{{{{vw}}}} I find that letting it sit is often the best policy, fwiw.

Laga, I'm very glad that the new roommate is looking to be so awesome. You've earned it!

I find that letting it sit is often the best policy, fwiw.

Yeah, that's how I'm leaning, except that I have to get some work to the program director or I'm out of the program. So, in some ways I need to continue. Blech.

I say go ahead and continue and know you can change it later.

This is going to sound like kind of a weird question, but...I'm looking for ideas on where to shop for clothes. I had an epiphany that even though I have a decent idea which cuts and colors look good on me, I've been dressing to fade into the background. And I don't want to do that anymore. I've been following an online workshop on author branding this week, and one piece of advice that resonated with me was that you want to present yourself as the person you want to become. So I need to start dressing like an intense, focused achiever who writes the kind of books I write, as opposed to a mousy, shy woman who feels extremely unattractive and doesn't want anyone to look at her.

Anyway, due to that whole "don't buy it if you can't pay cash" vow, I'm not running out to replace my wardrobe overnight. But I am going to try to be more mindful about what I buy and why, maybe wear the occasional piece of jewelry, etc. Lately I've been shopping almost exclusively at Lane Bryant, because it's all plus size, and I'm overweight. But I'm sure there are other places I could shop, and I really am trying to lose the weight (with "look like the author I'm trying to become" as part of my motivation--someday I really AM going to sell a book, dammit, and I want to look hot in my author photo!), so in a year or two I hope to be back in size 10 or 12 and shopping accordingly. But I haven't thought about my clothes any more than I have to in oh, ten years or so, and I find myself not even knowing where people like me--you know, late 30's, not sweet young thing but not old lady--generally shop.

I am a huge fan of resale shopping. It takes a bit more time but you can have fun doing it and you can score some really quality clothes for next to nothing. Salvation Army and Goodwill are my favorites. I just got a Liz Claiborne sweater for $1.

I really am trying to lose the weight (with "look like the author I'm trying to become" as part of my motivation--someday I really AM going to sell a book, dammit, and I want to look hot in my author photo!)

Not to get all What Not To Wear on you, but I gotta say you have total hot potential already, whether or not the weight goes away. What kind of cuts and styles are you thinking about? Different stores and labels have different design strengths, so somebody else's shop of awfulness may turn out to be your Best Store Evah!, or vice versa.

Stumbling around websites, I am having more fun thinking about shopping than I have in years. Like, I think I'm going to need to replace my winter coat after this season, so I'm poking around on the Nordstrom's website.

I like this, though I'm not sure it'd look good on someone as broad-shouldered and buxom as I am: [link]

And I like the cut of this one, though I'd for sure get it in black or mahogany rather than ivory: [link]

And this is my favorite, in black rather than camel: [link]

Shopping for the Susan I want to be is kinda fun! So next I head over to special occasion dresses and try to find things that are neither prom or Mother of the Bride. You know, just in case the Susan I Want to Be is ever nominated for a writing award given out at a fancy banquet. Hey, it could happen.

And I'm like, "Lose the 50 pounds, and I could look hot in this": [link]

And I like this, but even in ideal shape I think I'd be a bit mutton dressed as lamb in it: [link]

But this could work: [link]

But then I go over to the Day Dresses section and am baffled by what Nordstrom has labeled as "Wear to Work." 90% of it would look ridiculous at any job I've ever had. Clothes confuse me.

Susan, H&M has lovely stuff for really reasonable prices, and their Modern Classic stuff goes up to size 16.

Except I just realized I don't think you have H&M in Seattle. Um.

I like this, though I'm not sure it'd look good on someone as broad-shouldered and buxom as I am

Those coats are beautiful, but if you're busty, it's best to go with V shapes rather than that button-up-the-neck look. If you have wide shoulders, just avoid huge lapels on the V.

My favorite thing about that last tie dress is that it has sleeves. So hard to find as a rule.

But then I go over to the Day Dresses section and am baffled by what Nordstrom has labeled as "Wear to Work." 90% of it would look ridiculous at any job I've ever had. Clothes confuse me.

Yeah, I dress up more than most of my officemates and much of what is labeled "work" clothes would look ridiculous here.

ETA: Also, IIRC, you have cool coloring, which means that color would probably be gorgeous on you.

Oooh, clothes talk! Can I take this opportunity to chime in with a bitch about how over I am with every single fucking shirt or top that's not a turtleneck being cut to need a cami or tanktop underneath?