HUGE non-scale victory + real mama, real style

It's been ages since I've done a Real Mama, Real Style post, and I apologize for that. I get emails requesting more of them all the time, but it's hard for me to do them for a few reasons - I don't really have a willing (or great) photographer, and also for quite a while now I just haven't felt comfortable in my clothes. Don't get me wrong - I've always liked the way I dress, but for the last year or so I haven't liked the way I looked in anything. It's a huge part of why I started on my fitness journey.

A few weeks ago I was at the mall, and walked past Ann Taylor. They had the cutest pants in the front window. I sighed, knowing that I just couldn't fit in that store. Then last Friday Leila and I were at the mall (her request), and I audibly sighed at the cute pants in the window again. Leila said "Just try them on, Mama!!" We had time to kill, so I did. I was bummed when I found out the store only went up to a size 14, but I took the pants to the fitting room anyways. They fit. I. WAS. SHOCKED. Leila (sweet girl that she is) started clapping, and saying how beautiful I looked, and how of course she knew they would fit. She said I have to get them, and that I should wear them on Easter. Who am I to argue with that logic? I knew I didn't have any solid tops that would fit, so after buying my pants we went to Loft (Ann Taylor's slightly cheaper sister, lol) and I found the perfect black top. While I was in the fitting room one of the sales associates brought me two pairs of jeans and a sweater from their final sale rack, and encouraged me to try them on. I told her there was no way I could fit into their jeans, but she said "Well, I brought you the 14's, and I think they'll fit you beautifully. They're marked way, way down, but I can bring you the 16's too if you want to try them on." I asked her to bring the 16's, but they were too big (what in the actual hell?!?!) So I tried on the 14's and they fit!!!! SHOCK, I tell ya. One of the pairs is still a little too snug on me, but I'm confident they'll fit soon!

Here's my Easter outfit:

TOP // PANTS // NECKLACE // SHOES (c/o)

Now when I look at those pictures I think I look cute, but mentally I still pick myself apart (I may or may not have immediately started pinning arm workouts, and thinking about how much I neeeeeeeed to finally get some bras that fit!) Speaking better about myself, even in my head is something I still struggle with and am still working on. This is still all such a process, and I'm taking it one day at a time.

But to know that this was my first full outfit from a non plus size store (or the Target/Old Navy plus section) has been such a HUGE non-scale victory to me, though, and I'm feeling pretty happy about it!

If you're on Instagram, you can follow my fitness journey with the hashtag #glitterandglossgettingfit

A Day at Calypso St. Barth

Over the weekend I had the privilege of going to the Calypso St. Barth boutique in the Stanford Shopping Center.

It was something that I was looking forward to, but at the same time giving me anxiety. I was invited to an event with a bunch of fashion bloggers, who I assumed (mostly correctly) would likely be a bunch of size 2 supermodel lookalikes. Nothing wrong with that, but it's just not me.  My fears were quickly put at ease, though. When I got to the boutique I was handed a mimosa, and greeted by the incredibly sweet manager. I explained that I knew none of the clothes would fit me, but of course I was excited to see everything. She told me that their clothing is very bohemian chic - flowy, and meant to fit all different body types. She encouraged me to try lots of different things on, and I did!

I fell madly in love with this hat and rabbit fur vest (SO soft!) I'm always drawn to hats, but don't wear them often enough. I guess I'm afraid of what the other moms at school might say about me. Silly, I know.

I was also really loving this hand-knit alpaca sweater:

This fun, super boho top was also calling my name!

In the end, what I fell most in love with was a gorgeous, silk dress. One of the sales associates, Jessica encouraged me to try it on, even though I wasn't a fan of it on the hanger. Once I tried it on though, I felt transformed. I love the way it fabric felt on me, the different prints and pieces of the silk, where the cut hit on my legs, but mostly I loved the way it made me feel. Calypso St. Barth generously gifted me the dress, and I can't wait to wear it this weekend to a wedding.

Have you checked out Calypso St. Barth??

Real Mama. Real Style.

Sweater: Old Navy

Pants: Forever 21

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff

Boots: Rocket Dog (by way of Marshall's)

/ / /

Vest: Old Navy (old)
Shirt: Old Navy
Pants: Forever 21
Mocassins: Minnetonka
Coffee Cozy: Faith's Yarn Works

LEILA
Undershirt: Groop Dealz
Dress: Jelly the Pug

Also, I am kind of obsessed with this hat from a cute shop downtown. Might have to go back and get it.....

Have a GREAT day, everyone!!

Real Mama, Real Style // Sunday Funday // Family Vineyard Walk

I am lucky enough to live in (what I believe to be) one of the most beautiful places on earth - wine country of the San Francisco Bay Area.

It is always beautiful here, but the Fall is truly magical. All of the grape leaves are various shades of green, yellow, orange and red. Walking through the vineyards this time of year smells like grape bubblegum, and you just can't beat the scenery! 

Sunday mornings when Tony isn't working we like to head to our favorite local coffee shop, and then drive to one of the (many) surrounding vineyards.

Sweatshirt: Firedaughter (custom)
Jeans: Forever 21
Sunnies: Vogue brand from Sunglass Hut (suuuuuuuuuuper old!)
Shoes: Sanuks

Picture by Leila:

 Tony asked Coco what the grapevines were. She proudly responded: "Mama's wine plants!" Whoops....

 Leila and Ramon exploring:

This boy was pooped after our walk, but never too tired for a photo op.

Soon the leaves will be brown and crumbly. We'll have to bundle up for our family walks, but we don't mind. As long as we're together.

Have a happy day, friends!

crush-worth coats

The weather has FINALLY started to cool off in my neck of the woods, and I've been scouring the net for the perfect new coat. Here are a few of my favorites:

Have you found any great coats worth sharing?? Post them in the comment section!

Real Mama // Real Style

Hello, friends! One of the biggest requests I get via email is to bring back real mama, real style posts/more fashion posts. I'm a big girl, and apparently a lot of you want to know what I wear ;)

So, I will try my hardest to post at least once a week. My question to you - do you want it to be a link-up? You'd link up your own Real Mama, Real Style/What I Wore posts. My friend, Nina used to do it on her blog. Let me know what you think, and in case you want to link up today, I'll add a linky to the bottom of this post. Again, let me know what you think in the comments section!

Top: Old Navy

Scarf: Brickyard Buffalo (c/o) and they're having FREE shipping for this scarf and more this week! // Tell me you know about Brickyard Buffalo!! Every week they curate the most fabulous things (the majority of which are handmade, by small business owners), offered them at amazing prices. This week, on top of their awesome prices they're offering free shipping. Holla!

Jeans: (my first foray into skinny jeans) Forever 21

Boots: Target, on major clearance! (similar)

Purse: Rebecca Minkoff

Arm Candy:
Lulu G, Creme de la Gems, Tagret (old!)

....and now, if you want to link up, go on ahead!