In Knit to Win It

Wool fedora: August Hat Company| Statement earrings: HERE + weight supports HERE
Knit sweater: c/o HERE| Maxi skirt: HERE| Faux fur scarf: ZARA

A few weeks back I fell in love with thee most beautiful jeweled statement earrings 😍 Have I mentioned that I L❤VE statement earrings?! We all know accessory selections really do matter, for instance statement earrings can elevate a simple outfit effortlessly. Lately I've been partial to colorful fringe and or tassel statement earrings (the bigger the better) - but this gorgeous duo swept me off my feet by surprise. I initially spotted them online, but I wanted to see them in-person prior to making a firm commitment. I headed over to the brick & mortar locale, happily they were in stock, and unbelievably they were just as stunning in-person. I snapped them up in a hurry (along with a few other things that I most certainly did not need), and raced home to play dress up in them.
Surprise, surprise, surprise 😒 They were heavy 😓Very heavy 😖 Too heavy 😷 Ridiculously H E A V Y 😳 
My ears hurt just just from trying them on! 
A decision had to be made. Should I attempt to return the earrings, or try to find a way to wear them painlessly? I opted to search for a way to alleviate the pain (and any possible damage to my ears)...during a google search, I discovered a wonderful invention for earring lovers HERE. Someone figured out that removable lapels can support the weight of an earring and how to apply them to and from the ear with ease. At first I doubted the validity of the advert claims, but I read through hundreds of positive reviews. I decided to give it a shot and I'm so happy that I did! Now I can wear all of my statement earrings carefree! 
Until next time Babes,
Xx

Candy Stripes

Pink wool hat: HERE| Top: Old, similar HERE 
Skirt: c/o HERE + save $5 off your order with code JOI5OFF

According to a recent inventory check into my wardrobe, I may or may not have enough hats to wear a different one every day for at least 4 months…😖 👀 😶
If you’re a hat lover/hoarder like me, you may find that you have to create opportunities to be certain that you wear each piece in your collection. For instance, I bought this pink boater last year (never fear, it’s still available for sale HERE) but instead of wearing it promptly, I ended up putting it on display in my powder room. This shade of pink closely matches the color that I painted my powder room. Time flew by and now here we are almost in May…
Recently I set about reconciling my hat inventory (including purging where necessary) and realized that I hadn't wore this beauty yet! Sure it looks pretty cute mounted in my powder room, but how much fun is that?! LOL! I had an idea to pair soft pink with red this season, without a doubt a result of my relentless Pinterest excursions.  
I rummaged through my closet and re-discovered this choker tank top acquired last summer. Wouldn’t you know that both the hat and tank felt like a perfect fit for this knockout candy stripe maxi skirt?! Seriously though, when I tried it all on I felt like the wait had been well worth it! 
This maxi stunner stands out in a crowd- and paired with pastel pink it hits the ball out of the park! 
Please be sure to check out Fab & Frugal Women's Boutique HERE, and score $5 off with code ”JOI5OFF”. 
Sierra (the owner) just added a ton of new stuff, check it out and save!
Until next time,
XO

Festival Ready with Torrid | Part 1

Hat: Similar HERE| Bell sleeve blouse: c/o HERE| Black fringe purse: c/o HERE

Denim bermuda shorts: c/o HERE| Leather mules: c/o HERE

FESTIVAL SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED BABES!!! Indeed it has become synonymous with spring, and with it comes denim pieces, flowers of every variety, tie die, fringe, poms, tassels, and all things bohemian💗  
What has been dubbed the ‘most stylish festival of the year’ actually kicks off today… 
It’s 💥💥💥C O A C H E L L A time💥💥💥
Thanks to my friends at TORRID, I’m ready to kick off festival season in style!!!

Oftentimes festival street style seems somewhat impractical for the everyday woman.  I love that this look and the one to follow (stay tuned) contains pieces that are totally interchangeable and ideal for warm weather wear in general. Like seriously, I cannot wait to style these pieces again, and here's why:

• Top- A fabulous peasant style blouse,crisp white with subtle print, trumpet sleeves, worn on or offf the shoulders
• Denim bermuda shorts- Fits your curves life a glove
• Black fringe purse- Seriously this bag can go with just about everything
• Leather mules- Mules/sildes have made a major comeback, these are genuine leather with a wood sole and guarantee comfort + style

Do share Love, what’s your favorite thing about festival season fashion?!

Until next time,

XO

Southern Charm

Hey Babes! I’ve been spending some time in the South visiting family and friends and truly enjoying some down time 😄 I was really worried about the weather initially, it seemed like a cool front arrived just ahead of me! I had no need to fear, most days have been sunny and relatively mild. My trusty faux fur scarves have served me well, adding in an extra layer of warmth 😏

Getting dressed this time of year can be particularly tricky. Weather patterns tend to be inconsistent while making the grand transition from Winter to Spring. Fortunately there is light at the end of the tunnel: Spring Fashion and after that SUMMER!!!!  Trust me when I tell you: I am counting down the days! LOL! In the interim, I’ve teamed up with the Babes over at Gwynnie Bee to showcase some great style options for Spring! Take for instance this lovely paisley blouse that I am wearing in today's post 😉 

If you’re not familiar with Gwynnie Bee, it is a clothing rental subscription service for women who wear sizes 10-32. You can feel stylish and savvy EVERY single day with endless fashion, free shipping, and free exchanges. 
SIGN UP FOR A 30 DAY TRIAL HERE!

Until next time,

XO

Hat: BCBG, old| Paisley top: c/o Gwynnie Bee Sign up for 30 days free HERE| Faux fur scarf: F21, sold out. Another option HERE

Belt: HERE| Jeans: c/o HERE + 15 % off with code “XOJoi”- NOTE: Size up!| Purse: Coach, old

Fishnet socks: Similar HERE| Silver sandals: Options HERE and HERE

How to Wear White in Winter

Hey Babes!  How are you getting on these days? It’s been a bit challenging on my end- I've received a series of bad news within the past week or so. 
Life is full of the unexpected, as I tell myself time and time again. Realistically speaking, there is never an opportune time for bad news. I took some time to reflect on the facts. Most importantly, I reflected on my core values and how I want to move forward. I spent time with friends. I remembered the things that truly matter. The end result: I remain vigilant. I remain undeterred. I am still smiling. I am still focused, perhaps even more so. 
I am determined.
Today’s look features a so-called fashion “Don’t”, that is wearing white in the Winter! I’ve never been a fan of rigidity or unnecessary rules. Actually, breaking fashion faux pas has becoming a fulfilling hobby- LOL! I’m no stranger to white in the Winter (see another example here) but this look is especially close to my heart. You see I recently won a contest hosted by Monique over at Curves and Chaos, and this dress is a direct product of that 😃 Thank you Monique!!! ---> Check out her blog and Instagram page Babes!
You’ll notice that I opted to pair this white shirtdress with black, which is in my opinion the perfect balancing act. To top it off, I can easily picture a black trench coat, a knit black shawl, or a black faux fur over-sized wrap. Getting dressed is all about wearing what makes you feel good and look your personal best. Don’t be nervous to experiment with the unexpected or to stick with your tried and true color palettes when it suits your fancy!

Until next time,
XO

Hat: Nordstrom, similar here & here| Earrings: Here| Dress: Here| Boots: Here| Handbag: Vintage

Midi Mania | Tulle Edition

I truly appreciate the vast plethora of glam clothing available this time of the year! Sequin, beads, jewels, and yes---TULLE! Above the knees, ballgown length, or my personal favorite--> the midi length :) The options are endless! I’m no stranger to the Tutu party (see here, here, here, and here), I almost never turn down an opportunity to go all out on feminine frills. An easy route for versatile special occasion wear is mix & match seperates. 

This tutu edition is a tad more reserved than the aforementioned/linked, yet still totally suitable special occasion wear. Ilove the taupe hue of my newest addition and its satin underlay. I went for a glam effect, bumping it up a notch via an exquisitely embellished chiffon-like blouse. The fit and cut of this blouse is similiar to a traditional tunic. I opted to tuck it in which aided in pulling the entire look together. Think outside the box when shopping your wardrobe! Sidebar: This top looks equally cute worn untucked, accompanied by denim or leather or both :)

Until next time Beauties,

XO

Hat: BCBG| Embellished blouse: c/o Elvi, here |Tutu: Marshalls, Similar here  and here| Platform sandals: Similar here and here| Cross stitch purse: Here

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

Power Lines

My absolute favorite pattern to wear by far is STRIPES!!!
See several examples here, here, and here. 

For years on end women have been told to steer clear of stripes because they will make you look big, or goodness forbid, you might appear BIGGER than you actually are... Alas, those days are finally long gone – stripes reign supreme in absolutely every category and for every body type and size. You can find options practically everywhere, from Walmart to Neiman Marcus - in accord with you style and budget. Yes, stripes are totally accessible for the everyday woman and the variety currently available seems endless. I love it!

Black & white combinations always pack a powerful style punch and is actually my favorite color palette, for the moment. See examples here, here, and here. Yes, pairing the two basic colors together serves doses of bold and fierce in equal proportion. Now add to that a stripe pattern and wa-la ---> you have instantaneous electricity!

The beauty that I’m wearing in today’s post (SWAK Designs, see another post here) differs considerably from the other stripe sweater dresses in my collection. I think that the solid black panel that runs down the center of it and the corresponding stripes on the arms and silhouette is pure genius! Yes, yes, a prime example of the absolute ideal plus size dress for the curvy woman!

This is such an easy wear, and a perfect for sweater weather or perhaps more fittingly, what I like to think of as, “Pre-Spring” season-LOL! 
Note: If you order this number, or one similar to it, you may want to size up for added comfort and a more relaxed fit. I ordered a size 2X.

The weekend that I wore this, it was particularly chilly, even for my neck of the woods. I could have easily paired a white button up blouse underneath, along with furry outerwear, leather gloves, and knee-high boots. However, this was clearly the more fun to style it -LOL!

As I mentioned earlier the temperature was a bit nippy (especially when not in direct sunlight), so I added my staple legwarmers for functionality, and a wool hat for an additional measure of warmth. 
Oh, I’ll let you in on a little secret: I also wore this sweater dress as a sweater, with pale blue skinnies and a camel coat. If I do say so myself: Not only was combo fab, but I also had warmth in an overdose- which is just the way I like it!

Until next time Beauties!

XO

Hat:Shiraleah (worn here)| Sunnies: Tildon| Dress: SWAK Designs, gifted| Clutch: Kate Spade| Legwarmers: Loehmann's| Shoes: Pour La Victoire