Inspired by Sheila

Isn't this the retro room of fabulosity?? LOVE it!!

Hiya Blogland!!! It's the beginning of another fabulous week!! I can't believe August is almost half-over!! I'm anxious for Fall--my favorite time of year!!

MrBill and Miss Gracie slept like LOGS Sunday nite after their busy day with the boys!!  It's not often we can wear Gracie out like that!!

Patti at Not Dead Yet Style blogged today about breaking up with Lady magazines. It's a great article so please click on the link and check it out.

I broke up years ago. Today  I read food mags such as Vegetarian Times and Clean Eats and Taste of Home. I also will pick up Women's World, Always or First. But fashion mags?? No way--because they don't represent ME. I can't afford 99% of what they show--even if I had any interest in wearing it in the first place.  Occasionally Always, First or Women's World will have a fashion feature--which honestly is more realistic as the clothing mostly comes from affordable stores like Penneys or Walmart or Target. Plus I must admit they choose things that are wearable in real life and on real bodies. The stuff in Vogue or Harpers or InStyle?? Not in this, or for that matter any, lifetime for me.

I find more inspiration and style in blogs-particularly the blogs of we "over 40's" and beyond. Maybe it's because we've all reached an age where wearing the latest and greatest trendy item just doesn't appeal to us anymore. We are far more secure and confident in who we are so we wear what we please!

I would totally LOVE to show up at work in an outfit like Desiree of Pull Up Your Socks rocks on a regular basis--if only to see my co-workers heads EXPLODE. (and they think I'm out there in my fashion choices as it is-LOL) Or sashay into work in a fabulous vintage maxi ala Vix. But...sigh...I must only dress like that in my fantasy life as I do have some restrictions on attire. I can dream.....

Even if I can't rock squalid glamour or vintage maxi's or Helga's  square dance dress I still glean ideas that I can incorporate into my "style".  Color combos, interesting print mixing, bastard jewelry-it all inspires me.

Today's outfit was inspired by my personal Queen of the Most Coolest Shoe Wardrobe on Earth- Sheila of Ephemera. She's the master of interesting color combos--and her outfits are business appropriate yet quirky and unique. She wore the outfit below last Friday and I knew I needed to "copy" it!!

 

Here's her "stuff":

I immediately thought of my floofy taupe JJill skirt and my teal blue ruffle front tank to replicate this outfit. Unfortunately no cool flies on my top or spiffy skull earrings but I did have an octopus necklace!!

Here's my take. The skirt and cardigan are thrifted. I wore the cardigan to  keep warm and pull in more black as I couldn't wear a belt or cumberbund/obi with this top. I added my black wedge sandals/retail, octopus necklace/DIY, Brass bangle/gift from Sheila! and my brass leaf earrings/DIY.

I had so much fun with this I think I'm going to try to do a blogger inspiration outfit weekly. I enjoy challenges as it makes me rethink my stuff and combine things in new ways. So next week who will be my inspiration?? Check in next Tuesday to see!!!

I'll be back on Thursday with my SpyGirl's 52 Pick-Me-Up Challenge post. This one was a bit tough--the challenge is to wear one item 3 times this week. I work Monday to Thursday this week so essentially I'm wearing the same thing all work week except
today!!

I'm off to meet up with a bunch of ladies for dinner at Cracker Barrel. Gotta get my tiara on straight!

TTFN
Tamera

 

 

 

My Three Muskateers

Hiya Blogland!!! This has been a pretty busy weekend dodging the raindrops. Got a couple of nice long walk in with Gracie.

Friday it was rainy all day so I decided to go to town and hit the thrifts. I haven't been to the mission ones in several weeks. I also headed up to Pennsylvania (I'm really close) to check out a health food store and discovered a NEW Goodwill!!

The racks are still a bit thin but I managed to find some more goodies.  I'm always on the hunt for vintage trims and doodads and craft stuff. The Salvation Army did not disappoint!

Some vintage cupcake toppers(FLAMINGOS!) Vintage ribbons & trim and a Martha Stewart paper punch all for $3!

Again I'm noticing I'm being drawn to black and black/white prints. Which do play well with all the rainbow brite colors (tops & cardi's ) I have. I had a B&W glen plaid skirt, a B&W tweek skirt and a shorter black gored skirt on my "need" list.

I found the glen plaid & black gored skirts for $2 each. I need to do a bit of easy altering on them before wearing. These will look cute with tights and the new booties!

I also found the striped cardigan for $3 and the salt & pepper tweed skirt with the original tags for $4!!

I also had a teal pullover sweater on my list and found one with the tag on it for $3.

Sunday I spent the afternoon with three very handsome young fellows. They are the sons of dear friends and I am their "Mimi"- honorary grandmother.  I've known these boys since they were infants. Due to some things in the family, they don't have involved grandparents.  Recently Lauren and I have been feeling that we should step into that role for them. They are just the sweetest guys but I've forgotten how active little boys are!!! LOLOLOL

I planned on taking more pictures but we were so busy!!! It was their first time to come to my house and meet the fur-kids. The cats hid (way too much excitement). They had brought gifts for each of the animals. MrBill was a bit shy and nervous but Gracie LOVED all the toys. She had a ball playing with the boys. MrBill preferred to sit and be petted.

We went to the playground at the town park and walked Gracie about town. Then we went down to Antietam Creek in the Battlefield Park. I managed to get everyone still for a moment to get a picture!

Left to right: Zeekie (5 yrs old ) Ezra (6 yrs old) Judah (8 yrs old) and Gracie!!

 

We found an place along the creek  with a bit of a beach so off went the shoes and we waded in the water. Crazy Gracie decided to go SWIMMING!!  She loved it!!

  

When we got back home they helped me pick tomatoes. Quite a few were split from all the rain we had this week and useless. I let the boys throw them at the pine trees in the back yard so they would explode. I'm a cool Mimi like that!!

 

I looked on the camera (took the above with the phone) and realized I forgot to take an outfit post today. You didn't miss anything--I sported a tshirt, denim capris and sneakers!!! I wore a maxi I've worn many times before when I ran my errands on Friday.

  

I'm linking up with crew at Visible Monday. Come check out the best style and fashion around!! 

 

The boys have headed home and MrBill and Gracie are sacked out snoozing! I'm off to relax in the recliner! Have a fabulous Monday!!!

 

TTFN

Tamera

 

 

 

Some thrift rain in the drought.

We are all Kick-Ass Wonder Women!!!

Hiya Blogland!!  This will be a quick post today. I wanted to show some goodies I managed to thrift this week in what has been the thrift desert. Plus I have my outfit for Gracey's Literary Styling Challenge.

It really has been a famine in the thrifts--I mean like NOTHING--even the racks are getting a bit empty. I hit up the 1/2 price Goodwill outlet this week and FINALLY found something useful. I'm getting really selective in what I'm buying--trying to not bring home awesome wardrobe orphan's and thinking ahead to altering the stuff smaller.

I've been on the hunt for a charcoal grey and a red cardigan-simple v-neck or crew neck, flat light knit. As I was perusing the sweater rack I spied this FABULOUS grass-green Chico's lacy knit cardigan. Not what I was looking for but definitely workable in my wardrobe. Fit well and for $2-going home with me!! I found the top for $2, too. It's a nice ponte knit and I love the sleeves.

I've also been on the hunt for some more long sleeve T shirts for winter (I can alter these easily if when they get to big) Found this nice purple Talbots Tshirt with the $32 price tag still on it for $2!!  The aqua Lane Bryant tshirt was only $1.50!
Funny--purple, and pink for that matter, weren't colors I chose a year ago and now I really like jewel tones. Must be the silver hair!

I still really NEED a pair of cowboy boots but so far haven't found any I like that fit. I did spy these beauties on the rack. Buttery-soft leather, made in Italy (no brand name I can discern), super comfortable and $3?? MINE!!!  The other booties are barely worn leather Nine West booties. I like their somewhat rocker edge. These were all of $5!!!I would've totally worn either of these with my outfit today if it had been cooler. I can see both of these as big players this fall/winter with tights and socks.

Gracey at Fashion For Giants hosts a Literary Stylings Challenge the first of each month. You basically dress inspired by a book you've read the past month. My book this month was a Kindle freebie that turned out to be pretty awesome. The book is called "Aloha Wanderwell: Call to Adventure"

Starting at the age of 16, Aloha Wanderwell Baker became the first woman to travel around the globe in an automobile. "Aloha Wanderwell: Call to Adventure" is a new book published by the Nile Baker Estate and Boyd Production Group that journals those adventures.

In her own words, Aloha Wanderwell Baker recounts the true story of a fantastic seven-year journey around the world that took place in the 1920s in a Model-T Ford while traveling with the Wanderwell Expedition.

In some ways, Aloha could be considered the "Amelia Earhart of the Automobile." While Amelia circled the globe in the air, Aloha faced her dangers, trials and tribulations down on the ground...and she did it first.

The book contains Aloha's 1939 memoir, "Call to Adventure," in addition to exclusive essays, photos and supplemental materials from the author's estate.

Readers will travel with Aloha to Europe, the Middle East, India, Japan, China, the Soviet Union, the United States, Cuba and Africa. They will experience, firsthand, the details of her love affair with Captain Walter Wanderwell, a self-proclaimed adventurer, whom she married in 1925 during the American leg of the expedition.

Aloha recaptures pieces of history that include traveling through Italy while Mussolini and the Fascisti were consolidating their power; braving food riots and hostile mobs in Germany; and driving into Palestine, where the Jews were attempting to build a new nation; and more.

During her travels, Aloha disguised herself as a man and prayed in Mecca; she became a confidante of Chinese bandits; and was granted the title of "Honorary Colonel" in the Red Army of Siberia. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

My outfit inspiration incorporated some leopard, vintage ivory beads, wood and fake ivory bangles, a thick utilitarian black belt, and a chambray work shirt. Trying for a kind of tribal/safari gear look.

Shirt is thrifted-and I need to find another in a smaller size!! The skirt is a DIY--it started life as a thrifted strapless dress. Belt is thrifted and the sandals are old!!

Here's a picture of dinner tonite. I strive to eat 1 lb raw veggies per day, 1 lb steamed/lightly cooked veggies per day, 1 cup minimum beans per day, 3-4 raw fruits per day and 1 ounce raw seeds or nuts per day. I can also have 1 serving of rice/pasta daily if I choose and 4 ounces meat/fish per week.

On the left is a bowl of sliced bananas, strawberries and kiwi with walnuts. On the left is some gluten free veggie pasta (which ain't bad) sprinkled with soy cheese and a ragu of mushrooms, onions, peppers, cherry tomatoes and spinach.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! I'll be back on Sunday rather late in the evening!!

TTFN
Tamera

Let's talk about blubber....

Hiya Blogland !!  Happy Hump Day!! In case you're wondering what the above picture is--it's the "Fatberg" a 15 TON blog of congealed fat they blasted out of the London sewers.

I decided it was time to get really REAL and discuss fat. My fat. I'm gonna through out some numbers I've never made public before!

I'm sure y'all have noticed I'm not exactly a 6 foot tall, 100 lb, 20 year old supermodel.  SURPRISE!! I'm really a 5'4", fat, 54 year old supermodel.

Let's get to the details and numbers. I ranged between 120-125 lbs through high school and my late teens/early 20's. And I thought I was FAT FAT FAT!! I was built rather straight up and down with some serious boobage. 36DDD, 30 waist, 35 hips. I was constantly starving myself trying to get "skinny". Totally and completely ridiculous.

Enter my 20's and going through all kinds of fertility treatments. hormones out of whack and I'm now  weighing between 155-165 lbs. I became diabetic in 1998 and maintained excellent numbers and control and kept my weight about 170lbs. Which SUCKED but it was what it was.
In 2005 everything went ass up and I was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis after being bedridden for several months. The suck-it multiplies!

I tried a medicine developed for Fibromyalgia called Lyrica. For some folks it's been a miracle. For others...not so much. I had no relief of the pain and managed to gain 47 FREAKING POUNDS in 6 weeks (weight gain is a side affect!) SUPER!! Now I weigh about 215lbs.

Add to the festivities--The American Diabetes Association now had all diabetics, regardless of their numbers/control being in the normal range, on a preventative plan where you took Metaformin (Diabetes med supposedly to protect your heart),  Blood Pressure Meds (low dosage to protect your kidneys) and Crestor (cholestorel med to protect your arteries). Now--my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar were all NORMAL but I'm taking this medicines to "protect" my heart."

I'm chugging along until the Great Faceplant of 2011. I fell at work and managed to break my nose, chip my left kneecap and severely sprain it, severely sprain my right shoulder, wrist, and elbow, and had hairline fracture in right wrist. I couldn't use crutches, walker or wheelchair due to having casts/sling on right arm. I was pretty much totally immobile for months. AND taking enough steroids to probably juice up the Olympic wrestling team!! I balloon up like a puffer fish!

SO......... This left me at 261.3 lbs on January 1, 2012. I was still fairly immobile but I decided to start really eating "clean" and at least 50% vegetarian. Still on all the diabetes and such meds. Here's a picture of me at about 250lbs. There is no photographic evidence of the 261 lb me!

I regained mobility slowly last year and found myself weighing 229.7 lbs on January 1, 2013.
The weight loss crept along and I got more mobile. I read "Reversing Diabetes" and "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. One thing he wrote struck me--that the meds I'm taking for the diabetes makes it more difficult to lose the weight. He advocates a vegan "Nutritarian" diet. I highly recommend his books for some great nutritional advice. I asked my new doctor on my June visit if I could cut the meds and try this. She said sure--as long as my numbers were good when I had bloodwork done the end of October she was fine with it.

SO--basically I'm 90% vegan. I eat at least 1lb raw veggies, 1 lb steamed/cooked veggies, 1 cup minimum beans, 3-4 raw fruits and 1 ounce nuts or seeds daily. I have 4 ozs per week salmon or chicken. Miss Gracie has me walking quite a bit and I'm adding more yoga stretches every week. I want to try hula-hooping for the abs soon! My blood sugar numbers are fabulous and as of August 7, 2013 I weigh 196 lbs!! That's a 65.3 lb FATBERG GONE!!!

Aside from the weight loss recently, I've found stopping the meds has allowed my overall fibro pain threshhold (the average daily level) to drop from a 7/10 to under a 5/10-which is FREAKIN' AMAZING. I haven't had this low a threshold in 3 years!! plus I'm noticing that the "flares" are shorter in duration and I'm recovering faster. It can only get better!!

I've had some great support these last couple of years. My dear friend Vickie ( we met in high school first day of my 10th grade year) is a fitness trainer/coach in San Diego. She's also a corrective physi- something that can develop exercise programs for disabilities/physical limitations. She does "long distance" coaching for a super reasonable price. One of her long distance clients lost close to 200lbs and is running marathons. She's been such a source of inspiration and encouragement and makes me "accountable"!! I'm trying to get her to start a blog as she would be FANTASTIC!!

Another incredible source of support has been Crystal of The Queens Table. I went to high school with her husband. We first connected over art and creativeness. She has been on quite the health journey herself (74 lbs gone and beat cancer) She is my go-to reference for all things vegan. Her website is a treasure trove for anyone wanting to go vegan and clean up their food.  She's the one who recommended Dr. Fuhrman's books.  Her journey and story was the impetus to go vegan-you can't argue with results.

Whew--been quite wordy here today!! I'm linking up today with the always awesome Anne of Spygirl for this weeks 52 Pick-Me-Up Challenge: Tutti-Frutti. I pulled out my "salad" skirt again. It has lemon, lime, porange and pink grapefruit colors in it. The skirt is White Stag/thrifted. I put a thrifted lime Venezia Tshirt, thrifted orange belt, thifted orange Ralph Lauren cardigan, some thrifted citrusy bangles, Amerimark/retail white sandals and a pin I made from a clearance scrapbooking element. I think I'm very citrus-y and tropical and tutti-fruity.

Here's a close-up of the DIY brooches:

I'll be back tomorrow with my outfit for Gracey at Fashion for Giants Literary Stylings Challenge!!
Everyone have a wonderful evening!!
TTFN
Tamera

We need a bit of whimsy this week

Hiya Blogland!!  It's the start of another strange and wonderful week!! We are supposed to have some much needed rain all week-which will probably cut down on Miss Gracie and my walks a bit. We will have to expend that energy indoors with some fetch and sock-wrestling!

I just feel like this week needs some weird and whimsical to brighten us up! And what could be more weird and whimsical than The Munsters as a rock band?? Dig Grandpa on the guitar!!

So I've raided my stash of strange to share with y'all for some giggles!! Anyone who's checked out my Pinterest can see I have eclectic tastes in pinning stuff. Which is a nice way of saying I pin weird stuff.

As creepy as the picture of dolls in suitcases at the airport  Anne of Spygirl posted this week is,  I think this vintage picture is WAY creepier. Nightmare-inducing material here folks!!

I could totally see Sarah Misfit or Vix rocking this fabulous jumpsuit!!  What a fantastic print!

You can be fashion-forward when your attempting your next bank robbery!!  FREAKY!!



This must've been one awesome party!! That one poodle is a bit possessive  of the human!

What's not to love with styling lizards?? And what happened to their TAILS?? Wait... are they DEAD??

 

This is just one STUNNING vintage advertisement -the colors are FABULOUS!!

This picture says it all!!

 

And now to outfits!! Monday's outfit was built for comfort!! Everything but the shoes are thrifted. I recently got the Lane Bryant cardigan for $4. The total of this outfit was $9!!! New this outfit (Lane Bryant Cardi-$59, Denim & Co Tshirt-$39, Jessica London Maxi-$59) would have retailed for $160!! The bracelets are thrifted and the necklace is a gift from the always wonderful Vix!

 

 I had planned on wearing my 52 Pick-me-up outfit today but it was too cold, rainy and dreary!! I pulled out some thrifted Lee boyfriend jeans, blingy jewelry, my peep toe platforms and this new Jessica London trapeze T shirt I just thrifted for $2!! I feel a bit tres chic and French-LOL. I've really been drawn to black and white print tops lately for some reason. Almost ALL of the print tops I currently have are black & white.

 

Miss Gracie and I met up with our buddies Smokey & Dragon on our walk. We walk by the barn they live in a couple of times a week or more and they always come out to greet Gracie!! They are two adorable boys!! Their momma abandoned them as kittens and the people who own the barn took them in!! Gracie managed to find a groundhog skull while she was there!

 

Here's a picture of MrBill and Gracie this morning trying to catch a few more ZZZZZZ!!

 

I've been altering clothes like a crazy person lately- I think I can see the bottom of the pile finally!

I'll be back later this week with my Spygirl 52 Pick-Me-Up outfit, my Fashion for Giants Literary Stylings outfit and I believe this week might be Bella's Shoe shine!!  i enjoy these challenges because they force me to think outside my box!

 

TTFN

 

Tamera

 

 

 

Doggies in the sunshine!!!

Hiya Blogland!! Everyone have a fantastic weekend???? Mine has been very busy!!! Gracie and I hit three different hiking trails this weekend and logged 10 miles!!! I am seriously in need of new walking shoes!!!

This will be a quick post as I am WHUPPED!!! Today after church I spent time with a friends three little boys, hiked with Gracie and did some serious gardening!!

I snapped this picture of Gracie snoozing on her poochie pouch in the sun this morning. MrBill was snoring away on the bed!!

I pulled out another faithful maxi dress for church this morning!! I spent a bit of time on Saturday (a lovely rainy day) sorting out my closet. I had two bags to go back to the thrift!!! Stuff I couldn't alter or just didn't work anymore. I paired the maxi with a teal sweater I thrifted last year. As you can see I'm being photobombed!!!

I'm linking up with all of the fabulous ladies for Visible Monday. I'll be catching up with everyone's blogs the next couple of days. I haven't had my computer on at all since Thursday!!

Have a wonderful Monday and I should be back around on Tuesday!!

TTFN
Tamera

Hats Off!!!

Hiya Blogland!!! This will be a short post today I wanted to join in with Judith of the Style Crone's inaugural Hat ATTACK!!!

I have a mini-collection of vintage hats to choose from but decided to share the hat I wear the most. There isn't anything particularly exciting about it!! It was a freebie I snagged from my husband. I wear it practically every day when I walk Gracie. I chose it because it's very visible when I'm out and about.

Yesterday's outfit was a tried and true maxi and cardigan. Easy and mindless on a crazy day.

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!! Gracie and I are planning some nice walks and I've got some serious gardening to do!!I'll be back on Sunday!!

TTFN
Tamera