Swearing In

     Sooo its been a crazy 3 weeks since the last time I posted.  I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, its just that life has been spectacularly busy.  The big news since the last time I posted is that I got sworn in!  It was pretty great.  I made my sister and The Fiance hold the Bible for me and all the staff from the office got to watch too.  Here are the pictures: 

In the office getting ready to head to the courthouse.

Everybody standing just after the Judge walked into court.

My Sister and The Fiance holding the Bible as I take my oath.

I just got sworn in!

My super proud and supportive (and cute!) Fiance

My Wonderfully supportive little sister

Sticking to it

     Since staying home full time to study, I've been working out a lot.  By a lot I mean like every day.  This is *so* out of character for me.  I've pledged plenty of times that I would workout more often or that I would lose a certain amount of weight.  Pledging and doing are two different things, however.  This time around, I'm doing.  I've known for years that I should workout more.  That the health benefits far outweigh the discomfort of getting off my ass and working out.  Its just that there was always something I could blame as being in my way.  If it wasn't studying, then it was working,or I was too tired or there was much more interesting tv to watch, etc.  I just let the excuses add up.  So its no surprise that it was nearly impossible for me to stick to some sort of routine.  

     This time around things are different.  I think its because I'm at home all day long and time isn't such an obstacle.  That and working out ends up being a break from the grind of studying.  I know that working out every day won't last.  Once I take the bar and go back to working, its going to be hard to work out 3 days a week, let alone 6.  Nonetheless, I think this time at home studying will serve as a sort of reset.  By making it a daily activity, I hope that working out will become habit.  A good habit.  One that will not just change the physical appearance of my body, but will change my health for the better.  Speaking of changing my body, I've already lost 2.5 inches around my waist and another 5 pounds from my last weight plateau.  Being able to see these changes already makes it a lot easier to stick to my routine.  I can see my accomplishment taking shape so it makes me want to keep at it.  I want to lose my tummy pooch and lose more weight and just get tone and fit all over.  What's your favorite way to keep to a workout schedule?  What's your favorite way to exercise?     

Closeup of Yoga Pants

     Because of my new found devotion to working out I figured I would need a workout wardrobe.  I invested in a pair of Old Navy Yoga pants to add to my really old black yoga pants that I've had for years.  (I honestly have no idea how long I've had them.)  In addition my little sister got me a long sleeve workout top for Christmas.  (not pictured)  This pink top was also a gift.  My friend Claudia entered a Glamour giveaway and won the top.  It was too big for her, so she offered it to me.  Its a wee bit too big for me around the waist, but fits the boobs just fine.  
      Here I'm also wearing a pseudo-thrifted item.  Some of my sister's friends visited my parents a year or so ago and one of them left this track jacket.  My sister offered it to me and I've been wearing it when I walk outside in the cold.  Its pretty great as I'm able to throw on some thin layers to keep me warm without being bulky.  I also get to add to my slowly growing workout wardrobe.  So that's a plus.  Do you too also use a new activity as an excuse for getting clothes?  (I'm sure I'm not the only one!)


The Details:

Top: Champion Double Dry Seamless Vented Tee Available Here and Similar Here and Here

Yoga Pants: Old Navy Available Here and Disco Pattern Here

Track Jacket: Old Navy Similar and More Here

Sneakers: Reebok Easy Tone Available Here and

Other Colors Here

Air Force A-C

     I put this outfit together and immediately felt like a female Air Force officer out of the 1940s.  I didn't mean it that way, but so much khaki and that collar just sort of made it that way.  I got the dress months ago and just couldn't figure out how to wear it.  I got it at a consignment store over the summer and at that time it was too warm for think 3/4 sleeves.  Then it was fall and I thought there was just too much khaki and I needed to break it up.  Being that fall here is pretty mild, layering a cardigan would have been too much.  Then finally it was winter and cold enough to wear it, but. . .
    The skirt is just too long.  It's been tough to put together an outfit.  I kept wanting to wear it with heels but my legs would be cut off.  Even this iteration of the dress isn't great as my legs look stumpy.  Nonetheless, I prefer the boots look over the heels look.  I think its because while wearing boots + tights, its ok not to see someone's knees.  Anyway, I'm going to see about hemming this dress.  I think it will just be more flattering if it hits me just under the knee rather than mid-upper-calf.  I also think that I would like to add a tulle skirt ala Audi's outfit under this dress to add some floof and interest to the dress.  It would probably fit with the vintage vibe that I get from the dress too.
    If you've been following me on Twitter (@lawfashionista) then you'll know that I've already begun studying for the bar exam again.  As a way to better concentrate on studying, I've stopped working and will only be studying for the next 7 weeks.  This means that I won't be getting dressed to go to work.  I'm not sure what that will mean for the blog.  I have plenty of backdated outfits to put up and I'm sure when I go on errands I'll change out of my sweats, but don't be surprised if I end up writing posts about how awesome sweats and PJ pants are to study in.   As I figure out a good workable schedule while I'm studying I may not be on a predictable posting schedule.  For the meantime, the bar is my #1, 2 and 3 priority, so that comes first.  The advantage of my being home, of course, is that I have more time to work out, so maybe I'll end up posting about how awesome that is.  We'll see.  Just wanted to give you all a head's up.  Any tips or suggestions on how not to get stressed when studying a humongous test?

The Details:
Dress: Consignment
Cardigan: Target
Boots: Target
Tank: Old Navy
         

Red Skirt!

     This is the skirt that I told you about here.  I was so excited to get it and even though I love the color and the sheen and the shape, the fit isn't 100%.  I should have gone a size down from the one that I got, but because I didn't want to be *too* optimistic about my weight loss, decided to go with a size 14P instead of a 12P.  I chatted with a customer representative that told me the measurements of both sizes, and based on that I went with a 14.  The 14 fits fine, but I think that the skirt is supposed to be more fitted than it is on me, hence why I probably should have gone with the 12.  It would probably be more high waisted in a 12 too.  Nonetheless, I love the skirt and just have to make sure that my tops don't make the skirt bunch up around my hips so that it looks like the skirt is too big.  If I end up losing more weight so that it becomes noticeably big, I suppose I would just get it tailored down to fit me better.  

Notice the bunching?  Also, no idea why Bella is checking out my shoes!

    Speaking of tailoring, I've got a question for you all.  So, as I've mentioned, I'm on a quest to lose weight and get healthier.  The only downside is that some of my clothes just don't fit anymore.  My bottoms and pants in particular.  Now, I'm able to wear my pants if I use a belt or wear my skirts lower towards my hips rather than my waist.  My question is, at what point does this "making do" start to look sloppy?  I guess my fear is that while I lose weight and am not in a financial position to buy clothes for the intermediate sizes I'll pass through, I won't look as polished as I would prefer.  Am I worrying over nothing or is there a legitimate concern?

    Speaking of not being able to replace items in my closet.  This will be the last time you'll see these, my favorite heels, for a while.  I have worn the heels down to the nail, and sadly, I don't know of a cobbler nearby nor how much it might cost to get my super awesome shoes repaired.  :(  Anybody have an idea of what kind of price range I should expect to for my heels to be replaced?
    Lastly, I *loved* how my legs looked in these tights.  That the skirt hit me mid-knee works perfectly with my height.  It allows my legs not to look stumpy, but I'm still conservative and professional enough to hang out in court all day if need be.  And of course the tights keep my legs warm and make them look amazing.  Isn't this cooler weather just amazing?

The Details: 
Skirt: Talbots
Top: Loft (via consignment store)
Heels: Nine West
Tights: Hue (?)

Mimics

    When I saw Sally rock this outfit, I just *knew* I had to find a way to copy her outfit from my own closet.  It just looks so cute on Sally and maybe, just maybe, I could harness the cute for myself.  So I went and looked in my closet for the first piece of my copycat outfit, the vest.  It just so happens that I have a vest that I've worn a total of maybe 2 times and don't ever know how to really style it.  From there I looked for a suitable button down shirt.  Unfortunately, mine isn't as tunic-y as Sally's, but because its so damn difficult for me to find a button down that fits, my go-to pinstripe button worked fine.  Its nowhere near fitted and long enough that it would still hang out from the bottom of the vest.  Lastly came the pants.  Since this outfit was to wear to work which includes going to court, I couldn't wear leggings.  Instead, I grabbed these black pants and voila!  I mimicked Sally's outfit.

      Now, I'll be the first to admit that Sally's look was way cuter, but that's not the point of my taking inspiration from her look and interpreting it through my closet.  I think that one of the coolest things about this blogging thing is that we give each other so many ideas.  I can't even begin to count the ways I've taken aspects or whole outfits from other bloggers and made them work for my closet and my body.  And it is just so cool to have such a diverse group of women as inspiration.  So, thank you ladies for being my inspiration, you rock!

P.S. So those black pants?  I bought them during the spring of 2007.  I think I wore them, washed them and didn't wear them again because they shrunk a bit and just didn't fit.  UNTIL I tried them on last week and they fit perfectly!!!  As hard as it is to watch what I eat and exercise regularly, it is so worth it knowing that I'm fitting into pants that I haven't worn in years.  The downside of course is that most of my blazers all now fit too big as do most of my pants, but such is life.  I'm thrilled with my progress and know that I'm on my way to a healthier me.    

The Details:
Shirt: Old Navy
Vest: NY&Co
Pants: Express
Boots: Nine West

Weight Loss

    As I've mentioned numerous times on the blog, I need to lose weight.  I've been trying to figure out the best way to do this.  I've got a stationary bike and treadmill upstairs in my very own workout room.  I also have Wii fit and Wii fitness coach.  I've also got an adorable puppy I can go walking with or throw the ball with.  I've also got a Fiance that I know wants me to be around forever.  Put that all together and you've got a girl with a goal and tools, but no plan.  
     If I liked or enjoyed running, I could probably sign up for a marathon and train for it using one of several marathon get ready programs out there.  (If that's up your alley, then I'll pass along my sister's recommendation to try the Couch to 5K program.)  But I don't like to run.  Part of it has to do with my boobs and the lack of support that even a great sports bra offers them.  Part of it is that I just don't like it.
   I've got a whole bunch of ways to monitor progress.  The Wii Fit alone will tell me my weight, BMI, waist measurements, frequency of working out and will even let me input non-wii Fit activities.  The only requirement is that I turn it on and use it.  And while having a great way to monitor progress is awesome, I still don't have a plan.  
    So my plan, or at least the current iteration of my plan is this, use my iPhone to help me lose weight.  I've got a pedomoter app to measure my steps whenever I walk Bella or walk to and from court.  I also have the myfitnesspal app.  I found it about a month ago and only just Saturday decided to try it out.  I've tried to use other apps to keep track of food and activities, but when it came down to cooking my own meals, which is generally healthier than eating out, having to manually compute every piece of a recipe just pissed me off.  So in looking at myfitnesspal I found that inputting recipes is really easy.  It also breaks down everything really well.  At the moment I have my goal set for losing one pound a week.  Using my height, weight, age and sedentary level, it has calculated how many calories per day I'm allowed.  If I exercise, it figures out how many calories I've burned and tells me how many calories I have left to eat.  I think that this app should be really useful when used in combination with my pedometer and existing exercise equipment.  Of course, in order for me to actually lose weight I have to use all of the equipment and monitoring apps and the like, but who said this was going to be easy?  
    So I'm curious, who else out there is trying to lose weight?  What are your motivations?  What keeps you going and what have you found that works?  Conversely, what have you found that doesn't work?  
     I'll go first.  I want to lose weight because I want to get healthier.  I'm a hispanic woman with a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  I'm also young enough to know that I can at least alter the odds against me.  I want to look stunning in a wedding dress.  I also want to make it easier on myself to go shopping.  Lastly, I would love for my boobs to get smaller without resorting to surgery.  So far I've found that not having a plan sucks.  I need accountability and a way to see what I've done so far and what still needs to get done.  That is where you dear readers get to help me out.  I've added a widget to the sidebar to remind me that I'm not the only one who can see my progress or lack thereof.  I'm hoping that some peer pressure will keep me on track and help me accomplish my goals. Oh! And I almost forgot, if you are on myfitnesspal sign up for it, add me as your friend so we can work toward our goals together.  

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

This is not a review on any product whatsoever.