Shirt Dress Savvy

Hi Lovies!

Shirt dresses are definitely a staple item that we should all have in our wardrobe. I love the simplicity and classicness of them, it's a total no nonsense piece. They can be worn in numerous ways, for work, date night, brunch, or casual weekend, the options are endless. While looking through the Old Navy site, I came across this Striped Oxford Shirt Dress. I totally fell in love, it just looked so cute and comfy, perfect for the weekend. It was also very light and airy being made of cotton and the fact that it was short sleeved, helped as well. Now for me, as much as I love shirt dresses, they can tend to make me look a bit boxy so I always belt them to give me some shape. Old Navy has definitely stepped their game up and I have to say I am very happy with all the things I've gotten as of late.

This dress is a size XXL from their straight sizes

Shirt Dress & Bag - Old Navy//Belt (similar) - Lane Bryant//Sandals (similar)

Harper + Liv

Hi Lovies!

Nothing makes me more happy than seeing new plus size brands emerging on the scene. Though we have come a long way from what we use to have, there is always room for more. So when the new plus size label Harper & Liv kindly sent me their summer look book back in May as well as inviting me to their showroom to preview the line, I was super excited. Harper & Liv is a trend driven lifestyle collection for the plus-size woman that celebrates her style, shape, and sense of self through fashion. I was very impressed with the line and how fun and functional it was. The line is very festival, boo hoo chic, which is super popular right now. All the pieces range in price from $39-$129 and carry sizes 16-24. The line is currently available at Dillards, (in store and online), Lord & Taylor and Macy's. At the end of the preview, the kind folks at Harper & Liv sent us off with some pieces from the summer collection. Yay!

Wearing size 18/2X in both pieces

Top & Jeans c/o Harper & Liv//Sandals - Dolce Vita//Bag (similar) - Aldo via ASOS

Plus Size Remix: Color Me Courtney

Hi Lovies!

Pinterest is one of my favorites places to go for style inspiration, I even have a board that I dedicate to my fav looks. I seek style inspiration from all over, most of the looks I find are looks that I would totally rock. So I decided that once a month I am going to do a feature called "Plus Size Remix" where I take a look and remix it into a plus size version. I love being able to take a look and turning it into a plus size version. I feel it's a way to show other PS women that there are options out there for us. Just because you see a look that you love on a straight size person, doesn't mean you can't re-create it. With some creativity and internet searching, you can easily accomplish these looks. Sometimes just by shopping your closet, you can find the pieces you need to put together your favorite ensembles!

Top here and here//Skirt - here and here //Shoes -  here//Bag - here 

For the love of Modamix

Hi Lovies!

Last year during Full Figured Fashion Week I was introduced to a new plus size brand called Modamix (see here). They invited a few bloggers to their showroom to preview their upcoming collections. I loved everything I saw and knew this was a brand I was going to keep my eye on. Fast forward to a year later, and my love for Modamix has not faltered, if anything it became stronger as more of their pieces make it into my closet. It was definitely clear that this was a brand I wanted to work with. I reached out to Sam and presented her with the idea of me shooting my first look book with them. To my surprise, she loved the idea and was excited about working together. My look book idea couldn't have come at a better time, Modamix was relaunching their website in June and dropping a few collections for the Summer. When I saw the pictures of the new collections, my excitement grew. Everything was so amazing and there was something for everyone! They had day to night looks, work wear, weekend wear and most of the pieces could be easily mixed and matched with one another, which is a plus in my book.

I met the team for lunch, who are just the nicest people ever, brainstormed and I left their showroom with a bag full of goodies for my shoot. I immediately got to work organizing my looks and scheduling my photo shoot. Of course I reached out to my talented niece April Pabon to take my photos for me. Since she is also a plus size gal, she was able to combine her artist vision with mine for the brand. When we were done, I was so pleased with how the photos came out that I couldn't wait to share them with the Modamix team. They were so ecstatic with the pictures that they asked if they could use them for their press kit, flyer hand outs (see here) and display for theCURVYcon (see here) as well as a banner for their website! I was so happy, humbled and most of all grateful that they believe in me and my blog enough to make me the face of this campaign. It totally felt like a dream come true. So without further ado, I present to you my Modamix Look Book!

Style Tip:I'm wearing 2X/18W in everything

Color Me Custom

Hi Lovies!!

Having your clothing custom made is such a pleasure, not only because the piece is one of a kind but it's made to your exact measurements. So the fit is going to be near perfect, which is something you don't often get when purchasing from a store. Now having clothes custom made can become pricey but I think there are some staple pieces that are worth having custom. When I first saw one of the Lion Hunter's custom skirts was on my girl Georgette from Grown and Curvy Woman. It was gorgeous, the colors and pattern was just perfection. I immediately went to her Etsy shop to check out more of her custom skirts. She had other fantastic prints as well as some tutus. From that moment I knew I had to have her make me one for FFFweek. When I reached out to her, she was just about to go to the fabric store and would send me photos of what she bought. The following day she sent me a photo of 10 different fabrics she purchased. When I saw them I nearly fell out my chair, they were all absolutely beautiful, I literally wanted one in every pattern. But there was one pattern that stood out from the rest and that's the one I chose for my skirt.  

Skirt - Custom made by Mo from Lion Hunter//Top - ASOS Curve//Sandals (similar) - Old Navy

Matchy-Matchy

Hi Lovies!

Last week, as you know from my previous post here, was FFFweek as well as theCURVYcon. So to say I was a busy beaver is putting it lightly. Thursday was actually one of the more relaxed days, with the Hal Rubenstein and Marla Wynne blogger event. It was great to meet both designers and have them introduce their lines to us bloggers. Both of their lines are currently sold at HSN.com. At the end of the event, they sent the attendees off with a nice gift bag with a necklace from Marla and scarf from Hal. Since the event ended fairly early, me and my girl Darlene of Suits, Heels, & Curves decided to coordinate a "Plus Size Happy Hour" at the Skyroom Rooftop Lounge. It was super last minute and we posted about it literally on the same day. To our surprise, a few folks showed up and it turned out to be such a great night! In the words of Hannibal from the A-team "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Crop Top & Skirt Set c/o Eshakti (currently on sale!)//Sandals - Payless

White Doesn't Scare Me

Hi Lovies!

To some women, the color white can be a frightening thing. We have been conditioned to think that wearing white is taboo, due to the stereotype that it makes already big women, look bigger. I've never felt this way, the only reason I shy from this color is because I am not the most agile person in the world. Food just magically falls on me no matter how hard I try not to stain myself. But even with that, I continue to wear white and love it. Last Monday was the start of Full Figured Fashion Week, a week long series of events related to all things plus size. One of the most highly anticipated events is the Curves at Sea All White Cruise. Sailing around NY Harbor in a newly upgraded yacht, surrounded by so many awesome plus size women, dress to the nines in their best white outfits. Totally unapologetic and kicking all stereotypes in the butt while looking amazing. It's just so empowering to see so many women, of all shapes, sizes and color, feeling the same way, and totally not scared of wearing white. 

Top & Skirt - Eloquii//Shoes - Audrey Brooke via DSW//Belt - SWAK Designs//Necklace - Bauble Bar//Bracelet - Fashion to Figure

Essie Golden #GoldenConfidence Pool Party

Hi Lovies!

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending one of the most amazing events I've been to in a long time. The Essie Golden #GoldenConfidence Pool Party. Essie is a PS blogger/model who is the genius behind this sold out event. She came up with the idea of inviting woman to enjoy a rooftop pool party giving us the opportunity come dressed in our best swimwear. Now I know for some woman the thought of being around a bunch of people in your swimsuit can be a terrifying, but this was a safe, non-fat shaming environment. Where you could come and chill, relax, mingle with other amazing woman, dance and enjoy some pool time. I had never felt so comfortable in a swimsuit in my life and being surround by so many other fabulous woman, that were dressed to the nines in ALL types of swimwear, just made it that much better.

Swim Top, Swim Bottom, Cover up, Sandals c/o Lane Bryant//Sarong (similar) - Swimsuitsforall

Meshing with Watercolors

Hi Lovies!!

So I've come to the conclusion that Eloquii is the devil! Every week I'm just giving them all my money because they are constantly coming out with new amazing pieces. I'm at a point that I have a whole section in my closet dedicated to their stuff. Jesus needs to put a fence around my wallet ASAP! When they came out with this watercolor print, I just swooned. I immediately purchased the midi skirt (worn here) but hesitated on getting the top. Of course when I finally decided to get it, it was gone! But one day during my morning trolls on the site, I saw that it came back in my size and I purchased it on the spot. The top is just as amazing as the skirt and so glad I purchased it. 

Top (sold out, see skirt) & Skirt - Eloquii//Shoes - Lane Bryant//Purse - Just Fab//Necklace & Bracelet - Rocksbox (use code lapecosapreciosaxoxo for one month free)

Athleisure

Hi Lovies!

On the weekends, I like to dress super comfortable, especially on Sundays. I just want to throw something on that I don't have to put too much thought into. Now don't get me wrong, I love dressing up when I can but sometimes you need a no nonsense outfit. When I saw this Locker Athletic Stripe Dress from Fashion to Figure, I immediately fell in love. The Athleisure trend is very popular right now and this dress had the perfect amount of sporty with the  sports jersey style stripes on the sleeves and neckline. But still remained feminine with the drawstring waist, curved hem and pockets. This dress is extremely soft and feels amazing on, you almost want to sleep in it! 

Dress & Bag c/o Fashion to Figure//Sandals (similar here and here ) - Lane Bryant//Necklace - Melody Ehsani