Spring is here!
On Monday, we had sun and clouds, and thunder, and hail, and lightening.
On Tuesday, it was lovely - sunny, about 60 F.
On Wednesday, it was glorious - 63 F which felt more like 73 F, with sun and very high blue sky all day long.
Lucky me, Justin took a day off, and our daughter had a short day at school, so we were able to go to our very first picnic this year. Now, that must be some sort of record. In the previous years, we started having picnics in April. Very, very unusual. Spring is very mild, very slow here, with average temperatures in 50s. It actually felt like Summer to me in the past two days!
This fantastic pair of Keds is the only new thing in my outfit. I would never guess that I'd say it about Keds - I actually never was a fan. I mean, in my school years we used to wear something we called keds (кеды) for our physical education class. I don't think I have worn them ever since. But I was thinking to get a pair of either white, or red, or maybe even blue Keds, so they would compliment this particular dress. When I saw this pair at Nordstrom Rack at a reasonable price, I decided that this design is an absolute delight! But I have to admit that I love them even more now! Fun, feminine, comfortable (important for me!), colorful and whimsical. Sounds just like me!
This dress, on the other hand, is not really like me. Another confession. When I had a body for a bodycon dress, I would never even consider wearing one! I would think it too immodest. These days, when I really don't have a perfect body for a bodycon dress, I've decided to give it a try! Logical? Hardly. But here it is.
I've decided for myself that the way to wear it for me is to have a jacket over it - not too long to cover all the curves (otherwise, what's the point in wearing a body-conscious dress), but just enough to give me the confidence and comfort to move around. I picked up this denim jacket at Chico's at a clearance sale last Fall. I rather like its feminine design and faded color, and soft, stretchy fabric. You will probably not believe it, but just like a bodycon dress, it is the very first denim jacket I've had in my whole 40 years. I know. I am a dinosaur! :)
Did you know that Keds was founded in 1916? They are almost 100 years old! I had no idea!
We had a lovely, warm, sunny, I want to say s-u-m-m-e-r-y day at the beach. Picnic, blue sky, people around, someone tried to fly a kite, but not enough wind (no wind at all, to tell the truth). And I actually felt sexy and attractive. And one more thing. I realized that day that I finally started dressing for myself, for my life! Not because it is convenient/comfortable/brainless. Not because "I'm learning". Not because of the blog. Because of me - this person named Natasha Lialina who just wanted to be dressed up to go on a picnic and a walk on the beach. It might not seem like much to someone. To me, wow, it is huge.
Dress - ASOS. Denim jacket - Chico's. Shoes - Keds. Purse - B Makowsky. Jewelry - gifts, boutique finds. Happiness - from the sun.
Linking up with Bella's Shoe Shine!
You look smashing. I really like the first photo with the scarf.
ReplyDeleteThe neckline on the jacket is wonderful.
bisous
Suzanne
Thank you, Suzanne! Glad you liked the first photo. Justin takes photos for my blog - but the composition of the first one is mine. :) This jacket is sort of a mix of sporty denim and almost Coco Chanel sort of classy, feminine style, with some sparkles on the edges - which is very Chico's! It's pretty unusual as denim jackets go, I think!
DeleteDressing for you, for who and where you are right now, is a wonderful thing. I don't think you have anything to learn!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see you in stripes, I want to cheer so loudly, you might actually hear me! Curvaceous women look amazing in stripes, and in fitted styles like this wonderful dress, you are the living, breathing, sexy proof! Obviously, you don't have to convince me of the benefits of a denim jacket, I practically live in mine once the weather gets warm enough, they go with everything, so I think you will get plenty of wear out of yours.
You look beautiful and relaxed, what a gorgeous day and location for a picnic with your darlings! xxxx
Did I tell you that you are very insightful? I just love your comments! :) I am sure from now on I will hear your cheering when I wear stripes! :) It's amazing how pictures really reflect our mood. You can tell so much from just our poses and smile - and you definitely get it! It was a happy and very relaxed day. I miss them. But they are just around the corner. :)
Deletelovely!
ReplyDeletecheck out my blog bohoyoho.blogspot.com
x
So glad you like it!
DeleteGreat kicks- and fab ensemble! I see we share a mutual love of stripes, and florals, and florals WITH stripes. Thank you for linking this look up to Shoe Shine. YOU SHINE, my dear, YOU SHINE!
ReplyDeleteBella, your outfit from the last newsletter was just genius! I tried to left comments on your blog, but there was some kind of error I guess. You do mixing patterns like nobody else! And I love your childhood philosophy of just throwing the favorite things together. Somehow, it really works! :) Thank you for your sweet words!
DeleteYou certainly have got the body for a body-con dress, a beautiful, healthy and happy one and one worthy of showing off. The denim jacket and pumps look perfect with it and I'm more than a little in love with your picnic basket! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you for such incredibly positive comment, my dear! :) I found the basket at an antique mall for just a fraction of a price (typically, this brand is very expensive, a brand new would easily cost over $100 - and I found one in a brand new condition for only $20, with plates, wine glasses, table cloth etc in the perfect original condition). We use it quite a lot!
DeleteNatalia , You are stunning in this dress, so now you know to wear this style. We are always evolving , I love the stripe and the meds are so fabulous , your look put an instant smile on my face. Love the opening photo of the picnic basket too. Hour first denim jacket. Now that is a surprise! I loved this post, as I do all of your other work. I am so glad you are having nice weather!
ReplyDeleteXX, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Elle, you are always so encouraging and kind to me! Thank you, my dear friend, you make my heart sing! :) :) :)
DeleteI was never attracted to denim, to tell you the truth. I got my first denim skirt and denim jacket just last year. :) I got my first dark blue jeans only 4 or 5 years ago. :)
You look just wonderful in this outfit !, i love you in the dress it really suits you ,and you cannot beat the Demin jacket.
ReplyDeleteYou look so happy ! and i love your basket, a great post ,best wishes xxx
Dear Lesley, thank you so very much for your comment! I keep smiling reading your wonderful, sincere words. I can't believe sometimes how incredibly supportive this community of women is! It blows my mind. Thank you!!!
DeleteMany think that with a fuller body one must stick to looser clothes. But as it turns out those loose clothes make the figure bulky. On the contrary, such fitting dresses, if chosen right, slim down and look much better. I love this stripy dress and you look great in it. I used to wear denim jackets too much in my 20s, I think I got fed up with them and so now I don't have any in my closet. But still I like to see it on others. Yours looks nice with the dress.
ReplyDeleteI like that this jacket has very feminine lines. So it is sort of un-traditional denim jacket, I think. :)
DeleteThank you very much, dear Olga! You are right of course! We just need to be open-minded and brave when it comes to clothes, and try new things! That is what I have been doing for the past few months. :)
You look so cute in that dress. I love the whole outfit. I would never have worn a body con dress when I was in my twenties and yet now at 46 I'm willing to. Confidence often comes with age. Isn't that great!
ReplyDeleteHere is to our growing confidence, Shawna! :) Thank you for your compliments. You, amazing ladies, make me think that I will be wearing this dress much more often (to the happiness of Justin :).
DeleteYou look soooooooooooooo radiant in the sun.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics, and wonderful you.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Thank you, my dear Sacramento! :) :) :)
DeleteGorgeous you, gorgeous dress! it's lovely and looks amazing on you, it's great with the denim jacket, and your body is perfect - I just adore your keds and your picnic basket! all of these pics are stunning x x x
ReplyDeleteOh, my dear, thank you so much! You just made my day! :) :) :)
DeleteI hear you, Marlen! I did my share of rough winters, being from Siberia. It's tough, I know. Just hang in there! Spring is just around the corner for you too, guys!! :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! Hey, I don't have a pair of Keds, but I do have two pairs of Converse :-) AND I wore them on picnics before, search on my blog and you will see. You aren't alone, sneakers are the most comfy shoes for outdoors events and no one can convince me otherwise.
ReplyDeleteYou look great! However, I am a fan of full dresses or skirts or even shorts for this type of events, since they let me move around easily. Regardless of what I like, you look beautiful and sometimes we need to think outside the box even with fashion. I'm glad you did.
Xo
Carelia
Mysmallwardrobe.com
Thank you, Carelia! I love your picnic posts - they are all fun, and your choice of footwear is always inspired! I can attest that this pair is also very comfy to wear. So is the dress, by the way - because it is very light and stretchy. Though, I don't play sports in it (or in anything, really :).
DeleteI am so glad you shared this look, I LOVE this on you! Love the Americana colors and the pattern mixing.
ReplyDeleteAlice
www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.