Daily Style: Wednesday, 4/3

print top (iJeans by Buffalo @ JCP)

embroidered faux leather peplum top (Worthington @ JCP, $25)

faux leather skirt (Worthington @ JCP, $25)

blue open-work tights (KMart)

black pumps (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's, $49)

Open-work tights never cease to amaze me. They have proven to be comfortable and now, resilient. I tripped on my own feet the other day while walking the Beast, landed on my leg and was SURE I ruined my tights, but not a scratch on them! My leg, on the other hand, is a different story.

My Mom told me a story from my childhood that pretty much sums up my reaction. I was probably in 1st grade and while playing on the playground at school, I fell. The teacher rushed over and asked if I was OK. The only thing I complained of was that I had ruined my tights. Makes sense, I mean, my skin will heal, but now I have to buy new tights!

Daily Style: Monday, 4/1

black/tan stripe jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $15)

print top (UK Style by French Connection @ Sears, $19)

black belt (a.n.a. @ JCP, $18)

tan booties (Arizona @ JCP, $45)

On Sunday, I had the pleasure of meeting Inez from Style Chic 360 and Liz from Illustrious Jewelry by Liz. I didn't bring my camera, but check out the Inez's post here and Liz's post here. Inez pretty much covered everything here, but I do want to mention that on this fateful Sunday, I discovered my new favorite dessert and that's chocolate cake with bacon on top. So many yums... if you're into that salty sweet thing, like I am.

We had a blast and will definitely be doing it again.

I would love to meet more bloggers, so if any of y'all are going to be in or around Chicago, hit me up and we can hang out!

Daily Style: Saturday, 3/30

teal maxi (Worthington @ JCP, $20)

faux leather moto (Bisou Bisou via eBay, $15)

printed scarf (PayHalf, $11)

engineer boots (Mossimo @ Target, eBay, $15)

black bag (MNG by Mango @ JCP, $35)

 With the winter ever looming, I've been trying to find different ways to winterize maxi dresses. This is my 2nd attempt. (Although, it was actually nice this day, now it's gone back to shit-I'm-so-sick-of-this-cold-and-wind-!)

The smile is in response to my BF (or, bang-butler, as I sometimes call him) proclaiming that he likes pictures as much as he likes babies. Which is, not at all, in case you were wondering. Ha!

Daily Style: Tuesday, 3/26

black dress (Gap via eBay, $20)

white oxford (Merona @ Target, Mom's, $free)

"Bailey" green pumps (Worthington @ JCP, $35) 

necklace (Target)

Can we talk about my hair for a moment? I'd been thinking about going back to the "mohawk" style for a bit, but I was waiting for my hair on top to grow out. Right before the KMFDM show, I decided, fuck it, it's ready now. Only problem was, my stylist/cousin was not. (Ready, that is.) So, impatient as I am, I decided to find a new stylist that wasn't related to me. This is really scary for me, because I've had a lot of bad haircuts. A lot of stylists don't know how to cut short hair on a woman. They just do men's cuts, which are NOT the same.

One day before the show, I made an appointment at Barbara & Barbara, a salon in my neighborhood. I chose Barbara & Barbara for their obvious hipster-rep and cheap-ness. They charge $20-$40, depending on the length of hair and time spent. This I love. I've been complaining about being charged the same as those long-haired folks for awhile now. My cuts are not that complicated and I don't require a wash or blow-out.

I went to Jarvi, because, well, she was available. I was nervous the whole way through, especially because I had my glasses off for most of the cut. (The important part, anyway.) Anyway, I think she did a fantastic job and I will be seeing her again. My haircut took about 30-45 minutes and I was charged $20.

If you are in need of a great haircut at a great price in Chicago, check out Barbara & Barbara and specifically, Jarvi.

(This is NOT a sponsored post. The opinions contained herein are my own, and are not influenced by any person/Corporation, etc.)

Daily Style: Monday, 3/25

cream dolman sleeved top (MNG by Mango @ JCP)  

embroidered faux leather peplum top (Worthington @ JCP, $25)

black/tan stripe jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $15)

ankle booties (Worthington "Shawna" @ JCP, $37)

rose ring (Clothes Mentor, $4)

gold watch (Nixon "Small Player" via Amazon)

You may have noticed my new skirt.

Oh, yeah, also I dyed my hair back to dark.

Daily Style: Thursday, 3/21

jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $20)

sheer black shirt (Allen B. @ JCP, $25)

camel sweater (Mossimo @ Target, $30)

leopard belt (Merona @ Target, $17) 

black boots (Steve Madden via eBay, $46)

I took a stay-cation from Wednesday to Wednesday and didn't take one, single, solitary outfit pic. Most of my outfits were pretty blog-worthy too, though I had a few repeats. I'm not used to dressing casually for that many days in a row, so to keep things interesting I decided to wear a different scarf every day. It was a fun little challenge. 

Any time you get bored with your clothes, and/or are feeling a little uninspired, I propose coming up with a challenge of your own. You can make it whatever you want and for however long you want, just make sure you stop when it isn't fun anymore. The point of the challenge is to inject some joy into dressing, after all.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 3/6

peplum skirt (MNG by Mango @ JCP, $35)

mock turtleneck knit top (Eddie Bauer, thrifted, $1.75)

necklace (Alexis Bittar, $gift)

"Dempsey" boots (DV by Dolce Vita via Akira, $45)

I understand we're way past NYFW, and I already stated how many fucks I give (it was 0, BTW), but I just wanted to mention that in the coverage, I didn't ever see anyone over a size 6 and older than 27. 

Here's what I'm wondering - do these people exist at NYFW and just aren't photographed (like, ever)? Or are we a completely forgotten group? 

This is my beef with the fashion industry. It seems that after a certain age and weight, fashion doesn't apply to you. You aren't worthy of representation in the fashion world. You don't deserve it.

This may have something to do with my given fucks. (See above, still 0.) Why would I have interest in something that appears to actively exclude me?

Daily Style: Tuesday, 3/5

black pants (Gap, eBay, $5) 

black/white print wrap top (Ann Taylor, thrifted, $2.50)

red faux leather strap top (Bisou Bisou @ JCP)

ankle booties (Worthington "Shawna" @ JCP, $37)

I've been gravitating towards pointy heels and ankle straps lately, so when I saw these, I just about died. (Or at least, I'm pretty sure I made an awkward this-chick-gets-way-too-excited-about-shoes noise. Something like "ooooooooooh! yeahhhhhh! yes, please!") 

I dunno, they look super classy and sexy to me. Hey, I'll try anything at this point.

Daily Style: Saturday, 3/2

fruit-print dress (MNG by Mango, c/o JCP)

leggings (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's)

cropped denim jacket (Highway Jeans via PayHalf, $22)

engineer boots (Mossimo @ Target, eBay, $15)

I own these boots in brown and they are the best $40 I never spent (they were a gift). I've been thinking about getting them in black for awhile now. Of course when I finally decided to pull the trigger, they weren't available in my size anymore. So, I hopped onto eBay - a quick search, some waiting, and $15 later, these babies are mine. Genuine leather for $15? Can't beat that.

Daily Style: Friday, 3/1

 

floral dress (Olsenboye @ JCP, $7)

leggings (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's)

cropped denim jacket (Highway Jeans via PayHalf, $22)

brown belt (MNG by Mango @ JCP)

brown boots (Steve Madden via Amazon.com, $80)

When I run out of good ideas for casual Friday looks, I revert to my standard winter combo - leggings, boots, short dress, jacket or blazer. Sometimes I add a scarf. I know, craaazy!

Daily Style: Thursday, 2/28

faux leather skirt (F21, $16)

lace tunic (nicole by Nicole Miller @ JCP, $12)

knee-high socks (Betseyville, JCP, $8/2)

boots (Big Buddha "Lana" via Amazon.com, $80)

Sometimes I don't realize that everyone doesn't know the things I know. I read a lot about body acceptance/fat acceptance - I read books, blogs, articles on the web... whatever I find interesting. It just occurred to me that everyone may not know the story behind the BMI chart.

For starters, BMI is not a measure of health, and should not be used as such.

BMI was developed in the 1830's by an astronomer, Adolph Quetelet, who wanted to find out if mathematical laws of probability could be applied to humans. He tested this by collecting the heights and weights of groups of people and charting them on a graph. From here, he noticed a range of weights in a specific height, he considered "normal" and anything outside of that range was considered "underweight" or "overweight". Interestingly enough, he also thought that the farther someone was from the "normal" range, the more they deviated in other areas, like social norms.

In the early 1900's, BMI was used by the insurance industry to calculate premiums, based on statistics gathered by Louis Dublin, of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. After much promotion by Dublin of early mortality based on weight, the BMI scale became what it is today.

Furthermore, in the 1990's, the World Health Organization lowered the BMI scale, making more than 37 million Americans "overweight" overnight.

Here are some celebrities that are considered "overweight" according to the BMI scale:

 

 

 If you would like to read more about BMI, here's the Wikipedia entry. Most of my information here is from the book, Fat Politics by J. Eric Oliver.

To get your daily dose of body acceptance/fat acceptance, check out the blog Dances With Fat.

Daily Style: Friday, 2/22

 

jeggings (Levi's via JCP, $35)

pink blazer (Worthington @ JCP, $20)

stripe peplum top (Gap, hand-me-down, $free)

black pashmina ($gift)

black boots (Big Buddha "Casi", $gift)

Half my outfit was free. That's pretty cool.

 These boots have seen better days, and I want to replace them with these

so just pretend that I'm wearing them instead.

In other news, this is my new favorite blazer. These jeggings are also new and a replacement for a pair I've had for years that are beginning to shred. When I looked at these in the store, I didn't think I would be able to get my foot through the ankle hole, much less pull them up over my calves, but I guess they had more stretch than I anticipated, and it worked out. Let that be a lesson to you to TRY THINGS ON! Seriously. You never know.

Daily Style: Thursday, 2/21

striped top (PayHalf, $12)

denim pencil skirt (Bisou Bisou @ JCP, $25)

vintage scarf (Echo via Mom, $free)

brown boots (Steve Madden via Amazon.com, $80)

Perception is a funny thing. Even though this skirt is much too small on me (yeah, I'm admitting it), and it may not be the most flattering thing I own (it may not be flattering at all), I still enjoy wearing it, because I perceive myself as sexy and shapely in it. It's my favorite skirt and I refuse to stop wearing it. Even if it pains me. (And believe me, it pains me.)

Fashion has so many rules or guidelines, but no matter what you follow or don't, fit seems to be the undisputed standard. But, why? We've all followed the "over-sized" trend. And what about the wear-your-boyfriend's-clothes look? (I've never been able to do that, BTW, my boyfriend's clothes don't fit like they "should". His jeans are too tight in my thighs, completely concealing my womanly curves and his shirts won't button over my breasts. This is a whole other topic that I have lots to say on, but I'll save it for another time.)

Why is oversized OK, but *god-forbid* my button-up top gaps a bit, 'cause I ate a big lunch, or maybe, PMS is forcing my breasts to swell... ?

Personally (as made obvious by the photo above), I don't mind wearing clothes a bit small or a bit big. Sometimes I buy jackets that don't button... on purpose (oh no!) because I like how they accentuate my waist when worn open and I have no intention to wear them closed. (You know you don't have to wear them closed, right?)

Anyway, enough about me, what are your thoughts?

Daily Style: Tuesday, 2/19

leggings (Simply Vera by Vera Wang @ Kohl's)

sheer black shirt (Allen B. @ JCP, $25)

horse-print blazer (Worthington @ JCP, $35)

knee-high socks (Betseyville, JCP, $8/2)

tall boots (BearPaw via Famous Footwear, $80)

So, I want to thank Nathalie @ Purple Closet Beauty for nominating me for the Liebster Award. If you like food (um, who doesn't?), you should check out Nathalie's blog. She posts a lot of yummy looking recipes (with pictures!) and she even made a wedding cake. Mucho respect.

Since I'm a rebel, I'm gonna do things a little different for this award. Nathalie posted 11 questions to ask her nominees, which I will answer here. If you want to post the answers to the following questions on your blog, do it! If you want to list 11 random facts, ask your own 11 questions and nominate some other blogs, do it! (Basically, do whatev-ah you want.)

Okay, here we go!

1. What is your current obsession?

Neon. I've been into neon for awhile now, but I just recently got REALLY into it after purchasing the Prabal Gurung for Target neon heels. Since it's cold as f*ck in Chicago, I can't wear them yet, so for now, I'm just prepping for when I can. (If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen my indecisive picture post.)

 2. What food do think everyone should try at least once?

Cheese fritters from the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, WI. They are worth the year wait and the $20 ticket fee. 

3. What is your favorite dish?

Do I have to pick just one?! <whine> Um, I really like steak. And burgers. And pasta. And Queso Fundido. Seriously, I can't just choose one.

4. What is your favorite town/city?

Chicago.

5. Your ideal vacation spot: beach or lake?

Neither. I'm not much of a water person. I'd rather be exploring a city. Preferably shopping & eating.

6. What makes you cringe?

Honestly, bad grammar and misspelled words.

7. What was your biggest surprise?

Not sure... I don't get surprised very often. Getting this award was unexpected!

8. What colour is your favorite room?

I live in an apartment that will charge me if I paint the walls, so they're all some form of white/off-white. At this point though, I like all the rooms in my apartment equally, so the answer is - white.

9. What book made you laugh out loud?

It's been awhile since I've read a funny book, but I'm pretty sure The Fat Girl's Guide to Life made me chuckle.

10. What's the last movie that made you cry?

Year of the Dog. In the first 10 minutes, too.

11. What changes have you made in your life that you are most proud of?

I quit smoking over 5 years ago. You can read the short version of the story here.

Fashion Find: Pearl by Georgian Chapman of Marchesa

You may know "the beautiful" Georgina Chapman, co-founder of Marchesa, from her appearance as a judge on Project Runway All Stars. (In all honesty, that's the only reason I know of her.) As you probably can guess, Marchesa isn't exactly cheap, but in just a few days, you can grab some budget-friendly dresses, gowns, and other fancy-wear at JCP stores. If you can't wait a few days for the new line, Pearl, you don't have to! It's available for order on JCP.com.

Here are a  few of my favorite pieces...

 

 

(Click pictures to be directed to the links for price information.)

*This is NOT a sponsored post and any actions taken from hyperlinks in this post, do NOT yield any monetary compensation for Cheap & Chic in Chicago.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 2/6

corduroy dress (Old Navy, hand-me-down, $free)

bow-tie neck blouse (Allen B. @ JCP, $25)

knee-high socks (Betseyville, JCP, $8/2)

maroon lace-up booties (Vince Camuto via Clothes Mentor, $30)

This dress. Sick of it yet? I'm actually surprised; I'm getting there... but not quite.

Sometimes (OK, all the time), I wish I had a way to clone my clothes. You know when you own something that fits you so well- fit, personal style, function, etc. - you want 10 of them in all colors and patterns? I have several items like that. Does that make me lucky? That I have found my clothes-mate (like soul mate) in more than one item? Some people probably go their whole lives without ever finding their clothes-mate. Maybe they should try internet shopping. (Hehe, am I the only one that finds this amusing? Probably.)

I have a semi-solution for this - eBay! I've been doing a lot of shopping on eBay lately. It's sort-of like thrifting, only you can search for specific items and all from the comfort of you home (or office). Recently I've purchased a larger size top to replace an old one that doesn't fit anymore, a jacket that was sold out on JCP.com and in JCP stores, and a 2nd pair of jeans in a lighter wash than the perfect ones I recently bought at a resale shop. 

(SHAMELESS SELF-PLUG)

I'm currently selling a bunch of clothes that no longer fit on eBay. Check my Shop page if you're interested. I'm adding new stuff all the time, so check back if you don't see anything that piques your interest. I sell mostly clothes, but I'm starting to sell some shoes. No accessories at this time.

Daily Style: Tuesday, 2/5

beige dress (Jones Wear Dress @ JCP, $36)

chambray shirt (Converse One Star @ Target, $12)

gold belt (Michael Kors, Macy's, $gift)

nude wedges (Shoedazzle "Carla", $40)

Can you tell I'm on a layering kick? Specifically with shirts under dresses? When I find something I like, I tend to over-do it until I hate it. Then I take a break for awhile but will always revisit it again in a few months. 

I did this with Mexican food this past summer. 

Daily Style: Monday, 2/4

jersey pencil skirt (Old Navy, $20)

sheer black shirt (Allen B. @ JCP, $25)

spike necklace (PayHalf, $7) 

chrome belt (Kenneth Cole via PayHalf, $12)

studded wedges (Deena & Ozzy, UO, $28) 

This was an outfit conceived entirely in my mind, and surprisingly, it worked out! I think about outfit combinations at the most random moments. I actually keep a text file in my phone called "Outfit Ideas" where I type up possibilities when they come to me. Is this weird? I have a feeling when strangers are witness to this, they would agree it is.

Daily Style: Thursday, 1/31

black pants (Mossimo @ Target, $25)

cashmere sweater (JCP, $60)

 printed scarf (PayHalf, $11), "Renegade" necklace (JewelMint, $30)

sparkle loafers (DV by Dolce Vita via Endless (now Amazon), $52)

You know any amount of time looking over comments on website articles or Facebook posts will make you think we live in a society not much unlike what was portrayed in the \classic\ movie, Idiocracy. Don't believe me? Here are some examples...

Exhibit A: From JCP's website:



I wanted to point out that this review was not written by a child, but a woman between the ages of 30 and 39. In other words, a woman that should know to capitalize the 'I' and should have learned the difference between present and past tense and how to use each appropriately.

 Exhibit B: From Shoedazzle's Facebook page:

Um... is this a question? I see there is a question mark involved, but I'm not quite sure what she is asking.

I could go on, but honestly, it pains me to do so. I'm sure you don't need my examples, just spend some time online and you will find your own.

Daily Style: Wednesday, 1/30

black/white sweater (Kirna Zabete @ Target, $25)

faux leather mini (Allen B. @ JCP, $14)

splatter paint print scarf (JCP, $15)

nude wedges (Shoedazzle "Carla", $40)

So, as I'm sure you're aware, NYFW (New York Fashion Week) is either starting soon or has already started. 

I have a confession, y'all...

I give 0 fucks about NYFW. Please tell me I'm not the only one.