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

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

Polka Dot Confessions

The fun thing about photography and when you try new things you 

don't always get the best results and even though these pictures

were kind of my idea, the angles and everything is all

wrong, in my opinion.  So, with that being said this months

blog collective is Polka Dots vs. Gingham.  I find that polka dots 

have been a true staple and showing up in trends for quite some time now.

I hate to say it even though I love a good polka dot, I am a little over it. 

 (um. who color matched that foundation? horrid.)

  

My outfit today is completely thrifted!! I know, I know, I am just as shocked as you all might be.  I love a good deal, let's clarify this right now but I never seem to find them, so this is rare.  I purchased the shirt from Fattoo for $12.00 not sure where it came from but it was a very roomy 3x.

The jeans I also purchased from Fattoo and they are the stiletto dot jeans from Torrid and I believe they are still available there in some sizes.  

I will say these jeans are super duper comfortable but a little on the short side..

Since this was a battle royale between dots and gingham, I tried to find something gingham and included the links of two items I purchased but had to return due to the fit.  I really wasn't in love with the pants

but I thought it would provide a nice work slack, check them out below.

Alwaysforme.com 

jjill.com 

The swimsuit I loved everything about it but they sent me the wrong

size and were out of stock in what I actually ordered. (double bummer)

The pants fit but it was all wrong and made me look frumpy and like my pants

were just way too short.

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!

Peace and Love,

Valerie XOXO

#prayforpeace

A Way To Save: Plus Size Budget Buys!!

 I am not a huge thrifter but I definitely love a good sale and very rarely do I buy clothing not on sale. However, in my area the thrifting and cool vintage type stores, I see other people talking about,  are non existent so I usually have to live through others and get extremely jealous at their finds especially in the vintage department.  I feel no matter where you shop online or in the stores there are many deals to be had by checking store codes, sales ads, current promotions, and asking for upcoming events.  I have also recently become a huge fan of the Cartwheel and Retail Me Not apps that have instant savings for many stores that I frequent. The best thing to do is to do some research.

This outfit that I chose to wear cost a total of $22 including shoes and jewelry which I felt was a steal.  The dress I bought at Ross in Houston, Texas for $10.00 it is a Cynthia Rowley in a 3x which is plenty roomy, almost too big.  The cardigan is an Old Navy find in their regular sizes xxl and it fits plenty big.  I bought this on clearance for $5.00 along with the cream cami for $3.00.  I bought these gold rope braided sandals (my favorite) at Target at the end of season two years ago for $4.00, they are amazing quality.  My jewelry came from Lane Bryant as a gift.

 

                                If you are looking for some great pictures in the Springfield, Illinois
                                        area please check out Kristi Mitchell Photography!!

I am lucky enough to be included in a monthly blog collective with a great group of plus size girls who all have great blogs, please go check them out here  Ahead of the Curve Bloggers...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!


For the love of $avings,
Valerie xoxo