by Glitter | Nov 9, 2016 | Fashion, Inspiration, OOTD
The votes are tallied and boxes checked and I can’t help but feel disappointment. It’s not the outcome I hoped for. I am not confident in our countries direction with this new leadership. I am nervous. But today I remind myself that every cloud has a silver lining. I don’t think the US has been this emotionally involved in an election in a long time. Voter turn our was up nearly 5% with highly contested counties reporting voter turn out at over 70%. So regardless of who has won, it feels like America’s citizens are starting to care. We so long have been apathetic to it all and all I can hope is that in four years that renewed interest turns into citizens demanding more from their candidates. Better behavior. Better plans. Better thought. But first we have to be better. And the care and passion many voters have had this election season, shows that we can and hopefully will be better. So while all this is overwhelming and for some deeply disappointing, I refuse to buy into the end of the world philosophy that seems to be echoing through many’s hearts today. I believe is we can move forward if we continue to invest our emotions and energy into shaping America into the place we want to live. I won’t be easy, but the best things rarely are.
We All Have Flaws.
One thing I have worked hard to learn- and then regularly remind myself – is that perfect doesn’t exist. It’s really easy to see the flaws in things. This situation is teeming with flaws. However, the flaws are ALWAYS less than the good. We are simply trained to see what something can’t be versus what it can become. I believe one statement: people are mostly made of good. And we all have terrible ways of acting out on our own self interests, but at our core rarely are our intentions solely malicious. I am reminding myself of this today.
Self Love Through A Change in Perspective.
This oddly dove tails into one of the main ways I have found to improve my self perception. We choose to see the broken bits. We choose to the focus on the ways we are incapable, mediocre,and flawed. But there are so many many ways we are beautiful, impactful, and needed. To truly love ourselves, grow our confidence, and push away doubt- we must focus on our potential instead of our roadblocks. We have to choose to change our perspective and focus on just how powerful and meaningful we can become.
For example, I could see myself as loud, over the top, emotional and dramatic. Focus on how I’ve never been thin, have a hunchback, and patches of dry skin. Invest my energy in analyzing how I exaggerate, forget things, and sometimes I drowned myself in my work so I don’t realize that I am lonely.
Or I could see myself as a brilliant creative thinker, who works hard, and never gives up. I could remember that give nearly everything I have to others, because as long as I am not in need and I have more to give. I can see the way I always find a way to make people lough, smile at strangers, and regularly help others find direction in their careers. I can reflect how I have an uncanny knack to make others feel comfortable, even when I myself might feel out of place.
A Very Personal Example
Everyday I am presented with a wide array of opportunities to see my flaws or see my potential. For example, yesterday I felt disconnected from something and I started to question whether this was a result of me not being good enough. But as soon as I realized this, I committed to re-framing my perspective. Instead of thinking about what was wrong with me and having a mini pity party, I sucked it up and began to think about what I cold do to feel more plugged in. I focused on my potential to turn the situation around, which led to me making a few small tweaks. My day and feelings lightend. The choice was mine. I don’t always make the right choice, but the focus on constantly analyzing how I can see my potential has led to a significant increase in appreciation for myself. It’s help me battle demons. It’s helped me to shift the assessment of my value from external analysis to one of self awareness and love. I value and love myself because I am aware of what I capable of- now and in the future.
So today when everything seems less then ideal. When the world seems broken. When you feel bruised. Don’t Panic. Instead of putting energy into the loss, but your heart into the change. What needs to happen, so that this doesn’t happen again. How can your voice help educate and shape the way citizens see each other? How can protect those who now feel unsupported and unsafe? Now that people are angry and passionate, this is the exact time to focus that energy into the change. We can’t change the past, but we can shape the future. That’s what’s on my mind today.
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by Glitter | Nov 7, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
This week I went back to basics, well not fashion basics, but life basics. I took every photo myself, on an iphone. I did my hair, my make up and my editing. I felt back like I did when I first started blogging, but armed with a lot more knowledge in light, posing, and make up. I wanted to do this to show that you don’t need fancy things to make amazing content, images and styles. I wanted to remind myself that if I stripped away all the extras, I was still a fashion contender. And I chose to do it all in my favorite color, orange.
Let’s take a hot minute to talk about this orange dress. I picked this unique beauty up at a thrift market in London. I remember the owner was frustrated she couldn’t get this baby to sell. Plus size girls didn’t regularly attend the market and it was too bold a print for the ones who did. This put me in an amazing position. I forked over five and I was elated. I should note this was 100% most definitely some women’s self-made garment. That makes me feel extra special when I wear it. I am supporting another plus women’s art. She probably never thought when creating the dress that half way around the world a blonde sass-bot would give it a reboot and love it just as much as I imagine she did. 
I love wearing it with this blue vintage inspired winter jacket gifted to me by Eloquii. Orange and blue are on opposite edges of the color wheel making this color combo, unexpected but at the same time cohesive. The styling or the two pieces flatter each other and the vintage aesthetic comes through creating a fun modern mod look. 
The boots, a surprise gift from Fashion to Figure, reinforce the modular design in the dress while adding a modern touch. I personally believe these boots were made just to wear with this dress. They are too perfect. They are like the papa squares print to the baby squares print in the dress. All together this look screams sass, confidence and the stories of multiple plus size women who loved fashion. 
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by Glitter | Nov 4, 2016 | How To, How To, Inspiration, OOTD
Somedays you just want drown your face in a pile of stuffed animals. On those days I wear faux fur. Then at any time during the day I can sweep my chin against the wafts of plush surrounding my face and feel at ease. I can also reenact 1980s skiing adds ( like down below) whenever it suits me. Look at me I am just having such a fun time at this sky resort, with all my rich friends, in our ski bunny attire and making important calls on our large cell phones. Thanks for asking.
As a super pear I usually belt my fur vests. This is because I like to have a defined shape and often when wearing a fur vest my waist can get lost in swaddles of plushy fabric. I like a cinch to define my curves. It’s a thing.
A Round of Applause for Wearable Heels
I just want to give a quick shout out to heels that feel like flats. A once inch block heel changed my life. I love the way heels make my feel, but for real yo I don’t know how any one survives in 3 inch stunners, let alone some of the crazy stilettos I see. I didn’t train to be in the circus. I have not intention to walk on stilts. I don’t want to paint my face, wear, spandex and entertain you. Wait nope, I actually do want to do that. Just not on stilts.
A block heel makes me feel supported, and the inch height means even if I’m on my feet all day- like Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive. Plus this red color perfectly mixes the “no place like home” wishes of Dorothy and the footwear that Elvis Costello reminded us only angels can be envious of. Can I make any more song references in this post? Well, woomp there it is (shaka laka shaka laka)
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Want to look flawless in fur and sassy in a sweater dress? You can find the items featured in this look in the links below:
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by Glitter | Nov 3, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
For 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
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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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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by Glitter | Nov 1, 2016 | Fashion, How To, OOTD
Wide striped sweater dresses have the tendency to read “I’m in high school and I want to wear a dress, but not really dress, so this striped sweater frock is my happy medium- worn with my rebellious and beat up jean jacket and my black chucks.” While that look is great for weekend exploration, it’s awkward and bizarre for an adult in her early 30s who needs to look super important and inspiring during her next business meeting.
So if the jean jacket and chucks look isn’t appropriate for your office, how do you dress up this collegiate staple? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3- because people like things in 3s and so do search engines. I really want to start singing school house rock, but does anyone even remember school house rock anymore?
Add a Contrasting Pattern
Add a little sass to those stripes by pairing the dress with a fun patterned scarf. For this look I used a similar colored plaid scarf that I picked up from the dollar spot at Target. The dollar spot is my special fashion magic place. For some reason there is always something special nested in those little wire metal bins, and this scarf was definitely a mega steal.
Bust Out Those Heels
Or in my case wedges, because wedges are less of the foot devil than a stiletto… and more of a sex kitten surprise than a ballet flat. They are the middle ground of business shoes. They manage to capture both sex appeal and foot pain prevention in one sassy leather foot casing. Truthfully speaking, heels elevate the look and add a nice visual dissonance. The key fashion is to create contrast and to make to unexpected things work. A good pair of heels with an athletic striped dress is that little bit of contrast and intrigue that just works.
Rock Rosy Cheeks and Red Lips
Making this look sing really takes only a little bit of extra prep commitment. To show that this is not just another casual striped dress, top the dress with some bright lipstick. Be Bold. The addition of a little painted pucker is what makes this style. It’s like you approached the dress and never saw it as anything else than an adult, business lady, sexy yet work appropriate outfit. The lipstick wasn’t a need- it was a natural reaction to how boss lady fantastic you look.
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Ready to throw away those varsity blues, step away from a where’s waldo costume gone bad, and join the ranks of ladies who rock dem rows like queens? Here’s where you can get the items featured in this look.
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by Glitter | Oct 31, 2016 | Fashion, OOTD
I fell in love with this plus size sweater dress the instant I saw it. Fair Isle, a traditional winter print, mixed with the attitude of a Brazilian carnival. That I can get behind. Watch me as I samba my way to the fire pit for some hot cocoa and a serving of body ody ody.
I paired this fun piece with a funky chain belt and this season’s must have- velvet booties. Of course, I could not resist a little bold lip highlighting the funky plum hues in this printed perfection. I had to. The result is a sassy Monday stunner that definitely crosses off my 3 must haves for a killer outfit- color, quirk, and comfort.
Look for color to brighten up a staple piece
Know your colors, girl. For me those colors are bright as hell with a side of flashy flashy, glossy glossy. Color can bring a piece to life and make it more than just another printed plus size sweater dress. For example, the bright jewel tones of this knitted knockout, flatter nearly every complexion. They brighten the skin visually and add subtle warmth to your glow. Not sure which jewel tones will make your face extra fab? This rundown from Oprah is pretty helpful.
Quirky variations of traditional styles stand out
Traditions are important, but how those traditions evolve and become individual expressed are just as important. As I am a bit of a self proclaimed weirdo, I love celebrating looks that take a twist on the traditional creating a new personal voice. This dress is a great example. Many of the patterned stripes are based off the colorful patterns created by the fair isle knitting technique invented in Scotland many many moons ago. However the color combination is decidedly modern. The result is a sheath that screams modern, while at the same time celebrating centuries old winter fashion staples.
Remember to that comfort is critical
A truly effortless plus size look is just that- effortless. Sure, I love the glam of a tight dress, covered in sequins, and short as hell. But it’s not practical. While I might feel like a sex goddess delivered from the sky, I can’t grocery shop like that. Hell, I can’t do much but look cute and collect numbers like that. So I am a big fan of anything that makes me feel like sensuous minx while at the same time still feeling like everything is effortless. This look is that for me. The heels are comfortable, the dress is soft and hugs my curves without riding up, and the belt adds just enough sparkle. Swoon, on ladies. Swoon on.
Shop this plus size sweater dress look:
Want to rock this look? Here is where I scored these lovely winter ready and oh so comfy pieces
