TGIF all!!! Today is payday so I’m feeling extra good! LOL It’s supposed to snow tonight so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The forecast is predicting 1-3 inches here in Philadelphia but that usually means 2-6 inches! Look I’m not complaining. This time last year we were on our 3rd or 4th snow storm, so the fact we are only expecting a minimal amount of snow is not a problem for me.

Earlier this week I was questioning whether I was “stylish” enough to be blogging. I began over critiquing my clothing choices and wondering if they were “blog” worthy. I was driving myself crazy with self-doubt until I said “STOP!”. I had forgotten that this blog is about me loving myself & how I express that through fashion. I don’t have to categorize or define my style. I wear clothes that fit my body and complement my curves. I wear what feels comfortable to me. I do follow trends but to a degree. I’m going to dress how I see fit. If people like it great and if not that’s alright too.

Lately I’ve been having an affair with blazers. I can’t seem to get enough of them! Recently I’ve fallen in love with bright, colorful blazers. When I saw this Eloquii cobalt blue blazer I knew I had to have it. I was a little skeptical about buying it because my top is a size smaller than my bottom. I finally decided to order a size down and with my fingers crossed (and being 40% off didn’t hurt either!) I ordered it. I’m glad I got the 14/16. The blazer fits great . It’s a knit blazer so there is some stretch to it. I’m very happy with my purchase!

Blazer: Eloquii
Jeans: Talbot Woman trouser jean
Blouse: Gap
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: 14th & Union via Nordstrom Rack

Happy Hump Day!!! Hope your week is going well so far. Mine has been okay. No complaints here though. I’m looking forward to the rest of my week being event free.

Since I vowed to “use what I got”, I’m determined to combine items from my wardrobe to create outfits. I challenged myself to put together an outfit without using black, grey or navy blue. That decision eliminated 90% of my wardrobe. Ack!!! I didn’t realize how many dark color pieces I had. Before, I would just throw on a dark pair of slacks with a turtle neck and black boots. I wore this “uniform” practically everyday during the Winter. I’m more conscious of this “uniform” now and I’m breaking myself out of the habit.

So I combed through my wardrobe to see what I could come up with. I combined my mustard yellow Old Navy cardigan with my brown Lee trousers and my red Ann Taylor Loft blouse. Since the cardigan has become big on me, I cinched the waist with a leopard print belt that was apart of a Julie Dillon dress (Nordstrom carries her plus size dresses). I topped the look off with my gold tear drop earrings, gold bracelet from Lord & Taylor and brown suede Enzo Angiolini wedges. No dark colors! Mission accomplished!

What items from your closet are you combining?

Cardigan: Old Navy
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft
Pants: Lee
Belt: Julie Dillion
Bracelet & Earrings: Lord & Taylor
Shoes: Enzo Angioloni wedges

Happy MLK Day all! I usually on this day reflect on what the great Dr. King did for the Civil Rights Movement. Although I didn’t grow up in the shadow of Jim Crow, I’ve definitely have reaped the benefits of the struggle. We must never forget our history. No matter how “equal” or “not racist” things seem, racism is still alive and very well. Fox News doesn’t even try to cover their racial biases. The sad thing about Fox is that they are the number one news channel on television. You can’t be number one if you don’t have people who subscribe to your ideology. It also doesn’t help with Republican Presidential nominee hopefuls like Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich making racially charged statements. It is now our responsibility to make Dr. King’s dream one day come true.

As I’ve stated before, I love color. Spring literally makes me happy because I can break out all my colorful clothes. Color blocking is the best thing that has EVER come along for a person like me. Wearing bright colors makes me happy and cheerful (well, not too cheerful while driving…gotta work on my road rage!). So to cheer me up on this freezing cold day, I decided to wear my new blouse from Old Navy. I love the diamond print of the blouse. It reminds me of an abstract painting. The fuchsia gives it enough punch of color to brighten any outfit. I can definitely see myself pairing this blouse w/a white or cobalt blue blazer.

I felt my Torrid Curvy skinny jeans (dark denim rinse) worked well with the blouse because it tapered my lower half giving a clean line. These are my FIRST pair of skinny jeans! I’ve tried on multiple pairs of skinny jeans & these by far had the best fit. The best thing about them is that they have a high waist, therefore NO CRACK showing when I sit down. It’s so relieving to know that your booty is totally covered when you sit down. No hiking up the jeans or covering your exposed crack with the back of your shirt. These jeans are the bomb!!!

I topped my look off with my purple suede flats that I’ve had for years from INC. See Virgie, you can color block without looking like a clown! LOL

What do you wear on a casual day?

Blouse: Old Navy
Jeans: Torrid Curvy Skinny
Shoes: INC
Necklace: Old Navy

Happy Friday!!! This week went by so fast! For me this week was really good. The icing on the cake was the compliment I received from the judge I work with. Now I know that doesn’t sound like much, but if you met him you would understand. Imagine the Grinch with glasses and a black robe on and you’ll get my drift! LOL

Today my blog turns a week old (YAY!!!). Writing here has given me so much confidence. I feel radiant when I walk. I’ve never felt that way before. I feel taller, braver and smarter. The positive feedback I’ve received has been amazing. My older sister Virgie sent me a text message that made me cry. She read my blog and said she was proud of me. My sister and I were not close growing up, but in recent years our relationship has blossomed. To hear this from her touched me deeply. I’m blessed to have family and friends who love and accept me for who I am. Please love yourselves. Dont waste time worrying about others opinions or thoughts. Care about yourself everyday. Embrace yourself, even the things you don’t like. Trust me, when you do you will feel like a million bucks!

My outfit today is real simple. Black and white. My blouse is from Old Navy. I like ruffles, so right away it appealed to me. Instead of wearing a blazer, I remembered I had a black vest from Torrid tucked away (next to the dress I wore in Wednesdays post! LOL) and decided to pair it with my blouse. I like the look. Casual and simple. I’m wearing my black straight leg trouser jeans from the Avenue. I’ve moved away from bootcut jeans. I conditioned myself to believe only bootcut jeans and pants look good on me. Puhleaze! I decided to try the straight legs and havent regretted it once.

I hope you enjoy my post. Please leave a comment. I love hearing from everyone!

Have a great weekend!

Blouse: Old Navy
Jeans: the Avenue
Vest: Torrid
Bracelet: Old Navy
Shoes: Bandolino booties