Fringe Factor

Sunnies: c/o HERE | Denim fringe jacket: c/o HERE 
 White denim jeans: Similar HERE + another option HERE| Shoes: Kenneth Cole, sold out

LETA Photography

Hey Babes!
Today's post is all about the denim fringe jacket you never knew you needed 😁 No, but seriously - if you are a collector of denim jackets, this one may catch your eye! I have more than a few denim jackets/vests in my current inventory, however, none of them boast fringe detailing! I L💖VE how the fringe takes center stage! 
I found the fit of the jacket to be a tad too large for my taste (I'm wearing a size 0XL), so I knotted it just above my waist and styled it as a crop top 😉 This offered the exact fit that I envisioned! Always remember: In fashion, everything is fair game!
Until next time,
Xx

The Acquisition of Shorts

sunnies: HERE| lipstain: HERE| necklace: HERE| romper: c/o HERE| sandals: old| straw bag: vintage, thrifted

Hey there! Not too long ago I declared that 2018 would be 'The Summer of Shorts'. Now that we've landed smack in the middle of July, I decided now is the perfect time to conduct a self assessment, actually let's call it a progress report. 
Before I begin, in the event that you're new to my blog, despite being a plus size/full figured woman --> I ❤ wearing shorts! It has taken time for me to develop full appreciation for my body (flaws and all), but now that I have it, well the rest is history Babes! 
When I look back on my shopping habits over the decades (clearly I must've started shopping as an infant 😁), I've always heavily gravitated towards dresses. As a result dresses make up the majority of my wardrobe.  Within the last 10 years or so, I developed an increasing appreciation for wearing/styling separates, which include skirts and shorts. There are far more choices in my size to choose from now than there was in years past. Whoo hoo! 
However, let's get to it - how am I fairing in the acquisition of shorts for 2018? I'll let the facts speak for themselves:
Q: Do shorts now make up a considerable part of my personal inventory?
A: No. Although my love for wearing shorts continues to grow, my current inventory levels are quite low in comparison with the amount of dresses that I own.
Q: How many additional pairs of shorts should I add to my wardrobe?
A: I think starting with 10 is a good number. Rompers are also included, they are wonderfully versatile (like the one I am wearing in today's post).
Q: Have I created an action plan to meet my goal?
A: I have several specific ideas in my mind, but I plan to commit them to paper no later than tomorrow. Writing things down in detail always helps me to execute a plan properly😜
Until next time,
Xx

Straight Flush

Earrings: TJMAXX| Top: ZARA| Skirt: HERE| Purse: ZARA

If there's one thing that I never tire of, it's a full on monochrome look😌 What else can I say, I like it when good things come together! This look features two items purchased at ZARA. I snagged one from last year's Summer Sale (for $9.99) and another is now on sale at this year's Summer Sale ($25.99). Can you guess which is which? ZARA has two sales a year, I try not to miss either one of them. There are so many fantastic deals to be had, and the prices continue to drop week after week until everything has been sold. I guess you know where to find me this evening...LOL!

Until next time Babes,
Xx

All Colors

Earrings: HERE| Top: HERE| Shorts: HERE| Shoes: HERE

Sometimes throwing a bunch of colors together just works. Take for instance, what i'm wearing in this blog post 😁 I spy white, red, green, yellow, pink, and blue! Not to mention the colors in my backdrop...

This ensemble screams SUMMERTIME to me - probably because that is exactly what I am screaming in my head 😆 
It is 90+ degrees in LA today, I am LOVING every single bit of it!!!
Until next time,
Xx

Tailor Made

Dress: Custom made, designed by me| Beaded purse: Vintage, thrifted

Leather sandals: Kate Spade, old

Can you believe it: Chapter 10 of 12 is already underway 👀 I cannot emphasize just how fast this year has flown by. Days seem to go as if they are minutes, and weeks feel like only hours...Time is flying. Time seems to literally disappear.
Speaking of time, I had this dress made 2+ years ago. This is its very first debut here on the blog because it took a while for me to truly like it. 😊 After I had it made (I designed it) it felt like it was missing something. But I didn't know what... Things took a positive turn about a month ago - I got an idea to add some embellishment to it. After two trips to the garment district I finally decided that a fun crochet fringe trim was the answer. I dropped it off at a tailor and voila, my dress finally felt complete! The last two times that I've worn it since adding the fringe trim, I styled it exactly as it is pictured here. I've gotten so many compliments on it. I started thinking- what else I can add a bit of fringe too?! LOL! A little embellishment can go a long way, and can really personalize a piece. 
Switching gears, let's talk HAIR:
After I took my braids down I decided to rock my natural curls for a bit. After a mega intense moisturizing treatment (which I left in for an entire week while I wore my hair in a bun), it was time to let my curls loose. Aphogee is a tried and true personal favorite, I am a bonafide satisfied customer. 20 years of using THIS & THIS keeps my hair healthy intact despite frequent straightening, hair color, and pretty much whatever else... I never have to worry excessively about damage or breakage. Caution: Both products that I just referenced are protein-rich, use them with care if your locks prefer moisture over protein 😉The folks at Aphogee were kind enough to send me a bunch of products, I seized the opportunity to try out a couple of newbies from their Curlific line: 1) Curlific! Textured Hair Wash + 2) Curlific! Texture Treatment. I opted not to use a leave-in treatment this time around so that I could get a true sense of how much I liked the shampoo & conditioner. The shampoo smells great, I really liked the control that the Curlific! Texture Treatment gave my curls! My hair felt soft, manageable, and full w/o a lot of frizz! 
I look forward to trying the Curlific! Moisture Rich Leave-in + Curlific! Curl Definer 😉
Until next time Loves,
Xx

For the Love of Pink

Earrings: c/o HERE (use code InMyJoi15 for a 15% discount at checkout)| Jacket: c/o ASOS, sold out, another option HERE & HERE 
Dress: Eliza J., Nordstrom| Velvet sandals: TJMAXX, but try HERE & HERE| Lemon wedge clutch: c/o HERE

Today's post is sponsored by 7 Charming Sisters

A monochrome color palette always makes me feel g👀d, I was so siked when I received these gorgeous statement earrings that I decided to create a monochrome outfit around them 😍

As you can see the color palette of the earrings is pink (close to fuschia but not quite), yellow, blue, and white - there was an option in corporate every single color into the look. Instead, I wanted to make my earrings the focal point of the look. Going with monochrome light pink felt just right to me so I took it and ran with it 😊
Who knew that my new suede jacket would be a perfect match to my lace dress and velvet shoes?! I love it when things fall into formation effortlessly!
To tie in a bit of the yellow in the earrings, I added a lemon wedge clutch and hit the door.
Before I checkout, have you heard of 7 Charming Sisters before?
Let me tell you about them! 7 Charming Sisters is the brainchild of seven "work sisters" who've been colleagues for 10-15 years. The sisters are: Paula, the elegant Executive, Kim, the vivacious Life of the Party, Jennifer, the dedicated Fashionista, Donalda, the flirtatious Social Butterfly, Jessica, the smart and Sexy Nerd,  Kimberly, the cute All-American Girl and Melissa, the sporty Super Mom.
7 Charming Sisters has a deep commitment to helping those with disabilities find jobs and employs disabled people in their studio. Many of their handmade pieces are handcrafted by those with intellectual disabilities who earn commission (how great is this?!). 
Stop by their online shop today and score 15% off of your purchase when you use code "InMyJoi15" at checkout!
Until next time Babes,
Xx

Forget Me Knot

Earrings: Genie Mack| Chambray top: Old, Men's Nordstrom-thrifted| Skirt: c/o HERE| Pink metallic sandals: HERE

I'm a fan of over-sized shirts, dusters, and layering pieces. Sometimes the best place to look for over-sized tops is an entirely different department than you normally shop in. For instance, let's take this chambray shirt as an example (previously styled HERE). To pair it with this ankara skirt, I styled it knotted at the waist. I scored it at a thrift shop, in the men's section. It's originally from Nordstrom's line for men. I really like the sizing on it, it's perfect for tying in a knot and when worn buttoned up it fits like a slim cut tunic. I also like the two pockets on the front of it. All in all it's totally not bad for less than $5.00! 
Yes, thinking outside the box also includes shopping in other departments 😉
Wondering about this beautiful skirt?! It's from Grass-fields (check out another piece from them HERE), they aim to fill a need in the market for well-made clothing inspired by African heritage. I've been swooning over their bold, eye catching designs this year, and felt excited to have the opportunity to feature another one of their designs here on the blog!
Which reminds me, I still need to have a few pieces made from the ankara fabric that I brought back from our trip to Kenya last year! 
Until next time,
Xx

Festival Fashion with Torrid | Part 2

Flower crown: c/o HERE| Denim vest: c/o HERE| White maxi dress: c/o HERE

Today's style story marks the final installment of a two part series featuring festival fashion with TORRID.
See Part 1 HERE.
Over the weekend we were enamored with festival style inspiration via the grand kick-off of the ever anticipated annual phenomenon COACHELLA!!! Although Beyonce did not perform as previously planned, festivities took off w/o a visible glitch, including what we're all most interested in↠ a great variety of style inspiration ★☆★☆✰
My favorite thing about festival season is most definitely the FASHION. It has amazingly become an eagerly awaited part of our yearly fashion calendar, along with resort and or cruise fashion collections. 
Linda Chang, vice president (and the owner's daughter) for retail and store operations at Forever 21 said: “Festival has become one of our most important seasons..it’s anticipated by our customer. Starting in March, they come in specifically asking for a festival look.”
Yes, word on the street is festival fashion has taken over the market and guess what: I'm not mad about it 😁
My style strategy for festival themed fashion is to utilize mix and match pieces that can easily be incorporated into other facets of my life- or should I say- 'style life' 😎 After all, who wants to be stuck with clothing that they have no desire to wear anywhere else or until the following year?!
I'm after bohemian flow at it's finest, classic pieces with embroidered details, tiers, a hint of flowers, a tassel or two for good measure,a touch of lace where possible, and of course an edge of fringe to finish it off.
Do share Babes, which look was your favorite (see look 1 HERE)?
Until next time,
Xx