A Modern Take on Valentine’s Day

I remember very clearly the day I became obsessed with the colors red + pink together. My tale isn’t one of Valentine’s day glory, but rather vignette into my own education in color. I was around 5 or 6 at a church activity. We were cutting shapes out of fabric to decorate white t-shirts. I’d fallen in love with this bright strawberry print and I was meticulously cutting out each individual berry to glue onto my soon to be very fashionable tee. Even as a child, I was type A. My strawberries were perfect. Once glued into place, the next step was to trace them in puffy paint to help them stay in place.

I remember grabbing a red puffy paint to begin my perfect outline only to realize I had mistakenly selected a bright pink shade. I was devastated. I cried big emotional tears at my failure. Red didn’t go with pink. It was wrong. It was different. My shirt was ruined. Now I don’t have a lot of good memories of my mother as she was sick so much of my life, but what she did next will always stick with me. She stopped, looked me right in the eyes and said,

“When something you have no control of in your life is different from the norm you have two choices: You can be upset and fight it or you can embrace it and help everyone see how beautiful it is.” 

We went back to that t-shirt and outlined each red berry in that bright pink. We added little pink dots to each of the fabric fruits. In the end, I loved that t-shirt so much more than I ever could imagine. What I learned from that moment is that we have opportunities every day to choose how to view our experiences. How often do we cry and lament because they feel weird instead of seeing them just as they really are- pretty darn awesome.

Pink Strawberry Fashion Magic

This modern take on that childhood learning is perhaps one of my favorite I’ve ever put together. I’ve literally been showing it to strangers all week, because I’m proud of it. It’s not just super cool looking, but it’s an ode to my own journey. The dress I snagged off amazon. I adore it’s asymmetrical neckline and feel it gives a nice modern swagger to the look. The oversized sweater is from H&M and is one of my favorite pieces I’ve purchased in the last 6 months. I’ve closed the sweater with a red leather tassel belt- an oldie but still goody- from Lane Bryant. The flats are my favorite neutral shoes found at Old Navy.

I embraced the pink and red magic in my eye shadow as well. I created a half circle of bold bubble gum pink using Sugar Pills Dollipop shadow on each eye lid. I then used Nyx Vivid Brights in Fire to line my lids and water line. Using Colour Pops Creme Gel Liner in Exit  I added white accents under the water line and at the brow.  I kept my face completely neutral otherwise and used Winky Luxes Lip Velour Matte Lipstick  in Ghosting with a light pink slightly creamy gloss on top to dull the sparkle just a smidge.

Red And Pink Essentials:

I’ve rounded up some of my red and items that are perfect for Valentine’s Day or just for any day really. Love is love and should be celebrated always.

I earn affiliate commissions on some of these links that help support my creation process. 

It’s Day 2 of 2018 + I Already Feel Like A Failure

It’s day two of the year that is new and I am oscillating between giddy optimism and terrified nervousness. January places so much pressure on each of us to be more than we were the year before, that you can’t help but feel the tension EVERYWHERE. Like this outfit. I loved this dress it when I styled it, but now I’m second guessing everything.  Why did I put it with a coat no one can buy anymore? Berets are overplayed. Those earrings are like red snow man. Those flats again! I can do better. Why didn’t I do better?
I feel it so much with blogging.  This is a good look, but when you’re bombarded with everyone’s best of lists from 2017 and their extra invested new content for 2018, it’s hard to just appreciate…anything really.  I feel plagued with constant evaluation. Am I doing enough new? Did I change my game enough? The a number has changed in the way I write the year in date and now I feel like  EVERYTHING MUST BE BETTER. Bigger. Louder!!! Bolder!!!! But, what happens when it’s not.  In fact, I very well might be less today then I was a week a go. What now? Have I failed 2018? Do I have to return to 2017 because I am being held back in the middle school of life? I think I echo many people’s sentiments when I say- Oh god please don’t make me redo that year. So I stopped. I took a deep breath.  I let it all go. The reality is growth and development take time and there is no magical date where if I complete complex puzzle of goal setting mixed with alcohol all my problems sort themselves out. I did not fail 2017. I have not already failed 2018. Change isn’t just for New Years. Change is for when you’re ready. I share this today to remind you that if you are feeling overwhelmed right now and if you feel like a failure, you’re not alone. It’s hard in a sea of messages reminding us of the things we need to fix to not feel overwhelmed. It is normal at this time of year. it will pass. And don’t worry;  the opportunity to do and be better will always be there regardless of the date. Change when you are ready. Grow when you can.

I earn affiliate commission on some of the links used in this post.

Affordable Party Dresses From Amazon

Did you know that Amazon isn’t only a place you can buy whatever your drunk mind thinks you need at 3 am on a Friday night, but also a great place to shop for affordable plus size clothes? No, this post isn’t sponsored. This is my reality. I freaking love amazon shopping.

See this dress? It was $11. It’s mind blowing that I can look this fancy for  the same price as New York  takeaway lunch. It’s comfortable, flattering and just really dang cute. And when I find deals like this, I get so excited I want to tell everyone.

Is it just me? Because every time I find a good deal I literally want to call every female in my phone and just blab at them about it. It’s the thrill of the bargain. It’s shopping adrenaline. Its a badge of honor. It’s just the best.

And I want you to have those feelings. I really do. So I have rounded up some of my favorite plus size bargain dresses from Amazon. Also, shortly on YouTube, I’ll be doing a fun haul featuring some of the dresses below. Again, I didn’t get paid to say this- it’s the thrill of the conquest that’s driving this post. So go forth and save!

Other Awesome Bargain Amazon Dresses


$22.99


$39.99


$18.99


$36.99


$37.99


$32.99


$18.99


$14.68


$34.99


$11.99

 

I earn affiliate commission on some of the above links which helps support my blog.

A Vintage Woman in a Modern World

When I received this skirt I just wanted so bad to style it in a way that wasn’t formal. Luckily the pieces just sort of came together in my head and the next thing I knew I had created a look I was proud of. Sure I create a lot of styles I think are good, but few do I step back and marvel at. This was such a bizarre mix of items that, when  jumbled together, worked in such a delightful way.

   The orange beret is from Amazon, a rare midnight ” I can’t sleep” find- and yes it comes with the netting.  The sweater is from Zara. It’s not plus, but I find their XXL to be fairly true to size. The distressed metallic skirt (on super sale right now!) from Macy’s I am I wearing accents the sequins in the sweater, and really makes them pop. To bring out even more color in the jumper I added a yellow neck scarf from Modcloth and a bright red lip from bite beauty.  For my final accessories I added one of my favorite bags from Min & Mon and the most amazing  wide fit booties (seriously the insole padding is amazing) from RWN by Rawan.

Neon Pheonix Bikini Pool Time Realness

Neon Pheonix Bikini Pool Time Realness


I can’t not share this look. I am on cloud nine as a result of its bold colors, sassy flounced hems, and sassy shades. I feel like the might phoenix of the pool. A bold bird rising up from the ashes of the work week- born anew in the gold rays of the sun. Bonus, the suit is so comfortable and I feel content in the fact I turned a totally fugly shirt, into a totally adorable cover up simply by slicing it down the front.
Here’s the details on the pieces I am rocking in this look.

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