Today was the last super busy/out of the ordinary thing for a little while. I had a photo shoot for an article coming out in a magazine in December. I won’t mention the magazine right now, although some of you do know that were on FB.
This actually stemmed from a contact through my blog back in February. I had a phone interview and sent them pictures. Then I never heard back, so I assumed they weren’t going to use my story. Then a couple weeks ago I was contacted again that they *did* want to run my story and wanted to set up an photo shoot by October 4th. Cue panic! I was thinking all kinds of strange thoughts like “Crash diet!” and “I am not at goal, I feel like a fraud“, “People are going to look at the pictures and think I need to lose more weight“. I even thought about buying Spanx LOL!
Breathe, Lori. Just breathe.
Just when you think you are doing well on the journey of self acceptance and you get flown into a tizzy. Last week was the coordination of a hair stylist/makeup artist, the photographer, and the clothing stylist. They were going to dress me, which also freaked me out. I really didn’t need to worry.
I had spoken on the phone to Nichole (the clothing stylist) and I kept telling her to err on the side of big for clothing. What is wrong with me?? I was so worried that if she brought my sizes, they would somehow not fit. Like the clothing I own is mislabeled or something. Poor John. He had to listen to my insecurities.
Anyway, everyone arrived at my house on Monday. Isn’t that nice? I didn’t have to go anywhere! Nichole did a great job with picking out clothes and I had several outfits to choose from. The clothing came from White House/Black Market and New York & Company and one dress from Macy’s.
I had hair and makeup done. Diane was very professional and fast with the makeup.
I do have to say that hair and makeup are my least favorite part of these. Can you tell?
All photos are done by John and not the official ones, which I wish I could see!!
This dress was nixed by the editor when we sent sample shots today. I didn’t like the gathers, but others seemed to like it. The hem was quite the problem (again, shortie). It was tacked up here.
Everyone loved this top but me. This picture and the one above are me before hair and makeup.
It’s actually a bit sparkly and very festive, but I wasn’t crazy about the fit or the color. Watch this top will be the one the editors like LOL! If you can’t tell, we had to do a little fake Christmas decorating for the December issue.
This was one of my favorites. Note the white circle thing is a lighting prop brought by the photographer. This sweater is purple, although this shot doesn’t show it as well.
I had tried a skirt on, but totally fell in love the the pants and wouldn’t take them off. Fit and Flare Short (and still a bit long…) $88. They were comfortable and made my booty look good. I actually could have put on the smaller size, but I thought they would be too tight. The stylist didn’t think so, but I just couldn’t do it (silly me).
Embracing my curves!
Love the color of the blazer. $118. It is a deep purple, or plum as it is called on the website.
Everyone made me feel very, very comfortable for the shoot, so I was thankful for that. Sometimes you forget how far you have come when you have lived with the loss for a while. And I should never forget that! I am never going to be a size 4 and I love my curves! (and so does John – although he didn’t care for the makeup 
)
I’ll let everyone know when the article comes out. I wonder which outfit they will like?
I may have to get a pair of those pants. Can bargain hunter me find them for less than $88? We shall see.
And in keeping with the last 2 Octobers – I will be posting a pink picture every day and ask you to click on the link below to help fund mammograms for those in need!
Here is today’s shot:
And ladies – Diane said to *not* buy the expensive mascara (after I commented that I bought the cheap stuff). Most mascara is made by only a few companies and just packaged differently. So there you go – money saving tip!
This is so exciting Lori!
By the way, thanks for the encouragement on my blog.
Well , I have to say I like the sweater that you don’t like–very flattering! But you look great in all the pics. I went to Facebook to see if I could find the magazine mentioned on your page, but I couldn’t find it. I saw that you posted a pic of one of my quilts though! That was very nice of you!
Interesting about the mascara. I hardly wear any makeup becuase of allergies, and mascara was one of the last things I wore. But I’ve stopped recently because that bothers me too. So I won’t go out and buy any expensive stuff to see if it works better!!
How long do we have to wait to know what magazine????
Lori – you look fabulous in all the photos! So exciting 🙂
Wow – I can’t wait to see the article! (hope it’s in Canada, sometimes it isn’t 🙁 ).
Dawn
I clicked!
I really, really, really like the pants with the top and blazer!
You look super hot!
Congrats on becoming even more famous!
Lori,
Please don’t ever worry about what you look like these days…I think you are absolutely beautiful!! I so look forward to your posts and you have inspired me beyond measure to eat healthier and to move about more often…and as an “over 50” lady, that is a BIG inspiration.:)
I am also secretly jealous of John’s piano…lol
Sandy
Thank you Sandy, that is very sweet!
Can’t wait to see the article! Kudos for the recognition! It’s very well-deserved!
I liked all the outfits, but I *love* the purple top and the blazer combo.
Had to laugh when I saw the mascara. I just switched back to Great Lash. 🙂
I’m so excited for you Lori 🙂 I remember when you had your last magazine article and I was standing in the checkout line and bought the magazine so I could keep a copy with you in it 🙂 Super cool!!! Especially the whole clothing/makeup/hair thing too 🙂
What fun! You look fantastic, and I say buy the pants – even at full price! Hey, it’s not like you’re changing sizes – these will last for years. 🙂
Oh Lori my friend you look fantastic! And I’m with Shelley, if you love the pants so much: buy them. You deserve them! I love the purple blazer a lot too, something I would definitely buy myself.
What a cool experience you had yesterday. Can’t wait to see the article, you have to scan it for me since I can’t buy it here.
And thank you for your sweet comment on my blog, it meant a lot to me.
You’re welcome Fran – friends are there for support, right?
You look awesome in your pics Lori, Congrats
Everyone should treat themselves to at least one piece of very nice clothing that fits so perfectly – so buy the pants, even if you have to pay full price! I say the editors pick one of the last two outfits.
I can’t believe you were feeling a bit frenzied… a hair/makeup/and clothing stylist is a Helen fantasty 😀
Can’t wait to see the article. And I agree with John, I like you better without the makeup. Not being much of a makeup wearer myself, guess that stands to reason.
My vote is for the shot with the blazer! I love it! Congratulations!!!
I’ll just echo what everyone else has been saying. This is super cool, we are all jealous, and you look terrific. I agree with you, I liked the sweater and pants picture the best. The dress hem length wasn’t quite right. But… I wasn’t as crazy about the blazer. The other shot looked more like “you”.
Can’t wait to see it. If it’s in Shape or Fitness then I’ll have a copy delivered to my doorstep!
It’s not a fitness magazine this time 😀
How exciting!!!!!!!!!! You look amazing but I do love the blazer one too but all are great! I need someone to do my make-up & clothes as I am useless at both of those things! So, will you be signing autographs??? 😉
I’ll sign autographs any time!
Fun! I love those dark purple colors on you. I rarely wear mascara but only buy the cheap stuff.
I don’t think they did a very good job of picking out flattering clothes for you. Shame on them. But add your sparkling self to the picture and you look wonderful in all of them! I have to say my favorite is the 4th picture down with the wine colored shirt and then the blazer would be my second favorite. The pants are definitely worth looking for. Anything that makes you look nice and most important makes you feel good on is worth going the extra mile for. Great job Lori! Cant wait to see the final pics!
How exciting for you, Lori! The hallway pic is my fav. The sweater is pretty, but not a good color for you. Of course they will love, love, love it! You look fabulous, but from all the exercise you get, you are IN great shape! To me, that would be more important, but I totally understand the insecurity creeping in. Glad you’re smiling so beautifully!
The color in the sweater actually looked very different in real life. It was a brighter purple and looked really good!
I love the last picture with that blazer!! So flattering. I can’t wait to see the article!
I don’t wear much make up either, but when I got married the woman who did my face got a little carried away – it looked good, but when I walked up to him right before we got married, he said 1. you look like your twin sister and its freaking me out (she wears makeup, I don’t) and 2. he said my face smelled like cake!
You look so great! Wasn’t it fun playing dress up?? 🙂
Yes, it was fun – especially on someone else’s dime!
I loved the picture with the black pants and blazer! That is such a great look for you! 🙂
I liked the shirt you didn’t like also! Very flattering fit. If they could have brought that in the plum shade it would’ve been perfect!
That shirt has metallic gold thread in it, which didn’t show up in the pictures we took. It was very holiday.
How exciting!!! Can’t wait to hear all about the magazine when you can spill the details 🙂
How exciting!! I’m looking forward to buying the magazine… whatever it is 😉
How exciting !! I know someone famous. The plum blazer looks really nice on you, well it all does but that looks like a fun date outfit. 🙂 Can’t wait to see the article.
I agree with you on the clothes – the outfit with the purple blazer is really cute!!! The other colors are a bit too bland for you. You look great and deserve to feel proud of what you have accomplished!
This is way beyond cool, Lori 🙂
I’d love to have a photoshoot with a profesessional makeup artist and a stylist!
I did like all the outfits, especially the V-necked tops. They accentuate your long neck very well. Personally, I did liked the sparkly top most and I alse liked the blazer (though I don’t care about the shoulder “pads”).
I’m a curvy shorty too and clothes NEVER come in my size!
Congratulations to you! That looks like so much fun! You looked beautiful in everything but the jacket is my favorite!
GORGEOUS, Lori! Great pants, and that ruby blazer is to die for. And I happen to love that tan-colored sweater. I can’t wait to read the article! 🙂