IN THE THICK OF IT

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Having a little fun this morning in my @universalstandard overalls!

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My favorite murals

Decided to check out two of my favorite murals today in Wicker Park - I love the art in Chicago! The lower one by our friend Laura Berger is so sweet and summery. Perfect for the bright and warm day we’re having today. I needed to keep my outfit easy to walk around. This tunic top is a great layering piece and these booties are my favorite AND they’re vegan!

OUTFIT DETAILS Serene Tunic Top - Simply Be Leggings - Torrid Tank Top - Forever 21+ Silver Boots - BC Footwear

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It’s all about the Boots

Really there is nothing better than a statement boot this fall. I fell in love with this suede pair from Simply Be - the gorgeous bohemian-inspired embroidery in such bright colors. Perfect height for me - easy enough to walk around in and they just enhance a pair of jeans or leggings. I paired with a simple pair of “boyfriend” jeans, a waxed denim moto, a luxe but simple shirt and my favorite oversized scarf. A great look for any chilly fall day.

OUTFIT DETAILS Embroidered Ankle Boots - (available up to size 11) from Simply Be Catherine Jeans - Kut from Kloth  Black V-Rex T - Universal standard Waxed Denim Moto - H&M+ (from many years ago sadly) Lots of pins from some of my favorite makers like Robin Eisenberg and Sara M Lyons

Boots provided for review by Simply Be

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Took a little stroll around the neighborhood today on the way to brunch. Just so happy that it really feels like fall finally and I can wear long sleeves again. This sheer rose colored shirt from Simply Be is a perfect transitional piece. The little tie details on the bell sleeve give it something special. It fits true to size and really looks luxe. Paired it with an easy faux-leather skirt and my favorite clutch. I hope you all have a perfect weekend! OUTFIT DETAILS Rose Tie Sleeve Blouse - Simply Be Mosman Faux Leather Skirt - Universal Standard Clutch - Directive Made Shoes - Kork Ease Rose Gold Metal Necklace - Maslo Jewelry Glasses - SEE Eyewear

Shirt provided for review by SimplyBe

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New York Outfits

I visited NYC for my birthday and I just wanted to share a few of my favorite pieces that I wore.

Outfit 1 Black Wrap Maxi Dress - Eloquii Shoes - Kork Ease Bag - Valhalla Brooklyn Earrings - Powers Handcrafted Glasses - SEE Eyewear Outfit 2 Black Jumpsuit - Torrid Bag/Backpack - Steve Madden Sandals - Sorel Glasses - SEE Eyewear Outfit 3 Crepe Geneva Dress - Universal Standard Bag/Backpack - Steve Madden Ankle Boots - Lucky Brand Necklace - gift/unknown Glasses - SEE Eyewear

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Easy Sunday Black Midi Dress

I scored this amazing easy midi dress from Old Navy last year. It has become one of my staple garments in my closet - easily dressed up or down and it’s just so comfortable to wear. I’m really bummed they’re not making this dress anymore - I would easily buy another 5 just to always have it in my closet.

also I cut my bangs a bit shorter - I’m loving this style as I’m working on growing out my hair

OUTFIT DETAILS Black Midi Dress - Old Navy - Size 2XL Open Toe Shoes - Korks - Size 11 Necklace - I wish i could recall the vendor I got this from at Renegade Chicago this holiday. It’s one of my favorite pieces Glasses - SEE Eyewear

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Striped Sweater

This weekend was spent with friends and there was lots of PLANTS involved. The best being the morning we all spent at the Garfield Park Conservatory.

I haven’t purchased new clothes in so long, but CityChic just had a fantastic little sale and I snagged this super soft oversized striped sweater for casual weekend days. I love it so much and I’m also so happy to have some new items in my wardrobe.

So we’re back in action sort of here at InTheThickOfIt. at least for now. I hope to interact with some more folks. I’m trying to build up my instagram a bit too - so make sure to follow me there - I post lots of day-to-day stuff. It’s not as curated. 

Yes my hair is longer. Yes I’m fatter. Yes I am happy.

OUTFIT DETAILS Striped Sweater - Sz L - City Chic Denim - Sz 18 - Kut from Kloth Silver Boots - BC Boots Glasses - SEE Eyewear Necklace - local boutique AdHoc Bag - Vintage Coach

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Blue Lace Weekend wedding and I needed something pretty and chic. I went with this great Vince Camuto blue and black lace dress. Kept things simple with some faux suede peep toe wedges and a vintage coach bag I thrifted in New Orleans last year. My glasses are from See Eyewear my spouse is wearing a bolo tie by minima maxima

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I went to an island. It was perfect.

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So I went to Mexico. A sweet little island Holbox. I mostly wore bathing suits and hats - but also found this sweet sheer embroidered sun dress that I wore as a coverup.

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Loving this new bra and panty set from the Olga Flirty collection. So many cute pieces in extended sizes, including these 3x lace panties.

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Just a casual summer outfit. I'm obsessed with these legging pants from Torrid. Highly recommend these - they can really be dressed up or down and come in loads of colors and patterns OUTIFT DETAILS Black tulip top - old navy, xxl Black and grey "all nighter" pant - Torrid, 18 Sandals - sorel Necklace - from local boutique Bag - Rebecca minkoff Glasses - See Eyewear

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Just a quick post of one of my Las Vegas looks. City Chic top Universal Standard waxed denim Sam Edelman silver sandal Vince camuto bag Black Cami Glasses - see eyewear

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Pattern Mixing

Transitional dressing always presents a challenge for me. For one, I’m absolutely sick of all my winter clothes. One way I’ve been mixing things up quite literally is to really play a lot with pattern mixing. This adorable tiger-print circle skirt from Gwynnie Bee had the exact color match to my new WhoWhatWear for Target polka dot tee-shirt. I just want to pause for a moment and rave about how great it is that the WhoWhatWear line is for plus and straight sizes and I found my pieces along with the whole collection - not segregated to the plus size sad corner. 

Of course I’ve been accessorizing everything lately with TONS of enamel pins. I am allll about the #pingame right now and my waxed denim moto jacket is a perfect place to display them all. All details for the pins are below.

Outfit details: Tiger circle Skirt - Jete via Gwynnie Bee, Sz 1X (this runs very large so size DOWN) PolkaDot Shirt - WhoWhatWear for Target, Sz 2X  Leggings - Spanx, Sz XL Ankle Boots - Lucky Brand Waxed Denim Moto - H&M+, Sz 1X Rebecca Minkoff Bag

PINZZZZZZ Jelly Shoes with LOL Gravestone - Pretty Nobody Co LaCroix Pamplemousse - Felt Good Co Teal Hair Cyclops Girl - LastCraft Designs Femme Vulcan Hand - Robin Eisenberg Cherry Heart Lolli - Tuesday Bassen All Hope Is Not Lost Hand - Frolik Studio

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Wide Calf Boots Y’all!

How excited am I to finally find a pair of knee-high boots that REALLY fit my calves? BEYOND THRILLED. These beautiful leather boots are from Ted & Muffy - a UK boot brand that offers CUSTOM calf sizes on their boots. Additionally they offer sizing up to US 12 and wide shoe widths as well. I am so excited to see so many options for folks of all sizes. 

It’s been so long since I’ve had a pair of wide calf boots that was big enough to wear OVER a pair of jeans, that I just had to try this Demeter Boot with a pair of skinny jeans. Weekends are made for a casual look of skinny jeans, boots and an oversized top. But this style of boot could be dressed up quite well too - I love the versatility. 

OUTFIT DETAILS Dip Hem Black Top - City Chic - L (special sizing) Skinny Jegging Jeans - Torrid - 18 - available here Parka - Old Navy Demeter Boots - Ted & Muffy - available here Black/White Bag - Rebecca Minkoff Glasses - SEE Eyewear

Products provided by Ted & Muffy. All opinions are my own.

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Beauty Thief: LastCraft's Amanda Stilwell Has A Shocking Beauty Sleep Secret | Autostraddle

Beauty Thief is back with a bodacious femme near and dear to our Beauty Editor's heart. Meet Chicago's own craft darling, Amanda Stilwell!

I had so much fun chatting with Aja at Autostraddle for this piece on my favorite skincare and beauty tips. 

A little sample...

AA: I know our readers are curious about others’ skincare routines. Tell us more about yours!

AS: My regimen is to wash with a no-soap product, Melee Facewash by Brazen Bee, apply a tiny bit of jojoba/almond oil and then apply some sunscreen before my makeup, which I keep really simple during the week (concealer, mascara, lipstick). At night, I remove makeup with the jojoba/almond mix and a warm washcloth.

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InTheThickofIt - Best Outfits of 2015

These were the most popular posts on InTheThickofIt in 2015. It was a fun year for me that included my first trip to Tulum Mexico and I was in a @proudmaryfashion Fashion show. 

Thanks as always for the love!

Outfit 1 - Greetings from Chicago Anna Scholz Dress

Outfit 2 - Transitional Stripes Eloquii Dress

Outfit 3 - Plus size Beach wear in Tulum by Asos

Outfit 4 - Lace for Spring

Outfit 5 - Proud Mary Fashion Show

Outfit 6 - How I rock a Crop Top

Outfit 7 - Winter Tunic and Leather Jacket