Beach Body

Okay so we are on the precipice of the hottest most stress inducing season for females everywhere -- summertime!  All across the nation the prep and grind has already begun (some women start as soon as the ball drops on New Year's) to attain bikini worthy beach bodies.    It's commendable to push your minds and bodies to the limit to achieve an ideal body weight or look.  It's even encouraging when it's done with the right motivation.  But do I have to to hide my body in shame because we have different ideas of what type of body is worthy of wearing a two piece?  Why can't we enjoy and be proud of the body we have now whether we are in the process of change or not.  I'm not trying to condone a sedentary lifestyle or obesity but I'm also not going to let society dog me or shame me either into hiding my body in a moo moo because it's not what the CW thinks is beach body material.  This is my body and I'm at the beach therefore it is a beach body.  I'm all about self love and acceptance so if that means that you're going hardcore doing two-a-days and counting calories or if your showcasing what you've got (cellulite and all) I'm an avid supporter!  Life is too short to spend our time hating our bodies or waiting for someone else's approval to define our beauty.  Honestly "they" may never accept your body but don't you think you should since it is your body after all.  It hasn't always been easy but I am thankful that I have come to accept myself -- belly jelly and all.

Having a cute bathing suit for summer helps too!  Plus size swimwear has definitely gotten a facelift over the last 3 years.  After years of limited choices designed to mask and cover up our bodies, companies like Swimsuits For All,  Simply Be and Forever 21 have offered the curvy girl something to look forward to when shopping for bathing suits this season-- flattering options!  Who would have thunk that a fat girl wants to look good and feel sexy at the beach? 

While not every curvy girl might not feel comfortable wearing a fatkini, I hope you get out there at least and enjoy the summer and all it has to offer.  Remember that there will always be haters and people ready and waiting to pick at your flaws but you must be ready to pick yourself up and love what you have even if you have to fake it at first.   Eventually you will see that your fat is not an all encompassing defining flaw but just another facet, a feature amongst other features that makes you,  you.  

Bathing Suit ::: Forever 21+ (no longer available)

Enjoy the water & stay lovely!

xx

Taste the Rainbow

As you guys know I love to wear bright colors.  It's funny to look back at my style choices over the years and see how much color played a role in creating my personal style.  I used to be obsessed with wearing one color all the time -- in middle school it was Carolina blue and during my junior year of high school I wore pink almost everyday.  Thankfully things for me have changed and instead of focusing on wearing one color I embrace the rainbow especially if I can get away with wearing as many colors as I can in one outfit.  I love this outfit for this reason and the red brick background somehow pulls the look together reminding me of a bag of Skittles.   This look consists of two standard pieces but because of the use of color and the fun tribal print it turns something that was once simple into a colorful and creative look.

Tank Top ::: Old Navy (old)
Skirt/Clutch/Sunnies ::: ASOS (old)
Platforms ::: Shoe Dazzle (old)

Stay Lovely,

xx

Essentials

There are just some items every woman should have in their closet.  These essentials are the building blocks of your personal wardrobe.  These items can be worn alone or be styled with accessories or other essentials creating a new look.  Examples of some basic essentials include an a-line skirt, the little black dress, a white collared man shirt, a well cut blazer and black pumps.  Then there are personal essentials-- these may not serve a purpose in your, let's say your best friend's closet, but is multifunctional in yours -- which is most important!  One of my personal essentials are my white jeans -- I own three pairs!  The thought of white jeans might be scary and bring to mind images of bad hair and makeup from the '80s but you can do a lot with a basic pair of white jeans.  I wear them any time of year ( I don't follow the no white after Labor Day rule --- it's just so silly!) and they are super great for spring/summer to use as a neutral canvas for fun flirty tops.  Today I paired my white jeans with another wardrobe essential, my chambray shirt and my newest pair of heels in juicy orange suede.  Three simple items that can easily stand alone but when styled together create and easy, instant, no-fuss outfit.

Chambray Shirt ::: JCP
White Jeans ::: Torrid (old)
Shoes ::: DSW
Clutch ::: Can't remember (old)

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Stay Lovely,

xx

Aloha!

Hey everyone!

I was pretty excited when I was approached by Ashley Stewart to participate in one of their blogger contests to create a styled look based on one of their pieces from their spring collection.  With my choice of accessories and heels I played up the Linen Placket Bias Dress they sent me -- which is super versatile and so comfortable to wear.  I chose a sunny yellow color because I'm drawn to bright colors and it just screams springtime.  I continued with the motif of springtime and added floral accessories in the form of a crown and heels from GUESS which I think created more of  a Hawaiian Punch kind of look but either way I'm happy with the results.   What do you think?  Do you like the look?  Would you rock it?  If so make sure you like my look that will be posted on the Ashley Stewart Facebook page and on their Instagram account -- you can find them @byashleystewart.

Linen Dress ::: Ashley Stewart
Belt ::: from another dress
Floral Slingbacks ::: GUESS (old)
Floral Crown/Bracelet ::: ASOS
Lip Stick Color ::: MACs Ruby Woo

Thanks for reading & please vote!

Stay Lovely,

xx

Mr. Sun

 Happy Sunday!

I constantly need to refocus my thinking and attitude when I get preoccupied with my life and the always existing challenges that come up.  It's so easy to get bogged down with anxieties but taking a moment to breath and refocus on the good and on helping others can bring peace to heart and mind.  There's plenty of reasons to be happy and one reason in particular is Mr. Sun making its comeback to Jacksonville.  It has been raining for the last 5 days and it was starting to get a girl down.  But this change of weather has got your girl feeling good and looking the part helps too.  Clear blue skies and a warm breeze couldn't make this sunny Sunday any better.   Hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy the weather!

Sun Lovin'

Loving my newest orange lip color from Buxom's new Full Bodied Lipsticks, in ROGUE

Floral Peplum Top ::: JCP
Pleated Skirt ::: ASOS (old)
Heels ::: DSW
Belt ::: NY & Co (old)
Clutch ::: Charming Charlie (old)
Bracelet ::: ASOS 

Stay Lovely.

xx

Spotted

Hey Everyone!

So I have finally decided to emerge from my cave of sweat pants, baggy shirts and head wraps and decided to join the rest of the human race in getting up, out and properly dressed.  It felt like a treat since it seems like I've only been wearing my ceil blue nursing scrubs more than anything else that I own.

After running a few errands, including getting a new and much needed passport picture and meeting up with potential styling clients I met up with some of my coworkers at a cool restaurant in the Historical Five Points area in Jacksonville, FL called Black Sheep.  It has a very swanky hip atmosphere and an awesome rooftop bar which can be reserved for private parties -- a great location for a grad or engagement/anniversary party so definitely check it out-- it's a hot spot.

Top ::: ASOS Curve
Pants ::: Old Navy
Purse ::: Charming Charlie
Shoes ::: Shoe Dazzle

As you can see by my outfit I got a little carried away with polka dots and why not! Go big or go home, right?! Try it out yourself -- be bold and rock your pattern of choice head to toe. 

*Styling Tip: So that your head to toe mono pattern look is not too harsh or severe to the eyes mix up the patterns with different sizes, shapes and colors.

Thanks for reading.  Stay lovely.

xx