Casual Friday/Easy DIY

TGIF everyone!

I absolutely love this maxi dress as a skirt. Since I first wore this dress as a skirt a year ago (here) it has become one of my favorite Summer pieces. I will probably never wear the dress because the top doesn’t cover the girls but that’s okay because I’m definitely getting my moneys worth! I’ve rescued a few of my ill-fitting dresses from the donate pile and made them into skirts ( here and here). All you have to do is fold the top part of your dress and tuck it into the bottom half to create your skirt. Add a belt to secure your skirt so it wont slide down and to cover where you tucked the top portion in. This easy DIY is a great way to recycle old dresses and to get more wear out of your clothes!

Have a great weekend and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Skirt: Avenue
Blazer: Ashley Stewart
Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Necklace: Forever 21
Bracelet: Lord & Taylor
Sandals: Steve Madden
Belt: Old Navy

1May2013

White Out Part. 2

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Hump Day all!

White it is a very polarizing color, either you like it or you hate it. We’ve been told that we can’t wear white because it’s unforgiving but I reject that notion. Prior to last year, I had never wore white pants. I was conditioned to believe if I wore a pair they would make me look bigger and highlight my ample thighs. When I finally decided to buy white pants I was nervous as hell. I was deathly afraid of what people would say about me. But surprisingly I got nothing but compliments on my ALL white outfit I wore last July (here). After clearing that hurdle, I embraced wearing white on my bottom and started my search for a white pencil skirt. It didn’t take me long to find this skirt from Talbots Woman. Now my next search is for the perfect white dress!

Do you dare to wear white?

Have a wonderful day!

Shirt: Old Navy

Skirt: Talbots Woman

Shoes: Seychelles

Necklace: Jeweliq

29Apr2013

Weekend Edition: One More Time

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Monday everybody!

Lately I’ve been feeling that the blog was becoming one note with all of my work outfits so I decided include more of my casual outfits because I do have a life outside of work (I swear I do! lol). On Saturday I had plans to run errands and go to a street festival. Instead of wearing my usual t-shirt and jeans combo I paired my trusty Old Navy maxi skirt, striped H&M top and denim jacket together. I was going to wear red flats but chose my polka dot Keds because I knew they would be more kind to my flat feet (yup, I have flat feet). I finished off my outfit with my new Coach crossbody for a pop of color. I was very pleased with myself and I loved my outfit so much that I wore it again Sunday! See I do recycle!

Have a wonderful day!

plus size fashion, curvy, curvy women, curvy girls, plus size skirts, coach legacy bag, coach bags, color blocking, stripes, h&m, keds, polka dots, plus size denim jackets, denim jackets

My love for polka dots knows no bounds!

Jacket: Old Navy (got it for 20% off in store)

Skirt: Old Navy

Shirt: H&M

Sneakers: Keds

Purse: Coach

15Apr2013

Mission Accomplished

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Monday all!

It seems like I’ve been searching for a structured white blazer forever. I have almost every color blzaer except for white. Most plus size white blazers I found were either off white or ivory colored with 3/4 length sleeves, made with very lightweight (practically see through) material with a loose/boxy fit. I almost gave up on my search until I came across this white Tahari Woman blazer on Nordstrom.com . As you ladies know, online shopping can be tricky so I wanted to try the blazer on before buying it. Luckily my local Nordstrom had the blazer in stock so I called and had them hold a size 18 for me. The blazer fit my arms but was bulky in the waist and needed to be taken in. Lisa (the sales associate) informed me that Nordstrom offers alterations in house, something I didn’t know. I nearly did a somersault when she told me this! Their tailor came to the dressing room and pinned the blazer to the fit I desired. With the extra inches off my waist the blazer fit me perfectly. After paying for the blazer, I was told it would be ready the following Saturday for pick up. I picked up my blazer yesterday and was completely satisfied with the results. I’m glad that my search for the perfect white blazer is finally over!

Have a wonderful day!

P.S. Sorry for the poor quality pics. It was raining outside so I had to take these indoor.

Blazer: Tahari Woman

Pants: Calvin Klein

Shirt & Bracelet: H&M

Necklace: Macy’s

27Mar2013

Lady in Waiting

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Hump Day!

I promise today will be the LAST day I complain about the awful weather we’ve been having . I desperately want Spring to begin but Winter keeps hanging around like a jilted ex! Unfortunately my complaining isn’t going to make the weather change any faster so it’s a waste of time to continue to be frustrated. Grrrr!

So whether it’s 30 or 40 degrees outside I’m still going to flaunt my Spring colors. I know my skirt looks coral/pink in the pictures but it is really orange in person. So while my necklace looks out of place in the picture, it goes perfectly with the skirt. Also if you notice, I’m not wearing earrings in the post. Why you ask? Because of my poor habit of procrastinating which causes me to rush every morning, I couldn’t find them. Grrr! “Why do today what you can do tomorrow” has sadly become my motto. I keep telling myself I’ll do better but I continue to procrastinate! Any suggestions on how kick the habit?

Have a wonderful day!

Jacket: Kohls

Skirt: City Chic

Blouse: Gap Outlet

Necklace: Nordstrom Rack

Shoes: Nine West

Bracelet: Lord & Taylor

13Mar2013

Spring Transitions

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Hump Day all!

This time of year is always tricky for me with DST and the transition of Winter into Spring. Lemme tell ya, DST has been kicking my butt! The time change has thrown off my sleep schedule so much I’ve been dragging myself out the bed in the morning. Last night I was finally able to get a full night of sleep so I hope this is a sign my body has adjusted to the time change. We’ll see!

Now that Spring is a mere week away I so badly want to ditch my down coat and multiple layers but the lingering cold weather won’t allow it. So until the weather warms, my Winter clothes will be sticking around. My outfit today is a combination of both seasons . Representing Winter we have my opaque tights, suede flats and spotted long sleeve cardigan. In the Spring corner we have my yellow pencil skirt, floral necklace and pink belt. The outfit works because I get to feel “Springy” while keeping warm against the late Winter chill.

How do you adjust to Spring transitions?

Have a wonderful day!

Skirt: Eloquii

Cardigan: Old Navy

Necklace: Forever 21

Belt: Target

Flats: Truth or Dare by Madonna (via Macys)

4Mar2013

Spring Trends Part I: Black & White

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Monday everyone!

Over the weekend I agreed to participate in Nel’s (Girls of Plenty) challenge for plus size bloggers to interpret the Spring 2013 trends. Nel was inspired to start the challenge after reading an article from Bethany Rutter of Arched Eyebrow (read the article here). Each week during the month we will feature our take on various trends like florals, leather and emerald. I’m very excited to see how other plus size women will interpret the trends. The challenge is a great opportunity for us to showcase our individual style. The other bloggers participating in the challenge are Deb from Real Girl Runway, Vivi from Heart, Print and Style, the Curvy Ceo and Society of Curves. Check them out during the challenge to see their weekly take on the Spring trends.

Today’s challenge wasnt too hard because what woman doesn’t have black and white in her closet?! I decided to mix black and white prints together for my take on the trend. For some reason I really like the pairing of polka dots and stripes together. This is as far as I’ll probably go with the mixing print trend. I’m not very good at putting different prints together so I’ll just stick to what I know!

How would you interpret this trend? If you’re game I would love for you to join me in this challenge! If you would like to participate email your pics to girlsofplenty@gmail.com and you will be featured right along with us!

Have a great day!

Jacket: Kohls

Skirt: Old Navy

Tank: Target

Flats: Truth or Dare by Madonna

Necklace: Lord and Taylor

Bracelet: Gap Outlet

12Jan2013

Casual Friday/Latest Inspiration

by grownandcurvywoman

TGIF everybody!

I’m always inspired by the fabulous plus size bloggers I follow. Their blogs encourage me to pair items I would never thought to wear together. My outfit today is inspired by Tanesha of Girl With Curves post Layer Trick . After I saw her post, I had to try layering a blouse underneath my sleeveless peplum shirt! To achieve this look, I put my faux leather peplum shirt and my 3/4 sleeve polka dot blouse together. The blouse was thin enough to fit comfortably underneath the shirt without adding bulk. I didn’t want to wear all black so I opted for my fuchsia slim ankle pants for a pop of color (it wasn’t that cold today so my ankles didn’t freeze!). I really liked how the blouse and peplum shirt looked together. I will definitely wear this combo again. Thanks Tanesha for the inspiration!

What clothes have you been inspired to wear?

Have a wonderful evening!

Peplum shirt: Forever 21 (appears to be sold out online)

Blouse: Old Navy

Pants: Eloquii

Wedges: BCBGeneration

Necklace: Macys

2Jan2013

The Best of 2012

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Monday all!

Initially I wasn’t going to do a “best of” post but I decided to do one anyway. I picked these outfits because they were so fun to wear! The outfits are special to me because they show me embracing my body. No more hiding and following ridiculous fashion “rules”. If I like it and feel comfortable, I’m gonna wear it!

In keeping with New Year traditions, I’ve only made two resolutions that I know I will not break:

1. Exercise & be healthy

2. Travel more (I’m heading to Vegas later this month, Paris in April and Chicago in July)

What are your New Year resolutions?

Have a great day!

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24Dec2012

Brand Sparkly New

by grownandcurvywoman

Happy Monday all!

My holiday social life kicked up in high gear last week and ended on a fabulous note. On Saturday afternoon I had the pleasure of having lunch with a group of beautiful and intelligent women. We came together to see our dear friend who had come back East for the holidays. We discussed everything from “Scandal” (totally obsessed with that show!) to current political issues. I could kick myself for not bringing my camera to get a group shot of these lovely ladies!

Later that evening Tamera, Latasha and I got together for our gift exchange dinner. This time I didn’t forget my camera and I was able to take some pictures between gift giving and laughs. Dinner was delicious and we had an awesome time. After dinner we wandered the mall and finished our Christmas shopping.

While at Macys Saturday morning I saw this sequin jacket hanging on the rack. This time last year I would have NEVER thought to buy this this jacket. I would have told myself that I looked like a big disco ball and passed it by. Now I no longer feel that negative about my body so I snatched up the last 2x. Once I tried the jacket on, I knew I was going to buy it and wear it to dinner that night. I’m so glad I bought this jacket because it represents how far I’ve come from the person I used to be.

I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Have a wonderful day!