Fall into Denim with Lane Bryant

Striped Button-Front Tie-Front Top: c/o HERE

Signature Fit High-Rise Skinny Jean - Light Wash With Seam: c/o HERE

Ankle Strap Heel - Snake Skin Print: c/o HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

This post is sponsored by Lane Bryant. All opinions are my own.

Fall is officially nine days away. Around this time each year, I find myself switching out traditional summer bottoms for denim. Finding great fitting denim pants can be a challenge. I was excited when Lane Bryant reached out to me to try a pair of denim pants from their latest collection. I selected this pair of Signature Fit skinny jeans because in my mind skinny jeans will never go out of style. They look PHENOMENAL on curves! Plus, I LOVE the seam detailing on this pair. Of particular interest to me was the Flex Magic Waistband, which features a no-gap, stretch waistband that moves with you for all-day comfort. My waist size is significantly smaller than my hip size, having a waistband that actually fits is imperative! The jeans that I am wearing in this post are size 12, Babes the fit is AH-MAZING!!! There is just the right amount stretch to make moving around with ease effortless AND the jeans hug your curves 😍. I styled my jeans with a Striped Button-Front Tie-Front Top that can be worn during the day or night as shown here. The look is finished off with Snake Skin Print Sandals - which seriously go with EVERYTHING!
Over to you Babes, have you tried out Lane Bryant's Jeans Guide? If so, what do you think?!

Until next time,

Xx

Currently Coveting Spring

Hat: Similar HERE| Top: Free People, sold out

Skirt: Old, another option HERE| Shoes: Similar HERE

Hey YOU!
I know I've been a stranger around these parts (i.e. on my blog), it seems like one thing after another came up. In the midst of life unfolding, I struggled to sit down to create content for this space (more on that to come). 
However, with the first hints of SPRING staring me in the face, I find myself overflowing with excitement for warmer temperatures, and... more importantly -->WARM WEATHER FASHION!!!
Give me all the colors, print mixes, frills, lace, and feminine embellishments that I can handle PLEASE!
I snagged this crop top at a Nordstrom sale a few months back. I anticipated wearing it on a girl's trip, but alas the temperatures were too cold and I had to save it for another time. No worries, spring weather has made a few appearances here in LA 😉 
Summer is still my absolute favorite season, however I'm willing to concede that spring is a very close second 😍. Are you looking forward to warmer weather as much as I am?
Until next time,
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

Denim Days

Pink baseball hat: Nordstrom, similar HERE, HERE, HERE| Sunnies: c/o HERE| Kimono: c/o HERE| Wood watch: c/o HERE

Chambray shirt: HERE| Chambray shorts: Sold out, similar HERE| Purse: Kate Spade| Glitter sandals: Steve Madden, old

I love a denim on denim look, I decided to take the classic pairing into summer mode by opting for shorts instead of jeans. We are after all in the full thrust of Summer 2017! I used an over sized top that I've blogged before (see HERE) and recently acquired smoked chambray shorts (at a fab BOGO sale).
When combined they almost look like a romper, but with the ease of separates. To finish off the look and because I am a girly girl through and through I added in pastel pink by way of a short floral kimono, and accessories. 
Omission: I am not a fan of short kimonos paired with denim pants, but by opting for denim shorts instead I found a way that the trend works with my personal sense of style. Remember my lengthy post about visual balance?
This look was perfect for stepping out, and of course I look forward to debuting it at the office 😎 (not having a dress code is one of the things I appreciate 100% about my job).
Until next time Loves,
Xx

Spring Fling

Dress (14p): HERE| Wood Watch: c/o HERE| Pom sandals: Sold out, but check HERE| Straw bag: Thrifted & DIY trim

Loves I have a confession to make: There’s a new color in my life and I can’t get enough of it.

I’m not sure what you might call it, you see it’s not quite red  but then it’s not a true orange hue either. In my head, it is the perfect color in between fiery red and Sunkist orange. I think I’ll call it Fire Orange👌 
It is bold, it is fiery, it is fearless.

To feed my habit in true shopaholic form, I’ve scooped up a number of items already this spring in this fiery hue. Shall we call the dress in today’s style story, “Exhibit A”? Stay tuned for "Exhibit B"...

The style of this feminine frock is choked with things to love: dotted swiss, ruffles, and tiers. Thus far I’ve only styled it with my ‘loads of fun’ pom sandals (another option HERE), but I have a few others ideas in mind for future escapades...

What I really appreciate about today’s look is that it is a wonderful combination of style + comfort!

My wicker bag includes coordinating orange-ish fringe tassels, which resulted from a 10 minute DIY session. I opted to staple the strip of tassels on versus gluing it (like a tutorial I saw on Pinterest) because I wanted the style to be temporary. A second  DIY session is in the works to use poms instead 💕

Until next time Loves,

Xx

Floral Frenzy

Dress: c/o HERE  + sign up for ONE MONTH FREE| Earrings: Bauble Bar, sold out

Sandals: Vince Camuto, identical twin HERE + another option HERE

Happy 1^st day of spring!!! Depending on where you live, it may not quite feel and or look very much like spring yet- but it never hurts to prepare in advance 😊 I’ve said before that in my mind, floral prints are synonymous with warmer weather. This mixed media shift dress is a part of Gwynnie Bee’s (online women’s clothing subscription service) new spring wear haul. I was curious about how the fit would be, as shift dresses can be tricky on my pear shaped frame. I was pleasantly surprised with how well it fit (I sized up), even my hubby was a fan, LOL! This dress is versatile; it can be dressed up or down, all depending on your style needs and preferences. In true spring-like fashion I opted to style it with pink, but I can also picture it styled seamlessly with pale grey, periwinkle, or olive. The fantastic thing about Gwynnie Bee is that a membership with them affords you the opportunity to try out name brand, trendy and classic pieces at your own pace, plus you have the option to purchase items or to send them back for something even better❣ 
I just might have to purchase this dress ❤❤❤

On another note: I think that this dress caused a car accident!!! While hubby and I were shooting this look, a car accident occurred, literally RIGHT IN FRONT OF US! So, we were just getting started, and less than 10 minutes in, I hear the loudest bang EVER and then see a luxury car spin/side out directly across the street from us-hitting the light pole! All four airbags deployed, but the driver and passengers made it out of the car in one piece.  The driver ran off on foot in true Los Angeles style, while two of the passengers stayed behind to chat with the police (including one that did suffer head/facial injuries). How the accident occurred was that the driver was not paying attention/appeared to be distracted (was he looking at this dress?) and he ran the red light, causing another car who had the right away to hit him at a significant speed. WHEW! After all that and during the investigation and other activities that unfolded, we continued on with our shoot. Distractions are a dime a dozen here! There are so many interesting things that happen while we are shooting, and just in general- I may start sharing them from time to time… 
Do tell: Do you think that this dress caused the crash?!

Until next time,

XO

Fall for Culottes

If there is one new thing that I have fully embraced this year, I would have to say it is the concept of over-sized clothing. Although I am not at all obsessed with tight and or fitted clothing, generally speaking I am interested in clothing that fits my body well.
This year however, I found myself embracing over-sized fits, and feeling quite spectacular in them. Previously my preference was to steer clear of larger cuts of clothing, as I didn’t like the fact that they made me look bigger than I actually am.
Welp, 2016 has been the year to do away with that idea/care, and it feels so good! Although I am clearly full figured, my waist is considerably smaller than my hips. However, it is not necessary that I should always have to wear items to highlight and or accentuate that fact. Over-sized clothing works for all sizes, including those of us on the plus side :)

Until next time,
XO

Sunnies: Nordstrom| Lace top: Ross Dress for Less| Culottes c/o Elvi, see more here)| Sandals: Steve Madden (worn here)

DIY Fashion Bash

Today marks the very first style story on the blog for the month of June! I am truly in disbelief at how quickly 2016 is flying by; I mean, we’re halfway to December already!!! I have said this time and time again, but just for emphasis, I’ll say once more: It feels like time is speeding up! Ok, ok, I’ll get on with today’s post =)

The name of the game is DIY (do-it-yourself) and I would love to be a master player. After all, I spend a good amount of time dreaming up new projects and pinning to my DIY inspiration boards on Pinterest (see here and here).  However, there is one ever present obstacle to fulfilling all of my DIY dreams: Time. Or should I say, a lack of time. Even when I select a so-called “simple” project, it seems to take at least double the amount of time that I originally anticipated.

As a motivator, I decided to invite a few fellow blogging babes to join me for today’s post, with the common challenge of creating our very own take on something fashion related, whether it be clothing or accessories. Alas, I had such high hopes, and I felt certain that I would finally be able to pin myself down to execute several pending ideas. However, my favorite obstacle presented itself again, I simply did not have the time to do everything that I envisioned.

As in every situation in life, one must always have a Plan B lined up =) May I present my Plan B: Pompom Sandals! I decided to highlight a mega quick DIY that is totally on trend. Only 3 supplies are needed: Shoes+ Pompoms+ glue/hot glue gun. Total time spent? Less than 15 minutes! Success at last!!!

I scored the sandals at a local thrift for $7. An added bonus: They had never been worn. I bought 1 yard of pompoms for $4 in the district, and the glue/glue gun were already on hand. Total cost for this project? Less than $15!!! 

I glued each pompom on, allowing the glue to dry before starting on the next one. I like how they turned out and look forward to seeing what else I will pair them up with. I was feeling a bit indecisive this time around, so I opted for a simple black jumpsuit that actually has been lying in wait in my wardrobe, totally unworn, for almost a year...

To recap: Today's pompom project took less than 15 minutes to execute and less than $15 to fund! Please don't forget that today's DIY fash bash is in collaboration with:

Princess- www.personalbravery.com/ (@PersonalBravery)

LaQuita- www.thestylespoonie.com (@TheStyleSpoonie) 

Faith- faithlashablogs.wordpress.com (@Faith.Fully.Yours)

Check out their DIY projects on their blog(s) and let me know which tips you plan to use!

Until next time Dolls,

XO

Sunnies: Forever 21| Statement necklace: Nordstrom, also worn here|  Jumpsuit: Trina Turk| Handbag: Vintage| Pom Pom Sandals: Thrifted , DIY Project

Blackballed

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