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.

My Vintage Holiday Glam

    I have to start off by saying, I am not really a glam kind of person.  Most of the festivities that I attend during the holiday season consist of ugly sweater parties or casual gift exchanges, so glam and dressy really isn't the norm for me.  I was, however, excited to try it out even if I didn't really have the appropriate setting or place to display my outfits. This is the Smitten Lace Top in Onyx paired with an amazing vintage headband from Icing on the Cake by Betsy.  This picture does not do this headband justice it is an amazing color and so comfortable...

When I first started exploring different options in the plus size world, mainly online opposed to the local brick and mortar stores (very few and not good selection in my neck of the woods), the one name that several people recommend I try was Kiyonna.  I initially loved what they had but really didn't have a need for the type of clothes that they offer but one of the first must haves that caught my eye was the Smitten Lace Top .  I felt this was gorgeous and I just had to have it in a couple different colors.  I had been waiting and searching for awhile a possible sale or maybe end of the year clearance but that top seems to linger and stay around.  I finally found it one day on Zulily for half price and I jumped on the deal and bought the Retro Jade and Onyx. 

A couple more views of this top in the Retro Jade.  I bought this in a 4x because of the website size chart and the Retro Jade top fit perfect and possibly a tad big.  However, the onyx in the same size and brand fit a little snug, so go figure.  Overall, the quality is luxurious and I would purchase from Kiyonna again and again just for the quality alone.  But, these shirts are very flattering and can be worn with a skirt and heels to dress it up or denim and pearls for a more of a casual look.

Make sure you check out all the links below there has been a few changes and other ways to view all of the bloggers in this collective blog hop... Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!!

             Peace&Love,
                 Valerie 

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 “Holiday Glitz and Glam” so check them out by clicking on each link, also visit our Facebook page here- Ahead of the Curve.

  

 Sydney's Closet Plus Size 30 Glitz

Glitz and Glam Wave Eshakti Leather 

Don't wait for the perfect occaison, wear it NOW!  

The Fat Girl Glams It Up 

Glam It Up 

Regency Style: A Jane Austen Costume Event 

Fearlessly Fashion: Holidays = Glitz and Glam FABULOUSNESS 

Holiday Looks 

Holiday Party Looks! 

You can find more information about Ahead of the Curve or our past topics HERE

Perfect Prints, Right?

                                                                                            

       Honestly for years people have said to me things I should not wear, from certain fabrics, cuts, and even certain patterns.  So for years, while shopping I stayed away from large, repetitive prints because it makes you look bigger, or no stripes because that can enhance as well, even certain colors, but I started to wonder who made these rules, because I have seen many people wearing these big girl no-no's and looking fabulous.  There are a few things I just won't wear because of personal preference which I am sure is true no matter what size.  So, when finding out we are blogging about prints, I was eager to find something that took me out of my comfort zone and buy something new that I never wear or have never worn before. 



       I decided on trying this lovely sweater from Lane Bryant, it is not a big bold print but it is stripes which has always been something that I avoided.  I am not sure if this sweater is still available I literally just bought it but I can't find it online so if this is something you like as well try hitting up the stores.  I was drawn to this sweater for a couple reasons, mainly because I am becoming a tad bit obsessed with the accent stud rage, I want them on everything and this sweater had raised gold studs on the shoulders which I immediately fell in love.  I also loved this sweater because it is more of a tunic length it hits me in the right place, in my own opinion.  Lastly, I am falling in love with gold accents and what better way to step into the print world then by doing a stripe?  I went with a classic boot cut jean from Old Navy which I usually get on sale but out of the millions of jeans I have tried on these jeans are by far my top pick.  I paired the sweater with a classic gold braided sandal which I purchased from Target a few years back but every summer they come out with a variation of this sandal.

Lastly, I want to mention my photos, an awesome photographer is responsible and if you are in the central Illinois area or willing to travel here check her out ABCs Memories Photography.  We battled wind and private property on this shoot but it was really fun, I am going to be using her photos for the next couple months.  I even changed my clothes in the woods, for those who know me this is a big feat.  I am just hoping that the trail cams were turned off.  Ha! 

       Peace & Love,
           Valerie
P.S. Let me know what you want to see in upcoming blogs, comment below

 This amazing banner was made by a talented artist Elizabeth Tamny click on the link to check her out.  We are a collective of plus-size bloggers of varying shapes, sizes and styles. Each month we choose a different theme, this month is, "Big Girls Can't Wear Prints?". Check out the lovely ladies blogs below, click on the links and show some love. 

SWAK Red Cherry Dress Size 5X - Review

Fat Girls Can

Push Th' Little Daisies... Fat Girl Flower Power 


Black, White, and Red All Over


Falltivest


Prints, Absolutely?


My Life In Prints... A Big Girls Perspective


Print En Kimono


Big Gals Can Wear Prints

Happy Halloween!!!!

       I didn't start dressing up again until a few years ago.  I always felt like I couldn't find a costume or I would be a witch again... So I started a few years ago when I was going to see a band and everyone was dressing up so we were thinking what could we do for cheap?  Plus, I was thinking what can I do, because the normal stores usually do not have anything appealing or in my size.  I know that many people have been or probably are in the same boat so I thought this blog I would focus solely on ideas and what has worked for me in the past.  So, back to my cheap homemade outfit which cost around $10 because I had to have some accessories.  I went as a Pirate!!

This is Jennifer and I before we went to hear her husband's band.  Here is how I kept this look under $10.00, I went to goodwill and found a white button down shirt and spent about $2.50, the shirt was not a great fit but I knew something was going over the top of it so it wasn't that big of a deal, I also bought the lovely necklaces there for next to nothing not even sure I remember a price.  I had the black dress and I cut it into a short dress with slits, I also had a red bandana so these items didn't cost a thing.  I went to the local discount store and found a sword and eyepatch for a dollar each, I also bought fabric for around $3.00 to make the belt as well as the fringe on the sword.  I already had the fishnets and the shoes, I am pretty sure I still have the diamond shapes embedded into my legs from those hose.  Overall, this was a relatively inexpensive look but still looked great with tons of compliments...

I have always loved the 80's and even though I get a big zero on creativity, I have always loved

dressing up as someone from a certain era.  I think this was the result of not making my mind up in time and already having an 80s party to go to so I combined the two and went ultra rad that year.  I unfortunately only spent like $4.00 on this costume, I already had everything except the shirt and I got it on an extreme clearance from Ashley Stewart.  I had the multiple strands of pearls and chains that I got from a discount store and actually love so I wore as a Madonna-esque look along with that bangle.  I took a pair of socks that I had and wore them on my hands but cut a hole for thumbs and cut the end out.  I also had some large hoops and a Olivia Newton-John sweatband.  You can't see my tight rolled jeans and my Chuck Taylor's which I owned as well.  This is also a fairly easy and inexpensive look if you need something last minute.  I also love playing with makeup from the 80s you can't really tell from this pic but at the beginning of the night my makeup was pretty kickin'.

Last year, I decided to go as something easy as well but this time I was able to find a costume online (yay! for planning ahead) and ordered it as soon as I made up my mind.  I went for comfort, I am not going to lie.  My hair and makeup was easy, I had on comfy clothes underneath the costume because it was freezing...

I do have heritage tied to this Pocahontas costume which is kind of why I chose this look but for the most part I felt the costume would fit well and that it was something I could pull off.  I bought it from costume craze last year and I would recommend them if you are a smaller plus size but this outfit was not  the same as measurements they provided and it was technically too small, even though I wore it.  It came with a suede-like frock with fringe, a headband, and little booties to go over your shoes.  It was all kind of cheap construction and could not have been resold so in essence not worth the $50.00 I paid for it.  Oh and the hair is all mine...

     Wrapping it all up, I feel that there are good homemade costumes that you could easily pull off but thanks to another blogger Affinity, I was able to find plus size costumes in a multitude of sizes and the best variety I have seen for plus size women.  I am completing this blog before I will dressing up this year so I will give you a preview then write a separate blog later.  I have spent more on this costume than any other previous costume so I am hoping I can pull it all off.... I told you I loved eras...

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

clicking on each link.

Affatshionista 

FATshionPeepshow  

ColorMeFatt 

GlitterOdyssey 

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

Pretty in Pink!!

   For quite sometime, I have been in a love/hate relationship with the peplum.  I have always wanted to try one but never made that commitment to buy out of fear.  I finally made the plunge after viewing several people around my size online in their outfits of the day posts and realizing I think that is something that would flatter me as well.  I belong to a group online that is a huge resale group for plus size women and someone was selling this lovely pink and black polka dot stretch peplum from JcPenny, the brand is Worthington and size 3x.  I am still up in the air about how I feel about the way it fits and hits me, part of it is the pictures I was a little lazy and didn't pull out the good camera.  Anyways, I love the color pink but apparently I don't wear it very often.  The jeans are Old Navy Rockstar Jeans in black.  The shoes are my trusty go to shoes from Orthaheel in black/silver.  My hair and makeup were designed by my sister Rebecca who is a hairstylist, I wanted something simple but i love the bandana look.  Overall, this was definitely not my favorite outfit, I am hoping to find a peplum that fits a little bit longer on the torso but we shall see.  Tell me what you think? Leave a comment below and let me know where you get your peplum shirts and how they fit?

Peace and Love,
Valerie

P.S. It's football season...Yahoo!!


\

We are a collective of plus size bloggers coming together to post on the same subject. This month we each have a post on “Pretty in Pink” so check out our individual posts by clicking on each link.

A Pink Haze + A 1930s Houndstooth Skirt
Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink
You scream, I scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!
I Believe in Pink, Because The Happiest Girls Are The Prettiest Girls
Like, Totally 80s Fashion - Plus Size