All Hallows' Eve

I've been a little slow on blogging, because I've been traveling.  My first phase of trip is over.  I visited Atlanta to style two photo shoots, have a meet & greet, attended a Halloween party, photographed for the New York Times (that's cray) and a partridge in a pear tree.  I'm now in my hometown of Brunswick, Georgia.  

The best part of my trip to Georgia is that I get to dress up for Halloween twice! The obvious was the Halloween party held for Aries Merritt (2012 Olympic Gold Medalist and a client I styled for some promo shots ~ pics soon to come).  Find him here.  I will also get to dress up again to take my nieces and nephews trick or treating.  I'm not sure what I am going to be the 2nd go 'round, but for the first I attempted Black Swan.  I was hoping to have a make up artist to do my makeup, but this was actually my own attempt.   The great thing about this costume is I pretty much had everything on hand.  I bought a feather boa and super glued it to the top portion.  I also bought the tiara.  I may have been a tad excited about having a good reason to crown myself.  

I so wish I had my sister & MAC MUA in San Diego to do my Halloween makeup.  She goes  all the way out with crazy fun looks.  I thought these would be fun to share and are great ideas for Halloween.  The first is an owl and the second is pop art.  Check her out here.  Happy Halloween all!

Atlanta Meet & Greet

Because of some of your requests for "lil ol' me" to have a meet and greet while visiting Atlanta, I literally whipped one up in the matter of hours.  Life has been really good, but really hectic.  The details are below.  

I'm excited to meet all of you!!!  Bring style questions in hand. Gas tank on E, free styling on me!  I told y'all I was ratchet.   What is even better is Twelve24 is a plus size boutique right in the heart of Atlanta and their couldn't be a more perfect place to have this event!  Visit their Facebook & Twitter for details on this Atlanta based boutique.  

Money for Nothing

Friday was a busy day for me.  I had a morning photo shoot that I was styling for Dzire Boutique for some pieces that are being added.  See some of the looks below.  BTW, the comments concerning the look of the website were great.  I spoke with the owner and encouraged her to read them, so she can see how to improve.  She was glad to read them and is diligently working on making website more aesthetically appealing.  That's the awesome part about having a blog, you guys are always so vocal about your likes and dislikes.    

That night I was invited to a fashion show sponsored by Grapevine Mills and Neiman's Last Call.  Those of you coveting designer shoes, I saw some Christian Louboutin's for $290...tre' affordable!  I even won a $1000 gift card through a raffle (Happy Birthday to me!).  I bought two $10 tickets and won! I almost lost my prize though.  In my own true nature of habitually losing things I could not find my ticket and they almost pulled another name.  I literally dumped my purse out on the runway and scrambled to find it.  I found it and now I foresee a shopping spree in my future. 

Model:  Racheal Yvonne

With fellow bloggers Maytedoll, IvonneStacey (love her!), Modish Means

Outfit Logistics:  Dress - Vintage from Ose (Uh-Seh), Bag - Dzire Boutique $80 (gifted from owner for my bday 'tear') , Scarf - Nordstrom Rack 

I posted some of my favorite looks from the fashion show above.  The first look is from New York & Company. They usually go up to an 18.  The second look from Banana Republic Factory Store.  The third is from Forever21.  I tried to hunt down this jacket at the store because it looked so expensive.  It was a wrap and I new that was one regular sized piece that would work for me.  Unfortunately, the jacket wasn't from there and remains a mystery as to where it came from.  

Okay I know I won a $1000, but I still have to keep it real.  The fashion show was good, but I was disappointed that no plus size fashion was showed, especially since that Grapevine Mills has a lot of options.  I definitely plan on mentioning this to the PR team in hopes of them not totally forgetting about us next go round.

One last thing,  I'll be in Atlanta for a week starting Wednesday.  I want to have a Meet and Greet.  I'm thinking Thursday or Sunday -- wanted to know what day my Atlanta readers favored?   

JIBRI's Mystery Collection

A lot of pieces have recently popped up on the JIBRI website lately.  I'm wondering where the heck did all these new pieces come from?  Are they are apart of a collection?  This can't be the holiday line, for lack of the holiday feel.  So what is it? 

I actually sent the designer a few questions, because I was too nosey not to ask.  JIBRI explained that she will be adding pieces every few weeks that aren't necessarily part of her collection, but that she felt she wanted to creatively get out of her "system."  She says, "There not enough seasons for me to do all that is in me artistically and I don't want to be restricted by cohesion of a collection every time I want to create a garment. Truth be told, I am also a fabric junkie.  When JIBRI started out I could use these unique fabrics knowing that I would only be able to make 2-3 pieces. Now because of JIBRI's success I can't use such unique fabrics in my regular collections. but I will be able to use them for this new chapter.  This gives my customer the chance to have a piece that is so exclusive that they may be only 1 of 3 girls in the world that own that particular piece."  I also inquired about some of the under $100 price points of many of the items.  JIBRI said, "I really want every woman that wants to wear JIBRI to be able to obtain that special piece for themselves.    These new and, what some may consider, unsystematic pieces will create that avenue for JIBRI."  

 Pants $100/Top $95/Dress $165

 Top $80/Skirt $110 /Pants $95

Dress $165 /Skirt $95

Well there you have it.  What do you think of these new mystery pieces?    

Boutique to Know: D'ZIRE

I'm excited to present a new Boutique to Know to y'all.  D'ZIRE is a Houston based online plus size boutique who has commissioned yours truly as buyer.  I've been working for months with this boutique to bring you plus size clothes that have the Chastity stamp of approval.  

The best part is that I even get to shop the boutique that I helped pick out clothes for.  Below is a dress that I picked up from D'ZIRE before their launch.  I'm a greedy fashion girl.  I like to get mine before everybody else.  Don't judge me.    I would love to know what you think so far.  

Here are some more fun pieces from D'ZIRE.  

Jumpsuit $65/Dress $99

 Top $42/Dress $62

Dress $80/Top $32

Outfit Logistics:  Dress - DZIRE $240 (belt included) call customer service to order at 7138396683, Shoes - Thrifted, Bag - Gifted, Lip - MAC (Mix of Lady Danger & Ruby Woo -- I wanted and orange red)

Shop & Stay tuned into new arrivals here:

www.dzireboutique.com 

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Birfdays & Bras

Beautiful, but functional,  I was given a Curvy Couture Bra & Panty Set to try.  As of now, it's the most beautiful bra that I own.  Wearing the set makes me think of the first scene of the Devil Wears Prada where all the fashion girls are getting ready for work in their beautiful lingerie.  I love wearing luxurious undergarments.  It's the secret that nobody knows, but makes you feel extra powerful.  Almost like you are carrying a concealed weapon, like some kind of curvy kryptonite.  

The bras are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.  Of course, I chose the leopard set.  As beautiful as the bras are I expected them to cost more, but they hover around $55 and go up to a size 44DD and will soon go up to a 44H.  Check out Curvy Couture here. 

This year for my "birfday," Curvy Couture and I going to give you something way better than a new sweater.  Two readers have a chance to win a bra and panty set from Curvy Couture.  There are multiple ways to enter this sexy giveaway below.  Winners announced on my birthday, October 17.  Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Blustery Day

Can you believe that it was actually it was cold (like 50 degrees) in Dallas?!?  I decided to layer it up for what was a extremely long day.  On the agenda was a blogger's event hosted by Neiman's Last Call & Grapevine Mills and 2 image consulting sessions.   The Last Call /Grapevine Mills event was wonderful and very informative.  Apparently, the Forever 21 & H&M plus size lines are at the Grapevine Mills location.  I went, I saw, I shopped.  Sometimes I get taken aback when I actually get to shop in a store, instead of online.  I also scored a DVF bag from Last Call originally marked $385 for $85, with the help of a 50% sale & a $50 gift card gifted from Last Call.  Thank you, I was desperately in need of a bag for autumn and the leather smells soooooo good (It's the simple thing in life LOL).  

I did want to highlight my white button up shirt.  Sometimes the classic items are hardest to find, but I picked up this shirt from Land's End. It's has really nice stretch, looks crisp, and is cut nice.  Never underestimate the power of a crisp white shirt.  It's versatile, never goes out of style, and always add that touch of polish.  You can find the shirt here.  And here's the coupon code I used for 40% off: 9876.   

I was playing around with my Photoshop on the flooring.  Don't worry, I won't be doing any body alterations.  Please excuse my hair, the wind was didn't care if I was taking photos. 

Outfit Logistics:  Dress:  H&M $24 (dress worn as a top - straight size L), White Shirt: Land's End $54 http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-long-sleeve-no-iron-stretch-shirt~217730_57.html?sku_0=::WHI, Skirt - Vince Camuto via Nordstrom $79, Belt - Asos $14, Bag - Diane von Furstenburg via Neimans Last Call $85 (org. $385 SCORE!), Shoes - Wedges $27

Working 9-5

Every time I wear a bow blouse, I think of the movie 9 to 5.  I also remember having to wear one in pre-school on picture day and resenting my mother for making me wear such a bow around my neck.  I vowed not to make any future children wear such things.  To a four year old bow neck blouses seem lame and restricting.  As a grown up, I can't get enough of them.  Thanks Mom!  The one I am wearing happens to be the Steve Harvey Blouse I bought it from K&G.  It's a little shinier than I would like, but coupled with a sweater I think it cut some of the shininess out.  

Outfit Logistics:  Sweater - H&M $10 (reg. size), Blouse:  Steve Harvey for K&G $25, Skirt:  Talbot (similar) $45, Brooch - Banana Rebublic $20 (old), Shoes - Nordstrom Rack $48, Belt - Asos $14