Monochrome By Lace

Sometimes you only need three main elements to pull off an effortlessly chic look: A top, a bottom, and at least one item of interest. I am a believer that more is more, so I usually add in several item(s) of interest, just because...

For starters, this lace trench coat is EVERYTHING!!! Every single time that I have worn it thus far, the compliments pour in. Most importantly- I feel WONDERFUL in it! I'm so happy that I snagged it on sale! This time around I decided to style it with a basic tank top, a pair of destroyed denim jeans, pompom accented Mary Jane peep-toe shoes, and a fringe bag.

I wore this look to an event last week (I got my make-up done there, but it looks a bit heavy for my taste ) with the lovely Sheena of IAMSHEGLOBAL and also to the office. Perhaps you already saw it on my InstagramStories :) I loved how it turned out so much that I just had to share it with you! Although this look is totally monochrome, I added in textural interest with lace, ripped denim, faux fur, and fringe. Are you loving this ensemble as much as I am?! What three elements do you employ for effortless chic?

Until next time,

XO

Lace trench coat: Here| Tank top: Nordstrom| Statement necklace: Rocksbox, Sign up here for a free trial-InMyJoiXoXo

 Destroyed denim: Cello Jeans| Mary Jane shoes: Old| Pompom shoe clips: Here| Fringe bag: Ross dress for less, Similar here

Get Schooled

There is no shortage of pompom options this season (see my shoes here), and I am HERE for it all! I snagged this cutie of a baseball hat on a recent trip to Nordstrom. I was too star struck to leave it behind- I mean isn’t the yarn topper just the cutest?! It now has a forever home with me, the best style mom in the area :) I’m not really a baseball hat kinda woman (see here), I had a good time determining exactly how I wanted to style this baby in a way that is authentic to me.

While perusing my closet, I figured now was as good a time as any to debut my very first velvet piece of the year (there is more to come, I promise) – totally cannot believe we’re practically at the end of November already!! This black blazer is one of my wardrobe veteran, I’ve personally owned it for more than 10+ years plus I originally snagged it at a thrift shop. It is such a classic, well made piece, I haven’t been able to part with it – and that really is a good thing : )

Since the weather has shifted yet once again, I happily seized the moment to pile on layers underneath my velvet blazer- adding in a chambray top and striped crop top over it. This chambray top is actually from the Men’s department- I snagged it on a thrift outing because I loved the length of it and an added bonus was that it is Nordstrom brand- which is one of my personal favs. Lesson learned: Don't forget to persue the Men's section from time to time. My destroyed denim jeans are c/o of Cello jeans, I think the olive color is so on trend for Fall! Did you notice that I added in a quick print toss up by way of stripes & leopard?! You know, just for the fun of it!

Welp, that’s all from me Loves, until next time!

XO

Hat: Here| Velvet blazer: Old, thrifted| Strip crop top: Here| Chambray shirt: Old, thrifted| Jeans: Here| Leopard sandals: Similar | Leopard clutch: Similar

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 Classic Case of Fall Fever

Every woman needs a moto that she can count on, through thick and thin.  I am happy to say that I have found my match, and she is a BEAUT! Gold hardware, zippered pockets, perfect length, and a belt- be still my heart! Of course the biggest style factor of all is it's phenomenally classic leopard print!!!

Fall continues to evade us here in SoCal, I managed to sneak this look in a few weeks ago on a cloudy, cool day :) The way I see it, I really have to seize every opportunity to enjoy Fall fashions, because truly the very next day I could be in the grips of Summer weather!

Now back to this moto: This is a relatively new addition to my collection, I’ve only styled it two or three times to date (I generally like to wear new items at least three times in short succession to get a true feel for them). However, in my head- the style options for it go on and on!  I am most certainly looking forward to playing each one of them out in real life : ) This time around, I took a classic style approach, pairing my leopard friend with a black jersey turtleneck dress and black leather + wool heels.

Moto jacket: http://bit.ly/2dFPE8l | Statement necklace: http://bit.ly/2eUfW3k

 Turtleneck dress: Karen Kane + similar here on sale | Handbag: similar here on sale | Shoes:Aldo | Gold ring: c/o Kevin Jewelers

This was totally an easy #ootd, adding in elements of style yet 100% ease of wear and flow. Speaking of style, have you noticed all of the retail sales and deals currently brewing for Black Friday?! Several retailers are going above and beyond – actually hosting sales for the entire month of November versus just on Black Friday! My buddies over at Kevin Jewelers are doing just that! I’ve mentioned previously that I am working with them as an Influencer; A highlight for me each month is being in the know about all of the fantastic deals to be had : ) Of course it isn’t fair for me to keep them all to myself- I always pass on savings to my readers! Here are two current offers that I want to make sure you’re in the know about:

DIAMONDS, DEAL$ & DESTINATIONS

1       For NOVEMBER ONLY (in-store)-

Spend $299 or more and get a FREE VEGAS TRIP

Spend $2,499 or more and get a FREE HAWAII TRIP (Includes airfare for two!)

2         Online offer (cannot be combined with any other offer)-

      Take 10% off your Kevin Jewelers website purchase through December 31^st, using code JOI564!

Until next time Loves,

XO

When Summer calls, I answer

There is so much negativity spewing online and across the world. Today’s style story takes a step away from dark, negative, and divisive energy. Today we focus on something upbeat, happy, and positive--> FASHION! Seriously, getting dressed up always makes me feel happy, despite every single thing unraveling around me <3

Did you notice that this look is sleeveless?! Although we are nearly mid-way through the month of November, weather as I type is soaring upwards of 90 degrees Fahrenheit O_O When Summer calls, I answer. How? By way of Summer Fashion of course! I scored this floral number via Gwynnie Bee (try a bundle of styles for FREE) and versatility is truly it's strong suit. The last time I wore it, I styled it with a lightweight belted trench, a red purse, and red shoes (never made it to the blog, like 99% of my looks, LOL!).

This time around I paired it with matching blue window pane patterned socks and my cobalt blue pumps. I really love wearing socks with heels, its kinda like my thing :) Have you tried pairing socks with sandals?

Until next time,

XO

Sunnies: Tods| Dress, Here Pick out a number of styles for free| Socks: Nordstrom| Shoes Vince Camuto, here

Cage Me Up

Bell sleeves are high in demand this season. To be honest, I overflowed with excitement at the prospect of adding a few belled lovelies into my collection. Every store I perused, there they were, enticing me, begging to come home with me-LOL! Seriously, the variety of styles currently available is unmatched! From high fashion to fast fashion, from wool to cotton, in tiers, and or embellished – the list really goes on and on.

For my first acquisition of the hot commodity, I finally settled on this  plus size caged body con dress. The exaggerated trumpet sleeves won me over! For a night out, I styled it with a faux fur vest- yet another winner from ELVI :) I especially love the knit detail on the back of the woollen vest, isn't it stylish?! The neutral color palette matched up so very well together, and the added fuzzy layer was extremely practical for chilly night air.

Purple lipstick: Here| Vest: c/o ELVI| Diamond Heart Shaped Earrings: c/o Kevin Jewelers (similar here)| Dress: Here| Shoes: Nine West, older

Since my sleeves were clearly doing all of the work, I opted for a minimal approach with accessories and finished off the look with a pair of diamond heart earrings from Kevin Jewelers. They feature ‘dancing’diamonds :) There are pins in place to support a hanging diamond in the middle of the hearts! The hanging diamond stays in motion and appears to twinkle from every direction, so glamorous <3

I mentioned previously that I am working with Kevin Jewelers as an Influencer. An absolute perk of this partnership is visiting a store each month and getting the inside scoop on upcoming deals and sales! You’ll be happy to know that there are a number of good things on tap this month! For instance, right now there is a destination deal called “Diamonds, Deals, and Destinations”. To put it simply:

• With a purchase of $299, you get a FREE trip to Vegas!
• With a purchase of $2,499, you get a FREE trip to Hawaii!
• Use promo code "KJLANovember" during November for 10% all in-store purchases

I don’t know about you, but freebies like that are right up my alley! Head on over to Kevin Jewelers, pick out your bling + a getaway!

Until next time,

XO

Just Trenched

Today’s style story offers a glimpse into what day to day cool weather wear looks like for me in my neck of the woods! 

Hat: Here| Sunnies: F21, old| Trench coat: Here| Tank: F21, old |Coated denim jeans: Misses & Plus| Booties: Marshalls |Purse: Kate Spade

I was born and raised in Michigan, and was accustomed to long grizzly Winters and short intense Summers. That called for puffy coats, fur, fur, faux fur, and more fur :) When I moved to the west coast of the country, I had to shift my way of thinking, even in relation to my idea(s) of dressing for the season.

This look is a perfect example of how I like to employ layers and mix in differing style elements from a variety of seasons. You see, generally speaking, mornings start off brisk and without a lot of sunshine. If I’m going to be out and about in the elements, I need layers. This can be a bit tricky… by midday the intensity of the sun shifts temperatures drastically (in my head at least by 20 degrees). At that point, it is necessary to begin removing layers one at a time, if not all at once! However just a few hours later, the sun drops, and temperatures are back to brisk formation, requiring layers to be reapplied in rapid fashion-LOL!

This way of dressing/undressing was such a conundrum for me when we first moved out west! It is only as of late that I feel I am getting a handle on it :) Nonetheless, just when I think I’ve gotten the hang of it totally, Summer weather makes a total comeback and the concept of cool weather wear goes out the window completely, LOL!

I’m curious, how do you dress for cool weather in your neck of the woods?

Until next time,

XO