10 Years of Blogging and Still Figuring Things Out

I never been one for dates, other than birthdays. This is part of the reason why I’m so attached to both my Google calendar and pocket planner to keep everything together. Not that I would be completely lost without them, just that it does help. Knowing this, you might think that I had forgotten that this blog turned 10 years old back in January, and yet that is simply not the case.  I simply didn’t get to mark the occasion due to becoming  a recluse as I deal with (f)unemployement.  It is also why I did my best to not acknowledge my milestone birthday this year, and believe me, I had plans.

Ten years in and I’m still waiting on that influencer money. (I’m kidding, of course.)

Anyway, now nine months into the year,  I wish I could say that things have improved, though sadly it has yet to. This is all far from what I had planned last year when I decided to make the biggest taboo move and quit a job without a back up. You’re probably reading this and saying, “In this economy?!” Yea, I know. And it’s the second time I’ve done it, which is funny because the last time five years ago I said it would be the first and last time. My best friend, an HR specialist and consultant, has told me on more than one occasion that this happens when you leave a toxic job; oftentimes you end up at another one, which can be worse than the one you left…if you’re not careful. Make of that what you will.

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A Cozy & Dressy Holiday

Once it starts to get cold I often hear people saying that there is no way to style great outfits once the temperatures begin to dip under 50 degrees. I disagree strongly with this, as there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes as the Swedes say.

I believe that styling winter outfits is your time to really play with layering in particular. Whether it be simple with sweaters or with different weighted elements like coats and other textiles that keep you both warm and looking your best.

Personally, I have an extensive collection of sweaters, turtlenecks, scarves, cardigans, and even coats that help me get through it all. Just this week I got an unexpected invite for a holiday  dinner with some friends, which gave me the perfect excuse to pull out my latest additions from JUSTFAB to step into the festivities in style.

Disclaimer: Items gifted for feature. There are no affiliate links are included in this post. 

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Charming Gingham

Fun fact about me: In an attempt to get away from the monstrous (and often bedazzled) florals that seem to plague many plus size clothing racks, I have found that I’ve made plaid my print of choice.  Buffalo check, tartan, window plane, houndstooth… you name it, I have it in my closet.

Even with that being the case, until very recently the only gingham piece in my wardrobe was a skirt I’ve had since college. However, with gingham emerging as one of the standout trends this year, I found myself increasingly drawn to its vintage-inspired charm and the soft, romantic aesthetics of styles like cottagecore and coquette.

With how warm this fall has been, it gave me the perfect excuse to style some of the new pieces I scored on sale, including this top from SHEIN. And here I am channeling my inner romantic by embracing the trend, albeit a little tardy, and in my own way by playing up the edge factor a bit.
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What I Got vs. How I Styled It (ft. XPLUSWEAR)

When it comes to plus size fashion trying to find something cute, AND affordable is like finding a needle in a haystack. But sometimes you find some hidden gems when you’re not even really looking.  XPLUSWEAR is one such brand that I had stumbled across while mindlessly scrolling through my FYP on TikTok (as one does) and I soon after I found an invitation from them in my inbox to try some of their pieces.

So, armed with some new pieces for my wardrobe to try, I decided to dive into some styling sessions. But hey, since it’s February and love is in the air (or maybe just lots of chocolate), I thought, why not sprinkle in some Valentine’s Day vibes? Yep, expect a lot of red and hearts  because who says you can’t be festive while slaying the fashion game? Especially during New York Fashion Week, which calls for a dash of extra flair to the mix.

Disclaimer : The pieces styled in this post were gifted for review and feature, but opinions are my own. 

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Back in Black (Faux Leather)

Fall has gotten quite a bit of a slow start this year in New York, and so I’ve been forced to wait longer than usual before I finally break out my favorite season staples. I will admit that I do enjoy the challenge of styling summer into fall, though the anticipation for crisp fall weather has me feeling antsy.

This weekend I finally got my wish as the temperatures dipped closer to the seasonal norm, allowing me to finally break out the newest addition to my leather jacket collection along with sweater from my Cider haul from last fall and some new jeans that I bought in the most unlikely of places.

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