The FastDay Forum

Ever since I had that Bells Palsy happening to me, I felt ...well, not ugly but not far from it. And the extra weight never made anything better. So when I read the Swedish designer, stylist etc etc Camilla Thulin's (that woman is phenomenal) book on personal style two weeks ago, I had this huge epiphany moment. Instead of hating every look in the mirror, come to grips with the reality that this is the way I look (except for the weight of course) and make the best of it. What suits me and what not?

Well, I got the bigest compliment I ever got on this side of 4o at work a couple of weeks ago, when some friends had said that I looked like a model and I truly took it to heart. If people who knows me since way beyond the BP though this, I truly had push up my big girls panties and move on.

So I started with looking kindly upon myself when I looked in the mirror, cleaned out more than 2/3 of my closets (and have done some more ever since), away with old and badly fitting things, stuff I could not fathom why I bought in the first place and then - started over. Fun - huh? Best thing is that The DH encourages me So far tops, cause my fav store DEA/Axelssons (Swedish with no online store) have their summer sale, so there is no skinny/slim trousers to be had and they are the type that I look the best in (and wide, flat fronted ones as well). So I bought some from a mail order store in the same size as the ones I got from DEA and whatdoyouknow - I couldn't get them over my hips Why oh why? So back they go, but the tops are nice and get to stay in my wardrobe.
If anyone wonder I have decided to stay with black, grey, cream and a (very) occasional dark blue and spruce it up with scarves
Yeah I know, it doesn't sound like fun, but patterns of any kind have never been my thing. I even have to force myself to use some chunky costume jewelry, even though my inner goldsmith self screams NOOOOOO. To be honest, I only own a antique amber necklace and some earrings LOL.

Ha, I have even started to clear out the small walk in closet in Sam's room from toys, Lego and whatnot that have been accumulating over the years. I do have my clothes in there, but I plan to remodel it to looks nice and functional too.
Oops, i think I feel the need to clear out knitted dresses and more kiddy stuff. A bit later in the fall, we (the kids and me) are going to try our hands at car-boot sales -

Hopefully DEA soon will put the fall stuff in their stores, so I can find som great pants.

Okay, so I thought I should start posting more...and now that I've discovered online shopping, this seemed a good place to start. I wanted to show off a coat that I bought for the winter (since my old fav wool coat is now about 3 sizes too big)! The only pic I have of me wearing it was from the Middle School Dance (theme was fav movie or book character)...so now the coat is known as the "Poppins coat"

My favourite coat has now been renamed "Poppins"

And here's a better shot with the model wearing it:

Not me! :)

I've been fairly lucky with getting the right size when online shopping - especially since this time it was a small Asian brand and I needed a XXL! (I'm a size 12 or M normally)

So what have others been indulging in recently?

[Tracieknits]

So I am now down a bit over 65 lbs.

The July sales are on in the malls. It was so freakin' hot today (91F/33C) that I went to the mall to get some exercise in and see if maybe, just maybe I could snag a sale. I went into Lord and Taylor, where they had 40% off their clearance. I saw a HUGE rack of Karl Lagerfeld stuff. I grabbed a big selection of things, got into the dressing room, and realized *HOLY CRAP THIS ALL FITS* Everything I tried in XL, except one jacket, fit. Some of it was even a wee bit large!! I must have spent over an hour trying things on and really letting it sink in that I was wearing this stuff in regular sizes.

I was good, and I ended up buying only one "shell" (a sleeveless poly v-neck in a hot pink rose print) and a really cool lightweight cardigan in a grey and black herringbone tweed with a very loose, open cut. I actually love the two items together. And when I got to the register, it was all only $32.

This was an incredible non-scale victory for me. I knew I didn't have to shop in the plus size departments any longer, but I was still afraid of trying things on. I don't know why it clicked in that dressing room today, but it did.

Squee!

Whooo hoooo, what a feeling,,, very pleased for you @Tracieknits.

You must feel like a million dollars and i bet you look it too! so pleased for you Tracie! X

Well done tracie,you should be sooo proud you have done so well,got to love a bargain,we have lots of July sales here in oz Melbourne,and I love my bargains any pics ??

Well done Tracie, inches trump pounds every time in my book, I have half a wardrobe of trousers which now fall off. I still automatically head for my former size in shops, still can't believe I really have changed shape - great feeling isn't it? I'm planning to alter my favourites, donate the rest and head to the summer sales for replacements - yippee!

[Tracieknits]

I went back and got this outfit! The jacket is a L, the top is an XL and the skirt is a 14

You look great @Tracieknits, I bet you feel it too. Make sure you get loads of use out of them, the way you're going they'll be too big very soon.

Well done Tracie - except for the glum face! You should be grinning!

Great pic,you look great!!

Congratulations, @Tracieknits. You must be feeling fab - you certainly look it! You will feel so great for your holiday that you won't be tempted to over-eat! Love the new clothes and even better if they're a bargain!

[Tracieknits]

Thanks everyone!! I wasn't glum, I was trying to focus on taking a selfie LOL I'm thrilled

Yes, the whole outfit was $80, including tax (we do tax backwards here, and add it to what's on the tag). Original prices would have been over $300. So I'm pretty thrilled. Lord and Taylor is an expensive store, usually, but twice a year they have great sales. I haven't shopped there in many years, because when I got fat, they didn't carry plus sizes. I just realized this week that they now carry plus sizes, but I don't need them any longer.

You look great! I love the jacket in particular!
I see youve got several other items hanging up! I love the look of the green dress! Xx

@Tracieknits, you should resurrect the Fashionista's Tent. I used to enjoy seeing everyone's purchases and how good they looked in their new clothes!
I've ordered a new Gina Baconi cocktail dress from John Lewis online. I have bought the size 14, equivalent to a 10 in the USA (I think?), which may or may not fit me depending on the cut. If it fits, then I will use it on our next cruise in October. I am paying half price for it, £95, so it's not too important if I don't get a huge amount of wear from it, as long as I feel good in it.
Well done on your weight loss so far, your persistence is paying off!