Open
Scenes from a Friday night…

We started at @littleblackbirddc a new wine bar in Cleveland Park where we had great food, drink, and conversation into the evening. We then headed down the street to @atomicbilliards for a whole different experience and to keep the conversation going. I treasure my friendships with @sylviacolella (who had a birthday recently), @districtofchic, and @blonde_inthedistrict they’re the real deal 🥰

My dress is @adamlippes borrowed via @renttherunway and Cheetos with Sauvignon Blanc is a really fun pairing!
Open
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! 💛🩷

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

Follow my shop @wardrobe_oxygen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!
https://liketk.it/4ipHy #bombas
Open
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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Fashion Advice · May 13, 2013

How I Shop

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. 

shopping online tops

I worked in retail for a decade. I was a personal shopper, retail manager, apparel visual merchandiser, salesperson racing from fitting room to denim wall to register. Because of this, I enter a mall maybe twice a year, and always at off-peak times.

I also don’t shop in malls because I find them frustrating, overwhelming, and demoralizing.

Near my office, there is an Ann Taylor, a Gap, a Nordstrom Rack, and a few other shops. Near my home on my way to the bank or Emerson’s dance class there’s a Marshall’s, a Ross, an Old Navy, a Target, and a couple smaller shops. I will occasionally shop these retailers if I have time or they are near my necessary errand locations, but otherwise I shop online.

 
I shop online because the selection is better.
I shop online because I have flattering lighting.
I shop online because I trust my own mirror.
I shop online because I am then never pushed to buy something by someone who doesn’t know or care about me.
I shop online so I can be sure the item works with my shoes/bra/purse.
I shop online because they have my size.
I shop online so I can take the time to sit in something, see it from behind, make sure it works with my body and movement.
I shop online so I have time.
I shop online so I don’t become a sweaty frustrated mess who wants to drink all the wine at California Pizza Kitchen and enjoy all that wine with spinach artichoke dip.
I shop online so I get what I want in a manner I deserve.

I don’t shop in person, and that includes thrift stores, because I just don’t have the time. I work over 40 hours a week and commute almost 10 hours more. I blog, I help my husband with his business, I have a child and family and friends. When I have free time I don’t want to spend it shopping, I want to spend it living. I spent too much of my past using shopping as a source of entertainment and all it gave me was a lot of debt and crowded closets. When I do go to stores I so often see bored kids in carts, whining to leave. I have limited time with Emerson, I’d rather spend it doing something we both can enjoy.

Where I mainly shop:

  • Nordstrom. They have petites and larger sizes and great reviews from fellow customers to help me choose the right size or to not buy an item. They have free shipping and free returns. Nordstrom also has surprisingly awesome prices – their sales are fabulous, and brands like Halogen and Caslon give you current trends for reasonable prices.
  • Ann Taylor. The brand fits me. Sometimes I love their stuff, sometimes I hate their stuff, but I find the quality and sizing to be relatively consistent and their style to fit my lifestyle. Oh, and they too have great sales and take returns in-store.
  • Talbots. Consistent sizing and quality, great wardrobe staples, great customer service. I swear by Talbots skirts, very flattering and classic.
  • Zappos. Extensive selection, free shipping and returns.
  • 6pm. If you know what you like, check here and you may find it cheaper. Free shipping.
  • Amazon. Same with 6pm, it’s a good place to find very specific items at a great price.
  • Gap. I like them for basics – tee shirts, summer dresses, the occasional pair of jeans. Their sizing and quality is inconsistent so I don’t shop there as much as I used to. But they have a broad range of sizes, and I can do returns in store.
  • eBay. I buy a large percentage of my wardrobe from eBay because it’s saving stuff from landfills, saving me money, and giving me variety. I like to look for last-season’s items on there (I’m the crazy person who remembers the names of different dresses and jackets).

How I shop:

  • I always go to Ebates first. I have written about Ebates before, but it’s a no-strings, no-spam way to get true cash back (not points, not gift cards) on where you shop. Big fan.
  • I always make a list and try to stick to it. Very little virtual window shopping, which can be bad for the wallet.
  • I often sort items from lowest to highest price so I see the more budget-friendly options before falling for one that is more expensive.
  • If the site doesn’t have reviews, I Google the name of the item and “review” to see if I can find them elsewhere. Many blogs do product reviews these days which are super helpful when determining brand or size.
  • I don’t usually veer from brands I know unless there’s a lot of reviews letting me know about quality and fit.
  • I don’t like shopping places where the clothes aren’t on human beings. While some models are smaller than mannequins and clothes are often clipped and pinned to fit, a human model gives me a better feel of drape and fit than a mannequin or having it on a white background.
  • If an online retailers has a PITA return policy, I won’t shop there unless I know before I buy that I will not want to return (specific size and style of shoe, an accessory, etc.).
  • If I want a very specific item and the site doesn’t have my size, I will Google to see if I can find it elsewhere.
  • If I want a specific item (say a Western shirt) I will search my favorite haunts, then I will Google the item with “2013” to see what blog reviews or sites have something with that description. This saves me time and often brings to light new and interesting retailers.
  • I never check out before searching for a promo code. RetailMeNot is my favorite place. I also subscribe to emails from my favorite retailers to get promo codes.
  • I don’t rack up debt, but I do have Nordstrom and Banana Republic (which also works for Gap, Old Navy, and Athleta) credit cards and put my purchases on them. I pay them off right away, but I acquire points on purchases which earn me store credit.
  • I have a box at home where I keep all receipts and packing slips. As soon as I buy something, the receipt goes there in case I need to do a return or exchange. Also helpful if I want to replace something via eBay, I know the name and SKU.
  • I also have a box of shipping materials. In there goes all the shipping bags that deliver product, as well as any tissue paper or bubble wrap used to protect accessories. This way I have free materials for returns as well as old items I sell on eBay.

I have become a bit of an online shopping pro. I know how to find what I want with minimal time, and how to get the best price (or cash back). I know my body, I know what brands usually flatter, so it reduces my number of returns. Online shopping is like any other activity, you become more skilled with time. I have found this to be a good skill to hone because it saves me time, saves me money, and saves my confidence.

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Comments

  1. Jenifer Hook says

    November 4, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Nice

    Reply
  2. Thrift Store Mama says

    May 15, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    I’d like to do better about buying multiple colors of the same pants (online) when I find a great fit in the stores. I love replacing favorite things using the sku or style number. I find that the store at the mall (or shopping center) generally only has 1-2 colors of a particular pant, but there are generally other colors on-line.

    P.S. Allison, I think you and Maud may sort of know each other IRL. She’s an IRL friend so I know where she lives. (Oh dear, that sounds creepy. I don’t mean it creepy).

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 16, 2013 at 9:39 am

      Yep Maud and I know one another IRL, and you don’t sound creepy at all! Small world (and full of great people!). To preserve her anonymity, she can let you know how the two of us know one another 🙂

      Reply
  3. Pamela Watson says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I just wanted to say how great this post is. Several years ago, when I first started looking for guidance on how to dress professionally for work, this is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for– where I should shop for quality and value– and how to get the most with the least effort.
    THANK YOU!

    Reply
  4. FrustratedOnlineShopper says

    May 15, 2013 at 3:17 am

    Do you have any recommendations for internet retailers that list where the product is made in the description? I have looked high and low – From Nordstrom to Shopbop, Revolve, ASOS, oakNYC, ZARA, Gap, Kurt Geiger and more.

    Everywhere I want to shop just lists items as “imported,” which we all know is PR spin for “China,” “Bangladesh” or various other sweatshop-riddled countries. I want to shop online for all the reasons stated above, as I seriously have very little time with my job, but I can’t feel comfortable not knowing such a huge and important detail.

    Who wants to pay upwards of $100 dollars for something made in China, anyway? Does no one really care where there clothes are made anymore? Any suggestions would be a huge help.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 15, 2013 at 9:37 am

      I’m finding that with the Bangladesh tragedy, retailers are starting to share where items are manufactured. But one thing to consider is that even clothing made in the US can be using fabric made in other countries. I think this is less about where an item is made and more about the way the workers are treated. What happened in Bangladesh is so horrible, but it is making retailers realize they can’t be so cheap and heartless and still have loyal customers.

      That being said, I like Karen Kane because their clothes are made in the US. Heck their PR person that emails me is Karen’s son! Talk about a personal feel and being made here in the States. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Happinessatmidlife says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:44 am

    I don’t know how would shop if it wasn’t for online. I love online shopping for my son too through the sale section and buy up sizes for when he gets bigger. I do still return the items back at the store since most stores will charge for return by mail.

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Reply
  6. Catherine Harper says

    May 13, 2013 at 11:54 pm

    I shop online mostly now, too. As a mom to two small children, it’s just that much easier. I’m becoming interested in fair trade clothing and learning about where my clothes come from, and right now, that means buying from online stores I know and trust. I believe in supporting local businesses, but most of my shopping is done online these days.

    Reply
  7. Jodi Truscott says

    May 13, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    I’m a huge eBay junkie ~ I’ve also joined a few “Yard Sale” sites in my area on Facebook. There tend to be a lot of newer former corporate women who are now SAHM’s looking to part with their former career wardrobes. For example – I picked up 3 very nice lined lace tops (all XL, in cream, brown and black) for $20 for the lot. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Sara says

    May 13, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    I love this. Online shopping is one of my favorite things. I prefer it to real life shopping any day. I too use retailmenot.com but some other tricks I keep in mind are when shopping at stores that have a minimum shipping requirement (ahem, Macy’s) I always spend the minimum and then return items I don’t want in the store. I even purposely have bought ugly items so I make sure to return them and not overspend. I know it is breaking the rules, but I really hate paying for shipping on a cheap dress/ scarf/ etc.

    Reply
  9. Ginger says

    May 13, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I don’t have small children so I have time to go shopping, which I enjoy. I’ll often go into a shop and try things I think I might like on. If it’s not available in my size or length I’ll order it online.
    Housewares are a different story. I order stuff from Target, Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Kohl’s – for my home. I recently repaired my dryer and the only way to get the part I needed, without paying hundreds of dollars for a repairman, was to buy online.

    Reply
  10. suzanne says

    May 13, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    I’m not a big online shopper. I find it very difficult to know about sizing.

    Also since I am in Canada returns are not easy ( if offered at all ) and we are often paying extra duty and taxes as well as huge shipping fees. It is way more hassle than it it worth.

    bisous
    Suzanne

    Reply
  11. M says

    May 13, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    I love online shopping as well, but often I find the same item much cheaper in store. I guess one has to determine if going to the store is worth the cheaper price

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 13, 2013 at 7:33 pm

      Exactly. I often hit up Ann Taylor and Gap in person because they do that, but sometimes being able to shop on my lunch hour or during a bout of insomnia makes the price difference worth it.

      Reply
  12. Jen Alcon says

    May 13, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    I too am an online shopper. The past 4 holiday shopping sessions have all been conducted from the comfort of my laptop. I prefer to shop online for my clothing as well. It’s much easier to return an item via the mail than it is in person and. My husband constantly jokes that all my online stores are going to blacklist me for returning so much. I did not realize Ebates so I am definitely going to start there next time!!

    Reply
  13. Vivi N says

    May 13, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    I’m all for online shopping. The very first thing I do when I find myself viewing an online store is sort the items from ‘Lowest to Highest’. Always. I tend to favor online stores that offer free shipping and in some cases, free returns (ex. ASOS). There are a few online stores that offer the ‘pick up at store’ option to avoid shipping fees (ex. JCPenney, Lane Bryant). That warms me heart.

    Reply
  14. Maud says

    May 13, 2013 at 4:23 pm

    I buy clothes online for my kids (love Lands End clearance) and shoes for myself (because I’m a 6w and I know what brands fit and are comfortable) but for my own clothes I enjoy running away for an afternoon and hitting the mall by myself. I like to take lots of things into the changing room because you never know what’s going to look better on, or when you’ll need a different size.

    One thing I found interesting last time I went shopping was to take a look at some online stores whose clothes I like (but are out of my budget) the night before – Anthropologie, Boden, that sort of thing. I was amazed how many of the trends I saw there were repeated at a cheaper price in H&M and other places. Since I feel pretty out of the loop fashionwise, this was a great way to figure out what’s a current look.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 13, 2013 at 7:32 pm

      I buy almost all E’s clothes online since she’s still young enough to pretty much fit the size of her age. When ON/Gap have their 30% off or Children’s Place/Gymboree have their F&F I stock up on sale stuff usually in the next size. That is a great idea on how to figure out current trends!!

      Reply
  15. Eleanorjane says

    May 13, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    I’ve been doing a bit more online shopping since I’ve been in England because there are easier and cheaper returns here than in New Zealand. I like the ‘present’ aspect of getting things in the mail. I’ve gotten a couple of good things lately inclding trousers that fit!

    That said, it’s still a faff and a bother having to return things when they don’t work and it is pretty much a crap shoot with sizing and fabrics.

    BTW – you’ve got the funniest links from “Around the web” at the moment – ‘How to lose body fat by drinking vinegar’, ‘Selena Gomez is spending all her time in a bikini these days’…

    Cheers,

    Eleanorjane
    http://birdybegins.wordpress.com/

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 13, 2013 at 3:58 pm

      Oh goodness! I wonder if there’s a way to turn those things off! LOL

      Reply
  16. Morgan says

    May 13, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    I’m an online shopper too. One thing I do is keep a list of the things I want on a notepad in my purse–a pair of shoes I’ve seen on a blog, a simple sheath dress that I want for work–and when a sale email comes out, I see if any of my choices are affected (I generally like a sale price with an additional % off and am very unlikely to buy if I don’t get that). It doesn’t take long to check the websites, and I never end up paying retail. And I just don’t buy unless it is on the list.

    Reply
  17. Grace Mitchell says

    May 13, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    I’m an online shopper, too. One thing I do that you didn’t mention, and may not be necessary for you, is buy more than I want. This is especially true with shoes from Zappos or similar. I know I’m only going to get a good fit from maybe one in five pairs, so I go ahead and order five pairs, knowing I’ll be sending four of them back. It’s not the world’s most efficient thing, but it works.

    Reply
    • Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen says

      May 13, 2013 at 3:58 pm

      Good tip!!!

      Reply

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Recent Beauty Buys – Anti Aging Edition

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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Sep 26

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Scenes from a Friday night…

We started at @littleblackbirddc a new wine bar in Cleveland Park where we had great food, drink, and conversation into the evening. We then headed down the street to @atomicbilliards for a whole different experience and to keep the conversation going. I treasure my friendships with @sylviacolella (who had a birthday recently), @districtofchic, and @blonde_inthedistrict they’re the real deal 🥰

My dress is @adamlippes borrowed via @renttherunway and Cheetos with Sauvignon Blanc is a really fun pairing!

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Sep 23

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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! 💛🩷

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

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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

wardrobe_oxygen

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Sep 11

Open
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! 🐾❤️

wardrobe_oxygen

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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! 🧡

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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. 

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

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