Knots and Studs

Leggings Sandals Style Summer T-shirts

I did not list my Nike workout pants on the blog, though if you want truly comfortable pants with a built in pocket for your cell phone go check them out on the Nike website. I’d choose Nike over Lulu Lemon every time. I recently traded my Fitbit for a Fitbit HR and I LOVE it. Guys, did you know the Fitbit app keeps track of your period!? Oh, you did? Cool. I am always late to the party. Like I just binged watched all seven seasons of Gossip Girl. It was during the first six weeks of Avett’s life, but I became so obsessed that I’d have dreams where I was walking around telling people: “I’m Chuck Bass.” My other obsession: the Steven Madden sandals I linked you to. They’re on sale! Look at how happy I am that they’re on sale.

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Last of Summer

Dress fashion Sandals Style Summer Sunglasses

Ohhhhh boy. Literally, I gave birth to one. And now that I’m done being pregnant I’m sort of ready to blog again. I can tell you that I’m not enthusiastic about buying clothes since I still have 30lbs to lose, but I am managing to find some outfits to disguise that fact. I’ve been living in dresses since I don’t have a single pair of jeans that fit me. I feel like I’m in a race with winter to lose weight so I can avoid buying new pants. And though I cringe when I look in the mirror I’m reminding myself that I’m human and reciting those famous words everyone keeps saying… “It’ll take time.” In the meantime I feel flabby. My thighs chaff when I walk and I have some wicked mom stripes on my belly (they only arrived after I had the baby, go figure). Honestly, I’m really enjoying motherhood in my thirties and though I think vain thoughts throughout the day I am quite content. Praise be!

What I am doing:

The worst thing one can do when attempting to be healthy mentally and physically is compare. Women have a knack for making themselves feel inadequate. Whether you’ve just had a baby or you’ve been struggling with your weight since you started eating solids the best way to feel good in your own skin is to focus on what you DO have going on. Strong legs, white teeth, bouncy hair, pretty toes, smooth skin, whatever. Those areas you want to improve; don’t let them control the way you feel. Instead of saying “I am failing” say: “I am working on it.”  And…well…work on it. Working on it feels good, working on it feels productive.

I’m working on feeling like myself again. Every day I either walk, or walk and interval run. I’ve been averaging four mile walks mostly with the baby strapped to my chest. I use the weighted hula hoop on top of that (30 minutes in the evenings). I’ve cut out carbs and I’ve been mainly sticking to protein, veggies and grains. I’ve only lost four pounds.

What I’ve failed at: alcohol. Face palm. I started my liquor fast yesterday. Man, I like to drink.

What I plan on doing: Orange Theory. I’m basically trying to get fit enough to get fit.

Anyway, here is a dress that made me feel sexy! It showed just enough boob and hid just enough belly fat.

 

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Come to the Dark Side

Jewelry Overalls Sale Summer

Star Wars lover, right here! Always rooting for Darth Vader, love me some villains. I have been faithfully wearing my denim overalls every summer for five years now, but then I decided I wanted overalls in black. The hunt began. I found these and they’re not a boyfriend fit like my blue denims, they’re tighter…a little sexier (Can you call overalls sexy?) and they’re definitely comfortable. The pair I have are listed first in the links below. They are an Urban Outfitters brand called DGB and have a strap back rather than a full bib back (See photos). I did link some more affordable brands so you had options. What’s a woman without options? My necklace is from Tiffanys, I bought it for myself four years ago for my thirtieth birthday and I still wear it weekly. It’s currently on sale, so check it out.

 

What I’m reading.

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Spiritual Gangster

Casual Nike Summer

Gangster: a member of a group of criminals. So, what exactly is a spiritual gangster anyway? It would be me overthinking words on a t-shirt before I buy it. Over the years we’ve taken words that have negative connotations and have trended them into society. I had to really think before I committed to this tank because I didn’t want to send the wrong message. God, sometimes I give myself a headache. But here’s why I bought this shirt.

Religion kind of took a nose dive. I could say it’s recent but then we’d be forgetting all the wars fought throughout history in the name of religion. Religion has been a contentious thing since…forever. I am a Christian. Mind you throughout college I was called a heretic by my fellow Christians. I went to a private Christian college that centered its doctrine on rules, not on love. Of course if you are familiar with Tarryn Fisher you know that I unapologetically had something to say about all of that. It didn’t go over well. Some people love that law, yo. So the word “Christian” became a wonky word for me. The associations made me shy away from the word. But, people do that don’t they? They ruin things. And in the end I wasn’t going to let flawed humans turn me away from something I loved.  The original message-that’s what I live for. Now, you could be an atheist, a Muslim, a buddhist, let me just say that I don’t care what you are. You are a human being and I love you. It’s really none of my damn business what you’ve chosen for your life. My business is what I’ve chosen for my life, and to avoid hypocrisy and actually live out my belief system it’s in my best interest to focus on my life not yours.

 

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

Dayuuum! What does that mean? Bear with me for a moment as I explain what it means to us Beliebers….I mean believers. It means God came down to experience human bullshit. Betrayal, hate, hunger, rejection, a different type of klan, temptation, hurt, murder, hypocrisy. If you read the story of Jesus you’ll see how he was just pummeled with all of it. And yet he loved those who murdered him. He fought for the weak, he opposed the law and the only thing he got really pissed off at was at religion. OMG! Like me! He stood up for women. All. The. Time. Because back then women had absolutely no rights. None. A champion of every underdog. And he asked his followers to show that unconditional love to…strangers? Hell yes, he did. Mmmkay, I’mma do my best. I fail. I do. But, I believe in it; the message of love.

I subscribe deeply to the profound, wisdom of the Bible, deeply to the Jesus of Christianity (he’s cool as fuck) <—–see that’s why I got in trouble.

But I don’t subscribe to the way humans have interpreted the Bible. Or the way they represent my cool as fuck, Jesus. Because of that I was often labeled a Christian criminal or heretic. I’m okay with that. I have found people who represent what I believe, who live out their beliefs. I have other spiritual gangsters in my life.  I am a spiritual gangster. See…my shirt even says so. Click on dat link if you’re a spiritual gangster too. I linked the cheap jeans and the expensive jeans.

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Naked and Mean

fashion Flats High-waisted Style Summer Sweatshirt

No one in Washington has air conditioning. That means for three weeks during summer I’m miserable and mean. Heat makes me a very bad person, guys. We’re officially past the 95 degree hump in my corner of the PNW and I can officially stop walking around naked and angry. This sweatshirt I picked up from AG is comfortable and still works in hot weather. I found a couple of more affordable options for you. And since summer is almost over this will float into your fall wardrobe. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.

What I’m reading

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Cold Shoulder

High-waisted Style Summer

More high waisted pants for you. This time in fancy pink with a little bow to wrap up your waist. Also this top was a nice surprise. It was left in the fitting room; someone else’s reject. I bought it because… NO SHIRT LEFT BEHIND. Also because it’s pretty fly for a cold shoulder top. Cold shoulder tops look so whimsical and romantic and…well…I don’t want to look whimsical and romantic. Anyway, clearly it won me over.

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Dressy

Dress Sale Sandals Summer

Just so you know my dress is back in stock and on SALE. Under $42! This is a big summer go-to for me since it’s flattering on top and doesn’t cup and caress belly weight. It’s really well made too so don’t worry about the quality, I’ve washed mine over and over.  If you’re a shorty wear it with wedges. I’m 5’6 and I’m wearing a Medium in the picture. It can double in fall with a jean jacket. I threw in some sale sandals too. LOVE the star sandals!

What I’m reading!

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Shorts That Lie

fashion Style Summer Wedges

Washington abounds in cute little towns. During the summer Josh and I try to take the kids to as many new places as possible. The goal when we get there is to eat. We are food people. Also both Ryder and I are mean as hell if we’re hungry. I’m not talking about general grouchiness either, Josh stuffs string cheese in his pockets before we leave the house. If we start being verbally abusive, we get a cheese. If we yell, we get a cheese. If we cry, we get a cheese. I like cheese so this works well for me. Anyway, after we arrive wherever we’re going we find the food. Then we walk around and see the local charm. We always find a bookstore. I make Scarlet and Ryder use their own allowance to buy toys, but I will always pay for books. Their little faces still light up at the idea of new books and I hope it always stays that way.

This was my weekender outfit.

I found three dupe bags that are almost identical to my Chanel cross-body! They’re under twenty dollars! I also listed the dupes to my red sunglasses. And though it looks like I’m wearing a skirt they are actually shorts. I love them. The feminine appeal of a skirt with the practicality of shorts. And they’re on SALE. So check them out.

What I’m Reading and Loving!

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Crisscross Lavender

Casual Leggings Style Summer

Today was my first day back on the job! Just so you know I drink on the job. Write drunk, edit sober.  I wrote the first chapter of my new novel and it’s a good thing too. I was starting to feel that dragging depression that comes when I’m not writing regularly. What am I writing next? A YA novel. Backstory: I have been sitting on this idea for twelve years!

Fashion

You should see the weird looks I get when I wear these Jeffrey Campbell slides. It’s like people have never seen an ugly pair of shoes before. I included a plus size option in today’s post. Scroll right for all of the options.

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Everything Heels

Heels Sale Style Summer

Just a midweek quickie. I ordered these heels last week and pretty much waited by the front door every day for them to arrive. I was not disappointed.

They are EVERYTHING.

The high back design prevents heel rubbing which is a problem I always run into with this type of shoe. They are comfortable! My Hudson jeans are on sale, but jump quick because sizes are dwindling. Let’s talk about wrap bracelets for a moment. I don’t actually wear them on my wrist, I wrap them around my ankle. When you’re wearing summer sandals the wrap bracelet around your ankle is a sexy and fun addition to dresses and shorts. I never take mine off and don’t notice it’s there anymore.

What I’m Reading

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