goldenpig

57 Comments

• Mirjana replied 7 years ago

  You look fantastic all outfits are great, I like the best #1, #2 and#3.

• replied 7 years ago

  You look as beautiful as ever Natalie. I always love your interesting layers, jewellery and shoes too and the poo dress cracks me up!

  Your family is adorable and nice to see the new kitties and grandparents too.

• rachylou replied 7 years ago

  UWP for the win. It's fitting. These outfits are good. Dd has really good handwriting, btw...

• jenanded replied 7 years ago

  Oh your fam are sooooo cute - I look forward to seeing your family pics - all dressed up.
  A lot is happening -fascinating how it is manifesting in your clothes. You always look lovely though in your outfits. As they say, this too will pass....

• replied 7 years ago

  It is great to hear from you again. I am sorry that you haven't been feeling "it" recently, but I completely understand and sympathize.  You look astoundishly beautiful in numbers 1, 2, and 3.  The other outfits appropriately reflect your mood.  I like them just as much.  The family pictures are a bonus.  You have a beautiful family.  

• lyn67 replied 7 years ago

  All adorable family photos and of course you are too harsh with your own body! Our bodies always change...and we still have to dress it fab, isn't it!:-) I think you did perfect in all of these as  I really  cannot see that food baby at all but I can so relate...I do have it, too:-).

• Momo replied 7 years ago

  I think you look beautiful Natalie. The poo dress makes me giggle !
  Love your outfits and your bags.
  Kids are adorable

• Helen11 replied 7 years ago

  Oh my goodness, a poo dress!  And you say people didn't notice??

• kkards replied 7 years ago

  yes, i've been in a major funk since the election as well, it doesn't help that in my business this is also the most stressful time of year....so like you, fashion has taken a slightly backseat, and most days its FFBO....but i wish mine looked as good as yours. those floral pants in #3, TDF. love #2 for the simple silhouette and the pewter booties that lift it up....and the kids....wow, love their smiles!

• Janet replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, I have been fighting depression these days myself, and the election was a trigger, so I understand the emotional struggle. Hugs to you, we will keep fighting for positive change!

  I've also been lamenting weight gain myself. I wore a pair of jeans for a few hours yesterday that fit just fine a couple of years ago that are now uncomfortable, and it's bumming me out. I think mine is because of menopause, and it's more "all-over" than a food baby, but still not a good feeling. So you have my sympathy there as well!

  However, I never would have known to look at your pictures! You look beautiful and your outfits are fun and perfectly accessorized as always. And of course, your family is adorable.

  Be kind to yourself, take some time for self care if you need it, and enjoy your wonderful family!

• jill58 replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, I too share your depression and fear over the election. You however look wonderful as always. Don't purge all your clothes. I gained 25 pounds a couple of years ago and my weight has gradually shifted downward--not quite where I was originally but closer. So I know how you feel but honestly you look so great, stylish as always and quite simply, I don't see the weight gain. Try not to worry about it. Your life is hectic and I find it amazing that you look as wonderful as you do. You hardly look as if you have let yourself go!

• Gail replied 7 years ago

  I have to say that I think you look great in all your outfits and whatever extra weight you may have is not noticeable at all! You wear everything with such style and panache .

• replied 7 years ago

  You look great even in your moody outfits! I understand the stress of balancing work and kids (and charting btw). Hang in there and don't be too hard on yourself. i also think the holidays add an extra layer of pressure whether we realize it or not.

• El Cee replied 7 years ago

  OK -- Gotta say that I really LOVE that Poo Emoji Dress. The addition of a fly bracelet made the outfit perfection. You really "speak out" with your sartorial choices... and I think this is terrific. And a big hooray for "mood dressing"! I think you look as fresh and fashionable as ever in spite of your "pity party". Keep doing those things (small and large) that make a difference in your life and in the world -- Protesting and speaking out against hate... and encouraging and participating in joyful moments at home with your adorable family. You rock, Natalie!

• replied 7 years ago

  You have a lot on your plate, and I think you look great here. That said, believe me, I understand how you're feeling. Glad you're popping in with pics, as this forum is filled with kindness that I hope make you feel good. I'm totally laughing at the turkey story.

• Meredith replied 7 years ago

  Oh, Natalie, I'm sorry life is a pile of poo right now (although I love your sense of humor and that dress). Your style is still spot on if not as colorful as usual. Thanks for sharing a bit of your world with us and wishing good things for you and your family. I've been off the workout train myself and went back to Orange Theory for the first time in a month. Let's just say I "splatted." Hang in there!

• Eliza replied 7 years ago

  All good thoughts, Natalie. You are not alone. Your funk may contribute to you underestimating your fashion quotient. These are great outfits, with your signature attention to detail and accessories. Hang in there.

• Sheila replied 7 years ago

  OMG OMG ! I love # 1 on you but I really like all your outfits.

  You and your outfits are perfect... do not worry.

  Family pics are wonderful as well .

• Jules replied 7 years ago

  Well just seeing your pictures was a nice pick-me-up for me :)
  Can't wait to show my girls the poo emoji dress!

• LaPed replied 7 years ago

  I definitely know what you mean about the political climate changing my feelings about style. I'm having a hard time loving anything too polished or preppy or "cute" on myself, and find myself leaning towards the tough, RATE, and unapologetically pragmatic. An army of UWPs might not be such a bad thing ;)

  All of these look fantastic to me, and congrats on your first protest!!

• RobinF replied 7 years ago

  I feel your pain on weight gain, sometimes it just seems totally out of my control. But I just love all these looks, you are such a stylish dresser even when not feeling it. Hang in there, things will get better!

• kellygirl replied 7 years ago

  You would never know by looking at your pics that you have gained any weight. You look as beautiful and stylish as ever and your family is just so adorable! Love every one of these looks. You have such a great sense of style! 

• cindysmith replied 7 years ago

  I see no "food baby".

  I happen to be in the depressed and fearful camp too, but that's a discussion for different forums. Let's just say my mindset has been much like yours, and I got active on this board in reaction to the election. I had to have some positive energy back in my life, and I had seen a lot of that in my year of lurking here.

  Now, back to your WIW (and other pics). Seriously, I see no "food baby". You look great. And you look ready to engage with the world and stand up for what you believe in, which is a powerful thing. So many of us (women especially, but all humans) seem to get sucked in by all the negative messaging in ads and news; it can be hard to dress like there is still hope and power in the world when things seem so uncertain. While your outfits do show a change in attitude/outlook, there is still an air of confidence and strength. It inspires me to keep holding on to hope, and to find strength.

  Final note: your family is beautiful, just like you :-)

• JAileen replied 7 years ago

  I think you look great in spite of weight gain. I wouldn't have known if you hadn't mentioned it. I love seeing your family and your protests pics. Thanks for sharing.

• catherine replied 7 years ago

  You look quite beautiful and are always very put together. I share your negative feelings post-election. It can easily turn to hopelessness, which is awful. I daily find myself envious of people who live in countries exhibiting more compassion and sanity. Fashion is pretty low on my list of priorities right now.
  Good for you making such a great sartorial effort.

• sylvie55 replied 7 years ago

  I am so sorry you're feeling down -- and I understand. Isn't it funny how we women are often so much less compassionate to ourselves than we would be to anyone else? Looking at your life from the outside, your photos make me smile. I see a beautiful, fashionable woman with an adorable family, working hard at an important job and acting on the passion of her convictions -- setting a great example for her kids at the same time (and all of us). Outfits 1, 2, 16 and photo 20 ... or maybe 21, or 22 ... are my favorites! Hang in there and keep smiling ... and looking fab.

• Angie replied 7 years ago

  THERE YOU ARE. Missed you.

  Natalie, you look fabulous no matter what. Killer in fact. ALL these outfits are wonderful, and you're very pretty too. Loving the bling and the lippie. Rest assured that style is innate for you.

  The pile of poo dress is HILARIOUS. (It is indeed a very hard time in the US at the moment. But we have to stay strong, positive, do what we can, and weather the storm). 

  Get help at home - it's soooo worth it. 

  And last, your family is cuter than cute. My word. 

• milehighstyle (Linda) replied 7 years ago

  You and your family are beautiful.  Love the kitties and how your daughter is asking for her own room for Christmas.  Outfit #1 is my favorite.  Yeah, it's been rough lately.  The news makes me sad every day.  Keep being loving and caring and inspiring.

• Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

  Rachylou beat me to it UWP in full Combat warrior mode.

  Clothing is our protection agnist the world or some of the realities.

  I had to make the decision to shift my thoughts and not let this political climate reality farce take center stage in my life.

  I feel you on the clothes not fitting. Being pregnant and plus size I've never had a belly even when I was really skinny. Now I sometime forget oh I have a belly. It's really intresting. So many changes in such a short time.

  Give yourself a little grace and mercy.

  You look fab even in warrior mode.

• shedev replied 7 years ago

  I like all your outfits. The poo dress kinda looked like Doritos to me. Sorry that you are feeling out of sorts.

• Suz replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, I hear you loud and clear and share your feelings about recent developments. Channelling them into protest and humour and family love is a brilliant way to go and you look gorgeous as always! #1 is so fabulous I had to go PLONK!! Just beautiful. I really love all the outfits, though, and your family is adorable as always. 

• unfrumped replied 7 years ago

  You are still one of my fave style icons and look better in all these pics than I do on a good day! You just have a gift for style. Always such deftvuse if color and pattern to make a fab result.
  I am recovering very slowly from an injury and also had weight gain and " shape shifting." It is easy to get discouraged. Am trying to keep up PT and home exercise and I moved all the tight pinchy stuff out.

• deb replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, you look beautiful in all of your outfits. And I cannot believe the baby is no longer a baby.

• Sara L. replied 7 years ago

  You look great!  I had a dress with a pattern of crawfish and no one ever noticed unless I pointed it out either.  

  Do you have someone clean your house?  We have a house cleaner come every 2 weeks to clean and it's fabulous.  It really takes a lot of stress out of house work.  Also, I got a kick out of your daughter's list.  My older boys share a room and the oldest occasionally mentions that he wants his own room.  However, the middle son, that he shares the room with, loves sharing.  

• UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

  I'd never know there was a food baby -- you look fantastic to me. But I hear you on not wanting to try stuff on that will pinch or make you feel bad about yourself.

  It's very difficult as a professional woman with children to keep all the balls in the air at the same time. I found it very difficult with just one, working from home and building my law practice, even with a nanny some afternoons. Feeling like your time and sometimes even your body (if you have a kid who likes constant physical contact) are not your own can be very challenging.

  I congratulate you for finding the time to publicly make your voice known on important issues.

• rebekahphoto replied 7 years ago

  HI Natalie,

  I just wanted to say you really look fabulous in all your outfits, I especially love the red on you, #4 darkness and the great textures in #17. Whenever I log on and see your posts, I always click on them to see your fantastic sense of style and how well your channel your creative and fun side through fashion! So know that even though I don't ever (well rarely) post & am not very active on the forum, I really do appreciate the effort you have to put yourself out there! bravo!

  I understand feeling low, and that dreaded weight gain--i'm also up to my highest weight ever (ugh) and between not fitting into my wardrobe and distress from the state of the us, there are some seriously depressing days! The poo dress is the best thing Ive seen all day......!
  And Congratulations on your political activism, as a teacher I encourage students to stand up for what they believe in, or no one else will!

• MsMaven replied 7 years ago

  You look great in all your outfits. I love the poo dress, and I suspect I would be one who didn't notice what that print looks like. 

  Adorable family photos. I love the colorful entire family together--even the kitties. 

• Jaime replied 7 years ago

  I was in a similar funk after the 2012 election and it lasted only until I would say, February, and then it kind of faded away as I accepted the inevitable.  So this too shall pass-however it may take longer because of the huge rule that the media still plays.

  I think you look great though and the extra weight is not noticeable. 

• Kaelyn replied 7 years ago

  I SO FEEL YOU on the political stuff. I've been protesting, writing, talking to people, planning a trip to the capitol next month to participate in protests there, trying to channel all my frustration into something constructive. It's a depressing situation, but I'm confident that all of us who are resisting will triumph in the end. Love and kindness will always win. Humans' drive to help each other is incredibly powerful. <3

• Sal replied 7 years ago

  Your outfits and family make me smile:)

  Your poo dress is hilarious and very witty....and I hope your protesting and action helps both yourself and others.  I still wake up and feel stunned that about the decision that was made....

• replied 7 years ago

  That dress is everything and I really enjoy all the detailed extras you add in with accessories. Great outfits.

• Chris987 replied 7 years ago

  Sorry to hear your feeling low, but your never-failing style sure looks wonderful as always. What a great thing to wear a pile of poo dress when that's how you are feeling...and it's really a nice dress!

• Diana replied 7 years ago

  You look great!  I wouldn't have known you were in a funk from looking at these photos!  Love the poo dress. 

  Your daughter totally reminds me of myself at that age.  :)

• lady replied 7 years ago

  You look great! I've always admired your style. Lol@ the poop emoji dress. I almost bought a sweater w the poop emoji just the other day. But the poo was furry. :p It was a bit much. Lol.

  I can empathize with you on the slow weight creep. Ugh. I did finally take a stand and cleaned up my eating. All things remain unchanged but I've lost a good number of pounds. I haven't been as focused since the election and most days I'm over my calorie alottment (MyFitnessPall) and now here are the holidays. :o. Do what you can. Perhaps focus on your eating. They say weight is lost in the kitchen. My experience this year confirms that. As mentioned before, give yourself grace!

• April replied 7 years ago

  With you, GP -- I have to believe that the people who thought the political outcome was the right one are bothered by all the hate crimes going on.  

  Very alarming to feel that this could be happening in our country, in our era.  

• lpr200 replied 7 years ago

  Natalie,
  My first post to you got lost-- but I wanted to say I love your style; you're beautiful and your family is adorable. I totally get the charting ( and all that goes with it, ugh, it's exhausting) and the political scene. First, I don't think of you as someone who"let go"-- that's someone who doesn't care/makes no effort! This is the time for more self care-- get a massage, a facial, a pedicure! Find a house cleaner to take the pressure off.
  I recently gained weight, too and the best thing I did/ am doing is a massive clearout and only allowing what looked and felt good. It was like letting go a bunch of frenemies standing in my closet silently judging me, lol! I don't miss them at all.
  Big hug to you.
  Linda

• gardenchick replied 7 years ago

  Wow! A couple of reactions:

  You look incredibly stylish in the photos. You may be carrying more weight than in the past, but that's not what I see/ what comes to mind when I look at your photos.

  I'm with you on struggling with current events. I realized this morning that I'm having nightmares nightly. I tend to read Facebook/news for a few minutes before going to bed, and each day's news seems to trigger more bad dreams. I'm feeling extremely afraid for all of us.

  What I realized this morning is that I need to intensify my self-care. Not sure what that involves exactly, but things are out of balance. Sounds like you do too.

  Are you part of the Pantsuit Nation on Facebook? That is a small source of comfort and hope...we're not alone.

  Feel better.

• Echo replied 7 years ago

  We missed you! And if this is "letting yourself go" as far as dressing goes, then I need some major help! I think you look fab in all your pics, and I especially love the ones with you holding the sign. More people than you know are with you mentally and emotionally as far as that issue goes. I find that I also have a hard time being motivated and happy for the future. Four years can be a LONG time.

• tulle replied 7 years ago

  Please don't be too hard on yourself.  If you are carrying extra weight, you disguise it than anyone I've seen!  You're a mother (with an ADORABLE family) and a hard-working physician, and yet you manage to look really chic (That typewriter bag is fabulous) in every photo, so do remember to pat yourself on the back from time to time. Everyone I know is feeling the same about recent events;  we've all decided to pay careful attention, do what we can for the most vulnerable, and refuse to let our lives become ugly.  And about pants:  as one who finally went to the Gap today to buy some comfortably loose jeans and immediately asked "WHY did I wait so long?  I look and feel SO much better," I prescribe at least one more pair of jeans that don't pinch!

• Barbara Diane replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, I love your outfits. I can't see your "food baby", fwiw. You look very stylish.
  As far as clothes, it helps to at least put what fits front and center in your closet, so you don't spend time considering clothes that don't work. If you try something on and it doesn't work, just move it to the hinterlands. A gradual way to achieve the goal as you are so busy with your family and work.
  BTW, your protest pics are in my 'hood. :)

• elpgal replied 7 years ago

  That poo dress is fantastic and you look beautiful. Sorry you are feeling down. It is a difficult time of the year and as Janet mentioned, the election results -are definitely a trigger. I have a crazy whacko haircut as a result of my post-election funk :)

• Jaime replied 7 years ago

  I relate very well with both the weight gain and the depressive feelings brought on by events beyond our control. First of all you look great and encourage me to realize that what so bothers you is invisible to everyone else. Secondly, I know you are very active and busy, but nothing has helped me more than yoga - emotionally most importantly, but it flattens (relatively) my mid-section to boot.

• Beth Ann replied 7 years ago

  You've already internalized your sense of style, and you've also done the work to create a fabulous wardrobe!  These two factors allow you to "let your boat float downriver" for awhile without losing anything in fabness!

  I'm also struggling with weight from menopause and my mood and new job are interfering with good exercise and eating habits.  However, I'm determined to be kind to myself, and take little steps forward.  Why not purge away items that are worn, or no longer bring you joy.  Next, pack up items that no longer fit and store them elsewhere, or in the back of your closet.  That leaves the things that work for your body right now front and center.  

  I see great style and beauty in your pics, Natalie.  Rock on with the UWP greats!

• Style Fan replied 7 years ago

  You look gorgeous in your outfits.  I don't see a food baby.  I love the poo dress.  Fabulous and just the thing to be wearing these days.  I feel so much for my US friends.  It is like a bad dream. 
  Your family is beyond cute.

• Runcarla replied 7 years ago

  2016 has been rough and you are not alone feeling the dismals. As you come across clothes that don't make you feel fab, put them in another closet. Revisit the idea of purging in the spring when you can come at it from a happier place.

• MsMary replied 7 years ago

  I feel for you, Natalie. Even though I've had a wonderful year in my personal life, I have been despondent since the election, too. And my weight is up 10 lbs (I think the "newlywed 10" is just as much a thing as the "freshman 15"), which is driving me insane.

  But you look beautiful and your family is adorable and the poop dress is the best thing ever! Stay strong, be brave, be of good cheer!

• Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

  Natalie, you are looking as fabulous as ever. I'm serious! Had I not read your post and looked only at the photos, I would have no idea about weight gain or any of the rest. I am with you in spirit, struggling. We are not alone. I'm heartened by all your beautiful outfits with your characteristic spunky touches (fly bracelet and poo emoji dress are the ultimate!), your protest photos, and of course your adorable family photos. (Now I've got the "two front teeth" song in my head--thanks a lot.) Hang in there, and what Janet said.