Daily Outfit: Cropped

This past weekend, I went to Rooster Teeth Expo for my third year in a row! I don't usually cosplay at this convention - I don't have anything that would fit the genre - so instead I photographed other cosplayers and cute street style. I wanted to wear something cute that would still allow me to roam around the con floor and photograph things easily.

I want to be totally honest with you - wearing an outfit with a crop top, with shorts, as a chubby woman, is totally intimidating. It's not because I'm not confident in my body (even though it's a struggle sometimes) - it's because everyone else assumes that I'm not happy with the body I have. Let me explain...

Almost every time I refer to myself as "chubby," people think it means I think my body is unsatisfactory, but to me, it's just a description. Part of the issue, I think, is that our culture attaches a value to these words. Fitting the ideal is good, existing outside of it is bad. Words like "chubby" or "fat" usually include the connotation of that person having less worth (or self-control, or attractiveness)... but when you believe every body is a good body, then these words lose that connotation.

People always say, "You're not chubby!" But that's just not true. I'm firmly in the "overweight" category of BMI (even though BMI is outdated and incorrect) and I'm definitely not "skinny" or "curvy." I'm on the edge of straight sizing and plus sizing. It's not a debatable fact - chubby is an apt description for my body.

What people really mean when they object to my usage of the word "chubby" is that I'm a valuable person, and that realization is a little heartbreaking. Being chubby and having value as a person are not mutually exclusive, but the way bodies are presented in our culture, it can often seem like the two are at odds with each other.

No, the intimidating part is not my confidence level. It's not that others might see my not-flat stomach, or my rockin' thunder thighs, but rather that they assume I should be embarrassed by my body. I've been told, to my face, that my legs are too pale to wear skirts, that I'm too chubby to wear dresses, that I should never wear shorts.

But at my core, I believe that anyone should wear whatever they want. I believe that dressing in a "flattering" way means concealing parts of your body that others deem less than perfect - and that sometimes, that's not the way you want to dress. And when it comes down to it, I dress for me, not for other people - so I'm going to wear what I want.

Outfit Details

Cardigan: ModCloth | Crop Top: Forever 21 | Shorts: ModCloth

Boots: ModCloth | Necklace: Gift from Peony | Purse: Ebay (Similar)

Do you ever wear clothing you're not "supposed" to wear?

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Forest Frolicking

I'm starting to fall in love with mori girl fashion in a way I've never fallen in love with clothing before. I still adore lolita fashion and won't be giving it up anytime soon, but mori is so much more freeing.

I think my favorite part of mori is the archetype of a mori girl - the nature-loving forest nymph. While there are no true "rules" to this style, thinking of the archetype helps me focus on the feeling I want my outfit to achieve. Floaty, fluttery layers, and a natural, effortless-looking femininity... at least, that's what I aim for! Even in my regular clothing, I'm finding that mori is having more and more of an influence (layers!).

With Kellie, doing our best "solemn street style photo" pose.

The local mori girls hosted a picnic in a park. I wish I had snapped a few photos of the picnic itself, because it was adorable! We brought homemade tea and lemonade in mason jars and delicious cakes. There were even cute paper straws. We got rained on, but luckily it was after the majority of the picnic.

After the rainfall, we trekked into a nearby trail. Everything was green and alive after the rain - perfect for exploring and taking photos!

Another "street style snap" picture.

Outfit Details:

Dress: Anthropologie (old) | Skirt: Thrifted  | Vest: Thrifted

 Lace cardigan: Forever 21 (similar) | Shoes: DSW

Do you ever think about the story behind your outfit?

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Daily Outfit: Peachy Keen

Earrings: c/o Ruche | Necklace: American Eagle (old, similar here) 

Cardigan: Pim Kie (similar) | Dress: ModCloth ($15 off your first purchase) | Watch: Anne Klein 

Bracelet: Jawbone UP | Shoes: Steve Madden (secondhand)

The first day back at school is always kind of tough to dress for. You want to show your professors that you'll be a good student, your peers that you are approachable, and somehow give a hint of your personality, too.

Since my program is a small cohort program, meaning we all take the same classes at the same time throughout the program, we had already met at orientation. It felt like the first day of school came early! By the time the actual first day rolled around, it was a lot less stressful to dress for. Since I just scooped up this ModCloth dress during the recent sale, I wanted to wear it! Pairing it with grey and silver accessories seemed like a no-brainer since there's grey in the print -- my favorite Virgo necklace, new earrings from Ruche, and trusty cardigan to the rescue! I am already envisioning more colorful combinations with this dress.

As I transition into graduate school, I have different needs for dressing. Nowadays, I am not working (except freelance work at home), so no need for office clothes. (I'm celebrating inside!) But now, my transportation of choice is my bicycle, so I need to be aware of that when I make clothing decisions.

Cycling in a skirt has proven to be no problem so far, but shoes and layers are. It's so hot in the Texas summer that when I'm on my bike, my hair is up and my cardigan comes off. These shoes, which are only slightly too big, were also a pain on my bike because they kept trying to slip off mid-pedal. Not cool!

I'm excited to be at a place where I can play with my style. When you work in an environment that dictates your dress code, it can be easy to lose track of your personal style, and I feel like that's happened to me a little bit.

What's your go-to for the first day of school? Or work?

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Eliminating Blog Envy

I didn't realize this post would become about blog envy or the importance of community, but when I sat down to write, that's what came out. I hope you enjoy. More to come -- I have lots of photos to share!

So, I went to a blogging conference.

I didn't know what to expect. I hoped that I would learn a lot and come back with ideas and maybe a friend or two. I thought it would be really cool to see bloggers I've followed for years in person. But honestly, I really had no idea what would happen.

So, all that in mind, I went to Texas Style Council in my own lovely (and stylish) city, Austin. And I was totally blown away.

The event was well-organized, phenomenal, and inspiring. Panels and bloggers I met alike shattered perceptions I had about blogging, inspired or bounced around ideas with me, and left me feeling like a worthy, valuable blogger.

There is a lot of talk about jealousy and envy in the blogosphere (and online in general). It's so easy to get lost in thinking you wish you had something that another girl does, whether it's the free shoes or sponsorships or her body or her hair. Blogging offers a carefully curated, carefully edited snapshot. That's it. It's one moment in someone's life, and the words they chose to share.

In person, however, it's much easier to see the whole picture. People seem so much more real when you see them in person instead of on a screen. They have more depth and more personality. It's a lot easier to hate on a 2-D image or feel like you can't live up to it, but when you meet those Big Bloggers in person? They're just people, and are probably very sweet and humbled that you like their work. Think of how you would feel if someone you didn't know said your writing, or photography, or music, or web design, or whatever really, really resonated with them. Flattered, shocked, a little shy?

I think keeping in touch with your local or national blogging community is the best way to avoid blog envy and jealousy, because you get to see the whole side of someone -- not just what ends up online. When someone seems like a real person in your mind, not just an image on a screen, it's a lot easier to root for them rather than get jealous. One of my new friends, Nicole, talks about the importance of Sisterhood on her blog. It's all about uplifting, inspiring, encouraging others -- but never about tearing each other down.

My biggest lesson this weekend was about the importance of that positive, welcoming community. I met bloggers who blog for a living, some who do it on the side, some who have blogged since the invention of the word, and some who just started two months ago. And more than just  blogging, we were a diverse crowd in terms of taste, size, nationality, blog topics, industries... Everyone was welcome. That's one thing I love about blogging -- it's about real people, unique and varied as they are, sharing their lives. It's about connection. If we wish to thrive in our own ventures, that's the kind of community -- both online and offline -- we need to cultivate.

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Daily Outfit: Collegiate

Manicure in a previous post - click!

Leopard Print Bow: Claire's | Necklace: Forever 21| Cardigan: Target (Similar) 

Top: H&M (Similar) | Skirt: H&M | Shoes: H&M (Similar) 

Nails: China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

I've never lived in the same town as an H&M, and now that I do, I might be a little obsessed. Sometimes I'll walk in and everything will feel cheap and unflattering, but other times I score multiple items at once. All or nothing, there really isn't an in between!

I went shopping in preparation for my Europe trip (I leave tomorrow!) and scooped up this skirt and top. The detailing of this top really sold me. I typically don't go for button-down shirts outside of work-exclusive clothing, but this shirt was gorgeous enough that I didn't even mind. I can picture me wearing it under dresses or sweaters, too, letting just the collar peek out. Definitely a versatile find -- if you have an H&M, I suggest snagging one!

The skirt is also another fast favorite, especially because it is comfortable and fits exactly the way I like. The burgundy-wine color of this skirt is gorgeous, but now of course I'm agonizing if it's a "summery" enough color to wear in the heat. The honest truth of it is my office is freezing, so while I'm wearing sweaters, I might as well wear burgundy. I'm not sure I really buy into the "certain colors for certain seasons" thing, anyway. I love white in the winter, despite the well-known Labor Day rule. It seems like more and more fashion "rules" are becoming outdated.

Do you believe in banning certain colors during certain seasons?

P.S. - How rad is my new back yard? We have a tiny itty bitty baby pond!

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Daily Outfit: Class of 2013

I graduated this past weekend and am now in Disney World with my family! I have a few posts scheduled up for you. Don't forget to enter the giveaway by Wednesday for your chance to win!

I am normally a wordy person, but I think in this case, photos capture the moment better than words ever could. Thank you to all my professors and mentors who believed in me and to my family for being my strongest supporters. I am so shocked I was able to graduate in 3 years (!) and couldn't have done it without my support system.

Honors Convocation

 

Outfit Details:

Shirt: Target | Necklace: The Limited | Belt: Forever 21 | Skirt: ModCloth | Shoes: Target

Commencement

Outfit Details:
Pearls: Gift (they're real!) | Dress: Forever 21 | Shoes: Target
Nails: e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish in Mango Madness

My plans after graduation? Move to Austin, go to Disney World, intern somewhere this summer, and then go to grad school in the fall! 

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