Tag: holiday style

A Blue Christmas

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Its no secret that I love this time of year. The weather, the lights, the food, and now the parties. I love it all and it tends to make me smile for no reason other than it is Christmastime. Yet this year marks the first time that I’ve been unmotivated to take part in many, if any, festivities. Even gift shopping has felt more like a chore than a joy. I believe that part of this is linked to my depression and anxiety, however with the end of the year fast approaching, I have taken time to do some major introspection that has only worked to further dampen my mood.

I’m an overachiever and a workaholic so its not really surprising that I am disappointed by how short my personal list of supposed accomplishments for this year seems to be.  My negative feelings were felt among my coworkers and friends who made a point to check on me abd cheer me up the best they could. Then came the news of our office holiday party and that caused a buzz as everyone went about prepping for it. I’m an empath so I found myself becoming just as excited as those around me.  Continue reading →

+ Size Matters : Curvy AF & The Significance of Body Positive Fashion Illustration

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Last month we saw the unique collaboration between body positive artist, Jonquel Norwood of Jonquel Art and plus size fashion designer Courtney Smith of Courtney Noelle Inc. The brain-child of Jonquel, this event brought a different kind of fashion event – one that definitely put a spin to the concept of “wearable art.”

This event was one that I was really looking forward to since the day Jonquel first mentioned the idea of working on an event that celebrated both fashion and body positive fashion illustration. After all when people think about art it is rare that fashion is considered as part of that category. Yet the fact is anything that is designed, be it fashion or otherwise, is perfected first on paper with illustration really being a major part of the process toward the end result so it stands to reason that art and fashion shouldn’t stand so independently as they often are. Nevertheless, what made Curvy AF so unique, besides the unapologetic name of course, was the idea of having the holiday fashion show and accompanying art exhibition to not only provide a unique shopping experience, but more importantly empower women and prove that style and beauty have no size.

Art with fashionable women is not new but Jonquel’s work is relevant for when it comes to fashion illustration plus size bodies are the last thing you expect to find – especially dressed in styles that the fashion industry has made a point to say women above a certain size should never wear. I greatly admire her eye for great style as she even references straight size fashion designs to clothe her models, reworking them to show how they could work on a plus body. Continue reading →

Velvet Joy

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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

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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.

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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 →

Holiday Lace & Tulle

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Growing up I idolized ballerinas and figure skaters for what they were able to do and their bravery to do it with everyone watching. Now that I think about it, this is probably why I gravitate so much to skater skirts and dresses as a way to emulate confidence. Never-mind the fact  that I have never learned how to ice skate or pirouette, I’m wearing a tutu ergo I am a ballerina! In all seriousness, the tulle skirt is really something that I have been silently coveting for a while now and I am so happy that I was finally able to purchase one without breaking the bank. That’s right, this tulle skirt is only $20!
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Those of you who follow me on Instagram know that back in November I was having difficulty choosing between the black or blush pleated A-line skirt from Forever 21+  and it was this lace trim sweater that helped me finally make a decision.  A 2010 Christmas present from my mother, this was a piece I couldn’t figure out how to wear. Pencil skirts and trousers didn’t seem to give the cinched bell lace sleeves justice because it had this muted feminine elegance that called for something more dramatic to be paired with it, so you can imagine how happy I was to finally find something that just worked so well. I must say that even with the inexpensive the price tag, the quality of this tulle skirt is so good, it won’t fall apart after just wearing it once or look unfinished and the material does not give the air of “cheap.” It truly is a must have piece for your wardrobe as it is so versatile,  and when styled right can easily transition from casual to party ready. 

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Style Notes: Unfortunately this sweater is no longer available, but I did manage to find some interesting and affordable tops that would definitely compliment this skirt in a similar way for any upcoming holiday social events you may have this month.

~Get the look~

Worthington Lace Bell Sleeve Sweater (XL)  | JcPenny (sold out, similar here, here, and here)
Tulle Full Midi Skirt (2X) | Charlotte Russe 
Suede Wedges | ALDO (sold out, similar here and here)