eShakti Why Does My Dress Reak of Gasoline & Exhaust

You know how you get all excited about a purchase and then when you get it you are just overwhelmed with disappointment.  This is the feeling I am sure plagues the plus size shopper, since we are very much limited to online shopping.    Now I will say that until the last two months my shopping with eShakti has been good.  But starting around September everything has went downhill.  It started with my purchasing of my bridesmaid dresses from them.  Let's just say the color I ordered that was pictured on the site and the color that was sent was just two different things.  After back and forth emails and just overall frustration I abandoned ship.  I will just choose another company to deal with for the bridesmaid dress.  Just because a company may have gotten one thing wrong with an order doesn't automatically mean that I don't order anymore. I usually give retailers the benefit of the doubt because who doesn't make mistakes.  That's just life. 

I purchased this Houndstooth Print Fleece Dress from eShakti a couple weeks ago.

Now if anyone knows anything about eShakti, the products come from India and is about a 2 week wait before you receive your garment.  They don't allow you to do even exchanges.  Shipping is $8.95.  Now when you are doing a return with them I generally spend another $10 for returns then if I decide to reorder the item (the reason to reorder is that I can custom the order to ensure the length) that is another $8.95 for shipping.  Let's calculate.  That's $27.90 in shipping along for an order correction.  See my frustration.   So it is imperative that you get your order right the first time. 

Now I must say that I think I have some expert skill in online ordering.  I know my body really well and I can generally tell how things will fit, the expected length, etc.  So take a look at the dress above.  It looks like a dress for the office and other conservative type environments.  My assumption is this dress will be conservative in length.  The dress will probably just cover the knee or fall right at the knee.  So my question to eShakti is where the heck is the rest of my dress!!!

I hate taking unflattering pictures of myself, but it had to be done.  This picture was taken this morning before I got ready for work.  I know I look pretty rough and my knees look ashy --- I think it must be dry in Texas or something because I have issues with dry skin here.  Anyways, this photo actually makes this dress look longer than it is.  It comes to about mid thigh and barely (and I mean barely) covers my back area.  Like, "COME ON!"  Should I really be this off on the length.  I honestly don't think so, but maybe I'm wrong.  Tell me what you think.

And on top of everything else, my dress smelled like it had been sitting on top of an exhaust pipe with someone hosing it down with gasoline.  It reaked so bad that I put it on my balcony so it wouldn't stink up my apartment.  This is definitely a first for me and I have done a lot of online ordering.  Let's just say I am extremely frustrated and the dress will be going back.

What's In Your Purse Wednesdays: Breakfast with Tiffany from Fat Shopaholic

She loves floral, pinkberry, and Hello Kitty. She's fabulous! She's has one side of her hair shaved.  Who is this lady?  Why it is Tiffany from Fat Shopaholic.  She has graciously opted to participate in my new series, "What's in your purse Wednesdays." A series to help you guys to get to know the other fabulous bloggers on the scene by what is in their purse.  And how better to get to know someone, but through their purse.  The contents of our purse's can reveal some of the most intimate details of who we are.  Now I will let Tiffany tell you what is in her bag.

From Tiffany herself:  "So, this is my bag. It is actually a vintage floral duffel bag, with a leather piece sewed on to the bottom with studs attached made by Two String Jane. It's inspired by the Alexander Wang MIni Coco Studded Duffel Bag.  I was not always a bag person (I wore mostly book bags), but this has become a staple in my wardrobe. I love that it's so unique and no one else will have it."

This is my Nikon D3000. I got it for my birthday this past june. It's been in my bag on the regular since it landed in my arms. There have been so many summer events and people visiting me before school starts and of course I have to document my outfits and the fun happenings of my adventures. 

These are my new glasses from Zenni Optical. Right after I took this picture my brother broke them, but I ordered some more! Sometimes I deal with being a little blind so I can rock a cute pair of sunnies and throw my glasses in my bag.

My Kindle is a staple in whatever bag I'm carrying. I am a very heavy reader and love having this with me for those boring train rides. I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love and I have been for a while. I can't seem get into it. I think I may just power through it this weekend and call it a day.

Mina's Joint by Keisha Ervin is not available on Kindle, but it goes where ever I do. I used to read a lot of books about drug dealers and their girlfriends from like 8th - 10th grade. Most of those books I don't own anymore, but this one is sooooooooo good! I mean this book has a great plot, it's funny, the characters have a lot of life and are very well developed. I feel like the main characters boy friend just happens to sell drugs, so that it could get published by Triple Crown. I have read this 1,000 times; I highly recommend this!
This a compact mirror I scored from the Sonsi table at Chastity's A Curvy Girl's Guide to Style book signing during Full Figure Fashion Week.  It has not left my bag since. (From me:  I must attest that this is the most fabulous compact ever...I am with Tiffany---this has become a new must for my daily carryings in my purse.)

Because I was asked to cover some great summer events like Full Figure Fashion Week and Fashion's Night Out which is kicking us into Fall I thought it would be a good idea to invest in business cards. After all it's lot easier for people to find you if they have something to remember you by.
 

Sometimes when I'm on a long train ride (like today) I just want to relax and I ditch all my jewelry, so I throw it in my bag. This a Dookie Bracelet by naKiMuli, a Hammered ring by Torrid, earrings from Re/Dress NYC, and a cocktail ring from Forever 21.

This is my Jimmy Choo for H&M Wallet! This has been the only wallet I have carried since I cut a class and waited in line for it and two other bags. At $50 and real leather it was a steal.

These are my keys. I mean of course they are in my bag; I can't into my apartment with out them!

This is my iPhone 3G. It goes where I go because I am a music nerd to the death.

Speaking of being a music nerd these are my Bose Quiet Comfort 3 head phones. Again they go where I go. These were a bit of an investment item, but if your itunes has 5,000 songs like mine I think it's a valid purchase.

Rose Bud Salve for those chapped lips.

A lighter because you never what cute girl will ask if you have a light!

I hope you enjoyed the visit from Tiffany, I know I sure did (in my Big Bird at Sesame Street Voice)!  Any other bloggers out there if you are interested in participating just email me at chastity@garnerstyle.com.  

And just for kicks...this is the new theme song for  What's in your bag Wednesdays.



Outfit of the Day: I hope God likes my Mustard Tights

So today's outfit is inspired by one my favorite blog God's Favorite Shoes.  One thing I love about Ms. Reiko, is that she is a pro thrifter.  She puts together the most versatile and fabulous looks for a minimal amount of cash.  She really should write a book on thrifting, because her skills are crazy.  

The majority of my look was bought from a consignment Clotheshorse (here in Dallas off of Preston Rd).  Clotheshorse is high end prices start from around $20 and can go over $1500 (for high designer goods).   I must admit its my favorite consignment shop here.  There are not a lot of plus size duds, but if you look hard enough you can find some treasures.  

The items I picked up were:

Kenneth Cole Geometric Print Top - $18

Talbots Purple Cardi - $14

Lafayette 148 Black Skirt - $63 w/ 25% off

My total check for these 3 pieces was $86.  Although I have not mastered low end thrifting, I am learning...thanks to Reiko.  

I also paired this outfit with a pair of mustard tights from We Love Colors!  I hope God liked them, I know all the little girls at church were looking at them.  

I super excited that Clotheshorse gave me a chance to try this Lafayette 148 Skirt.   Lafayette 148 frequents stores like Neimans & Saks.  They do extend to plus sizes, but generally the price tag on these items are around $300.  I found this skirt to fab and I actually fit into this size 16.  This skirt actually is the best fitting skirt that I have bought off the rack.  The waist fits insanely perfect.   I will definitely start looking at this brand more.  I also love the little waist detail.

I am definitely stocking up my tights for the fall and winter.   So far this season I have bought plum, mustard, and black.  I love adding colors to the collection.

I experimented a little with mixing prints and added this houndstooth printed caplet.  I really liked it together, so I definitely will wear this in the future.   The caplet came from a store in Cartersville, GA (I purchased a year ago and can't remember the name of the boutique) and it is actually a medium....and it works fabulously. 

Birthdays and Buttons

Well today I turn 30 years old.  I didn't ask to be a member of the 30 club, but now that I am in it is not that bad.   I had a very nice weekend complete with the Texas State Fair and my favorite cafeteria Lubys.  I love old people cafeterias, just the neatly laid out portions makes me feel like everything right with the world.  

I decided to wear one my favorite dresses from Isaac Mizrahi for Target to church.  I paired with a pair patent leather flats that I got from the Avenue for $5.  It has been missing the buttons in what seems like forever, so I scouted out some fabric buttons from a Etsy seller EclectiCollection.  I just sent over the information to the seller (the button width and color).    The buttons were just around $2, so it was a quick and cheap fix.   

The seller did a great job with the match.  On the right is the original button and the left is the new one. 

Last, but not least, I wanted to thank everyone for the birthday wishes.  I have gotten so many facebook, calls, and text messages I might feel just a little bit special:)   Someone even left a birthday rap for me on my voicemail.  I will let the party remain nameless...LOL.  

Outfits of the Holiday: Way down to Kokomo

So if you have paid any attention to my tweets in the last month you may already know that I went to the Bahamas to celebrate my 30th birthday.  My birthday is actually on Oct. 17, but close enough.  Such a treat, although exciting, presented the resort-wear for the curvy girl issue.   While searching for things to wear I realized that it is really hard to find stylish resort-wear in plus sizes.   I managed to piece together and integrate some new pieces in with some old ones.  So this is what I came up with:

Please note:  The party that I went with all internetaphobes.  They don't like to posted on any website, so the pics are just of me and cropped out pieces of my friends.  

This swimsuit is from Newport News for around $50.  The sarong is from www.all-sarongs.com.  They actually carry plus-size sarongs.   For me this was great because my hip span sometimes has my sarong coming up short.

I picked up this maxi from AsosCurve for about $20.  I bought it a tad too big, but didn't have time to alter it before I left.  Apparently, this dress was hit.  Everyone really liked, even this random lady on the street cornered me, grabbed my arm, and was like "Where did you get that dress from?"  It was really kind of weird, at first I thought she was hitting on me.   She was all in my personal space...LOL. 

This dress is from Lane Bryant like 2 or 3 years ago.  Every so often LB does put out a really cute dress. I remember when I bought it I said to myself, "This would be great on vacation."  The thing about buying a dress from the one of the only major plus size retailers is the chance that someone will show up in the same place wearing your dress.  Rare finds like this I put up for a couple of years.  This was literally my second time wearing this dress.  I'm a little red from falling asleep in the sun, but it was the best nap I ever had.

Finally, this dress is from JIBRI.  Its been featured on my site before.  It gives off that nautical vibe.  I had this ugly little bag on.  It was really the only over the shoulder bag I could find last minute.  It was my ugly little companion the whole trip. 

A lot of the pieces were that I wore on the trip were pieces that I have had for a long time.  I couldn't really find anything new and exciting, but in the end I was happy with my looks.  Honestly, this was one time where comfort was my main priority.   I would love to know who you ladies look to for your resort-wear, so that I can have a better idea next time.