Month in Review: February 2019

Whoosh, February. Am I right?? I feel like I JUST did January Month in review!

So, we all know I moved on February 2 (Groundhog’s Day, which is perfect, cuz it feels like I keep moving over and over and over again), and I’ve spent the past few weeks getting settled in. I got the sofa I wanted and it’s being delivered this weekend…and now I have my eye on a coffee table. I’m still not used to living SO FAR from EVERYTHING but what are you gonna do? In another month I’ll be sitting out on the patio, so there.

I’m almost back up to speed with my blogging schedule and February was a good month for Fashion Schlub – highest views ever! Say hi, all you people out there!

Top 3 Blog Posts in February

The Magical Power of Lists

I share a swingy chestnut poncho top and how lists give me life.

Old & New

I share the oldest and newest items in my wardrobe – and Happy 3rd Blogaversary to me!

Settling In

A little sneak peek around the new apartment in a cozy cardigan from Gwynnie Bee

I was finally organized enough (ha ha ha) and had the time this month to do one of my favorite things – visit other people’s blogs. And I found some new favorites…and some really wonderful outfits.

Favorite Blogger Outfits of February

First is Maddy from Maddy Gutierrez: Style from Park Avenue to the Playground. Her looks are a constant source of inspiration for me. She shares plus size fashion, beauty and lifestyle…and has the most darling little boy! I first came across Maddy when she was a fit model for Gwynnie Bee. In addition to showing the outfits on professional models, they also show them on plus size fit models. And Maddy, though taller than me, has similar proportions, so I liked when she was modeling an item because I could really get a sense of whether it would work on my body. Anyway, when I saw this outfit I died a little bit…in a good way…because I liked it That Much! Plus, I have a very similar duster cardigan, so Almost Done! It’s so simple but with enough contrast in the color palette to make it interesting. And it’s such nice gentle tones for the approaching spring, without being all ***SPRING*** up in your face.

Next is Brenda Kinsel: Fashion and Style Expertise for the Modern Woman. I’m sure many of you are already familiar with Brenda and her intelligent posts about style and fashion, as well as the books she has written on the same topics. What I am always drawn to is her modern, artful look. I’m currently on the hunt for a dress for our dinner gala later in March…and when I saw this navy dress and crinkly duster it became Outfit Goals. It’s sleek without being hard…and interesting without being eccentric. Definitely read the post where she does a style exercise based on the dress. Try it yourself with one of your outfits!

Third is Andrea of Blue Hydrangeas.  I’m smitten with this transitional winter to spring look of pretty pink coat, pale grey knit sweater and white jeans. As you know I have a deep deep love for white jeans in winter with dark knits, but I think it’s time to start moving to some lighter hues as the weather turns warmer (Hear That, Universe?). This look is so lovely to me – I’ve always loved pink and grey combined and I like that this is a true pink, not a desaturated blush pink. It’s full-on springtime. Andrea shares beauty and lifestyle posts as well as fashion for petite women.

And finally (yes, fourth of three!) is Noelle Downing of Noelle’s Favorite Things. I’ve followed her on Instagram for ages and don’t know why I never thought to check if she had a blog (she does). And it (and she!) is delightful! While I was on vacation I fan-girl obsessed over all her social platforms (she is also on YouTube) and liked five million things and I was afraid when I reached out to see if I could share one of her pictures on my blog that she would think I was a psycho-stalker.

Here is my favorite look of hers from February. I mean, come on! At first I thought the blouse was polka dots, but no, it’s little hearts! Then I love the chestnut denim instead of the usual blue (like I would have worn!) and the burnt orange cardigan…and the braided headwrap…and those yummy cognac flats (I might have to have them). I love it all. Don’t you?? Unfortunately, I didn’t hear back from Nicole when I asked permission to use her picture here on my blog (maybe she DID think I was a crazy stalker!), but I hope you’ll follow the link and take a look at the outfit.

What I read

Not so much with the reading this month as I was a tad busy, but I did listen to a wonderful book on Audible called Songs of Willow Frost by Jamie Ford. This is the third book of his I’ve read, and while I’ve enjoyed them all, this was my favorite.

From Amazon, “From Jamie Ford, author of the beloved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, comes a much-anticipated second novel. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Seattle, Songs of Willow Frost is a powerful tale of two souls—a boy with dreams for his future and a woman escaping her haunted past—both seeking love, hope, and forgiveness.” I recommend.

What I Watched

Paddleton: This is a new Netflix movie starring Ray Romano (who I’ve loved in everything BUT Everybody Loves Raymond!) and Mark DuPlass. It is quiet, sad, sweet and quirky. All my favorite things. If those are your favorite things too, do watch.

The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society: Another Netflix movie, based on a New York Times besteller. It was a good story, well acted. Plus, Michiel Huisman. Trust me. I hear he’s also in something called “Game of Thrones”?? 🙂 I may have to watch now.

And to round out the Netflix trifecta (I no longer have live tv, so streaming is king), a new series called Wanderlust with Toni Collete and…other people that are new to me. They’re married with grown kids, good marriage…but decide to start seeing other people to revitalize their sex life. And we watch the mayhem unfold.

What I bought

Whenever I move I find myself needing some new things to make the new place just right. Some of the better things I bought this month are:

Yes, I am still raving about my new vacuum to anyone who will listen.

And enjoying my double-decker dish drainer!

You saw this scarf here.

Oh yeah, and a striped shirt. Before you go YOU ALREADY HAVE TOO MANY STRIPED SHIRTS, no. No, I don’t. You can’t HAVE “too many” striped shirts. That’s not a thing. Plus, none of the mumblemumblethreemumble I already have are Quite Right. The one is a little short and a little snug and the cuffed-up sleeves are annoying. I kept it because it was going to cost more to return it than I paid for it. The second one is good, but only if I wear something over it because it has those dad-blasted (is that the term?) cold shoulders…and they’re so HUGE you see the side of my bra. And the third one is, just no. I was desperate last year and it’s just not good. Go away, you. THIS one is a delight. Recommended by Maddy G above, it’s a lovely easy fit, super soft material, was only $14…AND even though it CLAIMS to be navy and white, if those stripes are navy I’m a monkey’s uncle (oh I’m really up on the cool kid lingo today). So I can use it as BOTH! It’s so good I’m ordering the same shirt in white, black and maybe even grey (jeez, Amazon, could you spare some pixels??)

And I think that just about wraps up February! What did YOU do??

This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.