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

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

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

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