Shopping My Closet; Coin Saving Looks of 2015

It has been over a year since my last post! I've been chillin', enjoying life and dressing nice! All while trying to lower my debt to credit ratio becoming more fiscally responsible. 2015 has been the year of shopping my closet! I'm not saying I haven't hit up my favorite shopping spots here and there, but for the most part I've successfully fought the urge to buy something new for special events. Here is a recap of some of my favorite coin saving looks of 2015.


Earlier this year I started singing with the phenomenal Stellar Award winning, Grammy Award nominated, Dr. Ricky Dillard & New G! For most of our engagements we are strictly uniformed. However there are occasions when we are more coordinated than uniformed. We opened the past season of BET's Sunday Best and were required to wear all black. I knew I would pull this lovely 2yr old  "concert black" Grace Dress. It had been a go to for my classical music performances in the past. I ordered it from eshakti. Originally tea length, I customized it, lengthening the sleeves and the hem. The Grace Dress is available in many variations.

Oct 9-10 2015 was officially love weekend. One the 9th my husband and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary. On the 10th we attended the beautiful marriage ceremony of thee "Purity Couple" Tim and Brelyn Bowman. Check out their love story & purity campaign at meetthebowmans.com

The morning of the wedding I still had no clue what I was going to wear. It was a gorgeous day so, I knew I wanted to wear color. I remembered I had a vintage exaggerated shoulder blazer in magenta  tucked in the back of my closet, that I found off ebay. I paired it with a geo tulip print dress also from Eshakti that I'd worn once before as a skirt. I was so in love with this look. I felt like I was attending the wedding of Prince Akeem from Coming to America.  It was the perfect choice because the wedding was very opulent and regal!

Later in October I traveled to LA to sing with Dr. Dillard & New G for the last performance of The McDonald's 2015 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour at The Taste of Soul Family Festival. A last minute wardrobe change required that we wear denim tops along with printed skirts. This was one of those events I would have gotten something new for, if I had more time. I did search for a printed skirt to no avail. I was going to wear my tulip print dress again with a denim top knotted in front, when we were told we could also wear bright colored skirts. I had this never worn textured Eloquii skirt folded at the top of my closet. My top is years old from Old Navy.

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love a good holiday party or any excuse to dress up. 

Years past I've always attended my husband's company party and always bought something new. This year we attended my holiday party and I didn't buy anything new. I wore a Gabby Skye fit and flare dress, that I feel is a little too fitted around the mid section to wear alone so I added my Eshakti Dahlia Crinoline Skirt . I loved how both pieces came together. 

The hardest task has been trying to find heels that I like and that I can somewhat comfortably perform in. I'm thrilled that block heels are on trend for the extra support. These were purchased within the year specifically with New G in mind. I've gotten good wear out of them and found them all on sale.

The bedazzled clutch, was a repeat from last years holiday party look. 

Silver Shiny Court Shoe Zara

Black Patent Jyssika Enzo Angiolini

Navy NW7IKE2 Nine West

Multi Holt Clutch Nina

Overall this has been a great year, belting the bulge has come to mean more than getting a good pair of spanx and being snatched, but tightening my belt and watching my wallet. 2016 will be more of the same, thinking I have nothing to wear, but forcing myself to wear what I have. As much as I want to build my wardrobe, its more important that I build my future. It won't be easy but it will be worth it! See you next year! 

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