Rolling in Plaid | Inspired by Beyoncé

plaid coat: c/o HERE| blazer: c/o HERE| wide leg pants: c/o HERE| red purse: HERE| red shoes: similar HERE

Did you miss the time when Beyonce broke the internet yet again, as in last week?! If so, check her out in her full glory HERE. I absolutely LOVE the way that she rocked this entire look! Apparently over two and a half million of her followers felt the exact same way 😍 I instantly knew that I needed to recreate this look on a full-figured frame - namely my own of course, LOL!!! Fortunately my friends at Eloquii agreed with me, they so graciously sponsored this LOOK!
Babes, Bey stuns in a bright orange plaid coat, layered over a tailored menswear-inspired plaid suit with bellbottom pants. She used accessories to play it up by way of a colorful statement bag, a diamond Chanel pin, dark sunglasses, and clear pointy shoes. This look screams Boss Babe!!! I am so HERE for it and much more!
Oftentimes when recreating a look, people feel a need to mirror every single detail exactly. I totally disagree, you can take a concept/idea and make it yours! Yes, OWN IT! 
As an example, notice that I selected a suit similar to the one Bey wore, however, I utilized a different color palette. You must know by now how much I LOVE wearing RED, it seemed only natural that red should be my standout color versus orange. Additionally, I opted for vintage rhinestone earrings, a vintage rhinestone pin, a red statement bag, plus red suede shoes. One must improvise when diamond Chanel pieces are not an option 😏 Do share Babes, would you rock this look?! What celebrity's style has inspired you lately?
Until next time,
Xx

Fall Refresh | Style a Dress Over Pants

earrings: old| dress: HERE| jeans: similar HERE| shoes: similar HERE| faux fur bag: another option HERE

I'm always looking for ways to test the versatility of my wardrobe and to play with fashion. I like to think outside the box whenever possible, even when/if it makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable. 
I first tried the concept of wearing a dress over pants back in 2014. I was super curious as to how it would play out on my body, as it is full-figured and curvy. Generally you see the trend of dresses styled over pants only on thin and or tall models. Nonetheless, I decided to go for it. Wouldn't you know- I JUST LOVED IT! 
Previously I've styled shorter dresses with slim cut pants, but the look shown in today's post is my very first time styling a long dress over pants --- and wide leg pants at that! 
Let's break all the fashion faux pas at once, right?!?! LOL!
The idea sprung from one weekly session in my closet, which actually led to a disastrous tornado-like effect... Clothes were everywhere...as they often are...Yet, back to the topic at hand...
I purchased this white dress at an end of summer sale for a GREAT price. It was originally $500... Naturally, I wanted to create an opportunity to wear it this year versus waiting until next summer. However, an added caveat was that I also wanted it to align with fall fashion versus just styling it as a summer dress - which I totally will, at a later date. After a few try-on sessions, plus the acquisition of a cute white faux fur tote, this look fell into place ❤
Over to you Babes: Are you into dresses over pants?!
Until next time,
Xx

Sweater Permitting, featuring LANE BRYANT

Mesh Yoke Cold-Shoulder Pullover Sweater: c/o HERE 
Fast Lane Super Stretch Skinny Jean - Coated Moto: c/o HERE 
Studded Strap Bootie: c/o HERE

This post is sponsored by Lane Bryant. All opinions shared belong solely to me.

Hey Babes! It isn't every day that I opt to wear all black, as in all black everything from head to toe. Nonetheless, there is an exception to every rule ❤ Especially when it comes to one's personal sense of style! I have a lifelong affection for monochrome looks. Over the years, while chronicling my style online, I came to realize something: I prefer a modified monochrome approach specifically when wearing/styling all black everything. In what way? 
T E X T U R A L  INTEREST. 
Let's take this look as an example. First, notice how the knit sweater features mesh detail on the shoulders and frilly cutouts? These variations in texture & style coincide ever so nicely with the coated denim skinny jeans, which by the way are an AWESOME alternative to leather pants. The jeans are edgy personified, including moto detailing and matte hardware. And for the glazed cherry on top: Peep the faux leather booties equipped with four studded buckle straps 😍
I love how this fit came together Babes! It feels edgy, sassy, sexy, and on trend! It's casual enough to rock on a day/evening of errands, yet also glam enough for a night out. Remember, versatility is KEY! 
Head over to LaneBryant.com TODAY, you may catch a special offer on sweaters before it expires 😉
Until next time,
Xx

Photography by A. Robinson

Chocolate Brown | #EveryBODYinPLT

hat: similar HERE| earrings: similar HERE & HERE| dress: HERE| shoes: similar HERE| purse: old
Photography by A. Robinson

Another color that I love to rock during the cooler months of the year: Chocolate brown ❤ 
Rich hues of brown feel synonymous with autumn and usher in thoughts of yummy hot chocolate (preferably topped with gobs of whipped cream), fresh baked gooey chocolate chip cookies, and homemade fudge 😋
Brown is a timeless neutral and can truly be paired with just about any other color effortlessly. Because I bat for team bold color 99.99% of the time, I usually wear brown with bold hues such as fire engine red or cobalt blue. However, I opted to take a different approach this time around, because that is what fashion is all about! Trying new things! I opted to pair it with light pink - quite possibly for the very first time. And what do you know? I love it just the same - LOL! 
This look is perfect for a girls night on the town or a date night.  
Fit notes: This dress is as a result of my very first time shopping with UK based fast fashion brand Pretty Little Thing. From what I can tell thus far, the brand fits true to size- YAY!!! I am wearing a US size 14. I also ordered a skirt in the same size, and the fit was perfect. Unfortunately I hated the print on it and so back it went... The ruching on this dress is great and very flattering for those generously endowed with curves 😉 My main disappointment was the shipping time (the return process is also a bit irritating), it took just over three weeks to arrive.  I'm not sure if this timeframe meets the standard expectation or if perhaps my case was an exception to the standard.  I find PLT's prices to be reasonable (they have frequent sales) and the quality is on par for fast fashion. Overall, my first experience shopping with the brand was a positive one!  
I'm curious, what new brands have you tried lately?
Until next time,
Xx

Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

hat: c/o HERE| scarf: ZARA, old| duster: c/o HERE| dress: Rachel Roy, OLD| boots similar HERE
Photography by A. Robinson

One of the best things about fall: It is the perfect season to master the layering game 😏 Moving to California has truly been an education, long gone are the days that I can simply throw on a heavy winter coat and expect it to cover all the bases. On one day temperatures may topple 85 degrees, but on the very next day - it might barely make it past 60 degrees. Or even better still, how about when the temperature is 75 on Monday, and yet when it reaches 75 on Tuesday it feels remarkably cooler than it did the day before?! Yes, dressing for this season can be such a conundrum, layering up is often most helpful. One thing that I try to keep in mind when employing layers is that I want each piece to be presentable when worn alone. For instance, if I decided to take off the knit duster worn in today's post, I want to be sure that my dress/scarf/hat/boots still go together w/o it 😊 On this particular day it was too cold to find out, but I was prepared in the event that the sun made a surprise appearance and I found myself suddenly feeling like an inferno, LOL!
Can we talk about this fabulous duster for just a minute?! First of all, the color is what caught my attention immediately in-store. I had to ask a sales rep to assist me in finding my size, I was so happy when we located it. This duster is cozy, amazingly versatile, and perfect for fall layering. I forsee its next appearance being with a great pair of denim, a casual top, and perhaps chunky platforms 😉
Until next time,
Xx

Brick HOUSE

hat: Nordstrom, similar HERE| sunnies: old
playsuit: c/o HERE -->Save $$ w/ code INMYJOIxSONCY
 tweed booties: old, similar HERE

I decided to blog this look as it was a major hit on Instagram 🎈🎈🎈 Babes it never ceases to amaze me how the most basic looks get so much love! Seriously, it took absolutely no thought whatsoever, I threw on a hat, some shades, a comfy jumpsuit, and a pair of booties - not complicated at all!
I got a number of messages/inquires specifically about the playsuit that I am wearing, here are my answers in no particular order:
1) This jumper/playsuit is by a newly launched brand called SONCY. They offer clothing in sizes 10-30. 
Save 💰 off your purchase w/ code INMYJOIxSONCY @ checkout👍🏽
2) I'm wearing the playsuit/jumpsuit in a size 1, but I should've gone with a size 0 like the other pieces that I've ordered since then... Whenever I try out a new brand, I always size up. Finding a proper fit on my body type can be tricky. Plus, some brands have SHADY sizing practices, especially when it comes to plus sizes...
Moving on, as you can see, I'm smaller on the top and wider on the bottom - some call it an hourglass frame/body type, others consider it a pear shape. I figure I'm somewhere in-between-LOL!
If an item is too big,  I can always have it taken in. If it's too small,  there's nothing I can nor want to do with it except toss it in the donate bin... You'll be happy to know that I find SONCY to be true to size 🙌🏽 A size 0 (thus far) appears to be the equivalent to a US size 14! Stay tuned,  because I have another piece coming up from them soon and it's ⚡⚡⚡
3) A number of people inquired about what type of undergarments I'm wearing. I'm wearing a strapless bra by FREYA (a sister brand to my steady ELOMI) and a full coverage brief by TC.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to drop them below!
Until next time,
Xx

Cooler Days

blazer: similar HERE| blouse: ZARA| skirt: c/o HERE| shoes: HERE
Photography by A. Robinson

Fall blew into Los Angeles over the weekend with gloomy clouds, gusty winds, and steady rain showers. In fact, I had to dodge raindrops to quickly capture a few shots in this look featuring a floral print skirt from the new Draper James for ELOQUII Fall Collection. In case you're not familiar with Draper James, it is a fashion/accessories/home decor brand owned by Reese Witherspoon. Reese says that she started the company 'to honor her Southern heritage, particularly her grandparents who were, and are, the greatest influences in her life'. She also says, "My grandparents taught me everything I know about gracious Southern living. From them I learned to dress and act like a lady, to take pride in my home, to reach out to help a neighbor, and to always invite everyone in for a visit."

I'm wearing the Draper James for ELOQUII Floral Dot Skirt. What I especially love about this midi skirt is that it can easily be styled across seasons! For instance, I can see myself wearing it with a bright yellow tank top during the warmer months 😊 Can you tell I'm missing summer already?! LOL! Since it was chilly, I opted to style it with layers this time around, adding in pops of color by way of red - my lip stain, cape blazer, and shoes.
Until next time Loves,
Xx

Let's Reflect

Blazer: HERE | LBD: Old, similar HERE| Thigh high boots: Charles David, similar HERE

When you find a combination that works well for you, wear it on REPEAT - shamelessly! Case in point: I recently had the idea of layering an LBD (little black dress) with a long leopard print tunic (see HERE). From that outfit sprang another idea: Pair an LBD with a long blazer! And just like that, with minimal effort, and absolutely no additional purchase(s) ---> I had a new outfit to love 😍
Time to share, what style combinations do you LOVE? Do you find yourself wearing them repeatedly?!
Until next time,
Xx