T'is the Season to be Falley:Sweaters, Sweatshirts, and Scarves!

It's the most wonderful time of year!!! Mild days, chilly evenings, and cool nights, perfect for sweaters, sweatshirts and scarves. I love a good oversized sweater, or large scarf I can wrap for days. Here are a few looks that capture my Saturday feel.

The first look is from anniversary weekend. We were on our way to dine at the restaurant where we had our very first date. I wore a red and black NY Collection sweater I found on sale for a little over twenty bucks, at Macys. My small Michael Kors Sloan bag has quickly become my favorite bag to carry, especially since I've decided this is the fall/winter of fifty shades of red.

Homecoming weekend I represented for my alma mater thee Howard University,  (BISON U KNOW) while running errands, in my 7yr old I <3 being a Howard Girl sweatshirt and the Js my hubster surprised me with not to long ago.  I spy a blue and black sweater at Macys, I might  have to get to go with my Js!

I found a lovely Cynthia Rowley Scarf from Marshals. I paired it with a salmon short sleeve sweater, boyfriend jeans, and my Zara flats, for comfy chic weekend wear. 

                                                    

MICHAEL Michael Kors 
Small Sloan Suede Shoulder Bag 

   Jordan Retro Sport Blue 3  

NY Collection Plus Size Long-Sleeve Patchwork Open-Front Cardigan

NY Collection Plus Size Draped Mixed-Stitch Cardigan

  

From Drab to Fab, Home Addition.

Shortly after our nuptials, Damien and I were gifted a living room set that was a perfect fit for our small apartment. While the grey and off white set was a step up from the oversized chocolate sofa and loveseat previously housed in the bland bachelor pad, it still lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. Slowly but surely I've been adding lots of color, textures, and prints. Sometimes when I come through the door I have to stop and smile because its so cozy and bright! 

There are still some changes to be made. I plan to changeout the coffee table for an ottoman and the french provincial desk for a small buffet table. I've been trying to convince Dame that we needed another piece of furniture on that back wall. So I placed my desk there, after it was purchased to be used as my vanity in our bedroom. My master plan sort of backfired because after a few days of sitting in that space Dame didn't want me to move it. It's fine for now, but as soon as I find the perfect mirror and chair to complete my vanity table it's out of there. In the meantime we've been actively looking for buffet tables at HomeGoods. 

I really love how it's turning out, especially my wall of frames.  I'd say it's gone from drab to fab all while on a budget!

For the most part I had free rein to do what I wanted, but Damien was really proud of the oriental rug he found at Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store and asked me not to change it.  

All teal frames: Marshalls, most Clearance 

I added upholstery nails to the armchair for a little bling

Vintage french provincial desk, Craigslist 

Mainstays Fretwork Decorative Pillow, Gold

Ethnic Cushion Cover

Beaded Cynthia Rowley throw pillow, Marshalls, marked $20 Clearance, but I asked and got it for $7 because the zipper was broken. It was an easy fix!

Cynthia Rowley throw pillow, Marshalls $10

Target Room Essentials™ Set 2 Tribal Triangle Orange

Found in store as a single pillow on clearance for $5

  Better Homes and Gardens Ikat Scroll Curtain Panel 

Garden Stool TjMaxx $30 

Fash Friends

Some years back my best friend, the gorgeous, animated, and ever fashionable Kiki, said "Keem, you have to meet my girl Tiffany, she's always put together head to toe. You would so love her style!"  I finally met the fab Tiffany Monique, immediately we started talking about our favorite plus size shopping spots. Kiki was right, I love her style. 

Check Tiffany out in this lovely *Sold Out* Teal Fashion to Figure, LoveLace Cap Sleeve Dress.  The color block clutch was a great $25.00 find from Marshalls! (Y'all know I love me a Marshalls and a TJ Maxx)  Tiffany looked perfect for a day wedding in late spring!

Tiffany also wore a FTF bodycon dress for her birthday back in March! I live for Leopard, so yes,  I absolutely think she killed in that dress! I also love the dark lips and the curly faux hawk. Werk!

Fashion to Figure Stores are popping up everywhere. I've glanced at a few window displays but have yet to step inside. I've been hesitant because from what I've seen the clothing seems to be cut on the smaller side, similar to the forever 21 plus line. I'm going to keep an open mind though, and check them out. Who knows what I might find?

BodyConmicon

Last night I attended District Of Curves: DC's Full Figured Fashion Showcase.  It was a really fun event presented by The Curves Ahead Project. There were national, local, and online based brands being featured in the various runways shows. As you can imagine the nights fashion celebrated every nook curve and cranny of the full figured body! That being said the star of the evening was the bodycon dress.  At one point I jokingly thought, this is like a bodycon convention! Of all the form fitted frocks that walked the catwalk this was one of my favorites because of the mixed prints. It is from Diamond Girl Fashions.

I also liked this bodycon dress that walked in the show featuring items from  Curvey Plus Boutique and SoPosh Accessories

      LaShaun Simmons                                                                                      Deirde Johnson-Mundell

Creative Director of  SoPosh Accessories                                                   Owner of  Curvey Plus Boutique

I really loved the stone washed denim pencil skirt worn by Deride, it can also be purchased from her boutique.

The evening for me was all about feeling the energy of like minded individuals while people watching. These super fly ladies caught my eye.

 Ladies Representing Girls of Plenty

Blogger of  Glamd Out Curves

From the runway shows, the venders, and all the people in attendance it was an awesome showcase. I can't wait to attend the next District of Curves event. It is sure to be flirty, fabulous and fun! 

Easter Bonnet:Pink,Peach,and Polka dots!

Every Easter I make sure I have a new outfit, that I playfully call my Easter Bonnet. This year I decided to shop my closet. I wore a pink blouse with white polka dots off the target clearance rack. The fab find, pink thrift store blazer is paired with a peach pleated skirt from Burlington Coat Factory. The T-strapped sparkle flats are from Zara. My favorite piece of this look is the hot pink Kate Spade bag that I snagged during an impromptu trip to Marshalls last Spring! 

kate Spade New York Bright Spot Avenue/Little Kennedy

Pitfalls of Packing

I'm back in Connecticut this weekend with an empty, extra large suitcase. I'm visiting my family and bringing back more of my clothes. I've been missing some of my staples and I don't really know why I left them in the first place. 

I've literally been dreaming about this teal blazer. I got it off ebay a few years ago. If I never win another ebay bid it's fine, because I hit the jacket jackpot when I stumbled across this. I was searching for vintage plus size blazers. The listing photo did not show all the details of the blazer. I was sold merely by the color and the gold buttons. But when I opened the package and discovered the cut and the exaggerated shoulder, I was so hype. I don't remember what I paid but whatever it was, it was very well worth it.

I've been without all of my statement necklaces for almost 4months. Thats crazy! I've been in DC this entire time with a pair of hoops, my wedding ring, two bracelets and one necklace. I purchased the necklace pictured from my cousin. She sells jewelry she buys wholesale from NY. 

My leopard camisole will be coming back to DC with me. It's leopard, it's sheer, and there's some lace. Enough said.  

I have a few clutches I have to pack, including this little faux croc Steve Madden joint I got years ago from Macys.

I also grabbed my red Nine West "Max" sling backs. Yea, yea I know I just made a big tadoo about not wearing heals, but every once in awhile I'll grin and bare it. I love these shoes! The buckle hardware, pleasantly reminiscent of the 80's bamboo door knocker earrings, along with the rich red tone and the lux suede, sends me! The best part about these shoes is, between a 75% off clearance sale and my employee discount, I paid only 6 bucks for them. I also bought a black pair. Back then I wasn't aware they came in the turquoise, but for six bucks I would have gotten them too. 

As the weather warms up, I anticipate getting out more rediscovering the area and visiting friends. I'm not sure when I will be able to get back to CT to officially move all of my things. So, this go round, I'm doing my best not to leave anything behind that I'll miss too much. 

A Closer Look

            Nine West "Max"

Get Flattered

I am a singer, I often perform in various types of ensembles.The best way to get a rolled side eye from me is to give a dress code for an event and say no flats.The worst thing is standing on a stage trying to put my best foot forward, only to have my feet send signals of pain to my brain. I hate when beads of sweat glaze my face, not from the stage lights, but from the tingly sensation of toes numbing. Even in solo performances, especially those requiring formal attire the soaring of my voice has to compete with the soreness of my feet. 

Let's be perfectly clear, I don't hate heels! I hate how they make my calves feel like they are on a stretching mechanism, and the balls of my feet feel like I've been tap dancing with jazz hands on hot coals.  Even still, I'd GIVE to be able to wear a 6 inch heeled work of art, but I literally can't stand it. 

To make matters worse, a few years back, I worked as a shoe sales person.During that period I accumulated some great shoes, fantastic heels that I hardly wear. Two years of standing long hours on a carpeted concrete floor did nothing for my already bad feet, except drop the very small arches I did have. 

So, yes in my day to day, 9.9 out of ten times you'll see me in my "flatty tatties", but make no mistake they will be fabulous. When I get flattered, I look for Patterns, Colors, and Sparkle!  Here are some of my favorite flats, and a single wedge when I want a little lift. 

                                                Geometric Pointed Slipper, Zara

                                   Adrienne Vittadini Carmelita Ballet flat, TJ Maxx

• DV by Dolce Vita  Folly Bootie, Nordstrom

                                                             BP Sidney Oxford, Nordstrom

                                          Diane von Furstenberg Malia Ballet Flat 

                                                     Shiny Ballerina Flat, Zara

                                                  BCBGeneration Taffi Wedge, Macys