JOIE DE VIVRE!

You do not know how happy I am to be able to go around my borough of the Bronx and take some new pics. The past few months have been tough with arctic temps, snow, and ice, but finally Spring is showing itself and I am more than happy about it.              

To commemorate the occasion, I went with one of my recent scores from Nordstrom. I love their Halogen brand. Halogen has been a favorite for over a year now due to their fun prints and sayings. I was eyeing this sweater, and while home during a snowstorm found it on sale and snatched it up. I paired the sweater with my favorite Asos leather skirt, and my Old Navy Leopard Coat. The shoes are also from Nordstrom's Halogen brand, and have been a go to all season long. 

I do not know who created this lovely backdrop, but every time I look at it, it makes me happier. Love what you see, let me know in the comments. Later!

Halogen Sweater & Flats, Asos Skirt, Old Navy Coat, D&B Handbag

KEHINDE WILEY

On Saturday, The Lollipop Princess and I attended Target First Saturday to check out the Kehinde Wiley exhibit. His art fuses works of the old masters with people of the present. His use of color and attention to detail is exquisite. The following quote opens the exhibit  

His art is amazing, and the lines just to check out the exhibit are proof of his extraordinary talent. The first work of his that I loved was Naploean Leading the Army, but after seeing his sculptures there's competition for my favorite piece.

Check out the pics to the right from the exhibit.   

In regards to my outfit, I was soo happy that it was no longer single digits, I celebrated by wearing sheer and lace. I bought this super cute bra from Lane Bryant, and I wanted to show it off because the lace and cut out detail definitely needed to be seen. It's no secret that I love me a good pair of skinnies, and the two way stretch of these from Lane Bryant is a definite must have. Two way stretch holds it shape, which is good when walking around and sitting. There is nothing worse than every time you make a move you have to keep pulling and adjusting your jeans. Yeah, that's why they make belts, but I don't wear them like that lol. The top is an oldie but goodie from Forever 21. My flats are from Sam Edelman. 

If you are in NYC please support black art! The exhibit will be on display until May 24th. 

MARCH!!

March is my favorite month of the year. Why, you say? Because...

1. My birthday is in March
2. Spring is coming
3. Pisces season is in full effect
4. Days are starting to get longer
5. And most importantly, my birthday is in March

I am always excited once March 1st comes around because I love transitional weather and the fashion that goes along with it. I am very excited about the upcoming season and the trends to look out for. Since it is currently snowing while I am writing this (boooo), I thought this would be the perfect time to share my Spring Wishlist, and if you wish to send me one or all for my birthday, trust me it will be greatly appreciated lovers ;)

Eloquii Geometric Skirt $69 and Skirt $69 

GEOMETRIC PRINTS

Prints continue to become stronger each and every season and Spring 2015 is no different. I love geometric prints (geometry hold a special place in my heart), so anything that is bold like this look from Eloquii to the left, I am all for. This outfit is a go to because all you need is some lipstick, cute shoes, and a moto jacket and you are good to go. 

 DV Dolce Vita Malak $120

BLOCK HEELS

I am quite happy that block heels are having their moment back in the spotlight. Walking in stilettos for extended periods of time are rough on feet, so anything that can give me height, comfort, and look good are always welcomed to my closet. There are so many cute choices, but the ones I am eyeing come from DV by Dolce Vita. I love the nude color and cutouts, which will play well with a lot of what I have in my closet (as well at the new additions).  

  6th & Lane Culottes $89

CULOTTES

I will always give a new pant silhouette a chance, and this Spring I am going to buy myself a pair of culottes. I have seen some from Fashion to Figure and Asos. Asos had a really cool navy pair in scuba, but they are sold out (wamp wamp), but no worries because I found a white pair from Lane Bryant's 6th & Lane collection. I have about 5 outfits in mind, so these pants are going to be in heavy rotation this season. 

SHIRTDRESS

Shirtdresses have been a go to for me for years because of their versatility. I usually go for solid shirtdresses, but when I saw this Junarose printed version on Asos, that all changed. She is in my cart as we speak. Junarose shirtdress $67

                                                                             Junarose Printed Shirtdress $67

What trends are you planning to rock this spring? Let me know in the comments. Until next time lovers!

BRRR & GRRR

I have been all about the Athleisure trend since day one. Sweatshirts, track pants, cute jackets, sneakers, there has not been one thing about this trend that I have not loved. For this week's post I went with track pants from H&M plus. They were a must buy for me because they were not just a plain black track pant. H&M's plus size section for the most part comprises of black or basics, but as of late I am starting to see more color (finally). The waistband is light pink which is a nice contrast. I bought these in a 1X, but I suggest trying them on because H&M sizing is not straightforward. When I saw these pants I knew I wanted to pair them with my Eloquii leopard bomber jacket (which is currently on sale), and my Zaida pumps from my Score of the Week. Since it was freezing here in the Bronx, I wore a cashmere turtleneck to keep warm. My coat is an oldie but goodie from Asos . What I love about this outfit is all the different ways I can wear it. I can swap the heels for sneakers/oxfords, or swap the pants for a faux leather skirt and still keep it fun (especially when the artic freeze and snow goes away). What other way would you style this? Let me know in the comments. Muah lovers!

ESSENTIALS- Jeans

Sorry for the delay, but the snowstorms, and my cold just had me out of it the past couple of weeks. Since the launch of the blog, I have had a few women hit me up about helping them shop for clothes. I love any opportunity to help someone find something that is not only a good deal, but fits into their everyday life. Since not everyone is going to ask for one-on-one help, I decided to have posts about important Essentials. With that being said, my first Essential is Jeans. I LOVE JEANS, and for many jean shopping is the bane of their existence. It did take some trial and error to find out how wear each fit so that is flattering. I remember when skinny jeans first came out, and people swore that big girls could not fit them. I personally was sick of bootcut jeans so I willingly tried on any skinny jeans that came in my size. Same thing about short women and ankle jeans. For a short plus size woman, ankle skinnies look great on me, but there is nothing wrong with taking 10 pairs of jeans into a fitting room and just going at it (but bring a good friend that will tell you the truth if your jeans are squeezing the life out of you).

In your closet, you should have at least 4-5 good pairs of jeans to rotate (I have ten times more than 4, but that is because I have a shopping problem...lol). The best way to keep your jeans in great shape is to wash them inside out, and let them air dry if you can. Throwing them in the dryer at times can break down the elasticity due to the high temperature of the dryer. 

SKINNY JEANS

                                                                                  Lane Bryant Tummy Control Skinnies

The majority of my jeans are skinny. Reasons why I like skinny:

• Make my legs look longer
• Easier to wear them with my knee high boots
• Great with flats

STRAIGHT LEG JEANS

                                                                                 Lane Bryant Distressed Straight Leg Jeans

Straight leg jeans are great for those that do not want a bootcut, but they are not into the fitted look of a skinny jean. The best type of straight leg jeans, are boyfriends, because they are a more slouchy which is great for a more relaxed look. Since the style can be a bit loose, I make sure I wear a belt and cuff them. Currently, my favorite jean is a boyfriend, ripped style. I bought them a year ago from Lane Bryant, and they are at the point of splitting in the thigh. Granted, I get sad when another pair bites the dust due to chub rub, but at least its due to wear and tear. 

BLACK JEANS

                                                                                         NYDJ Skinny Coated Black Jeans

Black jeans are a definite must. Black jeans are the easiest to dress up and down. I have worn black jeans to work and I do not think anyone could tell the difference if I was wearing a black pant. With a black jean always go with a fit that you are comfortable wearing, and you can't go wrong. 

WIDE LEG/ FLARE JEANS

                                                                            Lane Bryant Flare Jeans

Wide leg or flare can be tricky at times, but what worked for me was trying them on with heels. Wide/flare jeans should have a long enough inseam that it covers the majority of your shoe. Inseam here is majorly important. Once you have found the right length, it should skim your thighs and not be too tight. When they are too tight, it just doesn't elongate your legs the right way, and we all want to have some mile high leg action 

I am hippy with a big butt, so my concern is the gap between my jeans and waist. So the first thing I look for is a jean with at least 2% stretch. Whoever decided to add stretch to jeans is a genius and thank you kindly! The amount of stretch determines whether I can wear my regular size 16 or go up a size. I will go up in a pair of jeans only if the waist gap is not serious. Lane Bryant Jeans work great for me, but that has been years of trial and error while shopping.  I have learned not to stress about the size on the tag because there are good resources out here to tailor my clothes. Understanding your body type is your biggest arsenal in purchasing the right jeans. If you are bottom heavy, then you definitely want to find a pair that has more room in the hips, or if you have no hips, then you want to find something that is more structured but provides room where you need it. No one these days should walk around in sad butt drooping jeans. My resources for jeans has been Lane Bryant Genius Fit, Torrid Stiletto, and NYDJ. Need help? Just hit me up at styleoversize@gmail.com. Until next time lovers!