Get up, get going

I'm a jeans and flats kind of girl. My closet is jammed with a kind of gross display of denim  - flared leg, skinny, bootcut, jeggings...even wide leg (which aren't typically flattering for a short girl like myself, but they're so comfortable I can't resist.) When I go shopping, I almost always begin by making a beeline to the jeans. Doesn't matter if my want list even has jeans on it.

Now that the weather has finally cooled off here in Texas, I've become inspired to break out my tall boots and tights and wear them with the few dresses I have crammed in the back of my closet.

Denim jacket: Forever 21. Dress: Free People. White tee shirt: Some unknown label, TJ Maxx. Tights: Hue Ultra Matte. Boots: Frye. Earrings: Lucky Brand.

I love these boots! With a one-inch heel and square toe, they're super comfortable, and the exposed side zip makes them easy to pull on.

Can you believe that I've owned this dress for five years and never worn it before today? I get so stuck in my jeans that it often doesn't even occur to me to wear anything else. This outfit has really inspired me to wear more dresses and layer them up for winter. I love how the short jacket broke up the boxiness of the dress and gave me a more defined waist. The ruffled sleeves peeking out are sweet but not in too cutsey of a way. And I'll take any excuse to wear these swinging turquiose and bone earrings.

About me

                                             Hi! I'm Elissa.

 I am a married 36 year-old mom to three outgoing, funny, voracious children - a daughter and identical twin boys. My family and I live McKinney, Texas, though we're originally from New York City. We have also lived in Long Island and Brooklyn, New York; Alpharetta, Georgia; Murphy, Texas; and Des Moines, Iowa. Hopefully we're here in McKinney to stay!

Me and the kiddos

                                                             

Growing up in New York City gave me an early education in personal style. I attended Laguardia High School for the Performing Arts in Manhattan, where the hallways often resembled runways. While working with a typical tight student budget, I learned how to mix thrift, discount, and high-end store pieces (usually gifted or passed down from family) to create a unique look.

I started this personal style blog because after following many other fashion blogs for awhile, I realized that most of them didn't reach to an audience beyond twenty-somethings. I believe that it is possible to be age-appropriately, stylish, and true to who you are when getting dressed. I try to shake off the should's as much as possible when getting chosing what to wear. I'm far more concerned with making myself happy than impressing anyone else. This is what I believe dressing courageously is all about.

I try to keep my style affordable, practical, trendy and (above all else) comfortable. I want to illustrate that you don't need a ton of money or a closet overfilled with clothes to be fashionable.

I believe in good food, red wine, pretty clothes, a juicy novel, the love of friends and family, great music, fashion magazines, and the wonder of a great pair of jeans. 


Want to know more? You can email me at dresswithcourage@gmail.com.