Another Everyday Cosplay - Star Wars Style!

As a fan of the original (and some of the newer ones) Star Wars saga, I decided to try my hand at what an everyday cosplay would look like for it. This wasn't one of the Padme Amidala looks, though her queenly styles have always been a favorite for me. Nope, went a little on the plainer end for this one. 

Brown boots for the dusty desert travels. Grey leggings for comfort and ease. You can't see it, but I'm wearing a long white tank top with a tan tee over it. This is just because I like something covering my rear when I wear leggings. But the color scheme also matches the outfits you'd find on somewhere like Tatooine. Even in the hottest areas, you want to cover up more, so a dark cloak was added.

For me, it was chilly again today with light sprinklings. So yes, covering up a little more. Finally, there is the hair and accessory. I only used one this time. The bracelet that my mom had sent me when I was planning to go to the symphony. It is the Tracking Beacon (Homing Beacon in the movie) one you can find on Amazon. Rey and General Leia Organa Solo had them.

I love it! Simple, yet adds the perfect touch. Going with simple, I did 4 braids and styled them as you see. If I do something more along the Queen Amidala look, I'm sure it will be quite a bit more sophisticated. I used to love trying to do my hair in ways that would come closer to mimicking hers. 

Well, that ends this version of my cosplay in everyday style. Until next time! In the meantime, why not tell me who you would love to dress as, or perhaps you have an idea of who I should try? Let me know in the comments below!

Letting My Inner Nerd Style Free!

 I've spent way too long in jeans and a T-shirt. So, I'm letting the Nerd shine loud and proud! And just how am I doing that? By wearing the clothing that shows it off best. 

I've been putting a lot of effort into creating a style board on Pinterest lately. I want to climb out of the wardrobe rut and return to consciously deciding on matching looks that express who I am. I used to style myself after Trinity from the Matrix movies with a long duster, knee high boots and black knee-length skirts. I wore cargo pants and corset tops. I'd have worn boots all year around, except I learned that was considered a no-no in the fashion world. I felt amazing! I didn't care what people thought of my look. I was me. Even more so, as I look back, it was when I was coming to the realization that I was a nerd. Not your broken glasses-fixed with tape, pocket protector-wearing, kind either. My style was eccentric. And I like to think that some part of me, still is that way. Just more refined...

(Zyia Havana tank, over blue tank, blue cardigan shirt, Evenstar necklace)

Fast forward many, many, MANY years. I have had 4 kids. I'm happily married to a guy who thinks I'm beautiful no matter what I look like. I have lived quite the seasoned life. I'm no longer flat-abs, but my hips and rear are definitely far more curvaceous. These are things that I'm taking into consideration as I plot out the types of clothes I want to wear. 

Creating my first favorite outfit!

I had asked for this long vest piece and received it for Christmas. It goes perfectly with my long sleeve, blue Superman shirt. Though, for the summer months, I will be looking to get a short sleeved Wonder Woman shirt. Wonder Woman is definitely my hero and I want to be able to show that off all year long. This red cardigan vest is like wearing a red cape, but in a classier form for everyday wear! Over the winter months, I paired them with jeans and my black boots. I felt like I could easily be Super Woman. 

But like I said, this outfit only works for the winter time. I needed a summer version too. So I found these shirt pieces at the local Goodwill. I can wear it with my jeans and ballet flats. I also wear the leather wrist band my mom sent me. Sadly, the Wonder Woman shirt you see here is a little on the tighter side. Downside to not being able to try things on before buying these days. So I mostly wear it around the house now.

My most recent additions are these Nerd+faith shirts that my husband and I got. I usually don't like matching him. Feels weird. But we saw these, and couldn't resist! I also like wearing mine with the red cardigan vest. After all, what Vader girl doesn't like her cape?? 

My next project was inspired by this elegant necklace that I got from Ms. Kara, who is a Paparazzi Consultant.

I immediately fell in love with it. Red is my color (can't you tell?) and this one screams HARLEY QUINN! So I have decided to try to create an outfit that goes with the necklace. Want to see more jewelry that will inspire you? Check out her Facebook page HERE. She truly is the Princess of Bling.

These outfits are me! These are my style beginning to shine forth. They raise my self confidence and make me feel beautiful. I can't wait to put together more looks like this. What is your go-to look?

Building My Self Esteem With Help From Pinterest

“Successful people have fear, successful people have doubts, and successful people have worries. They just don’t let these feelings stop them.”
~ T. Harv Eker

Part of getting in shape and moving forward means feeling good with how I am looking, every step of the way. I have spent the past couple years in jeans and T-shirts. Most of which are in shades of black or grey. I'm pretty tired of this. I want to look and feel amazing again. Now, normally, I'm not much for style. In my early college years, I was more of a business goth. Hard for some people to see on me now, but that was my comfort zone. I wore corset tops, lots of black, and knee-high boots with skirts. I felt like I looked HOT. Whether that was in my head.... eh ~shoulder shrug~ who can tell? 

While I'm not wanting to go back to that style (at least not completely), I want that feeling I had back then. About how I looked, THAT is what I want to get back to. 

Self Esteem

Self esteem is fluid. At least for some of us. I believe that some people are born confident. They hold on to it throughout life, without wavering. But for a great deal of us, it comes and goes. Sometimes we are walking on cloud nine, thinking we can do anything. And other times, we are dragging around, hoping no one sees us the way we currently see ourselves. Maybe we just have fragile self esteem. Maybe it is easily knocked down a peg or two. Whatever the case, mine is like that. I felt amazing before I got pregnant with my last child. I was at a great weight. I was working out. I was working a paid job, not just being a Mom. I had clothes that fit and that I looked good in. 

Then pain and pregnancy happened...

And suddenly, I'm gaining weight. My back problems were flaring up. I was not working out anymore. I switched jobs and found out I was pregnant. Talk about life being thrown through a loop! I was riding the Crazy Train to Loopsy Town. While pregnant, I told myself it was all okay. After all, I had gained weight, sometimes lots of it, with all my pregnancies. Then after they were born, I dropped it within two years time, max. No way, did I think I wouldn't get back to those pre-pregnancy styles. I still have a box, that is slowly getting smaller, of the clothes I wore back then. And I still cling to the hope that one day I will fit them again. 

I jump back and forth in my feelings for how much I love or hate my body. Some days I just accept it for what it currently is. Other days I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and want to cry. I'm about 45 pounds over my ideal weight. I don't like looking in the closet. It reminds me that my style is bland. 

 

"Hmm, which T-shirt do I wear today?" 

Seriously?! I no longer have to pick between a corset or a blouse. A skirt or jeans. Boots or heels. Nope. My biggest decision is which shirt should I wear? Is it a cooler day? Kikkoman promo shirt will work. Looking for a softer and sleepable shirt, then pick the eBay 25th anniversary tee. I hear comedians talking about women taking forever to get ready and think, "Not me". Two minutes and I'm dressed to go. Make up is a rare treat. I dread putting it on. Unless it is date night or I know I'm taking special photos that will include my face, I don't wanna! After all, who do I have to impress? I only have 2 pairs of jeans and those are only for when I know I'm leaving the house or someone is coming over.

However, there are certain tops I don't mind having, even if they are T-shirts. I just need to get the feminine shaped ones. Like the one below... Then at least I can be reminded of the curves I still have.

Fighting to feel better

Truth is, I have decided that I am ready to branch out. I'm working out more steadily. Walking more, eating less, eating healthier. I'm giving it more effort. It will take me a while. I still have some serious pain days and my body still seems to be trying to kill me. But I have decided I can't live like this any more. I've asked my husband to keep me accountable. And through it all, I'm going to start trying to look better as well. 

Taking Steps Toward Looking My Best

• I make a point to brush my hair. I can't stand messy hair. I get on to my daughter often about her hair. But some mornings I'm in a rush to get the kids up and ready for school, so I just throw my hair in a bun. Voila! Hair is done. I forget about it for the rest of the day. Not anymore. I try to slow down just enough to brush through it before moving on.  
• I wear jewelry when we are leaving the house. Nothing too fancy. But by adding a bracelet or a necklace, at least, I feel like I have taken just a little more effort and I feel better about myself. 
• And now for the best part - I have created a Pinterest board just for My New Style. I go through photos and try to decide how I want to look now. Now, and later, as I want to have a progressive style. As I lose those pounds, I will transition. I know it will be slow. I also know I don't have the funds to get the types of clothes I'm looking at, but it is a start in the right direction. When I'm able to, I will at least know what kinds of clothing I am looking for. As the saying goes, "Knowing is half the battle."

I also save screenshots or cut out styles I like. Screenshots like this one are put into a folder on the laptop for future use.

I have a notebook that I paste pictures I've cut out into. Yeah, yeah. Totally old school on that front. But don't knock the technique that works for me! It helps to reinforce the goals I have. The clothes I want to fit into or get to feel better about how I look. Each step will bring me closer to regaining that self esteem.

What about you? How do you decide your style preferences? Do you read magazines? Watch TV shows? Window shop? What inspires you?? Leave me a comment below and give me some ideas! Love to hear back from you all.