Simply Summer

Simple Summer 

This month the looks are the looks of summer.  Summer is by far my favorite season from shorts, sleeveless tops, maxi dresses, flip flops, and everything in between.  This month I decided to change it up a little bit.  I purchased a dress from a resale site and decided that I liked the way it looked and it would be perfect for the dressier summer event.  

This dress is a size 4 from ModCloth the name is Starlet's Web dress in Peach.  I love the way this dress fits.  My only concern is I am 5'6" and I could not wear this without leggings, it was way too short.  I would pair this in the summer with capri leggings or even take this into fall and winter by pairing a cardigan and tights. 

For a more casual look, I bought this white ruffled top from Maurice's and paired it with a pink tank.  I have a pair of old denim shorts on with the top as well.  Lastly, I have these leopard print Sketchers GoWalk shoes from QVC and they are the best shoes for comfort that I own. 

I am also including a picture of my new summer nails!! They are acrylics and I used the shellac colors from Essie in a pretty cobalt blue and coral with a sunflower design.  I don't know what the names of the colors are but I know the blue is in Essie's regular line available at Walgreens and other drug stores.  

Head on over to Ahead of the Curve to check out a group of amazing bloggers who are all blogging this month about summer looks.  Look for us each month posting about a wide variety of plus size fashion ideas for all body types. 

Talk soon xoxo,
Valerie
#prayforpeace
 

Perfectly Pastel

   Perfectly Pastel is quite frankly scary to me.  I am not one to gravitate towards pastels at all.  However, my attempt to try it out ended in a fail because of a fitting issue even though I loved the outfit I ordered I did send it back because it was just the wrong fit all around. 

 I decided to find outfits I would love to get for the spring, and it starts with the one above.  If there is one pastel I love it is this teal blueish color of top with embellished gold detail from Swak Designs . 
 I think this is perfect with some wedges and a pair of jeans, I might even dress it up a bit with a pair of white jeans.



 I love this shirt from Kiyonna, so much I actually own it in the teal color.  I am not sure that I could pull off this yellow but I envision this being worn with a pair of darker jeans and some brown riding boots or for maybe an Easter/Spring dressy look with a pair of winter white dress slacks and some dress flats.  I actually could think of several ways to style this and I love this shirt so much in the teal I may just order it.  I will give a tip if anyone is going to go ahead and buy this that it does run small so keep that in mind when you are ordering.

Lastly, this amazing swing chiffon tank from Yours Clothing .  I am usually more of a fall/winter type of color scheme but I am LOVING all of the blush pinks and beigey neutrals that are coming out as pastel color and hot hues for spring.  This top has a hint of glitter/sequins to add a bit of romantic/boho chic to this top.  I would pair this more than likely with a pair of white skinny leg jeans and wedges or a pair of ballerina flats.  I think this would also look great under a nice tailored suit in beige, grey, or white.  This little number is a bit pricey and I don't really have any experience with this line of clothing but I am really considering ordering this top.

I can't wait for you to see all of the awesome looks the  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers 

have put together for this month which is the perfect pastels of Spring.  We are a monthly blog collective of plus size bloggers of all sizes coming together to blog about the same topics.  Please go check them out and show some love.

Love and Peace,
Valerie XOXO
#prayforpeace

For the Love of Lace

I absolutely love lace so when this topic was picked, I was extremely excited.  I found this see through black lace top and coral cami at Maurice's .  They carry a plus size line which has limited pieces (my opinion) from sizes 0 to 4.  I feel like the 4 fits anywhere from a 24 to a 28.  I am pretty much a true 28 so not all of their things fit me.  This lace shirt fits me amazing and I feel like this is a perfect outfit to wear out. Jeans and boots are from Lane Bryant .

 Love your body...

Love yourself....

 Repair and restore....
body positive movement...

#nohate

#nofilter

Love is simple..

You are beautiful as you are...

#bootyrevolution

 The Ahead of the Curve Bloggers are a monthly collaboration between several plus-size bloggers doing what they love talking about fashion, trends, and everything else in between.  Make sure to visit all of the bloggers and show them some love after all this month is the month of love, Ahead of the Curve Bloggers is the place to be.


XOXO,
Valerie
#love

Downtown Plaid

 It is not often when I find a trend that I love that is also on trend when I am wearing it,  I am usually a day late because it takes me a minute to really get into things.  But Plaid is something that has been around for years and occasionally slips in and out of the stores.  I have never ever been a fan of the plaid skirts but that is just my opinion some people pull them off beautifully, I am just not in that selective group.

 I saw these pants and initially loved them even though this style usually looks a little frumpy on me for some reason.  However, Lane Bryant needs to get it together, without turning this into a huge rant their sizing and cuts have been HORRIBLE this year.  These pants are the normal size I wear in dress pants and even though they do not look it, they are incredibly tight. I originally bought these Sophie Houndstooth from Lane Bryant but they would not even go up over my thighs, and after talking to the associates working they told me that they all tried them on and had to go up at the very least 2 whole sizes larger than they normally wear.  This is NOT ok in my opinion.  I am normally a huge Lane Bryant supporter but they are definitely not winning any awards from me this year. I am wearing head to toe Lane Bryant even though their sizing is really getting under my skin (end rant).

 So, to prove that houndstooth is everywhere and has been everywhere for ever, I have put this picture of the famous houndstooth hat worn by the University of Alabama coach during the games (Roll Tide, Roll).  I just love this hat and I may buy one this year since the trend is so on point. 

Infinity scarves and even the long straight scarves can add so much to an outfit, I found this while searching on etsy for something completely different but I just love the texture and look that a simple scarf can give any look.

I am seeing houndstooth everywhere even on the new holiday packaging from Bare Minerals added in a pop of red and houndstooth which is a look I absolutely love!

I'd love to hear from you and see what prints, trends and fashion you are loving right now...Let me know...Make sure you head on over to Ahead of the Curve and check out everyone from the collective of bloggers that we have and their take on Tartan, Tweed, and Houndstooth.

Peace and Love,
Valerie xoxo
#prayforpeace

Radiant Chaos

      I absolutely love the color red, I especially love wearing the color red.  I am also extremely excited to talk about this outfit because we recently had a Torrid open up in the nearby mall, and I pretty much raided them around Christmas time for this look.  I have bought a few things from them online in the past but was semi reluctant just because I hate shipping things back.  This whole outfit I received for Christmas even though I picked it all out, I felt it was perfect for this topic. The dress is black with flocked velvet polka dots and I actually sized down because of the armholes, it is very roomy in my opinion.  I am wearing Torrid's size 3 in the dress and the cardigan.  As you can see it is winter here so I paired this lovely dress with a basic open cardigan from Torrid in this radiant red color.  If I am going to wear red it is definitely going to be this deep blood red because I feel it looks the best on my skin tone.   I am loving this skater dress trend, I feel like it is a shape that would look flattering on any body type.  I paired this outfit with some simple leggings from Wal-Mart in black, and my favorite black boots from Lane Bryant.  I will also note that I bought two pairs of tall boots this year from Lane Bryant and both were accommodating with extra room to my bigger calves. I know they are no longer available online but maybe some of the stores still have them.  I also made my sister do my hair in these gorgeous rosette type pin rolls just for something a little special.  I topped off my look by wearing the most amazing lip color I have found to date.  It is from NYX in the color Chaos, I bought this at Ulta for around $4.00 or less and it is so smooth.  I felt like I needed to mention this lipstick because I will be going back to get other colors, you cannot beat that price.  I will link below the items in case you want to see the different things on the models.   

                                                               Peace&Love,
                                                                   Valerie

 Flocked Polka Dot Dress
                                                                                       Drape Front Cardigan

Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com

 
We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Red Hot Themes” so check them out by clicking on each link:

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Always Red Hot

My "Red Hot" Moment

Feeling the Love in Igigi Polka Dots

Red Hot Remake: Too-Tight Dress To Peplum Top

Fearless Fashion: Channeling My Inner Lady In Red

"Red Hot" Valentine's Day Look

Rouge Blouse

Red Hot Luxe: My Top Sexy, Fabulous, Gorgeous Valentine's Day Picks for the Plus Size Princess

 Red Color Love
Nuclear Red Hot Hair 

 You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics here, http://www.aheadofthecurvebloggers.com or our Facebook page Ahead of the Curve.

My Vintage Holiday Glam

    I have to start off by saying, I am not really a glam kind of person.  Most of the festivities that I attend during the holiday season consist of ugly sweater parties or casual gift exchanges, so glam and dressy really isn't the norm for me.  I was, however, excited to try it out even if I didn't really have the appropriate setting or place to display my outfits. This is the Smitten Lace Top in Onyx paired with an amazing vintage headband from Icing on the Cake by Betsy.  This picture does not do this headband justice it is an amazing color and so comfortable...

When I first started exploring different options in the plus size world, mainly online opposed to the local brick and mortar stores (very few and not good selection in my neck of the woods), the one name that several people recommend I try was Kiyonna.  I initially loved what they had but really didn't have a need for the type of clothes that they offer but one of the first must haves that caught my eye was the Smitten Lace Top .  I felt this was gorgeous and I just had to have it in a couple different colors.  I had been waiting and searching for awhile a possible sale or maybe end of the year clearance but that top seems to linger and stay around.  I finally found it one day on Zulily for half price and I jumped on the deal and bought the Retro Jade and Onyx. 

A couple more views of this top in the Retro Jade.  I bought this in a 4x because of the website size chart and the Retro Jade top fit perfect and possibly a tad big.  However, the onyx in the same size and brand fit a little snug, so go figure.  Overall, the quality is luxurious and I would purchase from Kiyonna again and again just for the quality alone.  But, these shirts are very flattering and can be worn with a skirt and heels to dress it up or denim and pearls for a more of a casual look.

Make sure you check out all the links below there has been a few changes and other ways to view all of the bloggers in this collective blog hop... Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!!

             Peace&Love,
                 Valerie 

Banner created by Elizabeth Tamny: http://www.elizabethtamny.com

We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we are sharing our take on “Holiday Glitz and Glam” so check them out by clicking on each link, also visit our Facebook page here- Ahead of the Curve.

  

 Sydney's Closet Plus Size 30 Glitz

Glitz and Glam Wave Eshakti Leather 

Don't wait for the perfect occaison, wear it NOW!  

The Fat Girl Glams It Up 

Glam It Up 

Regency Style: A Jane Austen Costume Event 

Fearlessly Fashion: Holidays = Glitz and Glam FABULOUSNESS 

Holiday Looks 

Holiday Party Looks! 

You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics HERE