This holiday season has proven to be hectic with trying to balance work and everything else to the point that it became very difficult for me to even start my Christmas shopping when usually by this point I would be finished. Even as I write this I only have one stocking stuffer to show for all my shopping efforts, and its not even for anyone on my list…I got it for me. Anyway, here are some gifts ideas of things I found as I did some online shopping. If you like me are way behind in shopping, make sure to put in our orders as soon as you can, Christmas is next Friday! In an effort to finish the year on budget I’ve made sure that everything on this guide is $30 and under, minus shipping though many retailers seem to now be offering free shipping due to holiday rush so that cost shouldn’t be as bad as it usually is. Happy shopping! Continue reading
Tag: shopping
2015 Affordable Winter Coat List – Colorful Style Edition
Two years ago I was on the subway platform at 34th street- Madison Square Garden waiting for the E train home. As I waited a young woman,who seemed to be about a year or two older than I was, . She had this gorgeous magneta double breasted wool coat that I immediately coveted. (Forgive me Jesus, lol!) It was just the kind of piece I wanted to own, especially I had become tired of the shapeless black, charcoal and heather grey coats that are typically offered to plus size women. Her coat was just too nice for me to just stand by admiring it in silence, so I took a deep breath as I walked up to tell her that I loved her coat and ask where she got it. She did a very quick yet obvious head to toe scan of me with her eyes, and said, “It doesn’t fit you, ” then proceeded to walk down the platform away from me. I suppose she thought my fat was contagious, nevertheless, not to be undone by the experience I made a point to seek out the coat for myself. It has been a full two years and I still haven’t found it online or in store, but I keep a look out it while enjoying the colorful coat cuts and styles that have slowly begun to emerge in plus size fashion with the aim to be seen, and not hidden. Continue reading
Commanding Attention
While it took me a while to actually enjoy fashion, I will admit that I always had a thing for historical costume, particularly those of the 18th century and the regency. Its no secret that I love history. It’s been my favorite subject since the first grade when I first learned about Elizabeth I and today I am a proud historian who does research via study of symbols/iconography and material culture. Part of that love has also lead to me incorporating a couple of history inspired pieces into my wardrobe with things like velvet ribbons, cameo brooches, lace gloves, parasols and my most prized possession – a military zip jacket. To date this is one of those pieces in my wardrobe that rarely makes an appearance save for special occasions like the start of fall. With its gold-crested button front, mandarin collar and curved seams, it turned out to be one of the best accompaniments for my new retro dress. Continue reading
My Two Cents: 3 Things I’d Like to See At Plus Size Fashion Events
I am not one to pretend that I know everything about fashion or the fashion industry. I really have more opinions and critiques about it than actual knowledge of what goes into creating pieces and promotional events. That said, I do think that it is worth analyzing what gets presented to us, especially since I’ve noticed that they tend to be severely lacking. Just last week I attended the Modamix and Addition Elle fashion event at Lord & Taylor in the city and while it was great seeing pieces first hand, styled by the very person who designed them, it left much to be desired. The murmurs that I heard from where I stood assures me that I wasn’t the only one that expected a little more. With that in mind here are just three things that I’d like to see happen at these kinds of events: Continue reading
Think Pink – Shopping For a Cause
We’ve finally made it to October which means sweater weather, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, New York Comic Con and, of course, Halloween. Yet there is one more significant thing that occurs this month that is sometimes ignored during the rest of the year, that is breast cancer awareness.
The great thing is there are ways to help even if you can’t do so personally by volunteering and do it in style. So if you believe that this is an important cause that needs to be spread, consider representing and supporting by purchasing and wearing something pink this month. I did some searching and found some great affordable “pink power” selections for the office, casual Sundays and even for those weekly workouts, all of which donates a percentage of the retail prices towards the various nonprofit organizations and their work. Continue reading
Big City, Curvy Girl, Thin Wallet 