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

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

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

Definitely Denim

                   Growing up in the Midwest, it seems like denim has always been a big staple in everyone's life.  People look forward to hoodies, boots, sweaters, blankets, and a nice pair of denim  jeans.  I used to be this way for sure, I love a good pair of nice fitting jeans that are comfortable but still stylish.  I have found over the years this isn't a really easy task not just for the plus-size shopper but also for the averages sizes as well.  After talking to several friends, of all shapes and sizes, I have realized that "the perfect pair of jeans" is not really easy to find.  When I think of denim, in particular jeans, I feel like this picture is a good representation of what denim is ; classic, limitless, and rustic.

                    I know that in my own closet I actually counted over 20 pairs of denim products from jeggings, straight-legged, bootcut, to capris, shorts, a skirt, and an old jacket I can't quite part with..I don't wear half of that but I would venture to say that almost everyone can find themselves peering into their closet and seeing an over and abundance of things they don't use or wear that often but still statement pieces that define who they are or how they perceive their style.  Does denim define me? The answer is not all the way, but just like that good pair of comfy fitting jeans you put on over and over again, I feel that that does define me in one word comfortable.  I strive not only to be comfortable in my every day life, the types of clothing I wear, but also to provide the comfort that others might need just like an old pair of jeans.
                    
                     For my outfit of the day, I am wearing a pair of booties in gray from Macy's that I bought years ago, a cowl-neck, faux empire waisted sweater in heather gray and a pair of dark denim jeans from Old Navy.  This outfit is the essence of comfortable and pretty much is something I would wear to go shopping or hangout, I have this sweater in several colors and I love it.  The total irony of these outfits we have on is the picture was taken in November in Illinois when it is usually cold outside, however, for this photo op, we were actually sweating because it was 75.

***Pictured is my sister, Rebecca and my brother, Morgan***

 We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have a post on “Denim” so click away and check them out.

 Chambray Blue-Some Colorful History
 Denim and Lace
White Trash Couture?
Denim with Edge
Review - Size 24 ASOS Curve Pinafore Denim Dress