Catch me on the radio Sunday! Muskegon's 100.9 FM at 5 p.m.!

 

 

Catch me on the radio Sunday, May 17th!

Muskegon's 100.9 FM at 5 p.m. EST!

 

 

Tune in to Muskegon's 100.9 FM on Sunday, at 5 p.m. EST (via radio or streaming at www.MuskegonRadio.com) to catch me on The Bond Broadcast, a multi-generational, interactional entertainment radio program with a common-sense approach to parent/child viewpoints on culture and relationships. Father and son duo Jim Bond and Michael Bond will be chatting with me about thrifting, body image, and other interesting topics!

 

I'm excited to talk with them and I hope you'll tune in to hear the show live! If you can't make it on Sunday, I'll be sure to post the stream later on.

 

Happy Friday!

New Year, New Body: Kate's Transformation Story

Kate trying on evening dresses just for fun at a consignment store in Grand Haven--something she was never able to really enjoy doing before her surgery. 

MEET KATE.

Kate is a mom, a wife, a director at an assisted living center, a musician, and also a close friend of mine! Like most of us, Kate is hoping that 2014 brings her family happiness and blessings, but she's also starting off the new year with a big bang: a brand new body.

Unbelievably, within the last 2 years, Kate has lost more pounds than she currently weighs! In 2011, she underwent a Duodenal Switch weight loss surgery at 320 lbs. Concerned for her future health and ready to make a change, Kate began her journey, and after reaching a healthy BMI and stabilizing her weight, she embarked on her final procedure: a skin removal surgery to remove the extra skin around her tummy and show her new, slim waistline.  

Kate found lots of great items to try on from Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift; 
from pencil skirts to vintage shoes! 

Kate's story has been an open book for family and friends to read; she has been very transparent with her transformation. As the final stage of her metamorphosis unfolded, I invited Kate on a shopping trip to Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift in Grand Haven, Michigan, and asked her to share her story on the blog in the form of an interview. 

Kate's hope for readers is to shed some light on why she chose weight loss surgery, what she's learned along the way and of course--what her new style looks like! My hope for all of you reading at home is that you can share in Kate's joy and her choice to make a positive physical change for health. Many people have a hard time understanding weight loss surgery, and what I've learned as a friend supporting another friend is that it wasn't really "easy" at all--there were many ups and downs along the way. 

Ultimately, no matter what you weigh, I hope that your goal for 2014 is to love yourself, care for yourself, and try to be the best version of yourself possible--and that has absolutely nothing to do with the scale!

Check out the interview below and click through the image gallery I've created to see Kate's beautiful outfit shoot! 

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KATE'S NEW OUTFIT: 100% thrifted from Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift in Grand Haven, Michigan! Vintage peach blouse (love the detailing on the back collar!), adorable green statement necklace, plum pencil skirt, and vintage shoes!


THE INTERVIEW:

What kind of a role did body image and expectations play in your formative years? 

I was never in a position in life where I beat myself up over my body, I knew I felt uncomfortable with it and I was attempting to hide it. As a young child and into my mid teens I was never considered “Obese” I was just bigger than the other kids. I noticed it when I was in 5th grade, sitting on the bench at the pool with all my classmates.. I noticed then and there that they did not have the girth that I had. I will never forget that moment.

During that time, how did your concepts of self influence how you dressed? 

I was incredibly active in my youth and the effect my body had was on my ability to fit into what the other girls were wearing in terms of uniforms. Back then they did not make “big girl” clothes!
I had to wear boys clothes for sports. I knew I was different from a very young age. I wore what fit. Period. It did not matter how I felt about it, I had to clothe myself.

How do you think that your body image affected your life paths, emotionally or otherwise?

The struggle I felt and can clearly look back on is being taken seriously. I was never treated poorly by anyone, never teased, never left out and never a lack of male attention later in teenage and early adulthood years. I was incredibly fortunate to have been instilled with a personality and drive that kept my forward momentum going and the people in my life and the individuals I a have come across now tell me they never “saw” me as obese, they just saw Katie. It was a considerable struggle to get serious and follow through with anything due to my weight, my knees, my back and my energy. I always was an upbeat, good-natured, large personality with a lot to offer to any relationship or simply a conversation in the check out lane. My confidence never faltered. I never experienced deep dark times due to weight. I was one of the lucky ones. There was no eating disorder...sure, I gorged on Oreos once when I was 8.. like the whole bag! Yep, I had seconds… much like everyone else sitting at the table.

When did you make the decision to have weight loss surgery and why?

I started looking into is about 5 years before I had it. I exhausted the research options until I was satisfied and comfortable with my decision. I knew it was time when I simply felt like an observer of life rather than a participator. I had a young daughter that I wanted to play with, set a good example for and ride roller coasters with! On several occasions someone in a planning phase of an outing would say to me “Is that something you are comfortable doing?” in reference to my ability to function through pain and low energy. I knew then it was time to change as I was directly affecting others lives now too. I was 32 when I had my surgery in May of 2011 at a high weight of 320 pounds. Today I have lost more than I now weigh and am in the normal BMI range for the first time since I was 12.

What advice can you give to other people who are considering the surgery? 

There comes a time where we say enough is enough, if this were breast cancer, I would take a cure available.. my weight was also deadly, my obesity would have killed me eventually. I was done trying over and over and in the meantime hurting my body, my self esteem, watching life happen around me while I sat dodging the high blood pressure, diabetes bullet.  Smart people have these life changing surgeries, active people, healthy people, sick people. It is ok.
I have had one person ask me if I feel like I “took the easy way out” …. My answer “If curing the disease that would have killed me without CONSTANT diet and exercise (of which statistics are not good) is the easy way out? Then so be it.. I did what needed to be done medically that was available to save my life.

How has weight loss surgery changed your life? 

Wow, where do I begin… I have lost 167 pounds. I feel like I am taken seriously in life, I do not have to work to convince people that I am intelligent, that I have ideas, which I will follow through with. My performance in life and work alone is now enough to prove my worth. I have accelerated in position to a high level executive with a national certification in my field. I quit smoking, I run, I rode a roller coaster with my daughter, I ski again…… I could go on, or you could imagine doing what you dream about and that is your own personal answer to how this could change your life too.

How would you describe your sense of self and body image now, and how has that impacted the way you dress and shop?

Shopping for clothing now is pretty overwhelming, previously the Plus size section was drab, low choice.. fat girls must not like anything stylish because you just cannot find it for a decent price. Yes there are plenty of options as we sit here today…have you seen the prices??

What are your favorite styles of dress, and how do you prefer to shop for clothes? What dressing/shopping challenges have you encountered over the course of your transformation?

Walking into a department store pretty much makes my head spin with options, where do I start? What do I like? What looks great on me and is within my style? WAIT?? What is my style? I have always known what I liked, had many Pinterest boards for what I like..but do they really fit my life? My likes, my personality? This has been a major wake up call for me to really dig in, get into my head, pay attention to my body and appreciate it in its healthy state. We all view healthy in different ways.. from feeling svelte, sexy, thin, happy, content… and yep, it feels darn good to have clothing that simply fits and looks good, not digging into my skin, cutting off the circulation to my lower extremities when I sit down. I still cry sometimes looking back at the struggle I dealt with for so long. It is still painful and I still weep out of sadness for that girl. Now I weep for others in that situation. I hope they can find the way to help themselves, do the research, find a way to make it happen.. and most importantly be ok with it!

What is the one clothing item you have a hard time resisting at the thrift store? 

One? Really? Just one? Shoes… Because my feet fit the cute ones now!

What is the most valuable "golden nugget" of knowledge you have gleaned from your journey regarding happiness, health and positive attitude towards your physical self? 

Support. Find support, seek it. I have never been a “support group” kind of gal, however, there are many online resources, groups, forums, data, information and people with experience that are more than willing to guide you.. use it. Not all friends and family will be supportive, they are scared, they have never been obese..they have NO CLUE what it is like to be you. Find people that do support you and do not trip over your own feet trying to convince those that are not supportive. Share your research with them and let them decide. But lean on the folks that are happy for you. The others will come around.. I promise!

Serving Up the Holidays on a Dime: Candle Giveaway!

SERVING UP THE HOLIDAYS ON A DIME

Part one of a holiday series featuring Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift!

Would you believe that the place setting above is entirely secondhand and thrifted for about 11 dollars? Well, it is! The table, also for sale at the thrift store, is one of many pieces of discounted new furniture that you can purchase at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift in Grand Haven. I put together this spread in moments with items I collected around the store, and you can do it, too! I honestly can not justify ONE reason to buy new holiday decor when you have so many wonderful, inexpensive options at your fingertips secondhand!

If you look closely in the picture, you'll notice a gold pillar candle that is part of the free giveaway in this blog! Details below!

As you can see, I was inspired by golds, cranberries and browns for my Thanksgiving place settings. However, there are so many great color schemes and ideas to be inspired by! You can recreate any look you like using thrifted items. Check out the Pinterest board I've created for more ideas:

Table Settings Ideas to Thrift on Pinterest by Thrift Trick

These fun decorations were hanging out on the shelves, as well! :)

Virtually any glassware you could hope to find or use for a center piece or serving can be found on the shelves at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift.

Will you be baking some home made bread for the holidays? Make it super easy with one of the many bread machines you can find in great shape!

What about non-traditional meal ideas? Have you considered doing something different for your holiday meal? How about:

Asian Cuisine: I found these items on the shelves at Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift on the cheap!

Check out these ideas for Asian cuisine for your Thanksgiving meal:

AsianThanksgiving Recipes

15 Asian-American Thanksgiving Dishes

Fondue: Also on the shelves was this adorable Fondue set!

Check out these ideas for a fondue Thanksgiving!

Yummy Fondue Ideas from the Modcloth blog
Cheddar and Hard Cider Fondue Dip Recipe

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Why support Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift?

The answer is EASY.

Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift store is a non-profit funding source for Holland Rescue Misson. Holland Rescue Mission offers many services to homeless men, women and children of the Lakeshore area in Michigan, such as housing, food, daycare needs and more. Instead of wasting money on new items this year, give second-hand a try, and support the Holland Rescue Mission all while saving yourself money! Make sure to take note of the white board that lists all of the daily specials and discounts in store, and ask for a "punch" card that can earn you free items! LRMT also regularly publishes coupons in your local papers with inserts, so keep an eye out for those as well!

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AND NOW...FOR THE FUN AND EASY GIVEAWAY!!

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This blog is part of a sponsored series through Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift!
Check back with me over the next month for more holiday coverage, ideas and giveaways!

 Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift
1015 Beacon, Grand Haven, MI 49417
  (616) 604-0267
On Facebook

Why I can't thrift boots: How ill-fitting footwear helped me to love myself

Why I can’t thrift boots: 

How ill-fitting footwear helped me to love myself 

It’s a waiting game. At the end of August, autumnal-worshipping fashionistas are already chomping at the bit for weather cool enough to buy or wear the ideal boot with their fall outfit. Rack after rack of riding boots, calf boots and lace up booties begin to surface at every department store, and large shoeboxes arrive on many doorsteps as the women inside cross their fingers in anticipation… 

Will the shoe fit? 

Like everyone else, I'm excited about outfits with boots. Pants with boots. Skirts with boots. Everything with boots! All the way through winter! Though I enjoy “brand spanking new” items as much as anyone else, part of my personal credo and mission as a conservationist and a thrift blogger is to ask myself: Can I find this item second-hand before I buy it new? The answer, almost undoubtedly, is yes. EXCEPT…and this is a painful exception…when it comes to boots. 

Why can’t I buy most boots second-hand? The answer isn't because of orthotics, worn leather, or fear of some type of “shoe cootie” (though I hear this stops many people from buying footwear second-hand  and I can assure you, I've never had an issue). No, the answer isn't about anything aesthetic or personal in the least. 

I simply can’t fit my calves into them. 

Let us now take a journey… to a place called Lithuania. 

 Welcome! Long before its independence as a nation in 1918 (and before erecting a tributary sculpture to FRANK ZAPPA in 1995, which is entirely awesome), Lithuania has been turning out strong, sturdy Baltic men and women. As a primarily middle class or poverty stricken nation, it should be noted that Lithuanians are a WORKING culture; a laboring people. Hard physical effort, tending to one’s own land and athletic capabilities including dancing are considered to be common traits amongst the people who hail from this land. (I can attest to that, because my Lithuanian great grandparents and grandfather were avid gardeners and also loved to polka.) Their union and immigration to the United States (specifically, Grand Rapids, Michigan) made possible my own family lineage that includes many short, stocky and muscular relatives, whose hearty statures and longevity have served them well. 

 Grandpa Don Verbis in the yard, where he spent many hours drinking beers and growing his amazing tomatoes. 

 Yet, I haven’t always been so proud of my natural born Lithuanian calves. 

For many years, I envied the slender-legged girls. Oh, the tan, slender-legged girls of summer who boasted never-ending gams of perfection in their baby doll sun dresses! Oh, the slender-legged running women of the road who seemed to glide along the pavement like gazelles in their North Face micro-shorts without a trace of cellulite or thigh dimpling. Oh, the slender-legged women of Shoe Carnival who slid their willowy calves into fashionable boots with ease, their legs slipping inside like a greased pill down a wide throat. 

How I desperately wanted A. Yet, I felt like B. 

(Okay, B with a side of jiggle and cellulite.) 

 I wish that the comparisons with my plus size body and what I deemed as perfection had ended at my calves, but alas, I spent my entire adolescence, teen years and twenties casting my whole body into the depths of “Not Good Enough Land”, where hoodie sweatshirts covered love handles and baggy jeans masked my stumpy stems and thick thighs. Though I had always loved dresses and fashion in general, it was easy to hide behind the casual gear at that time in my life. I was a musician; a rowdy guitarist for a heavy indie band. My punk rock attitude only made it easier to hide my figure behind clothes that camouflaged the pain of dis-satisfaction. I hated my body, and because I hated it, I treated it poorly. I didn't always eat well, and I didn't exercise often, let alone take time for self-care rituals. Just as one would expect, my issues with weight only increased further, and I had fully convinced myself that my problems were only external. 

What diet could I try to fix the problem? What magic piece of gym equipment could restore my self-worth? Shocking, I know…but there wasn't one. And there isn't  And there never, ever, will be. If you are reading this article right now, hoping for such a thing…stop dreaming right now, and instead wake up. Take a terrifying leap as I did, into the cavern of your soul, and feel around in the dark for a “jagged rock”—a problem--like the one I had. 

My “jagged rock” was a roadblock to self-acceptance. I couldn't properly quantify the worth--the purpose, the advantages--of my physical body. It took me thirty years, but I finally jackhammered that rock and blasted it into a thousand pieces. Inside the rock, a thousand golden nuggets spilled out, filling me with the understanding that, not only was my body worthy of my praise, attention and—yes—even celebration, it was also full of purpose. 

Suddenly I realized that the muscular, Lithuanian calves I had cursed for years had carried me through much rough terrain throughout my lifetime. They allowed me to climb from the depths of despair to the heights of happiness, supported my footsteps on every journey of my life’s transformation, upheld my pregnant belly with ease and, later, the weight of my son upon my shoulders. They even endured mile after mile as I ran down the road with strength and exhilaration. 

 The mental metamorphosis was swift and enlightening. 

I gave up on having someone else’s legs, and opted, instead, to have a big, fat slice of fall fashion pie, buying myself some properly fitting, wide calf boots. While I was relishing in the sheer joy of self-love and acceptance (and riding boots, yay!), I decided to call myself an athlete because of my love of running and my training efforts (a title formerly forbidden, in my mind, to a slender-legged gazelle). I even realized a dream of mine and created a fashion blog where I photographed my own, plus size body (gasp!) in clothes I had styled, because it was a body that I loved; one that was mine, and full of purpose. Now that I revered and praised this body for its service, I could begin to honor it with only the best nourishment, exercise, and self-care routines. And then something even MORE magical happened: when I saw the purpose and beauty in myself, I began to notice it all around me. I just couldn't keep quiet about it. YES, that included ALL body types, because despite my comedic tone about slender-legged women, we can all be beautiful. Bodies are different, and beautiful, and purposeful. 

As you can probably predict, the more I valued my body, the happier and healthier I felt, and the more weight I lost. I quit referring to myself as a “work in progress” and tried to focus on being present. Though I'm sure I’ll always dream of a tighter tummy and skinnier slacks, I'm not wasting one more day of my life waiting to live. Ever. Again. 

The cherry on top of my own journey to self-discovery would be to pass this knowledge on…even if it is just to one frustrated woman who is out shopping this afternoon, measuring her self-worth in the dressing room of a department store. 

 Don't waste another minute.

Today is the day to love yourself and recognize how your physical body has served you.

Today is the day to treat your body well, to feed your body well, to dress your body well, in items that fit you. 

Forget about the goal pants and the thrifted boots. 

Today is the day to buy new boots.

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P.S. Are you looking for a wide calf boot? I gotchu, girl!

Target: Kimberly Riding boots (available in store) 

Woman Within Wide Calf Boots (I'm wearing a pair in the first picture!)

Wide Calf Boots at Lane Bryant

Let your tail hang out...

...AND BY THAT I MEAN YOUR SHIRT TAILS. 

Im kind of obsessed right now with stealing my boyfriend's oversized (and thrifted!) plaids and flannels and wearing them under sweaters with jeans and boots. 

Maybe it's because comfy shirts and pullovers just scream fall. Here in Michigan, there can't POSSIBLY be a more beautiful season; it's sunny, crisp, and wonderfully autumnal right now.

These pictures were taken this afternoon at Duncan Woods in Grand Haven, where it was a lovely, sunny seventy degrees. It was honestly SO beautiful that enjoying it is somewhat bittersweet because I know this glorious, interim harvest weather is only the precursor to...well, I'm not even going to speak it right now. 

LONG LIVE FALL!

Outfit details: All thrifted with the exception of the boots, which were clearance items 
from last winter! :)









This outfit post came at the right time...I needed a little respite from my recent (albeit enjoyable) "vintage bonanza!" However I'll see you tomorrow for one final prep post leading into Saturday's "Lumber Baron's Ball: 1950's Style!"

What will you wear to the (1950's) ball? Get ideas here!

WHAT WILL YOU WEAR

to the 1950's ball?

GET IDEAS HERE!

Click any picture to be taken to my "1950's Fashion Board" on Pinterest!

DRESSES: Several different styles were popular in the 50's, but the "Fit and Flare" was considered quite "nifty". ;) A fitted top with a collar and a belted, full skirt will also work for you! The good news is that you can easily recreate that look with items that are not necessarily vintage but can be found in your closet, or thrifted inexpensively! (Think high wasted pleated skirt with a crisp, white dress shirt...belted). Many shirt dresses from the 1980's are similar and can be dressed up to resemble the 1950's with a little tweaking! The green fitted dress with long gloves you see above is an example of some of the lovely and fitted tailored dresses of the later part of the 1950's made popular by designers such as Dior.

SUITS: Suits relaxed and got a little "looser" in the 1950's, but were still made of heavy material. The grey flannel suit was very popular, as were vests, white and ivory suit jackets, and double breasted styles. Of course, the smart hat was still essential. Thinking about a rock 'n' roll look? Try the "Buddy Holly" with a thrifted sweater or bowtie and some Wayfarers.  See more men's looks on my Pinterest board by clicking on the photos!

SHOES: The chunky high heels with squarish and oval toes from the 1940's were still popular, but a higher arch and more slender Stiletto style became popular in the late 50's as well. Saddle-shoes were definitely "in" (check out my Saddleshoe DIY here!! and also the entire board I have dedicated to Saddle-shoe style!) and Oxfords were still classic footwear! Check out the Pinterest page by clicking on any of the shoe images above; there are more shoe resources there!

COATS: Seal the deal with the right coat! A classy trench or dress coat will finish your outfit nicely, and they are SOOOO easy to thrift! I recommend Hope's Outlet at all three locations in Grand Haven and Muskegon to find one very easily. Men's coats were fitting a little looser (just like the suits) for the 1950's, and so were women's coats, though a fitted trench or dress coat with a small waist that matches the line of your dress would be oh-so-hip.

BAGS: Smaller handbags, satchels and totes dominated the purse styles of the 1950's. Wicker styles, leather, crocodile and ornate beaded purses with delicate straps were all very popular. Click the images to see handbags I have pinned on my Pinterest board!

Stay with me this week for more makeup, hair and nail tips to prepare for the 2013 Lumber Baron's Ball OR just be FAB like the FIFTIES!

Take Me Away...To Tennessee

TAKE ME AWAY...To Tennessee

It seems like life lately has been a mile long freight train for me...traveling at a bullet train speed. In fact, I've barely blogged all month because of all the life changes, good stress and events that have been stacking up one after another for months prior!

This last year has brought much personal change into my world, and some of it has been painful. Yet, the sting of transformation has blossomed into beauty and growth--much like the spring we are {FINALLY!} enjoying.

For that reason, the yearly family vacation that my mother, sister and son take together was especially welcome. Our respite this year was to Tennessee--first Chattanooga, then Gatlinburg! More specifically, the outskirts of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. The adorable cabin we stayed in from Hearthside Cabin Rentals was called "Take Me Away". Tour it here! 

I have so many wonderful pictures from our trip, I couldn't even begin to share them all here. I did document some of my thrifting adventures, and I hope to blog those very soon--along with (pathetically) an outfit post from St. Patrick's day almost a FULL month ago, and a weekend trip I took to Holland with my boyfriend for my birthday!

It's back to the grind on Monday...and looking forward to lots of fun fashion events this month! Look for more updates in my next blog. I hope everyone had a wonderful spring break!

OUTFIT DETAILS: I can't get enough triangles lately--which explains this kitschy and somewhat threadbare sweater. It was a thrifted find for $1.49 at Hope's Outlet, as was the skirt. Boots are new--Jackie Cognac by ComfortView. Diamond shaped dangly earrings were a clearanced item at--gasp--Walmart. Haha! Ring was a gift from my bestie and my nails are applique with a layer of silver chunk glitter for fun. Both nail items were $1 at Dollar Tree.