Wardrobe Phase 1 and 2

"Any item in your wardrobe should satisfy one of two criteria: utility and joy"
Stacy London

Another thing I mentioned really needing to get in check was my horrible closet and clothing choices.  I still had T-Shirts from my high school days and clothes from college that I would never fit into again (and shouldn't have owned them in the first place).  I kept these things and they would sit, hang, or stay folded for goodness knows how long.  So this summer, I made a point to purge my wardrobe and have no mercy.

After a couple days, I successfully donated 5 garbage bags full of clothes that I never wore or were just too young for me; and I began the process of filling the space with age appropriate clothing that would work socially and professionally.  Don't get me wrong, I still have the stretchy pants, but I just don't wear them in public as much anymore.

As I mentioned before, I signed up for a service called Stitch Fix where they send you a box however often you want with 5 items inside.  You get to try them on for three days and in the end you send back what you do not want and keep the items that you do.  I was a little skeptical at first but excited to try because I hate shopping and would much rather have someone do it for me.  If you want to give it a try, click the link and I can get some credit for referring you.  :)  Anyway - the first two boxes were okay but my last one was spot on.  I love this service and totally recommend it for anyone who is looking to update their closets.

Here are a couple things that I have kept.  I will start doing monthly reviews where I will show you the stuff in the boxes before sending them back.

Item 1:  Alessandra Stripes & Colorblocked Blouse
     This was in my first box and it was the only thing that I kept.  I really loved the colors and thought it was a fun summer shirt and totally comfortable.  I also plan on wearing this teaching next year because the neck line is appropriate.
     It is also hard to see but the necklace was another item I kept, I really liked the length and the simple pattern on it.  I have worn it with lots of shirts and I am also a sucker for gold jewelry...






Item 2 and 3:  Margaret M Polka Dot Cropped Pant and Skies are Blue Moraga Cut Out Detail Blouse
     These were the two items I kept from my second box.  I loved the pants, they screamed me and were super comfortable.  My stylist listened when I mentioned liking stretchy material.  The shirt I was on the fence about but it was really comfortable and I liked the color a lot.  The jury is still out as to wether I will wear the blouse teaching but the pants are very 1st grade appropriate.


Item 4:  Tart Maxi Dress
    This fix was a fast one because I told my stylist I needed a dress for a beach wedding ASAP.  So, she sent me several options and this one I really liked.  Again, super comfortable and the top was really secure so I did not have to worry about my ladies making an unwanted apperance.

Item 5 and 6:  Market and Spruce Alan French Terry Cardigan and 41Hawthorne Milan Lace Print Blouse (also photographed is the necklace I kept)
    These have been my favorite keeps out of all of them.  The cut and materials are so great and I feel great in them.  I can wear these at school, home or going out to the store.  Love, love, love.

Item 7:  Pixley Avah Chevron Top
     This shirt is so comfy and I loved the color.  It is tighter on the bottom but I didn't mind.  I really love it and plan on wearing it a lot.

Item 8:  Collective Concepts Lisette Dot Print Blouse
     This was my least favorite top of them all.  I like the color and have a shirt very similar to it, however, if you keep the whole box you get a 20% discount… so, it was cheaper to keep this shirt then to just buy everything else.  I think once I get my arms back from flab to fab I will enjoy wearing this shirt more.

I also kept one more black shirt that I really love from a previous fix but alas it is in the wash so it will not be photographed today.

Again, this is my first review and it is of a lot of stuff.  I will plan on spending more time when my next fix arrives at the end of September to really work out what's in the box with you.

If you feel like you want to try Stitch Fix  click the link so I can get referral credit!  :)

Make Up Phase 1

I have never worn make up in my life.  I have seen people wear it successfully (and some not) and have just chosen to stay away.  However, I have noticed that as I get older, these dark circles keep seeming to creep under my eyes. In the spirit of this whole body and mind 'make over' I decided that I would start by making my face a little more perky - especially before this new school year.

I called in the expert (my sister) who always looks good and asked her to drive down and meet me to show my what the heck I should be looking for and what to buy.  Let me just say, the experience was not as painful as I thought it would be.

#1 Dream Fresh BB (concealer?)  I have no idea what this is but my sister told me to put it on your face to even out your skin tone.

This was an awesome easy product to use.  I didn't have to use much and it really evened out my skin.  I also really liked it because it was so light and has sunscreen in it!  You can ask all of my friends but I am weirdly obsessed with sunscreen...

#2 Maybelline Fit Me concealer (I guess the first one isn't concealer then…)

Another really easy to use product that helped cover up my dark spots under my eyes and those fun stress pimples I am getting...

#3 NYC Color Wheel Blush

My sister was jealous of this purchase.  I liked the color it left on my face and you didn't have to use much at all.  Awesome product.

#4 Loreal Paris Double Extend Mascara

My sister swears by this and she was totally right.  Although I was a little intimidated by a two step process it really did make my eyelashes show and did not clump like I have experienced with a lot of other mascaras.

#5 Brushes to put the stuff on your face

After a little instruction and some guessing I was able to put all of it on without too much trouble.  I am feeling good because it only took maybe 3 minutes to apply everything and I do think it makes me look less tired and I'm excited to try it with my more dressy clothes.

Post make-up with the kiddo.
  Picture is a little flushed out but overall I like the look.

A Little Bit of Background

Greetings to the blogging world.  My name is Cary Martin and I am going to share my 'journey' with you.  I am a 30 something year old mother of two, wife to a Canadian, an elementary school teacher, math interventionist, and a stretchy pants expert.  I have recently decided that it is time for a change.  While my other friends have decided to embrace their thirties and look the part, I have been shamelessly living in my 20 something wardrobe and ignoring my weight gain.  I am starting this blog to find support from all of the other people out there who need a little encouragement to get their ass in gear and look their age.

In this blog I will be sharing things like my weight loss goals, style choices and mishaps, and any other life experiences that I feel I am trying to make over.

Two babies later at my heaviest
around 180 lbs

First let me start with some background.  I have always been athletic.  I was that person that most people hated because I could eat what I wanted and stay within my 130 - 140 lbs. range.  After my first son, I was able to bounce back into my pre pregnancy clothes right away.  After my second child, I could not lose the weight and actually gained more.  I reached a peak of 178 lbs. and am starting this blog to help hold me accountable for my choices in weight loss.  My goal is to reach between 145 - 150 lbs. by June when my family is going on a trip to Italy.  I hoping that you guys can help encourage me and hold me accountable in some cyber blogging way.

Now for the clothing background.  I have never been good with fashion.  You can ask anyone of my friends and they will tell you that I will most likely be in a pair of black yoga pants and a race shirt.  This is true 90% of the time.  However, after gaining 20+ pounds, those stretchy pants aren't looking so good anymore.  I have investing in a service called Stitch Fix which you will hear my blog about and show you the items that I have received.  I will also be sharing my teaching clothes to help other teachers try to stay away from looking too casual (which I often need help with as well).

I am rusty with this blogging thing and hope as time goes on I get better with it.  I would love to hear stories of things that worked for you and find inspiration from them.

I guess there is not time to start like the present!

Ready, set, BLOG