Helllllllllllooooooo! It’s been a busy couple of weeks here. I traveled to Boston for the PCA conference and did a presentation about the television series Huge. I got to meet a lot of fabulous people and learned so much from them. I even saw (and then subsequently stalked) Melinda who writes Amelia Pontes. She is one of the bloggers who inspired me to write, so I was a bit of a fan girl and then I became immediately embarrassed for being a fan girl. Let’s hope that when I meet some of you in NYC I’ll be much more cool, calm, and collected. I’ll have to devote an entire post to Boston once I get my life back from school.
During my hiatus, I also turned in my 57 page graduate project. It was a beast, and yet I know I could have written more. I just finished a marathon writing session, where I wrote a 15 page paper in less than 24 hours. Never again! I really think I’m testing my own sanity some days. But the end is finally in sight. I have two more presentations in this next week (one being my project defense), and if all goes well, I’ll be heading towards graduation.
During my absence, I also missed a Five Take challenge where the group took on three outfits in one post: Work, Rest, and Play. You can check out their posts here: Claire, Becky, and Gina. I might be able to come back and “make up” this post, but it seems so out of place now that I’ve chosen to move forward with this week’s theme which is the maxi dress!
If you’re new to Five Take, it’s a group of five bloggers who take on a theme each week and show their different styles. Becky already has her post up, and I have to agree with her. Maxi dress to me = summer & sunshine. I look outside today and it is gray and dreary. It rained this morning, so it’s definitely not maxi dress weather. That said, I thought I had plenty of maxi dresses, but upon looking in my closet I saw that I only have two. Two that I’ve worn to death around the house and look completely awful. Because of that I decided to just come up with an outfit I liked, even if I couldn’t wear it today because of the weather and even if it didn’t exactly match the theme.
I’ve had this Old Navy maxi skirt for a few months, but this is the first time I’ve made it into an actual outfit because the elastic band is all twisted up. I added a butterfly print dress by Old Navy underneath and pulled a little of it up so it cold overlap over the band and hid the skirt’s flaw. Both of these items are from the misses section, and I’m constantly aware and annoyed that the misses section’s clothing is so much better than the plus-size section’s. Old Navy, give us some good clothes, too!
I love that the print is so delicate and like water colors. I’m not usually a butterfly person, but this dress drew my attention right away. It’s airy and light.. perfect for when summer actually gets here!
Because the top had a print that deserved the focus, I went with two rings and a tan bucket bag. I don’t wear the blue stone ring often because it’s so big, but it was the perfect accent to this outfit.
Top: Old Navy, Skirt: Old Navy, Shoes: Old Navy, Rings: Boutiques, Purse: Nordstrom BP
Make sure to check out the other Five Takers’ looks:
Becky at The Ramblings of Mrs. BeBe
Claire at A Monkey Fatshionista
Gina at Fat, Fit, Fine
Nicole at A Well-Rounded Venture
What do you think of my take on the maxi trend? How do you wear maxis? How do you make them appropriate for not-summer weather?
Super cute! I’m always scared of maxi dresses and skirts because I’m super short, but I might just throw caution to the wind and go for it this year.
I have a love/hate relationship with Old Navy. Their sizing is always so off. I can be a L one day in their Misses line and on others barely fit their XXL. And, I agree, their plus size section is so boring and lacking! I’m very disappointed in Old Navy, and I’ve send them two emails voicing my concerns. I wish more people in the plus size community would email them! It may change things.
As for the maxi trend, I’m terrible with it. I bought a maxi skirt from Target a few weeks ago, and I could not for the life of me figure out how to style it. It wasn’t as flowy as I would have liked so the cut fit me and my hips very mermaid style (where it’s tight on your hips and legs and bells out at the calves/ankles). It was all kinds of awkward so I ended up returning it. Too much hassle for me!
http://molly-pocket.com
Oh wow, I really love this outfit on you! I have the same maxi skirt from Old Navy, but in grey. I like it, but yeah, Old Navy quality can leave a lot to be desired.
Fab outfit! I like the way you’ve styled it your way – the epitome of Five Take. I have issues with maxi skirts – maxi dresses are always not quite long enough, but skirts – I have about 3ft to spare! I must try wearing a dress as a top.
You look amazing! I love your maxi skirt, the color is just gorgeous! 🙂 x
I’m not a butterfly person either, but that shirt is really beautiful. I had completely written off Old Navy years ago, but after reading your mentions about their online selections, I might have to give them another shot.
Lovely! 🙂 The butterfly blouse is so pretty. I agree with LaCara – that maxi skirt is a gorgeous color!
I’m just this year really getting into wearing maxis. I shop at Old Navy quite often (mostly for my children’s jeans), but it’s very much hit or miss for me.
And how exciting that you got to meet the blogger who inspires you! You finished your 15 page paper – I’m impressed!
So glad your project and the trip to Boston was successful. I love your maxi dress, it is so cute. I was down in Davidson this weekend attending a reunion with some of my high school friends. That is an nice area. It was so dreary coming home. Got to go back to work tomorrow. Yuch! When you are out in the working world, somedays you will wish you only had to do a paper. Ha.
I love your top, very, very cute! but I prefer you with bold, bright colours as in the previous post.
anyway, your smile is the accessory I prefer in all your posts 🙂
Love, Ylenia from Longuette
LOVE THIS!!! You look so beautiful! Youve given me inspiration to try something different (the butterfly print)! Gorge!!!
Your skirt is so beautiful, I wish I’d been into maxi’s when they had this colour out!
I am still on the fence about Maxi dresses and skirts. I have one maxi dress but I think I’ve only worn it once. I always feel like I’m drowning in fabric. The one I own also has really think straps, which is probably one of the reasons I never wear it. Maybe I should try it again with a more versatile maxi?
Also I always end up tripping over the fabric when walking up the stairs but sometimes I do that with pants too…