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Night and day…

Met three dear friends for an early dinner that went on until after the sun set. Great food and conversation with some great women!

The dress is @adamlippes and I borrowed it from @renttherunway. The bag is @jcrew and a splurge but I regretted not buying it the last time they offered this bag and this color is SO me. I mean, look how great it is with these many years old suede heeled sandals? Meant to be!

This color combination makes me so happy, and this dress was comfy even after a decadent meal. We all deserve to experience comfort and joy with our wardrobes! 💛🩷

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If @thechicks are in town you can bet @debbiefaye78 and I will be there! So when we heard they were coming to @merriweatherpp we were so excited. And their concert did not disappoint. As always, a phenomenal show! If The Chicks come to your neck of the woods I highly recommend you go!

Okay I know you want to know about what we’re wearing! 

My sister’s caftan is from @anthropologie (bought this summer so maybe you can find on resale sites).

I’m wearing a @bananarepublic dress also from this summer with the @universalstandard denim chore jacket and a hat I got from a @madewell collab a year or so ago. I glammed it up with some gold chains and gold drop earrings, but kept it comfy for a night of standing and dancing with @birkenstock sandals.

This was my first big outing since my eye surgery, and with a pocketful of eye drops I felt good (and grateful we splurged for good seats!).

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4jcBL #ltkmidsize #ltkover40 #midsizestyle #genxstyle #usinthewild #concertstyle
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For years I’ve trusted @somaintimates for the right bras and the right fit but it had been a while since I visited a Soma boutique to try on all the styles they currently have for a large bust. I must say I was impressed! Knowledgeable staff, extensive collection in larger sizes, and some of the most comfortable and innovative bras in up to H cups! Each body is different but what I loved:

- The Stunning Push-Up: targeted for the DD+ customer gives amazing lift and great shape under fitted knits.

- The Unbelievable Lift Scoop Balconette: sexy, supportive, and so lightweight!

- The Embraceable Wireless: I’ve recommended this wireless bra for large busts for years and was in need for a new one! 

- The Stunning Support Smooth Balconette: this is the perfect t-shirt bra for large busts with padded straps and disappears under knits

- The Stunning Starlet Multi-Way Strapless: recently improved for more support and more comfort, this wireless bra stays put and gives fab shape

I also picked up some of Soma’s iconic Vanishing Edge panties which keep you line-free. The whole Vanishing collection is genius. I loved being able to donate my gently used bras at my local Soma boutique to give to those in need. We all deserve a lift and Soma strives to achieve that. It’s why I’ve been a fan and customer for years and am honored to partner with them. Soma is the perfect fitting bra solution. Visit the link in my bio to shop and to find your local Soma boutique! #SomaPartner #SomaBraFit #SomaStartsWithMe
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If I close my eyes you can’t tell one is still bloodshot 😜

Still recovering from my eye surgery but feeling more myself. Getting dolled up helps me feel me. Bright colors and bold jewelry have been signature Alison since I was a kid! 

Sweater: @favorite.daughter 
Earrings: Amazon
Necklace: @_jennybird (old)
Ring: @realmfinejewelry 
Bra: @lovebravissimo 
Lipstick: @glossier 
Pins as “cufflinks”: vintage

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
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It was so funny and so quick I couldn’t not share! I bought this @hulkenbag a year ago and use it all the time. Carting shoot supplies, groceries, packing for road trips, and carting donations. This weekend @thenewdealcafe in @cityofgreenbelt hosted a community clothing swap so I made sure my family and I went through our summer wardrobes to gather that which we no longer needed or fit.

This wasn’t the first clothing swap and folks in town know my style (and my job) so there were some waiting for my arrival. Look how fast I cleared out this big bag! Speaking of the bag one other swap attendee said she got herself a Hulken after seeing mine in action!

It’s so great to know our old clothes are getting a good life and this bag makes carting them to the cafe so easy! I got my Hulken on Amazon, it comes in other colors and sizes too: https://amzn.to/48iTY4Y yep the bag is as great as all those ads you see on social media, I’m a big fan!
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I had to see… I asked my husband how often he thinks about the Roman Empire, and then asked our 14-year-old 😂
Open
#ad Go through my archives on Wardrobe Oxygen and one thing is clear: my family and I are a fan of @bombas socks! From their no-slip no-show socks to their iconic crew socks, Bombas makes great socks for the whole family while having a great heart.

Socks are the #1 requested article of clothing from homeless shelters. For every item purchase from Bombas, one is donated to someone experiencing homelessness. 

Save 20% on your first purchase at Bombas with my exclusive promo code: WARDROBE20

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https://liketk.it/4ipHy #bombas
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Happy gotcha day, Oscar! Four years ago he came into our life and we are so happy to have in our family!

Oscar was a rescue and came with some… quirks. Over the years we have come to understand him and he has come to trust us. He’s a diva, a snuggler, he could play catch for hours, and he’s my husband’s shadow. 

We’ve never had a small breed dog before and it’s a whole different experience. But we adore Oscar and couldn’t imagine our life without him! Thank you for coming into our life Oskie McGoskie! 🐾❤️
Open
I can see clearly now…

Actually I can’t, but things after my retina surgery are much improved! My next appointment is in a month and I’m cleared to get back into the world (with some restrictions to protect my eye).

With a sclera buckle, it changes your eye shape and now I am nearsighted again (I had lasik a few years ago). Once the eye is stabilized I can get glasses or contacts but until then I’m 20/20 in one eye and right now 20/60 in the other. But the eye is healing beautifully and I feel positive!

And I could see clearly enough to fall for this poppy-colored cotton jumpsuit from @pistoladenim. It comes in a few colors but this one is my favorite. I went with XL (im@a 14, sometimes 16) and likely could have sized down but I enjoy the relaxed fit and the drawstring waistband to create shape. And hello zipper closure making it super easy to get on and off!

My husband took this photo right after my eye appointment, I think it reflects my positive attitude and feeling of hope! 🧡

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4idXm
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Beauty · May 14, 2014

A Brow Beating: Reclaiming My Eyebrows

This article may contain affiliate links; if you click on a shopping link and make a purchase I may receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

natural eyebrows

Above, you can see my brows in their natural glory, never before waxed or plucked or powdered. I never did anything with my brows, they seemed fine to me.  Cut to Junior year of college when I went to visit my Sophomore-year roommate at her new apartment. She was always so stylish and well groomed and as soon as I walked in the door she exclaimed, “Those brows have GOT to go!” For an hour, we sat facing one another on the living room floor next to the sliding glass door for natural light as she tweezed by brows into oblivion. It was 1995, the era of the pencil-thin brows and she made me look modern and quite groomed. I’ll admit, I sobbed when I got home and saw 90% of my brows were gone, but within a week I felt tres chic and kept my brows waxed into crisp perfection for many years after.

And now it’s 2014 and everyone wants thick brows a la Cara Delevingne. For those who have only been waxing, threading, or tweezing for a couple years you likely have an easy time getting back to a more natural look. But for those of us who have been removing brow hair for decades may find it’s hard to change our brow style with the trends. Though I am only 39, I find the grow-out phase for my brows slow-going, and I will likely never regain the thick rectangles of brows seen in the photos above.

Therefore, I am working with what I have, and looking for products to enhance, groom, darken, and give the look of a fuller brow without looking painted-on crazypants. What I have tried, and what I have liked?

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (clear) and Brow Powder
In the past I swore by dark brown Maybelline brow powder; I can’t tell you the name because the lid is missing, the back label has faded away, and when on travel it’s wrapped in foil to prevent coating everything with brown dust. I’d apply it with a Trish McEvoy brow brush, which was stiff enough to give a natural look but soft enough to not have brow powder all over my face. Once applied, I’d hold the color and brows in place with Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in clear. I did this combination for over a decade; it filled in light spots, it made my brows look a bit longer on the outer edges, and it held up well enough. However, it wasn’t enough to get the very sculpted and thick brows that are hot this season and anyway I was ready to buy a new product and toss the ratty old powder compact!

Anastasia Beauty Express
This seemed like perfection – powder for color, wax to groom, a brush to do it all, stencils to help me have a crisp modern shape and even a shadow to enhance my brow bone! The Petite Arch stencil seemed like the best fit and even used it to know which stray hairs to tweeze but keep the fullness. I used this kit for a couple weeks. I asked friends what they thought of my brows and they said they looked fine, but I kept looking at myself in the mirror and feeling like a Muppet. So I asked the most honest person I know, Karl. He said he was glad I asked because he thought my brows looked fake and angry. I tried the other stencil shapes, I tried the product sans stencil, but without the stencils the powder wasn’t any different from my old Maybelline method. So I moved on.  But do know, this is a pretty spectacular product and a nice price; check it out somewhere like Sephora where you can try out the stencils before purchasing.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse
I read about it on one blog, found a beauty vlogger use it on YouTube, read online reviews and thought this may be just what I was looking for. It’s a creamy waxy product, sort of like a pot of liner, and it comes with its own spooly groomer/brush combo. No stencils, no fancy tips on creating perfect brows. I use the brush that comes with it, pat it into the pot and then start in the middle of my brow to draw the outer edge towards my hair. I then go to the inner half near my nose and do a combo of smooth line and feathering to add thickness and a natural look. The product sets after a couple of minutes and doesn’t budge all day, even if you wipe sweat off your brow or get caught in a rainstorm or anything else. I also find the color (I chose Medium Brown) to look quite natural.


What do you feel about the latest brow trend? What product/s are you using to groom and shape your brows?

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Comments

  1. terezib says

    April 17, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    I can’t STAND those black beetle brows now in fashion. I natually have Frida eyebrows – thick, black, unibrow, and have been plucking them for almost 50 years, since I was about 12. No way would I do the beetle brow look.

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    May 21, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    I have quite fair eyebrows (albeit am happy with the shape) and started darkening them when I started dying my hair a little darker. I’ve always been scared of pencil (seen it used badly too many times perhaps!) but I find using a matt brown eyeshadow from M.A.C (they have a really wide range so easy to find one that matches) and angled eyeliner brush to fill in the brows is an easy way to add subtle definition.

    Reply
  3. LearnedFoot says

    May 15, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    I also overplucked in the 90s and really regret it now. I bought the Anastasia kit at Sephora plus one of the really skinny pencils last fall. I am in love with it! The difference that properly-shaped brows make on my face is just astonishing. I don’t even like to go out now without having “done” my brows. My complaint about most brow pencils is that they are the size of regular eyeliners and have to be really sharp or you get a thick, poorly-defined line. I like that the Anastasia pencil is super-thin, so it’s easy to draw small, hair-like strokes. And like another commenter said, I use cuticle scissors to trim the brows as well. Otherwise I wind up looking like Peter Gallagher.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 16, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Your Peter Gallagher reference made me spit out my coffee, so awesome, perfect visual! And yes about thick pencils, Anastasia is brilliant!

      Reply
  4. Little Red says

    May 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm

    Y’all make me so glad I’m oblivious to eyebrow trends. Granted, it helps that mine have a nice natural shape with the appropriate amount of thickness.

    Reply
  5. Deb (Real Girl Runway) says

    May 15, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    I have pretty thin brows but their shape is good. I over plucked them back in the 90’s and luckily they’ve grown back. I use a Wet n’ Wild eyeliner pencil and Cover Girl eyeshadow with the brush slightly damp to do my brows. I lightly move the pencil back and forth over my brows. Then I smooth and fill in using the shadow. I’ve tried other methods and alway felt like my brows look fuzzy or drawn on.

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Lachman says

    May 14, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    I haven’t jumped onto the super thick brown trend but I do fill in the thinner areas at the end with a brow pencil.

    Reply
  7. Trystan L. Bass says

    May 14, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I have naturally huge, black, bushy brows. They used to annoy me, but I never did anything about it until maybe 5 years ago. Plucking was too hard to do myself (esp. since I wear glasses; I can’t see what I’m doing!), & I didn’t know there were ppl you could pay to do this stuff for you until a friend mentioned it. Now I go to the Benefit Brow Bar at the nearby mall every few months for a wax & pluck — shaping, not too severe, bec. then they’ll grow out fast & look crazy. Which means I’m never in with any particular brow “trend,” I just stick with what looks good on me. For a touch of filling, I love Benefit’s Instant Brow Pencil, has a brush on one end & a soft yet waxy pencil on the other. Looks great, stays put all day.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 16, 2014 at 10:43 am

      I MUST get to a Benefit Brow Bar!

      Reply
  8. JTro says

    May 14, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Forgot to mention….part of why this is such a great topic is that I find brows are the #1 trickiest makeup technique for most women! They report that they have no idea what to do, how to fill them in, what to use. Nearly everyone benefits from a little pencil or powder to refine and fill in sparse areas, so it’s great to share advice on techniques and products. : )

    Reply
  9. JTro says

    May 14, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    I’m a makeup artist, so I use brow products on myself and others, in every color imaginable. My current fave product is the Senna Brow Book….brow powders to match any color, the powder is highly pigmented, stays put and adheres to your real hairs. They have individual colors for people who don’t need the selection like I do. Pencils are great for creating structure (a big empty spot, for example) but powder works well to create a more natural look. When I teach classes, I always preach a couple of things about brows…1. Brows should not be a trend, period. If yours are naturally thick, refine the shape and clean them up, but leave them thick. If they are naturally on the thin side, don’t go overboard drawing on cartoonish, thick ones if that’s in style. Brows work best when you work with your natural shape and just refine it. 2. Brows are sisters, not twins…don’t freak out if they don’t look exactly the same. Most of us have one with a slightly higher arch or some other difference…again, work with this and don’t stress to make them look exactly the same…the effect can actually look strange if you manage to achieve it. and 3. when magazines say never tweeze or shape the tops of your brows? That’s incorrect advice, especially for thick brows. Cleaning up the top line is just as important as the bottom/arched portion….have it done professionally at least once (waxing or threading) and then you can maintain strays yourself at home. Quick tip if you tweeze at home…apply light concealer to your browbone area…it makes it really easy to see the strays and snag them! Great topic Allie! #browfreak

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      You rock this comment is all sorts of awesome and helpful! <3

      Reply
      • JTro says

        May 15, 2014 at 4:05 pm

        Thanks girl, happy to help! This is in my wheelhouse for sure….

        Reply
  10. Carolina says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    I really like the Lancôme brow grooming gel in brunette. A tiny bit of color and great control and not as gunky as mascara.
    I have insane, dark, CURLY, long, thick eyebrows that dominate my face if given the chance. They look like black caterpillars. I used to get teased about them as a kid. I’ve been waxing and trimming those suckers into submission for years and I think I’ve achieved the perfect shape for my face (with the help of a really good waxer). The shape is not 90s thin, but it’s not as thick as the current trend either, which I think would dominate my features. I think trends on something like brow shaping are best ignored. Do what makes your face look its very best. It will vary based on bone structure.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      So true Carolina, and thanks for the product recommendation!

      Reply
  11. Megan says

    May 14, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    I’m so glad thicker eyebrows are in style right now. Mine have progressively become thinner over the past few years of threading and tweezing, so I’m trying to survive the awkward growing out phase.

    Reply
  12. Quiltin' Jenny says

    May 14, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I always had those thick, dark, Brooke Shields brows, and luckily never overplucked too badly (mostly because of the pain, but also because I had a great aunt with drawn on eyebrows who warned me of the consequences). I do have some thin spots now, and recently had a consultation at ULTA. They recommended Gimme Brow from Benefit, which I really like. http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5770325

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      Thanks for the recommendation Jenny!

      Reply
  13. Saraspunza says

    May 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    My brows have been non-existent. I have been accused so many times of over-plucking when in fact, I do not pluck at all. I just don’t have a lot of eyebrow hair. So, I finally found the perfect pencil and it is Anastassia. Love it!

    Reply
  14. Ginger says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Eyebrows thin naturally as you age, so bushy brows are youthful — something that would have been good to think about back in my teens and twenties.
    I haven’t done much with mine for several years now and they’re doing alright. I’ll probably never regain the uni-brow I once had, but they do extend to the ends of my eyelids so I’m happy. I sometimes run a little clear mascara over them and will brush them up then trim them with scissors. Don’t waste your money on scissors with the comb attached, it’s hard to use.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      I do the same thing with my cuticle scissors!

      Reply
  15. taylor says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    i’m so glad that trend of very thin brows went away. I was a teenager in that time, and have very dark, thick, heavily arched brows, while most of the brows I saw were not very arched, and much thinner than mine. I plucked them quite thin and looking back on pictures, they are horrible – they almost disappear at the highest point of the arch – I had no idea what I was doing. I hated them though, they were my least favourite feature.

    Fast forward to today and they are one of my best features! Fortunately they mostly grew back though I have a bit of a bald patch on one of them – whether that was there before, or a result of overplucking, who can say. I get compliments on them all the time, and get them threaded every 3 weeks, which has saved my skin. I used to get them waxed with mixed results, and red rashes and pimples for a few days afterwards. Then I discovered threading and haven’t looked back.

    Sometimes if I want to play them up even more (they are quite prominent already) I fill them in a bit with MAC eyebrow pencil in Stud. Other than that I just comb them with an eyebrow brush that I spray hairspray on, to hold them in place.

    Reply
  16. Mary says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    My brows are naturally black, and very thick and made up of really long hairs, but left to their own devices, they have no natural shape. I’ve got limited time/patience to deal with this stuff, so I’ve never followed trends with them–I’ve had them waxed (and now threaded) just into a natural, gently arched shape since my early 20s and don’t plan to stop. So, for a long time, they were thicker than was fashionable, and now they are a little thin for trendiness. But, it’s a classic shape that suits my face and frames my eyes nicely (which are clearly my best feature), so I roll with it.

    Sidenote: Was fun to see we have a mutual friend on FB yesterday! 🙂

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 12:15 pm

      Yes, what a small world. You have good taste in friends 🙂

      Reply
      • Mary says

        May 14, 2014 at 1:20 pm

        As, clearly, do you. 🙂

        Reply
  17. Jodi Truscott says

    May 14, 2014 at 11:43 am

    I’m guilty too of years of over-plucking and also giving threading a try a time or two. Now – I’m oh-so-lucky to have sparse brows that in my early 40s have minimal hope of ever growing back. After trying a few different products (including shadows and liners) that looked pretty ridiculous, I recently discovered the NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder at CVS – which I love. Worth a try and the price is awesome…http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-63-eyebrow-cake-powder.aspx

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 3:11 pm

      Thanks for the recommendation Jodi!

      Reply
  18. Sarah says

    May 14, 2014 at 11:31 am

    I am a few years younger than you but I also took the eyebrow plunge in 1995. I was absolutely convinced that plucking my brows off would make me look like Pamela Anderson. I even shaved them up the middle. I had sperm brows for about a decade and have spent the last decade trying to get them to grow in. They have come back, but not as thick. I have to tweeze the strays every single night, it’s just part of my nightly routine now.

    Reply
  19. Lorena Lorena says

    May 14, 2014 at 11:08 am

    I had a serious pluck when I was about 23, they went from thick to super thin. Funny thing is that like you, i never thought there was something off with my thick brows until someone pointed out that my brows were thick I felt old fashioned permitted her to plucked them. After that I realized that I should have never done it and never have again.

    Reply
  20. Natalie says

    May 14, 2014 at 11:06 am

    I always had thick dark eyebrows as a child and I heard adults whisper “Brooke Shields” when they’d look at me. I wasn’t sure if that was a good for bad thing. When I was 12 my mother hauled me off to have electrolysis on my unibrow. For years I tweezed and waxed trying to improve the shape of my brows to make them more ‘feminine’. Unfortunately, all those years of messing with my brows have left me with very little to work with these days. I keep seeing younger women with overplucked brows and want to beg them to stop making themselves look older and warn them the results can sometimes be permanent. I’ve used the Tarte Brow Mousse but I struggle to get the shape just right using it, especially since my brows are still very dark, and I’m not sure stencils would be right for me.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 14, 2014 at 11:16 am

      I have heard great things about Benefit stores, which do brow shaping and teach you how to use product. They don’t tweeze away but work to benefit your natural shape and color. It’s on my bucket list!

      Reply
      • Anne says

        May 18, 2014 at 8:02 pm

        I’ve always had thick dark brows and only started getting them cleaned up / shaped (waxed and tweezed) at various Benefit brow bars in the last five or so years. Everyone I’ve tried has done a great job and has kept them full and natural. About a year ago, the brow person suggested that I could use some definition in my brows, so I’ve been using Benefit’s Instant Brow in Medium. I love it. I fill in my brows lightly and then brush through with the little spoolie brush. It makes them look darker and fuller, but not fake. They also have another product called Gimme Brow, which I tried but didn’t like as much. Good luck with your brows!

        Reply
  21. Catherine Harper says

    May 14, 2014 at 10:13 am

    I remember plucking my eyebrows a little too much in high school and my mom completely freaked out. I’ve always pretty much left them alone since then, and just pluck the stray hairs here and there as needed. I’m personally not a fan of the overdone eyebrows many women favor now, with so much liner that you can’t see your actual brows. I think it’s a very heavy look, when eyebrows should gently frame the face. I’m all for naturally thick brows, but don’t try to fake it with brown liner. 😛 Yours look very natural and polished!

    Reply

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Since 2005, Wardrobe Oxygen has offered real-life style advice for grown-ass women. With years of experience as an apparel visual merchandiser and personal shopper, Alison Gary provides advice on how to achieve personal style no matter your age, size, or budget.

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Night and day…

Met three dear friends for an early dinner that went on until after the sun set. Great food and conversation with some great women!

The dress is @adamlippes and I borrowed it from @renttherunway. The bag is @jcrew and a splurge but I regretted not buying it the last time they offered this bag and this color is SO me. I mean, look how great it is with these many years old suede heeled sandals? Meant to be!

This color combination makes me so happy, and this dress was comfy even after a decadent meal. We all deserve to experience comfort and joy with our wardrobes! 💛🩷

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Sep 21

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If @thechicks are in town you can bet @debbiefaye78 and I will be there! So when we heard they were coming to @merriweatherpp we were so excited. And their concert did not disappoint. As always, a phenomenal show! If The Chicks come to your neck of the woods I highly recommend you go!

Okay I know you want to know about what we’re wearing! 

My sister’s caftan is from @anthropologie (bought this summer so maybe you can find on resale sites).

I’m wearing a @bananarepublic dress also from this summer with the @universalstandard denim chore jacket and a hat I got from a @madewell collab a year or so ago. I glammed it up with some gold chains and gold drop earrings, but kept it comfy for a night of standing and dancing with @birkenstock sandals.

This was my first big outing since my eye surgery, and with a pocketful of eye drops I felt good (and grateful we splurged for good seats!).

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4jcBL #ltkmidsize #ltkover40 #midsizestyle #genxstyle #usinthewild #concertstyle

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Sep 19

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If I close my eyes you can’t tell one is still bloodshot 😜

Still recovering from my eye surgery but feeling more myself. Getting dolled up helps me feel me. Bright colors and bold jewelry have been signature Alison since I was a kid! 

Sweater: @favorite.daughter 
Earrings: Amazon
Necklace: @_jennybird (old)
Ring: @realmfinejewelry 
Bra: @lovebravissimo 
Lipstick: @glossier 
Pins as “cufflinks”: vintage

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4j0LM #ltkmidsize #midsizestyle #over40style #ltkover40 #genxstyle

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Sep 11

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Happy gotcha day, Oscar! Four years ago he came into our life and we are so happy to have in our family!

Oscar was a rescue and came with some… quirks. Over the years we have come to understand him and he has come to trust us. He’s a diva, a snuggler, he could play catch for hours, and he’s my husband’s shadow. 

We’ve never had a small breed dog before and it’s a whole different experience. But we adore Oscar and couldn’t imagine our life without him! Thank you for coming into our life Oskie McGoskie! 🐾❤️

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Sep 8

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I can see clearly now…

Actually I can’t, but things after my retina surgery are much improved! My next appointment is in a month and I’m cleared to get back into the world (with some restrictions to protect my eye).

With a sclera buckle, it changes your eye shape and now I am nearsighted again (I had lasik a few years ago). Once the eye is stabilized I can get glasses or contacts but until then I’m 20/20 in one eye and right now 20/60 in the other. But the eye is healing beautifully and I feel positive!

And I could see clearly enough to fall for this poppy-colored cotton jumpsuit from @pistoladenim. It comes in a few colors but this one is my favorite. I went with XL (im@a 14, sometimes 16) and likely could have sized down but I enjoy the relaxed fit and the drawstring waistband to create shape. And hello zipper closure making it super easy to get on and off!

My husband took this photo right after my eye appointment, I think it reflects my positive attitude and feeling of hope! 🧡

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4idXm

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Sep 5

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I’ll be a bit quiet on here and other channels because I had eye (retinal) surgery this past weekend. I was having what I thought were ocular migraines but come to find out I was experiencing lattice degeneration, which is thinning/holes in the retina. I had surgery Saturday for my right eye and later on they’ll work on the left eye, which isn’t as bad and can be remedied by laser, in office.

I share not because I’m Mrs. Frizzle meets Iris Apfel as I recuperate at home, but because this whole thing has been a lesson on trusting my gut. And I want to remind you to do the same.

As we get older our bodies can feel like strangers. Things are constantly changing and it’s easy to just assume your annual physical will catch anything wrong. But if you slow down and listen to your body you’ll know when things are just a sign of aging and life and what seems unusual. That nagging issue may be something more serious.

And if you’re seeing flashing lights, floaters, spiderwebs or other odd eye things get checked out ASAP. It may be nothing but take it from me, it may actually be something. ❤️

Okay, going back to my big sunglasses caftan recuperation life!

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Aug 30

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Ladies who lunch…

While in Savannah, I made sure to get lunch reservations for me and E at @theoldepinkhouse she loves the color pink, historic homes, and ghost stories so it was a perfect choice! 

Built in 1789 on Reynolds Square, there are stories of guests seeing ghosts, cutlery and wine bottles moving along with an elegant and truly delicious dining. 

While we didn’t see any apparitions, we did have a lovely lunch with impeccable service and after toured all floors of the home. I highly recommend a visit if you’re visiting Savannah!

My dress is from @cosstores (no longer available); hat is @furtalk and bag is @talbotsofficial (no longer available).

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Aug 29

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Scenes from a week in Savannah… 

The three of us (and our dog Oscar!) had a warm and humid but wonderful time exploring Savannah, Georgia earlier this month. Our daughter visited this gorgeous city last summer with her @girlscouts troop but wanted to return to experience more. We let her choose our adventures and play your guide and it was awesome. We cannot wait to visit again, though next time it won’t be August 🥵

For more of our trip check the “Savannah” highlight on my profile page!

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Aug 28

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Stripes are always right…

Y’all know I love stripes and when @universalstandard came out with their Breton-stripe dresses and tops I HAD to try them! As expected, the quality is stellar, the fit boosts my confidence, and I appreciate the range of colors (5 different stripes to choose from) and sizes (00-50). For reference, I’m wearing XS but preferred S for the top and I usually wear a 14 or XL in other brands.

The tote is @able and it’s a soft yet durable leather that just looks better with time. This color (cognac) is one that transitions nicely from summer to fall. 

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4hkEF 

#usinthewild #bretonstripes #midsizestyle #midsizefashion #size14 #over40style

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Aug 27

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The family that wears @printfresh together stays together 🥰

Use code wardrobe_oxygen for 15% off your order of size-inclusive organic cotton sleepwear, dresses, bags & more https://glnk.io/qk04/wardrobe-oxygen

I’ve been raving about my Printfresh pajamas for years, my family also wanted to try them. Thank you Printfresh for gifting these for our annual three generation girls’ getaway to Rehoboth Beach, DE. We had a great time and being all matchy matchy in our pajamas was a fun addition! 🐅🍃🥰

#printfresh #printfreshpajamas #printfreshpartner

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