I Saved You The Trouble:)

Out of sheer boredom, I went to browse in Macy's Saturday. I had no intentions on buying anything but that never stops me from trying things on every once in a while.

I found some Calvin Klein boots that were uber sexy and different but kind of naughty all at the same time. I am always on a quest for boots so I thought I should try these. I don't really know how to feel about them. As I tried them, I immediately had an urge to hold a whip...don't know why? Hmph.

I felt very much like a video vixen, which is not a bad thing, if that's what one aspires to be. Several people came up to me and ooohed and aaahed over the boots...I replied by whispering, "I kind of feel like a fluzy". I used another word but you may be reading this post at work:)

They weren't in my budget...well because I am poor...but I couldn't rationalize wearing them that often. I wouldn't be able to wear them to school because they would probably change the teacher dress code in honor of these boots! Not that I would be entirely against that but I'm not trying to make any waves. I also don't go out to clubs which is where these boots would outshine the boppers, so these Matrix meets Video Vixen remained in the Macy's Shoe Department.

Allow me to digress for a hot second....

I did randomly meet this awesome chick as I sheepishly pranced around in these boots. We gabbed about our big hair and jobs and those Video Vixen boots I was wearing. She shared how she left a job that she didn't like for a career that matches her personality. I got inspired in the whole approximate six minutes of that exchange. She then commented that I seemed very "cultured" and wondered if I was from around these parts.

I told her that people ask me that all the time...but the truth is that I am as southern as you can get:) I will admit that when I travel to the east coast that I feel like I am more in my element though:) At any rate, THAT was an AWESOME compliment. I felt very proud to have been considered cultured and "cool" on some level! It's amazing how people pick up on your spirit/energy within a few seconds! If you are reading this Arianne, Thank you! Our short conversation was inspiring and your compliments made my day! *

Okay, back to the mockery of my Macy's experience...

I also tried on the jumpsuit by Rachel Roy's "affordable" line in Macy's. The model looks cute in it and I am starting to like the romper look on others.....but it was a big HELL to the NO on my body. HID.E.OUS! I think I am too short to pull off this look or not skinny enough or something...I couldn't figure it out. The crouch hung too low and the rear end view was not flattering at all. So I am posting the pics just for you...to show you WHAT NOT TO WEAR...Go ahead...and laugh at my expense...I did it in the name of fashion:)

I'm still having mixed feelings about the boots. I feel like if I wore them, the whole day I would be explaining how I am really a good girl but just like the boot because it's different and edgy. I can't have those types of conversations with strangers! lol

All in all...I walked out empty handed...which was the point anyway, wasn't it?

...I secretly kinda like the boots but I would have to buy a leather jacket and a gun to go with it....the gun is not in my budget this year though:(

...please excuse the camera phone photo shoot...:(

What do you think about the boots?

Oh My Goodness! I just had a visual of me going to my sister's ultra conservative church with these boots!! They would lead me straight to the altar for prayer!! LOL!

Friday Night Thrift!

I forgot to post Friday's pic for the Challenge. For some reason, I am really getting into men's style button down shirts. I kinda love the look these days. Can you tell that black pencil skirts and belts are essential to my existence? Belts are pencil skirts are essential when one is as curvy as moi'!

Authentic Burberry Shirt: Thrifted!

Belt/Skirt: Target

Necklaces: F21

Blue Vintage Clutch: Goodwill

Calvin Klein Shoes: Marshall's ( I have rediscovered my own shoes)

The Love of Jesus Christ: Priceless!

Okay, let me start by saying that I am not trying to force you to look at my butt! I simply heart this thrifted ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SKIRT AND HAD TO SHOW YOU WHY!! Look at the beautiful detail in the back. I got this a while ago but never got around to sharing this treasure. I. Die.!

I can't wait to wear this skirt with textured tights and heels and with boots!

Tell the truth, you kinda love it don't you? You should hate me because it was totally 4 bucks! YES! I thrifted an Alexander McQueen skirt for 4 bucks! I know it's tacky to tell the price but I am totally bragging right now...(insert image of me sticking my tongue out at the haters...lol)

And Yes...my dog (Frankie Beverly) was totally checking me out while I was taking these pics...I didn't even know he was there! Just like a dog, isn't it?

Oh..and I totally realize that most people are obsessed with the little crackhead model look that we are forced to see in magazines. I happen to like my curves and like to accentuate the positive. So if you are a rail thin person...rock on...If you are thick....rock on...if you are fat...rock on! (by the way...those models are more than likely shaped like me, they just have access to airbrushing:)

....if you are wondering what I am doing right now...I am petting my skirt right now. It brings me joy...temporarily atleast:)

For your viewing pleasure...HE HE HE HE!!!

Challenge: Mission Accomplished!

I did it! I didn't repeat my clothes for a whole month (not including accessories). It was actually quite fun. I dug out clothes that were feeling quite neglected in the back of my closet. I just may keep the challenge going. It allowed me to wear some oldies but goodies!

Thursday:

Skirt: Arden B's (Atleast 4 years ago)

Top: Banana Republic

Fave Belt: thrifted

Shoes: Carlos Santana

Yes, i wore this bedazzled skirt to work! I tried to dress it down with a classic button down. Did the croc wearing coworkers do a double take? Yes. Did I put an extra dip in my hip as I walked...YEP! HA!

I found a grafitti wall nearby and decided to snap a few pictures. I thought the building was abandoned but then I saw a garage door lift up! AAAHH! That explains the expression on my face...I set the timer, snapped a pic then hopped back in the car. I was trying to be creative because I seem to only have one pose...atleast I could give you some background scenery from time to time:) Can you tell that I love this belt?!?

Trench Jacket: Gap (last year?)

Daishiki: GOODWILL...(Yes it's a real daishiki too!)

Pants: Banana Republic

Striped Shoes: 9 West

Belt: Thrifted

Tuesday

Shirt: Banana Republic (I haven't worn this shirt in years!)

Skirt: Express ( I am not cheating either, I have ALOT of black pencil skirts)

Shoes: 9 West ( LOVE THESE)

Monday: See below post...this was a popular ensemble judging from the comments!

Also, scurry along to this blog and enter the TJ Maxx Gift card challenge...Tell her God's Favorite Shoes sent you too...So I can win something if you don't!

Did you do the challenge? How well did you do?

Do It My Darn Self!

It's Monday and I'm ready for Friday already. This will be short and sweet because it's naptime. I saw a picture of Janet Jackson at last week's Fashion Week festivities and loved the look to death. I knew immediately that I could throw that look together. For a second, I did say to myself that even I would have have shown a little more "cleavage" than Ms. Nasty but I get it...she was going for the school librarian look. The look also put me in the mind of Michele Obama.

So here is my version of the Sexy Librarian/Teacher look. We will call this segment D.I.M...NOT...D.I.Y...because I DID IT MYSELF!

Cardigan: Target

Skirt: Banana Republic
Shirt: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: 9 West

Bag: In Philly visiting my cousin Messa 5 yrs ago

The challenge is still going on...just thought would share my D.I.M with you:)

Challenge: Week 3

I made it through Week 3. It wasn't that hard to do. This "don't repeat any clothes for one month" challenge makes me find new ways to wear my clothes. I can't wait for the fall season to get here because I am ready to layer my clothes. That's kind of a joke, because Texas has only one season...HOT!

Here are the pics for Week 3:)

It's My Birthday!

Yay me! It's my birthday. I still get giddy about my birthday. I have plenty to grumble about but I choose not to today. Someone you know may not have opened their eyes this morning but I did.

The older I get, I get more grateful. I am grateful for my past, my present and my future. Most of all, I am grateful for my sanity because some people don't even have that. I know that everything and everyone in my life is there to serve a purpose. I am glad that I get another day to figure it out!

I could preach, but I won't. I remember a teacher once told me that the key to life is to just KEEP BREATHING...even I know that is not even something I can control. I am grateful for HIM who is in control though:)

Thank you for your readership, it really excites me to know that you guys read my ramblings.

The challenge is still going on...I will post pics later:)

I am 34 years old...WOW!!

...and I still can DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT!

(I just aged myself by saying that!)

Birthday Eve...!

This is what I wore to church today. I felt pretty much like I should have been on the 80's show Dynasty or Falcon Crest and I loved every bit of it. Shoulder pads are trying to make a come back, I tell ya. I won't go overboard with them but it was fun to rock the look:)

The entire outfit sans the shoes is completely vintage. Let me put it this way, I handed the cashier a five dollar bill for the dress and belt and still got change back! Ummm hmmm...go ahead and clutch your pearls, I did. I didn't have to make one alteration to it either. For a hot second I contemplated taking the shoulder pads out, but decided against it. It would take away the subtle drama of the sleeves.

The upside to the dress, the draping is uber flattering where it needs to be. The downside...it's 100% polyester. Which means that I am grateful for air conditioners in cars and in buildings. This is my new favorite Little Black Dress, hands down! I forsee me wearing this dress everywhere this fall!

It's the eve of my birthday and I really want to wear this to work tomorrow. Somehow, I don't think my freshmen students could care any less that I am overly dressed for work. Fashion is so underappreciated in a building where most teachers where khaki's and sweaters with apples and crocs:(

Anywho, I just wanted to share how great it felt to find something so fly by thrifting.

Dress: vintage Sakowitz via thrift shop

Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Kate Spade via Marshall's

Clutch: Charles David via TJ Maxx years ago (it's my favorite clutch)

Earrings: Forever 21

Bracelet: So old, I can't remember...possibly Urban Outfitters?

P.S...My mom thinks I shouldn't tell my "business" about where I get my clothes...lol! And yay for me, I just figured out that the the camera had a timer on it...duh duh...I took my own pictures finally:)

Challenge: Week 2

Here are some dresses that I have had altered. The black dress is what I wore Monday ( I really just threw that picture in to fill up the boxes). I had the bottom made into more of a pencil fit because I always prefer skirts tight around my hips. The red dress is one of my Goodwill finds. (100% silk) It's actually really cute as is but I think it looks more modern with a shorter hem. It looks bubbled because it was pinned...it will be a straight hem when it is done. Doesn't the short version look much better? I think so:)

Here is week 2! I did it...No repeats (accessories don't count). I even managed to squeeze some mini-challenges in this week. I wore some shoes that were clearly too dressy to wear to work but they simply made me happy. It was a four day work week, which is always great.

Monday: Labor Day

Tuesday:

Dress: JC Penney (earlier this year)

Bag/Belt: Goodwill

Shoes: Nine West

Wednesday:

Dress: Anthropologie (Summer 2007

Belt:Goodwill

Shoes: Nine West

Thursday:

Dress: Vintage (Atlanta last year)

Belt: Goodwill

Shoes: Kate Spade via Marshall's

Friday:
Dress: H &M (Philly trip in January; I had the neck made into a square neck..I am top headed...the girls need to breathe:)

I LOVE the Black and white Flowered Dress! This is only my second time wearing it.

Shoes: Kate Spade...(These are way too dressy for work but I needed a "pick me up" and these did the trick...they do hurt like hell though:)

All Dressed Up...

I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go! Actually, I have been meaning to post this dress for a while now. I got this dress at Goodwill last month. When I got it, it was clearly too big, so I decided for 6.99...why not just have it taken it
(Picture to the left...that's the dress in its original state...not hot...but I believed in its potential!)

Ummm yeah....bad idea...well financially speaking. I took it to my tailor (yes, I have one of those) and because of the way the dress was made, it became a bigger hassle than what it was worth. She had to take it in on the sides, back, front...everywhere...but the primary issue was that it was high waisted...ie...alot of money.

She quoted me sixty bucks and I promptly quoted her an eye roll. But since I am a trusty customer, I was able to knock down the price to 20 bucks...trust me, I pulled out all the stops.

I got it initially because of the fabric and the style. I loved the one shoulder look and it clearly was from the early 80's. So after I promised the toes of my child who doesn't even exist, Operation "It's gonna take a miracle" began!

Ultimately, I love it. I am planning to wear it to my friend's wedding in October...(What's up Puerto Rican Princess!..she makes me call her that:)

All in all, I am very pleased. It's one of a kind. If I had to do it over again, I would have just left the dress at Goodwill but once I get something in my head....it is hard to deter me!

Dress: Goodwill

Belt: Goodwill

Shoes: Carlos Santana

(I really must do a better job of taking pictures of my shoes...this is God's Favorite Shoes, isn't it)

If I Were Into Birthdays...

My birthday is in 10 days and if I were into birthday gifts, I would totally want these treasures:

1. An Apron like this one from Anthropologie $28 (I don't know why I want an apron,maybe because I have never had one...weird I know...but a pretty apron will simply make me want to cook more...right?)

2. These Migliorini Espresso riding boots that I saw at Marshall's last week. (I am always looking for riding boots. You can't really see the ruffled trim that make the boots fabulous)

3. Any of these coats/jackets from Anthropologie will make me PRAISE HIM!

4. Shoe Art...That's what I would call this shoe. I have been watching these for a while. These are by Jeffrey Campbell $119.95

5. I'm always in need of perfume

6. This cute little Tiffany's Apple Necklace ($185)...It's so cute and so appropriate since I am a teacher...duh7. The Birth of Cornelius by Corneille CD. I literally just heard a song by this artist while I was typing this post. I was listening to the Music Choice Channel when the song came on. I did a google search on him and wow...aside from the fact that I think he is kinda hot...HIS biography is riveting! He was a refugee from Rwanda and his parents were murdered while he was in the same room(think Hotel Rwanda). Anyway, I listened to a few of his songs and oh my goodness...he is awesome! He has several cd's in French as well.

But I am not that shallow as to think I deserve these things..........well maybe I am a little shallow. I'm a girl. And I am grateful to be alive. But I will take a peace of mind, unconditional love, eternal happiness and a slice of lemon cake any day. Well....I could wear these items while I have a peace of mind, unconditional and eternal happiness. It's a win, win situation:)

.....list not in a specific order.....

Challenge Week 1!

Technically, this is week 2 of my "Don't Repeat any Item of Clothing to Work for a Month" Challenge but I will count this as week 1 since I don't have pics from last week.

Not one item repeated!(except jewelry). Not even my shoes! I also noticed that I have no jewelry...I need somebody to get me a gift certificate to Forever 21 so I can upgrade my jewelry. My birthday is in 10 days, that would be a great gift from my sister or my dear sister friends (hint, hint:)

The last picture is what I wore on Friday.
Friday:

Jacket: H & M ( I remember buying a dress on clearance and I got a second item free) I got this in Atlanta last year and never wore it...hmmph.

White Tank Top: Target (I have tons of these white tanks, they fit great)

Skirt: Express (had to be atleast 6 years ago because I don't even shop in Express anymore)

Shoes: Nine West Snakeskin Platforms via Ross last year.

Tiffany's Necklace: Gifted

Earrings: Charming Charlies...I am pretty sure they were 5o cents

Bag/Braided Belt: Goodwill

I wore the belt over my blazer to give me more of a shape. I wish I could get into the boyfriend jacket look that's hot right now but I need to accentuate my positives!

By the way, I know I have succeeded with my wardrobe when I see fellow teachers or even administrators secretly eyeballing me as I walk down the hall. Checkmate! There is this one teacher in my school who shall remain nameless who wears apples and school buses on her sweaters and she rocks those godforsaken crocs.


Everyday she gives me the *side eye* and every day I put an extra dip in my hip when I pass her room. Ha! Don't play with me woman! She's gonna have me up in there wearing six inch stilettos just to piss her off if she keeps it up.


I am so glad this week is over...this week SUCKED personally. It sucks sometimes to work with the public even on your days when you feel like crap! I wish I had a cubicle to hide behind:(

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have....THE FACTS OF LIFE!" lol

I had to include this picture. As I was posing, one of my students did one of the most disgusting things. A kid from the previous class left his Gatorade bottle on the floor. It was clearly opened and half empty. A kid in the next class found the bottle and asked if he could have it. It was clearly OPENED! I told him to throw it away...the next thing I know, the freak was licking the rim of the bottle! This is the face I made when I saw him licking the bottle....ewwww! Freshmen!



I'm opening up the floor for any questions you may have about me or my blog?Some people are curious about what size I wear or what is my favorite item in my closet. Ask away. Leave a question in the comment section or email me at godsfavoriteshoes@yahoo.com and I will put together a questions post:)

Happy Labor Day weekend...Rock your whites till you die!

*Update: Here is what I wore to church today. I got this 100% Silk Wrap dress from none other than GOODWILL! It fits me perfectly. No alterations needed:)

Sunday:

Dress: Goodwill

Suede Purse: Banana Republic (5 years ago?)

Shoes: Nine West (The ankle straps are braided. Love these. I am really into nude colored shoes...they make you look taller)

Keeping My Promise

I promised you that I would post pics as I continue my "no repeat any clothes to work for a month" challenge. Since it's humpday, here are the outfits that made it thus far.

Again, my personal challenge is not to repeat any item of clothing for a month. Simply because I only reach to the first items of my closet and rotate the same clothes.

Monday:

Top: H&M (from trip to Philly earlier this year)

Purple Belt: Goodwill

Cardigan: Calvin Klein via Marshall's via THE CLEARANCE SECTION

Cotton Pencil Skirt: Target (last year)

Shoes: 9 west (striped/fabric pumps)

Tiffany's Necklace: Gifted

Tuesday and Wednesday...

Tuesday:
Top-(thrifted) I got a little creative. That is actually a dress I got from a vintage shop last year. I usually wear it as a dress.

Belt- Charming Charlies (5 bucks; last year)

Pants- Gap, Wide legged cotton/linen blend (2 years ago)

Cardigan-Target (last Christmas)

Shoes- Steve Madden Bollywood Sandals (that's the name I gave them)

Wednesday:

Dress: H & M- I got during my visit to Philly in January (I actually had it shortened)

Jacket: Gap (stretched denim) 3 years ago

Shoes: THOSE INFAMOUS SHOES ( I had to try them; but they still ate me feet alive so I brought changing shoes

Bag: Goodwill 4 bucks!The above outfit is what I am wearing Thursday. It's actually a suit I thrifted for 6 bucks. 100% Silk. I fell in love with the skirt. The jacket with the skirt is a bit much. I kind of felt like a deaconess! I thought I was bold enough to rock the suit with a modern twist but I just couldn't. All I was missing was my tambourine and some holy oil. I liked it but I just couldn't. So I broke the suit up and I must say that I got quite creative and liked the result.

Thursday:

Suit: Thrifted for 6 buck

Belt: Goodwill

Top/Jacket: Anthropologie (earlier this year) ( I saw it on sale last week for 24 bucks, darnit!)

Ruffled Top: Target ( wearing two tops was totally not planned but it works for me)

Shoes: although you can't see them but they are purple pumps from last year
You like? I told you that I am trying to be a great example for this challenge. I am getting quite creative.

I'll post the next two days' wardrobe later this weekend...and if you are wondering who took my pictures in my classroom...yes, I made my students take them. What? What else are they there for?!? LOL

...Still in a funk but I'm hanging in there. How are you doing with the challenge?