What I Think About--Skinny Jeans

I highlighted skinny jeans in some previous posts--one on how to make your bum look smaller and one getting Jessica Alba's look for less.

Both times I've gotten comments and e-mails from gals stating:

1. They want to know how to wear skinny jeans.
2. Skinny jeans are for tall, thin people.

Today I will address both.

Skinny jeans are for tall, thin people
I agree that skinny jeans tend to flatter those with eating disorders.  That being said, I have a hard time thinking of many trends that are geared toward "short, muffin top, ample bottomed" women.  Okay, I guess there are mumus but I'm not jumping on that trend!  Think about your average model and celebrity--they are tall and thin.  Our society values the way clothes look on tall, slender men and women.

So what are we short, curvy women to wear?  Nothing?  Hardly.  Even if you don't have a model body, you can still wear trendy garb.

How to wear skinny jeans

Okay, now that we've cleared up the misconception that only tall and thin women can look pulled together and sexy, let's address the issue that makes some women's stomachs tighten into a knot of anxiety--SKINNY JEANS.

Find the type of skinny jean that works for you. 

Skinnies come in SuperSkinny (the painted on look), Skinny (stretchy jeans that taper at the ankle), and Straight Skinny (a cigarette-shaped, straight leg skinny that doesn't cling too tightly.  These are great for the skinny-shy).

Buy a pair of skinny jeans in a dark color (black or dark denim) with a slight stretch. 

Consider buying one size bigger if you need the extra hip room.  You can always wear a skinny belt and a tunic to cover it!

Play with skinny jean length.

Role up your skinny jeans (a la 1980s) for a casual, sexy look.  

Get skinny jeans at ankle or capri length if you are short 

Notice the varying length of skinny jeans.  The ones on the far left are well suited for shorter gals.  Don't they look fab with heels!

 Wear your skinny jeans with the right top.

Balance out the skinny jeans with volume on top.  Bell sleeve tops or tunics are great.  A tunic with a belt helps hide large hips.  Empire waist tops are great for hiding wide hips and ample bottoms.  Long, lean tops that hit at hip level are fabulous.

This long, flowy top looks awesome--not to mention those hot, peep toe heels!

Perfect shoe pairings with skinny jeans

• If you have larger hips and bum, tuck skinny jeans into high heeled boots to balance out proportions.
• Wear skinny jeans with high heels.  Pointy toe heels will give the illusion of longer legs.  Peep toe sandals and wedges make you look taller, leaner, and sexier!
• If you are tall and slender, wear your skinny jeans with ballet flats **warning** this does make you look fuller around the hip area!
• DO NOT wear skinny jeans with Converse All-Stars unless you want to look like a high school student.  It's a cute style--if you are 17.

 Tunics, belts, and boots--Easy ways to wear skinnies if you AREN'T the model type!

Want more information?  Watch this two minute video!


How to Wear Skinny Jeans -- powered by eHow.com

What I think is that YOU, yes YOU, can wear skinny jeans.  Work it girl!

My skinnies--dark color, rolled, paired with a thin, long tee, scarf (for balance), and gladiator sandals.

"These Genes Make My Butt Look Phat!"

In January I made a resolution to go from frumpy to fab!  I wanted to be a mom without necessarily looking like the stereotypical one (see the post on mom butt).  It's not that I fear aging but rather, that I didn't want to look back in fifteen years and think, "Man I really let myself go."  FYI, this effort is paying off.  Recently Matt said, "You are dressing so hot lately!"   

Anyhow, Melissa from Nouns and Violets is on a similar mission.  Enjoy her sassy guest blog.  

Melissa

I'm one of those girls you hate. I eat what I want. I never exercise. After birthing two kids I weigh the same as I did in my 20s: 110 pounds. My mother weighs a whopping 115 pounds. What can I say? These genes make my butt look phat.

DON'T STOP READING! There's a downside to this, I promise.

Other than the matronly muumuus I wore while pregnant, weight gain hasn't forced me to buy new clothes. My ancient wardrobe is a little youngish. Okay, it's juvenile and people often misjudge my age... by a decade. Once while dropping off my young daughter for Sunday School the teacher wanted to know what class I belonged in. “Are you 16 or under?” she asked. I was 25.

How can you tell if your wardrobe is too juvenile? When it's laundry day and your clothes get mingled with your 13 year-old's stuff. Together you sort the pile and say things like, “Is this yours? No, wait. It's mine. Right? The one you have is blue.” If her friends are calling you a cool mom, telling you they love your top and want to know where you got it, that's probably another sign that you're dressing too immature. It's worse if you have to sheepishly admit “Forever 21” and then you find out your nineteen year-old niece also shops there. The ultimate worst is going to dinner with an older male friend and having the waitress assume he is your father. Trust me, that kind of blunder is uncomfortable for everyone involved.

Sure, most women want to look younger. Billions of dollars a year are spent on cosmetic surgery and women account for more than ninety percent of the patients. But there's something to be said for dressing in a way that makes people take you seriously. A few years ago while shopping in Target I noticed people staring and snickering. I whipped out a mirror and checked my face. All clear. No toilet paper stuck to my shoe either. In the checkout line the clerk burst out laughing and said, “That's a great shirt.” Oooohhh, so that was it. I was wearing a bright pink tee that said: “Jerks Love Me.”

I'm secretly hoping someone will nominate me for What Not to Wear. I can only imagine the humbling fashion crimes that would be caught on camera during Stacy and Clinton's stakeout of me. Vibrant red Elmo slippers in the grocery store. Pajama bottoms in Circle K. More message tee shirts that embarrass my daughter (“Geeks are Hot”). I think the five thousand bucks in New York fashion hanging in my closet would be enough to repair any damage to my ego.

Until Stacy and Clinton ambush me, I'm updating my wardrobe one garment at a time. All new apparel at once means it wears out – and you will tire of it – at the same time. A another style truism I've learned: Every girl should own a pair of stellar black heels that make her feel feminine and confident. Emergency shoe shopping is emotionally exhausting, not to mention expensive. A few years ago I got invited to attend a ritzy soirée. Instead of pleased I was panic stricken. With little time to shop, I bought the first dress that fit and a matching pair of shoes with a price tag even greater than the cost of the dress.

That kind of expense is also part of what has kept me browsing instead of buying the latest trends. As a mother, I'd rather spend my cash on my kids than myself but I've recently realized you can be posh and a parent. A little research will uncover some great bargains. I've already scored some fabulous finds on my newly started fashion journey. You can follow along at www.nounsandviolets.com. I'll show you the new stuff I buy and the old stuff I banish from my closet.

All I ask in return is that if you bump into Stacy and Clinton, you send them my way.

Thank you Melissa for contributing to Where is the ME in Mommy? but as far as Stacy and Clinton are concerned, get in line! Ha ha!

Your Words--An Ad

LOST

My sanity has been missing since Thursday June 24, 2010.  It was last seen at the corner of Teething Baby and Testing Boundaries Pre-schooler.  Sanity may or may not be in the presence of a package of pepperoni that is so old the mold has gone grey.  For the sake of my husband, please return if found.  Quilted toaster cover and rubber band ball reward offered.

Your turn.  What would your ad say?

What section would I find it under?  LOST, FOUND, FOR SALE, FOR RENT, SEEKING EMPLOYMENT, WANTED ...

What's Cookin'--7/12-7/18

The continuing saga of P90X diet meals.

Monday--Cranberry Chicken and wild rice
Tuesday--grilled flank steak and creamy Greek potatoes
Wednesday--grilled chicken and spinach
Thursday--shredded beef wraps
Friday--Asian chicken salad (Happy Birthday, Matt!)
Saturday--Halibut with spinach pesto
Sunday--grilled baby back ribs and raw veggies

Photo from Frontier Kitchen

Days of Play--Go Fly a Kite

Literally.

Thank you for the pirate ship rainbow kite, Holly!  You are the best!

Date Night In--I am Fond-Of-You

This is a sweet way to end the week.

Prepare a special week for your sweetie and cap it off with a special dessert.

Every morning, leave your husband a loving note and a treat.

Monday--Chocolate--"My heart melts for you"
Tuesday--Angle cake--"You are my angel"
Wednesday--Marshmallows--"You make my life sweet."
Thursday--Bananas--"I'm bananas for you!"
Friday--Peanut Butter balls--"Being without you makes me nutty."

On Friday evening, get the kids to bed, break out the fondue set, and make a chocolate fondue (Need a recipe?  Click here, or here or here).

Have an assortment of fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, apples, etc.) marshmallows, peanut butter balls, pretzels, and baked goods (brownies, cheesecake, Oreos, rice krispies squares, angel food cake, etc.)  to dip into the chocolate.

Feed one another but follow the rules so no one gets burned or stabbed. Stab dipper.  Dip.  Remove from stabber.  Pick up and feed to your spouse.

Things I Love--When Celebs do Good Things

Whenever we hear about celebrities, we generally see 'em like this:

Glamorous but slightly irrelevant

OR 

Not so glamorous and slightly irrelevant.

Let's face it.  There have been some great celebs (Bob Hope) who have gone out of their way for us "common folk" but from the outside, it appears all that fame and fortune can make celebrities self-righteous, self-important jerks (Paris Hilton).

So when I see something like this, it makes me feel good all over!



That's right. Lenny Kravitz (long the King of Cool in our home) stumbled across a church choir singing his music and joined in.  How awesome is that?

Yay, Lenny!  I love it!

What I Think About--Tennis Shoes

Wednesdays are my most popular days.  Wednesdays are my "free therapy" days where I just pour out what's on my heart and mind.  I'm always humbled by the response I get for just saying what I think--even if it doesn't make any sense a difference.

I just want to take a minute to say thank you.  Thank you for reading my thoughts. Thanks for agreeing with them. Thanks for disagreeing with them.  I know this blog can be all over the map but that's kinda what it's all about.  It's about finding balance between everything I love that makes me the mom, wife, and woman that I am.  You're the best for sticking with me!

Lately my "What I Think About Wednesdays" have been pretty intense.  I mean, I've covered everything from capital punishment and relationships to not being a helicopter mom and our role in world humanitarian efforts.

This week let me share with you a little fashion based pet-peeve.

Tennis shoes.

I have a pair of lavender and white Asics GEL tennis shoes.  I wear them when I do P90X. I wear them when I run.  I DO NOT wear them to the grocery store, on dates, to church, or on girl's night out.

Ladies,  ladies, ladies, tennis shoes are not a fashion statement unless you are going on an athletic outing. (Don't confuse gym-type tennis shoes with uber trendy sneakers.)  I know they are comfy and I'm all for wearing them if you're going to be on your feet all day long at an amusement park or zoo. But if your darling husband is taking you out on the town, ditch the tennis shoes.  

Shoes can make or break an outfit.

I submit to you Exhibit #1.  A super cute outfit but the shoes make it feel incomplete--like the wearer stopped short.

Athletic Shoes by Asics
Totes by Forever 21

Exhibit #2--See how much more "pulled together" the outfit looks when shoes aren't an afterthought?

Mules & Clogs by Børn
Totes by Forever 21

Most gals I know won't wear cute shoes because they aren't comfortable.  

It's time for some MYTH BUSTING!

Repeat after me: Cute AND comfortable shoes do exist.

Brands I love when I want something built for comfort and speed: Born, Keen, Chaco, and Dansko.  

Strappy, comfy, AND stylish

Sandals by Børn
Sandals by Eddie Bauer

Comfort comes in heels and wedges, too.

Sandals by Dansko
Platforms by Stuart Weitzman

These shoes are practical enough to chase kids in (all day long) but cute enough to make you look like a hot and trendy mom woman!

What I think is you need to get out of your tennis shoe rut.  

Remember this should be rule of thumb:
If you aren't going to an athletic event, working out, or going to be on your feet--literally--all day long, leave your tennis shoes at home.

Your Words--You know you're a mom when ...

You know you're a mom when:

• You've used your spit to clean another human's face.
• You've wiped a runny nose with nothing but your hand.
• You've excused yourself to "go potty" to a room full of adults.
• You've discussed color, quantity, and consistency of poop at the dinner table.
• You've started a diet that required you to not eat left overs off your kids' plates.
• You've said, "Because I said so!" or "I'll give you something to cry about!"
• You've caught yourself singing the theme song to Dora the Explorer when no one else was around.
• You've daydreamed about the days when you used to just work forty hours a week.
• You've busted a move when someone went tickle in the big potty.
• Everyone in your house has the stomach flu but you still have to comfort and entertain your husband.
• You can't see the front of your fridge through all the art work.
• You can't remember the last time you finished a dessert or treat without sharing some of it.
• You magically know where dad's keys are (under the couch), where son's pacifier went to (in the soup pot to the right the stove), and where daughter's school bag is (in the dress up bin).

Your turn!
You know you're a mom when ...

What's Cooking 7/5-7/11

Matt and I have officially started P90X.  More on that later.

Anyhow, I didn't post a menu plan last week because we are trying to adjust to our new high-protein, low carb diet.

This week we'll be eating:

Monday--Chicken marsala and salad

Tuesday--Quinoa stuffed peppers

Wednesday--Grilled pepper steak and coucous with spinach

Thursday--Chicken cacciatore with salad

Friday--Dijon pork loin with wild rice

Saturday--Orange Honey Teriyaki chicken and brown rice

Sunday--Mystery dinner (which means I haven't decided yet!).

4th of July Gear for my Littles

Here's some American as Apple Pie looks for my kiddos!

Girls' Outerwear by Old Navy
Infant Boys' Outerwear by Old Navy

Days of Play--4th of July Crafts

Yesterday we went to a 4th of July craft extravaganza at my friend Sarah's house.  I love to make Fourth of July crafts.

Today, make a craft with your kids.  It could be as simple as drawing American flags on the driveway with chalk or making sugar cookie star cutouts.  Of course you could try this red, white and blue recipe if you want something simple and simply decadent.

Need more ideas?  Head on over to Family Fun Magazine and check out their selection of themed crafts and recipes.  Isn't this welcoming wreath too cute?!?!

Frugal Fashion Friday: White Out!

Have you noticed that WHITE is hot right now?  Pants, skirts, tops, accessories ... you name it, and people are wearing it right. I've even seen people breaking the white/cream rule and, you know, wearing white and cream together *gasp*!  But read here for how to do it right!


Anyhow, here are some little outfits to get your mind focused on how to wear white.
A sweet and sexy little dress (and I'm not a dress gal)

Day Dresses by American Eagle
Wedges by Old Navy

White with Military? Yes, please!

Shortsleeve Tops by Charlotte Russe
Sandals by Forever 21

Okay, okay. If you are like me you probably can't commit to wearing a major clothing piece in white because your kids will inevitably get ketchup or mystery goo on you. Therefore, I present:

Accessories in White

Satchels by Charlotte Russe
Sunglasses by Charlotte Russe

Are you sold or are you still waiting for Labor Day so white will be out (don't hold your breath, that fashion rule is simply outdated!)

The "IT" List

Hooray for a holiday weekend... hopefully you have some fun and some blog reading scheduled for this nice long holiday weekend! Take some time to check out all of these lovely blogs, you will be glad you did! (say hello while you are there!)

• sweetie pie pumpkin noodle turns an old mirror into a fun new chalkboard... she's definitely got an eye for style. I love this DIY!
• good life for less celebrates Independence Day all week with "red, white and blue week" - these beach outfits are perfect for a long weekend in the sun!
• one hundred inspirations brings you Jessica Alba's chic-mom-on-the-go outfit for less than $100!
• where is the me in mommy dresses in red/black/white for the Eclipse premiere... I am loving this look! (ps, how was the movie!?!?)
• the pretty bee makes old frames into fun jewelry displays... fun for jewelry creators and collectors alike!
• style your life pulls together an amazing ensemble for a summer pool party... I love that she included a cocktail, my kind of gal!
• merci blah blah once again pronounces her love for ASOS (this time accessories) and you will fall in love too!
• a spot of whimsy honors female legends... this month it is Princess Diana. So, so lovely. These photos are just amazing and it was inspiring to re-visit her amazing life. LOVE.
• penguins gift has the Tour de France in mind with these bicycle inspired gifts... I have a lot of bike lovers in my family. Such fun finds!
• spry on the wall has an amazing knack for hunting down the best in runway style... don't think runway style is for you? Check out how her take on Chris Benz's Resort 2011 collection. Nice!
• really cute stuff has an opportunity to win their new monogrammed card collection before you can buy them - hurry! Go check this out!

Things I Love--Inexpensive Art

Don't get me wrong. If I had my way, this would be hanging in my entry way niche.

Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles

Until one of Pollock's paintings is on the wall, we're making due with some of inexpensive artwork.

What I love about this artwork is that Matt and I put it together.  

Okay, what I really love is that it was cheap!

How?  With the exception of the photos, all the artwork is scrapbook paper (around $.50-$1.00 a sheet). 

Dining Room Ecological Prints

The square frames in the dining room were $8 each.  With paper we spent $34 dollars on art.  If you add in the quart of paint for my brown tree-trunk stripe, the artistic wall cost $40!

I love the ecological feel of this green, leafy work in our dining room.

The art pieces are arranged on a chocolate turtle stripe that compliments our brown leather furniture and cake platter blue opposing wall quite well.  It feels like my own little garden!

Stair-Step Conversation Piece

We spent the most money on our living room art because we knew it would double as a focal point AND a conversation piece.  Three frames cost $5.  One frame cost $10.  One cost $12.  The biggest frame cost $20.  

Even though we had $57 dollars on picture frames, the photos were cheap to develop.  We spent less than $10 getting photos from our European vacation printed.

What we love about this little collection is explaining to people what the photos are of--a crowd of umbrellas on a rainy day in Prauge, a six hundred year old castle ruin in Baden Baden, The Colosseum...

Photographs of Europe hang over our couch.  The stair-step pattern mimics 

the stairway right behind the wall.

Bright and Bold Master Bedroom

The 12x12 frames for our master bedroom were $4 each (that means with paper, we spent about $27 on artwork for our bedroom).

These bold colors and patterns make our master bedroom spicy!

The full layout--clearly we love geometrical design.

Need to spice up the walls on a dime?

• Head to your local craft store and look at scrapbooking paper
• Hit some thrift stores or garage sales and get some frames
• Buy a can a spray paint for frames as needed
• Go through you photos and find ones that would make good works of art (play with color--black and white, sepia ...)

Red, White, and Blue

I seriously can't believe it is almost the 4th of July.  Doesn't that mean summer is half over!?!

Stop hyperventilating ...

Need some red, white, and blue inspiration?  Feast your eyes on these!

Backyard BBQ

Wide Leg Pants by Old Navy
Sandals by Old Navy

Fireworks at the lake

Shorts by Old Navy
Sandals by Old Navy

As American as apple pie

Mid-length Skirts by Old Navy
Sandals by Forever 21

A 4th with (fashionable) friends

Button Front Tops by Charlotte Russe
Wedges by Old Navy

What are your plans for the 4th?

What I Think About--Capital Punishment

Two Fridays ago I put a little post on my personal Facebook page saying Utah was on my poop list because 1) They left the Mountain West Tournament (money over 80 years of tradition--slime balls--sorry if you're a Ute fan!) and 2) They executed Ronnie Lee Gardner.

I put it like that, in that order.

Boy oh boy did that start a firestorm!  I ended up having to delete comments.  It was dramatic. 

One comment simply asked: “Are you anti-capital punishment?”

Why yes I am.  Here's why.

Whenever capital punishment is mentioned, I hear the same arguments.

If we killed more people there would be less crime. 

Sadly research is conflicting.  The data in this research indicate that after an execution, there are 18 fewer murders.  The problem is, correlation does not equal causation.  The moon phases could play into those 18 fewer deaths just as easily.  Other data found there is no correlation because those who commit violent crimes rarely think of consequences prior to committing the crime.  It’s a draw. 

What isn’t a draw is the fact that since DNA testing has been used in courts, many people serving life sentences have been freed and 8 others have been “executed but possibly innocent.”  39 more executed people have been killed in the face of evidence that they were innocent.

Why do I mention this?  Because what I generally hear is my dad people saying, "even if it only deters one crime, even if it saves just one life, I'm for the death penalty."  In my estimation, being against the death penalty might save innocent lives as much, or more, than hoping for capital punishment to be a deterrent.  I guess I'd rather keep one proven and convicted killer in prison for life than "accidentally" killing a person who actually WAS innocent.

We save money killing criminals 

Hate to say it, but WRONG-O!

One study counted death penalty case costs through to execution and found that the median death penalty case costs $1.26 million. Non-death penalty cases were counted through to the end of incarceration and were found to have a median cost of $740,000.   You do the math.  Want more info on how much more money taxpayers pay to execute someone?  Click here.

Lethal Injection is humane

Really?  For some reason I think the majority of humans fear death whether it is "humane" or not.  New data suggest that lethal injection is not as painless as first believed.  And it can be botched.  Actually, the man in Utah who was recently executed chose the firing squad because it is 100% effective.  The same thing can't be said of lethal injection.  Or the chair. 


He Deserved It
Don't even get me started on the systemic issues that skew capital punishment.  Borrowing from Thomas More, "We create criminals and then punish them." (Don't believe me?  Gardner was alone on a highway at 2, addicted to sniffing at 6, a robbery lookout at 10, sexually molested by his state-paid foster parents ... don't tell me he wasn't partially failed by his culture and society.) 

Eye for an Eye

Ah yes, and now the religious excuse for capital punishment.  

It is true that you'll find this statement in the Old Testament (Lev. 24:19-21).  However, you have to look at it contextually.  In ancient days, punishments generally FAR exceeded the crime (think of stoning a woman to death for adultery--not exactly just).  Thus, this command, "an eye for an eye" was actually a call for mercy--that the worst you could do to someone was what they did to you.  This original command was set up so people wouldn't capriciously seek revenge and retribution.  The intent was to solve problems with justice--not revenge.

What I want people to know is that they can't throw Leviticus at me while forgetting Matthew 5:38-39.

You have heard it said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist and evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.


Again, it is all about context. Jesus ISN'T saying we have to be pacifists and never defend ourselves.  He is saying "don't compete with an evil person through retaliation." Don't do to them what they do to you.  

Some other good New Testament stuff: 

• James 4:12 says God is the only lawgiver and judge who can take a life in the name of justice. 
• Romans 12:17-21 warns us against answering evil with evil and assures us that God will see to justice in the afterlife. 
• In John 8:7 Jesus points out that all humans are imperfect, and are therefore unqualified to decide whether someone lives or dies. 
• And a personal little favorite James 1:20: “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

The Bible doesn't steadfastly say YES or NO to capital punishment (so it's probably best not to use the "eye of an eye" defense).


What I Think:
As a Christ following woman, I am against capital punishment.  I believe and trust that Christ came for the "least of these" and that He can redeem people (heck, look what He's done for me!). 


I believe this is a heart issue, not a salvation issue.  If you disagree, you certainly have that right but I personally can't reconcile "loving your neighbor as yourself"with capital punishment.  


What Do You Think?
Even if we disagree, I'd love to hear your side of this issue.  Respectful comments are welcome
~I trust we can all disagree without being disagreeable~ (Comments will be moderated as needed).

Sorry for the photo.  Turns out there aren't many inspirational capital punishment photos!

To Do Tuesday--Make Your Butt Look Smaller

There are seven words that make men shrivel up into raisins.

You are guilty of saying them.  Admit it.

Say it with me.

Does this make my butt look fat?

If you've said this to your husband, lately or ever, take a few minutes today to rid yourself of FOUR of the issues that make your butt look bigger.  Of course if you actually want your butt to be smaller, and not just appear smaller, I suggest diet and exercise.  Doctors have been recommending it for years!

Get rid of high waisted pants.

• High waists cling to the width of your bum while accentuating the length. All this means is high waistbands make your arse look like a football field.  (P.S.  Those high pants don't cover up tummy flab either. They just make you look like you have a front butt.  Not awesome.  Don't pull up to cover up!)
• If you have a pair (or many pairs) of these jeans, it's time to say adios! 
• Replace your mom-jeans with some hipsters to half the size of your bum in no time. (Something 1 inch below your belly button will suffice but if you can go a bit lower, do it!).  
• Remember not to go too low or all you'll do is switch mom butt for muffin top.

Friends don't let friends have mom butt (or mom jeans).

Get rid of pants that have words on the derrière.

• Here's a news flash but if you don't want to draw attention to your backside, it's probably best not to advertise on it.
• Even if it is Juicy, do you really want everyone to notice it?
• This goes double for other cute "look at my butt" words like: PINK, Sexy, and Baby (because sweetie, if that thing looks like there's a baby under there you shouldn't brag about it!).
• If you have pants with words on the butt, wear them when you are sick.  Wear them to bed.  Wear them to mop the floor.  Don't wear them out in public and then wonder if they make your butt look big.  They do. (There.  I said it!  Now leave your husband alone).

Did people miss Clinton Kelly's diatribe on the casualization of America?  

Pajamas are for bedtime, people!

 

Stay away from skinny jeans.

• Alas, one more trend that celebrates anorexia.  If you have a large bum, it is best to steer clear of skinny jeans because the lack of volume at your feet makes your tush look tremendous.
• Love the look? Then you'll love this caveat.  If you have bigger bum just even out your skinny jean proportions by tucking them into chunky, high-heeled boots.

Not that these gals need help, but you see how the boots even out the bum?

Avoid excess bulk below the belt.

• Layers are hot.  Cardigans are hot.  Purposely wearing thirteen shirts in hopes of hiding your butt is not hot.
• Adding more layers to your bum region just makes it look thicker.  Thick does not equal small.
• Choosing tops that cover your waistband is smart.  Stay away from short shirts.
• If you want to wear a longer shirt, make it well-fitted and a thin fabric.  
• Repeat after me.  The less bulk the better.

Is this look on or off?

Know what you can wear to make your butt look like a million bucks!

• Dark colors on bottom are key.  
• Don't wear jeans that are distressed on your butt.  It draws attention there.  This goes for  "look at me" pockets, too.
• For jeans, get a great pair of wide-legged jeans or boot cut jeans.  Both help with proportions.
• Wear low slung belts to make your bum look smaller and higher.
• Have clothing hug your body--not cling to it.  
• Wear A-Line skirts (it's all about proportions!).
• Accentuate another part of your body to take the focus off your tush.  Wear a bold statement necklace, a top with interest, a low-cut top if the girls are worth showing off a bit ...

Go!  

ECLIPSE--My Outfit, Your Words

I've been on a real black/white/red kick (maybe because Eclipse comes out this week?).  The last time I tried the red/white/black combo, though, a woman looked at me and said, "Oh. You look so cute--just like a pirate."

WHAT?

I almost retorted with a line from Dodgeball "I'm more of a pirate then you'll ever be" but instead just smiled and said "thanks" as sincerely as possible.

Here's my latest, layered attempt to combine black, red, and white (in a less-piratey manner).

Tank, tee, and leather jacket.

My necklaces were layered which Matt thought would be weird but decided was hot!

Pirate?  I think not!

So now it's time for YOUR WORDS.  

• Are you going to Eclipse?  
• Are you going in Black/White/Red gear?  
• Is it a girl's night out?  
• Do you hate all things Twilight?  

Dish, girl! Dish!

Stopping by from the "IT" list?  Please take a moment to share your views on the Twilight Saga.  Love it?  Hate it? Do tell!

And if you want to know more of my rambling thoughts on Edward Twilight, click here. For my general thoughts on chick flicks, click here.   To see more outfit inspiration (on a dime), click here!