Layers Over Love Handles

Just a few weeks after I had Kate I was stupid enough to go shopping at my favorite store. I found these jeans on the clearance rack and loved the wash on them. They were in my pre-pregnancy size so I took them to the fitting room to see where things were at with me, my ego, and my abdominals.

Big mistake.

All three were still pretty bruised.

But I just couldn't walk away from that clearance price tag and the hope that MAYBE SOMEDAY these jeans would fit me. So I bought them, and they became my "goal jeans."

Now fast forward to the other day when I was racing around the house trying to get dressed and out the door in time for work. You'd think by now I'd be planning what to wear the night before, but no--because that would require planning.

Up to this point I'd pretty much been rotating the same 3 pairs of pants--the ones I knew fit me. But on this day all 3 pairs were dirty. Like, super dirty. As in, each pair probably should have been washed two wearings ago, dirty.

That's a bit more than Febreeze should be expected to handle.

So I dug in my jeans drawer and the first pair I grabbed were my goal jeans. Never worn, tags still on.

Curiosity overpowered my desire to beat rush hour traffic so I pulled them on...and holy hell I got them zipped up--and buttoned!

But BHAAAAAAAAAG, whatthemotherlover?!?!

Um, hello ginormously huge love handles. Thank you for reminding me that just because you can zip 'em up and button 'em doesn't mean they fit.

Of course a normally sane person would take the jeans off and move on to the next pair--but not me. These were my goal jeans, and dammit I was going to wear them. TODAY. Besides, jeans stretch, right? I mean, I'm sure these jeans would easily stretch the necessary extra 5 inches on the drive to work alone. Hell, I'd probably need a belt by lunch time. Oh yes, without a doubt. These jeans fit me perfectly...just as soon as I cover those love handles.

By now I'm so late for work that I've already cancelled my Starbucks stop, have convinced myself that I have enough gas to make it there without filling up first, and have already committed to running every yellow and red light. So I flew through my closet and found the biggest, roomiest shirt I had and threw that on.

Love handles still visible.

Must add more clothing.

So then I found a cardigan that fell at just the perfect spot to do the trick, topped it off with a necklace for added distraction, and did my hair and makeup in the car.

When I arrived at work my friend Jill complimented my outfit and added, "You always look so pulled together."

I have the greatest friends.

I really do.


Jeans: Gap
Shirt: New York & Company
Cami: New York & Company
Cardigan: Gap
Boots: Nine West
Necklace: So old I can't remember, but the safe money is on Target.
Coffee: Black, and strong.