Orange, The New Black?

Orange is the new black

“There is no blue without yellow and without orange.” — Vincent Van Gogh

#plussize

I describe vibrant shades of orange as “color on fire”. Picture this: Rich, saturating hues, rapidly engulfing a scene. Fashion trend analysts predicted orange’s return for 2014, several even described orange as the new black. 

Street style

Although Crayola orange hues are obviously the complete opposite of black, there are some variations of orange that pack less of a punch and might be more suitable for the color-inhibited. I have long subscribed to the philosophy of ‘Go Bold or Go Home’, it’s quite natural that I’m here to receive color in the form of an overdose,LOL!

Color blocking

Do you remember my post, "Some Like It Bright" (see here)? You see, I've been wearing orange (and all bright colors for that matter) prior to 2014 (examples here & here), I'm pretty certain that I will continue to wear it long after the trend has died off ;) Why? Because it feels magnificent! In my opinion, trends provide general suggestions, not guidelines, as to what I will or will not wear!

Curvy plus size blogger

One article states: "Orange increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity". Interestingly, Fall/Winter 2015 fashion weeks indicated that we can expect to see ample supply of tangerine-like hues this year as well;)

Plus size style

Notice that I paired two differing shades of orange with cobalt blue. Let me tell you, this color mix recipe made me feel amazing!!! Why did I not think to bring the ice (blue) to the fire (orange) before?! MERCY, I love this color combination!! I WILL craft more ways to incorporate this color palette =)

Peplum Top + Tube Skirt

So I don’t know if orange truly is the new black, especially for those who prefer to wear the color black 24/7, but speaking for myself: I’ll take it any day all day!

Over to you Style Lovers: Is orange the 'new black' in your wardrobe? 
Until next time!
X

Sunnies: TJMAXX | Peplum top: Bar III (worn here) | Tube Skirt: Vince Camuto (worn here) | Handbag: Kate Spade | Socks: Nordstrom | Leather Pumps: Vince Camuto

Thrift Store Score: Seeing Red

This edition of #ThriftStoreScore features red, red, and red! Finally, I got rid of 98% of the red remnants that were left remaining in my hair (by stepping into my makeshift chemistry lab and mixing 7th Stage with 30 Volume, plus going over that with an Ash & 20 Volume), yet I find myself in red once again! 

I’ve mentioned before how much red I used to wear when I first began picking out my own clothes as a little girl, so much so that my uncles nicknamed me “Blood”. Here we are 30+ years later and I still have a thing for the color red….

Today’s look is a mixed print toss salad, all ingredients came together per my desire to wear this newly thrifted midi skirt. Now, the skirt actually came with a matching blazer, but that was just too easy to wear! Actually, I have no interest in wearing the two together at this time-LOL! 

As you can see I added stripes and flowers to the polka dot dance, and hit the door. For more episodes of #ThriftStoreScore, please click here and scroll down ;)

Do share: Are you a mixed print lover like me, especially in bold brights or do you steer clear of the mix-up and prefer neutral tones? Inquiring minds want to know :)
Until next time Style Lovers!

Sunnies: TJMAXX | Stripe sweater: Ellen Tracy (worn here) | Floral peplum: Forever 21 (worn here) | Polka dot midi skirt: Vintage, thrifted
Red gladiators: Ross Dress for Less (worn here) | Bag: Kate Spade

30PlusStyle: Sangria on the Rocks

As a perfect follow-up to Friday’s post Red Hot for Fall, #30PlusStyle returns today (click here to see our last post) and we’re rocking SANGRIA, Pantone’s top forecast for Fall 2014! Follow us on FB: www.facebook.com/30plusstyle. Oh, and check out my FB page too: https://www.facebook.com/InMyJoi1

Let's be honest, is there anyone who does not enjoy a glass of Sangria?! 

I mean seriously, Sangria when made properly is delicious!!! I especially like mine COLD and sweet ;)

In my opinion, the same description fits when it comes to describing dark red colors. Fall 2014 is officially Code Red. Actually the top 10 fall colors for women and men are just about the same, according to Pantone, the authority on the hues used in paint, fabrics and manufacturing.

Sangria is celebratory, yes, even intoxicating. I’m wearing a darker rendering of Sangria; the manufacturer actually calls it “Wine”.  

I am so pleased with this shift in color palettes for Fall, although attempting to dress Fall-like in 100+ degrees Farenheit is a C H A L L E N G E…

I added accessories that speak to my #vintagelove, and that aid in creating an illusion of Fall-like weather. See more of my vintage ensembles by clicking here.
When it comes to wearing red, whether you choose a little or a lot, plug it into your wardrobe and watch things heat up!

There are so many color combinations to try using dark reds, I will share a few of my favorites here on the blog. Follow me to be sure you don't miss a post! Please do share, are you excited about the shift in reds for Fall?

Check out all the #30PlusStyle Babes in SANGRIA today:
www.mode-plus.com
www.grownandcurvywoman.com
www.prettypluspep.blogspot.com
www.pumpsandstudz.blogspot.com
www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com

We're 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!

Hat: Vintage
Dress: boohoo PLUS
Gloves: Vintage (also worn here)
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: Nine West

Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting below =)

Date Day: Black on Black

My best days are spent with my husband. We're entering our 17th year of date nights and date days, and yet I still look forward to each and every single one.

For a day of fun, I opted for all black ensemble. I could not help but think of the looming controversy of the day: yet another public figure has stated nasty sentiments toward Black people. I purposely steer clear of racially charged remarks made toward Black people, because they infuriate me. It causes me to feel things that I ought not. To me, this was yet another occurrence, another reminder of how many people degrade, disrespect, and betray people of my race.

Yet, I am still standing, and I am smiling. I refuse to give my joy away to anyone. I am forever honored to be B LA C K.

Black is more to me than just a color . It has meaning. It means that each time I enter a department store, at least one sales person will think that I'm there to steal. It means that every time I happen to talk to another black person at the office, someone will stare at us, as if we're doing something wrong. It means that I am one of few brown faces in whatever corporate environment I find myself in. It means that people make assumptions about my character, values, and priorities. It means that people will try to shame me.

Despite the ignorance that I feel surronds me, I refuse to be ashamed of who I am. I love being B L A C K, and even more so, a B L A C K WOMAN!

 

Hat: Borrowed from my husband, also worn here

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson

Peplum jacket: Bar III

Earrings: Vintage

Necklace: TJMaxx, also worn here

Top: Nordstrom

Leggings: Macy's

Gladiator sandals: Jessica Simpson

Clutch: Vintage

Faux Leather Peplum & Red Trumpet Skirt

Happy Sunday! Did you remember to set your clock ahead? Spring is in the air!

Apparently this shoot interrupted a cloud passing through. The first picture (above) is the only one out of 58 that came out clear! It's weird, because from what we could see, it was clear. Here's what showed up in the rest of the photos:

Peplum is versatile, and can be worn tucked and un-tucked. I prefer it tucked with this skirt because of the waist detail. I pulled out two of my vintage handbags. If everything can't fit into one, why not pair it with a second one?! 

Faux leather peplum: Mimi Chica

Trumpet skirt: Ruby Red

Handbags: Vintage, thrifted (also worn here)

Shoes: Nine West

Thrift Store Score: Blue Chevron Peplum

Hello there! Can you believe that we are 7 days into the month of March already? 2014 is well under way! 
Today's Thrift Store Score features this blue number that I nabbed from a thrift shop in a small town (sometimes those have the best finds). 

It was custom made using a neat pattern, for someone or by someone just about my size. The zipper indicates that it is older, perhaps early 1980's. I don't usually go for 80's style, but I liked the colors and the pattern. 

The peplum detailing in the front sealed the deal.

Following my usual motto: "Add Hat When Possible", I topped this look with a blue vintage velvet turban-style hat.

It's nice to welcome the sun back, as we have had several days of rain and flooding. 

I'm actually happy that it rained, and so is the vegetation which now looks radiantly green!

Hat-Vintage,thrifted

Sunnies- Betsey Johnson

Earrings- Betsey Johnson

Dress- Thrifted

Boots- Ralph Lauren

Handbag- Coach, also worn here (Limited Edition)

Have a wonderful weekend & thanks for stopping by!

Xx

Minty Candy Cane: Improvised Peplum & Skinny Ankle Pants

 Today's outfit post reminds me of a red and white candy cane. Each piece has been in my wardrobe for a while, yet I have never worn them all together. Funny story about this peplum top: It's actually a tube top, and previously had a large red bow on it. I bought it because I liked the pattern, it was peplum, and as an added bonus: it was on final clearance at TJMaxx for $5.00. Yet, I wasn't sure how I wanted to wear it, and I really disliked the bow. So it sat in my dresser drawer for 2 years or more...One day while perusing my closet for new combination ideas, I happened to notice that the sweater and the peplum top went together very well. It looks very similar to a twinset. I cut off the bow, and wa-la! 

 The mint pants seemed like a natural match. Friends of this blog know that 9 times out of 10, I stick with Not Your Daughter's Jeans as my go to pants. The fit is just wonderful...Ah- I digress! Any who, there are times when I deviate, and this is one example. I like the fit of these pants, but I must say, in my opinion they don't really do anything for me. Don't get me wrong, I like the color, the length, and fit overall. They just seem to lack the 'umph' that I look for in a pair of pants.

Sweater: Ellen Tracy

Peplum: Monteau

Pants: Vince Camuto

Handbag: Dooney & Bourke

Mary Jane's: Nine West (also seen here and here)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have a wonderful day!

Lady in the Blues

Hat: Vintage, thrifted

Sleeveless Peplum: TJMaxx (also seen here)

Chambray shirt: Forever 21 (also seen here)

Jeggings: Forever 21

Leather gloves: Thrifted

Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Booties: Mia (also seen here and here)

Color Blocking with Shades of Melon

 I was in the mood for color blocking, so I paired melon shades together, and headed to the office. The top is one of my peplum favorites, but I decided to tuck it in this go round. You have to love the versatility of peplum! How do you color block? I don't necessarily follow a specific method, I play with colors until I create what looks right to me.

Earrings: Precious Stone (Thrifted)

Necklace: Precious Stone (TJMaxx)

Top: Bar III (Macy's)

Belt: Nordstrom Rack

Skirt: Vintage (Thrifted)

Sandals: Giani Bernini

Handbag: Classic Coach, throwback

Why I Started Blogging; Got My Peplum & Skinnies On

I feel retrospective today. 
Let's talk blogging. I thought about starting a fashion/style blog for a few years. It took me some time to decide to actually do it because I tend to procrastinate...I also rationalized: There are already a number of EXCELLENT curvy fashion bloggers (who I consistently follow), how will my blog be any different? Finally though, with much encouragement from my husband and close friends, I decided to take the plunge. Why?
In my opinion, there aren't nearly enough images/resources of/for real sized, real life women flooding social media. If the average woman is considered to be plus size, why don't at least 50% of the images of women on social media and the net reflect that? 
I love to find inspiration in the styles of other women, but I noticed that when surfing Pinterest, FB, IG, and fashion blogs- most women, although stylish, did not look like me, which led me to feel uninspired. 
It is my hope that one day, when I look for images of style inspiration, the majority of images found, will be real sized, real life women. Being curvy is nothing to be ashamed of. Let's show the world, the media, and our peers: WE ARE HERE TO STAY!

What I wore:

Sunnies: Vintage, thrifted

Earrings: L/A Fashion District

Peplum Top: F21

Skinny Jeans: Not Your Daughter's Jeans

Shoes: Bandolino

Handbag: Coach (classic throwback, 90's)