I can’t believe it’s the middle of June! That means tomorrow is the third Thursday of June. And, that means it’s a new style challenge with the other women of Ageless Style. Each month, one of us picks a theme, and those of us who are able create an outfit with that theme or trend in mind. Mireille chose sleeveless for this month. Last month, I chose the theme, May Flowers. Our membership seems to be in flux at the moment. Last month, we welcomed Cathy from My Side of 50! You can find all of our social media links below. So far this year, we have styled looks featuring Very Peri (Pantone’s color of the year), ponchos, sweatshirts, April Showers, and May Flowers. You can find my looks here, here, here, and here. I have had lots of fun checking out my closet(s) to find items to match the challenge!
Should I or shouldn’t I?
Many women my age have decided they aren’t going to bare their arms anymore. You know what? I get hot, and you wouldn’t like me when I’m hot! So, I do bare my arms. Are they toned and in the best shape ever? Absolutely not! I was overweight (even more than now) for most of my adult life. Due to that extra weight, the skin on my arms stretched. So, even after I’ve lost weight, my arms are never toned and tight. And, you know what? I’m OK with that. These arms have held babies, pulled weeds, planted trees, and cuddled puppies. These arms can paint a room with the best of them, and they can hug a crying friend. So, yeah, I’ve earned these arms, and they’re keepers!
But, on a blog…
One of the things I’ve learned with this blog is I don’t look the same in photos as I do in real life! I’m a little fluffier, a little more or less stylish, and a whole lot more gorgeous (hahaha)! So, when Mireille suggested sleeveless, I paused for a little minute. I mean, she’s a young ‘un! Her arms probably are toned and tight! Here’s the thing…I go shopping in sleeveless tops and dresses. I go to restaurants in sleeveless tops and dresses. Why the hesitation then? Because, my friends, once it’s out there on the interwebs, it’s out there forever! Again, I’ve earned these arms!
A little history…
My little brother calls me his little sister because he pretty much towers over me. Anyway, he has been known to indulge in body art. He has some pretty cool tattoos. My oldest son got one when he was in college. My youngest son has several. My daughter is thinking about it. You know where this is going, right? In the years leading up to my fiftieth birthday, I told Nigel over and over I was going to have a tattoo before I was 50. Well, the years kept ticking away, and bingo, bango, boingo, it was only a few weeks until my 50th birthday. Nigel reminded me of what I’d said, thinking I would chicken out!
A little more…
One week, Nigel had to go to Las Vegas for business (yeah, right…no, seriously). While he was gone, I decided to go for it. I stopped in one of the two tattoo parlors in our town at the time. I talked to the “artist” about what a tattoo involved. I even tentatively picked one out and went home. Later that week, I called and made an appointment. Then, I called my brother and asked him to go with me! He laughed and agreed to go! Friends, let me tell you…that thing hurt! The black lines hurt like crazy! The colored portions were easy and just felt like a sharp-ish vibration.
Even more…
I had absolutely no experience with dealing with tattoo after care. When you leave (remember, this was several years ago so things may have changed), your new body art is covered with plastic wrap and taped into place. I had to keep it moist (I know, I know, it’s an icky word) so I had to put unscented lotion on it frequently. Since Nigel was gone, I had to ask my youngest son to lotion up my new tat! His reaction was somewhere along the lines of: “What did you do now, Mom?” At school, my bestie lotioned me up every day…oh, the giggles! And, that’s one sign of a true bestie…she lotions up your new tattoo! My students were, of course, scandalized each and every year when one would happen to see a peek of the vine! Fourth graders are such fun!
Location, location, location
Now, if I knew then what I know now, I would have had my tattoo somewhere else. You see, I can’t see the dumb thing unless I’m looking in the mirror or at pictures. Nigel has a better view than I’ve ever had! Would I get another? In a heartbeat! I love body art and would love sleeves. Two things keep me from enhancing this body of mine any farther: Nigel doesn’t like tattoos, and I’m a chicken! My first thought when I see anyone with a full set of sleeves or even lots of blackwork (which is using just the black ink and varying the degrees of hue) is that person is one tough cookie!
The reveal
I chose three roses…you have to look hard to see all of them. My maiden name was Rose, and I have three children. I did mention to Nigel that I’d like to get another with three small roses for my three grandchildren. I’d also include a rosebud for my grandson, Jacob, in Heaven. Nigel didn’t immediately poopoo the idea so who knows!
But, what about the theme?
Many of you commented on the $1 dress in this post. Well, swallow that bit of coffee, tea, or Diet Coke because, friends, this dress cost me $0.26! I had rewards and Old Navy Cash! It’s a cotton/rayon blend and even has pockets! My only problem was getting the straps tied and the tassels in the right place! And, yes, my bra straps are showing, but that lace is pretty, right? I have never minded when my bra straps show…I mean we all know I’m wearing a bra! I decided to belt the dress because it looks more like a beach cover up than a dress. You could still wear it as a beach cover up…but, I’m not going to the beach any time soon! Full disclosure…I would probably wear a light sweater over it if we were going out because I get cold in restaurants and malls. But, I wouldn’t cover up just because of my bra straps or upper arms!
The Lewk!
I wanted my accessories to read beachy and natural. This necklace is an oldy from J Jill and can be adjusted by moving the knots on the cord. I pulled it up tighter on my neck, but it fell in a weird place. I let it lay a little longer, but it ended up living in the valley of the bosoms! My earrings are really old and from Target (seen here). My wedding rings (which are not really) are off being appraised so we can add them to our insurance. We just had them redipped. My finger feels naked so I wore this diamond ring (similar). The other ring is a blue topaz. Both are from Macy’s. The wedges are the Sarah Flint Mirjana Wedge 80s.
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. I recently became a Brand Ambassador for Sarah Flint shoes. You can use SARAHFLINT-BAMARSHA for $50 off your first pair. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
There was a time when I definitely wouldn’t have worn this dress without a tee under it or something covering my arms. But, that time has passed! I have accepted my arms as they are, flapping in the wind, continuing to wave even when the car has passed, or making my tops just the tiniest bit too tight! So, can we talk? Do you worry about your upper arms, or have you decided to embrace them in all of their glory? Do you have a tattoo and wish you didn’t or that it was in a different place? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk! I love hearing from you and try to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
I am deeply appreciative of those of you who subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram. You are all part of the reason I’m close to hitting the one year anniversary of Marsha in the Middle! Without you and your comments, I probably would have abandoned this long ago! But, here we are! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! If you’d like to share my blog with others, I’d really appreciate it! You can also find me on Instagram here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m also a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here). And, of course, you can now find me here on the last Friday of the month! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I also co-host Final Friday Print Mixing with Michelle on the last Friday of the month. I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now for the good stuff!
Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Also, please join the party and click on the link below to share your favorite flower look, garden, or other post! Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Cathy ~ My Side of 50
Blog / Instagram/ Pinterest / Facebook
Joanna ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Marsha, I love the meaning behind your tattoo. I don’t have any nor am I likely to get one but I still find them fascinating. As for going sleeveless, I typically prefer to wear a jacket or sweater but mostly to detract attention away from my bosom as opposed to hiding my upper arms.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Thanks, Rena! I do wish I’d had my tattoo done somewhere else, but I do love it. Until I started blogging, I never realized how big my bosom was! I’ve always seen myself as just a middle sized girl!
This is a beautiful dress and it is such a steal at that price. You look brilliant!
xoxo
Lovely
wwww.mynameislovely.com
Thanks so much, Lovely!
I have wanted a tattoo all my life and never did it. And lately I am thinking about it to just do it. I want one on my wrist, flowers and birds. But I’m still a bit hesitant. And I don’t wear sleeveless just don’t like it on me.
Oh, Nancy, that sounds like a lovely tattoo! You should get it and share it on your blog! We should wear what we feel comfortable in, right? And, if you don’t like sleeveless, don’t do it! You have so many other beautiful clothes!
The colors in your dress a just gorgeous. And I love the story behind the tattoo. You are brave – pain-wise! Lovely.
Thanks, Cathy! If I’d known about the pain…well, I still would have gotten it!
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this post! I’m with you, go sleeveless! LOVE your dress. I can’t believe you got such a beautiful dress for 26 cents.
Hahaha!!! Well, I do spend a lot to get the rewards! But, how can you say no to $.26? And, thank you for the compliments!
This is such a cute look!! And ugh I hate my arms! I am going to try to adapt your attitude. I mean, I do carry around a 48 pound kid half the time, shouldn’t they be more toned? Lol. They are not, but they are strong. I should be proud!
I think your tattoo is fun! And I love how you just went for it!
And I have three tattoos. I have..a fox on my upper thigh, a thistle on the back of my neck, and a celtic piece on my er..lower back. That was my first one when I was like twenty, so that is my excuse. Lol. I would love to add a little baby fox to my fox tattoo, and get an acorn on my wrist. I always liked to say when Wyatt was born that from tiny acorns grow mighty oaks. 🙂 He was just a little 2 pound baby, and now he is that big 48 pound 7 year old!
Oh, Erin! I’ll bet your arms are more toned than you think, but more importantly, look at how wonderfully you use them! That’s what we need to focus on…how and why we use our bodies…but, I also have so many more years of figuring that out than you do (hope that doesn’t come across as preachy…I don’t mean it to).
I seriously would love to have a couple more big ones on my arm, but Nigel doesn’t like them. Plus, that black ink part really does hurt! I’m curious about the thistle…family connections? And, yes, you should totally get a little acorn as well as that baby fox!
Wow! Two pounds? He’s definitely come a long way!
Thanks for coming by!
That is a pretty tatoo! I personally wouldn’t mind one but I don’t think my hubby would go along with it so I probably will never get one. I love your pretty and inexpensive dress. I figured not everyone would love to bare their arms but they could show how sleeveless could be a layer. You look very cute in all of these pictures!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I knew Nigel wasn’t too keen on the idea, but I really wanted one. So, I got it. I’m probably not going to get any more…but maybe, when I’m 70! That would make a good milestone, right?
Believe it or not, I had a hard time trying to figure out which sleeveless look to go with! I have lots of sleeveless tops and dresses. This one just seemed to have a better story! I’m glad you decided on this theme!
You look fabulous and I love that tattoo! I often admire other people’s tattoos but have zero desire to get one myself.
Thanks, Joanne! I would love to have more, but there’s that pain thing and the fact Nigel doesn’t really like them!
I love everything about this Marsha. The fact that you bare your arms, the story behind your tattoo, and that you bare your bra (which I didn’t even think of as a bra until you mentioned it. And then the cost of the dress? That’s my kind of deal!!
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! Life is too short to worry about such things as my arm waving even after I stop! Bra straps have never really bothered me at all. I mean, it’s obvious I have boobs and wear a bra so a strap is nothing, right?
I do love my tattoo. I just wish I’d gotten it somewhere else though I’m not really sure where!
Marsha,
You are a lady with an amazing style.
Your dress is summertime perfect and those Sarah Flint shoes are tops in my book!
I love the story of your tattoo. My niece and nephews have some amazing body-art. As for me it’s just not my style, but I love seeing it on ours. They make great conversation starters.
Rosemary
http://www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com
Awww, thanks, Rosemary! You are too kind! It’s funny how prevalent tattoos are now. My students really were scandalized when they saw it! When I got mine, I think only the really young teachers had them and had them hidden away. Now, many of the teachers I know have them on their wrists and other places easily seen.
Marsha, your tattoo story is such a good one. I love hearing why and how a person decides on what to get and where. It’s so good when there’s meaning behind it beyond, I just liked it! Ha! Not that that is necessarily a bad thing but I enjoy the story.
And good for you for baring your arms – it is hot and no one has perfect arms – we all jiggle!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! The really funny thing is I had no idea how big it was for a very long time since I really can’t see it! Well, if I covered up everything that jiggled, I’d be covered head to toe…and it’s too hot for that! Hahaha!
Love these looks. Thanks for sharing these pictures.
Thanks, Mariann!
Lovely meaning to the tattoo. I cover my arms to protect them from the Sun, the skin on my forearms is in bad shape.
As far as your idea of adding to the tattoo, maybe have it continue up, and wrap around to the front with the smaller roses, so you can see at least part of your tattoo.
Oh, Leah, that is a fabulous idea! My forearms are pretty spotty, too, but I just get too warm to cover them!
Thanks for the wonderful tip!
I think your arms are beautiful! And like you, I get hot- so too bad, I go sleeveless lol! This dress looks amazing on you and the tatoo (good for you) is a real gorgeous piece of art. Have a great weekend,
Lucy
Oh, thank you, Lucy! They are a little roly poly right now, but I hope to get them into better shape once we are moved! You would think with all of the lifting and packing they would be a little better!!!
I hope your weekend is fabulous!!
I love your tattoo! I used to say that I would get one but I kinda fizzled out. Glad you went ahead because it’s very cool. Love this pretty striped dress!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Oh, it’s never too late, Kathrine!!! I think maybe I’ll get another for my 70th birthday so I have a few years to figure it out! And, isn’t this dress the cutest!
Thanks for coming by!
You look great in the sleeveless sundress, and your tattoo is very pretty. Hard to believe the dress cost only $0.26! What a steal!
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
You look fantastic!
Thank you so much, Hena!
This dress is lovely on you! I like the way you belted it! I say show your arms if you want! I certainly don’t have toned arms-that just isn’t the way my body type is. But I don’t want to be hot either!
Thank you, Laura! That means a lot because you are just gorgeous! If I don’t belt it, the dress really does look just like a beach cover up.