I am finding I'm wearing my Chico's ponte knit pants at least once a week. Then I put on one of my Merona ultimate tee long sleeve shirt as a base and layer over any of my cardi's or jackets or vests. Add in some of my handmade jewelry or scarves and I've got my quick and easy uniform. Its easy and I feel put together..regardless of where my crazy days take me. I give full credit to this formula to YLF.

I was surprised at how often I wear those ponte pants! I do have some straight leg cords and some jeans that I also wear, but I now have ponte-pant love and these are definitely my fav!

Footwear has been a challenge with the rain. But I have my patent leather Cons, shiny black rain boots, and a couple pairs of tall boots that are serving me well. Having a good well-thought out shoe wardrobe has definitely made my life easier.

I'm finding that having some clear go-to BASICS has been life-changing for me. I just switch out my top layering piece and accessories and I feel like its a completely different outfit. As a MOTG, I do need to keep some parts of my life easy and predictable.

I've added quite a few jackets to my wardrobe thanks to YLF. Most notable, my houndstooth jacket and brown leather "moto" jacket are getting lots of wear.

Secondly, premium denim has replaced my Gap denim completely. Pre-YL I only wore Gap jeans (the only jeans that fit me) and I loved them, but now I have discovered the world of plus-size premium denim and I am never turning back.

Also, pearls! I never wore pearls before but now I have a staple pearl bracelet that I ALWAYS wear, as well as two pearl necklaces that I wear quite often.

I would never have purchased these microcheck trousers pre YLF, but I probably wear them at least once a week and love them. I combine them with a black graphic tee and stacks of jet bracelets.
http://www.bensherman.com/weba.....0551_19102

I'm lusting over coloured accessories as a direct result of the blog and forum.

I'm equally lusting over a denim shirt.

I have acquired the confidence to wear what I like, even if it means being slightly overdressed at toddlers.

I have revamped my hairstyle after losing 15% of my hair after the birth of DD2.

I have embraced the pale and no longer feel the need to cover my see through blue legs with hose all of the time.

I change my handbag all of the time.

I'm PPL paranoid.

These are the things which have come to my head immediately, if I really thought about it I could at least triple the list!

THANK YOU ANGIE

I can't even think about this right now. My head will explode. I have written about it before though and all I will say is that I would be in a state of style self-denial right now without YLF. I can't believe all the things I used to reluctantly avoid just because Stacey and Clinton told me I was too old for them. I would have aged long before my time.

Brianna, I wanted to ask you if you ever found a pair of comfy moccasins or loafers? I know we discussed this a while back and the topic has come up on the blog and the forum since then!

Brianna - BIG HUG. You made my heart smile.

Julie, I'm so, so touched. More heart smiling.

Marinanna, Marlene and Maya (the three M's), "big happy sigh*.

Marianna: if you haven't already done so, would you mind please starting a thread just talking/writing about everything you've learned on the subject of plus-size premium denim? I would love love love to reap the benefits of your knowledge : )

Mac, I haven't really learned too much... except that premium plus denim often ends up at discount stores because it's not in high demand. It also gets discontinued very frequently. I can try to write up a thread, but first I'll answer your questions in the private message and see if I can cultivate any ideas from that. I'll be responding shortly.

Thanks, Marianna : )

I'm relatively new to this site, but I've started considering silhouettes I've never given myself permission to think about before! Skinny jeans? Letting go of the waist? Flowing cardis? My mind has been opened to new realms of shapes and combinations.

Super fun to read everyone else's lists!

Maya, no luck on loafers or mocs yet. You?

Brianna - great list! I have YLF to thank for my specs and watch (to be bought this weekend). Without the push, I wouldn't have hunted to long and hard for funky frames.

Can I ask what brand your jeans are? I'm a fan of the higher rise, too - or maybe you could link to your original post? I haven't found it yet.

I'm afraid my list would be endless. I'll just list a few things that come to mind:

- smart casual formula: jeans+nice top+blazer or cardi to layer over. After investing in my first pair of premium jeans (I never wore jeans before), I was googling the term "smart casual" and that's what originally led me to YLF in the first place.

- ponte knit pants: new favorites! Sooo comfy, warm and smart looking.

- Me-too ballet flats

- white jean jacket

- cream/white purse(s)

- long necklaces. I said I couldn't wear these; Angie said I could. I gave it a whirl, and now I'm hooked. How did I live without them before??

- dressy blouses instead of tees

- wearing camis underneath to smooth out lumps, add warmth and give coverage

- clamdiggers

That's a great list, Brianna! My list would also be huge, but one of the most important things I learned here is that things can be mixed up. Before YLF there was a clear divide in my wardrobe between casual and "dressy", or business clothes, and in particular shoes. Shoes fell into 2 categories: dressy/uncomfortable and walking/clunky. Incorporating docs, converse, and Me Too flats pretty much revolutionized my wardrobe and created so many new options.