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
Flower crown: I made it| Bra: ELOMI, HERE & HERE + matching briefs HERE
Dress: HERE + similar HERE & I LOVE THIS| Handbag: Coach, another option HERE
While I was in Chicago a few months ago, I had the privilege of meeting with the local team that represents Elomi Lingerie. Little did I know that meeting would be life altering!
First off, I was custom fitted for a bra by a very experienced Fit Specialist. Her name is Suzanne, and she is an EXPERT in her field. If you're shopping on the Magnificent Mile, pop in and see her at Nordstrom! I learned so much during my time with her! Not only was I wearing the wrong size bra, I was also putting on my bras incorrectly. Who knew?! I walked away from that visit with the Elomi Sachi bra (worn in today's post) in tote, as well as an EXCELLENT strapless bra, the Freya Idol Allure .
Note: Freya & Elomi are owned by Wacoal Europe.
I was so impressed with my new strapless bra that I wore it right on out of the store, and tossed the bra that I was wearing initially! Once I returned back to California, I immediately set about getting rid of all of my ill fitting bras.
Literally, like on my first day home...
Next, I created a wishlist of Elomi bras that I wanted to add to my personal inventory😍 They have so many gorgeous designs and the fit is on point! As it happened, the brand representative reached back out to me again shortly thereafter - I immediately ordered the following matching sets:
Ladies, once you experience the V A L U E of exceptional support trimmed in STYLE- you never look back! I am loving the fit that Elomi offers me and my girls, particularly as a full figured woman👀
My posture is improved, my clothing fits better, and I even feel more confident - especially in my strapless bra 😉 There is no pulling, tugging, and or readjusting required - no matter how long I wear it! I never knew such a thing was even possible!
I am proud to say that I no longer own any ill-fitting bras👏 GOOD RIDDANCE!
Since then I have added a few more to my stash, in fact, my entire collection now consists solely of Elomi bras and I have absolutely NO regrets!
The bra featured in today's post was made for plunging necklines - I ❤ how their designs serve multiple purposes 💣I have an idea -let's info share: What is your favorite bra line and why?
Until next time,
Xx
Net headband: Similar HERE |Necklace: J. Crew, sold out |Dress: c/o HERE
Sandals: Sold out, another option HERE| Clutch: Vintage, thrifted
It seems like “they” or should I say “somebody” is always coming up with a new, revived, or revised name for something or another fashion related. For instance, I recently discovered that OTS (off the shoulder) pieces are now referred to as b a r d o t, apparently a revived phrase from back in the day… Although I am most definitely a lover of fashion and personal style, I will be the first to admit that I am not an expert on fashion terminology, textiles, or any of the like. Actually, if I’m 100% honest⇒ I really don’t care. Whatever the industry decides to name and or nickname an item or trend is totally inconsequential in my head 😎
My main focus when it comes to fashion and personal style is that what I wear makes me look and feel good.
Today’s style story shifts from our venture down Boho Lane on over to the Little Black Dress Planning Team. With summer 2017 on the horizon, I’m totally ready to update my inventory with a few warm weather LBDs (little black dresses). This OTS number is made with scuba material and features a high-low hem. The OTS (off the shoulder) feature is actually optional, as the bodice can be pulled up and worn on the shoulders just as well. That simple change spells versatility for me, yes, this LBD can go for day or night and that is a win/win in my book 💕
Until next time,
Xx
Today’s look features a faux suede button-up dress by GITI online (see previous feature here) styled in two ways. Although it is a dress, I opted to style it as a cardigan. We often think of wearing suede solely during cooler months, but I find that it actually can be incorporated into the warmer weather months as well.
For me, it takes a bit of forethought- which is no biggie, as I plan out my wardrobe 85% of the time! I couldn’t make up my mind on which look I liked best, so I decided to blog both of them for you. Which look is your favorite?
I had an opportunity to escape from city life for some R&R (rest and relaxation) for a few days, I now find myself feeling renewed and determined =) While away I had time to pamper myself each day, which felt wonderful because self-love is one of the most important kinds.
One of my favorite ways to pamper myself whether I’m away or at home, is by way of a long hot bath, with lots of bubbles, shortly followed by a full body exfoliation. I use a number of products, including a homemade mixture of granulated sugar, olive oil, and water. For several nights I indulged in a recently purchased chocolate scrub made with real cocoa (I discussed it on Snapchat/InMyJoi). It smells ah-mazing, and makes my skin feel fantastic!
One night during a bath I found myself deep in thought; A hot bath always helps me to sort out things in my mind and to eliminate toxic subject matter. I reflected on personal personality changes and my perception of the changes that I’ve undergone in the past few years. I realized in that moment, that within myself, I have resisted and even felt a measure of resentment in reference to some of the changes that I’ve observed in myself. It’s as if I’ve somehow told myself that the ‘old’ me was better and or superior to who I am today.
Internal change is often the result of personal growth and life experience(s). It occurred to me that there was nor is any valid reason for me feel resentment of any kind about the woman that I have become. This woman has weathered tall challenges and notable life changes. She has emerged no longer inexperienced, but brimming with wisdom, and a deeper understanding of who she is at her core. In fact, I realized that the woman that I am today is actually on the path to becoming the absolute best possible version of “me”!
Change is an inevitable fact of life, and it is the only thing that is forever consistently constant. Instead of resisting changes within myself, I am on the path to understand them, and in turn: embrace them. Does that make sense? Well it most certainly did to me, at least during my ‘Aha’ moment with a glass of wine- LOL!!!
I look forward to reading your thoughts below!
P.S. You may take 5% off your order with GITI online by using code “joi” at checkout.
Until next time Loves,
XO
Sunnies: Tildon & Forever 21|Dress: Express, worn previously here |Suede button-up dress: c/o GITI online, here (size 1X)
Polka dots were my very first patterned love, long before I discovered the enchanting appeal from my forever love, STRIPES. I can remember crushing on the dotted pattern as far back as junior high school. Today’s look features a classic a-line LBD with a dotted bodice and sheer polka dot sleeves.
This connect the dots dream is versatile, I’ve worn it mega dressy as well as entirely casual. Actually it’s taken me way too long to blog it…as I purchased it last Summer during my “Dresses Are a “Necessity” multi-state buyout, LOL! This dress made the cut as it is easily layered and accessorized. Sometimes I add a statement piece to it, but on this particular day applying the ‘more is more’ philosophy wasn’t cohesive with my mood, so I took a minimal approach.
Oftentimes choosing to take a different approach than what is expected triggers a form of backlash, i.e. the urban American term blackballed. Have you ever made a decision to go a different route from what your peers anticipated? What type of reaction did you receive? Positive or negative?
True to my personality type, I often decide to travel routes that others least expect. For instance, there appears to be particular choices that individuals take when it comes to style blogging, especially to obtain the ever present goal of S U C C E S S. When I first started blogging my style, naturally I followed the pattern laid by some of the veterans in the industry. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that going the 'normal' route just wasn’t going to work for me as an individual. Too many things to enumerate conflicted with my personality and status as an introvert. As I’ve mentioned before (see here) competition in the blogsphere can be fierce and cutthroat. I had to make a choice, to either continue on blogging the way I was- although miserably, or- to do it MY WAY. MY WAY won, as it often does! I refuse to betray my authentic self. I spoke with a friend who blogs in a different arena, and she expressed some of the same sentiments that I had felt several times over.
The bottom line? There are consequences for every choice that you make, and some can be noticeably negative; Especially if the path you choose leads to more resistance than usual. However, being blackballed really does have its advantages, namely- FREEDOM. Freedom to dance to your own beat, to create your own path as you go, and to focus on expressing your authentic creativity = which equals winning in my book ;)
Until next time Style Lovers,
XO
Hat: Husband’s wardrobe| Sunnies: LA Fashion District| Dress: Eliza J.| Sandals: Sam Edelman| Bag: Vintage
Hello Style Lovers! Can you believe that today marks the first day of August?! Where, oh where, has the time gone? Summer is just about up, as if, in the blink of an eye! Never fear, #30PlusStyle has returned, and we are taking full advantage of the fleeting days of the season! We welcome you to the "Celebrity Inspired, Plus Edition":
DID YOU KNOW? #30PlusStyle was featured THIS WEEK on Ebony.com (click here)?!!! Follow us on Facebook, and join us on our exciting journey to inspire women everyone: Style is never limited by age or size!
www.facebook.com/30plusstyle
On to today's post: This was one of the most difficult #30PlusStyle challenges for me to work with thus far!
I sat down and thought about why. There were a number of reasons, but basically they all can be summed up as follows:
- I don't really follow celebrity fashion and or trends so it was hard to pick a person and a style. (I do watch the runways, select designers, and style icons - they are in another ballgame in my opinion!)
- It's been a rough week, I struggled with multiple deadlines and an indecisive attitude. For every one idea I came up with, there seemed to be multiple reasons as to why it didn't truly resonate with me.
- I simply did not feel like taking pictures, i.e, posing, passerbys staring at me, etc.,.(Being photographed is usually a personal struggle for me.)
Nonetheless, as the saying goes: 'The show must go on'. Yes, because of my personal belief in the immense value that the plus-size blogging community has on women (young and old alike), I pulled myself together and got to work. My loyal supporter, my husband was completely on board as Motivational Speaker and Creative Director, thank you Honey!!!
Whenever I feel doubtful and or indecisive with choosing a look, I go with classic and timeless pieces.
Every woman needs a classic dress, that can be dressed up, or dressed down.
This classic tube style dress was purchased in 1999 for my one year anniversary. Does that make it a vintage number? LOL!
Which celebrity exactly, inspired this look?
The answer is here: www.pinterest.com/inmyjoi/im-inspired/
See how the #30PlusStyle Dolls were Celebrity Inspired today:
www.prettypluspep.blogspot.com
www.pumpsandstudz.blogspot.com
www.mode-plus.com
www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com
www.grownandcurvywoman.com
FYI: We are looking for guest bloggers to join us for a future #30plusstyle post. If you're interested, contact us at 30plusstylecollab@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your blog's URL!
Dress: Express
Gloves: Vintage
Scarf: Liz Claiborne
Handbag: Vintage
Shoes: Nine West & Sam Edelman (worn here too)
Until next time! Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting below =)
