my favorites this week

Vintage floral denim.
(Forever 21+)

Leggings
(Forever 21+)

Oxfords
(Urban Outfitters)
(Also found, for cheaper, on Forever 21's website)

In case you're noticing a pattern, I do a lot of my shopping at Forever 21 and 21+'s website (dear Forever 21, you should install 21+ sections in all of your stores). This is because Forever 21 is relatively cheap but still good quality clothing, not to mention they have a ridiculously wide range of styles. I highly reccommend their 21+ website. If I ever post something expensive, like those oxfords above ($59 at Urban, I believe), it's because I wish I could have it. I'll try to stick to inexpensive things. If you look hard enough, I bet you could find everything you need at Target or Wal-Mart. Certainly you can find it thrifting!!

anchor's away!

Today being a holiday, I spent the day with my lovely aunt. I've never worn this outfit before, and I'm pretty proud that I discovered it today.

Let's talk about a few things here. First, the leggings. It's funny that I wear leggings at all, because in third grade, I moved to a new state and joined a new school, and my mother was still pretty much dressing me at this point, and I wore big sweatshirts and stretch pants and all through elementary school I was made fun of for the stretch pants. And now, here I am. And not looking too bad, if I do say so myself. Take that, Hanby Elementary third grade class of 1998!

Leggings are in, and while they don't do much to hide the thighs (you pretty much can't get more naked while still wearing clothes), they do smooth them out. If you want to downplay your tummy or butt, never wear leggings with a short shirt. Always wear something long, like a cardigan or tunic. Here's a good rule:

TIP #1: If you're going tight on the bottom, go baggy on the top. You don't want to look too constricted. This also works in the reverse--you don't want to look like you're drowning in your outfit.

And now for my favorite accessory: the belt. My hips and chest may be astronomical, but between them, I've got a tapered waist. But no one's going to know if I just let my clothes hang over it. Wearing a belt up high on your waist will accentuate the curves in a really flattering way.

how to be curvy

I have a confession to make. Whenever I hear a skinny girl say, 'I don't know what to wearrrr!", the same thing always pops into my head. 'Just grab something and put it on.' I mean, really, it's hard to look bad when you're a size two. It's certainly possible, but it's a lot easier to look fantastic when there isn't an ounce of unwanted poundage anywhere on your body.

For girls with curves, finding the right clothes is a little bit tougher. You have to know your body and be honest with yourself. Maybe my weak spot is my tummy--should I pull on one of those crop-top t-shirts that Forever 21 says are so hip right now? No, no, no. But maybe I have a rockin' waist--so I should learn to show that off, with a belt maybe? If you know what you like about yourself, you can learn how to dress to your strengths. And that's where I come in.

First things first, leave your self-loathing at the proverbial door. Every girl beats herself up about certain parts of her body, even the size twos. It's not healthy and you know it!!! So why do it? I spent years hating my body, and you know what? Now that I love my curves, and have that confidence, I'm getting ten times the compliments I ever got when I was ashamed of myself. People don't care about that pound you gained as much as you think they do. It's certainly not going to keep them away. What will keep people away is a girl with no self confidence.

I'm writing this because I love getting dressed in the morning. I love picking out clothes and walking out the door knowing I look cool. And I feel like way too many girls have given up on ever feeling that just because they don't think they can ever look as good as the gorgeous celebrities or that popular girl in their school.

(If this is you, just Google 'actress without makeup'. It'll make you feel a lot better. :) )