Weigh in

On Sunday I weighed in. Grant's parents have left and my dad is visiting so I am still not totally on plan but have been toning things down a little. I had lost 100g - which is still better than staying the same and of course much better than a gain.

15 ways to style a black dress

I found the perfect black dress at SaveMart (a thrift store) and it only cost $12.99. It fits perfectly, is super comfortable and I knew it would be very versatile so I gleefully snapped it up when I found it.



If there's one thing you should have in your wardrobe, it's a black dress. You can dress it up or down and wear it year round. Here are a few ways that you could style your plain black dress:

Coloured tights
If, like I am, you're a little nervous of sporting coloured tights then stick with darker shades - maroon, forest green, navy, or purple like I'm wearing here. I chose purple shoes to help elongate my legs and tied in the colour with a purple handbag and a floral scarf and bracelts with purple in them.
Tights: Number 1 Shoe Warehouse; Shoes: Lime from Next outlet; Bag: SaveMart; Bracelets: gift from my friend Rachel; Scarf: Primark




Scarf and boots
Toffee coloured boots bring this dress into autumn. A matching belt and a soft scarf complete the look.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Scarf: can't remember; Belt: came with a dress from Tesco



Touches of punk
Enjoy the punk trend by adding black leggings, black flat boots, and leather and spike bracelets, with a denim jacket. I only have riding style boots but biker boots would look awesome.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Leggings: Matalan; Leather bracelet: Cotton On; Spike bracelets: eBay; Denim jacket: SaveMart



A pop of colour
The black is lifted by a pop of turquoise in necklace, ring and shoes.
Shoes: Asda; Ring: eBay; Necklace: eBay



Fun coat
The black dress is a perfect background to this fun polka dot coat. Fishnet tights and black shoes complete the look.
Coat: SaveMart; Shoes: thrift store; Necklace: Accessorize outlet




Lighten up for spring
A white cardigan, yellow belt and wedges bring this dress easily into spring. The belt-over-cardigan thing just looks wrong on me but if it works on you then I'd recommend wearing it that way.
Cardigan: Sainsbury's; Belt: eBay; Wedges: eBay


Layer a blouse underneath
Adding a blouse underneath the dress creates a little interest at the neckline. The red belt and wedges tie in nicely.
Blouse: thrift store; Belt: Sainsbury's; Wedges: Asos



Another spring look
The contrast of the black showing through the white of this crocheted cardigan really shows up the lacy pattern. Adding a pop of colour with necklace, bracelet and wedges keeps the look fun.
Cardigan: thrift store; Necklace: Clarks outlet; Bracelet: can't remember; Wedges: Number 1 Shoe Warehouse



A touch of silver
Shine with silver in shoes, belt, bracelet and necklace.
Shoes: eBay; Belt: eBay; Bracelet: thrift store; Necklace: Next (gift from my friend Rachel)



Casual in pink
A pink short-sleeved cardigan, ballet flats and bunting necklace keep this look casual.
Shoes: Tesco; Cardigan: eBay; Necklace: eBay




Out on the town
Dress it up with sexy shoes, pretty jewellery and a pashmina (or, in this case, a scarf repurposed as a stole).
Shoes: Hannahs; Scarf: can't remember; Necklace and bracelet: Forever 21 (gift from my friend Leith)



Casual and comfy
Another casual look with a short-sleeved cardigan, long necklace and black flats.
Cardigan: eBay; Necklace: gift from my friend Karen; Shoes: Brantano



Psychedelic
Layer a fun 70's inspired chiffon blouse over the dress and add a belt. Team with boots for a look that screams autumn.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Necklace: can't remember; Belt: Matalan; Blouse: eBay






Black and brown
Yes, you can mix black and brown together! Add a brown belt, chocolate corduroy blazer, brown tights and black shoes for a comfortable winter look.
Blazer: Next outlet; Belt: thrift store; Necklace: Accessorize outlet; Tights: Asda; Shoes: Shoe Market



Keep it casual
A denim jacket, long necklace and wedges are enough to keep this dress casual.
Jacket: SaveMart; Necklace: gift from my friend Leith; Wedges: eBay





And there you have it, 15 ways to style a black dress! And on a budget too - if you read the fine print you'll see that almost everything I wear is thrifted, on sale, from eBay or from outlet stores. There's no need to spend a lot when growing your wardrobe.

I hope this was helpful in some way. If there are any other items you'd like to see styled different ways, please let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can do :)

I'm still here!

Oh my goodness, it's been ages since I posted here (is anyone still reading??) I kind of fell off the wagon when we had friends from abroad staying with us for two weeks. Then, ten days after they left my in-laws arrived for a month. There was a lot of eating out, take-out, picnics and chocolate :(

My jeans were feeling tight so I knew I'd gained (how could I not, considering how I was eating?) I eventually got brave enough to face the scales and was thrilled to discover I'd only gained 1.7kg (3.7 lb). I feel like I am still in the game! Two days after my in-laws left I was back on programme and haven't found it hard to slot back into a healthy way of eating (phew!)

I had been worried that it would be difficult to get "in the zone" again but so far so good. My dad arrives next Thursday for a six-week visit but he is more than happy to eat the Weight Watchers meals that I cook.

So here's to onwards and upwards - or rather downwards (in weight). It's good to be back.

Got 3 or 4 compliments, so that was nice!







Dress: thrifted (SaveMart)
Belt: eBay
Shoes: eBay
Necklace: gift from my friend Rachel
Bracelet: gift from my friend Rachel
Ring: eBay
Earrings: The Clearance Shed

Sorry for the long silence. We've had friends staying with us for two weeks. During their visit we ate all sorts of delicious, naughty food and I was dreading standing on the scale. I honestly thought I'd put on about 2-4kg.

They'd been here about a week and a half when I weighed myself. I was thrilled to find I'd only gained 800g! That's not even 2lb. I honestly couldn't have been happier unless I'd actually lost.

The rest of their visit went the same, eating wise, and I haven't exactly been on track in the few days after they left.

Today is Sunday, which is my weigh-in day (I just weigh myself at home). I wasn't going to stand on the scale. I didn't want to face it - I just knew it would show a gain and I didn't want to see how much.

But I decided to be a grown up about it and stripped off and hopped on ... only to be stunned to find I've lost 400g!! Half of what I'd gained, leaving only 400g to contend with.

I'm absolutely over the moon and feel like I've dodged a bullet! I really want to try hard to stay on track and not go completely off the rails when Grant's family is visiting - his brother arrives next Saturday (he'll be staying with us for 2 weeks) and his parents arrive next Sunday (they'll be staying at an apartment nearby for a month). We always go out to eat when they are visiting and I'm determined to make healthy choices off the menu, not drink calories but stick to water, etc.

So yesterday was weigh-in day. It was actually good because I could feel that I'd lost weight so I didn't really even care what the scales said. I also forgot that I needed to subtract 1.1kg from what they said, so I stood on them and looked at the total and just went, "Huh." Then I remembered and subtracted and found that I'd lost 900g. I was happy with that.

I have been taking two steps forward and one step back a lot but so long as my steps forward still outnumber my steps back I am moving in the right direction and I'm okay with that. I'm not on a race to the finish line, I am making changes that need to be sustainable.

I was talking about how I felt like I'd lost weight even though the scales haven't been reflecting that the last couple of weeks, and Daniel said, "Why are you even worrying about your weight now? You are so thin." And he's the first person to point out if someone is fat!

On Saturday I went shopping with my friend R and tried on some things. It was different to last time I went to SaveMart with her because this time I had much more choice available to me as I was looking at size 12 (US size 8) things. I bought a blouse, a top and a dress and felt fabulous in them all. When I modeled them for Grant he commented that I am looking so slim.

I still have a way to go, I'm not there yet, but I am thrilled to me almost at a healthy BMI, able to feel and look better in my clothes, able to wear clothes that have been packed away for ages, and still moving in the right direction. One step at a time.

What I wore to church today:







I wanted to wear these shoes but I don't wear peeptoes with pantihose and it was too cold to go with bare legs.



Cardigan: BHS
Chiffon blouse: eBay
Corduroy skirt: eBay (Next)
Shoes: Clarks outlet
Spotty shoes: eBay
Pearl bracelets: thrifted
Pearl ring: Bon Marche (on sale)
Pear stud earrings: Sainsbury's
Nail polish: dollar store

I said my my last post that I'd be food journaling this week but that's not going to happen. Things are a little busy but I am keeping track.

I am hosting a book swap party this evening and I'm baking cupcakes for it and those who are coming have said they are also bringing some nibbles. I will have a few but try not to overindulge ... famous last words ...

Today was weigh in day and it sucked. Do I sound disgruntled enough? I was SO FED UP to stand on the scales and be told I'd gained 400g! I honestly have not been exactly on my daily points, I have gone over, but certainly not over the weekly points allowance. I was in a filthy mood, especially since last week had shown a gain as well.

I felt better when I realised that last week I'd only gained 100g, not 300g like I'd thought.

This week's gain is probably due to the fact that I haven't been getting enough sleep (which can affect weight loss) and the fact that I am "enjoying" that special time of the month and I'm bloated like a whale (TMI!) I have had a few treats this week (sushi, carrot cake, French bread) but really not enough to result in almost a pound of weight gain.

This week I am going to blog my food journal and really work hard at staying on or below my daily points and not using any weekly points. So boring, but apparently necessary for me.

What I wore to church on Sunday.







Dress: Tesco (on sale)
Cardigan: eBay (I think)
Shoes: Tesco
Ring: eBay
Garnet necklace: gift from my in-laws
Ball stud earrings: Matalan
Nail polish: dollar store

Sunday was weigh-in day and I didn't really expect it to go well. Although I'd been pretty well behaved all week we had gone out to dinner with friends (which NEVER happens) and I'd had some yummy food that wasn't too bad ... and followed it up with a slice of cheesecake, which was pretty bad.

Then, while running errands with Grant, we passed a burger chain that we wanted to try so I had a burger there. It was delicious, and I did opt for the smallest one, but it still put me over my points.

So when I stood on my digital scales on Sunday morning and saw that I'd lost around 4kg I knew there was something not quite right! I got off them, reset them and tried again, only to be told I'd gained weight. The next few times I stood on them they told me something different each time.

I went to the other bathroom to try the glass digital scales there but they produce a slightly different result than my usual ones so I still didn't know if I'd gained or lost.

I went back to my bathroom with both scales and eventually got a consistent reading from my usual scales - I'd gained 100g. That was pretty much expected.

Then I worked out that the glass scales weigh 1.1kg more than my usual ones, so I'll just weigh on them from now on and subtract 1.1kg from what they say to see how much I've lost each week.

(My goal weight is not about the number on the scale, it's about how I feel and look and fit my clothes, but I do want to keep track of my actual loss each week rather than suddenly have a non-existent 1.1kg "gain" just because I switched scales.)

I am a bit frustrated that I seem to take two steps forward and one step back but at the same time I feel like life happens and so long as I just keep plodding along I'll get there eventually.

I can feel and see the changes in my body, which is encouraging. This week I found myself exclaiming to Grant, "I'm so happy my boobs are finally getting smaller!"

He gave me a, "What's wrong with this picture?" kind of look, lol! (But let me tell ya, F-cup boobs are not all they are cracked up to be.)

My hair loss feels like it's increased but I have such thick hair it's not really a worry. It happened last time I lost weight too and I know it will eventually slow to normal rates.

I tried on a dress that I've been looking forward to wearing and it fits! So exciting.

A little while ago we went to the hot springs with friends and while I wasn't exactly uber confident parading around in my bathing suit, at least I wasn't mortified. I'm looking forward to buying a cute suit in summer.

So, goal for this week is drink plenty of water, track everything I eat, and don't go over my daily points. So far so good.

Just a little shopping and lunch with Grant (we didn't actually buy anything in the end). I was cold and wanted comfortable clothes so I decided to wear boots and leggings. When deciding what to wear on top that was long enough to cover my bum and thighs I decided to try on this summer dress and see if it fitted me yet - hooray, it does! I wore it over a long sleeved black t-shirt with a flowy cardigan on top and it was super comfy and warm.







Cardigan: Matalan
Long sleeved t-shirt: Tesco
Dress: eBay (Dorothy Perkins)
Leggings: Matalan
Boots: Clarks outlet store at Boundary Mill
Necklace: chain from Etsy, little initial tags from eBay and stamped by me
Spike bracelet: eBay
Chain bracelet: eBay
Black bow ring: eBay

Why I prefer to wear makeup.

I've talked a little bit on this blog about learning things to do with clothing, outfits, makeup and losing weight so I thought I'd do a post sharing where I've learned things from - and what exactly I've learned.

TV shows
I watched a lot of How to Look Good Naked and 10 Years Younger and learned about using belts, magic knickers (Spanx) for smoothing my midsection when wearing dresses, and accessorising.

Blogs
What I Wore Today got me started on my colourful shoes kick. I don't follow her blog anymore but while I did I learned about layering items of clothing to put together different outfits, I learned to look at everything when out shopping, including strapless or sleeveless items that I'd normally not wear (layer a cardigan over or a top underneath).
T Minus T Plus has some great inspiration outfits - and unlike most fashion blogs, she is not stick thin, proving that you can look stylish and put together even if you're plus-sized.
What I Wore is great for dipping in and out of. I love her individual style.
Dailylook is very current and teaches me about the latest trends. (Plus each item featured is available for purchase at a discounted price, if you're looking to buy.)
This post, this post and this post taught me all about how to find the most flattering fit of jeans. Seriously, you have to check these posts out - they are so informative and funny too!
Other fashion blogs I follow are:
After Style Comes Fashion
Cotton & Curls
Freckles in April
How Not to Dress Like a Mom
J's Everyday Fashion
La Vie Petite
Lilly's Style
Merrick's Art
Pink Margarite Pearl
What She Wore 365
Welcome to the gOOd life

Books
The Trinny and Susannah books are awesome for learning about what suits my figure and why, and what is appropriate for which occasion. Here are some I found particularly helpful:
Body Shape Bible
What Not To Wear for Every Occasion
What Not to Wear
What You Wear Can Change Your Life

YouTube
I learned how to do makeup properly by watching tutorials on YouTube. Some of the channels I found particularly helpful are:
amarixe
glamourista16
lisaeldridgedotcom
MakeupByTiffanyD
RachhLoves

Pinterest
Aaah, Pinterest. What did I do before Pinterest? Such a source of inspiration of all kinds. Here are some of my Project Jen related boards where you can see the things I've pinned (they link back to the original source):
Clothing and jewellery craft projects
Fashion
Jewellery
Makeup
Nails
Shoes

Shopping with a friend
Honestly, the best way that I learned what does and does not suit my body was when I had an event to go to and I had to find an outfit for it and went intensively shopping and tried everything on.

It was after I'd lost weight and had to replace my entire wardrobe, so I literally had nothing to wear for the occasion. Grant aws receiving a commendation and I was going to the ceremony. I took my extremely stylish friend Rachel with me and hit an outlet mall and then moved onto regular stores and just tried on everything that caught my eye.

It was kind of depressing. There I was, with this cute new figure, and I felt ugly and lumpy and gross because 95% of what I tried on didn't work. BUT I learned very quickly what did and didn't work and why. Now I can glance at an item on the rack and know if it's even worth trying on. Some things just straight up are never going to look good on me (hello, bias cut anything) so I don't waste time trying them.

I hope some of these resources are helpful to you! Let me know if you have a resource that you'd like to share, or if you check any of these out and they help.

I didn't know what to expect on the scales this morning. I felt like I'd lost this week but on the other hand I hadn't really expected to. Let's just say there was a bit of comfort eating this week as I've been a bit stressed.

So I was thrilled to find I'd lost 1kg! That's a little over 2lb.

That puts my total loss so far at 12.2kg (26.9lb / 1 stone 12.9lb) and I still have 7.8kg (17lb / 1 stone 3lb) to go to my goal weight, which is in the middle of my healthy BMI.

BUT I only need to lose another 2.3kg (5lb) to reach a healthy BMI, which is awesome.

I tried this recipe today and it was delicious so I thought I'd share it. The recipe is for home-made veggie burgers. The whole recipe is 16 ProPoints / Points Plus so either make
- 4 burgers = 4pp each
- 5 or 6 burgers = 3pp each
- 8 burgers = 2pp each
depending on how thick you like your burgers.

I also think you could really change up the flavours with curry powder, chilli sauce, whatever takes your fancy.

Here's the recipe:

1 tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 large or 2 small carrots
about 1 cup kale or spinach
5-6 basil leaves (I used dried)
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
4 tbsp rolled oats
1 egg
salt and pepper to taste

Put the carrot, kale, and basil into a food processor and pulse it a little first, and then added the rest of the ingredients and blend thoroughly. Form into patties and fry on a hot pan spritzed with a little oil.

I had one 4pp patty on a slice of toast with a skim of mayo for lunch (5pp total) and it was delicious. I think a patty on its own would make a nice snack, or you could go all the way and put it on a burger bun and load up with tomato, pickles, onion, lettuce, etc.

Sunday was my weigh-in day again and I lost 300g. I would have liked to have lost more as I was very well behaved last week but a loss is a loss and I'll take it!

This week has started with bad eating - out and about for 2 days straight, which makes it harder to eat right - but I'm really trying to get back on track and have a better loss this coming Sunday. We'll see how it goes...

What I wore to church.





Skirt: thrifted
White cardigan: Sainsbury's
Polka dot skirt: thrifted
Raspberry blazer: thrifted
Black shoes: thrifted
Necklace: can't remember
Black tights: can't remember

So today was weigh-in day and I was dreading standing on the scales. After last week's fabulous loss, I've had a really bad eating week. There was a lot going on this week. On Tuesday Grant and I were running errands and we got sushi for lunch. Then we went out to dinner as a family to celebrate one year in NZ, plus we got ice cream for dessert. On Wednesday I had a really stressful day, resigned from my job, had a newborn session ... all on top of a really bad night's sleep. By dinner time I was just fed up and we just got pizza. Then last night Paul (neighbour and Grant's BFF) had a birthday party. We only went for a short while but had some delicious naughty food while we were there. Oh, and I baked his two cakes so we had cake at home too, with milk chocolate ganache on.

All that to lead up to this morning's weigh-in, which showed a 1kg gain. I am sad but totally expected and deserved it.

This week I am really going to try hard to track, to stay relaxed and calm and on top of things even though I have so much to do and the kids are on school holiday. Friday and Saturday are my last two shifts and then I am done working for Hannahs and will actually get my weekends back, hooray!

I know that things don't always go according to plan but that I can still make healthy choices rather than just giving in and eating badly. I am going to try hard this week.

I didn't track what I ate yesterday as it's my no-count day and I tend to relax a little, and perhaps eat the things I've been craving or missing that are a little higher in points and don't really fit into the WW plan.

I weigh on Sunday mornings and I'm thrilled to report that last week I lost 1.9kg! That's a little over 4lb. I'm so happy. That brings my total loss so far to 11.9kg - over half my original goal of losing 20kg.

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 7 ProPoints
tuna mayonnaise sandwich (7pp)

Snack - 3 ProPoints
grapes (0pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese with a skim of jam (1pp)

Dinner - 7 ProPoints
beef stew (5pp)
rice (2pp)
stir fried veg (0pp)

Snack - 1 ProPoints
1 square of dark chocolate (1pp)

Snack - 6 ProPoints
Pronutro cereal (5pp)
skim milk (1pp)

TOTAL - 29 ProPoints

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 7 ProPoints
tuna mayonnaise sandwich (7pp)

Snack - 0 ProPoints
grapes (0pp)

Dinner -10 ProPoints
low fat oven chips (3pp)
oven fish (6pp)
low fat mayo (1pp)

Snack - 0 ProPoints
kiwi fruit (0pp)

Snack - 6 ProPoints
Pronutro cereal (5pp)
skim milk (1pp)

TOTAL - 28 ProPoints

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 5 ProPoints
beef stew (5pp)

Snack - 0 ProPoints
kiwi fruit (0pp)

Dinner - 9 ProPoints
Chinese style pork (4pp)
rice (2pp)
stir fried veg (0pp)
small piece of pizza (3pp)

Snack - 6 ProPoints
brownie (6pp)

Snack - 7 ProPoints
Pronutro cereal (6pp)
skim milk (1pp)

TOTAL - 29 ProPoints + 3 Weekly ProPoints

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 6 ProPoints
2 x Mountain Bread wraps (4pp)
feta cheese (2pp)
stir-fried carrot, onion, broccoli and beetroot (0pp)

Snack - 0 ProPoints
orange (0pp)
kiwi fruit (0pp)

Dinner - 14 ProPoints
jacket potatoes (8pp)
baked beans (4pp)
cheese (2pp)

Snack - 4 ProPoints
grapes (0pp)
Weetbix cereal (3pp)
skim milk (1pp)

Snack - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

TOTAL - 29 ProPoints + 5 Weekly ProPoints

You'll notice I have some food habits - I eat the same thing for breakfast every day and have cereal in the evenings before bed. (If I don't then I wake up hungry in the wee hours of the morning!)

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 5 ProPoints
butternut soup (1pp)
tortellini (4pp)

Snack - 1 ProPoint
orange (0pp)
kiwi fruit (0pp)
sour cream and chive flavoured corn puffs (1pp)

Dinner - 8 ProPoints
beef stew (5pp)
pasta (3pp)

Snack - 2 ProPoints
two squares of dark chocolate (2pp)

Snack - 6 ProPoints
Pronutro cereal (5pp)
skim milk (1pp)

TOTAL - 27 ProPoints

I've had two weeks of not tracking, eating things I shouldn't, being disorganised and unprepared ... and it's shown with a 400g weight gain.

This week my goals are:
- drink more water
- track everything I eat
- experiment with new recipes

I thought I'd blog my food diary here to keep me accountable. So here is today's food diary:

Breakfast - 5 ProPoints
egg fried without oil in a non-stick pan (2pp)
slice of toast (2pp)
low fat soft cheese instead of butter (1pp)

Lunch - 3 ProPoints
butternut soup (1pp)
half a slice of toast with margarine (2pp)

Snack - 5 ProPoints
grapes (0pp)
nut bar (5pp)

Dinner - 8 ProPoints
Pollo in Pottachio (3pp)
pasta (3pp)
cheese (2pp)

Snack - 0 ProPoints
orange (0pp)

Snack - 6 ProPoints
Pronutro cereal (5pp)
skim milk (1pp)

TOTAL - 27 ProPoints

I just wanted to make a little note of some of the changes I've noticed as I've lost weight (10.4kg so far - that's 22.9lb or 1 stone 8.9lb):

- My dresses and pants have become longer - I especially noticed this with a particular maxi dress which started touching the ground.

- I've had to tighten my belt and have made new holes in between the original holes so I can tighten it a little at a time, as needed. This is a picture from a few weeks ago - I've moved onto the next hole already.



- My clavicles have emerged, yay! And my double chin as mostly disappeared, double yay!

- Noah moves his head a lot on my upper chest when we are cuddling. I'm not as padded so he moves around to find a comfortable spot.

- My knees feel better. We tend to think of being overweight in terms of size and how we look, but my knees could really feel the extra weight I was carrying. They feel fine now.

- It's easier to cross my legs and bend down for things, like when painting my toenails.

- My watch band is looser - for a while it was too loose on one hole, and too tight on the next, which was annoying.

- I'm having so much fun pulling out old favourite clothes that I can fit into again!

- I feel more confident. I also feel less panicked when planning to attend events - I know I'll be able to put together a cute outfit, rather than wondering what on earth I'll wear and feeling unattractive.

Some of the down-side to the weight loss process:

- Being in-between sizes for a while, when one size starts becoming too big but the next size down is still too tight.

- MAJOR hair loss - I had this last time as well and apparently it's normal. My hair is seriously coming out in handfuls - lucky it's so thick!

- Certain favourite items of clothing becoming too big so I can no longer wear them.

Overall I'm quite happy to accept the cons because the pros "outweigh" them (sorry for the pun!)

These are some outfits from the past 3 years or so. I've learned a lot about what does and doesn't work on my body. I have an hourglass figure which means that because I have curves I need to define my waist or I just look big. Because I have a generous bust and a short torso I need to wear V-neck or scoop neck tops or else I look like a shelf of bosom from my chin to my waist.

What doesn't work:
Mid-length skirts
High necklines
Baggy jeans
Loose, flowy tops

What does work:
Knee-length or full length skirts
V-neck or scoop neck
Well fitting jeans
Defined waist

Things I enjoy:
Colourful shoes
Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings
Experimenting with belts
Fishnet stockings
Layering

Some short skirt outfits:





The same black skirt, worn seven ways:





The same brown tweed skirt, worn four ways:



Floral skirts:



Outfits with jeans:











Outfits with jeggings:



Maxi dresses:



Maxi skirts:



Pants, leggings, skinny jeans:



Shorter dresses:





As you can see from these photos my weight has fluctuated. But even at my biggest I still made an effort. I think it's even more important to do so when you are overweight - not only for looks but to make yourself feel good about yourself and to be the best you.