2018

The Instagram Wives Get Fall Ready with Stitch Fix

Thank you Stitch Fix for Sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hi Lovies,

I am super excited to bring you today's post because me and my fellow Instagram Wives Darlene of Suits, Heels and Curves and Jami of Style Over Size have teamed up with Stitch Fix! We've partnered with them to show you how Stitch Fix works for 3 different women with unique styles and body types. Darlene is a new mom, so she loves comfortable but stylish pieces for the Mom on the go. Jami loves a good edgy, street style look, preferable with some denim. And I love super feminine, sophisticated, classic styles with a touch of chic that can double for work and play. So we were very excited to get a refresh for our fall/winter wardrobe with the pieces we got.

The New Little Black Dress

Hi Lovies,

If you didn't know by now me and my boo Darlene from Suits, Heels and Curves have a Facebook Live sale called The Blogger House Curvy Closet Sale. We use this platform to sell clothes from our closets that we no longer want at a discounted price. During the sales we are constantly talking about certain wardrobe staples that everyone should have in their closets. Surprisingly I have yet to do a post on this but definitely putting this on my blog post to do list! One of the things that is for sure a wardrobe staple is a LBD (little black dress). Everyone needs an LBD because there is so many things you can wear it for. You can use it for work, date night, special occasion, the options are endless. Now for some a LBD might be too much on the boring side but with all the new trends and options available for us Plus Size gals, you don't have to settle for plain.

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Hi Lovies,

I am officially in Fall mode, whether I want to be or not lol! One of my favorite things to do with my summer wardrobe is create looks where I can incorporate pieces into Fall. You guys know how I love to invest in pieces that I can transition into several seasons. It challenges me to remix my clothes and come up with new and fresh styles for the season. Plus it saves you tons of money on buying clothes for the new season as well. Win-Win!

Leopard Print is the New Neutral

Hi Lovies,

Hi my name is Sandra and I am a Leopard Print addict! Lmao! If you've been a long time follower of my blog, then you know that I have a slight addiction to leopard print. To the point that even my blog design has the print on it! Well folks I am happy to announce that this season's hottest trend is none other than (drum roll please), LEOPARD PRINT! God has answered my prayer and I can now run amok in head to toe leopard and no one will judge me. Now I know that this print is not for everyone and can be a little daunting. But don't fret, leopard print is considered a neutral and literally can be wore with anything. 

Dress - sold out (similar here and here)//Boots

Fall is Coming

Hi Lovies,

It's hard to believe that Fall is officially 3 days away. As you know I love the summer so it's safe to say I am not thrill for the upcoming season. But I will say that all the new Fall Fashions that I am seeing on the interwebs is actually getting me a little excited. All the trends coming down the pike like Plaids, Leopard Prints, Bold Colors/Prints and Suitings are all right up my alley. It's wonderful to see these trends being represented by a lot of my favorite plus size brands. But the one brand who always gets it right and brings the heat when it comes to trends is Eloquii. Their last few fall collections that have dropped have proven that Eloquii isn't playing any games this season. They've hit all the on trend fashions and I literally want everything. 

Summer Fashion with Macy's NY Collection

Blog: This was a sponsored post with Macy's but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hi Lovies,

I love shopping for summer fashion, it's my favorite time of the year to shop. The summer is where I really thrive with my fashion and really put all my efforts into it. You guys know that I have a full time job and I am always looking for pieces that can play double duty. I like getting a bang for my buck so to speak. Having a variety of places to shop is also important and Macy's has been coming through in the clutch with their summer options. Their NY Collection has such fashion forward and trendy pieces that can be worn for both work and play. I have been obsessed with jumpsuits lately which is crazy since I  use to never wear them but now you can't stop me from being in one. This Tie Waist Jumpsuit from the NY Collection has been the perfect addition to my wardrobe. It's super chic,  comfy, easy to wear and great for day or night. I am loving the blue color and the tie waist feature which is so flattering to the figure. The crop leg design is on trend and a great way to show off your shoes. When I talk about double duty, this jumpsuit is the perfect example of a piece that can easily be transition into the fall. If you haven't shopped Macy's NY Collection before, definitely make sure to pop over to their site. Take advantage of all the fabulous things they have to offer for the Summer.

Rainbow

Hi Lovies!

Wow, it's been over a month since I posted on the blog, shame on me!! last month was pretty crazy with a bunch of things but I am back and bringing some color to the blog. While summer here in NYC can be brutal, I really thrive during this time. Summer is truly my favorite time of the year and that goes for the fashion as well. Target has been one of my go tos for stylish and trendy clothes for the season. My current favorite is the Who What Wear collection. Since they came out with this collaboration over a year ago, I have bought quite a few pieces. They stay current and bring such fashion forward pieces every season. Perfect example is this gorgeous Striped Off the Shoulder Midi Dress. I literally squealed when I saw it and immediately added it to my cart. It is truly stunning with all the beautiful bright colors along with the feminine asymmetrical ruffle and shoulder tie. The midi length is very flattering and fabric is super lightweight which is perfect for the summer heat. If you're looking to add some color to your wardrobe and want to make a statement, then this is the dress for you!

Shoes of Prey

Hi Lovies

As a woman, when it comes to shoes I truly struggle with them. I'm not the typical girl that goes crazy for shoes. Not because I don't like them but because how difficult it is for me to find good shoes for my feet. For as long as I can remember I had a big foot, wearing a size 10 made it a challenge. Then after I had my son and gained a bunch of baby weight my foot also became wide so that also added to my trails and tribulations of shoe hunting. So you can imagine my excitement when the brand Shoes of Prey reached out and wanted to collab with me. They are an amazing shoe company that makes shoes in sizes US 2-15 (including half size) in narrow to extra wide widths in most styles. What I loved most about this company was that I was able to create my own shoe from start to finish. The style of shoe I chose to create was the Jasmin Heel. I loved the style of this shoe and it was something I didn't have in my collection. I had so much fun creating this shoe from the colors, the type of genuine leather, heel style/height, and toe type. Best of all they came in wide width so I knew they would fit great. One of the coolest feature about customizing my own shoe was that I was able to inscribe something on the foot bed, how cool is that?! It's was such a sweet little touch that really made it personalize just for me. Of course I chose to put my blog name but you can choose to put a small quote, a loved ones name or anything that means the most to you. Now don't be alarmed, this customization service isn't going to break the bank. I was pleasantly surprised that with quality of the shoes, the quick delivery and all the customization that I did, my shoe came out to $180. That's a pretty great price to pay for a good quality shoe and you get to customize it to your liking! With that said, I am already plotting to get another pair!

Summer Staples

Want a great excuse to shop? 25% off shorts, pants & jeans at Talbots. Get yours before it's over! 5/29-6/3
Hi Lovies,

Now that the unofficial start of summer is upon us, I can really get into the swing of things. Even thought the weather here in NYC is still very bipolar, I have my wardrobe summer ready. One of the brands that have helped me out with that is Talbots. Their summer plus size collection is chock full of some of my favorites, like pastels, prints and fun colors. Since I do work a 9 to 5 job, I am always trying to get double duty out of my wardrobe. Looking for pieces I can add to my closest that are versatile for both work and play. Go to items for me are blazers and jeans, they are great because I can wear them to work and instantly turned them into a casual look for the weekend. I have become obsessed with their Stripe Lightweight Blazer. I love the preppy pink and white stripes which is super trendy and chic. Not to mention the linen fabric that is going to keep me cool and comfortable through the day. Great for day and night, this blazer is definitely a must have for the season.

Caftan Crazy

Hi Lovies,

Warmer temps are finally upon us here in NYC and has gotten me in the mood to start building my spring/summer wardrobe. I shop from a variety of different brands, both high end and low end during this time of the year. Since the season is so short I lean more to the brands that offer trendy fast fashion pieces that are budget friendly. Of course I'll splurge here and there on those pieces that I just have to have but otherwise I try to be a little more smart about how I spend my coin. As of late I have found myself loving the brand Deb Shops. They are an online shopping destination for the curvy and confident babes of today. This is definitely a brand where you find up to date, on trend items that won't break the bank. Now their stuff might not work for everyone but I was able to find a ton of pieces that work for my everyday style. One of them was this gorgeous Leopard Print Caftan Maxi Dress. You guys already know how obsessed I am with anything leopard print and this dress stole my heart. I was pleasantly surprised at how great the quality was of this dress, not to mention how comfortable it is as well. The caftan design made the dress so elegant and while the v-neck neckline added some sexiness to it. Since leopard print is such a neutral color, you can literally pair it with anything. I of course decided to go with a pop of color with my pink shoes and bag that completed the look.

Dress c/o Deb Shops//Shoes//Bag c/o Brahmin

Plus Size Styling with Talbot's

Hi Lovies,

To me there's nothing better than a "One Stop Shop", especially when it comes to clothing. I love being able to go to one site and find all my fashion needs. Talbot's is definitely one of those sites where I can accomplish this. This brand has been around since before I was born and has a great reputation for great quality clothing. Their mission is to give women the confidence to express their best selves in all aspects of their lives every day. Which is exactly what you can achieve with the Talbot's brand. They make you're life easier by providing such a variety of styles, from career wear, to casual weekend style and even something formal. Not to mention they also carry the majority of their pieces in straight, petite, plus sizes and petite plus which is rare for a brand. They designed their Plus Size Collection with a deep understanding of the woman's figure, keeping in mind both plus sizes and spectrum of plus size shapes. This definitely shows all throughout their collection.

Stepping into Spring with Lane Bryant

Hi Lovies,

We have officially entered Spring and I am currently dealing with a snowstorm here in NYC. Like I've said in a previous post, I am not letting this stop me from getting into the Spring mood. Especially with all my favorite brands blessing us with such fabulous seasonal fashions right now. One of the brands that is killing the Spring fashion game right now is Lane Bryant. I was in one of their stores over the weekend and my eyes were dancing all over the place. I was in awe at all the gorgeous things I was seeing. It's very rare for me to go in a store and find so many pieces that I love but there's a first time for everything. This inspired me showcase three looks that will have you giddy for warmer temps, whether you're looking for something for a special occasion, a fun weekend look or brunch with your girls. These looks will definitely have you all types of Spring ready.

Simply Be USA Relaunch


Hi Lovies,

If you've been following my blog for a while then you know that Simply Be is one of the Plus Size brands that I love. I am always able to find not only trendy pieces but also unique and different ones as well. If you didn't know, Simply Be is a UK size inclusive brand that believes that we are not all one size fits all. They also support that Curve is not a trend or hot topic. It's not an add on or an afterthought. It's at the heart of everything they do and it's why they exist. I absolutely support this and  would love it if all other Plus Size brands would follow suit. 

As if Simply Be couldn't get any better, today it is turning its focus on the U.S. market with a relaunch supported by a global re-branding program, a strategic digital strategy, a dedicated New York-based team, exclusive collections designed specifically for its American consumer and U.S.-specific campaigns featuring prominent curve models Natalie Nootenboom and Sarina Nowak. After six years in the U.S. market, Simply Be is moving away from a catalog model in favor of becoming a digital pure-play by the end of 2018, in line with the spending habits of its millennial, Gen Y and Gen Z consumers, and is adopting a new look for visual marketing communications that will make all campaign images, videos and Instagram posts shoppable. Richard Clark, International Director at N Brown Group, the parent company of Simply Be: “We saw in our sales data the huge market opportunity for Simply Be in the U.S. that required new design and marketing approaches that can better engage with our consumer in a language she responds to and through territory-specific content created for her that will inspire her to look and feel her best."

Getting my Spring On

Hi Lovies,

If you live on the east coast, then you know mother nature isn't letting go of winter just yet. With 2 Nor'easter that have hit NYC within the last 2 weeks and one on it's way tomorrow, it's kinda hard to think about Spring. Well not for me, I have mentally checked out of winter and is in full spring mode. One of the trends that I've been loving but reluctant to try is the white bootie trend. Wearing white isn't something you have to wear before Labor Day anymore. Fashion has proven that it's basically a year round color. Now the only thing that was holding me back was the fact that I am a gal with an ample foot size and didn't want the shoes to look like white boats on my feet. Luckily enough I found these cute pair from Target that were pretty flattering on. I definitely see myself rocking these well into the spring and summer.

Astra Signature

Hi Lovies,

Nothing makes me more happier than seeing my friends or family succeed in life, no matter what it is. Whether it be something small or big, it kinda makes you feel like their accomplishments are also yours. I especially love when I see my fellow bloggers have their dreams come to fruition and are launching their own clothing lines. The plus size customer is definitely a tough crowd to please. But when you are that customer and know the struggle then you have a better idea of how you want to go about creating a line. My girl Crystal of the blog Sometimes Glam is a perfect example of this. She recently launched her own plus size clothing line called Astra Signature and I couldn't be more excited for her. I've been a fan of Crystal for quite some time and just adored her style, she was definitely one of the blogger than gave me such inspiration. Now we are good friends and I'm so proud of her accomplishments with her brand.

 

Issa Look

Hi Lovies,

When putting together an outfit, I like to factor in a few things. Obviously where I am wearing the outfit to is important, that's pretty much the premise of the look. Fabrics and textures is another factor as well as color and prints. But one thing I want is my look to always reflect my signature style. Leopard print is one of my signature prints, I mean just look at my blog theme! I feel more people need to embrace leopard as a neutral color. You'd be surprise how much it goes with and how easily it can take a outfit to the next level. This Leopard Print Moto Jacket basically has my heart, not only because of the print but because its a moto jacket. I try not to play favorites with my motos but this one has definitely made it to my favorites list quickly. I can pair this with so much, whether I'm doing something simple and want a pop of print or if I want to get creative and do some print mixing, I can If you're looking for a statement jacket this is the one you need in your life. 

Corporate Chic

Hi Lovies,

When shopping for clothes, I have to take into consideration that I will be able to use whatever I buy both for work and play. You know I pride myself in finding pieces that can do double duty. As much as I would love to just buy things all willy nilly, I can't because I still have a full time job I have to dress for. While my jobs dress code isn't super strict, I can pretty much wear what I want, there are times I do have to dress the part. If you follow my blogger bestie Darlene of Suits, Heels and Curves, her blog was all about how dressing for the corporate professional doesn't have to be boring. Back in the days, we have very limited options in the career wear area, especially for the plus size woman. But that has definitely changed, we actually can find stylish and trendy pieces to wear in the work place. 

Oh Yeah!

Hi Lovies,

I don't know if you've noticed but this girl has definitely been loving to wear jeans as of late. You could thank this cold weather we been having and me just being too lazy to want to put on tights in the morning for work. While I am a lover of denim, I usually prefer it in anything besides jeans. But they have grown on me like a fungus and when you find the right ones that fit you great, you just want to wear them all the time. My new favorites are the Skinny Pin-up Jeans from the Rebel Wilson x Angels collection. I adore this jean, such a great comfortable true to size fit and they come in a bunch of different version as well. These crop ankle light wash distressed pair with embellishments are literally everything. Perfect jean to easily dress up or down, they were definitely the star of the show.

The Shearling

Hi Lovies,

When it comes to coats, I am not lacking in that department. But with living in NYC and how cold it gets here, I tend to end up wearing the same warm coat for weeks at a time. This can get boring very quick, which in turn puts me in a fashion rut. It wasn't until I received a box from Dia & Co that all that changed. If you haven't heard of  Dia & Co, it's an online personal styling service for the plus size woman (14-32). You first take an online survey that has a series of questions about your style, personal preference, sizing, price ranges and what you're looking to add to your wardrobe. After you're done filling out the survey, a personal stylist will give you a call to get more in depth about your style. Once your stylist has all the info she needs, you will receive an email letting you know that your personally styled box is on it's way to you. Your box should contain at least 5 items of clothing. When you've had a chance to go through your box, if there's anything that doesn't work, Dia & Co provides a mailing envelope for you to send the items back for free. There is a $20 styling fee, if you decide to buy anything from your box, the fee will be credited towards your purchase. If you keep the whole box, you get 20% off the entire thing. How cool is that?!

Winter Pineapple

Shop Gwynnie Bee! Start Your Free Trial Today! Hi Lovies,

One of my favorite things to do is take some of my spring/summer pieces and winter-fy them. This is a great way for me to be able to wear certain pieces that I really love during the colder months. Shopping my closet and remixing pieces is a great way to get my creative juices flowing. Not to mention how it saves me some money not having to buy new clothes for that particular season. That's when my Gwynnie  Bee subscription comes into play as well. When I received this gorgeous Pineapple Print Wrap Dress from Unique Vintage in my GB box, I was so happy but then I realized that it wasn't really season appropriate. But that wasn't going to stop me from wearing it now. Luckily also in my box was this stunning and warm Velvet Moto Jacket from INC International Concepts. I am literally obsessed with both of these piece. The dress is such a statement piece, super sexy and sophisticated. I've been looking for a velvet moto to add to my collection and I think I found it. The channel-quilted sleeves made this so edgy while the gorgeous green velvet gave the jacket such elegance. These two pieces paired so well together and the jacket added the extra warmth I need to wear this now.

Plus Size Remix: TF Diaries

Hi Lovies,

Yes, you read the title of this post correctly, the Plus Size Remix is back! I feel like a total trash human for not bringing this feature to the blog every month last year like I promised but stuff happens. But now with the new year here, I hope to be able to bring it to you more frequently. So if you're new to the blog and don't know what the PSR feature is, it's a monthly feature where I take a look that inspires me and remix it into a plus size version. I totally enjoy these remixes and I get most of my inspiration from Pinterest. I love doing these looks, putting my personal touch to the it and making it my own. 

Stepping into 2018

Hi Lovies,

The holidays are over and we are officially 3 days in to the New Year. With that there is always a looming feeling that it's a new year, so it's time for a new me. While I do take this time to kinda re-evaluate my life and think about things I can do to make it better, I don't make it a priority. Of course it's important to want to do better in all aspects of your life and push yourself but you want to set goals that are actually realistic and reachable. By no means does this mean not to set your goals high, everyone is different when it comes to this type of thing. But you don't want to overwhelm yourself with a goal that is too far fetched and when they aren't met, you feel disappointed with yourself. What I like to do is set smaller attainable goals that are important to me but if they aren't met I won't be hard on myself about them. This way trying to reach those goals is more fun and doesn't put so much pressure on me. If it happens then great, if it doesn't well then that's ok too. With everything that's happening in the world lately, it's important not to sweat the little things and take the time to focus on the things that means the most to you.

 
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