Thrift Diva

Happy Hump Day all!

My co-worker Kiana is one of the sweetest people I know. On top of being a wonderful person, Kiana is a curvy girl with a great sense of style. One day I asked her where she shopped and she told me that nearly all of her clothes were thrifted. I’ve been curious about thrifting but honestly didn’t know where to go. So I figured Kiann would be the best person to give me some thrift lessons!

How did you discover thrift stores and how long have you been thrifting?

I’ve been going to thrift stores ever since I was a little girl. My mother LOVES thrift stores and she would always drag me and my sisters along to different thrift stores when we were little. So I got my love of thrifting from my mom.

What is the best deal you’ve ever scored while thrifting?

I recently bought a black Banana Republic wrap dress for about $5. I love the way it looks on me and was so happy when I found it… and for $5!!!! You cannot beat that!

What are your favorite thrift stores?

I’ve been to numerous thrift stores but my favorite has got to be Village Thrift. The one I go to is located in New Jersey but they also have a shop in Philadelphia. I shop there about twice a month. It’s a huge thrift store and has everything! I love that place!

Is your outfit today thrifted? If so, tell me about it.

Yes, my entire outfit is thrifted! I fell in love with this red Ann Taylor Loft polka dot blouse, and although red is not my favorite color, I decided to try it out. The blouse, believe it or not, was brand new with the tags still attached and I purchased it for $8. I paired it with a black pencil skirt ($5), and a pair of Guess sling back pumps ($9). The beaded necklace is also thrifted… So in total, my outfit cost me a little over $20. Not bad right???

What advice would you give to first time thrift store shoppers like me?

I would advise first time thrift store shoppers to go with an open mind because you never know what you’re going to find. And go with some time on your hands and a lot of patience. Thrift stores can be a little overwhelming because they have so many things. But it’s a good place to go to on a day you have nothing to do and don’t have a lot of cash to spend. For me, it’s guilt free retail therapy!

Kiana shows us that you don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks! Thanks Kiana for sharing!

Do you thrift? If so, what is the best bargain you’ve scored?! Have a wonderful evening!

Fun In The Sun

May29

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a fun holiday weekend!

On Memorial Day, my nephew Frederick and I headed to Atlantic City for the Beyonce concert (he had tickets). After we checked in, we decided to hang out on the beach. I usually avoid bathing suit pictures but after seeing other plus size bloggers embrace their wonderful bodies in “fatkinis”, I decided to show my suited body. This is my FIRST time wearing a tankini. While I’m nervous about putting myself out there, I feel I need to do this. This is huge for me because for the first time in my life I accept my body.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

Casual Friday/Two in One Again!

May25

TGIF everyone! I hope everyone has wonderful plans for this holiday weekend. I’m looking forward to hanging with friends and relaxing on the beach in Atlantic City.

A few posts ago I wore one of my maxi dresses as a skirt (see here) and I got such a positive response I decided to do it again! This time around I decided to use an old sundress I bought from the Avenue. While I loved the pattern of the dress, I never wore it because it was too tight in the bust area. Eventually it found its way to the ” take to Goodwill” pile until I spotted it this morning. Since I won’t be wearing it as a dress again, I cut off the top portion of it leaving the elastic band to hold up the skirt. I added a brown belt to give my homemade skirt a cleaner look.

Would you try making your dress into a skirt? Have relaxing and safe holiday weekend!

Dress/Skirt: Avenue

Shirt & belt: Old Navy

Sandals: Steve Madden

Necklace: Mikkat Market

Bracelet: Forever 21

Mellow Yellow

May24

Happy Hump Day everyone!

Next to red, yellow is one of my favorite colors. It’s such a vibrant color that instantly brightens any outfit by wearing it . So when I saw this yellow pencil skirt from Eloquii I knew I had to add it to my closet. I didn’t want to wear a black shirt with the skirt (reminds me of a bumble bee! LOL) so I paired it with my floral print blouse from Dorothy Perkins. I think the colors in the blouse pop against my yellow skirt. I wanted to keep my promise to dress more colorfully and I think I’ve achieved that!

What do you like to pair yellow with? Have a great evening!

P.S. Special thanks to my BFF for taking my pics today (she threatened to get me if I didn’t give her a shout out! LOL)

Skirt: Eloquii

Blouse: Dorothy Perkins

Necklace: Old Navy

Shoes: Nine West

Bracelet: H&M

Old Habits Begone!

May21

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend and enjoyed the fabulous weather!

This week I’m all about bold prints, stripes and color. Lately I’ve slipped back into my old habit of wearing dark colors. The problem with old habits is that they are very easy to return to. Old habits are so comfortable and familiar that before you know it you’re sucked back in. Making change and sticking with it can be a lot of work but as they say “no pain, no gain!” My outfit today is a commitment to change and breaking old habits.

How do you combat old habits? Have a great evening!

Dress: Adrianna Papell (get it here)

Shoes: Nine West (bought them a year ago)

Blazer: Torrid

Stepping Up

May17

TGIF!!!

This past week, I was going through my sandals and I noticed something…they were all FLAT! Over the years I convinced myself that I would fall if I wore wedges or heels, so I shied away from them. Now Ive decided to move outside my comfort zone and add some height to my summer shoe wardrobe. Here are a few pairs of shoes I’m loving right now.

Are you going to give wedges or heels a try this summer? Have a great weekend!

Shoe Love by bxphlgal featuring ankle tie sandals

ASHES CROISSANT COMBO
vincecamuto.com

Calvin Klein ankle tie sandals
$119 – bloomingdales.com

Maxi Summer

May17

Happy Hump Day all!

One of my favorite summer items is the maxi dress. The maxi dress is so versatile and comfortable. Add heels and a fun clutch and you have a date night outfit . Add a light blazer or sweater and you have the perfect casual Friday outfit.

Here are a few maxi dresses I’m currently loving. Which dress do you like and how would you wear it? Have a great evening!

Maxi Summer by bxphlgal featuring plus size maxi dresses

Dress
ashleystewart.com

Bellatrix plus size maxi dress
$88 – nordstrom.com

Printed Maxi
$129 – eloquii.com

My First Interview!!!

May15

This is a quick post to share my FIRST interview on 40+Style! Sylvia was kind enough to ask me to be interviewed about dressing for curves. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this. It has totally made my year!

Please check it out & let me know what you think! Have a wonderful afternoon!!!

Tuxedo Love

May14

Happy Monday all! I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday!

When I saw this Bespoke white tuxedo jacket from Simply Be it was love at first sight! Armed with my 40% off coupon I placed my order and patiently waited for the jacket to come. After almost waiting 2 weeks for the jacket, it finally arrived. Lemme tell ya it was worth the wait! Everything from the cut to the fabric is outstanding. It’s not flimsy or boxy. It’s a structured blazer that flatters your curves. The jacket can be dressed up with heels or down with jeans. And it’s completely appropriate for the workplace. The tuxedo jacket is definitely one of those “must have” items for your wardrobe.

How would you wear a tuxedo jacket? Have a great evening!

Jacket: Bespoke from Simply Be

Skirt: Simply Be

Tank: ASOS Curve

Shoes: Nine West

Necklace: Macys

Saturday Fun

May13

Happy Mothers Day everyone!!!

Since the weather was gorgeous yesterday, I spent the day hanging out with my godchildren Alex and Skylar. It’s been a blast watching them grow into sweet kids. They have me completely wrapped around their finger and I wouldn’t want it any other way!