Gap's fall line

I tried on a bunch of items at Gap the other day.  The lighting was terrible and my fitting room photos did not come out, so I hope you won't mind stock photos.  I didn't bring anything home, nor was there anything I wanted to use the 40% coupon on so I didn't ever bother getting one.

On to the reviews!

Striped Embellished T, $29.50.
I tried this on based on Ema's recommendation.  It is a nice quality fabric.  The cut is not as lean as J Crew's current striped shirt.  It was a nice fit on me even though the cotton/modal blend was a touch clingy on my stomach.  I was close to getting it and then I looked at those horizontal stripes on the DDs and realized that it would have to be a layering top only.  And my days of layering something long sleeved under something else long sleeved are pretty much behind me.  I about had a hot flash just thinking about it!  But even though it was a no go for me I recommend it.

Tweed Vest, $59.50
This is 52% Wool, 48% Rayon.  The fabric felt nice and not itchy. I liked the color of the tweed and I think it would go with a lot. I have been looking for a menswear vest for three or four years now.  As you can imagine, finding one that fits in the bust and does not gap under the arms has been the challenge.  This was close but no cigar.  I probably should be looking for a petite (I know, sounds weird to think of a big bust in a petite but I often fit better into petite tailored items).  This of course doesn't come in a petite.

Shrunken Pin Striped Vest, $59.50
See above.  This one fit worse.  If I  had known the word "shrunken" was in the title, I probably wouldn't have bothered.

Band Blazer, $98.00
I liked this blazer.  My tiny Gap had it in navy and black.  The material was a substantial cotton knit, and it was much more flattering than the brown tweed.  It is fitted, and it hit me in the waist pretty well, considering I'm high waisted.  However, I don't need navy or black blazers.  The brown tweed didn't fit as well.  The tweed was better quality than last year's horrible scratchy tweed, but I was still afraid it would itch around the neck. And I don't need brown.  I need gray.  And my Gap didn't have any jackets in gray.

Corduroy Trimmed Utility Jacket, $89.50
This jacket has a nice, substantial cotton shell.  It is lined and a good weight for fall. It might be a tad warm to wear inside.  The color, called "split pea," was more vivid than it shows online.  I was immediately attracted to the belted style.  You know, hourglass, accentuate the waist, et cetera.  I didn't love the corduroy collar.  I think it would be hard to keep popped and I could see it wearing before the other fabric.  This almost fit, but the waist hit me a bit below my natural waist (which is how the majority of misses belted things hit me).  No petite in this one.  It also comes in a nut/oak brown called "worker brown," which is gorgeous if you can wear it.  I prefer the Old Navy and J Crew incarnations of the field jacket to this one.

Well, I hope these reviews gave you some insight into a few of Gap's fall items.  I hope to try on more when I get to the city in a few weeks.

Do you like the Gap? Do you feel they have been a bit "off" in the past few years?

Don't Knock Forever 21

As a 40-something professional mom, you wouldn't think I'd frequent Forever 21.  But I do. I admit, just looking in there is overwhelming.  It seems disorganized, and for me searching for something I saw on a blog or in a magazine is next to impossible.  The staff is not helpful.  There's usually a line for the fitting room.  And face it, it's probably not worth my time because it's juniors sizing, so very little would even fit.  Have you ever tried to find a large at F21? I'm convinced they just don't have them.

OK, so what do I like at F21? Accessories!  They are inexpensive, on trend, and all contained in their own little area.  Usually there is a table or two with accessories on or around it.  I just make a beeline for the table and ignore the rest.  I don't care for the faux leather bags, but the faux leather belts are just fine, as are the scarves, necklaces and bracelets.  I don't wear regular sunglasses (mine are Rx) but they have those too.

Here are some of my treasures:

On the left is a multi colored scarf.  It has the perfect amount of volume and streaks of my major wardrobe colors against a neutral background that contains brown and black.  

Next is a knock off of the Anthropologie Stormy Seas necklace.  Yes, the charms are plastic but you have to get really close to tell.  Plus the small beads are silver; Anthro's are gold.  I usually prefer silver when it's available.

Third is a long multi chain necklace in silver for when I need to add a little rocker to my outfit.

Fourth is a gold necklace in turquoise.  I love turquoise, I didn't have a long turquoise necklace and for $5.88 I can stand gold.

Here is the same necklace in silvertone with white beads. Old Navy shirt.

All of these items combined set me back less than $30.  They aren't going to last forever, but with gentle care and a ziplock bag (to prevent tarnishing) they are holding up just fine.

So next time you're at the mall, don't walk past F21!

Outfits of the Day

Hi everyone, just a few quick outfit posts this morning.  I'll be back later with some reviews of Gap's new fall line.

On Friday, I was at a loss for what to wear.  When in doubt, pull out a dress.  This is an old one and a favorite for traveling.

Merona dress.  And yes, I usually wear a slip underneath.

Yesterday it cooled down a bit so I tried to do a jacket.  I was going for the military with girlie look.  This jacket is from 2007.  I guess I don't need a new one this fall, do I?

Gap Outlet jacket, Ann Taylor skirt, J Crew slub shirred ruffle shirt (outlet version), Mia Hayat sandals.  Sorry for the blurry pic.

Bonus: How do you like my latest mani?

This is Sinful Colors Mint Apple. Best $1.99 I ever spent, thanks to Nouveau Cheap! If you haven't checked out this wonderful blog, save yourself some time and money with her great recommendations.

I lift heavy and I always think it's a hoot when I'm there in the weight room with a crazy mani among the guys.

Have a great day!

A Big Day for Generation Z

According to Wikipedia, "Generation Z'ers are typically the children of Generation X, their parents also include the youngest Baby Boomers as well as older members of Generation Y."

My son, The Most Wonderful Boy In The Word, started kindergarten today.  He missed the cutoff last year, which means he will be turning 6 in just a few weeks.  Everyone has asked my whether I cried when he went to school.  I didn't because he is more than ready.  He went to summer school at his current school, so even though he's in a different room, has a different teacher and only has a few of his friends from summer school in his current class, he's hitting the ground running. While the time has gone quickly, I don't want to hold him back and I'm trying not to hover.  I think I've helped instill the coping skills he'll need, but he remains really sensitive. I don't think I want that to change.

I tell Wonder Boy that he has an old mommy.  That made getting pregnant and staying healthy through pregnancy a challenge.  Thank G-d everything turned out all right.  A very wise friend, who had her second child at age 42, once said that what we lack in youth we make up in wisdom.  She is so right.  I was a much better mother at 38 then I would have been at 28.

Being older has helped me appreciate and cherish every little moment with my son.  Like most things in life, this morning's big deal was anti climatic.  I took him into his daycare room and he melted into his friends and the fooosball table, unaware of the enormity of the day.  Yet ordinary little moments, like last night when he told me I was the best mommy in the world, will linger in my memory like a postcard.  It reminds me of when I was in Paris.  Yet, the Eiffel Tower is cool, but rounding a random corner on a random Parisian street and taking in the vignette of the boulangerie, the charcuterie, the cafe and people with their dogs somehow made a greater impression.

So go into the world, my son.  Enjoy learning all there is to learn.  Mommy will be waiting to hear all about it.

Zay gezunt, Generation Z.

Song of the Day - Cake, Short Skirt, Long Jacket

Ok, this was really the song of yesterday during my workout.  I have a genius mix with this song and somehow it always gets me going.  I aim to have fingernails that shine like justice.

The Elusive Goal Weight

Most American women feel like they need to lose weight. Almost all of us have our issues with it.  I've mentioned that mine are mainly health related at this point and that I had been putting off starting a blog until I lost weight.

Fortunately I'm beyond beating myself up over the body image issues.  Dr. Kvetch (DH) loves me, I love me, and that's all that matters on that front.  However, I have about 20 pounds to lose.  It's not an arbitrary number and not one that will make me uber skinny.  It's the number that gets me to a BMI of 24.9.

I weighed about 15 pounds more than this for a long time after giving birth to my son.  In 2008, Dr. Kvetch and I did Weight Watchers together.  At my lowest weight during WW I was about eight pounds less than I am now.  I'm just over 5'3" (and I'm old enough that now the doc measures my height at check ups).  At this height, five pounds still makes a difference in how I look.  I had a change in one of my medications that is really making weight loss a struggle.

I'm not going to WW meetings anymore.  Other than the weigh ins, I find the meetings don't help much if one is already confident and assertive.  Right now I'm not following WW online either because I'm focusing on some specific issues with my diet. (I'm using Fitday).  All of that is for another post.  But I still follow some of the WW philosophies.

One of these philosophies is to get rid of all of your "fat" clothes when you lose weight so that you can't slide and let the weight pile back on.  I did this, first getting rid of 14s and then 12s and size larges.  At my lowest I fit in all 10s comfortably and some 8s in skirts.  I realize with vanity sizing the 10s of my college days would now probably be 6s today.

So if my clothes, especially pants, look tight, that's why.  It's supposed to be a sign to get back on track.  I carry weight most in my stomach, but you can also see it in my face.

My current weight status conflicts with one of my fashion goals of buying quality over quantity.  I'm  not going to shell out the bucks for quality until I'm at my goal weight.  I've restrained myself from the J Crew pencil skirts on sale.  No designer jeans yet.  The best bras will have to wait.  Most of my wardrobe is lower end right now.  I do still try to pick out items of decent quality and construction.  I buy on sale and on ebay, and I doubt that will ever change.  I will admit to rebuying a few pants in size 12 to get me through.  But I'm hoping to fit into my 10s comfortably this fall.

You'll see whether I make any progress.  Where are you on your weight journey?

Song of the Day: Madonna, Express Yourself

I am very much motivated by and interested in music.  Today I was dragging during my workout.  I only have a small window within which to get my exercise done, so if I blow it off I can't easily make it up.  I almost blew it off in favor of checking out Kohls.  But I talked myself into just walking.  I did my ten minute walk, and then I talked myself into starting just part of my run. Wouldn't you know it, I did my usual run plus five minutes extra.  Madge and the latest In Style on the treadmill got me through it.  Yay for the Immaculate Collection.

What song got you through your day today?