Funky Florals + Deep Thoughts

I always dress up the day after having a bad day-something about put together helps me feel like I can conquer everything. I suppose that’s why today I’m wearing what only can be described as an eclectic bad ass babe’s power suit.  The floral pencil skirt is from Eloquii, the sheer teal collared shirt is from Modcloth, and bright, yet assertive, powder blue faux leather jacket is from Just Fab. The earrings are some of my faves I picked up from a local street artistic in New York. The shoes I purchased in London from Jones Bootmaker  and were the first pair of heels I could wear all day and not hate the world after. The last detail is pretty much hidden in the images. It’s a gold lucky rabbit ring from Me & Zena. After yesterday’s events, I can use all the luck I can get.

Monday was one of those days I wish hadn’t happened, but am ultimately a better person because it did. Sometimes growth is super painful, but we come out the end better. So as much as I really wanted to run away and hide from all the emotions and self analysis I faced yesterday. I am forever grateful I didn’t. I shared a very public opinion about a very controversial topic. I received some well-thought out rebuttals, but I also received some pretty nasty commentary. It was hard to see a wide variety of assumptions about me be expressed, as well as several unfair analyses of how had come to believe what I did. Some felt the need to negate some pretty powerful and hard experiences in my life. And unfortunately, my body reacted and reminded me of those emotions, those moments, and that pain. It was rough.

I was so hurt. I tried to put something positive out and as a result was left feeling very helpless and like I re-broken something I had already healed. I was feeling so much that I simply didn’t need to. Reliving these experiences weren’t necessary. My participation in the discussion wasn’t necessary. So I made a decision. Somethings just aren’t worth talking about. There are parts of my life I am not ready to share. Heck, I may never be ready. And until I feel comfortable discussing all of it, I’m going to talk about none of it.

What is so hard about this experience, is I didn’t expect this to affect me as it did. I didn’t expect to suddenly feel everything I felt. I thought I was stronger than that. The truth is sometimes being a blogger makes you feel a bit invincible. You get so used to hate. You get desensitized. You begin to expect it. Other’s expect it of you.  While there’s power in being conditioned to be fearless and impenetrable, there also can be a slow loss of reality and empathy.

So while yesterday was painful and overwhelming, I am thankful for it. I still stand by my words. I still believe what I said. However, all of that seems quite pointless now. The real thing I learned yesterday is that I am still human. It’s ok to feel. It’s ok to not be ok. It’s ok to have things that are difficult to talk about, experiences you wished never happened, and moments you wish you could rewrite. It’s not shameful to be sensitive, overwhelmed, or hurt. Even though I am blogger exposed to the world, I still am human. I still have feelings. I have fears.  I still have room to grow. Sometimes my own expectations of what I need to be, get in the way of who I really am. I’m a feeler and yesterday I felt things. I felt them hard. And those feelings ultimately made me a better person, so I refuse to be ashamed of or regret them. 

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How to “Work” the Athleisure Trend

How to “Work” the Athleisure Trend

Athleisure wear is comfortable. Athleisure wear is cute. But athleisure wear is not work appropriate… or is it? I challenged myself to define a new fashion class.
Call it busleisure, workletics, jobsport or whatever other quirky new age name you want. I will simply call it comfortable at the cubicle, wearable at the water cooler, and baller at the board meeting.
This look perfectly encompasses the merger of my business and sporty self. The dress is a structured, funky yet, classic business look from Eloquii. However, instead of a predictable blazer I’ve paired this stunner  with a kimono style cropped work out jacket from Nike (no longer available, but I like this alternative).
To add a little more oomph to the look, I paired this fashion knock out with my favorite necklace from my home girl Nina Berenato and my favorite gold as eff sneakers (also from Nike, no longer available but here’s an alternative). The result is style that make you wonder- just wear is this girl going? She’s going to run the world, sir. She’s going to run the world.

Miami Part 1: The Dress Every Gal Should Own

Miami Part 1: The Dress Every Gal Should Own

I am in Miami for work for the next few days and I packed this uber comfy yellow dress that I featured in my recent Amazon haul. After a day of stressful Florida meetings, the one thing I wasn’t frustrated with was this frock. Usually I change into PJs as soon as I get back to my hotel room, but not in this dress. No in this dress, I shall have no pajama jams. Because when it comes to being comfortable, this thing does not play around.When I travel for work I rely on dresses I can throw in a bag and go- with out worries of wasting space or *sigh* wrinkles.  This number is the perfect example of what I love most in a travel dress. It’s uber flattering and, while basic, can easily be dressed up and down. This means I can make it work overtime and be re-worn when trying to pack light. There are also subtle details that makes it a not-so-basic staple, like the up and down seaming. The thing is $24, works for all body types, comes in a million colors and I firmly believe every girl should own one. I wasn’t paid to say that, I’m just simply a big fan of all the sunny vibes this mustard magic is putting out.This majestic tribal necklace- believe it or not- was an airport buy. Ok the airport in India, which for the record,has by far the best accessories I have ever seen. At $15, this necklace looks like it should cost $70 and an intimate knowledge the hipster wearable art scene. It’s eccentric and unique and just dang cool. It’s one of my favorite things Ive purchased abroad andgoes almost too perfectly with the mustard hue of this swing dress. Sadly I don’t know where you can pick up this exact necklace online, but I found this alternative that also makes a bold statement.
For shoes I am breaking so many people’s unrealistic fashion rules, and wearing Crocs- metallic gold Crocs with sparkle to be exact. I freaking love Crocs. Sure there aren’t always plastic luster clad wonder shoes that meet my day to day outfit needs, but the few pairs I have are lifesavers. Especially when I travel. And I feel bloated and gross. Crocs deal with my old lady like need for orthopedic comfort while still making look like I got dressed up fancy. Crocs, are a brand that started off fashionably challenged, and now are likely going to show up on the Jerry Springer to rub how much sexier they’ve gotten in your face. Or not. Maybe, that was just a weird funny thought I had.Before I talk about the finishing touches. Can we talk about Data’s cameo in this photo and how happy it makes me feel? I took theses photos while simultaneously chasing him around the terrace of my hotel. Here he’s sneaking back waiting for me to chase him again. Awww little nugget, I love you. DRAMATIC AND UNEXPLAINED SUBJECT CHANGE. I finished off this look with a low messy adventuress bun, simple make up in soft browns, a vintage grossgrain belt and my favorite motivational Be. Bangles. The result in an international look that as comfortable as it is effortless.

On some of these links I earn affiliate commissions, that helps support my blog and my shopping addiction.

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Fancy Frocks and 3 Facts About Me

Fancy Frocks and 3 Facts About Me

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I don’t have time to really write a post today, but I’m proud of these pictures and want to share them. What’s a pus size fashion goddess to do? Compromise. You can’t have it all. So instead of witty banter you’re going to get 3 random facts about me with images of a look I love that has nothing to do with said facts. Deal?

I’m a High School Drop Out

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I am a high school drop out. I did get my GED instead. It’s not something I am proud of, but I am proud of how I was able to find my way into college and eventually an ivy league master’s degree. When I think about it, it’s a great reminder that anything is possible with a little hard work and determination.

I Set my House on Fire

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I once set my house of fire…. with my underwear. Imagine the moment of glee I experienced when the sexy fireman showed the cause of the blaze to be the charred remains of some of my fancy pants. Sigh. I am not sure why I just remembered this today, but it happened. It is and will forever be one of my best party stories. I mean just think of all the “hot pants” jokes I can incorporate when telling it. And I do. All of them.

I’m a drunk rapper

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Get a few drinks in me and I think I’m underground MC champion. I say think, because likely it’s a selection of random words constructed into some gibberish sounds that kind of rhymes. Whatever a hot mess it is, I deliver it with the confidence of a rap legend. I own that stage or rather- dive bar.  In my own head I’m amazing and will always be on the look out for someone  to give me a beat, so I can spit a few lines, before gesturing a mic drop and awkwardly walking away.

Shop This Look

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You can recreate this look using the tie on the Eloquii dress as belt through the cape.

  • Dress: Eloquii http://bit.ly/2fT2269
  • Cape: Asos last season, but I like this alternative http://bit.ly/2fyTJZq
  • Shoes: Jones boot co no longer available, but I like this alternative bit.ly/2eIEwVQ

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Corporate Comfort, Sweater Dress Office Chic

Corporate Comfort, Sweater Dress Office Chic

plus-size-sweater-dresses-justfab-eloquii-6For those of you not familiar with 4th quarter hell, consider yourself lucky. Basically it’s in the later 3 months of the year that all the monsters come out of the closet and wreak havoc on your work, your sanity and your free time. This year I am fighting back armed with calendar “meetings” for yoga and copious amounts of the numbing agent- liquor.

Battle Stress with Comfort
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While work is in full attack mode I kind of just want to feel like I am swaddled in a blanket, clutching onto the last bits of my sanity with comfort and warmth. Comfort is how I survive. So naturally I had a moment of sincere zen when I found this cable cutie. It is now my uniform of conference call endurance. My apron of meeting mayhem. My sheath of spreadsheet sorcery. It’s my comfort from the Q4 storm.
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The jacket, a generous gift from the team at Eloquii, is equally magical. It just matches everything. I don’t have to think about it. It’s like a chameleon coat, bending it’s aesthetic to the pieces it is paired with.  Plus it’s just comfortable. Comfort is key.

So what is it you actually do?

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Lots of people ask – what the hell is it you actually do? Well, in short speak, I create the future. In less grand perspective speak- I am a product manager for a software company and I am in charge of re-imagining how brands engage with consumers with content at scale. In short, I spend my days thinking how brands can create better content, deliver it to you when it ismost meaningful, and how that can be meaningful for both you and the brand.

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As part of job I work with a lot of amazing companies. It’s actually very likely that you are wearing  something from, ate something today made by, or visited in the last month a brand that uses the technology I spend my days dreaming about. As amazing as that sounds it’s also a lot of pressure to make sure everything executes flawlessly- especially during the crazy holiday season. That means late nights at the office and even sometimes falling asleep at my computer. Lets just say this isn’t just a sweater dress, it’s often sweater pajamas.

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Some days when the stress is at an all time high, the best thing I have to look forward to is playing dressing up in my closet. And this look always manages to make me happy. It’s my favorite color, its comfortable, and as schlepy as I may feel someone always stops to tell me how good it looks.

Shop this look

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If you want to rock cable and feel just plain fabulous in the most comfortable of all work survival uniforms, the links below will take you to each of the items.

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