It rained Saturday at "photo time" and then we had an opportunity to take photos before dinner, but I left my camera "in my other purse". I got compliments on my top, at least, and I should re-wear the ensemble. Apparently it's not available online, sorry.

Labor Day, in South Florida, was raining or storming all day, so I just snuck a photo inside a Ross store. It's literally the best I could do.

Note; my posture was very bad for hiding my stomach. Live and learn.

I realized too late that I mixed metals in a not-in-purpose way, which I hate. To mix metals, I feel it's required to have a necklace with two metals, or bracelets in different metals, etc. I so wanted to go back and switch bags, ha ha. I am usually careful.

This outfit was perfect for Labor Day. Bright with happy shoes for the gloom. I'd been waiting to wear this outfit; allover bright is not me (for clothing).

You can't see my earrings and it's still a bit dark to get a good photo of them. I wear them sometimes so they'll be back.

Credits:

Skirt: GAP
T-Shirt: Bella
Tank: Old Navy
Shoes: Madeline (Spring @ DSW)
Bag: Marc Jacobs
Belt: Delia's
Earrings: Ijeomaoj (used to be on Etsy)

Laced with Confidence...

Today's conditions weren't always perfect. I had to run inside out of the rain. Then I realized I forgot jewelry. Then a wasp scared me away from my usual safety spot of our terrace (I mean I hate people walking around while I photo, but whatevs!).

And then the photo that came after all that was so much better than ever before! I found this great spot, with this lamp post nearby around which I can wrap my cool wrappable tripod.

The one problem with this area (which obviously is not the light in the afternoon!) is the grass. Where be my shoes? Le Sigh.

I can always take separate shoe shots, but this really must be fixed, I say. Shoes make the outfit, after all; they shouldn't be separate.

Here they are:

Or even better:

*Insert Update Mid-Post* I forgot that this corset is totally still available online. Complete brain meltdown. Not only that, but I should have grabbed this better photo for you! D'oh. Here she is:

Vintage Lace Corset $24.00 at Charlotte Russe

(Ooh and I believe that's my new beige rosette bolero but in black!)

Oh, she so does not have the curves to pull off a corset like I!!! ;-)

See how my confidence has grown?!??!

*/endupdate*

So thanks, wasp! Never thought I'd  say that. I think I'm going to love continuing to do these shoots and posts. I feel like I might get over coming out of my big closet ;-) and can turn into a regular wearrier! Haha. Go me.

And now for the best part:

Credits:

• Lace Top: Charlotte Rusee (available now:) Short Sleeve All-Over Lace Top $15.00 at Charlotte Russe
• Corset under-top: Charlotte Russe (might still be in some stores *update*: duh me! Look above $24)
• Skirt: Dots (unsure of availability) (locate a store)
• Belt: Fendi B belt (ELuxury R.I.P.)
• Shoes: Payless/American Eagle (might still be in some stores)
• Bag: Dior Saddle bag (regular size)
• Necklace: Local crafter
• Earrings: Triple Drop Pearl Earrings, Made by Me

I'm so not letting this no-fear, showing myself, ensemble photo series slide! Oh no. I just have delays. And laziness (I even have bangs since I took these, sorry!). And major major lack-of-photographer issues /frustrations. But it'll come more and more often. I now have plans to take pictures of clothes sans moi, so that I may do it a lot more frequently. (I'll try to include more of myself though, too.) This was my second fairly successful attempt at a personal photo shoot. Part 1 has photos so different from part 2, that well that's why there will be two parts. If I do have time to keep practicing, I may be able to actually have more photos of myself eventually. Sigh. On shoot day, it was a very frustrating afternoon! On to the photos, credits below.

OK, first of all, yeah I accidentally cropped my feet out of all these photos. Timer photography needs major work. Also I look fatter in a belt-looped / under shirt belt. *whine* Not sure what I can do while I'm not perfectly a full lower pants size.

I'm almost shocked I could get a lot of pictures of my face. Goodbye Ella in shades? Nah, course not. ;-)

OK, goofy giggle. Whatcha gonna do? It's still fun & cute. And here they are, it's the piece de resistance...

My new(ish) Bandolino pumps. Hello?! Don't they look like they cost $1,402 and not on sale for $42??? More photos to come of these (they're not online).

Credits:

Cropped jacket: Perameter (Bluefly.com find)
T-shirt: Really old Delia's??? *update* Old Navy???
(Getting less) Skinny jeans: Mossimo for Target
Bag: Hollywood Intuition @ Target w/ crafty strap
Jewelry: Indie/handcraft designer, local to South Florida. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong, but I think it's GMS Jewelry Co. I need to take close photos; great stuff!
And of course the shoes: Bandolino

My iPhone was infirmed but fixed a week ago but I somehow forgot and possibly put off a little posting the rest of the Miami Funkshion Fashion event pictures, but here they are.

Here I am in the dim room on my night #1 of 2. Somehow my BF didn't realize he should have shot my entire body to get the whole ensemble, but I perhaps blame my petiteness in even 2.5" heels. Not high enough, by fashion people standards, ha ha. Credits are: Chloé Paddington in Mousse, top, skirt and belt from Target (and boots that you can't see), can't remember my bracelet and then an event wristband. ;-) I still want to recreate my ensembles for photos, because I feel they were a bit more important than others. I am slow and too busy, as you might tell.

This was one of my favorite looks-on-display. The coat is actually little pieces of wool yarn.

One of 2 light-up dresses. The next night they were shut off, another photo is below.

[X]

This is not one of the photos of my cute beau, because he won't let me post his adorableness at his first fashion show, all seated with me. Le Sigh. Silly man.

I was very far from my lovely spot in the other show, and photos didn't come out well at all. Possibly due to the Swarovski crystals on every model, and possibly due to location. It seems all the iPhones around me were taking similar bad shots.

The rest of the pictures are below.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="4"]

Somewhere along the years in my fashion blogging, successful types of posting went from shoes on sale and humorous commentary to "look at how fabulous she is in her style". Of course it seems the truly popular blogs have bloggers both flawless and who possess their own professional photographer who does nothing but stalk this apparent model who just happens to run her own website. Well I am not flawless, and when one is not perfect and one lacks a photographer and necessary professional accessories, it's daunting to run photo sessions. And when my flaw is weight, in the fashion world it's hard to show my body. And when I used to be model-thin, it's really hard to even show my face on Facebook. Le Sigh. But I need any shot I can take at getting some more success, and it's just plain good sense to show you my style ... if I can't yet show my sewn designs, at least I can show my sense of dressing along with all my, so many, posts that critique. It's fair, it's right, and it should be helpful in a way. So here are a few shots back when I was first really trying. It's been a while! This ensemble was for a Between-Thanksgiving-&-Christmas potluck party, hence the kitchen theme.

"Why am I so lazy with my hair? LOL. Something I need to work on but I'm growing it out so I can sport a side braid."

More curvalicious than the F word, yay!

Yeah it's been that long. Thing is at first I thought these photos stank, but it turns out I'm just too picky for my own good. So yeah, I'm still working on improving my session sets & such, and I'm not at the level of those bloggers who get all the attention, but maybe I'll get there, and maybe just this will get me by. And you know what, I don't look that big. No photo-shopping my waist necessary ... oh wait, let me check! ;-)

"Also yay, what looks big is something ... good to look that way. ;-)"

I clearly need to work on where my crazy eyes are pointed! Haha.

"OUTTAKE: Setting up the shoot before getting dressed. (This is some ugly old thing barely worthy of PJs, sorry.)

]

And if nothing in the photos impresses, I at least want my own coming-out to set an example for all the non-sample sizes!

Credits:

Flocked Sweater: Express
Boot-Cut Dark Blue Uniform-Color Jeans:
Calvin Klein (hemmed by myself, btw)
Ribbon as belt: Online craft supply store (I think M&J Trimming)
Ribbon in hair: Another craft supply, possibly JoAnn.
Black Ruffle Flat Shoes: Self Esteem - One of my finds at Ross (I love these, just added inserts)
Purse: Merona for Target (Targé)