knitcole

Denim.

I've always had a tough time finding jeans that fit my body correctly. If they fit my hips then they don't fit my waist, or vice versa and many times I simply can't get them fit period. I have found trying on jeans to be the most frustrating thing and usually dread going to the store and trying on a stack of 15 pairs and finding nothing that fits.

The last time I bought jeans I found some at Urban Outfitters that I liked. They weren't perfect but with a belt they were at least comfortable. So of course, when I recently checked for another pair I found that they don't carry them any longer. So it was back to the drawing board. When Levi's first came out with their Curve ID jeans I went to the store and had horrible luck finding any that fit. Since then they have expanded the line and I decided that I should give them another try.

I went on their website and followed their instructions for how to measure yourself for their jeans. I was very surprised when I was told to buy a size 16 jean! That's 2 sizes larger than my normal size 12 but I ordered what they told me to anyways. I found three pairs, 2 straight and 1 boot cut, for $91! They were having a great sale and I placed my order and hoped that at least one pair would fit.

I was shocked when they arrived and all three pairs fit! I just had to pass on this amazing news in case it might help someone else find jeans that fit. I haven't worn a belt on my jeans in over a week and I kind of can't believe it. Sometimes finding clothes that fit just feels so amazing!

Nicole

Experimenting with scarves.

What do you think? Is this look a keeper?

Nicole

Just a teeny tiny stretch out of my comfort zone.

Mr. Coleman and I went out for a bit of shopping yesterday and my goal was to buy a couple of things that were just a bit out of my comfort zone. I managed to get three lovely items, (two dresses from H&M and one shirt from Anthropologie,) and each is just a tiny bit outside of my comfort zone. Here is the lovely top I bought at Anthropologie.

As far as Anthropologie prices go this top was a steal at $39.99. It also comes in navy blue if you prefer. I paired it with my jeans from Urban and my favorite flip flops, (they're Billabong and I got them last summer.)

I chose this lovely necklace I bought three or four years ago from Make Pie Not War because it has just a little touch of nautical fun. I adore this necklace because of the sweet seahorse and the anchor on the side.

Why is this a touch out of my comfort zone you ask, well...it's the lace. Usually lace it way too girlie for my taste but this little added touch is just perfect. I can't take all the credit, Mr. Coleman actually picked it out!

I will have to post on my other two purchases very soon, they are dresses that sit above my knee! If you know me you know that I am the queen of the very long maxi dress...so yeah...comfort zone completely shattered with those two!

Nicole

Bathing Suits and Jeans

Lately I've been having some of those insecure days. I know you ladies know what I am talking about, those days where you just don't feel very good about yourself. I'm not sure if this happens to men but I know that it definitely happens to women. There are just those days when you feel fat, or you're unhappy with a certain body part and it just brings down your whole day...or maybe even two.

I'm pretty sure I know why this all started, it's my quest for jeans and a bathing suit. I've been looking for a pair of jeans that fit decently, not even perfectly! I have tried so many types of jeans and I just have such a hard time finding ones that fit my body. I really wanted to try the Levi Curve ID but they didn't have any of the Supreme Curve at the Levi stores and those look like the ones that would work best for me. So instead of trying to find those, or order online (which I find EXTRA frustrating when things don't fit,) I decided I would try to find some other jeans that worked for me. I headed out shopping with my friend April with low expectations, so I wouldn't end up extra frustrated or upset when things didn't work out. April buys all her favorite jeans at Urban Outfitters so I figured why not try on a pair or two since April was going to be in the dressing room anyhow. 

To my surprise...I FOUND JEANS!

I'm pretty sure these are the jeans I found at Urban. They are simple straight leg jeans and I really like them. I ended up with a dark denim and a lighter blue denim. The denim is soft and they fit great except where they are a little big in the waist but I wear a belt anyways because this is the problem I ALWAYS have with jeans. To fit my butt and thighs they are always big in the waist but these feel good and Mr. Coleman likes them too which is always a plus!

Then there is the whole bathing suit shopping thing. Every year I get extremely anxious about swimsuits and I for the past two years I haven't bought one and I haven't had the need for one. I'm not a huge water person and it makes me very uncomfortable to be so exposed. I've been looking this year at many different suits and I even tried on the Miraclesuit which I liked but I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't see spending that much money for something I won't wear. I was looking at Target just to find something that I could wear while at the pool with a couple of friends this upcoming weekend and I found a suit that I think I can manage to wear. It's cute and was only $30! I may not be able to bear it to the rest of the world but at least I can wear it under my sundress to the pool just in case!

 
I also ended up with an adorable hat to wear by the pool! It's something of a giant sun hat and it's fabulous! It's kind of like this one on Marilyn Monroe.

Overall I had a great time shopping. April and I always have a lovely time together and coming back home with things I actually really like and feeling a little bit better about having clothes that fit is priceless!

Have you found any great buys lately?

Nicole

 

Our Wedding: Lovely custom necklace from Make Pie Not War

When I started thinking about what I was going to wear when we had our photos taken for our wedding shots I knew that I wanted Alana of Make Pie Not War to make me something. I first met Alana at a convention a few years ago and I bought a wonderful necklace from her which I still love to wear. Over the past three or four years I have splurged for myself and bought a few items from her Etsy shop and I love every single one of them.

When I messaged Alana and asked her to make the necklace for me she seemed more than happy to help. Her and I discussed what I wanted and the result was the lovely two tiered necklace you see above. All I had asked was that my first initial "N" be included in the top tier, and my new last initial "C" be included in the bottom tier.  I really like the locket and the all of the other sweet little details. This special necklace was the perfect accent to my dress and made me feel so special.

Make sure you head on over to Make Pie Not War and see if there's something special you might want to add to your own sweet little jewelry collection. I'm coveting her Feminine Delights necklace!

Nicole

A little shopping really heals the soul.

Yesterday I headed out to do a little bit of shopping with Mrs. Paul. I wanted to head over to Anthropologie to see if I could find a dress that is on sale that I tried on when I was looking for my "wedding" dress. So we made Anthropologie our first stop and even though they didn't have the sale dress in my size I did see this lovely blue dress.

As much as I loved this beautiful dress the top was just a little smaller than I like. So it was on to the next stop on our shopping journey.

I don't usually stop by Forever 21 because I don't really fit into their clothes. Maxi dresses are about all that I can fit into there and low and behold I found a gorgeous long, 1970's style dress and at $30.00 it was a steal!

Then it was off to a wonderful vegan lunch at the Veggie Grill which I highly recommend even if you aren't vegan and just want to try something new and different. They have great sweet potato fries too.

We finished our shopping with some hair care products from Toni & Guy and some window shopping at Macy's and H&M then it was off to Trader Joe's for some groceries. Finish up with some Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and you have a wonderful couple hours of shopping. It's always great to get out with a girlfriend and enjoy some shopping.

Where do you like to shop?

Nicole

 

My first Modcloth purchases.

This is a post for the ladies out there! I finally made my first Modcloth purchases today! For all of you ladies out there who haven't heard of Modcloth it is a website that sells "Retro Vintage and Indie Clothing." I've always admired things on their site but I've either been too cheap or too unsure about buying online to actually buy anything.

Well, I've had my eye on a couple of dresses and today I just sat down and purchased all three of them. I figure that Modcloth offers free returns so that eases my mind about ill fitting clothing and if one of them fits I'll be happy. After ordering my boots online and having such luck with them I figured it was worth a shot!

So here are the lovely dresses I purchased...

About the Artist Dress

I've been a little leery of shirt dresses in the past because I have a tough time with fit in a lot of different areas. Usually the problem I have with shirt dresses is buttoning the top and not having that gap in between the buttons that gives everyone a little sneak peek of what's underneath the dress. (I'm sure you ladies understand what I am talking about.) But the reviews on this dress were pretty great and it's offered in a very large range of sizes which really made me feel like one of them would definitely fit me.

Stroll in the Park Dress

This dress makes me want to throw on my flip flops, walk the dog down to the beach and plop down on a blanket and enjoy the sunshine! It's just a simple, flowy dress that I can see being perfect for the California weather and also perfect with a sweater and some boots. It kind of reminds me of a lot of dresses I already have but I couldn't resist!

Helen of Coy Dress

This dress is just too pretty to pass up! I love the embroidery detailing, and the lace up back is really pretty too! (See below.)The embroidery reminds me of those cute 1960's inspired peasant dresses. I think it would be so cute with my new brown boots.

I can't wait to get these in the mail! I'm hoping they will be here in about a week and I'm secretly hoping all three of them fit really well and I won't have to return any of them! I know I say that if one fits I'll be happy, (and I'm pretty sure the oversized summer dress will fit,) but I would just love to have three pretty new dresses to dress up in!

Are there any new dresses you're loving for spring/summer?

Nicole