Fall LookBook NCCU Homecoming Edition

I had the pleasure of attending my eighth homecoming  since I graduated from North Carolina Central University back in 2005. Since then my fashion choices have emerged and I am swiftly coming out to share my outfit ideas to the rest of you ladies. Homecoming is a time to reminisce with friends; old and new. Attend parties all over the city, grub on that good ole' grilled food from tailgating. Don't forget to also show off your threads. I decided to complete a lookbook for this past homecoming weekend. Pretty much it is a set of outfit ideas that I put together to rock while celebrating with my friends since college. Below are four different outfits; two party outfit, tailgate outfit, and game day outfit. Details of each outfit will also be below. Hope you enjoy!!

Glasses: Forever21

Top: Miss Tina Collection Wal-Mart

Pants: Forever 21

Shoes: Payless

Clutch: RiRi Gift for Perfume

Earrings: Aldo

Lipstick: Wet n'Wild

Earrings: Ashley Stewart

Dress: CurvyChicBoutique

Shoes: Payless

Gold Plated Belt: Ebay

Lipstick: Wet n' Wild

Earrings: Local Boutique Now Closed

Cardigan: Forever 21 Straight Line

Top: Forever 21

Leggings: Ross

Shoes: Target

Glasses: Forever 21

Leggings: Wal-mart

Boots: Shoe Show

Scarf: Wal-mart

Earrings: Ashley Stewart

I really hope you have enjoyed this post until next time. Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake a Tail Feather!

Fall Fashion Part 1

Its October!!! The leaves are starting to change colors and fall and that means the BOOTS, LEATHER JACKETS. SCARVES, TIGHTS, etc. are also ready to be warn. Recently, I came across a challenge called the Fall Fashion Faceoff via +Kelly Augustine. I thought I would try to see what I could come up with. The day I took my photos the weather was perfect and I had the right color contrast of the lake in the background to match the outfit I wore. I believe this outfit was cute and really comfortable at the same time. From the checklist I picked turning a summer piece into a fall piece and to add my favorite leather jacket. The dress I wore during the late summer when I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. I love the print and the color of the dress. Below are the details from the Fall Fashion Faceoff!  Also the outfit details below.

Jacket: Burlington Coat Factory

Dress: Asos

Tights: Wal-Mart

Combat Boots: Shoeshow

Earrings: Ashley Stewart

Bag: SammyDress

Also this week starts my Alma Mater 2013 Homecoming at North Carolina Central University. I will be putting together a Homecoming Lookbook of different outfits that I will be rocking for this weekend. Look out for the upcoming blog. 

Be good, Be Fly, and Shake a Tail Feather!

Rocking the Old is the New...New!

Remember growing up in school kids would pick on the other kids who wore clothing and shoes from the Goodwill or a Thrift Store? Well it is a thing of the past and actually smiled upon when you can say I only paid $4 for this dress or I got these pants for only $2. At the same time you are looking fly and actually feel like a million bucks. Shopping thrift has become a trend in the fashion world. Many women are now shopping thrift and can find a whole new wardrobe of vintage clothing. Now here is the kicker PLUS SIZE women can shop thrift too. Being plus size is not new! Women have been a size 12 and up since the beginning. It is just recently we are getting recognized and are appreciated for our style and, contribution to the fashion industry. Shopping thrift can take a little more time to do, but it is worth it when you can find a designer or a name brand dress or coat. I started thrift shopping a few months ago. When I begin I said to myself there is no way I can find anything in these stores in my size. With a little patience and faith I have been wearing some nice threads and I paid no more than $4 for any item I have worn so far in the pictures below.

In this photo I am wearing this floral printed skirt that I picked up at a Good Will store. I paired it with a pink top from Forever 21 and a black belt and sandals. I was really comfortable and it had an elastic waist band for more room. FYI finding an elastic waist would help in wearing most of the clothing when shopping thrift in plus size. Just my opinion. 

I found this dress at a thrift store for $3!!! It was my size so yes, I was really excited although it had no stretch to it all. You do not know what will work not unless you try it on. Low and behold it fit and it too was comfortable and colorful might I add. I fell in love with this dress and received so many compliments wearing this dress. Paired it with wedge heels from Rack Room Shoes. This was a special day I turned the big 30!

Once again, another skirt I found thrift shopping. I saw this skirt and fell in love with its colors and prints. No soon I saw the size I felt like I just won a new car or something. Automatically, I begin to picture what to wear with this skirt. Also, this skirt has an elastic waist band. SCORE! I paired this with a top from Delia's, a belt I purchased from Amazon.com and the same wedge heels from Rack Room Shoes. Another 5pts for me!

You have no idea how excited I was to find these pants in my SIZE. Pants with different colors seem to be the hardest to find while shopping. I paid $4 for these red and orange striped pants. These too had an elastic band so I knew I was good to go. I really had fun pairing this with the top and shoes I purchased from Target. Using the same belt from Amazon.com, Necklace was purchased from Forever 21, and the earrings made by me!

Do not limit yourself to the experience of shopping thrift because you do not think you will be able to find your size. You will be amazed at the possibilities you can find. I will continue to shop thrift because its fun and think about it no one else will have that same outfit. Below I will add a few locations to shop at that are located in the Durham, NC area. You can also do a Google search for thrift stores in your area as I did. 

FiFi's Resale Apparel Consignment

1000 West Main St 1-B 

Durham, NC

Generation Consignment and Boutique

4367 Hillsborough Rd

Durham, NC

Pennies for Change

2715 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Durham, NC

Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Store

3900 Chapel Hill Blvd.

Durham, NC

Rescued Treasures Thrift Shoppe

3220 NC Hwy 55

Durham, NC

You can even locate the Good Will stores in your area to find clothing there as well.

I really hope this post helps you in your thrift shopping experience. Again, do not limit yourself to shopping at any area location for a certain look or size. Everything is becoming a one of kind part of fashion and you can stand out from the crowd. 

Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake a Tail Feather. 

Who is Wearing Black and Gold with Spider Webs and Lions?

ME!!!!!! The two outfits below can be worn during a lovely date or a night out with the girls. We as plus size women have to learn how to spice our wardrobe up with accessories that can make a plain outfit great. Also ladies do not be scared to wear print especially Leopard print which is one of my favorites to wear. I had so much fun putting these outfits together to showcase exactly how women of our size can dress and broadcast our confidence; while looking awesome for date night or that girls night out. Do not be afraid to step out of the box. These outfits are staying in the lane but at the same time stepping out on the wild side. Details are below the picture.

Top

Leggings: Ross

Shoes

Earrings: Aldo

Necklace: Forever 21

Shades: Forever 21

Clutch: Gift

Dress

Spider Web Body Chain

Shoes

Earrings: Aldo

Ring: Versona Accessories

I hope this finds you feeling like you can step outside the box for yourself while on a date with your boo or if you are having a girls night out. Either way have FUN with FASHION. Until next time Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake your Tail Feather. 

When Our Curves Need Some Extra Assistance

Ever purchased that little black dress that would hug all the right and WRONG places?? This introduces Shapewear to our wardrobe. I believe that using shapewear is not based off size; its determined by the type of dress worn. There are many formed fitting dresses that women love to wear but, sometimes we need that extra reinforcement to provide even more confidence in wearing that little black dress. I would like to share some tips and websites where you ladies can "INVEST" in a good shapewear or body shaper when its time to step out in showing off your curves. Also an FYI its nobody's business in knowing what you are wearing to make that dress look fabulous on your body. Shapewear is one of those things we keep to ourselves as far as when we are out on the town. No one is going to say, "girl where did you get that shapewear?" Shapewear should not be frown upon because even the smallest women will wear some reinforcement just to make that dress look and feel smooth on their body. First, I would like to mention that there are some shapewears that will cost you a pretty penny and does wonders with smoothing out those lines on your body. Remembering this blog is about looking fabulous in everything you wear while not burning a whole in your pockets.

The first place I would like to mention is good ole' Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart carries a brand of shapewear that I myself have purchased in white and black. Sweet Nothings High Waist Briefs This shapewear hides and smooths my stomach area and is a brief so if you are wearing a dress or skirt that stops above the knee the shapewear will not show. I stand by this shapewear and this one only cost me $12; now you cannot beat that. Plus, I have no problems with this rolling down while I am moving and grooving.

Another shapewear or more on the lines of a corset, waist cincher, or waist band that I have tried and is not too bad is the Squeem Perfect Waist. The Squeem Waist Band I purchased from Hour Glass Angel for about $55. It does a GREAT job in reducing inches off my midsection and my posture was a lot better than without it on. The only problem I had I think this is for the BIG BOOTY JUDYs out there is it rolled up from the bottom. So, there were some bunches in my back that would not go down as long as I have booty. LOL! That much I cannot help. However, there are a lot more shapewears to chose from on their website that would more beneficial. 

Another miracle worker on your body is the MiracleSuit. I have done some research and heard from  another Fashion Blogger that the MiracleSuit works a miracle and great news Macy's has a sale going on right now for their different types of shapers to fit your needs. Here is the link to Macy's sale for the MiracleSuit. While I am on the subject of body shapers I would like to also mention ladies also need reinforcement in wearing certain bras to help give great back support and make sure the ta-tas are sitting up rather nice. I just purchased a couple of bras from  Torrid Lingerie which also is having a great sale going on right now. I went into their store and a lovely lady by the name of Yolanda located at the Cary, NC store helped measure me and man o man! I was shocked...lol I was just amazed that Torrid carries my size for the girls. The support and look of their bras are just perfect. They have a Buy One Get One 50% off  sale and, some selected bras $10 off and when you spend over $50. Then you are awarded $25 in Haute Cash that can be redeemed on any purchase at a later date. This bra works wonders!!!!! I am in love. I have also found some good bras even at Wal-Mart although its a treasure hunt but I am sold on Torrid!

I surely hope this post helps you in making your next decision on shopping for shapewear and other reinforcement for the everyday woman. I live by these things and they come in handy when I am ready to rock that dress that hugs me in all the right places; especially when I know I have some extra assistance on me. Until next time Be Good, Be Fly, and Shake Your Tail Feather. 

Shoes Shoes and More Shoes!! The Right Size that Fits Your Foot and Your Purse.

Women and Shoes!!! What a combination. Since the beginning women have had an addiction to shoes that cannot and will not ever be helped! Without shoes your outfit is nothing; it stands no chance! Maybe that is a little overboard but that is how I feel about shoes. Women sometimes hate having to choose between shoes and something else that may be needed. So I hope you find it here that your shoes can be stylish and affordable at the same time for the everyday woman. First, Comfort! Speaking to plus size women comfort means everything in a shoe. Some need wide width comfort such as myself and larger sizes than a size 10 or 11! Where do I shop for comfort at the same time affordability?? SimplyBe, Torrid, DSW, and Payless ShoeSource just to name a few. I will also shop at Charlotte Russe, Heels.com, Aldo, Target Shoes, and Rackroom Shoes.

This is a picture of the few places I mentioned that I shop at for my shoes they are comfortable and did not cost me a lot of $$$. Also I want to share how a lot of name brand shoes cost so much, but there is almost always another shoe out there that cost a lot less which of course will make you feel so good about wearing a shoe that does not cost the same amount as a car payment. Prime example!

Kate Spade which is a well known brand has the same type of shoe going for $328 when Payless has it going just for $29.99 and maybe even cheaper if you received the 20% off coupon in the mail. Also this less expensive shoe comes in WIDE WIDTH...YAY!!!! They also have this in two more colors that I will be picking up as well. 

One more tip I would like to leave with you. I love wearing heels but sometimes they do not like wearing me. I have always said that I have a funny foot like most of us do. When I am purchasing heels that do not offer a WW and I wear a size 10. I will go up a size and #Boom I am walking in that favorite pair of heels and I am feeling good not only because I did not spend a lot of money, but they also look great on my feet. I know my feet will thank me later! I surely hope this information helps you when buying those stylish pair of shoes. 

Good Day, Curvy Beauties! 

Pin Curl Scarf Look

Good Saturday to everyone! I wanted to share a video that I recently put together. I was requested to share how I came up with a certain look using around the house scarves. I call it the Pin Curl look because the scarf is wrapped in a pin curl over your forehead. This look is so cute and easy and for those days you may not feel like doing your hair.

I enjoy rocking this easy and cute look. So I wanted to show those of you who like this look through a video I made. WARNING: The video is low quality!!! Reason being I have never thought about doing videos until now. So now that I know how to do the basics of videos I will get better at it and provide some better quality videos. In the meantime enjoy. Also the scarf I am wearing in the above picture is actually fabric that I purchased from JoAnn Fabric store. It is about two yards. So you can only imagine what prints and colors you can find and wear perfectly with some funky earrings. The scarf below was a gift. ENJOY! 

Ready to Flaunt What God Gave Me and Help Others Do the Same

Over the years fashion has always been an importance to me. However, money was and still is an issue on what fashion pieces I could afford! I have found new ways to dress the curves I have been blessed with and still be able to pay my bills!! I want to help everyday women to dress fashionably while strutting their confident curves with class! It's not hard to do; we all need guidance in trying to keep up with the latest fashion without hurting our pockets. Below I will show some outfits that dress my curves and do not cost a lot of money! Places I shop are F21, Ross, SWAKDesigns, and ASOS just to name a few. Oh before I forget I am adding goodwill shopping as well for the good ole vintage look. It's so much fun to discover what you can find and dress together.