Tag: Dia&Co

Stories in Black and White

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Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending VoWcon (Voices of Women Conference) as always to be expected from 4 Real Women International, INC. it was a wonderful and inspiring event with a diverse set of honored guests that included Award winning -journalist and Spectrum NY 1 News anchor, Cheryl Wills and Brandi Inez Sutton of the Metropolitan Opera. The theme for the conference this year was all about breaking barriers in all parts of your life and highlighted the need to share your story.

With 4RWI CFO, Angela Fletcher & 4RWI Founder, Norka Blackman-Richards

What made this VoWcon17 even more special was the fact that it was also the book launch of Real Women’s Stories – a powerful, inspiring collection of short stories by and about real women. I had been invited to submit a chapter for this book earlier in the year and it was approved to be included in the published text very soon after I sent my first draft. Ever since I was a kid I’ve had the goal to be a published author so the fact that my first published work is actually a chapter about a personal life experience is pretty surreal, nevertheless I can officially add “author” in my resume while also take pride in the fact that my words may help and inspire someone going through similar challenges to the ones I had.

The books!

As one of the authors of the anthology, I knew I would be expected to attend the conference so back in the summer I had already made plans for an outfit to the point that just needed to find the right shoes for it. However a little less than a week before the event, I was asked by my editor and the 4RWI team to wear white, which worried me because I can literally count on one hand the amount of white items in my closet. With no time to shop I put in my request for my Dia box and got this lovely dress from the new Nanette by Nanette Lepore collection.  Continue reading →

theCURVYcon 2017 Platnium Swagbag Haul!

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Once I knew that I had a Platinum CURVYcon ticket, I was super excited to see what would be included in the swag bag of this level if only to compare it to teal one I got last year. I will be recapping the whole experience of this year’s con in another post but I will say that the Platinum experience brings a lot of perks with the brunch and party, both of which included small swag bags for the attendees which was pretty cool so I had to include some of those items in this haul. If you attended the con this year let me know what your favorite part was and what you think about this bag compared to the teal one I got last year.

Disclaimer: This video was recorded the weekend of 9/16 – 9/17 but I didn’t get a chance to edit it until this week after recovering from the flu.

Style notes: In this video I am wearing Short Sleeve V Neck “Weekend Mood On” Graphic T-Shirt in a 2X. It is actually very roomy and came with some grey shorts so I’ve been using it as loungewear/pajamas..

Mix and Maxi (Featuring Dia&Co.)

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Back in April I put in my order for my first Dia&Co. box and I received a beautiful windowpane print ELOQUII dress that I loved but would did not fit very well. Devastated I asked my friend, Jonquel, body positive plus size fashion illustrator of JonquelArt, if she wanted to try it on only to find that it fit her perfectly.  That particular dress was a more conservative style than what she normally wears so even though it fit her very well, we ended up sending it back anyway. Needless to say this started our semi-monthly Dia box parties. We now order our boxes around the same time so that we can go through our individual pieces together, giving our honest opinions on how things fit, providing style recommendations as well as giving each other the opportunity to try anything that interests us from the other’s box.

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Sweet Pink and Gray Floral Plaid

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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!)

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