This past weekend we had April-like temps here in NYC. It was a very nice tease of spring even for someone like me who loves winter with a passion as I got to spend time walking through Soho and Midtown with my friend, catching up and taking in some sun. It also gave me a chance to break out a transition look with some of my most recent on-trend finds.
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Tag: beauty redefined
My Two Cents: Real Fashion Inclusivity?
Well the inevitable has happened –body positivity has gone mainstream. Untouched and unedited ads have garnered so much media attention to the point a straight size brand has “resorted” to featuring plus models in their marketing campaigns to profit of this trend even though these same models don’t fit in the very clothes the brand sells in stores. This particular ad campaign received some backlash on social media, with many people demanding the retailer introduce size inclusive collections that reflect what they currently marketing and of course bringing up the debate as to whether or not plus should be dropped all together as creates unnecessary division. Modcloth immediately comes to mind as a brand that pushed for this as they announced back in 2015 that they would be dropping the “plus size” category on their site. It was a decision that received massive praise across the internet for it implied the idea of shopping by style instead of size. I’ll admit that at first I was ecstatic to hear about this change because I thought this size inclusive shopping experience meant more pieces being available in plus sizes. Sadly that was not the case as there are many pieces up on the site that are only available up to a size 12 if you are lucky. In order to ensure that you are shopping pieces available in plus sizes, you have to refine your search by size which is basically manually re-creating the plus size page they once had. Now I have to give them credit, they conducted an independent survey on their customers to find out more about their needs and wants in terms of fashion. HOWEVER, the very idea that simply dropping the category is being size inclusive is very misguided.
Which leads me to the what initiated this blog post. Lovesick.
Oh Lovesick…size UP not down. SMH
Confessions of a Recovering Wallflower
Let me take this time to confess something: ever since I was a pre-teen I have suffered with severe social anxiety. I have been known to have a panic attack at just the mere thought of doing any kind of activity in front of a crowd, like public speaking. I have gotten ill. I have even literally run away. I would blush severely and break out into sweat whenever I raised my hand in class or even when speaking to someone outside of my immediate circle of friends and family.
Growing up I constantly received so many negative comments about my weight, hair and overall appearance that I became more than content at being behind the scenes because that is where I was told I belonged. I developed a warped understanding of beauty and self-worth to the point that I told myself that only those that were conventionally beautiful were meant to be photographed. I wasn’t, so I didn’t need to be. 
So how does a person like this become a fashion blogger? With much difficulty and purpose-fueled drive. For example, whenever I go out for blog shoots I am very self aware of what I am doing mostly because half the time there are people around. I get self conscious as to what these passersby may be thinking especially when there have been times that they have stopped to watch. I’ve only managed to follow through because my blog photographers are so enthusiastic about the entire process and my body positive mission that it becomes so easy to forget about the curious looks from those around.
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. 
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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.
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. 
Big City, Curvy Girl, Thin Wallet 