So I've had some painful wardrobe and style moments these last 14 months or so. And a lot of A- ha moments as well.

A-ha #1:
I really started posting wiw's last fall. I was ( and am) proud of my legs. I tended to wear longer tops and skinny bottoms. But a few savvy YLF'ers pointed out that my tops were not long enough- just about grazing my nether regions ( so to speak). Then I also realized curved hems on tanks looked best on me; balancing my tummy more. So this season I am wearing long tunic length underlayers ( from Ann Taylor) on their own or with any number of sweater/jacket combos.

A-ha #2:
The second part to the crotch story. Last year I diligently bought banana republic trousers and karen kane bermudas recommended by Angie. They fit and felt fine. But as the day would wear on they would literally bite into my inner anatomy ( ouch). I thought I was resigned to skinny pants with stretch only. trousers were not for me. Then Shiny posted a sort of related post on her lack of saddle bags. My problem is different but the discussion that ensued and serendipitiously reading Stacey London's book " The truth about style" made me realize that if I went two sizes larger so that the pants could accomodate my low waist which is larger than my natural waist but smaller than my hips ( aka squishy muffin top) it could work albeit with some alterations. And like magic: it did. WIW to follow in upcoming week.

A-ha #3:
If I wore a jacket I could tuck a shirt into a skirt and add a belt to create a waist. All thanks to all of you especially Angie. and now I know why Stacy London says " Never waste a waist!"

A-ha #4:
My Mom days do not mean I need to wear lounge wear all day. I wear my comfy wit and wisdom jeans and a knit blazer with any blouse/top/shirt. I thought this takes too much work but soon it became routine. So much so that when I recently had a migraine and dropped off Ms K in my Victoria secret pink sweat pants and sweatshirt (with my long tunic underlayer mind you): she asked if I was wearing pajamas. Woohoo she notices. That means others must too. But most importantly I feel good when I am wearing nice,s tylish clothes and not my lululemons outside the gym.

A-ha #5:
This one I sort of always knew but it is just more ingrained in me now: hair and brows. Necessities not luxuries.

A-ha #6:
My husband will remain clueless: I showed him my recent WIW that got a K2K rating from Angie and he said" Oh were you dressed for Halloween? You are wearing orange".

A-ha #6:
Dangly earrings are really my signature item as Angie has pointed out. So I'm keeping my teenier ones for Ms K.

pics: recent WIW ( hubby's halloween comment, note AT base layer)
pic #2-4: WIW today- Mommy day
pic 5: true to dangly style: holiday pic.
pic 6-7: another MOTG from this past weekend. dangly does it! ( the tuck is not intentional- its an oops)

Thank you all so much for constructive criticism, creativity, solution finding and your vast knowledge base. Angie for her unerring eye for fit and style and knowing inherently what a poster needs to hear and when.

I offer you all my sincere thanks.