Petite Plus Clothing?!?! Does it exist?

Hubby and I took another cruise this year and had a great time.  With gaining and losing weight, I was worried about what to wear on the 2 formal nights we were going to have.  A lot of the people we know do not like to go to the dining room on formal nights, but we happen to LOVE getting all dressed up for a fancy dinner. 

I tried on several of the dresses I have and am happy to say two of them were to big.  Another two I could get on but just didn't feel comfortable in them.  I wore them on the Holland America line which is a bit fancier than Royal Caribbean.  I bought a purple one that is very similar to the white one Jennifer Hudson wears in some of the Weight Watchers ads.  I didn't quite get into it. 

I looked at Dillard's, Macy's and Bealls but didn't really find anything.  Being a petite girl (under 5'4") but a big girl (=overweight), I can have trouble finding dresses.  I love to watch What Not To Wear as it has really helped me choose better clothing.  There is also acolumnist I love to read in the People Style Watch magazine, Ashley Falcon.  She writes about plus size fashion and I just put my petite height spin on her suggestions.

I was getting quite desperate and started searching on line for something I could wear.  When you are petite, a 16W can hang on you.  Shoulders seams are on your biceps, the waist is near your hips, knee length is mid-calf, they just don't fit.  Most petite clothes lines only go up to 14P.  Where are all the designers for people with my problem?!?!?!?!?  Where are the 16P, the 18P and above.  AND, I don't want to look dowdy or frumpy.  I want to look stylish.

I almost gave up but then (trumpets please), I went to Belk's website.  I was not aware of this store until I moved to East Texas.  There were not any in Houston when I lived there.  It's kind of like a Macy's but not as big.  I found the most darling black dress that actully came in a 16 petite.  When I read the reviews, it appeared  the size was true.  Knowing I wanted to get a few more pounds off before we left I ordered in a 14P.

I could hardly wait for it to come.  When it finally arrived I was nervous about putting it on but it fit beautifully.  It is an R&M Richards design and I am so glad I purchased it.  It is floor length but a silky jersey material which means you can dress it up or down.  The best thing of all was the price of the dress.  I got it for $22.10.  Yes $22.10. I am so happy with this dress.  For the formal night, I pulled my hair back, wore high heeled sandals and borrowed my sister's wrap (another bargain from Marshall's).  For summer wear, I have some jeweled flip flops and will wear my hair down.  

Well, must close for the day, duty calls and need to finish the dinner dishes, yes, even Divas do dishes.

P.S.  Tomorrow will tell you about my grand entrance into the welcome back party!!!



The $22.10 Dress




Me (windblown hair and all) and Jim



March 2013 almost over?? Really??

I can't believe how fast time goes.  I had all these plans for retirement and was going to get so much accomplished but...Well, I was actually only semi-retired.  This year I have decided not to do any workshops or auditing so we will see what I can accomplish without any work distractions.

So, it's already March (almost April) of 2013 and these are  my goals for the remainder of the year:

          1.  Keep doing Weight Watchers (great program - I am down 20 pounds)
          2.  Begin learning Spanish with my Rosetta Stone CD's (I have only had for 3 years)
          3.  Sew
          4.  Exercise at least 5 days a week.
          5.  Birding
          6.  Shop
          7.  Keep up with my blog.
          8.  Log in to Facebook everyday.


Most of you know I joined Weight Watchers (WW) about a year ago.  I never really committed to following the program until just last week.  I tracked EVERYTHING (even the little bites or tastes) and lost 3.2 lbs.  Yea me!!!  This is a fantastic program that teaches you how to eat healthy.  I love my meeting leader and the other WW members, we have such a good, supportive group.  I am so inspired now, I think I will be able to hit my goal weight.

Jim (my husband) bought me Rosetta Stone for Christmas a few years ago and I started it and it was fabulous. Then life got to crazy and I had to stop.  Today I will begin again.  My goal is to be able to speak fluently and to post a few blogs in Spanish.  Once I master it, on to French!

I actually have started sewing again and completed some aprons for my former staff.  Need to get in there and finish them up.  This one will be easy as I could hibernate in there for weeks.

I have been walking with the dogs.  It is great to walk in the country.  I put on my headphones and dance-walk to some of my favorite songs and nobody can see me but the dogs, birds, deer and other wildlife.  I earned 9 WW activity points one day.  It was awesome!!

Most of you don't know that I have become an avid bird watcher since I retired and moved to the lake.  We have so many birds up here I bought a book on East Texas birds and my goal is to track every bird that is listed. 

Shopping is on the list as we have so many cute little resale shops and antique shops up here.  I have found some gorgeous tea cups and crystal serving dishes.  I also love shopping for bargains at department stores.  I love buying "play" clothes instead of work clothes.  Little sundresses, skirts and t-shirts are so much fun to buy and wear.  Jim says I have become a "maxxinista".  I love shopping at TJ Maxx for bargains.  I am learning to play golf with my brothers and was told I need a shirt with a collar to play at a golf course in Houston.  Well, I don't want to wear a typical polo or golf shirt, I am to girly for that.  I found the most amazing collared t-shirt with a zippered front by Michael Micheal Kors at TJ Maxx.  I bought it in both white (for golfing) and black it is so cute!!  Can't wait to wear it with my little black golf skirt and new black and white Nike golf shoes!!!  You can look stylish and be active.

Last on the list is keeping up with the blog and Facebook.  This does not mean I am less committed for these, I just think they will be easier.  I access my tracker for WW online every day for every meal so I will just click over to Facebook or my blog while I am there.

Till tomorrow.