Where I've Been, Part II: Work, Life, Body Woes, and the Creative Slump

So here is the real reason I haven't been posting...

You guys, I have run out of things to say.

I don't have anything new to talk about. I know, right? Me, with no opinions to spout, no goofy outfit pictures to share, nothing at all??

But that's where I'm at, and have been for months.

I'm not really following fashion trends or blogs anymore; I still use Gwynnie Bee, and I have been continuing to edit my closet monthly. but I don't have a lot of time or inclination to take photos of my outfits or castoffs. I get lots of compliments at work so I assume I am still dressing well, but the obsession and interest in writing about my clothes or photographing them is gone.

(At least for now.)

I'm not really dieting, either. This hasn't really been a summer of good eats; lunch is whatever crap they have in the cafeteria, and Hubby is in charge of dinner now so it's a lot of grilled chicken or sausage with an occasional veggie when he remembers.

Exercise is a bust: I hurt my ankle a few months back, which my doctor assumed was a sprain and recommended I take it easy until it healed. Two months later I was back in her office, and now we are on the hunt to find out the source of the problem. Gout, stress fracture, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus have all been ruled out, and there are more blood tests and a trip to the rheumatologist coming up next.

On the plus side, I do love my new job. But my schedule has changed dramatically -- I go in much earlier than I used to, and I work 9-10 hours a day. Then I come home and take care of Abby while my husband takes a much-needed break. Doesn't leave a lot of time for creative ruminations, you know?

All of that together leads to stagnation on the Low Fat Dressing front, unfortunately. I do miss the interaction with my fellow bloggers and everyone who has commented over the years, so I am determined to keep up with you all on Feedly and try to comment on your blogs when I can, but for the time being this blog is going to go dark.

It's been a really great four years (egads, 4 YEARS?!) here. I've learned a lot about myself, my limits and my accomplishments, I've made many friends, both here and on YLF, and I've loved having this as a creative outlet and my internet home, so to speak. I so, so appreciate everyone who stuck with me, all the commenters and cheerleaders and just all-around nice people who stopped by and read whatever silliness I had to say. Thank you so much for reading.

And who knows what six months or a year will bring; maybe I will come back some day. Hubby did just get a new job, so our lives will be changing again in a few weeks. Who knows, maybe the shift will inspire me again. We'll see. That's why I won't be deleting the blog, just not updating it in the foreseeable future.

Thanks again, and good luck to you all!!

Thursday: Happy Blog-aversary!

Today is the one year anniversary of Low Fat Dressing! Quite a bit has changed this year, mostly at my waistline (SIGH), but it's been a lot of fun doing this almost every day and getting to know so many great peeps in the blogger community. Hopefully by my second blogaversary, I will look like my first photos again.

ANYWAY. I tried the pink top again, and this time there was success!



Tucking it in made a world of difference, and it brings the focus bsck up to the pretty neckline.



It's face-melting hot, but I still wore the striped sweater because I do work in the Meat Locker! I was training so the black patent heels perhaps weren't my best bet for being on my feet all day, but they didn't hurt and they are just so darned pretty I didn't care.

I love outfits like this, pretty and preppy but with a nice bold color or a unexpected pattern somewhere. I get to wear my graduated-sized pearls from high school, another long pearl necklace wrapped around my wrist as a bracelet, and pretty heels and a skirt. And one of my favorite sweaters, a striped soft number from LOFT that has remarkably lasted over a year. What's not to love?



Top: pink tee, LOFT 2010
Cardigan: black-and-white striped, LOFT 2009
Skirt: black Merona Fit, Target 2010
Shoes: black open toe patent heels, Liz Claiborne DSW 2010
Necklace and bracelet necklace: had them both for years

Hahahaha, I just noticed: I wore the same striped cardigan a year ago! I swear it was not intentional. I remixed, LOL!

++++++

This may have been my best lunch yet:



-huge blackberries and cut up strawberries
-almonds
-light honey-mustard dressing for dipping the
-red pepper strips
-antipasto tortellini salad from the Whole Foods salad bar

Delicious.