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

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
 

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

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

Floral Frenzy!!

Top from Lane Bryant

 The theme for this months blog collective is Garden Party or Pastels.  Neither of these two things are in the range of clothing that I wear but every since starting this blog I am really trying to broaden my horizons and step out of that comfort zone...And come to find out I really love a floral print, even though I don't have many prints I have recently started buying a few more things.. Here is a collection of what I am currently loving right now...

Add a pop of pastel with a scarf!

I am wearing a floral tank from Lane Bryant

 It never hurts to accessorize, try adding in pastels or floral prints with a bold scarf, nail, jewelry, or even a shoe this will get you used to the color if this is something that might intimidate you.

              

Accessorize with a pop of nail color!

I have noticed in my recent shopping trips that the major plus size stores that I frequent, Lane Bryant , Torrid , and Simply Be all have a wide variety of floral dresses, shirts, and accessories with a pop of pastel or floral in them.  Most of those sites plus a few others have been running great sales to get ready for summer, especially Lane Bryant, it seems like to me that their sales have been really good recently so why not save!!!

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 ...feel free to leave comments and love for everyone!!!









Love and Blessings,

Valerie xoxo

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.

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

Keep it Clean...

First off, Welcome to my little spot!!!  I will start off by saying just a little bit about me.  I am new to the whole blog scene but I am loving it so far.  I love fashion, I am plus-sized and come on there just isn't enough reviews and clothes out there for us. Just my opinion.. I am planning on keeping this blog based on the things I love.. Crafting (Pinterest..OMG)..Fashion (Oh how I love thee)..Skin Care/Makeup, maybe a little cooking.  I am not an expert on any of these areas but they are definitely high priorities in my life.  This is a place to have fun and maybe learn a few things along the way.  If there are any suggestions feel free to leave a comment and follow me in the social media world!! :)

REVIEW TIME!!!!! I am so in LOVE with this product. Trust me try it you will fall in love as well.  It is called GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Treatment. Let me tell you this stuff is amazeballs for sure.  I am in love with Sephora so I took a little trip for some goods and a couple weeks prior I was hearing about this wonderful mud mask that cleared black heads, it was getting rave reviews so I thought why not.  I honestly have never had my skin feeling so nice after a treatment of any kind.  When it starts to dry the beauty of it is you can almost see it working in your pores.  I am by no means affiliated with either company but it honestly is the most amazing product I have ever put on my face for sure.  So, in a nutshell, hop into your car, train, plane, bus, or bike head to the nearest Sephora or hit them online for free shipping and just try this out.  I will post a couple pics below to see what it looks like excuse the wild hair!!!



Peace and Love,
Valerie