Okay, here it is. Brutal honesty. Full disclosure of one of my many inadequacies…
THE STORY
…I am an absolutely ridiculously lazy ass in the summer. I mean beyond all reasoning and comprehension. Don’t get me wrong, I keep the house clean, do the yard work, get groceries and cook dinner and whatnot, but that about covers it. That is basically the sum total of my summertime existence. And you know what? I’m calling bullshit on it. On myself. On my apathetic ways. Enough is enough. Time’s a wastin’.
I always find it harder to do blog posts in the summer. Why is that? I have all the time in the world to get great shots, edit the photos and write. But that is all predicated upon actually putting on some freakin’ makeup. And maybe clothing other than my trusty schlubbing around the house shorts, a tank top and Birkenstocks. I always preach here on the blog that not only do your clothes give the world a clue as to who you are, they first and foremost need to make you feel good. Pretty. Happy with yourself. And if you’re happy with yourself you’re going to be more motivated to go out and get things done. Your life is just a better place to be.
And quite honestly, it’s not fair to my husband. I swear, that man thinks I’m smokin’ hot if I’ve been down with the stomach flu and haven’t showered for 3 days…okay, an exaggeration perhaps, but you get the idea. And before any of you feminist types get your panties in a bunch…”You shouldn’t have to be pretty for a man!”…”Your looks shouldn’t matter!”…blah, blah, blah…Let me just say, I don’t have to be pretty for my man. I want to be pretty for my man. He didn’t sign up for some white trash yard gnome that’s sat out in the weather one too many seasons. He has never complained, not once, nor would he. But I have a problem with it. It goes hand in hand with the whole looking good feeling good thing I’m talking about. If I’m happier, he’s happier and there’s not a damn thing wrong with that.
If 5 days out of 7 you’re wearing clothes not suitable for donation with your hair piled in a messy bun (and not the good kind of messy bun) with not a lick of makeup how happy are you going to be with your little corner of the world? I don’t know, maybe some people would be perfectly content with that, but not me. And while this is by no means a scientific conclusion, I can say with almost 99% certainty that my apathetic summertime clothing choices are directly correlated to my apathetic summertime existence. So no more. Let’s consider it a science experiment. And while I realize I’m only 4 days into a 3 month vacation, I have put on presentable clothes and some makeup and actually did not pull my hair up into a pony/bun every day this week. And you know what? I do feel better about myself. Practice what you preach, right?
THE OUTFIT
This is one of the last of my back stock of outfits from work. I wore this on the last official full day of school. Again, the rebellious 12 year old that resides in my brain wanted to wear an off the shoulder top. How to do that appropriately? Put a vest over it of course. I’ve found that a denim vest is often the solution to a plethora of fashion dilemmas. It adds a layer of light warmth. It can add shape and definition to a shapeless dress. It adds a layer of visual interest. And now I’ve learned that it covers your shoulder just enough wear an off the shoulder top when you shouldn’t. And besides, don’t the little navy blue fluttery sleeves look cute peeking out of the vest? I didn’t want to wear a skirt and I have very limited work appropriate shorts, so lightweight joggers scrunched up to make them capris did the trick.
THE TIP
Just a little tweak here and there really changes an outfit. Scrunch up the legs on a pair of joggers or any pants with an elasticized ankle and you have capris. Throw a vest over a sleeveless top and your shoulders are covered. It’s as easy as that. And seriously, if you don’t have a denim vest, get one.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Off the shoulder top: TJ Maxx (Similar); Joggers: Forever 21 (Similar); Vest: Old Navy (Similar); Sandals: JustFab (Similar)
