The Catsuit Revisited

Catsuit: Old, similar HERE| Cutoff shorts: Sold out, try HERE 
Sandals Via Spiga, another option HERE

Photography by A. Robinson

With the cooler months of fall just over the horizon, we start to think about what we'd like transitional wear to look like. Layering is a classic staple for fall weather, even here in SoCal. Fall days are often sunny and mild, but the evenings can be starkly cool in comparison. 
I opted to turn a pair of cutoff summer shorts into optimal transitional wear by layering them on top of a full-body catsuit. I LOVE how this look came together! It would be ideal for date night, or a girl's night out. For even cooler temperatures, I would add additional layers in the form of a cropped jacket, perhaps a cute scarf, plus statement booties 😉
Over to you, how do you like to style transitional clothing?
Until next time,
Xx

Connect the Dots

Hat: HERE| Earrings: Similar HERE| Romper: c/o HERE| Sandals: Via Spiga, old

Happy Fri-Yay!!! Today's post features a polka dot romper that I brought along with me on vacation. Babes, this romper is ideal for travel. Not only is it easy to pack- I rolled it up compactly and tucked it in my suitcase- there was not a wrinkle to be found when I unpacked it! It oozes vintage vibes, is wonderfully lightweight (plus cool to wear in humid weather), and offers a touch of class. I love classy pieces! I also ❤ that it can easily be dressed up or down. I even wore it while horseback riding (more pictures on Instagram)!
I'm enjoying my time here in Costa Rica, but am now ready to get back to the USA 😏
Until next time,
Xx

It's Still Summer

Hat: HERE| Dress: c/o HERE| Handbag: Older, similar option HERE| Suede Sandals: Via Spiga, old

So it's almost Fall, but not quite, which means that it is still summer 😊 I took advantage of this simple fact, and put this outfit together for a spin. I acquired both the hat and dress about the same time (a few weeks ago), although neither were intentionally meant to be paired with the other. However, when the dress came in the mail I immediately knew that it belonged with this hat 💥 Wasn't I right? Don't they look so happy together?! LOL! 
If you're a regular visitor to my blog I will not bore you again about my ❤ of black & white color duos...Instead, I'll introduce you to a new-to-me brand, Simply Be. Simply Be is a UK based women's fashion retailer. They aren't new to the scene, in fact according to their site - "We’ve been leading the way in plus-size fashion for years, so we know a thing or two about creating perfect fits. Every time. And for everybody."

And check out this ah-mazing mission statement:

WE ARE NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
AND WE ARE NOT A FAD.

CURVE IS NOT A TREND OR A HOT TOPIC.
IT’S NOT AN ADD-ON OR AN AFTERTHOUGHT.
IT’S AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

IT’S WHY WE EXIST.
WE’VE BEEN HERE SINCE DAY ONE.
AND WE’RE STILL LEADING THE WAY.

WE DEMAND STYLE. WE DEMAND FIT.
AND WE HATE COMPROMISE.

WE ARE SIMPLY BE.

WE ARE CURVES.

This vintage inspired midi dress flatters a variety of body types, and it comes with a high neck and cut-out shoulder detailing. It's currently available is sizes 8-28, plus you have the option of selecting from two different lengths (which I didn't realize when I ordered it).

The cut-outs are my absolute favorite feature hands down! Not only are they great alternative to the cold shoulder trend, but they also tie in wonderfully with the vintage design. 

I got a number of compliments both times that I wore this look - I look forward to styling the dress and the hat with existing items in my wardrobe.

Until next time,
Xx

When Life Gives You Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make fruit salad!

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Strawberry earrings: J. Crew, sold out| Dress: Snag a FREE membership HERE

Purse: Vintage, thrifted| Suede sandals: Via Spiga, sold out

Remember Gwynnie Bee, THEE ultimate source for a stylish, never ending Babe Boss closet?! 
Learn more + score 💥 FOUR WEEKS FREE HERE 💥 
I scored this fab frock from them, fittingly it is called 'Fruit Salad'.  I am so excited to be one of their Influencer Partners- I can wholeheartedly advocate their Borrow N Buy service because I use and benefit from it personally! 
Moving on: The brand that designed this fruity number is called City Chic, I am a serious fan! From my experience (see previous posts HERE & HERE) their dresses are always well made, fit wonderfully, come with pockets, and often feature adjustable straps!!!! YES!!! Adjustable straps are a woman's best friend IMO, they help to eliminate side boobage (I'm not a fan) and those pesky bra gaps!
Another great thing about Gwynnie Bee, you can try out their fabulous service for completely FREE for 4 weeks. If you don't like it, simple cancel your membership and return whatever items you have 😉
__________________

Can I tell you about something that has been on my mind this week? It’s kinda petty, but I know I can be completely honest with you and you’ll love me anyway 👀

Soo…I am quite particular about how my nails are done ☝ Like seriously. Actually, I am quite particular about how everything is done…but that is a topic for another day… 
I got my nails done last weekend (a standard fill-in). My regular nail tech wasn’t in, so I ended up going to someone new. BIG MISTAKE! Why didn’t I follow my gut instinct to say “No”?! Welp, herein another lesson learned... The tech who did my nails was very nice - but seemed to be quite inexperienced. I had to keep interjecting, explaining how something or another should be done…and yet we still couldn’t make progress to get on the right track. At the end of the ordeal, after she polished my nails, I noticed that there was a large lump on my left thumb nail. It was a result of improper filing/buffing and an excess of acrylic. My passive irritation came to a head, and full on frustration was evident. She nervously redid that nail, but let’s face it- the entire experience was ruined at this point. 

Even now, every time I look at my hands (I have to let them grow out a bit before I can go back to have them done properly) I shake my head and repeat to myself ‘Never again’. Not only are my nails super thick (in a bad way), the shape is way off and inconsistent from finger to finger, my cuticles are uneven, and there is a gap in between where the acrylic starts and my cuticle ends… This is a problem whenever I touch my hair. Hairs get caught in the gap, snag, and tear. I won’t bore you with the details of what happened when I washed my hair…. 

What was interesting about this experience is that the tech shared with me that she had been doing nails for TEN YEARS!!!  That got me to thinking....I’ve observed that in life there are things that a person may be naturally good at, and then there are other things that one may not be good at - at all. At times no amount of schooling, training, and or coaching can help- because it just isn’t for you. There are some professions IMO, particularly ones involving some form of artistry that require a natural talent to be successful. If you don’t have a natural knack for it, let just say it is evident - to everyone. I thought about the nail tech and I begin to feel sad. What is it like to work long hours at a job that you’re not good at, and one probably that you don’t even like? This thought process led me to feelings of empathy. To be honest, I will never allow her to do my nails again. However: I respect her. I empathize with her. She is working to provide for a family. She may not be in the position to change professions. I will be sure to smile and be friendly to her whenever I see her. 

This experience was a reminder to myself to empathize with others MORE 💕 
One of my favorite quotes states: “Be kind, everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about”.

Until next time Babes,

XO

Leather LBD Edition

Sunnies: c/o HERE| Dress: HERE| Studded handbag: Kate Spade, sold out| Suede sandals: Older, other options HERE & HERE

A few posts back, I slipped into LBD planning gear with a new scuba high-low number, HERE. My personal LBD collection is pretty solid at this point... honestly I had no intention of adding another newbie to my repertoire- that is until I came across this BABY 💥ON SALE HERE💥 

It suddenly occurred to me that a successful LBD collection should consist not only of varied styles, but also of varied textures! Like how did I miss that necessary fact previously?! LOL!

Seriously ladies, this dress was designed for evey exception. Even before I purchased it, I could see what a fantastic addition it would make to the fold. Faux leather, flutter sleeves, and a ruffle hem!!! 

Since I live in a relatively mild climate, the material and style of this dress makes it ideal for yearlong wear- including the colder months. I’m picturing chunky layers, textured tights, and cute booties just for starters… Even now, although we are supposedly in spring and just about one month away from the inferno of summer…I am wearing it comfortably. 

Of course once we tip into the 90s, I’ll probably retire it to the ‘Rest-up' section of my closet, meanwhile boiling over in anticipation of its next venture out 👀

For my very first run in it, I kept it simple, opting for an all black color palette, an embellished handbag + suede sandals. I got so many compliments on this! Several people even thought that it was real leather😀
I assured them that it was not, but it’s definitely nice to know that it looks just as good as the real thing.

Until next time Babes,

Xx

Feminine Style with Amazon Fashion

Sunnies: HERE| Dress c/o HERE| Purse: HERE| Suede sandals: Via Spiga, similar here + another option here 
-My faux fur poms are clip-ons that have long ago sold out 😣

I would definitely describe my personal style as feminine, I am such a girly girl at heart 💗 You'll catch me in dresses, frills, ruffles, pleats, a-line cuts, and just about anything else on the feminine side.
I'm siked to have teamed up with Amazon Fashion to share some of my picks from their massive collection of Women's fashion! 

When I spotted this fabulous NAME BRAND lace inspired sweater dress for under 25 bucks- I was totally in disbelief! Note: As of today, it is still available (plus sizes only) at a discounted price, if you happen to wear a 1x. The fit is very generous, you may opt to size down.
I'm already a serious fan of this brand and their quality, you can imagine the heart palpitations that I encountered when I peeped the bargain price! 
Although tomorrow marks the first official day of spring, it may take some time for the weather in your neck of the woods to catch up (including mine, as temperatures are heading down 😥). Sweater dresses make for great transitional pieces, they can be layered up (for instance I can see this dress paired with a trench, tights, and booties, or layered with a top underneath, socks, and shoes) + worn alone with equal style and pizzazz. This sweater dress is an excellent spring option, it features quarter length sleeves - enabling one to cope with the heat of a spring-like day along with typical evening cool downs. 
I received a ton of compliments its grand debut to the office, I look forward to styling it again!

Until next time,
XO

Mixed Feelings

I’ve recently had one too many conversations with peers who for one or more reasons loathe their own bodies. I actually cringed to listen to a number of things that they said about themselves, as most comments were (not surprisingly) in reference to having gained unwanted weight and how their lives had drastically changed...or so they felt. Their comments gave me cause for pause, because in case they hadn’t noticed, I am a full figured woman! Hello! If they hated the way that they looked, were they not in affect saying that they hated the way that I looked?! And why did they choose to take up those conversations of such subject matter with me?

Yes, those conversations gave me cause for pause, and I have since taken some time to reflect on how different my personal feelings on the matter are. If by chance it isn’t clear, “I am a full figured woman”. I have always been a full figured woman. Give or take a few pounds, I have remained in sizes 12-16 (depending on the cut of an item) for almost 20 years. I’ve previously written about the years of my life that I wasted feeling ashamed of my curves, my body type, and yes my size. I like many women fed into the propaganda that ‘If only I was smaller’ my life would somehow improve by leaps and bounds…

The truth then is exactly the same truth today: Happiness is a choice! Now is the time to love myself, to love my body, to be happy, and to live with gratitude. Of course, I understand the desire to lose a few unwanted pounds, especially when it seems that they have crept up on you! I cannot however, sympathize with hateful speech towards your own body, which in turn teaches young girls, young women, and even influences other adult women that their personal self-worth should be heavily tied to their personal appearance- and even more so- the opinions of others.

If there is only one thing that I could gift every single woman that I come across, it would be constant awareness of everything about 'her' that is truly wonderful. In the interim, I stand in my own truth, embracing this body that I have been given, and styling it to the nine on every possible opportunity : ) Yes I am plus size and I feel fabulous!!! 

Until next time,

XO

Hat: BCBG| Sunnies: Nordstrom| Top: Here| Shorts: Forever 21 Plus| Suede sandals: Via Spiga| Purse: Vintage

A Fall State of Mind

As I’ve mentioned in my last few posts, we’re currently knee deep in Indian Summer. That is, temperatures have been on the rise as opposed to a significant decrease since the first day of Fall landed. To counteract this phenomenon, I’ve adjusted my mindset and have developed what I like to think of as a ‘Fall State of Mind’. 

Yes, although Fall-like temperatures continue to evade us, I am determined to embrace the change of season : )

Fall fashion in my head is associated with dark lush colors, among them being dramatic dark floral prints (see another example here). When I spotted this plus size maxi dress at a recent event co-sponsored by the plus size brand Fashion to Figure, I was taken. It brings in elements of drama, romance, and intrigue.

What I find to be particularly fab, especially given current temperatures (which on this particular day loomed around the 96 degree mark) is that this dress is made of mesh, and is very lightweight and breathable! Yes, although it is black with long sleeves, I still managed to feel refreshed by a passing breeze here and there : )

I opted to style it with black denim, because I was after a different affect. I added in black beads, a patent leather clutch, suede sandals and hit the door. Not only did I feel Fall fashionable, I looked fabulous! LOL!!!

Until next time,

XO

Sunnies: Quay Australia| Beads: TJMAXX| Plus size maxi dress: c/o Fashion to Figure| Jeans: NYDJ| Suede sandals: Via Spiga| Patent leather clutch: Vintage

Thrift Store Score: Minty Fresh

Happy FRI-YAY beauties!!!! Today's #ThriftStoreScore features a gorgeous mint, eyelet, vintage dress! Can you imagine that it was specially marked for $5?! I smiled in total disbelief!

The design and color are simply spectacular, I WILL wear this dress to death!!!

When it came to deciding what to wear it with, I had a number of options in mind from my wardrobe. I look forward to experimenting with all of the possibilities that I originally came up with in the future, or shall I say, in the near future ;) 
For this time around however, I decided to go for Team Monochrome.

You can't tell now, but the original size of the dress was a bit too large on me. I took it to a friend to have it altered. She always does an amazing job ;)

I wore the entire look as styled here to a seminar, and I got so many compliments! 

The deets:
Sunnies-Betsey Johnson
Dress, earrings, and ring-Vintage,thrifted
Handbag- Kate Spade (worn here)
Sandals- Via Spiga (worn here)

Thank you for stopping by! Please do tell,  how would you style this dress? Team Monochrome or Team Contrast?!

Have a wonderful weekend! Joi

Mad Men Inspired

Doesn't this dress scream out, "Mad Men?!

Side note: I'm trying to hold in my laughter in the photo below as my hubby suggests how I should pose-LOL!

Back to Mad Men: in case you are not familiar, “Mad Men” is a period drama series based here in the United States. It is set during the 1960s. One character in particular has a style mantra that suits my fancy:  gorgeous, curvy Joan (Christina Hendricks). Joan’s style is FANTASTIC to me and I so wish that I could step through the TV screen and raid her wardrobe department!

 When I spotted this dress at Nordstrom and tried it on, I simply could not leave the store without it. My husband says that he is glad that I made that decision, because this dress is now one of his favorites ;)

After purchasing a new piece, the ever imminent question arises: ‘What will I wear with it?’ Fortunately, I had this fun vintage veiled cocktail hat, matching vintage earrings and strappy sandals in my stash.

I am quite pleased with how it all came together!  
I’d love to hear from you: Are you inspired by fashion worn in period pieces?

Vintage hat: Thrifted

Sunnies: Nordstrom

Earrings: Vintage, thrifted

Dress: Ivy & Blue for Maggy Boutique (Nordstrom)

Sandals: Via Spiga

In other news, I am super excited about a post coming up later on this week! I stepped completely outside of my comfort zone, and I hope that it will inspire you to love the skin you’re in ;)
Stay tuned & thanks for stopping by!
Xx