Denim Lovers, featuring LANE BRYANT

Poplin Wrap Top: c/o HERE

Super Soft Super Stretch Skinny Jean - Ruffle Hem: c/o HERE

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

Hey Babes! How are you surviving WINTER 2019?! It's been raining for what feels like forever in my neck of the woods. Don't get me wrong, rainy weather serves a benefit, however Los Angeles simply is not built for rain! 😩 I had to dodge raindrops to get a few shots in this look over the weekend. Thankfully, the rain offered a  brief reprieve - we made the best of it ❤

Today's post features a denim loving look c/o my friends at Lane Bryant. The Poplin Wrap Top is soft/subtle gingham print, it appealed to me because I am beyond ready for SPRING! Gingham makes me think of warmer days. In my opinion, it is never too early to pull in gingham prints, even under layers if need be 😏 We have to wish warmer weather into existence, right?! When the weather warms up, I can totally see myself wearing this top on repeat! For its initial debut I paired it with fun Stretch Skinny Jeans that are embellished with a raw-cut cascading ruffle hem. The ruffle hem adds in just a touch of feminity - I LOVE feminine details! Small details can really take an item up a notch and add in an additional wearability factor😉Do you love feminine touches?!  

BIG NEWS: 

Lane Bryant is hosting The Denim Event this Saturday (2/9/19)!!! I'll be in attendance for the event at Westfield Culver City!!! Are you planning to stop by? You should! You can score 40% off all denim, get a free panty w/ any denim  purchase, and enter to win giveaways 😍

Until next time,

Xx

Photos by A. Robinson Photography

Wear Me Out

top: c/o HERE| skinny jeans: similar HERE & HERE & HERE| red booties: ZARA

photography by LETA

Hey Babes! With fall on the horizon, I am trying my absolute best to start thinking about fall fashion 😊 This top c/o SHEIN makes me think of a mild fall day, plus it is a perfect transitional piece. Here in Southern California, it is easy to enjoy off the shoulder tops all year around. However, if I lived in a cooler climate, I could see it layered with a turtleneck underneath. I paired it with skinny jeans and a pop of color 😏I actually intended to wear matching statement earrings, but would you believe I totally forgot?! LOL! FYI you can save 20% off original priced items from SHEIN, on an order totaling $59 or more with code "inmyjoi20" ❤ 
Until next time,
Xx

Pretty Little Dots

Wool fedora: Similar HERE| Sunnies: HERE| Cape: c/o HERE (Save w/ code "inmyjoi20) 
White ruffle blouse: ZARA| Embellished skinnies: c/o HERE| Feather mules: ZARA

Wondering what to wear this weekend? I have the perfect fit for you 😉 I'm a recent convert to the embellished denim trend, (first pair blogged HERE) now it feels like I just can't get enough of them! The sparkling pair that I am wearing in today's post totally reminds me of the children's lullaby 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'. Never heard of it? No worries, here's a brief quote:
"Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky."
LOL! This pair is so cute, but note that the sizing is generous as they have quite a bit of stretch. I recommend sizing down by one, as they will stretch out a bit after one wear 😉 
Honestly, I don't feel like these pictures do the pretty little dots justice...It was so bright/sunny outside when I shot this, you can't truly see how much they really sparkle- by way of white pearls and silver rhinestones. Anywho, for a super chill day (including a run to the office) I paired them with a updated ruffled white shirt, an amazingly long cape (available HERE + save w/ code "inmyjoi20" at checkout), and the feathered mules that have taken my wardrobe by storm...
Until next time Loves,
Xx

Fall Through

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Ruffle trim denim jacket: c/o HERE|  Denim skinnies: c/o HERE| 

Rainbow purse: HERE + another cutie HERE | Gold booties: Sold out, similar HERE

As we reach the end of the month, there are a few things that are simply undeniable:

• The days are getting shorter
• There is a crisp cool breeze at night
• In just about one month, Fall will officially begin

I lot of people say that Fall is their absolute favorite season. Here in Los Angeles we don't get a full taste of all four seasons, but Fall does typically bring on cooler temperatures. Denim feels synonymous with cooler weather. There are so many styles to choose from- jackets, shirts, skirts, pants, and even dresses. What's your favorite way to wear denim? I ❤ denim jeans, particularly those with an amazing fit which can be tricky for my curves. In recent years I have also developed an appreciation for denim jackets. Denim on denim is an effortless approach to causal style, which is probably why it is a tried and true cult favorite. 
Generally when opting for a denim on denim approach, I pair a denim/chambray top with jeans. In an effort to take a step slightly outside of my style norms, this time I opted for an over sized denim jacket with ruffle detailing. I like that the sizing will allow me to pair a bulky sweater/turtleneck underneath (for when cool temperatures take a dip) and that it is also large enough to rest comfortably over my shoulders. 
I wanted to add in some color, what better way than with a rainbow bag! 
Next I had to decide on a top. I didn't have anything in my stash that fit the image in my mind, so I opted to try out an idea I saw on pinterest, wearing a large scarf as a tube top. 
I really like it and can't wait to try it again with other scarves 😊
Until next time, 
Xx

Just Trenched

Today’s style story offers a glimpse into what day to day cool weather wear looks like for me in my neck of the woods! 

Hat: Here| Sunnies: F21, old| Trench coat: Here| Tank: F21, old |Coated denim jeans: Misses & Plus| Booties: Marshalls |Purse: Kate Spade

I was born and raised in Michigan, and was accustomed to long grizzly Winters and short intense Summers. That called for puffy coats, fur, fur, faux fur, and more fur :) When I moved to the west coast of the country, I had to shift my way of thinking, even in relation to my idea(s) of dressing for the season.

This look is a perfect example of how I like to employ layers and mix in differing style elements from a variety of seasons. You see, generally speaking, mornings start off brisk and without a lot of sunshine. If I’m going to be out and about in the elements, I need layers. This can be a bit tricky… by midday the intensity of the sun shifts temperatures drastically (in my head at least by 20 degrees). At that point, it is necessary to begin removing layers one at a time, if not all at once! However just a few hours later, the sun drops, and temperatures are back to brisk formation, requiring layers to be reapplied in rapid fashion-LOL!

This way of dressing/undressing was such a conundrum for me when we first moved out west! It is only as of late that I feel I am getting a handle on it :) Nonetheless, just when I think I’ve gotten the hang of it totally, Summer weather makes a total comeback and the concept of cool weather wear goes out the window completely, LOL!

I’m curious, how do you dress for cool weather in your neck of the woods?

Until next time,

XO

FLOWER CHILD

Hey Babes! I have been bursting at the seams to share this post with you since last weekend! You may remember that I talked about attending the Lovesick Launch in my previous post (see here). Today’s post features two pieces that I scooped up while at the Launch ;) 
Here’s what I know about Lovesick:

• Every dollar that you spend helps educate a girl in need
• They offer on trend and affordable fashion
• Styles are available in sizes 10-26 
• You can shop in-store or online

Now on to the fun part- what I’m wearing! I absolutely LUV the way that this look came together!!! The tank top gives me 90’s vibes, but in a good way. When the choker look first came back “in”, I was most certainly not a fan- at all. However, because I loved the color of this tank, I decided to try it on. Boy am I glad that I did!!! 
Note: this top ran large for me, so I sized down…actually I probably could have sized down one more time and still been comfortable. Nonetheless, it looks and feels ah-mazing!
It's time to spend some time on this pair of high waist jeans- the show stopper. I was over the moon in the dressing room with how wonderfully these fit me. Over    t  h  e    m - o - o - n…. Plus size jeans fitted to a curvy pear shape frame? Dreams do come true!!! Initially I took 3 larger sizes into the fitting room with me, I thought that I would have to size up. It’s a brand I’m not familiar with- which usually means that the sizing will be off. I was WRONG. These jeans fit true to size!!! Plus size jeans that fit true to size on a pear shape!!! Can you believe it? Curvy women everywhere rejoice! I left with a size 16 because they are super skinny (especially in the leg), but after wearing them, I definitely see that I would have been just fine in a 14. Even with that in mind, the fit is still fabulous <3 I love that the inseam actually stops at my ankle. Shortys, these jeans were made with us in mind! 
The best part of all: great fitting plus size denim under $50---Girl, these jeans are for YOU!

On a personal note: While taking pictures in this look, I was “feeling myself” in every single sense of the phrase. As women, we are often too hard on ourselves. We may think: I’ll be happy with my body when…I lose my stomach…lose 10 pounds…get a tan…and so on. But the truth of the matter is, there is no better time to be happy with yourself/your body than TODAY. If I could give each and every single one of you a gift, it would be the gift of  full and complete awareness  of your individually unique beauty. It is great to find/see inspiration in a variety of places, especially since the birth of social media…but…I want to let you in on secret: The best source of inspiration comes from within YOU!
Until next time,
XO

Flower crown: DIY| Sunnies: Nordstrom| Cutout Tank Top: c/o Lovesick Fashion| High rise skinny jeans: c/o Lovesick Fashion| Sandals: Kay Unger

Layered Summers

Bolero hat: Tildon, worn here| Tank top:old| Wrap: Nothing to Wear, Nordstrom| Ring: c/o Rocksbox Jewelry
 Jeans: Melissa McCarthy Seven, c/o Gwynnie Bee|  Red bow flats: Zara| Handbag: Coach,vintage| Watch: c/o JORD Wood Watches

Oftentimes we don’t think about wearing layers during the heat of summer weather months. However, doing so can be quite practical!  All too frequently I find myself freezing indoors despite sweltering temperatures outdoors. I affectionately refer to my office as an ‘arctic blast’, since the temperatures there seem to range about 30 degrees cooler than whatever the current temperature is outside. LOL! Aside from my office, I also usually feel cold when dining in restaurants, and even in a number of retail stores. Imagine that! Do you find this to be your experience too?
A practical solution that I’ve utilized to alleviate the chill factor is to employ layered clothing, even during the summer months. The key for me is to make sure that the layers are practical and functional both indoors and outdoors. Wraps have been an excellent way for me to achieve this objective. The wrap that I am wearing in today’s look is made of a cotton/linen blend and has superb breathability. I simply drape it over both shoulders for more warmth while indoors or wrap it several times around my neck and wear it as a scarf. While outdoors I opt for the cold shoulder affect. If a wrap doesn’t provide enough warmth, I can easily swap out wearing a tank for a top with quarter length sleeves, or better still a long sleeve linen blouse. 
This look actually came together per my desire to wear this red pair of jeans from my latest Gwynnie Bee package =) They’re from Melissa McCarthy’s Seven7 line. The hue of red is saturated to the H-I-L-T and I love it! If I didn’t already have a pair of red jeans that (see here), I am pretty sure that I would have purchased these. That is one of the wonderful things about having a Gwynnie Bee membership! It allows me the convenience of trying out new brands/clothing without making a purchase ;) 
Gwynnie Bee is offering a free trial membership to YOU for a limited time. Sign up here to start your membership and select clothing styles that you’d like to try out- for FREE!
Until next time Babes,
XO

Vested Interests

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had a mini shopping haul over at Forever 21 Plus. Admittedly, I am not a woman that frequents Forever 21, in part due to my age, style aesthetic, and preference for high quality/designer clothing.

With that being said, for some items that I purchase, I understand that my desire is not one for a long lasting 'classic piece'. It may be more so a trendy number, or something that I only desire to wear a few times for various reasons. For items that fall under those categories, fast fashion stops are perfectly suitable, along with thrifting of course! Not to mention, F21 has stepped up its plus size fashion game, like seriously. In addition to the romper that I purchased (blogged here), and the two piece stripe stunner (blogged here), I snagged  two items off of the BOGO rack =) I’ll reference this one as Exhibit A, LOL!

What I love about this vest/Exhibit A in addition to its print is the cut and length. I opted for a larger size so that I can wear a number of things underneath, including a coat if I so desire ;) I’ve worn it a number of ways thusfar, but happily I had a chance to blog this one. Denim on denim never gets old for me, and pairing denim with tan makes for a classic combo.

This look went off well at the office for a casual Friday, plus errands and dinner afterward. Accessories can gear this look in either direction, more casual or not so much. I opted for a dressier approach with a fur trimmed hat & booties.

Note: After wearing this vest several times it has begun to develop a layer of fine lint balls all over. Since the cost for the two items off the BOGO rack (Exhibit B is coming up) was only $14.99 + tax - I am not as disappointed - but still somewhat disappointed. I mean if the fabric is already having issues, what will happen when I wash it? I’m not sure that this vest will make it to next year’s cool weather season, but I will certainly be happy if it does.

Until next time Babes!
XO

Hat: Lord & Taylor| Vest: Forever 21 Plus, size 2XL| Chambray top: Forever 21, size large| Jeans: NYDJs, size 12|Red booties: Aldo