Making Straight Sizes Werk

20170116_144945-2

Shopping in general can be a very frustrating and draining experience, even more so when you attempt to do so in the straight sizes, however it doesn’t have to be. I think the key to shopping the straight size section is really not getting too focused on size. What I mean is, if you find something you like, try it on. If it fits, go for it and make it werk! But if it doesn’t fit, it really isn’t the end of the world, after all that is where the fun begins. When I find something I really like in the straight sizes that doesn’t fit I start to look into how I can recreate it. Sometimes that means getting creative with separates to recreate a dress or focusing my shopping efforts to find something very similar in retailers that carry my size. And I should note that I do the same thing for plus size pieces that I can’t afford. In fact, I have found that this shopping tactic helps keep my spending in check as I only spend what funds I have on something specific rather than being solely driven by impulse, which is not to say that doesn’t happen; as was the case with this statement top. Continue reading

Sweet Pink and Gray Floral Plaid

20170116_135208-2It’s only the third week of this new year and so much has happened in this short amount of time.  For one thing, this blog has officially turned two but I’ve also started a new job.  As of last week I am a part of the Dia&Co. team!. If you are not aware,  Dia&Co. is an online personal styling service for plus size women sizes 14-32. You create an online profile outlining our preferences in style and fit. A stylist then styles of box for you with a selection of five pieces that is then mailed to your home where you get to try them on, keep what you like and return what you don’t want. I love the fact that I get to work for a body positive mission-focused employer that seeks to empower women through fashion. After having spent the beginning of last year of being unemployed and subsequently juggling four part time jobs by the end, I’m super excited for to see what this year holds for me professionally.

20170116_1349350When it comes to dressing for the office, be it for work or for a work interview, I usually stay traditional, wearing black. Part of  the reason behind this decision is that it is a New Yorker thing, but more importantly its safe.  However, as the office dress code is business casual and even encourages trying new things, when my first day at work came I decided to go on a different route– with this bright pastel floral plaid pattern skirt as it is such a unique combination that creates visual interest.  (I should point out that this skirt is currently on sale for less than $6!)

Continue reading

Velvet Joy

After a month full of nonstop work and holiday events I saved my favorite holiday look for Christmas Eve. I spent the day at church with the family which was followed by a late lunch by the East River before heading into Dyker Heights in Brooklyn to take in some of the gorgeous Christmas light displays.  It was a full day, but it was amazing because I got to spend it with my family. What made it even better was this Eloquii dress I purchased as a gift to myself.  This dress was everything that I could want for a holiday look — elegant, feminine and festive. 20161224_164529-4 Continue reading

Tied with a Red Bow

In my family dressing up is primarily reserved for two major holidays, Easter and Christmas day. Its a tradition that is easily traceable in the family albums and continues to this day. (Though thankfully my brother and I do not dress the same anymore…at least not on purpose.) Recently I turned to these albums to get me into the Christmas mood, but I ended up getting some holiday fashion inspiration from my younger self instead. So for this second holiday look, I aged up one of my favorite childhood holiday outfits.

20161214_003131

Christmas 1994

First I replaced the ruffled white blouse with this striped off the shoulder ribbed sweater.  My favorite things about this sweater is the fact that not only can it be dressed up or down, but  it is thick enough to keep you warm while yet also light enough that you won’t over heat while singing keyboard karaoke at your office party. What you can’t see too well in the above photo is the gold medallion on the toe of my Mary Janes, but I made sure to incorporate that into this look as well with a thin gold belt. I also traded up to my suede wedges that  gave me the height and sophistication that  I wanted. 20161213_095341

Continue reading

Snowflake Ballerina Holiday Glam

We’ve officially made it to December and that means its time for  holiday parties and gatherings. As someone who has a natural aversion to sequins (which tends to be very popular this time of year), I’m always looking for alternative holiday fashion. For the most part that means occasionally stepping out of the familiar seasonal fashion color spectrum of red, green, black and gold. For this look I shopped my closet for a blouse that would go well with this chiffon pleated skirt from Torrid that I managed to buy back in October for only $6! Even though both of these pieces are from spring collections, the ivory and turquoise palate simply said winter snow to me. 20161203_160731-2

Continue reading