggle dress from: Simplicity Is Bliss :

"This is a wonderful 1940s black cocktail wiggle dress. Short mini sleeves with a unique cut for the collar. The material is a blend of lace and texture. Cinched waist for a bombshell hour glass silhouette. There is a very unique gigantic side waist bow. Back metal zipper for closure."

50s Chiffon overlay party dress in hawaiian print from Redux Delux :

"50s fully lined dress in a teal and white Hawaiian print floral chiffon overlay. Gathered rouched front waist, metal side seam zipper. "

Vintage 1930s-1940s dress from Vintage Friends :

"The cafe au lait color cotton print has pale pink and cream flowers and leaves and features 2/3 length sleeves with openwork details, a v-neck with multiple layers of fabric, and soft gathers at the high waist.

Over the hips, front and back, is a diagonal pattern with cream trim, and an A-line skirt with front and back pleats to the hem. There are home-made ribbon like shoulder pads made from cotton fabric and cloth belt loops, but no belt."

Old Hollywood 1930s peach sheer garden party day dress from: Dolly Bird's Vintage :

"This dress...This 1930's long cut on the bias gown is a real original. I've never seen another one like it. Gorgeous puffed sleeves with a slit down the middle that create a super billowy appearance and create a capelet effect at the shoulders. Delicate ruching at the neck and shoulders, front and back and a sweet robins egg blue velvet ribbon detail at the neck. Ties around to the back of the neck with one button and a keyhole opening. Snaps up the center of the back. Beautiful flowers bloom out of the center front of the dress and more pale blue velvet ribbon drapes around delicately to create a belt that snaps in the back. This is one of the most ethereal and glamorous dresses i have ever come across, the colors, the details, the everything! I'm in love...so dreamy. This peach color is my favorite thing about the 20's and 30's. To die for!"

Future Reward Dress

When I hit my first goal of 199 lbs., I've decided to reward myself with a really nice dress. I've had my eye on Kiyonna's lace dresses for some time. This one is their 3/4 Sleeved Scalloped Boudoir Lace Dress. It also comes in black lace with black lining and chocolate with chocolate lining, but I want to go for the glam and get black lace with nude lining, as shown. At $148.00, it is a little spendy for me, but this is a special treat.

You can see the rest of their dresses at Kiyonna:dresses .

Judging from their Size Chart, if I ordered right now, I'd be on the border between a 2x and 1x. When I lose my 11 lbs., I assume I'll be a solid (no pun intended) 1x. I'm getting excited!

Size :

0x: 10 12, Bust 40.5-44, Waist 34.5-38, Hips 44.5-48
 1x : 14 16, Bust 44.5-48, Waist 38.5-42, Hips 48.5-52
2x: 18 20, Bust 48.5-52,  Waist 42.5-46,  Hips 52.5-56
3x: 22 24, Bust 52.5-56,  Waist 46.5-50,  Hips 56.5-60
4x: 26 28, Bust 56.5-62,  Waist 50.5-56,  Hips 60.5-66
5x: 30 32, Bust 62.5-68,  Waist 56.5-62,  Hips 66.5-72

  

What ways, big and small, do you reward yourself for sticking to your healthy lifestyle goals?

True, there is great satisfaction in the changes themselves. I am thrilled with every lb. down for the way that my clothes fit better, or looser, for the way that my body is altering. I'll be going for a check up with my doctor soon, and I hope to see changes in my blood pressure, which will be a huge reward. There is also pleasure in knowing that I'm getting stronger, that I can bike for longer at a higher level without fainting. That I can climb stairs easier and squat to shelve books longer without it hurting. I'm proud when my family and friends compliment me for sticking to my goals.

On a more concrete level, I decided to treat myself with an inexpensive sterling silver charm for every five lbs that I lose. I plan to start three bracelets, one about me, another about Kristian and me, and a third as a story bracelet, with charms representing fairy tales and books I love. These won't be Italian charms or fancy beads, but old school dangly charms like I wore as a girl. So far, I've only bought one, that I got at Hoover Dam on our recent trip to Nevada. But, I have a Storyteller charm from a visit to the Grand Canyon, and  a princess crown studded with marcasite that I've had waiting in the wings.

Dreaming of the dress!

New clothes for the not-as-fat girl

Kristian and I went shopping for some new clothes last weekend. That does not happen all that often, but we were in need. My jeans were just getting too baggy, and he needed some new boots.So, we ventured to Mall of America, aka The Mall of Hysteria. Have you been there? It's incredibly huge and busy and parking there is an art. I usually go to Southdale, but today we pulled out all the stops.

   First we went to DSW and I found the Softspots Aster Mary Janes above. I am thrilled with them! I normally wear a 6 1/2, but these came in my ridiculous real size which is 6WW. I think that they are cute. I love the flower, they have a wedge but not a higher heel, so I can stand in them at work all day, and  they are not open toed or heeled, so I can wear them through 3 Minnesota seasons. Yeah!

Then we went to Lane Bryant, and I bought some daringly small clothes. I guess that I have some body distortion, because you can ask any of my friends and coworkers and they will tell you that I wear my clothes too big. I have this fear of putting all of my tummy rolls on display. However, I had my husband take some photos of me for "Beforish" pictures for the blog, and I was unhappy to see that you couldn't tell that I have a waist, even though I do. So, I decided to trust him and the sales women over my own instincts, at least fit-wise. I got a pair of their petite straight leg jeans. The sales woman was a whiz at looking at me and knowing which pair would look best. I knew I wanted a straight leg cut, because I have relatively slender legs, but I would've gone for the Red size 22 (Lane Bryant has its own jean sizing system). This is supposed to be if you are moderately curvy. She showed me how I could go down to a Red size 20 or try a Yellow size 22. It is a narrower cut, but the material has stretch and actually it looked good on me. The placement of the pockets made my behind look shapely, even though it's really kind of flat. A winner. Then I bought some black trousers. I am 5'2", so they will have to go to the tailor to be hemmed, but I can wear the jeans right now!

Shopping for t-shirts was more of a stretch mentally. I bought four in red, pink, blue and purple. I was shocked to find that the fit of choice was a size 18/20! I've been wearing a 26/28. I was even encouraged to try on a size 14/16, but it was just too clingy for me. Kristian really liked the ones we got, though. He looked at me and said, "you've got curves, baby!" I left the store feeling elated.

The next day I tried on my clothes as whole outfits and did a little fashion show. Then I panicked. What was I thinking buying these fitted clothes? What was Kristian thinking letting me get them? What if people laughed at me or thought that I was mutton dressed as lamb? But, on Monday I wore my purple shirt and my old jeans to work. My coworkers were very nice, and complimented me a lot. Today I decided to be brave and go for it and I'm wearing the shoes, jeans, and red t-shirt. I've had nothing but positive reaction. So...