When your friend is both a genius hairstylist and a genius photographer… thanks @luvabilly for the great photo and the great day together!

Did you catch @billyshairstudio1 on @fox5dc Monday? He did two segments this afternoon and for one about fall hair trends, I was one of his on-air models! We took this photo in the lobby after the segments and before we enjoyed lunch and shopping in nearby @bethesdarowfrt

Turtleneck and pants: @lovechicos
Shoes: @allyshoes

Covid is an MFer

While I am technically “over” Covid and able to go back out in society and won’t infect others, that doesn’t mean I’m healed. I took this selfie of me and my daughter on a walk this weekend, my first physical activity in two weeks. Half an hour, relatively flat ground, going slow yet I got so winded I almost had to stop and rest before getting home.

Did you know the majority of those who get long Covid are women in midlife? Scientists don’t know the reason, wondering if it’s hormonal fluctuations or preexisting conditions but I think the cause is societal and environmental.

Women in midlife have it hard. We’re higher up in Corporate America but still struggling to maintain authority and respect in the workplace. We’re caregivers not just for our kids but also our parents. We’re involved in our community, in politics, in our kids’ schools. We’re trying to have fewer f*cks to give while society is still trying to control our bodies and our futures and telling us we need to do more. Getting the proper time to rest and heal from Covid as a woman in midlife is nearly impossible.

I’m self-employed and I still feel Covid guilt. I took a week off from publishing content on my site, almost two weeks from posting on my feed here on Instagram and I wondered if that was actually good considering the guilt that literally kept me up at night, the fear a week away would destroy my business, the daily attempts I made to try to craft something beautiful or informative or funny with Covid brain, joint pain, paralyzing headaches and extreme fatigue.

Since sharing I had Covid, other women have come forward sharing how they too had it and experienced weeks of fatigued but pressed on, returning to work and school and other responsibilities. I worry about us, how our need to press on may bring on long term effects of this virus.

Take care of yourselves. Get your booster, wear your mask, and rest when you’re able. ❤️

It has been a rough two weeks but the Gary household has survived Covid!

We’re all vaccinated and boosted, we all wear masks, yet we finally got it last week and boy was it a doozy! Each of us experienced different symptoms but each of us got it for almost the same length of time. We’re so exhausted of being stuck at home (though Oscar has loved the extra attention and affection!) and are so glad the Maryland health department gave us the okay to go back out into the world! 😷🌎

So, what did I miss? 😀

What I wore ten years ago this month along with one of the top songs from September 2012! Do you remember your favorite looks from back then? I was a big fan of peplums, peep toe pumps, and statement necklaces. I still love bright colors like cobalt blue and love the detail of tying a button-front shirt with a full skirt!

Catch more of my throwbacks and revisits from my almost 20 years as a style blogger at #WO2TBT #throwbackthursday #ogfashionblogger

When you visit a Banksy exhibit with your family and there’s an Instagram-worthy activation at the end…

This exhibit was in DC last month but I completely forgot to share these photos after the day! Needless to say, the Garys had a lot of fun!

Second day of training to volunteer with @successinstyleinc and of COURSE I had to capture a mirror selfie of my outfit!

Success in Style offers business attire and counseling to assist clients in gaining employment, building careers, and improving their quality of life. The nonprofit also has multiple stores in Historic Savage Mill where you can shop a curated collection of donated apparel. Here I am in Charity’s First Picks, a boutique of higher-end donated clothing and accessories that supports the mission.

I love being able to support my community through my passion for fashion. Not only have I been writing about fashion and style for almost two decades, I have around a decade of apparel retail under my belt so in the words of Celine Dion, it’s all coming back to me now and it’s a lot of fun!

If you’d like to learn more about @successinstyleinc, to volunteer or donate clothing visit successinstyle.org

As for my look, it’s a washable silk top and Zhou culottes from @mmlafleur and since I’d be on my feet for a few hours I wore a pair of @lissomofficial flats. My good link necklace is @lovechicos from earlier this year.

#mmlafleur #inmyMM #charityscloset #successinstyle #whatireallywore #size14 #midsizestyle

If you know, you know…

Cut off those strings holding your self-belt to your shirt dress (though maybe do it when not on your body and with more care than I did). They’re not necessary and then your self-belt will crease less and you can place it where it’s best for your body! Don’t like it shifting up or down? Use a safety pin inside the dress to hold the belt in place at the center of your back and cinch for a custom fit!

Dress is @boden_clothing but your girl Allie has been wearing these strings since spring 2021 when she bought it. No more.

Double date night at @gravitasdc 🍽

Our dear friends were celebrating their wedding anniversary and we joined them for dinner at a new to all of us restaurant in the Ivy City part of DC. We decided to dress up for the occasion!

Offering a tasting menu full of locally sourced deliciousness, Gravitas also has a vegan tasting menu that my husband enjoyed.

As for the look… I bought this jumpsuit from @laurenralphlauren back in 2017; the @zara clutch I believe was also bought the same year. I’ve worn this jumpsuit to at least once event every year since I got it (except 2020 but that year doesn’t count).

My husband’s blazer he bought in 2015 at @lanskybros when our cross-country road trip went through Memphis. He has had it tailored twice since them to adjust to trends and his changing body and the subtle print mixes with denim, tropical-weight wool, and linen with ease.

Both our looks are proof that you don’t need to buy basic or boring to have something be a wardrobe workhorse!

Like mother, like daughter 👯‍♀️

Last night my family and I went to see @chilipeppers at @nationalspark and my daughter and I ended up wearing almost the same outfit, down to our @dagnedover Ace bags as crossbodies!

The Peppers were amazing, so full of energy and joy. They have been on my bucket list, can you believe I hadn’t seen them yet? It’s like it was meant to be to be able to see them together again with John Frusciante and to see them with our daughter!

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Beauty

Hair – Your Life-Long Accessory

Beauty · November 26, 2005

Hair – Your Life-Long Accessory

Beauty, Fashion Advice · June 26, 2005

Lessons I Learned From My Exchange Student

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Sep 27

When your friend is both a genius hairstylist and a genius photographer… thanks @luvabilly for the great photo and the great day together!

Did you catch @billyshairstudio1 on @fox5dc Monday? He did two segments this afternoon and for one about fall hair trends, I was one of his on-air models! We took this photo in the lobby after the segments and before we enjoyed lunch and shopping in nearby @bethesdarowfrt

Turtleneck and pants: @lovechicos
Shoes: @allyshoes

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 26

Covid is an MFer

While I am technically “over” Covid and able to go back out in society and won’t infect others, that doesn’t mean I’m healed. I took this selfie of me and my daughter on a walk this weekend, my first physical activity in two weeks. Half an hour, relatively flat ground, going slow yet I got so winded I almost had to stop and rest before getting home.

Did you know the majority of those who get long Covid are women in midlife? Scientists don’t know the reason, wondering if it’s hormonal fluctuations or preexisting conditions but I think the cause is societal and environmental.

Women in midlife have it hard. We’re higher up in Corporate America but still struggling to maintain authority and respect in the workplace. We’re caregivers not just for our kids but also our parents. We’re involved in our community, in politics, in our kids’ schools. We’re trying to have fewer f*cks to give while society is still trying to control our bodies and our futures and telling us we need to do more. Getting the proper time to rest and heal from Covid as a woman in midlife is nearly impossible.

I’m self-employed and I still feel Covid guilt. I took a week off from publishing content on my site, almost two weeks from posting on my feed here on Instagram and I wondered if that was actually good considering the guilt that literally kept me up at night, the fear a week away would destroy my business, the daily attempts I made to try to craft something beautiful or informative or funny with Covid brain, joint pain, paralyzing headaches and extreme fatigue.

Since sharing I had Covid, other women have come forward sharing how they too had it and experienced weeks of fatigued but pressed on, returning to work and school and other responsibilities. I worry about us, how our need to press on may bring on long term effects of this virus.

Take care of yourselves. Get your booster, wear your mask, and rest when you’re able. ❤️

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 22

It has been a rough two weeks but the Gary household has survived Covid!

We’re all vaccinated and boosted, we all wear masks, yet we finally got it last week and boy was it a doozy! Each of us experienced different symptoms but each of us got it for almost the same length of time. We’re so exhausted of being stuck at home (though Oscar has loved the extra attention and affection!) and are so glad the Maryland health department gave us the okay to go back out into the world! 😷🌎

So, what did I miss? 😀

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 14

When you visit a Banksy exhibit with your family and there’s an Instagram-worthy activation at the end…

This exhibit was in DC last month but I completely forgot to share these photos after the day! Needless to say, the Garys had a lot of fun!

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 12

Second day of training to volunteer with @successinstyleinc and of COURSE I had to capture a mirror selfie of my outfit!

Success in Style offers business attire and counseling to assist clients in gaining employment, building careers, and improving their quality of life. The nonprofit also has multiple stores in Historic Savage Mill where you can shop a curated collection of donated apparel. Here I am in Charity’s First Picks, a boutique of higher-end donated clothing and accessories that supports the mission.

I love being able to support my community through my passion for fashion. Not only have I been writing about fashion and style for almost two decades, I have around a decade of apparel retail under my belt so in the words of Celine Dion, it’s all coming back to me now and it’s a lot of fun!

If you’d like to learn more about @successinstyleinc, to volunteer or donate clothing visit successinstyle.org

As for my look, it’s a washable silk top and Zhou culottes from @mmlafleur and since I’d be on my feet for a few hours I wore a pair of @lissomofficial flats. My good link necklace is @lovechicos from earlier this year.

#mmlafleur #inmyMM #charityscloset #successinstyle #whatireallywore #size14 #midsizestyle

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 10

Double date night at @gravitasdc 🍽

Our dear friends were celebrating their wedding anniversary and we joined them for dinner at a new to all of us restaurant in the Ivy City part of DC. We decided to dress up for the occasion!

Offering a tasting menu full of locally sourced deliciousness, Gravitas also has a vegan tasting menu that my husband enjoyed.

As for the look… I bought this jumpsuit from @laurenralphlauren back in 2017; the @zara clutch I believe was also bought the same year. I’ve worn this jumpsuit to at least once event every year since I got it (except 2020 but that year doesn’t count).

My husband’s blazer he bought in 2015 at @lanskybros when our cross-country road trip went through Memphis. He has had it tailored twice since them to adjust to trends and his changing body and the subtle print mixes with denim, tropical-weight wool, and linen with ease.

Both our looks are proof that you don’t need to buy basic or boring to have something be a wardrobe workhorse!

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 9

Like mother, like daughter 👯‍♀️

Last night my family and I went to see @chilipeppers at @nationalspark and my daughter and I ended up wearing almost the same outfit, down to our @dagnedover Ace bags as crossbodies!

The Peppers were amazing, so full of energy and joy. They have been on my bucket list, can you believe I hadn’t seen them yet? It’s like it was meant to be to be able to see them together again with John Frusciante and to see them with our daughter!

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 3

Third golf lesson today, and I’m still loving it! This has been my summer of saying yes and trying new things. Sculling, Brazilian Jiu Juitsu, golf… it has really been eye-opening and a lot of fun. Especially as we get older, it’s easy to get stuck in a routine. Trying new activities has pushed me far beyond my comfort zone but I’ve grown from it and it has helped me be more open and accepting in other aspects of my life.

What have you tried lately that is new to you? How did it go?

As for my outfit… this dress is from @_kinona I love the longer length and the separate shorts for modesty and a better fit. I felt cool and comfortable all day in this and received a few compliments from other women at the golf course!

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/3OuQT #genxstyle #midsizestyle #size14 #kinonagolf #kinona #golfstyle #over40blogger

wardrobe_oxygen

Sep 2

The little active dress that could…

For two summers now I’ve wanted an active dress; something with built-in shorts (with pockets) that would work with my grown-ass woman soft curves. Every single one I tried, regardless of size range available, didn’t fit my bust, my booty, or if it did I was extremely uncomfortable.

Who would have thought @oldnavy would be the place that finally got the active dress right for a range of bodies? I now own three of these dresses!

What makes it different:
- Instead of a traditional shelf bra, this dress has an interior mixed media seamed lining that acts like a shelf bra but accommodates a range of busts (and has room to fit a standard bra).
- You can wear a standard bra with it; the straps are wide enough, the back high enough.
- The length isn’t too short nor too long.
- While not perfect, the shorts don’t ride as much as others and I find long enough to prevent chafing.

Usually for @oldnavy activewear I wear Large but I went with XL to accommodate my bust. Not only did it offer that, it also provided a looser fit that I feel more confident in when wearing around town. The Large also fits but is more fitted and shorter, making it better for activities and sports.

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/3OnuD #size14 #midsizefashion #midsizestyle #over40style #oldnavystyle

wardrobe_oxygen

Aug 31

Looking for comfy yet chic pants for fall? Then visit Wardrobe Oxygen where I did a brutally honest review of the new @universalstandard ponte pant collection!

Ponte is a double weave knit that looks polished, can be dressy and professional, but is as comfy and easy care as loungewear. Universal Standard launched a collection in sizes 00-40 in a range of silhouettes and colors (and all with pockets!).

While Universal Standard gifted me the pants, I gave this collection the famous WO2 thorough review going over the good and the not so good with photos from every angle. I tried six of the new styles and for you longtime US fans, compare them to older styles.

For reference I’m 5’3” tall, usually wear a size 14, got all these pants in US size XS.

So go visit my bio, tap the link, check it out, and if you’ve tried the new Universal Standard ponte pant collection, let me know your thoughts! Not everyone is built like me or has my same tastes so my yay may be another’s nay and vice versa!

#USinthewild #universalstandard #pontepants #ponteknit #size14 #size14style #genxstyle #over40style #midsizeblogger #midsizestyle

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