Yasss!!! Simply Be Summer Lookbook

May 09, 2015 by Jami Jaye

I finally got a chance to go through my mail and I received the new Summer Lookbook from Simpy Be. All I can say is that "I WANT IT ALL!!!! The lookbook is quick and to the point with great pieces to purchase for Spring leading into to Summer. The biggest trends for Simply Be for this upcoming season are 70's Siren, Brights, Monochrome, and Botanical.

“Look #1- Printed Jumpsiut $59.95, Mesh Side Pump $44.95
Look #2- Phoebe Jeans $44.95, Frill Top $29.95, Tassel Bag $34.95
Look #3- Shirt Blazer $64.95, Ink Splatter Jeans $59.95
Look #4- Lace & Pleat Dress $99.95, Sandal $39.95
”

— www.simplybe.com

I definitely have some things currently in my cart that I want to purchase, such as the linen skirt, frill top, and drape front shift dress. I love the Lace Dress for a special occasion, but as of now I have nothing on the calendar so I will hold off on that. The sandals featured in the lookbook are super cute, and they have tons of colors to maximize any outfit (so they may end up in my cart). The striped dress is ca-yute, but I have already maxed out my total of black & white dresses in my closet so I have to pass. I remember a time when I hardly owned black, now its a major part of my wardrobe. Right now my focus is on great prints in versatile silhouettes that can go from work to happy hour, because the weather is heating up and there will be more after work hangouts. Sound off the comments, I want to know what you are coveting from the lookbook. Muah Lovahs!!

Violeta from Mango - Summer 2015 →

May 02, 2015 by Jami Jaye

Earlier this week I received an email from Mango about their Summer collection from Violeta. For those that may not know, Mango launched Violeta online, which is their plus size line in the US almost a year ago. I have not ordered anything from them because I know that their sizing skews towards the smaller size, and since the biggest size they carry is a 18, I was always hesitant in purchasing from them. Despite the "It's probably not going to fit" thoughts that swarm through my head, I went to the site to check out their Summer Lookbook. I must say, there are several pieces that I am willing to take a chance on and order. The colors in the collection are muted reds, blues, and pinks in woven cotton. My favorite piece is the Jacquard Denim Trouser (picture above). It is super cute and looks lightweight. I wear jeans in the Summer, but I try to find lighter fabrications because I do not want my jeans sticking to me like Saran Wrap. These are slightly slouchy and will definitely look great with a pair of sandals or cute wedges. There is also a fringed caftan and dress that are AH-MAZING (so great that it is sold out), but I will add my name to the wait list and hope the retail gods are nice to me and it comes back in stock. For now I will order the pants. To see all that Violeta from Mango has to offer, click here for the entire lookbook. How do you feel about the collection? Sound off in the comments.

Lily Pulitzer for Target

April 19, 2015 by Jami Jaye

The latest designer collaboration for Target is Lily Pulitzer. Little brand history: the founder Lily, who owned a juice stand, was inspired by the way the juice left stains on her clothes. That inspiration led her to design dresses with lots of color and attention grabbing prints. Her bold prints became her signature style, which was worn by housewives all the way to the First Lady.

The collaboration with Target is perfect for this Spring. With the runways promoting color, ladylike dresses, and bold prints, Lily Pulitzer encompasses all three and has been doing so since its inception. What makes this collection special, is that for the first time Target will also include plus size! This was a major win because when Chastity Garner or Garnerstyle wrote her open letter boycotting Target due to their lack of plus size in their assortments, proves that one person with a voice to stand for something can make change. Even though the plus size assortment is only offered online, to me this is a small step in the right direction.

This morning I logged on to snag up some goodies from this collection. I was happy to see that the majority of the line for plus size was sold out in less than an hour or two of the launch. This should be proof to the industry that the plus size woman is willing to spend money. Spend money on trendy, colorful clothing at that. Hopefully the sales and traffic online will prompt Target to launch the next designer collaboration in stores as well as online.

The dresses were the first things to sell out. Since it was hard to gauge fit, I am sure many women bought 2-3 sizes of each just out of sheer not knowing how it will look. I bought the jumpsuit, and I ordered both a 2x & 3x, just because I don't have a clue how . For those that were not up bright and early to order anything, I wouldn't worry yet. After the end of this week once people start receiving their orders, people will start to return items that don't fit. I call it "Casualties of Online Shopping". It happens to me a lot, which is why there should be more stores carrying plus!! I will get into that in another post....

Below are the things I ordered today. Look out soon for a post.

I just had to get this flask...it was too cute! Did you purchase anything from Target & Lily Pulitzer? Let me know your thoughts on the collection or your purchase in the comments. Until next time lovers!

#ImNoAngel

April 07, 2015 by Jami Jaye

Yesterday, Lane Bryant launched their I'm No Angel campaign. Their focus is to promote sexiness at any size. Plus size women are often placed into a category of undesirable, and that is not true at all. The bus decked out with the hashtag #ImNoAngel started in the Flatiron District, and ended at Herald Square and 7th Avenue. The bus was rocking with Salt & Pepa performing while the lovely models from the campaign as well as bloggers traveled around the city. From all the pics that I have seen on social media, as well as the buzz from the media, this campaign is already a success.

I am glad that Lane Bryant went all out with this campaign. The average woman is a size 14, but when it comes to lingerie ads you only see very small, waif like figures in advertising. I remember years back when Lane Bryant aired their commercial with Ashley Graham wearing sexy undies under her trenchcoat. People went crazy. Why? For some reason there is this misconception that when you are bigger than a size 6, all you want to do is hide your body. No I don't want to hide my body. Stop trying to make someone feel inadequate when they are happy with themselves. Stop using health scare tactics as a way to fat shame people into being a certain size. You can be healthy and not be a size 2. I AM BEAUTIFUL AT ANY SIZE.

For as long as I can remember I have never been small. As a toddler I was solid. As a child I was chubby, in middle school fat, and in high school thick. I didn't feel insecure as a child, but in middle school I tried to hide everything. I wore baggy clothes because I did not want my butt poking out of my clothes, or anyone noticing my breasts. I did not want to call any attention to myself because I overheard someone say to a family member of mines, "She is so big, especially that butt of hers." My mom, who is a plus size woman, was always confident. She never hid behind her clothes, she always used them to accentuate. As I got older, I started looking at myself in the mirror. It didn't matter how big my butt is, I like my butt. I am damn cute, and yes my butt is big but you know what, I never got a complaint yet about it. That woman was a hater - she probably didn't have a but and was jealous :).

I love me. I love that I am funny, smart, sarcastic, and can drop a pop culture reference in a heartbeat. I am sexy, I am all that I want to be and then some. What has been one the coolest things about blogging, is that I get to meet so many different women that accept all the things that they are. A number on the scale can never measure the amount of heart you have.

Thank you Lane Bryant because #ImNoAngel!