Hot Mama
No, LITERALLY
I did a 3-look photo shoot last Friday. It was 8am and 39 degrees when we started. I had on no coat and no socks (per usual). I’d just done my hair and it was so so good, but by the second look it was curling up (I create my own little steam-room) and by the third look my hair was DRENCHED. I don’t even really want to use these pictures but beggars can’t be choosers, so here is me on December 14, SWEATING. Hair soaked, makeup washed away. I AM QUITE THE PRO FASHION BLOGGER!
Also, when I went to change from look 2 to look 3, I discovered that the restrooms in the park are locked for the winter. I can (and did) change my top in the car…but I’m not thin or agile enough to get in and out of jeans in the backseat. So…this was not the intended look, and you’re gonna be seeing a whole lot of my black skinny jeans over the next few weeks! I also forgot to put on my earrings. BUT – the show must go on, as they say. I just wanted to get these pictures in the books and move on and forget this ever happened.
Town is All Decked Out for the Holidays
But I’m keeping it casual in a comfy brushed cotton button-down and super-soft ocher chenille cardigan (I believe you saw this almost exactly a year ago here). The black and white plaid blouse has a thin line of light spicy brown that goes so well with this cardigan and the chestnut one from last week. It’s a great shape for my body type, sort of boxy. The “plus” is more in the width than the length, which seems to be the case for many plus size brands I try lately. I’m fat not tall!!!
I had to make a pit-stop in the middle of shooting for an ice coffee. The diner felt like the gates of hell to me and I had to get out asap and take a break in the cool air!
I did a little shopping in town after we were all done with pictures. It’s so nice to have little independent shops for finding unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. Though I do need to run into Hell on Earth (aka Home Depot) to get a gift card for my daughter who wants plants for the balcony at her new place in CA. Maybe I can get it at CVS. RELIEF!!!
Side Note
Remember in the 70s (those of you who remember the 70s) the Rolaids TV campaign that was “How do you spell RELIEF?” and the sufferer would spell it as “R-O-L-A-I-D-S” ? And then there was a story that schoolchildren were spelling the word “relief” wrong on the spelling tests because they were spelling it “rolaids” ?? I never knew if I actually believed that story. Seemed a little gimmicky to me. These days it would be made into a meme and pass around the world via social, but back then all we had to rely on was THE NEWS. Anyway. Just thought of that. Squirrel.
If you celebrate the upcoming holidays, are you ready for them? I still have a little more shopping and wrapping to do. My daughter and I are “doing” Christmas on the 23rd cuz she’s only going to be home for a few days. So I need to hustle and finish up!
Don’t you love the pet store window?
What I’m Wearing:
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- Ava & Viv/Target Chenille cardigan, size 2x. Old. Comparable here and here in plus size and here and here in straight sizes.
- BP/Nordstrom black and white plaid blouse, size 4x. Sold out. Comparable here and here in plus size and here and here in straight size.
- Old Navy plus-size high-rise Rockstar super skinny jeans, size 22. With whip and chocolate drizzle.
- The love of my life Adidas Cloudfoam trainers. Old. Comparable here and here. Hey Santa!
- A New Day/Target tortoiseshell sunglasses.
I also wanted to share some other bloggers that were featured on Links a la Mode, I know I’m always looking for new and interesting blogs to follow, you might find one here!
Links à la Mode, December 13th, 2018
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- A Girl in LA: What to Gift A Friend (No Matter How Long You’ve Known Them)
- Adorned in Armor: Beauty Guide: The Best Ulta Holiday Gift Sets 2018 (THE BIGGEST ULTA HAUL)
- Fashion to Live: Armature Works 1st Annual Tree Lighting: Striped Jumpsuit + Vegan Leather Heels
- Fashion Schlub: My Favorite Fall Outfit
- Have Clothes, Will Travel: Wearing a Floral Dress for the Holidays
- Stylefullness: How Parisian Fashion Bloggers Brace Themselves For Winter
- Elle is for She: Christmas Decor 2018
- Sifa’s Corner: 7 Quick Beauty Steps to Follow When You are the Host of a Party
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SPONSOR: Shopbop
Photography by Robert Mitchell Photography
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
Nancy
Ha ha ha, you always make me laugh! He, and we are wearing the same cardigan today! Enjoy the 23th!
bettyewp
Ha ha, it’s cuz we’re so SPICY!
xoxo
Debbie from Illinois
I think your hair looks great! 😃💕
bettyewp
Well, you’re very sweet.
xoxo
Clover
Ha! You’re funny! I love this! I too, am my own little steam room, and it’s a bit daunting sometimes—-I’ll be feeling all pulled together and maybe even chic, then catch a glimpse of myself and will be stunned at how *opposite* of pulled together and chic I look. Sweaty, irritable, and frazzled maybe…
Anyway, you look pulled together and chic, despite your steam!
bettyewp
Yeah, I really need like 30 minutes to cool down after showering and doing hair stuff…preferably in front of the air conditioner. No matter what the temp is outside! And I *rarely* plan for that sort of extra time, so…I’m usually a mess, ha ha!
julia
So, even though those were not the intended pants they work really well with the outfit. We are actually celebrating Christmas with the four of us tomorrow since that is the only time we will all be together. It’s not hard to do Christmas here b/c I only have to buy for three people and two of those people want cash! Easy!
And changing in the car? I hate it but it is a bloggers life! I hear others complain about it too so it’s not just us small timers either.
You know, you could have told us you were caught in the rain and we’d never be the wiser!
bettyewp
Ha, not the intended pants, but the thing is I would up in the same pants for all three looks. At least I was able to put on my comfy sneaks after the other two outfits, didn’t need the potty for that!
I always THINK, far out, that Christmas shopping will be easy peasy. I have one kid, no significant other – how much could there be to buy? But then I remember I exchange actual gifts with the other two girls in my office and do little sumthinsumthins for like a dozen other people at work, because they all give something, even if it’s just like chocolates or cookies…and then I go to the ex’es for Christmas Eve and my 8 nieces and nephews are there and I always feel like THAT aunt who puts $5 in an envelope for each of them, but…it all adds up! I *wish* I could do more, but. And now the child has A Guy who MIGHT be the one, so I want to do a LITTLE something for him – HOLY CHRISTMAS, BATMAN!!!
Oh, I have no problem – mentally – changing in the car – I sometimes just get changed standing up OUTSIDE the car. I always feel like if someone is getting their jollies from seeing ME in my bra, YOU’RE WELCOME. But some things require “fat lady gymnastics” to get in and out of and nobody needs to see that!
xoxo
jodie filogomo
Hah…that happened to us too, we thought we’d change in the park restrooms a month or so ago, and they were locked. We sometimes change in a restaurant’s bathrooms if we are going to eat there afterwards. But’s it’s a challenge. Especially for my mom who is 80.
And just so you know, that’s my hair all the time!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Your hair is soaking wet with sweat all the time??
Sometimes we have the luck of having a Starbucks on the “shoot route,” and I can grab a cup of coffee then feel entitled to use the restroom to change. But otherwise I’m uncomfortable using an establishment’s restroom if I’m not a patron.
How many outfits do you shoot at a time? I usually do 3 at a clip with this photographer, and just one if I can get a friend to do it. Three looks is tough for me, it’s a lot of being “on,” as well as on my feet, and changing, etc. I poop out Really Fast. But 3 is his minimum – he charges by the look with a 3-look minimum. I envy you ladies with InstaHusbands!
xoxo
Judi
LOL. Glad I’m not the only one who goes with no coat or socks. People thinks it’s odd, but I go the entire winter without either. I figure if I’m jumping in and out of the car from home, work, shopping, visiting…why bother. I’m a December baby, so maybe that’s why I enjoy the cold as much as I do.
bettyewp
Yeah, I was never a fan of socks, period. And now they are just SO difficult to get on that I don’t even bother trying anymore. Like you said, I’m usually just going from apartment to car, car to work, work to car, to store, etc. Without a dog I have little to reason to be outdoors for any length of time, unless I’m “walking,” and then I heat up so fast anyway. And stores are SO hot in the wintertime, they’re ridiculous!
So did you just have a birthday or is still ahead?
Judi
My birthday was yesterday. It’s gotten to the point that if I wasn’t aware of the date, I would easily forget it. And I am not even sure what age I am, if you can believe it. I’m not sure I want to do the math.
P.S. Just checked and time has stood still. I thought that last year I turned 56, but I’m (legitimately) that age today. Awesome!
bettyewp
Well, happy belated birthday! I frequently if I’m this age or that. Complicated by the fact that I tend to up my years on January 1, like a racehorse. So, in my mind, I’ll be 59 on January 1, even though my birthday is not til September.
Pauline starsmore
Its so nice to see some independent shops in the towns, I don’t know what its like where you are but our small town high streets are struggling, we don’t even have one bank in our town our libraries are under threat of closing. Marks and Spencers have also gone from some of the larger towns, I suppose it must be internet shopping.
bettyewp
This is really a nice little town. Being right on the water has kept it a destination spot so the stores and restaurants all do well. The nearest Staples and Home Depots are 20 minutes away, so people go to the little old hardware store, etc. It is very sad to see small mom&pop shops failing under the weight of the internet, but AMAZON IS JUST SO DARN CONVENIENT!!!
Have you lived in your town long?
Daenel T.
I kinda want that spelling story to be real because it’s so dang funny.
I think I’ve hit peri-menopause – I turn into a hot mama when I sleep, but the rest of the time? I’m freezing.
Anyway, that sweater is such a pretty color. I like it with the plaid.