Welcome!
Hey there! I'm Holly. A 40+ year old insurance-nerd wife, mom, beauty lover, and about a million other things in between.
This is the place where I share about our lives, what I'm currently loving, books I'm reading, plus-size style, beauty recommendations, health + fitness endeavors and anything else I'm finding interesting at the moment.
Thanks for stopping by!
Category Archives: Real Life Style + Beauty
5 Real Life Style Blogs You Should Be Reading
I have made no secret about the fact that I think about style a lot. Part of that is losing 100 lbs and being forced to buy clothes constantly. When you are forced to spend money on something, you usually spend a little more time thinking about getting a more bang for you buck, right? (Hate that expression, can we come up with a good alternative?) But seriously, if I have to buy something, I want to buy something that will be flattering, fun and that will make me look freaking FABULOUS, hello?!?!
The other part (as I’ve told you before) is that being stylish doesn’t come naturally to me. If I want to look put together I have to think about it: look for inspiration, think about what I’m buying, make an effort when I get dressed.
DUDE, WHEN WILL IT BE EFFORTLESS?????
I’m not sure it ever will for me, since it’s not something I come by naturally, but I’ve decided to combine my love of blogs with my desire to be um — NOT dressed like a schlep? — and share with you some of my favorite inspiration. And these people aren’t like wearing super fabulous couture or shopping at Beverly Hills “thrift stores.” They are just real chicks, who dress REALLY cute or talk about fashion in a way I find fun and relatable. So check them out!
1. Wardrobe Oxygen
Alison at Wardrobe Oxygen is inspiring to me because she shops at stores in THE ACTUAL MALL, looks like a normal girl (aka not a 7 foot tall supermodel — NOT HELPFUL!) and puts together looks that appeal to me. It’s a fashionable breath of fresh air, actually, which is just how she intended it to be, I’m sure. She posts a daily outfit as well as an Ask Allie section where she talks style advice plus she’s not afraid to say that Style Books generally suck. She also talks fun beauty products and I can never get enough of that!
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2. J’s Everyday Fashion
J’s Everyday Fashion is probably a blog you are already reading, but if not definitely stop by. I enjoy reading style blogs by people who actually buy things from stores where I shop. While I do read a few sites where thrifting is a major theme, I don’t find it super helpful when someone says “I put together a great outfit with this one of a kind vintage item you will never be able to find yourself.” See also: “I sewed this fabulous outfit, don’t you feel inspired?” I guess I need some Fashion Training Wheels. Training wheels that I can find at Banana Republic or something. She sets a reasonable clothing budget each month, takes inspiration from magazines and elsewhere and recreates fun looks. Sure, I don’t want to wear every single one, and yes she has the kind of figure where EVERYTHING looks good, but I still find her approachability and interpretation of style so helpful!
3. Moi Contre La Vie
Caity at Moi Contre La Vie says the she celebrates Fashion, Food & Fitness — you know these are my very favorite things, right? Her Style Files are ALWAYS fun read, she gives great blog recommendations and if you want to know what is going to be on trend and fashionable, she will tell you! Isn’t that nice of her? 🙂 Her website is just an all around fun read, but she is especially fun to gab about clothes with. Lucky me, I get to chat with her in real life — but you should definitely stop by and say hi on the blog. She’s open, approachable and fashionable. I don’t think those 3 adjectives always go together so she is a gem for being just that.
4. Girl With Curves
Tanesha at Girl With Curves might be the most photogenic person ever. So basically my exact opposite! I love that she embraces her body type and looks fabulous while doing it! She mixes high and low end pieces, always looks put together and if nothing else her photos are always beautiful. I mean the scenery, the clothing, the light? You can’t feel UN-inpsired when you leave her site.
5. Freckles In April
Kayla at Freckles in April is a blog I found a while back through Janssen at Everyday Reading. Kayla’s blog is focused on modest fashion, which while not my number one priority, is something that I can appreciate. She is a busy mom and wife and bonus – she always looks pulled together! Gives me hope it can be done, someday. She coordinates style challenges where she gives prompts, loves to talk clothes and does a weekly feature called Open to Interpretation that is a great way to find inspiration in your own wardrobe. Gotta love that, right?
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I read a million more, but these are my favorite Real Life folks — women I can relate to looking fantastic on a daily basis. Do you read any Real Life Style Blogs? I’m always open to suggestions!
Signature Scents
The way someone smells says a lot about them. In fact, smell is the most important sense involved with nostalgia. As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t matter what the calendar says, I don’t feel like it is fall until I come home one night to the wafting rosemary smell of my favorite beef stew. The End. The Nose has spoken.
I also switch my perfumes up seasonally, which happens to blow Garrett’s mind. “What the hell is a fall fragrance?” Well thanks for asking, sweetheart — I’m about to tell you my favorites!
Before we get started we should subtitle this: Why I Don’t Write Perfume Descriptions Even Though I Like To Talk About Good Smelling Things.
Honestly, this is my favorite year-round fragrance because of its versatility, but I especially adore it when the weather gets cool.
From their website:
Fresh, crisp notes of eucalyptus are surrounded by a bright citrus halo of Italian lemon, lime and bergamot. Trailing close behind are green florals, lemongrass, floating on a bed of herbacious rosewood and fir.
What I would tell you:
First, the bottle is pretty and that’s a must. Obviously it has to smell amazing too, but it’s nice to have sitting out if you so choose. As for what it smells like — I would say it is a combo of “I just took the most invigorating shower ever!” with “How do you get your laundry to smell like that?” It’s clean, but you still smell pretty.
I resisted buying this for a long time because I was sure it was just a Perfume Crush and I would get it home, use it twice and then have it go into my bathroom cupboard to die. But I spray it on me every time it is in the general vicinity at a store, and I recently happened upon it at TJ Maxx for $18 and it hopped in my cart and we rode off together happily into the sunset.
From Sephora’s website:
This fabulous essence features notes of sparkling mandarin, gardenia and vetiver that are suited to a silver screen siren.
What I would tell you:
First, I am NOT a silver screen siren but I still love it. Second, this picture makes it looks like it is for strippers but it is not. Third, obviously I HAD to buy this perfume for the name. All three, very important things.
But the upside is that it also smells delicious. I feel like I need to preface this by saying I am generally not a flowery perfume wearer, but the hints of gardenia in here are just the perfect touch of glamour for me. I feel like a grownup when I wear this for some reason. And my boyfriend tells me I smell pretty which is always a nice bonus.
I’ve had this for years and still enjoy it every time I spray it. There are only a few perfumes that I actually feel that way about.
From Burberry’s website:
A refreshing, vibrant fragrance with top notes sweet lychee, yuzu, pineapple leaves and mandarin. Heart notes of pink peony, peach blossom and nashi add a soft floral accent. A sheer veil of white musk and blond wood gently balance this fresh youthful scent.
What I would tell you:
First *SQUEE* A pink plaid Burberry bottle!! I feel like I need to clarify that Burberry Brit Sheer smells MUCH DIFFERENT than Burberry Brit. Burberry Brit is the perfume your grandma likes. Burberry Brit Sheer is what you wear when you are rocking the cutest shoes you own.
Second, this description makes it sound like flowers dipped in kool aid — which is not what it smells like at all. It’s…crispier. Do you know what I mean? Cleaner? It’s yummy. But what I like about it is that it has a touch of The Fabulous, but it’s not overpowering.
So apparently I like sparkly pink stripper perfume that SMELLS like a lady and um…notes of mandarin? (The Body Shop Satsuma, anyone?) At least I know what I love! Now tell me, what is your signature scent?
From The Archives: My Early Fashion Journalism Career
I spent the afternoon helping my mom clean out her garage. Wow, I can really feel your jealousy through the computer — I mean it’s actually palpable — do you want me to give you a minute to compose yourself?
Anyway, at age 33, now that I live in my own home with my own garage and attic, my mom felt it was about time I stored my own archives. Understandable, I guess. So we chatted, sorted through old stuff, and I basically came home with months worth of humorous blog material in the form of tragic photos, diaries, and general adolescent awkwardness so I’m just warning you that you may see some archival features in the near future. Experts like Andrew Defrancesco is whom you can consult when it comes to running a business
I thought since it is Sunday and I know all of us are planning our fabulous outfits for the week I thought you all might enjoy a page of hard hitting fashion journalism from my 12 year old self. It’s my first foray into fashion writing, straight out of my junior high school’s “paper” (if you can even call it that) named The Bird’s Eye View. Volume 1, Number 1, by the way. And with enlightening advice like this, I can’t imagine it was the last.
The other reason I’m posing this is because I have no menu to post today. We’re eating Halloween Candy for dinner, how about you?
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Fashion Trends
By Holly Woodcock
March 4, 1991
EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read all about it. We at Hopkins Jr. High have decided we don’t all have the same taste!
To most people the way they dress can tell a lot about them. Some spend hours picking out the perfect outfit, but others would rather slip on a pair of jeans (or Z. Cavarricci’s), an IOU sweatshirt and a matching pair of suede boots and walk out the door. Others prefer skirts or long shirts with leggings underneath.
Shoes are a big thing too! You can’t wear ratty tennis shoes with a dressy skirt and you can’t very well go and wear high heels with a pair of jean shorts. But if you mix it up with your shoes you can find some style.
No guys on the other hand sometimes choose to wear sweat pants. But others wear fitted jeans to show off what all that weight training (if you know what I mean.) Some guys don’t follow the trends though and just wear the old stand by Bugle Boys. But those select few who are up with the trends wear those awesome funky overalls. Farmer style, buckling both straps, or original with only buckling one strap. There there are those Wild Things who let it all hang loose and don’t buckle any straps.
As you can see, fashion is very complicated.
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I mean…I have no words.
30 Days of Denim – Lessons Learned
THAT, my friends, is a whole lot of denim!
When I started this little project I had a few intentions:
The first, could I transform how I felt about getting dressed everyday? Not that it caused me stress, but it wasn’t really something I did with intention all that regularly. Could I start to develop a “style” or could I learn to recognize what my own style was and feel inspired by that?
I think you can glance up and see that YES! I do have a style (Jeans and Cardigans, FTW!)Â But we’ll talk more about that in a minute.
The second – Would doing something like this help me get a bit more in touch with my physical self? This is another YES! But there were so many things I discovered in between that I want to discuss.
Here were some of my most important lessons learned.
1. Style takes effort (duh) but that effort is two-pronged: Inspiration and Execution. I had never really thought about that until I had to come up with 30 separate outfits. In my mind I thought that I was just not a person who executed on the style front very well. But it turns out that I was actually not spending enough time in the inspiration phase. And you know what — I LOVE the inspiration phase.
I’m a creative person by nature and have always loved looking at pretty things. I pigeon-holed myself into thinking that style was something that just happens for those who are sophisticated! and thin! and fabulous! But really style is just another level of creativity to cultivate in everyday life if you so choose. And not everyone does and that’s ok. We all must pick and choose our endeavors, and I may not always choose to prioritize fashion with intention, but that epiphany made me feel like I had a whole new creative outlet instead of feeling like it was something else I needed “to work on” and that was empowering.
2. Execution is just practice. You’ll win some and you’ll lose some. Some outfits will be better than others, but luckily no one is keeping score. This Ira Glass quote about art has spread like wildfire around the internet and I think it relates to all creative endeavors.
If you trudge through the muck, you are bound to find some gems. It’s about the process, not only about the end result. And it’s ONLY CLOTHES in the end!
3. The camera can be your friend. And I’m not just talking about the Cher Horowitz advice. Did the thought of that just make you cringe? Because let me tell you, I cringed my way through at least the first 10 days of photographs. I died over the dumb looks on my face, how rigid I looked, my lack of posing ability — you name it, I nitpicked at it.
But about a third of the way through the process I began to get comfortable with looking at myself “on film.” Yes, I still noticed something I perceive as “a flaw” here or there but I was able to let go of the criticism and appreciate the documentation. I have years of time where I don’t have a single photo of myself or my body — and how much does that suck? Knowing that I was committed to doing this for 30 days made me realize that I was going to have to make a choice: hate myself daily for a month, or learn to embrace some of the great things about how I look. The latter is harder than it sounds, but man is it a discipline I recommend! Being confronted daily with choosing a picture of myself that I wanted to show the world (uh…well, I mean you guys) meant I had to find something that was acceptable so I had to calm down with the “UGH, I hate this picture of myself” talk. And how crazy is it that when you stop talking so negatively about yourself, you stop feeling so negatively.
THIS BOGGLES MY MIND.
4. Being inspired doesn’t need to translate into mass consumption. I was afraid, once I started pinning lots of pretty outfits on Pinterest, that I would feel the need to go out and BUY! ALL! THE! THINGS! And listen, the thought crossed my mind about how I *needed* a new navy cardigan, and I *needed* a new green striped shirt. But I actually found that this project helped my streamline my spending. Because I was looking for inspiration I started to see a trend in things that I liked and so ultimately I made a list of all the useful articles of clothing I wished I had in my closet. Recently I went over to Nordstrom Rack just for fun on my lunch break and man, did they have a BUNCH of cute things! But nothing was really on my list and while everything was cute, I wasn’t particularly inspired, so I passed. And no one was more shocked than I was! But having a better idea of what you want makes it easier to pass up the things that are only ok. And for me? That’s a win!
So those were the big lessons, but there were a few superficial lessons too.
1. I need a new haircut. BAD. 🙂 Let’s talk about this more next week, mmmkay?
2. Obviously I like jeans and cardigans. I’m going to try and step out of that comfort zone this fall but it will definitely be a challenge now that the weather is cooling! Here’s where the inspiration comes in though because now I know what I want to look for: cute, warm outfits that don’t involve cardigans. Excuse me while I go pin…
3. Collaboration is so much fun! Garrett and I had a blast doing this silly project together and I NEVER would have thought that would be the case. It was great to do something creative together daily! I think we will collaborate again, although who knows on what. While we were both relieved when this was over to not to have to worry about fitting in a photograph of an outfit each day, we also kind of miss it. Weird, right? Who’d have thought???
It was a lot to learn, do and process, but in the end I’m glad I did it. Thanks to all of you for your feedback, support and for being such a great cheering section through the process. Did you find this helpful at all for yourself? Are you glad it’s over? Do you have any ideas for what I should try next time? Leave a note in the comments, I would love to know your thoughts!
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If you would like to continue following my fashion inspiration, here is my board on Pinterest.
30 Days of Denim – Day Thirty!!!
Oh you all!
We have reached the end! I can’t believe that I put together 30 outfits that I actually thought about in advance (well…you know, more or less) for an entire month. Style Blogging is no joke! And don’t worry, it is not in my future.
Thanks again for coming along for the ride and not shouting “You’re so vain!” in the comments section.
I have learned A LOT over the last 30 days and I will wrap and recap in another post, but for now, how about we talk clothes.
Here’s What I Wore Today:
Earrings: Mom hand me down
Necklace: Gift from my mom (Dude, my mom is nice.)
Cardigan: Merona for Target, obvs
Belt: Target
Dress: Target
Shoes: Old Navy
My favorite part of this outfit is my hair which you can’t even SEE in that picture, but how hard is taking a picture of your hair where your face looks cute? So hard! It’s a fun braid, but you can hardly tell. You will have to take my word for it.
Thanks again for playing along. I’ll recap on the flipside, friends!
Hope you all have a great weekend!
30 Days of Denim – Day Twenty Nine
I’m running out of shirts to wear that I haven’t worn yet which is both a good and a bad thing. Bad, because hey! No one wants to run out of clothes to wear. (Although this challenge is almost over so it’s a mighty convenient time to run out, really.) Good, because now I know I can pretty much go 30 days without repeating a shirt — which means I need to acknowledge that saying “I have nothing to wear,” is dramatically crying wolf. And now I have told it to the internet, it’s practically written in stone. I can be more stylish, I just have to *gasp* TRY!
Anyway, I was glad to see this shirt was available this morning because it’s blousy. And do you know what blousy means? No one *ahem* has to feel guilty about not working out yet this week. (Quick check of the calendar, yup, it’s Thursday! OY!) But because I CAN look a gift horse in the mouth — I’m smooth like that — I put it on with a pair of jeans that are somewhat unforgiving just to punish myself.
It made a lot more sense this morning when I picked out my clothes (before I had coffee.)
Here’s What I Wore:
I tweeted this morning that my pants either fit perfectly or are a bit too tight. After looking at this picture I think they are right in between the two, but I’ll take it.
Shirt: LOFT
Jeans: Gap 1969 Perfect Boot
Shoes: Isaac Mizrahi for Target
Bracelet: Target
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What did you wear today?
Join the group and play a little show and tell.
30 Days of Denim – Day Twenty Eight
The inspiration for today’s outfit?
Dry shampoo.
More accurately, me being a little sleepy and not wanting to wash my hair — meaning, what can I wear with a headband? Well glad you asked, I’ll show you.
Here’s What I Wore:
Headband: Gap
Earrings: Mom hand me down?
Necklace: Target
Cardigan: Halogen for Nordstrom
Tank: Mossimo for Target
Jeans: Old Navy The Diva Skinny Jeans
Shoes: Target Clearance!
And for the record, I don’t feel like a flasher in THIS particular cardigan. Maybe because it’s pink…
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What did you wear today?
Join the group and play a little show and tell.
30 Days of Denim – Day Twenty Seven
Well I’m running low on cardigans so you know the end is near. If I have discovered one thing, it is that cardigans are definitely the major items punctuating my style statement.
Here’s What I Wore Today:
So squinty!
Cardigan: Old Navy
Tank: Merona for Target
Skirt: Gap
Belt: Target
Yellow Flats: Target
Bracelet: Target
I love this tank because I never have to think up a necklace to wear with it. That’s lazy fashion for you. I think some celebrity should “design” a line of clothing that is 100% accessorized for you already. Hollywood glamour, already attached to your pants! and sweater! Right? RIGHT?
Ok maybe not. But it’s a nice tank top anyway.
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What did you wear today?
Join the group and play a little show and tell.
30 Days of Denim – Day Twenty Six
When I woke up this morning all the power was off in our house. Irritating. I scratched my head feverishly in hopes that it would help me figure out a way to brew coffee with no electricity (we have an electric stove) but to no avail.
Instead of sitting around staring at the wall (in the dark) I took my book light (good thing I got new light bulbs, eh?) to the closet and picked out the brightest, most obnoxious shirt I could find and then built an outfit around it.
Here’s What I Wore:
If there was ever an excuse to wear chartreuse, right? The rhyming makes me feel like this would make a good title for a children’s book. Although this outfit should never be mentioned in the context of children’s books though because all day long the sweater has kind of make me feel like a little bit of a flasher, and we could never work that into the plot because the would be kind of awkward.
Sweater: Gap Outlet
Chartreuse Tee: Banana Republic Factory Store
Necklace: Target
Tank: Gap
Jeans: Old Navy The Flirt Jeans
Shoes: Old Navy
Maybe I’ll try to work this outfit into the plot line of my Young Adult Paranormal Romance Novel.
Maybe not.
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What did you wear today?
Join the group and play a little show and tell.
30 Days of Denim – Day Twenty Five
So I may have mentioned how lazy I feel already today, but it should be repeated: I FEEL LAZY. Yet these groceries, they don’t shop for themselves you know? I don’t know how we have gotten to 2011 without Costco figuring out that they should offer some Amazon type delivery service.
Why Costco, why??
I think at the end of this coming week, when I have denim’d myself out after 30 days and am doing some reflection, I will say to myself, “Next time, Holly, give yourself the weekend off.” Because on the weekend? I am not my most fashionable self. And for the most part, I am okay with this.
Here’s What I Wore On My Great! Costco! Adventure!
It’s a shock that Vogue isn’t beating my door down right now isn’t it?
Sweater: Old Navy
Tank: Mossimo for Target
Jeans: Gap Slim Boyfriend — yep, picked them up off my closet floor this morning. How’s that for gettin’ real?
Shoes: Target Clearance Rack. No brand, just an owl logo?
I’m of the opinion that they don’t call it lazy Sunday for nothing, and I’m just doing my best to abide by the rules.
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What did you wear today?
Join the group and play a little show and tell.
