outfit of the day LeOpArd

Top, borrowed, Forever 21. Shorts, American eagle (5 years ago) 12. Sandals, Target, 25 with gift $$$.

Still lovin' leopard!

Sunday morning church style (PoLkA dOtS)

Shirt, 3, garage sale. Mavi Jeans, 90, Inseam. Shoes, Jessica Simpson via Goodwill ,4.50. Nail polish, Rimmel.

Antique gold bracelets. Top, 33 in Chicago. Middle, family heirloom. Bottom, friendship bracelet.

Outfit for antiques road trip

 Leopard to, Forever 21, and bracelet Forever 21, borrowed from my sister. (PS: Dear T, I am living in them. I may never return them...sorry:/)

Jeans, Mavi, 90 (gift $$$), Birks, 60, eBay. Vintage French Bakelite barrette, .25 at a yardsale.

Small Style (Little Leps) BiRtHdAy sPeCiAl!

Sending a birthday box to Daddy Dog.

Sunsuit, vintage from my aunt. It was hers in the early 60's. Fun fact: she was named after Miss America the year she was born-Sharon Kay.

Dress, Gymboree, 13 with Christmas $$$.

As always, I'm linking up with Morgan for Small Style!

Style Milestones + outfit of the day

Tee, WalMart, 5. Jeans, Gap, 30. Birks, eBay, 60. Ray Ban Wayfarers, gift.

 

Hedge hog ring, nOir via Swirl, 15.

I love the clean lines of this outfit, with the print on the tee for interest. I became of fashion-age in the retro-grunge era, what more can I say? 10 years ago, I would've never shopped at Gap. The tee and ring would have been paired with a pooofy fifties formal skirt, rhinestone chokers and army boots I got at Salvation Army for a buck. So I guess we all grow up sometime, huh?

This actually brings me to another post I've been mulling over: Where I cemented my style along my journey.
In one sense, I've always been different. Otherwise known as unique. Or Not-Like-The-Others, depending on which stance you take on conformity.
In a second sense, in high school I tried a lot of artsy things, mostly inspired by music (still my biggest fashion muse by far).
Third, a few years later I was forced to constantly defend my right to a personal style in a church that was hell-bent on women conforming. I mean vigilante style. I was even told that there would be a dress code posted on the church door due to me. I didn't stick around much longer to find out.

Fourth, I lost myself during my first pregnancy and after my first baby. I was miserable at work, couldn't lose the baby weight and really loathed myself. Which I didn't fully realize until the final stop; now, where I finally feel like myself again. Only more confident and secure. And although I'm still a little heavier than I was before kids, I appreciate the size I am after not being this small for 4 years!

So I've come a long way! But I still like that edge in an outfit. The edge that says "I don't care what you think" even though I am not opposed to looking like a mommy whose stays home and needs to be practical. I'm still me. I was lost, but I am found. And I like me, God made me different and I accept that gift with wide open arms.

But you know what? I have been cut deeply by that church experience. I saw some congregants out in the community tonight, and I'm still shaking, writing this, five hours later. Just SEEING them. It's as though I have post traumatic stress syndrome. I wish that this was not the case, but I am thankful that I have my eyes open. I've learned a lot. I have never been tempted to change to please man, and I have yet to find a Biblical law regarding all women dressing alike. In fact it has only strengthened my belief that God created diversity in nature because He enjoys it.

So after I had Ava, I really felt awful about myself. I think it took me being able to quit my job and really do some spiritual growth to be happy about myself again. About 2 years later, I was trying to find my groove again, but still feeling blah a lot. Finally after Clementine I lost all of the weight and then some! And I feel great. I'm in 8's which I haven't seen in about 6 years, and feel like my GOOD self again! I'm constantly finding inspiration and motivation! It's priceless. And yeah, Obviously I'm still a "creative dresser" which is my sweet spot.

Do you have a style journey and style milestones? Has your style changed drastically or just a bit over the years? Come on, I need to know!

Sunday morning church style

BCBG via TJMaxx, sold to my sister several years ago when I was done, then saved from her Goodwill basket this summer.

Local, Second Street Antiques Mall, 15.

Loreal Rebel Red lip gloss.

 

Top, Goodwill, 3.50. Jeans, Mavi, 90. bought with gift money. My attitude, free and plenty of it;)

Small Style (Little Leps)

 At the fair, dress made from a vintage ladies dress by me. This snap reminds me of Andy Warhol's cow wallpaper and flower series!
Sanals, Old Navy clearance last year, 7. Sunglasses, Disney Store, 3.

 Onsie, Barley and Birch, gift. Sandals, Target, gift.

 amber beads, Pure Comfort (etsy)

Sleeping Beauty costume, borrowed. Lady bug costume, yard sale, 3. Clem and I had a little saleing date Saturday, and she had to have this! She snuggled with it all over town and just loves it. Never let it be said my girls aren't opinionated about their clothes!

 Romper, vintage, 6.

As usual, I'm linking up with Morgan.