My Everyday Looks

       My Everyday look consists of simply fabrics and casual comfort.  I work everyday and have to dress up so on the weekends I like to throw on a comfy pair of capris, these are stretchy jean capris and a flowy shirt.  These are both from Lane Bryant and something I have had for a long time and I am sure are no longer available.  In the fall, I am almost always in a great pair of jeans and a hoodie or a long sleeve tshirt.  I am in love with comfort.

Every once in awhile I might throw in a more fitted piece of clothing or a dress to break up the monotony, but I love my look and no matter how you dress there is always a way to tie in a current trend or color that you are drawn too.  I am hearing the new color for fall is purple, I am not a fan usually but I have picked up a couple of shirts with purple accent prints that I actually love.  

 Proud to be a part of this blog collective where we all blog on the same topic.  Check us out at Ahead of the Curve and see everyone's Everyday Style.  

Happy Blogging,

Valerie xoxo
#prayforpeace

A Day to Night How To

 The Ahead of the Curve Bloggers are at it again, but this month we are exploring Day to Night options.  I am more of a day time gal and really don't have very many events where I would need a night time look.  I do love a challenge, so I thought an easy how-to look would be fun.  First off, the outfit details: the maxi dress is from Forever21, I am almost positive it is no longer there because I got it on clearance.  It is a 3x and fits me great, I wear it all the time.  The day time look includes a sleeveless jean jacket from Maurices in a size 4 (26/28).  I am also wearing a cobalt blue lace tank top from Lane Bryant which I wear a tank from them almost every single day.  

 Here comes the hair...I am definitely not a stylist and generally my hair looks way less than fabulous but for the day look I had someone curl it with a big barrel curling iron and added some dry shampoo for texture.  My hair is very, very thick so it holds curl very well anyways.  For the night time look I grabbed a headband from Maurices that matched the dress and simply tucked all my hair into the elastic part on the headband.  This is so simple and fool proof.  Viola, I have a night time look by taking off the jean jacket and adding a simple up-do with a headband.

 Check out all of the other monthly bloggers at Ahead of the Curve make sure to leave them some love.  Let me know what you think!!

Peace and Love,
Valerie

#prayforpeace

Sweet Summer Shades

 This month's blog theme is the cool palette pulling colors from nature and surroundings.  Honestly, I don't wear many colors in these ranges so it was something I stepped a little out of the comfort zone.  I naturally am very pale, (obviously) and these colors tend to blend in with my skin and hair color combination.  When I saw this dress, I instantly loved it and had to have it, even though I am not sure when I will wear it again. 

This is a cool mint/aqua blue green from Lane Bryant it is Item #221014.  It is still available and it is considered a skater style dress.  These dresses tend to look very flattering on any body type in my opinion.  This dress is a 22/24 and I usually wear a 28.  I would recommend sizing down in order to get the correct fit.  I paired it with a simple black lace cami and some jeweled sandals from Maurices and I couldn't find them on the website but they have similar ones available and so far they have worn pretty well for being a more reasonably priced shoe.

Here is an old picture of me that also has a very nature type vibe with a little rich tone of green.  I generally would wear something more in this range of jewel-tones opposed to a cooler lighter pastel tone.  This top is from Kiyonna and I know a variation of this top is still available but not sure about the color.

Every month Ahead of the Curve Bloggers picks a topic and shares several ways and takes on particular topics.  This month is it Nature's Palette and ways to wear the cool earthy, nature tones.  Follow us on social media in order to keep up and see what we do next.

Peace and Happiness,
xoxo
Valerie

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

Feelin' Fallish

Happy Veterans Day!!!

This is one of my favorite times of year, the changing of the leaves, layering, tall boots, bold lip color, and no humidity.  Usually by October we are experiencing cooler temps and enjoying bonfires and hayrack rides.


     I was reading up on the trend alerts for fall in early summer just making sure I had a few staple pieces in my wardrobe.  I discovered Modcloth and decided to order.  I fell in love with this blue dress and cobalt happened to be a color mentioned in the fall look books so I decided to try this dress.  I ordered a 4x because reviews stated to size up, even though it was a little big in some places it was the right size.  Now unfortunately, this dress is sold out so I found another dress from Modcloth, the skilled and shining dress , that I think would be comparable that I would just pair with a cardigan or blazer. The belt is from Old Navy , the boot socks are from Maurices (and they are plenty big on my wide calfs), and the boots in both pictures are from Lane Bryant and are no longer available.  My second look includes a basic tunic boat neck from Old Navy in Orange, with a vest and leggings from Maurices.  If you have not checked out Maurices Plus size line, I would definitely encourage it, I am a solid 28 at most stores and the size 4 fits me in most items.  If you are a big fan of leggings and I have reviewed this before but I feel these are the best leggings I own and they have sales all the time too.  

Hope you enjoyed my fall looks!!! Head over to the plus size fashion resource Ahead of the Curve and see what Feels like Fall to the other bloggers.  Make sure to comment and give us your feedback we would love to hear from you..

Love and Peace,
Valerie XOXO
#aheadofthecurve
#prayforpeace