Sophisticated Stripes

I have been introduced to #StyleMeFeb on Instagram thanks to my pal, @SteffWatts. She tagged this photo of me from yesterday since my dress met the day 5 challenge: A Darling Dress.

 

Basically it's both a photo challenge and a style challenge all wrapped up into one. Everyday has a set theme and from there you build your outfit. Here's the challenge for the February 2014.

 

Let me go ahead and put this out there now: I am not committing to daily participation, but I will try my best to complete as many as possible!



 

Here is my take on the challenge for Day 6: Sophisticated Stripes

 

Orange Merona cardigan: $4.75

Sheer striped shirt: $4.75

Black pants: $2.12

Heels: $5.75

Earrings: $1

Watch: gifted

Ring: already owned

 

Outfit total: $18.37

 

Have any of you ever participated in an Instagram challenge before? How did you do? Tell me all about it in the comments below!

Do You Believe In Magic?

Welcome, class! Today's post is all about the Art of Illusion: How to use what you've got to look as slim and fabulous as possible.
Let's begin.

Take this outfit for instance. Not a terrible outfit. In fact, I have worn it just like this on an occasion or two.

 

But there's so much more we can do with it. Let's try adding a belt. See how this instantly draws the waist in creating a more flattering silhouette?

 

 

But we can take it a step further. Let's remove the belt and throw on a cardigan instead. This is still a very flattering look thanks to the cardigan being open.

 

Seriously, there's more opportunity to look our best! After all, we aren't amateurs. So why don't we keep the cardigan and add that belt back?

 

 

 

Voilà! Slimming and fabulous all at once!

 

 

Don't be afraid to experiment. Fashion is all about taking chances -but really it's about finding out what works best for you and your body type, in my opinion. As a plus size gal, I have struggled with body image my whole life. But there came a point where I had enough! About a year ago I decided to embrace my curves and stop hiding them under oversized, ill-fitting clothes. And to tell you the truth, I have never been happier with myself.

 

So I hope this post helps someone, anyone. Rather it be with loving your curves, or just learning that it's alright to through a pink cardigan over a brown-red-tan-cream-gold-gray colored dress.

 

 

Anne Taylor Loft cardigan: $5.25

Multi-Colored dress: $6.75

Belt: free (with pants I bought a long time ago)

Earrings: $1

Boots: already owned

 

Outfit total: $13

Snow Bunny

Well that title is definitely deceiving...

 

I live in South Carolina where it doesn't snow that often. The wind has to blow just right and if you do not stand in the right place for exactly 43 minutes, then everything is ruined and "No snow for you!". Whenever we have a mention that there's a slim chance of a possibility of snow, the whole state goes crazy! Everything shuts down. Schools are out and offices close early. The milk, bread and eggs shelves at the grocery store are wiped clean. Pure insanity I tell ya.

It was supposed to start snowing around 11am here. And I knew that the company I work for would be kind and let us off early today. So I figured I would dress how I was feeling about the impending snow:

 

Sassy.

 

Lace sleeve/back black top: $8

Gray Exhilaration skirt: $4.25

Black tights: $6

Earrings: $1

Boots: previously owned

 

Today's outfit total: $19.25

 

 

Ps. It is now 6:50pm and it has yet to start snowing here.

:(

 



It Feels Like A Monday To Me

If you are like me, then you were fortunate to have yesterday off in observance of MLK Day. And if you are like me, then today feels like a big, 'ol Monday.

 

I chose today's Outfit of the Day in honor of that feeling. Blue.

 

Casual navy blue blazer: $1

Oatmeal colored tee: 15¢ (was purchased by the pound so this is a guesstimate)

Black dress pants: $2.12

Tan Mossimo flats: $5.50

Necklace: gifted

 

Today's outfit total: $8.77

Guess Who Didn't Wash Their Hair Today

Today's Outfit of the Day is brought to you by my new button down shirt and NY Yankees hat I found yesterday!

 

Here's a tip when going out thrifting: Be sure to wear something that is comfortable. This way you're not constricted and can easily slip things on over your clothes to see how they fit. 

 

 

Happy Thrifting!

 



Mixologist

I believe there are two types of people in the world.

 

• Type 1: The kind that goes to an Indian restaurant and orders chicken wings.
• Type 2: The kind that goes to an Indian restaurant and asks the server to surprise them with anything on the menu.

I am a type 2.

I am not afraid of colors. I am not afraid of patterns. And I am most certainly not afraid to mix the two in any combination imaginable!

 

Exhibit A
 

Exhibit B


 

I picked up this brand new (with original tags on it) Merona dress for $24.99  $3.12!

The Ann Taylor Loft cardigan was another steal at $2.62!

(Both from my local Goodwill.)

I already owned the boots and accessories. But trust me, they were all bought at discounted prices as well. This lady doesn't pay full price for anything!

 

 

What kinds of deals have you found lately? Share them with me in the comments below!